Historic Markers of Montague County

Created December 24, 1857; organized August 2, 1858; named in honor of Daniel Montague 1798–1876; Pioneer Texas surveyor and Indian fighter; commander of a company in the Mexican War; Montague, County Seat. <!-- Inscription paraphrased; not verbatim — source: Fort Tours Historic Markers Database / montaguecountyhistory.org -->

Montague County was created in Dec. 1857 and organized in Aug. 1858. A log cabin and a frame store served as temporary courthouses. Fires destroyed a two-story frame building (1873) and a two-story stone courthouse (1884). In that same year, construction began on a second stone courthouse, which lasted until a 1912 storm severely damaged it. County commissioners selected Waco architect George Burnett to design the present Classical Revival style temple of Justice. A. H. Rodgers of Henrietta was the contractor. The three-story brick and stone courthouse with raised basement has staircases at all four entrances, porticos, pilasters and dentils. Completed in May 1913, it has been the center of government and activity in the county for more than a century. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2013

(March 29, 1899–Sept. 24, 1959) Vigorous, forthright and humane chief executive of Texas in years 1935–1939. Born in Bowie, one of nine children of Renne and Mary Henson Allred; worked in youth as a soda pop bottler, shoeshine boy, newsboy. Attended local schools, Rice University, Cumberland Law School; was in U.S. Navy during World War I. Admitted to the Bar in 1921. As Texas Attorney General 1931–1935, won many victories over monopolies. As Governor, 1935–1939, he implemented strong executive, legislative and judicial programs to correct social and economic ills; led fight that outlawed pari-mutuel gambling in Texas. During his administration, Social Security amendments were added to Texas Constitution. Named to Texas Judiciary its first woman member — Judge Sarah T. Hughes, of Dallas. After his two terms as Governor, Allred was twice appointed United States District Judge, and was on bench at time of his death. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls. Outstanding Texas Statesmen Series, 1968.

Early settler James W. Stallings donated the first portion of land for the establishment of a cemetery for area residents at this site in 1880. Two years later, the town of Bowie was platted near the cemetery site, along the route of the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad. The first burial at Elmwood Cemetery was that of Willie B. Nelson (d. June 10, 1880). In 1981, due to the expansion of Lake Amon G. Carter, the graves located at Tarter Cemetery were relocated to Elmwood. Portions of a native stone wall that was constructed along Patterson and Nelson Streets by employees of the Civilian Conservation Corps 1935–1937 remain today. The cemetery contains burials of veterans from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. <!-- Inscription condensed; full text in THC Atlas #5507016324 -->

[Civil War side, 1963]: Established 9 miles northwest 1861 as Civil War outpost near major buffalo and Indian crossing. Local soldiers, determined to guard edge of settlement against Indian raids, Union invasion from Indian Territory, joined by Texas Frontier Regiment Cavalry Company. Families of settlers, cattlemen built log cabins within post stockade. Comanche, Kiowa raid at Illinois Bend 15 miles east Jan. 1863. A memorial to Texans who served in the Confederacy. [Chisholm Trail side, 1971]: 'Jumping-off point' on the famous Chisholm Cattle Trail, (1867–87), Red River Station was a main crossing and last place on trail to buy supplies until Abilene, Kan. — 350 miles north.

Organized in the summer of 1889 by The Rev. J.W. Holman and thirteen charter members, the Nocona Baptist Church first met in a local schoolhouse. The Rev. S.E. West served as first pastor. A sanctuary was completed in 1897, and in 1903 the name was changed to First Baptist Church. A new sanctuary replaced the 1897 structure in 1927. (1989) <!-- Inscription condensed; full text in THC Atlas #5337001661 -->

With this marker the curtain of time has been removed. The trails and mail routes made across the county by traders, prospectors, soldiers, homesteaders, stagecoach drivers, surveyors, freighters and drovers with their campsites and settlements are here cut in stone for all future generations to see and understand. [Side 2: map of frontier trails and mail routes across Montague County.] <!-- Source: HMDB.org #245637; THC Atlas number not confirmed -->

The Rev. Abraham Molsbee and his wife Susan Looney Molsbee brought their eight children to Texas from Tennessee in 1888. They purchased 965 acres of land for farming and stock raising. This cemetery, located adjacent to the Molsbee Chapel Church, began as a family graveyard when the Molsbees' 20-year-old son, Orville, died in 1888. Deeded two acres for a community burial ground in 1942. Many veterans of the Armed Forces are interred here, among them Confederate soldiers John P. Watson of the 43rd Georgia Regiment and Fulton B. Loe, Jr., of Company A28, Louisiana Infantry. (2000) <!-- Inscription condensed; full text in THC Atlas #5337012232 -->

The Tri-County Baptist Association voted to establish a church near Spanish Fort in 1895. Red River Baptist Church was formally organized that year following a revival service held under a brush arbor at Red River Station. In late 1928 or early 1929 church members voted to change the name of the congregation to Valley View Baptist Church. (1995) <!-- Inscription condensed; full text in THC Atlas #5337005632 -->

One of oldest towns in Montague County. Founded in the 1850s during the California Gold Rush by E.S. and Ithane Singletary (Brothers) and John Hughes, who hoped to find gold here. In 1872 I.H. Boggess (owner of the famous Stonewall Saloon) and Joe Howell bought 640 acres of land and laid out townsite, which Boggess named "Joe". "Saint" was reportedly added because Joe Howell was reputed to be a devout, non-drinking man. Incorporated in 1886. Grew as center of commerce for surrounding agricultural area. <!-- Source: HMDB.org #96760; THC Atlas number not confirmed -->

Historic Camp Site for 1849 Capt. Randolph B. Marcy on Government Survey Trip. 1854 Capt. John Pope Surveying Proposed Federal R.R. 1855 U.S. 2nd Cavalry Under Col. Albert Sidney Johnson en route to establish Texas Frontier Forts. Reported Settlement here. 1857 Col. James B. Leach Heading "Corn Train" to Ft. Belknap. 1860 U.S. Post Office Opened John W. Womble, Postmaster. 1867–87 Great Cattle Trails Drivers Camped and Watered. 1873 Saint Jo Founded on site by I.H. Boggess and J.A. Howell. <!-- Source: HMDB.org #96758; THC Atlas number not confirmed -->

A community sprang up here about the beginning of the Civil War. The name Illinois Bend is thought to derive from the former home state of some of the first settlers. The name was fixed by 1877, when the Illinois Bend Post Office opened. The community had a school, several stores, a cotton gin, churches, and lodges in the 1930s. The origin of the community burial ground is unknown. The earliest marked grave is for Nancy Smith (1873). In 1880, John and Sarah Elliot officially deeded the cemetery with 1.953 acres of land. <!-- Inscription condensed; source: historic.one/TX/montague-county/historical-marker/illinois-bend-memorial-cemetery; THC Atlas number DEFERRED-T1 -->

[Partial, paraphrased]: Covers Chihuahua Traders Trail (1840), Texan-Santa Fe Expedition (1841), Capt. Marcy's California Trail (1849), Butterfield Overland Mail (1858), Chisholm Trail (1870s), and first railroad (1882). Partial confirmed quote: "Let the grandeur of the pioneer be discerned in the safety he has secured, in the good he has accomplished, in the civilization he has established." <!-- Inscription paraphrased; not verbatim — full text FIELD-TRANSCRIPTION-NEEDED. Source: Fort Tours Historic Markers Database; HMDB.org #187220 -->

The first known settlers in Montague County arrived in 1849. After the county was formed in 1857, the City of Montague was created a year later to serve as county seat. James M. Gibbons, one of the early pioneers, came to this area from Tennessee. Family history indicates that Gibbons donated the first plot of land in this cemetery for the burial of his wife, Elizabeth Lankford Gibbons, upon her death in 1862. The Montague Cemetery contains both unmarked and marked graves. About 60 of the legible tombstones bear dates from the 1800s. Several Confederate veterans and a few early Texas Rangers also are buried here. (1985) <!-- Inscription condensed; full text in THC Atlas #5337003436 -->

Settlers from mountain provinces of Northern Italy began arriving in Montague in the early 1880s. The families of Barretto Raimondi, Jack Fenoglio, Antonio Perona and Charlie Corado were among the earliest here. By the early 1900s, there were as many as fifty Italian families. Most of these Italian immigrants were Catholic, and in 1901 they established St. John Catholic Church in Montague. The Most Rev. E.J. Dunne, Bishop of Dallas, bought three acres for a cemetery on April 28, 1900. Giroloma Vitali was the first burial in 1901. Gravestones exhibit Italian heritage as well as families of German, Polish and Hispanic descent. More than 250 marked and unmarked graves are now recorded here. <!-- Source: HMDB.org #118540; THC Atlas number not confirmed from primary source -->

In 1872, The Rev. John F. Denton, a Methodist missionary, preached in Montague. The next year four members under the leadership of The Rev. Joseph Clinton Weaver (1846–1924) began this fellowship. W.T. and E.A. Waybourn deeded two acres in 1878 on the Old Nocona-Montague Public Road. The building was restored after the 1905 tornado caused extensive damage. An annex was added in 1953. <!-- Source: HMDB.org #121573; THC Atlas number not confirmed from primary source -->

The third structure to serve as Montague County Jail, this building was erected by the Southern Prison Company of San Antonio in 1927. The first floor contained living quarters for the jailer and his family, and six prison cells were maintained on the second floor. Used as a jail until a new facility was built in 1980, the building's architectural features include its entry portico, stone cornice, cast stone window sills, and simple tile detailing. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1991.

Established after the Civil War in memory of its pioneers who battled with the Indians, endured hardships and conquered the soil. <!-- Source: Fort Tours Historic Markers Database; THC Atlas #5337005000 cross-reference confirmed -->

Named by early settlers for a town mentioned in the Biblical Book of Job, Uz was a farming community whose economy was based on the cotton crop. In existence by the 1870s, the town reached its peak in the early 1900s. At its height the community included homes, stores, churches, a cotton gin, school, post office, and telephone exchange. The post office was discontinued in 1907, and the school was merged with the Forestburg schools in 1931. A boll weevil infestation in the 1930s destroyed the cotton crop and signalled the decline of the Uz community. <!-- Source: HMDB.org #261302; THC Atlas number not confirmed from primary source -->

The first marked grave in this burial ground is that of an infant who died in 1862. Other burials include those of a Mr. Jones, a well-digger killed by Indians in 1863, and Dory Booher and Ben Steadham, former Confederate soldiers who had been captured at Lookout Mountain, Tenn. during the Civil War. In 1883 the cemetery was purchased by Levi Perryman (1839–1921) and deeded to Montague County. A Forestburg community leader, Perryman had been a Confederate soldier, an Indian fighter, and sheriff. Still used, this cemetery serves as a reminder of the area's pioneers. (1983)

From time immemorial man has searched for a land where streets were paved with gold. Both this section of U.S. Highway 81 and a portion of adjacent U.S. Highway 287 are actually paved with gold! The story began in 1936 when the Texas Highway Department was paving the two highways here in Montague County. Sand for the concrete was taken from a nearby pit. Back came the report: the sand contained gold. It has been reckoned that as much as $31,000 is distributed along 39 miles of roadway. Some $25,000 in U.S. Highway 81 and $6,000 in U.S. Highway 287. (1963) <!-- Inscription condensed; full text in THC Atlas #5337002479 -->

Lying on a direct line of travel from the United States to Mexico, California, and points west, the area now Montague County was once a network of trails. One of the first area roads forged by white men was the Chihuahua Traders Trail of 1840. In 1849 U.S. Army Capt. Randolph B. Marcy charted a "California Trail." In 1858 the famous Butterfield Overland Mail Line came across the county; and in the 1870's, as Texas was building her image as a cattle empire, Montague County was crossed by two feeder branches of the Chisholm Trail. In 1882, the county's first railroad followed much of the Texan-Santa Fe Trail. Today Highway 82 partly traces Marcy's route and other roads parallel many of these early trails. (1969)