JOHN LAPHAM BULLIS (JLB)--BUSINESSMAN

This week we've been reading through the article "John L. Bullis: 'Farsighted and Keen' Trans-Pecos Land Speculator" by Jim Fenton,  published in  the Journal of Big Bend Studies, Vol. 2, January 1990 (pages 73-86).  This article focuses on "... the remarkable business success of one of the most accomplished Indian fighters in Texas."

The author points out that JLB's interest in business got an early start with his trapping activities while still a teenager. There is also a record of his having owned a horse and a flock of sheep during that time. Following his service in the Civil War, "mid-1866,  found Bullis on Saint Francis Island, within the Mississippi River channel and near the mouth of the Saint Francis River in Arkansas, selling firewood to the steam boats moving along the Mississippi."

Records show that in early 1867 he continued his wood business in Helena, Arkansas. Later that same year, he re-entered the Army in  the Twenty-fourth Infantry Regiment as a second lieutenant and was sent to Texas where he became involved in land speculation. "His land holdings reached an all-time high in 1883, slightly over fort-three sections."  Then in 1884, "... he nearly matched this figure buying thirty-nine and a half sections." He continued to purchase land and property in various parts of Texas over the next several years, and profited from the leasing and resale of these holdings to cattlemen and settlers. He also became involved in mining operations.

At the time, this article tells us that many wondered how much JLB was worth as a result of this business dealings. A former clerk on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation who worked for Bullis, "... recalled years later that Captain Bullis was understood to be a millionaire."

Other members of the Bullis family also exhibited exceptional business acumen during their lifetimes.  Like her Uncle John, Nettie Bullis also achieved financial success. And fortunately, she shared her wealth during her lifetime and left a lasting legacy for her community.

Again, we thank Nettie Bullis and her family for their wise and thoughtful generosity.