Gracey, Emory A.

(First Published in 1908, Sixty Years In Texas by George Jackson)

A prominent and prosperous Dallas County farmer, was born in Bond County, Illinois, March 13th, 1837, the youngest son of eleven children of William and Isabella M. (Harris) Gracey, natives of South Carolina, of Scotch and Irish descent, and pioneer settlers of Illinois. At the age of 13 years Mr. Gracey came to Texas by way of steamboat to New Orleans, and thence up Red River to Jefferson, Texas, and walked nearly 200 miles to Dallas County.

He went to work immediately, finding employment with J. M. Crockett at $12.00 per month. He worked for him a few months, and then went to work for his brother in Ellis, now Johnson, County, helping him to improve his farm. In the fall of 1854 he went with M. T. Johnson, after whom Johnson County was named, and Capt. Robert Sloan. He went to Ft. Belknap, as a prospector for the Texas & Pacific Railroad Company. From that time to 1860 he was engaged in the live stock business.

The Indians had become very troublesome, and had committed many depredations. They had been stealing horses and killing people and scalping them in the counties further west. Mr. Gracey then joined a party of rangers, and was in many Indian fights. In one fight they killed one Indian and captured two, and nine horses, and thirteen at another time. After a year thus engaged the Civil War broke out, and Mr. Gracey enlisted in Company H, Captain J. B. Barry, of the First Texas Calvary, Colonel H. E. McCullough commanding. They took the first line of post vacated by the United States forces on the frontier of Texas. He was also at Camp Cooper when surrendered to the Confederates, and remained there until April, 1862, during which time they were in eight engagements with Indians, killing seventeen and captured 47 head of horses, and having four men killed and thirteen wounded, besides two mortally frightened--at least, they were never heard of afterwards.

In April, 1862, the company was reorganized, and Mr. Gracey elected Second Lieutenant. They were then ordered to the Rio Grande to hold the Mexicans in check, and at one time they were without bread for twenty-four days. They were sent with a detachment into Mexico to buy mules for the Confederate Government. They purchased 60 head near Monterey for $7.00 per head.

Next they were sent to Corpus Christi and Gonad and Sabine Pass. At the latter place they had a battle with the Federal troops, and captured two gunboats and 160 prisoners. Here Mr. Gracey was promoted to First Lieutenant. After this they went to Louisiana, 'and were in several engagements, and were at Keechie, Louisiana, at the time of the sur¬render. He then returned to Dallas County.

He married Miss Martha Amanda Matlock. They have raised a large family. Fourteen children were born to them, five of them dying in infancy.