Article McCright William Salathiel

Description

Photocopy of an exerpt from a book which appears to be about Bowie County TX pioneers. p. 310

Publisher

Seems to be c.1940

Source Text

William Salathiel McCright  The Bowie county pioneers to whom this memoir is dedicated, had interesting and spectacular careers, and in keeping with their characters the tribute paid to them will be simple and direct.  William Salathiel McCright was born in Shelbyville, Shelby county, Texas, May 27, 1847.  His father and mother, Robert and Pleasant Shockley McCright, migrated to Texas from Talladega, Alabama, in a covered wagon almost one hundred years ago, and settled in Bowie county when the subject of this sketch was a lad.  Bill McCright, as he was known to his friends, was reared amid fast moving and colorful times, when it took intelligence, courage and energy to stem the tide and survive the hardships of that period. There were no short cuts to fortune and fame, and few chances for an education.  Those who "made the grade" had to rely upon themselves to win a place among their fellow men.  Truly Bill McCright was a self-made man.  When the war between the North and South began, Bill's father cast his lot with the Confederacy.  Before the conflict was over this soldier died, leaving a wife and seven children.  Bill being the eldest, it fell to his lot to be a burden-bearer early in life.  How that son accepted the responsibility and kept faith with his father is a story within itself.  No character in all history could better portray the spirit of patriotism and tradition than was demonstrated by this youth of sixteen years.  Purchasing two yoke of oxen and a large wagon, he established a freight hauling line between Boston and Jefferson. Jefferson at that time was the seat of most of the commercial activity.  The route was hazardous through this wilderness, and often the freighters were attacked by bands of robbers.  The hand of destiny seemed to hover over this lad and no account of any harm ever came to him on these perilous journeys.  The people of Bowie county showed their appreciation of Bill McCright by electing him to office many times.  During his tenure of office as treasurer, he had occasion to demonstrate his courage and loyalty.  Being reliably informed that the bank in which he had the county funds deposited was on the verge of failure he, with two friends, called to investigate the matter.  Realizing the report was true, they compelled the cashier, at the point of guns, to hand over the stipulated amount.  On January 21, 1869, Bill McCright was married to Sara Frances Shipp, youngest daughter of Capt. Samuel Marion and Ellen W. Shipp of Boston, Texas.  They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are still living, as follows: Mrs. A. L. Simms, Simms, Texas; Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, New Boston, Texas; Mrs. J. W. Haralson, New Boston, Texas; Mrs. Roy Dalby, Austin Texas; Warren Salathiel McCright, New Boston, Texas, and Mrs. Lemuel McDuffie, New Boston, Texas.  Capt. Shipp, one of the early settlers of Bowie county, was born in Macon, Georgia, November 14, 1798, and enjoyed the distinction of being a veteran of three wars.  A direct descendant of the colonial patriot, Francis Marion, "The Swamp Fox," Sarah Frances Shipp McCright exemplified all through her life the sturdy character of her forefathers.  The children say the crowning event in their father's life was the day he married their mother.  Being a large land-owner and successful farmer, the McCright home was the rendezvous for the whole country.  People realized that in this sacred shrine dwelt hospitality and sympathy.