A TftUttE>-NAIL HISTORY OF THE CITY OF AOU5TON TEXAS I I >3'i I i ** f tf i i *' "w6* ^"^ v GENERAL SAM HOUSTON Patriot and Statesman. The hero of San Jacinto, in whose honor the City of Houston is named A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON TEXAS FROM ITS FOUNDING IN 1836 TO THE YEAR 1912 >* V S By DR. S'.O. YOUNG irfV- HOUSTON, TEXAS : JUNE, 1912 pat 4 PRESS OP REIN & SONS COMPANY HOUSTON. Bancroft A WORD IN ADVANCE. In presenting this little volume to the people of Houston for their consideration, I feel that a word ^ of explanation is due. I wrote the book to supply ft a badly needed "need," of course, but I wrote it more for my own pleasure than for anything else. I have made no attempt at fine writing and have ,s\ given no thought to literary excellence. My sole ob- ject has been to attain accuracy, and every precau- -^ tion has been taken to guard against error. Where- ever possible I have consulted original documents and newspapers. Yet, in spite of this, I fear that some errors have crept in and that the readers will find many statements which they may think errone- ous. I say this because there are some stories and traditions that have been repeated so often that many suppose them to be true. If the readers derive as much pleasure from pe- rusing these pages as I have from writing them, I shall feel content. I have enjoyed writing every line, and add "The End" with regret. S. O. YOUNG. Houston, June 5th, 1912. TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER JHr*. JHaitb 3t atutte Qimng WHOSE LIFE WA5 LARGELY DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF EDUCATION AND TO THE CREATION OF A TASTE FOR LITERATURE AND THE SCIENCES IN THE MINDS OF THE EARLIER CITIZENS OF HOUSTON. THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED THE AUTHOR CHAPTER ONE. Why Houston Was Founded When Incorporat- ed First Mayor of Houston Various Admin- istrations Reconstruction Days Huge City Debt What the Commission Is Doing Today- Full List of Houston's Mayors. A fact not generally known nor appreciated is that Houston is the result of a disagreement between the Aliens and the Harrises. There was no serious quarrel or anything of that sort. They differed about land matters, with the result that the Aliens, instead of joining the Harrises in their efforts to build up the already established town of Harris- burg, came five miles by land and about sixteen miles by water further up the bayou, and laid the foundation for the rival town, which was destined to become the greatest city in Texas and one of the greatest in the Southwest. Now, as a matter of fact, there was no good rea- son for the new town. The location at Harrisburg was ideal and had many advantages, naturally, that Houston had to create artificially. There was, to begin with, sixteen miles of very crooked and hard- ly navigable bayou to be overcome in order to reach Houston, while the new site had absolutely nothing to compensate for this disadvantage. However, there was an element injected into the controversy that helped the Aliens wonderfully in carrying out their scheme. Santa Anna's soldiers 8 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF showed up just at the critical moment and burned Harrisburg. Before the Harrises could recover from the blow, and while their town still lay in ashes, the Aliens acted and not only had their town laid out, but were actively engaged in selling town lots to settlers. Not much progress was made dur- ing the first year, however, and there was not much of a city in evidence and scarcely more to indicate where that city was to be, for Governor Frank Lubbock, in his memoirs, gives an amusing descrip- tion of his search for the town, even after he had reached and passed the foot of Main street. He came to Houston on the first steamboat that ever arrived here and it took four days to make the trip from Harrisburg to Houston. That being the pio- neer trip an immense amount of work had to be done to clear the stream of sunken logs and over- hanging trees. There was plenty of water, but there were numerous obstructions in and over the channel. After that first boat there was little or no delay and before long there were other boats that came to Houston, and in a year or two there was a regular service established between Houston and Galveston. The question of transportation was one of the most serious with which the early settlers had to contend. Transportation by land was not only dif- ficult, but actually dangerous, for there were hos- tile Indians and predatory bands of Mexicans ever on the watch for unwary settlers. There were no roads, ordinary trails being the only guides for the .3. A. ad twenty-three miles, though no planks had been laid, when some of the citizens of Chappell Hill, Washington County, issued a call for a great meet- ing to be held at Chappell Hill in the interest of building a railroad. Houston was invited to send delegates to that railroad convention, and a meet- ing was held in June, 1852, at the old Capitol Ho- tel for the purpose of discussing the question. The meeting was largely attended, the stock- holders in the Plank Road project being conspicu- ous. They had something of a double interest in the meeting, for while they knew the value of a rail- road they also knew that a railroad would complete- ly destroy the value of their plank road. However, 66 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF that fact seems not to have influenced their action, for they voted for sending a strong delegation to the Chappell Hill convention. This action was taken not without opposition, however, for while making no direct attack on the proposed railroad, Dr. Fran- cis Moore, the editor of the Telegraph, made a vig- orous fight for the plank road, which he argued was a present necessity and one, too, which could be sup- plied at once, while it would take years to secure a charter for a railroad and again years to build the road after the charter was secured. A fact worthy of special mention is that at that meeting Mr. Paul Bremond took a most prominent part in advocating the building of the railroad. This was his first appearance as a railroad advocate, and it deserves notice for it was he who was destined to become the real pioneer in railroad building in Texas. He had been one of the incorporators of the railroad chartered in 1848 under the name of the Galveston and Red River railroad, which road, after many changes and amendments of its charter, fin- ally became the Houston and Texas Central. Mr. Bremond opposed adhering to the plank road if it was going to delay the building of the railroad, and advocated speedy action on the latter proposi- tion. The whole situation was gone over at that meeting with evident good results, for while neither the plank road nor the Washington County rail- road was ever built, there was started a movement towards railroad building that resulted in work be- ing actually begun on the Houston and Texas Cen- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 67 tral railroad, January 1, 1858, Mr. Paul Bremond having the honor of throwing the first shovel of dirt. Now it may seem strange that any one should have raised the least objection to railroad building at a time when the urgent need of a railroad was so obvious. That, however, may be explained by the fact that the Houston merchants had become used to the means of transit then in vogue, namely, the ox-wagon, and had seen such good results follow- ing it that they were beginning to feel that they could do very well without other means of trans- portation. It must be borne in mind that the wagon service was not desultory nor intermittent. It was slow but it was certain and regular. For fourteen years it had been in force and was thoroughly or- ganized. Its very magnitude and the numbers en- gaged in the business rendered the service almost continuous, and while individual teams might be subject to unreasonable detention and delay, there were so many others to take their place that such gaps were not noticeable. As remarked, at the date of that Capitol Hotel meeting, the wagon service had been in force for fourteen years; had answered very well and met all conditions except that of speed and it is not to be wondered at that the ox-team should have had its advocates among those whose fortunes it had contributed so largely to build. The service was indeed of great magnitude for it extended as far west as the Colorado and up to Austin ; as far as Waco to the northwest and to all 68 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF points in East and Southern Central Texas. There were three or four thousand wagons engaged in the traffic and as each wagon required from sixteen to twenty-four oxen, an idea of the amount of money involved may be formed. In those days every bale of cotton, every bushel of corn, every hide and everything else raised in Texas for the market came to Houston while all merchandise and groceries used in the interior, were hauled away from Houston by ox wagons. The business was a gigantic one. But the success of starting the Buffalo Bayou and Colorado railroad and of actually constructing 32 miles of it in 1852, was too great a demonstra- tion of what could be done and it spurred the Hous- ton people on, so that, as already remarked, Mr. Bremond actually threw the first shovel full of dirt for what was destined to become one of the great- est roads in the country, on January 1, 1853. The story of Mr. Bremond's trials and tribula- tions has been told so often that it is needless to re- peat it here. He accomplished something that was never accomplished before and has never been at- tempted since. He built fifty miles of good rail- road on very little cash and a great deal of faith. He had absolute confidence in himself and in his own honesty and, some how, he managed to inspire others with his own faith and confidence. He was the first railroad builder to water the stock of his road, but his method was different from that of his THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 69 successors for he used faith, faith and then more faith, and that was all. Mr. Bremond had hundreds of Irishmen work- ing for him as section hands, and it is no exagger- ation to say that before the expiration of the first six months he knew everyone of them by sight, if not by name. This was not because of any great democracy on his part nor was it because of the prominence of what is called good "mixing" quali- ties in him. It was based on something more rea- sonable and useful, for it was a measure of self -pro- tection on his part, for he used his knowledge of his men to enable him to keep from coining in con- tact with them. They were so unreasonable as to want pay for their work, and tiring of promises, they began to take matters in their own hands, with most unpleasant effects for Mr. Bremond. No one ever knew how he accomplished it, but he actu- ally built the road as far as Hempstead, fifty miles from Houston, with scarcely enough money to build ten miles, but with promises enough to have built the road to the north pole. When the road reached Hempstead it struck a rich territory and began doing a large and lucra- tive business. Mr. Bremond's first care was to ful- fill the promises he had made to his men, and their claims were the first that were settled. No man who ever trusted Paul Bremond, whether willingly or unwillingly, as those Irishmen did, ever lost a cent by doing so. Twenty-three years later, in 1876, Mr. Bremond 70 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF undertook the construction of another great road. He tried to get sufficient outside backing to en- able him to build it without any of the friction and worry he had encountered with the Houston and Texas Central. His success in getting the financial aid he sought was only partial, but he had made up his mind to build the road and he did so. Again he threw the first spadeful of dirt, and before he got through with his work, he had added the Houston East and West Texas railroad to the iron ways cen- tering at Houston. When the war began Houston had made considerable progress in railroad build- ing. The Texas and New Orleans had been con- structed for about 111 miles, the Buffalo Bayou and Colorado had been extended to Alleyton, also about 80 miles, and had been connected with Hous- ton by the Columbia Tap road which extended from Houston to Columbia on the Brazos, fifty miles. The Houston and Texas Central had been extended to Millican, 81 miles from Houston, while the Gal- veston, Houston and Henderson road connected Houston and Galveston. The last named road was of the greatest military importance and was therefore kept up, in some way, during the four years of the war, but it was the only one. The other roads were, necessarily, al- lowed to go to ruin and when the war ended it was flattery to speak of them as "streaks of rust." The roadbed and right of way were about all that was left of them. The owners of the roads were in about as bad shape financially, as were the THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 71 roads physically, with the result that through reor- ganization and other methods, by 1870 about every railroad in Texas had changed hands. With the completion of the Houston and Texas Central to Denison and its connection there with the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, thus forming a through line to St. Louis, and the completion of the Texas and New Orleans line to New Orleans, and the extension of the Galveston, Houston and San Antonio to San Antonio, Houston be- came a railroad center at once. Then the Inter- national and Great Northern was built and since the late seventies nearly each year has seen additions to Houston's railroads until now there are seventeen roads centering here and Hous- ton is now one of the greatest railroad centers in the country. It is interesting to note the difference in the rail- road situation in Texas, and in Harris county, in particular, since the close of the war. As noted in the foregoing there were, at the close of the war, less than 370 miles of railroads in the whole State. Today Harris county alone has 450 miles within its limits, valued at $20,000,000, and, of this there is invested in terminal facilities at Houston about $12,000,000. According to the census report there are 2,843 trainmen and clerks and 3,000 shopmen, or a total cf 5,843 employes of the railroads paid off here, the total amount of their salaries and wages footing up $7,000,000 in round numbers. Really Mr. Bremond 72 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF should be allowed to come back to life just to see what has grown from that first shovel of dirt he threw up on that January morning, 1853. The real importance and magnitude of the rail- road situation is shown much better by the terminal facilities and trackage of the roads within the city limits. Placed end to end these sidetracks and switches would make a line of railroad 275 miles long, or just about the total length of the Houston and Texas Central railroad. The Houston yards of the Southern Pacific road are the largest in the Southwest, having a trackage of 131 miles and a capacity of 10,000 cars. The Harriman tracks in Houston accommodate 123 dif- ferent industrial plants, handle over 50,000 cars monthly and employ in that work 547 men. The round houses contain 72 stalls and 1,600 men are employed in the round house and shops of this com- pany. Twenty-two switch engines are kept con- stantly in use in these yards, taking cars to and from the industrial plants and in making up trains. The Southern Pacific has 738 switches in the yards here. Among the other properties of the Southern Pacific are water tanks, for the locomo- tives, with a capacity of 100,000 gallons, and fuel oil tanks with a capacity of 225,000 barrels. The pay roll of the Harriman interests in Houston is $4,000,000 annually. The Houston Belt and Terminal company's ter- minals aggregate trackage of about fifty-five miles. Among other properties of this company, in addi- H. BALDWIN RICE The Great Mayor of a Great City THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 73 tion to the handsome passenger terminal and the convenient freight depots, are a round house and machine shops, oil tanks and water tanks. Over 200 men are employed in these yards and shops. The company uses five switch engines, all of which burn oil. Practically every industrial plant in the city is reached by these tracks. The Houston Belt and Terminal company facili- ties are used by a number of the roads entering Houston. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas, the Santa Fe, the Trinity and Brazos Valley, the Frisco lines east and the Brownsville line all use the pas- senger station. The same lines, with the exception of the Katy, use the freight facilities. The International and Great Northern has fifty- six miles of track in its local terminals. Its yards are mostly located on this side of the ship channel, though several miles are in the north side, where they touch a number of Houston industries. The principal shops of the company are located in Pal- estine, but fifty-seven men are employed in the re- pair shops here. About 120 other men are employed in the yards. The tracks of this company touch eighty-three different industrial plants. There are twelve switch engines operating in these yards, which accommodate 2,500 cars. The oil tanks of this company in Houston have a capacity of 190 barrels and the water tanks 75,000 gallons. There are six stalls in the round house and 194 switches in the yards. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas has about fif- 74 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF teen miles of track in its yards here. These yards have a capacity of 1,500 cars. Forty -three men are employed in the car department of the shops here and nine men are employed in the round house, which has six stalls. In the yards there are forty- five men employed. Five switch engines are used in the yards constantly. The water tanks of this company here have a capacity of 100,000 gallons and the coal chutes forty tons. The San Antonio and Aransas Pass has a yard track mileage of thirteen miles. Over 1,100 cars can be accommodated in them and three switch engines are necessary to handle the business. Nine- teen men are employed in the yards. This company maintains a freight depot here, but its passenger trains enter the Southern Pacific depot. This com- pany is also closely allied to the Southern Pacific and can touch most of the local industrial plants on the Harriman tracks. All the other lines entering this city operate very little yard trackage, but have agreements with some one of these roads. The Galveston, Houston and Henderson and the Santa Fe both have small stretches of track here, but the mileage is small. It must not be supposed that land transportation occupied the attention of the early Houstonians to the exclusion of everything else. Water transpor- tation was given a great deal of attention, though in that direction not so much was required. There was plenty of water in the bayou to float the largest steamboats of that day, but there were one or two THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 75 very troublesome features. There were obstacles to navigation near Morgan's Point, where there were two bars known as Red Fish and Clopper's bars. The water was shallow at these two points and whenever a severe norther blew the water out of Galveston Bay, these bars became impassable. At that time there was no remedy for the evil, so it had to be endured. At this end of the bayou there was a less formidable though serious obstacle. Be- tween Houston and Harrisburg, for a distance by water of about sixteen miles, the bayou was very tortuous and overhung by large trees. The limbs of these trees played havoc with the wood work of the steamboats and sometimes did serious damage to the boats themselves. The work of improving navigation of the bayou was done exclusively by the people of Houston, without outside assistance. This seems strange, for among the first measures passed by the Texas Congress was one setting aside $300,000 for the im- provement of Texas rivers and harbors. For some unknown reason no request was ever made for this money, certainly not for the improvement of Buf- falo Bayou. The work was rather crude and sim- ple and was chiefly that of cutting off overhanging limbs, removing sunHn logs and cutting down trees that could be gotten rid of in no other way. The importance of the bayou has always been recog- nized by the people of Houston first, and then by the people of Texas and of the Southwest. In the early days it afforded the only safe communication 76 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF between the people of Texas and the outside world, and in later days it has been made the basis for ad- justing fair and equitable freight rates over the rail- roads. Aside from its importance as a freight car- rier for Houston, it is important in regulating freights for the entire Southwest, and that fact creates interests in the bayou in territory remote from Houston. Really Buffalo Bayou should have pages devoted to it instead of this, necessarily, brief mention. A year after Houston was laid out as a "city," the first steamboat, the Laura, came up here from Harrisburg, though she had a terrible time in ac- complishing the passage from Harrisburg to Hous- ton. The Laura seems to have cleared the bayou of so many obstructions that after that several steamboats and sailing vessels came here and soon there was a regular service established between Houston and Galveston, which continued for some years after the war, the railroads finally destroy- ing the passenger business, and since then the im- mense traffic, amounting to millions each year, has been done by means of barges. During the latter years there were some magnifi- cent steamboats engaged in the Houston- Galveston trade, the two most magnificent ones being the "Diana" and "T. M. Bagby," sister boats which compared favorably with any of the famous Mis- sissippi river boats. They were each 170 feet long, 32 feet beam and five feet hold and were furnished THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 77 in the most luxurious manner. Each was a veritable floating palace. There are only stray pieces of records and sta- tistics relating to cotton shipments during early years, in existence. In 1839 only eight bales of cot- ton were shipped down the bayou. By 1844 those eight bales had grown to 7,000. The next year, 1845, a large cotton crop was made in Texas and the receipts and shipments here amounted to 12,000 bales. Nine years later they had grown to be 38,000 bales and the growth has been steady ever since, until today Houston handles more actual spot cot- ton than any other market in America. The local sales of spot cotton in Houston average about 750,000 each season, while its receipts and shipments are between 2,500,000 and 8,000,000 bales yearly. Although there were such men as Ewing, Ash- bel Smith, McAnally, and others of lesser promi- nence practicing medicine in the very early days of Houston there seems to have been no effort made by them to form a medical association. Ten years later there were several additions to the medical profession in Houston. Among the new-comers were Dr. S. O. Young, Sr., Dr. William McCraven, Dr. W. D. Robinson, Dr. W H. Howard and Dr. L. A. Bryan. More than ten years more passed before a suc- cessful attempt was made to form an association. In 1857 the first Houston medical association was organized. Dr. J. S. Duval was elected president; Dr. H. W. Waters, vice president and Dr. R. H. 78 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF Boxley, secretary. The following was the full list of members : J. S. Duval, W. H. Howard, Green- ville Dowell, R. H. Boxley, and H. W. Waters. The objects of the organization were: "To culti- vate the science of medicine and all its collateral branches; to cherish and sustain medical character; to encourage medical etiquette and to promote mu- tual improvement, social intercourse and good feel- ing among members of the medical profession." The first resolution adopted by the association was one aimed at the Homeopaths, and was as fol- lows: "Whereas, The scientific medical world has proven Homeopathy to be a species of empirism, too flagrant to merit the confidence of rational men, and too fabulous to deserve even the passing notice of an educated physician, and as we are convinced that it is a delusion, far surpassing any other ism known to the world, witchcraft not excepted, there- fore we will not recognize, professionally or pri- vately, any man who professes to cure diseases through the agency of Hahnemanic teachings. "Be it Resolved, That as a diploma from a reg- ularly organized medical school is the only evidence of qualification which our community can obtain in regard to the doctors in their midst, we respectfully recommend to the citizens of this flourishing city that they demand of every man who assumes the responsibility of a physician to their families, their diplomas as certificates of their worthiness of pat- ronage, and that they see to it that they are not im- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 79 posed on by a diploma from a medical society or a certificate of qualifications as a dresser in a hos- pital." Two years later, in 1859, the Houston association issued a call addressed to the physicians of the State asking them to meet in Houston for the pur- pose of organizing a State Medical association. There is reason to believe that such meeting was held but there is no record of it. The best evidence that there was such an association formed is the fact that Dr. W. H. Howard, who was a member of the City association in '1859, always spoke of the forma- tion of the present State Medical association as the re-organization of the old association. The following named physicians met in the par- lors of the Hutchins House on December 8, 1868, for the purpose of forming the Harris Count} Medical association : L. A. Bryan, W. H. Howard, J. Larendon, D. F. Stuart, T. J. Poulson, R. W. Lunday, Alva Connell Sr., Alva Connell Jr., G. H. McDonnall, W. D. Robinson, T. J. Devereaux, J. M. Morris, W. P. Riddell. After issuing a call to the physicians of Texas inviting them to meet in Houston, April 15, 1869, for the purpose of organizing, or rather re-organ- izing the State association, the Harris County asso- ciation adjourned and aever held another meeting until resurrected in 1904, since which date it has been one of the largest and most useful county asso- ciations in the State. The State Medical association was formed in the 80 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF parlors of the Hutchins House, April 15, 1869. If the early lawyers of Houston had any associ- ation they have left no record of the fact. There were great lawyers then and they set a standard of professional ethics and courtesy which, be it said to the credit of those who followed them, has never been lowered. From the earliest date the bar of Houston has always been great and influential. Among the big men when Houston was in its swad- ling clothes were such men as Archibald Wynn, a criminal lawyer of marked ability ; Peter W. Gray, W. P. Haniblen, E. A. Palmer, A. N. Jordan, J. W. Henderson, Benjamin F. Tankersley, Gus Tompkins, A. P. Thompson, A. S. Richardson and C. B. Sebin. The mere mention of these names is sufficient to show the high standing of the Hous- ton bar at the very beginning. During and after the close of the war there were many very brilliant and able lawyers who came to Houston. Among the most distinguished of these was Hon. Charles Stewart, D. U. Barziza, John H. Manley, Frank Spencer, George Goldthwaite, E. P. Hamblen, W. H. Crank, Judge Wilson, James Masterson, C. Anson Jones, son of the last President of the Republic of Texas; W. A. Car- rington, F. F. Chew, J. C. Hutchinson, Judge James Baker, W. B. Botts and others of equal prominence. These as all know, were men of the greatest probity and honor and would have reflected honor on any bar. When the first amended constitution of Texas COL. J. S RICE President Union National Bank THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 81 was adopted by the people, it created a criminal dis- trict court for Harris and Galveston counties. Judge Gustave Cook was appointed presiding judge and held the position for fourteen years. His successors on the bench have been: C. L. Cleve- land, E. D. Cavin, J. K. P. Gillespie, E. R. Camp- bell and C. W. Robinson. The following were the officers of the Eleventh district court from its organization to the present day: From 1887 to 1842 Benjamin C. Franklin, Judge; James S. Holman, Clerk; John W. Moore, Sheriff. From 1842 to 1849 Richard Morris, Judge; F. R. Lubbock, Clerk; M. T. Rogers, Sheriff. From 1849 to 1854 C. W. Buckley, Judge; F. R. Lubbock, Clerk; David Russell, Sheriff. From 1854 to 1862 Peter W. Gray, Judge. From 1862 to 1866 James A. Baker, Judge; W. B. Walker, Clerk; B. P. Lanham, Sheriff. From 1866 to 1869 there were no elections and the members of the bar selected the following named gentlemen to act as judge of the court: George R. Scott, C. B. Sabin and P. W. Gray. From 1869 to 1870 George R. Scott, Judge. From 1870 to 18?2 James R. Masterson, Judge. From 1892 to 1896 S. H. Brashear, Judge. From 1896 to 1900 John G. Tod, Judge. From 1900 to date Charles E. Ashe, Judge. 82 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF The following is a complete list of the sheriffs of Harris county since the organization of the county to 1912: 1837-42 John W. Moore. 1842-49 M. T. Rodgers. 1849-54 David Russell. 1854-58 Thomas Hogan. 1858-62 M. M. Grimes. 1862-66 B. P. Lanham. Note In 1866 John Proudfoot was elected sher- iff but after holding office for a short time he dis- appeared and Mr. I. C. Lord, who was city marshal at the time, was appointed to act as sheriff until an election could be held. Another regular election was held and A. B. Hall was elected. 1866-73 A. B. Hall. 1873-76 S. S. Ashe. 1876-82 Cornelius Noble. 1882-86 John J. Fant. 1886-94 George Ellis. 1894-96 Fred Erichson. 1896 to date A. R. Anderson. The Fifty-first district court was organized in 1897, and since then has had but three judges, as follows : From 1902 to 1911 Judge Wm. P. Hamblen. From 1911 to date Judge William Masterson. Judge Hamblen having died in office, Judge Mas- terson was appointed to succeed him. The Sixty-first District court was organized in February, 1903, and has had but one presiding THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 83 judge since its organization, Judge N. G. Kittrell. The Harris county court was created by the Leg- islature in 1867. John Brasher was elected county judge and served until 1869. His successor was Judge M. N. Brewster, who was put in office by the Republican reconstructionists. Judge Brew- ster was ousted by the Democrats in 1867 and Judge C. Anson Jones was elected and served until his death, which occurred in 1882. Judge E. P. Hamblen was elected in 1882 and served until 1884. Judge W. C. Andrews was elected in 1884 and served until 1892. Judge Andrews was a candi- date for re-election in 1892, but died just before the election. On the death of Judge Andrews Judge John G. Tod was placed on the ticket and was elected. In 1896, Judge W. N. Shaw was elected and remained in office for two years, being suc- ceeded by Judge E. H. Vasmer in 1898. Judge Vasmer held office for four years and was followed by Judge Blake Dupree in 1902. Judge Dupree held office for two terms and was succeeded by Judge A. E. Amerman, the present incumbent. The Corporation court for Houston was created by act of the Legislature in 1899. Before the cre- ation of this court the city had a somewhat similar court, the presiding judge being sometimes the mayor, sometimes a recorder and at others a jus- tice of the peace. The method was so unsatisfac- tory that the present court was created to avoid all confusion. The first election to provide a judge for the new court was held soon after the creation 84 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF of the court and Judge A. R. Railey was elected and served until 1902, when he was defeated by Judge Marmion. When the form of the city gov- ernment was changed Judge Marmion was elected as one of the commissioners and Judge John H. Kirlicks was appointed to fill his unexpired term and has held office ever since to the satisfaction of everybody except the evil-doers. The Houston Bar association was organized in 1870. Judge Peter W. Gray was its first president, Judge George Golthwaite its vice president and Col. Thomas J. Whitfield, recording secretary, N. P. Turner, corresponding secretary and W. C. Watson, treasurer. The association was oiot numerically strong at the beginning, but it was strong in every other way, for among its members were some of the greatest lawyers in the country. Today the association is strong in every way and compares favorably with similar associations any- where. L. J. Bryan is president; Thomas H. Botts, secretary and Chester H. Bryan is treasurer. The association has a membership of several hundred. CHAPTER FOUR. Houston's First Newspaper Flood of Newspa- pers at the Close of the War The Houston Post Houston Herald The Daily Post and Hous- ton Chronicle of Toda//. Before the invasion of Texas by Santa Anna there was a Mr. Gray who had a printing office, consisting of a few fonts of type, a dilapidated press and a few other necessary things at Brazoria. From time to time he published a little news sheet, but made no effort to issue a regular newspaper. About the same time there was a little paper pub- lished at Nacogdoches, but it was spasmodic, irreg- ular and not entitled to be considered a newspaper. With these two exceptions there was net a paper published in Texas prior to the Texas Revolution, nor while the Texans were striving to bring about concerted action against Mexico, except that estab- lished by the Borden Brothers, Gail and Thomas, at Columbia, October 10, 1835. The Bordens had the greatest trouble to get not only material, but editors and printers, but finally they succeeded, and on the date named, issued the Telegraph and Register, which under the name of the Telegraph was destined to become and remain for years, the leading newspaper of Texas. The Telegraph and Register was issued on the very day that the Texans, under Fannin, stormed and took Goliad, and as things began to happen 86 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF with startling rapidity after that, there was no lack of sensational news for the paper. The paper was of the greatest assistance to the cause of the Texans, for it did much to concentrate public opin- ion and to keep the people informed about current events information obtainable in no other way. The paper was published regularly from October, 1835, until late in March, 1836, when the Bordens, learning that Houston had fallen back before Santa Anna and had crossed the Brazos at San Felipe, decided to fall back themselves and take their news- paper plant to a safer location. With great diffi- culty they managed to move everything to Harris- burg and had an issue of the Telegraph all ready for the press when Santa Anna's soldiers showed up, burned their building and threw their press into the bayou. Instead of being discouraged the Bor- dens ordered a new outfit from Cincinnati, and, some time in August, 1836, resumed the publica- tion of the Telegraph in Columbia, where the Texas Congress met two months later. Gail B or den hav- ing been appointed collector of customs at Galves- ton and it being necessary for him to make his home there, he retired from the Telegraph and his brother Tom desiring to leave also, they sold the paper to Mr. Jacob Cruger and Dr. Francis Moore, who moved it to Houston and issued the first number here on May 2, 1837. Dr. Moore was chief editor of the Telegraph until 1853, when Harry H. Allen became editor and proprietor and continued as such until 1856, when he sold the paper to Mr. E. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 87 H. Cushing, who was one of the most gifted writers and able newspaper men the State has ever had. Ten years later, in 1866, Mr. Cushing sold the Telegraph to Col. C. C. Gillespie, who was a strong and forcible writer but rather a poor editor. Col. Gillespie employed Mr. J. E. Carnes as editorial writer and between the two the Telegraph soon be- came the leading literary paper of the State. Too much attention was paid to fine writing and too lit- tle to news, so the paper lost ground and was about on its last legs when Col. Gillespie sold it to General Webb, who published it regularly until 1873, when the financial panic of that year killed it. The next year Mr. A. C. Gray revived it and un- der his able management it soon became the leading paper of the State again. In its first issue under Mr. Gray's management, April 16, 1874, Mr. Gray said: "The Houston Telegraph is an old and familiar friend to very many in and out of Texas who will hail its reappearance as the return of an old, a much loved and greatly lamented companion. Founded in the days of the Republic, it was true to the gov- ernment and to the people, and by its efforts ac- complished, perhaps, as much as any other instru- mentality in calling attention to and developing the resources of this great commonwealth. Under the control and guidance of such men as Gail Borden, Dr. Francis Moore, Henry Allen, E. H. Cushing and others, it has reared for itself an imperishable monument, by its fidelity to the law, good govern- A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF ment and general progress. * * * It is with no ordinary satisfaction, and we trust a pardonable pride, that the present managing editor and propri- etor refers to his past connection with and present relation to the office of the Telegraph. Twenty- eight years ago, when a mere boy, he entered it as an apprentice. By patient toil and proper pride in his chosen profession he became its business manager during its most prosperous period. And when, un- der the financial panic of 1873, it was forced to suspend and ceased to make its daily appearance he mourned it as if a friend had fallen. Since then it has been his ambition to call the slumbering Ajax to the field again and bid it battle with renewed en- ergy for constitutional government, Democratic principles and the general weal." Mr. Gray made a magnificent fight to reinstate the Telegraph in the front ranks of Texas journals, and from a literary and politically influential point of view he was successful, but the financial strain became too great and in 1878 the Telegraph was forced to cease publication and its pages were closed forever. In the early fifties a Mr. Cruger, not the Cruger who was associated with Dr. Moore on the Tele- graph when it was established in Houston, began the publication of a tri-weekly paper called The Morning Star. This appears to have been quite an ambitious and prominent paper, judging by the incomplete files of it now in the Carnegie Library. It seems that everybody wanted to start a news- (( II II ::;:!< a 1311^ I II II II II II III) IllfUfllfl UNION NATIONAL BANK THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 89 paper in Houston after the war, for between 1865 and 1880 there were no less than twenty-one that had appeared, splashed about in the troubled waters of journalism and then sunk beneath the waves to rise no more. Some of them were worthy and de- serving papers, but the majority of them were catch- penny affairs that were started "on a shoestring/* merely to get hold of a little cash from a confiding public. An exception was the Houston Age, owned later by Mr. Fourmy, the Directory man at present associated with Mr. Morrison. The Age became famous under the editorial management of Major Dan McGary, and also through the caustic articles contributed by Col. Dick Westcott, during heated political campaigns, and all campaigns were that during the existence of the Age. In 1880, Mr. Gail Johnson, a grandson of Mr. Gail Borden, the founder of the old Telegraph, es- tablished the Houston Post. This paper had am- ple financial backing and had an able and well or- ganized editorial and business force. It was a bright, newsy paper and soon secured a strong foothold in Houston and throughout the State as well. There is no question that it would have ultimately become one of the leading papers of the State but for a fatal error committed by Judge Johnson, the father of Mr. Gail Johnson who had founded the Post. The Judge became deeply interested in the paper, and, being an ardent Republican, he conceived an idea that he could make the Post a power in politics by supporting a candidate against the regular nom- 90 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF inee of the Democratic party. The Judge lost sight of the fact that Texas had so recently emerged from the reconstruction, scalawag rule that had cursed the State, and that the average citizen associated the name "Republican" with all that was despicable and contemptible. Judge John Ireland was the regular Democratic nominee and he was opposed by Col. Wash Jones, who ran as an independent candidate. The Post supported Jones, and did so in such a mas- terly manner as to attract attention and cause a de- mand for the paper. The circulation increased rap- idly and continued to increase until the day of elec- tion. Then Ireland was triumphantly elected and the bubble burst. The circulation dropped off more rapidly than it had increased. The paper had lots of money behind it, however, and continued its ca- reer just as though nothing had occurred to mar the serenity of its course. Mr. Gail Johnson had grown disgusted and had disposed of his interest to his father, who in 1883 sold the Post to a syndicate of Houston capitalists, who had conceived the idea of converting it into a great Democratic State paper. They secured the services of Mr. Hardenbrook, an experienced news- paper man, and placed him in full charge, supply- ing him with plenty of money and giving him a free hand to do as he chose. Hardenbrook brought Mr. Tobe Mitchell from St. Louis and placed him in charge of the editorial room. Hardenbrook and Mitchell spent money freely and soon made the Post one of the leading papers of the South. In THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 91 eight or nine months they spent very nearly 000. Then the backers of the paper became alarmed and one by one withdrew. Then the crash came and the paper suspended publication suddenly. The suspension of the Post left Houston with- out a morning paper and to supply the defect Dr. S. O. Young organized a company composed of practical printers and newspaper men and began the publication of a morning paper which was called The Houston Chronicle. Mr. Baker, who now owned the Post plant, allowed the company the use cf it and also allowed them to use the large supply of white paper the Post had on hand when it sus- pended, charging only for what was actually used at cost price. The Chronicle was not a brilliant sheet, but it was an honest and fairly good paper. It was run strictly on the pay-as-you-go principle and at the end. of its first year, while it had an empty treasury, it did not owe a dollar to any one. After an existence of very nearly eighteen months Dr. Young, who had secured entire con- trol of the Chronicle, merged it with the Journal, an afternoon paper owned by Professor Girardeau and Mr. J. L. Watson. The Journal ceased pub- lication and the new morning paper was called the Houston Daily Post. The first issue of the Post was on April 5, 1885. Effort was made to publish a more pretentious paper than the Chronicle had been, but that increased the expense, so that seri- ous complications arose. Professor Girardeau be- came disgusted and turned his back on journalism. 92 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF Messrs. Young and Watson purchased his interest and continued the struggle. The loss to the paper of such a man as Professor Girardeau was a seri- ous embarassment. However, it was a blessing in disguise, for the gentlemen were enabled to secure Col. R. M. Johnston as editorial manager. Colonel Johnston, as everybody knows, is one of the best and most practical newspaper men in the country. In September of the same year, Dr. Young received a flattering offer from the Galveston News to become one of its editorial writers. He gave his interest in the Post to Messrs. Watson and Johnston and went to Galveston. This left Watson and Johnston sole proprietors of the Post. They managed to keep their heads above water for about a year and in 1886, they re-organized the Post, turning it into a stock company. Even after that the Post had uphill sailing for a year or two, but finally the magnificent ability of Colonel Johnston as an editorial manager, backed by the absolute genius of Watson in the business office, began to tell and the Post became what it is today, one of the great newspapers of the Southwest. Mr. W. H. Bailey, a bright young newspaper man, began the publication of an afternoon paper called the Herald. This was a regular live wire and was fully charged all the time. Mr. Bailey believed in telling the truth all the time irrespective of whom the truth might be about and he did so in every issue of the Herald. Xo one was too high and prominent to escape criticism and censure if THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 93 he deserved them. He played no favorites, but went after wrong-doers wherever discovered. The result was almost continual warfare for the first few months of the Herald's existence, and, what was more to the editor's satisfaction, an immense circulation for the paper. Subscriptions and adver- tisements poured in and the Herald became one of the leading papers in South Texas. After a red hot existence of eighteen years the Herald was finally sold to Mr. M. E. Foster, who had organized the Houston Chronicle and who bought the plant and good will of the Herald. The Houston Chronicle began publication on Oc- tober 14, 1902, and it is no exaggeration to say that it was a success from its very first issue. Its editor and proprietor, Mr. M. E. Foster, was no novice, having been managing editor of the Hous- ton Post and having had large experience and train- ing. He has made the Chronicle one of the leading State papers and its influence is great both in Houston and throughout the State. On May 18, 1880, a number of Texas editors as- sembled in the parlor of the Hutchins House and organized the Texas Press association. For four years the association met in Houston and then de- termined to meet each year in a different city. From a mere handful of members at the beginning the association has grown to be one of the largest and most important in the South and its annual meet- ings are looked forward to with pleasurable antici- pation by the members for they are always most profitable and enjoyable. CHAPTER FIVE. Houston's First Bank and Banker The Great Banks of Today Houston the Financial Center of the State Houston's Great Trust Companies. Houston's first bank was actually one year older than Houston itself, having received its charter from the Congress of Coahuila and Texas before Texas became a Republic. It was an ambitious corporation, too, having a capital stock of $1,000,- 000, some of which was actual cash, and its charter made it a bank of issue. Mr. S. M. Williams was its president and Mr. J. W. McMillan its cashier. Among the first acts of the Congress of the Re- public of Texas was a bill for the relief of the in- corporators of this bank, whereby their vested rights were recognized and protected. The institution was not popoular and constant warfare was made on it. It finally received its death blow when the Supreme Court annulled its charter. Mr. T. W. House, Sr., Mr. W. J. Hutchins, Mr. Cornelius Ennis and others of the early mer- chants conducted banks of their own in connection with their cotton and mercantile business. In 1854 Mr. B. A. Shepherd opened an independent bank, engaging exclusively in the banking business and this was the first bank in Texas and Mr. Shepherd was the first banker. The million dollar bank re- ferred to in the foregoing paragraph had other features than banking, which leaves MT. Shep- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 95 herd's bank the honor of being the first genuine bank. In 1873 Mr. Hutchins closed out his bank and devoted himself to his wholesale business. Mr. House reversed Mr. Hutchins' process in part, for while he did not close out his cotton and wholesale business, he separated them from his bank and gave the latter more of his attention. When Mr. House died in 1881, his oldest son, T. W. House, Jr., bought the interests of his brothers in the bank and devoted his whole time to its affairs. House's Bank soon became one of the greatest financial institutions in the State. During the great panic of 1*907, due to many complications and circum- stances, it was forced to close its doors. The City Bank of Houston began business No- vember 1, 1870, with a capital stock of $250,000. It did business for fifteen years, but in 1885 was forced to suspend payment and went into the hands of a receiver. The Houston Savings Bank, organized in 1874, suspended payment and closed its doors in 1886. The public lost very little money by the failure of this bank or by that of the City Bank, which had occurred the year before. The First National Bank was organized in 1866 by Mr. B. A. Shepherd and Mr. T. M. Bagby, the latter being its first presi- dent. On the death of Mr. Bagby, Mr. Shepherd became president and when he died his son-in-law, Mr. A. S. Root, succeeded him. A few years ago Mr. Root died and Mr. O. L. Cochran, another son- in-law of Mr. Shepherd, became and is still presi- 96 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF dent. This bank is one of the strongest institu- tions in the country. Its original capital was $100,- 000. In 1906 this was increased to $500,000. In 1909 the stock was again doubled and in 1912 it was increased to $2,000,000. Its business has also shown a phenomenal growth, having about doubled in three years. September 1, 1909, its deposits were $4,764,967. September 1, 1910, the deposits had grown to $6,421,938. Four months later, January 7, 1911, they were $7,953,096. Two months later, March 7, 1911, they were $8,432,907. On April 18, 1912, the deposits were slightly under $9,000,- 000, or to be exact, $8,973,999.80. The home of this bank is one of the handsomest buildings in the city. It is only eight-stories high, but it has an im- mense floor space, larger than any bank in the South. It has a fine frontage on Main street and runs back for more than half a block on Franklin avenue. In addition to this, it has an ell that ex- tends from the Franklin side far back towards the middle of the block. The entire first, or ground floor is used by the bank while the other seven stories are used as offices. The building is of rein- forced concrete, steel structure and is fire-proof in every way. It has its own water supply, derived from a large artesian well. It also has its own heat- ing and electric light plant. There are three large and rapid elevators and the building is equipped from top to bottom with every device that con- tributes to the comfort and convenience of its ten- ants. The officers of the First National Bank are: ^hs THE CARTER BUILDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 97 O. L. Cochran, president; J. T. Scott, first vice president; H. R. Eldridge, second vice president; W. S. Cochran, cashier; W. E. Hertford and F. E. Russell, assistant cashiers. It was exactly twenty years after the organiza- tion of the First National Bank before another was organized. This was the Commercial National Bank, organized in 1886, with a capital stock of *.">(MM)00. This bank did an immense business and had large deposits. It was recently merged with the South Texas National Bank. The Houston National was the third national bank organized in Houston. It was chartered in 1889, but in 1009 obtained a new charter under the name of the Houston National Exchange Bank. This bank has a most extraordinary record. Its capital stock is only $200,000, while its surplus and undivided profits amount to three-fourths of its capital stock. It has deposits of very nearly four million dollars. The officers of the Houston Na- tional Exchange Bank are: Joseph F. Meyer, president; M. M. Graves, vice president; Henry S. Fox, Jr., active vice president; Joseph W. Hertford, cashier; F. F. Bearing and W. B. Hil- liard, assistant cashiers. The South Texas National Bank was the fourth national bank organized in Houston. It obtained its charter in 1890. On March 2, 1912, the South Texas National Bank absorbed the Texas Commer- cial National Bank. The new bank thus formed became the South Texas Commercial National 98 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF Bank, with a capital of $1,000,000. Nineteen days after the consolidation the deposits of the new bank were $11,000,000, while the capital and surplus amounted to nearly $2,000,000. The home of this bank is one of the finest and, architecturally, most beautiful buildings in the South. The front of the building is perfectly plain, but is of the purest marble. There are four col- umns supporting the main pediment, each turned from a solid slab of marble, the shafts of each being twenty -two feet long. The interior of the building is more beautiful than its exterior. Only the finest marble and ornamental bronze were used in the in- terior finish and the result is most pleasing. The high arched ceiling is an attractive feature. Only the very best artists and superior workers were em- ployed in finishing this building and the results ob- tained by them speak volumes for their taste and skill. The following are the officers of the South Texas Commercial Bank: Chairman of the board, Charles Dillingham; president, W. B. Chew; active vice president and cashier, B. D. Harris; vice presi- dents, James A. Baker, John M. Dorrance, J. E. McAshan, Thornwell Fay and Judge T. J. Free- man. Assistant cashiers, August De Zavalla, P. J. Evershade, Paul G. Taylor. There are twenty- five directors, being the directors of the two con- solidated banks. They are: James A. Baker, F. A. Heitmann, Conrad Bering, O. T. Holt, R. Lee Blaffer, R. S. Lovett, Horace Booth, H. F. Mc- Gregor, Chester H. Bryan, J. E. McAshan, W. B. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 99 Chew, C. H. Markham, James D. Dawson, J. V. Neuhaus, Charles Dillingham, Edwin B. Parker, John M. Dorrance, S. C. Red, Thornwell Fay, Daniel Ripley, Thomas J. Freeman, Cleveland Sewall, B. D. Harris, J. J. Settegast, Jr . Houston's fifth national bank was the Union National Bank, organized in 1905. This bank represents three original banks. The Union Bank and Trust Company was chartered in 1905. In 1908 it absorbed the Merchants National Bank. When this was done the bank took its present name and was chartered as the Union National Bank with a capital of $1,000,000. This bank is one of the strongest banks in the South and does an immense business. The twelve-story steel, reinforced concrete granite and brick building of this bank is one of the finest and most attractive buildings in the city. There are twelve stories above ground and an im- mense basement, thus making the building prac- tically thirteen stories. The basement and ground floor are used exclusively by the bank, while the other stories are devoted to modern offices. The basement is fitted up as elegantly as other parts of the building and besides the huge vaults, contains private rooms for the patrons of the bank. There are safety vaults and store rooms for the safe keep- ing of bulky valuables. The building is entirely independent of all out- side utilities, having its own artesian water supply, its own heating and electric light plant and its own chilled air system for use in the summer. There 100 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF are several large elevators in the building, thus making access to every floor an easy thing. In- cluding the ground the building cost almost ex- actly $1,000,000. The officers of the Union Na- tional Bank are : J. S. Rice, president ; T. C. Dunn, George Hammen, W. T. Carter, Abe Levy, J. M. Rockwell, Jesse H. Jones and C. G. Pillot, vice presidents; DeWitt C. Dunn, cashier; D. W. Cooley and H. B. Finch, assistant cashiers. Houston's youngest national bank, the Lumber- mans National, seems to have been something of an absorber and consolidate* itself. It was organ- ized and chartered in 1907 with a capital of $400,- 000. When two years old it absorbed the National City Bank and the next year the American National Bank and Trust Company liquidated and turned over its business to the Lumbermans Bank. This bank is one of the strong financial institutions of Houston and of South Texas, and does an immense business. The officers of the Lumbermans Na- tional Bank are: S. F. Carter, president; Guy M. Bryan, active vice president; H. M. Garwood and W. D. Cleveland, vice presidents; Lynn P. Talley, cashier; M. S. Murray and H. M. Wilkens, assist- ant cashiers. The fact that Houston is the real financial cen- ter of the State is shown by the report of the Treas- ury Department in Washington issued February 20, 1912. In the report the standing of six leading cities is given and Houston occupies first place with THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 101 a wide margin over her nearest competitor, Dallas. The figures for these cities are: Houston Loans and discounts, $22,628,110; lawful money reserve, $3,728,112; individual de- posits, $22,425,250. Dallas Loans and discounts, $17,221,605; law- ful reserves, $2,021,996; individual deposits, $17,- 556,376. Fort Worth Loans and discounts, $12,277,281 ; legal reserves, $1,277,660; individual deposits, $10,287,269. San Antonio Loans and discounts, $9,078,658; lawful reserves, $1,716,011; individual deposits, $9,105,007. Waco Loans and discounts, $5,882,276; lawful reserves, $711,567; individual deposits, $5,118,521. Galveston Loans and discounts, $3,901,517; lawful reserves, $764,258; individual deposits, $8,- 609,664. The foregoing pages tell of Houston's financial strength, but they tell only one-half of the story. Banks represent the commercial and business life of a community, their condition giving in concise form the extent and volume of trade in a way that can be understood by all. In the very nature of things, banks, no matter how great and strong, can not add to the physical and material growth of a community except indirectly. Banks prosper by lending money for short periods on commercial pa- per and similar securities. Their collaterals must be such as can be easily turned into cash on short 102 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF notice. Lands, mortgages, vendors lien notes and such things, considered gilt edge securities the world over, are not so considered by banks. The law even goes so far as to prohibit National banks taking land as security for loans. It is for the purpose of handling just such busi- ness as the banks can not or will not handle, that trust companies are formed. There is an indirect community of interest between the banks and trust companies, but there are no conflicting interests. One represents the financial and trade conditions of the community while the other represents the ma- terial growth, expansion and development of the community. No bank is willing to undertake to do the many things that modern business methods de- mand shall be done. Such things are entirely with- out the province of banks. It is for the purpose of doing these things that trust companies have been formed. The trust companies perform a dual duty. They care for and conserve estates placed in their charge, and they also afford a source from which may be obtained long time loans. Usually these loans are made for the purpose of improving and developing intrinsically valuable property; the property itself being taken as security for payment of the debt. The length of the loan, the rate of in- terest paid by the borrower and the absolute security afforded by the property, held as collateral, make such a transaction a safe and sure investment for the trust company, while the reasonable interest, paid by the borrower and the long time given him THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 103 in which to pay back the loan, make the transaction a very advantageous one for the borrower. The wonderful growth of Houston during the last seven or eight years has led to the formation of trust companies here and Houston now has sev- eral of the strongest in the South. The oldest trust company in Texas was organized in Houston thirty-seven years ago, in 1875. The history of those dark and stormy days would lead one to think that large financial schemes would have no place in them, and yet the Houston Land and Trust Company was chartered during the darkest days of the city. It was originally chartered as a land and trust company and did only a small and unimportant business for years. In 1889 it was reorganized and took out a new charter which en- abled it to do a regular trust and mortgage busi- ness. It is now one of the most important institu- tions of its kind in the country and does an immense and highly profitable business. Its business is strictly that of a trust company and in no way does it encroach on the business done by banks. The fol- lowing was the condition of this company at the close of business, March 31, 1912: Capital stock $ 250,000.00 Surplus 340,000.00 Undivided profits 2,980.00 Time certificates of deposit 1,313,364.44 Accrued interest payable 13,063.66 Estate and trust account 104,827.27 Dividend No. 36, payable May 1, 1912 7,500.00 $2,031,735.37 104 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF The officers are: O. L. Cochran, president; R. E. Paine, vice president; P. B. Timpson, vice presi- dent; W. S. Patton, secretary and treasurer; O. R. Weyrich, assistant secretary. The Southern Trust Company was organized in 1909 and began business in January, 1910. Its cap- ital stock was $500,000, but this was almost immedi- ately increased to $800,000. The success of this company has been phenomenal. It is only a little over two years old and yet it has earned over half a million dollars and has paid large dividends since its organization. Following is the statement of this company at the close of business April 18, 1912: Capital stock paid in $ 800,000.00 Surplus fund 400,000.00 Undivided profits, net 168,278.21 Trust funds 6,466.10 Reserved for taxes, 1912 4,500.00 Bills payable and re-discounts 140,000.00 Certificates of deposits 177,300.00 Accounts payable 2,438.28 $1,698,982.59 The officers of the Southern Trust Company are: James L. Autry, president; Travis Holland, vice president; J. W. Powers, Jr., secretary; Bev- erly W. Ward, assistant secretary; Ernest Carroll, treasurer. The Texas Trust Company was organized in 1909 with a capital stock of $500,000. It at once established for itself a reputation for soundness and conservatism, which made at once towards its THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 105 success. The company was in active operation for slightly over two years and during that time paid dividends of 10 per cent and accumulated a surplus of very nearly a quarter of a million dollars. On September 1, 1911, the Texas Trust Company con- solidated with the Bankers' Trust Company, thus making the latter one of the greatest trust com- panies in the South. The Bankers' Trust Company was chartered in 1909 with a capital stock of $500,000, and a paid ill surplus of $25,000. The capital stock was soon in- creased to $1,000,000. The volume of business done by this company was very great and its success was phenomenal. September 1, 1911, the Bankers' Trust Company absorbed the Texas Trust Com- pany, at the same time increasing its capital stock to $2,000,000. This company transacts a general trust business and is fully equipped in all its depart- ments to meet the financial requirements of its patrons. It takes charge of real and personal es- tates, and acts as executor, administrator, receiver and trustee. Following is the statement of this company, issued at the close of business April 18, 1912: Capital stock $2,000,000.00 Surplus and profits (net) 881,638.23 Reserved for taxes 12,000.00 Demand deposits 44,102.35 Certificates of deposit 723,496.21 Cashier's checks 4,302.00 Trust funds 900,992.46 Re-discounts . 12,973.35 Total $4,579,504.35 106 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF The officers of the Bankers' Trust Company are : Jesse H. Jones, chairman of the board; J. 8. Rice, president; Tom M. Taylor, N. E. Meador, J. M. Rockwell, James A. Baker, A. M. Levy, W. T. Carter, C. G. Pillot and J. W. Link, vice presi- dents; C. M. Malone, secretary; F. J. Heyne, treas- urer and cashier; Burke Baker, bond officer; Wil- liam Malone, real estate officer; Andrews, Ball & Streetman, counsel. The American Trust Company is a young affair, being only about a year old. It was organized in 1911 with a capital stock of $500,000. This com- pany has banking privileges and intends taking full advantage of them. Its business at present is both bank and trust business and it bids fair to be one of the strong financial institutions of Houston, both as a bank and as a trust company. Its officers are: J. D. Hefley, president; J. E. Duff, vice president; N. B. Sligh, treasurer. The Commonwealth Trust Company is Hous- ton's latest trust company. It has just been organ- ized, though it has not yet opened its doors for busi- ness. Its capital stock of $500,000.00 has been over-subscribed. Its charter is one of wide scope and gives it large privileges and an ample field of operation. The charter is that of the First State Bank of HiUsboro, Texas. Mr. W. E. Richards, the president of the present trust company, pur- chased the Hillsboro charter and at once organized The Commonwealth Trust Company. The officers of the company are: W. E. Richards, president; THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 107 Exile Burkitt, active vice president; Horace Booth, Geo. W. Riddle, W. R. Allison, Monta J. Moore, W. H. Gill, H. H. Simmons, John H. Foster, John S. Callaway and R. E. Burt, directors. The Continental Trust Company (without bank- ing privileges) is now in process of organization, here in Houston. This is to be one of the greatest and most powerful trust companies in the country. The capital stock of the company will be $1,000,- 000.00, while there will also be a paid-in surplus of $1,000,000.00 The prospectus of this company gives so clear an idea of the functions of a trust company, and particularly of the objects of the present company, that the following liberal extract is taken from it: "The Continental Trust Company (without banking privileges) of Houston, Texas, has been organized to assist in supplying the urgent demand for a place of sufficient magnitude and strength to which application may be made for absolutely good first mortgage or vendor's lien loans; where per- sons seeking investments may expect to find good securities in amounts commensurate with their re- spective means available for employment; being a medium where the borrower and investor come to- gether; also where reliable information concerning relative values of property may be obtained with a view of creating closer relations with Eastern and foreign connections to the end of filling a distinct need incident to the upbuilding of a country already 108 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY or demonstrated to be resourceful and rapidly increas- ing in wealth. "Practically every city in Texas is experiencing a large demand for gilt-edge first mortgage and vendor's lien loans, and trust companies in Texas, which are only a few in number, are unable to sup- ply but a small percentage of such demand. * * * The powers which the company will exercise are those of the soundest institutions of this character, omitting banking functions, and especially the re- ceipt of deposits subject to check. It will act chief- ly as intermediary between the investor and the bor- rower, between capital and those who need capital to develop the resources of Texas. Its profits will be derived from expert service which it will offer the investor, together with the assurance of its large financial responsibility in placing and safeguard- ing funds ; and to those needing capital, by furnish- ing a market for securities and rendering assist- ance necessary to place them in such form as will make them marketable." Mr. S. F. Carter, president of the Lumbermans National Bank; Hon. Jonathan Lane, Mr. John H. Thompson, vice president and general manager of the Guarantee Life Insurance Company of Houston; Mr. James F. Sadler, Jr., and other busi- ness associates of these gentlemen are prominent in organizing this company, so it is quite evident tKat its success is assured. CHAPTER SIX. Early Church Services Organization of the First Churches History of Church Building in Hous- ton Houston Today a City of Churches. When the Aliens laid out Houston they set aside the quarter of a block on the northwest corner of Capitol and Main "for church purposes." The gift was to no denomination or sect, but was to all. A year or two later there was a small building erected on one of the lots and all denominations had the use of it. After the State House was built re- ligious services were held in one of its halls. While there is a legend that the first religious service ever held in Houston was under the spread- ing branches of a tree that grew on Market Square, in 1837, the fact remains that the first authentic evangelical service was that which occurred in 1836. The fact is a matter of record that Rev. Mr. Mor- rell, an itinerant Baptist preacher, who came to Texas before San Jacinto, preached in Houston in 1836. It is rather singular that with all the "hard cases" that were in Houston in the early days, and the consequent necessity for taking precautions for con- trolling them, the first vigilance committee formed in Houston should have been composed entirely of preachers and that the object of the committee should have been to guard the public against being imposed on by fraudulent preachers. Such was the case, however, and the "Preachers' Vigilance Com- 110 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF mittee" was formed in May of 1837. There is no record of their executing any frauds, or of anything else they did. No doubt their very existence warned away frauds and thus accomplished what they de- sired without further exertion on their part. The first church to secure a permanent foothold in Houston was the Methodist, which perfected an organization in 1837, the year after the founding of Houston. That year the Aliens donated to the Methodist brethren the half block on the north side of Texas avenue between Travis and Milam streets. The establishment of Methodism here was almost entirely the work of one individual, the late honored and revered Charles Shearn. Mr. Shearn was a most earnest and devout Christian and devoted his life to the advancement of his church. He brought from New Orleans, at his personal expense, a min- ister of the gospel, gave him a home in his own house, and was mainly responsible for the establish- ment, growth and influence of the Methodist church here. In later years he gave largely, both in time and money, to the church cause, and after the war he built, almost entirely with his own money, the church on Texas avenue, afterwards torn down when the site was sold. When the valuable prop- erty on Texas avenue was disposed of, and, having money, the congregation determined to build an imposing edifice, they put up a magnificent build- ing on Main street and so far forgot their old bene- factor, in the days of their prosperity, that his name was dropped entirely and Shearn Church became THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 111 the First Methodist Church. The writer is not a member of the Methodist church, and probably it is a bit of impertinence for him to express an opin- ion on the subject, but the temptation is too strong to resist. The dropping of the name of the good old saint who did so much for the church and who, unaided and almost alone, placed it on its feet and guided it on the way to prosperity, was an act by the side of which the proverbial ingratitude of re- publics sinks into insignificance. The First Pres- byterian church was organized in the Senate cham- ber of the Capitol building in 1888. Though a church organization was perfected in 1888, no ef- fort was made to erect a church building until 1848. One reason for the delay was, no doubt, the fact that the Aliens had stipulated that all churches should have free use of the site on Capitol and Main until they secured building sites of their own, when the property should revert to the Presbyterians for their sole use. Although, by 1848, all the various churches did not have permanent homes of their own, most of them were making active efforts to secure them, so the Presbyterians determined to build. Early in the year a canvass was made, funds secured, and the same year the First Presbyterian church was erected on Main street near the corner of Capitol. It was a large frame building, facing Main street, and was used by the congregation for many years, or until destroyed by fire in 1859. When the congregation erected a new building they used brick and faced the church on Capitol street. Services were held there until, in 1879, the 112 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF building cracked badly and was declared to be un- safe. The building was to all intents and purposes torn down and restored, thus making it safe. The congregation moved into their restored building early in 1880, the first sermon being preached by their new pastor, Rev. E. D. Junkin, who in ad- dition to being a most eloquent and Christian gen- tleman, had the distinction of being the brother-in- law of the famous Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Dr. Junkin's successor was Rev. Dr. Wm. Hayne Leavell. Dr. Leavell resigned in 1906 and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Dr. Wm. States Jacobs, the present pastor. The Presbyterians have had fewer pastors than any of the other churches, yet few as they have had, they have lost two by sea tragedies. In 1858 Rev. Mr. Ruthvan was lost at sea. He was going from Galveston to New Orleans on the ill-fated Nauti- lus, which was lost in a great storm that swept the gulf. All the passengers and crew were lost with the exception of a negro deck hand, who clung to 9 bale of cotton and was picked up by a passing ves- sel a day or two later. In 1866, Rev. Dr. Castleton and his wife took passage out of Galveston in a sailing vessel. From that day to this not a word has been heard from them, nor has a trace of the vessel ever been found. The Episcopal church was organized in 1839, and had a fairly good congregation at the very start, since there were thirty-nine adherents of that FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 113 denomination present at the initial meeting. The early services were conducted by laymen and an oc- casional itinerant minister, until 1845, when the members adopted a constitution, took the name of Christ church and determined to erect a house of worship. The corner stone for the new building was laid in 1846 and the building was consecrated by Bishop Freeman, Bishop of Louisiana, May 9, 1847. There was no regular pastor of Christ church for several years, but services were held reg* ularly, lay members and an occasional minister of- ficiating. The old church was torn down and another erect- ed on its site in 1859. In 1876 that building was torn down to make place for a third church, which in turn was demolished in 1893, when the corner stone of the present beautiful building was laid. Christ church runs the Methodist a close race in the rapid change of pastors, for up to 1892 there had been no less than fifteen regular pastors. Tfiat year, however, something like permanency was es- tablished and Rev. Dr. Henry D. Aves took charge of the affairs of the church, both spiritual and tem- poral. Its great prosperity dates from his instal- lation in office and during the years of his incum- bency the most marvelous growth and expansion were shown. Dr. Aves became Bishop of Mexico and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Peter Gray Sears, who has shown himself to be a worthy successor. The First Baptist Church of Houston was or- ganized April 10, 1841. The history of this church 114 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF is interesting, for unlike that of the others, its in- ception was the result of the untiring efforts of two Christian women, Mrs. C. M. Fuller and Mrs. Piety L. Hadley. Soon after the organization of the church these ladies undertook to buy ground and erect a church building. They had no money and met with small encouragement even from their fel- low church members and members of their own families. Some one, as a joke, gave them a raw- boned mule. This they fattened and sold, thus se- curing a nucleus for a building fund. They then gave a fair where home-made useful articles were sold. The fair and the mule brought them in $450. Then they gave another fair, larger than the other, and secured an additional $900. With this money they purchased the lots on the corner of Texas ave- nue and Travis street, where the Milby Hotel now stands. During all their labors these ladies had the untiring assistance of good old Brother Pilgrim, a pious and devout Christian gentleman. After purchasing the lots, the ladies wrote to Rev. William Tryan and asked him to come and take charge of the church, which numbered seven- teen members. Dr. Tryan accepted the call, came to Houston, and it was through his effort that suf- ficient money was obtained to build the first Bap- tist church, which stood for many years on the southeast corner of Texas avenue and Travis street. In 1883 the property was sold and a new church was erected in 1883-84. This church was destroyed by the great storm in 1900 and another was erected THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 115 on the corner of Fannin and Walker in 1903. Rev. Dr. J. L. Gross is the present pastor of this church. There were Catholic missionaries here in the very early days of Houston's existence, but no effort was made to establish a regularly organized church and to erect a building until 1841, when a French priest, Rev. Father Querat, purchased the quarter block on the south side of Franklin avenue and Car- oline street. Through his efforts sufficient money was obtained to put up a small wooden building and to build another back of it for a school house and home for the priest. For many years this little church was used and not until 1869 was an effort made to secure larger quarters. In 1869 the old church property was sold and a block of ground on Texas avenue and Crawford street was pur- chased. In 1871 the new church was completed and has been occupied ever since. This church is the handsome brick building known as the Church of the Annunciation, and is one of the most beautiful churches in the city. Father Hennessy was pastor at the time and has been such all these years, hon- ored and respected by both Catholics and Protest- ants. The whole block is used by the church, the church edifice occupying the northwest side, while the re- mainder is given over to elegant school and priest houses. The first German Lutheran church was organized in Houston either in 1851 or 1852. This tardy organ- ization is somewhat difficult to understand, since 116 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF there were so many Germans among the early citi- zens of Houston. In 1853 the church purchased the northwest corner of the block on Texas avenue and Milam street and erected a very large and im- posing frame building on the corner lot. Rev. Mr. Braun was the pastor, and he also conducted a fine German and English school, using the church building for that purpose. Among the members of this church were some of the most prominent and useful German citizens of Houston. About 1875 a second Lutheran church was built on Louisiana between Prairie and Preston. Some years later both the first and second sites were sold and new churches erected elsewhere, one on Texas avenue and Caroline street and the other on Wash- ington and Young avenue. From the earliest days of Houston's existence until in the early sixties the Hebrew congregation in this city was kept intact through the personal exertions of "Father Levy," as the venerable rabbi was called. He was a man of great force of charac- ter and was honored and respected by everybody irrespective of creed or belief. After his death the office was filled by a most worthy successor, Rabbi Samuel Raphael. Rabbi Raphael had a strenuous time during the continuance of the war between the States, but through his fine executive ability and enthusiastic zeal he managed to keep his congrega- tion together and the return of peace found it stronger than ever. Rabbi Raphael was a profound scholar, an eloquent speaker and a man of great per* THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 117 sonal magnetism. No man, Jew or Gentile, has ever stood higher in this community than he. It was five years after the close of the war before an effort was made to secure a suitable house of worship by this congregation. In 1869 a building committee was appointed and in 1870, the corner- stone was laid for the first Synagogue, which was located on Franklin avenue. Two sons of Rabbi Raphael, Benjamin and Mose, were prominent in the work of building this first house of worship for the congregation their father had done so much for spiritually. The corner-stone for the Young Men's Christian Association was laid October 17, 1907, and the build- ing was formally opened June 21, 1908. The building is one of the finest in the city. Though it is said the first Christians in Houston were forced to hold religious services under the wide spreading branches of a tree that grew on Market square, their descendants are better provided for and today, by actual count, there are sixty-six houses of worship in this city, representing all shades of faith and belief. Houston is rapidly be- coming a city of churches. Following is a list of the churches and chapels: Methodist Epworth Methodist Church; Harris- burg Methodist Episcopal Church; Grace Church, Houston Heights; M'Kee St. Methodist Church; First Methodist Church ; Trinity Methodist Church; Bering Memorial Church; Washington Avenue Methodist Church; First Methodist Church of 118 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF Houston Heights; McAshan Methodist; St. Paul's Methodist Church; Tabernacle Methodist Church; Brunner Avenue Methodist Church and Eber- nezer German Methodist Church. Presbyterians First Presbyterian Church ; First Presbyterian Church of Houston Heights; Hardy Street Presbyterian Church; Woodland Heights Presbyterian Church; Third Presbyterian Church; Oak Lawn Presbyterian Church; Second Presby- terian Church; Central Presbyterian Church; West- minister Presbyterian Church; Park Street Chap- el; Market Street Chapel; Hutchins Street Chapel; Hyde Park Chapel and B lodge tt Mission. Episcopal Christ Church; St. Mary's Episco- pal Church; Trinity Church; St. John's Church and Clemens Memorial Church. Baptist First Baptist Church; Lee Avenue Baptist Church; Magnolia Baptist Church; Brun- ner Baptist Church; Calvary Baptist Church; Ta- bernacle Baptist Church; Emanuel Baptist Church; Bishop Street Baptist Church; Tuam Avenue Bap- tist Church and Liberty Avenue Baptist Church. Catholic Church of the Annunciation; Sacred Heart Church; St. Joseph's Church; Church of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Patrick's Church. Christian Church Houston Heights Christian Church; Central Christian Church; Second Christ- ian Church. Apostolic Faith Clark Street Mission; Brun- ner Tabernacle. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 119 Lutheran Trinity Evangelical L u t h e ran Church and First German Evangelical Lutheran Church. Christian Science First Church of Christ Scien- tist Congregational First Congregational Church. Evangelical Association The Oak Lawn Church. Church of Christ First Church of Christ. Spiritualist The Spiritualists have a large so- ciety in Houston and hold regular meetings every Sunday. CHAPTER SEVEN. Some Military History Houston Companies Dur- ing the War Sketch of the "World Beating" Light Guard Other Military Companies. Houston following so close on the heels of the Texas revolution, it is not surprising to learn that there was a strong martial spirit among its citizens and that they should be willing and eager to em- bark in any military movement that had about it active or prospective active service. Governor Lubbock mentions in his Memoirs that there were two military companies in Houston in the very early days. One of these, to which he belonged, saw service against the Indians, but there is noth- ing to show that the other had active service. These companies were what would be called State troops today. In the early fifties there were two mili- tary companies here, one the Washington Light Guards which held at that time very much the same place that the Houston Light Guard holds today. The other was the Milam Rifles organized after the Washington Light Guards had been in service for some time, and organized for the purpose of taking away from the Washington Light Guards the honors they had won, which were principally the smiles and admiration of the ladies. The two com- panies were about socially equal and there was in- tense rivalry between them, which occasionally led to personal collisions between the individual mem- bers. On one occasion, during a target contest be- tween the two companies on San Jacinto Day, there THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 121 came near being something of a general riot because a lieutenant of one company and a private of the other went to war on their own account over a dis- puted score. When the war broke out, instead of entering the Confederate army as organizations, these two com- panies disbanded and the individual members join- ed new companies that were organized. The great bulk of the members of the Washington Light Guards joined the Bayou City Guards which after- wards earned such glory in the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee, known officially as Company A, 5th Texas Regiment, Hood's Brigade. In fact so many of the old company joined the Bayou City Guards that it was practically the old com- pany itself. Other members of both companies joined a cavalry company raised by the late Major Ike Stafford for service on the Rio Grande, which was the very first company to leave for the front at the breaking out of the war. The Captain of the Washington Light Guards, Captain Edwards, raised still another company of infantry, while Captain Ed Riodan took some of the members of the Milam Rifles and with them as a nucleus form- ed a splendid company of infantry. It is doubtful if there was a single member of either of the two original companies who did not volunteer in some of the companies that left Houston in 1861. At that time there was a boys' military company here, something on the order of the High School Cadets of today. This company was commanded 122 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF by Captain W. M. Stafford, now of Galveston. When the war broke out Captain Stafford and most of the older boys entered the Confederate army. Captain Stafford was made a lieutenant in an artillery company and rose soon after to the rank of Captain, he being, perhaps, the youngest captain in command of a battery in the Confeder- ate service. Another company that distinguished itself dur- ing the war was the Houston Turners, composed almost, if not entirely, of members of the Turn- verein association. This company was organized and commanded by Captain E. B. H. Schneider and saw much active service, giving a good account of itself on several bloody fields. The Confederate Grays was a fine infantry com- pany from Houston that saw much active service, first at Shiloh under Johnston and afterwards in the campaign in Mississippi and at Vicksburg. After the capture of Vicksburg they were exchanged and transferred to this side of the river. When the war began it was looked on as a joke and there was much joking at the enthusiastic eagerness of the young men to get to the front. The Bayou City Guards was christened "The kid glove gentry," and when the company was ordered to Camp Van Dorn, below Harrisburg, for the purpose of being mustered into the service, preparatory to going to Virginia, Mr. T. W. House, Sr., sent them a big box of white kid gloves. The members put them on their bayonets and THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 123 marched up Main street with them thus displayed. Afterwards when the accomplishments of this com- pany in the army of Northern Virginia began to be known and bragged about, Mr. House was very proud of the "Kid glove gentry," and told fre- quently of how he had fitted them out for war with kid gloves. Having had four years of actual warfare there was not much martial spirit left in the young men who returned home after the surrender, consequently there was no talk of organizing a company of play soldiers and the average returned veteran would shy at the sight of a sword or musket. However, there was a new crop of young men coming to the front and in 1878 some of these got together and organized the Houston Light Guard, a military company destined to shed as much honor and fame on Houston during peace times as the others had done during war. The Houston Light Guard was organized April 21, 1878. Captain Fairfax Gray, a member of the United States Navy before the war and a distinguished officer in the Confederate army, was the first Captain of the company. For some reason the members soon lost interest and the organization practically ceased to exist. There were no meetings held from the first one until late in the fall of the same year, when some of the most zeal- ous of the young men got together and determined to reorganize the company. This they did, elect- ing J. R. Coffin captain. From that meeting dates the success of the Light Guard. Captain Coffin 124 A THUMB-XAIL HISTORY OF began regular drills and soon had the company in such form as to make a creditable showing as sol- diers. The boys purchased uniforms, which were Confederate gray, and appeared in them for the first time in the great carnival of King Comus in February, 1874. Four months later when the May Volksf est was held the Light Guard entered their first competi- tive drill, meeting four companies from outside points. The entering was all they did for they got no prize, but did get experience. The next year under Captain Joe Rice they won their first prize at the Austin drill, it being a sword valued at $500. About that time there seems to have been a gen- eral revival of the martial spirit throughout the country and each city strove to secure a crack mili- tary company. All over the South and in many of the Northern and Western cities military com- panies were formed. While there was lots of pleas- ure and sport in indulging in this fad it was very expensive, since the heavy expense fell on the indi- vidual members. Each company paid its own traveling expenses, for its uniforms and for every thing except its guns which were furnished by the State government. Interstate drills became all the rage and in 1881 the Houston Light Guard entered its first one at Xew Orleans where it competed against some of the crack companies of the South. The Light Guard took iYuirtk prize, $500. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 125 Their next appearance was in 1882 at the Inter- state drill that was held at Nashville, Term. There were five companies competing and the Light Guard took fourth prize again. However, they had the satisfaction of beating the Lawrence Rifles, a company that had come all the way from Boston, Mass. Beating that Boston company gave them the only bit of satisfaction they had. However, the Light Guard were as strong in de- feat as they afterwards proved themselves to be in the hour of victory. Captain Thomas Scurry was their commander and he determined to make them world-beaters, and did so before he completed his work. In the face of two or more failures they be- came more determined than ever and they were loy- ally backed by the business men of Houston. In 1884 the business men raised a large sum of money to be used as prizes and to pay other ex- penses and issued invitations to all the military com- panies in the United States to come to Houston for a great interstate drill. A number of crack com- panies promptly accepted the invitation. The War Department at Washington appointed three army officers to attend the drill, act as judges and make a report of results to the Department. Mr. H. Baldwin Rice was appointed manager of the drill, which took place at the Fair Grounds, where now stands the "Fair Grounds Addition." The drill lasted a week. The first prize was $5,000. From that sum the prizes were reduced so that the last prize was only about one-quarter of that amount. 126 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF There was a State as well as an Interstate drill held at the same time. In the Interstate drill were such companies as the Treadway Rifles of St. Louis ; the Columbus Guards of Columbus, Ga.; the Mont- gomery Greys of Montgomery, Ala. ; the Washing- ton Guards of Galveston, Texas, and the Houston Light Guard. The Houston Light Guard put up one of the most perfect drills that had ever been wit- nessed. They took first prize easily as the following report of the army officers who were judges, shows: Omitting figures grading the various parts of the drill the totals were as follows : Houston Light Guard, 2.66; Treadway Rifles, 2.55 ; Columbus Guards, 2.35 ; Mobile Rifles, 2.29 ; Montgomery Greys, 2.28; Washington Guards, 1.95. A perfect drill would have given 3.00, the maximum score. To show how perfectly the Light Guard drilled, the following extract from the report of the judges is given: "Houston Light Guard It is observed that the inspection was nearly perfect. The appearance of the men in their dress, arms and accoutrements and their neatness, exceeded anything we have seen any- where each man like a color man at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Captain Scurry had not proceeded far in the programme when, while wheeling his company from column of twos, improperly, the company was placed in a posi- tion from which it was almost impossible to extri- cate it, except as done, exhibiting great presence of mind on the captain's part. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 127 "Captain Scurry's appreciation of the pro- gramme and its requirements was superior to that of the other commanders. "The ground was laid out with the view to testing the length and cadence of the step in quick and double time. A company marching as contem- plated in the method applied would take the fol- lowing number of steps in quick and double time, and in the time specified. In quick time, 284 steps in 2 minutes and 35 seconds; in double time, 284 steps in one minute and 26 seconds. The Houston Light Guard made the following record : In quick time, 288 steps in 2 minutes and 85 seconds; in double time, 1 minute and 27. Aside from all prac- tice in this particular, the result was almost phe- nomenal. Captain Scurry was the only one who marched upon the flag with guide to the left as di- rected by the judges." The Houston Light Guard generously offered to turn over the $5,000 first prize to the visiting com- panies to help pay their expenses, but the offer was refused with thanks, of course. During 1885 the Houston Light Guard, under the able leadership of Captain Scurry, won three first prizes in interstate contests. These footed up $12,000. The first was at Mobile, Alabama, in May and the second a few days later in New Orleans. The third was in Philadelphia in July at the great drill that was held in Fairmount Park. In this drill and encampment nearly every section of the coun- try was represented, there being seventy-five com- 128 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF panics there, about one-half of them entering the interstate contest. The Houston Light Guard was an easy winner, the judges stating that there was enough room between their score and that of their nearest competitor to place three or four companies. From Philadelphia the company went to New York, where they were royally entertained by the famous New York regiments. It is only an act of justice to give here the names of the officers and men who made the Houston Light Guard "World Beaters." They were: Captain, Thos. Scurry; 1st Lieutenant, F. A. Reichardt; 2nd Lieutenant, T. H. Franklin; 3rd Lieutenant, Spencer Hutchins; Quartermaster, W. A. Childress; Surgeon, Dr. S. O. Young; 1st Ser- geant, George L, Price; 2nd Sergeant, R. A. Scurry; 1st Corporal, H. D. Taylor; 2nd Corporal, W. K. Mendenhall; 3rd Corporal, George N. Tor- rey. Privates Byers, Barnett, Bates, Bull, Byres, Cook, Dealy, Foss, Golihart, Hodgson, Hutchins, Heyer, Reynaud, Swanson, Johnson, Journey, Wil- son, R. Kattman, E. Kattman, Lewis, Mahoney, Mitchell, McKeever, Powell, Randolph, Steel, Saw- yer, Sharpe, Tyler, Taft, Taylor, Torrey, Wisby. Perpetual drummer, John Sessums (colored). The next great victory of the Light Guard was at Galveston in 1886, where they took the first prize, a purse of $4,500, in competition with such com- panies as the Montgomery True Blues, San An- tonio Rifles, Branch Guards of St. Louis, Company THE BENDER HOTEL THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 129 F, Louisville Legion and Belknap Rifles of San Antonio. That drill of the Light Guard was the most perfect ever witnessed in the United States and excited widespread wonder and admiration among military men and the general public. The Light Guard went to Austin in 1888 and took first prize, $5,000, in competition with some of the crack companies of the United States. The next year Galveston had another great interstate drill and in order to not bluff off other companies the Galveston people barred the Houston Light Guard, thus paying them the highest compliment they ever received. They gave the Light Guard a special prize of $500 for an exhibition drill. The Houston Light Guard showed that they were not merely fancy soldiers when the war with Spain began. They volunteered promptly and un- der command of Captain George McCormick, went to the front. They saw service in Florida and Cuba. When peace negotiations began, Captain McCor- mick returned home and R. A. Scurry became cap- tain of the company, returning home with it soon after. The Light Guard owns its armory, the hand- somest in the State. It was paid for partly with money won as prizes and partly by issuing bonds. The property, being in the business section of the city, has become extremely valuable and could be disposed of today at many times its cost to the com- pany. The following are the captains who have com- manded the Houston Light Guard from its organi- 130 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF zation to the present day: Fairfax Gray, John Coffin, Joe S. Rice, George Price, James S. Ba- ker, Jr., Thomas Scurry, F. A. Reichardt, George McCormick, R. A. Scurry, C. Hutchinson, Milby Porter and Dallas J. Mathews, the present able cap- tain. Troop A has always been the crack troop of cavalry of the Texas National Guards. This is a Houston company and during the war with Spain was part of the First Texas Cavalry, United States Volunteers. The Jeff Miller Rifles, which belonged to the Second Infantry regiment, was also a noted com- pany, that saw service during the skirmish with Spain. CHAPTER EIGHT. Houston's First Sawmill The First Cotton Com- press Early Foundries Ice Making Meat Packeries The Big Establishments of Today. While there was quite a large sawmill and grist- mill, blacksmith shop and lumber yard at Harris- burg, established there by Mr. Robert Wilson, the father of the late Mr. Jas. T. D. Wilson, who came to Texas in 1828, it would not be exactly fair to claim these as the first Houston manufacturing en- terprises. The first, strictly Houston concern in the manufacturing line, if a sawmill falls under that head, was the old sawmill that stood just about where the Milam street bridge crosses Buffalo Bayou. That mill was built in the early forties. Mr. Kl im Stockbridge built a cornmeal mill at the foot of Texas avenue in 1844. The Morning Star was greatly pleased with this evidence of prog- ress and gave quite a glowing account of the mo- tive power which was three oxen on a treadmill. During the same year Mr. N. T. Davis erected the first compress in Houston. The Morning Star speaking of this compress in its issue of March 11, 1844, says: "A few days ago we visited the cotton compress lately erected in this city by Mr. N. T. Davis, and were agreeably surprised to find that the machine used for compressing cotton bales ad- mirably answers the purposes for which it was con- structed. With the aid of only two hands, Mr. Davis can compress a bale of 500 pounds into a 132 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF space only 22 inches square in 15 minutes. The fa- cility with which the work is done is truly surpris- ing." Since the best modern compress can turn out a 500-pound bale compressed into a space of 22 cubic feet, it is evident that the editor of the Star got his notes mixed when he wrote of "22 square inches." In 1845 there was a rope-walk on the block now owned by the Houston Turnverein. It was used for manufacturing rope until about 1853 or 54. The first iron foundry was established in Houston in 1851 by Mr. Alex McGowan on the north side of Buffalo Bayou and on the banks of White Oak Bayou. For the first year or two its principal work was in making kettles for the sugar plantations near here and in constructing light machinery for farm and plantation use. However, after the Houston and Texas Central road began operation the work of the foundry increased and it was kept busy doing repair work for the road. For several years this foundry was the largest and best in Texas and did an immense amount of all kinds of foundry work. Even during the war it was enabled to continue a regular foundry business, something that others were not able or willing to do. About 1858 or 59, one of the best and most expert f oundrymen in the business came here from the North. This was Mr. Cushman, the owner and manager of Cushman's Foundry, which was located on the south side of the west end of Preston avenue bridge. Mr. Cush- man put up extensive buildings and established suit- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 133 able machinery for doing all kinds of pattern-mak- ing and foundry work. About the time he got everything going smoothly, the war came on and as his workmen volunteered almost to a man, in the Confederate army, he was left with an expensive plant on his hands and no labor to use it. He strug- gled along in a hap-hazzard way for awhile and then converted his plant into an arsenal and began man- ufacturing cannon, shells and such things for the Confederate government. The commander of this department detailed skilled mechanics to do the work and before long Cushman's Foundry became one of the most important concerns in the State. After the war Mr. Cushman restored his plant to its original use and did a large foundry business for many years, finally disposing of the plant. Perhaps the most successful manufacturing en- terprise from an insignificant beginning is the Dick- son Car Wheel Works. When Mr. Dickson first announced that he was going to manufacture car wheels here he was laughed at and certain defeat was predicted. He persisted, however, and today the Dickson Car Wheel Works are among the largest and most profitable establishments of that character in the South. There is a steady and con- stantly growing demand for their output. The first artificial ice made in Houston was at a plant established by Dr. Pearl, who was associated with two young Englishmen. These gentlemen established an ice-making plant and also a meat packery on the Bayou below the city in 1869. Lack 134 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF of experience, being rather in advance of the times and other causes combined to frustrate their designs and after a year or two of hopeless struggle the plant proved a failure and went out of business in 1873. During 1875, Mr. E. W. Taylor and one or two associates bought some of the abandoned machin- ery of the Pearl plant and established a regular packery. The next year Mr. Geiselman estab- lished another packery, and both of them did a good business for some years. The transportation facili- ties were unsatisfactory and that limited the field of operation of the two plants to such an extent that both voluntarily went out of business. Not until 1894 did Houston come to the front as a pack- ing house center. That year the Houston Packing Company's plant was established here. This is the largest independent packing house in the United States and does a business of about $4,000,000 an- nually. Both the Swift and Armour companies main- tain branches here and own their own buildings. Every large packing house in the United States has either a branch office or agency in Houston, being induced to come here by Houston's admira- ble facilities for receiving and distributing their products. The packing house part of the Pearl plant hav- ing been, in a measure, resurrected through the ef- forts of Mr. Taylor and his associates, one would have supposed that attention would have been given THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 135 to ice-making also. That was not true, however, for it was not until 1880 that an ice manufacturing plant was established. That was the Central Ice Company, organized by Mr. Hugh Hamilton. The first machinery was a dilapidated and abandoned ice machine. This is today one of the largest and most successful plants in the State. The American Brewing Company is another large and flourishing concern. It was chartered in 1894 and its principal owner is Mr. A. Busch of St. Louis. Today Houston has a number of large ice-mak- ing plants, the chief being the Houston Packing Company, the Henke Artesian Ice and Refriger- ating Company, the Crystal Ice and Fuel Company and the Irvin Ice Factory. Shortly after the close of the war one or two at- tempts were made to establish cotton mills here. Not until 1872 was the movement successful. In that year the City Cotton Mills were erected in the Second ward. Mr. B. A. Shepherd was the principal stockholder, owning slightly more than half of the stock. The mill was just beginning to do a good business, when, in August, 1875, it was destroyed by fire. The loss was complete, being $200,000, with no insurance. A few years later Mr. E. H. Gushing and Mr. James F. Dumble started another cotton mill out at Eureka, five miles from Houston on the Hous- ton & Texas Central railroad, but after a struggling existence of a year or two, they were forced to abandon the undertaking. 136 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF From that time until 1903 no further attempt was made to build cotton or textile mills here. How- ever, in 1903, the Oriental Textile Mills were estab- lished, and this institution now ranks among the largest and most successful textile mills in the United States. At the close of the war there were several small wagon and vehicle manufacturing concerns estab- lished here, and there were also one or two planing mills and sash factories. The planing mills and sash factories of Bering & Cortes and of Henry House were the principal ones, and both did an im- mense business. As remarked, the manufacture of wagons, while one of the earliest of Houston's manufacturing enterprises, was never carried on extensively until a year or two ago, when in 1910, the Eller Wagon Works were established here. This concern does an immense business and manu- factures heavy trucks, oil-tank wagons and such things, which are distributed over the State. Aside from having several skillful cabinet makers who did fine work, but only in a small way, no at- tention was paid to the manufacture of furniture on a large scale until in 1904, when the Myers- Spalti Company established their plant here. This is one of the largest and most prosperous plants of its kind in the country. The firm makes any and everything in the way of furniture, and employ only the best and most expert workmen. They have branch offices in all the leading markets, and the amount of their business is immense. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 137 A fact not generally known is that Houston has the only piano and organ manufacturing plant in the South. It was established here in 1909 and is now doing a good and lucrative business, the work turned out by them being of the highest order of excellence. Houston's standing and importance as a manu- facturing point are well shown by the United States Census Report. Following are the figures for Houston, for 1909, the year when the figures were taken by the government: Number of establishments, 249 ; capital invested, $16,594,000; cost of material used, $14,321,000; salaries and wages, $4,254,000; miscellaneous ex- penses, $1,942,000; value of products, $23,016,000; value added by manufacture, $8,695,000; number of salaried officers and clerks, 725; average num- ber of wage earners, 5338; total number of steam laundries, '9; capital invested in laundries, $270,- 000; cost of material used, $74,000; salaries and wages, $256,000; miscellaneous expenses, $129,000; value of products, $500,000; number of salaried officers and clerks, 34; average number of wage earners, 422. When the government figures were taken in 1909 comparison was made with those of 1904 to show percentage of increase and decrease. The comparisons for Houston are as follows: Increase in cost of material used, 88 per cent ; in- crease in capital invested, 87 per cent; increase in number of salaried officers and clerks, 75 per cent ; 138 A THUMB-]\ T AIL HISTORY OF increase in miscellaneous expenses, 72 per cent; in- crease in value of products, 70 per cent; increase in value added by manufacture, 46 per cent; in- crease in salaries and wages, 24 per cent; increase in number of establishments, 19 per cent; increase in average number of wage earners employed dur- ing the year, 6 per cent. In many waj^s Houston is an ideal point for man- ufacturing enterprises. An inexhaustible supply of the purest artesian water can be obtained any- where in or for miles around the city, while the question of fuel is almost as easily solved, since Houston is just on the edge of the great oil field and is connected by pipe lines with all the fields as far north as Oklahoma. Water can be had at the small cost of sinking a well, while there is an abund- ance of the best and cheapest fuel. When to these advantages is added the superb transportation fa- cilities possessed by Houston, it is surprising that there are not a hundred-fold more great manufac- turing enterprises here than there are. CHAPTER NINE. Early Literary Efforts Splendid Work Done by the Ladies Sketch of the Houston Lyceum and the Carnegie Library Labor Organizations and Their Work. Perhaps no city in the United States had among its early settlers so many prominent and distin- guished men as had Houston. As a rule, new cities as well as new countries are settled by pioneers who are distinguished more for their brawn and muscle than for their culture and intelligence. Hard work, requiring strength and endurance counts for more in a new country than courtly manners and scientific ability. These latter belong rather to the children of pioneers than to the pioneers them- selves. Houston affords a striking exception to this rule, for among her early settlers were some of the greatest, most prominent and intellectual men in America. This was as true of the foreign ele- ment as of the native-born Americans; in fact the latter, as a whole, contrasted rather unfavorably with the distinguished Germans who were among the first settlers. While the Americans excelled, naturally, in statecraft and in the legal and med- ical professions, being far more accustomed to the needs, requirements and customs of this country than their foreign friends and associates, yet the latter contributed more largely to the arts, sciences and general literature and thus, between the two, Hous- 140 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF ton was placed on a most advantageous plane at the very beginning. It must not be supposed that the learned profes- sions, the arts or anything that related to literature occupied the stage to the exclusion of everything else, for that was far from true. There were lots of typical pioneers, rough men, but all men; and in addition to these there were typical "bad men" and toughs. These latter were in a woeful minority and in the mass of citizens, were too few and insig- nificant to stamp their individuality on the com- munity. While Houston and Galveston have always been strong business rivals and have never failed to give each other commercial black eyes when opportunity presented, still the people of both cities have always been the best of friends in a social way and have done much good for each other. The first literary society, lyceum or what ever it was called, in Texas was located in Galveston in the early forties. While nominally a Galveston institution this society was loyally supported by Houstonians who contributed regularly to the monthly entertainments that were given. In 1848 the Houston Lyceum was chartered. Almost before it was born it went to sleep and did not wake until 1854. That year it was revived and showed considerable animation for awhile but soon lapsed into inocuous desuetude. At that time 382 volumes had been gotten together and a bookcase had been purchased. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 141 For a short time considerable interest was taken in the affairs of the Lyceum by the gentlemen hav- ing its management in hand, but these soon grew weary and the Lyceum was allowed to die again. During the war nothing was, or could be, done, but at the close of the war an attempt was made to re- vive interest in it, but with only partial success. Spasmodic attempts were made to establish the Lyceum firmly on its feet, but it was not until 1895 that such an attempt was crowned with success. In that year Mrs. Looscan, president of the La- dies Reading Club, brought that Club to the assist- ance of the Lyceum. Every member of the Club became a member of the Lyceum and the books were removed to a room in the Mason building. Through the efforts of these ladies the city offi- cials were induced to give official recognition to the Lyceum in 1899 and to make an appropria- tion of $200 monthly for its support. The next year Mr. Carnegie gave $50,000 for a building fund, providing the city would donate a suitable building site. The conditions were complied with and the present library building was formally opened to the public in March, 1904. In 1900 the Houston Lyceum and Carnegie Association was chartered and took the place of the old Houston Lyceum. About the same time Mr. N. S. Mel- drum endowed the children's department with $6,000 as a memorial to Norma Meldrum. Miss Julia Ideson, the librarian, stated in her re- port for 1904 that there had been 59,751 books with- 142 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF drawn from the library for home use. At that time there were between eight and nine thousand volumes in the library. In her report for the mu- nicipal year ending February 29, 1912, Miss Ideson says: "The circulation from the main library amounted to 102,580 volumes, an increase of more than 8,000 volumes over the circulation of last year. In addition to the above 5,177 books have been dis- tributed through the other distributing agencies." There were in the library May 1, 1911, 31,678 volumes. During the year just closed there was a net gain of 3,657 volumes making the total number of volumes in the library May 1, 1912, 35,426. The officers of the Houston Lyceum and Carne- gie Library Association are: Mr. E. L. Dennis, president; Mrs. H. F. Ring, vice-president; Mrs. I. S. Meyer, secretary; Mrs. E. N. Gray, treasurer; Mrs. E. Raphael, corresponding secretary, and Miss Julia Ideson, librarian. The Ladies Reading Club, organized in 1885 by Mrs. M. Looscan and Mrs. C. M. Lombardi, is the oldest and largest of Houston's purely literary clubs. The Ladies Shakespeare Club was organized in 1890 with Mesdames E. Raphael, I. G. Gerson, L Blandin, Blanche Booker and Misses C. R. Red- wood, Lydia Adkisson and Mary Light as charter members. This club has kept its organization and has been in active existence since its formation. Another Shakespeare Club was organized in 1904 by Mrs. A. G. Howell, Mrs. J. W. Lockett and THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 143 Mrs. J. W. Carter. This club is very active and great interest is taken by its members in the work they have outlined for themselves. Perhaps the most interesting of the women's clubs in Houston is the Current Literature Club, which was organized in 1899 by Mrs. Si Packard. The club was originally organized for the purpose of reading current novels and light literature, but the members soon grew ambitious and more substan- tial books were taken up and discussed, until to- day the club represents through its members the cultured literary taste of Houston. The Houston Pen Womens' Association was or- ganized in 1906 by eighteen ladies who met at the residence of Mrs. William Christian for the purpose of forming an association composed of ladies en- gaged in newspaper and literary work. Mrs. Eliza- abeth Strong Tracy was chosen as the first presi- dent and Mrs. Dancey as first secretary. The mem- bership consists of historians, poets, authors, journ- alists and newspaper workers and the association has been wonderfully successful, showing a consistent growth and influence ever since the day of its or- ganization. A Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in Houston in 1899 by Mrs. Seabrook W. Sydnor, who had been appointed regent by the general organization. The chapter took the names of Lady Washington Chapter. The organization has been in active operation since its organization and has accomplished a great deal in 144 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY or the way of patriotic work. San Jacinto Chapter No. 2, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, was organized in 1901. The chapter has accomplished a wonderful amount of valuable work, having for its object the perpetuation of the memory of those who fought for Texas' independence, and has col- lected valuable historical data. This chapter has taken under its care San Jacinto battlefield and has marked with suitable monuments and tablets, his- torical points and localities associated with early Texas history. Robert E. Lee Chapter, 186, United Daughters of the Confederacy, was organized in 1897 and Oran M. Roberts Chapter, 440, United Daugh- ters of the Confederacy, was organized in 1901. Each chapter has a large membership and their meetings are always largely attended. Since their organization they have accomplished much good, both in the way of collecting and preserving historical data and in looking after indigent and disabled Confederate veterans. There are a great many charitable, musical and literary associations in Houston, nearly every one having been organized and kept alive by the ladies. Nearly all the societies, in the beginning, had meet- ing places of their own, but since the completion of the Library building nearly all of them meet in the elegant quarters provided for that purpose, by the Library Association. The Labor associations of Houston are numer- ous and are thoroughly organized. The following HARRIS COUNTY COURT HOUSE THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 145 facts are taken from a statement published by Mr. Max Andrew, editor of the Labor Journal : The total number of industrial workers in Hous- ton is 25,000, graded as follows: Men, 15,000; women, 6,000; children fifteen years and under, 4,000. Organized: Men, 55 per cent; women, 2 per cent. Of the skilled trades, 85 per cent are organized and 15 per cent unorganized. During the last ten years the hours of labor have been decreased, all along the line, from ten hours to eight hours. During the last ten years there has been an aver- age increase in wages of 25 per cent. However, against that increase is placed the increased cost of living which amounts to 40 per cent. The total number of organized men and women in Houston is 8,250. The plumbers, printers, brick- masons, plasterers, stone-cutters and marble cutters are the best organized of any of the crafts. All trades limit the number of apprentices. This has done much towards maintaining a living wage for the journeyman. Public sentiment and feeling towards union labor in this city and community is very favorable and all important work is done by union labor. Since the general public has only a vague idea of labor matters and of the conditions that prevail in labor circles, the following extracts are taken from Mr. Andrew's article, as matters of useful infor- 146 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF mation. The following are the working conditions that prevail in various branches of labor, both or- ganized and unorganized : Packing House Number of employed, men and children, 500. Wages, for men, $1.50 to $2.00 per day; for women, 75 cents to $2.00 per day; for children, 50 cents to $1.00 per day. No Sunday work. Little opportunity for training or educa- tional advancement. Employes not organized. In the railroad shops and yards, there are about 4,000 employed. About 25 per cent of laborers work on Sundays. Conditions very good for training and educational advancement. Average wage for all employes about $2.50 per day. Ninety per cent of w r orkers organized. In the cotton-oil mills and compresses there are about 1,500 employed. Wages of men, $1.50 to $2.50 per day; for women, $1.00 to $1.25 per day; for children, 50 cents to 75 cents per day. Work covers only six months of the year. No opportunity for training or educational advancement. Condi- tions far in advance of those found in other South- ern States. In the saw mills and factories the number of em- ployes is 500. Wages for skilled men, $2.50 to $3.00 per day; unskilled men, 75 cents to $1.75 per day; women, 50 cents to $1.00 per day; children, 25 cents to 75 cents per day. Little opportunity for training or educational advancement. About 105 organized. In the general stores there are about 3,000 em- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 147 ployed. Wages for men, $5.00 to $18.00 per week; women, $3.50 to $10 per week; children, $1.50 to $5.00 per week. Conditions deplorable, for not one in a thousand of the employees has the slightest chance for training or educational advancement. Unless the general public interferes Houston will soon parallel the large cities where young woman- hood is sacrificed at the altar of greed and avarice. This labor is unorganized. There are about 500 employed at the breweries. Working conditions exceptionably good. Wages range from $2.00 to $5.00 per day. Hours of labor eight per day. The breweries operate 24 hours per day, labor being divided into three shifts of eight hours each. Employees thoroughly organized. All work mm in the breweries, where steadily em- ployed, must join the Brewers Union. There are about 5,000 common laborers in Hous- ton. Wages, for men $1.25 to $2.00 per day; women, 50 cents to $1.25 per day; children, 25 cents to $1.00 per day. Only about 10 per cent of these laborers are organized. There are about 3,000 employed in the industrial crafts. That is in addition to those working in rail- road shops, mills, etc. Carpenters and Joiners. Approximately 75 per cent organized. Wages, union, $4.00 per day; non-union, $3.50 per day. Educational and train- ing conditions fine. No Sunday work. Steady employment the year round. Plasterers. Conditions good. Ninety per cent 143 A TKUME-XAIL HI.VTORY OF crganized. Wages, union men. 86.00 per day; non- union men, $3.50 per day. No Sunday work. Sheetmetal Workers. Steady work the whole year. Wages, union men, $3.50 to $4.50 per day. Non-union men, lower. About 905 of the craft organized. Brickmasons. Conditions fine. Wages, union men, $6.00 to $7.00 per day; non-union men, $3.00 to $4.00 per day. About 95 per cent organized, Machinists. Steady work an the year. Wages, union men, $3.80 per day; non-union men, $2.50 per day. Theatrical Stage Employes. Conditions reason- ably good. Wages range from $15.00 to $25.00 per week. Sunday, as well as every day, work. Blacksmiths. About 65 per cent organized. Wages, union men, $3.80 per day; non-union men, 2,50 per day. Lathers. Steady employment Wages, union men, 84.00 to $6.00 per day; non-union men, $2.50 per day. Printers. Thoroughly organized. Wages. -S3. -50 to $8.00 per day, according to men and position. About 75 per cent of the printers are home owners. Pressmen. Thoroughly organized. Wages. 83.50 per day. There are a:s many home owners among the pressmen. Bookbinders. Thoroughly organized. Work eight hours per day. Wages. *4.00 per day. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 149 Electrical Workers. About 80 per cent organ- ized. Wages, $3.50 to $4.50 per day. All members at work. Bartenders. About 80 per cent organized. Wages $15.00 to $21.00 per week. Tailors. Poorly organized. Hours of labor, ten hours per day. Wages, $2.00 to $3.00 per day, mostly in piece work. Coopers. Thoroughly organized. Average wages, $2.85 to $4.00 per day. Hours of labor, eight hours per day. Bridge and Structural Iron Workers. Organ- ized 100 per cent. Hours of labor, eight. Wages, $3.50 to $4.50 per day. Plenty of work. Duties most hazardous. Boiler makers. About 905 organized. Wages, $3.50 to $5.00 per day for union men; non-union men, scale lower. Marble Workers. Thoroughly organized. Wages, $4.00 to $6.00 per day. Work eight hours a day. Journeyman Barbers. Both white and negroes organized. Conditions above the average. No Sunday work. Elevator Constructors. Thoroughly organized. All employed at present. No Sunday work. Wages $4.00 per day. Pattern Makers. Well organized. Work nine hours a day. Wages 50 cents per hour. Garment Workers. This is the only organized 150 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF craft of women workers. Membership about 200 strong. Work, eight hours a day. Wages, $9.00 to $18.00 per week. No Sunday labor. Sanitary conditions exceptionally good. Horseshoers. Organized about 75 per cent. Wages, $2.50 to $3.50 per day. Work eight hours a day. Stationary Engineers. Organized about 805. Average wages about $3.00 to $4.00 per day. Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers. Or- ganized about 80 per cent. Work eight hours per day. Wages, $3.50 to $4.00 per day. Plumbers. Thoroughly organized. Work eight hours a day. Wages $6.00. The union has many educational features to perfect the skill of its mem* bers. CHAPTER TEN. The Houston Cotton Exchange and Board of Trade Some Houston Cotton Compresses The Houston Chamber of Commerce Hous- ton's Large Manufacturing and Business Con- cerns. COMMERCIAL BODIES. Unquestionably the first commercial organiza- tion in Texas was the old Chamber of Commerce organized in Houston April 5, 1840, with Mr. Per- kins as president. Unfortunately this association has left nothing but a name, for there is no record of work done by it, though it is fair to presume that it accomplished some of the objects for which it was formed. Not for thirty-four years was another attempt made to form a commercial body in this city. On May 16, 1874, a number of the prominent business men of Houston met in one of the parlors of the Hutchins House and organized the Houston Board of Trade and Cotton Exchange. Mr. C. S. Long- cope was elected president, Mr. Wm. J. Hutchins, vice-president and Mr. George W. Kidd, secretary. The new organization went actively to work. Per- kins Hall, used also as a theatre at times, was leased ; Mr. Kidd purchased some small blackboards and with no other furniture or fixings, the Ex- change was officially declared open and ready for business. At that time telegraph tolls were very 152 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF high, in fact they were prohibitive so far as the new exchange was concerned and the amount of com- mercial news and quotations received by the ex- change in a full working day was about equal to that now received in a few minutes, even on dull days. Mr. Kidd helped out the quotations by using the scant commercial report received by the Hous- ton Telegraph, of which paper he was also com- mercial editor. Conditions such as these prevailed for the first three years of the exchange's existence, or until 1877. In that year the business men appear to have recognized the great values of the exchange and to have rallied to its support. Something like a reor- ganization took place within the exchange. A new charter was obtained and the name of the organiza- tion was changed to the Houston Cotton Exchange and Board of Trade. New rules and regulations were adopted, the initiation fee was increased and provision was made for a regular and permanent income through fees and dues, for the support of the exchange. From that moment the course of the exchange has been upward, until today no com- mercial body in the South stands higher in every way than the Houston Cotton Exchange and Board of Trade. Not content with caring for and regulating the large and constantly growing cotton business of Houston, the exchange was always found in the front ranks of those working for the good and ad- vancement of the city. For a number of years the THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 153 exchange has had among its standing committees one whose special duty it is to look after the welfare of the ship channel. When the present efficient Chamber of Commerce was formed, the Cotton Exchange turned over to the new organization an immense amount of work, that before that was be- ing looked after by the exchange. It retained its interest in the ship channel, however, and while working in perfect harmony with the Chamber of Commerce and all other Houston organizations is still found working most zealously. In 1883 the members of the exchange deter- mined to build a home of their own. Ground was purchased, plans adopted and on November 15, 1884, the new building was turned over to the ex- change by the contractors. It was a very handsome, though small, building and answered every pur- pose for which it had been constructed for many years. In later years it was remodeled. Additional stories were added and today the exchange build- ing is one of the most attractive and valuable build- ings in the city. There is no Cotton Exchange in the South more prosperous than the Houston exchange. When it was first organized a membership cost only $1 a month or $12 a year. Now a certificate of mem- bership costs $2,000 and it is difficult to secure one at even that price. The annual dues on each certif- icate are $50, while provision is made for fees and other dues for the maintainance of the exchange. 154 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF The following gentlemen have served as presi- dents of the exchange since its organization: C. S. Longcope 1874-75 Wm. D. Cleveland 1875-76 George L. Porter 1876-77 H. R. Percy 1877-78 S. K. Mcllhenny . . . 1878-79 Wm. V. R. Watson 1879-80 A. H. Lea 1880-81 S. K. Mcllhenny 1881-82 S. A. McAshan 1882-84 Wm. D. Cleveland 1884-91 Wm. Read 1891-92 H. W. Garrow 1892-1902 W. D. Cleveland. 1902-05 W. E. Andrews 1905-06 W. O. Ansley 1906-07 E. W. Taylor. 1907-08 A. L. Nelms 1908-12 Mr. George W. Kidd, the first secretary of the exchange, served actively until 1898 when he be- came secretary emeritus. He was succeeded by Mr. B. W. Martin who resigned to accept a more lucrative position and was succeeded in turn by Mr. B. R. Warner. Mr. Warner after serving from 1899 to 1903 resigned to return to newspaper work in New Orleans. In 1904 Mr. W. J. DeTreville was elected secretary and served until June, 1910, when, on his death, Mr. J. F. Burwell, the present efficient secretary was elected. With its immense lumber, oil, rice and manufac- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 155 turing interests Houston long ago passed that point in its progress where its prosperity depended on any single commodity or industry. Like other commer- cial centers Houston for some years counted heav- ily on its cotton receipts for its prosperity, but does so no longer. The Houston merchants are not in- different to the great value of the cotton business, however, and they are anxious to get all of it pos- sible, and with the object of doing so, they have left nothing undone to make this the most attractive market and concentrating point in the South. They have constructed large compresses and cotton ware- houses and now have some of the largest and most conveniently situated buildings of that kind on this continent. The great fire which occurred in the Fifth Ward early this year destroyed three of Houston's fine compresses, but there are three large ones left and two are being constructed on so great a scale that when completed in time to handle the coming crop, Houston will have the finest facilities for handling and caring for cotton in the South. The presses destroyed were the Cleveland, the Standard and the Southern, their combined capacity of presses being 3,000 bales daily and their storage capacity about 100,000 bales. The Cleveland and the Merchants have combined and plans are now be- ing perfected for the erection of the finest and largest compress and warehouse in the world. The storage capacity will be limited only by the re- strictions of the insurance companies, which com- 156 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF panics are unwilling to insure so great an amount of cotton as the company could care for, but for these restrictions. It is certain that the storage capacity of the new press will not be less than 300,000 bales. The company owns something like seventy acres of land on the ship channel and therefore will not be restricted by want of space. Captain W. D. Cleveland is the head of the new company. Houston already has in the Magnolia Warehouse and Storage Company one of the best equipped, largest and most powerful presses in the country. Every compress and warehouse in Houston is lo- cated either on the banks of the bayou or on a rail- road and all of them have rail connection. The re- sult is that drayage, a costly feature in handling cot- ton, is entirely eliminated and the business is con- ducted economically and expeditiously. Last sea- son there were shipped down the bayou about 400,- 000 bales of cotton. As each bale represented a saving to the owner of 12 1-2 cents because there was no drayage, it is evident that the shipments rep- resented about $50,000 saving. No other cotton market in the world can or does do business so cheaply. The history of Houston's cotton business is of more than passing interest since in its entirety it represents every phase of the evolution of the world's cotton trade. As already noted in these pages, in the early days all cotton raised in the State was brought here by ox-wagons for marketing. The Houston merchants bought the cotton both THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 157 with cash and groceries and goods. It was a most satisfactory method of doing business and both the farmer and merchant profited by the transaction. After the merchant had accumulated a sufficient number of bales to warrant his doing so he shipped the cotton down the bayou to Galveston to be placed on chartered vessels, to be shipped to Liver- pool or other foreign markets. Since there was no way of knowing how prices were ruling in the for- eign markets, the merchant guarded against pos- sible loss by discounting his last information ma- terially and paying from seven to ten dollars per bale less for the cotton than he estimated it to be worth. This was fair since there was always serious danger of a heavy decline in prices before the cot- ton could arrive on the other side. After the rail- roads were built in Texas, Galveston became the great cotton market of the State and every bale raised in Texas was shipped there. One thing that helped build up Galveston was the fact that there were no such things as through bills of lading and rail rates favored the port. In 1874 J. H. Blake & Co. established their firm in Houston and soon evolved a plan for overcoming the disadvantages under which Houston was placed. By an arrange- ment made with the Houston & Texas Central and the International Railroads this firm was enabled to buy cotton in the interior, bring it to Houston and then ship it out again either by rail or by water. Under this arrangement Messrs. Blake & Co. made the first shipment of cotton from an interior point 158 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF to a foregin market on a through bill of lading in 1874. This was the first shipment of the kind ever made. That method of doing business soon placed Houston, if not on an equal footing, at least on nearly such with Galveston and saved this market from utter extinction. Then the system of buying and selling future con- tracts was established. This was perhaps the great- est advance that could possibly have been made to- wards stability of the cotton market, and the es- tablishment of something like uniform prices all over the world. The system was not complicated but was very simple. Cotton was purchased on this side only when prices in Liverpool were favor- able for such purchases. The cost of freight, in- surance, commission and other charges were added to the price paid for the cotton and then, if Liver- pool prices were sufficiently high to warrant doing so the cotton was bought and future contracts sold in Liverpool by cable. In that way every possible chance of loss was eliminated from the transaction, for when the cotton arrived on the other side the future contract was closed out, the difference in the price of the contract and the price of the actual cotton equalling each other. The next great change that took place was more radical and farreaching. In their effort to do away with middle-men, the spinners on the other side established buying agencies of their own on this side. These, in turn, established sub-agencies all over the country, so that the producer of cotton in- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 159 stead of having to seek a market, found one right at his door. There was such competition between the buyers that the highest prices possible were paid in order to get the cotton. Every cross road and little town in the State became a center of informa- tion about prices and the farmer could learn every morning the quotation of that day both in American and foreign markets. It soon became evident that it would be necessary to provide some place where large quantities of cot- ton could be concentrated for inspection, classifica- tion and arranging for final shipment. The Hous- ton cotton men realized that a most radical change in the method of marketing cotton was about to take place and they began at once to prepare them- selves to care for this concentrated cotton. Old warehouses and compresses were enlarged and new ones erected. The storing capacity of the city was materially increased and when the work was fin- ished Houston was most thoroughly equipped to meet all demands that could be made on her. An- other thing that was done, which shows the great forethought of the Houston merchants, was re- ducing all local charges to the lowest point possible. No attempt was made to make money directly from the compresses and warehouses, as such, but these were used very much as so much capital, to attract and keep the cotton business here. It is a fact that can not be disputed that today Houston's local charges on a bale of cotton are from 25 cents to 30 cents per bale cheaper than are those in any 160 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF other cotton market in the South. Now when to this saving in local charges is added the further saving of from 10 cents to 12 cents through the absence of drayage, it is readily seen why so much cotton is shipped here and why Houston stands so prominently forward as a great cotton market. Mention has been made of the Chamber of Com- merce that was organized in Houston in 1840, but the present magnificent body of that name has no direct nor indirect connection with that early body. The Chamber of Commerce of today is for today and looks more to future accomplishments than to traditions of the past. The immediate forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce was the Houston Business League, which was organized in 1895 by about forty gentle- men who had for their object the formation of an association to look after the best interests of Hous- ton. Col. R. M. Johnston, editor of the Houston Post, and Mr. W. W. Dexter, at present editor and proprietor of the Bankers' Journal, were prime movers in the organization and did much to insure its success. The constitution adopted declared the following to be the object of the association: "The object of the Houston Business League is to promote immigration, to create and extend and foster the trade, commerce and manufactur- ing interests of Houston; to secure and build up transportation lines; to secure reasonable and equi- table transportation rates; to build up and main- tain the value of our real estate, progressive, ef- '!!!! Si 11 !! !! ii f SI!!!!!!! !i ii i II II El 11 El 1 "ill! i Him i! [ ii ii ii i; SOUTHERN PACIFIC OFFICES THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 161 ficient and economical administration of our mu- nicipal government, to collect, preserve and dis- seminate information in relation to our commer- cial, financial and industrial affairs and to unite, as far as possible, our people in one respresentative body." The following gentlemen were chosen as the first officers of the new organization: J. M. Cotton, president; Ed Kiam, first vice president; J. C. Bering, second vice president; E. T. Heiner, third vice president; W. W. Dexter, secretary; Guy H. Harcourt, treasurer. After serving for only a short time, Secretary Dexter resigned and Mr. George P. Brown was chosen as his successor. The election of Mr. Brown was a most fortunate thing for the Business League, since he brought to its service splendid executive and administrative talent and a wonder- ful amount of energy and zeal. Under Mr. Brown's administration the Business League forged rapidly to the front, A large number of manufacturing and industrial plants were secured for Houston, the Floral Festival and No-Tsu-Oh associations were formed and the name of the city was placed perma- nently on the map of the country. In 1910 the Business League was enlarged and practically a reorganization took place. The name Business League was dropped and the organiza- tion became the Houston Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Adoph Boldt was secretary at the time and it was largely due to him that the scope of the asso- 162 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF ciation's objects and energy were enlarged. He recognized the magnitude of the field and the Chamber of Commerce was organized to fill every part of it. In the Chamber of Commerce there is a general association, but all the details of practical work are in the hands of special committees who have absolute authority and freedom of action, be- ing responsible only to the general association. These committees are called bureaus. There is, for instance, the Traffic Bureau, to which is referred all matters relating to freight rates, rate discrimi- nations and questions of that kind. There is a Convention Bureau which looks after securing con- ventions to meet in Houston and looks after the en- tertainment of strangers who come to such conven- tions. There is a Publicity Bureau, an Industrial Bureau, which looks after securing manufacturing and industrial concerns for Houston, and a num- ber of other, no less important bureaus. It will be seen from this how thoroughly organized the Chamber of Commerce is. One of the most pleas- ing features connected with the organization is the perfect harmony that exists between it and other organizations working either directly or indirectly towards accomplishing the same ends. The citizens attest their faith in the Chamber of Commerce by giving it the most loyal support, and it is today one of the strongest and most efficient organizations of its kind in the South. Its officers are : Adolph Boldt, secretary; C. G. Roussel, assistant secretary; C. C. Oden, traffic manager; Jerome H. Farbar, THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 163 director of publicity. There are of course a great many business men heads of committees and good workers too, but the gentlemen named are the real workers and the ones who accomplish things. The average citizen does not know how much good has been accomplished for Houston by the Ch amber of Commerce, nor how much good is being planned for the future. It is a working body and it does not confine its labors to union hours, of an eight hour day, but puts in every waking hour of the entire twenty-four. A vast amount of valuable information has been collected, and preserved in such form as to be immediatey available. Houston is today the home of vast commercial and manufacturing enterprises, most of them hav- ing come here during the last six or eight years. It is, for instance, the largest lumber market in the Southwest and one of the largest in the world. That does not mean that there are extensive mills and manufacturing plants here, but it does mean that about all the lumber made in Texas is con- trolled and handled by Houston firms, which are the greatest in the South. There are over 250 great sawmills in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas controlled and represented through offices located here. The following are the big Houston firms with the capacity of their plants: Kirby Lumber Company, manufacturers, 400,- 000,000 feet. 164 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF Long-Bell Lumber Company, manufacturers, 500,000,000 feet. West Lumber Company, manufacturers, '175,- 000,000 feet. W. H. Norris Lumber Company, wholesalers, 100,000,000 feet. Vaughan Lumber Company, wholesalers, 100,- 000,000 feet. Continental Lumber and Tie Company, whole- salers, 100,000,000 feet. Trinity River Lumber Company, manufacturers, 60,000,000 feet. Central Coal and Coke Company, manufacturers, 50,000,000 feet. W. T. Carter & Brother, manufacturers, 50,- 000,000 feet. Carter Lumber Company, manufacturers, 40,- 000,000 feet. W. R. Pickering Lumber Company, manufac- turers, 50,000,000 feet. Sabine Lumber Company, manufacturers, 40,- 000,000 feet. Ray & Mihils, wholesalers, 40,000,000 feet. Carter-Kelly Lumber Company, manufacturers, 30,000,000 feet. Big Tree Lumber Company, manufacturers and wholesalers, 30,000,000 feet. C. R. Cummings & Co., manufacturers, 25,000,- 000 feet. J. S. and W. M. Rice, manufacturers, 25,000,000 feet. f THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 165 Gebhart-Wllliams-Fenet, manufacturers, 25,- 000,000 feet. Bland & Fisher, manufacturers, 25,000,000 feet. J. C. Hill Lumber Company, manufacturers, 20,000,000 feet. L. B. Manefee Lumber Company, manufactur- ers, 20,000,000 feet. R. W. Wier Lumber Company, manufacturers, 20,000,000 feet. Alf. Bennett Lumber Company, manufacturers and wholesalers, 20,000,000 feet. R. C. Miller Lumber Company, manufacturers, 20,000,000 feet. Bush Brothers, manufacturers, 15,000,000 feet. Southern Pinery Tie and Lumber Company, manufacturers and wholesalers, 10,000,000 feet. The foregoing foot up within a fraction of two billion feet of lumber annually controlled by Hous- ton firms. Houston is the recognized center of all that re- lates to handling refining, exporting and financing the output of the Texas oil fields and is rapidly assuming the same relation to the oil fields of Okla- homa. An idea of the importance of Houston in this respect may be formed from the statement that there are five large oil refineries here, thirteeen oil dealers and thirty-nine producers and exporters, twenty-three of the latter being large concerns and that Houston has the largest independent oil com- pany in the United States, the Texas Company, with a capital of $36,000,000. Pipe lines from 166 A THUMB-XAIL HISTORY OF all the Texas fields and from Oklahoma converge at Houston and additional lines, to cost something like 87,000,000, are being constructed. Houston naturally holds first place as a rice market, since it has every advantage. Aside from the physical aspect there is something of a senti- mental side to the question, for it was a Houston man who first pointed out the possibilities of rice culture and who actually took steps to develop it. The late J. R. Morris, as early as the middle seven- ties, organized a company and took out a charter, the object being to cultivate rice in all that territory lying between Houston and the San Jacinto river. He had a survey made which resulted in demon- strating that Houston is about twenty-eight feet lower than some near point on the San Jacinto river from which he proposed to start his canal. He wanted to deflect the water from the river and use it in irrigating the prairie lands and also to utilize the surplus in running machinery at the mouth of White Oak Bayou, at the foot of Main street. For some reason nothing was ever done by Mr. Morris and his associates, but attention was drawn to the possibilities of rice culture, which has resulted in its becoming one of the large and rapidly grow- ing industries of Texas. At the time of Mr. Mor- ris' death it is doubtful if there was as much as an acre of ground in Texas devoted to the cultivation of rice. Today rice holds third place in point of importance among the crops of the State. Harris county alone has 30,000 acres, while there are 253,- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 167 560 acres in all, of which about 200,000 acres are tributary to Houston. Houston has five rice mills with a daily capacity of 7,600 bags, while the capacity of all the mills in the State is *J.VJ()0 hags. The annual production averages about two and a quarter million bags, Houston handling about three-fourths of it. I ncluding the railroad shop workers there are sev- eral thousand wage-earners in Houston employed all the year round to whom is paid something like $8,500,000 annually. This is not for one year, but is for every year and therefore it is not surprising that Houston should be known as the best retail town in Texas. There are over twelve hundred re- tail dealers who, according to an estimate made by the Chamber of Commerce, based on almost com- plete returns, do an annual business of $55,000,000. The wholesale business of Houston is very great, estimated by the Chamber of Commerce at $90,- 000,000 annually. The leading articles and the amount of business done in each are as follows: Machinery, $3,000,000; hardware, $4,000,000; lumber, $35,000,000; petroleum products, $1,000,- 000; drugs and chemicals, $4,000,000; paints and glass, $1,000,000; furniture, $1,400,000; dry goods, $1,750,000; liquors, $1,250,000; beer and ice, $2,- 500,000; groceries, $8,000,000; produce, $4,600,- 000; sugar and molasses, $2,000,000; tobacco, $1,- 250,000; packing house products, $3,750,000. When to these is added the business done in build- ing material, paving material, electrical supplies 168 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF and other things, it becomes apparent that the esti- mate of $90,000,000 must be under rather than above the actual figures. Not counting the railroads, trust companies and banks, there are 376 incorporated companies doing business in Houston, the combined capital of which is $145,943,900. There are, of course, thousands of individuals and numerous unincorporated com- panies doing business in addition to these, which shows the magnitude of Houston as a trade center. In the early days the Houston merchants and property owners who wished to insure against fire loss were compelled to send to New Orleans for their policies, for there were no local insurance agents here. These conditions prevailed until 1858, when Mr. John Dickinson established the first agency in Houston, he representing a New Or- leans firm. Just about the time Mr. Dickinson got his office working satisfactorily and began doing a lucrative business, the war broke out and knocked his business into a cocked hat. In 1868 the first local insurance company was or- ganized in Houston. This was the Planters' Fire Insurance Company, which did a good business un- til 1880, when a disastrous cotton fire occurred, causing such heavy losses to the company that it went into voluntary liquidation. In 1895 the Houston Fire and Marine Insurance Company was organized. This company did a good business for several years, but through the in- nocent purchase of a lot of bogus bonds, it was THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 169 forced to suspend and go out of business a few years ago. The Guarantee Life Insurance Company was the first life insurance company organized in Houston. It was organized in 1906 with a capital stock of $100,000 and prospered from the very beginning. It does an immense business and has over $13,000,- 000 insurance in force. The officers of the Guar- antee are: Jonathan Lane, president; John H. Thompson, vice president and Charles Boedeker, secretary -treasurer. The Great Southern Life Insurance Company is, in some respects, a wonderful organization. It was organized in 1909 and though it is less than three years old, it has done and is still doing, an immense business. It has a capital of $500,000 and a surplus of $500,000 and outstanding insurance of over ten million dollars. Among its policy holders is one who is insured for $100,000, the largest policy ever written in Texas for one person. The officers of the Great Southern are: J. S. Rice, president; O. S. Carlton, C. G. Pillot, J. S. Cullinan and P. H. McFadden of Beaumont, vice presidents ; J. T. Scott, treasurer and Louis St. J. Thomas, secre- tary. CHAPTER ELEVEN. The First Telegraph Line in Texas Two Vet- eran Operators First Telephones The Wire- less Telegraph Companies Organization of the First Electric Light Company. The Houston Telegraph of March 18, 1853, mentions the fact that some of the material for the telegraph line betwen Houston and Galveston had been received at the latter place. At that time the land part of the line had been constructed, but the two-mile stretch across the bay at Virginia Point was causing a great deal of trouble. Modern sub- marine cables w r ere unknown at that time and many substitutes for them were suggested and tried. Finally the difficulty was overcome by using ordi- nary iron wire covered with gutta percha, which was warranted by its maker to last for one year and which cost $350 per mile. But before the problem was solved, the land part of the line grew old and fell down, so that it was not until 1858 that an act- ual working line was constructed between the two cities, this being the first telegraph line constructed in Texas. It was not a great financial undertaking, since the cost of the entire fifty miles including the two miles of bay, was only $6,200, of which the Houston people contributed $3,000. Having constructed the Galveston-Houston line successfully, the owners formed a company called the Star State Telegraph Company and built a line along the Texas and New Orleans railroad THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 171 which was being constructed about that time. When the war occurred the company had its line completed to Orange in East Texas. As an item of interest it may be stated here that when the Texas ports were blockaded during the war it was almost im- possible to get sulpuric acid with which the batteries of those days were operated, and that telegraphing would have been impossible had not some genius found that the acid water from Sour Lake made an admirable substitute for sulphuric acid. The telegraph batteries were charged with Sour Lake water and all difficulty disappeared. Soon after the close of the war, the Star State Company was absorbed by the Southwestern Tele- graph Company which then covered most of the Southern States. Mr. D. P. Shepherd, who is possibly the oldest telegraph operator in this coun- try, and of whom it is said that he was the first op- erator in the world to take a message by ear, was placed in charge of the new telegraph company with headquarters in Houston. In 1867 the Southwestern was absorbed by the Western Union Telegraph Company, the latter company thus gaining control of all the telegraph lines in the United States. The Western Union remained master of the field until late in 1910, when it, in turn, was absorbed by the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company, the largest corporation of its kind in the world. The first manager of the Western Union in Houston was Mr. Merrit Harris, who died during 172 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF the great yellow fever epidemic of 1867 and was succeeded by Col. Phil Fall, who has the distinction of being the oldest operator in actual service in this country. The Postal Telegraph Company opened its of- fice in Houston during July, 1898. The establish- ment was merely on a small scale, but by strict at- tention to business has managed to build up an im- mense business and has made itself a formidable competitor of the Southwestern Telegraph and Tel- ephone Company in the local field. The Postal aims at promptness and dispatch, and has thus earned an enviable reputation. In the latter part of 1910 the Mackey Telegraph and Cable Company established its chief office in Houston, thus making Houston the great telegraph center of the State. All the companies have direct cable connection with all parts of the world, but the Mackey company has facilities possessed by no other company. The cable business out of Houston is immense and the general telegraphing done by all the Houston lines, amounts to very near four million messages each year and is constantly in- creasing. The Houston Telegram of June 18, 1878, says: "Mr. J. W. Stacey, the efficient manager of the Western Union Telegraph office in this city, has procured a telephone of the latest improved con- struction, which he will put up for use during the military encampment of the volunteeers of the State next week. The line will run from the Fair Grounds THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 173 to Mr. G. W. Baldwin's library room in the Tele- gram building and everybody wishing to have the pleasure of conversing with a friend a mile distant will have an opportunity. Our friends from the country and many in the city who are skeptical about the truthful working of the wonderful instrument, will have an opportunity to test it to their satisfac- tion. To many of them it will be quite a curiosity, and we expect to see its capacity fully tried. Mr. Stacey will make a trial test today and will have the apparatus in perfect working order by the end of the week." During the fall of the same year, Mr. Pendarvis, who was telegraph operator for the Morgan Trans- portation Company, connected his office in Hous- ton with the office in Clinton, ten miles away and for a time had direct telephone connection between the two. Commenting on this innovation the Hous- ton Telegram stated that unquestionably when the great convenience of the telephone was appreci- ated they would be installed in railroad depots, bus- iness houses and, perhaps, residences. This predic- tion has come true in a much greater degree than the Telegram supposed possible. It was not until 1880 that a telephone exchange was established in Houston. Two years later Mr. G. W. Foster took charge of the exchange and it was largely through his efforts and the hearty and valuable assistance of his wife that the telephone business in Texas attained such huge proportions in so short a time. Mr. Foster is still an active man 174 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF in the company and fills one of the higher offices. The local company has just completed its own skyscraper at a cost of about $1,000,000, and has equipments for caring for 20,000 subscribers with- out making further additions to its plant. Houston's long distance telephone system is very complete, there being twelve circuits to Gal- veston, seven to Beaumont, three to San Antonio, three to Dallas and one each to Fort Worth and Corpus Christi. Each of these direct circuits has branch circuits reaching all parts of the State. In addition to the old telephone company there is an automatic telephone company also operating in Houston. This company owns its own home, an elegant building on Rusk avenue near the Fed- eral building. There are two wireless telegraph companies oper- ating in Houston. One is a strictly private affair owned by the Texas Company. This company has 2,700 miles of private wires in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. It uses these wires for business pur- poses, but keeps its wireless plant always in readi- ness for use in case of failure of its wires. The company owns similar outfits at Beaumont and in Oklahoma. The other company, the Texas Wireless Telegraph-Telephone, is the only one engaged in public and commercial business. The company has perfectly equipped stations at Houston, San An- tonio, Victoria, Fredericksburg, Waco and Fort Worth. It is distinctly a home company, for all of THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 175 its stock is owned by Texans while its officers and managers are all Texans. The Houston Electric Light Company was or- ganized in 1882, by Mr. E. Raphael. Its first of- ficers were: E. Raphael, president; D. F. Stuart, secretary. The board of trustees were: A. Grose- beck, B. A. Botts, F. A. Rice, E. P. Hill, D. F. Stuart, J. C. Hutcherson, G. L. Porter and E. Raphael. Only the old Brush carbon light was used. Mr. Raphael exhibited the first incandes- cent lamp ever seen in Houston in August, 1883. The great merit of the incandescent lamp was rec- ognized at once and Mr. Raphael secured a contract to equip the Howard Oil Mill plant with them. This was the first installation of incandescent electric lights in a building in Texas. Mr. Raphael and his associates conducted the business for a year or so and then sold their plant to the Houston Gas Company. That company organized the present electric light company in 1894. CHAPTER TWELVE. The Rice Institute Brief Sketch of Mr. Rice Organization of the Great Educational Center. Among the very early settlers in the new town of Houston was Mr. Wm. M. Rice, who was destined to impress his name indelibly on this, his adopted home. Mr. Rice was a remarkable man. He be- gan his mercantile life in a modest way, but by strict attention to every detail of his business he was soon able to extend his field of operation. His success was assured from the beginning, and, having the money making instinct, or faculty, largely de- veloped, he soon became one of the best known and most prosperous merchants of the city. Much has been said and written about him. Some things absolutely true and some largely imaginative. Those who knew him are aware of the fact that he would not have appreciated some of the latter. Mr. Rice was intensely practical, and cared little for the applause of the crowd. He was a successful mer- chant, a king of finance and nothing more. He was absolutely honest and just, and what was more to the point, he was as just to himself as he was to others. If he made a contract he carried out every detail and he required those who made the other side to do the same. If he owed money he paid every cent of the debt and those who owed him money were required to settle in full. He was merely an ordinary merchant and business man, though a remarkably successful one. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 177 Had the early friends and associates of Mr. Rice been asked to select one of their number who would make a princely donation towards the cause of edu- cation, the chances are ten to one that Mr. Rice would never have been selected. If he ever gave a thought to art, science or literature no one knew of it. The first intimation that he took the least interest in educational matters was given some time during the middle eighties when the city was en- deavoring to raise money to purchase what was known as Academy Square and the old building that stood on it, for the purpose of turning it into a high school. The property had been owned by a company but had passed into the hands of a private citizen and the city wanted to buy it. Mr. Rice was living in New York at the time, but was paying an annual visit to Houston when the purchase matter came up. Mr. E. Raphael, who was very close to Mr. Rice, and who looked after some of his Hous- ton interests for him, was requested by a committee of citizens to ask Mr. Rice for a subscription to the fund. Mr. Raphael did so and was met by a prompt refusal, Mr. Rice stating that it was the duty of the city and not of individuals to care for such things as public schools. Then he surprised Mr. Raphael by telling him that he was thinking of a plan by which he hoped to establish a great edu- cational institution here. A few months later he took into his confidence a few gentlemen and, after a thorough discussion of his plans, an organi- zation was formed and, in 1891, a charter was ap- 178 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF plied for and granted. The terms of the charter were most liberal and the trustees were given wide latitude for the future organization of a great non- political, non-sectarian institution of technical learn- ing to be dedicated to the advancement of letters, science and art, to be located in the adopted home of Mr. Rice. As a nucleus for the endowment fund, Mr. Rice placed in the hands of the trustees an interest bearing note for $200,000. The original trustees were the following named gentlemen: Mr. Rice, himself; his brother, Mr. F. A. Rice, Mr. A. S. Richardson, Mr. James A. Ba- ker, Mr. J. E. McAshan, Mr. E. Raphael and Mr. C. M. Lombardi. Under the terms of the charter this board is made self -perpetuating and its mem- bers are elected for life. Since its organization vacancies have been filled by the selection of the following: Mr. Wm. M. Rice, Jr., a nephew of Mr. Rice, Mr. B. B. Rice and Dr. E. O. Lovett. Having taken the first step, Mr. Rice became infatuated with the idea he had conceived, and from time to time, transferred to the trustees large in- terests and then, by his will, left the bulk of his large fortune to the institute. Mr. Rice was murdered in New York in 1900 and there was a long fight in court over his will. When the trustees finally came into possession of the full resources of the foundation, which now amount to approximately ten million dollars, they invited Dr. Edgar Odell Lovett, Professor in Princeton University, to assist them in formu- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 179 lating and executing the educational programme of the Institute. The President thereupon under- took a year's journey of study which extended from England to Japan; on the completion of this pre- liminary investigation, a most suitable site of three hundred acres was secured, and to Messrs. Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson, of Boston, was committed the task of designing a general architectural plan consistent with the programme which had been adopted for the Institute. In 1911, on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Texan Independence, the corner-stone of the Ad- ministration Building was laid by the trustees. This building, together with the first wing of the Engineering Quadrangle, the Mechanical Labor- atory and Power House, and the first Residential Hall for Men, is rapidly nearing completion. The initial building schedule includes also special lab- oratories for instruction and investigation in phys- ics, chemistry, and biology, and in the application cf these sciences to the arts of industry and com- merce. In the preparation of these preliminary laboratory plans the Institute has enjoyed the co- operation of an advisory committee consisting of Professor Ames, director of the physical laboratory of Johns Hopkins University; Professor Conklin, director of the biological laboratory of Princeton University; Professor Richards, chairman of the department of chemistry, Harvard University; and Professor Stratton, director of the National Bureau of Standards. 180 A THUMB-XAIL HISTORY or The academic work of the Institute will begin this autumn on the 23rd day of September. A few days later the formal opening will be observed with appropriate ceremonies of inauguration and dedication, on October 10th, llth, and 12th, 1912. Distinguished scholars and scientists from a num- ber of foreign seats of learning have consented to participate in the proceedings of this the Insti- tute's first academic festival by preparing lectures in the fundamental sciences of mathematics, phys- ics, chemistry, and biology, and in the liberal hu- manities of philosophy, history, letters, and art. The initial staff of the Institute will be or- ganized in a faculty of science and a faculty of letters. Of those who have been selected for posi- tions under the direction of the faculty of science it is possible to announce the following elections, the names appearing in alphabetical order: Philip Heckman Arbuckle, B. A. (Chicago), of Georgetown, Texas; Director of Athletics in Southwestern University; to be Instructor in Ath- letics. Percy John Daniell, M. A. (Cambridge), of Liverpool, England; Senior Wrangler and Ray- leigh Prizeman of the University of Cambridge; Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Liverpool; to be Research Associate in Applied Mathematics. William Franklin Edwards, B. Sc. (Michi- gan), of Houston, Texas; formerly Instructor in the University of Michigan, and later Presi- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 181 dent of the University of Washington ; to be Lec- turer in Chemistry. Griffith Conrad Evans, Ph. D. (Harvard), of Rome, Italy; Sheldon Fellow of Harvard Uni- versity ; to be Assistant Professor of Pure Mathe- matics. Julian Sorrell Huxley, M. A. (Oxford), of Ox- ford, England; Newdigate Prizeman of the Uni- versity of Oxford; Lecturer in Biology at Bal- liol College, and Inter-collegiate Lecturer in Ox- ford University; to be Research Associate in Bi- ology. Francis Ellis Johnson, B. A., E. E. (Wiscon- sin), of Houston, Texas; recently with the Brit- ish Columbia Electric Railway Company; to be Instructor in Electrical Engineering. Edgar Odell Lovett, Ph. D. (Virginia and Leipsic), LL. D. (Drake and Tulane), of Hous- ton, Texas; formerly Professor of Mathematics in Princeton University, and later Head of the Department of Astronomy in the same institu- tion; President of the Institute; to be Professor of Mathematics. William Ward Watkin, B. Sc. (Pennsylvania), Architect, of Houston, Texas; to be Instructor in Architectural Engineering. Harold Albert Wilson, F. R. S., D. Sc. (Cam- bridge), of Montreal, Canada; Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge University; formerly Pro- fessor in King's College, London; Research Pro- 182 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF fessor in McGill University; to be Professor of Physics. There is being constituted a faculty of letters in which will be developed facilities for elementary and advanced courses in the so-called humanities, thereby enabling the Institute to offer both the ad- vantages of a liberal general education and those of special and professional training. For these facul- ties of science and letters the best available instruc- tors and investigators are being sought in the hope of assembling in Houston a group of unusually able scientists and scholars through whose pro- ductive work the new university should speedily take a place of considerable importance among the established institutions of the country. The subjects in which instruction will be pro- vided as rapidly as possible are mathematics, phys- ics, chemistry, biology, engineering, architecture, ancient languages, modern languages, history, and politics, philosophy and psychology, economics and sociology, and art and archeaeology. The pro- grammes of study are being so arranged as to of- fer a variety of courses leading after four years of undergraduate work to bachelor's degrees in arts, in science, in letters, and in their applications to the several fields of engineering, domestic arts, and other regions of applied science. Extensive general courses in the various domains of scientific knowledge will be available, but in the main the programmes will consist of subjects carefully co- ordinated and calling for considerable concentra- THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS 183 tion of study. For the advanced degrees, Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of En- gineering, every facility will be afforded properly qualified graduate students to undertake lines of study and research under the direction of the In- stitute's resident and visiting professors. Candidates for admission to the Institute who present satisfactory testimonials as to their charac- ter will be accepted either upon successful exam- ination in the entrance subjects or by certificate of graduation from an accredited public or private high school. There will be no charge for tuition and no fees for registration or examination in the Institute. A small deposit will be required to cover possible breakage in the laboratories and losses from the libraries; the balance from this contingent fee is, of course, returnable at the close of the session. Rooms in the Residential Hall, for men, com- pletely furnished exclusive of linen, together with table board at the Institute Commons, will be available for from eighteen to twenty dollars per month of four weeks. For both single and double rooms the rental will be uniform without regard to their location, and they will be let in the order of applications received. Diagrams showing the floor plans will be sent on request to any one who may be interested. Accommodations for the residence of young women on the university grounds will not be offered during the coming year. The Residential Hall for Men is of absolute- 184 A THUMB-NAIL HISTORY OF ly fire-proof construction, heated by steam, lighted by electricity, cleaned by vacuum apparatus, and equipped with the most approved forms of sanitary plumbing, providing adequate bathing facilities on every floor. The general plan for the improvement of the site of the Institute calls for a number of play- ing and exhibition fields in the vicinity of the resi- dential groups. In fact the wide expanse of the campus affords abundant space for every variety of physical exercise. A determined effort will be made to systematize and make general a sane de- votion to out-door sports in climatic conditions, which render athletics and open-air gymnastics profitably possible the whole year round. The daily time-table of each student will include a def- inite period under the instructor in athletics. Sim- ilarly with a view to developing every student in the manly art of self-defense in oratory and dispu- tation there have been appointed, in the South Tower of the first Residential Hall for Men, halls for two literary and debating societies, whose activ- ities should supplement the work of certain chairs under the faculty of letters.