Patillo Higgins
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Pattillo Higgins
Biography
Pattillo Higgins was born on December 5, 1863, in Sabine Pass, Texas, as the son of Robert James and Sarah Raye Higgins. He grew up in Beaumont and left school after fourth grade to work for his father, a gunsmith. He always was a troublemaker and at the age of seventeen he even killed a deputy in a fight, in which he also lost his left arm. However he was acquitted of murder, claiming he acted in self-defense.
After several years of working in lumber camps along the Texas-Louisiana border, Higgins attended a Baptist revival meeting. He accepted Christ as his savior and abandoned his violent ways and came to oppose alcohol and any form of public entertainment, including theatres, dancing, and beach resorts.
Higgins was a hard worker and managed to save a lot of money. In 1886 he started a brick company. He learned how some industries were starting to use oil rather than coal or wood as fuel. Oil provided a steady source of energy...