Abilenian siblings, Jackie Lanier Redwine and Mike V. Lanier, have deep roots to the fort. Their maternal great-great-grandfather, Thomas Fletcher Scott (1831-1913), was postmaster of the first post office in Jones County which was established at Phantom Hill on July 1, 1879. This was during the short time span of a town that had grown up around the ruins of the fort.
USPS Letter – T.F. Scott 1st Postmaster at FPH
Postmaster Thomas Scott’s granddaughter, Eve Mae Spratlen Hawk (1891-1971), was born in the guard house which is one of the three remaining buildings at the fort. She was a great aunt to the locals and older sister to their grandmother, Lillian Spratlen Tucker (1896-1968). Most of this family lived and farmed the Abilene, Merkel, and Anson area until their deaths.
For more information, see book titled Abilene on Catclaw Creek by Kathryn Duff.
