FIRST ELECTION HELD IN BOSQUE COUNTY.
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THE people of Clifton and surrounding country seem very much interested in the historic spot where the first election was held in this precinct, which was under the large live oak tree near the home of Tom M. Pool, at the roadside in his pasture, and are considering: seriously the erection of a monument to the memory of these worthy people of our country by placing: their names thereon and also the names of the first county officers elected at this memorable election, which were as follows: County Judge, L. H. Scrutchfield; County Clerk, J. N. Mabrv; Sheriff, Presley Bryant; Tax Assessor, Isaac Gary: Treasurer, Archie Kell.
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Mr. M. P. Kell has given the people of Clifton some interesting history of the first election held in Bosque county. There were but three voting boxes in the county at the first election, which were as follows: One at Meridian; one at Van Hag:ans, on the Brazos river just below the mouth of Steel’s creek; and the other under a large live oak tree on Tom M. Pool’s farm, about three miles south of Clifton; and it is the last place mentioned that Clifton people are so vitally interested in.
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It is with much satisfaction to our people that Mr. Kell is able to give from memory all names of those who voted in this precinct under the oak at the first election which was held on the first Monday in August, 1854. J. K. Helton was the presiding^ officer, and there were nineteen votes cast and their names were as follows: Captain Underhill, J. N. Mabry, Jas. Mabry, L. H. Scrutchfield, Wm. Gary, Gafey Gary, Isaac Gary, Mat Gary, John Roberson, John Thomas, P. M. Kell, Archie Kell, Wm. McCurry, Jack McCurry, Lum McCurry, Samuel Locker, J. P. Locker, Nathaniel Morgfan and J. K Helton.
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Much praise is due to these nineteen frontiermen that faced the hardships of a frontier country and laid the foundations for civilization in this section. These noble patriots have all gone to reap their reward in that land where frontier life is unknown, with the exception of P. M. Kell of this city, who is now in his eighty-first year.
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Mr. Tom M. Pool has volunteered to give several acres of land around this old oak tree for the purpose of being made into a public park and a monument erected to the memory of those noble men who participated in the above mentioned election. This move is gaining much interest with our people and it is thought there will be no trouble in pushing it to completion.