About

The first settlers came to the Stonewall area in the early 1830's. Colonel Edwards moved his family and possessions from Society Hill, South Carolina to a place they named the Bee Gum Community. This is approximately three miles east of the present Town of Stonewall.
Sometime later, friends of Colonel Edwards moved to the North DeSoto Area. Among these were the Witherspoons, Marshalls, Hollembeaks and others. The women came in carriages, the men on horses while their belongings were brought in wagons drawn by oxen and mules. The slaves followed with the livestock.

After building homes and beginning a farmer's life, more provisions were needed. They were ordered from New Orleans and reached Shreve's Port on the Red River. It took time to get to Shreve's Port in those days. They went by wagons over the rough, muddy roads or paths, reaching Shreve's Port after a whole days travel. These trips were not made often.

Soon many families from other communities and states came to make their homes here. Some of the families that have done much toward the building of this community are: Williamson, Powell, Andrews, Loftus, Nicholson, Berry, Gilmer, Lafitte, Hall, and many others.

Black Jack, the first Post Office of the Bee Gum Community, as it was then called, was used in the 1860's. It was located near Welcome Hall, the home of Colonel Edwards. Mail came very irregularly. Later the Star Route Mail came into existence and ran once or twice a week. The route ran from Shreve's Port to Spring Ridge, Stonewall, Kingston, and on to Mansfield.