Typed as spelled and written
- Lena Stone Criswell
Articles submitted by
Mr. Howard T. Livingston
(Newspaper name and date not
identified)
SHOPPING CENTER WAS
200 MILES AWAY
CHILTON--SPL--In 1854 five families migrated to the Chilton
area from Missouri. These were the families of Newton B. Maxey, Tom
Hailey, Frank Graham, and the Wethers-Cox family. Mr. Wethers was a
widower who married Mrs. Cox. Both had children by previous marriage.
The nearest point of supplies was Galveston and Mr. Maxey established a wagon
line to bring in things the settlers needed. The nearest grist mill was
at Millican near Bryan.
In 1854 tragedy struck the little group. While hunting bear in the great
thickets of Deer Creek near the present highway bridge on Highway 77 below the
town of Chilton, John Wethers was accidentially mistaken for a bear because he
wore a fur coat and cap, and was shot. The man who shot him was so
grieved he lost his mind and was taken back to his family in Missouri in an ox
wagon. Mr. Wethers' was the first grave in the cemetery now called
Carolina.
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