Two Rivers "Sandbar Histories"
The following is an excerpt from Benjamin Babbitt's Quarter League Written by BETTY DUNN When E. L. Blair wrote the 1930 Early History of Grimes County book he admitted there was "scant information to be found concerning settler" Benjamin Bobbitt as he wrote biographical sketches of the 64 original land grantees in Grimes County. Babbitt, records now show, was one of Texas first Methodist preachers as verified in A History of Early Methodism in Texas. (Macum Phelan, page 40-42 and Methodist Historical Quarterly, July 1909, pages 81-82), quoted from the book of Early Preachers and Churches in Texas written by Corrie Haskew Pattison and also referred to in the book, From Jamestown to Texas: A History of Some Early Pioneers of Austin County, by Betty Smith Meischen. ___________________________________________________ To read this entire article and more from "Two Rivers Sandbar Histories" you can order the book. Contact Betty Dunn at blhd83@gmail.com or Lynn Hildebrandt at rendezvous120@gmail.com to reserve copies. (Mail orders will be $23.50 each.) Each week we will endeavor to showcase excerpts from each of the writings from the book. So check back often to see portions of the 'treasures' it contains. 
NOTICE: BEST MUSEUM at the Horlock House
1215 Washington, Navasota, Texas 77868. Any organization or individuals who would like to visit the newly organized Best Museum by the Two Rivers Heritage Foundation are welcome. Exhibits, at this time, include the City of Navasota’s historical collection of the Horlocks, Christian Becker, Jesse and Herbert Youens, Schumachers, and Texas Rangers; as well as the Two Rivers’ exhibit of the ”Railroads that built Navasota.” Mance Lipscomb exhibit, Navasota's world known blues singer, guitarist, songster. Those wishing to see the Best Museum please contact E-Mail: tworiversheritagefoundation@gmail.com. Two Rivers Heritage Foundation
Officers & Board of Directors Chairman: Betty Dunn Treasurer: Judy Reynolds Directors John Henry Botkin Lynn Hildebrandt Margaret Van Wagner Eppler Joyce Boatright Baker Goodwin Kathy Wells Cheryl Tardiff Honorary Director: Mildred Edwards MEMBERSHIP Two Rivers Heritage Foundation c/o Judy Reynolds P.O. Box 66, Navasota, TX. 77868 E-Mail: tworiversheritagefoundation@gmail.com |
HISTORY MIXERS
June 23rd
Two Rivers Heritage Foundation’s newsletter this week features a bit of early Texas history. It is hard to believe that 200 years ago an entomologist was studying night flying insects in what became Burnet County near Marble Falls, Texas. History tells us that Ferdinand Lueders, in 1821, came upon what he thought was a ‘cave’ where he would find insects. Disappointingly, the ‘cave’ turned out to be just a deep hole. Within forty years it became a hole in the ground with a very dark history. It became named Dead Man’s Hole. It became a burial ground for mostly German immigrants who had settled in that general area in the 1840s and 50s. They were believed to be Unionists in thought, even though their sons might be serving in the Confederacy. Even though Burnet County citizens had voted against secession 248 to 149 in 1861, rabid Confederate supporters…called ‘fire eaters’…are said to have deposited as many as thirty Union supporters in the depths of Dead Man’s Cave. Most of these victims were Germans who had immigrated to find better economic conditions. They were not slave owners. Though Burnet County sat well outside the scope of major battlegrounds many outsider Union supporters relocated to the area. If any felt they had been targeted by the ‘fire eaters’, they often tried to get across the Rio Grande into Mexico. Some reached safety. The most well-known skirmish is that of the Battle of the Nueces when, early morning August 10, 1862, a large group of Unionists, identified as mostly “German intellectuals”, were encamped enroute to Mexico on the west bank of the Nueces River in now Kinney County. They were attacked by mounted Confederate soldiers. Nineteen of the near 70 Unionists were killed and nine wounded, according to the Handbook of Texas. Dead Man’s Hole in Burnet County is about seven feet wide at its mouth to about 155 deep and 50 feet long toward its bottom. Early on, several bodies are said to have been recovered from the hole by family members. In 1999 a private landowner deeded 6 ½ acres of his pasture land as an historic site.. There is a Texas Historical Commission marker off Burnet County road 401. The cave’s mouth is protected by a heavy gauge metal grate. ______________________________________________________________ Hope all are staying safe and well as we progress into late spring and early summer. Also hope all are keeping a diary of sorts so that this epic history is family recorded. 🌎 🔔 We are still accepting 2020 dues 💰 to Judy Reynolds...$20/per person. We would like to update our ❤Membership List. We much appreciate member support so that Two Rivers Heritage Foundation can continue with the mission of our local historical preservation. Mail dues to P. O. Box 66, Navasota, Tx. 77868. If you are a new member, please fill out the membership form under the above 'More" tab and mail. Thanks!
🎅 Remember that we are trying to raise money 💲 for our Development Fund by selling our Sandbar books... $20/each... they make great gifts! 🌝 The cover art is by local artist Nikki Sullivan. Contact Betty Dunn at blhd83@gmail.com or Lynn Hildebrandt at rendezvous120@gmail.com to reserve copies. (Mail orders are $23.50 each.)
VIDEOS
Click on the menu tab 'VIDEOS' above or the button below to see some of our previous ‘history mixer’ programs. The Wendy Watriss & Fred Baldwin appearance in Navasota in February is now for all to view or review under the VIDEO tab. 
TWO RIVERS “SANDBAR HISTORIES” BOOKS
Two Rivers Heritage Foundation’s “Sandbar Histories” books are available for purchase. If you are looking for a fascinating gift idea these historical books will make a great gift!! The books contain over two years of the “Grains from the Sandbar” columns that have been complimentarily offered to the Navasota Examiner weekly newspaper since August 2015 through the years 2016 and 2017. The price is $20. This is a fund-raising project for the Two Rivers Heritage Foundation’s Development Fund. The cover art is by local artist Nikki Sullivan. Contact Betty Dunn at blhd83@gmail.com or Lynn Hildebrandt at rendezvous120@gmail.com to reserve copies. (Mail orders are $23.50 each.) Check out our website: www.tworiversheritagefoundation.org E-mail: tworiversheritagefoundation@gmail.com Betty Dunn, Newsletter Coordinator, 281-507-1671 |