Meansville

Meansville was three miles southeast of the site of present-day Odem in south central San Patricio County. One of the first settlers in the area was William Means, who arrived before the Civil War. Means was elected county sheriff in 1862 and served until 1867. The center of the community seems to have been a two-story building erected in 1874 that doubled as a school and church on the lower floor and a lodge hall on the second. Methodists, Disciples of Christ, and Baptists held church services in the building. A Mr. Cherry operated a store nearby. A notation in the commissioners' court minutes in 1881 gave permission to sell the building for $300, saying that it had been abandoned as a school.

The night of January 30, 1876, precipitated a series of events that brought the community to an ignominious end. Three of Means's sons on a spree in the Bee County town of Papalote shot up a general store, then fled to their father's ranch. A posse gave chase, with the aid of San Patricio county sheriff Ed Garner, and in the confrontation that ensued at the Means's place Means was killed. His sons swore vengeance. On a Sunday in August of the same year, the Means boys ambushed the unarmed Ed Garner in church, gunning him down in front of his family and neighbors.

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Keith Guthrie | © TSHA

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Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

Belongs to

Meansville is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

No

Place type

Meansville is classified as a Town

Location

Latitude: 27.91876700
Longitude: -97.56608600

Has Post Office

No

Is Incorporated

No