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132 Grandeur of Gonzales This wonderful house was built for Mrs. L.M. (Hulda) Kokernot in 1914. Hulda's husband, L.M., was a Confederate veteran, enlisting in the early part of the war in Company I of the 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment known as Terry's Rangers. After the war, he returned home and became one of the most prominent and respected cattlemen and landowners in this part of Texas. His herds were among the largest to be driven to northern markets up the old Kansas Trail. Kokernot formed a partnership with cattleman and banker G.N. Dilworth and drove the first herd of cattle from this county up the old Chisholm Trail in 1869. Stories persist that from time to time the Kokernots, and several of the other cattle barons, employed the famous L.M. KOKERNOT HOUSE 205 St. Peter Street gunfighter, John Wesley Hardin, to help them drive their herds to northern markets. With Hardin along, no one bothered the cattle. It is also interesting that, in the opinion of many people of the time, John Wesley Hardin was a handsome, intelligent and very well-mannered gentleman. He just didn't put up with any foolishness. Mr. Kokernot was an active member of the I.O.O.F. and The Masonic Lodge. After her husband died, Mrs. Kokernot moved to Gonzales. In 1914, Fred Kokernot, her son, and C.E. Dilworth, her son-in- law, bought the lots with a small house from Mrs. Dora Harris, located not far from their homes. The Harris house was torn down and this beautiful home was built on the site by Fred Meisenhelder. It is now owned by Phil and Joann Borowitz. Photograph by Lillian Barta, Gonzales Camera Club

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