The two Byrom cowboys that journeyed by horseback from Houma, Tennessee to several points in the West Texas area found that they not only could communicate with the Comanche and Apache Indians, but that the area did not appeal to them. They were searching for a place to settle and bring their families back to Texas.

As they arrived in the area that became known as Onega, on their way back from West Texas, they found the beautiful Cross Timbers region of Texas. It was just too beautiful for them to leave. They did eventually leave and went back to Tennessee where the great-grandfather of J.H. Byrom was married. He brought his new bride back to the area. His wife’s immediate family also traveled to Texas with them. The in-laws of great-grandfather Byrom followed the newlyweds to Onega, established households and have been in this area ever since. The area reminded them of their home in Tennessee.

The great Cherokee removal was in its beginning stages at this time – the Cherokees were ordered to leave and move west of the Mississippi River. Many of the Cherokees moved west, but many of them stayed and changed their identity in order to survive. President Andrew Jackson had told them to leave or face death.

This is a good time for me to tell you that I have experienced a close call with death just recently. I have lost the use of my kidneys, and the only option I have other than death is dialysis. I don’t have to tell you which option I chose. I am not exactly out of it yet, but within a month, I should be feeling better and interviewing more local people for their history.

I have had several e-mails and letters since my kidney disease has surfaced. One of my readers wished me well in my recovery, and told me that he really enjoyed the story about the whiskey-making industry in old Onega. He also commented about how clever the Indians were to not only disguise themselves from being Indians, but also how they were able to produce the world’s oldest known medication and market their products successfully to the other local residents.

One other reader said that he wonders when the so-called Comanches slipped up to the square in Denton during the 1870's during the night to steal 300 head of horses and make a clean get away, what the County officials were doing at the time. He speculated that they must have been in the Onega area purchasing their whiskey.

Still another reader asked me about how big the Onega area was and where were its limits. I thought it was an unusual question about the limits of the area, but I responded by telling him that I have documentation that indicates the limits were as far south as what is now Lincoln Park and as far west as Cagle Hill and to the north to the Belew Cemetery. Belew Cemetery is the final resting place for many of the old Cherokee settlers.

Another local resting place for our local natives was the Key Cemetery. This is the location where the local Methodist Church got its start in an old log house about a half-mile to the southwest of the downtown area.

There was another tribe of Indians on Pecan Creek and the Little Elm Creek to the east about three or four miles.

So I think my answer to this question is that Old Onega was about a five-mile square area.

One final comment for this week is that our area had a 28% increase in dwelling and business. This makes all of us new comers and early settlers conscious of out area as we find ourselves in one of the top three or four growth areas. We may have to enlarge out tipi and install a back door.

I apologize for not having an old photo to share this week, but will find one soon as my schedule will allow.