Sampson Connell was born May 3 1857. in Milam county and at the age of 14 (in .1871) moved with, his Parents to Williamson county, where he had lived ever since. He was married January 3, 1883. at Liberty Hill. to Miss Lily Bainbridge who with six children--
Sampson Connell. Mrs. Halsey Davis, Mrs. Jim Shaw, Mrs. Wayne Magill. Maude Southern, and Miss Willie Connell --survive him. He was first elected sheriff of this county in 1888, serving one term, and, after an interval of 10 years, was again elected in 1898, serving seven consecutive terms, or 14 years, and then retiring voluntarily. At the Democratic primary in July of last year he was nominated as Flotorial Representative in the Legislature from the 92nd District composed of Burnet and Williamson counties. and was elected in November. In his early manhood he became a member of the Christian church and never had any other denominational affiliations. He was a Mason and an ancient Odd Fellow.
Sampson Connell was a bighearted man, and a kind and loving husband and father. He was charitable and benevolent and had raised several children besides. his own, among them an adopted son to whom he was a real father and who was as devoted to him as any or his children.
Sixty-one years ago I attended a First Monday in Georgetown, Texas. It was my First Monday, and what a sight for a 12-year-old boy! The, own was crowded with wagons, and all kinds of horses and mules. People of all kinds were there. The large square around the court house was packed with people buying, Belli and trading livestock. Many wagons had hogs, goats and sheep in them. A few coops of game chickens, saddles, bridles, chaps and spurs. One old fellow and his wife were selling ducks and geese. Directly I saw a large man, riding a fine sorrel horse through the crowds. He was smiling and waving to everyone. I knew him well. He was Sam Connell, the Sheriff of Williamson county—a man all people honored and loved. Also the rougher element of the section honored and feared him- The Sheriff had a reputation of always getting the law violators when he rode after them. At that time the Sheriff did not sit in his office and give his deputies orders as many do now. He saddled up and said, "Come on, boys." He was a leader, and usually got his man. Other than a fearless officer, Sam Connell was a natural leader of people in all walks of life. He served as Sheriff of Williamson county for many years. He rode the best of horses to be had. He wore a big Stetson hat, boots and spurs, and was a general favorite in that section. He used only two deputies, except for emergencies.
He was kind and considerate. But he never failed to do his duty as an officer. He rode hundreds of miles monthly—day and night he was on the job. The bad boys dreaded Sam Connell. In the early days horse-thieves and outlaws were operating, and Sam Connell landed many of them in jail. He was a great man and a Sheriff second to none. He had a way of getting the bad boys that was almost unbelievable. His work was done by hard riding and straight shooting when it was necessary. Sam Connell was a widely-known pioneer officer in an early day. I am not certain, but I believe he was Sheriff for 16 or 18 years.
Like hundreds of other pioneers of Williamson county I knew and loved he has long ago passed on. But their memories linger on and on in my heart. I grew up among the Central Texas pioneers, and they were a noble race of people.
J. L. LANE.
Historical Narrative by Billie Connell Jordan
SAMPSON CONNELL IV. was born May 3, 1857 in Milam County, Texas to Sampson and Missouri Hudspeth Connell.
In 1871, he moved with his parents to Williamson County, settling on Bear Creek six miles north of Liberty Hill. The family camped out under trees while father and sons built the large two-story house using rock which was quarried by hand and plentiful. This land was part of his grandfather Connell's donation certificate.
His grandfather, Sampson Connell, emigrated to Texas from Tennessee in 1834. He was a veteran of War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans, member of First Regiment of Texas Volunteers, and gallant soldier of the Battle of San Jacinto. His father, asa lad of fourteen, accompanied his father delivering the last load of supplies into the Alamo and was present at Battle of San Jacinto.
Sampson's father died in 1873. He and his older brother assumed responsibility for their mother and six younger children. He was busy farming and ranching when William and Virginia John son Bainbridge moved into the community in 1876 from Alabama. Their only daughter, Lillie Ann, born October 10, 1862 in Demopolis, Alabama caught Sampson's attention. During their courtship years, they attended many church camp-meetings and singings in the community.
In 1879, Sampson was away on cattle drives and came home when possible. His letters to Lillie told of rain, cold and loneliness on the cattle trail. September 4, 1882, he wrote he was on the road to Quachita (Washita) Indian Territory with 2000 head of cattle for Standard Cattle Company. When he got through with the cattle, he would go back to Colorado City, Mitchell County, Texas. He hoped to arrive home around first of November.
Sampson and Lillie married January 3, 1883 in Williamson County. They had ten children (four died in infancy): Effie, Beulah, Evie, Maude, Sampson V. and Willie; an adopted son Wilmer, and raised three homeless children: Willie, Mabel and Maudie Carr.
I884, Sampson took his wife and baby in a covered wagon when h drove Cattle up the Chisholm Trail. Lillie became very ill, so Sam sent her and Effie home by train half way up the trail.
He was engaged in stock raising and farming at Liberty Hill, until he became constable and deputy sheriff of that precinct, serving four years.
Sampson was first elected sheriff in 1888 and moved his family to Georgetown. He served one term. He won the election in 1890, but lost on a technicality. The following years, he ran a livery stable and hotel.
In 1898, he was again elected sheriff and served fourteen years, retiring voluntarily. Sampson was a large man and rode the best horses to be had. He wore a big Stetson hat, boots and spurs. He was a man all people honored and liked; even the law violators honored and feared him. Sheriff Connell had a reputation of being a fearless officer, natural leader of people in all walks of life; a kind and considerate man.
Lillie was a brave and gracious woman. The Sheriff's residence was in the county jail and she raised her large family there. Sheriff Connell would be gone for many days at a time and she always carried out her duties in overseeing the cooking for the prisoners and made sure they had their meals on time.
Sampson was a member elect of the Thirty-fourth Legislature from the Flotorial district of Williamson and Burnet Counties at the time of his death on January 10, 1915. Lillie died January 10, 1931. Both are buried at Liberty Hill Cemetery.
Billie Connell Jordan