My last post included Roberts, TX, a small town 17 miles from Greenville and a mysterious death that involved a man ‘falling from his horse a corpse’ while passing near said town. But there are more interesting Roberts in the story! Read on.
Oran M. Roberts, the governor who sold the land and gave his name to Roberts, TX, worked briefly with a man by the name of Meshack (Shack) Roberts. Shack Roberts was a Republican Representative for Rusk and Harrison Counties. Shack was born a slave and was the property of O.B. Roberts, a Confederate soldier. (There are too many ‘Roberts’ in this story, hence the use of first names. Apologies for the informality.) Shack obviously took his owner’s last name and was given charge of looking after the family while O.B. was away at war*. Upon returning, O.B. gave Shack land and materials to build his own cabin. Shack made use of his new station in life, becoming a blacksmith, a Methodist minister, dabbling in politics and having a hand in starting Wiley College – the first black college west of the Mississippi. (Wiley College still exists in Marshall, Texas. It is a 4 year liberal arts college.)
*Away at war, fighting for the right to continue to own the human who was watching over his family, by the way.
Our Roberts continue in the next installment! There is more intriguing Bob history for everyone!
Are you a Roberts who enjoys history? Book a tour.
Read more about Oran M Roberts here.
