CHAPTER XV.

Pioneer Settlement of Acton-Early Religious Devotions and Burials-Meetings-Aaron Farris' Mill and Still-House-Mrs. Farris' Versatility-Long Walks to Meeting.

Acton, formerly Comanche Peak P.O., was the central point of the oldest settlement, forming a considerable community within the Hood county territory. And this community, too, seems to have enjoyed singular immunity from the depredations of the Indians, probably for the reason that it had become a tolerably strong and compact settlement while the Indians were peacefully inclined, hence it was no doubt afterward regarded by them as beyond the line of safety on their part to penetrate thus far, though they several times did approach very near to it, both above and below, on the east of the Brazos. In speaking of this community a territory of several square miles is embraced, extending to Fall creek on the east, Long creek on the north, and down Walnut to the Brazos.

The several christian denominations of Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists and Reformed christians were well represented by substantial people as early as 1855, in strength of numbers probably in about the order as named; and about this date they united in the building of a church, where each held services once every month. This church stood near Walnut creek. Religious sentiment and fraternal regard seems to have prevailed among these people rather more than was usual at this early period. There intervened between them and old Buchanan, then the county site of Johnson county, a stretch of uninhabited prairie of some fifteen miles in width, broken only by the valley of Nolan's river, along which there were but few settlements; thus this then remote western community was somewhat isolated, and no doubt fully realized the force of that familiar injunction of scripture, "Behold how beautiful it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

Adjacent to this old Union church there was soon occasion to lay out a cemetery, for no history can trace the footsteps of man without its record of death. The first death and burial occurring here was that of the wife of Mr. Wash. Hutchison. Since then this sacred ground, by reason of the beloved dead deposited here, has become dear in the memory of many people now living, some of whom, in the activities of life, have wandered far away, but whose thoughts, and sometimes their footsteps turn hitherward in tender regard for the hallowed dust of the departed. The paraphenalia [sic] of plumed hearse and velvet-lined casket was not known in the simple burial ceremonies of the early settlers, but their exigencies were often such as to require a resort to the rudest of material and workmanship for coffins, and wagon beds were sometimes cut up for this purpose.

In the fall of 1855 Aaron Farris settled a mile below the church and during the following winter and spring built a water mill, getting the timbers therefore from the west bank of the Brazos; and as an evidence of the severity of the winter, these mill timbers were conveyed by the men across the river on the ice, the river remaining solidly frozen over for the space of about six weeks. In addition to his mill enterprise, Farris made a crop the year following his arrival, and among other things planted by him was some tobacco, which made a good crop and was a source of supply to the people of an article much in demand, owing to their remoteness from market. Farris' mill was naturally a place of resort for this community, where they took their grain to be ground, got tobacco and some other merchandise kept at his house for sale, and subsequently some enterprising spirits conceived the scheme of a still house here, and, although this was in the midst of a christian community, yet the same stream which furnished them with the staff of life was made to yield from the grain whiskey for the toper, which brought hither many from miles away, as well as near. Many were the occasions when the people, not only of this community, but of the neighboring settlements west of the Brazos, met together at this church and vicinity for worshipful purposes. And the still house was a source of much concern to the good lady Farris, who was a devout Presbyterian and an active worker in preparing toothsome chicken and pies for all preachers of whatsoever denomination who came to hold services here. Upon one of these great meeting occasions, after the revenue laws became strict, and after business complications had thrown some interest in this still house upon Farris, there was a preacher holding the meeting who was reported to be acting in the capacity also of a revenue officer, and after he had often feasted at Mrs. Farris' repast, she, hearing of his official character, sent for him and asked him if he was a revenue officer, and on learning that he was, boldly told him of the still house and that she was responsible for it. He deplored the fact, but a remembrance of the good things she had fed him on prevented any official action; and his advice that it should be done away with was soon adopted. Thus did the versatile abilities of this lady win the heart of the minister of the gospel, disarm the law and abate the deviltry.

Mrs. Farris was native of Tennessee; came to east Texas with her first husband, Mr. Watkins, who there died, and she married Farris and with him came to the Walnut creek place, and after his death she married Capt. W.M. Nunn, who died about 1893. She now lives at Granbury with her only child, Mrs. W.T. Lyle. Mrs. Nunn, on an occasion of the meeting of a Presbytery on Rucker's creek, once walked with another lady from Acton to attend--a distance of four or five miles, and Mrs. Wright relates that she and other ladies often walked from their homes at Stockton to attend preaching at Acton, returning home the same evening, the distance being about six miles. Among the early settlers distance was not regarded as a great obstacle in the way of attendance upon meetings, so much did they appreciate such privileges.

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