John W. Fogg
In memory of
John W.
Fogg
Born in
Salem, New Jersey,
Sept. 3, 1825
Died in
Corpus Christi, Oct 30, 1896
“Rest in Peaceâ€
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Photograph of John Fogg
A. Photo 1
Provenance: Corpus Christi Public Libraries
B. Photo 2
John Fogg (left) and Frank Gregory
Provenance: Corpus Christi Public Libraries
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Gazette, February 14, 1874, p. 1, col. 1 & 2
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
3. News Item
Twenty years ago, last Monday , MR. John Fogg started the first transport dray on the streets of Corpus Christi. What a contrast! On last Monday he introduced the first regular hearse, a perfect model in its makeup. We like to ride, but prefer delaying our ride in that
concern as long as possible.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Gazette June 6, 1874, p. 3, col. 11
Research: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin
4. News Item
The first stage on the new line from this place to Rio Grande City, started from Corpus on the 19th inst., and returned last evening. The stage is a fine large four-horse coach, with good cover and seats. The stage took three passengers on its first trip, and the irrepressible
John Fogg, one of the proprietors of the line, occupied the box, where he was in his glory. It returned to this place, in time for the passengers from Rio Grande City to take the mail boat, leaving this morning, thus enabling them to reach the steamers for Galveston and New
Orleans, without any delay. The stages run half distance from each end of the line, meet at Guadaloupe Ranch, where the passengers are transferred. We believe that ere long, this route will be liberally patronized, by those going North and East from Mexico.
Source: Nueces Valley (W) April 22, 1871, p. 3, col. 2
Research: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin
5. News Item
Mr. John Fogg has refitted his bar room in splendid style. The ceiling and three sides of the room have been painted a pure white, the remaining side, which is behind the counter, is composed of panel work, with white ground and panels of a delicate pea green. Opposite the centre panel hangs a large mirror, beneath the mirror a small upper shelf supported on neat scroll work brackets of black walnut, the work of Mr. Reed of this city, and beneath this comes the main shelf of the bar, covered with a strip of fine Brussels carpet. The counter is white, with a base in imitation of granite, and otherwise finished in imitation of rosewood, while its top consists of a fine marble slab. The appointments of the bar are in keeping with the room and its fittings, so that the whole presents a very attractive appearance, and is probably as fine a bar as there is in the State.
Source: Nueces Valley, July 1, 1871 page 3, col. 2
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
6. News Item
Fogg's Livery Stable
We delight in recommendations when we have anything really worthy to recommend. For this reason we cannot refrain from recommending the livery stable of our old friend, John Fogg. His horses receive the best attention and his vehicles are unexcelled in this portion of Texas.
Travelers can obtain quick transportation to any point by applying to him. He is prepared at all times to accommodate the traveling public on short notice. A thorough livery man, he understands his business.
Source: Corpus Christi Daily Gazette, January 6, 1876, p. 4, col. 1
Research: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin
7. News Item
"It is There for You "
A good story is told about John Fogg an old timer well known here and on the lower Rio Grande, and who, for a number of years kept a livery stable and saloon in Corpus Christi. He was a good joker and often funny, but not very religious. While he was in business a new Methodist minister arrives in the city and starts out to meet the people and get acquainted. About the first man he sees is Mr. Fogg. He says: "I am glad to meet you, Mr. Fogg. I am the new Methodist minister here and I would be glad to have you come to church." I never go to church, but my wife, she goes to church," said Mr. Fogg. " Well, I am sorry for you
but would you mind helping out a little? " Said the reverend gentleman. "No, I can give you two dollars and a half, if that will do, " said Mr. Fogg. " Certainly, and I want to thank you for it, " said the minister. In about a month the good man met Mr. Fogg and said to him, " I am
pleased to see you again and I want to say that I have not seen you at church yet. Mr. Fogg replied, " Well, I told you that I don't go to church. " Well, it is there for you, " said the preacher. In about a week he received a bill for two dollars and a half for whiskey. He was
shocked of course, and goes down to the saloon, thinking there must be some mistake. Meeting Mr. Fogg he says, " Mr. Fogg, you sent me a bill for whiskey. I never ordered any whiskey from you. I never ran a whiskey bill in my life, and you have sent me a bill for two dollars and a half's worth of whiskey. Mr. Fogg looked up with a smile on his face and said, " Well, it is there for you. The minister took the joke good-naturedly and he and the saloon man had a good laugh together, and, it is said, became fast friends.
From the series " Looking back on Corpus Christi
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, January 15, 1928, 2nd sec. p. 1, col. 5-6 and p. 2, col. 4-5
Research: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin
Sale of livery
An article from the 27 July 1930 issue of the Caller-Times quotes an older issue of the Caller from July of 1890 and gives the following information.
Well Known Livery Stable Sold.
John W. Fogg sells his stable in this city to A. F. Starr from Weatherford for the sum of eight thousand dollars, the property consisting of two lots on Mesquite street, stables, vehicles and carriage horses. Mr. Fogg is said to be an old timer in this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Fogg are reported preparing to go away on an extended visit to Philadelphia to see Mr. Fogg’s old home and the people he knew when he was a boy.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
8. Invoice to City of Corpus Christi
Provenance: Corpus Christi Public Libraries
Source:
Webb, Leila M. Historical Bay View Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Texas. January 21, 1957
Provenance: Corpus Christi Public Libraries
10. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (April 14, 1999). Available on microfilm.
11. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (August 9, 2000). Available on microfilm.
12. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (August 16, 2000). Available on microfilm.
13. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (May 14, 2004).
14. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (June 21, 2006).
15. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (October 11, 2006).
16. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (January 16, 2008).
17. Excerpt from The Story of Corpus Christi, by Mary A. Sutherland
The first city hack was brought on a few years after the War by the veteran stable owner, John Fogg, and immediately found favor. An election was approaching and one of the candidates scored a point by engaging the only hack in sight to carry his friends to the polls. Things were going fine with him, all his way, until he persuaded a gruff old gentleman to ride to the voting place. Arriving, the old fellow refused to quit without a longer ride. This was repeated over and over. Becoming angry, the candidate attempted force, only to be met by a rather ugly gun. The news got out and our angry politician was the butt of the crowd. Up one street and down another sailed the hack with its solemn passenger with the gun. The driver solved the problem by driving into the stable and unhitching the horses. Then, and only then, did our man condescend to alight, walk to the box and vote for the other fellow. Other vehicles followed, and even as a small town we supported two well equipped livery stables, and the hand hack held its own until the auto came to divide the honors. Previous to the advent of the cab, the livery stables kept a line of road wagons, vehicles suitable for travel across the court, as there was no other method of travel until the stage lines were established.
Source:
Sutherland, Mary A. Edited by Frank B. Harrison. The Story of Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi: Corpus Christi Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, 1916.
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission