Gause, Texas. (original) (raw)

Gause United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2008

History in a Pecan Shell

At last! A town named after the pioneering settler and not a railroad official, brakeman or track-walker. The man was William J. Gause and the year was 1872. There was a strong railroad connection, however, for Mr. Gause granted a right-of-way to the Missouri Pacific Railroad and that was responsible for the town's early and almost immediate prosperity.

Gause was a shipping point for Milam County farmers who shipped corn, cotton and cottonseed oil (ginned and processed right there in Gause). But by the 1920's, the town started into a decline as did many Texas towns.

The automobile became affordable and the problem of "keeping them down on the farm" was indeed a reality after World War I. Being only 16 miles from the county seat, made it easy for Gausians to spend their income in Cameron.

At its population high-water mark, there were 1,000 people living in Gause, although it's hard to imagine that now. The population reached its lowest point with just over 200 people in the 1970s. The population is experiencing current growth (est. 400) as many people are escaping the larger towns that their grandparents found so magnetic.

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Gause, Texas Landmarks

Early 1920's Photo of Original Brazos River Bridge in Gause TX under Construction

Found this photo in my Mothers Old Photo box. Her Name is Louise Lange Clos. She was Born in Gause TX in 1927. Her Parents were Louie and Margie Lange of Gause TX. I believe this bridge was located behind The Lange Family Property which was located between Hearne and Gause on Hwy 79. There was a state Park back there also. This photo is was taken during the Construction of that Bridge. - Suellen Denis, January 22, 2014

Photos courtesy Joe Williams

Gause, Texas Forum

Subject: Milam County Texas
There was a man named Bigfoot Ray or John Bigfoot Ray who was killed in a bar fight in Rosebud, Texas. I don't know the year but it was probably in the 1920's. He was part Native American. He was from Mississippi or Alabama. Someone said he was buried in an Indian cemetery on the way to Gause, Texas but I don't know if that is correct. Would anyone have a source that might make mention of a Bigfoot Ray or a John Bigfoot Ray? Thanks, Ross Smith, July 19, 2006. rsmith6670@msn.com

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