HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe History of Hale CountyHISTORY
OF
HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
by
MARY L. COX
1937
PLAINVIEW, TEXAS
COPYRIGHTED 1937
BY
MARY L. Cox
All Rights Reserved
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HALE COUNTY COURT HOUSE
At Plainview, Texas
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DEDICATED
To the memory of Lieutenant John C. Hale,
in whose honor Hale County was named,
in Centennial tribute to the Heroes of
Texas Independence
To the Pioneers of Hale County, in Semi -
Centennial tribute to the courageous men
and women who wrested from the wilder-
ness the fertile acres of Hale County and
made the history herein recorded
To Dorothy Cox, whose loyalty and coopera-
tion made the writing of it possible.
HALE
Hale County was so named in honor of Lieutenant John C. Hale,
a hero of San Jacinto. A native of Maine, he came to Texas in
1834 and settled with his family in what is now Sabine County.
When Captain Benjamin Franklin Bryant organized a company
for the purpose of joining General Houston's army in the War
for the Independence of Texas, Hale was made First Lieutenant
of Company 7, Second Texas Infantry. He was killed while
leading his company in the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
FOREWORD
The purpose in writing this book has been to preserve in
permanent and tangible form an authentic record of half a
century of Hale County's history and development, with the
hope that such data will be useful to those in both the present
and future who may wish to acquaint themselves with the early
history of the county.
The sources from which this material has been compiled are
many and varied. Much of the data in this volume has been
secured from County records, various official records in State
and Federal offices, as well as personally kept records. Data
has been secured from the County newspapers, as well as those
in the District and State. Texas histories, Gammel's Laws
of Texas and many other sources have been consulted. Many
pioneers and other individuals have furnished valuable infor-
mation, and much research has been spent in each separate
phase of this history. The work has been exceedingly inter-
esting and fascinating, and has been the occasion of many
pleasant contacts and the making of many delightful ac-
quaintances.
The short stories herein contained were given to the author
in personal interviews with pioneers and each is intended to
portray a separate picture of some phase of early history.
Many persons have contributed to this volume and hundreds
have had some part in its making. Most sincere thanks are
extended to all who have contributed in any way in the compil-
ing of this history.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. EARLY HISTORY 1
Organization —First Acts of Commissioners Court —
Erection of Court House
II. SETTLEMENT 7
Post - Indian Pre - Settlement Period — Morrison Ranch —
First Settlers —Towns and Post Offices
III. LANDS AND LAND PROBLEMS 30
Distribution of Public Domain — Distribution of Hale
County Lands —Early Land Owners
IV. INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 40
Early Industry— Cattle— Dairying — Agriculture —Irri
gation —Wheat and Milling Industry —Cotton Industries
— Topography— Census, Crop and Weather Reports
V. TRANSPORTATION 63
Early Modes — Railroads —Motor Transportation
VI. HISTORY OF EDUCATION 72
Subscription Schools — Public Schools— Colleges —Pub-
lic Library— Extension Work
VII. NEWSPAPERS 90
Hale County Newspapers —Their Part in Development
VIII. LEGAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY 95
Judicial Districts — District Court — Location of County
Seat — Prohibition — Woman's Suffrage —Early Hale
County Lawyers— Roster of Attorneys —Bar Associa-
tion— County Officers
IX. FINANCIAL HISTORY 106
Banks —Loan Companies— Credit Bureau
X. MEDICAL HISTORY 115
First Physicians —Early Medical Practice —The Medi-
cal Society— Hospitals— Roster of Hale County Doc -
tors—An Old Fashioned Prescription
ix
x CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
123
XI. RELIGIOUS HISTORY
Early Religious Services — Church Histories
XII. LODGES AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Histories of Fraternal Orders
XIII. Civic ORGANIZATIONS
Civic and Service Clubs
XIV. WOMEN'S CLUBS
Histories of Women's Clubs
XV. MILITARY HISTORY
Texas National Guards — Distinguished Service Awards
—World War Dead -131st Field Artillery— American
Legion— Roster of World War Veterans — Memorial
XVI. TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD • 177
L S. Kinder
Levi Schick
J W. Smylie
W. F. Meador
Ranch
J N. Morrison
George D. May
Amy Graves
Lottie Graves Layer -
D. N. Shepley
William E. Maxwell
Virginia Lowe Quillen
Thornton Jones
W. L. Harrington
Those Early Days Mrs. J. W. Smylie
Early Business Firms in Plainview ...:. W. B. Martine
"Uncle John" Pendley, Blacksmith
Stella Pendley Garner
Surveying Incidents Col. R. P. Smyth
Why We Organized Hale County L G. Wilson
Carrying The Mail in 1888 W. L. Tharp
The First Public School Alice Rosser Buntin
Freighting R. M. Irick
The Old Clisbee Stage Line J H. Lutrick
A Cattle Man Learned to Farm J W. Stevens
Pioneer Days As a Sheep Man R. B. C. Howell
The Mercantile Business in 1890 J N. Donohoo
Early Medical Practice Dr. J. H. Wayland
Frontier Days As a Missionary J W. Winn
Pioneering the "Herald" J M. Shafer
The Plains Buffalo
Buffalo Hunting in the Seventies
Buffalo Days
Pioneer Days as a Texas Ranger
Chief Lone Wolf Visits the Morrison
Moving the Slaughter Cattle
Horatio Graves —First Settler
Memory Pictures
Frontier Hardships
Z. T. Maxwell
E. L. Lowe
Thornton Jones' Grocery Store
First Visit to Plainview
138
149
155
167
CONTENTS xi
The Grasshopper Plague Anson Cox
First Business Woman Mrs. I. L. Vaughn
Taimage's Sermon 1 Frank Norfleet
Early Trial By Jury D C. Lowe
The Jumping Off Place Martha Glover
Early Days In the Cattle Industry J C. Hooper
Cattle In a Storm R W. Lemond
My "Home On the Range" Mrs. J. E. Cox
The Meteor R A. McWhorter
The Indian Scare of 1891 Mrs. J. O. Oswald
Why Boys Leave Home M. M. Day
Moving the Hale City School House...N. M. Akeson
Early Social Life Mrs. L. A. Knight
A Christmas Festivity Mrs. W. A. Lowe
Early Romance B H. Towery
The First Church Wedding Mrs. Mary V. Dye
Starting the Town of Petersburg Ed M. White
Early Grain Business L F. Cobb
A Full Meal R W. O'Keefe
The Coming of the Railroad...Emma Grigsby Meharg
The Lantern On the Windmill J H. Abney
Looking Backward R G. Carter
HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY,
TEXAS
CHAPTER I
EARLY HISTORY
Hale County was created by an Act of the Legislature ap-
proved August 21, 1876. At that time a map was drawn
checkerboard fashion and the whole of northwest Texas was
divided into counties, more than fifty of which were carved
out of Bexar and Young Counties. Each county so estab-
lished was named in honor of a Texas hero or pioneer promi-
nent in early Texas history. Prior to 1876 the territory now
embraced within the limits of Hale County was a part of
Bexar County.
At the time the Constitution of Mexico was adopted, ap-
proved March 11, 1827, there were three Departments, ie.,
Bexar, Monclovia and Saltillo. The Department of Bexar
was probably coextensive with the limits of the State begin-
ning with the settlement of San Antonio in 1730. On Janu-
ary 31, 1831, the Congress of Coahuila and Texas divided
Texas into two districts, ie., Bexar and Nacogdoches, and in
1834, created another known as Brazos. Later the municipali-
ties of Gonzales, Mina, Austin and Goliad were created out
of Bexar.
The only political divisions at the time the Texas Revolu-
tion began were Departments and Municipalities. Representa-
tives came from the various Municipalities as the Department
was not practicable for a representative form of government.
The Municipalities were the nucleus of the first counties cre-
ated by the First Congress of the Republic of Texas. There
were eighteen Municipalities, among which was Bexar, in the
Department of Bexar. The area within Hale County's borders
remained in Bexar territory until its organization and was
never included in any Municipality except Bexar.
1
2 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Organization
Twelve years after the creation of Hale County found small
settlements and ranches thriving scarce fifteen years since the
red men inhabited the Staked Plains. The newcomers, whose
minds were forever looking into the future, saw visions of a
rapidly developing country. The little town of Plainview had
sprung up through the efforts of Z. T. Maxwell and E. L.
Lowe and was attracting homeseekers. In the summer of
1888, the idea of organizing the county was originated.
Unanimously the people of Plainview set out to secure the
required 150 signatures on the petition. They combed the
prairies to get signers and merchants kept a petition on the
counter, and it is said that few customers were served with
supplies until the petition had been signed to get the county
organized.
On July 4, 1888, the petition was ready to be presented to
the Commissioners Court then in session at Estacado, in
Crosby County, petitioning the Court to authorize the organ-
ization of Hale County. The precious document was en-
trusted to a group of loyal citizens, ie., E. L. Lowe, Z. T.
Maxwell, Henry Moore, J. M. Carter, L. G. Wilson and R. P.
Smyth, who celebrated the 4th of July by journeying to Esta-
cado by hack, a distance of thirty miles, to be on hand early in
the morning to present the petition.
On July 5th the Commissioners Court met in Estacado in
Crosby County with County Judge G. M. Swink presiding,
and others present A. W. Lewis, Claud M. Telford, Wm.
Harrell, and Harry B. Smith, Commissioners ; Paris Cox,
County Clerk, and Sid B. Swink, Deputy Sheriff.
The Minutes of the Commissioners Court of Crosby County
show the following record : "Then came on to be heard and
considered a petition signed by 150 legal voters of Hale
County. Whereupon after due consideration, and there being
no sufficient cause shown why the prayers of the said petition
should not be granted. It is therefore ordered by the Court
that the prayers of said petition of the Citizens of said Hale
County be and the same is hereby granted."
It was ordered by the Court that an election be held in Hale
County on August 4th, 1888, for the purpose of electing
EARLY HISTORY 3
county officers and to decide upon the County Seat. The
Court divided the county into four precincts and appointed the
following citizens for presiding officers at the voting places:
John Pendley Sr., Prec. No. 1, in the town of Plainview;
C. L. Groff, Prec. No. 2, voting place C. L. Groff's house.
Horatio Graves, Prec. No. 3 at Epworth. M. H. Newell,
Prec. No. 4 at the Circle Ranch.
The Commissioners Court of Crosby County met in regular
session at the Court House in Estacado on Monday, August
13, 1888, with the following officers present: Judge G. M.
Swink presiding, A. W. Lewis, Wm. Harrell and Harry B.
Smith, Commissioners; M. M. Cox Deputy Clerk and Sid B.
Swink Deputy Sheriff. The returns of the Special Election
held in reference to the organization of Hale County were
opened and counted, which result showed the following County
Seat and officers had been chosen: "For County Seat the
Town of Plainview; County Judge F. M. Lester; County and
District Clerk E. L. Lowe; County Attorney L. G. Wilson;
Sheriff and Tax Collector R. A. Ford; Assessor, J. H. Bryan;
County Surveyor G. H. Chipman; County Treasurer C. W.
Marsalis; Hide and Animal Inspector W. H. Bryan; County
Commissioners : Precinct No. 1 John Pendley; Precinct No.
2 Jack Cooper; Precinct No. 3 G. W. Baker, Precinct No. 4
R. W. O'Keefe; Justice Peace Precinct No. 1 A. L. Conkling;
Justice Peace Precinct No. 3 L. T. Lester; Constable Precinct
No. 1 T. A. Taylor; and Constable Precinct No. 3 J. E. Whit-
mire."
The records of the Commissioners Court of Hale County
show that the following persons served on the first election
Board in Hale County : R. L. Stringfellow, Z. T. Maxwell,
Thornton Jones, J. T. Matsler, John Vaughn, Horatio Graves,
L. A. White, D. L, Shepley, T. C. Overhuls, Ed Powell, F. M.
Bradford, Hugh McClelland, W. H. Portwood, P. F. Bryan,
T. C. Cooper, M. G. McEntyre, L. T. Lester, D. W. Owens,
Tom Miller and Charlie Quillen.
The Commissioners Court met in Plainview in first session
in a temporary Court House on August 20, 1888, with Judge
F. M. Lester presiding and others present John Pendley, G. W.
Baker, J. W. Cooper and R. W. O'Keefe, Commissioners,
4 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
E. L. Lowe, Clerk, and R. A. Ford, Sheriff. The bonds of
the Officers having been approved by the Court of Crosby
County, the officers took the oath of office and Hale County
was declared duly organized.
First Acts of Commissioners Court
The salaries of the officers were fixed as follows : County
Judge $58.33 per month, Clerk $25.00, Sheriff $25.00 and
County Attorney $25.00. $1,305.00 was appropriated to pur-
chase books, stationery and furniture for the various offices.
The sum of $109.91 was set apart for the surveying of the
county line.
A Jury View to lay out and open roads leading from Plain-
view to the different lines of Hale County was appointed, com-
posed of D. L. Shepley, C. L. Groff, F. M. Bradford, Sam
McEntyre and A. E. Adams.
An ordinance was passed providing that a well should be
dug on the Court House Square at a cost of $20 and John
Pendley was appointed to supervise the work.
On submission of petitions from School Districts Nos. 1
and 2, it was ordered that an election be held on September
15, 1888, to decide whether a tax of 20¢ on the hundred dollar
valuation should be levied for public school purposes. An
election for local option was ordered to be held on the same
date.
At a second session of the Commissioners Court, the result
of the elections held on September 15th showed that the ma-
jority of voters in School District No 1 voted for the levy of
tax while District No. 2 voted unanimously against the levy.
Local Option carried unanimously.
County Attorney L. G. Wilson was appointed to transcribe
the tax records from Crosby County records for the Tax Col-
lector of Hale County.
N. B. Davidson was appointed to survey and select the land
set apart by the State for Hale County School Land and L. A.
White was appointed to assist in making the selection.
At the session of the Commissioners Court held in October,
the election held in September was held null and void on ac-
count of irregularities.
EARLY HISTORY 5
Erection of Court House
At the first session of the Commissioners Court, held on
August 20, 1888, the following order was passed :
"In the matter of building a Court House, It is ordered
that a Court House of the dimensions of 24 feet by 40 feet be
built on the corner of the Public Square in the town of Plain-
view by and according to the plans and specifications hereafter
to be decided upon."
Bonds in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars
were issued to pay for the Court House and a tax levy of
fifteen cents on the one hundred dollar valuation was made.
No time was lost by the citizens in the erection of the Court
House, which was a temporary structure, built, not on the
Court House Square, but across the street west of its present
location. This was done with a view of selling it to be used
as a business house at a later date, when a new and larger
Court House could be financed, and the dimensions of the
building were designated with that purpose in mind.
In keeping with the structure of buildings at that time, the
building was erected on cedar underpinnings and was boxed
and batoned, and the partitions were of shiplap placed hori-
zontally. The lumber to build the first Court House was
freighted with wagons from Amarillo by a party of citizens
composed of County Judge F. M. Lester, County Attorney
L. G. Wilson, Henry Moore, A. Vince, W. V. Duncan, Thos.
Baird, Chas. Mapes, Poliet Smith, S. M. McEntyre, J. M.
Johnson and J. W. Bryan. The labor of erecting the Court
House was done by another group of citizens composed of
Thornton Jones, W. B. Ford, J. T. Matsler, Poliet Smith,
S. R. Perry, J. M. Carter, John Smylie, F. M. Bradford, R. F.
Powell and H. Potter. The building was completed and ready
for occupancy by the time the regular election took place in
November, 1888.
The first County Jail was a small sod building of one room,
built on the lot later occupied by J. N. Morrison's Creamery,
now the corner of Fifth and Baltimore Streets.
When the County had increased somewhat in population,
a move was launched to build a new Court House. Late in
1889, a contract was let to Martin, Byrne and Johnson, of
6 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Colorado City, to erect a two -story frame Court House at a
cost of ten thousand six hundred dollars. Diebold Safe and
Lock Company was given the contract to build a jail at a cost
of three thousand eight hundred dollars. The second Court
House was received by the Commissioners Court on November
26, 1890, and rooms were assigned to the county officials.
A jail was built on Lots 5 and 6, Block 39, Old Town of
Plainview, east of the Court House. This was a one -room
building made of two by four inch lumber fastened together
with spikes.
The old Court House was rented to Oscar Bryan on De-
cember 20, 1890, for a rental of $10.00 per month. The
building was sold to Dr. J. W. Wayland on May 10, 1892, for
$500.00, to be used for a drug store.
On November 9, 1908, a bond was issued for sixty thousand
dollars for the purpose of constructing a brick Court House,
and jail combined. The contract was let for the building and
fixtures November 23, 1909. W. T. McRae received the con-
tract for the building, and other companies the contracts for
fixtures. The total cost when completed was $70,600. A new
brick jail was built in 1925 on the southeast corner of the
Court House Square at a cost of $48,000.
CHAPTER II
SETTLEMENT
The Post - Indian Pre - Settlement Period
In 1880 Hale County was marking time at a brief interval
which may be designated as a Post - Indian Pre - Settlement
Period. Her lands were but a waste of windswept prairie,
uninhabited by any living creature save and except by a few
scattered buffalo, wild- horses, antelopes, coyotes, prairie -dogs
and rattlesnakes. The marauding bands of Indians had van-
ished, most of the buffalo had gone, and the cattlemen had not
yet arrived.
The decade that had just passed witnessed the last stand of
the red men on the Staked Plains of Texas. General Mac-
kenzie in command of federal troops waged a four years
compaign in a seemingly fruitless effort to rid west Texas of
the Comanches. Several bands of Indians who refused to go
on the reservations still made the Plains their home and hiding
place and raided the settlements east of the Caprock. The last
outbreak of the Indians on the Plains occurred in the summer
of 1874, when six hundred warriors with their families and
all their wordly goods left the reservations bound for the
Panhandle to join some 1500 Indians in hiding in the Palo
Duro Canyon. Mackenzie's troops located them and taking
them by surprise routed them from their hiding places in a
final battle on September 28, 1874 and sent them hurrying
back to the reservations.
Buffalo hunters followed swiftly on the heels of the soldiers
and in a few short years they rid the prairies of the ponderous
beasts which for centuries had made the Plains a Happy
Hunting Ground.
In the spring of 1876, Fort Elliott was established in
Wheeler County as a military outpost to protect the coming
settlers from the Indians. That year Col. Charles Goodnight
drove his 16,000 head of cattle from Colorado into the Palo
7
8 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Duro Canyon and started the first ranch in the Panhandle.
Other ranches were soon started in the north Panhandle and
the towns of Mobeetie and Tascosa sprang into existence in
1876, followed shortly by old Clarendon. Hank Smith moved
from Fort Griffin to the rock house in Blanco Canyon in 1877,
and in 1879, the Quakers founded the colony at Estacado.
This was the first settlement on the Staked Plains and was
located six miles from the Hale County Line.
The Morrison Ranch
The Morrison Brothers, T. W. and J. N. Morrison, who
had come from Illinois in 1880 and started a ranch at Claren-
don, purchased a body of scattered land in 1881 some twenty
miles square lying in the corners of Hale, Lamb, Castro and
Swisher Counties, and started the Cross L. Ranch, or Morri-
son's Ranch. The Runningwater Draw was a running stream
at that time, and this was their incentive for the location of
the ranch. The ranch headquarters were located on the draw
ten miles above the present site of Runningwater School.
Soon after stocking the ranch, Morrison Bros. sold one -half
interest in their lands and cattle to W. D. Johnson. The lands
in this ranch were railroad sections, and the alternate sections
of school lands which lay between the sections gave them
access to free grazing of the school lands. Since the State
school lands could not be enclosed without first being leased,
they built a fence on three sides of the ranch, leaving the
north side open. This custom was not unusual in the early
days of ranching.
In 1883 Morrison Brothers and Johnson traded one -half
interest in their 10,000 acres of land to Col. C. C. Slaughter
for one -half interest in 10,000 head of cattle. The Running -
water Land and Cattle Company was organized and was in-
corporated with $130,000 capital. The name of the ranch was
changed from Morrison Bros. and Johnson or the Cross L to
the Circle Ranch. R. W. O'Keefe brought the first of the
Slaughter cattle to Hale County, arriving with the herd on
September 1, 1883, and became the first foreman of the Circle
Ranch.
The Runningwater Land and Cattle Company was dissolved
in 1890, and Morrison Bros. and Johnson traded their half
SETTLEMENT 9
interest in the lands to C. C. Slaughter for his half interest in
the livestock, cattle and horses.
First Settlers
The first permanent settler to come to Hale County was
Rev. Horatio Graves who moved with his family from Aus-
able Forks, New York, in 1882. Mr. Graves first came to the
Staked Plains in 1877 with a party of surveyors to locate
"Government Scrip" or land allotted to railroad companies as
a bonus for the building of railroads in Eastern Texas. He
made another trip to Texas in 1878, at which time he pur-
chased for himself sixteen sections of land in the center of
Hale County. Four of these sections were the corner sections
in four blocks, and in this way Mr. Graves became the owner
of four adjoining sections, the center of which was one mile
west of the "Bottle Corner" near the center of Hale County.
He is said to have been the only man in Hale County who had
four sections connected up. His home was built one and one -
half miles southwest of the center of the present site of Hale
Center.
Mr. Graves left New York with his family on July 4, 1882,
enroute to Texas, traveling by rail to Eastland and by covered
wagon from Eastland to Estacado, where he arrived the latter
part of August. Leaving his wife and three daughters in
Estacado, he freighted lumber from Colorado City, a distance
of 150 miles, to build his house. His home was a story -and-
one -half four -room house, weather- boarded on the outside,
lined with adobe brick and sealed inside. He later added a one-
story lean -to, making three additional rooms, in one of which
was housed the Post Office of Epworth and in another was
held the first school.
In March, 1883, Mr. Graves moved his wife and daughters
to their new home, they having spent the winter of 1882 -1883
in Estacado. Alpheus Dyer, a bachelor whom Mr. Graves had
known in New York, and who purchased some land in 1878
came in the fall of 1883 and built a small house near Mr.
Graves' home. No other families came until the spring of
1885, when A. E. Adams moved his family to Hale County
and built a sod house on a section adjoining Mr. Graves' home
section. A. N. Jones was the next settler, bringing his family
10 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
in the fall of 1885 and settling on land adjoining Mr. Graves
on the north. In March, 1886, D. L. Shepley came from
Snyder and F. M. and L. T. Lester came from Palo Pinto
County and settled near by. The Graves home soon became
a community and religious center for the settlers, the cowboys
on the Circle Ranch and the ranches farther west to the Pecos
River. This was the first settlement in Hale County and was
known as the Epworth Community.
TOWNS AND POST OFFICES
Ephraim
The Post Office of Ephraim was established in Hale County
an June 27, 1881, with Ephraim H. Cone as Postmaster. Its
location is not definitely known; however, it is said that it was
situated in a cow camp in the northwest corner of the county
on the Morrison Ranch which was established in the spring
of 1881. Mail was brought by ox wagon from Old Clarendon
by freighters who made the journey to the ranch only when
occasion demanded. This Post Office existed for more than
a year and was discontinued before the coming of the first
settler.
Epworth
Epworth was started in 1883 when Rev. Horatio Graves
began carrying the mail from Estacado to his home in Hale
County as an accommodation to the cowboys. He named the
Post Office "Epworth" in honor of the little village in Eng-
land that was the birthplace of John Wesley, founder of the
Methodist Church. Mail was carried once a month at first,
then every two weeks, and finally once a week, the cowboys
sometimes lending assistance by making the trip for him. The
mail came by way of Plainview after the railroad reached
Amarillo in March, 1888. Mr. Graves planned to start a town
at Epworth and dreamed of establishing a colony of people of
his own religious faith (the "Northern" Methodist) as the
Quakers had done at Estacado.
Mr. Graves platted the town of Epworth on April 1, 1887
(as shown by the County Deed Records) . The Post Office
FIRST HOME AND HOME BUILDERS
Top: This home was built in 1882 -3 by Rev. Horatio Graves 1%
miles southwest of the present site of Hale Center. It housed the Ep-
worth Post Office established in 1884 and the Epworth School in 1886.
Bottom: Rev. and Mrs. Horatio Graves, first settlers.
SETTLEMENT 11
was officially established on June 3, 1884. Mr. Graves served
as Postmaster at Epworth until March 10, 1 when Frank
Y. Lincoln was appointed his successor.
Only two houses beside his own were ever built on the
townsite, those being the homes of Alpheus Dyer and J. C.
Harlan. Mr. Dyer moved to Estacado in a short time, how-
ever, and his home was used by Mr. Graves as a store building
in which he kept a small stock of merchandise and supplies
which he sold to neighboring settlers and to the cattlemen at
the Yellowhouse Division of the XIT Ranch. A number of
southern families were among the first to settle near him and
some of these were Southern Methodists, therefore his plan
for his Northern colony was abandoned.
Hale City and New Epworth
Hale City was started by A. N. Jones in the spring of 1891.
The townsite was platted on March 4, 1891, on Jones' home
section one -half mile north of Mr. Graves' home, or Epworth.
As an inducement to build homes in his town, Mr. Jones gave
away parcels of ten lots to every man who would build a house
on his townsite. Consequently a number of small buildings
sprang up, as a shack eight or ten feet square was all that was
required to procure the ten lots.
The name of the Post Office was changed from Epworth
to Hale City on April 16, 1891, and the Post Office was moved
to Hale City on June 1, 1891. Frank Y. Lincoln, a young
man said to be a relative of Abraham Lincoln, served as Post-
master until October 7, 1891, when he resigned and Horatio
Graves was reappointed. Mr. Graves served from that date
until October 19, 1893. Newcomers added hope to the settle-
ment and for a time the town of Hale City prospered, con-
fident that a railroad would soon be built into the community.
Almost simultaneously with the starting of Hale City, an-
other town was started two miles south of it. The people
who lived south of Old Epworth wanted to reclaim the town
of Epworth, so the Hale County Townsite Company was
organized with a capitol stock of $2000, which stock was
sold at $10.00 per share. On March 26, 1891, Mr. Graves
donated and deeded to the Townsite Company 320 acres of
12 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
land, being two quarter sections out of the south two of his
four adjoining sections, and the new town was also named
Epworth.
For a time newcomers poured in and the two towns vied
with each other for supremacy. Each town had its own news-
paper, general store, hotel, and livery stable. A Mr. Hampton
operated a general store at Hale City, and Mrs. Calloway had
a hotel in that town. W. P. Blake published the Hale City
Globe, while J. Winford Hunt edited and published the Ep-
worth Chronicle. Dr. L. B. Lovelace practiced medicine at
Hale City. Tom Pearson had a hotel at Epworth, Will
Donohoo a store and N. C. Payne a livery stable. Each town
had a school house where Sunday School and religious serv-
ices were held. J. Winford Hunt organized a Christian
Endeavor Society at Epworth, the first one organized in Hale
County. A Methodist Church was organized in the Epworth
School House, which was not located at the town of Epworth,
in which Mrs. A. N. Jones was one of three charter members.
A drouth in 1892 followed by a plague of grasshoppers dev-
astated the Plains and it soon became apparent that ten lots in
town was not sufficient land on which to earn a livelihood.
Only those who owned large tracts of land and large herds of
cattle were able to stay on, so almost simultaneously the people
began to move away. Those who remained saw no use in
keeping up two struggling towns two miles apart and they
wanted to come together on one townsite.
Hale Center
The town of Hale Center was established in 1893 as the
outgrowth of the rivalry between the towns of Hale City and
Epworth. Horatio Graves donated and deeded to the Town -
site Company one -half section of land for the townsite of
Hale Center. The Townsite Company then purchased a half -
section of land adjoining it, out of the Harlan tract, and on
this 640 acres the town of Hale Center was platted on June 16,
1893. The land in the townsite of Hale City then reverted to
Mr. Jones and that in Epworth to Mr. Graves.
The name "Hale Center" was chosen because it was located
approximately in the center of Hale County. The buildings
from both Hale City and Epworth were then moved to Hale
SETTLEMENT 13
Center. The Post Office was moved from Hale City on
September 19, 1893, and the name was changed to Hale
Center. Hopes of securing a railroad gave Hale Center resi-
dents courage and enthusiasm, but the depression caused by
the drouth affected the town and gradually the people moved
away and most of the houses were bought by settlers and
moved to the ranches for homes. In 1898 all that remained
was two business houses, —W. E. Ivey's Store and that of
N. M. Akeson and the residence of Mrs. C. I. Maggard. One
store building was moved to Plainview, and later was moved
back to Hale Center.
The mail was carried from Plainview to Hale Center by
mail hack until the corning of the Santa Fe Railroad into Hale
Center on July 14, 1909. The Post Office of Clisbee, estab-
lished in 1891 at the Clisbee stage stand, was served from the
Hale Center Post Office, and later the Post Offices of Copen-
hagen, Norfleet and Bartonsite were added.
The following persons have served as Mayor of Hale Cen-
ter : N. M. Akeson, Walter Lemond, and William Harral.
The town had a population of 1,007 in 1930.
Plainview
Plainview, the Countyseat of Hale County, is located near
the center of the northeast quarter of the county, on the Run -
ningwater Draw.
The history of Plainview dates from the coming of its co-
founders, Z. T. Maxwell and E. L. Lowe, in 1886. It is not
definitely known when the town of Plainview actually started,
but the idea was evidently conceived in the minds of the
founders soon after their arrival.
Mr. Maxwell came from Floyd County, in May, 1886, in
search of a location for a sheep ranch. He had sold his claim
in Floyd County to the Blacker Cattle Company, who owned
the H Bar L Ranch, and then traded his herd of cattle for
sheep. Following the Mackenzie Trail, he journeyed westward
until he reached the two hackberry groves, which was a land-
mark on the trail and said to be the only trees on the plains.
Watered by the underground channel of the Runningwater
Draw for no one knows how many years, they had grown to
immense size and were a veritable "oasis in the desert." The
14 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Hackberry Groves played their part in the history of Hale
County, for they decided the location of the Maxwell home-
stead, the site of Plainview, and eventually the location of the
countyseat. The trees still stand in the corner of the City Park
at Plainview and though they have grown taller during the
fifty years since Maxwell found them, they have lost their
prominence among the thousands of trees now growing in the
park and in Plainview.
Before returning to Floyd County, Mr. Maxwell built a sod
fence between the two groves for a corral for his sheep and dug
a well in the bed of the draw. In the early part of September,
he returned with his family and built a dugout home in the bank
north of the draw. The front wall of his home was built of
sod. Poles were placed across the top and dirt placed thereon
for a roof. On the heels of Mr. Maxwell came E. L. Lowe
from Arkansas, who filed on the claim immediately north of
Maxwell's land. Unloading his prairie schooner, he pitched
his tent on the open prairie and with his sister and his two
motherless daughters began to make a home.
Postal authorities give the date when the Post Office was
established at Plainview as March 18, 1887, at which time
Edwin L. Lowe was appointed first Postmaster.
In the spring of 1887, having decided to start a town, Max-
well and Lowe withdrew their homestead claims and pre - empted
the land on May 21, 1887. The name "Plainview" is self -
explanatory. It is said that the name "Hackberry Groves"
was suggested, and also "Runningwater," but Plainview seemed
to the founders as most fitting, since they could stand on the
townsite and see in every direction as far as the eye could carry
with no object to break the view.
The town was started gradually and at first the lots were
surveyed only as they were sold. Thornton Jones, of Estacado,
was offered a number of lots in the town on condition that he
would open a grocery store in Plainview not later than June 1,
1887. In order to comply with the requirements, Jones opened
a grocery store in a tent on a vacant lot near the Court House
Square, and placed his brother, Will Jones, in charge until he
could dispose of his interests in Estacado. Plainview then be-
came a trading post for the few settlers in the vicinity and for
travelers who passed along the old Mackenzie Trail.
SETTLEMENT 15
The townsite of Plainview was surveyed in the fall of 1887,
by Col. R. P. Smyth, then a young surveyor who lived at Esta-
cado and who was at that time State Surveyor. Eighty acres
out of the north side of the Maxwell land and eighty acres
from the south side of Lowe's land constituted the townsite,
the section line running east and west through the center of the
Court House Square.
During the year 1887 and the early part of 1888, a number
of settlers moved to the vicinity and homesteaded land. Among
these were Hugh McClelland, Horace Griffin, J. M. Carter,
J. W. Smylie, John Pendley, J. H. Bryan, Thornton Jones,
Poliet Smith, J. C. Burch and C. W. Marsalis.
On July 3, 1888, a deed of dedication to the land composing
the streets, alleys, and public square in the town of Plainview
for the benefit of the public was executed by E. L. Lowe, M. A.
Lowe, Z. T. Maxwell and wife, Hugh McClelland and wife,
T. Jones and wife, and Poliet Smith and wife, and placed of
record July 26, 1888, in the office of the County Clerk of
Crosby County.
When the County was organized in August, 1888, no united
effort was made by the Epworth Community to secure the
countyseat. The Plainview settlement had grown faster than
that of Epworth for the reason that the lands around Plain-
view were in the Homestead Strip and divided into quarter
sections, while the school and railroad lands around Epworth
were in one - section tracts, so Plainview was elected the county -
seat.
Settlers poured into Hale County during the few years fol-
lowing and soon the Homestead Strip was exhausted. In 1890
the population of Hale County numbered 721, and Plainview
had reached 250. The founders spared neither time nor effort
in developing the town in the first years of its existence. E. L.
Lowe died in 1890, and Z. T. Maxwell moved away in 1892.
The following persons have served as Mayor of Plainview,
J. R. Delay (1907- 1911), J. L. Dorsett (1912-1915), W. E.
Risser (1916- 1917), C. F. Vincent (1918- 1921), J. M. Waller
(1922- 1925), W. E. Risser (1926- 1927), T. J. Shelton
(1928- 1929), J. B. Cardwell (1930- 1931), R. P. Smyth
(1932- 1933), T. J. Shelton (1934 -).
16 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Petersburg
The town of Petersburg is situated near the southeast cor-
ner of Hale County. It derived its name from its first Post-
mistress, Mrs. Margaret Peters, wife of Captain Z. H. Peters,
who secured the appointment in 1891 and kept the Post Office
in her home in Floyd County, five miles northeast of the present
town of Petersburg. Mr. Peters carried the mail from Plain-
view twice a week with horse and buggy for the convenience
of the settlers in that community.
The town of Petersburg was founded by Ed M. White, who
was appointed Postmaster in 1896 when the Peters family
moved from the country. Mr. White moved the Post Office to
the present site of Petersburg, purchased a stock of merchandise
and opened a store in his home in connection with the Post
Office. As the country became settled up, he added a stock of
hardware, and later operated a hardware store.
The townsite was platted by W. V. Kennedy on March 23,
1909, on lands conveyed by M. J. and E. W. Elliott and Ed M.
White, at which time plans for a railroad through Petersburg
were under way. The plans for the railroad fell through, how-
ever, and almost twenty years passed before Petersburg at last
secured a railroad. The Fort Worth and Denver Railroad
Company brought the first train into town in October, 1928.
Petersburg has a population of 548. Though the town is
small, its residences are all comfortable well built homes. It
was incorporated in 1928 with a Mayor- Commission form of
government. The following persons have served as Mayor:
Tom Davis, E. P. Hildreth, Chas. Schuler, Jr., and Albert R.
Clubb.
Wadsworth
Wadsworth was started in 1890 by Dennis Rice, twelve miles
northwest of Plainview, north of the Runningwater Draw.
Mr. Rice first came to Texas in 1878, and purchased several
sections of Railroad land on the Runningwater Draw. The
possibility of securing a railroad across his lands and enhancing
the value was his incentive for starting a town. He secured a
post office on December 8, 1890 and became its first Postmaster.
Others became interested in the townsite, but objected to the
SETTLEMENT 17
name and insisted that it be changed to Runningwater for it was
believed the name would call attention to the fact that it was
located on a running stream and attract newcomers. The name
of the Post Office was changed to Runningwater on January 28,
1891, and Wadsworth ceased to exist.
Runningwater
The town of Runningwater came into existence with the pas-
sing of Wadsworth. Mr. Rice organized the Runningwater
Townsite and Improvement Company and platted the town on
August 26, 1892. The opening of the town was celebrated by
a great barbecue and picnic at which all the people in Hale and
surrounding counties came together to visit and to boost for the
prospective railroad. The town became a community center
and a number of homes were built on the townsite. Mr. Rice
planned to establish a cheese factory at Runningwater, but the
project was abandoned before the plant was put into operation.
W. W. Cooper took charge of the Post Office for Mr. Rice un-
til his father, S. T. Cooper, moved from Amarillo and became
Postmaster in May, 1893. S. T. Cooper also operated a gen-
eral store.
The drouth and grasshopper plague affected the Running -
water community as it did others on the plains and the people
were compelled to move away. Not until after the Four Sec-
tion Act was passed in 1897 did Runningwater take on new
life. Settlers began coming in and for many years it served as
a community center.
Runningwater was doomed to disappointment in regard to
the railroad, for when the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad
built from Plainview to Dimmitt in 1928, it missed the town
about three miles. The Runningwater Post Office was moved
to Edmonson Switch on June 15, 1935, to be on the railroad.
The name of the Post Office was changed to Edmonson on Feb-
ruary 1, 1937. All that remains at Runningwater is the com-
munity church, a brick school house and a few residences.
Clisbee
The Post Office of Clisbee was established on August 3,
1891, at the Clisbee stage stand some eighteen miles southwest
of Plainview. The mail at that time was carried by stage from
18 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Amarillo to Estacado. Clisbee Brothers of Amarillo had a
contract to carry the mail, the stage coach being drawn by relays
of wild little mules which raced madly from one stage stand to
another. Robert Montgomery, stage driver, was Clisbee's first
Postmaster. The Post Office was later moved a few miles
northwest >to what is now known as the Les Harrington place.
Clisbee Post Office was discontinued on September 11, 1894,
and mail was carried to Hale Center.
New Clisbee
The Clisbee Post Office was reestablished in 1900 when the
country had become more thickly settled. This time it was
located two miles north of the Lubbock County Line, five miles
east of the present town of Abernathy and was kept in the J. R.
Garrison home until it was discontinued in the fall of 1901.
Clisbee never became a town or community center, but served
the people only as a Post Office.
Stant Rhea Stage Stand
The Stant Rhea Stage Stand was located fifteen miles south
of Plainview on a branch line of the Amarillo- Estacado mail
route, which led from Plainview to Lubbock via Hale Center
and Clisbee (and later Strip). Mr. Rhea carried the mail to
Hale Center where it was sorted by the Postmaster and the
mail for the people who lived near the stage stand was handed
back to the driver. This he placed in a tin bucket in an aban-
doned dugout near his corrals and the people came there to get
their mail, each sorting and taking what belonged to him and
leaving that of his neighbors. This unofficial postal service
accommodated the people living in the vicinity of the Stant
Rhea Stage Stand from 1901 until 1907.
Copenha
The Post Office of Copenhagen was established on June 26,
1902, with T. H. Miller as Postmaster. It was located near
the Center Plains School, in the home of Mr. Miller.
When application for a Post Office was made, the name
"Center Plains" was submitted to the Postal authorities, but it
seemed there were other post offices in Texas with similar
names, so that name was rejected. Someone in the Post Office
SETTLEMENT 19
Department at Washington delved into the annals of the Old
World and borrowed the name of the Capitol of Denmark for
the little Post Office at Center Plains. Thus it was called
Copenhagen.
John W. Stevens became the Postmaster two years later and
moved the Post Office to his home in the same community. He
served until 1907 when the town of Norfleet was started, at
which time he moved the Post Office to Norfleet and the name
was officially changed to Norfleet.
Copenhagen never became a community center and no town
was ever started there.
Ellen
The Post Office of Ellen was established in 1904 some fif-
teen miles southeast of Plainview. Ed M. White, founder of
the town of Petersburg, selected the name "Ellen" in honor of
his wife. C. W. Richardson served as Postmaster from the
time the Post Office was established until it was discontinued
in 1921, keeping it in his home all the while. Mail was sup-
plied from Plainview, Reuben Burris carrying the mail in an
open buggy once a week during the first year. The second
year it came twice a week and it was eight years before it came
every day. It finally was brought twice a day.
In 1905 the Ellen School House was built by the people in
the community. Religious services were held in the school
house and Ellen served as a community center.
Strip
The Post Office of Strip was established on April 15, 1904,
at the home of Jerry M. Turner, its first Postmaster, one mile
west of New Clisbee, which had been discontinued. Both
these post offices were located in what was known as "the
strip," it being a strip of land one and one -half miles wide
and fifteen miles long which lay between two blocks of land
assigned and patented by the State to Railroad Companies.
This narrow strip of land was public domain and was there-
fore opened to homesteaders. After much of the land had
been taken up, there was need of a community center and a
post office. Pearce's Chapel had been built for religious serv-
ices and a cemetery was dedicated before the Post office was
20 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
established. Several residences were built, and Strip served
the settlers in the "homestead strip" as a community center
until Abernathy was started five miles farther west. Strip
Post Office was discontinued July 15, 1910.
Norfleet
The townsite of Norfleet was platted on July 18, 1907, by
the Norfleet Townsite Company, of which Joe Lee Ferguson
was president. This company was composed of ten men, as
follows : Joe Lee Ferguson, J. W. Stevens, W. B. Jones, A. J.
Baker, J. J. Rushing, Bert McWhorter, J. W. Patton, L. H.
Triplett, J. Frank Norfleet and J. F. Sageser.
The town was located ten miles west of Hale Center, one
mile from the present site of Cotton Center. It was started
as a townsite proposition when a railroad was platted across
the site. The Panhandle Short Line between Vega and Big
Springs was platted through Hale County and construction
was begun. This line was intended to connect Vega with
Kerrville, to connect up with the road that ran from San
Antonio to Kerrville.
The Post Office of Copenhagen was moved to the new town -
site and was operated for several months by J. W. Stevens,
after which the name was changed to Norfleet and Barnie
Rushing was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Rushing built a
large store building and operated a general merchandise store.
Moreland Lash Grocery Company put in a stock of groceries,
Carter Mercantile Company moved a stock of drygoods to
Norfleet, R. C. Ware Hardware Company put lin a stock of
hardware and McAdams Lumber Company established a
branch lumber yard, all under the management of Mr. Rush-
ing. The Center Plains School House was moved to 'Nor -
fleet. This also served the community as a church. A number
of residences were built and the town moved forward during
the peak of the real estate boom in the few years that followed
the coming of the Santa Fe Railway into Plainview.
The Panhandle Short Line that was under construction was
not completed and the project was abandoned. The stock-
holders of 'the townsite company ceased development when
it became known that the railroad was not forthcoming and
the buildings were gradually moved away. The school house
SETTLEMENT 21
was returned to its former location at Center Plains and the
store building was moved to Hale Center. T. C. Masterson
became Postmaster on January 1, 1911, and moved the Post
Office to his farm. The Norfleet Post Office was discontinued
in 1913.
Bartonsite
The town of Bartonsite was located thirteen miles north-
west of the present site of Abernathy, on the J. J. Barton
Ranch. The townsite was platted in July, 1907, when it
became known that the Santa Fe Railroad Company planned
to build a short line from Plainview to Lubbock and that the
route would pass through the Barton Ranch.
The prospect of a railroad created much interest in the town
and it was not long until Bartonsite gave promise of a thriv-
ing town. A number of business houses were built, among
which were a lumber yard managed by Al Horton, The Bar -
tonsite Hotel managed by J. K. Nance, Reed's Grocery Store,
a Blacksmith Shop, and the Post Office. Mail was brought
daily by horse and buggy from Hale Center. The town had a
school house and a church where all denominations worshipped
together. Bartonsite became a popular community center and
by the end of two years the population of the town had reached
250 people.
A change in the route of the railroad was a death blow to
Bartonsite. When Abernathy sprang up in 1909, most of the
buildings at Bartonsite were moved to Abernathy. The Post
Office of Bartonsite was continued for a number of years, —
until 1921. It was never discontinued but became inactive
when the patrons of that office were served by a star route out
of Hale Center. The church at Bartonsite was moved to
Cotton Center and is still in use. Bartonsite holds fond memo-
ries for many of the early settlers who knew it in its halcyon
days.
Abernathy
Abernathy is situated on the Hale- Lubbock County line,
thirty -two miles south of Plainview and seventeen miles north
of Lubbock. It was founded by M. G. Abernathy and Dr.
M. C. Overton, of Lubbock, who bought a section of land and
22 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
platted the townsite on July 8, 1909, naming the town for
M. G. Abernathy.
The occasion of the starting of the town was the building
of the Santa Fe Railroad from Plainview to Lubbock, and the
changing of the route which was to have gone through Bar -
tonsite. Later Abernathy and Overton sold the townsite to
the railroad company and to M. G. Holland.
The first business firms to locate in Abernathy were the
Fulton Lumber Company managed by N. C. Hix, the Mc-
Adams Lumber Company with M. S. White, Manager, and
F. M. Cranford's Grocery Store. The Barton Supply Com-
pany, a stock company owned by J. J. Barton, George M.
Arnett and others, was moved from Bartonsite and purchased
by J. D. Marsh and J. C. Arnett. After changing hands sev-
eral times, it is now known as the Struve Mercantile Co. A
number of residences were also moved to Abernathy from
Bartonsite.
In the fall of 1909 a school building was built by public
subscription and the first school was taught by Mrs. Ola Legg,
who taught from that time every year save one until her elec-
tion to the office of County Superintendent of Schools, in
1922. The Tuco plant was built two miles north of Abernathy
in 1930.
Abernathy was incorporated in 1925 with F. W. Struve as
the first Mayor. Mr. Struve is Mayor at the present time.
Abernathy was supplied by the Strip Post Office until the
Post Office at Abernathy was established on January 13, 1910.
The population of the town is 743 persons in Hale County
and 115 in Lubbock County.
Freeport
The Post Office of Freeport was established in 1909, two
miles north of Plainview in the Seth Ward Addition, to serve
the Central Plains College and Conservatory of Music that
was established by the Nazarene Church. The Post Office
was discontinued when the school became Seth Ward College.
Halfway
Halfway was started as a community center in 1909, when
the school was established, which was named "Halfway" by
SETTLEMENT 23
George L. Mayfield, at that time County Judge and Ex Officio
Superintendent of Schools, since it was located at a point half-
way between the two countyseats, Plainview and Olton, or
about fourteen miles west of Plainview. Edgar Howard
opened a store at Halfway and became the first Postmaster.
Unlike some of the towns of Hale County, Halfway was
not started by any prospect of a railroad, and until the present
time, no effort has been made to secure one. In the beginning,
the little store served a community need. Mail was brought by
Star Route from Plainview to Olton. When a movement
was made to change the route in a way that would miss Half-
way, the people applied for a Post Office in order to retain the
Star Route. The limited patronage was not sufficient to
justify the services of a Postmaster, however, and after a
time it was discontinued.
At the present time Halfway is composed of the school
house, one store and filling station, a blacksmith shop, a cotton
gin, two churches and several residences.
Edmonson
The town of Edmonson was platted by W. W. Edmonson
on August 22, 1929, at the Edmonson Switch on the Fort
Worth and Denver Railroad. The train, however, does not
stop at Edmonson at the present time, and the Post Office
which was moved from Runningwater to Edmonson is sup-
plied by Star Route from Kress. The town consists of two
elevators, two grocery stores, and filling stations, a black-
smith shop, several residences and the Post Office. The name
of the Runningwater Post Office was changed to Edmonson
on February 1, 1937.
Cotton Center
Cotton Center became a community center in 1925 when
the Anchor, Norfleet and Bartonsite rural schools were con-
solidated into an Independent School District, known as the
Cotton Center School. It is located twelve miles southwest of
Hale Center, in the center of a thriving cotton - farming com-
munity, not far from the old Norfleet townsite, on a paved
highway leading from Plainview to Littlefield.
A $50,000 school building was erected and school opened
24 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
in the fall of 1925 with ten teachers, with 'G. A. Lowrey as
Superintendent. The school at the present time has twenty -
one and one -half credits with the State Board of Education
and ranks among the best rural schools on the Plains.
The Post Office was established at Cotton Center in Sep-
tember, 1935, with Mrs. E. M. Yates as Postmistress. There
are now two gins, a barber shop, a cafe, two garages, a church,
school house and several residences at Cotton Center.
Post Offices
The record of Post Offices in Hale County with Roster of
Postmasters and dates of their appointments is as follows :
Postmaster
P. O. Date Appointed
EPHRAIM
Ephraim H. Cone June 27, 1881 (Established)
Discontinued and nail ordered
sent to Clarendon in Donley
County October 24, 1882
EP W ORTH
Horatio Graves June 3, 1884 (Established)
Frank Y. Lincoln February 6, 1891
The name of this office was changed
to Hale City April 16, 1891
PLAINVIEW
Edwin L. Lowe March 18, 1887 (Established)
Thornton Jones September 13, 1887
Andrew Vince October 25, 1888
John G. Davidson July 30, 1890
James M. Presler April 10, 1893
Jesse C. Burch December 14, 1895
Hugh McClelland March 17, 1899
Charles McCormack May 11, 1901
James C. Newman December 16, 1907
George Keck January 28, 1909
B. O. Sanford June 17, 1913
Ernest E. Spencer (Acting) February 25, 1919
William P. Stockton July 28, 1919
Fred L. Brown (Acting) November 19, 1922
Fred L. Brown March 1, 1923
Leroy W. Williamson November 17, 1932
John C. Terry (Acting) April 6, 1933
John C. Terry February 15, 1935
Postmaster
SETTLEMENT
P. O.
WADSWORTH
Dennis Rice December 8, 1890 (Established)
The name of this office was
changed to Runningwater January 28, 1891
RUNNINGWATER
Dennis Rice January 28, 1891 (Established)
Samuel T. Cooper May 4, 1893
Stephen T. Stone June 6, 1896
Adelbert J. Whitney December 19, 1896
Addie Winsor September 30, 1901
Sallie Jones November 9, 1903
Taylor Fortenberry September 26, 1904
James Anderson January 2, 1906
Charley W. Day January 18, 1909
Herbert R. Tarwater December 30, 1909
Mrs. Anna L. Meisenheimer April 26, 1921
Mrs. Lillian Fortenberry August 2, 1923
Changed to Edmonson February 1, 1937
HALE CITY
Frank Y. Lincoln April 16, 1891 (Established)
Horatio Graves October 7, 1891
The name of this office was
changed to Hale Center September 19, 1893
CLISBEE
Robert Montgomery August 3, 1891 (Established)
Thomas C. Scott November 16, 1891
Robert W. Montgomery November 28, 1892
Samuel A. Spears October 30, 1893
T. L. Van Vacter July 6, 1894
This office was discontinued September 11, 1894
Mail was ordered sent to Hale Center.
This office was re- established July 16, 1900
James R. Garrison July 16, 1900
This office was discontinued September 30, 1901
Mail was ordered sent to Petersburg.
PROGRESS
Date Appointed
William P. Long April 11, 1892 (Established)
Discontinued May 31, 1898
Mail was ordered sent to Plainview
25
26 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Postmaster
P. 0. Date Appointed
HALE CENTER
Joseph S. Highsmith.. September 19, 1893 (Established)
Andrew J. Oliver December 13, 1899
Nils M. Akeson June 2, 1900
Rebecca J. Bridges April 24, 1907
Mrs. Artie M. Shepard October 28, 1914
Miss Matilda Akeson November 18, 1921
Mrs. Carolyn A. Moreman (Acting) .... July 20, 1934
Mrs. Carolyn A. Moreman February 15, 1935
KENNEBUNK
Mortimore E. Merrill Aug. 16, 1894 (Established)
Discontinued June 15, 1896
Mail was ordered sent to Hale Center
PETERSBURG
This office was established as Petersburg in Floyd
County.
Margaret Peter September 29, 1891 (Established)
This office was changed into Hale
County May 16, 1896
Edwin M. White May 16, 1896
Joseph T. J. Stalcup November 1, 1907
George T. Stagner July 8, 1908
Henry A. White September 18, 1909
John B. Gartin February 19, 1912
Mack H. Winningham March 20, 1913
Elias C. Dean December 27, 1915
Robert H. Gregory April 10, 1917
H. Oran Martin October 31, 1925
Mrs. Maggie Thomas (Acting) ....September . 23, 1927
Mrs. Maggie Thomas April 20, 1928
Floyd A. Eaves (Acting) October 5, 1936
SPEEDWELL
Lafayette E. Speed April 12, 1901 (Established)
Discontinued June 30, 1902
Mail ordered sent to Petersburg
COPENHAGEN
Thomas H. Miller June 26, 1902 (Established)
John W. Stevens July 15, 1904
The name of this office was changed to
Norfleet May 23, 1907
Postmaster
SETTLEMENT
P. O.
STRIP
Jerry M. Turner April 15, 1904 (Established)
Joseph W. St. Clair December 28, 1907
This office was discontinued July 15, 1910
Mail was ordered sent to Abernathy
ELLEN
Carl W. Richardson May 20, 1904 (Established)
This office was discontinued January 31, 1923
Mail was ordered sent to Plainview.
NORFLEET
John W. Stevens May 23, 1907 (Established)
Barnie E. Rushing November 16, 1907
James P. Flake July 16, 1909
Thomas C. Masterson July 21, 1910
John A. Hall April 4, 1911
This office was discontinued June 30, 1913
Mail was ordered sent to Hale Center
BARTONSITE
G. M. Reed February 8, 1908 (Established)
Mrs. Sallie J. Smith August 31, 1909
Boswell B. Brown December 31, 1913
Oliver C. Harraman December 12, 1917
Winkfrey M. Garrison September 14, 1918
This office was discontinued April 15, 1921
Mail was ordered sent to Hale Center
EDENVILLE
Walter J. Dunlap August 7, 1908 (Established)
Discontinued July 31, 1909
Mail was ordered sent to Eden in Concho County
FREEPORT
ABERNATHY
Date Appointed
Clarence C. Smith July 10, 1909 (Established)
This office was discontinued May 14, 1910
Mail was ordered sent to Plainview
J. M. Anderson.. .....January 13, 1910 (Established)
John C. Arnett December 10, 1910
Arthur G. Gilbert January 9, 1923
George W. Ragland (Acting) October 1, 1927
George W. Ragland December 15, 1927
27
28 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Postmaster
P. 0. Date Appointed
HALFWAY
Edgar L. Howard May 4, 1910 (Established)
Mrs. Cora B. McComas January 30, 1912
William W. Pinkerton March 21, 1913
This office was discontinued January 31, 1914
Mail was ordered sent to Runningwater.
COTTON CENTER
Mrs. Eunice P. Yates Sept. 25, 1935 (Established)
EDMONSON
Mrs. Lillian Fortenberry Feb. 1, 1937 (Established)
Home Building
The development in home building and construction of
business houses has been in keeping with other phases of prog-
ress. Most of the homes built prior to 1890 were dugouts.
These were temporal abodes and were forerunners of the
wooden houses which at first were in primitive form. The
dugout was made with little labor and expense, but was all that
the frontier justified, when lands sold for 25¢ per acre. They
were warm in winter and cool in summer, served their purpose
and gave way to better things. The sod house was a happy
improvement, and the plank floor added to its comfort. The
pioneers of Hale County were young people full of hope and
courage and lived in the future rather than the present, and
privations were overlooked in the joy in anticipation of build-
ing a new country.
Better homes began to appear in Plainview in the nineties
though most of the citizens still lived in dugouts. The first
wooden home was the box house, boarded and weatherstripped,
sometimes called the "plank house." These usually consisted
of two rooms and a lean - to. There were few homes in Hale
County having more than four rooms prior to 1908. The corn-
ing of the railroad and the immigration of settlers brought
about what is known as the little wood bungalow. Several
aristocratic homes were built during 1908 having eight and ten
rooms and these were the first homes with brick chimneys.
In 1909 better houses appeared. The first good farm homes
SETTLEMENT 29
are said to have been built in the Menonite community in the
Snyder District. Stucco homes were popular for a period.
The building boom abated when the railroad built south from
Plainview, but in 1912 new and better rural homes were con-
structed. Building fluctuated for several years. Then from
1919 to 1929 an extensive building period brought about the
modern home with all its improvements. The brick veneer
homes in attractive plans and types of architecture became
more popular and added to the beauty of the towns and coun-
try. The primitive fuel gave way to high priced coal which
is now largely replaced by natural gas. The creaking wind-
mill on each town lot has been taken down and city water
placed at finger tips. Electricity has replaced the tallow candle,
the coal -oil larnp, the washboard and the old flat iron. These
modern utilities, gas and electricity, have invaded parts of the
rural districts. With the wheels of progress still turning, the
rural communities will doubtless soon have access to these im-
provements.
CHAPTER III
LANDS AND LAND PROBLEMS
At the time Texas won her independence from Mexico, she
claimed as her western boundary the Rio Grande River and
from its head to the 42nd parallel of latitude, and for her
eastern boundary the line agreed upon between the United
States and Mexico in 1819. When the Republic of Texas was
admitted into the union as a state, she retained control of all her
vast public domain. By the compromise of 1850, the State of
Texas relinquished to the United States for the sum of $10,000,
000 all that part of this territory now embraced in the states of
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming,
which amounted to approximately one -third of her area at that
time. Since Texas was a slave state, and the Mason and
Dixon Line was designated as the dividing line between slave
and non -slave states, the northern boundary between the 100th
and 103rd meridians was moved south to the parallel of 36° 30',
cutting off that strip of land which lay north of the Mason and
Dixon Line, now known as the Oklahoma Panhandle.
To encourage the building of railroads in Texas, a law was
passed granting to railroad companies sixteen sections (640
acres each) of land for each mile of railroad built and operated
in the state. Scrip calling for required number of certificates
was issued to railroad companies granting them the right to
select at any place upon the public domain one section of land
for each certificate held.
In order to get the school lands surveyed, the state required
that the railroad companies survey one section of school land
for each section of railroad land they surveyed. Each alternate
section was given to the railroads and the other section to the
schools, the odd numbered sections being railroad land and the
even numbers school land. This checkerboard method of dis-
tributing the land was intended to promote the settlement of the
country. Furthermore, the railroad companies were compelled
to dispose of their grants within a certain time or forfeit their
30
LANDS AND LAND PROBLEMS 31
claims. Many of the railroad companies evaded this by selling
these certificates through their agents through the middle west,
while a few of the railroads formed land companies within
themselves and sold the lands to the real estate companies so
formed. The cost of the railroad land to the settler was ap-
proximately 25¢ per acre when all expenses had been paid. The
blocks of land so surveyed were named for the patentee rather
than the Township system used in other parts of the United
States. Blocks of land in Hale County were issued to and
named for the following Railroad Companies : Denison and
South Eastern Railway Company, East Line and Red River
Railroad Company, Tyler Tap Railway Company, Gulf, Colo-
rado and Santa Fe Railroad Company and the Houston, El
Paso and West Texas Railroad Company.
Between the blocks of land surveyed in Hale County by the
Railroad Companies or their grantees, there remained several
narrow strips of land not included in any surveys. This land
was given to settlers for homesteads, 160 acres to each head of
a family and eighty acres to each unmarried person who would
occupy and cultivate it for three years. At the end of that
period a patent was granted upon proof of occupancy. A Pre-
emption Law permitted a settler to "pre -empt" land, live on it
one year, pay $1.25 per acre for it and receive a patent. The
first homesteads to be filed upon in Hale County were those of
Z. T. Maxwell and E. L. Lowe in 1886, who afterwards pre-
empted the land and secured title within one year. In a few
years all homestead lands were taken.
An Act of the Legislature provided that four leagues of land
out of the public domain should be reserved for each county
for free school purposes. As a county was organized, that
county was allowed to select four leagues of land at any place
where sufficient unappropriated land could be found. Four
leagues of land lying in the southwestern part of Hale County
was given to Sabine County and two leagues in the southeastern
part of the county with two leagues adjoining them in Floyd
County were given to Callahan County. Hale County's school
lands are located in Bailey County.
The distribution of the public domain made by the State of
Texas, as shown by the Report of the Commissioner of the
General Land Office 1934 -1936, is as follows :
32 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
DISTRIBUTION OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Acres
Grants by Spain and Mexico 26,280,000
The State University, by the Republic 221,400
The State University (1876) Constitution 1,000,000
The State University (1883) Legislature 1,000,000
Kiamasha Road 27,000
To build the Capitol 3,050,000
Parker County Courthouse 320
Palo Pinto County Courthouse 320
San Jacinto Veteran donation 1,169,382
Disabled Confederates 1,979,852
To Pay Public Debt 1,660,936
Homestead donations (preemption) 4,847,136
Internal Improvements (irrigation, etc.) 4,061,000
Counties for school purposes 4,229,166
Headright and bounties 36,876,492
Colonies (Peters, Mercer, et al.) 4,494,806
Railroads 32,153,878
Asylums (four) 400,000
Public Free School 42,400,556
Total surveyed 165,852,244
Estimated Area 170,936,080
The state school lands were placed on the market first at $1
per acre with thirty years to pay for it, one person being allowed
to purchase seven sections, however, some of the large ranchers
who desired large bodies of land secured Power of Attorney
from their relatives and friends and acquired control of large
tracts of land to the exclusion of the actual settlers.
The state school lands in Hale County were first classified
as Agricultural Land and placed on the market at $2 per acre
on forty years time with 5 per cent interest on deferred pay-
ments, each person being allowed to purchase only one section.
This law was made by the State Legislators in other parts of
the state who wished to promote the settlement of the region of
the Staked Plains and Panhandle which had been made hab-
itable by the exit of the Indians in 1874. These terms of sale
seemed liberal to the legislators at the time but when settlers
began to actually occupy the land they were faced with the un-
certainty of farming in a new country where no transportation
facilities provided an outlet for the industry and they were
LANDS AND LAND PROBLEMS 33
forced to turn to cattle- raising as their principal means of live-
lihood. One section of land proved inadequate for the grazing
of sufficient cattle to make a living for a family and to meet the
payments of interest and principal on the land.
During the early nineties, drouth and a plague of grasshop-
pers swept the plains; settlers failed to make crops and the
grass was insufficient for the cattle. Many people were forced
to leave the country, while others stayed on with their holdings
and fought to work out their problems.
Through the efforts of Senator D. F. Goss, of Seymour, an
extension of the payment of interest was effected in 1893.
This, however, afforded only temporary relief. In 1895 Sena-
tor Goss attempted to achieve further relief for the Plains
settlers, but legislators over the state were unfamiliar with the
existing conditions and all he was able to accomplish was to
secure a reduction in the rate of interest from 5 to 3 per rent for
grazing land. This afforded no relief to the plainsmen since
their land was classed as Agricultural land.
Having agreed among themselves that four sections of land
was a reasonable acreage to enable a settler to keep enough live-
stock to live on, and that $2 per acre was too high a price for
land to be used for grazing purposes, the people of the Staked
Plains and Panhandle united in an effort to secure more favor-
able legislation, and Col. R. P. Smyth, of Plainview, was elected
as Representative from the Panhandle District to the State
Legislature.
Being thoroughly familiar with every phase of the problem,
and knowing the minds of his people, Colonel Smyth went to
the Legislature in 1897 with plans definitely formulated. His
first action was to call a caucus of the western members to con-
sider the changes he wished to make in the Goss Land Bill
which was then before the House. This Bill attempted certain
changes in the school land laws but which would provide little
relief. The most important Amendment the Colonel wished to
make was to permit a settler to buy school land without regard
to any lease by the state upon the land. This Amendment the
western members absolutely refused to grant, but they finally
agreed to pass such an amendment to apply only to the Pan-
handle District of 36 counties. When this point had been
34 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
settled and many pledges given to support the new bill, the
Colonel contacted Senator Goss, and an agreement was reached
by which the frame work of the Goss Land Bill was retained
but all objectionable provisions were stricken out and the new
provisions proposed were substituted. By this means the co-
operation of Senator Goss was secured in passing it through the
Senate.
The new provisions included the following : (a) The pur-
chase by a settler of a school section without regard to any
lease upon the land; (b) provision that a settler could buy four
sections, three of which must be within five miles of his home
section, and that if at any time the settler was financially unable
to carry one or more of the additional sections he could sur-
render same to the state and his obligations for same would be
canceled; (c) that the Commissioners Court of each county
should classify the land in their respective counties ; (d) that the
terms of sale should be one - fortieth paid in cash and the balance
in forty years with 3% interest on the deferred payments.
The Attorney General was asked to rewrite the Bill to include
the changes agreed upon between Colonel Smyth and Senator
Goss. Before the Bill came to a vote in the House, the Colonel
secured the consent of members south of his district to move
the line which was afterwards popularly known as the "Abso-
lute Lease Line" two counties south, thus placing all counties
north of the south line of Lynn County in the territory where
the school land was to be leased subject to sale to settlers. This
change was made when the Bill came up for final passage in the
House, April 29, 1897, where it passed by a unanimous vote.
Thus came into being the FOUR SECTION ACT which led
to the settlement of the Plains.
All those who had bought school land at $2. per acre under
the one section law forfeited their lands. The Commissioners
Court of Hale County promptly reclassified the lands as Graz-
ing Land, automatically reducing the price to $1 per acre, and
all who had faith in the country and vision to foresee its future
values bought four sections each. In a short time after the
passing of the Four Section Act, a flood of immigrants came
into Hale County and soon the public school lands were all
taken up.
PURCHASER
J. E. Perry
W. B. Ford
Miss Willie Baker
J. T. Matsler
W. P. Long
J. B. Neil
J. W. Swink
R. D. McCallester
J. H. Portwood
J. S. Ray
J. F. Ray, Jr.
J. R. Gollaher
L. L. Bush
M. Stone & P. B.
W. H. Perdue
J. W. Gallant
W. S. Helm
Percy L. Robinson
G. Lohmann
E. L. Hardin
C. R. M. Floyd
L. A. Donaldson
Wm. M. Pumphrey
Edwin N. Welter
W. P. Herbert
A. R. McCriston
J. D. Green
J. C. White
J. W. Smylie
W. R. Hampton
LANDS AND LAND PROBLEMS 35
DISTRIBUTION OF HALE
2 -21 -1890
8 -13 -1890
10 -16 -1891
6 -19 -1890
12 -2 -1890
7 -5 -1890
8 -13 -1891
11 -14 -1891
4 -27 -1891
1 -16 -1891
3 -9 -1891
4 -1 -1892
11 -23 -1891
Oats 12 -10 -1891
6 -15 -1891
1 -5 -1892
4 -5 -1892
2 -12 -1892
4 -1 -1892
5- 4-1892
7 -1 -1892
5 -7 -1892
5 -14 -1892
4 -1 -1892
7 -17 -1890
9 -1 -1890
10 -6 -1890
3 -1 -1890
1 -23 -1891
10 -8 -1892
COUNTY LAND
Original Grants to: Acres
Railroads 272,049
State School Fund 336,292
Homesteads and Pre - emptions 26,877
War Benefits 3,332
Callahan County School Fund 7,117
Sabine County School Fund 17,373
Total 663,040
EARLY LAND OWNERS
In order to show the names of as many of the early settlers as pos-
sible, a list of the original purchasers of school land and those who
filed on homesteads is given below.
DATE OF SALE PURCHASER DATE OF SALE
Alexander Thomas
J. W. Cox
C. C. Wilkerson
J. E. Cox
Wm. W. Humble
Wm. Lilwall
J. A. Hooper
R. W. O'Keefe
A. P. Hill
W. M. Chandler
J. S. Highsmith
Alex Jones
G. H. Durham
C. H. Polen
T. L. Pearson
W. R. Ferguson
D. B. Stingily
W. M. Irby
J. E. Fitzgerald
M. J. Ewalt
J. T. Hill
H. B. Schoonmaker
Harry Austin
Elizabeth Ledbetter
W. A. Harral
J. R. Harral
R. M. Morris
J. A. Phillips
W. R. Norfleet
W. M. Owens
9 -3 -1890
3 -4 -1890
8 -5 -1890
3 -24 -1890
2 -27 -1890
7 -31 -1890
3 -1 -1890
11 -12 -1889
7 -14 -1890
9 -16 -1892
8 -12 -1890
9 -19 -1890
6 -27 -1890
11 -28 -1890
1 -12 -1891
12 -13 -1890
12 -1 -1890
9 -15 -1890
8 -8 -1890
12 -2 -1891
10 -14 -1890
7 -10 -1890
4-4 -1892
8 -25 -1891
8 -29 -1890
8 -29 -1890
3 -3 -1890
10 -2 =1891
4 -17 -1893
10 -30 -1891
36 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
PURCHASER
W. E. Ivey
J. H. Calvert
C. Stone
S. B. Fannin
J. L. Crawford
W. M. Stone
R. A. Hudgins
D. P. Waggoner
E. S. Renfro
N. P. Giles
F. Browning
C. H. Van Horn
W. C. Thomason
J. C. Renfrow
Robt. Montgomery
J. H. Reed
W. L. Harrington
J. S. Cook
Chas. Craft
W. E. Craft
W. L. Carry
W. B. Woodruff
B. F. Hatchell
B. M. Hatchell
John Glynn
R. C. Hampton
T. M. Lattimore
R. V. Jones
W. P. Blake
Chas. Scott
I. M. Harkey
Jno. A. Cassidy
R. B. Corneuls
J. E. Bryan
R. C. Ware
N. J. Herbert
J. R. True
I. M. Sowder
P. A. Alverson
T. W. Canterberry
M. A. Merrell
J. W. Anderson
W. L. McGehee
A. C. Cooper
G. M. Slaughter
W. W. Cooper
J. S. Boren
DATE OF SALE
4-3 -1890
3 -1 -1890
9 -2 -1890
8 -8 -1890
9 -24 -1891
8-7 -1890
9 -2 -1890
8 -8 -1890
3 -1 -1892
12 -1 -1891
8 -12 -1891
10 -20 -1890
8 -14 -1890
4-18 -1890
5 -11 -1891
11 -24 -1890
8 -24 -1891
8 -24 -1891
2 -18 -1891
2 -6 -1891
4- 4-1891
1 -30 -1893
3 -19 -1892
2- 4-1892
2 -12 -1892
9 -3 -1892
12 -10 -1891
12 -26 -1890
9 -8 -1891
12 -12 -1890
9 -26 -1890
12 -20 -1890
7 -22 -1890
8 -22 -1890
12 -13 -1890
10 -6 -1890
7 -18 -1890
4-4 -1892
6 -24 -1890
6 -25 -1891
8 -30 -1890
9 -23 -1892
12 -4 -1890
3 -6 -1893
2 -2 -1891
5- 8-1893
5 -12 -1892
PURCHASER
F. L. Blanchard
J. V. Matlock
A. W. Powers
A. D. Hooper
M. D. Evans
Wm. Onyett
J. S. Evans
H. Y. Morrow
W. N. Claxton
D. F. Webb
Frank Sageser
Anderson Carter
C. H. Marshall
W. E. Helm
I. J. Helm
A. J. Baker
W. D. Robinson
J. H. Meeks
J. H. Denson
E. E. Burden
G. L. Mayfield
W. P. Ewing
Oscar Hinde
N. Smith
J. W. Ivey
H. B. Carpenter
W. H. Ragland
T. Ivey
W. W. Hassell
J. W. Reedy
A. L. Maupin
J. B. Vanvacter
Jno. W. Moore
O. Young
Jo Ray
A. L. King
W. J. Addo
G. C. Sharp
Sam T. Ray
R. L. Hooper
J. L. Moore
W. S. Potter
J. E. Ogden
Alice Rosser
J. E. Roberts
D. L. Baker
R. E. Snider
DATE OF SALE
1 -2 -1891
1 -5 -1891
3- 6-1891
3-4 -1892
12 -17 -1890
4-23 -1892
5 -7 -1892
5 -7 -1893
6 -28 -1892
5 -20 -1893
12 -27 -1892
8 -6 -1892
11- 6-1890
11 -21 -1890
11 -8 -1890
9 -26 -1892
5-4 -1892
5 -2 -1892
5 -4 -1892
9 -9 -1891
7- 4-1892
9 -9 -1891
5 -25 -1891
12 -28 -1891
8-5 -1891
9 -11 -1891
9 -1 -1891
8 -5 -1891
12 -28 -1891
9 -1 -1891
2 -12 -1891
10 -1 -1891
1 -3 -1891
4 -13 -1893
1 -16 -1891
2 -21 -1891
4-2 -1891
5 -6 -1891
1 -19 -1891
4 -30 -1892
6 -11 -1892
5 -20 -1893
2 -11 -1892
2 -1 -1890
11 -11 -1890
7 -28 -1893
4-22 -1891
PURCHASER
J. L. Blake
M. L. Landers
J. T. Landers
T. N. McDaniel
B. F. Kendall
A. T. Howell, Jr.
C. F. Shirley
W. B. Sheffy
M. T. Wilson
P. H. Pearson
J. T. Haynes, Jr.
J. T. Haynes, Sr.
J. A. Jackson
J. L. McWilliams
W. H. Ragle, Jr.
J. E. Hood
Kate Cannon
A. Jones
L. G. Wilson
Crawford Greer
W. C. Hill ,
Gust Nelson
T. V. Overhuls
T. W. Morrison
W. J. Tidwell
M. D. Hadden
J. E. Peters
J. J. Blythe
D. C. Lowe
Thos. Wilson
A. E. Moore
Geo. W. Dismuke
W. A. Ambler
H. J. Pipkin
M. D. Leach
Joel H. Snider
J. T. Smyer
J. Q. Turner
A. D. Wailen
C. L. Stone
Wm. Morley
D. L. Shepley
A. D. Shepley
I. M. Harkey
G. D. Allen
A. E. Allen
G. W. Baker
LANDS AND LAND PROBLEMS 37
DATE OF SALE
8 -8 -1891
12 -29 -1890
8 -17 -1891
1 -18 -1892
2 -12 -1891
8 -29 -1890
2 -4 -1893
6 -30 -1893
2 -12 -1891
8 -7 -1891
8 -20 -1891
12 -7 -1891
8 -7 -1891
12 -4 -1894
1 -16 -1891
9 -9 -1891
3 -31 -1888
7 -15 -1890
11 -22 -1889
6 -10 -1893
7 -30 -1892
7 -16 -1890
8 -18 -1890
9 -7 -1889
3 -22 -1890
6 -20 -1890
4 -5 -1890
6 -24 -1890
2 -1 -1890
5 -10 -1894
4 -10 -1890
5 -17 -1890
12 -15 -1891
9 -22 -1890
5 -15 -1890
5 -31 -1890
9 -15 -1890
6-14 -1890
6 -16 -1890
9 -2 -1890
8 -12 -1889
8 -8 -1889
8 -9 -1890
9 -18 -1889
8 -28 -1889
8 -19 -1890
8 -8 -1889
PURCHASER
T. H. Miller
G. H. Morris
L. A. White
W. T. Lay
J. E. Whitmire
F. G. Hudgins
F. M. Lester
Jno. E. McEntire
J. J. Hamilton
L. T. Lester
W. M. Roberts
J. J. Barton
Richard C. Barton
J. R. Porterfield
Mrs. Julia A. Barton
Ed Miller
M. L. Hatchell
H. Vantrees
J. H. Hooper
Eugene Hixon
J. M. Robinson
G. Lehman
E. Nixon
T. R. Bruce
J. T. Hewlett
E. M. McGaugh
H. Hancock
E. J. Roberts
Lee Duvall
S. T. Cooper
G. M. Slaughter
J. O. Brown
D. C. Shelton
J. H. Leaverton
John Hobbs
J. W. Ray
Geo. E. Vallade
J. E. Walker
J. E. Kendall
R. L. Meyers
J. M. Presler
J. T. Omalier
W. H. Morrison
C. C. Quillin
C. E. Epps
J. L. Waits
W. F. Hicks
DATE OF SALE
1 -7 -1892
9 -10 -1890
8 -8 -1889
9 -1 -1890
8 -8 -1889
8 -25 -1890
8 -8 -1889
8 -15 -1890
8 -8 -1890
8 -8 -1890
12 -10 -1890
2 -12 -1892
10 -13 -1891
8 -26 -1892
10 -13 -1891
3 -11 -1892
4 -18 -1892
8 -21 -1891
3 -4 -1892
12 -18 -1890
4 -11 -1891
12 -27 -1890
12 -18 -1890
9 -20 -1890
9 -16 -1890
8 -12 -1890
3 -26 -1891
12 -12 -1890
1 -2 -1891
3- 6-1893
12 -13 -1892
5 -30 -1893
2 -20 -1892
4 -22 -1892
9 -13 -1890
9 -13 -1890
3 -1 -1890
5 -17 -1890
10 -10 -1891
12 -16 -1890
10- 4-1890
3 -11 -1890
7 -31 -1890
12 -4 -1890
8 -11 -1890
12 -13 -1890
2 -7 -1891
38 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
PURCHASER
H. R. Isbell
Seat Turner
W. 0. Morton
W. C. Reagan
Ike Hendley
J. H. Davis
J. V. Allen
H. G. Wynn
E. M. Harp
T. R. Alexander
E. L. Philips
M. L. Bryant
J. J. Browder
W. A. Truss
J. K. Haynes
SURVEYED FOR:
Ed L. Lowe
Z. T. Maxwell
Poliet Smith
W. H. Portwood
Mrs. M. A. Lowe
H. L. Griffin
W. P. Griffin
Horace Griffin
A. J. Welter
T. E. Smith
Chas. E. McClelland
J. C. Burch
Hugh Burch
I. G. Bowman
Thomas Beard
Jno. A. Bell
E. F. Graham
J. C. Glenn
C. H. Harlan
Sterling P. Leach
Chas. J. Mapes
J. S. Vaughn
R. A. Ford
W. H. Bryan
Jas. H. Bryan
Polk Bryan
J. B. Leach
M. D. Leach
DATE OF SALE
8 -8 -1895
11 -18 -1890
10 -16 -1890
8 -15 -1892
9 -8 -1891
12 -30 -1890
5 -8 -1892
5 -28 -1891
5 -2 -1892
11 -21 -1890
7 -22 -1890
7 -3 -1890
5 -24 -1890
10 -20 -1890
3 -26 -1890
DATE SURVEYED
5 -21 -1887
5 -21 -1887
2 -20 -1888
2 -20 -1888
2 -22 -1888
3 -29 -1888
3 -29 -1888
3 -29 -1888
3 -4 -1888
6 -22 -1888
6 -22 -1888
7 -24 -1888
7 -26 -1888
7 -10 -1888
7 -13 -1888
7 -20 -1888
7 -21 -1888
7 -23 -1888
7 -23 -1888
7 -24 -1888
7 -25 -1888
7 -30 -1888
8 -9 -1888
8 -30 -1888
8 -30 -1888
8 -30 -1888
10 -9 -1888
10 -9 -1888
Homesteads
PURCHASER
T. C. Scott
J. W. Baker
J. M. Upshaw
Robt. M. Hood
C. L. Groff
M. E. Rosser
A. E. Adams
W. S. Young
S. P. Strong
T. G. Nance
A. J. Triplett
Ed Duncan
E. W. Dyer
W. J. Donohoo
SURVEYED FOR:
Joshua Pendley
A. L. Conkling
C. F. Conkling
T. B. Leverett
J. M. Carter
John Pendley
S. C. Lewis
J. W. Smylie
Hugh McClelland
John Pendley
Wm. M. Pendley
Chas. Pendley
F. M. Bradford
Ed Miller
Lizzie Whitcher
A. H. Hanson
H. L Formway
J. M. Snider
R. E. Snider
J. T. Chapman
W. E. Stewart
D. L. Baker
B. L. Spencer
Christian Sander
J. M. Rosser
Eli Barks
Andrew Vince
Will Bradford
DATE OF SALE
1 -2 -1891
8 -13 -1890
4 -14 -1893
9 -9 -1891
2 -4 -1890
8 -31 -1891
2 -3 -1890
2 -3 -1890
4-11 -1890
6 -28 -1890
9 -1 -1891
8 -25 -1890
6 -18 -1893
11 -9 -1895
DATE SURVEYED
11- 8-1888
11 -10 -1888
11 -10 -1888
11 -10 -1888
11 -21 -1888
12 -11 -1888
12 -11 -1888
12 -12 -1888
2 -13 -1889
4 -13 -1889
4 -14 -1889
4 -14 -1889
4 -19 -1889
4 -22 -1889
5 -9 -1889
5 -9 -1889
7 -30 -1889
7 -31 -1889
7 -31 -1889
8 -1 -1889
8 -19 -1889
10 -21 -1889
10 -22 -1889
10 -22 -1889
12 -10 -1889
12 -21 -1889
1 -29 -1890
2 -8 -1890
SURVEYED FOR:
G. E. Smith
Isaac McCormick
R. M. Crump
E. J. Turner
L. S. Kinder
R. G. Oldham
R. Holland
J. O. Brown
Tom Murphy
J. H. Garrison
Lee Murphy
J. E. Whitman
W. S. Foster
S. L. Tucker
J. H. Dunagan
P. S. Green
F. M. Drake
J. P. Lattimore
E. A. Glover
E. F. Williams
L. G. Hoffman
R. W. Martine
J. H. Potter
S. D. Lemaster
Poliet Smith
J. P. Ogden
W. V. Ogden
M. M. Starkey
J. W. Christie
A. L. Conkling
C. F. Conkling
R. A. Rosson
John McNeil
J. F. Norfleet
C. T. Merrick
E. J. Beard
H. M. Burch
R. E. Burch
J. A. Brewster
A. J. Brewster
Oscar Bryan
J. H. Bryan
W. H. Bryan
H. A. Counts
LANDS AND LAND PROBLEMS 39
DATE SURVEYED
2 -10 -1890
2 -18 -1890
2 -17 -1890
2 -17 -1890
3 -12 -1890
3 -13 -1890
6-18 -1890
4-14 -1890
6 -24 -1890
4 -15 -1890
7 -24 -1890
10 -10 -1890
10 -10 -1890
10 -9 -1890
10 -23 -1890
10 -9 -1890
10 -29 -1890
10 -29 -1890
11 -1 -1890
7 -29 -1890
7 -26 -1890
2 -28 -1891
6 -17 -1890
6 -3 -1890
4 -15 -1890
10 -6 -1890
10 -6 -1890
12 -24 -1890
1 -21 -1891
1 -27 -1891
1 -27 -1891
1 -29 -1891
2 -2 -1891
3 -26 -1895
12 -15 -1891
3 -27 -1891
12 -14 -1891
12 -14 -1891
10 -15 -1891
10 -15 -1891
1 -18 -1892
9 -19 -1891
9 -19 -1891
10 -15 -1891
SURVEYED FOR:
L. Lee Dye
W. B. Ford
W. M. Glover
M. D. Glover
D. P. Goodwin
John Glynn
W. V. Hobbs
A. A. Hobbs
J. D. Hobbs
J. V. Hobbs
R. F. Hobbs
John Kiser
M. E. Lemaster
F. J. Lemaster
R. C. Lemaster
D. A. Meridith
C. J. Mapes
W. B. Martine
D. R. McVicker
S. M. Nations
J. F. Owens
J. B. Oswald
J. M. Presler
C. C. Pendley
W. H. Portwood
H. J. Pipkin
A. B. Rosser
B. L. Ray
J. M. Shafer
W. W. Snell
I. B. Shelton
J. B. Shelton
G. W. Shelton
W. A. Shelton
I. A. Shelton
J. P. Toney
L. Vallade
E. L. Vallade
M. C. Vallade
Ed M. White
S. A. White
J. E. White
H. A. White
Hamilton West
DATE SURVEYED
3- 244895
3 -4 -1891
2 -8 -1893
2 -8 -1893
5 -3 -1893
1 -24 -1893
4 -7 -1893
4 -7 -1893
4 -7 -1893
4-7 -1893
1 -8 -1893
9 -12 -1889
2 -4 -1891
2 -4 -1891
2 -15 -1891
1 -27 -1891
10 -17 -1891
10 -16 -1891
9 -3 -1891
5 -29 -1891
8 -29 -1891
1 -5 -1892
8 -8 -1891
7 -11 -1891
4 -16 -1892
5 -25 -1892
8 -27 -1891
1 -18 -1895
1 -28 -1891
8 -29 -1893
10 -8 -1892
10 -8 -1892
10 -8 -1892
10 -8 -1892
5 -29 -1893
10 -14 -1891
12 -9 -1893
3 -31 -1892
3 -31 -1892
2 -28 -1896
2 -28 -1896
2 -28 -1896
2 -28 -1896
10 -14 -1892
CHAPTER IV
INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Cattle and Dairy Industry
For a quarter of a century, cattle- raising was the only
profitable industry of Hale County. The open range afforded
free grazing for the stock and when the waters of the streams
which then drained the vast prairies proved inadequate, wind-
mills were erected and water was pumped from deep wells into
great earthen tanks.
The cattle industry began in Hale County in 1881 when
Morrison Brothers started a ranch at Runningwater with a
herd of Cross L cattle brought from Old Clarendon. The first
cattle were ,of the Longhorn variety. They were not the!
original Spanish "Texas Longhorn," whose horns measured
from six to eight feet from tip to tip; nevertheless the Cross L
cattle had ample means to protect them from the coyotes and
they were endowed by nature with all the instincts of self -
preservation.
In 1883, white faced cattle brought from the Lazy S Ranch
at Big Springs displaced the Cross L Longhorns when C. C.
Slaughter and Morrison Brothers and Johnson started the
Circle Bar Ranch with ten thousand head of cattle. As a
range stock the Herefords ranked high. They were hardy
and stood well the strain of the long drives on the trail to
market, were not too wild, and were possessed with the in-
stincts that made them good rustlers and enabled them to
weather the storms.
The small herds of the early settlers grazed at large upon
the open range before the advent of the wire fences. The
cattle were often driven by storms and winds as far west as
the Pecos River in New Mexico, or as far southeast as the
Blanco Canyon, mingling together in one great herd. There
they often remained until round up season when the owners
joined forces in gathering up their stock. Brands were then
40
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 41
segregated and the calves branded and the cattle were taken
in a herd up the trail to Dodge City, Kansas, to market.
When the county's first settler came in 1882, he brought
two milk cows from New York for domestic use. He had
been told that there was not a cow in Texas that could be
milked, which report was more or less true, especially as re-
garded the Panhandle - Plains cattle. In 1889, another settler
in the Hale Center community brought two registered Jersey
cows from Ohio. There was no market for dairy products,
however, and the butter and cheese made from the Jersey
cream was useless beyond the family's own needs.
In ,1901 Clements Brothers established the first dairy in
Hale County on the farm of W. C. Clements, one mile east of
Plainview, with a few range cows, for the purpose of selling
milk only. The cows grazed on the open, range as there were
no fences at that time. Grain sorghums supplemented the
prairie grasses for feed in time of storms, but was used only
in emergencies. The milk was brought to town in buckets
with a hack drawn by mules. An old school bell heralded the
coming of the "milk man" and the housewives came out with
their pails or pitchers to get their daily supply of milk. Butter-
milk and clabber were in equal demand with sweet milk, for
light -bread had not yet come into popularity and every house-
wife was accomplished in the art of biscuit - making.
There were no sanitary regulations or testing of cows until
1911, at which time Dr. I. E. Barr, of Lockney, became the
county's first Sanitary Officer. At his orders the milk houses
were screened and equipped with concrete floors. In 1912
milk bottles first came into use. The Clements dairy, then
composed of thirty -seven milk cows, was sold to Mitchell
Dunaway in 1913, who in turn sold it to C. B. Rees in 1919.
Mr. Rees was the first to Pasteurize milk in Hale County.
The Plainview Creamery was started in 1902 when J. N.
Morrison began the manufacture of the first commercial ice
cream. Mr. Morrison had started a bottling works the year
before, and the ice cream was added. He purchased all the
cream and milk that was produced by the farmers in the coun-
try. Until the coming of the railroad five years later, the ice
cream was shipped by stage to Lubbock, Tulia, Floydada,
Emma, Matador and other points as the mail carrier traveled
42 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
to the post offices on his route. In 1913 Mr. Morrison began
the manufacture of butter as a means of utilizing sour cream,
and in this way all the milk and cream available from the
farms was used, the output of the creamery being limited only
to the raw products in the country. The people in the com-
munity did not readily accept creamery butter and for many
years there was much prejudice against its use locally. There-
fore the entire output was shipped to Amarillo, Kansas City,
St. Louis, Chicago, Fort Worth, El Paso and New Orleans.
Mr. Morrison operated the Plainview Creamery until 1926,
when the plant was sold and the creamery was discontinued.
The development of the dairy industry began on the Plains
in 1921 when S. A. Guy started a dairy at Crosbyton with
high grade Jersey cattle which he imported from the Isle of
Jersey. For some of these cattle Mr. Guy paid as high as
$10,000 and $25,000 each. From this herd of high -grade
imported Jersey cattle began the dairy industry on the Plains.
In the spring of 1923, the First National Bank of Plainview
financed the purchase of eleven high grade registered animals
which were sold to the breeders in Hale County, and interest
in better dairy cattle was further enhanced.
The Hale County Dairy Association was organized at Hale
Center in April, 1923, by Wayne Thomas, County Agricul-
tural Agent. This Association, composed of eight members,
originally operated as a shipping association for the market-
ing of cream and sold cream on the highest bids to the various
creameries in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, until March,
1929, when a creamery was built at Plainview for the manu-
facture of butter. 365,000 lbs. of butter was made during
the first year that the creamery was operated.
In 1930 a cheese factory was opened at Abernathy in con-
nection with the creamery as an experiment. This was more
or less disappointing during the first year, and the operator
was inclined to be discouraged. But in 1931, a Mr. Wilson,
from Washington, D. C., came to Hale County and proved
that cheese could be successfully made on the Plains. After
working for a week with the plant at Abernathy, the plant was
making a grade of cheese that was accepted on the markets
and since that time they have been unable to supply the mar-
kets.
DON MISCHIEF 10th, Grand Champion, Iowa State Fair at Des Moines, Iowa,
Aug. 27 -Sept. 14, 1937 (ten states in competition), Kansas Free State Fair,
Topeka, Kansas, Sept. 13 -18, 1937, and Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, Minn.,
Sept. 4 -11, 1937. Don Mischief 10th, calved August 1, 1934, is a Hale County
product, grown by Fred Wev1 near Plainview.
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 43
In 1932 the Hale County Dairy Association was changed
to the Plains Cooperative Incorporated, which was a consoli-
dation of a small creamery at Ralls and a cream shipping
association at Portales, New Mexico, with the creamery at
Plainview. Since this consolidation, the average output has
been a million and a quarter pounds of butter per year. The
Association erected a second creamery at Portales, New
Mexico, in 1933. It now operates cream receiving stations in
thirty -five different towns on the Plains of Texas and New
Mexico and handles a gross volume each year of about $365,-
000 business. The manufactured butter is sold principally in
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and some in California.
It is estimated that about one -third or one- fourth of the
creamery butter made in Texas is made on the Plains. The
Plains region is the one section in Texas that exports butter
twelve months in the year. The improvement in the quality
of cream and butter has been in keeping with the progress
made in the development of the high -grade dairy herds.
The Breeders Extension Service of the A. & M. College
and the County Agricultural Agents of the various counties
interested the cattlemen in organizing a Dairy Association at
a meeting called for that purpose at Tulia on November 19,
1927. This organization was perfected in December of that
year under the name of the Annual Panhandle- Plains Dairy
Show. These annual dairy shows have been held in Plainview
each year since 1928, and have been an important factor in
educating the dairymen as to the individual merits of the
animals shown. Much benefit has resulted from the advice
and help of fellow breeders. Tests made by the American
Jersey Cattle Association as to protein and butter fat content
has enabled the dairymen to eliminate animals of low value
from the herds.
The program on which the dairymen are now concentrating
is general improvement in the grade and price rather than on
quantity; however, there is still room for many more dairy
cattle on the Plains. The greatest development in the dairy
industry has taken place from 1927 to 1933. Since then
general conditions have retarded the progress somewhat, but
regardless of the drouth and depression, Hale County and
plains dairymen have maintained the high standard of the herd.
44 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
The new program for soil conservation offers strong en-
couragement for the dairy industry, for the land taken from
the production of surplus crops may be used advantageously
for the grazing of dairy cattle. The grass which supplies
excellent feed for the cattle also pins down the top soil and
prevents soil erosion from the wind. The dairymen have
found that the Plains which once was the range for the great
herds of buffalo and for the early range cattle is especially
adapted to the dairy industry.
Early Minor Industries
Minor and temporary industries prevailed for a time during
the early days, such as the bone industry, when the buffalo
bones that strewed the prairies were gathered up by the settlers,
freighted 150 miles to Colorado City or 90 miles to Amarillo
by wagon load and sold to be shipped to eastern markets to be
ground into fertilizer. The buffalo bones brought $20 per
ton at railroad terminals, and afforded the settlers with ready
cash to supply their needs. The taming of the wild horses was
another remunerative but short lived industry, and soon all
the wild droves had been gathered and driven by trail to the
markets. Some of the early settlers owned herds of sheep,
which were quite successful on the plains ; however, cattle -
raising appealed to a much larger number of citizens.
The first settler raised no cattle, but experimented with
farming on the newly broken sod. His efforts proved success-
ful and his sorghum grains beyond his needs were readily
sold to the cattlemen for use in time of storms. Farming
began on a small scale on the homesteads around Plainview,
where the settlers experimented with garden stuffs and grain
sorghums for their own use only. The cattlemen did not try
farm or raise gardens. In fact, they had contempt for the
industry and resented any deviation from what they considered
the only legitimate industry on the plains.
A Changing Era
At the coming of the railroad into Plainview on January 1,
1907, a new era was ushered in. Simultaneously with the
advent of the railway the automobile first made its appearance.
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 45
Hale County had progressed considerably during the twenty -
five years prior to that time. The top buggy and surry had
displaced the side - saddle and the two -wheel cart as modes of
transportation, though the covered wagon was still in use.
A healthy boom started in 1907 and lasted for several years.
A flood of immigrants poured in from all parts of the United
States, and these, like the earlier settlers, were the best class
of citizens, homeseekers, intelligent and industrious, who have
done much for the development of the country.
Real estate dealers brought several automobiles into the
country to convey the prospectors about the country. Rail-
road companies cooperated by giving special excursion rates to
homeseekers, and prospectors were brought in by train loads.
The price of land jumped rapidly, and many of the new-
comers began speculating in land when they found they could
make more money by buying and selling land than they could
produce by farming the land.
Beginning of Agriculture
As the early ranchmen were not interested in farming, the
industry was given but little attention during the year 1907.
Until that time farming was limited almost entirely to the
growing of milo maize and kafir corn. Crops planted on the
newly broken sod required no cultivation as there were no
weeds in the soil. It was the custom to allow the land to re-
vert to grass after the first year's use and to plow a fresh
piece of sod for the next crop in order to avoid the necessity
of cultivation. No further attention was given the crop after
planting until the harvest, and this made it possible to tend a
much larger acreage than could be done under cultivation.
In 1908 there was shipped from Plainview 1400 cars of
cattle, 15 cars of hogs, 30 cars of grain and 3 cars of wheat.
These were not entirely Hale County's products, but included
shipments from adjoining counties.
Period of Experimentation
The ten years following the coming of the railroad was an
era of experimentation. The people who came from farming
regions of the north and east began to plant and to cultivate
46 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
the crops to which they were accustomed. They found that
such crops could be successfully grown, and soon experiments
were made in the growing of practically every known field
crop, fruit and vegetable.
In 1909 Hale County's first entry in the State Fair was
awarded first prize. This was one bale of alfalfa, and the
people were elated. It stimulated interest in the raising of
prize products, and in 1910 the Annual County Fair was in-
augurated. Large displays were also entered at the Panhandle
Fair in Amarillo as well as at the State Fair in Dallas.
In 1911 Hale County entered 26 exhibits at the State Fair
and was awarded 19 first and 7 second prizes. In 1912 the
record was 36 firsts and 16 seconds. 1913 entries brought
70 awards, being 37 firsts and 33 seconds. These prizes were
awarded for exhibits in wheat, oats, speltz, alfalfa, millet,,
sorghum, milo maize, kafir corn, cow pea hay, tobacco, flax
seed, buckwheat, mill products, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets,
sugar beets, beans, parsnips, carrots, kershaw and winter
squash, watermelons, canteloupes, Bermuda onions, turnips,
peppers and many varieties of apples, pears and peaches. Dur-
ing the five years, -1909 to 1913 inclusive, — alfalfa hay held
first place at the Dallas Fair.
In 1913 the County was awarded first place at Oklahoma
City over an exhibit collected by the Great Northern Rail-
road from five northwestern states, including an exhibit from
the national government of Canada.
In 1915 Hale County was awarded the Gold Medal offered
by the International Dry Farming Congress in Denver for the
best bushel of hard winter wheat. This wheat was grown by
the dry- farming method by Fred Weyl eight miles south of
Plainview and an average yield of forty bushels per acre was
made on an eighty acre field. This prize was won in competi-
tion with the products of all the counties, provinces and states
of the world. Hale County was awarded 114 premiums out
of 120 entries, being 50 firsts, 38 seconds, 18 thirds, 7 medals,
a certificate of honor and the Holt Cup which was awarded
for the best county display in the world.
Perhaps the opinion of the general public at that time, as
well as that of the reader hereof, may be expressed in the
words of a German farmer from Iowa who attended the Pan-
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 47
handle Fair in Amarillo in 1913. Hale County had been
awarded first place in irrigated districts and sweepstakes over
all displays. The Secretary of Plainview's Chamber of Com-
merce, O. M. Unger, noticed the farmer leaning on his elbow
scrutinizing Hale County's display. Approaching him in con-
versation, Mr. Unger informed him that Hale County had
also raised a large number of fine thoroughbred hogs.
"I don't doubt dat," commented the German. Waving his
hand toward the exhibits, — "From de looks o' dese ribbons, I
tink you must be all hogs in Hale County."
At the advent of the World War, experimentation ceased
and farming became more settled, and was limited to the
growing of staple crops and those best adapted to the country.
High Power Production
The ten year period from 1918 to 1928 may be classed as
an era of high power production. The manufacturers of high
power machinery had perfected their inventions made prima-
rily for the development of the vast domain in Western
Canada. Having supplied that market, they were seeking a
new outlet for an increased output, and turned to the farming
district of the prairies of West Texas. The high prices of
farm products, the shortage of man power on the farms
during the war, and high price of farm labor immediately
following all helped to speed the coming of the tractor and
paved the way for the wave of high -power farming that swept
the country.
The tractor first made its appearance in Hale County in
1918 and in the year following it came into general use. The
same year the first harvester - combine was brought into the
county when three McCormick - Deering combines were intro-
duced. With this machine which cuts the wheat, threshes it
and pours the grain into a truck ready for market as it moves
through the field, the old method that entailed so many laborers
and much time and work rapidly gave way to the new.
At the present time there are from six to eight hundred
harvester - combines in use in the county. More than fifty per
cent of all farming and probably eighty per cent of the wheat
grown in Hale County is done by tractor. There is scarcely
48 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
any limit to the amount of acreage a capable man can handle
by tractor if he has the means to finance it.
The years following 1928 have been a reaction to the era
of high power farming. The cycle turned downward when
men realized that the machine had usurped their jobs.
Irrigation
The outstanding achievement of the period of experimenta-
tion was the discovery and development of irrigation.
During the year 1910, members of the Plainview Chamber
of Commerce became interested in the successful irrigation
experiments that were made in the region around Portales,
New Mexico, and a committee of men were sent to Portales
to make investigation. The business men, led by J. O. Wyckoff,
President of the organization, then entered into a contract
with J. H. Slaton to drill a test well on his farm a few miles
west of Plainview, Mr. Slaton agreeing to purchase the well
in case the experiment proved successful.
The experiment caused much excitement and enthusiasm
ran high when the actual drilling of the well started. The
first strata of water was reached at 20 feet, which tested 125
gallons of water per minute. A second strata was found at
79 feet. The well was drilled to a depth of 130 feet in order
to insure water in sufficient quantity for irrigation, and at that
depth tested 1700 gallons per minute.
The bringing in of the Slaton well was an important page
in Hale County's history. To J. O. Wyckoff is due much of
the credit for the success of the experiment. With unwaver-
ing faith and enthusiasm he watched the progress of the work
from the spudding in of the well until the final test was made,
although practically every one else had despaired of finding
water sufficent for irrigation and clamored for abandonment
of the project. Mr. Wyckoff proposed to finance the scheme
with his own personal funds rather than to see it fail.
A great jubilee and water carnival celebrating the discovery
of the great under - ground water supply was held, which lasted
two days. Much publicity was given the success of the ex-
periment and a vast crowd of people from a distance was in
attendance. The strength of the well was tested and was
WHEAT GROWING, HARVESTING WITH COMBINE,
IRRIGATING ALFALFA, COTTON
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 49
estimated at 1700 gallons per minute, this being the capacity
of the pump and not the well.
Mr. Slaton was most happy to take the well off the hands
of the committee. The bringing in of this well was followed
by a wave of enthusiasm, and during 1911 irrigation wells
were drilled on the farms of E. H. Perry, Robert Alley, P. B.
Snyder, R. P. Smyth, E. Graham, E. Dowden, and Klingman
& Hall.
The following year, (1912) Dr. Frederick Pearson, of New
York, visited Hale County and became interested in irrigation.
Through the efforts of M. D. Henderson, Dr. Pearson organ-
ized a syndicate known as the Pearson Syndicate and purchased
60,000 acres of scattered tracts of choice land in the Plainview
vicinity and began developing it. The Texas Land and De-
velopment Company was organized in October, 1912, with
Mr. Henderson as manager, to act as agent for the syndicate
in the development and sale of the farms.
Dr. Pearson launched a plan to put down four hundred
irrigation wells on the farms and to build improvements in the
way of houses, barns, etc. for the purpose of selling off the
tracts in farms of 80, 160 and 320 acres each fully equipped
and ready for occupancy. During the year 1913 some eighty -
five deep wells for irrigation were drilled and equipped with
pumping plants. This great project was brought to a close
by the death of Dr. Pearson on May 7, 1915, with the sink-
ing of the ill -fated Lusitania by German submarine. But it
started the development of the country with almost limitless
possibilities by proving the vast water supply underlying the
plains available for irrigation.
Without doubt the greatest blow the development of Hale
County ever received was the sinking of the Lusitania by the
German U -Boat. The great program that Dr. Pearson had
outlined for the development of natural resources and the
building of railroads and establishing the necessary markets
was halted at his passing. Nevertheless 127 irrigation wells
had been completed and many of the farms fully improved.
The farms that remained unsold at the close of the sales
program have been successfully farmed by tenants under the
supervision of the Company and have been the means of
furnishing homes and livelihood for many hundreds of families
50 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
during the twenty odd years of its existence. The Company
has been under the management of Captain Winfield Holbrook
since 1919.
By 1918, thirty -three wells had been drilled in addition to
those of the syndicate, making a total of 160 in the Plainview
vicinity. Few wells were drilled during the next ten years. A
few years of favorable rainfall were followed by abnormally
high prices during the war. The advent of high -power farm-
ing resulted in large -scale farming and advance of dry land
prices, and irrigation farming was eclipsed for a time. The
severe drouth of 1934 -35 demonstrated the value of irrigation,
when the severest drouth in the history of the country scourged
the plains. Irrigation wells were operated day and night to
produce alfalfa and other feed crops to relieve the starving
herds of cattle and livestock. Since 1930, certainty of income
by irrigation and security from crop failure in years of drouth
again brought irrigation to the front. It has opened up a new
agricultural world in comparison to dry farming. Instead of
a few drouth- resisting crops, the farmer may grow alfalfa,
truck, fruit trees and a variety of other special crops.
The average yield of alfalfa under irrigation is 3 -/ tons
per acre; Row crops 3000 lbs. threshed grain; cotton / of a
bale, wheat 30 bus., oats 55 bus. and barley 35 bus. per acre.
Each well irrigates on an average of 95 acres. There are 503
irrigation wells in Hale County according to a recent survey,
and 1200 in the irrigation district.
The Cotton Industry
King Cotton, now one of the leading industries in Hale
County, was until after the turn of the century a stranger in a
strange land and took many slights and rebuffs before he was
finally welcomed.
Although a few scattered experiments were made even as far
back as the first settler who grew a few stalks of cotton in his
garden, the Petersburg community was probably the first to
grow cotton in harvestable quantity. In 1900 J. T. Phillips
and Henry A. White planted cotton near Petersburg. Mr.
White planted cotton the following year and the season being
favorable, he made a bumper crop, all of which he was able
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 51
to harvest before it was damaged by frost and it made the
highest grade. There was no gin in the county at that time and
the cotton was ginned in Floyd County.
John Pendley is said to have built the first gin in Plainview
in 1903 on the lot where the Campbell building now stands, at
the northeast corner of the Court House Square. This was
a one -stand gin, operated by T. J. Garner, and was run but a
short time.
The second gin in Plainview was built in 1905 by L. A.
Knight and H. E. Hume. The plant was located on the south
side of Sixth Street between Baltimore and Columbia Streets,
and was a complete Continental system —a two -stand gin, a
Thomas press with a steam engine. Little cotton was grown
in 1905 and the owners were greatly disappointed with the
venture.
In 1906 Knight and Hume sold the gin to J. N. Jordan.
Mr. Jordan was an experienced cotton grower and he saw that
cotton could be grown successfully in Hale County. To stimu-
late interest in the cotton industry, he had circulars printed
which he distributed advertising Hale County and vicinity as
a cotton country. Then he purchased a car load of cotton seed
which he freighted from Childress to Plainview with wagons,
and sold the seed to individuals in order to get them started in
cotton production. In 1906 the plant ginned 730 bales at Plain-
view. All the cotton ginned and purchased in Hale County in
1905 and 1906 was freighted by wagon to Canyon which was
the nearest railroad terminal. The freight rate from Plain-
view to Canyon at that time was $2.00 per bale.
In 1907 the people were convinced as to the possibility of
cotton growing when several fields produced more than a bale
to the acre. Plainview then being the nearest railroad terminus,
all the cotton produced in Hale, Floyd, Crosby, Lubbock,
Swisher and Briscoe Counties was sold in Plainview, which
totaled 4000 bales in 1907. Carter Mercantile Company in Lub-
bock freighted 50 bales to Plainview by ox wagon. Mr. Jordan
continued to operate the gin until it was destroyed by fire in
November, 1908.
After the Jordan gin burned, there was no other gin erected
in Plainview until 1911, when Charles Malone established a
plant immediately north of the present Texas Utilities plant.
52 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
This gin was moved to Crosbyton in 1914. Ginning records
show that 1400 bales were ginned in Hale County in 1911,
317 bales in 1912 and only 16 bales in 1913.
There was a decided sentiment among the people that the
cotton industry would bring in the negro, and at that time the
population of the county was one hundred per cent American
born white people who were determined to keep it so. For this
same reason the early cotton growing in Lubbock County,
started as an experiment in 1900 by S. S. Rush, ended in dis-
aster when the cowboys forced him to plow up his field. That
the negro followed the cotton was not questioned, and they
were filled with resentment at the possibility of the colored
race encroaching upon the cowboys' territory. In 1901, when
the experiment was repeated, the cowboys drove a herd of
cattle into Mr. Rush's field to graze upon the growing cotton.
Not to be beaten, the farmer planted again in 1902 and suc-
ceeded in harvesting sixteen bales, which he freighted to
Abilene to be ginned, a distance of 165 miles.
For several years following 1913, little interest was taken
in growing cotton. At the close of the war renewed interest
was taken in this commodity due to the high price of cotton and
also an influx of farmers from East Texas who were familiar
with cotton - growing and who recognized the advantage of
climatic conditions which prevented the existence of the boll
weevil, the great enemy of the cotton industry.
The West Texas Cotton Oil Mill was built in Plainview in
1926. Here four separate products are made from the cotton
seeds : ie., crude cotton -seed oil, cotton -seed cake, cotton -seed
hulls and linters.
The crude oil is shipped to refineries at Dallas, Cincinnati,
New York and New Orleans, principally to packers, Proctor
and Gamble being the largest buyers. The cotton -seed cake and
also the cotton -seed hulls are consumed in the local trade ter-
ritory and are used by dairymen and feeders of cattle, sheep
and hogs. The linters, a low grade of cotton lint, moves to
Chicago, Philadelphia and Nitro, Virginia, for the manufacture
of various products.
The seeds of the cotton were for many years considered a
waste product and were brushed aside and burned. Today
they form the base for many useful by- products and have be-
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 53
come the most remunerative part of the cotton industry.
The Plainview Cotton Compress was built in 1924 by J. W.
Murchison. The size of the bale is reduced 75 per cent by
compression, thus reducing the shipping expense. The plant
has a capacity of 40,000 bales.
There are fifteen gins in Hale County at the present time, —
five in Plainview, two each in Hale Center, Petersburg, Aber-
nathy and Cotton Center and one each at Halfway and County
Line.
The Wheat Industry
Wheat, as a major industry, has justly earned for the Pan-
handle Region the title, "The Bread Bowl of the Southwest."
Hale County is fortunate in that it lies at a dividing point
between the north and south plains where the wheat belt over-
laps the cotton - producing area.
In the early days numerous experiments were made in wheat
growing, but the first to be grown in harvestable quantity
was sown by Sterling P. Strong in 1892 on his home section
one mile east of Plainview. 275 bushels were threshed from
a field of twenty acres. As there was no market for the grain,
no appreciable amount was grown in Hale County until after
the coming of the railroad, on January 1, 1907.
The first car of wheat to be shipped from Plainview by rail
was grown in 1904 by J. V. Leatherwood, near Old Emma
in Crosby County. For lack of marketing facilities this was
held for three years awaiting the coming of the railroad, then
freighted by wagon a distance of sixty -five miles to the
terminus.
Farmers from wheat - growing regions of the north came
to the county in the boom that followed the coming of the
Santa Fe Railroad and they took the lead in the industry. In
1909 Hale County's total production of wheat was 16,578
bushels. In the decade that followed the acreage was gradu-
ally increased until 1919 when the output totaled 926,167
bushels. The old method of wheat - growing and harvesting
was used entirely. The planting was done by hand or by horse-
power, the ripened grain cut with a binder, shocked, stacked
and threshed with a threshing machine operated by a steam
54 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
engine, which burned coal. The coal was shipped by rail from
Colorado, which added to the expense and decreased the profits
from the harvest.
In 1919 the harvester - combines were introduced into Hale
County. The old regime gave place to the new almost entirely
during the next decade, and the 1929 census showed a produc-
tion of 2,761,671 bushels.
The wheat industry has contributed much to Hale County.
It has raised the standards of living of the people and promoted
culture and education. The receipts from the harvest coming
to the producers in lump sums of sometimes several thousand
dollars makes it possible to pay debts, build new homes and
farm improvements, buy farm implements, and automobiles
and send the children to college, which is not usually done when
the same amount of money comes in in small amounts. The
modern method of production entails no hardship upon the
farmer's family. It contributes to a higher class of citizen-
ship in that it does not attract the illiterate class and uses no
child labor.
The wheat industry furnishes a basis for dairy, poultry and
livestock industries and for balanced farming.
Milling Industry
The milling industry was started in Plainview in 1907 when
the Harvest Queen Mills, then a pioneer flour mill, was built
by Jones Bros. from Indiana. This was a small frame struc-
ture with little storage capacity or warehouse space. There
was little wheat available at that time, and the Jones Brothers
later sold the mill to George K. Neher. Mr. Neher was an in-
experienced miller and he soon became discouraged.
In 1910 the Harvest Queen Mills was sold to Albert G.
Hinn. Mr. Hinn was joined soon afterwards by his father,
the late Charles Hinn who had had more than forty years ex-
perience in the milling business in Wisconsin and realized the
possibilities for the future of the mill at Plainview. Messrs.
Hinn improved and added to the original mill and continued
to operate it for many years. This mill was destroyed by fire
in January, 1926.
Immediately following the fire loss, Mr. Hinn erected a new
fire -proof day -light mill having approximately 600 barrel daily
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 55
capacity. Its concrete grain bins have a storage capacity of
one million bushels. The new mill was completed and began
operating in October, 1926.
Poultry
The South Plains Poultry Association was organized in
December, 1911, and originated the West Texas Poultry Show,
which was held annually until 1924. 300 thoroughbred birds
were entered at the first Poultry Show, 500 at the second, and
the maximum number exhibited at one time was 1900 in 1922.
J. C. Goodwin, E. B. Miller and W. J. Klinger served as Sec-
retary- Treasurer during the existence of this organization
which did much to promote the raising of pure -bred poultry
in Hale County.
The Southwestern Turkey Improvement Association was
organized in 1934 and started the Southwestern Dressed
Turkey Show in 1935, which is held annually, for the purpose
of introducing farm dressed turkeys. The climate of the
plains being peculiarly adapted to turkey growing, the Associa-
tion has not only greatly improved the grade of turkeys but
cooperates in the marketing. Some four car loads of dressed
turkeys are shipped from Hale County each year. The Plains
Cooperative Creamery started an exclusive Turkey Hatchery
in 1936, with a 7,500 capacity and hatched 10,000 poults. In
1937 both the capacity and output were doubled. This is said
to be the first and only exclusive Turkey Hatchery in Texas.
The Plains Cooperative handles dressed turkeys for its mem-
bers. Demonstrations by the County Agent in breeding, feed-
ing and caring for turkeys have done much to educate the
farmers in growing poults out for the market as prime birds.
County Agricultural Agent
The office of County Agent was established in Hale County
April 1, 1916. Raleigh F. Hare was appointed agent and
served both Hale and Floyd Counties until 1918, after which
the county was without an agent for five years. The following
persons have served as County Agent of Hale County: E. W.
Thomas (1923- 1925), Paul Huey (1925- 1927), R. M. Mil -
hollin (1927- 1930), Roy B. Davis (1930- 1932), W. W.
Evans (1932 -1936) and C. B. Martin (1936- ) .
56 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
One of the principal activities of the County Agent has been
the promotion and improvement of the Dairy industry, the
latest feature being the organization in 1937 of the Central
Plains Dairy Herd Improvement Association involving
Swisher and Hale Counties. An extensive program in trench
silo construction, teaching farmers to properly conserve their
feed, was conducted to stimulate the dairy industry. As a re-
sult of these demonstrations, 90 trench silos were dug and
filled in 1936 for the purpose of conserving surplus feed crops
that are produced in abundance in good years to feed the dairy
herds during the years of crop shortage. It is estimated that
dairy development will be increased from 25 to 30 per cent by
use of the trench silo.
Demonstrations in the feeding of hogs, lambs, and beef
cattle have taught the farmers how to feed livestock in a com-
mercial way. To encourage this type of farming, an Annual
Fat Stock Show was organized in 1936, held for the second
time in 1937. After this show closes, the fat cattle and lambs
are shipped to Kansas City for the purpose of educating the
Club boys and adult feeders as to the quality of livestock the
market demands.
The conservation of soil, water and feed are revolutionizing
the development of agriculture at the present time. Demon-
strations in running contour lines and terracing have proven
very effective. The Agricultural Adjustment Program has
aided materially in this development.
The main objective of the County Agent is to encourage
the farmer to plan a well balanced livestock farm program, ie.,
to first produce his living at home, plant a variety of crops, —
cotton, wheat and grain sorghums, and market them through
dairy cattle, poultry, or feeding some class of livestock for the
market. Many have found this plan advantageous.
Topography
Hale County is situated in the center of the Llano Estacado
or Staked Plains and is in the center of the northern tier of
counties of the territory known as the South Plains.
The county is 30 miles wide from east to west and about
34 miles from north to south, having an area of 1,036 square
LIVE STOCK AND POULTRY
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 57
miles or 663,040 acres, of which 98 per cent is smooth tillable
land. Its surface is free from breaks and is apparently a level
plain. It slopes gently to the southeast, the altitude ranging
from 3250 to 3600 feet.
It is crossed by the Runningwater Draw which heads in
Quay County, New Mexico, traverses the plains and merges
into Blanco Canyon where it becomes known as the White
River. Runningwater Draw enters Hale County near its north-
west corner, passes through Plainview and passes into Floyd
County near the center of the county line. This Draw is a
running stream until it reaches a point some 15 miles north-
west of Plainview where it enters a subterranean channel and
flows intermittently for some twenty miles. The Double
Mountain Fork of the Brazos crosses the southwest corner
of the county and the Crawfish Draw which heads in Hale
County crosses the south part of the county. Both of these
are dry creek beds. Runningwater Draw is a dry creek bed
at Plainview except after heavy rains to the northwest, when
it overflows its banks, sometimes having the appearance of a
great river, which disappears in a few days.
BUREAU OF CENSUS, WASHINGTON, POPULATION OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
From 1890 to 1930
1930
1920
1910
1900
1890
Hale County
20,189
10,104
7,566
1,680
721
Population per Square Mile
19.5
9.8
7.3
1.6
—
Town of Plainview
8,834
3,989
2,829
Town of Hale Center
1,007
Town of Petersburg
548
Town of Abernathy, in Hale
Co.
743
Town of Abernathy, (in Lub-
bock Co.)
115
Classification of Population
Native White
19,658
9,980
7,408
1,660
706
Foreign Bom White
94
117
153
16
12
Mexican
113
—
—
—
—
Negroes
320
7
5
3
3
Urban Population
8,834
3,989
2,829
—
—
Rural Population
11,355
6,115
4,737
1,680
721
Number of Families in Hale
County
4,677
2,176
1,600
326
133
Home Owners
2,095
1,148
946
271
Tenants
2,490
945
627
39
Tenure unknown
92
83
27
16
—
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 57
miles or 663,040 acres, of which 98 per cent is smooth tillable
land. Its surface is free from breaks and is apparently a level
plain. It slopes gently to the southeast, the altitude ranging
from 3250 to 3600 feet.
It is crossed by the Runningwater Draw which heads in
Quay County, New Mexico, traverses the plains and merges
into Blanco Canyon where it becomes known as the White
River. Runningwater Draw enters Hale County near its north-
west corner, passes through Plainview and passes into Floyd
County near the center of the county line. This Draw is a
running stream until it reaches a point some 15 miles north-
west of Plainview where it enters a subterranean channel and
flows intermittently for some twenty miles. The Double
Mountain Fork of the Brazos crosses the southwest corner
of the county and the Crawfish Draw which heads in Hale
County crosses the south part of the county. Both of these
are dry creek beds. Runningwater Draw is a dry creek bed
at Plainview except after heavy rains to the northwest, when
it overflows its banks, sometimes having the appearance of a
great river, which disappears in a few days.
BUREAU OF CENSUS, WASHINGTON, POPULATION OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
From 1890 to 1930
ITEM
1934
1929
1924
1919
1909
Crops
Corn for grain:
Acres
158
2,081
1,227
3,363
5,757
Bushels
803
25,407
19,876
55,667
49,205
Wheat, Total:
Acres
189,648
214,706
68,765
57,954
2,826
Bushels
2,167,809
2,761,671
1,220,559
926,167
16,578
Oats, Threshed:
Acres
489
450
4,130
5,477
941
Bushels
7,090
10,951
81,796
252,393
8,835
Oats Cut and Fed Unthreshed:
Acres
71
294
2,245
Barley Threshed:
Acres
2,428
507
987
426
-
Bushels
25,920
5,548
13,655
17,263
-
Grain Sorghum (for grain):
Acres
2,962
19,474
39,934
99,732
14,329
Bushels
24,368
236,383
774,207
1,965,774
123,514
All Hay and Sorghums for
Forage:
Acres
51,578
79,239
33,840
37,640
28,570
Tons
17,558
74,768
62,033
59,553
23,242
Sweet and Grain Sorghums Cut
for silage, hay and Forage:
Acres
49,547
76,540
29,007
30,996
-
Tons
13,602
70,059
50,385
Cotton, Lint:
Acres
63,196
64,882
91,939
6,630
98
Bales
6,582
16,741
28,563
2,079
15
Irish Potatoes (All Varieties):
Acres
247
10
8
4
6
Bushels
14,646
490
332
257
188
Sweet Potatoes and Yams:
Acres
1
5
6
15
7
Bushels
97
341
645
1,874
244
(1935)
Apples:
Trees Not of Bearing Age
144
750
488
3,155
Trees of Bearing Age
1,078
3,544
5,943
23,8821
45,095
Bushels
779
4,741
6,696
11,898
165
Peaches:
Trees Not of Bearing Age
Trees of Bearing Age..
316
4,395
1,929 1
4,977f
3,657
f
1,971
11,5821
13,756
Bushels
3,588
4,883
2,111
1,277
-
Plums and Prunes:
Trees not of Bearing Age
Trees of Bearing Age
1,2401
2,704f
1,9441
f
1,100
3,624j
6,439
Bushels
1,571
401
Grapes:
Vines not of Bearing Age
Vines of Bearing Age
468
6,299
3,816 1
6,389
8,162
f
1,936
8,984j
12,418
Pounds
40,234
40,454
31,656
4,300
58 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, WASHINGTON,
SPECIFIED CROPS FOR HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
CENSUSES OF AGRICULTURE, 1910 TO 1935
(Data not available where figures are not shown)
sutn40 usnq sos
salPung
616
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60 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
0)
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AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 61
Average MonEhly PrecipiEaFion
Over Period of 42Years
(1894 -1936)
,Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July AO Sept. Oct. Nov Dec.
.44 .65 .75 1.90 2.63 3.15 3.45 2.64 2.52 2.14 1.10 .68
Yearly Average 22,05
Climate
The following statistics are shown by W. J. Klinger, Official
Observer, Government Weather Station at Plainview :
Mean Annual Temperature 59° Fah.
Mean Summer Temperature 72.9° Fah.
Mean Winter Temperature 47.6° Fah.
Average Date of First Frost November 25th
Average Date of Last Frost April 13th
Average Length of Growing Season 211 days
Mean Annual Rainfall 22.05 inches
Average Annual Snowfall 10.5 inches
C
Y
CHAPTER V
TRANSPORTATION
Early Modes
The earliest known method of transportation in the vicinity
of Hale County is recorded in Casteneda's account of the
Journey of Coronado. When the Spanish explorers crossed
the Llano Estacado in 1541, they found the native Indians
following the buffalo on foot and using dog trains with Moor-
ish packsaddles to transport their belongings.
The first horses to be brought into what is now the State
of Texas were the Spanish ponies of Coronado and his men.
These animals no doubt were a spectacle even more amazing to
the "Querchoes" Indians than was the colorful grandeur of
Spanish nobility that invaded the solitude of the prairies. Just
when the Spanish horses came into general use among the
Indians of the Plains is not known, but in time the horse be-
came the Comanches' greatest asset and gave them a power
hitherto unknown over less warring nations and races. When
the United States cavalry crossed Hale County in the early
seventies, the redskins scuttled before them on fleet Indian
ponies.
The horse and saddle reigned supreme during the years of
the cattle industry which began on the Plains in the late seven-
ties. Wagon trains drawn by oxen first transported the ranch
supplies from a railroad terminal in Kansas to the ranches
of the Texas Panhandle. This mode of transporting freight
and supplies —by oxen, mules or horses —was used entirely
until the coming of the railroads. Supplies were freighted
from Colorado City from 1881 until 1888 and afterward from
Amarillo.
The covered wagon or "prairie schooner" was the principal
means of travel used by all early settlers and homeseekers.
The old "Mackenzie Trail," traveled by General Mackenzie's
63
64 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
troops first in 1871, was for many years the only road across
the plains. History records that this road had been used by
the Indians and Mexicans for many years prior to that time.
Its deep ruts probably first cut by the wheels of a Mexican
cartera were plainly visible when Mackenzie first followed it
into New Mexico in quest of the Comanches. Early settlers
of Hale County followed this trail westward in search of a
location. It was a landmark to the cattlemen who herded the
cattle on the prairies, and even when the ground was covered
deep in snow, the deep ruts made indentures on the snow's
surface by which the traveler was able to find his way.
A few of the early settlers brought two- wheeled carts, buck-
boards, or canvas -top hacks. The cart was used for light
utility conveyance which was a little more practical than the
horse and saddle with saddle bags, or the side - saddle, for every
plainswoman owned a side - saddle. The lumber wagon with
split- bottom chairs for seats was not an uncommon mode of
travel for local use. The top buggy, rubber tired, —the aristo-
crat of the early modes of conveyance,—was in use at the turn
of the century.
There were no trails across the prairies in the early days,
or even fences to follow, and traveling was done entirely by
direction. The sun served as a guide by day and the moon and
stars by night, and it was the custom of the settlers to keep a
light in the window or hang a lantern on the windmill tower
on dark or stormy nights to guide to shelter any traveler who
might be out or Lost on the prairies.
No attempt was made to build or improve the roads prior
to 1900. When the ruts became too deep, a new track was soon
made by driving outside the old one. The roads were naturally
in good condition except when heavy rains filled up the lakes
and made them impassable, in which case the driver unhitched
his horses, mounted one and led the others and went his way,
leaving the wagons standing protected only by a wagon -sheet
until his return.
A stage line was opened from Amarillo to Estacado via
Plainview soon after the railroad came to Amarillo. A one -
seated buckboard was first used, but this was soon displaced
by a Concord stagecoach with two seats which faced each other
TRANSPORTATION 65
and with a driver's seat at the top. This was drawn by wild
little mules which raced from one stage stand to another. Stage
stands were arranged about twenty miles apart where a fresh
team was kept waiting.
Every town had its livery stable, and the "wagon yard"
where travelers might leave their covered wagons and live-
stock to be cared for, or make camp if they wished, was an
accomodation to be found in the larger towns.
Railroads
In 1887 Amarillo became the terminal of a branch line of
the Panhandle & Pecos Valley Lines of the Santa Fe, which
consisted then of 543 miles of road from Woodward, Okla.
to Pecos, Texas. On January 1, 1902, Mr. Avery Turner
moved to Amarillo and became Vice President and General
Manager of the Pecos Valley Lines. His duties also included
those of Chief Engineer, Land and Tax Commissioner, Claim
Agent and Superintendent. He traveled over the Staked Plains
and Panhandle with horse and buggy making careful study
of both the land and its prospect and possibilities for develop-
ment sufficient to justify the building of a railroad. On June
1, 1903, Mr. Turner made a trip to Plainview to inspect the
country with this purpose in mind. The following is a copy
of his notes made on this trip : (Courtesy Mrs. Avery Turner)
"NOTES MADE BY AVERY TURNER WHILE MAKING TRIP TO
PLAINVIEW, JUNE 1ST, 1903
"Left Canyon City 7:15 A.M. by stage. First 7 miles rolling
and little rough. Crossing of Tierra Blanca Creek will take
75 ft. bridge, pile, 1% grades to get out of brakes on the plain
with 3 or 4 small bridges. Probably cheapest plan is one and
one -half miles East of town for junction, no rock, sandy
soil.
"After getting on top, land is level, except for Happy draw
and 3 lakes and the North Tulia Creek to Tulia, town 35 miles.
Tulia County seat, 350 people.
"Then cross Tulia Creek and South Tulle, then level to
Plainview, except 3 lakes.
66 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
"Plainview is County -seat, 700 people, 2,500 in County.
Good trading point.
"Only one big pasture on line. T- Anchor, 256 sections just
South of Canyon. Will soon be broken up. Run through it
for 9 miles. Balance owned in small ranches, average 3 sec-
tions. Very few over 4 sections, none over 7 sections. Can
often count 20 homes in sight. Land is better than on P. V.
Black soil, yets holds water well, grow any crop. The kaffir
is never a failure. Ultimately be best hog country, cattle all
graded fine now.
"Favored by shallow water, 60 ft. is deepest; about 50 ft. at
Tulia and 30 ft. to 40 ft. at Plainview.
"Each home has bunch of thrifty trees and many good
orchards; all have reservoir and grow vegetables, good houses.
Big pastures lay 20 miles West, line cuts center between them
and Palo Duro.
"Line from Plainview to Lubbock is grass roots, proposition
running water draw at Plainview; only bridge. Same soil,
shallow water and small pastures till you get near Lubbock.
Far as would go at present till cross line built.
"Swisher County has inhabitants 1,500
Hale County has inhabitants 2,500
Lubbock County has inhabitants 1,800
5,800
"Briscoe, Floyd, Crosby are all good counties on East of
line. It would serve a population of 10,000 people to start
and develop well. People are bound to get a line and will aid
one and get it. Grading and bridging very cheap. R/W
given. Good class of settlers.
"Production will be cattle and hogs and fruit and vegetables.
No fuel in country, small grains grow, corn,_ but too cool for
reliability. May be best to leave Tulia on left.
"In grading, best to use graders and cut ditches each side and
grade two feet above ground to drain well. Sod rots and track
goes down.
"Grading 5,000 per mile, bridging 400 ft.
TRANSPORTATION 67
"$60,000.00 Grading
2,500.00 Bridge
95,000.00 Rail
42,000.00 Fastenings
42,000.00 Laying
105,000.00 Ties
7,500.00 Water
7,500.00 Depot
5,000.00 Supervision
$366,500.00 Total"
Although Mr. Turner earnestly desired to extend the rail-
road farther south, he believed that the time was not yet ripe.
So eager were the citizens of Hale County to secure a rail-
road that for several years they kept up a constant effort to
secure a contract for the building of a railroad in any direction
from Plainview. On July 6, 1903, a group of citizens met
in the office of Judge L. S. Kinder and formed a company
called "The Amarillo, Plainview and Southern Railway
Company. The Board of Directors elected were J. H. Slaton,
R. P. Smyth, J. N. Donohoo, L. A. Knight, Dr. L. Lee Dye,
Dr. J. H. Wayland, W. E. Dyer, Chas. McCormack and L. S.
Kinder.
The Company formed was chartered for $75,000 and it
was required that 5 per cent of this amount must be paid in
before a charter would be granted. Members of the com-
mittee stated that it took all the money in Plainview to raise
the 5 per cent, but the money was raised, nevertheless.
Three years later the directors of this company entered into
a contract with a promoter, C. B. Pasch, of Amarillo, who
then interested Major E. C. Gordon, of Alabama, who secured
the cooperation of the Caldwells, of Tennessee. Through
these men the Talmages, of Chicago, and Major Stallings be-
came interested, and their efforts culminated in a contract with
the Santa Fe in 1906.
The bonus that was paid to the Santa Fe was $75,000, which
at that time was considered a very large sum. Although much
of the lands in Hale County had been granted to Railroad
Companies for building railroads in East Texas, the law which
allowed sixteen sections of land as a bonus for each mile of
68 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
railroad built was repealed in 1882, and there remained no
lands in the public domain to promote the building of roads in
West Texas,
The principal consideration of the bonus was the options
which the people gave the Railroad Company in land, apprais-
ing it at a very low price per acre, enabling the Company to
sell the land after the road had been built for as much as or
perhaps twice the price.
The time limit when the Railroad must reach Plainview in
order to secure the bonus of $75,000 was 12 o'clock noon on
January 1, 1907. This requirement was met within a few
hours of the dead line and the coming of the railroad was
celebrated on December 31, 1906.
An account of the opening of the Plainview Line is given in
a letter from Mr. A. E. Meyer, Auditor of the Panhandle and
Santa Fe Railroad Company, to the author, dated March 9,
1934, as follows :
"The Plainview line was officially opened on February 18,
1907. Prior to that date, however, some freight and passenger
traffic was handled as a matter of accommodation to the public.
Below is a list of the station agents at Plainview together with
the respective periods of service in that capacity :
"J. Newt Cole
John Kendrick
C H Hinton
R McGee
W J Klinger
R F Bayless
John Lucas
1- 1 -07 to 11 -15 -08
11 -15 -08 to 1 -15 -10
1 -15 -10 to 5 -23 -10
5 -23 -10 to 2 -15 -12
2 -15 -12 to 5- 1 -13
5- 1 -13 to 7 -20 -15
7 -20 -15 to date
"I have been unable, thus far, to ascertain the names of the
crew that brought the first regular train into your city, how-
ever it is understood that the late Mr. Avery Turner, who was
at that time Vice President and General Manager, arrived in
Plainview on a special train on December 28, 1906 and had
as his guests Mrs. Turner, Miss Cobb (now Mrs. Henry
Harding), Mr. L. T. Lester and Mr. Lester's son and daugh-
ter. I believe Mr. Lester was then a banker at Canyon and
he only recently passed away. Mr. B. R. Clark was the con-
TRANSPORTATION 69
ductor of that train and Mr. Harry Gardner was the engineer.
Mr. Clark is now a Justice of the Peace here and Mr. Gardner
is sales manager for Walter Irvin, Inc., dealers in Ford auto-
mobiles in Amarillo.
"I am further told that Mr. K. I. Reid was the conductor
of a train carrying passengers which followed the special on
the date referred to, but I am unable to ascertain the names
of the other members of the train and engine crew."
(SIGNED) "A. E. MEYER."
The opening of the Plainview Line was a day of rejoicing
never to be forgotten by the citizens of Hale County and the
South Plains. It was celebrated with a great jubilee and all
day gathering. The coming of the Santa Fe marked the open-
ing of a vast area of land to agricultural pursuit which until
that time had been only a grazing range, for centuries for the
buffalo and in recent years for cattle. The railroad brought
many families into the country to build homes and develop
industry.
In the summer of 1909, the Santa Fe Railroad Company ex-
tended the Plainview Line to Lubbock, bringing railroad facili-
ties to Hale Center and founding the town of Abernathy.
The citizens of Hale County continued to work unceasingly
in an effort to get other railroads to build into the county in
order to provide more direct connections with state, interstate
and world markets. The Fort Worth and Denver Railroad
finally rewarded their efforts and built into Plainview on a
branch line from Childress to Dimmitt in 1928. A bonus
equal to that paid to the Santa Fe was given the Fort Worth
and Denver railroad. A branch line from South Plains to
Lubbock brought railroad facilities to Petersburg in the fall of
1928. The coming of the Denver Railway was celebrated in
Plainview on November 20, 1928, with a banquet at the City
Auditorium given by the Chamber of Commerce, at which one
thousand out -of -town guests were honored at a Wild Duck
Dinner. The coming of this road was an occasion of great
rejoicing, and the business men of Plainview expressed their
appreciation by taking advantage of the hunting season to
furnish the ducks for the dinner. D. P. Everett is the agent of
this road at Plainview, and J. M. Erwin at Petersburg.
70 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Motor Transportation
Almost simultaneously with the coming of the first Railroad
was the advent of the automobile. At the time the first cars
were brought to Hale County they were still in the stage of
experimentation and were but crude forerunners of the im-
proved models of the present time. No one knew how to ad-
just the machines or to diagnose the trouble when anything
went wrong and many times the early travelers were forced
to walk home leaving the car behind or to be pulled in by a
team of mules.
The noise of the early automobiles made them a menace
to livestock and many frightened horses were badly torn by
barbed wire fences in their frantic efforts to escape. A law
was passed compelling a driver to bring his automobile or
motor vehicle to a standstill at the signal of a person riding
or driving a horse and to remain stationary until such animal
had passed. During the year 1907 a state law was enacted
fixing the speed limit at eighteen miles per hour on highways
and eight miles per hour in city streets. Every automobile
was required to "have attached thereto a bell or other appliance
for giving notice of approach which when rung or operated
could be heard a distance of three hundred feet."
The early models were run by chain drive, had but one or
two cylinders, were hand cranked, and had no windshields or
doors, nevertheless, they were the "Pride of the Plains," and
many homeseekers who came by train had their first ride in an
automobile when real estate agents in Plainview whisked them
from the depot to lands far out where they purchased farms,
little dreaming they were buying so far from town.
The first automobile sales agency in Hale County was estab-
lished in 1909, when E. E. Winn and Otus Reeves opened the
Ford agency. The total number of sales during the first year
was ten cars. In the next few years other agencies were se-
cured. R. A. McWhorter and L. A. Knight sold the Buick
car and started Knight's Garage. In the early days of the
industry, many cars of various makes were brought into the
country and tried out which are no longer built. It was not
until the year following the close of the world war that the
automobile came into general use. Credit corporations speeded
TRANSPORTATION 71
up the sales by making it possible to pay for them on the in-
stallment plan, for prior to that time cars were sold only for
spot cash, though in a few instances cars were sold on open
account.
The automobile once ridiculed as a "rich man's plaything"
is now considered a necessity to every farmer, business man,
and resident of the county. A network of paved highways
and improved roads have made even the most outlying farms
easily accessible to railroad centers. Trucks can reach any
farm in the area and the small truck and "pickup" have
become an indispensable aid to the farmers for marketing fa-
cilities. During the years that followed "the depression,"
which began in 1931, the trucking industry has sprung up and
motor freighting has become a major industry. It reaches not
only agriculture, but every form of business requiring trans-
portation of merchandise.
Motor transportation has found its place not only in the
commerce of the community but the social life as well. Urban
advantages unknown a quarter of a century ago to the farmer
twenty miles from town are his today. The motor car has
made it possible for any citizen of Hale County to enjoy the
same social advantages, attend the same plays and entertain-
ments that were possible formerly only for people living in
town. The school bus transporting from 25 to 40 children at
a time has made possible the consolidation of rural schools
with all the resulting advantages not available in small rural
schools.
In the thirty years since the coming of the railroad and the
automobile, amazing progress has been made in the develop-
ment of the vast natural resources of the land and water of
Hale County. From the time when the dog trains dragged
their wearisome burdens across the plains until the coming of
the prairie schooner, the virgin sod remained unbroken, and the
riches that the Spanish Gold Hunters failed to see lay hidden
until transportation made their development possible.
CHAPTER VI
HISTORY OF EDUCATION
The First School
The first school in Hale County was a private school taught
at Old Epworth in 1886 -1887 by Miss Allie Freeman. After
personally superintending the education of his children for
three years, Mr. Graves secured through a teachers' agency a
private tutor for his daughters, Miss Freeman, who came
from the east and made her home with them. Several families
who moved into the community in 1885 and 1886 were de-
sirous of school advantages for their children, so an arrange-
ment was made by which they shared the expense of the teacher
and Mr. Graves allowed them the use of one room in his home
for a community school room.
The children who attended this first school were as follows :
Amy, Helen and Lottie Graves, Eda and Porter Jones, Clara,
Arthur and Frank Adams, Bettie Lester, Dillie, Bert and Lil-
lian Shepley, Bud, Sally and Lee Baker, Dan, Albert and Will
Allen and Wilbur and Minnie Harkey.
Miss Florence Gill was employed as a private tutor by Mr.
Graves in 1887 and spent three years in the Graves home. She
also taught music and expression. The teachers arranged for
a circulating library and books were sent from the east which
supplied the pupils with first class literature. The children in
this school were given the same training and cultural advan-
tages available in more thickly populated communities in the
wholesome atmosphere of early western life.
The Sod School House
Soon after Z. T. Maxwell and E. L. Lowe settled on their
homesteads, now a part of the townsite of Plainview, a number
of other families moved into the vicinity. The need of a school
to educate their children was soon felt. No public school fund
72
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 73
was available, either to erect a school house or to pay a teacher,
and the county was not yet organized. The responsibility rested
entirely upon the individuals, so the heads of families set about
the task of meeting the requirement.
A lot on which to build a school house was donated by Mr.
and Mrs. Hugh McClelland. The building of the school house
was not a staggering proposition to the settlers, since they all
lived in dugouts. A day was set apart in the summer of 1887
on which to erect the building and every man in the community
was on hand to do his part. Judge J. M. Carter with several
helpers was sent to the canyons a distance of forty miles to
get a ridge pole and rails for the roof. Workers were divided
into groups and each group was assigned a definite task. Col.
R. P. Smyth engineered one shift which plowed the sod into
strips from a portion of the Maxwell land now included in the
city park. Another group cut the strips of sod into bricks
twenty inches in length, loaded them into wagons and rushed
them to the building site. Other workmen dug a hole in the
ground 20 by 30 feet, four feet deep. The walls were built four
feet above the ground by laying the sod bricks in a wall eighteen
inches thick. One window on each side supplied light and a
door was placed in the end, facing the east. Before the sun
went down the school house was completed with the exception
of the roof. The party returned with the ridgepole several
days later and all turned out to finish the work. The long pole
was laid from end to end of the building and short poles placed
from the ridgepole to the side walls and cedar brush was
placed over them. This they covered with a layer of sod with
the grass outside and the school house was complete. The
pleasure of neighborly association and cooperation made light
the work of the building and no one felt it a burden. Lumber
to make the seats was freighted from Colorado City a distance
of 160 miles and was paid for through subscription. Hammer
and saws quickly transformed the rude planks into seats, —
crude though they were —from which dangled the little feet
of Plainview's first school children.
Miss Maggie Camp, of Snider, Texas, was employed as the
first teacher. Her salary was paid by subscription and she
boarded around among the patrons. There were no text books
available and the children studied from miscellaneous school
74 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
books which their parents happened to possess. Mrs. Kate
Cannon was employed as teacher in 1888, and rode to school
each day with horse and sidesaddle from her "home- on -the-
range" six miles from Plainview. Pupils living long distances
from town came to school riding horseback or in two-wheeled
carts or buckboards. Ferd Faulkner was employed as a second
teacher during the year.
Among the pupils who attended the first school, in 1887, at
Plainview in the little sod school house were as follows :
Fannie, Walter, Harry, Earnest, "Plug" and "Tat" (twins)
Griffin, Mattie Lowe, Mont and Tom Carter, Hubert Parker,
Billy, Oscar, Ed, Bob, Betty and Mary Bryan, Charlie and
Will McClelland, Cicero and Stella Pendley, Will, Sallie and
Sam Maxwell, Ada, Anna, Hubert and Willis Harlin.
Public Free Schools Established
The first public free schools were established in Hale County
in the summer of 1889, at which time two school districts
were created. District No. 1 contained two schools,— Plain-
view and Mapes, —and District No. 2 had one school, —Ep-
worth. The community of Mapes was then called the
"Missouri Settlement," since most of the people in that vi-
cinity came from Missouri. Miss Alice Rosser opened the
school at Mapes in a brush arbor during the summer before
the school house was built.
The scholastics in Hale County in 1889 numbered 108,
being 37 in Plainview, 24 at Mapes and 37 at Epworth. The
sum of $420.00 was apportioned from the Public School Fund
and the sum of $1,323.52 was apportioned from the County
Treasury, making a total of $1,744.44, or $16.15 per scholas-
tic, to be expended for school purposes in Hale County during
the year 1889 -1890.
The sum of $675.00 was set aside{ to build a school house at
Plainview and a contract was entered into with the Masonic
Lodge of Plainview who paid for the labor and material to
build a second floor to the school house to be used as a Ma-
sonic Hall. Thomas G. Nance, Pastor of the First Christian
Church, was given the contract to erect the building, which
was placed on the present site of the Lamar School.
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 75
The Llano Estacado Institute
The name of the Plainview School was changed to The
Llano Estacado Institute in 1895 under the supervision of O.
C. Mulkey and the curriculum was made to include academic
work. The first graduating class of The Llano Estacado In-
stitute was the class of 1897. At that time Alfred T. Howell
Jr., John Humphrey and Samuel R. Merrill graduated with
fitting ceremonies on May 17, 1897.
Plainview High School
On March 12, 1902, the Plainview Independent School Dis-
trict was organized. The Llano Estacado Institute was
changed to Plainview High School, and the grade school was
later named Lamar. The class of 1904 was the first graduat-
ing class of the Plainview High School.
The following persons have served as Superintendent of
Plainview Independent Schools : E. C. Nelson (1908 -1910) ,
W. H. Grim (1910- 1911), Miss Ellen Robinson (1911-
1913), B. M. Harrison (1913 - 1915), A. G. Harrison (1915-
1916), J. W. Campbell (1916- 1917), W. P. Webb
(1917- 1919), W. E. Patty (1919- 1926), Geo. W. Page
(1926- 1927), W. P. Fulton (1928), Lee Clark (1928 -1931)
and Chas. E. Davis (1931- 1936), O. J. Laas (1937).
The following persons have served as Principal: S. W.
Meharg (1902- 1908), T. O. Price (1906), Miss Ellen Robin-
son (1908 - 1911), A. L. Green (1911 - 1912), W. H. Warren,
(1912 -1913) E. J. Woodward (1913- 1914), H. P. Webb
(1914- 1917), R. A. Burgess (1917- 1920), R. B. Sparks
(1920 -1927) and O. J. Laas (1927- 1936).
Public Schools of Hale County
Plainview School was established in 1889. The first
trustees were J. M. Carter, Z. T. Maxwell and John Pendley.
D. C. Lowe and Miss Lizzie Butts were the first teachers.
The Plainview Independent School District now contains seven
schools, ie. High School, Junior High, Lamar, Central, High-
land, Seth Ward and Booker T. Washington (colored). 72
teachers are employed in the district. The scholastic enroll-
ment is 2074.
76 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Mapes School was established in 1889. The first trustees
were J. M. Carter, Z. T. Maxwell and John Pendley. Miss
Alice Rosser was the first teacher. The name of the school
was changed in 1890 to Fairview, and two years later was
changed to Prairieview.
Prairieview School, formerly known as Mapes, and also
Fairview, was named Prairieview in 1892. This school has
the distinction of being the oldest school in Hale County. It
employs two teachers.
Epworth School was established in 1889. The first trustees
were L. A. White, A. E. Adams and G. D. Allen. B. A. Berry
was the first teacher. This school was absorbed by the Hale
Center School in 1893.
Liberty School was established in 1891. The first trustees
were J. M. Snider, S. T. Pepper and C. H. Gilbert. B. L.
Spencer was the first teacher. This school now employs four
teachers.
Runningwater School was established in 1891. The first
trustees were Dennis Rice, T. C. Overhuls and J. V. Matlock.
Miss Mamie Valade was the first teacher. Runningwater be-
came an Independent School District in 1924. It now em-
ploys four teachers.
Union School was established in 1892. The first trustee
was G. F. Formway. John B. Shelton was the first teacher.
This school was discontinued after a few years.
Hale City School was established in 1892. The first
trustees were Jesse J. B. McCullar, L. B. Lovelace and W. P.
Blake. C. F. Kerr was the first teacher. This school was
absorbed by the Hale Center School in 1893 and the school
house was moved to Hale Center.
Progress School was established in 1892. The first trustees
were W. C. Hood, W. J. Patrick and O. E. Ballard. Fannie
Barber was the first teacher. This school was changed to
Pearce in 1896.
Pearce School was established in 1896. The first trustees
were A. L. Maupin, M. T. Cocke and W. H. Pearce. Leslie
Maupin was the first teacher. This school was discontinued
in 1903.
Ivey School was established in 1892. The first trustees
were J. M. Snider and J. N. Donohoo. T. L. Vanvacter was
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 77
the first teacher. This school was consolidated with Lakeview
Independent School District in 1919.
Center Plains School was established in 1892. The first
trustees were W. S. Boliver, P. S. Green and O. T. Talley.
George L. Mayfield was the first teacher. This school was
absorbed by Norfleet School in 1908. It was re- established as
Center Plains in 1910. In 1937 the district was divided and
the south part added to Cotton Center District. The north
side remains Center Plains but they transfer their students to
Hale Center by bus.
Helm School was established in 1892. The first trustees
were I. J. Helm and J. M. Harkey. This school went into
Hale Center District in 1906 and was absorbed by Hooper
School in 1908. The first teacher of this school was Minnie
M. Starkey.
White School was established in 1892. The first trustees
were J. M. Snider and J. N. Donohoo. F. V. Neil was the first
teacher. This school was discontinued in 1897. It was re-
established in 1914 with J. T. Terrell and L. A. Martin as
trustees, and taught by Eleanor Price. This school was ab-
sorbed by Bellview in 1917.
Hale Center School was established in 1893, through the
consolidation of the Epworth and Hale City Schools. The
first trustees were B. A. Hudgins, L. T. Lester and C. H.
Harlan. George L. Mayfield was the first teacher. School
opened in this school on January 1, 1894. Hale Center be-
came an Independent School District in 1917. It has two
school buildings, and employs fifteen teachers.
McWhorter School was established in 1896. Ida L. Oliver
was the first teacher. The school house burned in 1921. The
new school house was located two miles east of the old one
and the name was changed to Science Hill.
Happy Union School was established in 1897. The first
trustees were J. V. Neal, M. T. Cocke and A. L. Maupin.
Lillie Leonard was the first teacher. This school employs one
teacher.
Petersburg School was established in 1900 and consolidated
with Allman School in Floyd County. In 1901 a school was
opened at Petersburg, with J. M. Braselton as its first teacher.
Petersburg Independent School District was organized in
78 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
1920. It has two schools and employs twelve teachers.
Westside School was established in 1901. The first trustee
was T. A. Douthitt. Della Triplett was the first teacher. The
district was consolidated with a school in Lamb County the
first year and the first school was taught at Westside in 1902.
This school now employs three teachers.
Southeast School was established in 1902. The first trustees
were T. J. Tilson, W. B. Sheffy and Mr. Dodson. James R.
DeLay taught during the first year. This school was not
named but was located in a rented house sixteen miles south-
east of Plainview, hence it was designated as Southeast. It
was moved to another residence two miles distant the next
year and was taught by Charlie Parker. During the year a
school house was built and the school was named Bellview,
Col. T. J. Tilson naming the school in honor of John Bell, an
early settler in the community.
Bellview School was moved in 1904 from its location a
half mile distant to the present site. Its trustees were Col.
T. J. Tilson, John Bell and Mr. Dodson. Anna Cannon was
the first teacher. Bellview became an Independent School Dis-
trict in 1918 and absorbed the White School. It employs two
teachers.
Midway School was established in 1904. The first trustees
were M. F. Mechner, W. B. Sheffy and J. M. Maddox. L.
W. Sloneker was the first teacher. This school consolidated
with the Snyder School in 1922.
Ellen School was established in 1905, and was named for
the Ellen Post Office. The first trustee was John J. Simpson.
Minnie Lee was the first teacher. This school employs two
teachers.
Locust Grove School was established in 1904. The first
trustees were W. S. Boliver, P. S. Green and O. T. Tally.
Della Triplett was the first teacher. This school was absorbed
by Norfleet School in 1908.
Star School was established in 1906. The first trustee was
John Read. J. W. Ware was the first teacher. This school
consolidated with Lakeview Independent School in 1919.
Snyder School was established in 1908. The first trustee
was P. B. Snyder. Myra Cosby was the first teacher. This
school was established in the Mennonite Colony and for sev-
eral years employed only Mennonite teachers. The school was
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 79
named for P. B. Snyder, pastor of the Mennonite Church.
Snyder School became an Independent School District in 1922
and absorbed the Midway School. It employs two teachers.
Norfleet School was established in 1908. The first trustees
were R. S. Wagoner, J. W. Cunningham and J. W. Boggus.
A. E. Matlock was the first teacher. This school absorbed
the Locust Grove and Center Plains Schools when established.
It was absorbed by the Cotton Center Independent School Dis-
trict in 1925.
Bartonsite School was established in 1908. The first
trustees were J. J. Barton, J. P. Carr and E. Harlan. B. W.
Wilkins was the first teacher. This school was absorbed by
the Cotton Center Independent School District in 1925.
Hooper School was established in 1908. The first trustees
were I. J. Helm, J. C. Hooper and F. W. Struve. Jennie King
was the first teacher. This school absorbed the Helm School
in 1908. It employs two teachers.
Halfway School was established in 1908. The first trustees
were R. L. Hooper, J. W. Dye, B. B. Huguley. Miss Clora
Sanderson was the first teacher. It employs two teachers.
Halfway is now an Independent School District.
Strip School was established in 1909. The first trustees
were J. B. Jones, P. L. Wimberly and J. C. Atwood. Audra
Thompson was the first teacher. This school was discon-
tinued in 1912.
East Mound School was established in 1909. The first
trustees were W. B. Martine and W. B. Seamans. Lula
Howell was the first teacher. This school now employs two
teachers.
Holechre School was established in 1909. The first trustees
were M. S. Hudson and M. P. Rahlzahn. Nell Holland was
the first teacher. This school became the Stoneback school
in 1912.
Abernathy School was established in 1910. The first
trustees were J. I. Powell, V. Stambaugh and J. C. Atwood.
Beulah Wilson was the first teacher. A school was taught in
Abernathy in a private residence in 1909 -10, by Mrs. Ola
Legg, this school being financed by Dr. M. C. Overton, a real
estate agent who founded the town of Abernathy. Mrs. Legg
succeeded Miss Wilson in 1911 and taught continuously until
1922 when she was elected to the office of County Superin-
80 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
tendent of Schools. Abernathy became an Independent School
District in 1917. It absorbed the County Line and Eagle
Springs Schools in 1936. Employs 15 teachers.
Mayfield School was established in 1911. The first trustees
were G. W. Brown, R. S. Wagoner and L. H. Triplett. Nell
Holland was the first teacher. The school was named in honor
of George L. Mayfield, who at that time was County Judge
and ex officio County Superintendent of Schools. This school
employs two teachers. The school house burned in February,
1937.
Iowa Avenue School was established in 1910. The first
teacher was Kate Cooper. This school employs two teachers.
Mount Vernon School was established in 1912. The first
trustees were J. M. Brazele, K. D. Thomas and Tom Abney.
O. J. Tyler was the first teacher. This school employs one
teacher.
Stoneback School was established in 1912. The school was
named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Stoneback of that commu-
nity. The first trustees were C. B. Rees, and H. B. Meester.
Florence Mash was the first teacher. In 1937 the entire stu-
dent body was taken to Hale Center by bus.
Woodrow School was established in 1913. It was named
in honor of Woodrow Wilson, then President of the United
States. M. D. Leach was the first trustee and Vera Holland
was the first teacher. This school was absorbed by the Liberty
School in 1921.
Lakeview School was established in 1914. The first
trustees were J. B. Jones, Elbert Overton and G. C. Pierce.
A. H. Tedford was the first teacher. Lakeview became an
Independent School District in 1919 and absorbed the Star
and Ivey Schools. This school employs four teachers.
Valleyview School was established in 1914. The first
trustees were M. C. Cornelius and E. D. Matlock. The first
teacher was Lou Ida Hatchett. The pupils in this district are
transported to Olton School in Lamb County by bus. This
change in the school was made about 1931.
Anchor School was established in 1916. The first trustee
was E. A. Shackleford and Alma Rash was the first teacher.
This school was consolidated with the Cotton Center Inde-
pendent School District in 1925.
Sunshine School was established in 1916. The first trustees
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 81
were C. W. Boyd, G. W. Struve and W. F. Beard. The first
teacher was Gladys Thomas. This school employs one
teacher.
Reed School was established in 1918. The first trustees
were A. H. Reed, J. H. Brown and C. H. Buckingham. The
first teacher was Hazel Crouch. Since 1937 the student body
is sent by bus to Abernathy.
Wilson School was established in 1918. The first trustees
were J. W. Waddill, W. C. Sewell and T. J. Vines. The first
teacher was Vera Stambaugh. This school employs one
teacher.
Stansell School was established in 1920. The first trustee
was W. C. Stansell and the first teacher was Anna Foster.
This school was named for W. C. Stansell. Since 1937 the
student body is sent by bus to Plainview.
Clements School was established in 1921. The first trustees
were E. R. Springer, W. B. Smith and C. A. McSpadden.
The first teacher was Eristiena Lane. This school was named
in honor of Charles Clements, who at that time was County
Judge and Ex Officio County Superintendent of Schools. The
school employs two teachers.
Cousins School was established in 1917. The first trustees
were R. M. Fortenberry, I. E. Botts and J. H. Drake. The
first teacher was Ethel Thomas. This school was named in
honor of R. B. Cousins, at that time President of West Texas
State Teacher College at Canyon, who was active in pro-
moting educational interests in Hale County. In 1937 Cousins
School bought a bus and is now sending their entire student
body to Plainview.
Science Hill School was established in 1921 after the Mc-
Whorter school house burned. The school was named by C.
D. Hughes in memory of a school of that name in Kentucky.
The first trustee was C. D. Hughes and the first teacher was
Helen Evans. An election in 1937 effected the division of
this district and the consolidation of the south side with Aber-
nathy School and the north side with Cotton Center School.
Cotton Center School was established as an Independent
School District in 1925 as a result of the consolidation of
Anchor, Bartonsite and Norfleet schools. It is situated in the
center of a cotton - growing community, hence its name. The
first trustees were E. A. Shackelford, F. M. McKnight and
82 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
C. J. Sturdivant. G. A. Lowery was the first Superintendent
of this school. Nine teachers are employed at Cotton Center.
Eagle Springs School was established in 1925. The school
was named for Eagle Springs. The first trustees were A. N.
Johnson, C. I. Rhodes and H. M. Morehead. The first teacher
was Vera Truett. This school consolidated with Abernathy
in 1936.
Lakeside School was established in 1931. The first trustees
were E. C. Curtis, J. F. Lassiter, J. F. McDonough, Ernest
Miller, J. C. Fuller and J. C. Howard. Carrie Frazier and
Evelyn Shankle were the first teachers. This district was es-
tablished with territory withdrawn from the north side of
Petersburg District. The school employs one teacher.
The following persons taught in the public free schools of
Hale County prior to 1900:
D. C. Lowe, Lizzie Butts, Alice Rosser, B. A. Berry, Charles
Scott, B. L. Spencer, Mamie Valade, Fannie Barber, T. L.
Van Vacter, F. V. Neil, George L. Mayfield, C. F. Kerr,
Minnie M. Starkey, R. B. C. Howell, Mattie Williams, O. C.
Mulkey, Mrs. J. I. Mulkey, Eugenia Welter, John B. Shelton,
Ida L. Oliver, M. N. Parks, W. O. Morton, Mrs. L. G. Wilson,
W. A. Smith, J. G. Williams, C. I. Browder, John B. Whaley,
Jamie Browder, Willie Sowder, Mattie Williams, Olive Beas-
ley, Nora Eddy, Althea Winn, T. W. Waddill, Isabella Howell,
Amy Graves, Lottie Graves, T. G. Ross, Lula Beasley, Sally
Savage, Alice Bradford, J. M. Blake, Ione Burch, J. W. Moore,
Mary Bryan, A. Ernsberger, Carrie Ernsberger, Pearl Estes,
Ruth Estes, Daisy Hooper, Lillie Leonard, Leslie Maupin,
W. C. Mathes, S. R. Merrill, E. Spooner, L. L. Cooper, Ruth
Maggard, W. J. Williams, B. McCartie, C. V. Young, G. L.
Bradford, Ola Huguley, S. S. Sloneker, J. J. Stamps.
Central Plains College
and Conservatory of Music
Central Plains College and Conservatory of Music was the
first Junior College to be built in Plainview. It opened on
September 18, 1907, and operated for three years. This school
was founded by the Holiness Church with the intention of
making it a denominational school to be known as Central
Plains Holiness College. Mr. Ferd Faulkner donated twenty-
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 83
five acres of land for a campus and also made other large
contributions to make the founding of the school possible. A
Board of Trustees was elected, composed of Ferd Faulkner,
S. S. Sloneker, Ben Sebastian, A. J. McCrary and R. T. Miller.
Dr. L. L. Gladney, who then occupied the chair of Philos-
ophy and Divinity in a college in Meridian, Mississippi, was
offered the presidency. Dr. Gladney met with the Trustees
in Plainview in February, 1907, at which time he recommended
that the school be made non - sectarian and interdenominational,
since the population of the country was too small to make the
maintenance of a denominational school practicable. This
plan was accepted and the school was named Central Plains
College and Conservatory of Music.
Fifty acres were put into a campus and a three story ad-
ministration building of cement blocks was erected. Two
dormitories were also built. School opened in a partially
finished building with an enrollment of 68 students, 159 en-
rolling during the first year. The school was operated along
the lines of Meridian Male College and its sister, Meridian
Female College, of Meridian, Mississippi, a co- educational
school with military training for both boys and girls. Capt.
W. W. Cherry was head of the Military Department. The
school carried the student from the primary grade to A. B.
degree.
After three years of school work, the Holiness Church
found the burden of sponsoring the College too great, and
proffered it to the Methodist Church at the District Conference
held at Lockney June 16, 1910. The Methodists accepted the
responsibility and the school was turned over, free of debt, to
the Plainview District Conference.
Seth Ward College
The name of the school was at once changed from Central
Plains College and Conservatory of Music to Seth Ward
College, named in honor of Bishop Seth Ward. Dr. L. L.
Gladney was retained as president of the school during the
school year 1910 -1911. In 1911 W. M. Pearce became presi-
dent, and later N. B. Johnson held that position, with J. E.
Willis, Dean. The Board of Trustees of Seth Ward College
were as follows : L. M. Faulkner, R. A. Long, J. W. Wayland,
84 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
W. H. Terry, E. H. Perry, O. P. Kiker, W. A. Nash, J. N.
Donohoo, M. S. Leveridge, D. E. Ansley, G. W. Shearer,
W. C. Mathes, W. M. Lane, D. B. Doak, J. F. Owens, E. E.
Robinson, E. P. Thompson, T. F. Gilliland and C. N. N.
Ferguson.
For five years the Seth Ward College prospered under
Methodist administration, and Wayland and Seth Ward Col-
leges vied with each other in friendly rivalry. Inter - collegiate
athletics and debates contributed to the social life of Plainview.
Early in 1916, the Boys Dormitory burned. Before the
building could be replaced, the administration building caught
fire on March 26, 1916, and burned to the ground, the Girls
Dormitory also burning at the same time. The school term
was finished in the Methodist Church of Plainview, but the
loss was so great that Seth Ward College was never rebuilt,
and the school was discontinued. On August 30, 1932, 100
former faculty members and ex- students of Seth Ward Col-
lege met together for a reunion of old acquaintances and to
commemorate the memory of Old Seth Ward College. This
is now an annual event.
Wayland Baptist College
Wayland Baptist College was founded primarily through
the efforts of Dr. J. H. Wayland. Such an institution on the
plains of West Texas had been for many years the dream of
this pioneer physician who came to Plainview in 1891 and
practiced medicine when the country was in the early pioneer
stage. Among the people who lived in the dugouts scattered
over the prairie he found many people of culture and refine-
ment and a great many of the settlers were people of Univer-
sity degrees. He realized that the boys and girls reared on
the plains would not have the educational advantages that their
parents had had unless schools were built to make it possible.
After cherishing the idea for many years, even to the draw-
ing of the plans for the College in his spare hours, Dr.
Wayland finally interested the Staked Plains Baptist Associ-
ation in the project at its meeting in 1906. No definite action
was taken, however, until 1907, when Dr. B. M. Carroll, of
Waco, became interested in the proposition and committees
were appointed and work began. The school was organized
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 85
in 1909 by the Staked Plains Baptist Association. The
charter first called for the name "Wayland Literary and
Technological Institute," but this was later changed to Way-
land Baptist College.
Plans for the building were drawn and perfected by Archi-
tect J. C. Goodwin according to Dr. Wayland's sketches.
Work was begun on the construction of the administration
building in April, 1909. S. A. Baugess was employed to
superintend the building. Mr. Baugess resigned after the
foundation was laid and Kenneth H. Cox superintended the
construction until the building was erected.
Dr. Wayland's original gift to the school was 25 acres of
ground for a campus and $10,000, which was later increased
to 30 acres for a campus: and $100,000. Dr. I. E. Gates, who
became the first president of the school, initiated and managed
an advertisirg campaign for Wayland Baptist College and
funds for the building were raised principally through do-
nations.
Wayland Baptist College was formally opened for admin-
istration on September 27, 1910, in Matador Hall, before the
administration building was ready for occupancy. 62 students
were enrolled on the opening day, 225 enrolling during the
first session. The curriculum was complete, including gram-
mar school grades as well as Academic and Junior College
work, —also music and art. The grammar grades were discon-
tinued in a few years.
In 1913 Wayland Baptist College was correlated with the
Baptist Convention of Texas and admitted into the system of
schools fostered by the Baptists of Texas to carry on the
denominational work in the Panhandle. The school was rec-
ognized as a standard Junior College in 1917, and in 1926 was
admitted into membership in the American Association of
Junior Colleges, making its credits acceptable in any College
or University without an entrance examination.
The administration building is a three -story fireproof struc-
ture of reinforced concrete and brick. The third floor is used
for a Boys Dormitory. Matador Hall, a Girls Dormitory, is
a two -story brick veneer structure, made possible through do-
nations made by the First Baptist Church of Matador, Texas,
hence its name, Matador Hall. The Lindsay Nunn Gymna-
86 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
sium was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Nunn, of Amarillo.
It has a seating capacity of approximately 600. The Lindsay
Nunn Library, valued at $3,000, is also a gift of Mr. and
Mrs. Lindsay Nunn. The Laboratory equipment was the gift
of Dr. and Mrs. E. B. Atwood.
The first Trustees of Wayland College were as follows :
T. D. Webb, President, W. B. Joiner, Secretary, J. G.
Hamilton, Treasurer, L. G. Wilson, Rev. G. I. Britain, B. F.
Dixon, Thornton Jones, J. H. Wayland, R. J. Goode, Rev.
J. W. Winn, W. A. Donaldson, W. W. Nelson and T. N.
Carmack.
The following persons have served as President of the
school : Dr. I. E. Gates (1910- 1916), O. L. Hailey (1916-
1917), R. E. L. Farmer (1917 - 1919), Dr. E. B. Atwood
(1919- 1923), and G. W. McDonald (1923 -).
Deans of the college have been : R. E. Bell, W. H. Wray,
J. P. Reynolds, E. C. Nelson, J. C. Stephens, W. P. Clements,
J. E. Willis, A. F. Winston, B. H. Warren and Dr. Z. T. Huff.
In 1935 Wayland Baptist College completed a quarter of a
century of administration as an educational institution. The
high standard of her work, her reputation for religious train-
ing and for the development of good citizens and lasting
character are widely known. The school has fulfilled the
objective and the dream of its founder.
Business Colleges
The first Business College in Hale County was opened in
Plainview in August, 1910, by Aldrah Braden Edwards, in the
Odd Fellows Hall, then located in the Wayland Building at
Fifth and Broadway. Wayland Baptist College, which opened
on September 27th of that year, had advertised a Commercial
Department. An arrangement was therefore made by the
officials of Wayland College with Mr. Edwards to teach the
Wayland Commercial students. Twenty -three students were
enrolled, 17 boys and 6 girls. In October Mr. Edwards aban-
doned the project. The College moved the student body to, the
unfinished College building and M. Buford was employed as
instructor. Mr. Buford resigned two months later, and no
teacher was secured until the fall of 1911.
M. S. Hoover opened the Wayland Commercial School in
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 87
September, 1911, with an enrollment of some 20 students. A
number of students graduated from this department in the
spring of 1912, however, the city of Plainview at that time had
not sufficient business to give them employment. The boom
which followed the coming of the railroad had died down and
no firm in the town had sufficient volume of business to employ
a stenographer full time. Those who found employment did
so by doing public stenography or part time work, which en-
abled two or three to handle the work of all the business firms.
Mr. Hoover resigned at Wayland College in the summer of
1912 and operated a Business College at Seth Ward College
in 1912 -1913.
J. E. Watson took charge of the Wayland Business College
in November, 1912, and conducted it until May 18, 1918. He
then opened the Watson's Business College in the McLaughlin
Building and operated it until July 25, 1925, when he sold the
school to Roy J. Lippert.
Roy J. Lippert changed the name of the school to Lippert's
Business College, which he continues to operate, now located
in the Viegel Building.
J. E. Watson opened the Plainview Business College and
Watson's School of Correspondence in January, 1927, which
he continues to operate.
Plainview Chautauqua
The Annual Chautauqua was an educational feature held in
Plainview for one week each summer for fifteen consecutive
years. It was inaugurated under the auspices of the Plainview
Commercial Club, of which Judge J. E. Lancaster was Presi-
dent and James R. DeLay was Secretary. The first Chautauqua
was held from August 26th to September 1st inclusive, 1907.
This seven days program furnished the people with wholesome
entertainment, recreation, education and amusement. Many
speakers of renown were included in its programs as well as
many rare musical concerts and educational features. The
Annual Chautauqua was discontinued in 1922.
The Public Library
The Public Library in Plainview was established through
the united efforts of the Women's Clubs. A formal opening of
88 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
the Library was held at the City Hall on June 25, 1913. The
Clubs were represented at the opening by the following mem-
bers who served as hostesses : The Civic League, Mrs. Mary
V. Dye ; The Browning Club, Mrs. D. H. Collier ; The Travel
Study Club, Mrs. L. T. Mayhugh and The As You Like It
Club, Mrs. J. J. Bromley.
One hundred books were placed on the newly made shelves
and donations of books and cash were made by various citizens
on the day of the opening. For a time the Library occupied
the room in the City Hall now used by the Fire Department. It
was then moved to the Campbell Building, and later returned
to the City Hall. When the City Auditorium was erected in
1922, a permanent location was secured for the Library in
that building.
The Library at first was kept open two afternoons each week,
members of the various clubs taking turns serving as libra-
rians. Miss Edna Mayhugh was the first paid librarian. The
librarian's salary during the first four months was a personal
gift from Mrs. Florence N. Catto. Other librarians have been
Mrs. W. E. Armstrong, Mrs. Mary V. Dye and Mrs. L. P.
Davis.
For a number of years the Library was supported entirely
by the Women's Clubs. Later an appropriation was made by
the Board of City Development and was supplemented by the
School Board. Members of the Women's Clubs continue to
serve on the Library Board, and to them is due much credit
for the administration of the Public Library.
Home Demonstration Work
The Home Demonstration Work was organized in Hale
County by the A. & M. College Extension Service in June,
1924, after the Commissioners Court, on application from the
rural communities, had voted an appropriation to assist with
the work. Miss Leila E. Dye was sent to Plainview as the
first Home Demonstration Agent.
During the first year there were organized in sixteen com-
munities 8 Girls Clubs and 14 Women's Clubs, making a total
of 22 organizations. The work covers demonstrations in
three main projects : (1) Home Food Supply, which includes
production, preservation and storage of foods, (2) Home Im-
HISTORY OF EDUCATION 89
provements, both interior and exterior, and (3) Clothing,
which includes selection of material, making of garments,
planning wardrobe and budget of clothing for entire family;
also a productive project, usually poultry, gardening or dairy-
ing.
During the financial crisis of the early thirties, the Home
Demonstration Work was a vital factor in enabling rural peo-
ple to "Live at Home." The art of home - canning and preser-
vation of fruits, vegetables and meats was developed in Hale
County as never before known. A total value of $33,759.57
was placed upon the work done in these clubs in 1935.
The following persons have served as Home Demonstration
Agents in Hale County: Miss Leila E. Dye (1924-1925),
Miss Gladys Short (1925- 1926), Miss Opal L. Wood (1927-
1929), Mrs. Julia E. Kelly (1929 -1936) and Miss Chloie
Huffaker (1936- ) .
CHAPTER VIl
NEWSPAPERS
The newspapers of Hale County have played an important
part in the history and development of the country. They
have been a vital factor in the life of the community, keeping
the people in touch with the affairs of the community and in-
formed in regard to affairs of the state and nation. They
have given graciously of their spaces in publicity to all re-
ligious, social and civic activities and have been a constructive
force in the furtherance of every worthy cause. As an ad-
vertising medium and press agent, they have heralded to the
world information regarding the growth and development of
the country and attracted worthwhile homeseekers. As a
medium of education they are hand in hand with the schools
and rank with transportation in development and progress.
Hale County owes much gratitude to her newspapers for the
part they have played in the progress of half a century.
The Hale County Hesperian was the first newspaper in
Hale County. This was established by D. B. Hill and John
Davidson in Plainview in October, 1889. Mr. Hill immedi-
ately disposed of his interest to Mr. Davidson, who soon aft-
erwards sold to a Mr. Cates. Mr. Cates traded the
newspaper to J. M. Shafer in June, 1891, who changed the
name of the paper.
The Hale County Herald was the new name Mr. Shafer
gave to the paper first known as the Hesperian, a name derived
from the Greek word "Hesperia," meaning western lands. J.
W. Johnson, for many years a member of the grocery firm of
Hatchell and Johnson in Plainview, claimed the honor of
being the first subscriber to the Hale County Herald. J. M.
Shafer was owner and publisher of the Herald; until 1911, his
son, Tom Shafer, acting as managing editor from 1904 to
1911.
Mr. Shafer sold the Herald to B. O. Brown in 1911. E. B.
Miller purchased one -half interest in the paper in 1912 and a
90
NEWSPAPERS 91
year later became sole owner. He then sold one -half interest
to H. S. Hilburn. The Herald became a semi - weekly paper
and beginning January 1,. 1913, was published as a daily paper
for a period of six months, when the name was changed to
The Plainview Herald. During the following year it was
published as a tri- weekly and then was changed back to a
semi - weekly paper.
On March 4, 1929, the Herald Publishing Company was
incorporated and bought the Plainview News. Since that date
the Plainview Evening Herald has been published daily and
the Plainview News has been published weekly. The Herald
Publishing Company owns its own building, an up -to -date
brick structure, and continues to publish the Herald on the
old site used by Mr. Shafer. H. S. Hilburn is editor, E. B.
Miller Advertising Manager and E. Q. Perry Business
Manager.
The Texan Press was founded in Plainview by J. Winford
Hunt on August 30, 1890, who edited and published the news-
paper until 1892, when it was consolidated with the Lubbock
Leader, a paper founded by Leslie Maupin on July 1, 1891,
both papers being published at Estacado to serve Lubbock and
Hale Counties.
The Texas Press - Leader resulted from the consolidation
of the Texan Press and Lubbock Leader, and partnership of
J. Winford Hunt and Leslie Maupin, who edited and pub -
The Plainview News was edited and published by C. M.
Shuffler. Mr. Shuffler then changed the name to the Plainview
News.
The Plainview News was edited and published by C. M.
Shuffler and son from May 23, 1906, until September 6, 1907,
when they sold the News to J. C. Edwards and W. A. Parker.
Edwards and Parker conducted the business until it was pur-
chased by Jesse M. Adams on June 15, 1911. Mr. Adams
edited the paper from that date until 1925. On January 1,
1925, Mr. Adams started on a trip around the world, writing
travel- stories for the Plainview News, leaving his son -in -law,
E. Q. Perry, to edit the paper during his absence. Illness
overtook him during his sojourn in India, from which he
could not entirely recover. He suffered a relapse while visit-
ing the Holylands and death overtook him at Toulon, France,
92 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
on May 10, 1925. Mr. Perry continued to edit the Plainview
News after Mr. Adams' death until March 2, 19429, when the
Plainview News and the Plainview Herald consolidated and
a corporation known as the Herald -News Publishing Com-
pany Inc. continued publishing the Plainview News as an of-
ficial weekly paper for Hale County.
The Community Weekly was established in Plainview in
1930 by R. S. Norman, who moved the plant from Hermleigh,
Texas. A stock company was organized and the Community
Publishing Company was incorporated under charter granted
July 12, 1930, with the following stockholders : R. B.
Mitchell, Pres., L. S. Kennedy Vice Pres., O. C. Burgess, Sec. -
Treas., W. A. Nash, Ed Day, J. E. Rigler, J. C. Boyd, Frank
Triplett and Frank Simonton. The purpose of the paper
being to sponsor community interests, associated communities
were organized. The first communities associated and their
editors were : Liberty —Mrs. B. T. Wells ; Cousins —Mrs. Ott
Grantham; Runningwater —Mrs. John Eakin; Providence—
Mrs. F. M. Kennedy; Seth Ward —Mrs. R. H. Germany;
Prairieview —Mrs. L. A. Hoyle; Stansell —D. C. Kimball, and
Olton —A. L. Dennis. The Community Weekly consolidated
with the Beavers Printing Company on November 28, 1930.
Milton Beavers then became manager and served in that ca-
pacity until March 8, 1936, when Mrs. R. S. Norman took
over active management. Mr. Norman was editor of the
paper from date of establishment on June 12, 1930, until his
death on December 15, 1935. Mrs. Norman is now manager
and editor.
The Hale Center American was established in 1922 by
H. T. Merritt, who brought the plant from Merkel, Texas.
J. C. Hurst purchased the plant in February, 1929, and Fred
Wortham edited the paper from that date until October of
that year. Mr. Hurst then edited his own paper until 1933.
R. J. Dison edited it from 1933 to 1935, when he was suc-
ceeded by Vic Lamb. The Hale Center American and the
Abernathy Review were consolidated in 1930, at which time
Mr. Hurst installed the linotype, and since that time both pa-
pers have been printed at the plant in Hale Center. Prior to
1930 both the papers were hand set and turned by hand. Vic
Lamb is now editor of the Hale Center American.
NEWSPAPERS 93
The Abernathy Review was established in 1922 by S. J.
Redman, who sold the paper to W. A. Richter in 1924. Mr.
Richter published the paper until 1925. J. J. Riley later pur-
chased it, edited it for a short time and resold it to Mr. Red-
man, who sold it to Stockton Henry, of Lubbock. In 1927
J. C. Hurst purchased the Abernathy Review and edited and
published it for several years. The paper was consolidated
with the Hale Center American in 1930 and both papers are
now printed in Hale Center. Vic Lamb edited the paper until
1935. Buford Davenport is the present editor.
The Petersburg Journal was established at Petersburg on
January 27, 1927, by E. R. Gibson, who has edited and pub-
lished the paper continuously since that date.
Other newspapers were established in Hale County which
served the community for a time and were discontinued.
The Texan Press was established at Plainview on August
30, 1890, by J. Winford Hunt. This paper, published at
Estacado, consolidated with the Lubbock- Leader, and became
the Texas Press- Leader in 1892.
The Texas Press - Leader was published in Plainview from
1892 until 1906, when it was sold to Rev. C. M. Shulller and
son Ralph, who changed the name to The Plainview News.
The Plainviewan was a single -sheet published daily for a
while in Plainview in 1913 by a Mr. Hopkins, who will be
remembered by his self - styled pseudonym, "Rearin' -to -go
Hopkins."
The Epworth Chronicle, owned by Manley Cox, of Es-
tacado, was edited and published by J. Winford Hunt, at Ep-
worth in 1892. The paper was discontinued when Epworth
and Hale City went together in 1893 and started Hale Center.
The Hale City Globe was established at Hale City in 1891.
It was edited and published by W. P. Blake until 1892 when
the plant was moved to Hale Center. A few months later Mr.
Blake discontinued the paper and moved his equipment else-
where.
The Hale Center Live Wire was an early newspaper pub-
lished at Hale Center, edited by I. S. Boulier.
The Hale Center Messenger was edited and published in
1903 and 1904 by J. E. Wimberly.
The Hale Center News, established by a Mr. McAdams,
94 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
was printed in Lockney and was published during 1927 and
1928.
The Petersburg News was established in 1911 by a Mr.
Watrous. This was sold to O. E. Brashear in 1911.
The Petersburg Tribune, successor to the Petersburg
News, was edited and published by O. E. Brashear in 1911.
The Petersburg Star, published at Lockney, was edited by
Miss Alma Jo Livingston in 1926.
The Two County News was established at Abernathy in
1909 by Ed Hardin, serving Hale and Lubbock Counties.
This paper was discontinued in 1911.
The Abernathy Breeze was established about 1915 by
Robert E. Downey, who edited and published it for several
years and discontinued it.
HALE COUNTY NEWSPAPERS 1937
Plainview 'Evening Herald (daily) Plainview
Plainview News (weekly) Plainview
Community Weekly (weekly) Plainview
Hale Center American (weekly) Hale Center
Petersburg Journal (weekly) Petersburg
Abernathy Review (weekly) Abernathy
CHAPTER VIII
LEGAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY
Judicial Districts
The 34th Judicial District was fixed by an Act of the 18th
Legislature approved and effective March 27, 1883, at which
time the judicial districts of the state were reorganized. 22
counties, including Hale County and counties west, east and
south were placed in the 34th District. Hale County was at-
tached to Baylor County for judicial and land purposes and
all legal and land matters were transacted at Seymour.
The 31st Judicial District was reorganized by an Act of the
18th Legislature approved Apr. 9, 1883, and effective Septem-
ber 1, 1884, reorganizing the judicial districts of the state.
Hale County, together with 29 counties north were placed in
this district, and Hale County was attached to Donley County
for Judicial purposes and legal business was then transacted
at Clarendon.
The 32nd Judicial District was reorganized out of the 32nd,
33rd, 35th, 39th and 42nd Districts by an Act of the 20th
Legislature approved March 31, 1887. Hale County, together
with 24 other counties to the west, east and south were placed
in 32nd District. Hale County was attached to Crosby
County for Judicial Purposes, that county having organized in
1886, and all legal and land matters were transacted at Esta-
cado.
The 47th Judicial District was created by an Act of the 21st
Legislature approved Feb. 18, 1889, by reorganizing the 31st,
32nd and 39th districts. The 47th district was composed of
16 counties of the Panhandle Plains, including Hale County.
Court then convened in Hale County, on the first Mondays in
April and October. The unorganized counties of Bailey,
Lamb and Swisher were attached to Hale County for Judicial
purposes. Judge W. B. Plemons, of Amarillo, was appointed
95
96 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
first District Judge and L. G. Wilson, of Plainview, was ap-
pointed District Attorney.
The 50th Judicial District was created by an Act of the 22nd
Legislature approved March 13, 1891, reorganizing the 32nd
and 39th Districts. Hale County, together with 13 counties
to the east, west and south, were placed in the 50th District.
The 64th Judicial District was created by an Act of the 29th
Legislature approved February 8, 1905, by dividing the 47th
and 50th Districts. 11 counties, including Hale, were placed
in the 64th District. This district was reduced in 1929 to
Floyd, Briscoe, Castro, Hale, Swisher, Bailey and Lamb
Counties. The following Attorneys have served as officers of
the 64th Judicial District : District Judge ; L. S. Kinder
(1905- 1914), R. C. Joiner (1914- 1926), Charles Clements
(1926- 1934), R. C. Joiner (1934- 1936), and C. D. Russell
(1936 until the present time). District Attorney: Reuben
M. Ellerd (1905- 1906), C. S. Williams (1907- 1908), L. C.
Penry (1908 - 1912), George L. Mayfield (1912- 1916), A. C.
Hatchell (1916- 1920), Charles Clements (1920- 1926),
Meade F. Griffin (1926 -1934) and Charles H. Dean (1934
until the present time).
Court of Civil Appeals
The Court of Appeals was organized by an Act of the 15th
Legislature approved May 6, 1876, to be held in the Supreme
Court Building at Austin. All appeals from District Courts
were made returnable at Austin.
The State of Texas was divided into five Supreme Judicial
Districts by an Act of the 23rd Legislature approved May 13,
1893, and a Court of Civil Appeals was established in each of
the five districts. 84 counties, including Hale County, were
then placed in the Second Supreme Judicial District, and ap-
peals were made returnable at Fort Worth.
The Supreme Judicial Districts were reorganized by the
32nd Legislature by an Act approved March 11, 1911, at
which time the Seventh and Eighth Districts were created.
The Seventh Supreme Judicial District was composed of the
following counties : Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree,
Lipscomb, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill,
Oldham, Potter, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, Deaf Smith, Randall,
LEGAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY 97
Armstrong, Donley, Collingsworth, Parmer, Castro, Swisher,
Briscoe, Hall, Childress, Bailey, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Lamb,
Cottle, Foard, Hardeman, Wilbarger, Crosby, Lubbock, Hock -
ley, Cochran, Yoakum, Terry, Linn, Garza, Dickens, Kent,
King, Fisher, Dawson and Scurry. These counties, with the
exception of Fisher, Dawson and Scurry, comprise the Sev-
enth District at the present time.
Judge H. C. Randolph, of Plainview, was appointed to the
office of Justice of the Court of Civil Appeals of the Seventh
District and served until his death on April 19, 1932. Judge
A. B. Martin, of Plainview, succeeded Judge Randolph in that
office and served until March, 1937, when he resigned to ac-
cept the appointment by Governor Jas. V. Allred to the Su-
preme Court Commission.
The District Court
The first session of the District Court in Hale County was
held at Plainview January 7, 1889. There being present At-
torneys L. G. Wilson, Joe E. Rosson and E. B. Covington,
E. B. Covington was elected special judge to hold the court.
The only business transacted at that time was the appointing of
a jury for the spring term.
The first Grand Jury was as follows : J. W. Smylie, Fore-
man, T. C. Overhuls, John Bell, T. W. Parker, C. F. Graham,
J. M. Martin, J. W. Johnson, Hugh McClelland, R. A. Phil-
lips Sr., A. N. Jones, T. E. Smith, W. B. Ford. The first in-
dictments by the first grand -jury were for the following causes :
1. Theft of a cow
2. Giving away liquor on election day
3. Theft of a steer
4. Assault to murder
5. Receiving and concealing stolen property.
The first Petit Jurors called were as follows : D. L. Shep-
ley, W. H. Portwood, F. M. Parks, J. E. Cannon, F. M. Brad-
ford, Z. T. Maxwell, T. B. Leverett, Thomas Miller, A. H.
Henson, C. H. Harlan, H. M. Burch, P. F. Bryan, C. J. Mapes,
J. H. Leach, F. M. Bradford, Wm. Pendley, L. A. White,
D. W. Owens, W. B. Duncan, L. T. Lester and J. W. Cox.
The first case tried in the District Court was a civil suit
which was tried April 2, 1889. The second case was tried on
November 4, 1889.
98 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Locating the County Seat
At the time Hale County was organized, most of the settlers
lived in the country near Plainview so Plainview was chosen
countyseat. Five years later Hale Center was established
through consolidation of Epworth and Hale City. An election
was called for September 9, 1893 to decide whether the county -
seat should be located at Plainview or moved to Hale Center.
The result of the election was 192 votes for Plainview and 166
for Hale Center.
Prohibition
At the first session of the Commissioners Court a special
election was called to be held September 15, 1888, to decide
whether intoxicating liquors should be sold in Hale County.
Prohibition carried by majority vote. A second election for
prohibition was held on March 2, 1889, which resulted in a
unanimous vote for prohibition, -18 to 0. An election for
Local Option was held on March 18, 1911, at which time pro-
hibition carried in Hale County 593 to 133.
During the war, the need of protecting the military camps
from the influence of liquor aided the cause of prohibition. An
Amendment to the State Constitution, Sec. 20, Art. 16, was
submitted to the Legislature in an election on May 24, 1919,
in which Hale County voted 543 for prohibition and 205
against. In the meantime the National Prohibition Amend-
ment had been submitted and ratified by the State Legislature
on Feb. 28, 1918.
The attitude of Hale County toward prohibition is further
reflected in the vote in the national election on Nov. 6, 1928.
Herbert Hoover was said to be "bone dry" and Al Smith, the
democratic nominee, was supposed to be "wet." Hale County's
vote in the Presidential election was 2,143 for Herbert Hoover
and 1,099 for Al Smith. This was the first and only time in
history that Hale County voted Republican.
On August 26, 1933, an election for the Repeal of the 18th
Amendment resulted in 859 votes for repeal and 560 against.
Hale County voted in the same election 933 votes against the
legalization of 3.2 beer in Hale County and 592 for legalization.
On the Repeal of State Wide Prohibition on August 24, 1935,
Hale County voted 1,284 against repeal and 568 for repeal.
LEGAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY 99
For the first time in history, and without the consent of the
voters of the county, beer was (supposedly) legally sold in
Hale County, after the repeal of the 18th Amendment, but on
January 16, 1936, the sale of beer was stopped in Hale County
on an interpretation of Texas Liquor Control Act from At-
torney General W. M. McCraw. An election was held on
February 8, 1936, to determine whether 3.2 beer should be
sold in Hale County, which resulted in 1,548 votes against
and 1,025 for the sale of beer.
Woman's Suffrage
The question of Woman's Suffrage, or the ratification of the
19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was
submitted to the voters of Hale County in a special election on
May 24, 1919. Hale County's vote was 388 for and 181
against ratification. The 19th Amendment which gave to the
women the right to vote was proclaimed effective by the Secre-
tary of State on August 26, 1920.
Women in Office
The first woman to hold a public office in Hale County was
Mrs. Ola Legg, who was elected to the office of County
Superintendent of Schools in 1922. Other women who have
held office in Hale County are Mrs. Maggie Magee and Mrs.
Pat Connelly who held the office of County Treasurer, Miss M.
Della Ansley, District Clerk and Miss Inez Ott, County Clerk.
Mrs. Emma Grigsby Meharg of Plainview was the first woman
in Texas to hold the office of Secretary of State, receiving the
appointment from the first woman governor of Texas, Mrs.
Miriam A. Ferguson. Mrs. Meharg also had the honor of
being the first woman in Texas to organize the State Legis-
lature, which duty she performed in January, 1927.
Early Lawyers of Hale County
The first lawyer in Hale County was L. G. Wilson, who
came to Plainview May 1, 1888. He was born in Missouri,
and graduated in law from the University of that state in 1886.
He was married to Frances Snyder November 1, 1889. Mr.
Wilson was active in the organization of Hale County and
became its first County Attorney, which office he resigned to
100 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
accept the appointment of District Attorney in the 47th Judi-
cial District in 1889. He is now retired from the practice of
law.
Judge L. S. Kinder came to Plainview in September, 1888.
He was a kinsman of Mr. Wilson, their mothers being sisters.
Born in Cape Cod County, Missouri, on November 9, 1865,
he was educated in Missouri and graduated in law at the State
University of Missouri in February, 1888. He served as
Deputy County Clerk of Hale County in 1889 and was ap-
pointed County Attorney upon Mr. Wilson's resignation. He
was elected District Attorney of the 50th Judicial District in
1892 and served as Judge of the 64th District for ten years.
His experience and length of service earned for him the name
of dean of the legal profession on the Central Plains. He
married Mary L. Rhodes at Plainview on December 24, 1890,
theirs being the second marriage license issued in Hale County.
He died June 2, 1931.
Joe E. Rosson was born at St. Charles, Ark. January 12,
1868. He received his B. L. degree from Cumberland Uni-
versity at Lebanon, Tenn. in 1887. Mr. Rosson located at
Estacado and was married to Beatrice Melton in 1888. He
moved to Plainview in 1897 and acquired an extensive practice
in civil law. He died in Plainview February 12, 1900.
Col. R. P. Smyth was born at Austin, Texas, where he re-
ceived his education and graduated from the Texas Military
Institute in 1887. He joined the Texas National Guards im-
mediately following his graduation, was made Captain in the
State Militia November 25, 1879, and became Colonel of the
2nd Reg. Inf. T.N.G. October 22, 1886. He moved to Esta-
cado in March, 1887, where he was occupied as a surveyor,
and moved to Plainview in 1888. He was married on July
21, 1892 to Miss Florence Tucker of Ft. Worth, who died in
April 1894. Colonel Smyth began the practice of law in Hale
County in September, 1893, having studied law under Fred
Chandler and Major McGregor, who commanded Lee's Light -
horse Artillery during the Civil War. He was made Brigadier
General of Texas Volunteer Guard on Jan. 26, 1893. During
his service in the Spanish American War, he was Colonel of
the 3rd Regiment U. S. Volunteer Infantry (Texas) commis-
LEGAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY 101
sioned May 14, 1898. He practiced law in Hale County until
1907, after which he devoted his time to surveying.
Judge H. C. Randolph was born at Austin, Texas, Septem-
ber 22, 1861. His father at that time was State Treasurer.
He (H. C.) was the nineteenth student to enroll at the State
University, where he graduated in law in 1885 in the first
graduating class. He came to Plainview in 1901 and entered
into a partnership with Col. R. P. Smyth in the law firm of
Randolph and Smyth. Some years later he practiced with his
son Peyton B. Randolph in the firm of Randolph and Ran-
dolph. He was later appointed to the Commission of Appeals
at Austin, which he served for some time. He was appointed
to the office of Associate Justice of the Court of Civil Appeals
in the 7th District, which office he held for a number of years,
until his death April 19, 1932.
Attorneys Wilson, Kinder, Smyth and Randolph were for
many years active in every phase of the country's development
and were aggressive leaders in the movement to secure a rail-
road in Hale County.
Roster of Attorneys
The following lawyers have practiced at the bar in Hale
County during the fifty years ending 1937:
L. G. Wilson, L. S. Kinder, R. P. Smyth, Joe E. Rosson,
H. C. Randolph, Thurman Kinder, O. F. Wayland, Burn
Wilson, Reuben M. Ellerd, L. C. Penry, J. E. Lancaster,
E. Graham, C. S. Williams, L. W. Dalton, C. D. Russell,
W. C. Mathes, George L. Mayfield, R. C. Joiner, W. B.
Lewis, T. D. Webb, Fred C. Pearce, Peyton B. Randolph,
A. M. Martin, Otus Trulove, Y. W. Holmes, L. R. Pearson,
Charles Clements, A. C. Hatchell, Gamaliel Graham, L. D.
Griffin, M. J. Baird, Meade F. Griffin, B. H. Oxford, Royce
Oxford, Edwin McMath, W. W. Kirk, Frank Day, Joe Sharp,
Burke Mathes, C. H. Curl, J. W. Paulk, Harold M. LaFont,
R. V. Tudor, Maple Wilson, Lucian Morehead, W. Z.
Graham, C. H. Dean, Ernest Tibbet.
Bar Association
The Hale County Bar Association was organized in 1924,
with the following charter members and officers : Meade F.
102 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Griffin, President, Frank Day Secretary, M. J. Baird, Charles
Clements, E. Graham, L. D. Griffin, R. C. Joiner, L. S. Kinder,
W. W. Kirk, A. B. Martin, George L. Mayfield, Royce Oxford,
P. B. Randolph, C. D. Russell and C. S. Williams.
In 1935 Peyton B. Randolph was elected President and
Harold LaFont Secretary.
County Officers
Following is a list of the persons who have served as County
Officers from the organization of the County down to the pres-
ent time :
1888 —F. M. Lester*
1888 -92 —J. C. Burch
1892 -96—J. M. Snider
1896 -00—H. M. Austin
1900 -06—W. C. Mathes
1906- 12 —Geo. L. Mayfield
1912 -16—W. B. Lewis
COUNTY JUDGES
1916 -20— Charles Clements
1920 -22 —L. D. Griffin
1922 -26 —Meade F. Griffin
1926- 28 —Geo. L. Mayfield
1928 -32 —E. C. Abernathy
1932 — Harold M. LaFont
*Officers were elected on Aug. 20, 1888, to serve until
a regular election could be held in November, 1888.
1888 -90—C. W. Marsalis
1890 -92 —A. Vince
1892 -94—C. W. Marsalis
1894 -96—W. B. Knight
1896 -98 —R. Holland
1888 -90—R. A. Ford
1890 -94—L. A. Knight
1894 -06—R. E. Burch
1906 -08 —John Y. Ligon
1908 -12 —G. A. London
COUNTY
1888 -90—E. L. Lowe
1890 -92— Sterling P. Strong
1892 -06—W. B. Martine
1906 -10 —J. W. Campbell
CLERKS
COUNTY TREASURERS
COUNTY SHERIFFS
1910 -16—B. H. Towery
1916 -32 —Jo W. Wayland
1932 -36— Dudley H. Stovall
1936 —Inez Ott
1898 -00—J. T. Williams
1900 -04—R. Holland
1904 -18 —John G. Hamilton
1918 -24—J. M. Johnson
1924 -36 —Mrs. Maggie McGee
1936- —Mrs. Pat Connelly
1912 -16—J. C. Hooper
1916 -22 —J. C. Terry
1922- 28—Sam Faith
1928 -34—N. B. Burkett
1934 —J. K. Hooper
LEGAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY 103
COUNTY
1888 -* —L. G. Wilson
1890-92--L. S. Kinder
1892-94--M. R. Baker
1894 -96-0. C. Mulkey
1896 -00—A. T. Howell
1900- 04 —Geo. L. Mayfield
1904 -06—R. P. Smyth
1906 -10—E. Graham
*L. G. Wilson resigned and L. S. Kinder was ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy.
* *Joe Sharp resigned and Vincent Tudor was ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy.
1888 —G. H. Chipman
1888 -90—W. E. Jones
1890 -94—L. A. White
1894 -96—W. E. Porterfield
1896 -98—N. K. Smith
1898 -00—W. E. Porterfield
1900 -02 —N. K. Smith
1920 -28—B. H. Towery
1928 -32 —J. M. Johnson
COUNTY SURVEYORS
COUNTY TAX
1888 -94—J. H. Bryan
1894 -96—J. W. Smylie
1896 -00—J. B. Leach
1900 -02 —Levi Schick
1902 -06—J. P. Lattimore
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
1922 —Mrs.
ATTORNEYS
COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR
1910 -16— Charles Clements
1916 -20—L. D. Griffin
1920-22--M. J. Baird
1922 -26 —Frank R. Day
1926 -32 —Royce Oxford
1932 -34 ** —Joe Sharp
1935 — Vincent Tudor
1902-06--W. J. Williams
1906 -08—N. K. Smith
1908 -10—R. P. Smyth
1910 -14 —Thos. P. Whitis
1914 -18—L. 0. Shropshire
1918 -24—R. P. Smyth
1924 —W. J. Williams
ASSESSORS
1906 -12 —S. J. Frye
1912 -16—J. N. Jordan
1916 -32 —W. H. Murphy
1932- —W. C. Malone
Ola Legg
1932* —W. C. Malone
* The office of Tax Collector was combined with the
office of Tax Assessor in 1932. Prior to 1920, when the
office of Tax Collector was established, it was combined
with the office of Sheriff.
County Commissioners
1888, John Pendley, J. W. Cooper, G. W. Baker, R. W.
O'Keefe
104 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
1888, A. J. Welter, R. L. Stringfellow, A. E. Adams, J. N.
Morrison
1890, S. T. Pepper, R. L. Stringfellow, F. M. Lester, J. C.
Chapman
1892, S. T. Pepper, W. C. Hood, B. A. Hudgins, W. L.
McGehee
1894, Harry Brown, J. L. Blake, B. A. Hudgins, S. T. Cooper
1896, J. P. Lattimore, W. H. Ragland, M. E. Merrill, A. J.
Whitney
1898, J. P. Lattimore, W. H. Ragland, W. L. Harrington,
J. V. Matlock
1900, J. D. Mitchell, M. T. Cocke, Chas. Strite, J. W. Ray
1902, J. T. Williams, J. W. Smylie, M. E. Merrill, J. W. Ray
1904, J. T. Williams, J. W. Smylie, M. E. Merrill, J. W. Ray
1906, J. T. Williams, J. H. Reed, M. E. Merrill, W. R. Elrod
1908, E. Dowden, Wm. Britt, T. W. Smith, Geo. J. Boswell
1910, J. T. Williams, Wm. Britt, Robert F. Alley, G. L. Phil-
lips
1912, W. J. Espy, J. W. Roberson, W. N. Claxton, G. L.
Phillips
1914, W. J. Espy, J. W. Roberson, W. N. Claxton, G. L.
Phillips
1916, W. J. Espy, J. W. Roberson, W. N. Claxton, M. C.
Cornelius
1918, L. W. Sloneker, E. B. Shankle, W. N. Claxton, M. C.
Cornelius
1920, G. Marshall Phelps, E. B. Shankle, J. H. Hooker, H. R.
Tarwater
1922, W. J. Espy, E. B. Shankle, J. H. Hooker, H. R. Tar -
water
1924, W. J. Espy, N. M. Sell, J. H. Hooker, H. R. Tarwater
1926, G. W. Whitfield, N. M. Sell, J. H. Hooker, J. A. Finney
1928, G. W. Whitfield, C. W. Terry, Carroll Bird, J. A.
Finney
1930, G. W. Whitfield, C. W. Terry, Carroll Bird, J. A.
Finney
1932, G. W. Whitfield, H. H. Roberson, Carroll Bird, J. E.
Shropshire
1934, H. L. Gunter, H. H. Roberson, L. M. Rankin, J. E.
Shropshire
LEGAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY 105
1936, H. L. Gunter, R. A. Daugherty, L. M. Rankin, J. E.
Shropshire
Justices of the Peace
1890, A. L. Conkling, F. M. Bradford, F. M. Lester, J. T.
Chapman
1892, W. J. Beasley, Z. H. Peter, F. M. Lester, Fred Chris-
tian
1894, W. J. Beasley, Z. H. Peter, F. M. Lester, Fred Chris-
tian, W. M. Chandler
1896, W. J. Beasley, M. T. Cocke, J. T. Hill, T. L. Van Vacter
1898, W. J. Beasley, Ed M. White, F. M. Lester, H. A. Isbell,
J. A. Syfrett
1900, W. J. Beasley, W. E. Mickey, B. A. Hudgins
1902, W. E. Armstrong, J. W. Smylie, W. H. Baker
1904, W. E. Armstrong, B. A. Hudgins, A. S. J. Martin
1906, W. E. Armstrong, Charley Benson, A. S. J. Martin
1908, W. E. Armstrong, Warren Smithee, J. W. Anderson,
Bob Lemond, J. A. Taylor
1910, W. E. Armstrong, A. S. J. Martin, W. D. Anderson,
J. W. Taylor, J. M. Anderson
1912, S. J. Frye, T. C. Masterson, J. W. Taylor, B. F. Tuf-
ford, W. D. Anderson
1914, S. J. Frye. A. E. Bailey, T. C. Masterson, J. W. Taylor,
L. D. Griffin
1916, Earl C. Keck, J. W. McDaniel, Roger Mayhugh, T. J.
Fletcher, T. C. Masterson
1918, E. A. Young, Roy Bailey, G. R. Scott
1920, J. W. McDaniels, G. R. Scott, N. C. Hix, S. J. T.
Yowell, E. A. Young
1922, E. A. Young, J. W. McDaniel, W. L. Towsen, M. J.
Miesenheimer
1924, J. P. Siler, J. W. McDaniel, Will Towsen, Ed Kiser
1926, J. P. Siler, J. W. McDaniel, W. L. Towsen
1928, J. P. Siler, J. W. McDaniel, W. L. Towsen, J. J. Merrill
1930, J. P. Siler, J. W. McDaniel, W. G. Sears, J. J. Merrill
1932, J. P. Siler, W. R. Tisdell, W. G. Sears
1934, J. P. Siler, J. W. McDaniel, R. E. Terry, B. F. Taylor
1936, J. P. Siler, J. W. McDaniel, R. E. Terry, B. F. Taylor
CHAPTER IX
FINANCIAL HISTORY
Banks
There were no Banks in Hale County prior to 1900. No
great amount of cash was kept ready for use by the early set-
tlers, and those who made trips to distant trading points to
purchase supplies usually had sold some cattle, or perhaps
hauled wagon loads of buffalo bones gathered up enroute to
cover the cost of their purchases. The merchants in Hale
County sold to every one on credit and the bills were paid when
the cattle were marketed.
The First National Bank of Plainview was the first bank
established in Hale County. This Bank was organized in June,
1900, by L. A. Knight and J. H. Slaton. It was chartered June
30, 1900, with a capital stock of $50,000. Knight and Slaton
were at that time partners in the cattle business and felt the need
of a financial center in their own territory. Having marketed
a large number of cattle, they were in position to finance the
venture, and four -fifths of the stock was owned by Knight and
Slaton. L. A. Knight was the first president, J. H. Slaton
Vice President and W. A. Todd, who had been trained in a
Bank in Scotland, became the first cashier. The bank at first
was housed in a small wooden building which stood where the
First National Bank Building now stands, on the corner of
Sixth and Broadway. The little frame building was removed
in 1909 and a two -story brick building known as the First
National Bank Building was erected. The bank moved into the
new building in 1909.
In 1910 L. A. Knight sold his interest in the First National
Bank. W. C. Mathes was elected President and J. H. Slaton
Vice President, and Cashier. Guy Jacob was employed as
Assistant Cashier. A short time later, J. H. Slaton became
President of the Bank and served in that capacity until 1919.
The First National Bank purchased and absorbed the Citi-
106
FINANCIAL HISTORY 107
zens National Bank of Plainview on September 29, 1919. The
following officers were elected at the time of merger: E. C.
Lamb President, R. A. Underwood Vice President, J. C. An-
derson Cashier and J. H. Slaton Chairman of the Board. A
few years later E. C. Lamb resigned as President and Dr. C. C.
Gidney became President, R. A. Underwood Vice President
(active) and J. G. Dougherty Cashier. The First National
Bank merged with the Plainview National Bank on October
20, 1930.
The Plainview Bank and Trust Company was chartered
October 15, 1906, with a capital stock of $50,000. The first
Board of Directors was composed of the following: L. T.
Lester, Jas. B. Posey, J. B. Hall, J. B. Oswald, E. Graham,
J. O. Oswald and S. S. Sloneker, with Jas. B. Posey President.
This Bank merged with the Citizens State Bank in May, 1908,
and a charter was issued for the Citizens National Bank.
The Citizens State Bank of Plainview was organized in
Plainview in January, 1906. A charter was granted February
9, 1906, and the Bank was opened for business February 10,
1906, with a capital stock of $75,000. The following persons
were selected as directors : J. L. Vaughn, J. N. Donohoo,
R. C. Ware, Dr. J. H. Wayland, J. E. Lancaster, Q. D. Hoyle
and E. B. Hughes. The directors then elected the following
officers : J. L. Vaughn, President, J. N. Donohoo Vice Presi-
dent (Active) R. C. Ware Vice President, and E. B. Hughes
Cashier.
The Bank was first housed in an old frame building at the
southwest corner of the Court House square. In the spring
of 1907 it was moved into the J. H. Wayland building on the
corner of what is now Fifth and Broadway and remained
there until the spring of 1911 when it was moved into the
corner of the Hotel Ware at Sixth and Broadway. In May,
1908, the Citizens State Bank was merged with the Plainview
Bank and Trust Company and the charter was surrendered
and the two became the Citizens National Bank.
The Citizens National Bank of Plainview was granted a
charter on March 26, 1908, with a capital stock of $100,000.
The directors of the new organization were as follows : J. L.
Vaughn, J. N. Donohoo, R. C. Ware, Dr. J. H. Wayland,
J. E. Lancaster, Homer Pack, James B. Posey, Wayne Paxton
108 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
and E. B. Hughes. The officers then elected were : J. N.
Donohoo President, James B. Posey Vice President, (active)
J. L. Vaughn Vice President, R. C. Ware Vice President,
E. B. Hughes Cashier and W. A. Todd Assistant Cashier.
In 1914, at the January stockholders meeting, the following
directors were elected : J. N. Donohoo, R. C. Ware, Wayne
Paxton, W. W. Underwood, R. A. Underwood, John Buntin
and E. B. Hughes. They in turn elected the following officers :
J. N. Donohoo Chairman of the Board, E. B. Hughes Pres-
ident, R. C. Ware Vice President, W. W. Underwood Vice
President (active), R. A. Underwood Cashier and Harold Y.
Hughes Assistant Cashier. These officers served continuously
until September 29, 1919, at which time the Citizens National
Bank sold their interest to and same was merged with the First
National Bank of Plainview.
The Third National Bank of Plainview was organized by
L. A. Knight. This Bank was chartered on June 29, 1910, with
a capital stock of $100,000, and was located in the Ansley
Building on the corner of Sixth and Ash Streets. It was after-
wards moved to the brick building one block west, across the
street east of the First National Bank. The first Board of
directors were as follows: L. A. Knight, L. G. Wilson, H. M.
Burch, J. E. Lancaster and R. W. O'Keefe. The first officers
were : J. E. Lancaster President, L. A. Knight Vice President,
L. G. Wilson Vice President, H. M. Burch Cashier and H. C.
Von Struve Assistant Cashier. In 1914 Judge Lancaster
resigned as President and L. A. Knight became President at
that time and served in that capacity until his death on July 7,
1924. Judge L. S. Kinder was then elected President of the
Bank.
The Plainview National Bank came into existence on Au-
gust 1, 1928, when the name of the Third National Bank was
changed to Plainview National Bank. The Bank was moved
at that time to the Skaggs Building on the corner of Seventh
and Broadway. Judge L. S. Kinder continued to serve as
President of the Bank until his death on June 2, 1931, and J. D.
Steakley was Vice President (active). This bank purchased
and absorbed the Security State Bank on August 20, 1930, and
merged with the First National Bank on October 20, 1930.
FINANCIAL HISTORY 109
The bank closed on September 16, 1931, at which time a
receiver was appointed.
The Guaranty State Bank of Plainview was chartered
September 9, 1919, with a capital stock of $50,000. The first
Board of Directors was composed of the following. L. Paul
Barker, Rube S. Beard, John B. Pope Jr., France Baker and
Cline D. Hensley. R. S. Beard was elected President and
C. D. Hensley Cashier. This Bank opened in the Ellerd
Building where the Skaggs Building now stands, on the Corner
of Seventh and Broadway, and operated at that place until
the new Guaranty State Bank Building was erected, and the
name was changed to the Security State Bank.
The Security State Bank came into being by changing the
name of the Guaranty State Bank to Security State Bank on
May 17, 1927. The following directors were elected at that
time : J. C. Terry, C. G. Goodman, Lester James, Roy Irick,
and E. H. Bawden. The Security State Bank was sold to the
Plainview National Bank on August 20, 1930.
The Plainview State Bank was chartered Jan. 16, 1932,
and opened in the location of the old Plainview National Bank
in the Skaggs Building, with a capital stock of $50,000. The
date of opening was February 1, 1932. The first Board of
directors was composed of the following persons : Archie S.
Underwood, J. W. Murchison, Dan Royal, J. C. Wilson and
George R. Evans. The first officers elected were : Dan Royal
President, John W. Murchison Vice President, George H.
Shriber Cashier. This Bank was changed to the City National
Bank on February 19, 1934.
The City National Bank of Plainview was chartered Feb-
ruary 19, 1934, with a capital stock of $100,000, and opened
with a surplus of $10,000. The directors were as follows :
A. S. Underwood, J. W. Murchison, George H. Shriber, and
Harold Hamilton. The following officers were elected : J. W.
Murchison, President, George H. Shriber Vice President and
Cashier, and Harold Hamilton Assistant Cashier.
The Hale County State Bank in Plainview was chartered
June 1, 1934, with a capital stock of $25,000 and the bank
opened with a surplus of $25,000. A formal opening was held
on the night of June 6, 1934, at which time $16,000 was de-
110 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
posited. The first Board of Directors was composed of the
following persons : John K. Crews, Frank Eiring, Harry
Willett, R. F. Moore and B. F. Simpson. The first officers
were : John K. Crews President, Frank Eiring Vice President
(active), Harry Willett, Vice President, and E. M. Rice Cash-
ier. These men came from Matador where they had recently
sold a Bank which they had operated with the same stock-
holders. The only Plainview stockholders were Guy Jacob
and Herbert Dysart. This Bank was opened in the location of
the old First National Bank on the corner of Sixth and Broad-
way. In December, 1935, R. A. Jefferies succeeded Frank
Eiring as Vice President and Mr. Jefferies and R. A. Bowers
succeeded Frank Eiring and B. F. Simpson as members of the
Board of Directors.
The First State Bank of Hale Center was chartered Feb-
ruary 23, 1907, with a capital stock of $10,000. The first
Board of directors were as follows : J. R. P. Sewell, J. H.
Reed, J. C. Frye, W. L. Harrington, M. J. Ewalt and R. W.
Lemond. The first officers were : J. R. P. Sewell President,
R. W. Lemond Vice President, J. K. Malone Cashier. Later
M. J. Ewalt became President with Joe Lee Ferguson Vice
President and N. W. McCleskey Cashier. Later on Robert
F. Alley became President, Nick Alley Vice President and
Claude Gentry Cashier. Nelson Perdue then became Cashier
and held the position for several years. The Bank was changed
to a National Bank in 1935.
The First National Bank of Hale Center was established
on May 21, 1925, when the First State Bank of Hale Center
was changed to a National Bank. It was chartered on May
20, 1925, with a capital stock of $25,000. The present officers
are : Robert F. Alley President, Nick Alley Vice President and
Al H. Lemond Cashier. This Bank has the distinction of
being the oldest bank in Hale County.
First State Bank of Abernathy was chartered on November
12, 1909, with a capital stock of $10,000. It was later raised
to 25,000. The first Board of Directors was composed of the
following: C. A. Burrus, W. H. Ragland, S. R. Merrill, W. A.
Shelton and M. C. Overton. Dr. M. C. Overton was the first
President and Claude C. Burrus was cashier. The Bank was
housed in the first brick building to be erected in Abernathy.
FINANCIAL HISTORY 111
Dr. Overton resigned soon after the Bank was organized and
was succeeded by S. R. Merrill who served as President until
his death in June, 1933. L. A. Harral succeeded Mr. Merrill
as President and Mr. Burrus was succeeded as cashier by C. G.
Goodman. N. C. Hix followed Mr. Goodman, and on the
resignation of Mr. Goodman A. B. Reid became cashier. The
present officers of this Bank are as follows : L. A. Harral,
President, N. C. Hix Vice President, A. B. Reid Cashier,
Ercell Givens and Lee Roy Waters Assistant Cashiers. The
Board of Directors are : Louisa E. Merrill, L. A. Harral,
Leonard Harral, A. B. Reid and N. C. Hix.
The Guaranty State Bank of Petersburg was chartered
on May 24, 1921, with a capital stock of $15,000. It was
opened for business June 12, 1921, with the following officers :
E. B. Shankle President, R. A. Jefferies Vice President and
Cashier. These two, together with M. J. Gregory, Chas.
Schuler and Roy Bailey constituted the Board of Directors. In
April, 1925, the Bank withdrew from the Guaranty Fund and
the name was changed to the First State Bank of Petersburg.
The First State Bank of Petersburg dates from April,
1925, when the name of the Guaranty State Bank was changed
to First State Bank. Mr. Shankle resigned as President in
April, 1932, and Tom Davis was elected President, R. A.
Jefferies Vice President and Cashier. Mr. Jefferies served as
Cashier of the Bank from the organization of the Guaranty
State Bank until 1936, when he resigned and moved to Plain-
view to become associated with the Hale County State Bank.
Miss Katy Dell Germany became Assistant Cashier in January,
1928. Mr. John Hughes succeeded Mr. Jefferies as Cashier in
December, 1935.
Plainview Building and Loan Association was organized
October 21, 1921, and a charter was granted November 3,
1921, with a capital stock of $500,000. The capital stock
was afterwards increased to $1,500,000. The charter members
were as follows : C. T. Field, W. E. Risser, C. D. Russell,
Dr. C. C. Gidney, Dr. J. C. Anderson, J. H. Slaton, D.
Hefflefinger, E. H. Perry, O. Z. Gulledge, E. P. Gulledge, E.
Harlan, C. D. Wofford, W. J. Klinger, E. H. Humphreys,
P. J. Wooldridge, C. F. Vincent, Claude Powers, L. S. Kinder,
Meade F. Griffin and L. A. Knight.
112 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
On November 15, 1921, the following Board of Directors
was elected : Dr. C. C. Gidney, L. A. Knight, Claude Power,
P. J. Wooldridge, W. E. Risser, C. D. Russell, Dennis Heffle-
finger, E. H. Perry and E. H. Humphreys. The first officers
were as follows : C. D. Russell President, Dr. C. C. Gidney
First Vice President, L. A. Knight Second Vice President,
E. H. Perry Secretary- Manager, D. Hefflefinger, Treasurer;
Kinder, Russell & Griffin Attorneys. E. H. Perry was Secre-
tary- Manager until January, 1926, when he resigned. C. B.
Harder served for a short time and A. E. Boyd served in that
office until December, 1931, at which time Lester James was
elected Secretary- Manager, which office he still holds.
Dividends from 10% to 11.9% were paid from the end of
the first year to 1930. A great many homes were built during
the active period of this institution, giving work to large num-
bers of workmen and paying good dividends to the investor.
This loan Company has been a big factor in the general up-
building of the town and community.
The Home Building & Loan Association of Plainview,
Texas, was organized December 13, 1935, obtaining a charter
from the State of Texas on January 1, 1936. The following
officers and directors were elected : C. D. Russell, President,
Bradley M. Sims First Vice President, D. Hefflefinger, Treas-
urer, Lester W. James Secretary- Manager, L. R. Bain, A. E.
Boyd, E. M. Osborne, E. Q. Perry, which officers and directors
are still serving. The Association has an authorized capital
of $500,000 with a paid in capital of $67,000.
The purpose of the Association is to assist the people in
homeownership through financing the buying, improving, build-
ing or refinancing of their homes, and to encourage thrift by
offering a safe, convenient plan of investment. The Associa-
tion paid a 4% dividend to its stockholders in 1936, being its
first year of operation.
On May 14, 1936, it became a member of the Federal Home
Loan Bank System, and on August 3, 1936, obtained "Insur-
ance of Shares" through membership in the Federal Savings
& Loan Insurance Corporation, thus giving its stockholders
additional security of investment. The Association is an ap-
proved representative of The National Housing Administra-
FINANCIAL HISTORY 113
tion, and in addition to its regular plan of loans is offering the
facilities of the F. H. A. loans.
The Federal Land Bank and the Joint Stock Land Bank
of Dallas were big factors in financing farm loans, which en-
abled the farmers to place improvements on new farms or
additional improvements on old farms, and the development
of agriculture in Hale County was greatly enhanced through
farm loans.
The building of homes and improvements of city property
and erection of business buildings made possible by the various
home building associations and loan companies was most active
between 1925 and 1930, the height of the building boom reach-
ing its peak in 1928 and 1929. 206 residences were built in
Plainview in 1928. New construction in 1929 is shown in
the following table :
Approximate value
165 Residences $502,850
Business Buildings 495,000
Additions to Buildings 77,150
Paving 35,000
Utilities 15,000
Total new construction for 1929 $1,125,000
The high wave of prosperity and the prospect for even
greater prosperity were so great that many people were swept
beyond the point of conservatism and many citizens built homes
and other buildings so heavily encumbered that they were un-
able to hold their property when the tide of prosperity suddenly
subsided and many people were thrown out of employment.
Great losses were sustained through reverses and unsafe in-
vestments during the early years of the world -wide depression,
which was the most severe in history. While Plainview
was without a bank, business firms and citizens trans-
acted business through the Banks at Amarillo, Lubbock
and nearby towns. The situation became paralyzing
to business generally when the National Bank Moratorium
was declared by the President on March 6, 1933. To enable
the stores to operate, a clearance was held for one hour each
day in the office of the Retail Merchants Association under
114 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
guard of the County Sheriff with moneys brought from the
Bank to make change for currency. The depression, which
began in 1929, reached its lowest ebb in 1930 and 1931. In
1933 business began to improve gradually when the Govern-
mental program of relief became effective, releasing large sums
of money for wheat and cotton reduction. Conditions have
improved gradually and real estate values have increased prob-
ably 60% over the low ebb.
The Retail Merchants Association was organized in
Plainview April 1, 1914, by Frank Bone and C. W. Sewell,
with 25 merchants as members. C. W. Sewell was the
first president and Frank Bone was the first secretary.
Mr. Bone resigned two weeks later and George T. Perdue be-
came secretary. Several months later Mr. Perdue resigned
and Mrs. W. L. Braddy became secretary and held that position
until 1918 when the Association disbanded during the war.
E. H. Humphreys succeeded Mr. Sewell as president. The
retail Merchants Association was again organized in Plain-
view, Sept. 1, 1922, with W. E. Boyd, President, C. E. Carter,
Paul Barker, Maury McGlasson, C. C. Stubbs, Fred Brown
and W. K. Harp as directors, and 59 members in the organiza-
tion. Mrs. Adella S. Drew was made Secretary at that time
and has served in that capacity since then.
CHAPTER X
MEDICAL HISTORY
The early physicians of Hale County practiced under vastly
different circumstances than do those of today. Each doctor
was required to meet any emergency that might arise in his
practice at any time or place and under any circumstance. His
territory covered hundreds of miles over the unbroken prairie
which he traveled with horse and buggy, keeping his directions
by the sun by day and the stars by night, sleeping on the
ground, and often facing severe storms and blizzards. Having
no hospitals or trained nurses, his patients were often brought
into his own home to be cared for by his wife. At all times
he labored under handicap of lack of medical supplies and
facilities.
Prior to the coming of the first physician, persons who had
acquired some degree of knowledge through experience in car-
ing for the sick were pressed into service. Horatio Graves
was often called upon to set a broken bone or render assistance
to the injured or ill in the Epworth community and Mrs. Hugh
McClelland (Aunt Prudy, she was called) was often called
upon in time of sickness. Mrs. J. M. Shafer, wife of the
editor of the Herald, and others often rendered neighborly
assistance to those who were ill.
Although Texas had enjoyed but half a century of inde-
pendence from Mexico, much progress had been made in the
betterment of health conditions. In order to protect the public
from illegal practitioners, a law was passed requiring that
each physician register his license in the county in which he
wished to practice and to file his diploma.
Early Physicians
Dr. James A. Atkins was the first physician to practice in
Hale County. He was born in Minehead, Somersetshire, Eng-
land, January 21, 1851. He graduated from the Kentucky
School of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1889, and began
the practice of medicine in Plainview July 10, 1890. He es-
115
116 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
tablished and operated the first drug store in Plainview, at what
is now the corner of Fifth and Broadway, and was the only
practicing physician in Hale County and surrounding plains
until April, 1891. He died at Plainview August 20, 1891.
Dr. J. H. Wayland was the second physician to practice
in Hale County. He was born in Randolph County, Missouri,
April 22, 1863, and graduated in medicine from the Kentucky
School of Medicine in 1886. He came to Hale County April
20, 1891, and established and operated the second drug store
in Plainview. He was for many years an active member of
the Baptist Church and is the founder of Wayland Baptist
College at Plainview. He retired from active practice in 1920
and now operates the Wayland Hotel.
Dr. L. Lee Dye was born in Russell County, Virginia,
October 19, 1854. He graduated in medicine from the Medi-
cal Department of the University of Tennessee. He practiced
first at Fall Branch, Tenn., and moved to Plainview in October,
1891. He owned and operated the third drug store in the
county. Three generations of Dr. Dye's family have practiced
medicine in Hale County. His son, E. Lee Dye, a graduate
of the Medical School in Fort Worth, practiced in Hale County
first in 1915. Everett Lee Dye Jr. graduated in medicine at
Baylor University. Dr. Mary Ramsdell Dye, wife of Dr.
Everett Lee Dye Jr., is a graduate of Baylor University, and
has practiced in Plainview since 1933. She is the second
woman to practice medicine in Hale County, Dr. Mary Henry
being the first.
Dr. L. C. Wayland, a graduate of the Kentucky School of
Medicine, began his practice in Plainview in 1903. Dr. Way-
land practiced for two years in Lubbock, where he owned and
operated the first drug store in Lubbock. He has practiced in
Plainview continuously since that time and has the distinction
of having practiced the longest number of years in Hale
County of any of the doctors.
Dr. E. F. McClendon, born in Trinity County, Texas, was
a graduate of medical school in St. Louis, Mo., College of
Physicians and Surgeons, in 1890. He served in the army
during the Spanish - American War in Cuba and Porto Rico.
He practiced in Plainview continuously from 1909 until his
death on June 25, 1937.
MEDICAL HISTORY 117
Dr. S. J. Underwood, born in White County, Tenn., gradu-
ated in medicine from the University at Fort Worth in 1899.
He has practiced at Hale Center since 1909. Dr. Underwood
has been prominent in civic development, and helped to organ-
ize the Panhandle Plains Dairy Show. He was for ten years
a director of West Texas Chamber of Commerce, and is a
breeder of Registered Jersey Cattle.
Drs. J. C. Anderson and C. C. Gidney, who formed a part-
nership in 1894 at Granger, Texas, came to Plainview in 1910.
They continued the partnership until 1926, when Dr. Anderson
accepted an appointment to the office of State Health Officer
and moved to Austin. Dr. Gidney died at Plainview August
24, 1933.
Dr. R. B. Longmire, born at Hickory, Miss., graduated in
medicine at Tulane University at New Orleans. He came to
Plainview in 1910, and moved to Hale Center where he has
practiced continuously since that time.
Dr. E. M. Legg, Abernathy's first physician, was a graduate
of Baylor University. He came to Abernathy in 1909. His
son, Eugene Pinson Legg, graduated in medicine in 1936.
Dr. E. M. Legg died at Abernathy March 6, 1915.
Dr. J. F. Owens, born at Brownwood, Georgia, was a gradu-
ate of the Medical School at Atlanta, Ga., graduating in 1890.
He served as president of the Georgia State Medical Society.
He came to Plainview May 1, 1909, and practiced until his
death on Apr. 8, 1925.
Dr. O. H. Judkins began his practice of medicine in Plain-
view in January, 1908. He moved to Corpus Christi in 1913,
and later to San Antonio. He studied in Vienna, London and
Paris.
Dr. W. H. Flamm graduated in medicine at Creighton Medi-
cal School in Omaha, Nebr., May 5, 1908. He began the
practice of medicine in Plainview in 1909, and moved to
Amarillo in 1915. Since that time he has studied in nearly all
large clinics in United States and Europe and his practice is
now limited to general surgery.
Dr. A. H. Lindsay graduated from Memphis Hospital Medi-
cal College in 1895. He moved to Plainview in 1909 where
he practiced medicine until 1920. He was City Alderman in
Plainview in 1910. He died in Amarillo March 26, 1934.
118 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Dr. E. O. Nichols graduated in medicine from the Tulane
University at New Orleans in 1909. He came to Plainview
in 1912 and bought an interest in the Plainview Sanitarium,
where he has practiced surgery continuously since that time,
with the exception of a period of time when he was in army
service during the war.
Other Plainview physicians who served during the World
War are Drs. J. V. Guyton, L. W. Dawson, and Don P. Jones.
Dr. W. N. Lemmon, who practiced in Plainview from 1930
to 1932, served as a Medical Missionary to the Philippine
Islands from 1909 to 1925, and organized the Sallie Long -
Reed Memorial Hospital at Loag Illocos Norte, Luzon, in
1910. He founded the Mary Chiles Hospital in Manila in
1911, which he served as chief surgeon until 1925, and also
launched the Masonic Crippled Children's Hospital, now a
part of the Mary Johnson Methodist Hospital in Manila. He
is now on the staff of the Epworth Methodist Hospital in
Liberal, Kansas.
Roster of Medical Doctors
(their native states, and date of Registration in Hale County.)
James A. Atkins (England) 1890, J. H. Wayland (Mis-
souri) 1891, L. Lee Dye (Virginia) 1891, L. B. Lovelace 1891,
C. G. Austin 1891, Edgar M. Harp 1893, Charles A. Baldwin
1899, J. F. Shones 1900, Frazier Bridges (Mississippi) 1900,
John Norris Jr. 1901, W. N. Wardlaw (Texas) 1902 (died
1930), L. C. Wayland (Missouri) 1903, Phillip H. Chilton
1903, John A. Jones 1903, Joseph Ponder 1904, A. B. Parr
1904, A. T. Edwards 1904, Isaac E. Smith 1904, J. B. White-
head 1905.
G. W. Carter (Kentucky) 1906, James Norval Stoops 1906,
J. C. Hudson 1907, I. W. Jenkins 1907, J. D. Hanby 1907,
J. F. Hendricks (Alabama) 1908, G. M. Abney (Texas) 1908,
Jas. F. Duncan (Alabama) 1908, F. B. Crutcher (Texas)
1908, W. H. Flamm (Nebraska) 1908.
A. H. Lindsay (North Carolina) 1909, R. W. Sanders
(West Virginia) 1909, L. G. Oxford (Texas) 1909, J. A.
Witt (Texas) 1909, Ernest A. Hendricks (Alabama) 1909,
Roy Philson Stoops 1909, C. J. Clifton (Illinois) 1909, W. A.
Winn (Louisiana) 1909, E. M. Legg (Tennessee) 1909, E. F.
MEDICAL HISTORY 119
McClendon (Texas) 1909, S. J. Underwood (Tennessee)
1909, J. F. Owens (Georgia) 1909,
James Pickett (Alabama) 1910 (Died May 19, 1923), C.
C. Gidney (North Carolina) 1910 (Died Aug. 24, 1933),
J. C. Anderson (Arkansas) 1910, R. B. Longmire (Missis-
sippi) 1910, E. A. Woldert (Texas) 1911, W. D. Akers (Vir-
ginia) 1911, J. A. Green (Georgia) 1911, E. O. Nichols
(Texas) 1912, J. V. Guyton (Alabama) 1912, Ralph S. Farris
(Nebraska) 1912, Silas Ballard (Tennessee) 1912, P. M.
Waltrip (Kentucky) 1913, Forest O. Phillips (Iowa) 1913,
W. C. Judd (Nebraska) 1914, H. E. Stolp (Illinois) 1914,
N. E. Greer (Arkansas) 1915, V. M. Longmire (Texas)
1915, R. C. Hannah (Alabama) 1915, R. A. Miller 1915,
L. V. Dawson (Missouri) 1915, J. P. Lattimore (Texas)
1915, E. Lee Dye 1915, Robert L. Ramsdell 1916, T. H. P.
Duncan 1916, J. L. Guest (Texas) 1917, W. A. Bates (Maine)
1917, J. Bennett McBride (Texas) 1917, I. E. Smith (Ken-
tucky) 1917, Walter Theron Travis (Kentucky) 1918, G. W.
Lassater (Tennessee) 1918, Robert F. Harp.
J. J. Breaker 1920, Wm. J. Findlay (Missouri) 1920, C. A.
Cantrell (Texas) 1920 (Died Aug. 1930), Don P. Jones
(Illinois) 1920, O. L. Thweatt (Alabama) 1921, A. L. Lin -
cecum (Texas) 1921, J. P. Carrington (Texas) 1921, W. E.
McMordie (Texas) 1921, Michael Abraham Shadid (Syria)
1922, Claude Walcott 1923, James R. McClain (Mississippi)
1924, W. E. Redford (Kentucky) 1925 (Died July 18, 1936),
Harry S. Price (Louisiana) 1925, M. A. Cooper (Texas)
1926,
McKinley Howell (Mississippi) 1927, J. Harvey Hansen
(Iowa) 1927, Bendo Allen Prestege (Texas) 1927, N. J.
Hamilton (Kentucky) 1927, W. T. Givins (Texas) 1927
(Died Dec. 12, 1934), D. D. Smith (Texas) 1928, Chas.
Archibald Meader, Alopathic, (Missouri) 1928, W. H. Gird -
ner (Texas) 1928, A. D. Ellsworth (Minnesota) 1929, Rufus
A. Roberts (Texas) 1929, Bascomb Lanier Chipley (S. Caro-
lina) 1929, Ted Ghent Estes (Texas) 1929,
Wm. N. Lemmon (Missouri) 1930, Wm. D. Rea (Ken-
tucky) 1930, Mary Mitchell Henry (Texas) 1930, C. D.
Henry (Texas) 1930, Elbert L. Spence (Tennessee) 1930,
J. H. Guthrie (Tennessee), P. H. Mitchell (Alabama) 1931,
120 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Everett Lee Dye Jr. (Texas) 1932, Mary Ramsdell Dye
(Texas) 1933, J. S. Rinehart (Indiana) 1933, Grover C. Hall
(Missouri) 1934, R. G. Spann (Oklahoma) 1936, Robert H.
Mitchell (Texas) 1936 and P. C. Anders (Alabama) 1936.
Roster of Osteopathic Doctors
With date of Registration in Hale County.
Joseph Merrill 1901, Lewis N. Pennock 1909, (Died Oct.
22, 1920), Daisy Pennock 1910, Norman B. Mayhugh 1913
(Died May 14, 1933), Joseph L. Houseworth 1914, K. J.
Clements 1918, D. D. Howe 1922, W. H. Bellew 1923, Lloyd
Newberg McAnally 1925, Wendell S. Warner 1929, Jas. G.
Dickie 1931, Walter J. Williams 1934, John Rudolph Miller
1934 and John Marion Bubone 1934.
Roster of Dentists
With date of Registration in Hale County.
Alpheus Dyer (not registered) 1883, F. H. Burns 1890,
C. W. Jones 1897, J. D. Hagood 1897, O. E. Dickinson 1902,
S. B. Tadlock 1903, A. L. Hawkins 1907, Nathan C. Letcher
1908, C. L. Barnes 1910, C. D. Wofford 1910, Geo. J. Wil-
liams 1913, Isaac Wilson Hicks 1914, J. T. Hamilton 1914,
W. W. Sands 1915, O. I. Cook 1915, Marion Sims 1915,
James W. Russey 1916, W. J. Lloyd 1916, William T. Ed-
wards 1917, J. A. Ferguson 1917, P. B. Bernt 1918, Flavius
A. Greene 1919, J. C. Holcaugh 1920, Donald K. Ratliffe
1925, E. B. Griffin 1927, J. E. Wood 1928, Edwin H. Kirchoff
1928, Francis W. Wehrhein 1928, H. T. Green Jr. 1929,
Herbert E. Waterman 1929, David C. Rougeau 1930, Leon
Marion Jows 1930, Grover C. Turner 1935, W. B. Stevenson
1934, Y. Pinkney Taylor 1937 and D. O. Hollingsworth.
Medical Society
The Hale - Swisher - Floyd- Lubbock County Medical Society
was organized in Plainview on March 18, 1904, with the fol-
lowing officers and charter members : Doctors H. D. Barnes,
Tulia, President, R. C. Andrews, Floydada, Secretary, W. N.
Wardlaw, Plainview, Treasurer, J. A. Jones, Runningwater,
R. D. Reynolds, Lubbock, A. B. Parr, Tulia, L. Lee Dye, and
L. C. Wayland, Plainview.
Hale County Medical Society was organized at the office
MEDICAL HISTORY 121
of Dr. H. D. Barnes, in Tulia, Acting Counselor for the Third
Panhandle District on Dec. 6, 1909. Dr. J. F. Owens, of
Plainview was elected President. On February 6, 1912,
Swisher County was annexed to Hale County and Briscoe was
attached to Floyd and Motley Counties. On April 12, 1921,
the name was changed to Hale - Floyd- Briscoe - Swisher County
Medical Society, by which name it is still known.
Physicians who have served as President of the Medical
Society since 1904 are : Doctors H. D. Barnes, W. H. Free-
man, R. C. Andrews, J. F. Owens, J. F. Duncan, L. C. Way-
land, A. H. Lindsay, W. H. Flamm, Jas. Pickett, E. F. Mc-
Clendon, C. C. Gidney, E. O. Nichols, J. L. Guest, N. E.
Greer, S. J. Underwood, V. Andrews, Don P. Jones, L. V.
Smith, J. E. Crawford, C. I. Holt, C. D. Henry, E. Lee Dye,
A. D. Ellsworth, J. D. Simpson, Mary R. Dye and C. L. Jack-
son.
Plainview Sanitarium
The first hospital in Hale County was a private hospital
established by Dr. J. V. Guyton in 1912, with his wife, Mrs.
Mary V. Guyton, a graduate of St. Joseph Hospital, in charge.
This was started in a residence.
The Plainview Sanitarium was established in 1913. Dr.
Guyton formed a partnership with Dr. E. O. Nichols and to-
gether they built a hospital of twelve rooms, which they named
the Plainview Sanitarium. In 1915 Dr. Nichols purchased
Dr. Guyton's half interest. Two years later he sold one -half
interest to Dr. J. L. Guest, at which time the Sanitarium was
enlarged to thirty -five rooms. Drs. Nichols and Guest con-
tinued this partnership until 1928 when Dr. Nichols purchased
Dr. Guest's interest and enlarged the hospital to fifty rooms.
Plainview Sanitarium was chartered for a Nurses' School in
1918, Miss Lord being the first graduate, in 1920. Misses
Irene Brown and Susie Fullingim were the graduates in 1921.
The Plainview Sanitarium and Clinic is now operated by
Dr. E. O. Nichols and is open to all physicians. The Staff
is composed of the following physicians and nurses : Drs. E. O.
Nichols, Grover C. Hall, J. H. Hansen, Rufus A. Roberts,
R. H. Mitchell, D. O. Hollingsworth D.D.S., Susie C. Riggs
R.N. and Delia C. Kellar R.N.
122 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
County Health Nurse
The office of County Health Nurse was established in Hale
County in January, 1926, at which time Miss Margaret Hooper
was appointed to that office. Miss Hooper was succeeded on
January 1, 1926, by Miss Nell Ayres. Miss Ayres served as
County Health Nurse until September 15, 1931, when the
office was discontinued for economic reasons.
An Old Fashioned Prescription
MAKE ME LAUGH
(This poem was written and dedicated by the late Dr. J. F. Owens
to his daughter, Cristelle Owens Miller, who in turn dedicates it
in memory of her father to the members of his profession in Hale
County.)
When you would that something
For me you could do
That would help me along
And keep my heart true,
Don't feed me on statistics
And political chaff,
But search for my mirth - strings,
And pull till I laugh.
When I'm blue and despondent,
And life seems so dreary,
Make me laugh till the effort
Of fun-making grows weary ;
It will raise me up quickly
From the depth of despair;
Just tug at my mirth - strings,
Till a grin is found there.
Make me laugh at myself, —
Make me laugh, if you scold;
Make me laugh all the time ;
It is worth more than gold.
When I'm laughing I'm happy;
When I'm laughing I'm good;
If you knew how it helps me,
You'd make me laugh if you could.
CHAPTER XI
RELIGIOUS HISTORY
The Religious History of Hale County began with the
coming of the first settler in 1883. Rev. Horatio Graves
started a Sunday School in his home and preached the Gospel
to those who came together. The Graves home, which stood
one and one -half miles southwest of the present site of Hale
Center, soon became a religious center for the scattered settlers
and the cowboys from the large ranches who rode many miles
on horseback to attend "meeting" and to visit the settlers.
The only organized church on the Staked Plains at that
time was the Quaker, or Friends Church at Estacado, in Crosby
County, of which Rev. Anson Cox was pastor. A few years
later a Union Sunday School was organized in the Epworth
Schoolhouse one -half mile from the Graves home. Circuit
riders made occasional visits to the frontier and missionaries
of all denominations visited the Epworth community, traveling,
as was their custom, on horseback with Bible and other be-
longings tucked away in the old saddlebags. All visiting min-
isters were made welcome and were invited to preach at the
Epworth Schoolhouse, regardless of creed. Mr. Graves filled
the pulpit when no visiting minister was available.
All denominations worshipped together even after the earlier
churches were organized, the minister from each denomination
usually preaching one Sunday a month and each serving sev-
eral other congregations. Usually the pastor of a church par-
tially supported himself and family by raising cattle or
farming, or other gainful occupation.
The first Sunday School in Plainview was a Union Sunday
School organized by E. L. Lowe in 1887 in the home of E. L.
Lowe where it continued to meet until the little sod school
house was erected.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church South was or-
ganized in Plainview in the sod school house in October, 1888,
by Rev. J. H. Stegall, a circuit rider from the Snyder District,
123
124 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
and Rev. Thomas G. Duncan. There were five charter mem-
bers, ie., E. L. Lowe, Mrs. M. A. Lowe, Judge and Mrs. J. C.
Burch and Mrs. J. H. Bryan. Misses Mary Bryan and Mattie
Lowe were the first two members admitted into the church after
organization.
Prior to 1888, no Methodist Minister had ever been sent to
any charge on the plains above the Caprock. The Journal of
the Northwest Texas Conference of 1888 showed Estacado
as a Mission with Rev. John B. Hawkins as missionary to all
the vast territory on the plains. Rev. Hawkins, Rev. Thomas
G. Duncan and Rev. W. B. Ford made occasional visits to
Plainview, though the great distance that must be traveled
forbade their preaching at one place more often than once in
from three to five months. In those occasional visits the mis-
sionaries fanned the spark of religious fervor that burned in
the hearts of the settlers who well knew the hardships the
circuit riders endured in a life in the saddle out on the track-
less prairie in all kinds of weather, and ministers of the Gospel
were afforded the warmest hospitality and cooperation.
Rev. Thomas G. Duncan became the first pastor of the Plain-
view church, which appeared on the Conference records the
following year as "Plainview Mission," taking the place of
"Estacado Mission." Rev. R. M. Morris became the pastor
in 1889 and during his pastorate the first church building was
erected. This was a small box structure, ceiled inside with
plank flooring, erected by the cooperation of the worshippers
with lumber freighted from Amarillo a distance of ninety miles.
A two -room parsonage was built on the corner of what is now
Seventh and Beech Streets, with the church immediately south
of it. In 1892 the Plainview Circuit reported to Conference
a membership of 225, and in 1898 it was designated as "Plain-
view Station."
The little church building was sold in 1897 to the First
Christian Church, and a larger building was erected. For
many years the tall spire of the Methodist Church directed
the people to the church that for many years was the pride
of Plainview. A new brick church was erected in 1909, at
which time the old church was sold to the Presbyterian Church
U. S. The new church, built during the pastorate of Rev.
Thos. S. Barcus, on the corner of Seventh and Baltimore
RELIGIOUS HISTORY 125
Streets, was dedicated Sept. 4, 1910. An Educational Annex
was built in 1934 during the administration of Rev. G. W.
Bailey.
The following persons have served as pastor since the or-
ganization: Thomas G. Duncan (1888- 1889), R. M. Morris
(1889- 1891), B. F. Jackson (1891- 1895), J. T. Bloodworth
(1895 -1897) , T. F. Robeson, supply, (1897) , H. L. Munger
(1898- 1899), Ben Hardy (1899- 1901), J. H. Walker (1901-
1903 ), S. E. Houk (1903- 1904), C. M. Shuffler (1905- 1907),
T. S. Barcus (1907 - 1909), C. N. N. Ferguson (1909- 1912),
S. A. Barnes (1912- 1915), J. W. Story (1915- 1917), E. E.
Robinson (1917- 1920), J. W. Israel (1920- 1921), O. P.
Clark, (1921- 1923), L. N. Lipscomb (1923- 1927), C. L. Cart-
wright (19274929), D. B. Doak (1929- 1931), W. G. Bailey
(1931- 1934), and C. R. Hooton (1934 until the present time).
The Hale Center Methodist Episcopal Church South
was organized in July, 1889, by Rev. R. M. Morris, then pastor
of the Methodist Church in Plainview. There were three
charter members, —Mrs. L. T. Lester, Mrs. A. M. Jones and
Mrs. A. N. Jones. Services were held in the Epworth School
House two miles southwest of the present site of Hale Center.
The first church building was erected in 1901. This building
burned in 1909, and a new church was built in 1911. The first
full -time pastor was called in 1917. Prior to that time the
pastors divided their time with other congregations.
Pastors since 1917 were as follows: W. L. Lightfoot, G. H.
Bryant, G. T. Palmer, J. B. McReynolds, Ed R. Wallace,
W. H. Terry, J. P. Patterson, O. M. Anderson and R. S.
Watkins.
The Lakeview Methodist Church South was organized
by R. M. Morris, of Plainview, in March, 1893, at the old Ivey
School House in the Strip Community. This was the third
Methodist Church to be organized in Hale County.
The First Methodist Church of Petersburg was organ-
ized in August, 1911, by Rev. W. H. Carr. The charter mem-
bers were : Mrs. M. E. Black, W. T. Holt, Mrs. Chapman,
Miss Ida James and Mrs. George T. Thorpe. The church
building was erected in 1929.
The following persons have served as pastors : W. H. Carr,
S. J. Upton, T. C. Willet, W. B. Wilkins, J. W. Brown, L. H.
126 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Davis, Rev. Blevins, Preston Florence, W. H. Strong, M. P.
Hines, J. E. Payne, J. E. Kerby, J. W. Price, Cecil Matthews,
F. O. Garner and C. O. Coppage.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Plainview
(called "Northern" Methodist) was organized in 1910. The
membership of this church was composed for the most part of
Methodists from the Northern states who could not adjust
themselves to the church of their choice being designated as
"South." A wooden bungalow church was built on the corner
of Ninth and Columbia Streets and was dedicated June 26,
1910. Rev. C. E. Hastings was the first and only pastor of this
church. In 1914 the church disbanded and the building was
sold to the Church of Christ.
The Methodist Church of Abernathy was organized in
1910. The church worshipped at the school house until 1925
when a church building was erected. Ministers who have
served as pastors at Abernathy are as follows : J. P. Caloway,
D. C. Ross, B. Y. Dickinson, J. W. Brown, S. J. Upton, J. G.
Howell, L. H. Davis, R. F. Dunn, J. F. Michael, J. A. Wheeler,
H. W. Barnett, O. B. Herring and Ed A. Tharp.
Other Methodist Churches have been organized in Hale
County in the following communities: Snyder, Bellview, Lib-
erty, Halfway, Runningwater, Valleyview.
The Presbyterian Church U. S. (South) was organized
in Plainview by Rev. W. P. Dickey in 1888. The charter
members of this church were Messrs. and Mesdames J. M.
Carter, C. L. Carter and J. W. Smylie. Mrs. C. L. Carter and
six children and two children of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smylie
were baptized at the organization. Services were held in the
little . Methodist Church alternately with other denominations.
Rev. J. D. Tidball became the first pastor and preached to the
congregation once a month. Mr. Tidball moved away after a
short pastorate and no other pastor was secured. This organi-
zation was afterwards formally dissolved by the Dallas Pres-
bytery.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Plainview was
organized in Plainview on August 13, 1903, by Rev. J. T.
Franklin and Rev. A. L. Carter, with twenty -six charter mem-
bers. Ruling Elders were Geo. L. Mayfield, W. P. Alexander
and J. J. Park, with F. L. Mitchell as deacon. Rev. Josiah
Phillips and Rev. Louis Grafton served as pastors of this
RELIGIOUS HISTORY 127
church. Rev. Grafton was withdrawn by the Mission Board
on June 1, 1905.
The First Presbyterian Church U. S. A. was organized
in Plainview in 1904 by Dr. Henry Little upon application
signed by seven persons who became charter members, ie., Col.
R. P. Smyth, J. M. Carter, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Armstrong,
Mrs. W. A. Todd, Mrs. J. F. Smyer and Mrs. George Boswell.
Rev. H. C. Rimmer was sent out by the Mission Board and
served as pastor for a short time when he was withdrawn by
the Board. Since plans were under way in the General As-
sembly to unite the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and
the Presbyterian Church U. S. A., no other pastor was sent
and the congregation was advised to worship with the Cum-
berland Church until decision was made. The union of the
two churches was effected in the General Assemblies of these
churches at a joint meeting in Decatur, Illinois, in May, 1906.
Rev. W. A. Erwin was appointed as Missionary and was
sent to Plainview to unite the two churches. Upon his arrival
he first purchased a lot upon which to build a church, which
is the present location of the church, on the corner of Eighth
and Baltimore Streets. In 1907 Rev. J. H. Abney was sent
by Mr. Erwin with instruction to unite the congregations and
set them to work. Mr. Abney's first action was to buy a second
lot adjoining the one Mr. Erwin had purchased.
The congregations of the U. S. A. and Cumberland churches
assembled in the Knights of Pythias Hall in Plainview on
August 14, 1907, and were united in the Presbyterian Church
U. S. A. by Rev. J. H. Abney. The membership at the time
of uniting of the congregations, was composed of the follow-
ing :
Col. R. P. Smyth, Mrs. W. A. Todd, Mrs. J. H. Abney,
Mrs. E. B. Hughes, Miss Effie Casey, Mrs. Mary Best, C. E.
McClelland, Mrs. W. Bain, Mrs. E. Graham, Mr. and Mrs.
S. W. Meharg, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Waddill, Mrs. W. B.
Knight, Mrs. E. P. Norwood and George L. Mayfield, (all of
whom were present at the union of the church,) and Mrs. Alice
Johnson, Miss Mamie Johnson, Miss Fronie Johnson, J. C.
Goodwin, Mrs. W. R. Simmons, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mitchell,
Anna Lee Mitchell, Mrs. J. M. Broom, Mr. and Mrs. J. W.
Smylie, Miss Alice Smylie and Miss Mary Smylie.
Upon Mr. Abney's arrival, the two churches had been in-
128 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
active for some time, but he found an active and earnest Ladies
Aid Society whose members were so confident that they would
soon have a Presbyterian Church that even before his coming
they had purchased the pews for a church at a cost of four
hundred dollars, giving a note for the purchase price. The
money was raised by serving luncheons and banquets and the
note was paid in full. The pews were stored in Mrs. Todd's
barn for two years before the church could be built. In 1908
a little gray church of cement blocks was erected on the lot that
Reverend Erwin had purchased on his first visit. The first
service held in the church was the Christmas tree in 1908.
In 1916 the little gray church was removed and a brick church
was built during the pastorate of Rev. T. B. Haynie, and a
manse was also erected during the pastorate of Sterling Park,
on the lot which Mr. Abney purchased.
The following persons have served as pastor of the Presby-
terian Church U. S. A.: H. C. Rimmer, J. H. Abney, W. A.
Posey, Sterling Park, T. B. Haynie, Gordon Lang, H. E.
Bullock, John W. White, L. Burney Shell, N. F. Grafton and
Fred S. Rogers.
The Presbyterian Church U. S. was organized for the
second time in Plainview on February 24, 1910, by Rev. Leon-
ard Gill, on application of prospective members. The following
were charter members :
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Tull,
Mr. and Mrs. George S. Fairriss, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Kerr,
Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Barrow, Miss Ruby Barrow and J. F.
Smyer.
The congregation purchased the wooden building of the
Methodist Church when their new brick church was finished.
The following persons served as pastor : Rev. John P. Kidd
(1910 -1911) and Rev. J. F. Foxworth (1912 -1913) .
On dismissal from the Presbytery at their request, the mem-
bers of the congregation united in a body with the First Presby-
terian Church U. S. A. on July 6, 1913. The church building
was sold to the Presbyterian Church at Runningwater and
moved to that place.
The Runningwater Presbyterian Church U. S. A. was
organized in the Runningwater School House in 1907 by Rev.
J. H. Abney, who served the church as pastor, preaching at
RELIGIOUS HISTORY 129
Runningwater alternately with the Methodist Minister. The
following persons were charter members : Mr. and Mrs. J. W.
Ray, Miss Lillie Ray, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Duvall, Miss Lillie
Ship, Mrs. A. M. Anderson, Mable Anderson, Mrs. John
Hobbs, Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Matlock, Charles Knight, Mr. and
Mrs. W. D. Knight, Mrs. George Boswell, Mrs. Drake, Mrs.
Epps, Mrs. Bagley, Mable Matlock and John Ship. In June,
1913, the building erected by the Methodist Church in 1897
was purchased from the Presbyterian Church U.S. and moved
to Runningwater. This building, which has been used alter-
nately by the various denominations, still stands at Running -
water and has the distinction of being the oldest religious edifice
in Hale County.
The Petersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church was
organized on September 7, 1911, by Rev. J. L. Elliott. The
church building was erected in 1920. The charter members
were as follows : Mrs. M. J. Saxon, W. B. Saxon, L. B.
Saxon, Dovie M. Saxon, Ella D. Saxon, Mr. and Mrs. I. Z.
Smith, Florence Smith, Mrs. M. C. Smith, S. T. Smith, Mrs.
M. J. Porter and J. H. Howell :
The following ministers have served as pastor: J. L. Elliott,
W. H. Stephens, L. H. Davis, B. L. Baits, O. A. Mealor, L. B.
Crawford, S. A. Berrie, C. C. Bolding, W. O. Parr, A. W.
Yell, B. W. Phillips, G. P. Humphries, G. O. Dean, R. Q.
Dyess and W. H. Cheatham.
The Hale Center Cumberland Presbyterian Church was
organized about 1904. This church had sixty members and
for a number of years was very active. R. W. Lemond was
clerk. A church building was erected several years later. This
church has not been dissolved and still owns a church building,
but through the years most of the members have moved away
and it has been inactive for some years.
Rev. J. H. Abney served as Sunday School Missionary
during 1907 and 1908 and during that time he organized
Sunday Schools in most of the rural communities, Union
Sunday Schools, in which all denominations joined. As the
years passed, churches were organized by other denominations
in these communities, a number of which grew out of the Sun-
day Schools organized by Rev. Abney while serving as Sunday
School Missionary.
130 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
The First Christian Church of Plainview was organized
September 9, 1889, by Rev. Thomas G. Nance in the little
sod school house. Services were held in the sod school house
and in 1897 the church purchased the little Methodist Church
when the Methodists built the church which now stands at
Runningwater. Later this church divided into two organiza-
tions which were then called the "Progressive" and "Non -
Progressive" Christian Churches. The "Progressive" church
then met in the school house and the other division retained
the building, but later that organization disbanded and the
church building was sold. On May 29, 1909, the First Chris-
tian Church was incorporated and a new brick church was
erected during the pastorate of Rev. Jewell Howard, which
church was dedicated July 3, 1910.
The Charter members of this church were as follows : S. T.
Pepper, Lizzie Pepper, Stella Pendley, Isaac McMormack,
Mrs. E. J. Beard and Messrs. and Mesdames John Pendley,
Hugh McClelland, J. P. Lattimore, Bud Oldham, Duncan,
M. L. Bryant, L. A. White, W. P. Boyd, and H. C. Miller,
Mrs. Fannie Pendley, Mrs. R. A. Ford and Mrs. J. M. Shafer.
The following ministers have served this church as pastor :
Thomas G. Nance, Mit Bandy, Dallas Smith, Gerald Smith,
Arnold, Jewell Howard, L. L. Gladney, J. O. Haegemeyer,
Swift, H. A. Highsmith, G. W. Davis, H. B. Johnson, R. S.
Norman, Wright, Leslie G. Smith, W. K. Dickinson, E. W.
Wheatley, R. O. Beaman and W. P. Jennings.
The Church of Christ was organized in Plainview in the
fall of 1909, by J. D. Burleson, of Lockney, in the old wooden
Court House. The congregation first met in the Court House,
then in the Odd Fellows Hall in the Wayland building, and
afterward in the new Court House. In 1914 they purchased
the wooden church erected by the First Methodist Church
U. S. A. on the corner of Ninth and Columbia Streets, which
building was later replaced by a brick church building.
The charter members of this church were as follows :
Messrs. and Mesdames R. M. Peace, J. W. Westcoat, H. L.
Sprott and Jeff Pipkin, Mrs. W. B. Lewis, Miss Minnie West -
coat, J. H. Holland and John Peace.
The First Church of Christ in Petersburg was organized
by C. W. Smith, founder of the little town of Barwise. The
RELIGIOUS HISTORY 131
charter members were Messrs. and Mesdames Ed M. White,
Henry White, and Will Mickey, Mrs. A. S. J. Martin and
Mrs. Tom Black. A church building was erected in 1908.
The Plainview Missionary Baptist Church was organized
on November 23, 1890, in the school house in Plainview, by
Drs. John S. Stamps and I. B. Kimbrough. Drs. Stamps and
Kimbrough were both missionaries and had come to Plainview
in search of a field of service. Dr, Stamps had organized the
Baptist Church at Amarillo a few weeks prior to this, and a
few weeks later Dr. Kimbrough organized the first Baptist
Church in Floyd County.
The early history of the Baptist Church in Plainview has
numerous interesting and romantic features. The first of
these was introduced by Rev. Stamps, who, when he left Vir-
ginia, brought with him the Articles of Faith of the "Old
Mill Creek Church in Virginia." This manuscript had been in
the Stamps family and had been handed down from generation
to generation since the days when Virginia was under the
English law which termed all Baptists as "heretics" and did
not allow "heretics" to preach, and it is well known that Pat-
rick Henry once defended several Baptist preachers in the
courts of Richmond, Virginia, who were charged with
"preaching the Gospel of the Son of God." At the organiza-
tion of the Baptist Church in Plainview, Dr. Stamps related
the history of this creed which he stated was the identical
manuscript which his ancestor had used in the Old Mill Creek
Church. The old mill was the watermill on the creek and was
built of great hewn logs, and was two stories high. The of-
ficers could not hear the minister preaching in the top of the
mill while it was running, so the Baptists brought their grists
to mill and while the miller was grinding the grist, they went
into the top of the building to hold services. It was a dear
thing to be reared in that church and Rev. Stamps adhering
to the faith of his fathers, introduced into the Plainview Bap-
tist Church these Articles of Faith, which were read and
adopted article by article.
Dr. I. B. Kimbrough became the first pastor of the church.
He attended a Baptist Convention at Fort Worth soon after
organizing the Plainview church, and in giving a report of
his missionary work on the frontier, he told them of the newly
132 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
organized church and made this statement : "If every person
here today would give one dollar, it would be enough to pay
for the material to build the church in Plainview." A large
contribution was made at the convention which was supple-
mented by funds donated by other Baptist churches where Dr.
Kimbrough preached. When Dr. Kimbrough returned to
Plainview he carried in his pocket the money to build the first
Baptist church home in Plainview, the amount of $2,700.
The members of the church hauled the lumber from Amarillo
with their wagons and contributed their services in erecting
the building, the cash all being used to pay for lumber. Mem-
bers of the church filled their wagons with buffalo bones
picked up over the prairie as they drove to Amarillo for lum-
ber and sold them there. From the proceeds of the sale of
buffalo bones at $20 per ton, they purchased seats for the
church, and a part of the money was secured in this way to
pay for the large church bell, which was welded according to
specifications of the local church, by a firm in Cincinnati. The
old church bell was used for many years, and placed inside
the new brick church as a relic. In 1937 the old church bell
was again put into use and its chimes may now be heard each
Sabbath day.
The Staked Plains Baptist Association, which was organ-
ized soon after the organization of the local church, covered
a vast territory. As described in the Minutes, it was "bounded
on the north by the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad; on the
south by the T. & P. Railroad, on the east by the Red Fork
Association, and on the west by the Providence of God." The
mission field extended far into New Mexico.
The charter members of this church were Messrs. and
Mesdames R. B. C. Howell, F. M. Parks, Tom Leverett, T.
L. Pearson and Seat Turner, and Mr. Thomas E. Smith.
The first church building was erected in 1892. This small
wooden building was enlarged several times, and in 1926 it
was torn down and a new brick building was erected on the
corner of Eighth and Austin Streets.
The following ministers have served as pastor : Dr. I. B.
Kimbrough, T. A. Moore, Henry E. Summers, T. P. Speak-
man, L. T. Mayes, R. E. Gillon, I. E. Gates, Millard P.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY 133
Jenkins, Harlan J. Matthews, H. L. Street, O. L. Hailey and
Pat Horton.
The Calvary Baptist Church was organized at Plainview
Dec. 16, 1910, by Rev. Charles R. Lee, of Hale Center, and
S. W. Smith of Plainview. Its charter membership consisted
of seventy -seven Baptists who withdrew from the First Bap-
tist Church. A church was built at the corner of Eighth and
Columbia streets. Two years later, a union of the two
churches was perfected and the membership reunited with the
First Baptist Church.
The Hale Center Missionary Baptist Church (now called
First Baptist Church of Hale Center), was organized in 1901
by Dr. I. B. Kimbrough in the Epworth School House. Dr.
Kimbrough served the congregation as pastor, preaching once
a month. The Baptists shared the Methodist church building
from 1902 until 1907, when the Baptist church .vas built. In
1935 this building was replaced by a new church which was
dedicated January 1, 1936. Among the charter members were
Messrs. and Mesdames J. H. Calvert, Jack Hamilton, A. D.
Wallen, F. M. Lester and J. T. Weaver.
The following ministers have served as pastor: Dr. I. B.
Kimbrough, J. W. Winn, D. N. Poole, Chas. R. Lee, T. P.
Speakman, Quimby Brown, Richberg, J. J. Lively, Turnage,
W. R. Triplett, T. J. Fouts, I. E. Gates, J. H. Lougan, G. B.
Airhart, Waldrup, C. E. Painter, J. H. Vinson, W. R. Under-
wood, C. A. Joiner, Joe Wilson, M. E. Fairchild and W. R.
Burnett.
Primitive Baptist Church of Plainview was organized
Nov. 11, 1933, by the following Presbyters : Elders H. G.
Richards, of Anton, Texas, J. H. Alldredge, of Lubbock,
C. J. L. Bolinger, of Ralls, and S. J. Ellis, Silverton, and
Deacons J. B. Jackson, of Anton and J. W. Huey, of Floydada.
The charter members were : Mesdames Lena Phillips, Mary
Gipson, and Cora Rickley, Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Miller and
Miss Lora May Miller.
Pastors of this church were Elders H. G. Richard, G. C.
Miller and S. J. Ellis.
Other Baptist Churches in Hale County are Plainview
College Heights Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church of
134 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Cotton Center, and Baptist churches at Seth Ward, Happy
Union, Lakeview, Halfway, Valleyview, Runningwater, Cous-
ins, Liberty, Prairieview, Abernathy and Petersburg.
The Menonite Church at Snyder was organized in May,
1908, by Bishop David Garber, of La Junta, Colorado. The
Snyder School House had been established in 1907 and named
in honor of Rev. P. B. Snyder, who became pastor of the
church. A Menonite settlement was established in the Snyder
community, which for many years was known as the Menonite
colony, the colonists coming together from points in Minne-
sota, Ohio, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois and Colo-
rado. Menonite teachers were employed in the school, and the
school house was used for a place of worship.
Charter members of the Menonite Church were as follows :
Messrs. & Mesdames P. B. Snyder, John Snyder, Andrew
Brenneman, John Hartzler, H. Near, Joseph K. Hartzler,
Benjamin Martin, Jonas Kreider, Ferd Rastetter, Joel Gim-
rich, Perry Smith and Aaron Good ; Mr. John Snyder, Susie
Snyder, Orville Snyder, Mr. H. E. Landis, Rebecca, Martha
and Lucy Near, David Hartzler, Ellen Hartzler, Bertha and
Ida Kreider.
P. B. Snyder was pastor of the church for many years and
was a trustee of the Snyder school. In 1922 the Menonites
began to move away and in 1925 the church was disbanded.
The Pentecostal Mission was organized in 1908 by Ferd
Faulkner. Its charter members were Messrs. and Mesdames
Ferd Faulkner, Ben Sebastian, Taylor, Joe Scott, B. B. Bur-
roughs, Will Fairris, T. Coppage and Dr. and Mrs. J. D.
Hagood, Mrs. A. J. Chambers and Homer Faulkner.
A small building was erected on the present site of the Fort
Worth and Denver Depot, where many series of revival meet-
ings were held in the early days of its organization.
The Church of the Nazarene was organized in 1909 with
the following charter members : Messrs. and Mesdames Riley
Brannon, J. B. Posey, Wm. Sewell, Charlie Johnson, Joe
Waggoner, Coke Fullingim, O. C. Fluke, W. L. Hogue and
George Nicholson, and Messrs. Edmondson, A. J. Chambers
and George Russell.
A small wooden building was erected for a church which
was used until 1928, when, during the pastorate of Rev. R. M.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY 135
Hocker, when prosperity was at its height and the building
boom was at its peak and large loans could easily be secured,
the congregation erected a beautiful brick church on the corner
of Seventh and Fresno Streets. The church thrived until the
financial crash of 1930, when many of the people were thrown
out of employment and the heavy church debt became too
heavy a burden for the members to carry. The church build-
ing was sold, and the congregation procured other place for
worship. Plans are under way for the erection of a smaller
church building.
The following ministers have served as pastor : Geo. W. H.
Russell, George Nicholson, Eason, W. H. Phillips, Riley
Brannon, Miss Nora Gehris, J. P. Ingle, S. L. Wood, R. M.
Hocker, Youngman, W. D. McGraw and T. C. Ingram and
D. W. Simpson.
The Pilgrim Holiness Church was organized in 1935 by
T. C. Ingram, and meets at 215 East Seventh Street, with
T. C. Ingram as pastor.
The Catholic Church —St. Alice Mission —was organized
in 1909, by Father Dunn, of Amarillo, who organized the
parish at Amarillo. Services were held first in the home of
Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Seipp, later in the I.O.O.F. Hall in the
Wayland Building. The first church building was erected in
1912, dedicated July 10, 1912, by Rev. Bishop J. P. Lynch
of Dallas. A new brick church was built in 1928 under the
supervision of Father Krarkut. This Mission was allotted to
the Sacred Heart Parish of Amarillo. Later it became a
parish.
Members of the first congregation included the following:
Joe Keliehor, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Jueske, Mr. and Mrs.
J. G. Seipp, Miss Geneva Seipp, Mrs. C. C. Gidney and Mrs.
D. M. Neal.
The following persons have served as pastor: Rev. Krarkut,
Francis M. Kaminsky, W. E. Robinson, and W. F. Bosen.
The Protestant Episcopal Church —St. Mark's Mission
—was organized in Plainview by Rev. Edwin Weary, of
Amarillo, Archdeacon and General Missionary, working under
Bishop Alex C. Garrett, of Dallas. The charter members
were: Thos. Abraham, (Warden) ; J. A. Graham (Secretary)
Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Anderson, Mrs. Atterwood, Mr. and Mrs.
136 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Robert W. Brahan, Mrs. J. J. Bromley, Mrs. Wm. Catto,
Miss Lucile Flint, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Humphrey, Mrs. P. D.
Hunsaker, Miss Edna Mayhugh, F. C. Vickery, R. C. Ware
and Mrs. P. J. Wooldridge.
After worshipping first in the Methodist Church, then in
the Christian and Presbyterian Churches and occasionally in
homes, a Church building was procured and moved to the
corner of Seventh and Columbia Streets. A rectory was built
in 1925. From its inception, the Episcopal Church's program
in Plainview and throughout the District of North Texas has
been made possible by appropriations from the Domestic and
Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America, supplementing the
contributions of the membership.
Ministers who have served the Plainview mission are as
follows: Edwin Weary, Jesse S. Wicks, William Garner,
E. H. J. Andrews, Frank B. Eteson, Charles Harris, Jr., E. E.
Madeira, Warwick Aiken, and Donald Ellis.
The Assembly of God Church of Plainview was organ-
ized in August, 1928, by Rev. Ralph Foster. The first mem-
bers were Mr. and Mrs. Dan Seals, Minnie, and Betty Mangus,
Mr. and Mrs. Starks, Mr. Bonds, Mable, Ward, and Ethel
Starks. Pastors of this church have been Revs. Hennegar,
Ford, Thorn, Oscar Jones, Scott Mitchell, Mont M. Walker
and H. M. Reeves.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Plainview
was organized on May 25, 1930, by Rev. Wm. H. Emmert
under the direction of the Mission Board of the Texas District
of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and
other States. The church building was completed in Decem-
ber, 1930, at the corner of Ninth and Oakland Streets. The
charter members were: Albert Bertelson, G. J. Dieter, Edwin
Kokel, Arnold Kokel, E. B. Kunkel, H. Kunkel, Adolph
Obenhaus, Walter Obenhaus and Ernest Rohne.
Wm. H. Remmert and C. A. Gaertner have served this
church as pastor.
The Seventh Day Advent Church of Plainview was or-
ganized on May 25, 1935, by Elder R. L. Benten, President
of the Union Conference. The charter members were :
Messrs. and Mesdames. C. A. Walgren, E. B. Kitching,
RELIGIOUS HISTORY 137
Harold Colburn, H. A. Bledsoe, E. N. Muse, and J. E. Wood-
ward; Mesdames : Louise Cole, J. E. Schneider, M. L. James,
T. M. Elder, Ora Fletcher, Cale Farris, Alton Stroman, and
F. H. Selden; Misses Jessie Landrum, V. O. Brooks, Cecil
James, Dorothy Farris, Ione Kitching and Mildred Farris.
The services are held at the church on the corner of Galves-
ton and Thirteenth Streets each Saturday. C. A. Walgren is
pastor and H. D. Colburn Assistant.
The Foursquare Gospel Church holds services in the Old
Post Office building. Miss Daisy Beard is pastor.
The Salvation Army was officially opened in Plainview
on February 16, 1929. The first officers were Adjutant and
Mrs. Charles Brennan and Captain Verna Davis. On August
28, 1932, the resident officers were moved and the work was
supervised from Lubbock until December 12, 1935, when
Captain Guy Hepler was appointed as Commander of the
Post. The Post was declared officially open at a mass meet-
ing held Dec. 14, 1936, when Captain Hepler received the post
color from Major William G. Gilks, Dallas Salvation Army
divisional commander.
The Pastors Association was organized in Plainview on
Feb. 24, 1911. The following pastors were charter members :
Jewell Howard, C. N. N. Ferguson, H. H. Street, C. E.
Hastings, W. A. Posey and Chas. R. Lee. Rev. Jewell
Howard was elected President and Rev. C. N. N. Ferguson
Vice Pres. and Chas. R. Lee Secretary- Treasurer. The pur-
pose of the organization was that the ministers of the various
denominations might work more effectively in the interest of
Local Option in Hale County, and the first work was the out-
lining of a campaign for prohibition. The Association was
reorganized in January, 1936, after having been inactive for
some time, and Rev. Fred S. Rogers was elected President.
CHAPTER XII
LODGES AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
For many years the Lodge was a vital factor in the lives
of the people of Hale County. It afforded a medium by which
the people came together, the spiritual teachings enriched the
lives of the members and the joy of the contact with friends
kept the interest high. Lack of a quorum was unheard of,
and often members traveled many miles, consuming several
days in going and coming in order to be present in the early
years.
The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Plainview
Lodge No. 709, was the first Lodge organized in the county.
On September 9, 1890, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge,
A. S. Richardson, granted a dispensation for this Lodge to
function until the convening of the Grand Lodge of Texas.
The story of the organization was given by Sterling P. Strong,
as follows :
"The Dispensation was granted upon the application of
J. W. Smylie, Sterling P. Strong, Z. T. Maxwell, W. L.
Smith, R. A. Ford, R. C. Ware, A. J. Welter, R. W. Martine,
L. G. Wilson, J. H. Bryan, and W. H. Portwood. The above
named organized the Masonic Lodge at Plainview with A. J.
Welter Worshipful Master, Sterling P. Strong SeniorWarden,
R. A. Ford Junior Warden, and the Lodge functioned until the
Grand Lodge of Texas met in Houston in December, 1890,
when Sterling P. Strong went as representative of Plainview
Lodge and secured a Charter from the Grand Lodge, which
was dated December 12, 1890.
"The Grand Master, of Texas, appointed Wm. C. Turner,
who then resided at Amarillo, Texas, District Deputy Grand
Master to set Plainview Lodge to work under the charter.
This was done on January 1, 1891. The first annual report
to the Grand Lodge by Plainview Lodge showed the following
officers and members : Sterling P. Strong W.M., J. C. Pipkin
S.W., L. S. Kinder J.W., R. W. Martine Treas., R. M. Morris
138
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 139
Secretary, R. A. Ford Senior Deacon, P. F. Bryan Junior
Deacon, J. N. Donohoo Senior Steward, C. W. Marsalis
Junior Steward, A. Jones, Tiler, C. R. Bailey, J. H. Bryan,
J. T. Chapman, W. G. Conner, F. Faulkner, W. P. Herbert,
Z. T. Maxwell, J. Phillips, W. H. Portwood, W. L. Smith,
J. W. Smylie, W. C. Turner, R. C. Ware, L. G. Wilson and
A. J. Welter.
"Early in 1890, plans were perfected to build a frame school
building, and the Masons of Plainview and surrounding
country joined in this, building an upper story to the school
building, and using same for the meeting place of the Masonic
Lodge. The lumber and material for this building was hauled
from Amarillo by freight wagons.
"Under Masonic Law, the three principal officers of a newly
constituted Lodge must go to the nearest Lodge for examina-
tion. It was decided by the Masons interested at Plainview
that the Masonic Lodge at Vernon was the nearest Lodge to
Plainview, so A. J. Welter, R. A. Ford and myself went to
Amarillo by horse -drawn wagon, took the train to Vernon,
and was examined as the law provided by Vernon Lodge.
Our examinations were satisfactory to Vernon Lodge, but
when same reached the Grand Master, we were notified that
there was a Masonic Lodge nearer to Plainview, which was
located at Margaret, in Hardeman County. We prepared a
chuck wagon and camping outfit and drove through the country
to the town of Margaret, consuming fully a week to make the
trip, but our examination was accepted, and the Dispensation
which I have already mentioned was granted.
"Plainview Lodge No. 709 was the first Masonic Lodge
organized on the Plains of Texas. After the organization of
Plainview Lodge, myself and others of same were appointed
by the Grand Master to set other Lodges to work, those being
at Della Plain, Tulia, Canyon and Amarillo."
"For information concerning the organization or early
history of the Masonic Lodge at Plainview, will say I wrote
the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, of Texas, and he gave me records which
have refreshed my memory concerning the early history of
Plainview Lodge."
(July 3, 1935) (Signed) Sterling P. Strong.
140 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Pastmasters of Plainview Lodge No. 709 are as follows :
A. J. Welter, Sterling P. Strong, J. C. Pipkin, R. W. Lemond,
Harry Brown, R. Holland, Wm. Bain, S. W. Meharg, Jas. R.
Delay, W. A. Todd, C. E. McClelland, H. A. Wofford, W. C.
Longmire, J. C. Goodwin, H. C. Von Struve, Claud Daniel,
W. E. Settoon, W. O. Anderson, P. L. Kemble, W. B.
Martine, R. P. Smyth, C. S. Williams, S. W. Waddill, R. J.
Frye, C. F. Vincent, J. C. King, E. Graham, E. A. Gilbert,
V. V. Beck, J. A. Peret, R. W. McDaniel, O. B. Short, D. P.
Everett, A. H. Schrock, R. H. Leatherwood and Clem Ross,
W. M.
Plainview Chapter No. 228 of Royal Arch Masons was
chartered Dec. 4, 1901, with the following officers : R. Wm.
Lemond, High Priest, R. Holland, King, and J. H. Wayland
Scribe.
The following were charter members : N. M. Akeson, H.
Brower, Harry Brown, R. S. Crawford, L. L. Dye, S. N. Hix,
R. Holland, S. L. Hunter, L. A. Knight, W. C. Kenyon,
R. Wm. Lemond, R. West Lemond, W. P. Lash, C. E.
McClelland, Chas. McCormack, W. B. Martine, W. C. Silvey,
J. A. Stegald, R. C. Ware, J. R. Wright, J. H. Wayland,
L. C. Wayland.
Plainview Chapter No. 164 Royal Select Masters was
chartered Dec. 3, 1907, with the following officers : C. E.
McClelland Thrice Illustrious Master, L. S. Kinder Right
Illustrious Dep. Master and Chas. McCormick Illustrious
Principal Conductor of the Work.
Plainview Commandery No. 53, Knights Templar, was
chartered April 22, 1909.
The charter members were as follows : R. C. Andrews,
V. Andrews, T. M. Bartley, J. B. Bartley, R. C. Childers,
J. F. Cline, B. Crump, J. C. Cantrell, Jas. R. DeLay, W. A.
Donaldson, H. V. Edsell, W. W. English, J. N. Farris, W. H.
Flamm, J. A. Glenn, E. Graham, G. S. Hardy, D. C. Hoover,
E. B. Hughes, R. Holland, L. S. Kinder, Jno. C. La Prade,
W. P. Lash, J. M. Lemond, R. W. Lemond, G. A. London,
J. P. Neason, D. F. Morgan, T. Montgomery, W. T. Mont-
gomery, C. E. McClelland, D. B. McCleskey, Chas. McCor-
mick, J. R. McGhee, J. E. McCune, W. W. Nelson, E. F.
Ousley, M. C. Overton, A. A. Peoples, N. R. Porter, K. A.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 141
Pederson, W. Peterson, J. F. Robinson, W. E. Schott, Lee
Shropshire, J. H. Slaton, R. B. Smith, W. R. Spencer, J. D.
Starks, T. P. Steen, R. L. Stringer, H. C. Von Struve, C.
Surginer, W. A. Todd, T. M. Tomlinson, J. L. Vaughn, C. F.
Vincent, R. C. Ware, T. D. Webb, J. W. Willis, S. C. Wilson.
Petersburg Lodge No. 1126, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, was organized on December 4, 1918, by R. W. Le-
mond. The first officers and charter members were as follows :
J. C. Boyd Worshipful Master, A. L. Bailey Senior Warden,
W. M. Featherston Junior Warden, M. J. Gregory Treas.,
W. R. Buchanan Secretary, A. V. McCarty, R. C. Hannah,
R. B. Hannah, J. W. Montgomery, W. A. Stoddard, Wm.
Britt, J. R. Davis, H. H. Roberson, W. R. Buchanan, James
A. Thompson, R. L. McDaniel, Ernest Shelley, J. H. Howell,
C. E. Buchanan, D. M. Pipkin and A. M. Becton.
Past Worshipful Masters are J. C. Boyd, H. A. Hegi, R. L.
McDaniel, W. M. Featherston, Clarence Thorpe and J. V.
Newton.
Lemond Lodge No. 832, A. F. & A. M., Hale Center,
was set to work under Dispensation by Right Worshipful
R. C. Andrews, District Deputy Grand Master on Oct. 13,
1899, and charter was granted Dec. 7, 1899, with the follow-
ing principal officers and charter members : J. W. Smylie
Worshipful Master, W. N. Claxton Senior Warden, R. A.
McWhorter Junior Warden, F. M. Lester, W. E. Porterfield,
B. O. McWhorter, J. A. Syfrett, W. M. Glover, L. J. Harral,
J. S. Highsmith, E. P. Earhart and W. D. Crump.
Past Masters are : J. W. Smylie, R. W. Lemond, N. M.
Akeson, R. West Lemond, F. Bridges, A. T. Howell Jr.,
W. W. Laney, L. T. Dent, W. N. Claxton, W. T. Lemond,
B. F. Oatis, G. L. Akeson, W. R. Ferguson, Will H. Casey,
D. C. Shepard, G. H. Bryant, W. L. Townsen, Jas. T. Smithee,
W. H. Lemond, Silas Maggard, J. L. Monroe, Carroll Bird,
J. Frank Triplett, J. M. Mills, W. C. Wilhite, J. P. Loving,
J. E. Miller, Walt W. Larson and D. H. Jerrell.
Hale Center Council of Royal and Select Masters No.
261, was chartered Dec. 5, 1910, and set to work May 24, 1911.
The first principal officers were R. W. Lemond T.I.M., N. M.
Akeson R.I.D.M., and R. West Lemond I.P.C.W. Those
who have served as Thrice Illustrious Masters are R. W. Le-
142 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
mond, N. M. Akeson, G. L. Akeson, W. L. Townsen and
Howard Lemond.
Hale Center Royal Arch Chapter No. 325 was chartered
Dec. 5, 1910, with R. W. Lemond High Priest, N. M. Akeson
King and R. West Lemond Scribe. The Chapter was put to
work Feb. 22, 1911, by Companion R. Holland, of Plainview,
acting as Deputy Grand High Priest. Those who have served
as High Priest are : R. W. Lemond, N. M. Akeson, W. T.
Lemond, R. J. Woofter, R. West Lemond, W. B. Price, W. H.
Lemond, G. L. Akeson, J. T. Smithee, Nils H. Akeson,
Carroll Bird, W. C. Wilhite, J. P. Loving and C. C. Scrogging.
Plainview Chapter No. 37 of the Order of Eastern Star
was organized on Aug. 16, 1896, in the Masonic Hall in
Plainview, by R. W. Lemond, of Hale Center. The Chapter
worked under Dispensation until a charter was granted on
Nov. 10, 1897. The first officers and charter members were
as follows : Mrs. Mary V. Dye Worthy Matron, R. W. Le-
mond Worthy Patron, Mesdames : Bettie Knight Associate
Matron, Mittie Workman Treasurer, Lena Ware Secretary,
R. M. Morris Warden, R. W. Lemond Conductress, R. E.
Burch Associate Conductress, Lou Lester —Ada, Miss Ione
Burch —Ruth, Mesdames Florence Harrington— Esther, Ella
McWhorter — Electra, Frances Wilson, Mary Kinder, Lizzie
Burch, Lou Donohoo, Mary Martine, Kate McWhorter, Lena
Lemond, and Isabella Howell, and Messrs. R. W. Lemond,
L. T. Lester, B. O. McWhorter, W. B. Martine, L. A. Knight
and L. Lee Dye.
Past Worthy Matrons are as follows : Mary V. Dye, Bettie
Knight, Lizzie Burch, Mary Martine, Margaret Todd, Lena
Ware, Mary R. Kinder, Emma Nelson, Ella McWhorter,
Margaret Coleman, Eva Penry, Carrie L. Pipkin, Josephine
Keck, Etta Brahan, Zetta Lash, Julia Collins, Helen Vincent,
Effie Peret, Adella S. Drew, Mattie Thompson, Mary E. An-
derson, Ann Kelly, Louise Andrews, Minnie Woodall, Alice
Abbott, Nora Rice, June Terry, Annie Standifer, Hannah
Reinken, Fay C. Smith, Nadine Story, Lettie Rogers and
Henrietta Wall. Worthy Patrons were : R. W. Lemond,
W. E. Porterfield, W. B. Martine, L. A. Knight, Chas.
McClelland, James R. DeLay, C. F. Vincent, R. P. Smyth,
D. F. Morgan, Claude Daniels, C. C. Stubbs, H. G. Vaughn,
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 143
R. E. Rampy, Paul Summers, Arch Keys and Charles Reinken.
Lemond Chapter No. 38, Order of the Eastern Star,
Hale Center, was granted a charter Oct. 7, 1900. The
Chapter was organized and set to work by R. W. (Uncle Bob)
Lemond. The first officers and charter members were as
follows : Mrs. Mattie Smylie Worthy Matron, Robert West
Lemond Worthy Patron, Mrs. Flora Harrington Assistant
Matron, Mesdames : Nena Claxton, Lena Lemond, Leonora
Ferguson, Ella McWhorter, Margery Highsmith, Annie Le-
mond, M. A. McWhorter, Kate McWhorter, Mary A. M.
Syfrett, Rena Akeson, Messrs. Nils Akeson, W. N. Claxton,
J. L. Ferguson, W. L. Harrington, R. W. Lemond Jr., J. S.
Highsmith, B. O. McWhorter, J. W. Smylie, J. A. Syfrett
and R. W. Lemond.
Past Worthy Matrons of the Chapter are as follows :
Mattie Smylie, Florence Harrington, Ella McWhorter, Hattie
Alley, Lena Lemond, Annie Lemond, Kate H. McWhorter,
Nena Claxton, Alice Bull, Tilla Akeson, Artie M. Shepard,
Gertrude Hunt, Anna Akeson, Carrie Wall, Rena Akeson,
Hattie Quisenberry, Bessie Sanders, Sallie Lemond, Luella
Porter, Sue Mag Maggard, Harriet H. Triplett, May Smithee,
Rena Belle Akeson, Rosa Underwood, Lula Gage, Grace
Louthan, Kate Payne, Mrs. J. Bailey Pinson, Aubrey Ivey and
Lourane Jerrell. Worthy Patrons have been R. West Lemond,
B. D. Woodlee, R. W. Lemond, N. M. Akeson, A. T. Howell
Jr., J. M. Bull, A. L. Anderson, G. H. Bryant, G. L. Akeson,
Howard Lemond, C. A. Joiner, Silas Maggard, J. T. Smithee
and Nils Akeson.
Abernathy Chapter of Eastern Star was organized Oct.
19, 1921, by Miss Willie I. Pearson, Deputy Grand Matron.
The following were charter members and officers : Mrs. Grace
Gage Pinson Worthy Matron, Joe M. Ramsey Worthy Patron,
Mesdames : Irma Jones Assistant Matron, Ulrika Schroeter
Secretary, N. C. Hix Treasurer, Jewel Richter Conductress,
Frankie Fitzgerald Assistant Conductor, Lillie Bledsoe Chap-
lin, and Fannie Arnold — Marshal, Miss Pearl Roberson organ-
ist, Mesdames Sallie Crow —Adah, Minnie Stambaugh —Ruth,
Pearl Bledsoe— Esther, Nannie Smith — Martha, Frankie
Snider — Electra, Vallie Ramsey Warden and Mr. L. R. Pinson
Sentinel. This Chapter was afterward dismissed.
144 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Plainview Lodge No. 12, I. O. O. F., was organized in
Plainview on January 24, 1902, by E. S. Prentiss, of Amarillo,
with the following officers and charter members : W. M.
Shelly Noble Grand, George Fair Vice Grand, J. M. Carter
Secretary, H. J. Sewell Treasurer and Q. D. Hoyle.
Past Noble Grands are as follows : W. M. Shelly, E. M.
Carter, George F. Fair, R. H. Williamson, J. B. Maxey, Roy
J. Frye, A. A. Hatchell, A. B. Rosser, J. O. Burch, A. H.
Estes, G. C. Keck, O. W. Bryant, A. J. Chambers, E. R.
Anderson, E. C. Baker, H. C. Randolph, C. S. Hefner, H. D.
Hyde, A. E. Allen, W. J. Mitchell, I. W. Elliott, F. B. Gouldy,
H. O. Conner, Geo. J. Martin, R. F. Hubbard, L. D. Griffin,
J. J. Guyer, Geo. Ward, H. H. Rogers, J. C. King, R. F. Free,
J. A. Peret, B. G. Morton, Geo. L. Kelly, E. I. Asher, C. H.
Perkins, J. E. Dye, E. S. Aylesworth, L. H. Jones, M. S.
Keller, J. F. Rice, S. H. Schaal, Belton Dodd, J. G. Terry,
K. M. Bates, A. B. Cherry, R. O. Mayo, O. L. Harrington,
H. O. Cordell, A. L. Stark, G. R. Stovall, J. C. Stovall, T. C.
Hunt, J. M. Bell, Roy G. Wood, Solon James and Oscar Hill.
Plainview Encampment No. 58, I. O. O. F. was organized
by C. C. Pangle, D.D.G.P., of Amarillo, on August 22, 1909,
and the charter was delivered October 15th of that year.
The first officers and members were : G. F. Stephens, Chief
Patriarch, Rev. G. F. Fair, High Priest, W. W. Jones, Senior
Warden, A. A. Hatchell, Junior Warden, G. C. Keck, Scribe,
J. N. Jordan, Treasurer ; F. B. Gouldy, J. O. Burch, George
R. Cox, A. B. Rosser, Lee Massingale, Elmer R. Anderson,
A. H. Estes, E. Harlan, Henry DeJarnatt, C. S. Williams,
Dr. J. H. Wayland, E. D. Hayes, A. B. Barkis and J. W.
Vines.
A. A. Hatchell and Elmer R. Anderson received the decora-
tion of Chivalry in 1915 and 1925 respectively. Elmer R.
Anderson served as Grand Patriarch of the State in 1932 -1933.
Plainview Rebekah Lodge No. 309 was organized Dec.
4, 1907, by Mrs. W. A. Bennett, President of Rebekah As-
sembly, with the following officers and charter members : Mrs.
Connie Wayland Noble Grand, Helen Keith Vice Grand,
Mamie Johnston Secretary, Beulah Winn Treasurer, Mes-
dames : L. W. Dalton, G. F. Fair, B. H. Towery, W. W.
Jones, G. C. Keck, D. D. Shipley, May Vines, Ella Shelton,
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 145
Addie Brown, Berdie Brown, and Hoyle, Misses Margaret
Boone and Celia Johnson, Messrs. J. M. Carter, L. W. Dalton,
G. F. Fair, W. W. Jones, A. A. Hatchell, Jno. G. Hamilton,
J. N. Donohoo and H. C. Randolph.
Past Noble Grands are as follows : Connie Wayland, Helen
Keith, Ella Waldrop, Emma Keck, Etta Fitzgerald, May
Vines, Melissa Nash, Gena Estes, Mary R. Anderson, Alice
Rogers, Maud Jackson, Maggie Elliott, Mary L. Cox, Sarah
Kerr, Lettie Rodgers, Ella Hunter, Eva Wilson, Annie Allen,
Eva Hyde, Jessie King, Alice Abbott, Edith Johnson, Golda
Anderson, Lucy Griffin, Adella S. Drew, Mona Green, Dollie
Miller, Effie Peret, Mary Miller, Ella Munger, Victoria Asher,
Nancy Stradler, Minnie Richardson, Annie Miller, Oma Laird,
Eula Jeter, Minnie Woodall, Eula Mae Terry, Bessie Cole,
Essie Mae Stovall, Winnie Reed, Dorothy Peret, Vesta Bates,
Dena Madge Casey.
Lodge No. 1175 B. P. O. Elks, Plainview, was instituted
Nov. 27, 1909, and charter was granted July 13, 1910. This
was the fourth Elk Lodge organized on the plains. The fol-
lowing is a list of charter members and officers : J. W. Grant
Exalted Ruler, Earl C. Keck Secretary, J. H. Slaton Treas-
urer, Levi Schick, E. Dowden and T. B. Carter Trustees ;
J. L. Vaughn, J. N. Donohoo, R. E. Burch, Charles McCor-
mack, George W. Carter, J. H. Wayland, Reuben M. Ellerd,
John J. Ellerd, Thomas B. Irwin, J. Walter Day, L. S. Kinder,
E. H. Perry, E. B. Hughes, E. M. Carter, James R. DeLay,
L. A. Knight, J. W. Pipkin, W. P. Dowden, Frank F. Hardin
and L. C. Wayland.
The following have served as Exalted Ruler: Dr. J. W.
Grant, James R. DeLay, E. H. Perry, Frank Hardin, J. W.
Pipkin, W. J. Klinger, T. E. Shepard, E. B. Miller, E. H.
Bawden, H. S. Hilburn, Casey Hughes, Ben Smith, J. J.
Bromley, W. E. Settoon, Bain McCarroll, H. V. Tull Jr.,
R. E. Hooper, C. R. Ivey, J. P. Woodward, C. A. Butcher,
W. R. Taegel, H. M. LaFont and Arthur Reinken.
1050 persons have been members of the Elks Lodge in
Plainview since organization. The Elks Home was built in
1911 -12.
The Woodmen of the World, Camp No. 877, Plainview,
was organized Dec. 20, 1900. The first officers were J. Win-
146 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
ford Hunt, Consul Commander, and Leslie Maupin, Clerk.
Among other charter members were S. S. Sloneker, D. L.
Hammer, Jeff Pipkin and J. D. Hagood. The following per-
sons have served as Consul Commander : J. Winford Hunt,
S. S. Sloneker, Jeff Pipkin, J. L. Dorsett, I. W. Elliott, Chas.
Clements, D. L. Hammer, Joseph Martin, B. F. Moore, J. H.
Johnson, F. E. Teague, L. D. Griffin, C. H. Mangum, Manley
Bell and C. W. English.
The Woodman Circle was organized in Plainview June
6, 1908, by Henrietta Thomas, of Fort Worth, State Manager
of Texas, with the following officers and charter members :
Melissa Nash Guardian, May Sloneker Advisor, Minnie
Grant Secretary, Margaret Coleman Banker, Louise Lindsay
Attendant, Alice Johnson Chaplain, Katie Dyer Inner Senti-
nel, James Lash, Outer Sentinel, L. C. Wayland Physician,
Harvey Wofford and Effie Johnson. The following persons
have served as guardians : Melissa Nash, Margaret Coleman,
Susan Leslie, Allie Bull, Alma Jones, Kate Dorsett, Lalla
Meador, Alice Johnson, Maggie Adams, Fannie Pearson,
Lassie Flack and Lucy Griffin.
Camp No. 12416, Modern Woodmen of America, was
organized in Plainview Feb. 4, 1908, by H. Ragsdale and C.
B. McConnell, Organizing Deputies. The charter members
and first officers were as follows : J. D. Hanby ,Consul, J. J.
Roberts Secretary, T. E. Jarman, G. T. Puler, August M.
Hamilton, W. E. Ragland, J. F. Watson, W. S. Maggard,
Tom Shafer, W. L. Welch, H. Broom, C. L. Gilbert, C. T.
Pendley, Earl C. Keck, A. L. Hamilton, John Cowart, R. P.
Mayhugh, P. D. Windsor, L. A. Kerr, and J. C. Morgan
(Beneficiary Members) and L. C. Wayland (Social Member) .
The following members have served as Consul: Jos. D.
Hanby, Cecil Whipp, A. J. Chambers, H. J. Dillingham, Geo.
A. Runyon, J. J. Guyer, Geo. J. Martin, J. C. Abrams, W. W.
Thompson, W. Oliver Anderson, Fred L. Brown, Wm. G.
Formby, Claude A. Martin, Royce Giles, Lewis B. Wimberly,
Elmer R. Anderson and R. M. Franklin.
Camp No. 5217, Royal Neighbors of America, was or-
ganized at Plainview Feb. 20, 1908, by District Deputy Emma
Hoagland. The following were the first officers and charter
members : Etta Fitzgerald Oracle, Addie Broom Recorder,
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 147
Etta Pipkin Receiver, Vice Oracle Melissa Nash, Anne
Graham Chancellor, J. H. Wayland Physician, Mamie Meador,
Jewell Meador, Ida Jones, Unah Webster, Ada Webster, Let -
tie North, Bertie Hatcher, Mary Butts, Minnie Hester, Ethel
Hammer, James Wayland, C. Johnson, Eva Hanby, Ida Timm,
Mollie Rook, Connie Wayland, Mabel Barnes, Sallie Way-
land, Katie Dyer, William Dyer, Berta Richardson, Ruby
Chambers, Lula Butts, Lallah Meador, Ola Smith, Lettie
Rodgers, Abby White, Mrs. J. O. Oswald, Tom Shafer,
Henry Barnes, Louis W. Smith, Margaret Vebech, Helen
Keith, Effie Waddill, John Roberts, Flake Garner, Fannie
Stout and Honie Broom.
Plainview Lodge No. 321, Knights of Pythias, was or-
ganized on Apr. 20, 1903, by S. B. Tadlock. Charter was
granted on March 14, 1904, on application signed by H. C.
Randolph Chancellor Commander and J. W. Ware K.R.S.
The first officers and charter members were as follows : W. N.
Wardlaw Chancellor Commander, J. W. Campbell V. C., J. G.
Wayland Prelate, Wm. Bain Master of Work, J. W. Ware
Keeper of Records and Seals, H. E. Skaggs, Master of Fi-
nance, J. R. DeLay Master of Exchequer, T. A. Kinder Master
at Arms, T. B. Carter Inner Guard, Lee Shropshire Outer
Guard, S. J. Murray, W. W. Toney, Jno. B. Shannon, L. S.
Kinder, L. W. Dalton, S. W. Meharg, Chas. McCormack, C. F.
Vincent, A. M. Lycan, J. D. Hagood, C. E. McClelland, R. B.
Tudor, J. H. Wayland, J. A. Stone, W. B. Martine, H. C.
Randolph, L. Lee Dye, Geo. L. Mayfield and B. H. Towery.
This lodge was active for more than twenty -five years. The
charter was surrendered on Apr. 24, 1928, however it was
reorganized Nov. 29, 1929, and was suspended in 1934. Chan-
cellor Commanders since reorganization in 1929 were as
follows : C. H. Parsley, Dr. W. N. Lemmon, P. A. Wampler,
B. L. Lawrence, Earl Lockhart and J. F. Wilmeth.
The Praetorian Lodge was organized in Plainview in May
26, 1908, by D. W. McGlasson with seventy -eight applicants
for membership. The Lodge was an active social organization
for a number of years and was finally disbanded.
Local Union No. 1081, Carpenters and Joiners of
America, was organized in Plainview Oct. 23, 1917, with the
following charter members : H. L. Byers, W. O. Wellborn,
148 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Glenn A. Keen, George E. Palmer, Bain McCarroll, Ed Hays,
Rupert Andrews, G. E. Duckworth, John Duncan, J. J. Guyer,
William Bohannon, W. T. Burk, Henry DeJarnatt, T. C.
Adams, Roy Maxey, John Jones, F. M. McCarroll, Emmett
Dement, Sam Waddill, R. L. Hankal, W. T. Wilmeth and
J. S. Hayes.
The following persons have served as President : H. L.
Byers, J. J. Guyer, Bain McCarroll, Rupert Andrews, G. E.
Duckworth, E. M. Hatton, A. L. Mitchell, F. B. Hoefer, R. A.
Eslinger, H. P. Brooks and A. T. Thompson. The organiza-
tion was discontinued in 1932.
The Journeyman Barbers International Union of
America No. 818, was organized Apr. 2, 1923. Charter mem-
bers were : B. G. Martin, J. E. Dye, O. P. Crow, George Sides,
O. E. Galbroth, R. H. Green, W. B. Luna, C. M. Stapp,
Charlie Davis, J. L. Estes, J. L. Galloway, T. W. Hendrix
and R. F. Free. Those who served as president are : J. L.
Galloway, T. W. Hendrix, R. F. Free and R. E. Hooper.
CHAPTER XIII
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
The Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, first called
Commercial Club, later Chamber of Commerce, was first organ-
ized in Plainview in 1907, with J. E. Lancaster President and
James R. DeLay Secretary. The organization was later dis-
continued. In 1910 it was again organized, with J. O. Wyckoff
President, O. M. Unger Secretary and W. A. Parker Treasurer.
The outstanding achievement of Mr. Wyckoff's administration
was the discovery and development of irrigation. O. M. Unger
succeeded Mr. Wyckoff as President and served in that capacity
until October, 1913, when E. Dowden became President and
Mr. Unger Secretary. During his term of office, Mr. Unger
it is said "literally worked night and day," used his own car
and gave his own time, and brought to pass many things for
the development of Plainview and Hale County. A few years
later the organization became inactive. Several years later
The Chamber of Commerce consolidated with the Young Men's
Business League and employed as the first paid Secretary of
the Chamber of Commerce a Mr. Long, who was then employed
as Secretary of the Young Men's Business League, which then
was discontinued.
The following persons have served as President of the
Chamber of Commerce : J. E. Lancaster, J. O. Wyckoff, O. M.
Unger, E. Dowden, E. H. Perry, R. A. Underwood, R. P.
Smyth, A. E. Boyd, C. S. Williams, E. O. Nichols, J. B. Card-
well, A. G. Hinn, R. Q. Silverthorne, Glenn A. Smith, O. J.
Sexton, Louis Jacobs, Sherman Umphress, Walter Thatcher,
Marion Peters and B. C. Camp.
The following persons have served as Secretary: James R.
DeLay, O. M. Unger, Z. E. Black, E. H. Perry, H. M. Mason,
Mr. Long, John Boswell, Maury Hopkins, Grady Ship, Ed
Bishop and Pete Smith.
The Plainview Fire Department was organized in March,
1909, under the authority of the City Council of Plainview.
149
150 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
During the first two years after the City of Plainview was
incorporated, there was no organized fire department. When
a fire was discovered, the alarm used to herald the news was
a gun fired in rapid succession of shots. The people rushed to
the fire and did what they could or thought about, with no one
to direct their efforts. Many times people became excited and
little was accomplished. When the Jordan Gin burned, during
the early part of 1909, a group of young men, all eager to
render assistance, saw the disadvantage of having no one to
direct or take charge in case of fire. They talked the matter
over and decided to go before the City Council and ask for
authority to organize. On March 1, 1909, Richard Herbst and
W. J. Klinger appeared before the City Council and received
permission to organize a Volunteer Fire Department in Plain-
view. The following became members of the original Fire
Department : Richard Herbst, Chief ; J. A. Hamilton, Assist-
ant Chief ; W. J. Klinger, H. F. Klinger, J. R. DeLay, Clete
Connell, Henry Halsey, J. A. Peret, J. W. Pipkin, and A. H.
Estes. The first equipment was a two -wheel hose cart which
was fastened to the back of any passing motor car or hand -
drawn by the firemen, if need be. On April 5, 1909, the first
apparatus, ordered from American La France Company was
a combination horse - drawn, hook, ladder, hose and chemical.
It was delivered August 18, 1909, at a cost of $1,900. The
first team of horses was bought in the spring of 1910, These
horses were the pride of the Fire Department and were trained
and driven by D. T. Bolinger. This was the forerunner of
the modern equipment of the present time.
The Young Men's Business League was organized July
18, 1913, at the County Court House, for the purpose of
studying trade problems and to further the interests of the
business men. W. J. Klinger was elected President, B. O:
Brown Secretary and J. W. Willis Treasurer. The following
business firms were represented at the organization : Richards
Bros. & Collier, Duncan Pharmacy, Plainview Hardware Co.,
R. A. Long Drug Co., G. W. Graves Saddlery, The City
Bakery, Rucker Produce Co., S. L. Seay Grocery Co., Watson's
Second Hand Store, New Necessity Store, Warren & Scudder
Grocery, Blassingame & Klinger Confectioners, J. W. Willis
Drug Co. and the Hale County Herald.
The Board of City Development of Plainview was estab-
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS 151
lished by the City Council of Plainview on April 6, 1920. It
had been made possible by a provision in the Constitution of
the City of Plainview for the establishment of a Board of
City Development, according to the City Charter granted
March 29, 1917. The following persons were appointed first
members of the Board : Dr. J. C. Anderson, A. G. Hinn, R. S.
Beard, W. A. Donaldson, G. V. Smith, W. Holbrook, W. E.
Risser and R. P. Smyth.
The following persons have served as President of the
Board : Dr. J. C. Anderson, L. S. Kinder, W. E. Risser, Frank
Butler, C. A. Pierce, Charles Reinken, W. Holbrook, W. J. B.
Gouldy and R. Q. Silverthorne.
The Kiwanis Club of Plainview was organized May 15,
1920, with the following officers and charter members: H. S.
Hilburn President, P. B. Randolph Vice Pres., R. A. Under-
wood 2nd V. P., W. J. Klinger Secretary, C. E. Carter Treas-
urer, Directors : L. Lee Dye, John Lucas, A. G. Hinn, R. M.
Crabb, T. Stockton and J. A. Testman ; R. C. Ayers, R. S.
Beard, L. P. Barker, A. E. Boyd, J. J. Bromley, H. C. Barrow,
J. E. Burkett, W. H. Berryman, H. E. Bullock, T. O. Collier,
M. A. Cram, Riley P. Duff, J. F. Duncan, Dr. J. A. Ferguson,
M. P. Garner, H. L. Grammer, Dr. J. L. Guest, A. C. Hatchell,
Willard K. Harp, J. G. Haltom, E. H. Humphries, T. O.
Halley, C. L. Largent, Dr. W. J. Lloyd, Homer Looper, M. C.
McGlasson, W. C. Mathis, S. P. Miller, R. H. Knoohuizen,
E. B. Miller, D. D. Neal, Dr. E. O. Nichols, C. A. Pierce,
C. E. Richards, W. E. Risser, Chas. Reinken, E. E. Robinson,
T. C. Shepard, C. C. Stubbs, E. F. Sansom, Will Stockton,
T. J. Van Arsdale, C. F. Vincent, C. S. Williams, J. E. Watson,
S. R. Ware, P. J. Wooldridge, J. M. Waller and J. B. Maxey.
The following members have served as president : H. S.
Hilburn, R. A. Underwood, C. A. Pierce, A. E. Boyd, W.
Holbrook, L. P. Barker, R. H. Knoohuizen, E. B. Miller,
W. J. Klinger, T. C. Shepard, R. Q. Silverthorne, T. O. Collier,
O. J. Sexton, R. E. Boen, S. B. Kelley, Olin Brashear and
E. H. Ezell.
The Plainview Rotary Club was organized February 23,
1921, by H. C. Pipkin, of Amarillo, Representative appointed
by Governor H. J. Lutcher Stark, of Orange, Texas, with
J. C. Anderson, of Plainview, organization chairman. The
first meeting was held in April, 1921, and the Charter was
152 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
received May 17, 1921. The first officers and charter members
were : J. C. Anderson President, C. D. Wofford V.P., Guy
Gibbs Secretary, A. B. DeLoach Treas., E. Dowden Jr., Ser-
geant at Arms, Directors : J. C. Anderson, C. D. Wofford,
Guy Gibbs, A. B. DeLoach, L. S. Kinder, D. Hefefinger and
F. J. Hurlbut; R. E. Horn, M. Howard, Dr. D. P. Jones,
A. M. McMillan, L. C. Pace, A. L. Putnam, R. S. Ziegler and
Col. R. P. Smyth.
Those who have served as president are : J. C. Anderson,
C. D. Wofford, Frank Butler, Meade F. Griffin, R. B. Sparks,
L. S. Kinder, D. D. Bowman, C. B. Harder, J. L. Nisbet,
Maury Hopkins, W. F. Lowe, Elmer E. Winn, Frank Day,
Walter Thatcher, L. W. Kiker, Pat Horton and Frank Caves.
The Lions Club of Plainview was organized in October,
1929, by District Governor H. Halcomb, of Dalhart. The
first officers and charter members were : Edwin McMath
President, Dyer Slaton Secretary- Treasurer, C. M. Anderson,
A. N. Bratton, Olin L. Byers, P. Flaxman, J. M. Forbes,
H. M. Fields, Claude Furr, Bob Harder, Abie Jacobs, Warren
Jeffus, Royce Oxford, Roy Phillips, Lon Robinson, John
Roundtree, T. J. Settle, J. W. Stewart, C. B. Thomas, Lewis
F. Thompson, J. Frank Triplett, B. S. Winkels, Joe H. Webb,
H. Vandenberg, Bill Taegel, Jess Lockhart, David Bates, Frank
Clarke and Dr. Gaffney. The following have served as presi-
dent : Edwin McMath, Earnest Fletcher, J. P. Weyman, Sher-
man Umphress, W. W. Evans, S. J. Burrows, Dave McCurdy,
and A. R. Nisbet, Jr.
The Panhandle Plains Dairy Show was organized on No-
vember 19, 1927, at which time thirty -five breeders, County
Agricultural Agents and Chamber of Commerce Secretaries
met at Tulia for the purpose of effecting such organization.
W. L. Stangel, Superintendent of Animal Husbandry at Texas
Technological College at Lubbock, called a meeting for Dec. 8,
1927, at Lubbock, at which time details for the organization
and plans for the first dairy show were made. At a meeting
held at Tulia Dec. 16, 1927, the following officers were elected :
D. F. Eaton, Lubbock, President; Bob Anglin, Secretary. The
first dairy show was held at Plainview during the first week
in April, 1928. It was decided to make Plainview the perma-
nent location for the dairy show and a building was erected at
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS 153
Plainview for the permanent housing of the Dairy Show. The
following persons have served as president of the organization :
D. F. Eaton, Lubbock; O. L. Stansell, Floydada; S. J. Payne,
Tulia; P. C. Bennett, Amarillo; W. L. Stange!, Lubbock; Geo.
P. Grout, Panhandle; Joe Vaughn, Tulia; H. B. Hales, Ama-
rillo, and J. W. Heavin, Plainview.
The American Red Cross, Hale County Chapter, with
headquarters at Plainview, was authorized August, 1917, and
the following officers were elected : Mesdames : Tom Carter,
Chairman, J. W. Pipkin, Vice Chairman, R. A. Underwood,
Treasurer, H. C. Randolph, Secretary. Branches of the chap-
ter were organized at Abernathy, Hale Center, Littlefield and
Olton. A number of auxiliaries were also formed to assist
with the production of hospital garments, surgical dressings
and knitted articles needed during the World War, of which
the chapter produced the following : Knitted articles 4223 ;
surgical dressings 94953; hospital garments 5887; refugee
garments 5995.
Since the War the chapter has carried to the community the
services of the National Organization in its peace -time pro-
gram. Outstanding in these services were the Chapter's par-
ticipation in drouth relief in 1930 and 1931, and the distribution
of government wheat and cotton in 1932 and 1933. In the
distribution of government wheat and cotton turned over to
the American National Red Cross, the Hale County Chapter
assisted approximately 900 families with 1170 barrels of flour,
and approximately 2000 families with the following materials
made available from the government cotton: 12,100 yards of
cloth, 136 yards of sheeting, 240 blankets and comforters, 603
dozen garments and 72 dozen sweaters, the yardage being made
into garments and supplies by women paid from relief funds.
The following persons have served as chapter chairmen :
Mrs. Tom Carter (1917- 1920), Mrs. J. A. Ferguson (1921;
Mr. A. B. Martin (1922- 1923), Mrs. Carl Brown (1924-
1925), Mrs. Frank Jarvis (1926 -1932) and Mr. John Lucas
(1933 until the present time).
The Hi - was organized at the Plainview High School in
October, 1928, by Grover C. Good, of Dallas, State Secretary,
assisted by T. J. Hawkins of Plainview, Sponsor, and J. T.
Fielder. The following persons have served as President:
154 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Raymond Seal, Glenn Flake, James Hatch, Jim Boswell, Jack
Madison, James Wallace Davenport, Louis Simpson, Jo Billy
Dillon.
The Junior Hi - was organized at the Junior High School
of Plainview by Grover C. Good, State Secretary, in 1930,
assisted by C. D. Wofford Jr. and E. M. Ballengee. This
organization was without a sponsor for two years and then
Ernest Ratliff became sponsor. Charlton Stovall and Richard
Shirley have served as president.
The Boy Scouts organization was perfected at Plainview
April 23, 1912, at the City Hall, through the influence of the
members of the Civic League. The first patrol was organized
at that date with James R. DeLay, Mayor of Plainview, as
Scoutmaster. Ten boys were present, and the following officers
were selected : Grady Vaughn Patrol Leader, Gratz Hunter
Assistant Patrol Leader, Harold Knupp Secretary and Walter
Thatcher Sergeant at Arms. E. B. Miller became Scout-
master and served from 1913 to 1919. The Boy Scouts were
active in the sale of Liberty Bonds and Thrift Stamps during
the World War. W. J. Klinger became Scoutmaster in 1919.
O. J. Offlighter served in that capacity from 1920 to 1922,
after which the organization was inactive for several years.
Lloyd Roberts, District Scout Executive with headquarters in
Plainview, served as Scoutmaster from 1928 to 1930. J. T.
Hatch served as Scoutmaster for several years. The Boy
Scouts Council for the Staked Plains was organized in 1928,
with Judge L. S. Kinder as its first president. W. J. Klinger
succeeded Judge Kinder in . this office.
The South Plains Council, Boy Scouts of America, was
organized in 1937, with Earl M. McCure Scout Executive,
with headquarters at Lubbock. Alex R. Nisbet is District
Chairman. Committees from the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis
Clubs of Plainview and the American Legion are active in
promotion of the Boy Scout movement under the new set -up.
A training camp and cabins have been set up at Lubbock and
Boy Scouts of the South Plains have access to them. A
trained Scoutmaster visits each organization, and schools for
training local Scoutmasters are held from time to time.
The Boy Scouts organization in Hale Center was per-
fected in January, 1937, with G. C. Tiner Scoutmaster and
D. L. French Assistant.
CHAPTER XIV
WOMEN'S CLUBS
The dawn of the Twentieth Century was also the dawn of
a new social order. The score of years that followed witnessed
rapid changes. Plainview had shaken off the dust of a frontier
cowtown and was assuming metropolitan proportions. Men
were busily engaged in building railroads, laying off new town -
sites, building homes and developing new industries. The old
order was passing and there was much need for spiritual and
cultural advancement as well as material development. The
women did their part by organizing clubs to broaden their
views and to co- ordinate their efforts.
The Pioneer Club of Plainview was organized by Mrs.
W. E. Armstrong, on Nov. 12, 1905, at the home of Mrs. A. E.
Harp. It was first called the Mystic Club, however, the mem-
bers never studied the occult as indicated by the word "Mystic,"
and the name was later changed to Pioneer Club, which was
peculiarly fitting inasmuch as it was the first Woman's Club
organized in Hale County and is also said to be the second
study club organized in the Texas Panhandle. It federated
in 1906.
The house in which this club was organized was of pioneer
setting, having been built for a ranch home by George Slaugh-
ter, a wealthy stock man of an early day. While it stood on
the Slaughter Ranch twenty miles west of Plainview, it was
often the scene of gracious and generous hospitality. The
house was afterwards moved to Plainview and at the time of
the organization of the Pioneer Club, it stood on the block
where the Texas Theatre now stands.
The following ladies were present at the first meeting and
became the first officers and members : Mrs. S. W. Meharg
President, Miss Lula Pitts V. P., Miss Beulah Speakman
Recording Secretary, Mrs. W. E. Armstrong Corresponding
Secretary, Mesdames A. E. Harp and T. J. Jordan and
Misses Myrtle Haynes, Clevie Dupuy and Bessie Parr.
155
156 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
The membership was limited to twenty and included most
of the leading women of the town. The club soon became
exclusive and to belong to it gave prestige to the members. For
many years its courses of study were selected with a view of
broadening the lives of its members and giving them an insight
into the writing and lives of authors both past and present.
The following members have served as president : Mes-
dames : S. W. Meharg, W. E. Armstrong, E. Graham, R. W.
Brahan, T. P. Whitis, C. W. Tandy, H. W. Harrell, L. A.
Knight, L. Lee Dye, Marshall Phelps, D. F. Sansom, J. O.
Rountree, L. S. Kinder, R. E. Meyers, Hal Wofford, A. L.
Putnam, Chas. Malone, L. B. Platt, G. W. McWhirter, W. B.
Martine, and A. B. Cox.
The Junior Pioneer Club of Plainview was organized in
1927 by Mrs. D. C. Laird, Club Mother, who selected the
personnel of the club. Mrs. E. Graham assisted with the
organization. The following were the first officers and charter
members : Mesdames : J. L. Hunter, President, Buddy Webb
Secretary, H. C. Galloway, Hubert Scott, Lon Robinson, F. D.
Blocksom, J. L. Matlock, Walker Brickey, Arthur Reinken,
Dyer Slaton and Roy Elliott.
The following members have served as president: Mes-
dames : J. L. Hunter, H. C. Galloway, Hubert Scott, Lon
Robinson, F. D. Blocksom, Burns Noble, J. L. Matlock and
Jack Bristol.
Junior Pioneer Club No. 2, Plainview, was organized
April 15, 1933, at the home of Mrs. E. Graham, by the Senior
Pioneer Club, with daughters and adopted daughters of mem-
bers of the senior club. Mesdames E. Graham, L. D. Har-
rison and E. E. Weise were sponsors. Charter members were :
Mrs. Harroll Laird President, Misses Ella Mae Giddons and
Evelyn Weise and Mesdames Jim Bryan, Kelly Harrison and
Bush Stone. Others who have served as president are Mrs.
Hazel Davis and Miss Mae Boswell. The club federated with
the County Federation of Women's Clubs in 1933.
The Civic League of Plainview was organized in 1906,
with Mrs. Mary V. Dye as president. The principal projects
of the League were Health Promotion and City Beautification.
Clean -up campaigns were waged year after year personally
supervised by the members. In a state health campaign, the
WOMEN'S CLUBS 157
president of the Civic League was appointed pure food in-
spector for Plainview and sanitary measures and improvements
were put into effect. Funds were raised by the women by
various projects besides solicitation of moneys for city beau-
tification. Trees were purchased and planted on the school
grounds and along the streets. Homes were visited and home-
owners pledged to cooperate by planting trees. As a result of
the labors of the Civic League, many thousands of trees were
planted in Plainview over a period of years which tower above
the once barren prairie a memorial to these pioneer women.
The League ceased to function when the Board of City De-
velopment was organized which took over the work they were
doing.
The Cemetery Association of Plainview was organized
in connection with the Civic League on October 7, 1909. The
following officers were elected : Mrs. J. N. Donohoo President,
Mrs. W. E. Armstrong Secretary, Directors : Mrs. Will
Knight 1st Ward, Mrs. L. Lee Dye 2nd Ward, Mrs. W. A.
Todd 3rd Ward, Mrs. E. B. Hughes 4th Ward and Mrs. J. F.
Garrison 5th Ward. Improvement and beautification of the
Plainview cemetery was the objective of the organization.
The work of the Association also included the raising of funds
to finance the improvement and up -keep of the Plainview
Cemetery. Mrs. Mary V. Dye is the President of the Associa-
tion at this time.
The As You Like It Club was organized as a study club
in the fall of 1911 by Mrs. H. C. McIntyre at her apartment
in the Ware Hotel at Plainview. The following were charter
members : Mesdames J. F. Garrison, W. L. Harrington, H. C.
McIntyre, C. W. Tandy, S. S, Stevens, Tom Whitis, J. J.
Bromley and H. C. Randolph.
The following members have served as president : Mes-
dames : H. C. McIntyre, E. F. McClendon, L. C. Wayland,
Joe Fowler, Hal Wofford, J. B. Scott, Farris Frye, George
Saigling, E. H. Perry, T. B. Carter, Arilla Peterson, J. D.
Steakley, G. W. McDonald, J. W. Walker, Frank Daugherty,
O. B. Jackson, J. Harvey Hansen, F. B. Cave, Marsh Watson,
A. B. DeLoach.
The Browning Club of Plainview was organized Nov. 18,
1911, at the home of Mrs. J. C. Anderson, for the purpose
158 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
of studying the poems of Robert Browning. For more than
ten years the club continued to meet at the home of Mrs.
Anderson. The first officers and charter members were as
follows : Lena Williams President, Rebecca Longmire Vice
President, Burr Goode Secretary, Allene Smith Treasurer,
Mabel Wayland Critic, Bertha Hinn, Pattie Estes, Alma Cobb,
Docia Cowan, Mamie Outz and Mrs. J. C. Anderson Matron.
The Junior Browning Club was organized in Plainview
by the Senior Browning Club in 1934, with Mrs. C. E. Carter,
sponsor, assisted by Mrs. D. H. Collier. Officers and charter
members were as follows : Annette Collier President, Kather-
ine Aiken Secretary, Allene Thompson, Margaret Crews, Mary
Earle Sansom, Claire Jeanne Branham, Jane Powell, Latrell
Richardson, Jean Gouldy and Margaret Alexander. Katherine
Aiken later served as President.
The Parent Teachers Association in Plainview was first
organized in October, 1911, at the Central School, by the
teachers of the public schools and mothers. Miss Ellen Robin-
son, Superintendent of City Schools, was in charge of the
organization. 75 names were enrolled as charter members.
The following officers were elected : Mrs. Alex Anderson
President, Mrs. A. W. McKee Vice Pres. and Mrs. J. F.
Owens Secretary.
The Lamar P. T. A. was organized in Plainview in October,
1913, at the Lamar School House, with A. G. Harrison, Prin-
cipal of the School, in charge of the organization. The follow-
ing officers were elected : Mrs. Chas. Flack President, Mrs.
F. W. Vanderpoel Vice Pres., Miss Maud Brandon Secretary
and Mrs. W. B. Martine Treasurer.
The Runningwater P. T. A. was organized March 3, 1925,
by Miss Augustine B. Stoll, Red Cross Public Health Nurse
for Hale County, and Miss Kennedy, Red Cross Supervisor
for the District. Mrs. L. T. Mayhugh was elected President.
The Travel Study Club was organized in Plainview Octo-
ber 8, 1912, at the home of Miss Edna Mayhugh, with the
following officers and charter members : Mrs. L. T. Mayhugh
President, Rosa Fowle Secretary, Mesdames : Thomas Abra-
ham, W. B. Joiner, J. W. Longstreth, J. W. Pipkin and J. W.
Ryan, and Misses Edna Mayhugh, Amy Glenn, Ella Mallow,
Byrd Roebuck and Lena Williams. The first year's study was
Oriental Countries, text book Stoddard's lectures. Travel
WOMEN'S CLUBS 159
studies have included a vast scope of educational features.
The following members have served as President : Mesdames
L. T. Mayhugh, L. Lee Dye, R. S. Charles, J. W. Pipkin, E. F.
Sansom, O. B. Jackson, Chas. A. Malone, J. Murray Malone,
B. H. Towery, E. C. Hunter, Nine McComas, L. P. Davis,
Jo Wayland, B. M. Sims, W. J. Klinger, Guy Bounds, H. W.
Visor, J. L. Dorsett, W. E. Thatcher, J. M. Malone, and
M. E. Dement.
The Junior Travel Study Club No. 1 was organized
through the Senior Club in 1932 by Mrs. Guy Bounds. Fran-
ces Mayhugh was the first President. The club is federated
with the State and National.
The Junior Travel Study Club No. 2 was organized
in 1936 by Mrs. L. T. Mayhugh, sponsor. Mary Sam Lock
was elected President. This club is federated with State and
National.
The City Federation of Women's Clubs of Plainview
was organized in 1912, with Miss Rosa Fowle President. Mrs.
T. P. Whitis succeeded Miss Fowle in 1913. The object of
the organization was the unification of the Women's Clubs of
Plainview for the promotion of social, intellectual, artistic,
civic and philanthropic work. The federation included the
Civic League, Pioneer, Browning, Travel Study and As You
Like It Clubs. The starting of the public library was the main
objective.
The City Federation was reorganized in the fall of 1920
after having been inactive for some time. Officers then elected
were as follows : Mesdames Tom Carter President, R. A.
Underwood 1st V.P., C. A. Malone 2nd V.P., George Saigling
Recording Secretary, A. L. Putnam Corresponding Secretary,
S. W. Meharg Treasurer, Hal Wofford Parliamentarian,
Meade F. Griffin Press Reporter and C. E. Hunter Auditor.
The organization federated with the County and State Federa-
tions in 1921. Besides the sponsoring of the Public Library,
other civic work has been done, among which was the inaugu-
ration of the Annual Flower Show in September, 1921, which
was taken over by the County Federation in 1925, Home
Beautiful Contests and tree planting programs and participation
in the City Park Movement. The City Federation organized
the Women's Auxiliary to the Chamber of Commerce in 1927.
160 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
The following persons have served as President since reor-
ganization : Mesdames : Tom Carter, Nine McComas, A. L.
Putnam, R. A. Underwood, Carl Goodman, Hal Hamilton, Jr.,
Louis Frogge, C. S. Williams, Bob Meyer, Wallace Davenport
and Marsh Watson.
Hale County Federation of Women's Clubs was organ-
ized at Hale Center Nov. 21, 1914, by Mrs. E. Graham, of
Plainview, District Chairman for the Seventh District. Mrs.
Graham had been appointed by the late Mrs. Phoebe K. Warner,
of Claude, Texas, then State Chairman of Rural Extension
Work, and who later became National Chairman.
The State of Texas was divided into seven Districts and
Mrs. Graham was given the Seventh District, then composed of
some eighty counties, and assigned the duty of organizing
County Federations in each. In the pioneering of this work,
Mrs. Graham encountered varied and ofttimes amusing expe-
riences in organizing the county groups. Four or more letters
were written to persons in each of the eighty counties in the
interest of the work. As two of the counties were not organ-
ized at that time, Mrs. Graham wrote to the Postmasters of
each and requested the names of some woman who would make
a suitable County Chairman for the work. The responses to
two of these letters depict the skepticism on the part of the
men toward the Women's Club movement. One reply was as
follows : "We don't want no sich foolishness as this in our Co."
signed "Postmaster." The other read, "We don't want our
wimmin folks to learn how to cut any new didoes." signed
"Postmaster." Needless to say, in less than twenty -five years,
the work begun by "The Little Brown Wren of Texas" (be-
loved Phoebe K. Warner) has spread to all counties of the
state and regardless of early masculine prejudices, the eighty
counties have fallen into line.
The Clubs which constituted the organization were as fol-
lows : Travel Study Club, As You Like It Club, Mystic Club,
Lamar P.T.A., Central P.T.A. of Plainview, Civic League,
Browning Club, Hale Center Needlework Club, Mothers Club
of Hale Center and the Priscilla Club of Woodrow. The
purpose of the organization is to advance and encourage Hale
County Women in culture and to encourage fraternal inter-
course among Women's Clubs. The first officers were : Mrs.
WOMEN'S CLUBS 161
J. W. Longstreth, Plainview, President, Mrs. B. M. Johnson,
Hale Center, V. P., and Miss Rebecca Longmire, Plainview,
Secretary- Treasurer.
The following persons have served as President of the
organization : Mesdames : J. W. Longstreth, B. M. Johnson,
Nine McComas, Carl Goodman, O. B. Jackson, W. B. Price,
Silas Maggard, Paul Johnson, K. C. Sterrett, L. T. Mayhugh,
J. W. Walker and Mrs. W. L. Porter.
The Junior Council of Federated Clubs was organized in
Plainview by Mrs. L. T. Mayhugh on April 1, 1937, with Mrs.
Douglas Earthman President. It was organized for a service
club and consists of two delegates from each Federated Club
who constitute the working body. This organization has the
distinction of being the first Council for Junior Federated
Clubs in the state.
The Cotton Center Club was organized in the spring of
1914 by Mrs. W. O. Ball, at the Norfleet School House. It was
first called Friendship Club and was organized solely as a
social center for the community. The name was changed to
Anchor Needle Club and later to Cotton Center Club. The
work of the club was made to cover every phase of community
need. During the World War, the club took up Red Cross
Work, and in recent years has been very active in Home
Demonstration work.
The following persons have served as president : Mesdames :
W. O. Ball, Floyd Ruddick, J. C. Sturdivant, Earlton Harp,
Jno. Payne, J. C. White, Forrest Sageser and E. E. Matthews.
The Home Economics Club of Plainview was organized
in the fall of 1915 at the home of Mrs. G. Graham, with Mrs.
E. Graham as organizer. The following were charter mem-
bers : Mesdames : G. Graham, Jimmie Duncan, A. M. McMil-
lan, Ben Sanford, George Saigling and W. J. Patten. Among
its past presidents have been : Mesdames George Saigling, J. D.
Steakley, Claude Powers, Meade F. Griffin, R. H. Knoohuizen,
D. P. Jones, Carl Goodman, J. B. Wallace and E. F. Sansom.
The Plainview Delphian Club, later changed to Delphin
Club, was organized in August, 1917, in the home of Mrs.
W. C. Mathes by Miss Stella Huntington, of Fort Worth, who
was Field Secretary. The charter members and first officers
were : Mrs. E. F. McClendon, President, Mrs. T. Stockton,
162 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Vice Pres., Miss Clara Hooper Secretary, Mesdames R. A. Un-
derwood, Farris Frye and Dickenson Advisory Board. J. B.
Scott, Mary Effie Murphy, J. B. Maxey, E. J. Morehead, A. B.
Martin, O. B. Jackson, and E. M. Carter and Misses Josephine
Rosson and Alma Armstrong.
The following persons have served as President : Mesdames :
E. F. McClendon, J. B. Scott, R. A. Underwood, A. E. Boyd,
E. M. Carter, A. B. Martin, G. W. McDonald, O. B. Jackson,
C. S. Williams, L. M. Frogge, R. R. English, S. W. Reynolds,
W. B. Davenport, and L. R. Bain.
The Beta Delphin Club of Plainview, first called Junior
Delphin, was organized in October, 1925, at the home of Mrs.
R. A. Underwood, by the Senior Delphin Club, under the di-
rection of Mesdames A. B. Martin, O. B. Jackson, R. A. Un-
derwood and G. W. McDonald. The membership was
composed of daughters and adopted daughters of the Senior
Delphin Club. The charter members and first officers were :
Josephine Wayland President, Ruth Hooper V. P., Elizabeth
Williams Secretary- Treasurer, Louise Warren, Pauline Mitch-
ell, Helen Jackson and Beulah Boney. Those who have served
as president are as follows : Josephine Wayland, Helen Jack-
son, Ruth Hooper, Mesdames Clint Herring, E. J. Turner, Sam
Curry, W. K. Gamble, R. S. Miller and Ray ford Daniel, Miss
Virginia Keys, Mrs. Elmer Turner and Mrs. Roy Davis.
The Gamma Delphin Club was organized in Plainview
through the Beta Delphin Club by their chairman, Mrs. L. T.
Mayhugh, on April 1, 1937, with Janet Green President.
The Hale Center Delphian Club was organized on Sep-
tember 14, 1917, at the home of Mrs. Nick Alley, with the fol-
lowing charter members and first officers : Mesdames R. W.
Sanders President, Wm. Price Secretary, W. L. Porter, R. F.
Alley, Nick Alley, R. A. Miller, Shepard, O. C. Sanders and
R. W. Ferguson, Erie Wall, Sallie Kerr and Allie Ralls.
The N. O. N. Club of Plainview was organized in 1921
by Miss Lula Blair Neal, then a member of the As You Like It
Club. The club was named by Miss Neal, who chose the three
letters that are the first letters of three Latin words that, trans-
lated, indicate progress and service. Originally the study course
was Dramatic Art and Citizenship, but later was changed to a
miscellaneous study program.
The Business and Professional Women's Club of Plain-
WOMEN'S CLUBS 163
view was organized in the spring of 1927. It grew out of an
organization known as the Daughters of Ruth Guild, which was
organized on Oct. 13, 1925, by Mrs. John W. White, at the
Presbyterian Manse, with Mrs. Vivian Graham as the first
President. Mrs. P. Flaxman became the second president in
October 1926. During Mrs. Flaxman's administration, in
May, 1927, the club was reorganized and the name changed to
Business and Professional Women's Club. The club federated
with the State and National organizations of B. & P. W. clubs
in the fall, with the following charter members and officers :
Mesdames : P. Flaxman, President, Adella S. Drew, Secretary,
J. F. Metcalf V. P., Vivian Graham, Katherine Snell, W. E.
Thatcher, and Ivy Hart, and Misses Opal L. Wood, Nell Ayres,
Jewell Eiland, Edith Smith, Josephine Wayland, Maxine Mc-
Callon, Joyce Carl, Eula and Inez Roper, Vivian Favor, Juana
Jane Reeves, Carrie Bier, and Mary and Dorothy Cox ( former
members of the Daughters of Ruth) and Lena T. Glenn, Mrs.
C. A. Lyle, Mrs. A. C. Bledsoe, and Ouida Youngblood.
This club is classed as a Women's Service Club. One
objective of this club has been the sponsoring of the Annual
Pioneer Round Up of Hale County, instituted in 1929. The
Centennial Celebration in 1936 with Governor James V. Allred
as speaker was an outstanding celebration. The Round Up in
1937 was the occasion of the unveiling and dedication of the
Mackenzie Trail Monument.
The following persons have served as President of this Club :
Mesdames P. Flaxman; Adella S. Drew, Julia E. Kelly and
E. M. Ballengee and Misses Jewell Eiland, Vaneta Cross, Lucile
Marr, Mable Vore, Lena T. Glenn, and Mrs. E. F. Miles.
The Music Study Club of Plainview was organized Feb.
17, 1927, by Mrs. Arilla Peterson, its object being the study of
music as a means of intellectual culture and to encourage the
highest musical standard for the community. The charter
members and first officers were : Mesdames : Arilla Peterson,
President, Guy Gibbs 1st V. P., C. C. McGlasson 2nd V. P.,
Carl Goodman Secretary, Clinton Walter Treasurer, R. B.
Davidson critic, Guy Jacob, Horace Belew, R. H. Knoohuizen,
J. D. Steakley, Robert Meyers, R. W. O'Keefe, Peyton Ran-
dolph, Tom Carter, A. G. Hinn, B. F. Wolff, and Misses Carrie
Bier and Jane Stinson.
The following persons have served as President. Mesdames
164 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Arilla Peterson, Carl Goodman, Horace Belew, Myrtle Smith,
R. H. Knoohuizen, A. H. Mabry, and C. R. Hooton.
The Schubert Music Club of Plainview was organized
January 31, 1929, with the following officers elected and charter
members : Miss Carrie Bier, President, Mrs. Jack Birdsong 1st
V. P., Miss Vada Bussell 2nd V. P., Mrs. J. V. Buchanan Sec-
retary, Miss Juanita Largent Treasurer, Mrs. John Shinn Par-
liamentarian, Miss Josephine Stocking, Agnes and Frances
Bier, Mesdames R. P. Holmlund, J. T. Koon, T. C. Meinecke,
Elmer Turner, and Bruce Hardeman, and Misses Mary An-
geline Russell and Louise Warren. On May 10, 1930, the
club became a member of the Texas Federation of Music Clubs.
Its study course is outlined by the National Federation of
Music Clubs.
The Women's Auxiliary to the Plainview Chamber of
Commerce was organized by the City Federation of Women's
Clubs at the Public Library on Feb. 25, 1927. The purpose
of the organization was to assist the Chamber of Commerce
and the Board of City Development in Civic projects. The
first officers were as follows : Mrs. W. J. Klinger President,
Mrs. J. D. Steakley Vice Pres., Mrs. Earnest Fletcher Secre-
tary, Mrs. E. E. Coleman Treasurer. All members of federated
clubs in the City Federation and all P.T.A.'s were members
of the Auxiliary. The executive board was composed of one
representative from each of the various clubs. The first work
of the Auxiliary was to have the names of the streets painted
on the curbstones at street crossings. Other civic projects
included tree - planting programs and city park beautification,
the main objective being the building of the House of Friend-
ship in the Park, this being formally opened on May 1, 1931.
The following persons have served as president : Mesdames :
W. J. Klinger, Alex Nisbet, Nine McComas, P. Flaxman,
E. H. Perry, L. J. Halbert, Lewis Kiker, R. B. Underwood
and G. R. Mabry.
The Plainview Garden Club was organized on March 8,
1930, by Mrs. R. S. Ziegler, at the home of Mrs. L. J. Halbert.
Its purpose was to stimulate greater interest in home gardening
and to foster civic beautification. The first officers and charter
members were as follows : Mesdames : R. S. Ziegler President,
Tom Carter V.P., L. J. Halbert Secretary, E. B. Thomas Cor.
WOMEN'S CLUBS 165
Secretary, J. L. Nisbet, Meade F. Griffin, L. B. Platt, E.
Harlan, Wilbur Roberts, J. C. Owens, Oscar Collier and J. F.
Duncan. The following have served as president : Mesdames :
R. S. Ziegler, Tom Carter, L. A. Knight, J. F. Duncan, Jo
W. Wayland, E. E. Weiss, R. S. Stewart and Carl Donohoo.
The Llano Estacado Chapter, Order of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy, was organized in Plainview
October 29, 1930, by Miss Johnnie Colbert. The charter
members and first officers were as follows : Mesdames Sarah
Elizabeth Lester Knight — President; Mary Alice Vincent Dye
—Vice President; Ada Browning Cantrell, Treasurer; Nancy
Hines Milsap Slaton, Mary Belle Tudor and Harriet Frances
Duckett Wayland, and Miss Johnnie Colbert. This Chapter
cooperates with the American Legion in the Memorial Day
services each year and assists in the preparation and placing of
floral decorations on the graves of both Union and Confederate
veterans of the Civil War, the Mexican, Spanish American
and World Wars.
The Civic Culture Club of Petersburg was organized in
January, 1932, by Mrs. Jack D. Wester. The charter members
were : Mesdames L. S. Claitor, Victor Blassingame, Sam
Mason, Jack D. Wester, John Gregory, O. H. Heard, R. A.
Jefferies, M. K. Simpson, W. M. Vernon, Clyde Martin, Ted
Schuler and E. R. Gibson, with Mrs. L. C. Claitor Club Mother.
The following members have served as president : Mesdames :
Jack D. Wester, L. S. Claitor, Clyde Martin and Sam Mason.
The 1935 Study Club of Abernathy was organized in July,
1935, by the President and Official Board of the Hale County
Federation of Women's Clubs. The first officers and charter
members were as follows : Mesdames : Ray Pinson President,
L. A. Harral Vice President, R. A. McAlister Secretary, C. E.
Givens Treasurer, Frank Andrews Reporter, Jim Bledsoe,
O. D. Crow, Ed Hardesty, J. W. Harris, Chas. Johnson, Vic
Lamb, G. W. Ragland, A. B. Reid, W. A. Richter and L.
Wright. Mrs. L. A. Harral succeeded Mrs. Pinson as Presi-
dent and Mrs. R. R. Struve is President elect.
The Camp Fire Girls— Prairie Fire Group —was organized
in Plainview Feb. 21, 1916, under the Guardianship of Miss
Elizabeth Briggs, with 10 girls in the group. This group was
active until Aug. 31, 1917. Miss Carrie Bier organized the
166 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
second group,—Wetomachick,—with 6 girls, on July 17, 1925,
which was active until Nov. 30, 1926. In 1931 and 1932, the
following groups were organized by the following Guardians :
Tingtinatata, Golda Anderson, (10 girls) ; Tejas, Mrs. Cecil
Bell (17) ; Cheskchamay, Carrie Bier (6) ; Apalechi, Dorothy
Black (12); Nowetompatimmin, Julia Bralley; (15); Tejas,
Elisabeth Cox (7) ; Wetomachick, Marjorie Flaxman (14) ;
Lahoma, Eleanor Griffin (4) ; Nnilawisti, Blanche Joyner
(11) ; Navosoyo, Elsa Kirchoff (18) ; Abohahanta, Betsy
Largent (8); Thunderbird, Juanita Long (13) and Otyokwa,
Bernice Thompson (6 girls). All of these groups ceased to
be active by fall of 1933. No new groups were organized.
One of the members of the first group to be organized in the
county was Miss Ruby B. Lattimore, who now holds the
position of Associate Field Secretary, Camp Fire Girls In-
corporated, with office in New York City, she having joined
the National Field Department of Camp Fire Girls in 1926.
Much of her time is spent in training adult volunteer leaders
for leadership of Camp Fire groups. The work of the Camp
Fire Girls ceased in Hale County only for lack of leaders.
The Girl Scouts was organized in Plainview on January
23, 1936, by Mrs. Winfield Holbrook. Fifty girls were en-
rolled in two troops, Mrs. Irene Ayers being Scout Leader of
Troop 1 and Mrs. E. M. Anderson Scout Leader of Troop 2.
Much interest is taken by the girls, progress in the work being
retarded only by lack of leaders.
CHAPTER XV
MILITARY HISTORY
Co. L, 4th Inf. T. N. G.
Company L, a unit of the 4th Infantry, Texas National
Guard, was organized in Plainview on Dec. 2, 1913, by Capt.
Ben Golding with three officers and 53 enlisted men. This
unit was in the service continuously from organization up to
and including the World War.
The Texas National Guard was ordered to mobilize on the
Mexican Border on May 10, 1916, pursuant to the call of the
President of the United States and the regiment was mustered
into Federal service May 17, 1916. Company L, 4th Texas
Infantry, was mobilized at Company rendezvous at Plainview.
The 4th Texas Infantry was scattered to stations in the Big
Bend on May 28, 1916, the regiment being distributed over
many hundreds of miles of territory, from Sanderson to Sierra
Blanca and territory south to the Rio Grande. Company L
was located at Sanderson and Marathon, Texas, from May
until November, at which time it was moved to Harlingen,
where it served until February 11, 1917. The regiment was
mustered out of service on March 25, 1917, by order of the
President.
On March 31, 1917, six days after being mustered out, the
4th Regiment, T.N.G. was called back into Federal service
under call of the President. On May 23, 1917, Co. L, 4th
Texas Infantry, was sent to station in the Brownsville District
of Texas, with regimental headquarters located at San Benito,
and on August 5, 1917, was drafted into service for the World
War. The regiment was relieved from duty in the Browns-
ville District at the end of September, 1917, and was moved
to Camp Bowie for a period of training preceding its move-
ment overseas.
The status of this unit can be followed from its organization
up to and including the re- organization and designation of its
167
168 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
members as troops of the 144th Infantry, which was formed
at Camp Bowie in September, 1917, from the 4th Texas
Infantry (less Machine Gun Company) and the 6th Texas
Infantry. Company L, 4th Texas Infantry, was combined
with Company E, 6th Texas Infantry, to make Company H,
144th Infantry. Capt. Lee Otus Shropshire was transferred
to the Cavalry as the result of this consolidation. The first
Infantry Brigade of the 36th Division consisted of the 2nd,
3rd, and 4th Regiments Texas Infantry, of which Company L
was a component, was commanded by Brigadier - General Henry
Hutchings. The second Brigade, which consisted of the 1st,
5th and 6th Regiments, was commanded by Brigadier - General
John A. Hulen.
The Regiment, as a part of the 36th Division, arrived in
France July 30, 1918, and with the exception of the artillery
was sent with other units of the 36th Division to the 13th
Training Area in the vicinity of Bar- sur -aube. It remained
in that area until Sept. 26, 1918, when it moved by rail to the
Area between Epernay and Chalons, Division Headquarters
being established at Pocancy, Department of the Marne. There
it remained for ten days with other units as a reserve of the
French group of Armies of the Center, being attached to the
5th French Army for supply purposes. The 36th Division was
transferred to the 4th French Army on Oct. 3, 1918, and the
regiment participated with other units in the Meuse - Argonne
Offensive (Champagne) October 7, 1918, to Oct. 26, 1918.
The regiment as a part of the 36th Division entered the lines
on the night of October 9th, relieving the 6th Regiment of
Marines, 2nd Division, on Blanc Mont, just north of Somme
Py. In conjunction with other troops of the Division, the
Regiment attacked North on October 10th, advancing some
21 kilometers in the next three days, generally through the
St. Ettiene -et- Arnes, Machault, Vaux Champagne, to the south
bank of the Aisne River, suffering its heaviest casualties on
October 13th between Givry and Attigny. During the combat
period, Company H, 144th Infantry, was actually commanded
by then Captain Ira F. Sproule. The relief of the 36th Di-
vision was completed October 28, 1918.
After assembling in the Suippes- Somme - Suippes Area, the
Division moved to the Triacourt Area, establishing Head-
MILITARY HISTORY 169
quarters at Conde' -en- Barrios. Here with other units of the
36th Division the 144th Infantry remained as a unit of the
First American Army until the signing of the Armistice. The
Division was visited on April 9, 1919, and inspected by General
John J. Pershing, Commander -in- Chief, A.E.F. During the
ceremonies, General Petain, Commander of French Armies of
the East, conferred the French Croix de Guerre on two mem-
bers of old Company L, 4th Texas Infantry, ie. 1st Lieut. Carl
C. Brown and 1st Lieut. Nelson Perdue.
Shortly after the conclusion of hostilities, the Regiment with
other units of the 36th Division moved to the 16th Training
Area around Tonnere. Hope of an early return to the United
States was shattered by a semi - official announcement that the
36th Division would remain overseas indefinitely as a part of
the Army of Occupation, but on April 10, 1919, orders sud-
denly came directing the Division to prepare to return home.
Troop ships bearing the entire Division with the exception of
the artillery, embarked from Brest. A stormy voyage har-
assed the troop ships on the return home. A severe storm
was encountered, the wind reaching the velocity of ninety -six
miles an hour, and two men were swept overboard and drowned
when big waves completely swept the decks of the liner Pueblo.
The Division landed at Hoboken on June 4th to 6th, 1919.
After a short stay in rest camps near the ports, the various
organizations entrained for Camp Bowie, where the Regiment
was demobilized, on June 21, 1919.
The officers and personnel of the original unit, Co. L, 4th
Infantry, T.N.G., at organization on Dec. 2, 1913, was as
follows :
Captain Ben Golding, 1st Lieut. Lee Otis Shropshire, 2nd
Lieut. Charles D. Powell, Elmer R. Anderson, Ralph C.
Arnold, Charles W. Barnes, William S. Barnes, Edward P.
Blair, Thomas C. Blakemore, Tom E. Brooks, Carl C. Brown,
Nolan Brown, James W. Broom, Lee R. Bryan, Ernest B.
Burchett, Russell J. Clark, Conrad Cornell, Carl L. Curtis,
Clarence Dishon, Mason Dillingham, Liston H. Dunaway,
Harold R. Fluke, Earnest A. M. Fowler, Caswell Franklin,
Alsey N. Gardner, Raymond D. Gibbs, Charles F. Gilley,
Malcolm L. Graves, Clarence C. Green, Jesse Hamilton, Wil-
liam A. Heard, Melvin G. Hilton, Alva H. Hooper, James
170 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
K. Hooper, Thomas F. Kincannon, Walter J. Klinger, Robert
H. Knight, Ralph L. Maggard, Arthur L. Mitchell, Fred
Mitchell, William J. Mitchell Jr., Lewis M. Mise, Bain McCar-
roll, Morey C. McGlasson, John E. McVicker, Jerome K.
Nash, Samuel O. Nations, Erle G. Owens, William E. Palmer,
Floyd S. Pearson, Lee Roy Pearson, Nelson Perdue, William
J. Smith, Elliott E. Terry, John B. Wade, James B. Williams.
MILITARY HONORS CONFERRED UPON HALE COUNTY
VETERANS DURING THE WORLD WAR
Hilburn, Herbert S. Captain, 359th Infantry, 90th Division,
Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre
with Palm, Australian Star.
Near Villers -devant -Dun, France, Nov. 2, 1918, G.O. No. 46,
W. D. 1919.
"Under heavy machine -gun fire, he repeatedly went to the rear of
his company to rally and reorganize it, and then rushed forward to
lead his men on. Having taken the town of Villers- devant -Dun and
the crest beyond, he held it with only 16 men until the next morning
against a superior number of the enemy."
"Created Chevalier May 9th in Consideration of services rendered
in France during the War. Has also D.S.C. and Croix de Guerre."
Brown, Carl C, first lieutenant, 144th Infantry, 36th Division.
French Croix de Guerre with silver star, under Order No. 15,252
"D ", dated April 1, 1919, General Headquarters, French Armies of
the East with the following citation:
"He displayed extraordinary heroism in the combats near St.
Etienne from October 8 -10, 1918. A skillful leader of men, he was
able, thanks to his qualities, to assure the success of the operations."
Residence at appointment: Plainview, Texas.
Perdue, Nelson, first lieutenant, 144th Infantry, 36th Division.
French Croix de Guerre with silver star, under Order No. 15,252
"D" dated April 1, 1919, General Headquarters, French Armies of
the East, with the following citation :
"He displayed extraordinary heroism in the combats near St.
Etienne from October 8 -10 -1918. A skillful leader of men, he was
able, thanks to his qualities, to assure the success of the operations."
Residence at appointment : Plainview, Texas.
Fletcher, Robert S., second lieutenant, 142nd Infantry, 36th Division.
French Croix de Guerre with gilt star, under Order No. 15,340
"D ", dated April 3, 1919, General Headquarters, French Armies of
the East, with the following citation :
"An officer of great bravery. He led his men on during a long
advance, encouraging them by his boldness and intrepidity. He
reached all the objectives that had been assigned to him.
Residence at appointment: Plainview, Texas.
MILITARY HISTORY 171
Stoney, Tom Joseph (deceased), 1498260, private Company "H ",
23rd Infantry, 2nd Division.
French Croix de Guerre with gilt star, under Order No. 12,742
"D ", dated January 5, 1919, General Headquarters, French Armies
of the East, with the following citation:
"From October 3 -9, 1918, near St. Etienne -a- Arnes, as a liaison
agent under a violent bombardment, he displayed coolness and courage.
Was killed during the action." (Next of kin: Mrs. Joseph Stoney,
mother, 285 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.)
World War Dead
The following is a list of Hale County veterans who lost
their lives in the services of the United States during the
World War, as furnished by the Adjutant General of the State
of Texas.
Name
Abrams, Clarence,
Anderson, Wm. Jennings, 2 Lt.
Barton, Joseph J. Pvt Lcl
Blakemore, Ray, Pvt.
Brahan, Robert W. Jr. 2 Lt.
Cooper, James A. 2 Lt.
Awarded DSC
Cunningham, James A. Pvt.
Dice, Garrison B. Rct
Fitzgerald, George,
Iverson, Elmer H.
Cpl
Pvt.
Kuykendall, Samuel A. Pvt.
Miers, Dan, Pvt.
McDaniel, John F. Sgt.
Stoddard, Chester V. —
Stoney, Tom Joseph Pvt.
Turner, Thomas J. Pvt. LCL
Webb, William E Pvt.
West, William L. Pvt.
Residence
Plainview,
Plainview,
Bartonsite,
Plainview,
Plainview,
Hale Center,
Organization Date of Death
20 FA
Co. D 360 Inf.
Co. A 305 Inf.
372 Inf.
2 Brig. Mg Bn
Apr. 13, 1918
Nov. 4, 1918
Nov. 1, 1918
Sept. 29, 1918
July 19, 1918
Plainview, MTC Repair Unit
312 Oct. 18, 1918
Plainview, As Sig. C Unassgd
Fort Sam Houston Jan. 14, 1918
Plainview, Co D 7th Inf. Aug. 1, 1918
Abernathy, 1 Co. 1 Bn 161
Dep. Brigade Oct. 10, 1918
Plainview, Co. A 356 Inf. Oct. 28, 1918
Ft. Griffin, Co. F 359 Inf. Sept. 26, 1918
Plainview, 36th Div. Oct. 8, 1918
Plainview, Co. U Recruit Dept. Nov. 4, 1918
Brooklyn, N. Y. Co. H 23 Inf. Oct. 1918
Abernathy, Co. E, 34 Inf. Dec. 31, 1918
Plainview, Co. C 4 Engrs. Sept. 29, 1918
Petersburg, Amb. Co. 10 FT
Bliss, Texas, Feb. 27, 1919
Battery A, 131st F.A., T.N.G.
Battery A, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard, was
organized in Plainview and Federally recognized April 7, 1922.
The regiment was designated "131st FA" to perpetuate the
history of the 131st FA, 36th Div. A E F. Battery A, at
Plainview was the first unit organized in the reorganization.
No units of the old 131st FA were located at Plainview.
Officers assigned to the unit at Plainview were Captain Thomas
A. Bay, 1st Lieut. Ethelbert Dowden, 1st Lieut. Chas. W.
172 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Scruggs and 2nd Lieut. William P. Dowden. Battery A is
still located at Plainview.
American Legion
Ray Blakemore Post No. 260, American Legion, at Plain-
view, was named in honor of Ray Blakemore, a Hale County
Veteran who was killed in action on Nov. 1, 1918. The charter
was granted Oct. 29, 1920. The following were charter mem-
bers : D. W. Covington, Clyde L. Cox, Thos. M. Fletcher,
F. A. Greene, Meade F. Griffin, E. F. Hood, J. K. Hooper,
R. E. Horne, Norman Mosely, W. H. Munn, A. W. Otto,
C. M. Reynolds, Homer Rook, G. W. Rosser and Roy A.
Upton. The Legion Home was erected in 1929.
Commanders of the Legion have been: Meade F. Griffin
(1920), H. S. Hilburn (1921), Carl C. Brown (1922), E. O.
Nichols (1923) E. W. Thomas (1924), J. E. McVicker
(1925), Guy Gibbs (1926 -27) A. R. Nisbet (1928), Pat
Connelly (1929- 1930), E. C. Kuykendall (1931), Jim Jordan,
(1932), John Dubose (1933), John Burt (1934) John Scott
(1935), and A. B. Cherry (1936 -1937) Elmer R. Anderson
(1937 -) .
Adjutants have been : Guy Gibbs, F. A. • Greene, Earl F.
Miles, J. K. Hooper, W. Oliver Anderson, Hugh L. Murphy,
Roy G. Pearce, F. J. Hurlbut, Roy Lippert, Roy Wood, A.B.
Cherry and Ervin Grisham.
American Legion Auxiliary
The American Legion Auxiliary, Ray Blakemore Unit No. 260,
was organized March 16, 1921, with the following charter members :
Mesdames : W. P. Dowden, R. A. Felfenstine, R. W. Otto, P. T.
West, T. Hammond, J. C. Hooper, Elmer R. Anderson, Meade F.
Griffin, E. T. Willard, A. H. McGavock, L. L. Russell, F. A. Greene
and A. A. Beery.
The following persons have served as President : Mesdames : W. P.
Dowden, Eva B. Dowden, T. Hammond, W. Oliver Anderson, Lloyd
Carlton, Elliott E. Terry, E. R. Anderson, C. D. Hardesty, Roscoe
Snyder, Mrs. Jenna Mae Hart.
World War Veterans
The following is a list of Hale County men who were in-
ducted into service of the United States Army and Navy
through the Local Draft Board and through Company L,
MILITARY HISTORY 173
Fourth Infantry, T.N.G. during the World War, and a partial
roll of enlisted men, a complete list being unavailable.
Clarence Abrams, John Q. Adams, Charles W. Akers, Claude E.
Akers, H. M. Akers, Earnest Allen, James W. Allen, Jesse Allen,
Lonnie H. Allen, Robert E. Allen, Willie Allen, Tilmon C. Alex-
ander, Elmer R. Anderson, William Jennings Anderson, Oliver Ander-
son, William H. Anderson, Edwin B. Andrews, R. G. Andrews,
Rupert W. Andrews, Geo. D. Applewhite, Lawrence K. Armstrong,
Ural S. Armstrong, Stanford W. Arnett, H. G. Atwood, Thomas
Aguirre,
Walter T. Babb, J. J. Bachhofer, Guy Hearne Bailey, J. L. Bailey,
Odelia M. Baker, William Leon Baker, Harold H. Bain, Robert E.
Bain, Mikie Barbin, Hubert F. Barham, Decker Lee Barnes, Will E.
Barnes, Joseph J. Barton, Joe C. Baty, Frank R. Baxell, William F.
Beard, Fred G. Beckman, Carlos Belcher, James C. Bell, John H.
Bell Jr., Grover C. Bent, Burgin Bird, Ed P. Blair, Wm. H. Blake -
more, Ray Blakemore, Leo Boedeker, William Bohanon, Frank Bolin,
Juan Edward Bolton, J. Lee Boswell, Robert E. Boyd, Lonie Bracken,
Robert W. Brahan Jr., Olin E. Brashears, Claude H. Bray, William
Britt, W. F. Brooks, Mack Brookshire, Carl C. Brown, Charles C.
Brown, Elbert Benton Brown, Grover C. Brown, Nolan Brown, P. B.
Brown, Wingo Brown, William E. Bryan, William Jennings Bryan,
Otis Buchanan, Compton Bull, John C. Burke, Thomas A. Bunch,
W. E. Burgess, Fred W. Burke, Robert D. Burroughs, George K.
Burt, Herbert Burt, John H. Burt, Charlie W. Byers,
James M. Carpenter, W. H. Casey, P. G. Chauncey, Ray P. Cecil,
Henry E. Child, Lilburn S. Claitor, Robert L. Claxton, Carl S.
Clark, Wm. W. Collings, Patrick Connelly, Edwin M. Cook, Abner
C. Cooper, Claude W. Cooper, Henry G. Cooper, Jas. A. Cooper, Leon
L. Cooper, T. E. Cooper, Win. H. Cornett, David Covington, Homer A.
Covington, Judson A. Covington, Alban Robert Cox, Clyde L. Cox,
Fred E. Cox, Kenneth L. Cox, Littleton H. Crawford, B. S. Culpepper,
James A. Cunningham,
Sam P. Dalmont, Allie E. Davis, Virgil Daughetee, John E. Dement,
George M. Denham, Garrison B. Dice, Algie E. Dick, Roy E. Dick,
Wylie Dickerson, D. T. Dillingham, Clarence Disheon, Taras E.
Doak, Frank H. Dodson, George W. Dodson, Archie Duckwall, A. W.
Duckwall, Dave Duncan, Thomas J. Duncan, Liston H. Dunnaway,
Jas. O. Durham, Gus B. Dye.
E. C. Ebeling, Leo R. Ebeling, Wm. C. Edmondson, Arthur D.
Ellerd, John J. Ellerd, Oscar D. Ellerd, John H. Empie, Barber
Eubanks, Walter Evans,
O. W. Felty, Joseph E. Fields, George W. Fitzgerald, Mitchell
Flake, Paul E. Flake, Robert S. Fletcher, Thomas M. Fletcher, Robert
F. Formway, James W. Fort, Lawrence Fort, R. H. Fort, Oscar C.
Foss, George A. Foster, Paul Foster, Uld Fox, George C. Franklin,
I. N. Freeman, Earnest Fowler, Wm. C. Ferguson,
174 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
0. B. Garner, Johnie B. Garrett, David R. Garrison, Henry G.
Gentry, Guy A. Gibbs, Warren E. Gibbs, J. B. Gibson, James R.
Gilbert, Lester Gill, George Gillespie, Arthur Gilliland, Craig Gilli-
land, Fred Gilley, Jasper L. Gipson, Henry Glisson, Reuben J. Goode,
Paul Golla, Ford Gough, James V. Graham, William Z. Graham,
Homer L. Grammar, Malcolm L. Graves, Lawrence R. Gray, Richard
L. Griffith, D. H. Guinn,
Dewitt T. Hale, George C. Hammack, David E. Hankins, Earl
Harmon, Gordon W. Hanson, A. N. Hardesty, E. C. Hardesty, Joseph
W. Hardman, Edgar G. Harp, Robert F. Harp, C. E. Harrison, John
B. Harrison, Jno. T. Hartwell, Ray I. Hartzler, E. E. Hatchett,
Hardie Hay, Roger Q. Hay, Marion D. Haynie, H. D. Heath Jr.,
Luther C. Heath, John J. Hegi, Frank Henderson, Jas. E. Henderson,
Floyd C. Heneks, James W. Herrell, H. S. Hilburn, Jas. R. Hill,
Robert G. Hill, Willie D. Hinds, George Hoenig, Forest C. Hoffman,
James B. Holland, John T. Holland, Jason C. Homan, Alva H.
Hooper, Chester W. Hooper, James Kelly Hooper, James L. Howard,
Frank Dyer Howell, J. Bennett Howell, B. B. Huckabee, A. A.
Hudgins, George Casey Hughes, Harold C. Hughes, Harry C.
Huguley, David R. Humbler, W. 0. Hunt, Carrol D. Hunter, D. G.
Hunter, H. L. Hyman,
Amos C. Ivey, Sylvan R. Jackson, George L. Jay, Fred C. Janzen,
Franklin S. Johns, Alma C. Johnson, Johnnie C. Johnson, M. C.
Johnson, Wm. F. Johnston, Hartwell H. Jones, Ray B. Jones, Sam
Jones, Stephen P. Jones, Virgil Jones, Joe M. Jutson, Grover C.
Jordan, James E. Jordan,
Glenn A. Keen, D. E. Kelly, Homer Kelsoe, James A. Kelsoe, E. G.
Kerr, Lewis Roy Kier, Howard M. King, Walter L. Knight, Price
Kirkland, Samuel Kuykendall,
Elbert D. Lamb, August Laney, Carl Laney, Fred Lanford, Hugh
A. Lattimore, Karl C. Lea, Grover C. Leary, James A. Leckliter,
Thell C. Lee, Wm. E. Lewis, C. E. Ligon, Roy M. Lipscomb, Jack
Little, Frank M. Locke, Jesse D. Lockhart, Willie R. Logan, Walter
C. Longmire, C. F. Longstreet, G. W. Louthan, Wm. M. Loveless,
Wm. V. Lundy, C. W. Luellen, Travis E. Lutrick.
Newton B. Magill, Lester F. Magness, Leroy Mahagan, Robert B.
Maroney, Jay B. Marshall, Clyde E. Martin, Richard C. Martin, Sam
C. Mason, John T. Mathes, W. C. Mathes Jr., Frank Maulding,
Virgil Merrell, Leslie Eugene Mickey, Dan Miers, James E. Miller,
John W. Miller, Sidney P. Miller, Quince C. Millsep, A. M. Milstead,
Arthur L. Mitchell, Earnest Mitchell, Jesse R. Mitchell, Wm. H.
Mitchell, C. W. Moon, Furd M. Moore, Wm. M. Moore, Roy L.
Morton, Leslie L. Morrison, Barney E. Moseley, Leland T. Mounts,
George B. Murphy, S. F. Murphy, Lloyd Wm. McBride, Bain Mc-
Carroll, John R. McCavey, Geo. J. McCeig, M. B. McClain, Edgar
F. McClendon, Alva C. McDaniel, Charley C. McDaniel, J. F.
McDaniel, James R. McDaniel, Roy Lee McDaniel, Morey C. Mc-
MILITARY HISTORY 175
Glasson, Harvey B. McGuire, John J. McGough, Robert L. McGough,
Lee McGown, Wm. J. McHan, John G. McKallip, Daniel N. Mc-
Laughlin, James K. McVey, John E. McVicker,
Sam O. Nations, David W. Neal, J. B. Nelson, A. H. Newman,
Andrew J. Newman, Samuel Newman, Hugh W. Nicholl, Wm.
F. Nix, Robert H. Noles, John E. Norman, Frank E. Norfleet, Harry
B. Nottingham,
Albert W. Oberste, DeWitt T. Oliver, Ira W. Ott, A. W. Otto,
Erle Gray Owens, Jamie C. Owens, John M. Overall,
Frank J. Pachta, Homer B. Pack, Joseph O. Patterson, Hum
Patrick, David N. Pearce, J. C. Pearce, Lee Roy Pearson, George
T. Perdue, George W. Perdue, Nelson Perdue, Julius E. Peterson,
Wendell D. Phillips, James W. Pierce, James R. Pierson, Paul V.
Pierson, John W. Pinkeard, Robert Lee Pinckard, W. B. Pettus,
Charles D. Powell, E. E. Powell, Eugene Thomas Powell, Jack J.
Pritchett, Thomas F. Preston, James V. Proctor.
George R. Quesenberry,
George W. Ragland, James C. Rallings, Tommie L. Rape, Robert
Ray, Archie F. Real, Clyde Reid, Cecil J. Rhodes, Jeff A. Richard-
son, Wilhelm A. Richter, Buren Rightmire, Harl Rightmire, Nathan
Riddle, John G. Robinson, M. F. Rodgers, Homer A. Rook, Guy
Rosser, Lucius Stokes Rosser, Joe G. Rosson, S. E. E. Rosson,
Shawver Rowe, James M. Rowls, H. D. Rushing, O. T. Rushing,
Charles E. Russell, Lewis Russell,
Forest S. Sageser, Wilhelm Sammann, Jesse E. Sanderson, Earnest
E. Sanford, Geo. H. Sargent, Lark T. Sargent, Charley E. Saunders,
T. B. Saxon, George M. Schick Jr., Jesse T. Scott, Oliver O. Scott,
I. M. Seaman, Wm. F. Seaman, John W. Sears, Elmer E. Sellers,
Robert Sharp, Carter Shaw, Ray E. Sheffy, S. E. Sheffy, Oliver
Shelton, C. B. Sheppard, Arthur W. Sherley, C. A. Shook, Leo
Shore, Lee Otus Shropshire, Charles Simpson, Nelson H. Smelzer,
Edward Smith, James W. Smith, Joseph W. Smith, Roy Joseph
Smith, Wm. G. Smith, Wm. Gladstone Smith, Homer C. Smithee,
T. C. Smithee, Joe R. Snyder, Mark G. Snyder, J. A. B. Soffle,
Everett Spann, Walter A. Spence, George S. Stanford, H. E. Stal-
cup, Troy D. Stambaugh, Thomas G. Stansell, Sidney B. Steen,
Fred L. Stevenson, Baxter H. Stewart, Chester V. Stoddard, Wm.
E. Stoddard, Tom Joseph Stoney, Robert E. Story, Frank Stultz,
Jesse Lee Taylor, Walter Taylor, B. B. Tedford, Herman A. Ted-
ford, Henry L. Terrell, Marvin Terry, Alvin Thomas, Arthur L.
Thomas, E. B. Thomas, Everett C. Thomas, Samuel H. Thomas,
Norris T. Thompson, Wm. R. Thompson, Cecil Tidwell, O. A.
Toaker, Edward J. Torres, H. V. Tull Jr., H. A. Turner, Henry A.
Turner, Thomas J. Turner,
Roy Upton, Truman Van Fleet, George James Vance, Bert M.
Vaughn, Grady M. Vaughn, Wm. W. Vencil, Thomas F. Vines,
Floyd Visor.
176 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
D. D. Wallen, Roy E. Wardlow, Cecil C. Warren, Talmage Wat-
kins, John Henry Wayland, Charles D. Webb, Eugene Thomas Webb,
Samuel J. Webb, George Weemes, Carlton H. Wells, Wm. L. West,
Geo. C. Westcoat, E. M. Weller, Henry J. Wheeler, Newton A.
Wheeler, C. E. Whitacre, John G. Whitacre, Fred White, Henry
White, Jim C. Whiteley, Charles C. Williams, Clay G. Williams,
Earnest Williams, E. R. Williams, Milton L. Williams, Thomas B.
Williams, Charles S. Wilson, Halard Wilson, Lewis C. Wilson, Lloyd
R. Wilson, Virgil R. Winn, Wilbur C. Winn, J. E. Woolverton, W. E.
Woolverton, Charles O. Woodson, George W. Wyckoff, Byron Yancy,
Moses Yowell, Matt F. Zollicoffer.
Memorial
The following is a list of veterans of all wars buried in the
Plainview Cemetery whose graves are decorated each Memorial
Day by the American Legion.
Mexican War: Stephen R. Heard and Jesse L. Sanders.
Civil War: B. T. Ansley, R. A. Barrow, J. L. Boswell, J. O. Brown,
J. H. Bryan, J. C. Burch, J. H. Calvert, V. C. Cannon, W. C.
Clements, H. S. Cox, J. L. Craig, Edwin W. Dyer, Jas. R. Goodwin,
A. J. Harp, H. W. Harrell, Jno. E. Hardin, Jas. A. Hooper, A. T.
Howell, W. P. Long, R. W. Martine, John T. Mayhugh, Hugh Mc-
Clelland, John L. Morlton, A. F. Nash, H. S. Pearson, John Pendley,
James T. Phelps, John N. Phenis, Adam B. Powell, Franklin A.
Pickford, W. M. P. Rippey, A. B. Roberts, J. L. Robinson, C. Sewell,
W. B. Sheffy, I. B. Shelton, J. M. Shropshire, J. L. Smith, John W.
Stewart, C. W. Tandy, J. P. Toney, J. L. Vaughn, S. D. Waddell,
W. S. Waddell, W. S. Wasson, Joseph H. Wayland, F. M. Wells and
J. W. Winn.
Spanish American War: J. M. Braselton, F. M. Joyner, John
Meisterhons, and Dr. E. F. McClendon.
World War: Clarence J. Abrams, Jim Corbett Aldridge, John A.
Anderson, William Jennings Anderson, Roger Mills Ayers, Leon
Baker, Joseph J. Barton, Tannehill E. Beek, W. H. Collins, Pat
Connelly, Clell C. Cotchell, A. E. Cousineau, Wm. Henry Craig,
Park N. Dalton, Sidney R. Davis, Algot W. Engdohl, Claude Denzell
Goen, Malcolm Graves, Alvah Hooper, Robert H. Knight, Jno. Elmo
Leatherwood, Randall R. Moreland, Cecil Munger, Samuel D. Naylor,
Edgar Smith, George A. Smith, William H. Snell, John R. Snyder,
Chester V. Stoddard, Joseph Otho Walker, George Wyckoff, and
Foy Yancey.
Siberian Expedition, William D. Dodson.
Aviation Corp, Heber G. Vaughan, Arthur Bert Rigler.
STREET SCENES IN PLAINVIEW
(Upper) 1897, (Lower) 1937
CHAPTER XVI
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD
THE PLAINS BUFFALO
By L. S. Kinder
There are very few among us today who have any personal
knowledge of the history of the country prior to the year 1876.
Up to about 1873 or 1874, the Indians were still a serious
menace to the few people who were then in the country, and
the buffalo hunters were about the only white people in North
West Texas until about 1876. The Indians fought the en-
croachment of the settler and hunter into the country mainly
for the reason that they feared that they would be deprived
of their food supply, which was the buffalo, that furnished
them meat and raiment. From time immemorial they had
derived an inexhaustible supply of food from the countless
numbers of these animals that grazed this part of Texas. This
part of the North - American continent had been for ages the
grazing ground of the buffalo. Today we cannot comprehend
the extent of the great herd of these animals that ranged
throughout this part of Texas.
Mr. Goodnight, who knew as much about this animal and
its habits as any other man, said that there were two great
herds: the Northern and Southern. He says there were
marked differences in those of the two herds. Those of the
Northern herd he called the Northern Bison, and the other
herd he designated as the Southern Buffalo. It seems that
these herds never inter - mixed, nor encroached on each other's
range. The Northern herd never ranged South of the Arkansas
river, and the Wichita Mountains; and the Southern herd
stopped in their migrations northward, where the other herd
turned back. Mr. Goodnight wrote an interesting article,
"What I know about Buffalo," and the writer is fortunate in
having a copy. He states that almost every year in the sixties,
he passed through the Southern herd. When he had traveled
177
178 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
about fifty miles Northwest of Ft. Belknap in Young County,
he would generally strike the herd on the waters of the Brazos
river. Their range covered the entire country between the
Cross Timbers and the Staked Plains.
According to his estimate the herd extended about 125 miles
North and South and about 25 miles wide and were as close
together as they could graze and when they passed on not a
particle of vegetation was left. Well informed buffalo hunters
were of the opinion that there were eight or ten million of these
animals in the Southern herd. A well known army officer, in
writing about the buffalo, said that he and some hunters in
the sixties were traveling over the Santa Fe trail and they took
a position on the Pawnee Rock, at that time a well known
land mark in Kansas, and at a single view they believed that
they saw as many as a half million of these animals. It is
beyond comprehension that this enormous number of animals
could have been so quickly exterminated. There were very
few left in the eighties; mankind however can be destructive
to a very marked degree when his mind is turned in that
direction.
The Comanche Indian claimed as his hunting ground all
that country extending from the Canadian river on the North,
to the Rio Grande on the South, and for years bitterly
contested the settlement of that territory by the white man.
This tribe was one of the most numerous and warlike of all
American Indians, and gave the pioneer more trouble than all
others of the Southwest. No wonder they contested any move-
ment upon the part of the whites that might deprive them of
the fruits of this wonderful hunting ground.
BUFFALO HUNTING IN THE SEVENTIES
By Levi Schick
A young man came to me in 1872 wanting a job. I was
engaged at that time in furnishing beef for the Government
at Dodge City. At that time there was very little buffalo hunt-
ing, for it hadn't commenced then. There were soon, however,
a good many in the field who came in the fall about the time the
railroad reached Dodge City. I made arrangements with my
partner to look after the beef contracting business and I went
buffalo hunting with Wright Moar, for that was this young
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 179
man's name. We were out about three weeks, I guess, on that
first trip, where we hunted buffalo on Mulberry Creek of the
Arkansas River. I did the killing and he did the skinning and
we got quite a few hides, about $1100 worth. Then we went
Northwest from Dodge City, and down the country which had
just been burned off. Of course there were very few buffalo,
and they were traveling at that time. So we went back to
Dodge City where we found his brother, John Moar, waiting
for him. I went back to my Government job and Wright and
John Moar went off together hunting buffalo. Wright Moar
got to be a famous buffalo hunter. I think he told nie that
at one time he had sixty men working for him. In eighteen
months he killed about 6500 head. The way they hunted was
interesting. They would locate a bunch and get as close to
them as they could. There was always a leader in a big herd.
If they could pick out the leader and kill it, the others would
stand around and they could kill quite a few before they scat-
tered. Sometimes they would knock the buffalo down thinking
they had killed him when they had only creased him. Then it
was dangerous for the buffalo was always ready to fight when
he got up. There was no buffalo hunting worth mentioning
after 1878, though there were quite a few small bunches of
from fifty to two hundred scattered around for several years
after that. Colonel Goodnight finally gathered a few when
they were just about gone and perpetuated the species when
they were about to become extinct, by starting the famous
Goodnight Buffalo Herd.
BUFFALO DAYS
By J. W. Smylie
In 1877 four friends and I rigged up an outfit and went to
Fort Worth, where we bought supplies and started out to hunt
buffalo. We came through Weatherford, Graham, Fort
Griffin, Old Phantom Hill and on west through Stonewall
County to the Double Mountains. Here we spent the winter of
1877 -1878 killing buffalo. On Christmas Eve, 1877, between
twenty and thirty buffalo hunters got together and decided to
come up on the Plains. We followed the divide between Salt
Fork and Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos and camped just
beneath the caprock expecting to come up on the Plains the
180 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
next day. That night there came a snow storm which covered
the whole country with seven inches of snow. At that time
we all thought the Plains was but a great sand desert and on
seeing the snow we were afraid to venture forth. I know now
that we were in the eastern part of Crosby County. That
winter was about the windup of the slaughter of the buffaloes.
Hides were very cheap, bringing from $1.50 to $3.00 and a
few robe hides bringing as high as $5.00. The hides of the
buffalo were gathered at Fort Griffin and freighted from there
to Fort Worth by team. Near the northwest corner of Jones
County was a trading post called Remel City. Conrad and
Rath had a supply house and bought the hides. There was a
restaurant, two or three saloons and a large dance hall made
of sod walls and covered with buffalo hides, with a plank
floor. Buffalo hides were the currency for there was no money.
In 1880 I spent several months on the waters of the Colorado
River. While the engineers were staking the road bed to Big
Springs, there was a man camped at Big Springs piling up
buffalo bones. At the time I saw him he told me he had
collected eighty tons. I later heard that when the railroad
reached Big Springs that he sold his buffalo bones for four
thousand dollars. Hale County was still strewn with buffalo
bones when I moved here in 1887.
PIONEER DAYS AS A TEXAS RANGER
By W. F. Meador
It was in February, 1882, that I came up from Jacksboro to
Blanco Canyon and enlisted in a Ranger company. This gave
me a chance to scout all over these Plains. There were no
Indians here to amount to anything then, though once in a
while a bunch would pass through going across from Mexico
to the Oklahoma Reservations. We went on a little scout very
often. Once the report came to the camp that there were
Indians at Four Lakes. That was in New Mexico a little bit
southwest from here. Old Captain Arrington was with us,
and there were twelve of us went across. It was sixty or
seventy miles southwest of the Yellowhouse, not far over the
Mexico line. We rode in there one night and camped. In the
morning there were no Indians there though we saw signs of
them. They had not been gone long. They had left the night
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 181
before and gone across by way of Tulia, where they killed a
Mexican. Then they went on across to Oklahoma. The last
bunch I knew anything about came through close to the old
Ranger Camp. They never did any devilment. They knew the
way to go through, and knew the watering places. They were
mighty shy, just passing through, and didn't give any trouble.
It wasn't long before the ranches were opened up, and I started
to work on the Plains as a cowboy.
CHIEF LONE WOLF VISITS THE MORRISON RANCH
By J. N. Morrison
It was in the summer of 1881 that Lone Wolf, the famous
Kiowa Chief, came to the Morrison Ranch in Hale County.
Guests were very few in those days and frontier hospitality
was extended to the Chief and his party. In the group were
several Indians, one of whom was their old Medicine Man, two
or three Indian Squaws, and two white men who were acting
as guides to keep the white people from killing them. Only
seven years before this, General Mackenzie had defeated Lone
Wolf and his bands in the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon and sent
them to the reservations. In 1881 the Indians were as much
afraid of the white people as the white people were of the
Indians, and naturally both the Indian and the white man made
it a point to shoot first. It seemed the Indians in the Reserva-
tions were preparing for some sort of religious ceremony in
which they needed a buffalo hide, so they had come in search
of a buffalo, as there were still a few roaming on the Staked
Plains. They finally located the buffalo. Since it was the
duty of the Medicine Man to do the killing, the aged Indian
mounted a fast horse in regular Indian fashion, bareback and
without bridle or halter, and guiding the horse with his knees
he pursued and killed the buffalo with his bow and arrow.
Immediately after the buffalo had fallen, the squaws rushed
forward and skinned it. It was always the squaw's duty to skin
the buffalo and Lone Wolf had brought them along for that
purpose. They had brought their own tepees with them and
it was a fascinating experience to me to watch the squaws
putting up the poles and stretching the covering over them.
They stopped at the ranch house to eat while they were on this
hunt. The squaws always waited until Lone Wolf had helped
182 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
himself before they took any food. They watched him closely
while he ate and imitated his actions throughout the meal.
When the buffalo hide had been secured, Lone Wolf quietly
went his way, leading his party back to the Reservations. My
mother, who was the first white woman to come to Hale
County, gravely watched her guests depart, sincerely hoping
they would not return.
MOVING THE SLAUGHTER CATTLE
By George D. May
I came to Hale County in the spring of 1883 and went to
work on the Circle Ranch when the Morrisons and Slaughter
formed a partnership. Morrisons put up the land and Slaugh-
ter put in 10,000 head of cows and calves and R. W. O'Keefe
was the first foreman. I helped O'Keefe trail these cattle from
the Slaughter Ranch at Big Springs. We made three herds of
it, with 3,000 in each of the first two trips and 4,000 in the
last trip. It was a 200 mile drive from Big Springs to the
Circle Ranch and we could only travel six or eight miles a
day, or possibly ten at the most.
When we were coming up here with a herd —I think it was
the second trip —we did not find any water for the cattle until
we reached the Lubbock Yellow House. The cattle were very
thirsty for we had made a dry drive as the water had dried up
in the lakes on the route O'Keefe had planned. The night
before we reached the Yellow House, every man in the outfit
stayed up all night trying to hold the cattle. If they were lying
down and a puff of wind came up, they would jump up and
smell. It would take hard riding for a while to quiet them.
Then they would be all right until another puff of wind came.
On that dry drive we made, we didn't have any water to drink
ourselves, and we would ride up to the chuck wagon and eat
some canned fruit or tomatoes to quench our thirst. The cook
carried a keg of water on each side of the wagon to cook with,
but he wouldn't let us have it to drink.
Usually when we watered a big herd, we would cut them up
into groups of two or three hundred so that in case they broke
loose and ran to water we could handle them better. If we
didn't they would run into the water and jump on top of one
another, packing them down and drowning a lot of them.
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 183
Before we reached the Yellow House, a little breeze came up
and wafted across the prairie the odor of water. When they
got their first whiff of it they started to run. They were so
excited that the man in front of them couldn't stop them. On
they went and all we could do was to follow. They kept run-
ning until they reached the lake and went right into the water.
That time they sure every one of them got in. Rufe
O'Keefe and I stayed with them until we pulled them all out
of the bog that night and we broke up all our rope pulling them
out. The other boys all went to sleep but we worked on, and
we had the cattle all out by two o'clock in the morning and
didn't lose a one.
Lots of the country was not usable those days on account of
lack of water. I could have bought land at 50¢ an acre but we
didn't think there was any water anywhere. We didn't know
you could drill anywhere you wanted to put down a well and
get water. It was funny about finding all this water and having
windmills all over the country when we didn't think there was
any water to be had on the plains. All the water we knew
about then was in the Runningwater Draw. It runs from the
head of it in New Mexico down to within four or five miles
of Plainview, and I have heard it said that the water went under
the ground then and came out at Blanco Canyon. A few would
drill a four inch well and get water along the Draw, but we
had no idea there was any water on the Plains away from the
Draw.
The freighters on the ranch worked oxen, linked one wagon
behind another, and went to Colorado City after groceries.
Sometimes they would be gone two or three weeks after sup-
plies. The Plains were strewn with buffalo bones and the
freighters would gather up the bones and take them down to
Colorado City and sell them and bring back a load of supplies
on their return. The boys used to take the heads of the buffalo
and scallop the wagon, putting buffalo heads all around the
top of the wagon and filling in the wagon box with bones. It
looked pretty to see the wagon scalloped that way. They
carried worlds of bones to Colorado City and sold them to be
ground up and shipped east for fertilizer. The prairies once
were white with buffalo bones but they are all gone now.
But the most amazing thing when I think of it is the
184 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
bounteous water supply underlying these fertile Plains that we
once thought a desert.
HORATIO GRAVES -FIRST SETTLER
By Amy Graves
It was in 1877 that my father, Horatio Graves, made his
first trip to Hale County. At that time we were living in
' Ausable Forks, New York, where my father was pastor of a
Methodist Church. The lure of cheap land and a desire to
establish his wife in a home where the winters were more mild
than in New York State were his reasons for coming. He had
read in the New York Christian Advocate about the cheap
land for sale which had been allotted to the railroad companies
for the building of railroads in Texas, and about the fine climate
in Texas. He left New York in the fall of 1877 and arrived
at Eastland where he made arrangements with Connellee and
Ammerman to make a trip to the Staked Plains with a survey-
ing party. On this trip they located the Bottle Corner, which
was for years the controlling corner in Hale County. They
first went to Lubbock County, as father wanted to look at some
land there. As they were surveying to locate this tract of land
their field glasses revealed in the distance a band of Commanche
Indians. The redskins got off their horses and so deployed
themselves in the rise that to the unaided eye they looked like
a great company. The sight of those Indians caused father to
decide to take the Hale County land. The tract of land they
located in Hale County, as I remember, was about twenty five
sections, obtained by locating "railroad scrip." Father kept
for himself about sixteen sections. Father came again in 1878
to locate a big tract of land in Texas for speculators in the
east. After he had got his start by locating lands for specu-
lators, he felt that he was safe in bringing his family to the
frontier.
MEMORY PICTURES
By Lottie Graves Layer
It was in March, 1883, that our family moved to our new
home in Hale County. A year had passed since we left our
home in New York. The first part of our journey was by
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 185
train to Eastland, where we lived until July, 1882. In two
covered wagons, with two cows tied to the rear wagon, we
started for the Staked Plains. Heavy rains impeded our jour-
ney and we were a month enroute. We were compelled to ford
several swollen streams before we reached our journey's end.
We spent the fall and winter at Estacado while father was
preparing our home, and attended the first school on the Staked
Plains, which was taught by Ruth Emma Hunt in the fall of
1882. When we moved to our new home in 1883, the grass was
just turning green. There was water in the lakes for it had
been wet all winter. There were wild horses in great numbers
and many buffalo trails led down to the lakes. The vastness
of the prairie, the blue vault of the sky meeting the earth in
the wide circle of an unbroken horizon was impressive, as was
the sunrise and sunset and the deep blue heavens shining with
brilliant stars at night. There were unusually brilliant sunsets
in the summer of 1884. I think this was a world -wide phenom-
enon. Mother read that they were attributed to violent erup-
tions of Mt. Vesuvius. Soon after we arrived at our new
home, one Sunday morning my sisters and I walked to the
west hill which overlooked a deep basin, where a large herd of
antelope were grazing. Some of them noticed our approach
and came toward us. We stood still, expecting them to run
away, but their curiosity led them to move cautiously toward
us. A buck came to within a dozen feet of us. Then we could
no longer restrain the dog that accompanied us and at sight of
him the entire band scampered away out of sight. One Sunday
evening father shot a buffalo from the kitchen door. All day
they had been feeding in the north and south basins, but father
would not go out because it was Sunday. But when they came
so near the garden he felt he must frighten them away.
In the late spring Mr. Alpheus Dyer came out from Troy,
New York to live in the second house which father had built
not far to the west of ours. Being a dentist he brought his
dental chair and tools and a very good microscope. It was a
great treat to look at his large collection of slides. After two
years he moved to Estacado and Mr. A. E. Adams and his
family lived in this house until they could build their sod house.
These are just a few memory pictures which I recall of our
coming and settling in Hale County.
186 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
FRONTIER HARDSHIPS
By D. N. Shepley
My father, D. L. Shepley moved his family from Snyder,
Texas, arriving in the old Epworth community in Hale County
in March, 1886. Father drove out on a section of land, dug
a hole, put up cedar posts around it, stretched a tent over them
and declared it his home. We didn't have room in our one
wagon to bring many groceries when we came with our house-
hold goods, so father had to go immediately to Colorado City
for supplies. He gathered buffalo bones enroute and sold them
there for $21.00 per ton to get money to buy groceries as that
was about the only way we had of making a living at that time.
While he was gone there came a terrible rain and the hole in
our tent was filled up level with water. The whole face of the
earth seemed to be under water. There we were, alone in the
worst mess you ever saw. The bed was under water and we
children stood up on the bed and cried, while mother waded
about waist deep in the water, putting everything up as high
as she could to keep it dry. We felt so helpless and forlorn
out there on the prairie, but mother did the best she could.
When father returned he got cedar trees from the breaks and
built us a dugout. He placed a big ridge pole across the dugout
and rested split poles on it. Then he put all the dirt he had
dug out of the ground on top for a roof. There was nothing
to be seen but a pile of dirt, but a cyclone could not tear it up.
We had no windows, but left the door open for light. Later
we built a sod house which was a great improvement, but we
were the happiest family that ever lived in this world the first
day we got into the dugout. We got our water from A. E.
Adams's well a mile and a half distant. Father hauled the
water in a barrel when he was at home, but we children had to
get it while he was away. So he put a bolt in each end of the
barrel, tied a rope to them and we pulled that barrel across the
prairie to the well, where Mr. Adams helped us fill it, for we
were too little to do that. Then we would roll it a little way
and sit down to rest, as it was all we could do to pull it. It
took us half a day to get a barrel of water. Father started
to dig a well soon after we came, digging on it whenever he
had time. Mother and we children would dig while he was
away and it was about a year before we got it finished. I shall
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 187
never forget the day he struck water. He was down about
fifty feet and was digging away when the water began to trickle
in. He called up, "0 Emma! Come here ! I've struck water !"
She was so excited she had to see for herself, so we children
let her down into the well with a rope. Then we happened to
think —we had mother and father down in the bottom of the
well and they couldn't get out unless we pulled them out, so
we made them promise all kinds of things before we would
pull them up. That was a great day of rejoicing and that
well of water was the best anybody ever drank.
Once while father was away we ran out of anything to eat.
His wagon broke down and he was delayed. Mother ground
corn in the coffee mill to make bread with, and we cooked some
corn and tried to make hominy, but it was a very poor way of
existing. One of my most vivid recollections of those pioneer
days is of my mother, standing on top of the old dugout in
the evening, watching for father. Maybe he would come that
day, and maybe not for several more. The first year we were
on the Plains, father made seven trips to Colorado City for
groceries and thirteen trips to Quitaque, fifty miles away, for
wood, before mother finally learned to burn cow chips.
Z. T. MAXWELL
By William E. Maxwell
Z. T. Maxwell left Montague, Texas, in April, 1885, with
a small bunch of cattle and arrived in Blanco Canyon in May
of that year. He sold his holdings in the spring of 1886 and
traded his cattle to Anson Cox of Estacado for 2000 sheep.
Then he made a prospecting trip westward into Hale County
in search of a location. Finding the two hackberry groves, he
proceeded to dig a well in the draw between the two groves and
built a sod corral for the sheep which we moved up in the first
part of September. Father returned to the canyon to move the
family up, leaving Perry Balch and me to care for the sheep. I
shall never forget that first night. We penned the sheep, ate
our supper and made our bed on the bank of the draw. While
we were getting ready for bed, Perry brought a leg of mutton
and placed it under his pillow. I asked him why he did it and
he said he was trying to keep the wolves from getting it, though
they might, anyway. He placed a loaded Winchester by his
188 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
side and we went to sleep. Some time during the night I was
awakened by the explosion of that gun. When I asked what
was wrong, Perry replied, "Well, they got the meat, but I
don't know whether I got the wolves or not." Just then we
heard a tremendous fight among the wolves some distance
away.
Our family moved up and we built a half dugout, half sod
house in the bank of the draw between the two hackberry
groves. My sister Edna was born there December 28, 1887.
In the spring of 1887 the lakes were full of water, the grass
was green and Hale County was the most beautiful country
I ever saw. It was this fact, together with the splendid shallow
water and healthful climate that caused the early and rather
rapid settlement of this particular section. There were a
few families in the country when we moved there. I remember
a Mr. Graves who lived about twelve miles south and a Mr.
Gray several miles up the draw. At the time we moved, my
grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Duncan, my two uncles, W. V.
and W. E. Duncan, and my aunt, Mrs. Edith Clark, moved
four miles south of us. Bill Marsalis was two miles south. In
the spring of 1887 Mr. McClelland came with his family and
camped near us in a tent for a time. He had a store in Plain-
view in the early days. Among the early comers were E. L.
Lowe, Horace Griffin, J. C. Burch, J. H. Bryan and Uncle
John Pendley. I am not sure when Mr. Lowe came, but he
must have come after my father did or he would have taken
the land with the trees on it, for so far as I know, these were
the only trees in the country. Maxwell and Lowe started the
town of Plainview and helped to organize the County. It was
in September, 1892, that my father moved to the Indian Ter-
ritory.
E. L. LOWE
By Virginia Lowe Quillen
My father, Edwin Lowden Lowe, was born in Lowden
County, Tennessee. After my grandparents died he went to
live with an older brother in Hamburg, Ashley County,
Arkansas. There he practiced law and soon became a mem-
ber of the State Legislature. There he met and married my
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 189
mother, Virginia Archer, the daughter of a wealthy plantation
owner of Louisiana.
Due to ill health my father was seeking a higher and dryer
climate, so some time in the eighties, we set out for the Plains
of Texas. Our family consisted of my father and mother, a
sister five years older than I, and myself. We made the trip
in covered wagons. I do not remember any of the journey to
the Plains, but we must have stopped for several months at
Buffalo Gap, where my mother died. I am told that her death
was caused by lack of proper medical attention. She was
buried there and we continued on our journey, with my faith-
ful old Auntie who made a home for us and our heart- broken
father. Upon reaching the spot which is now Plainview, my
father felt that he had found what he was seeking —a healthful
climate and pure water.
We lived in tents before we built our dugout home. The
wolves came at night and gnawed the harness of our horses,
and did whatever damage they could. One night when my
father had gone to meet some men on business, Auntie, upon
hearing the cry of a panther, let down the tent flap, which
served as a door. Then she took a seat just inside to await
the coming of the panther. All the while my sister and I
slept. She later explained to us that she thought if the panther
came first, perhaps by the time she was eaten my father might
come in time to save us. It was courage in those days, but
in thinking of it now, it seems pathetically humorous. Our
dugout home was comfortable. It consisted of three rooms
—one room was used for kitchen and dining room, and the
other two for bed rooms. We had not lived in the dugout
very long until we built a frame house. I believe it was the
first one built in Plainview. This home consisted of four
rooms downstairs and one large room upstairs and a cellar.
Until there were stores where food and clothing might be
bought, our supplies came from Colorado City. As it was
months between times, when some one could make the trip, ma-
terials were bought by the bolt, apples and flour by the barrel,
and other necessities in proportion. I remember when the
wagons were due how eagerly I watched from an upstairs
window. How many times a tiny speck in the distance proved
190 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
to be just an animal of some kind! On the day, however,
when the object grew larger and larger until the wagons and
teams could be outlined, my joy knew no bounds.
My father died soon after our frame house was built. I
remember one day Auntie and I had been visiting my Aunt
Jule Griffin (the Horace Griffin family). They lived a mile
or more away. As we were returning home a storm came
up. The wind blew with such force that we had difficulty in
standing up, having to hold to each other in order to do so.
As we neared our home we could see father coming from
town in the opposite direction. He would walk a while, then
stoop down and rest. We reached him as quickly as possible
and helped him home and put him to bed. I do not remember
that he ever walked again. Crowds of people came to our
home to have church during his illness before his death.
Father was much loved by every one that knew him. He was
a Mason and was given a Masonic burial. I remember the
crude procession as it wended its way to the graveyard. I sat
on the front seat of a rickety wagon of some kind, which was
drawn by one horse. It was lonely without my father, and
that night the schoolhouse bell tolled for him.
Auntie continued on after father died, sent us to school and
had us taught music, paying for our lessons with town lots
when money was scarce. We went religiously to church and
Sunday School. The most that I can remember of church was
sleeping through the sermon and being awakened at the close
by my beloved Aunt's shouting. She was certainly a shouting
Methodist.
The work of building up the town was continued after my
father died. An uncle, Charles Henry Gilbert, was adminis-
trator of our estate and Auntie Lowe was appointed our
guardian. Together they worked for the good of the town,
giving away many more lots. I really feel that a large part
of Plainview was built upon the love I had for this dear old
couple, for years later I quit - claimed it seems to me hundreds
of lots to clear titles to that land.
After several years —the managing grew to be a burden to
Auntie, and so our Fort Worth relatives sent for us —I went
to make my home with my mother's only sister, Mrs. R. H.
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 191
Tucker, who had wanted me since my mother's death. My
sister went to make her home with a more distant relative,
and dear old Auntie went back to Arkansas.
THORNTON JONES' GROCERY STORE
By Thornton Jones
I was in the mercantile business with Stringfellow and
Hume at Estacado in 1886 and 1887. In the spring of 1887
Maxwell and Lowe decided to start a town on their claims
and they offered me a number of lots if I would put in a
grocery store in Plainview on or before the first day of June,
1887. In order to comply with this, I started my store in a
tent 18 x 24 feet and left my brother Will in charge until I
could arrange my business to take charge of it myself. In
September of that year I was appointed Postmaster of Plain-
view. Antelope were plentiful in those days. On the 14th
day of January, 1888, during a snow storm, a large bunch of
antelope drifted in from the north. Standing in the doorway
of my store, I shot one about where the Court House now
stands, and I killed three before they got out of my reach.
I freighted lumber from Colorado City and erected a store
building 20 x 40 feet, which was located on the southeast corner
of the present Court House Square. A number of settlers
came into the country in the summer and fall of 1887 and
soon we had quite a little settlement at Plainview.
FIRST VISIT TO PLAINVIEW
By W. L. Harrington
In July, 1887, I stopped at the Rock House in Blanco
Canyon on my way to New Mexico with a bunch of cattle.
We had difficulty in getting through the large ranches with
our cattle, so I told Hank Smith I wished he would give me
a way -bill so I could find some water in crossing the Plains,
so I could get into New Mexico with my bunch of cattle.
Uncle Hank said to me, "You go right up this Runningwater
Draw to a little place they call Plainview." He told me how
far it was and I followed the Draw, driving as close along
the banks of it as I could, and the first thing I knew, I was
right on top of a dugout. A woman came running out all
192 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
excited to see what had happened. I said, "I beg your pardon.
I am looking for a place they call Plainview." "Well," she
said, "Mister, you are right on top of half of it right now !"
That was Mrs. Maxwell. I asked her to direct me to the
Circle Ranch, which she did, and I went on.
THOSE EARLY DAYS
By Mrs. J. W. Smylie
Mr. Smylie and J. M. Carter came west prospecting in
July, 1887. We had gone through a three years drouth in
Runnels County and they were so impressed with the possi-
bilities of the unsettled country in Hale County that each one
filed on homestead land. Mr. Carter's land was where the
depot now stands and Mr. Smylie's across the draw south of
town. I have often said that I helped to lay out Broadway
in Plainview, for Mrs. Carter and I were such close friends
that we wore a path between her home and mine. There were
several dugouts and sod houses in Plainview. Mr. Rawlings
had moved a one -room house from somewhere and started a
store. The first of February, Mr. Smylie built us a shack to
live in. The sides were of boxing planks. The ends were
of sod and it was covered with wagon sheets. We built a
fireplace in one end and surely did enjoy it, for that first
winter was very severe. The dirt floor was covered with
rugs made of gunny sacks. It was here that our oldest
daughter was born. Mr. Smylie had gone back to Runnels
County for some cattle and our household goods and I think
that loneliness and anxiety caused her premature birth. We
had no doctor at Plainview, and in fact there was none in
the County. This was two years before the first physician
came. On March 22, 1888, I stood in our doorway and saw
the first grave dug in the Plainview cemetery. It was for the
infant sons of the Portwoods. Later on there were two other
little graves made--one for the Moore's baby and the other
for the Bradford's little son —and then E. L. Lowe, our County
Clerk, was buried.
Fuel was a great problem when we first came to this country,
and surface coal, or cow chips, was our standby. None of us
thought it condescending on our part to help bring in the fuel
or to use it. The long distance to the railroad for coal and
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 193
the high price of it and shortage of money, made the use of it
necessary.
In the early days the mirages were "questionable" and un-
usual in appearance. Large lakes of water were a common
sight to see in the distance on cold mornings. Early one
morning I came to Plainview, and when within a few miles of
town I looked, and behold! Plainview was a city built upon
a hill. The old Baptist church standing in the southern part
of town looked like a castle, and every window had the ap-
pearance of something extraordinary. The draw or creek
that curves around the west and south of Plainview was a
broad river and the houses in town were reflected in the river.
The view was magnificent, but faded away as we drew nearer.
Several years after seeing this mirage, I was in my yard one
cold morning and I saw a train going from Hereford to Can-
yon. The track seemed to be elevated and the train was very
distinct as it glided along. The distance from the railroad
to my home was about seventy miles, but the train was dis-
tinctly reflected. We saw many beautiful mirages. If any-
one doubts my veracity, I refer them to our old pioneers.
I wish to speak of our well remembered friend, Mr. R. C.
Ware. He was indeed a friend to the needy and practiced
the Bible quotation, "He that asketh of thee, turn not away."
I have never heard of anyone in need going to him for help
and being refused while he was in the mercantile business.
Many of my old friends have fallen by the wayside. I wish
I could tell you of their nobility and endurance of character.
Among those I want to mention are Mrs. Thornton Jones,
Mrs. Sheffy and my beloved friend, Mrs. J. M. Carter. "None
knew her but to love her ; none named her but to praise."
EARLY BUSINESS FIRMS IN PLAINVIEW
By W. B. Martine
The first business houses in Plainview were built of lumber
freighted by wagon from Colorado City or Amarillo. Thorn-
ton Jones operated the first store in a tent on the lot cornering
the Court House square on the southeast but it was not long
until he built a wooden building. When I came to Plainview
in the early nineties, A. Vince had the Post Office in his store
on the lot cornering the square on the southwest. A. J. Welter
194 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
had a shoe shop in the same building. The Hesperian Hotel
stood on the corner of the block south of Vince's store and
was first run by Pearson & Hughes and afterwards by R. W.
Martine. On the west side of the square and across the street
north of Vince's, R. C. Ware had a general store. Mrs. Fowle
put in a millinery store north of Ware, and next to that was
the Wayland Drug Store, then Williams Bros. store operated
by J. F. and Quincy Williams, Dye's Drug Store (Dye had
bought the Atkins Drug Store) Ben Sebastian's Barber Shop
and J. D. Dobbin's Tin Shop. J. N. Donohoo bought an
interest in R. C. Ware's store and the Donohoo -Ware store
moved farther north in the block. Hugh McClelland then
moved his store from the southeast corner of the square,
Thornton Jones' old stand, to the building vacated by R. C.
Ware. Uncle John Pendley had a blacksmith shop on the
"First National Bank corner," cornering the square on the
northwest. On the north side W. B. Knight had a livery stable
and wagon yard which covered the west three lots. Jumbo
Canterberry afterwards operated this. Next on the east was
the Herald Office. Harry Brown had a restaurant toward
the middle of the block and Pipkin & Donaldson's store was
east of it. On the east side of the square M. V. Railings had
a store toward the south end of the block. Col. R. P. Smyth
built his office just north of Rallings. Z. T. Maxwell had a
livery stable south of the lot cornering the square on the south-
east and he had a hotel across the street west. This was the
first hotel in Plainview. W. Z. Hamilton's blacksmith shop
was south of Maxwell's livery stable. On the south side of
the square, Nathan Lapowski, of Colorado City, built a long
building on the west lot later on, into which A. Vince moved
and went into partnership with C. O. Leach. At that time
A. J. Welter moved his shoe shop to the Rallings building.
Kinder and Wilson had a law office about the middle of the
block. All those wooden buildings on the west side were
eventually destroyed by fire and the rest of the buildings
through the years were either torn down or burned, and fire
proof buildings now surround the Court House. The Herald
is still operating but under a different management. Hamil-
ton's Blacksmith Shop is the only one of these pioneer firms
still doing business in Plainview.
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 195
"UNCLE JOHN" PENDLEY, BLACKSMITH
By Stella Pendley Garner
"Uncle John" Pendley is the name by which my father was
known to the early settlers. He came to Plainview in Septem-
ber, 1887, bringing his family, which consisted of my mother,
brother and myself. Coming from Anson, in Jones County,
by wagon, we followed the Mackenzie Trail to Plainview.
Thornton Jones had a tent near the present site of the Court
House Square in which he had a store and kept a few groceries.
We drove up to the tent but found no one there. We got
what groceries we wanted and put the money for them in a
cigar box. It seemed a lonesome, desolate place. Mother be-
gan to cry and said, "Let's go back." Father said "No, I
came to stay and am not going back." We camped that night
on what is now the First National Bank corner. The next
day we drove out three miles east of town where father found
some land that suited him. We lived in our wagon until he
could dig a dugout. Soon afterward he provided another
room for us by digging another dugout right beside the first,
leaving a two -foot wall between with a connecting doorway.
He afterwards built a three room plank house with lumber
hauled from Colorado City. Father set out an orchard soon
after we came and in a few years we had an abundance of
fruit which we shared with others. There were lots of ante-
lope then and brother often shot them from the dugout door
as they ran past and this provided us with meat. We grew
at home nearly everything we needed to eat except flour,
sugar and coffee. We went shopping twice a year and
freighted all our supplies from railroad points. Later father
conducted a blacksmith shop on the corner where the Hale
County State Bank stands. Brother and I did the farming.
Brother walked and plowed the ground, planting with a wash
pan tacked on a board fastened behind the plow with holes in
the pan for the seed to drop through. I rode a horse dragging a
rock to cover up the seed. We gathered the crop with a slide
having a knife on each side to cut the feed, one of us catching
the fodder while the other drove the horse. It was a primitive
method but we had good crops. Father was one of the founders
of the First Christian Church and was its first Sunday School
Superintendent. He was also the first County Commissioner
196 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
in Precinct No. 1 and was a member of the first school board.
Every phase of community life and common interest had the
support of "Uncle John" Pendley.
SURVEYING INCIDENTS
By Col. R. P. Smyth
It was in the fall of 1887 when I first visited the place where
the town of Plainview is now located. I was on my way to
the Circle Ranch and was following the dim road known as
the Mackenzie Trail. I had reached a point about where is now
the southeast corner of the public square in the town of Plain-
view when I observed a man about 300 yards to the right of
the trail, who seemed to be walking around in a circle. From
his actions I supposed he had got lost from some party of emi-
grants crossing the plains and had become crazed for the want
of water. To drive on and leave him in the condition I sup-
posed him to be in was not to be thought of, so I halted my
team and awaited his approach. Walking up to the hack he
introduced himself as Mr. Maxwell. Seeing in my hack the
transit chain, ranging poles and other articles belonging to a
surveyor, he remarked : "And I suppose this is Colonel
Smyth." I asked him what he was doing out there so far
from any settlements. He told me his family was camped in
the draw below us and that he had been informed that there
was a body of unsurveyed land in that section subject to pre-
emption. If it did exist he intended to pre -empt 160 acres of
it. I asked him what he was going to do with it when he got
it. He said that it looked to him like a good place to build a
town. Then I was sure that my first impression was correct.
A short time afterward, a deputy district surveyor, I sur-
veyed a 160 -acre pre - emption for Mr. Maxwell and along side
of it another 160 -acre pre - emption for E. L. Lowe. The sur-
vey of this land disclosed the fact that here was a body of un-
surveyed land subject to location under the homestead laws of
the State, giving each family 160 acres of land. All it cost
them was the surveying fees, living on it for three years and
paying $5.00 to the State for a patent. Such news travels fast
and in less than a year all of it was occupied by settlers.
The day that J. M. Carter and J. W. Smylie came prospect-
ing was one of our windy days. To get out of the wind so I
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 197
could write their applications for them, it was necessary to
place a box on the ground and lie flat on the ground with my
head in the box to make out their applications. Judge Carter
took the quarter north of the Lowe quarter and Mr. Smylie
took the quarter south of the Maxwell quarter.
The first house in Plainview with a plank floor in it was the
sod house owned by Horace Griffin. He hauled the lumber
from Colorado City, and passing by where I was at work sur-
veying, he told the boys working for me that if they would
come over and help lay the floor we could have a dance on it.
I put up my transit and told the boys to "nail her down." That
night all the beauty and chivalry of Hale County was gathered
at the sod house of Horace Griffin to have their first dance on
a real plank floor. Back where I had come from, I had been
for seven years president of the foremost dancing club in the
city, so I thought I knew everything about dancing. The
music started up—a fiddle short a few strings —but that was
a little matter. We were there to dance on the plank floor and
not on the fiddle. I led the belle of the ball out on the floor.
I was a little mystified as to what the dance was to be. The
noise from the fiddle did not sound like "The Blue Danube."
A cowboy took his position near the fiddle as master of cere-
monies and directed four couples how to take positions. It
was the position for the dancing of an old dance long gone out
of fashion, known as the waltz- quadrille. It was a quadrille
without the waltz. The master of ceremonies called out "Salute
your partners !" That was easy. Then came "All forward and
back, first couple to the right, four hands round and round you
go, ladies do si do and gents you know." Here was one gent
who did not know, and the whole push had to be halted until
it could be explained to this gent. Then on went the dance
until early morn.
WHY WE ORGANIZED HALE COUNTY
By L. G. Wilson
I commenced the practice of law in Gainesville, Texas in
the spring of 1887 in the office of Potter and Hughes. I came
west in 1888 and my ticket gave out at Childress, where I first
met Judge A. J. Fires. There I gave my last dollar to replen-
ish the chuck box of a freighter with whom I crossed the
198 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
range and arrived at Plainview May 1, 1888. The grass was
green and covered with herds of antelope and wild horses, and
I was convinced that it was the land Horace Greely referred
to when he said, "Go west, young man, and grow up with the
country." Plainview had been founded by Maxwell and Lowe
and there were a few settlers who wanted me to locate. They
said they had no money but would divide what they had —
plenty to eat, cedar posts and work. I told them if they would
give me an interest in the grub without the work and organize
the county, I was located. We got to work and secured the
signatures of all who passed to our petition for organization
until we had 150 names and on July 3, 1888, I think it was,
E. L. Lowe, Z. T. Maxwell, Henry Moore, J. M. Carter, Col.
R. P. Smyth and I went to Estacado and secured an order for
an election for countyseat and officers for Hale County. I
was elected County Attorney when the County was organized.
We hauled all the material from Amarillo at one trip to build
our first court house, which consisted of a small one story
building with a court room in front and a few small offices
in the rear. That year our first mail line was started, a one -
horse buckboard once a week from Amarillo. Those were
frontier days, but we were healthy, happy and prosperous,
with the latchstring on the outside of every door. Soon we
had a daily mail each way with large hacks carrying not only
mail but passengers and express and I have never seen a more
enthusiastic crowd at any railway station to meet the train as
gathered every evening to meet the incoming hack with mail,
express and passengers.
CARRYING THE MAIL IN 1888
By W. L. Tharp
I carried the mail from Amarillo through Plainview to
Estacado in July and August, 1888, and it took me six days
to make the round trip. Bent Clisbee, who ran a livery stable
in Amarillo, had secured the mail contract for two months and
he hired me to carry the mail. The first trip I made was the
first time I had been over the route, and it took me a day and
a half to get to Plainview. There were no towns between
Amarillo and Plainview then, though a Mr. Parrish had a
post office which they called Tulie at his ranch about three
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 199
miles up the draw from where Tulia is now located. There
was a road from Amarillo to Plainview, then, a right smart
of a trail, but the first morning out, I had to swim the Palo
Duro Creek at the T Anchor Ranch.
I carried the mail for two months and when my contract
was out, a man by the name of Bailey took the mail and
delivered it to Plainview three times a week. When Bailey's
time was out, I believe Clisbee got the mail again and put it
into Plainview once a day, for a long time. Then Stant Rhea
got the job from Clisbee and carried it himself for several
years until they built the railroad into Canyon.
THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL
By Alice Rosser Buntin
I arrived in Hale County in a covered wagon on May 15,
1889, with my brother and my aged mother from Gainesville,
Texas. I can realize now how blue my mother was when she
first got out of the wagon. She said there wasn't enough green
grass for a goose to eat and that there was nothing here but
coyotes, wild horses and antelopes. She wanted to take the
back track, but we pitched our tent northeast of Plainview and
each one of us took up a section of land.
The next day after our arrival, three of the neighbors came
in, as they were interested in all newcomers. There were
several large families of children in the community, and they
were wanting a teacher. They found out I was a teacher, and
before they left they had employed me to teach the Mapes
School, which was later called Fairview and then Prairieview.
This community was called the Missouri Settlement. The
Public Schools had been established, so they employed me to
teach a school in a brush arbor in the summer before the
school house was built. The men of the community went in
together and built a school house with lumber freighted from
Amarillo. I taught in the new school house for ten months,
and before school was out, there was an average attendance
of sixty children.
I also taught at Epworth before Hale City and Epworth
went together and became Hale Center. I brought my organ
from Gainesville and kept it in the school house for the children
to sing by. I also taught for a while in Plainview. I recall an
200 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
incident while I was teaching at Plainview that is amusing
when I think of it now. L. A. Knight had a colored woman
working for his wife and Dr. J. H. Wayland had a colored
man. Pretty soon these colored folk got married, and by and
by along came a little black baby. It was a great curiosity for
none of the children in Plainview had ever seen a colored baby,
so the whole school was dismissed and we all went over to
Knights to see the first colored baby that was born in Hale
County.
FREIGHTING
By R. M. Irick
In the fall of 1875, I got stuck on an old man's daughter
and got married. Her name was Mandy Caroline Meyers.
The Indians raided the country in Jack and Wise County up
until 1874, and by 1875 the white people moved farther west.
We came to the Staked Plains, arriving on June 28, 1889, and
settled down on the Draw twelve miles from Plainview, just
in the edge of Floyd County, in what is known as the Irick
Community. When my five girls got big enough to go to
school, I moved my family to Plainview. I had ten yoke of
oxen and a house - moving outfit, so I moved my house from
Floyd County. E. W. Dyer and I went into the grocery busi-
ness together. I hauled the goods from Amarillo and he sold
them. I first used my ten yoke of oxen to freight with but it
took me fourteen days to make the trip to Amarillo and back.
Then I freighted with twelve mules for a good many years —
until we sold out our grocery business. Once they had me
summoned on petit jury at the opening of Court. Old Judge
Cockrell was District Judge. They were questioning me as
to any reason I might have for not serving on the jury. I
told the Judge that I didn't know that I had any legal excuse,
but that I was running a twelve -mule team hauling groceries
for the people to eat, and if they kept me there a week the whole
town of Plainview would be out of food. He said, "You get
on the road as quick as you can." About that time we went to
Amarillo, and a blizzard came while we were on the road. The
snow got to be fourteen inches deep and we couldn't find the
road. 011ie Davis was with me. That time we stayed eleven
days, and when we left Amarillo we only brought half a load.
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 201
The people of Tulia were out of groceries and they stopped us
and demanded that I let them have my supplies, as the whole
town of Tulia was out. I told them, "You can't have this.
I am taking it to Plainview for the folk there to eat." They
said they would buy it if I would sell it, but if I didn't they
would take it anyway. I said, "In that case I will divide with
you," so they took half of it. When I reached Plainview every
man in town was at the store waiting for me, for the whole
town was out of groceries. As I unloaded the sacks of flour,
I could see a man going in every direction with a sack of flour
over his shoulder.
THE OLD CLISBEE STAGE LINE
By J. H. Lutrick
In 1888, or somewhere near that time, a resident of the great
Panhandle of Texas known as Clisbee established a stage route
from Amarillo to Plainview, both for mail and passenger
service. From Plainview the route lay east to Della Plain.
He had no set schedule, but the stage left Amarillo each morn-
ing and arrived sometime during the day at Plainview, ac-
cording to the speed and ability of the mules and whether they
had to race over mud or dry dirt on the way. Clisbee went
to Old Mexico for his supply of mules, buying about 150 or
300 Spanish mules for this stage route. He needed a large
number for the frequent change of teams at the different
Post Offices that he visited between Amarillo and Plainview.
Whenever changes of teams were made, Mr. Curry, the driver,
and his sons, would tie them to a snubbing post until he got
the collars, hames and tugs all on, and they were hitched to the
coach. Just how many changes of the team were made on
the route, I can't say, but stops were made at Canyon, Happy,
Tulia and Plainview. Happy was usually the dinner stop.
Tom Scott was on the route from Plainview to Hale City,
Estacado and Old Emma in Crosby County. We who lived
out here depended on this stage line for our mail each day and
some of our supplies. The stage between Amarillo and Plain-
view ran each way each day. Fare on the stage was eight or
ten cents per mile and the distance was about ninety miles
from Amarillo to Plainview and about 160 from Amarillo to
Old Emma. It was good traveling for those who could stand
202 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
it, but the tenderfoot had to hold on for dear life, for every
one of those mules was a full brother to the other and they
were all rearing to go when they were hitched up. This stage
route operated for nineteen years.
A CATTLEMAN LEARNED TO FARM
By J. W. "Blue" Stevens
All my life I've worked with cattle, off and on. Back in
1894 I quit my job on the XIT Ranch and rode horseback
from Spring Lake to Boyd, Texas, to get married. It took
me eleven days, stopping two Sundays, for the distance was
some three hundred miles. After we married we stayed there
for two years trying to farm, but I didn't know anything about
farming. My wife had to teach me how. Why, she even had
to show me how to set a plow. But I couldn't make a living
there, so I traded fifty head of yearlings to Mac McClain for
a section of land southeast of Hale Center without looking at
it. We lived on it a year or so and then bought two sections
where we live now so that we could get more grass for our
cattle. Later we leased several sections and finally bought
more, for to make money on cattle, you have to have grass for
them. I used to lease up other land and graze my cattle
on it during the summer and in the fall bring them back to
graze on my own grass for the winter. But land was
cheap in the early day and we didn't realize what a
wonderful farming country we were in. It was not until
a man from Kansas pointed out that we had an advantage
over their land that we saw that we could make more money
by growing feedstuff to fatten the cattle before shipping
to market. So we began to break small acreages and plant row
crops for winter forage for the cattle. Gradually people dis-
covered that this soil and climate would grow anything and
more and more farmers moved in. It grew harder year by
year to find grass for the cattle, but we planted row crops and
leased grass here and there for a long time. We were the last
ones in this country to turn loose of range cattle, but in the
early twenties we sold our cattle, plowed up all the land and
I have learned to farm. My wife once said to me, "Why
can't you plow up a hundred acres of land and rent it out to
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 203
somebody? They would make us more on that than we can
make grazing it with cattle." But I didn't want to work with
tenants. I told her I had rather hear a cow bawl than a renter.
The bawling of a cow doesn't keep a cow man awake. But
the country's settled up now and we have learned to farm.
PIONEER DAYS AS A SHEEP MAN
By R. B. C. Howell
It was in October, 1889, that I came here from Breckenridge,
Texas. The climate itself was what brought me here to settle
—a climate where one could sleep in the summer time, cool at
night, no matter how warm it got during the day. I realized
there was plenty of water here, and rich soil to make the grass
grow like it did, though none of us realized that we were in a
farming country. The fact is, I came to get where I would
never see a sack of cotton again while I lived. I didn't know I
was getting to a better farming country than where I came
from. I was in the sheep business and came here to find range
and water. Immediately I built fences, and improved my place
generally, putting up a shed for 6,500 sheep with lumber I had
bought and hired hauled from Amarillo. Then I started up
here with seven men in my outfit to bring the 6,500 head of
sheep. When we got to Stink Creek, the sheep had been with-
out water for three days and nights. It was in the hot summer
time and they ran into that water —an alkali, gyp and salt
stream —and 4,500 of them died from drinking it. So I
reached the Plains with only 1,976 head of the herd I had
started with —lean, sick sheep, badly damaged from drinking
that alkali water. But these did all right, and I kept them until
I paid out my land and got my family in easy circumstances.
The struggle was not so hard because my sheep produced my
living and I raised lambs regardless of the seasons and didn't
depend on farming. The County had just been organized a
few months before I moved here, and Mr. Groff told me that
one of the voting places was through the window in the back
of my dugout. Whenever the heel flies got after the sheep
they would get up on top of the dugout and during lambing
time, the lambs would fall down the chimney into the dugout
faster than the children could carry them out.
204 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
THE MERCANTILE BUSINESS IN 1890
By J. N. Donohoo
It was in September of 1890 when I first came to the Pan-
handle of Texas, prospecting for a location for a mercantile
business. I thought this was a lovely country and I couldn't
understand why there were not more people living here. I was
reminded that this was a new country and that that was the
way the whole of West Texas was being built up. The few
people that were living in the country mostly lived in dugouts,
but I liked them. They were very hospitable and showed me
around through the country. There were some few people
who had raised a little truck in patches, but the great majority
of them made their living by raising cattle. There were no
fences and the stock was all branded and turned loose on the
public domain to run together until the round up in the spring
when they were gathered up and each man picked out his brand.
After I had stayed in Plainview for several days I felt so
much better that I decided to bring my family from Tennessee
and locate, for my family physician had told me that I was in
the first stages of tuberculosis, and I had come west looking for
a healthful climate where I might regain my health. I went
to St. Louis and bought a little stock of such goods as I thought
I could sell in Plainview. I knew a real dry goods store would
not succeed because there were not enough people in the country
—not enough women. A heap of the people were bachelors.
R. C. Ware had a little grocery store then and I effected a
partnership with him. We had a nice little trade for we carried
a good stock. We sold a heap of goods on credit, and I have
asked people their names so I would know who to charge things
to. People came a long distance to trade with us —from Floyd,
Lubbock and Swisher Counties, and from ranches still farther
away. One day a fellow came in with an order from a ranch
to buy some groceries and supplies for the camp. He gave
me a list he had made of the things he wanted and I started to
look over it to see how many of the articles I had. I hadn't
looked far until I stopped. "You want five gallons of `lick'.
I don't sell whiskey here." He told me "lick" was the cowboy's
name for molasses. I went on down the list. "Half a dozen
•sugans. What's a sugan ?" He pointed to some bed - quilts,
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 205
"Them things hangin' up there." The cowboys had names of
their own for a great many things. I can't remember all of
their vocabulary, but they kept me puzzled a great deal of the
time.
Amarillo was the nearest trading point and all of our goods
that we sold were hauled in wagons ninety miles to Plainview.
It is interesting to know how those wagons were loaded and
freighted down here. A man would hitch half a dozen teams
of horses or mules to a wagon and trail two to four wagons
behind, all fastened to the wheel wagons and they hauled a
tremendous load of stuff. All of our groceries, supplies and
coal were hauled that way. If it rained and the roads were
very muddy, they stopped and left the wagons standing in the
road, sometimes for two or three weeks, waiting for the road
to dry up. Nobody ever thought of stealing anything out of
the wagons.
I have never regretted moving to Plainview, though a great
many changes have taken place during the years since I came.
EARLY MEDICAL PRACTICE
By Dr. J. H. Wayland
During the thirty years of my general practice on the Plains,
from 1891 to 1921, going almost day and night on this broad
expanse of territory, many and varied were my experiences.
For many years my practice extended south far beyond Lub-
bock, north to Amarillo and near Childress, as far southeast
as Matador, west to the ranches in New Mexico and northwest
to Hereford including the XIT Ranch,—a territory of two to
three hundred miles across this vast Llano Estacado. Many
times I have run over a fence, not knowing it was there until
I struck it in the dark hours of the night, endangering my life
no little. The first fence was sixteen miles west of Plainview
and the next one west was thirty five miles farther, near the
old Spring Lake Ranch Headquarters. 0 course we had no
road to travel and 1 had to go to these various points by direc-
tions given me by the cowboys who came after me. Many
a dark night I have been kept at my wit's end to keep the proper
course and not get lost out in the wilderness. At such times
if a star was in sight, I would watch it between my horses'
heads. I soon discovered that I must find some way of making
206 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
these long trips and not get lost in doing so. I sent to Mont-
gomery Ward's for a pocket compass, which I carried in my
pocket for twenty years as I would a watch, and I found it
true and reliable in directing me. In those early days, large
deceptive lakes, known as mirages, ever floated out before me.
I have been fooled by them no end of times by seeing some
object that looked close to me, but which was in reality many
miles away. The cowboys and settlers were always very kind
in piloting me across roadless sections to a trail or some place
from which I could find my way home, but in such cases I
never lost sight of the instinct of my horses, for when I headed
homeward, regardless of road or section, they always knew how
to go. Even the old schreeching windmills on the range were
great mileposts for me and the cowtrails leading to them often
told of my approach to a well where I might get a refreshing
drink for myself and team. These old watering places were
like a beautiful oasis of the desert. I always carried feed in
the back of my buggy and fed my horses out of the old -fash-
ioned morral —a feed bag tied to their heads. Occasionally at
night I would lie down on the ground beside my buggy and
take a few minutes rest. Oftentimes I have been aroused by
wolves coming near and sniffing in my face hunting some
morsel of food. Even a polecat bit my ear and awakened me
one night.
I have often been called to see some sick member of a
family in a tent, in a dugout or only a wagon body covered with
a wagon sheet, as there were no houses on the Plains at that
time. However, I made many pleasant discoveries. Highly
educated people, with University degrees, with a great desire
for getting a home for themselves and their families were very
cheerful pioneers of this country and were charming hosts in
their humble dugouts. Many of the good women would line
their dugouts with tow sacks, whitewash the walls and do
many things to make their homes attractive. There were no
nurses in those days, and I was not only physician, but nurse,
washwoman and cook for many of my lady patients and I
always took pleasure in washing and togging up a new born
babe with material furnished me. Many times no provision
had been made and I would have to wrap the infant up in a
sheet. But the Lord was always with us in the speedy recovery
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 207
of the mother and growth of a fine baby. Of course we did
not have the advantages of the present day, but with all respect
to these latter day medical theorists, I challenge them to show
better success than I had then.
FRONTIER DAYS AS A MISSIONARY
By Rev. J. W. Winn
I came west from Kentucky searching for a Missionary field
and landed in Plainview in the first part of July, 1892. When
the Baptist Association convened at the Irick School House
in Floyd County, I met Dr. I. B. Kimbrough, who asked me
to preach on Sunday, and when the Association Board met,
they extended me a call as Missionary. I said to the moderator,
"You had better give this work to one of these other preachers.
I don't have my credentials with me, and you don't know
whether I run off from Kentucky where I done some devilment
I wanted to get away from, or whether I am here to locate ".
He laughed and said, "We're not interested in what you did
before you came here —we are interested in what you do while
you are here." I moved my family here that fall and located
on the extreme south line of Hale County in the "Homestead
Strip ". I built a dugout three feet in the ground, thirteen feet
wide and twenty -eight feet long with a partition in it, covered
it with 1 x 12 boards and threw dirt on top of that for a roof
—had two windows on each side and a door in each end. That
first winter my married son, married daughter and six grand
children stayed with us, and with myself and ,wife and eight
unmarried children there were twenty of us wintered there
in that little dugout. We had a garden, cows, and some pigs
and we got through all right. While I was away in the mission
work, my wife and children would gather up enough cow chips
to use for fuel to run through the winter.
In the spring of the year I took up my mission work. I
furnished my own conveyance and the State Board and As-
sociation each paid me $150 per year. My work was to look
after the churches that did not have pastors and the first church
I visited that did not have a pastor was the Baptist Church
at Lubbock. They hadn't had any preaching there for more
than a year when I came and the members had scattered. I
held a series of meetings for them lasting a week or ten days
208 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
and there were a few professions. At the close of the services
we had a baptizing in Mr. George Bowles' tank east of Lubbock.
A large per cent of the people who attended stated they had
never seen a person immersed before. I went from there to
Old Emma, the countyseat of Crosby County, and held a meet-
ing there. I think there were about six or seven members there
that went into the church as charter members. I preached as
a Missionary there for five years before I found them a pastor.
I preached the first sermon that was ever preached in Lamb
County and organized a church after they built a school house.
The next Sunday I preached in the northeast corner of Dickens
County. It took me a week to go from one place to the other,
visiting the homes as I went. When the wind blew severely in
the winter time, I would go with the wind to my back. When I
got up in the morning, whichever way the wind blew was the
way I would travel. If it changed during the day, I would
change my course accordingly. No one knows what I went
through in those blizzards out on the open prairies and at times
I almost perished, but I never got lost for my horses knew the
way. When the Baptist Convention met at Dallas they
launched a campaign to build the Baptist Sanitarium at that
place. I was getting $300 a year, but I gave them $100 to
start the Sanitarium. When I got home my wife met me with
tears in her eyes, for she had read in the Dallas News what
I had done. She said, "I believe you will give away everything
you make." I tried to assure her that I would take care of
her, but it was hard to convince her. A few weeks afterward,
we received two Missionary boxes from Ladies Aid Societies
—one from Virginia and another from North Carolina. They
had made inquiries concerning my family and in each of these
boxes were garments for each member of my family, including
shoes, etc., and two heavy overcoats for myself. I told my
wife to set a value on each piece and add them up. I had my
$100 back and she priced them low enough, too. When I
sold my homestead some years later, I built a ten room home
in Plainview for my faithful wife and family and was finally
able to give her the comforts she well deserved. There were
hardships a- plenty in those early days and the wolves howled
around my dugout door both literally and figuratively, but
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 209
there were joys as well as hardships in the work of a frontier
missionary.
PIONEERING THE "HERALD"
By J. M. Shafer
The first time I crossed these Plains was in 1878, while
enroute from Denver, Colorado to Stephensville. There was
not a living thing on the Staked Plains at that time except
prairie dogs, rattlesnakes and jackrabbits between the Pecos
River and where we struck the Concho. We drove for two
days and nights without water. That was a desolate stretch
of country we passed on that trip. In June 1890, I moved to
this county from Stephensville. Plainview wasn't much of a
town then. There was only one house in town that had a coat
of paint. John G. Davidson had started a newspaper. He
didn't run the paper but a short time until he sold to a Mr.
Cates and I bought it from him. Cates starved out at it.
Davidson did, too. I reckon I would have, if my wife hadn't
kept boarders. I traded a pair of ponies and a wagon for the
printing office and the lot and building. The office was fourteen
feet square. It had a little old hand roller sausage grinder
press, a small roller over a frame. I built it up with new type
and press and new material. I had a boy old enough to look
after the printing. I was kept pretty busy working to make
both ends meet and had a pretty hard row to hoe for quite a
while, but I got a nice advertising business out of Amarillo
where I went once a month to collect on advertising and get
new work. Later I lost my printing office by fire. The Plain-
view News allowed me to use their plant until a new one arrived.
I hauled the brick from Amarillo to build the new Herald
office. It was almost the first brick building in town.
When I first came here the wind used to howl across these
open prairies and a tenderfoot, on losing his hat, would chase
it for miles, while a cowboy would just sit down and wait for
another one to come along. (That is what they used to tell,
anyway.) Everybody, sooner or later, had a chase for his hat.
It is strange, when a hat blows off it will stand right up on
edge and roll like the wheel of a wheelbarrow. I was going
home from the printing office one evening and there was a
210 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
barrel traveling ahead of me, just rolling along. Finally it
came to my fence and it jumped the fence. I was a- horse -back.
I had to go through two gates to get to the pasture, and when
I looked up, the barrel was nearly across the field. I started
after it, but before I got anywhere near, it jumped over another
fence and kept going. I couldn't get through the fence with-
out riding a mile back so I gave it up. I don't know what
became of that barrel. For all I know it may be going yet.
The wind never came from the north long enough to bring
it back.
THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE
By Anson Cox
Along about 1891 or 1892 there was noticed an unusual
number of grasshoppers but no damage was done to the crops
that year. The ground, however, was perforated with little
holes, and the next spring as I was plowing, millions of little
things about the size of fleas hopped up and down. Upon
examination they proved to be grasshoppers. They soon be-
came large enough to be noticed everywhere and began eating.
One of our farmers near Estacado had a beautiful field of
wheat. The hoppers were more numerous in the grass, but
soon left the grass as the wheat began to grow. Our farmer
declared they should not eat his wheat. Having a large family
of children and a load of brush on hand, he armed each child
with a brush broom to kill the hoppers as they passed a furrow
he had plowed around the field. Then he hitched his team
to a large log and drove the horses at a trot along the furrow,
crushing the hoppers as they gathered in the furrow. But all
in vain. After an hour or two he gave up. The hoppers grew
fast and ate every green thing in sight except Bull thistles and
Yucca plants. They crawled right over sod houses or into
them if the doors were opened. They seemed to go toward the
east all the time. I thought I could save my garden. I had
a large earth tank about two feet above the level of the land.
I made a ditch around it and let the water in, but the hoppers
marched in, filled the ditch with drowned hoppers, then others
marched on over them and feasted on my garden.
There was desolation everywhere — everything green gone as
bare as though there had never been any vegetation. Those
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 211
who have never seen such a pest have no idea of the destruction
they cause.
FIRST BUSINESS WOMAN
By Mrs. J. L. Vaughn
I came to Plainview in December, 1889, to visit my brother,
Thornton Jones, coming from Lancaster, Kentucky by train
to Amarillo. Mrs. Jones came with me and all the way she
kept telling me about the dugouts. When we reached the place
where Tulia is, they came to a little hole in the ground, stopped
the team and got out. I thought they were playing a joke on
me, but while they were trying to persuade me to get out, I
saw a little woman come up out of that hole in the ground —
the nicest, cleanest little woman coming up those steps. Well
I got out and went into her dugout. She was Mrs. Truss Gray
and she had the loveliest supper for us. I remember the nice
juicy steak and delicious preserves she had with other things.
She had little bedrooms curtained off and we stayed all night
there. There was no house between Canyon and Mrs. Gray's,
and only three buildings in Canyon. Plainview had just a few
people and beyond Plainview was Estacado. I first moved to
Dimmitt and remained until 1893, when I came to Plainview
and opened a dry goods store, selling millinery, notions and
ladies' furnishings. The women used to get together in my
store in the afternoons and visit. At that time all the women
wore bonnets and I sold some of them the first hats they ever
owned. People used to buy a hat and make it last them several
years and children's hats would be handed down from one child
to another. There were no silk dresses in those days and
women all wore calico or gingham. My store was on the west
side of the square just north of where the Ware Hotel now
stands. I ran my store here until 1898 and I never did lock
it. In fact, I didn't have any lock. Anyone that wanted to
could go in and get what they wanted, and leave the money.
My brother, Thornton Jones, had a grocery store and he used
to leave it with Brother Will when he had to go away. When
Will didn't have much to do he would go over to Kiser's to
visit with the girls and leave the store to run itself. One day
a cowboy came by for some tobacco. It was the custom if
there was no one at a store to go in, get what you wanted and
212 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
leave the money or charge yourself up with it and go on. This
cowboy was a mischievous fellow and he wrote a sign on the
outside of the tent which housed the store, "If you want to-
bacco, go to Jones —if you want Jones, go to Kiser's."
TALMAGE'S SERMON
By J. Frank Norfleet
The first twelve months that I stayed on the Spade Ranch,
I spent fifty five cents of my year's wages. I spent all that for
stamps and stationery to write to my mother. Right there on
that ranch I learned a great lesson. I didn't know I was learn -
it then. I took a notion that I was not going to let the boys
gamble in my camp, because I had seen serious difficulties arise
over a game of cards, and to keep things from going that way,
I refused to allow any gambling. The boys would come out
there in bunches looking for work. They would leave home
just before the spring term of court and most of them thought
when they got away from home they had to "act like men."
They wanted to be tough, and carry a six - shooter, and gamble,
and they made themselves at home generally, so I had to take
care of them and see that they didn't do things to get them
into more trouble. I got hold of an old newspaper that had
a sermon in it by Dr. DeWitt Talmage (I don't recall how I
got it— perhaps my mother sent it to me) and while they were
sitting around of a night I would get that out and read it to
them. The text of it was "A Wayward Son is the Heaviness
of His Mother." I want to tell you, I never finished reading
that sermon to one single boy or bunch of them, but what just
about the time I got through, someone would say, "Don't you
reckon it's about time to turn the horses out ?" and when they
got outside the door I could see them get out their old big red
bandana handkerchiefs and wipe their eyes. During the past
few years I have met several of those boys that came to the
old Spade Ranch in those early days and they said to me, "Nor -
fleet, do you remember the first time I ever saw you ? It was
over at your camp on the Spade Ranch. Do you remember the
night you read Talmages' Sermon to us ?" Those boys never
forgot that lesson, coming to them at such an unexpected time,
and it has been a great lesson to me, for we never know what
we are doing when we say the right things to a boy. "Mother"
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 213
is a word that comes first with a boy, especially if he is away
from home. To make him think of his mother at a time when
he needs help most saves many a boy from ruin.
EARLY TRIAL BY JURY
By D. C. Lowe
When one of the large ranches was established, they found
located in the finest of their holdings a man who had settled
on a very desirable piece of property. They tried to buy him
out, but he told them the property just suited him and that it
was not for sale. He also told them that he would be glad to
live with them in peace, but his friendly spirit did not appeal to
the ranchmen. When they found they could not buy him out,
they determined to run him out. In those days there were
lots of Mavericks on the range — calves that had been weaned
and had not been branded. The law was that a Maverick
calf was the property of whoever first branded it. Well, the
friction grew between the ranchers and the settler and finally
they got some cases in court accusing him of putting his brand
upon some thirteen of their calves. They thought they could
get rid of him that way if by no other. All this country was
attached to Hale County for Judicial purposes so of course
they had to come to Plainview for trial. The lawyers repre-
senting both sides got together and agreed to try one case and
let the decision of the thirteen cases rest on the decision of the
one. When the jury was selected for the trial of the first case,
Thornton Jones was selected as a juror. His sister, Mrs.
Stringfellow, was visiting with Mrs. Jones while her husband
attended the trial. The children were playing in the yard.
They had a dug well near the house, about fifteen feet deep
and it stood some four feet in water. While they were play-
ing around it, one of the little ones fell in the well. Mrs. Jones
jumped into the well to save the baby. She could stand up in
the well and hold the baby out of the water, but she could not
get out, and neither could Mrs. Stringfellow get her out. So
one of the children ran to the Court House, right into the
courtroom and straight up to the jury box where her father
was sitting on the jury trying this case and shouted, "Papa!
Mamma and the baby are in the well !" Jones did not wait to
be excused or even to ask leave. He just ran out of there and
214 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
made for home and the whole assembly —jury, judge and all
— followed to a man to help get his wife and baby out of the
well. When they came back and had assembled in the court-
room to proceed with the trial, the defense attorney arose with
dignity and addressed the court : "Your Honor ! Since my
client has been on trial, the jury in this case has been per-
mitted to leave the courtroom without proper guard and they
have mixed and commingled with the world and are therefore
no longer eligible as jurors in this case. I move the court
that this case be declared a mistrial." The motion was
granted by the court and the case was continued from time to
time until it was finally thrown out of court. They had agreed
that the decision of the remaining cases should hinge upon the
decision of the first, so because the baby fell in the well, the
whole thirteen cases were thrown out and the defendant went
free.
THE JUMPING OFF PLACE
By Martha Glover
When we arrived in Amarillo on October 23, 1890, on our
way to Hale County, we thought we were at the 'jumping off
place." My invalid mother, my brother, Will Glover, and I
had come with the Jim Harrel family. The rush of settlers
started in June of that year and most of them lived in dug-
outs. But I told them we would be under ground long
enough, so we built a box house. They said we would freeze
in a house above ground, but we didn't. We had brought a
month's supplies with us and my brother freighted and kept
us in provisions for a year or so. In the next few years the
drouth came, and the grasshoppers, and people were leaving.
Some of our neighbors went to Plainview to get ready to
leave and finally the time came when we planned to leave the
next day. We had got all ready to go. Then Will met some
boys from the XIT Ranch who told him they needed a man,
so he went right out with them. He sent someone to tell us
and asked that we send his clothes to him when the next
freighter passed our way. For several years while my
brother was working on the XIT Ranch, I worked and sup-
ported mother and myself so that we could put all the money
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 215
Will made into cattle. He would get off from his work long
enough to put in our crop and then go back to the ranch. I
would tend the crop and look after the cattle in his absence
and in that way we got our start. We worked hard, but it
takes hard work to accumulate anything, and we had lots of
fun in those days along with our work.
The second morning after we came, there loomed one of
those mirages. It was the sand hills, fifteen miles south of
us, but they looked like they were right out in our field. I
said, "Yonder it is, right over there !" For then I knew we
had got to the jumping off place.
EARLY DAYS IN THE CATTLE INDUSTRY
By J. C. Hooper
When I came to Hale County from Gainesville in 1898, I
located eight miles west of Plainview. I had sold my cattle
before I came, and bought fifty head of whiteface cattle here
to start my herd. I kept those and increased the herd from
time to time until I had quite a few cattle. We had no fences
for the cattle in the early days; the range was open and every-
one ran the cattle together. Then at round up time we would
gather them up and cut out each man's cattle according to his
brand. I started to farm some in 1899 and raised some kafir
corn and milo maize to feed to the stock during the winter.
There was of course no market for farm products until after
the coming of the railroad. Therefore, what little farming
there was here prior to that was for the purpose of producing
only what could be consumed on the farm or fed to stock.
Cattle raising was for that reason the major industry from
the time of the first settlement until the coming of the railroad
in 1907 provided marketing facilities for the many other
products which the Plains soil and water made profitable.
There was not much fence building done until 1905. At that
time I hauled my fence wire from Canyon and went to the
breaks east of here and cut our cedar posts. In this way it
cost us about $100 a mile to build fences at that time. Most
fences in those days were just two wire fences, though
around the fields we used three wires. The prairie fires were
the terror of the early settlers, not only because they com-
216 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
pletely destroyed the supply of range grass for the cattle,
but even in some cases burned the cattle themselves, as well
as houses, windmills, etc. The first year I was here a prairie
fire swept the country and burned all the way to the caprock
before they could get it under control. The grass was high
and burned faster than our horses could run. Everybody
turned out to help fight it for though we couldn't stop the
head fire, we could hold the sideline fire from spreading.
Those who have never seen one cannot imagine the terror a
prairie fire brought to the early settler.
CATTLE IN A STORM
By R. W. (Uncle Bob) Lemond
I have stood guard around cattle at night when the hail was
as large as hen eggs, and one could see the lightning flash all
over the herd. It would roll off their horns like balls of fire.
The cattle would not run while it was raining or hailing, but
would huddle up and wait until it was over. Then they
would be sure to get scared at something and begin to run. I
have actually rode around a herd and followed the cattle all
night long. I would stop them for a while and they would
run again; I would stop them again, and again they would
run. But in this country when we had a stampede there was
no possible danger except when your horse stepped in a prairie
dog hole. There were no fences, ravines or gullies; still you
couldn't help feeling a little uneasy when three or four thou-
sand cattle were coming right behind you on a dark night.
The cowboys, riding around the cattle, would sing to them to
get them quiet. Two would ride at a time for two hours,
then two more would go on for two hours, etc. These were
called guards. The first and second guard were always con-
sidered the hardest because after that the cattle were usually
bedded and quiet. The songs the boys sang most were "Bury
me not on the lone prairie" and "Mable Clair." When a
stampede came up in the night, the guard would call some of
the boys out of their nice warm beds to go help with the cat-
tle. Lots of times the boys would just get in their beds and
be called right out and maybe when they came back the beds
would all be wet; but that was a part of the cowboy's life, and
he was always ready to help when needed.
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 217
MY "HOME ON THE RANGE"
By Mrs. J. E. Cox
We were married on December 28, 1898, and on the first
of the year we moved to the little dugout home which Jim
had prepared for his bride. Green Wilson and my husband
had leased four leagues of school land together. Tom Wil-
son, Green's brother, moved out and was our only neighbor.
The dugout was 16 x 18 feet, was four feet in the ground
and built of plank a few feet above the ground to accommodate
windows and was covered with a board roof. The furnish-
ings consisted of a built -in bunk, built -in table made of plank,
a little wood cookstove in which we burned cow chips and a
little table behind the stove on which we always kept a jar of
sour dough to keep it ready to make our sour dough biscuits.
We lived in that dugout for four winters. There were weeks
at a time that Jim and I wouldn't see a soul but each other.
You can't imagine the quiet, serene happiness that we ex-
perienced those four years. There was a peace that is lacking
in modern civilization.
I got much pleasure chasing the antelopes and killing them
for meat. We would get them on the hard ground in the
north end of the pasture away from the sand hills. I would
ride ahead and turn them facing Jim, for they always ran in
a circle. He would dismount and stand beside his horse, hold-
ing the bridle rein on his arm, while I would turn the circle of
antelopes, each time getting them a little closer until they were
in shooting distance. Jim had so keen an eye that he always
let them circle several times, before he found one that he
thought would be perfect meat. Often I thought they would
get away from me before he would shoot.
The prairie fire was the dread of our lives, especially in the
sand hills where the grass grew high. One night we were
awakened by a big fire. We had a west window and the light
from the fire illuminated the whole room. Jim's first thought
was of his horse and saddle to go fight the fire. I was afraid
to be left alone, but Jim hesitated to take me along for you
never could tell how far away the fire might be. But he sad-
dled Jim Lane with my sidesaddle, tied his slicker behind his
saddle, and we met the head fire at Janes Brothers pasture
218 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
twelve miles away. We rode the side of the line fire and Jim
started fighting the fire, whipping out the flames with his
slicker, while I held his horse. It was not long until more
cowboys came, and at one time I was holding eight horses.
A cowboy hung his bridle rein on the horn of Jim's saddle,
and the next one who came hung his rein on the saddlehorn
of the last horse, trailing a string of horses behind. Mack
Huffman of the Spring Lake Ranch had some beeves killed
and cut in quarters and the boys tied ropes to these and drug
them one after the other on the flame to put out the side fire.
The boys' faces were black from the burned grass and they
were so fatigued they could hardly walk. I remember Sam
Hooker, Ed Green, Mack Huffman and Jarret and John Janes
went home with us for breakfast. I cooked for those boys
and they drank coffee and ate sourdough biscuits faster than
I could cook them.
THE METEOR
By R. A. McWhorter
One night in the fall of 1882, the Quakers going home
from church were startled to see a meteor shoot across the
sky, lighting the entire country. From the intensity of its
light they concluded it had fallen to earth somewhere near
Estacado, but they never found it. A year or so later a cow-
boy found it five miles north and a little east of the present
town of Abernathy. It dug a hole in the ground where it fell,
but it must have bounced out for it was lying on the ground
a foot or more from the hole and was broken into two pieces.
The large piece was wedge shaped and was about as high as
a chair, and it weighed 650 pounds. The smaller piece
weighed 300 pounds. After I moved out here in 1892, I car-
ried it to my home in a wagon. It took several men to lift it.
I brought it home with me and set it on the ground just out-
side my dugout and we used it for a washstand for a couple
of years. I have had at least thirty people tell me they aimed
to go get it and take it home, but they didn't do it, and it lay
where it fell for ten years before I got it. I sent some little
chips of it to the museum in Washington to see if they would
pay me anything for it. They finally wrote me to wrap it up
in tow sacks and label it "iron ore," and send a draft for
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 219
$500.00 with bill of lading, which I did. A few years ago
Homer Minor said he was in the East and he saw it in the
museum and it had my name on it. Of course we missed the
washstand, as we had grown used to it standing there just
outside the dugout, but that $500 came in pretty handy to help
out with our living expenses.
THE INDIAN SCARE OF 1891
By Mrs. J. O. Oswald
The most startling thing that ever happened to Plainview
was the Indian scare of 1891. After fifteen years of peace
and quietness on the Plains, the terror of the savages had been
forgotten. Suddenly out of a clear sky came the cry, "In-
dians are coming !" A messenger raced through the country
heralding the news and notified the homesteaders and the
people came from all over the prairie into Plainview
for protection. The people rushed to the Court House
and the men got all the lumber in town and built a
barracks around the Court House. But there wasn't enough
lumber in Plainview to build a barracks large enough to
hold all the people, so a lot of them stayed in their homes
and prepared to defend themselves with guns and clubs. A
man went through the country with a wagon, picking up the
women and children and bringing them to town for safety.
He went past one place where an old woman lived all alone
who was not afraid of the devil himself so he didn't stop to
tell her. He knew she wouldn't pay any attention. At the
next house he stopped and told the woman the Indians were
in the breaks and were headed this way, that he was sorry but
he couldn't bring her for his wagon wouldn't hold any more.
She rushed over to that old woman's house and reported the
news. The old lady said "Let 'em come! I'll protect you."
And she barred the door and got her guns. They sat up all
night with their guns pointed toward the door ready to shoot.
I was spending the night with my cousin out in the country.
My uncle came home all worked up for he firmly believed it,
but they didn't go to town. Aunt wouldn't let us burn the
light that night and we were afraid to go from room to room.
I was worried for I knew my father had gone to the breaks to
get a load of posts. After breakfast next morning I went
220 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
home as quickly as I could. Mother said to us, "Well, chil-
dren, the Indians are in the breaks and your pa is gone. I
reckon we won't see him any more." We all broke down
and cried. The people in Plainview stayed all night and the
following day in the barracks waiting for the Indians to come.
We never knew how the story started, but Indians never again
molested the Plains.
WHY BOYS LEAVE HOME
By M. M. Day
When boys leave home, they generally have a reason for it.
They don't just go. Something happened that they couldn't
face. There's always a reason for it, and I'll tell you mine.
When I was a lad of fourteen a man lived near us whose
horses had been getting into our corn all fall. Mother woke
me and my brother about ten o'clock one night and told us to
go out and get the horses out of our corn. We went down
and got them out. About twelve o'clock mother heard the
bell on the lead horse and called us again to get the horses out.
About two o'clock she called us again. I was so sleepy and so
tired of being awakened every two hours to drive the horses
out that I had about enough. As we went out the gate, I
picked up a piece of rawhide about four feet long, went out
and caught this horse that had the bell on it, and tied a bundle
of fodder to the horse's tail with the rawhide and set it afire.
I thought it would scare her and she would soon kick it off
and run away, and I went back to bed. But she couldn't kick
it off for the rawhide drew up all the tighter when it got hot.
She ran over the fence and all over the whole countryside and
set the woods on fire for three or four miles around. Next
morning I was awakened by my mother calling me. The old
man who owned the horse was there and the whole country
was burning. Mother asked me if I did it. I knew I had
done wrong to do it, but there was no use to lie about it, so
I told the truth. My Uncle Jack Broadfoot, who raised us
boys, came up through the plum orchard just then. The old
man and mother commenced to tell him. He said, "Marion,
what happened ?" and I told him. He was walking with a
cane and he jabbed this old man and said, "Your horses have
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 221
been eating up these boys' crop every year —now get out of
here." He told mother not to whip me and went away. Af-
ter a while he came back and said to me, "Marion, I expect
you had better get out of here for a while. The fire has
burned up forty sheep for one man. It's an awful fire." I
got on my pony that night about ten o'clock and the next
night I rode into Montague County. There I got a job with
a cow outfit and worked on west with ranches until I went to
work on the Circle Ranch for Rufe O'Keefe, where I worked
for some years. I have been back home only once since the
woods burned. They were having a camp meeting and I
went, and stood around, but I felt so guilty I didn't have a
good time, so I left and never went back.
MOVING THE HALE CITY SCHOOL HOUSE
By N. M. Akeson
The two towns of Hale City and Epworth, only two miles
apart, flourished during 1891 and 1892 as each had hopes of
securing a railroad. The drouth caused some of the people to
leave, however, and in 1893 the people in both towns got tired
of keeping up two towns and wanted to go together as one.
They decided to select a new townsite and move all the build-
ings from both towns to the new site which they named Hale
Center. In the summer of 1893 the men from both communi-
ties got together with their teams to move the Hale City School
House to Hale Center. They got it on wheels and started
across the unbroken prairie from northwest to southeast.
When they had almost reached the edge of the townsite, the
sheriff arrived with an injunction enjoining them from mov-
ing the school house off of the Hale City townsite. It seemed
one of the citizens who had helped to build the school house
opposed the moving of it until he should be reimbursed for
what he had put into it. It remained standing for some time
on the corner of the townsite. The time came to open school
and still not a man could touch it. But the Epworth School
had burned down and this was their only school house. Fin-
ally they fell upon the idea that the women were not enjoined
from moving it, so on a day selected, all the women from both
towns turned out and moved the school house to Hale Center.
222 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
Of course, you understand, the men attended to the horses, but
the women were all there commandeering the men, and they
got the job done.
EARLY SOCIAL LIFE
By Mrs. L. A. Knight
In the early days here all ranches gave big dances, or house
parties as we would call them now, usually when the cowboys
were getting ready for their round -ups, or had just finished.
I remember best one at the XIT Ranch. The news of the
dance had spread from person to person, for everybody was
invited. The young men made their dates with the young
ladies to take them and on arrival were free to join any amuse-
ment desired. For there was a dance in one room, "42" or
cards in another and in still another all sorts of games to amuse
those that didn't want to play cards or dance. They had good
music, for usually among the cowboys there was someone that
played the violin and the banjo. At the dinner hour they
opened the dining room and there was a long table loaded with
an abundance of food —roast beef, baked hams, potatoes, beans
and all kinds of cakes. I remember that the ladies all ate first,
and then the men, though the dining room was kept open all
during the evening, and anyone that wanted to could eat, no
matter when. In the wee small hours a few who wanted to
rest did so, the ladies in one house and the men in what they
used to call the bunk house. There were very few of them
that slept very much, though the party lasted three days.
Another dance I well remember was at Frank Norfleet's,
just after George Callup's wedding. It began to snow on us
just a little bit before we got there, and by the time supper was
ready, the ground was covered with snow. The house was
open to everybody and I guess everybody in the country came,
and we danced and played games until nearly morning. The
next morning the ground was covered with eighteen inches of
snow as level and pretty as could be. Mr. Norfleet had a lot of
grayhounds, so someone suggested we have a rabbit hunt. We
got out all the horses and quite a crowd of us chased the rab-
bits. They could not run very well in the deep snow but the
dogs were so long legged they could get over the snow and
they caught a lot of rabbits. That night we danced the same
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 223
as before, with eats all through the evening. The morning
after, we took our departure, having had one of the most
pleasant times I can remember.
A CHRISTMAS FESTIVITY
By Mrs. W. A. Lowe
In the early nineties, I lived in the community of the Prog-
ress School which is the school now called Ellen. The young
folk used to like to get together and as there were very few
homes large enough to have parties in, we used the schoolhouse
for gatherings of all kinds. Our early homes were dugouts
and it was difficult to have a party on a dirt floor. Whenever
we did, the young folk all had to sit around and play games
that had little action so they wouldn't raise too much dust. I
think it was the Christmas of 1892 that we all went to the
Progress School house to eat Christmas dinner together. The
whole neighborhood for seven miles around brought their
dinners and we all ate together. One of the important features
of a Christmas dinner was to have cake, for we had very
little sweets and a cake was a real treat. Harrison Portwood
had given my little boy a leghorn hen and a rooster and the
hen had been laying, so I was saving the eggs to make a cake
for Christmas. Mrs. Portwood didn't have any eggs as her
hens were not laying, and I thought I could save up enough
eggs by Christmas to make both her cake and mine. But a
coyote caught my hen when I only had two eggs saved up and
there was no way to get any more. The day before Christmas
I baked a one egg cake and walked a mile to take Mrs. Port -
wood the other egg to make her cake with. Mattie Matsler
had come over to stay all night with the Portwoods so she
baked the cake. A cowboy named Tommy Harral who was
working at Amarillo on a ranch, was coming down to spend
Christmas with the Portwoods. On his way, he stopped at a
house and bought a dozen eggs for Mrs. Portwood, paying a
dollar for them. He tied them up in a red bandana and car-
ried them on his arm all the way, arriving at midnight. The
girls got up when they heard about the eggs and baked cakes
until daybreak. When I got over to the Portwoods' on Christ-
mas morning, Mrs. Portwood had a big surprise for me when
she showed me all the cakes the girls had baked. That was a
224 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
happy Christmas, for we all had plenty of cake with which to
celebrate.
EARLY ROMANCE
By B. H. Towery
No one living on the Plains now can imagine what the
country was like forty years back unless they were here then.
I often wonder what the young people of today would do if
there were no more way of entertainment than there was at
that time. We sometimes would gather at some nester's house
and have a party and find that some had ridden horseback
twenty to thirty miles to get there. How would a young man
feel today if he had a date with a young lady to take her some
place and she were to go out and rope a wild mustang and
saddle it to ride? This was often done during that time. I
remember one time I went to a young lady's house to invite her
to a party and she told me that she was going to a party that
night and if I wanted to go along with her it would save me
quite a lot of riding for I would see all the young people in that
neighborhood at that party and could invite them. I agreed
to go, so she asked me to go out on the range and get her a
horse. I did so, bringing up a small herd of ponies. She
opened the corral gate and I penned the horses. She roped the
one she wanted, saddled it and when she was ready to go, she
had me get on my horse and draw the head of her horse up to
the horn of my saddle until she could mount. I did not speak
half a dozen words to her from that time until we arrived at
the place about ten miles from her home for the party, for I
could never get closer than forty or fifty yards of her.
I had come to the Plains to take care of a small ranch stocked
with cattle which my father had bought in the summer of 1893,
near what was then the Post Office of Whitfield. Having
lived with the stock for more than three years, I began to tire
of the life and want to be back with the folks at home, but one
day while riding across the prairie I happened up on a dugout
from the rear. Imagine my feelings when a very pretty girl
came out of the place and invited me to lunch ! After this visit
I began to lose the longing to go home, for my visits to the
dugout became regular and after a time, I convinced these
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 225
people that it was not good for a man to live alone and talked
them out of this young lady.
THE FIRST CHURCH WEDDING
By Mrs. Mary V. Dye
The first church wedding in Hale County was that of Miss
Eugenia Welter and Mr. William H. Beyette. Miss Welter
was a teacher in the Plainview School and Mr. Beyette was a
young preacher. The ceremonies took place in the little Method-
ist Church in Plainview on October 31, 1894, and the Method-
ist pastor, Rev. J. T. Bloodworth, officiated. The entire town
was greatly excited over the event and everybody wanted to
have a part in the preparation for it. But what to do with the
church was a question. It was not painted, had bare walls and
floors of rough lumber, and home -made pews. We all put our
heads together and decided what could be done to beautify it
and make it suitable for a wedding. We bought cheese cloth
and made curtains for the windows. Mrs. R. C. Ware had
been to St. Louis and had learned how to make paper flowers
and she showed us how. We made a bell of white morning -
glories, which we suspended from a large coaloil lamp which
hung from the ceiling in front of the pulpit. I had a rag
carpet that I had brought with me from Tennessee, and we
took that up off the floor, ripped the strips apart and carpeted
the aisles with it. The church was lighted with coaloil lamps.
The bride wore a white satin wedding dress with a long train.
She was a beautiful girl and the groom was tall and dark and
they made a handsome couple. Ione Burch was bridesmaid.
The wedding went off beautifully, after which all repaired to
the parsonage next door and cut the wedding cake. Mrs.
Beyette is now living in Downey, California.
STARTING THE TOWN OF PETERSBURG
By Ed M. White
The starting of the town of Petersburg was not an accident,
but it grew out of an accident in which I was crippled and
paralyzed from the fall from a horse. Old Captain Peters, who
was a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War, got a
226 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
post office which was kept in his home in Floyd County, four
miles north and one east of Petersburg. He was moving away
and wanted someone to take the Post Office off his hands.
The settlers wanted me to take it. I didn't want to but my wife
told me I had better take it, as I couldn't do anything else and
it would take my mind off of other things. So I took it and
moved it to Hale County. My first quarterly payment was
$5.00 for keeping the Post Office. Afterward it ran up until
we got about $200 per quarter. My wife persuaded me to get
a stock of goods and keep a store in connection with the Post
Office. We did pretty well with it, though Jesse Boyd said he
could have carried my stock of goods on his shoulder. It
wasn't long until I was keeping two or three wagons on the
road hauling goods from Amarillo for my store. People had
to go to Plainview, Floydada or Lubbock to trade, so my store
was at a location best situated to supply those in the com-
munity. I added a stock of hardware to my general store, but
later I went into the hardware business. In spite of the serious
accident that changed the course of my life, I regained my
health and have passed my ninetieth birthday. Petersburg is
still my home, though the antelopes and the wild horses that
once raced about the prairies near my home have vanished and
the motor cars race past my door in their stead.
EARLY GRAIN BUSINESS
By L. F. Cobb
I got started in the grain business in Odessa, Missouri. I
was working for an elevator man at one dollar per day, and
when business got slack, he put me to hoeing sweet potatoes.
I told him I thought I was too smart to hoe sweet potatoes,
and so I fired myself and went into the grain business for my-
self. I moved to Happy in 1906 —my two daughters and l—
and built a grain business there. At that time there was noth-
ing but the prairie. In those days we had to go fifteen or
twenty miles to find a little crop to load in with another ship-
ment to make out a car load. I often had some grain to ship
and in order to make out a car load I would take my horse and
buggy and drive all over the prairie to find a little bit of grain
to complete a carload shipment. I was at Happy when the first
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 227
railroad came to Plainview. We built elevators at Happy,
Tulia and Plainview and when the railroad built to Lockney
and Aiken, we built there. The business was known as Cobb
and Elliott. We came to Plainview in 1907 soon after the
railroad came. The first wheat we shipped out of Plainview
was hauled from down about old Emma, some sixty five miles.
A fellow named Leatherwood sold me a car of wheat that was
three years old. He said he had been waiting three years for
the railroad to haul his wheat off. When we dumped the
wagon, we took out the endgate and dumped the wheat out,
lifting up the front wheels to do so. He stood and looked at
it and said: "Broke end, just as I expected." He had never
seen anyone dump a wagon and he thought the end was broken
and had spilled the wheat out. He couldn't understand the
elevator. He couldn't see why the wheat went down and went
up again. One fellow asked what that big coal chute was and
I told him it was an egg renovator and that the railroad put it
up to keep eggs in, and he believed it. The Banks in those
days stayed open till nine or ten o'clock at night. They were
not uneasy about being robbed and nobody ever bothered them.
We didn't have a chance to deposit any money until late at
night and lots of times we would bring up $1,000 to $1500 to
deposit.
A FULL MEAL
By R. W. O'Keefe
In 1883 I took charge of the Circle Ranch, better known as
the Runningwater Land and Cattle Company. When I came,
there was only one settler, Mr. Horatio Graves, though about
1886 more settlers began to come in. A funny thing happened
one day in the summer of 1887. One of my men had been
down along the Runningwater Draw and came back and re-
ported that they were going to start a town down at the Hack -
berry Groves. The owner of the ranch had written me to
discourage all that I could the settlement of the country and to
use any legal means possible to prevent it. I didn't think there
was any need of opposition. I told him I would eat all the
town they ever built there. I think I'd have a good big meal
now, though I like Plainview mighty well.
228 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
THE COMING OF THE RAILROAD
By Emma Grigsby Meharg
For years the early settlers dreamed and worked to secure
a railroad into Hale County. The early years of struggle had
been lightened by this vision and hope spurred them on to
realization. The Santa Fe Railroad at last rewarded them by
building into Plainview and the first train was scheduled to
arrive on the afternoon of December 31, 1906. When this
news came, plans were made for the greatest celebration the
county had ever known. The citizens had busied themselves
for weeks and months in preparing to keep up the Plains repu-
tation for feeding everybody that came to see them. For days
prior to the event, the Committee on Foods distributed to the
housewives of the town dray loads of food stuffs that had
been freighted from Amarillo. This they cooked into delec-
table dishes which were collected on the morning of the cele-
bration and taken to the barbecue pits to be served with the
barbecued beeves, mutton and "goat." Coffee was made in wash
pots containing from 20 to 40 gallons each. Long tables were
constructed on the site of the present Sante Fe depot, upon
which the foods were distributed. Toward noon it was learned
that the train would not make it into the station by noon, so
the pick and choice of all the foods was loaded into cartons
and tubs and sent up the road to where the workmen stopped
to eat. There was a dray load —I mean packed. The people
who came to witness the incoming of the train were served in
quantities almost unheard of, until the thousands had eaten.
When the workmen finally sent word that they would be
down to the site of the present station by four o'clock, many
of the people, eager to see the arrival of the first train, started
out in droves to meet it, on horseback, with buggies, wagons
and canvas covered hacks. They were strung out along the
right of way for possibly two miles. When the train whistled
for the first time, it brought such a thrill that even people who
came from countries where they had known and seen trains
were almost frightened. Needless to say, the horses which
were hitched to the vehicles had never seen a train and never
heard a whistle. They broke and ran in every direction over
these prairies. They fairly flew as there was nothing to stop
TALES THE OLD TIMERS TOLD 229
them. That was so much fun for the train crew that they
added steam and blew the harder to see the horses run. Many
of the local citizens had never seen a train before. The crowd
lingered until the twilight scattered them. All the South
Plains and even many counties of the north plains were rep-
resented.
It was a red letter day for Plainview and the surrounding
country. They were realizing their dream of the years and
felt that much had been accomplished by their efforts and
years of waiting. At last the South Plains was getting a
gangway opened to other ports of the world and was getting
the recognition that only a country rich in natural resources
receives. No longer would supplies have to be freighted from
Amarillo. No longer would mail be conveyed in canvas cov-
ered hacks drawn by little mules —which sometimes were held
up for days at a time by heavy rains or snowstorms. No
longer would our grocery stores run shy of necessary supplies,
compelling us to borrow sugar, coffee and flour from our neigh-
bors. Those who have never traveled miles with a horse and
buggy to borrow food from a distant neighbor, or the prover-
bial "coal of fire," can fully appreciate what it meant to us—
the security we felt, and the freedom from many privations —
when we heard that first train whistle.
THE LANTERN ON THE WINDMILL
By Rev. J. H. Abney
In the year 1907 I was in the Sunday School work in Hale
County, organizing Sunday Schools in the rural communities
over the plains. On one occasion I was spending the night with
one of my Superintendents out on the plains. Suddenly, break-
ing into our conversation, he called : "John ! John, go hang the
lantern on the windmill tower." When I asked, "What's the
idea ? ", he replied, "The boys have gone out after the horses
and we always hang the lantern on the windmill so they can
see the light and find their way home."
We had been discussing the problem of keeping our little
Sunday School alive and going. After a few moments thought,
I said, "Brother, that light on the windmill tower reminds me
of our little Sunday School. If the light on the tower should
go out, there would be nothing to guide the boys home, and
230 HISTORY OF HALE COUNTY, TEXAS
if we let that little Sunday School in the School House go out,
the boys and girls of the plains will have nothing to guide
them to their Heavenly Father's home." He was silent for a
moment; then in tones most reverent, he said, "It must not go
out," and it did not.
The words of this Superintendent express clearly and simply
the ruling purpose in the minds and hearts of that group of
men and women which many years ago, in that little "Upper
Room," covenanting together in prayer, constituted themselves
"The First Presbyterian Church of Plainview, Texas." For
that little church, which began in the "Lantern on the Wind-
mill" stage many years ago, has now grown into a great Tower
Light for our Master's cause on the South Plains of Texas.
May its light shine so brightly that all those who come within
its light may see clearly the way to their Heavenly Father's
Home.
LOOKING BACKWARD
By Captain R. G. Carter
(Author of "On the Border with Mackenzie ")
Yes ! I was one of Mackenzie's right hand officers. I
marched and ate and slept with him. When I think of that
vast Panhandle area and the "Staked Plains," of which we
were the first Cavalry Column to traverse in 1872, going as far
west as Forts Sumner and Bascom, and no living creature
except Indians, buffalo, wolves, rattlesnakes, jack rabbits and
prairie dogs nearer than old Fort Griffin 130 miles distant, I
marvel at its almost miraculous growth and expansion —towns
springing up right upon our trails, railroads, schools, hotels
and prosperous business enterprises. I wish to express my high
regard and esteem for the hardy pioneers of the Texas Pan-
handle who, following the Mackenzie Trail after we had driven
the marauding savages out of that section, made it possible for
all of that once desolate region to blossom like the rose. I
most sincerely congratulate all of the pioneers and citizens of
West Texas on their achieving the accomplishments of these
results within a period of sixty years, or since we routed the
Comanches, Kiowas, Cheyennes and Arapahoes.
OM
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