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The
McDow Hole Page 2by
Bob Hopkins |
Page
1
The
Papworth story began sometime in the late 1850’s. There was an outbreak of malaria
throughout the southern states. A young Charles Papworth decided to take his chances
and move his family to Texas, avoiding the disease
and talk of possible war.
Charlie was the nephew of Jim McDow who encouraged
Charlie to come to Texas. It is not known how long
Jim McDow was in Texas before Charlie made the trip.
Charlie Papworth and his lovely wife Jenny made the treacherous journey with
their infant son, Temple. Charlie found a beautiful spot on the banks of Green’s
creek opposite his Uncle who died shortly before his arrival in May 1860. Jim
McDow’s son, also named Jim, and family remained on the land and helped the Papworths
get settled.
Charlie and Jenny purchased a spread from a squatter near
the McDow, insuring them easy access to water year around. They built their cabin
on the east side of the creek about two hundred yards off the bed to insure that
the house wouldn’t flood during heavy rains. The creeks in the area had a bad
habit of drying up during the long hot Texas summers
and overflowing their banks during periods of heavy rain.
The lawn of
the Papworth cabin went right down to the waters edge and near the home, on the
bed of the creek, grew a large pecan tree. The tree not only gave the family ample
amounts of pecans but would play a part in the future of Charlie Papworth.
The Papworths worked long and hard to survive in the lonely place. They lived
out of a wagon for over a year until they were able to complete a small modest
cabin with the help of Jim McDow and Biege Keith, who lived nearby. They soon
had a home of their own.
The land was very unsettled and rugged. A few
tough pioneer families were scattered about within a few hours ride and since
they were settlers just like the Papworths, they became immediate friends. Five
years passed and the family learned to survive and make many friends in the area.
During that time Charlie and Jenny had another child and in 1865, shortly after
the birth of the second child, Charlie received sad news that his parents had
died. He also received word that he was left all of their furniture. The only
way to receive the furniture would be by train; however, at that time, Texarkana
was the end of the line out west.
Charlie had the things shipped that
far but would have to go by wagon over 200 miles to pick them up. After Charlie
was gone, Jenny stayed in the little cabin by day where she prepared for the coming
of winter and cared for the two children. Jenny was a brave woman but Charlie
had not wanted her to stay the nights alone in the cabin because there had been
a rash of cattle rustling going on in the territory and things were getting a
bit dangerous so late each evening she would bundle up the children and ride to
the McDow’s place or the Keith’s place to spend the night.
About a month
after Charlie departed for Texarkana,
Jenny and the children didn’t show up at the McDow’s as expected. The McDows thought
that Jenny may have decided to go to the Keith’s that night instead but the next
morning Mrs. McDow saw Mrs. Keith and both discovered that Jenny had not gone
to either home. The Keiths and McDows headed for the Papworth cabin. ... next
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Bob Hopkins | |
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