CHAPTER XVI.

PIONEER SETTLEMENT OF ACTON, CONTINUED---A VISIT OVERLAND TO TENNESSEE---EARLY METHODISTS---W. A. KARNES AND OTHERS.

Notwithstanding the good crops, peaceful surroundings and cheerful sociality that for several years after the earliest settlers began to make their permanent homes about the Acton community, dating about 1855 to 1858, yet the human instincts created in all no doubt a longing to see the faces of kindred and friends in the far away states from which they migrated, and, prompted by such feelings, we find Aaron Farris and his wife in 1858, upon a long and necessarily tedious journey, back to east Tennessee, where they went solely upon a visit to relatives and friends. At that date of course the only method of travel over such a route was the wagon and team. But though to the traveler now accustomed to modern railway transportation, such a trip might seem almost beyond the limits of any expectations of enjoyment, yet, we may readily infer from the great number of the Texas and Arkansas population, who seem to make their homes almost upon wheels, that the lengthy trips they originally made from the slopes of the Blue Ridge, to reach these western scenes and expansive prairies, gave a zest for such a roving life, and that such method of travel was not without its enticement.

The glowing accounts of this delightful new country, given by Farris and wife, in the following year brought W.A. Karnes, brother of Mrs. Farris, accompanied by his mother and that cheerful spirited watermelon raiser and substantial farmer, Peter James. Both of these men settled and opened their farms in convenient proximity to Acton village, and have ever since been quite useful citizens, contributing to the general welfare of this community and the county at large. Shortly afterwards Fredrick Karnes, the father of Mrs. Farris and W.A. Karnes, arrived. He first settled at Stockton, where he plied his avocation as blacksmith and after the settlement of Granbury moved his shop to the latter place, where he continued till his removal to Denton Co. in 1870.

W.A. Karnes, familiarly known as "Doc," was a confederate soldier in Capt. W.H. Cathey's company of Col. Sweet's cavalry regiment. Among his comrades in this company were Jack Huffstettler, now living near Lipan, and Anderson Bell, who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga. Two of his sons, William and George Bell, are citizens of Hood, the latter in Granbury.

Among those who settled in the Acton neighborhood early in the fifties were John Morris, James McCoy, the widow Huffstettler, James and Peter Plemons, G.W. and O.P. Hutchison, King Harwick, "Father" Nance, Isaac Vannoy, Newton and William Manley, Wm. Wright, George Smart, J.R. and G.W. Patton. "Father" Nance, the two Manley brothers, Vannoy and Robert Patton were all Methodist preachers, and it is not therefore surprising that, although not the first in point of strength at the start, yet the Methodists soon gained somewhat an ascendency, and have ever since maintained a strong influence in the community, noted for sobriety and good behavior.

It is probable that Father Nance was the first circuit rider here. He was a man highly esteemed by all, as the venerable appellation prefixed to his name, as well as the testimony of contemporaries, attest. Robert Patton settled on Fall creek, at what was subsequently known as the McHensley place; he was a local preacher well spoken of: Several of his daughters till recently, and probably yet, live in Fort Worth, and a son in north or east Texas. Newton Manley has been dead a long while; as a preacher and man of good influence, he is said to have been a power in the land, as well as his brother, Wm. Manley, who for many years, as an earnest local preacher, stirred the souls of men in these parts. And many will long remember this man, lank and lean in personal appearance, as from place to place, wherever hearers could be had, in the time to be spared from his little farm on Fall creek, he went about doing good, drawn in the open buggy by his faithful mule, "Kit," whom he encouraged to proceed by the kindly words, "Come along, now, Kit, come along." He moved to a western county some ten or twelve years ago, and at last accounts, he and the mule were still living at an advanced age, each at work in harness, serving their respective masters. Isaac Vannoy, too, was said to be a preacher of intelligence and good works, and his wife, who died here at an early day, and who was probably the second person buried at the Acton church-yard, is said to have been a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, Christian devotion and experience. Vannoy, shortly after her death, having again married, removed from the county. Among the children of his first marriage were two daughters; one, Mrs. Mollie Cox, now residing at Fort Worth, like her mother, is noted for her intelligence and devotion to the cause of Christianity. She is the widow of the late J. Fred Cox, a Methodist minister of considerable note.

The widow Huffstettler resided near Rucker's creek and died many years ago. Several of her sons, Add, Jack and Cale, are yet living, stout, manly specimens of Hood county men, engaged in farming, and were all soldiers under the flag long folded. Peter and James Plemmons, and O.P. Hutchison, son-in-law of the latter, during a part of the period prior to the war, lived on Squaw creek. These seem to have been men of good influence. O.P. Hutchison is now engaged in stock raising and farming in a western county, while his present wife, who was better known in this community as the widow Randle, a lady of good influence and respected, manages her properties in Hood county. A number of her children are citizens of Hood and Somervell counties.

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