"At the age of 26, I was struck with wanderlust, selling my little home, trading the northeast corner lot there for a pony, and pulled for Brady.  I arrived here the 6th of May 1876, to find only a few campers.  One Camp on Live Oak, the other at Brady; two log houses, one where the N. B. Embry gin now stands being erected by H. C. Fulcher, the other where P. C. Dutton's home now stands, being erected for Mr. Dutton.
    "There were at Live Oak three families from Arkansas-two of Fryers; Joe Smith, now of the Nine community.  At Brady, H. C. and N. P. Fulcher, Mr. Dutton and family, and as we all called him, Uncle Jim Brooks, who was admired by all.  He was ever ready to assist you in any way possible if he believed you worthy.  In my imagination I can see him as he saddled up "Old Roan" daily, with the sheep skin thrown over his saddle, and pulled out to visit the different camps and to have a good time.  On his return he would stop at H. C. Fulcher's and have him get out his old bass violin.  Those two old pals would have a good time.
    "You judge a tree by its fruit.  Then, by a close scrutiny of P. C. and Willie Dutton, you may know what Brady is and has been.  Willie is a native of Brady, while P. C. was only a small kid then.  You see, if we failed to have plenty, our neighbors did, and it was free.  These, I think, came to Brady in '75.
    "There were several families at Voca-the Willises, Deans, and Spillers...
    "...Other pioneers who came later, such as W. B. and J. H. White and their good families were ever ready to contribute to the welfare of all; Tal Willoughby, another faithful, also James Campbell and others that space forbids their mention.
    "These have all blazed the way for the oncoming of thousands who have builded a beautiful little city in the wake of the log cabins of their predecessors, but many have passed to their final reward and have been planted beneath the sheltering shade in a land they loved so well, while I am still permitted to be here and enjoy the friendship of the pioneers that remain and the newcomer.
    "Success to all is my prayer.