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On the Southwest Corner of
Comanche's Square
Comanche,
Texas by
Margaret Waring
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| Choosing just one
among Comanche's favorite historical items is
not easy. There are several possibilities grouped on the southwest corner of Comanche's
square. The double pen log cabin set beneath the Fleming Oak is identified as
the only surviving log courthouse in Texas. One of its rooms served Comanche County
during the years the county seat was located at Cora, some 12 miles southeast
of Comanche. Later it was relocated slightly, a second room added, and it became
a residence for many years. A hearty stand of Texas Historical Commission markers
is gathered under the Fleming Oak where
they point up local events and personalities. |
 | The
Fleming Oak on the SW corner of Comanche's
square
TE Photo |
| One of them recounts
an 1861 night raid in bright moonlight
when Indians made off with most of the horses in town. They were pursued by a
sizeable group of local men who reputedly killed 19 Indians after a lengthy chase.
Dr. Ashbel Smith (1805-1886) was a distinguished personality, important in Texas
history, and his marker cites only a few of his many achievements. His only connection
with Comanche County is a 1280 acre land grant patented in 1854. A Comanche resident
finally purchased the property in 1889 and Dr. Smith never saw it. Dr.
Robert T. Hill's marker honors the "Dean of Texas Geology" mentioning some
of his professional accomplishments and noting his Comanche County connections.
The most modern marker identifies the Bicentennial Park dedicated July 4th, 1976.
This small park contains four limestone columns saved from the entrances of Comanche's
fourth courthouse, used between 1891 and 1939. |
 |
|
Continuing to flourish, the Fleming Oak
shades a pleasant spot that once included one of the two town wells and a limestone
watering trough carved to resemble a fish. In the course of modern paving work,
the old well was uncovered. It was restored with native stone and its original
circular well rock located, recovered, and donated to the project. One can look
inside and admire the well's beautiful rock lining.
Tradition and history
surround the Fleming Oak. William W. Fleming
and his sixteen year old son, Martin V. reputedly camped near the tree as they
passed through the area about 1854 freighting on the Ft. Gates/ Ft. Phantom Hill
Road established to serve the short-lived military post located above modern Abilene.
It was a prospecting trip, of sorts, before the town of Comanche
was established. The Fleming family was living in Williamson County in 1850 at
Georgetown but they
relocated about 1854 to a home near the site of modern Killeen.
Martin V. Fleming apparently visited in Comanche
again in the late 1850s as he returned to his Bell County home from a deer hunt.
He learned of the Civil War while in Comanche
and joined Co. G., First Texas Cavalry under Col. Thomas C. Frost in May of 1861
with a group of area men who mustered in at that time.
Mart Fleming,
wounded twice, was discharged on disability in June of 1863 but he apparently
did not return directly to Comanche. He lived
briefly in Mexico after the Civil War but settled in Brenham about 1866. Some
relatives lived in Washington County and there he was married to his second wife,
whom he brought to Comanche in 1872. Uncle Mart,
as he was affectionately known, was a stockman and a farmer with business interests
in Comanche through the years. He owned and operated a furniture store and undertaking
establishment for a time. He is best remembered for his meat market located on
the south side of Comanche's square opposite the Fleming
Oak and next to the original Comanche National Bank building. The façade at
the market site is being restored as part of Comanche's
Main Street program. |
 |
Original
Comanche National Bank Building
TE Photo, 2002 |
A
beloved Comanche tradition arises from the city's
effort to remove all the old trees from the square about 1911. The often-told
tale recounts the story of Mart Fleming defending the tree with his shotgun and
threatening anyone who would take an axe to it. A similar story survives about
an event in 1919 when Uncle Mart, again, protected the tree from a crew paving
the square.
In an interview in 1921, Fleming says he did not mention
his shotgun but told those who threatened the tree that he would use his "No.
10's" on them, a reference to his boot size rather than a gun. Fleming reported
that some rough words were needed but workmen laid down their tools. The shotgun
defense legend has been told and retold, spelled out on an historical marker beneath
the tree, and is an entrenched piece of local folklore. Another long established
Comanche tradition is decorating the Fleming
Oak with lights at Christmas time.
Uncle Mart died in 1928 and is
buried in Comanche along with his only child,
Camille, who remained single and lived at home. Uncle Mart, thrice married, is
reputed to have helped rear several orphans and his family included step children
as well. A colorful figure, tall, lean, and pictured late in life with a white
beard, Uncle Mart continues to remind one of Comanche's
past. The tree he saved is treasured.
© Margaret T. Waring 2003
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