First Cotton In Knox County

by John H. Bates
1964

In 1887, two Goree territory farmers planted a cotton crop. They were Mr. A. Park's, father of Mrs. F.F. Heard, and M. L. Arnold, who was a half brother to my father, Ross Bates.

Mr. Arnold hauled his first bale to the gin in Albany and the second one to Wichita Falls. And Mr. Parks hauled his to Albany. The cotton sold for less than 5 cents per pound.

We have in our possession a green colored, glass lamp which Mr. Arnold bought in Albany as a present for his mother when he hauled the first bale to Albany in 1887.