On January 25th, City Council declared lot on northeast quarter of Church Square (Block 32) be set aside for Cumberland Presbyterian Church. On April 4th, Gonzales College opened. Enrolling 100 to 110 scholars; sixty of which were women. Built by Captain John Mooney. On April 6th, City Council made plans for ditches to be dug to drain the city. In May, Gonzales’ brass band played on the square to the delight of citizens.
On June 4th, The first issue of the weekly Gonzales Inquirer begun by S.W. Smith and David Darst came off the presses. It is one of the oldest Texas papers still in existence. It was then located in the 300 block of St. Louis Street (Block 18).
“Salutatory” from that first paper:
Agreeable to the well-known custom with Editors, of setting forth in their first number a synopsis of their journal, and not wishing to be found transgressing any of the established rules we, in obedience to that custom, now commence this, our Salutatory. When we first determined to publish a paper in this large, populous and wealthy county, we were moved thereto by what we conceived were the wants of the community at large.– In all towns situated on the Guadaloupe [sic], but one could boast of a press. Those bright stars in the political hemisphere, who rise in a tippling shop and attain the zenith of their glory at a cross roads gathering had no one to abuse for not publishing their speculations on affairs of state; and immense importations of hardware, calico, feathers, tallow, molasses, &c, &c, were made and disposed of without one advertisement chronicling the fact. We felt ourselves called upon to remedy this state of affairs by publishing journal. We accordingly arranged matters, started off for the press, type, &c., and after considerable delay and loss of time, necessarily attending the transportation of our materials– besides having met with sad disappointment in receiving a box containing wrong type—have at last launched our bark, set sails, and—if you extend to us the favorable “wind” kind reader– will endeavor to steer clear of all breakers and safely deliver to you in good season, a rich and valuable cargo.
Other quotes from that first paper follow:
A little more than twelve months ago the town of Gonzales numbered about four hundred inhabitants; now she numbers nearly a thousand. The Inquirer will be published weekly on an imperial sheet of fine paper, neatly executed, for $3.00, if paid in advance.
On June 11th, Kleine Furniture Store was constructed on northeast corner of St. James and St. Matthew Streets (Block 17). Razed later. On June 18th, a mesmerizer arrived in town, and there was an I.O.O.F. meeting at Dr. Logue’s office. On June 25th, Mr. was Miller attacked by panther. The Keyser Hotel was built (middle of Block 11) west of Texas Heroes Square, on St. James Street; and is believed to be the first all-brick building. On July 2nd, a large group of German immigrants passed through town. Their wagons were loaded with sheep they had brought from Germany. On July 2nd, W.V. Collins sold his Livery and Stable to F.M. Chapman. Lyceum Society, a debating club, was reorganized; indicating that it was in existence prior to 1853. Fleas in the street were reported. On September 24th, Dr. C.S. Brown of Gonzales County drove 1100 head of cattle to the mountains where he had purchased land. On November 10th, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge Number 38 formed. On November 12th, the Inquirer moved to brick building previously occupied by Dr. J.G, Logue. On November 19th, reportedly four lodges were active: Odd Fellows, Masons, Sons of Temperance, and Debating Society. DeWitt’s river crossing ferry was still in existence. On December 10th, The Inquirer suggests that a sufficient number of seats be provided in future houses of worship because the previous Sunday there were about 250 people at the courthouse for services and some had to leave due to lack of seating.
