Dallas History Items:
John Neely Bryan Writes Home

John Neely Bryan is most remembered as the founder of Dallas, but his life did not end after he settled on the east bank of the Trinity in 1841. He had an active family and business life typical of many of the early pioneers.

In 1855, he argued with a man and shot him. Thinking the man dead and afraid of reprisals, he fled to the Indian Territory. Though his victim did recover from his wounds, Bryan stayed away from Dallas for about six years.

During his time away, he wrote many letters home to his family and friends. Below are two he wrote to his best friend, Alexander Cockrell. Both come from the Sarah Horton Cockrell Collection. A68.12. Gift of Monroe Cockrell.

Bryan to Cockrell, written from Fort Arbuckle, Chickasaw Nation (in modern-day Oklahoma), February 25, 1856.

Bryan to Cockrell, written from Jamestown, California, January 2, 1858.

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