Document text
FTSTOR1
Award Town&end, P. W.
Erath County, Texas.
lAstriot No. 8.
jieference,
xs. Mary McNeill, Faye.
No. of words400
File no, 200
Pagel.
In the spring of 1.854, Dr, W. W. McNeill, a young M. D. in com-
pany with :ajor B. Erath and John M. Stephen, with true Pioneer Spirit,
these men set out in search of good location in the west and finding
suitable land with plenty of gross, water and game they looted on the
spot now known as Stephenville.
Major ;A•ath nnd john M. Itephen proceeded to lay off and survey
the lnnd, make maps, lay off city lots, forme and pastureInnd. They
laid off the city lot on which .(:_tephenville now stnds and with maps and
plats sent to the Legislature of the Stnte of Texas at Austin, submit-
ting a nroosition thnt if they would create a county in this territory
and locate the *aunty seat here, he is owner of the John Blair Survey
would deed to the public the streets end alleys. Also a block of ground
for the court house, one for a jail and also a block for each of the
churches, one for the Methodist, one for the Baptist and one for each
the 1-resbyterian end Christian. These papers were sent to Austin July
4, 1855, and on January 25, 1856, the Legislature accepted the proposal
and the county was created and rimed in honor of Major B. Erath.
The county seat also was named Stephenville in honor of John M.
Stephen for his loyalty rind his prominence in opening the way to civil-
i7ation in this locality. (A)
Mr. Stephen built a double log house as did the other pioneers in
the fall of 1854 end moved their families here. Mt. Stephen's family
consisted of his wife and a daughter, Mary A., and two sons, James and
Sam. Sam, the oldest son, was later killed by the Indians in one of their
HISTORY.
Edward Townsend, P. W.
Ereth County, Texas,
District No. 8,
File no. 200
Page 2
mild raids. Lumber for a store, postoffioe and for a union church was
freighted by ox wagon from Waco.
These brave pioneers had to always carry their guns as they worked
or worshipped to protect their families and stock from the 'MO
Indians, who often ran in, murdering men, women and children and carry-
ing off the horses and burning homes, and they all passed through many
narrow escapes.
The young doctor merriA the only daughter of Sohn M. Stephen,
built a home end set out in his practice. By this union were five ohil-
dren, to wits John A. McNeill, now deeeased, wee the first white child
born in Stephenville; Sams and Sidney, younger sons are still residents
here.
The life of a pioneer physician ie a peculiar, difficult one. No
greater bravery is displayed by the soldier on the battlefield than the
physician, who in the stormiest weather, was often celled fifty miles or
more from home, making the journey alone horse back, through forests and
creeks with no sign of a road, with saddle bags across the horn of his
saddle, and where every tree is a hiding place for the treacherous Indians
ready to spring on them. On one occasion when the young doctor was re-
turning from a long trip, where he had been called to see a very sick
lady, he was attacked by the Indians, the arrows were flying thick and
fast and one pierced the fine mare he was riding end laying her ears
back against her head she ran with all her strength, carrying the doctor
to safety but falling deed when she reached home. Dr. MoNaill was born
May 17, 1818, moved to Stephenville, Erath County, in 1854, was the first
physician here, was a charter member end helped to organize the first
Mesonic Lodge in Stephenville; also was honored as Stephenville's first
HIrTORY
Edw-rd Townsend, P. W.
Broth County, Texas,
District No. 8.
File no. 200
Page 3
postmaster. In the fall of 1854, with ten charter members, he helped
to organize the first Methodist church, and wee s faithful end honored
member until his death at the ripe old ago of 83 years. (A)