History

We are told that several houses are now going up at this point, which, our readers will recollect, is the head of navigation on Big Cypress, & several stocks of goods will be opened there within the next two or three months. Jefferson is, we think, destined to be a place of considerable trade. It must necessarily command all the business which has hitherto gone to Shreveport and Port Caddo, from the section of country north and west of the lake. (NS 10/16/1844)

The new town of Jefferson, situated on the Big Cypress, eight miles above Soda Lake, is improving so rapidly that it promises to outstrip all the towns of Eastern Texas. It is already much larger than Clarksville, in Red River county. Two years ago there were but one or two cabins in Jefferson;--now there are thirteen stores, a large hotel, a saw and grist mill, and a large number of private houses. Steamboats of a large class ply regularly between this point and the landings on Red river. (NS 6/23/1847)

Robert Arbery objects to the resolutions of the Linden meeting. Jefferson elected as seat of Cass County in 1846. Election of 1848 contested by the friends of Jefferson and set aside by the county commissioners because of suspected illegalities. Third election held in same year and enjoined by a judge of the district court on petition of D. N. Alley claiming ballot box fraud. (TR 7/6/1850)

Around our town land is worth five dollars an acre--that is, choice land, but on the river it can be bought for two or three, and off the river, ten miles from town, probably for one dollar or one dollar and a half. (NS 5/17/1851)

The Jefferson Herald states that peas are selling at that place at $20 per bushel; corn meal, $2 and $2.25 per bushel; bacon, 17 and 18 cts. per lb; flour, $17 and 20; eggs 20 and 25 cents per dozen; chickens, 25 and 30 cts. each; beef, 7 and 8 cents per lb. Money must be abundant about Jefferson. (SW 5/23/1855)

SMALL POX.--We are sorry to announce to the public that this troublesome disease is now raging in our city. Up to the present time there has been but eight or nine cases reported. The disease is in a mild form and yields readily to medical treatment. The city authorities have passed laws, which if carried in effect will no doubt put a stop to its further spreading. We are truly sorry that this sad calamity has befallen our prosperous city; but it is the fate of all places, of any cominercial importance. We will from week to week, give our readers the true condition of the disease, and hope soon to announce that all is healthy again. (HF 2/25/1859)

INDIAN INVASION.--The Jefferson, (Texas,) Herald of the 4th inst. says: The most appalling news reaches us from the Indian frontier. Jack Parker, Wise, Palo Pieto, and other counties have been invaded by large bodies of Indians, leagued with white men, and the property of the settlers has been driven off or destroyed, and many of the people massacred. The despoiled and outraged citizens are calling on the eastern counties for help. It is a source of just pride to be able to chronicle in this connection that, incited by a generous patriotism, a portion of the young men of this city have responded to the calls which are daily reaching us fiom the frontier and next week a company of twenty-five of our most determined and bravest citizens will take leave, armed and equipped, for the invaded counties. Our readers may expect to hear a good account of them in the course of a few weeks. We learn that companies are likewise being raised at Dangerfield and Clarksville. (SW 1/9/1861)