"At a meeting of Confederate Veterans of Rains county, Texas, April 16th, 1904, B.J. Stuart was elected Secretary, T.M. Cain was elected Captain of the Organization and P.P. Rains was elected Lieutenant.  On motion W.A. Goff was elected Treasurer and T.J. Pound was elected Orderly Sargeant.  The following names were enrolled:
T.M. Cain, P.P. Rains, T.J. Pounds, S.J. Stuart, T.S. Weatherly, Lee Marcum, J.T. Wells, E.M. Erwin, W.A. Goff, T.S. Magee, S.N. Burnside, M. Weaver, G.R. Vickery, J.P. Knight, B.A. Belcher, J.C. Worthington
On motion each member was assessed 25c each quarter for incidental expenses, which amount was paid to Secretary.  The organization voted that the Secretary secure all the names of Confederate veterans residing in Rains county and the sons and daughters of same.  On motion it was agreed to send a copy of these resolutions to the Emory Leader for publication.  The organization will meet again on the 21st day of May, 1904.
S.J. Stuart, Secretary"  (The Rains County Leader, April 22, 1904)

"A.H. Amerman, of Houston, Texas, wants information and proof of service of Thos. Nix, who enlisted in the Confederate army from Canton, Van Zandt County, Texas, in the spring of 1863 and served the rest of the war - his company and regiment.  His parole and other evidence of service were burned several years ago.  He died Van Zandt county in 1876 and his widow, Mrs. M. Nix, is in feeble health, absolutely destitute, and in need of a pension if any of his old comrades can furnish proof of her husband's service. - Hopkins County Democrat+  (The Rains County Leader, April 29, 1904)

To all ex-Confederate Soldiers and Sailors and their widows (Rains County Leader, May 7, 1909):

I am pleased to announce to you through the column of our
paper that the Thirty-First Legislature of Texas, which is
now in session, has amended and passed a new Confederate
pension law, thus making the law as it has heretofore existed
much more liberal to applicants who desire to secure a pension.
This new law will go into and take effect on the 12th day of
June 1909, and the principal changes made in the law are as
follows:

1st.  It permits the payment of a pension to all widows of
soldiers or sailors, who were married to such soldier or
sailor prior to March 1st, 1880, instead of March 1st, 1866,
as heretofore.

2nd.  It provides that all soldiers or sailors who are maimed
and crippled and those who are absolutely disabled from doing
any kind of manual labor shall be paid $8.00 per month
regardless of the amount that may be appropriated by the
Legislature.

3rd.  It provides that any soldier or sailor who does not
possess property to the amount of more than $1000.00, or
whose income does not exceed $150.00 per annum shall be
permitted to draw pensions; thus taking out of the law
the pauper affidavit, as heretofore.

4th.  It provides that such application shall be made to
the County Judge of the county of the residence of the
applicant, who shall take the proof provided for and if he
thinks it is sufficient, to approve the application and send
to the Commissioner of Pensions without submitting such
application to the Commissioners Court as heretofore.

5th.  It requires the testimony of two witnesses, if they can
be had, as to the service of the applicant in the Confederate
army, and if but one witness can be found to testify to such
fact, then it permits any written or documentary evidence that
may be in his possession that tends to show such service.

And there are a number of other minor changes in the law favorable
to the applicant.  And I would suggest to all those who are contemplating an application for a pension to wait until this
new law takes effect before they make their application.  This
law provides that the County Judge before whom an application
is made shall receive a fee of $2.00 for his services, to be
paid by the applicant, but I will be more than glad to attend
to such applications for such soldiers and sailors or their
widows free of charge, and would be glad that every soldier
and sailor and the widows of such, who are entitled to pension,
would come forward and make such application, as I feel that
you and each of your are entitled to this assistance from the
State.  Hoping that I may be able to serve you in this way,
I remain Yours to command,
O.H. Rodes, County Judge, Rains County, Tex.

"Judge Rodes requests us to state that he will be in Point next Friday (July 23rd) to receive applications for Confederate pensions.  Those who live near Point should avail themselves of this opportunity. "  (The Rains County Leader, July 16, 1909)
 
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