In 1877 Jefferson gave a celebration in imitation of Mardi Gras, as put on at New Orleans, Louisiana, but called it “Queen Mab”, borrowing the conception from Shakespeare, with whose plays even frontiersmen and pioneers were familiar. The street parade was several miles in extent, made up of floats decorated with flowers and grotesques, carrying innumerable fairy folk and punctuated with bands of music with “Queen Mab” herself as central figure, the whole “blow out” winding up with a grand ball. This was an annual affair for many years. Dr. George T. Veal of Dallas, Texas, tells us that far back in slavery times Jefferson was one of the most famed towns of the South, and was set down in the school geographies as the “Emporium of the Southwest.” Jefferson has truly lived up to its slogan, “Queen of the Cypress.” Many visitors come from Dallas, Fort Worth, and even El Paso and many other towns to enjoy the fishing and hunting that can be found in the pine woods and lakes surrounding the historic old town. An Advertisement of a famous old hotel operated here: THE HAYWOOD HOUSE Jefferson, Texas Largest and Finest Hotel Building West of the Mississippi Has been fitted up in a style of elegance and comfort, that entitles it to the patronage of the home and traveling public. The rooms are comfortable, and have new furniture. The table supplied with the best the market affords; and the servants attentive. In a word it is the business of the Proprietors to consult the comfort of guests, and to make the house a desirable stopping place. TERMS Board and lodging, per month, payable weekly $10.00 Without lodging, per month, payable weekly, advance $ 7.50 Transient customers, per week $15.00 Transient customers, per day $ 3.00 Single Meal $ 1.00 W. T. RIVES, Proprietor, Jefferson, Texas The annex to the Haywood Home is the present home of Mrs. Lizzie Haywood. McDonald’s Machine Shop In the machine man’s history of Jefferson, the story is incomplete without the mention of what is now the Jefferson Foundry and Machine Shop, a descendant of one of the community’s enterprises, now owned and operated by E. B. McDonald. The original machine shop was Miles and Co., and its beginning about 1870. Morris and McKeoun followed as the new steps in the ladder of the Foundry’s ownership. M. Bower acquired Morris’ interest in the business and the name became McKeoun and Bower, later McKeoun and Lione and finally McKeoun became sole owner. The foundry burned in 1890 and the same year the McDonald Shop started its career. G. B. McDonald, father of E. B., John and George started the business with the help of his three sons, all of whom became noted machinists in East Texas.