Feel free to label this the back end of the Times-Review’s Chisholm Trail Trilogy.
In two slightly personalized columns, we gave you the overview history of the trail, talked about how it crossed the Brazos River at Kimball in Bosque County, and how it wound through Johnson County west of Rio Vista and in the direction of Buchanan, once the county seat. Buchanan was located not quite halfway between Cleburne and Godley. No longer does Buchanan exist.
That was the general location of the trail, but it frequently widened as far as Abilene as cattle were driven toward Kansas City. The longhorns were strategically kept as close as possible to water sources and forage.
We learned most of what we included in the first two essays on the Chisholm Trail from published sources and county historians such as Lowell Smith, Betty Bennett Mahanay and the darling of Rio Vista society, Georgia Fuqua, who never failed to make us feel good about life when she brightened our day during preparation of newspaper’s Millennium Celebration issue of 2000.
But this isn’t about Georgia, or Lowell, or Betty or the many national wordsmiths who have contributed to the trail’s history. This is more about a local fellow named John Butner, who should have been recognized long ago as one of Cleburne’s greatest journalists but never really has been.
As editor of the Times-Review after the colorful Jack Proctor — Butner signed off when publisher William Rawland sold the operation to Donrey Media Group — he wrote about numerous subjects in a free-wheeling, narrative style. Whatever Butner wrote about, he wrote well. This piece by Butner on Odie Bennett and the Chisholm Trail, originally printed in 1963, was no exception. Bennett, over whose ranch the Chisholm cows trod, died in 1968 at the age of 81.
Butner wrote:
“ ‘Can you see that road coming down the hillside slightly to the southwest?’ we were asked. We replied that we could, and Odie Bennett told us, ‘Well, that is Highway 174, west of Kimball Bridge, and that’s right on the route of the Chisholm Trail.’
“The visible stretch referred to was about five miles away.
“We had gone with Elmer Edwards to the home of Mr. Bennett seeking information about the location of the Chisholm Trail. Edwards is the chairman of the Johnson County Chapter of the Texas State Historical Society.
“A project of the chapter is marking the ‘Trail’ up which cattlemen from south and southwest Texas used to drive cattle on the way to market in Kansas before the advent of the railroads.
“A few minutes conversation with Bennett convinced us we were talking with the right man. Bennett, who is 77, was born and has lived all his life in the same house four miles west of Rio Vista on County Road 1106, about a mile south of its intersection with FM 916.
“Mr. Bennett’s grandfather moved to Johnson County from Kentucky about 1870 and had a ‘peremptory grant’ from the state on 160 acres. It was from his grandfather and father that Bennett gleaned the information about the famous cattle drives on the Chisholm Trail.
“The Bennett ranch house is located on a hill facing west, overlooking the Brazos valley. We rode with Bennett a few hundred yards south to the intersection of County Road 1106 with a road into Hill County.
“From this point, Bennett showed us the trail which led north-northeast toward Cleburne, past a then famous watering hole known as Newball Springs on Piloty Branch of the Nolan River. The trail led on northeast-ward toward Cleburne until it reached the Nolan, and the trail drivers would go up either side of the river, depending on which side furnished the best grazing for the cattle.
“From this, it can be seen that the Chisholm Trail was not a narrow trail, except at points where the terrain made it necessary, but covered an area several miles in width. Grass and water were the prime considerations, and the drives took the route where this was most available.
“Bennett then faced us to the west and pointed out that most of the drives crossed the Brazos at or near the location of Kimball Bridge. The route from there to the crossroads was not a direct line, but the drives had to bear to the south from Kimball to avoid several large canyons. From our vantage point at the crossroads, we could clearly see Rio Vista to the east and Cleburne and Keene to the northeast.
“To the north and west, the Giddens’ ranch house, the framework of ‘Cinema City,’ Bee Mountain and other famous landmarks can be seen.
“We then rode with Bennett into his pasture on the west side of the county road to the crest of a hill marked by three live oak trees. These trees are visible for many miles from throughout the area.
“Bennett said his grandfather and father had told him that the valley on the south side of this hill was used for a sheltering place for the cattle on drives when cold weather caught the herds on the trail.
“Most of the area is now covered with cedar or other trees, but Bennett said during his boyhood, he remembered well that there were very few trees and it was all pasture.
“At its intersection with the Hill County road, Johnson County Road 1106 turns back eastward toward Rio Vista.
“Bennett and his son, Hugh, donated land to enable the county to make rounded corners at the intersection, and this has left an unused triangle space in the middle of the intersection. It is Bennett’s suggestion that a marker be placed in this triangular space denoting that the Chisholm Trail passed through the point.
“There are many legends about the location of the Chisholm Trail, but when you talk with Bennett, a man who has lived on the trail route for 77 years, you have no doubt that ‘here’s a man who knows.’ ”
Local News
Butner essay captured Chisholm Trail aura
- Cleburne
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
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Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
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Indians on top of selections
- Godley
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
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Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Kicking into high gear
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
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Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
- Grandview, Burleson, Cleburne lead first team selections
- Centennial places two on second team; Alvarado lands three players
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Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
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- Trained rescue dogs look to be adopted and loved
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Never forgotten
