The meeting sponsored by the Fannin County Historical Commission and Bonham Public Library on Friday, June 26, was near standing room only in attendance. Randy Farmer, former Fannin County resident, spoke on “Crime, the Underground Economy and Revolution in the 19th century Fannin County."

Mr. Farmer kept the audience enthralled with his tales of Henry E. McCulloch, K. Kirby Smith, Jesse Chisholm, Sam Bell Maxey, Samuel Newitt Wood, John Bailey Anderson, Curly Bill Brosious and John Wesley Hardin.

Randy Farmer addresses the audience.

The news that most of the late 1800’s wealthy cattlemen had their start in Fannin County, selling cattle on the black market was a surprise. Confederate officers and their men were involved in this underground crime. Samuel Wood, who was allowed to resign from the union army because of allegations, was charged along with 52 men. Records show that he ordered 52 Union uniforms to be used by these bandits. He then took charge of Kansas, and was the receptor of these stolen cattle. It was noted that at times there were Union uniformed men around Bonham, even though Bonham was the supply depot for the Confederate army.

Curly Bill Brosious did not die at Tombstone as shown in the movie. Oldtimers from there say he returned to Texas and his name was listed as owner of a ferry in this area after that time. He grew up on the Anderson-Brosious farm listed as the Wm. Park tract east of Honey Grove (as shown).

It was explained that the Lee-Peacock feud actually began earlier than the written record shows. It is Mr. Farmer’s belief that ex-Confederates made sure that the tale was told from their point of view.

This program will be available on audio at the Fannin County Historical Commission and the Bonham Public Library.