(Obit - Captian Merit Branum, born Feb. 18, 1825, d. Jan. 24, 1900, at his home 
near town. He fell from a wagon sometime in the forenoon, but his injuries were 
thought to be slight. Dr. McFarlin was called in and administered to him, but 
soon left the Captain cheerful and doing well. But in a few minutes he asked his 
son, Merit, to raise him up. He did so, but instead of relief the old man died 
at once in the arms of his son. Thus passed away, a hero of a thousand dangers 
and a pioneer of his race. Since 1839, he has been of and for Hopkins County 
and Texas. A Captain of the Texas Rangers, when to be a private in the ranks 
during the civil war was a mark of the strongest manhood. He looked after the 
welfare of the few settlements in this part of the state and made it possible 
for the whites to survive the fury of their Indian enemies. In peace and in war 
he has for these long years followed the path of duty as a lover of his country 
and his God.)