Jacksonville – Then and Now
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According to the writings of M. L. Earle, at least 48 business firms operated in old Jacksonville at some time during its existence. Besides the general stores, there were saloons, blacksmith shops, a saddle shop, bowling alley and a hotel.
Two denominations, Methodist and Baptist, built churches in the old town before 1850. The Presbyterians erected a building one half mile east of the town in 1871. This church was organized by Reverend N. A. Davis, famous chaplain of Hood's Brigade during the Civil War. Among the old town's ministers were Doctor Orceneth Fisher, Reverends Jefferson Shook, A. H. Shanks, Robert Finley, John B. Renfro, Robert Rountree, D. M. Stovall, Isham Lane and George W. Slover.
In 1849, Joe C. Rushing taught the first school, which was housed in the Methodist Church. Other early teachers were Richard Wooten, Dr. Abraham Glidewell, E. E. Armstrong, Rev. McCullough, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Bridges, H. L. Martin, N. A. Mendenhall and T. B. Matlock. Governor T. M. Campbell attended the schools in old Jacksonville.
Before the Civil War days, old Jacksonville was a thriving and prosperous town, but the long war brought suffering and privation. Almost every able-bodied man left home and went to war. Only one of the stores, Grimes Grocery, remained open; and it was operated only part time.
The old town was loyal to the Confederacy and exerted all of its energies for the Southern cause. Before Texas seceded from the Union, the people assembled on the public square and raised the Texas Flag amid shouts of approval and the shooting of anvils. Just before the flag reached the top of the pole, the rope broke. The flag floated to the ground, and the spirit of the crowd was somewhat dampened; but a young free Negro came forward, climbed the pole and corrected the trouble.
Several hundred men from the Jacksonville area served in the Confederate Army, and an unknown number lost their lives. In time the town organized its own company of soldiers, with J. C. Maples as captain. When the company left for service, the people gathered to bid the men good by. During the ceremonies, Miss Martha Ragsdale, with appropriate words, presented a flag to the departing soldiers.
Mrs. Amanda Spears was Jacksonville's heroine of the Civil War. When she received word that her husband, Private Cicero Spears, was critically ill at Little Rock, she determined to go to him. She set out on horseback, carrying a year-old baby. The weather was bad; there were floods, heavy snows and bridgeless rivers. The baby became ill, but she pushed on and reached her husband. Several weeks later, she brought him home safely.
After the Civil War ended, the surviving soldiers returned to their desolate homes. Men who left home in a jubilant mood returned broken and grief stricken, but they went to work and rebuilt the country. Lawless days followed the war, and during that time Jacksonville became noted for its "fights, feuds, and homicides."
By 1872, when the International Railroad was built through the country, the old town became normal again. With the coming of the railroad workers, it experienced the greatest boom in its history. Five new saloons were opened and the other firms had a rush of business.
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Compiled by Greg Smith. If you have any materials you'd like to contribute, please email me.