Maj. George W. Littlefield

November 12, 2006

(This week’s article is taken from the publication put together for Littlefield’s Golden Anniversary in 1963, Please note this article was written some time ago, and not all its contents are considered politically correct today; however, in the interest of accuracy, the article was submitted as originally written.)

"There is a monument in the cemetery at Austin, Texas, which marks the resting place of Major George W. Littlefield. The real memorial to our founder is carved into the hearts of all Texans. The history of Texas and the annals of our community are but the image and reflection of the man whose name our city proudly bears.

"Littlefield was the eldest son of Fleming and Mildred T. Littlefield. He was born in Panola County, Mississippi on June 21, 1842. The family moved to Texas in the fall of 1850, settling on the rich valley land of the Guadalupe River about fifteen miles above the town of Gonzales.

"Three years after the family moved to Texas, Fleming Littlefield Died. His widow continued the cotton farming with success and increased her holdings up to the outbreak of the Civil War. During the war, she aided the Confederate cause. She died on June 8, 1880.

"George was in and out of schools from the time he was 12 years old. He finally quit school but in later life expressed regret that he had not pursued his studies further than he did.

"At the outbreak of the Civil War, George enlisted in Capt. Isham G. Jones’ Company of B. F. Terry’s Regiment, later designated Company 1, Eighth Texas Cavalry, better known as Terry’s Texas Rangers. In the organization Littlefield was elected second sergeant.

"Littlefield soon rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant, subsequently to First Lieutenant and a short time after the battle of Shiloh to the rank of Captain. He accompanied General Bragg on his raid into Kentucky in the fall of 1862. With eight companies under his command he ran head-on into the Union forces under General Buell. Littlefield’s Texas Rangers were cut off from friendly lines, but charged the larger army resulting in the capture of 800 enemy prisoners.

"During the fight Littlefield and three of his Rangers were cut off from the remainder of their troops. They followed a squad of Ohio Cavalry and killed and captured 12 men, including four officers.

"Littlefield and his small band were attacked by enemy cavalry and forced to retreat, leaving behind their prisoners. After engaging in several battles, he and two other officers were sent back to Texas on recruiting duty.

"While in Texas he married Alice P. Tiller, stepdaughter of Whitfield Harral, in Houston on January 14, 1862. Three weeks later he was again in the battle area at the battle of Chickamauga.

"On December 26, 1863, Littlefield, then acting Major of his regiment, was hit by a piece of flying shell. The shell hit a cartridge box on his pistol belt exploding the cartridges and driving several pistol balls into his hip, making a wound eleven by nine inches. He fell from his horse and while on the ground, General Tom Harrison promoted him to the rank of Major for ‘gallantry on the field of battle’. When he was taken to the field hospital, the Division Surgeon took one look and said he would not live through the night.

"It was not until April, 1864 that Littlefield was able to return to the battle area. However, the surgeons advised that he retire from the service, which he did. Littlefield, with Nathan, his faithful colored servant, started the long journey to Texas from Dalton, Georgia. They arrived in Gonzales in the middle of September 1864, with Littlefield still suffering from his wound.

"In 1865, a bountiful crop was gathered and he opened a small mercantile business on his mother’s plantation. In 1869-70 there was a destructive overflow of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers, leaving most of the crops in the valley completely inundated. He realized he could not operate both the farm and business, so Littlefield gathered what cattle were left and drove them to Abilene, Kansas. He returned and paid off the family’s debts, and had $3,600 which he used to open a mercantile store in Gonzales with J. C. Dilworth, a boyhood friend.

"Littlefield and Dilworth also bought cattle with Littlefield taking charge of getting them to market while Dilworth operated the store. The mercantile store was liquidated in 1887 when Dilworth died.

"Later that same year, Littlefield stocked a range in Oldham County and in 1881 sold it to a Scotch Syndicate for $253,000. In 1882 he established a ranch on the Pecos River in New Mexico where he owned 25,000 head of high grade cattle. In addition he owned 75,000 acres in Mason County on which he placed 6,000 head of cattle. In 1901, with his nephews, J. P. and T. D. White, he bought the famous Yellow House Ranch from Capitol Syndicate. This ranch held pasture lands in Lamb, Cochran, Hockley, and Bailey Counties.

"The Yellow House Ranch, of which the town of Littlefield is a part, originally comprised over 300,000 acres and was sold to Littlefield for $2 per acre. In addition he owned several other pieces of property and several thousand head of prime cattle. At his death in 1920, his wealth was estimated at $6 million.

"Major Littlefield organized the American National Bank of Austin in 1890. He was made its president and remained the head of the bank until his death. He erected the Littlefield office building in Austin in 1912.

"In addition to his great wealth, Littlefield was a man of vision and a contributor to higher education in Texas. It is estimated that during his life he gave more than $2 million to the University of Texas.

"In 1912, he saw the possibilities of the Plains country as farm land. In the summer and fall of that year 70,000 acres of the Yellow House Ranch were surveyed and formed into small farming tracts of 177.1 acres each and placed on the market for sale.

"The town of Littlefield was laid off at the same time and lots were advertised for sale. As a result the town sprang into existence.

"Then later Arthur P. Duggan Sr. was placed in charge of the Littlefield lands and town site. The country rapidly developed into one of the best farming sections in the Plains. Littlefield also used his influence in securing the railroad line which the Santa Fe Company built through here in 1913.

"For several months before his death he was confined to his home. On November 10, 1920 he died at his home in Austin at the age of 78. His wife Alice died in 1935. They are buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.

"The old Negro servant, Nathan Stokes, during the lifetime of Littlefield was a subject of special attention and care, for he had served with striking fidelity for three generations. He survived his master several years and was placed at his death in 1936 beside Major Littlefield in compliance with Littlefield’s will. Nathan lived to be 102 years old.

"Major Littlefield can rightly be given a place among great men of our state. In the gloomy days of the construction period after the Civil War, he showed the real pioneer spirit of our people, and optimist, a builder and a progressor under adverse circumstances. He is known as one of the greatest philanthropists of his age. He was benevolent in spirit and in deed and often alleviated the suffering of others. He was loved and admired by his fellow men.

"Littlefield, as a growing community, reviews with pride the life of its noble founder.

This article, along with much more, will soon be exhibited at your local museum. We’re about to open the office, hopefully from 1:00 to 5:00 weekdays. Since I’m the only staff member, by necessity, there will be days when the time schedule will have to be changed – UNLESS I can get a volunteer or two to keep it open for me. We still need volunteers for other things, as well.