THE WELL

Early Saint Jo settlers hauled water in barrels on sleds from the Elm Creek springs until the community had about 80 residents. We do not know that actual date, but that is when the first well was dug on the square. We do have records that by 1885, the community had 500 population. We have almost a complete set of city minutes.

1884 - August 4
A committee of 4 composed of Z.T. Puryear, B.H. Miller, W.N. Bellah, and J.J. Hendricks were appointed to see about digging a public well on the square . (At first glance this appears to be the first well on the plaza...but on

1885 -April 10
The street committee was told to fill in one or both of the old public wells on the square.

1885-May 4
Street committee reported both old wells filled in as directed.

1887-August 6
Bill for well rope approved.

1903-July 6
...walkways leading from 4 ways to the well.

1909- July 5
A petition to repair the water trough on the square.

1936-Dec. 4 WPA PROJECTS
“...rock masonry in center of public square; fill center of public plaza with good soil,
(the soil in the center of the square was 1350 cubic yards.)

1965- Feb .1
Mayor Westall Williams stated that a group wanted to open the old water well on the plaza, in keeping with the western theme being carried at the present. A motion was made by Ald. Jess Shields and seconded by Clint Coventry to let the committee open the old well on the plaza and build a stone wall around it. Motion carried . (This is not the stone wall around the plaza done by the WPA .This is the design of the well project.)

It is written that Lewis Lauderdale (first curator of the STONEWALL SALOON MUSEUM) had a conversation with Johnny Tucker, the City Water Superintendent about the well and it's location. Lewis thought he knew the location so Johnny took his water probe and the well was located in a short time. After Johnny had the well uncovered, he went down in the well and cleaned it out. Joe Bailey, a local bricklayer was hired to do the stone work. Wooden panels were added with names of 5o pioneers and the well and structure were dedicated In Memory of the courageous Pioneers of Saint Jo Texas.

There is a letter to Weldon Dennis from his friend Lewis Lauderdale for helping make the historic well restoration a complete success, dated April 12, 1965. It stated, ”It had already become a tourist attraction.” There was an oaken bucket secured for the well project by “Red” Talley. Sadly, the plaques and bucket are no longer there.

1976 America's Bi Centennial
A fashion show of colonial dresses and costumes was held with the well as the focal point.

The cowboys and the long horns must have enjoyed finding the clear fresh sweet cool water at the springs of Elm Creek, maybe the cowboys even had an adult refreshment across the way at the Stonewall Saloon.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WELL, VISIT THE STONEWALL SALOON MUSEUM.