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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
Kieth, 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 past 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. Kieth 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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