They said it couldn’t be done
In the early 1800s, Indian tribes that used the Brazos River bottoms, in the central part of Texas, as their hunting grounds included the Waco, Tawakoni, and Andarko Indians.
Later, the Comanche, a much more aggressive tribe and using superior warring skills, forced these earlier tribes from their lands.
This time period of the early 1800s found the falls on the Brazos River to be a 10 foot tall waterfall that existed until a storm caused the river channel to relocate in 1866.
The present falls are located about two miles northeast of the original falls. The Falls on the Brazos River is the namesake of Falls County.
Sterling C. Robertson and Robert Leftwich received a land grant from the Mexican government. The Coahuila y Tejas was the ruling entity that allowed Robertson and Leftwich to settle some 800 families. This colony was named Sarahville de Viesca. Fort Viesca was built in 1834 and was later named Fort Milam.
This settlement was totally deserted in the Runaway Scrape of 1836, but was resettled after the Battle of San Jacinto. The wide ranging Indian tribes continued to plague these early settlers.
The Cherokee, a more peaceable tribe, arrived in the early 1830s and the adopted son of Chief Oolooteka, Sam Houston, negotiated the Treaty of 1836 between Cherokee Chief Bowl and the Republic of Texas.
However, January of 1839 saw the Andarko tribe brutally massacre the women and children in the George Morgan and the John Marlin homes. An offensive was staged by the settlers to put the Indians into retreat.
In 1846 several tribes negotiated a treaty with the US Government that gave the settlers a degree of safety. These early colonies incurred the danger from marauding Indian tribes as well as the ruthless Mexican army.
Their location, near this natural crossing on the Brazos River, an area known as the Falls, played a major role in numerous clashes with Indian tribes as well as dealing with the Mexican Federales.
Early Texas was a hard and dangerous life. It was a life that required that people cooperate and work together. No doubt, many times they heard friends and families tell them that a move west was a foolhardy quest and that they must have lost their senses to consider such a move.
They Said It Couldn’t Be Done!
They said it couldn’t be done!
But it sure needed to be,
so they set out to work as one
and soon gained the victory.
What does this show each of us?
Is this the way we will fight ?
With no fanfare an’ no fuss,
work together to make it right?
There have been a lot of times,
back down through our history,
when things weren’t in their prime.
But folks just woudn’t let it be!
Now when dark storm clouds build
An’ the future sure looks dim
when ones faith is slowly chilled
‘til their outlook is so grim
This one trys to go this way,
That one would go another.
Some will claim it’s doomsday,
weak of heart want to defer.
So, will chaos soon take charge,
an’ danger spread oe’r the land?
Folks’ll run out upon the marge
an’ stick their heads in the sand.
But stout of heart stand their ground.
Leadership steps to the front.
They form a plan that is sound,
an’ rally the folks for the hunt.
This is just how it does work,
here in our land of the free.
True leaders will never shirk
a chance to shape our destiny.
So let’s keep an attitude
that always says “we can do!”
folks must have the fortitude
to step up an’ a it through.
Have the strength to stay ahead,
never be one to say quit.
My sweet Mama always said,
“Can’t never cooked a biscuit!”
Always seek the Lord’s advice,
ask for guidance for your way.
You’ll sure find that will suffice
An’ always strengthen your day
They said it couldn’t be done!
But it sure needed to be,
so they set out to work as one
and soon gained the victory.
© Jim Cathey