Go to Page | Index | Cont. 70     Genesis of Clarksville | Page- | Page+

found to be nearly 100 miles east of what were the claims on the part of some representing the United States. In this connection it is natural to marvel that so many uncertainties regarding the proper course of this boundary line existed before it had been defined by an official survey. Even the course of a stream was doubtless in its position on the maps as well as the proper location of parallel meridian lines. It is thought impossible in the case of the east boundary line of Texas, for the 32nd parallel to intersect the Sabine River at the vicinity of Mineola and Greenville. Some in the diplomatic circle thought the Neches River rather than the Sabine River was the stream in the minds of the makers of the treaty in 1819. Conditions were such as to afford co-operative attitude upon which an efficient imagination might play.

Not until in 1837 was there any enactment by the Republic of Texas to organize Red River County and define its boundaries, and take people, like the Anglo-Saxons on pre-election, for local self-government. At this time Red River County extended east and west along the south bank of Red River approximately 350 miles and north to south 50 to 100 miles. The boundary between Red River and Nacogdoches Counties was more or less indistinct. Out of the originally selected area of Red River County, 39 counties in whole or in part owe their existence. On December 14, 1837, the original area of Red River County was very materially reduced by an act of the Republic of


Go to Page | Index | Cont. 70     Genesis of Clarksville | Page- | Page+

The History of Clarksville and Old Red River County
Pat B. Clark   1937