Rusk County TX

Other East Texas Indian Tribes

The locations of several East Texas Indian tribes, including the Noadiche and Nasayaya, are poorly documented, with historical references providing scant information. The Noadiche, allies of the Cenis, were likely situated west of the Angelina River near Rusk County, and may correspond to the Nabiti. The Nacao tribe is believed to have lived near the Nacogdoche mission. Notably, the historical sites of the Nabedache, Neche, Hainai, Nacogdoche, and Nasoni are established as significant locations within the Hasinai group, meriting further archaeological investigation.

Slave Narrative of Johnson Thompson

Johnson Thompson was born in December 1853 on a Texas plantation, the son of W.P. Thompson, a mixed-blood Cherokee Indian. His family experienced multiple ownerships before settling on John Harnage’s plantation. Thompson recalls a childhood of both toil and joy—hunting squirrels and picking cotton. His mother wove cloth and his father made shoes. After the Civil War, the family moved to Indian Territory, where they found work and community. He later married twice and had six children, reflecting on the importance of education and religion in his life.

Slave Narrative of Phyllis Petite

Phyllis Petite, born on a Texas plantation in the 1830s, recounts her early life in slavery under Master John Harnage. Her family, originally belonging to a Cherokee master, was sold multiple times. Petite describes life on the plantation, detailing daily chores, meals, and brief experiences of freedom. After the Civil War, she moved to the Cherokee Nation and later settled in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. Petite reflects on her family, her marriage, and her connection to her Cherokee heritage, emphasizing her fondness for church and community.

Biography of Raymond Mills Spivy, M. D.

Dr. Raymond Mills Spivy, an obstetrician and gynecologist based in St. Louis, was born on December 25, 1880, in Henderson, Texas. He earned his M.D. from Washington University in 1907 and gained notable experience in various hospitals, including serving as chief physician at the St. Louis City Infirmary. A veteran of World War I, he held the rank of captain on the surgical staff in France. Married to Mary Lawrence Eaton in 1920, Dr. Spivy is active in professional associations, the University Club, and the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Biography of Professor Charles Byron Smith

Professor Charles Byron Smith, a native of Texas and principal of the Washington school in Muskogee, has had a long and dedicated career in education, spanning over three decades. Raised in a rural environment, he overcame limited educational resources to pursue teaching, eventually holding positions in Texas and Oklahoma. Married to Mary Elizabeth Dalton, they raised six children. A lifelong Democrat and committed Methodist, he contributed to civic and church activities while also serving in educational leadership roles and supporting community development.

Biography of W. W. Harnage

W. W. Harnage, born on January 8, 1852, in Rusk County, Texas, was a prominent farmer and stock raiser. He moved to Oklahoma in 1883, becoming well-known in the Muskogee area. Harnage married Jennie Vann, a Cherokee Nation member, and they had two children. Following her death in 1899, he continued to thrive in agriculture until retiring in 1919. Now living with his son, he remains involved in local affairs and has witnessed the region’s significant development over the years.

Rosales, Manuel G. – Obituary

Manuel G. Rosales, 80, of Vancouver, Washington, and a former resident of Baker County, passed away on June 5, 2005. Born on February 22, 1925, in Texas, he married Mary L. Castillo in 1943 and fathered six children. Manuel worked as a heavy equipment operator and retired after 25 years. A devoted family man, he enjoyed dancing, country music, basketball, and daytime television. He is survived by his wife, children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Thursday.

Hasinai Confederacy

The Hasinai Confederacy, part of the Caddo divisions, was located in northeastern Texas, near the Neches and Trinity Rivers. It included various tribes such as the Anadarko and Nabedache. Historical interactions with Spanish explorers occurred in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, notably involving La Salle. The confederacy underwent significant population decline and relocations throughout the 18th and 19th centuries due to missions and external pressures. By 1880, the Caddo population was recorded at 538, showing a gradual recovery thereafter.