Gray, Franklin C. (unknown–unknown)

Franklin C. Gray, printer, was a resident of New York before he served as foreman for the New Orleans Commercial Bulletin. In 1834 he and Benjamin Cage issued a prospectus for a new paper to be published at Brazoria. The Emigrant was intended to be "chiefly devoted to agriculture, and to giving such information in regard to the country as will be interesting to those disposed to emigrate." The subscription charge was to be five dollars. The paper apparently never appeared, however. On July 5, 1834, Gray and A. J. Harris, who replaced Cage as Gray's associate, instead issued the first number of the Brazoria Texas Republican. Harris retired from the paper after December 13, 1834, leaving Gray to continue publication until August of 1836. As the only paper in Texas from July 1834 through October 10, 1835, the Texas Republican provides an important description of the beginning phase of the Texas revolution. Gray printed documents for the Texas government and letters for Antonio López de Santa Anna. According to some sources, Gray's wife was thought to have intrigued to help Santa Anna escape after the battle of San Jacinto. These suspicions may have led to the paper's demise. Gray was subsequently defeated in an election for Brazoria County sheriff in 1836. He was believed to have moved to California and later returned to New York, where he is said to have committed suicide.