In 1867, Governor Throckmorton was dismissed as governor by the Yankee superiors, when the change of power in the State of Texas was made after the Civil War. The village of Onega existed prior to this change in power. The year of 1867 was fourteen years before N.L. Edwards with a group of others submitted three names in a hat to draw the name of Aubrey for the official new name of the village.

The year 1867 was not the actual beginning of Aubrey, as was indicated by the Centennial celebration which was held in 1967, but 1967 was a good time to hold a celebration. It was a splendid occasion which allowed the people of Aubrey and the area to get together and celebrate the founding of the community. The celebration was established by a few transplants that were seeking a part of history of the village. My Dad referred these activities as planned by a group not all that dry behind the ears. I really didn’t know what the old saying meant, but my grandmother told me that the old phrase meant that the person acted as though the afterbirth had not been removed. I must comment by saying that the celebration of 1867 was a successful celebration which brought all people in the area together and perhaps no better way to celebrate has been hatched up.

General Charles Griffen with his headquarters for the 5^th Military District located in New Orleans, Louisiana issued a special order number 105 that says in extract number four, "A careful consideration of the reports of Major General Charles Griffen, United States Army, shows that J. W. Throckmorton, Governor of Texas, is an impediment to the reconstruction of that State, under law. He is therefore removed from office." The report was not printed until 1873, but was intended to serve as a source of vital statistics that were needed to help the Texas legislators in their guide to bring stability to a state in turmoil.

Their motive at this time and thirty years before and after was to continue the liquidation and genocide of the Native American peoples in the state of Texas. My mind and heart go back to this period of time when Governor Throckmorton was liquidated from an office that the citizens had voted him into. He was then removed by a General with enough power to bring down the honest effort of local representation.

The same directive from General Griffen commanded by Major General Sheridan’s appointed E. M. Peace as Governor of the State of Texas. The directive stated that "He will be obeyed and respected accordingly." The state treasurer at this time showed a direct receipt of funds on hand of $626,518.05 with credits of $626,518.05 which left cash on hand of $79,409.50.

A few weeks ago, I told you about John F. Morgan, who was also an influential civic minded individual who was involved in politics in Onega from the late 1860's. He was a man of honor, I remember from my youth, if this is not true then you would have most certainly heard this from a source other than that of a chattering chunga.

I have documentation that John F. Morgan arrived in Onega around the time of the overthrow of Governor Throckmorton in 1867. I also have several old news clippings from the Aubrey Argus that report that John Morgan’s daughter Jewel was a professional singer in our area. She entertained with her voice to local groups. Jewel Morgan still resides in Denton and is a very special friend of my family. Her mother, Mae and Mr. Morgan lived on the west side of North Main Street. Their house was three doors north of the old Baptist Church. The house was demolished during the 1970's by Aubrey Builders, Inc. which was owned by Donald Hampton, a local builder.

John Morgan was a tax assessor for Denton County. During my early days, I remember Mr. Morgan harnessing up his mare and taking off in his buggy to make his rounds to perform the local property renditions. I remember that Jewel Morgan was married to Fred Edwards who was a brother to Katie (Edwards) Jones. After they were married, they lived in the Greenvalley Community until they moved to Hughes Springs, Texas. My oldest sister, Ina Jones, married Charlie Jones, who was also another Aubrey and Union Hill native. Charlie’s brother Edgar was Katie Edwards Jones’ husband.

I want to continue to remind everyone about the upcoming Cherokee Heritage Day on April 26, 2003 at Cagle Hill Farm which is owned by Shawn Cagle. The event will feature Native American family style events where many will be dressed in authentic Texas Cherokee Tribe costumes which were similar to those worn in early day Onega. So far nine vendors have been scheduled for the event. No alcohol or drugs will be allowed on the premises. For more information contact, Dwayne Carroll of Aubrey or Doug Walp of Krum.

I also want to thank everyone for the prayers during my recent emergency visit to the hospital. I also want to thank Chief Hicks of the Texas Cherokee tribe for his prayers with the pipe and smoke and a friend in New York who also wrote that she reads my column and is using the pipe and smoke in prayer for me. Thanks again to all, my health problems are far from being over yet.