progressed , became the father of six children . During this time , Gilliland became well-known for his talents in fiddling for house and barn dances .
Not much is known of Gilliland ’ s activities in the 1870s through the 1890s . There are some sources that credit him with helping to form the second Methodist church during this time . Some sources have him hauling timber to and from the Fort Richardson area . Notably , it is on record that he was elected District Clerk of Parker County in 1888 . He also began participating in ( and winning ) fiddling contests around North Texas .
“ In Oklahoma , I played in thirteen prize contests and won twelve out of thirteen . I cannot begin to tell the number of first prizes won in Texas , but there were many ,” Gilliland wrote .
In 1901 , he helped to create the Old Fiddler ’ s Association of Texas , and served as its secretary . In 1910 , Gilliland traveled to Little Rock for competition , tying with Jesse Roberts and Moses J . Bonner in holding the title of World ’ s Championship Fiddler .
Later , Gilliland and his wife moved to Oklahoma , although he visited friends and family often in Texas , as well as competing in fiddling competitions there . In 1913 , Susie passed away , leaving Gilliland in a deep depression .
“ I was now broken up ; my good wife called away , and I was left alone to finish fighting the battles without a
helper ,” he wrote . On Aug . 20 , 1914 , he married a widow , Mary Self , noting that although she was 26 years his junior , that she was “ all that keeps me alive .”
In 1922 , Gilliland teamed up with Eck Robertson , traveling to Victor Records studio in New York to create one of the first records of what would come to be known as country music . The pair recorded two sides : “ Arkansas Traveler ” on one and “ Turkey in the Straw ” on the other .
Afterwards , Gilliland returned to Altus , Okla ., where he lived peacefully until April of 1924 , when he passed away at 79 , leaving behind a legacy of early Texas pioneering and the beginnings of the country sound for which our beloved state is so famed .
Sources : -Country Music Annual 2001 . Edited by Charles K . Wolfe and James E . Akenson , The University Press of Kentucky , 2001 . -Fontenot , Kevin S . “ Henry C . Gilliland .” Texas State Historical Association , tshaonline . org . Accessed 12 Feb . 2018 . -Gilliland , Henry C . Life and Battles of Henry C . Gilliland for Seventy Years : Wars of the Confederacy , Wars with the Indians , and Wars with the Fiddle and the Bow . 1915 . -Green , Steve . Henry C . Gilliland . Traildriver . com . Accessed 12 Feb . 2018 .
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