CHAPTER XI.

Pioneers Continued-The Nutt Brothers-B.H. and Wm. Dennis-Early Cabins-A Queer Doorway-Hospitality of the Frontiersman.

Marion Landers was also a son of Judge Abe Landers, who came to this section with his father. He died many years ago, leaving a son, Robert Landers, now living on Paluxy; and at the same place lives Jacob Nutt, familiarly called, "Uncle Jake." As has already been noticed, Abe and D.L. Nutt came with their father, David Nutt, in 1859. These Nutt brothers have figured very largely in the affairs of Hood county, especially anterior and during the period of organization. Their father first settled at what was subsequently known as the Jack Wright place, and now owned by J.F. Henderson. Uncle Jake, though a great admirer of, and a favorate with the ladies, has never married; but nevertheless, has maintained and educated quite a number of the children of his relatives and friends, and is very popular with all who know him. He has otherwise been very useful as a second to his brother, Jesse F., in all of their public and private enterprises; and these two, from the earliest period of their career here, have ever stood together as mutual supports. Both of devoutly religious temperaments and ardently impressed with the faith and principles of the Missionary Baptist church, whose ministry were among the first to plant the standard of the Cross in the border life of this section; they linked together their fortunes, their religion and their names, and the combination under the style of "J.F. & J. Nutt" has endured here so long and been so faithful to obligations as to have become a synonym of steadfast fidelity. Like his brother, "Uncle Jake" has long been afflicted with blindness, and some years ago their business and acquisitions having greatly enlarged, including a fine farm on Paluxy, they probably thought that two blind men in one mercantile establishment was more than enough, and Uncle Jake betook himself to the farm, which he manages successfully, with the aid of those whom his kindness draws about him. But in this move no change was made in their firm style, nor was Uncle Jesse left without the aid of that important adjunctive member, the younger brother, D.L. Nutt, who grew up from childhood on Hood county territory, and who having signalized himself by the trophies brought home from that campaign against the Indians, as mentioned in my last chapter, subsequently won the hand and heart of the daughter of that noted Indian fighter, Capt. Peter Garland; and has also figured considerably in affairs of the county, though his physical dimensions have seemed to forbid of his becoming the recipient of other than aldermanic dignities in official life. The other brother, Abe, pursued the life of a farmer and having married one of the daughters of Y.J. Rylee, resided on the east side of the Brazos river till his death many years ago. He was a quiet and excellent citizen.

All these Nutt brothers have, by reason of their situation, and close connection with officials and public affairs and the natural kindness of their dispositions, at all times exerted a wholesome influence, and most especially during the organic period, in keeping down feelings of bitterness among neighbors and friends, and thus preventing, in a great measure, those deadly feuds, which have so often prevailed in, and disgraced other localities along border life. It must not, however, be understood that this section has entirely enjoyed immunity from such disturbances. In early times hostilities between families and individuals sometimes occurred, which resulted in bloodshed; but a fair research into the traditional past develops but few, and not of such magnitude as to have impressed contemporaries with their importance. And at this time an account of them might be so inaccurate as to do injustice to the participants, yet he who essays to be a historian must not skip too many of the dark pages, and accounts of some these when sufficiently verified, may hereafter appear.

The Dennis brothers, B.H. and William, came to Robinson creek with their father about 1858, and have been energetic and influential in the affairs of the county. They were soldiers of the Lost Cause and after the war was over, betook themselves successfully to stock raising, which business they have managed together, and like brothers should, have ever stood steadfastly by each other.

Owing to the great distance from the mills of the pineries and want of railroads most of the business, as well as dwelling houses, were of the log cabin type, which perhaps still predominates throughout the county; but instead of the pine floors and doors, shingle roofs and glass windows, the earlier architects utilized "puncheons," clap-boards and raw-hides. But perhaps the utmost extent of the economic structure of house building was attained by a man named Blair, who first settled Blair valley on the north boundary of Hood, and who followed the business of making saddle trees. In building his cabin, he just simply omitted a log in one of the walls just over the floor, after the manner of the window opening in the old country school house, where "we" graduated, and through this, entry and exit were effected by assuming that humble posture of body, which we all should exercise in our daily devotions.

The cabin of the early settler was the welcome resting place, as well of the traveler and stranger, as of the family. On those rude floors, behind those raw-hide doors, enclosed by the same four walls of sixteen-foot logs, that protected the settler and his wife in one corner, his sons in another, his daughters in a third, there was always a fourth corner where the stranger found at all times a hospitable and comfortable couch, secure against chilling weather, savage foe and howling wolf; and he usually had one of the smaller urchins for a bed-fellow, probably to act as a sort of moral balance wheel.

2000 HOOD COUNTY TEXAS HISTORICAL DOCUMENT TRANSCRIPTION TEAM