“Name it beau kiss”, she said, and Beaukiss it was named.

ELGIN COURIER AND FARM NEWS, ELGIN, TEXAS, AUGUST 3, 1939

ELGIN EXTENDS FRIENDLY GREETINGS TO BEAUKISS.

 We are indebted to Mr. R.V. Rabb for the well written history of Beaukiss and adjacent communities and in our Salute to Beaukiss, this is which follows:

The communities of Beaukiss, Siloam and Sam Smith Springs are so closely interwoven in their social, regions and civic affairs that it is almost impossible to consider one without in some way affecting the other.  Beaukiss and Siloam are situated in the southern part of one of the richest agricultural counties of the state-- the county of Williamson.  They can really be treated only as one community.

Williamson County was created March 13, 1848 and organized August__ of the same year from Milam County.  It was named for Judge R.M. Williamson, a jurist and statesman during the pioneer days of The Republic.

Sam Smith Springs (now Lawhon Springs) is situated in the western edge of Lee County and takes its name from Sam Smith a prominent pioneer citizen.

These communities were settled prior to the Civil War and each contributed its share of men who were true to the Confederate cause.  Each had the same hardships, made the same sacrifices and bore the same burdens.

At the break-up of the war, or during the days of reconstruction they___with other sections of our ____the humiliation of having to submit to Carpet Bag Rule and often showed resentment which often brought disastrous results.

No sooner had these evils been corrected than they were over run with trials of all kinds, who had no respect for the rights or property of others.  There were horse thieves, cattle thieves, robbers and murderers.  You would not know when he lay down at night whether he would awake in the morning, or if he did, if he would find any of his livestock.  Often they were taken away during the night never to be seen again.  Organized gangs roved back and forth terrorizing the citizens.  Conditions were intolerable.  If any of the gang were arraigned before the court they were always able to prove an alibi and were turned loose.  The citizens were always the losers.  After several years of such unbearable conditions they were forced to take drastic steps.

I relate this story only because there were men in these and adjoining communities who were the recipients of the merciless justice meted --- by outraged citizenry.

The dates of this story are taken directly from folklore and may or may not be authentic but the general idea of what happened is correct.   It was one night in June 1877 that a party was given at Pat Airhart’s, near Blue Branch.  All the criminal men received invitations as did others.  There was nothing to indicate that this party was out of the ordinary.  It seems from what I can gather that it was a great success so far as members were concerned for they came from far and near.

The men who were engaged in this business, were perhaps the best dressed in the community, the most social and the best conversationalists.  They no doubt, were in best standing with the belles of the community.  The dance had been in progress for sometime.  First one and then another of the gang came in.  At last it seemed that all were there that were likely to come.  The stage was set.  A signal was given and then instantly the doors and windows were filled with shotguns, muskets and pistols.  An order was given for no one to move.  A roll call of those present was ordered.  As the names of the ones desired were called, they were marched out, bound and tied, placed on their horses and the party proceeded toward Giddings.  Some one remarked, “Another trip to Giddings Boys.”  He received for an answer from one of his own pals “We’ll never see Giddings again.”  They didn’t.  When morning dawned the sun shone out only to blush at the ghastly sight of four men swinging from a limb of a tree.

The story would not be complete were we to stop here.  It was five years later on Christmas Eve Day that the gang, still resentful of what had happened to their comrades in crime, decided upon a showdown.  They prepared to take citizens by surprise and forever silence them.  It was not God’s will that such conditions should predominate.  They evidently had a traitor in their ranks as the vigilantes were tipped off and instead of waiting for attack, decided to “take the lion in its den.”  They proceeded to the home of some of the gang and there, at midnight, three more answered their summons they were hanged to a tree somewhere just north of McDade.  The failure of these confederates to meet with them caused others uneasiness.  They therefore decided to ride in to town to see what was wrong.  There a decisive battle took place, which so weakened their ranks that they never again showed any organized efforts.

Henceforth we read of a community the history of which has been one of steady progress. 

Agriculture had always been the occupation of each of the communities mentioned.  Cotton and corn has been the principal crops.  It seemed that there was an unlimited world demand for cotton and every farmer planted all the land he could work to cotton, except only enough to raise feed.  There was livestock of course, which for a long time, ran on open range.  In about 1900 most of the outland was fenced –farmers were then forced to keep their stock in enclosures.

To the north of Beaukiss lies a broad expanse of prairie land which was formerly thought unfit for anything except grazing, therefore cattle raising was the order of the day out there.  There are many stories told of the range, the herds, and round ups and of "going up the trail” to northern markets.  Sometimes they would drive vast herds as far as St. Louis and Kansas City.

Presently, some one found out that this vast rangeland would grow cotton excellently, and the prairie began to be dotted about here and there with farms.  This encroachment of the farmers and small ranchers upon the rangelands brought on conflicts, which resulted in the Era of Fence Cutters mentioned in Texas History. The Robbin’s pasture which is now partly owned by S.J. Smith of Austin, and others was one of the small ranches in this community upon which the fence cutters wreaked their vengeance.  The vast rangeland was broken up and cotton was crowned king in this vicinity as it was in most sections of our great state.  We all know the outcome of cotton.  The writer has seen the day when a gin at Beaukiss would gin 1500 bales per year.  Those were prosperous times even though cotton did not bring much money, probably not as much as it brings today.  A man remarked the other day that if a fellow should bring a whole bale of cotton through Beaukiss we would think he was crazy.  This illustrates the attitude toward cotton.  Truck raising, peanuts potatoes and melons are now the principal crops with a nice bunch of cattle, hogs and turkeys as a side line is tiding these people over most excellently.

Some of the principal farmers and old settlers at Beaukiss are R.G, Simmoms, S. R. Carter, Wm. Jordan, E.W. Allen, W. N. Brymer, J. G. Shaw, J. W. Shaw, Zeb Brymer, H.F. West, I.A. West, S.W. Jones, H.T. Ward, J.E. Gold, W.E. Allen, Mrs. M.A. Fagg, and Mrs. Annie Bounds.

C.G. Jordan, in addition to being postmaster, is owner of the nice, well-arranged General Merchandise store, one of the greatest assets of the community and one which they could ill afford to lose

The religious and social life of the communities was fathered by such stalwart characters as the late F. S. Wade, John C. Lawhon, Joe Lawhon, John Roff, Uncle Phil Lawrence, Dan Cunningham and Uncle Bill Abbott.  It was under the leadership of these men that the community was brought out of chaos into an orderly, well organized society.

They were all great church workers and each of the communities owes much to their untiring efforts and financial support.  Being of different religious convictions the membership did not lack for variety.  Some of the earlier ministers were:

Rev. John Whipper ------------Methodist

Rev. Strayhorn -----------------Methodist

Rev. Lum Smith ----------------Baptist

Rev. J. Buchanan ---------------Baptist

Rev. Pennington-----------------Christian

Rev. George Dewey-------------Christian

Rev. John Lincoln---------------Christian

Revs. John and Joe Lawhon----Universalists

Revs. Strain and Rollins-------Universalists

When the Christians and Universalists clashed there was usually a debate, which lasted for a week or more and furnished a great deal of amusement to say the least, and did they draw the crowds?  People would come from eight or ten miles around to witness these   exhibitions of vitriolic oratory.

In the earlier days people came for miles and camped, to attend services both day and night throughout the entire meeting.  Those were the days of the “Old–time Religion” we hear so much about but have only a vague understanding of its spiritual significance.

Next to the preachers who were the spiritual doctors, it is only fair to give the medical doctors full credit for the wonderful service they have rendered the people of the vicinity.  In the early eighties Samuel M. Slaughter was doctor, lawyer, preacher and judge.  Much praise is given him until this day for the unselfish service, which he rendered his community.

There was another, Dr. Chris Jenkins, who served the people for some time but died early and not much is known of him and there were Dr. Wilson and Dr. Jarmon and Dr. Doak of Giddings, who practiced throughout the settlement.  He as the father of Dr. Doak, now prominent physician of Taylor.

Dr. W. M. Austin served this and surrounding territory for nearly forty years.  He had a very wide practice and enjoyed the honor, love and respect of the entire countryside. 

Dr. W. M. Houghton served this territory for perhaps 25 years and enjoyed as large a practice as was possible for any man to take care of under the circumstances, prior to the days of the automobile.  He was also loved by all who knew him.

Jim Floyd had the first gin, horse powered, and operated a horse mill too, where corn was ground.  Mark and John Oliver built the first steam gin and later Alex Oliver, Mr. John’s son operated it for a number of years.  He sold out and went to West Texas and the machinery was disposed of and the building torn away.

The first school remembered out there was near Shiloh on the Lawrence place.  Mr. Lawrence sold to John Oliver and the school was moved about one mile east of Beaukiss on what is now the Chas. Jordan place.  This burned and when rebuilt was erected on the present site.  

Church and large gatherings were formerly held under a brush arbor but in recent years a large tabernacle has been built where all denominations hold services or revival meetings at will, the entire community cooperating and working in perfect harmony regardless of their belief of affiliation.

A Masonic lodge was organized about the year 1850 at Post Oak Island and a hall built, but later was moved to Sam Smith Springs and then to Beaukiss.  The O.E. S. Chapter of Beaukiss is known throughtout this section for its activities and has been host time and again to the larger sister chapters of surrounding towns.  The lodge room is on the second floor of the large two-story Masonic hall.  

I should like to go into detail in regard to the early social activities of these people but space forbids.  Sufficient to say they were varied.  Usually in the fall, after harvest they would have what they termed log rollings, in which the people of the entire visiting area would come together to assist neighbors in building their houses, barns, etc. which were made of logs.  They would make a day or two of it, prepare great feasts, and have music and dancing at nights.  This was combining business with pleasure to the mutual benefit of all concerned.  There were many quilting parties for the women, which were conducted on the same principles as just mentioned.

The young people would attend dances and dance to such old familiar tunes as “Arkansas Traveler,” “Billy in Low Grounds”, “Eight of January,” “Fisher’s Horn Pipe,” “Cattle in the Cane Brake,” and many others.

Then too, there were the literary societies, debating clubs, which attracted much attention.  Young and old alike would go in wagons, hacks, and buggies for miles to attend these exercises and much good and inspiration was derived from this source of entertainment.

In conclusion we wish to say that the surface of the subjects touched upon has merely been scratched.  At no time have we attempted to go into detail as it would require too much space to print a detailed description of a community that has as long and colorful history as had Beaukiss and its suburbs.

We wish to extend greetings to Beaukiss, Siloam and Sam Smith Springs for they have always kept abreast of the times in spite of many adverse conditions.  We wish to salute you for your aggressiveness, and at the same time extend to you any hospitality of which we are capable.  Meet with us Thursday night, August 3^rd, in your community and on Saturday, August 5^th. Come to Elgin to attend the all-day Homecoming and enjoy its varied entertainment features, to be held at City Park, complimenting you and other communities visited during the Chamber of Commerce Goodwill tours.