BORDEN, GAIL, JR.

(1801-1874)

     Gail Borden, Jr., inventor, publisher, surveyor, and founder of the Borden Company, son of Gail and Philadelphia (Wheeler) Borden, was born in Norwich, New York, on November 9, 1801. In 1816 the family moved to New London, Indiana, where Borden obtained his only formal schooling, totaling not more than a year and a half. He is thought to have been captain of the local militia when barely twenty years old. In 1822 he was a principal figure in rescuing a freedman from rustlers. Shortly afterward he moved to Mississippi in search of a milder climate to cure a persistent cough. In Mississippi Borden surveyed and taught school. In 1826 he was official surveyor for Amite County as well as deputy federal surveyor.

Originally a part of Bexar District; created August 21, 1876; organized March 17, 1891. Named in honor of Gail Borden, 1801-1874, pioneer surveyor, newspaper editor, and inventor of the process of condensing milk; Gail, county seat.

Built of hand-hewn native stone from Gail Mountain, this jail planned for maximum security. Is one of the oldest jails in use in West Texas. Diebold Safe and Lock Co. was awarded the $4,500 contract in 1896. Behind two-foot thick outside walls, the cell walls and floor are of 1/3 inch case hardened steel plates, impervious to hack saw blades. Doors fastened with huge hasps and padlocks opened by six-inch key. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.

"I tried and failed.  I tried again and again and succeeded."

                                Gail Borden

1902-1904 Land Rushes

Cowboys and settlers fought here in early days for right to claim lands placed in public domain in 1902 by Texas courts. To keep land they were using, ranchers sent their men, wearing blue ribbon armbands, to file claims at office of county clerk. Nesters, with red ribbons, rushed for same land. To avoid bloodshed, Sheriff W. K. Clark disarmed the men. For 3 days prior to deadlines, the cowboys and nesters had knockdown, dragout fights at the filing window. Later, nesters starved out, because of drouths; land they took up reverted to grazing. (1970)