2009 Welcome to Wise.indd - Wise County Messenger

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WISE COUNTY Historical Markers
the leadership of the Rev. A. R. Nash,
it was dedicated at Easter services in
1914. An educational wing was added
in 1940.
Deep Creek Community
CR 4227, north of Aurora
Named for the natural landmark
nearby. Settled about 1854 by pioneers
Sam Woody and Tom McCarroll.
Population grew as they were
joined by several of Woody’s former
neighbors from East Texas. Along the
creek, farmers raised cotton, corn,
and cattle. In 1860 Tom McCright
and Andrew Mann gave land for a
cemetery, and local Baptists constructed
a church, which doubled as a
schoolhouse. Testimony to danger of
frontier life is the grave of Sally Bowman,
who died in 1868. She was shot
after a wild chase by Native Americans
who surprised her as she tended
her father’s herd of fine horses. At her
grave is a monument erected by the
neighborhood. Other early settlers interred
here include many veterans of
the Civil War, 1861-1865. The community
is noted as the boyhood home
of Lawrence (J. L.) Ward, respected
resident of Decatur Baptist College
during 1900-1907 and 1910-1950. In
the 20th-century, a nationally known
ballet -”Winter at Deep Creek” -has
recaptured the flavor of pioneer days.
Produced by the American Folk Ballet,
the dance was originated and choreographed
by Burch Mann, a greatgranddaughter
of John Mann, one of
the first settlers in the community.
Episcopal Mission of the Ascension
Church and Hale Streets, Decatur
Oldest original church building
in Decatur. Consecrated by great
missionary Bishop, the Rt. Rev. A. C.
Garrett. Erected facing Main Street
(two blocks west of square) in 1889.
Known as “The Little Church with the
Crosses”, by 1912 it had deteriorated,
but was restored and moved, facing
Walnut Street. In 1940 building was
sold, used as mattress factory, but
rescued same year and moved here,
with sanctuary placed symbolically to
east, toward Jerusalem.
First Christian Church of Paradise
Main Street (Loop 444) and CR
3267, Paradise
During the late 1880s, members
of this church held home worship
services in Old Town, the original
Paradise townsite (1.5 miles southwest).
The arrival of the Rock Island
Railroad sent residents to this location,
which was nearer to the rail line.
Sometime after the move, the First
Christian Church of Paradise was
chartered. The Gothic revival structure
was built about 1905 by local contractor
Will Plymell. The steeple houses
the original church bell. At one time,
the number of attending members
dwindled to as few as three, yet worship
services have continued to be
held throughout the church’s history.
With historic ties to the old and new
Paradise townsites, it is a significant
part of the area’s heritage.
Hanna-Robinson-Richey Drugstore
Jacksboro Street, Chico
Alexander Virgil Hanna (1860-1921)
built this native sandstone structure
to house his drugstore in 1893. He
provided office space in this building
for a doctor, lawyer, jeweler and the
first telephone switchboard in Chico.
Hanna sold the business in 1920 to
Rueben R. Robinson (1872-1955),
whose daughter and son-in-law, La-
Beth and William Marston Mead (d.
1968) continued to operate the store
after his death. It was purchased in
1973 by Bobby and Frances Richey.
Huff Family Massacre
From Alvord, take Pine Street
(Old Decatur Road) about two
miles east.
An atrocity of 1874, in one of last
Wise County Indian raids. While C. W.
Huff and son worked in remote part
of land recently settled by the family,
Native Americans killed Mrs. Huff
and daughters, Palestine and Molly.
Neighbors buried the scalped and
mutilated victims in a wagon bed, in
the grave. It is said that lumber was
later obtained for coffins and the
victims were reburied. In 1879 land
around plot was given for cemetery by
C. W. Huff.
Old Campsite of Jesse and Frank
James
From Decatur, take US 380 east
about five miles
Famous western frontier outlaws,
who had many Texas hideouts
along a line from the Rio Grande to
the Red River. The camps - extending
into Missouri, their home state
- were used for hiding stolen horses
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
BATTLE OF THE KNOBS HISTORICAL MARKER
until posses could be thrown off the
trail. The campsites were sometimes
known to scattered settlers, who
feared or befriended the bandits.
Also, friendly with the James brothers
(and also operating sometimes in
Texas) were fellow Missouri outlaws
Cole Younger and “Bandit Queen”
Belle Starr. After reconstruction ended
in 1874, Texas Rangers were reorganized,
to restore respect for the law.
Given special powers, in 1889-90 they
arrested 579 wanted men (including
76 alleged murders). Jesse James
and some other notorious badmen
by then were dead. Frank, reformed,
worked as a salesman in Dallas, Paris,
and other Texas towns.
Masonic Lodge No. 479
South Evans at West Rock Island,
Boyd
Built 1877 at Old Aurora (two miles
east). Lower floor used first as school
with rent $2.50 a month, then as drug
store, post office. Second floor always
lodge hall. Moved here 1900, in one
piece, as Aurora, missed by railroad,
began to decline.