Hiram Thomas Downard

(21 December 1819-27 July 1874)

1860 Hill County, Texas, Census

Downard, H. T. 40 KY physician 1500 6071
, Eliza F. 33 KY
, Jas. S. 9/12 TX

1860 Hill County, Texas, Slave Census

Downard, H. T.
30 male
13 male
10 male

On 22 March 1868, W.R. Baker & A. Groesbeck, agents of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad Co. of Houston, Tx., gave land (lot # 1 in block # 34) to an unnamed [African American] Methodist Church; church trustees were S.M. Kingston, Willis Van Hook, and H.T. Downard. [See Brazos County Deed Book M, p.253, deed originally dated 22 March 1868, duplicate deed written on 26 Sept. 1871]

Brazos County Deed Records, Book I, p.53: Woodson Higgs of Brazos County gave his power of attorney to H.T. Downard, of Brazos County, to sell his property in Brazos County; dated 25 March 1868

People registered at the Washington Hotel in Galveston included: M. Prear, J. Fagan, Millican; H. T. Downard, Bryan. Galveston Daily News, 22 October 1868, page 3, col.3

People registered at the Washington Hotel in Galveston included: J. J. Beckhan, H. T. Downard, Bryan. Galveston Daily News, 11 August 1869, page 3, col.4

[ad] H.T. Downard and Company, wholesale and retail druggist... News Letter, 28 Aug. 1869, as quoted in Lois A. Wilcox, The Early History of Bryan, Texas, masters thesis, Univ. of Texas

Brazos County Deed Records, Book K, page 53 & Book L, page 297: H.T. Downard of Brazos County gave his power of attorney to H.V. Philpott, also of Brazos County, to sell land in Brazos County which he purchased on 7 October 1869 from John F. Tom of Atascosa County, Tx., which had been originally granted to Frances Henderson; dated 15 October 1869

Brazos County History; Rich Past – Bright Future, page 335, says H. T. Downard became appointed Brazos County Judge in 1870. If true, he followed Alexander Anderson (1867) and J. M. Thurmond (1869), as the third man to serve as mayor of Bryan and county judge at the same time.

[ad] To the Merchants of Texas and the Public Generally:

On Saturday the 2d of April 1870, Messrs. Houry & Post, of Galveston, shipped to me, by the Texas Express Company, a bag of gold containing $3338.92, addressed, “Dr. Downard, Bryan.” This bag was received by the Agent at Bryan and placed in the safe. On the night of Sunday the 3d of April, the safe was robbed and the bag stolen. The Texas Express Company has most promptly and honorably paid me in gold the full amount of the loss, and I feel that I should be wanting in that spirit of fairness and justice which is, and should be the characteristic feature of the Mercantile World, if I did not without delay make known the fact of this prompt payment. In connection with this robbery, I have had several interviews with the President of the Texas Express Company, (A. B. Small, Esq.) and I am fully satisfied from the courteous, gentlemanly and honorable treatment I have received at his hands, and the punctual manner in which my claim has been met, that the Company he represents must and will command the entire confidence of the business men of Texas. H. T. Downard. Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 27 April 1870, page 2

1870 Brazos County, Texas, Census

Downard, J. S. 50 Physician
, E. F. 43 keeping house
, J. S. 11
, A. I. 9
, R. W. 7
, M. D. 6

City of Bryan. Appointments ... 25 July 1870. H. T. Downard, Mayor; S.D. Dearing, H.A. Moore (failed to qualify), T. McCarty, Charles B. Foster, Willis Van Hook, Geo. Jameson, aldermen; G.W. Farrow, marshal. (Texas. Election Registers 1838-1972.)

Bryan ... A dispatch from Austin gives the following as the newly appointed Common Council for the City of Bryan: Mayor, H.T. Downard. Aldermen, T. McCarty, S.D. Dearing, H.A. Moore, Willis Van Hook, and Charles B. Foster; City Marshall, George Farrow. Houston Daily Union, 30 July 1870, page 3

From the Brazos Eagle:

On Thursday last, a man in a state of intoxication, armed with a six-shooter and bowie knife, sat down in the entrance of the store of ex-Mayor Haveman, of this city, and with an oath asked if could get anything to eat. There being some ladies in the store, Mr. Haveman requested him not to swear. He placed his hand on his pistol, and said if Mr. Haveman wanted anything, he could get it, and used quite violent language. Mr. Haveman stepped out and went to the courthouse and informed Lieut. Farrow of the above facts. The latter, accompanied by officer Bailey, went to Mr. Haveman’s store and found a man sitting in the doorway with a cocked pistol in his hand. Lieut. Farrow approached him and informed him he was under arrest; the prisoner made a movement as if to use his pistol, when Lieut. Farrow caught it and threw him down. The prisoner pulled the trigger of his pistol, the hammer striking the Lieutenant’s finger, which prevented it from going off. Officer Bailey pulled a pistol, and placing it at the prisoner’s head, told him he would shoot him if he did not drop his pistol. The latter gave up his pistol and was taken before Mayor Downard, who fined him twenty-five dollars and cost. Houston Daily Union, 12 August 1870, page 2

In the Houston Union of the tenth, we find a letter from the Mayor of Bryan, reflecting severely on the published report of a Republican meeting at Bryan, which was furnished for the press by Dr. R.N. Mills. Dr. Mills desires to say emphatically that his report was correct, and that Mr. Downard's attack was uncalled for, false, and malicious. The Union has undoubtedly been imposed upon in this matter. (Austin) Daily State Journal, 13 September 1870, page 2.

In the Houston Union of the tenth, we find a letter from the Mayor of Bryan, reflecting severely on the published report of a Republican meeting at Bryan, which was furnished for the press by Dr. R.N. Mills. Dr. Mills desires to say emphatically that his report was correct, and that Mr. Downard's attack was uncalled for, false, and malicious. The Union has undoubtedly been imposed upon in this matter. State Journal. Since the publication of the letter of Mayor Downard, we have private letters from Dr. Mills affirming that the meeting was held, but as Mr. Downard is not a member of the party he knew nothing about it, of course. Houston Daily Union, 16 September 1870, page 2

Mayor Downard, of Bryan, sends us a long communication in reply to the assertions of Dr. R. N. Mills, in the State Journal. We do not publish it, because we have already allowed too much said on a subject of no interest to the public. Justice to Mayor Downard, however, compels us to say that he seems to be altogether right in the facts. He sends affidavits which, so far as we can see, cannot be rebutted. We regret the whole affair, and feel mortified that it ever got into our columns. We had no suspicion of the facts, or it never should. Let it rest where it is, and let us have no more of such things to cause regret and mortification. Houston Daily Union, 22 September 1870, page 2

The [Bryan] Appeal says the Mayor of Bryan, Dr. H.T. Downard, gives universal satisfaction. Galveston Daily News, 3 November 1870, page 2.

J. J. Neeley married Mrs. Mollie Pipkin, 18 December 1870, ceremony performed by H. T. Downard, E. M.E. C. (Brazos County Marriage Records, Book C, page 154)

1870: December – Fire prevention inspections are no new thing in Bryan. Old city records show that a flue inspection was made almost 80 years ago. Guy P. Bittle, former city secretary, came up this morning with a report of the inspection dated December, 1870. H.T. Downard was mayor of the city when the 394 flues were inspected. 207 residences and businesses were inspected, and most of the listings were just “Mrs. Jones,” or “Mrs. Smith,” with no identifying initials. Leading the list of buildings was the old Baptist Seminary. All three flues there were “out of order.” Bryan Eagle office was listed with three flues “in good order.” Flues of the jail were in need of work, but since a new jail with new flues was being built, the repairs were not recommended. Inspection of all buildings in Bryan was completed in the four days from Dec. 31 through Jan.3. According to the historic document, inspections were made even on New Year’s Day. Bryan Daily Eagle, 29 September 1949, page 1

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, that W.L. Sanders, president, and P.R. Smith, secretary, and J.S. McLendon, T.T. Smothers, H.T. Downard, J.S. Fowlkes, C.H. Randolph and J.N. Cole, directors of the Bryan Bridge Company, and their successors in office, be and the same are hereby declared a body corporate under the corporate name and style of the "Bryan Bridge Company," with the right and privileges of an aggregate corporation at common law ... [law continues at length] Texas. Legislature. Special Laws, 12th Legislature, 1st Session, April 12, 1871, pages 133-134.

An Act to Incorporate the Bryan Male and Female Seminary. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, that William Davis, H. A. Moore, F. M. Law, H. T. Downard, Spencer Ford, W. B. Eaves, T. D. Wilson, Harvey Mitchell, J. W. Tabor, P. R. Smith, J. S. Stewart, T. J. Beall and B. H. Davis, and their associates and successors in office, be and they are hereby incorporated and created a body politic and corporate ... Approved May 26, 1871. Texas. 12 Legislature, 1st Session, Special Laws, 1871, page 517

July 12, 1871. To His Excellency E.J. Davis, Governor of the State of Texas: We the undersigned citizens of the State of Texas respectfully recommend Batt Peterson Esq., a resident of Brazos County, Texas, as a most suitable person to be placed on the Board of Commissioners for the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State, in the event that any vacancy in said Board now exists or shall be made by resignation or removal of any member of said Board. This 12th July 1871. [signed] C.H. Moore, editor Brazos Eagle, C. W. Gardiner, E. W. Pells Dept. P.M., J. P. Mitchell, David McIntosh, R. A. Blandford, E.L. Ward, N. B. Cole, G. A. Waldrop, A. A. Burck, Geo. R. Scott, T. E. Tullis, H. T. Downard, B. F. Baldridge, W. F. Forman, Henry Mordecai, C. F. Moore, Hugh Reed J.P.B.C. [Justice of the Peace, Brazos County], B. F. Shelton, A. W. Leedon, J. W. Tabor, Jas. N. McLelland, Chas. A. Sterne, Hammett Hardy, T. D. Wilson, P. R. Smith, J. S. Fowlkes, C. H. Randolph & Co., Parker & Flippen [Milton Parker And W.H. Flippen], T. McCarty, T. T. Smothers, J. S. McLendon & Co., Wm. McIntosh, L. Hudson, J. A. Buckholts, J. D. Thomas, W. Onins

The following petition is copied from Brazos County Commissioners Book A, pp.316-318: Special Term Aug. 28 1871 ... To the Hon County Court of Brazos County. Gentlemen ... We the undersigned citizens of your county respectfully ask that your Hon Court will order an election to be held ... on the proposition to raise an ad valorem tax to be levied on the taxable property of your county the sum of twenty two thousand dollars the said sum of money being necessary for the purpose of securing permanently location of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in Brazos County .... [signed]: R.B. Hunt, D.C. Barmore, H.T. Downard, T.J. Dearing, D.P. Thrasher, E. Fox, R.R. Gilbert, T. McCarty, R.H.L. Hughes, J.P. Mitchell, J.N. Cole, J.A. Walden, M.Z. Pierce, P.R. Smith & Co., E.L. Ward, A. Harris, T.S. Snow, M.D. Cole, J. Uprit, C.A. Patterson, H. Cook, R.C. McLendon, D. Hawkins, F.M. McLelland, J.W. Tabor, Jas. B. McLellan, W.H. Edmonds, J.T. Buck, W.M. Wren, J.W. Hand, S.M. Hunter, T.D. Harrison, R. Johnson, H.T. Newland, David McIntosh, James F. Moffett, A.M. Dechman, J.P. Campbell, D.M. Clower, H.M. Thomas, H.E. Muse, W.H. Minkert, J.W. Boyle, C.A. Stern, Thos. T. McCasland, J.M. Robinson, H.C. Latham, J.J. Adams, Dan M. Dansby, J.T. Kelly, J.A. Buckholt, Spencer Ford, R.J. Hill, M. Bonneville, H.R. Wilson, J.S. Fowlkes & Co., C. Tilley, Jo Kahn, J.D. Thomas, A.D. McConnico, O.P. Bowles, Leighton Wood, Jno. W. Coulter, F.F. Hooper, John Brenede, J.S. McLendon & Co., W.H. Flippen, Milton Parker, M.W. Simms, Wm. Davis, C. Davis, H.A. Moore, W.L. Pittillo, P.M. Brown, Wm. McIntosh, T.E. Tullis, R.A. Blandford, T.T. Smothers, B.F. Leman, Thomas D. Wilson, S.C. Echols, John M. Baily, M.C. McGraw, C.F. Moore, W.W. Berry, J.W. Bartie, H. Mitchell, J.S. Barmore, S.D. Conger, H.M. Moore, I. Fulkerson, G.M. Neeley, A.B. Cunningham, G.M. Castles, James P. Wilson, E. Harris, C.W. Gardiner

Section 1. Be in enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That H. T. Downard, J. T. Dearing, Spencer Ford, T. T. Smothers, R. A. Blanford, Mr. McIntosh, C. F. Moore, H. A. Moore, H. Mitchell, S. D. Conger, Frank Clark, R. R. Gilbert, E. L. Ward and D. C. Barmese, their associates and successors be and they are hereby incorporated by the name and style of the Bryan Horticultural Society for the purpose of encouraging and improving the science and practice of horticulture, and promoting the amelioration of the various species of trees, fruits, plants and vegetables and the introduction of new species and varieties, and for no other purposes whatever; with power to make by-laws, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, for the regulation of said society; to levy and collect assessments not exceeding twelve dollars per annum; to enforce the payment of such assessments by suit; to purchase, receive, occupy, hold and convey any real or personal estate which may be proper to carry out the objects of this association; to elect officers and appoint agents to transact the business, manage and apply the funds, discharge the functions and promote the objects thereof, and to commence, prosecute and defend suits, and use a common seal. Sec. 2. That said society be and they are hereby authorized to appropriate any part of the real estate to be purchased by them for a garden, and for this purpose to lay out the same into suitable squares, lots, walks and mounds, and to plant and embellish same with shrubbery, flowers, trees and rural ornaments. Sec. 3. That a majority of the above named corporators shall have power to call the first meeting and organize the corporation; and that this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Texas. Legislature. Special Laws, 12th Legislature, 2nd Session, 17 November 1871

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, that H. T. Downard, E. L. Ward, T. J. Dearing and D. C. Barmore, and their associates and successors, are hereby created and established a body corporate and politic, under the name and style of the Bryan Real Estate, Building and Joint Stock Association of Bryan, Texas ... [law continues at length]. Texas. Legislature. Special Laws, 12th Legislature, 2nd Session, 25 November 1871, pages 100+

“An Act to Incorporate the Odd Fellows’ Hall Association of Bryan, Texas,” Texas. Legislature. Special Laws, 12th Legislature, 2nd Session, 1 December 1871. Mentions William McIntosh, J. W. Boyles, R. A. Blanford, Thomas McCarty, T. T. Smothers, H. S. Newland, H. T. Donnard, T. S. Snow, A. M. Dechman and John J. Kimbrough.

City of Bryan. Appointments ... Dec. 4, 1871. H. T. Downard, mayor; T. J. Dearing, marshal (resigned 3 July 1872); T. Mccarty, W. Van Hook, C. B. Foster, C. F. Moore, H. A. Moore, Geo. D. Haswell, aldermen. (Texas. Election Registers 1838-1972.)

Office of the United States Commissioner, Court-House, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, February 8, A. D. 1872 – 9 ½ o’clock a.m.

Pursuant to application, to notice and agreement, commission met at the court-house. Present: D. G. Worrell, Unites States commissioner; T. Kemp, deputy United States marshal; D. C. Giddings, contestant; Thos. G. Davidson, attorney for contestee, who had agreed to be present. Having informed contestant of his inability to do so, I proceed to take the testimony for contestant of the following witnesses:

H. T. Downard, a witness in behalf of the contestant, being duly sworn, testifies as follows:

Question. What is your name, age, place of residence, and how long have you resided there? Answer. H. T. Downard; fifty-two years old; Bryan, Brazos County, Texas; resided in Texas fourteen or fifteen years.

Question. What official position do you hold; when and by whom appointed? Answer. I am mayor of the city of Bryan; appointed August, 1870, by E. J. Davis, governor. Have been a member of the board of appeals for Brazos County since the last two years, and acted as such at the last Congressional election.

Question. How was the last congressional election held on the 3d, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th days of October, 1871, conducted; peaceably, quietly, and fairly, or otherwise? Answer. Peaceably, fairly, and quietly, as far as I know. If there was anything wrong, I don’t know of it. The only irregularity I know of was the numbering of the tickets, which was in accordance with the old law. I have been in the habit of holding elections several times while in Texas, and had not noticed the new law sufficiently to know that it had been changed in that respect.

Question. Do you know of any fraud, violence, or intimidation practiced by contestant, or any of his political friends, whereby Republicans were deterred from voting for the candidate of his choice? Answer. I know of none.

… [the three election judges were H. T. Downard, Thos. McCarty and H. A. Moore]

Papers in the Case of Giddings vs. Clark, Third Congressional District of Texas. House of Representatives, 42d Congress, 2d Session, Mis. Doc. No. 163 (1872), pages 65-66

The building of Judge Downard, of Bryan was destroyed by fire last Saturday night ... San Antonio Daily Express, 11 February 1872, page 1

The city [Bryan] by its mayor, H. T. Downard, publishes an ordinance giving him power to appoint as many policemen as he may think necessary for the maintenance of the peace...Weekly Bryan Appeal, 26 April 1872, as cited in Bryan Daily Eagle, 25 April 1917, page 3

The Bryan Appeal thinks the Agricultural College building will be now without unnecessary delay under the auspices of the new board of commissioners, Messrs. Downard, McCarty and McIntosh. Daily Picayune (New Orleans), 20 July 1872, page 2

Notice to Builders. The contract for building the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas to be re-let. The plans and specifications for the main building will be completed by the 10^th of August, and can be seen at the office of the Galveston News, San Antonio Herald, Houston Union and Austin State Journal, or copies will be sent by mail to persons making application to H. T. Downard, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, at this place. Sealed Proposals are invited for the erection of said building, in accordance with said specification, until the 1^st of September next. H. T. Downard, Thos. McCarty, Wm. McIntosh, Comm’rs. of A. & M. College, Bryan, Texas, July 9, 1872. Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 16 August 1872, page 3

Notice to Contractors. Plans and specifications for the Agricultural and Mechanical College, at Bryan, can be seen at Room No. 5, Capitol Building, at Austin, until August 22, and at Bryan until the 21^st of August. Bids are all required to be delivered to the Commissioners by 12 o’clock, September 2, and be opened at Austin 12 o’clock, September 3, 1872. All further information will be furnished by J. Larmour, architect, who will exhibit and explain plan. We reserve the right to reject all bids. H. T. Downard, Thos. McCarty, Wm. McIntosh, Commissioners, by J. Larmour. Front elevation and specifications can be seen at this office. Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 28 August 1872, page 2

[ad] Bryan Medical Institute, Bryan, Texas.

G. Beaumont, M. D., of Missouri

H. T. Downard, M. D., Kentucky

Having located permanently in Bryan, and opened an Institute for the treatment of all chronic diseases, would respectfully tender their professional services to the public in the various departments of their profession. Especially attention given to all the affections of the Eye and Ear, and to all operations in surgery. Patients from a distance will be furnished with suitable boarding places in private families or at the hotel. Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 28 August 1872, page 3

Brazos County Deed Records, Book N, page 285: H. T. and E. F. Downard sold the city of Bryan 22 feet off the front of lot 3 in block 9 in Bryan for $600 “gold dollars”; deed dated 16 January 1873.

Texas Legislature, 13th Legislature, House Journal, p.198: Feb. 12, 1873 ... Statements of amounts drawn against appropriations for the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College ... to H. Mitchell $ 110.00; to Sam Burrell $100; to Alfred Smith $ 325.00; to J. Larmour $ 220.00; to T.H. Downard, T.M. McCarty and Wm. M. McIntosh, bricks $ 5,000; to J. Stewart and J.H. Bartel $255.00

Brazos County Deed Records, Book N, page 368: J. B. McLelland, mayor of the City of Bryan, “by virtue of the authority vested in me by an order of the common council of said city” dated 3 March 1873, for $1 sold the Bryan Hook and Ladder Company, 22 feet off the front of lot 3 in block 9 in Bryan; deed dated 17 March 1873; this was the same land purchased by the city from H. T. & Eliza F. Downard on 16 January 1873, as recorded in Brazos Co. Deed Book N, page 285.

Brazos County Deed Book O, page 52b: 26 May 1873: Alfred Smith mortgaged his crops he would grow on H. T. Downard’s farm to M. G. Dilleshaw

H. T. Downard took the oath as notary public in Brazos County on 9 October 1873 (as digitized on Ancestry.com)

Bryan, June 12, 1874 ... Dr. Downard’s residence was robbed of two watches and all the provisions they could find , and several other private houses have been entered, it is supposed, by Negroes, as the town is full of the black loafers. Galveston Daily News, 13 June 1874, page 1

Hiram Thomas Downard, died 27 July 1874 (from his tombstone)

28 July 1874: W. S. South attended burial of Rev. H.T. Downard (From W.S. South’s diary)

[Rev. H. T. Downard, M. D., born Cynthiana, Ky. Dec. 24, 1819; served in Kentucky and Louisville Conferences, Methodist Church, for years; moved to TX in 1858; died Bryan, TX July 28, 1874.] Christian Advocate (Nashville, TN), 14 November 1874

*The Big Day at Houston ... The Bryan Fire Department was handsomely represented as follows: Pitt S. Turner, Chief; V.D. Terrobone, assistant. Bryan Hook and Ladder No. 1 officers--B.F. Lemon, foreman; W. C. Wilcox, first assistant; T.P. Hamilton, secretary; T.P. Harris, G. H. West, J. F. Gazley, J. J. Barton, W. Harvey, G. H. Young. Bryan A.E.C. no. 2 officers -- D. H. Bone, foreman; O. L. Tabor, first assistant; D. B. McMorris, president; J. S. Downard, treasurer; Robert Dennis, steward; Wm. Mitchell, P. F. Myers, John Tabor, J. T. Wyse, John E. Bishop, Simon Horetsky, W. Withers. Bryan Stonewall No. 1 Officers -- S. H. Boyle, Foreman; J. W. Johnson, Secretary; J. E. Duncan, Treasurer; George Echols, W. Pugh, C. W. Crozier, H. K. Dowser, E. Pugh, John Roberts, J. L. Trainor, Joe Harrison, C. W. Taylor .... Brazos Pilot, 26 April 1877, page 4, col.5.

Brazos Pilot Ledger, 1877-1882

Page 77: J. D. Thomas: 8 Nov. 1878 To Trustee's sale for Mrs. Downard

1880 Brazos County, Texas, Census

Downard, Eliza F. 53 keeping house
, J. Samuel 21 bank clerk
, Richard W. 17 clerk in store
, Mary S. 15

Bryan … Mrs. E. S. Downard has returned from her visit to relations in Tennessee. Dallas Daily Herald, 30 September 1883, page 3

Bryan, Oct. 21 – Mr. Hal Peck and Miss Mamie Downard were married at the Methodist Church to-night. The officiating clergymen were Rev. Dr. Mitchell and Rev. Mr. Archer. Dallas Morning News, 22 October 1886, page 3

James Samuel Downard, aged 27 years, native of Hill County, buried 8 March 1887, cause of death “phthisic pumonalis” (Bryan City Sexton’s records)

Mrs. P. G. Archer has returned to her home in Whitewright, after attending the funeral of her mother, Mrs. Eliza Downard, in this city yesterday. Mrs. H. M. Peck and son Hal, returned to Corsicana today, after attending the funeral of Mrs. Eliza Downard, mother of the former, in this city yesterday. Bryan Daily Eagle and Pilot, 14 May 1915, page 3

Death of Mrs. E.F. Downard

Relatives here were apprised by wire yesterday of the death of Mrs. Eliza F. Downard at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H. M. Peck of Corsicana, which occurred at 12 o’clock noon. Mrs. Downard, with her husband, the late Dr. H. T. Downard, were among the early settlers in Bryan and Brazos County. She was born in Hardinsburg, Ky., December 19, 1826, making her 88 years, 4 months and 23 days of age at the time of her death. She was married in Kentucky to Dr. Downard and shortly afterward they moved to Texas and settled in Hill County. After a residence in that county for some years they moved to Bryan in 1867, and Dr. Downard died here. Mrs. Downard continued to reside in Bryan for some years after the death of her husband, but for the past twenty-four years has resided with her daughter, Mrs. H. M. Peck, in Corsicana. She was a member of the Methodist church and a lifelong church worker, ever ready to help the poor and needy and to minister aid to the sick. Her many deeds of kindness and her Christian work will serve as a monument for her long life of usefulness and as a remembrance of this sweet Christian character. Her death is a source of regret to a large number of friends in this city and of Corsicana, who express heartfelt sympathy for the relatives and members of the family. Mrs. Downard was the mother of four children, two sons, the late J. Sam Downard, and R. W. Downard of this city, and two daughters, Mrs. P. C. Archer of Whitewright and Mrs. H. M. Peck of Corsicana, and one foster child, Mrs. J. W. Coulter. The remains arrived in Bryan today on the 3:52 southbound passenger train on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad, and the funeral was held from the train. The remains were laid to rest in the City Cemetery. A large number of the friends of the family were present to pay their last respects to this dear departed mother and friend. Rev. C. T. Tally of the First Methodist Church, conducted the funeral services. The following gentlemen acted as pallbearers: John M. Caldwell, M. H. James, John M. Lawrence, J. H. Webb, V. B. Hudson and E. W. Crenshaw. (weekly) Bryan Eagle, 20 May 1915, page 6, cols.3-4.

The new booklet, “Mother’s Day,” by Mamie Downard Peck of Corsicana reveals the fact that she can write poetry. Mrs. Peck (Hal M. Peck) was reared in Bryan, her parents moving to Bryan when she was an infant, some years after the War Between the States, from Hillsboro, where her father Dr. H. T. Downard, was examining physician for all Confederate troops organized in that section. He was the first Mayor of Bryan, and with Judge Ford and Col. Harvey Mitchell was instrumental in locating A and M. College in Bryan. Many of the early poems of Mamie Downard Peck were published in the Brazos Pilot and Bryan Eagle, her first published at the age of eight years in the Louisville Courier Journal sent with fear and trembling submitted to the old Kentucky home paper of her parents. Mrs. Peck is vice president of London Poetry Society of England retiring first vice president of Texas Woman’s Press Association of the American League of Penwomen, poet laureate of a number of organizations, and now president Navarro Chapter U. D. C. Bryan Daily Eagle, 9 May 1927, page 4

Bryan relatives received the news late Tuesday afternoon, of ¡the death of Mrs. Mamie Downard Peek Tuesday afternoon at a sanitarium in McKinney where she had been a sufferer for many months. While her passing was not unexpected, there are many who mourn her death. Funeral services were held at Corsicana, her home city, this afternoon at .*> o’clock and interment made in the family lot in the Corsicana City Cemetery. H, T. Downward of this city, a nephew of Mrs. Peek, and Mrs. Downard and Mrs. Dona Carnes, also a relative, motored to Corsicana for the funeral. Mrs. Mamie Downard Peck was born in Bryan and was 6(> years of age at the time of her death. Daughter of the late … Bryan Daily Eagle, 29 October 1930, page 6

"Bryan Pioneer at Meeting of Methodist Women Monday Afternoon," Bryan Weekly Eagle, 3 March 1937, page 3, col.2. Mrs. T. C. Archer, daughter of Dr. H. T. Downard.

Do you remember when there rode horseback through Bryan one afternoon a woman dressed in men’s clothing? She attracted no special attention, owing to her disguise. She was a sister of a convict on H. K. White's convict farm across the river now owned by Seth Mooring. The convict’s name was Snyder. She rode up to the wife of the guard in charge and at the point of a pistol demanded that she unlock the prison and release the men, which she had to do. There were about a dozen that escaped. Word was received in Bryan that night that they were headed this way. At that time there was a brick powder magazine just outside the city limits by the H. & T. C. track south of town. A small posse went out to meet them and was secreted behind the powder magazine when they approached. A. B. Carr, then marshal, and Lev Smith, a deputy, was in the vanguard and a gun battle ensued. Smith was killed by Snyder. The convicts retreated and escaped. H. W. (Walter) Downard, now living, with a posse went in search of the convicts the next day and found them on the river washing and bathing. A battle followed but all escaped. Years later, while D. D. Dawson was sheriff, his deputy, T. C. Nunn, recaptured Snyder in a gambling game north of here somewhere, by slipping up behind and grabbing him. He placed him in his surrey and drove rapidly to the railroad station. Snyder was returned to the “pen” and served his time out. We have no information as to his being tried for the murder of Smith. Bryan Daily Eagle, 3 March 1938, page 4

This morning there was brought to our office a program of a Military Hop given to the ladies of Bryan by the Bryan Rifles at Cavitt’s Hall, Monday, April 22, 1878. The invitation: W. V. Waldrop, H. B. Moot, G. C. Gentry, S. R. Henderson, W. V. Hanway and W. B. Page. Floor committee: H. K. Downard, J. L. Fountain, George Echols, Jno. G. Homer, J. P. Semones and J. W. Johnson. Arrangement committee: Samuel Moses, J. D. Roberts, J. T. Wyse. W. H. Harmon, V. H. Rhodes and J. E. Duncan. Reception committee: Frank Clarke, J. J. Adams, Jno. N. Henderson, J. W. Boyle, W. E. Sanders, J. G. Anderson and W. H. Flippen. Another grand ball program given to the ladies of Bryan on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 1878, at the Academy of Music had very' much the same committees. These programs were found among the possessions of the late Mrs. J. R. Sims. There was also found among these possessions a book of constitution and by-laws of the Protection Steam Engine Company in 1881 which name had been incorporated from the Hook and Ladder Company, a private corporation created by an act of the legislature, May 16th, 1871. This is correct we know because it is signed by H. L. Spain, acting secretary of state. Bryan Daily Eagle, 11 March 1938, page 4

"Funeral Service of Aged Citizen This Afternoon," Bryan Daily Eagle, 2 February 1939, page 1, col.8. Richard Walter Downard, son of Dr. H. T. Downard

Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. P. C. Archer of Dallas, daughter of the late Dr. H. T. Downard. The former Anna Downard, Mrs. Archer celebrated her 100th birthday in July. Her father was the first mayor of Bryan and he with other early residents helped to secure Texas A&M College. Mrs. Archer, born in Hillsboro, came to Bryan as a young girl and married at 17 in the First Methodist Church here. She was the aunt of Mrs. Donna Coulter Carnes and the sister of the late Waiter Downard Sr. and Mrs. J. W. Coulter. Walter Downard Jr. and Sam Downard were her nephews as was the late Hiram Downard. Bryan Daily Eagle, 13 December 1961, page 5

“Many Confederate Soldiers Buried Here,” Bryan Daily Eagle, 24 June 1962, page “Centennial Section,” page 9