Note: The origin of this article remains uncertain, as does its author. It was at one time, judged from the photocopied version transcribed, produced as a newspaper article. It is reproduced here as it appears in the photocopied version.

Data Regarding Menard
County; Now Tyler Co.

NOTE: Menard County, was formed, by virtue of Act of Legislature, officers were elected, qualified, and County Seat was located at Netches (now Town Bluff). Later this Act was declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court of Texas. The County corporate was dissolved by reason of said decision. And it was only in 1846 that Tyler County was formed.

The Petition

Republic of Texas, Liberty County, July the 16th, 1840.

To the Hon. Congress of Republic of Texas assembled. We the Citizens of Liberty, Republic of Texas, would most respectfully represent unto your Honorable body that on the account of the Great extent of territory in the bounds of Liberty County your fellow citizens have beenthrown at the distance of One hundred miles from the seat of Justice of said County, and on a direct route to the said seat of justice is almost an entire wilderness country. Accommodation can not be had for man nor beast and your petitioner would further represent unto our Honorable body that part of the county lying on the Nehes River and its tributarys is fast settling up by a hardy industrious, enterprising people. An that some act of your body is making a division of said county and that the dividing line should commence at [_______ ] running thence down Village Creek to the Jefferson County line and that the territory between the boundary ine and Neches River shall orm and make a Judicial County which shall be called [ ________ ] and that seat of Justice for said County be located [ _______ ].

Your Petitioners would further express to our Hon. body that it would probably facilitate the convenience and interest of your fellow citizens and local improvements. That on account of the rich soil, celebriety of climate, and the abundance of never failing streams of pure water that will aid the farmers and mechanics in erecting machinery of description across said streams, that would abundantly supply the convenience and interest of every individual together witha special Act of your body in throwing commerce in her bosom would further ivite industry and enerprises and every reflecting mind would at once say here emulation would be certain and induty bound every pray &c.

(From Menard County Record).

NOTE--It seems, that James W. Baldridge, was appointed the First Chief Justice (County Judge) of Menard County. He took oath of office Feby. 21st, 1841, before C.C. Arnett, County Clerk, Liberty County, Texas.

Thereafter, Chief Justice Baldridge, issued a proclamation calling for an election to be holden, March 13th, 1841, for following officers, to-wit:

One County Survey,
District and County clerks,
Sheriff and Coroner.
Justice of the Peace for Beat No. 1-2-3 and three constables.

At the town of Natches (now Town Bluff--formerly Hanks Ferry), Addison Sapp, Presiding officer.
Beat No. 2, William Ferguson, C. C. Arnett, Presiding officers.
Beat No. 3, Abel Wilson, William Mann, Presiding officers.

Officers Elected:

From the little data at hand, it seems that the following officers were elected:

James Baldridge.
Edward B. Turner, Dist. Clerk.
Jas. B. Arnett, County Clerk
Charles Wright, Co. Surveyor
R. K. Ratcliff, Assessor and Collector.
John McBarclay, Sheriff.
John T. Bean, Constable, Beat No. 2

Some of the Sureties on bonds, showed the following citizens here at that time: Benj. Enloe, Joseph Green, Anderson Barclay, Benjamin Burch, Zach Hopson, A. J. O. Sapp, James Ratcliff, James Barclay, E. L. Fulgham, R. Barclay, James F. Seale, Robert Hooker.

NOTES--36--On Netches, Town Bluff--Hanks Ferry.

The first real improvements to be placed at this point was made by A. S. & J. K. Allen, who promoted the city of Houston. They purchased 640 acres of land at Town Bluff om 1836 and erected ware houses and wharves--but evidently later decided to sell out as we find them selling the 640 acres to Stephen H. Everetts, (one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Texas) in May 1838 for sum of $10,000.00, cash.

The Congress of Republic of Texas, established a mail route in 1841, from Harrisburg, or Houston to Netches.

Officers elected qualified March 22, 23, 41, and some in April, 1841.