Organized Nov. 1862. By Act of Texas Legislature, incorporated 1863. Had store at his site. Its $44,000 capital included $8,000 subscribed by the city for its needy and for families of confederates away in the Civil War. Aim of group was to keep down costs on necessities; Candles, flour, cloth, shoes, coffee. Help was given to 10,000 people. To obtain goods, cotton had to be sold in Mexico. This traffic was so vital that confederate army detailed soldiers to drive association wagons and teams. Other towns had like projects.