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CHAPTER 1 - TEXAS UNDER SIX FLAGS - The history of Texas is not only glorious but is most unique. Few countries, and no other state since the days when Nero ruled Rome, have given allegiance to six flags.
CHAPTER 2 - THE MIGHTY RED - The meandering Red River, the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma, is timeless. Red River County, which borders
the south bank, was named for the river which has always been a part of Texas history.
CHAPTER 3 - EARLY INHABITANTS - Many different tribes of Indians lived in this area. The main ones were the Caddos, Shawnees, Chickasaws,
Kickapoos, Delawares, and Comanches. Archeologists located a large village and ceremonial center occupied between A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1700 by ancestors of the Caddo Indians. There is a historical marker at the site.
CHAPTER 4 - TRAIL BLAZERS - When U.S. forces led by General Andrew Jackson defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the closing engagement of the War of 1812, homesteaders were already crossing the Red River and settling in what is now northeast Texas.
CHAPTER 5 - CLARKSVILLE-THE COUNTY SEAT - The numerous historical markers here are indicative of the fact that our town has been a vital part in the early settlement of this part of Texas.
CHAPTER 6 - THE MOTHER COUNTY OF TEXAS - When the delegates from the Valley went to the Convention that adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence, they were registered as being from "Pecan Point and vicinity", and it was after the victory at San Jacinto that the area was called Red River County. Our Court House was built in 1885 and has its original records, some in Spanish.
CHAPTER 7 - THE SIGNERS - Stories of those from this area who attended the Convention on March 1, 1836 at Washington-on-the Brazos.
CHAPTER 8 - WAR BETWEEN THE STATES - Information on many who served and also the John C. Burks Camp where reunions were held for many years after
the war ended.
CHAPTER 9 - PIONEER FAMILIES - Stories pertaining to Claiborne Wright,
William Becknell, James Clark and his wife, Isabella, David Crockett, Sam
Houston, the Stiles family, Charles DeMorse, John Nance Garner, just to
name a few.
CHAPTER 10 - HORSE AND BUGGY MEDICINE - In the late 1800's and early
1900's there were 185 doctors and 7 veterinarians in this county. There are
stories of these early doctors, dentists and hospitals.
CHAPTER 11 - EARLY NEWSPAPERS - In 1842 Charles DeMorse came to Clarksville and began publication of the "Northern Standard", one of the earliest papers printed in Texas. Other early newspapers are also told about.
CHAPTER 12 - FRONTIER EDUCATION - This section of Texas was interested in education before the state free schools were in operation, and Clarksville
appears to have been a center for schools in the early days. There were
many private schools including St. Joseph's Academy.
CHAPTER 13 - MCKENZIE - THE MAN AND THE COLLEGE - Rev. John
Witherspoon Pettigrew McKenzie began teaching in a long cabin west of
Clarksville in 1841 with 16 pupils. This later became McKenzie College
with patronage exceeding 300 boarding pupils per year. The school closed
in 1969 due to the changes made during the Civil War.
CHAPTER 14 - THE OLD TIME RELIGION - Stories of early churches and how they began and also of those with historical markers.
CHAPTER 15 - CEMETERIES - One of the most historic cemeteries is the
Clarksville Cemetery where three generations of the Clarks (founders of
Clarksville) are buried along with 29 Confederate veterans, 1 Union
veteran, Charles DeMorse and many other historical persons. Information is
also included about the Hanging Tree and many other cemeteries in the area,
many of which have historical markers.
CHAPTER 16 - DWELLINGS - Information about historical houses in the area, many of which have historical markers.
CHAPTER 17 - THE ORPHAN TRAIN - The Orphan Train visited Clarksville in 1926, and stories are told of some of those children who were adopted by families that day.
CHAPTER 18 - IN AND AROUND THE COUNTY - Information about the smaller
communities in Red River County.
CHAPTER 19 - INTERVIEWS - Talks with 24 men and women in Red River County, advanced in age, who recall experiences from the past in their various walks of life.
The author gathered data for this book over a 25 year period. The book
contains many pictures and also information about the Historical Markers
throughout the County.
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