Last Days in Goliad, TX

 

Goliad County Courthouse was built in 1894 at a cost of $67,888.95.  Limestone and bricks from the old courthouse were used in this...the fourth one built since the county's creation in 1836.  It was used as a hospital and morgue after the 1902 cyclone.  A 1942 hurricane tore off the central clock tower.  The courthouse was enlarged in 1964 preserving the carved staircases and walnut wainscots.

On the north courthouse lawn there is a huge live oak tree called "The Hanging Tree." At various times between 1846 and 1870, this tree served as the site of court sessions. Death sentences pronounced by the court were carried out immediately with a rope and a strong limb. During the 1857 Cart War, in which Texan freighters perpetrated a series of vicious attacks against Mexican cart drivers along the Indianola-Goliad-San Antonio Road, this site witnessed a number of unauthorized lynchings before the conflict was brought to an end by Texas rangers. Approximately 70 men lost their lives during the conflict, some of them on this tree.

 

 

 

 

The Baptist Oak Tree

On May 7, 1849, a dozen Goliad citizens, led by Rev. John Hillyer, met under this live oak tree, a block from the town square, to organize a Baptist church west of the Guadalupe River.

The Library here served us well as J was able to pick up tax forms as April 15th is around the corner. 


They had beautiful painted pictures of the Texas cowboys and cattle ranching along with many photos of the various brands used on their cattle. 

We had a very interesting trip to the Goliad Museum where we reminisced the times of yesteryear.

Goliad Museum

Lead Bull

Years ago, there was a lead bull to guide the cattle from pasture to pasture so not too many ranch hands were needed for the drive.  This is how today's Santa Clause arrives for the annual Christmas parade...upon the back of a longhorn bull.  Below are some of the many cattle brands during open range and different styles of barb wire when times changed to fencing.

There were bonnets and ladies dresses, spinning wheels, Singer treadle sewing machines, baskets with yarn, a cradle, a broom maker with some long handled brooms there used for ceiling cob web sweeping, plows, saws, stone jugs, old shotguns, 6# cannon balls, cash registers, an old locking bank file, children's tin toys and books, an old tuba, box cameras, hides, shoemakers tools, an old Farmall tractor with steel wheels (outside), and more.

I never dreamed folks back when had fans.  My grandmother opened screen less windows.  Comes to find out this fan was not for summer use.  Run by the heat from an oil lamp, the fan below was placed near a wood stove in the winter to help distribute heat.  Next the outhouse improved to the indoor potty.  The silver lid in the middle covered a can of lime.  When the wooden lid was shut there would be a clunking sound letting one know that a small amount of lime was dispensed to reduce odor.  :)

 

Here is an old crank X-ray machine from the town doctor's office.  The wooden examination table (not shown) had thick glass legs.  X-rays...a scientific bomshell was discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Roentgen in Germany.  Early problems were over exposure with loss of hair and limbs.  The first X-ray taken was of Roentgen's wife's hand.  You can see her ring.  Upon seeing the X-ray image of her hand, she replied..."I have seen my death."



 
Inquiry at the Library of a good Mexican restaurant led us to La Bahia next door to La Bahia Presidio.  Lunch was delicious...tostadas, taco, chalupa, 2 enchiladas, rice, beans, chips, dip, water with lemon, and cheesecake.  YUM!

 

On the road again...with the rains, grass is getting green, trees are budding, and wind mills whirl in the breeze pumping water for the cattle.  Weather has been crazy!  Thunder with drizzly rain/sleet.  Horrible wind making our abode tremble and the slide toppers flap.  One day the temps will be in the 60's to low 80's to turn around and drop to freezing cold again in the 20's to 30's.  Let's hope spring is on its way.

Until next stop...take care...be safe...see you by the campfire...