The "Mosquito Effect" and the History and Development of San Saba
Over the next half century, following the death of Joseph Porter Brown, the land on the south bank of the San Saba River, patented to Brown’s estate, changed hands at different times among his nieces and nephews. On December 29, 1856, Dr. Brown’s son-in-law, Dr. James C. Rogan, bought 721 acres from the tract and on the same date sold 245.7 acres to his sister-in-law, Cordelia Brown. On April 14, 1874, Cordelia sold the same 245.7 acres to her sister Clara’s husband, Dr. David Wendel Fentress. Dr. Fentress, after purchasing this portion of the Ozwin Wilcox survey, set about dividing the tract into blocks, lots and dividing streets. This tract would eventually become the Harwood/Fentress addition to the town of San Saba. One of the blocks near the center of the tract was sold in 1877 to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and, still today, is the site of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The home built directly across the street from St. Luke’s by Winston Chapman Edwards would be the birthplace of his son, Heywood Lane Edwards who many years later, as the captain of the U.S. destroyer, The Reuben James, sunk by a German U boat weeks before Pearl Harbour, would have the distinction of being among the first U.S. casualties of World War II.
Over the years the family of David Franklin Brown would have a continuing important role in the development of San Saba. Today we see a part of their legacy reflected in our street names, Brown, Fentress, Harwood and others. More importantly, they took an active and impactful part in the civic life of San Saba. For example, David’s g-g-ggrandson, Jack Burleson Miller, would serve with distinction in WW II, attend law school, return to San Saba and be elected county judge. Later, he would be recalled to service in the army during the Korean war. After returning to San Saba, he would practice law until being elected District Attorney for the 33rd Judicial District and then District Judge in 1960. Jack Miller continued to serve the people of San Saba for the rest of his life. And today his descendants continue to play an active role in law and commerce in San Saba. And that role of service promises to continue when the current generation, the g-g-g-g-g-g-grandsons of David Franklin Brown come of age.
So, that wayward insect who infected Joseph Porter Brown with yellow fever in 1844 may not have been a butterfly, but there can be little doubt that the “mosquito effect” was impactful.