The “Mosquito Effect” and the History and Development of San Saba There is a concept in the theory of complex systems popularly known as the “Butterfly Effect” which describes how a small, seemingly insignificant occurrence such as the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can eventually cascade into major, important outcomes. A seemingly tiny event, a mosquito bite on the Gulf coast of Texas in the early 19th century, would have just such an impact on the future town of San Saba.
The early years of the 20th century saw a rapid expansion of new homes and development in San Saba of businesses and churches. The region was recovering from a dark period of vigilantism, new businesses were starting up and within the first decade, the county would see a new courthouse and the incorporation of the city of San Saba as pioneer settlers and developers divided blocks of land, sold lots and built homes. The first railroad train into the city arrived in 1911. The story of all the homes, churches and businesses of the Harwood/Fentress addition of San Saba begins with the death of Galveston businessman Joseph Brown in July,1844.
Joseph Porter Brown and his brother David Franklin Brown moved from Maury County Tennessee to Texas in the 1830s, first Joseph, in the spring of 1838 and later, in 1839, his brother David Franklin. By the early 1840s, Joseph Porter had established himself in Galveston, shipping lumber between that city and New Orleans. In 1844 Joseph, his wife, Jane, daughter, Sarah, son, Joe Frazier and the family’s servants were stricken by one of the periodic outbreaks of yellow fever which plagued Texas’ gulf coast in the 19th century. Everyone in the household except for Joseph recovered. In August of 1844 Jane’s brother George Frazier, wrote to Col. Joseph Brown in Tennessee to inform him that his son had died. Joseph Porter’s death left the family in some financial distress for, while he had the shipping business, Joseph had also accumulated significant debts, much of it to his brothers. In an effort to realize as much value as possible from his brother’s assets, both to provide for his widow and children and to satisfy creditors, David Franklin Brown took on the administration of his brother’s estate. Among the assets in Joseph Porter Brown’s estate were land certificates granted by the Republic.
(to be continued)