When it comes to calling the roll of patriots who worked so long and
faithfully for the upbuilding of the city one ventures upon dangerous
ground. The memory is at times treacherous and some of the best and
truest are liable to be over-looked. But that their names may be
enshrined in the hearts of the people and perpetuated by this modest
record of the time the chance will be taken. It would be well to dig up
the tax rolls of that day and make a copy of it, for every man in the
city with but one or two conspicuous exceptions was ready at any and all
times to spend and be spent for the good of Fort Worth.
But there were a few who were conspicuous by their liberality whose
names may be mentioned without any invidious distinction as to others
equally worthy. The first of these are the men who donated three hundred
and twenty acres of land lying along the southern border of the city to
the Texas & Pacific Railway Company. These men were E. M. Daggett, Major
K. M. VanZandt, Thos. J. Jennings and H. G. Hendricks. They were the
ones to set the pace for their fellow citizens.
Of those who contributed of their time and money without stint may be
mentioned those whose names are recorded above, who did not stop with
this princely donation and claim that they had done their share; to
these should be added John Peter Smith, Walter A. Huffman, B. C. Evans,
Joseph H. Brown, C. M. Peak, W. H. Davis, William J. Boaz, James F.
Ellis, M. G. Ellis, H. C. Holloway, J. J. Jarvis. M. B. Loyd. W. W.
Dunn. W. P. Burts. E. J. Beall, George Newman, William B. Young, W. B.
Tucker, Stephen Terry, Jesse Jones, Dr. J. F. Shelton, A. J. Chambers,
B. L. Samuels, John Hanna, Porter King, W. A. Darter, Sam Seaton, Sam
Evans, J. C. Terrell and others. These are they who were here before the
advent of the railroad and many of them before there was any talk of a
railroad. When it was definitely settled that the road would be
constructed to this city the people commenced at once to reach out after
other enterprises and it may be truthfully stated that every man, woman
and child helped with time and money. Their names are enshrined in the
heart of every patriotic citizen of Fort Worth.
Among those who came to Fort Worth prior to the advent of the railroad
and who remained and gave of their time and money to advance the
interests of the city to the best of their ability and who witnessed the
culmination of their desires may be mentioned Thos. A. Tidball,
Zane-Cetti, C. K. Fairfax, J. J. Roche, F. J. Tatum, J. S. Godwin, Jas.
H. Field, Dahlman brothers, S. P. Greene, D. C. Bennett, Geo. Mulkey, S.
H. Hulkey, T. C. Boulware, the Pendery brothers, P. J. Bowdry, J. Q.
Sandige, J. Y. Hogsett, Jno. F. Swayne, T. J. Peniston, D. B. Gardner,
Z. E. B. Nash, I. Carb, J. M. Peers, John Nichols, Jere Marklee, J. F.
Cooper, D. C. Bennett, S. T. Bibb, W. T. Maddox, and his brothers R. E.,
E. P., J. H. and a cousin J. M. who now resides in Jack County. There
are others, but their names do not occur to the writer at this time.
Upon the arrival of the railroad and soon after, they came by the
carload. Among the most prominent, and who have been most active in the
upbuilding of the city may be mentioned W. G. Turner, J. B. Burnside, A.
J. Roe, Willard Burton, A. S. Dingee, J. M. Hartsfield, A. J. Anderson,
J. L. Cooper, J. W. Spencer, A. E. Want, E. H. Keller, Neil P. Anderson,
W. G. Newby, W. F. Sterley, C. J. Swasey. Here, again, a lapse of time
and defective memory must be the excuse for not mentioning others
equally worthy.