The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-05-28

Before proceeding TO speak OF The
prlncely edlfcc which now adorns our
city as u court house, let ny look bnck u
little and note the mile posts IN the
growth OF thisnow populous and flour
ishing city and county.
The first rude settlement within the
territory Of the county wns begun by
John Nicely Bryan, mt the close of the
year 1871. The nearest nayigable
points were Jefferson, one hundred
and seventy miles east, and Houston,
two hundred and siXty-hve miles south,
both then infant places. The county
WIS created and organized IN ls46, with
a mere handful of settlers, Tut steadily
Increased In population, of superior
class, until the war began In 1861.
During It's four years continuance,
industry was paraly2ed and many OF
its best citizens went TO soldiers graves.
After the war, owing to the outrageous
rule placed over the people, little pro-
gress was made and men were content
to live us best they could. No very
material Improvement took place, nor
considerable increase in population,
Til about 1870 and 1871, when more
hope of the future gradually worked n
change. The first and grand impulse,
however, may be dated from the day,
In 1871, when II became certain that
the Houston and Texas Central rail-
way would pass centrally through the
county, from south TO north, and make
depot nt Dallas and several other
points. II was completed TO Dallas In
July 1871 and u year later was follow
cd by the connection Of Dallas With
Shreveport and jefferson, through the
Texas and Pacific railroad, securing
also, through the Great Northern, an
other and rival connection with Hous-
ton and Galveston. Each route opened
to us the great lumber forests of east
Texas The unparalleled growthof Dali
las, beginning in the winter of 1871
has been stimulated and yet maintains
Its supremacy rs the result of these
combined causes. The great iron
bridge was the first material achieve
ment. A great influx of commercial
men and capital kept company, and
began those grand and noble business
houses which now win the admiration
of all strangers; and here we are to-day
with busy and solid population OF
from ten to twelve thousand, with an
uninterrupted growth, promising a
grand and glorious future.
But to 60 back to the earlier times
THE FIRST COURT HOUSE, EREGTEp :
on the square was rough structure o 1
cedar logs, with "stick and dirt'
chimney and puneheon floor, with
split logs for seats. In it, for several
years, Justice was administered by an
Ochiltree, Martin, u Reagan, aud
others with rs much ability, Justice,
dignity and decorum as will probably
over grace the splendid structure OF
which we now so justly feel proud.
But even then the young bloods Were
proud, and after II time, on Christmas
day, 1858, with sacrilegious hands, first
dismantled and finally burned that
primitive temple. s
In 1856, n respectable two-story
brick building was erected on the same
ground, aud long subserved the pur-
poses of u court house, being embo-
somed IN the beautiful grove Of China
and locust trees which still stand to
keep watch over the stately ediiice of
to-day. Some four years ago this brick
house was removed to make way for
larger building, and this brings us
down to the origin, progress and COM
pletion of our present noble ediiice.
HISTORY OF THE NEW COURT HOUSE.
The plan was adopted By the county
court at its May term, 1871. On the
o'h OF August sd contract Tor its
erection was entered ih'o wan James
Donnegan. Work was Immediately
. ,' anu proseco'ea',,i Decem-
W. ~ 'ne same year. wnen Dohnegah