Minden, Rusk County
This rural community has been known by many names. First called Gibsontown, it changed to Murval when a post office operated from 1853 to 1866. During the 1890s, The Rusk County News labeled the locale Needmore, and a hotel and school soon opened. Brachfield post office (1900-1906) was named for Charles Louis Brachfield (1871-1947), who made a stump speech here while campaigning for political office. Brachfield served 23 years as state senator and county and district judge; in 1926, he ran for attorney general as the first Jewish candidate for statewide office. The school merged with Patrick School in 1912. Sawmills, cotton, dairy, cattle, poultry, oil and gas have supported the local economy. (2007)