The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-03-06
HISTORY OF KAUFMAN COUNTY.
INTERESTING HISTORICAL DATA.
DISCOVERY OF THE FIRST
AMERICAN CHILD BORN
IN TEXAS.
Interview with the First Cumber-
land Presbyterian Preacher Or
dalned in TeXas-Hen. John
Il. Reagan's Headlight
Established In 1874.
Special Correspondence of The Statesman.

The illness of your state cor
respondent for two weeks past has de-
layed the publication of the matter
pertaining to Kaufman county, but
has not seriously retarded the collec-
ton of additional historical data. Old
veterans have called from distance,
and the hours of sickness and pain
have been greatly mitigated in listen
ing to their "reminiscences Of a past
historic age, so full of interest to the
writer, and so wildly told by the
gray haired old veterans. A complete
revision of my manuscript is neces-
sary before the matter can appear In
THE STATESMAN, which will neceSsi-
tate a delay of another week. The
first portion relating to Kaufman
county will be ready to publish by in
stallments in the daily in
time to appear in full in The
WEEKLY STATESMAN of March 18th,
the earliest cate practicable. The de-
lay is owing to sickness and other
causes which are unavoidable.
During the past week 1 have been
taking notes at Kemp City, which is
the terminus of the Texas Trunk
Railroad, now completed forty-six
miles from Dallas. Active move
ments are said to be on foot to extend
the road to Athens, distance of
thirty miles. While sick at this place
1 have been the guest of DR.. A. l.
Still, who rendered me the hospitality
of his home and the best medical aid.
My early recovery is due to the kindly
ministrations of the veteran doctor
and his family. DIR. Still is truly
worthy SOD of Esculapius, and man
of great public spirit in contributing
literally of his means in the upbuild-
ing of Kemp City.
| The first American child born in
Texas is living about four miles west
of Kemp City, Mrs. Helena Berry
man is the name of this distinguished
Texan, who was born in the old town
of Nacadoches in 1904.
Rev. Richard OverJon Watkins,
who lives about&a mile southeast of
Kemp City, was the first Cumberland
Presbyterian preacher in Texas. An
interview with this well-preserved
old veteran furnishes vast fund of
are historical data never before pub
Iished.
A visit to Hon. John II. Reagan
headlight, about three miles east of
Kemp City, which he located in
1874, was next. 1t is consld-
cred historic ground. The house
which he built with his own
hands, and the orchard planted by him
long ago, may yet be seen as the early
landmarks of this distinguished
Texan. The day after visited the
first home of this pioneer youth in
Texas, letter was received from
Judge Reagan, forwarded to Kemp
kro fn& Of no ul
made for publication. The letter is
herewith given in full, and shows a
just appreciation of the important
work of collecting reliable data for a
history of Texas by counties. 1t is as
follows:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Washington, d. g., Feb. %, 1884.
Mr.. Edwin A. overall. Kaufman, Texas
| DEAR SIR-Your letter of 18th
inst. is just received, and also copies
of the Austin STATESMAN and the
Kaufman Sun.
1 am glad to see that you are en-
Il gagged in the preparation of a history
of Texas by counties. While such a
work will require time and great
deal of labor, it cannot fail to be both
interesting and valuable. The pres
entat:on of the past history and por.
traiture of the present condition of
the counties of Texas, must be both
instructive and interesting to our own
people, and will give to others than
the people of Texas clearer and
fuller view of the resources of our
great state, and of the enterprise and
energy of our people, than they might
obtain from less carefully prepared
sources of information.
1 feel much interest in the history
of Kaufman county whichIyou are now
preparing. l was one of the pioneer
surveyors of that county about the
beginning of the year 1910, and for
several years later was QUE of the pio-
neer settlers in the territory Of what
is now Kaufman county, remaining a
citizen of it until 1851; and though l
have long since ceased to be citizen
of that county, / have never ceased to
feel an interest in its growth and in
the prosperity and progress of It's peo-
pie. Very respectfully,
JOHN H. REAGAN.
Your correspondent feels lgratified
to receive so many manifestations of
respect and confidence, coupled with
marked appreciation and genuine en-
couragement as has been enlisted
from different sources regarding the
work OF writing a history of Texas by
counties. The incentive to any labor
IS greatly increased by the stimulus
derived from words of applause,
which burn their way into the public
| mind EDWIN f. OVERALL,