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Meansville
TX Historical Marker History
in a Pecan ShellTexas
towns have been destroyed by flood, fire, hurricane, deforestation, sunk under
reservoirs, and the all-time #1 reason - "death by railroad bypass." Meansville
has the distinction of being depopulated overnight by order of the Texas Rangers.
Named after early settler William Means, who was elected and served
as county sheriff (1862 - 1867), the town was centered around one building that
served as school, Union Church, and lodge hall. The building was sold in 1881
- having "been abandoned as a school."
The trouble began in January of
1876, when three Means boys shot up Papalote,
Texas in neighboring Bee County. It stirred up a swarm in the form of a posse
who rode immediately to the Means Ranch. The short version is that Old Man Means
was shot and the boys (later) shot the Bee County sheriff in retaliation.
Citizens who weren't named Means appealed for outside help. In 1879 Texas
Rangers "persuaded" the Means family that the grass was greener anywhere but San
Patricio County.
All that remains of Meansville today is the Meansville
Cemetery.
The much more entertaining story of Meansville's demise is
told by Western Historian Charley
Eckhardt in his "The
Rise and Fall of Meansville, Texas."
Photographer's
Note:
"This marker sits in a park in Odem,
Texas telling of 2 small communities that no longer are on the map."
- William
Beauchamp |
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Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
or vintage/historic photos, please contact
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