of news on account of inferior mail service. No mail had been received from the south for three weeks, none from the east in four weeks, and only three mails from the east within the three months next preceding. It was expressed that such a state of affairs would not continue much longer. Mention was made of the projected daily line of the stagecoach between Clarksville and Austin. It was thought that mail needed from localities east and south of Arkansas would reach Clarksville more quickly and regularly by way of Austin, especially during wet seasons, than over the then existing road through Arkansas. It was also expressed that the experiment would at least be worth a trial.

Clarksville was the early educational center, as before spoken of, and it now is proud of the McKenzie College and the attainment of its students in many parts of Texas and some other States. Among the many hundreds of its alumni might be mentioned Judge W. S. Henderson, Col. W. L. Crawford, Rev. John H. McLean, (see John H. McLean's "Reminiscences"). Brigadier James W. Hamilton, the founder of this institution, was reverently called "Old Master" by those who knew him best. Several years prior to the death of Old Master, Mrs. [George] Todd is said to have taught a school for girls hereinbefore mentioned.