Jones County Texas Archives - Stamford American Excerpts - 1927 *********************************************************** Submitted by: Dorman Holub Date: 19 January 2020 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/jones/jonestoc.htm *********************************************************** The Stamford AmericanThursday, January 6, 1927The W.R. Moore Grocery moved Saturday night from West McHarg avenue to the McDanielbuilding on the south side of the square. Sam Morrow, head of Drug Company Business has been picking up at the old stand of the Central West Drug Company on thenorth side of the square since Sam Morrow took charges. He has been in that business25 years and is a registered druggist. Sam Morrow was born in Fulton, KY, October 8,1882. When he was eight years old, his parents moved to Texas and settled in Jonescounty near Anson. Some nine or ten years later, he began working in the Morrow &Johnson Drug Store, at Anson, owned by his uncle, J.S. Morrow, and A.W. Johnson. Someyears later, this store was bought by Sam Morrow and Isaac Hudson. Mr. Morrowcontinued in business until 1911, when he sold out and went on the road. He traveledfor Nelson Baker & Co., then later for the Texas Drug Company and more recently forthe San Antonio Drug Company. In 1907 Mr. Morrow married Miss Summer Hudson of Anson.They have three children, Sam, Jr., Margaret and Mary Elizabeth. Mrs. Morrow andchildren are now living in Dallas, where the children are in school.Rev. Mason, pastor of the newly organized Baptist church at Bunker Hill.LuedersThe new brick theater building of Geo. Fickel is completed.The Stamford AmericanThursday, January 13, 1927Rev. J.M. Youree, who has been pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church for morethan four years plans to leave today for Jacksonville. He is a member of the Rotaryclub, chairman of the Library Board, chairman of the PastorsÕ Association; chaplainof the Stamford Fire Department.Chamber of Commerce damaged by fire.Central West Texas Poultry Association in Stamford.The Stamford AmericanThursday, January 20, 1927The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Rhea was destroyed by fire.NugentV.V. Moorehead and Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Moorehead went to Stamford Tuesday. Mr. Wiggins from A.C. C. preached Sunday. Shower given for Mrs. Jess Middleton who recently married.The Stamford AmericanThursday, February 10, 1927Rev. W.C. Moffett enter third year of First Baptist church pastorate.Townsend Motor Company to move to large brick building on North Swenson Avenue whichhas been occupied by the R.M. Kinard Garage. Kinard building on North Swenson leasedby Ford dealer.The Stamford AmericanThursday, March 3, 1927Col and Mrs. R.L. Penick have bought the J.K. Brady residence on East Reynolds street. Mr. and Mrs. Brady war moving to the W.M. ÒDutchÓ Harlan old home on East McHarg avenue.The Stamford AmericanThursday, March 17, 1927Contract is let for Stamford Rifle Range Contract for a rifle range to be located three miles west of Stamford on land leased from Swenson Brothers. R.A. Fuqua and Floyd Wiley were awarded the contract for the construction work.Lectureship at Church of Christ. Preachers speaking are: G.K. Wallace, R.C. Bell,R.R. Brooks, Chas. R. Brewer, Morgan H. Carter, Pres. Batsell Baxter, all of Abilene;J.E. Harrison of Munday; T.H. Vernon of Rule; J.D. Harvey of Colorado. Preachers tospeak are: J.D. Boren of Big Spring, J. Thos. Barr of Rotan, A. LeRoy Elkins ofLamesa, O.M. Reynolds of Abilene, W.D. Black, local minister. O.M. Reynolds, ministerof the Anson and Hamlin churches will preach next Sunday night.Grubbs Produce Co bought by R.L. Howard of Abilene. and will be known as Big 3 Produce Co.Nearly 1,000 phone connections in Stamford now.Mrs. D.O. McRimmon residence on north Swenson damaged by fire and is occupied by KitKnowles and J.N. Kinney families.West Texas Historical Association to meet here April 21, San Jacinto Day.Spring CreekMr. and Mrs. W.W. Clark attended the funeral of Ernest Patterson of Pleasant Valley.Bunker HillThe school closed today, March 8, at noon in respect to Mrs. Eddie Kainer, Jr., whowas buried at Capron Cemetery Tuesday afternoon at 3:00.The Stamford AmericanThursday, March 24, 1927Mayes & Pinson Store bought by Hassen D.G. Co. on the east side of the square. C.L. Mayes, has accepted a position with Mr. Hassen.J.M. Wells opens new market this week in the building with the W.R. Moore Grocery onthe south side of the square.Tabernacle to be located just off Post office Plaza. Location will be facing the CityAuditorium and adjoining the new West Texas Chamber of Commerce building on the northwill be used.Two new brick buildings plannedLegion to mark graves of those who died in WarHighland Cemetery - StamfordWillis HastingsJoe G. AtkinsVictor BuieFrank RyeTom JohnsonSpring Creek cemeteryWillie AtkinsWilder ScottNew Hope cemeteryNoah WallaceFrank WineteschlagerG.W. FowlerNegroes grateful for handsome new school building known as the Washington school signed: Rev. A.M. Prince, Mr. P.H. Avis, Miss Ruby P. Williams, Prof. J.K. Johnson We wish to thank our benefactor Mr. Julius Rosenwall for his splendid gift.The Stamford AmericanThursday, March 31, 1927W.T.U. moved into its new home on square. P.P. Shepard, district manager, M.L. Cope, local manager. The Wallace Building on North Swenson, formerly occupied by the utilities company, isto be occupied by ScottÕs Grocery.OlsburgMost of the people in this community look to be OlsonÕs and the Ericksdahl clan.The Stamford AmericanThursday, April 7, 1927W.B. Tayman elected mayorCleve HarwellÕs farm home destroyed by fire at 11:00, four miles east of town. W.P.Moore owned the house and no insurance.West Texas TeachersÕ Institute for colored teachers to be held in Stamford for aweek.The Seventh Day Adventists have secured the used of the old Southern Presbyterianchurch on the corner of Wetherbee and Campbell streets, where they plan to organizetheir first church in the city of Stamford. Elder J.E. Brown ex-missionary in Braziland now from Roswell, NM has arrived and baptized a number already.Law firm of Andrews and Coombes is to make use of the upper rooms of the West TexasChamber of Commerce building. Judge Coombes, past mayor of Abilene, will serve.Jim KetchumÕs Last Standby J. Marvin Hunter One of the early settlers of Tom Green county, Texas, was Eugene McCrohan, who located in that region in 1866 and lived there for more than half a century. Some years ago, McCrohan gave the following account of a Texas tragedy in those early days, which has almost faded from public memory. He said: ÒIn the spring of 1867, while a company of United States soldiers of the Fourth Cavalry was yet stationed at old Camp Charlotte, at the mouth of Kiowa Creek, on the Main Concho, Jim Ketchum started a large herd of cattle for New Mexico. At that time the government had rounded up and held as prisoners at Fort Sumner, New Mexico, 7000 Navajo Indians. These Indians had to be fed, and in order to do this a heavy draft on the Texas rangers became necessary and Texas beef cattle commanded high prices when delivered in Fort Sumner. At the same time Ketchum started his herd from the Concho river, others set out for the same destination with herds, large and small, I being one of the number. We drove our herds slowly, and in the fall we reached the Hondo River, about where Roswell, New Mexico, now stands, and finding water plentiful and range excellent, we wintered there. Ketchum and Party Attacked by IndiansThe next spring, we drove to Fort Sumner, where sales were made at satisfactoryprices and made our return to Texas. Among the outfits preparing for the return tripwere those of Jim Ketchum, Sam Gholson and others, and to insure safety againstIndians during the long journey it was proposed that we all travel together. Ketchumwith two of his friends were ready to start while the others had not quite finishedmaking preparations for the trip. Pleading urgent demands for his presence at home onthe Concho river, and maintaining that he and his men were able to cope with anyopposition that Indians along the route might offer, Ketchum and his party startedsome two or three days in advance of us. If I remember correctly, he had no wagonsand being encumbered with only a small amount of baggage, he depended altogether onone or more pack animals. His most valuable possession, however, was the money whichhe had received in payment for his cattle, amounting to several thousand dollars, andfrom what I afterward learned, most or all of this money was in greenbacks, or UnitedStates Currency. ÒIn the meantime, I had bought two large wagons, known in those daysas ÒSanta FeÓ or ÒMurphyÓ wagons, with three yoke of large steers to each wagon, andwith this outfit my party of five men took up the line of march for home. We had tocontent ourselves with the sluggish movements of our ox-teams, and hence traveledslowly, but as it so happened we kept within three or four daysÕ travel of KetchumÕsparty.A Gruesome DiscoveryÒEverything had gone fairly well with us until we reached the Mustang Water Hole,near the headwaters of the Main _______ where we camper overnight. The next morningas we resumed our journey, Joe Warner, a member of our party, went out to fill afuffalo (sic). In a very short time, he came back at great speed, yelling at the topof his voice, ÔIndians! Indians!Õ However, when he reached our little wagon train, headmitted that he had come upon the body of a dead man, evidently murdered by Indians.Two or three of our party volunteered to return with Warren for the purpose ofinvestigating, and they soon returned about as badly shaken as the man who first madethe discovery. They declared that the county was Ôfull of Indians,Õ and urgentlyinsisted that we make no halt, but to keep moving with all speed and get away fromthere as soon as possible. They had found, first the body of Jim Ketchum, then thatof one of the McDonald boys, and a little further on they had come upon the corpse ofa man named Comperry. they had not touched the bodies, but turned away and fled inorder to bring us the news of their discoveries. ÒOn receipt of this intelligence, wecalled a halt and went into camp. One or two of GholsonÕs men were sent post haste toCamp Charlotte, and in response to their call, Captain Renderbrook, Company H. FourthCavalry, sent a detail under Lieutenant Hemphill, to the scene of the tragedy. Ofcourse, by this time the Indians had decamped and were far away, and it only remainedfor the soldiers to gather up the bodies of the murdered men and give them decentburial where they were found.Ground Littered With MoneyWhen the soldiers reached the place where the men had been filled they found theground littered with fragments of United States Currency Ñ greenback bills of variousdenominations. Evidently, this was the money or part of it, that Mr. Ketchum hadreceived in payment for his cattle, and the Indians had knowing its value, had tornthe bills to pieces and scattered the fragments to the winds. These fragments weregathered up carefully and afterwards delivered to Mrs. Ketchum who forwarded them tothe Treasury Department at Washington for redemption, but with what success I neverlearned. ÒAll signs and indications showed that Ketchum and his party, whiletraveling, had come upon a large band of Indians; that the Indians attacked them, andthat in order to escape immediate assassination they had sought the shelter of asmall arroya, nearby, where, evidently the attack was concentrated, and where theirbodies were found. The final stand of the white men was in a depression at the headof this arroya. Here, it seems they were protected on all sides save at one point,where a small hackberry tree stood, and this point overlooked and commanded everyfoot of KetchumÕs position. The Indians, apparently, soon discovered this vantageground, and crawling up under the meagre(sic) protection afforded by this smallhackberry, poured a deadly fire upon the three men in the arroya, keeping it up untilthe last man had fallen. How long the fight lasted will never be known, but all signsindicated that the unequal struggle was of long duration. Ketchum and his companionswere well supplied with ammunition; their guns were of the best make, and the menbehind them were strangers to fear. They concentrated their fire upon the hackberrywith such accuracy that the tree was actually cut down close to the ground, and thebloodstains at and near the base of the tree, showed that quite a number of thesavages were wounded or killed by the TexansÕ guns.Heroic DefenseEven after the last of the three men had fallen, the Indians, fearful that a spark oflife yet remained, and that some palsied hand might yet send a bullet into the heartof one of their number, gathered about the brow of the arroya overlooking the pointwhere the bodies lay, and threw stones in such quantities that the corpses werealmost covered by these stones. Hundreds of empty shells littered the ground wherethe men fell, and which with other telling evidences of a cool, calm life-and-deathstruggle, warrant the assertion that it was one of the bravest in by frontiersmen inWest Texas. ÒA short time prior to the killing of Jim Ketchum, or soon thereafter,another one of the Ketchums, a brother, probably, was murdered by Indians while incamp at Salt Gap, now in McCulloch county, near Melvin. This Mr. Ketchum and twocompanions were turkey hunting in that vicinity, and had evidently been discovered bya party of prowling Comanches. Ketchum ______at a late hour the Indians crawled upand fired on them, fatally wounding Mr. Ketchum while he lay asleep on his pallet.The two men with him, both in whom had also been wounded, agreed to stay by him andoffer such defense as was in their power, but he told them it would probably prove auseless sacrifice of their own lives, and urged them to leave him and savethemselves, saying he had but a few hours to live. The two men made their way on footto the Ketchum ranch, near the mouth of Brady creek, and reported the attack; arelief party was immediately sent out. When the relief party reached Sal Gap theyfound Ketchum dead, and that the Indians evidently had departed immediately aftershooting into the camp.ÓThe Stamford AmericanThursday, April 21, 1927NugentMrs. Ruark died last week and was buried at Phantom Hill.The Stamford AmericanThursday, April 28, 1927Church of Christ planning new building Cost is to be $15-20,000 on the site where the present frame church house now stands at the corner of Moran and Wetherbee streets. The meeting resulted in the appointment of a building committee: composed of G.W. Ashley, L.L. Loop, I.E. Macon, W.M. Carlton and Joe R. Jones. The Stamford AmericanThursday, May 5, 1927The Swift Gin Co. is building a $30,000 gin at Jayton. The plant will be moved inevery way. S.H. Sherman of Stamford is supervising the work.NugentMrs. Wilkerson of Abilene died Thursday and was buried at Phantom Hill Friday.The Stamford AmericanThursday, May 12, 1927NugentMiss Ada Middleton, Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Winkle and little son, W.D., Mrs. W.A. Archerand daughter, Jewel, were visiting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sol Foster.Stamford Woodmen Circle Drill team which won the state championship at the recentconvention at Mineral Wells. Mrs. Tip Pace, Miss Lola Terry, Mrs. Claud Day, Mrs.R.P. Small, Mrs. Artman Daniel, Mrs. F.B. Lee, Mrs. H.P. Moudy, Mrs. C.K. cline, Mrs.Tressie Goldsticker, Mrs. L.A. Gustafson, Mrs. Mitt Adams, Mrs. W.N. Kinney, Mrs.Fannie Meeker, Mrs. M.L. Middlebrook, Mrs. William Cook, Mrs. M.L. Lawson, Mrs. JackFuqua, Mrs. W.G. Bruce.C.J. Klein who has been with the Morrow Drug Company has accepted a position with thePalace Drug store of Brownfield.The Stamford AmericanThursday, May 19, 1927Bulldogs in 1927[Colored School building built in 1927 is the same one that is boarded up now onceowned by Mr. and Mrs. Horn in 2000] High school building. Bomar Heights buildingWeiller & Benjaminat PeeveyÕs old standChaparral - a book recently published by the Jones county rural schools.The Stamford AmericanThursday, May 26, 1927The ambition of a young man to give his sweetheart a thousand dollar diamond lead tothe arrest of Aubrey Ray of Stamford and his cousin, Togo Ray at Durant, OK oncharges of robbing the bank at Ovalo, Taylor county, a few months ago, according to astory given The American by Deputy Sheriff M.G. Pugh. Aubrey Ray led the officers tothe money which was buried in four places originally but only one of the sacks wasfound, the one containing small coins. It was supposed that Togo had returned to thespot and dug up the money without AubreyÕs knowledge.Sagerton rebuilding after the fire Darden & Englemann are pushing the construction of two brick building, Mrs. E.G.Stein has a brick under construction, while the one for J.W. Martin is rapidlynearing completion. The Bell building has been completed and now houses a moderncafe. Highline to be brought into town by West Texas Utilities.The Stamford AmericanThursday, June 2, 1927Traits of the Tonkaways (story insert)by J.E. WatkinsLuedersF.B. Tonroy was valedictorian, Charles Oldham was salutatorian. Diplomas were givento: F.B. Tonroy, Otto Lambert, Charles Oldham, Olin Cowan. Dorothy Nell Sharbutt andMaurice Putman won the honors of best all-around students.Superintendent Chas. La Motte, who has been in Lueders for two years will not returnnext year.The Stamford AmericanThursday, June 9, 1927A.C. Easterling, sales manager of the Swenson Land and Cattle Company and presidentof the Stamford chamber of Commerce, announced this week that he will leave StamfordJuly 1 to take personal charge of his ranch near Del Rio. Mr. Easterling has lived inStamford for four years, coming here from Marfa, where for six years he had beenmanager of the Highland Hereford BreedersÕ Association. The Stamford AmericanThursday, June 16, 1927Stamford American operations J.D. Rambo, foreman, C.O. Miller, Linotype operator; Cleburne Huston, editor. Correspondents: Miss Essie Mae Sorrell - New Hope; Miss Edna Moore - Spring Creek;Miss Ruth Davis - Vernon; Miss Josephine Turley - Avoca; Miss Rubie Hanson - PlainView; Miss Lena Boedeker - Bunker Hill; Miss Dollie Groom - Nugent; Miss VirgieMcIntyre - Bunker Hill; Miss Ollie Buske - New LightOther staff members - Miss Lynder Holly.Avoca Service station destroyed by fire Friday. the building was the property of Mrs.Joe Humphrey and J.C. Williams, but was leased by the Texas Company.NugentBurglars broke into V.V. MoorheadÕs garage Friday night and got about six inner tubesand got some tools and casings from Dr. Lewis. ÒGrandmotherÓ Vinson of near Nugentdied Thursday evening, about 7:00 and was buried Friday.The Stamford AmericanThursday, June 23, 1927Dr. E.P. Bunkley to succeed Easterling as C. of C. President Dr. Bunkley, one of thepioneers of Stamford and has been connected with the Chamber of Commerce.Bert King, manager of the Alcove Theater.American Telephone & Telegraph CompanyBell SystemH. Blair-Smith, TreasurerThe Stamford AmericanThursday, June 30, 1927Independence EditionÒsupreme in its fieldÓStamford Home of West Texas Chamber of Commerce. on December 21, 1918, initial meeting. First official family selected on February 8, 1919, at Wichita Falls, Texas. Col.C.T. Herring of Amarillo was chosen.First executive staff - First Executive board Pioneer Membership - 97 towns in January 1920Staff of today: Homer D. Wade, manager; Miss Sena Allene Wright, assistant publicitymanager; Miss Inez Lively - membership secretary; Miss Clara Lively - assistant tothe manager; B.M. Whitaker - agricultural and exhibit manager.The Stamford AmericanThursday, June 30, 1927Arthur L. Buster finishes term as Rotary president, Dr. Dallas Southard installedGas company to being construction work in city about July 15th Surveyors are layingpipe which will bring natural gas from the Throckmorton county field to Stamford andother towns. according to T.E. Patton, general manager of the C.O. Moore interests.AvocaMr. and Mrs. Lynn Flowers of Old Glory spent Saturday with Mrs. FlowersÕ parents, Mr.and Mrs. I.E. Macon.The Stamford AmericanThursday, June 30, 1927Elliott family reunion held here Sunday Fifty-five people attended a reunion of the Elliott family at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Elliott Sunday, June 26. The reunion was held in honor of Mr. ElliottÕs 75th birthday, which fell on Wednesday, June 22. It was the first time the entire family had been together since 1915, when a reunion was held at Hamlin. John A. Elliott, was born June 22, 1852. Mrs. Elliott, whose maiden name was Miss Nannie E. Young, was born July 13, 1860. They were married July 20, 1879, nearly 48 years ago, near Clayton, in Panola County. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, after their marriage, lived near Kemp, Kaufman county. In 1880, they moved to Panola county, lived there four years, then moved back to Kaufman county. In December 1889, they moved to Tom Green county, near San Angelo. They remained there eight months, and it did not rain a drop during that time. In September, 1890, they moved to Taylor county, settling on Dead Man creek, ten miles northeast of Abilene. For 15 years, they lived in Taylor county, near Abilene and Merkel. They moved to Jones County, near Hamlin, in 1906. In 1923, they moved to Stamford and have lived here since. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott. Two died in infancy and the other 11 are still living. There are also 29 grand and three great. Sons and daughters are: William M. Elliott of Merkel; Allen A. Elliott of Abilene; George W. Elliott of Abilene; Marvin E., Tom J. and Miss Jewell Elliott all of Stamford; S.H. ÒHarryÓ Elliott of Hamlin; Mrs. D.T. Simms of Mineral Wells; Miss Maye E. Elliott of New York City; Mrs. A.L. Weaver of Breckenridge; Mrs. W.N. Owens of Electra. Others present: Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Elliott and family of Hamlin; D.N. Balch, A.H. Balch and Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Balch and family, Miss Lula Kate Pardue, all of Abilene; Miss Effie Kirkland of Stamford.Special Section We are indebted to the faithful, diligent and loyal staff in making this July edition of the American a success. We are also indebted to The Chaparral, published by the Jones County rural schools under the supervision of Miss Luella Hauk, county superintendent, for some of the historical matter in the paper. But we donÕt want the readers to forget that after all, it is the advertisers who have made a paper of this size possible. Without the liberal patronage they have given us, this paper would not have been at all possible. DonÕt fail to read the ads!By-laws Central West Texas Poultry AssociationAdopted June 17, 1927Four-H Club of Bunker Hill Doing Excellent Work; Meaning of Name is Explained by membership pledgeby Virgie McIntyre The 4-H Agricultural club of Bunker Hill community is at the present the leading educational organization of the community. The club was organized, May 3, 1927, by the advanced school children with the teacher, W.C. McKenzie, acting as local adult leader. Twenty-seven members began the club work and this number has been greatly increased. At the present there are approximately 3000 4-H Club members in Texas. Haskell county joined three years ago and has approximately 150 members now. This is Bunker HillÕs first year in club work.Sam Cochran, 12, tried in the juvenile court, was acquitted of the charge lodgedagainst him following the fatal shooting of Tom Tomlin on May 5. The shootingoccurred when Sam alleged that Tom and another boy attempted to rob the fillingstation where he was employed, 12 miles west of here. Sam is the son of B.J. Cochran,the so-called Òempty grave mystery manÓ who startled the country a few years ago bysupposedly dying and then reappearing in Mexico. TomlinÕs home was in Roscoe. He wasshot in the leg and died from loss of blood at the Stamford Sanitarium.Confirmation at St. Thomas Church Festive Occasionby Paul Mosler, Pastor It was reported in the Stamford American that the Right Reverend Bishop Joseph Patrick Lynch, D.D., Bishop of the Dallas Diocese, would administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in the St. Thomas Church of Stamford. The bishop came. It was a festival occasion for all, especially the 13 children for the confirmation and their happy parents: Mrs. Mary Phil. Schoepps prepared them diligently; also, Misses Marie Kotulek and Bertha Grametbauer.Special Edition - 2600 copies of the paper were printed or 900 pounds of paper.The Stamford AmericanThursday, July 7, 1927Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Griffin were very happy in a family reunion at their home in Avoca.Those present were their five daughters and families: Mr. and Mrs. Grover C. Hall anddaughter, Mildred and sons, Junior and Woody B., of Abilene; Mr. and Mrs. LeslieBolton of Silverton; Mr. and Mrs. R.R. Cantrell and daughters, Golda and Alice ofStamford; Miss Ruby Griffin of Avoca; and Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Roten and son, Mabrey,and daughter, Bernice, from Chico, CA. Two sons of the Griffin families were unableto come: two sons - Frank of Abilene and Harmon of Los Angeles, CA. Mr. and Mrs. J.E.Stewart of Plainview, cousins of Mr. Roten, ere also present. Mr. And Mrs. Stewartlived in California 20 years ago and have not seen Mr. and Mrs. Roten since thattime. This is the first family reunion that has been possible for 17 years, when Mr.and Mrs. Roten and children visited here. there are only five grandchildren, threegirls and two boys, and this is the first time they have ever all been together. Mr.and Mrs. Roten will leave for Mississippi on Monday where they will spend about twoweeks with Mr. RotenÕs relatives there, before returning to California.NugentOliver Todd has sold his store.Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Brown have family reunion. Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Brown had a family reunion July 4. Present: Mr. and Mrs. Earl Brown of Abilene, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Brown and family, Eugene Brown and L.M. Middlebrook and family all of Stamford. Earl Brown is an instructor at Abilene Christian College and the college is sending him to Baltimore, for special study this winter.The Stamford AmericanThursday, July 14, 1927Encampment opens with best attendance in history.The R.E. Cox Dry goods Company has purchased the stock and fixtures of J.T. Bryantand SonÕs dry goods store on the west side of the square. The new owners have closedthe store for a short time. Four Cox brothers are interested in the R.E. Cox DryGoods company. There are R.E., R.A., George L. and V.M. Cox. George L. Cox will havecharge fo the store here. Purchasers are operating stores in Stephenville, Marlin andWaco.No services at the First Baptist church this Sunday so that all may attend theBaptist Encampment.No services at Presbyterian church so that all may attend the Presbyterian Encampmentat Buffalo Gap.New Swenson Building to receive bids Friday Lange one-story building to be constructed of stone and brickBids on the stone and brick building to be erected by the Swenson Land and CattleCompany at the northeast corner of the square are to be received Friday. The buildingwill be 50 by 150 feet, one story high. The structure will house a store 50 by 100feet and the Swenson offices, 90 by 50 feet. The offices will occupy the east end ofthe structure and will face on McHarg avenue, while the store will front on thesquare. The west and north walls of the building will be of stone. The south wallwill be of brick and the east wall of either brick or stone. The store will have amodern plate glass front and also a line of plate glass windows along the entireMcHarg avenue side. The offices will have a handsome stone arch front.ÔRound the Courthouse Mr. Sanders went to Wichita Falls on Wednesday of this week to accompany Roy Patterson to the Insane Asylum. He was accompanied by D.W. Gray, city Marshall J. Spurgeon Reeves, district clerk of Jones county is spending his vacation on the Ò7-DÓ Ranch at Mertzon. Miss Lela Dalton is in charge during his absence. Miss Anna Knox and B.F. Candron as in Stamford compiling delinquent tax roll for 1926. Tax assessor, W.H. ÒBillÓ Griffith. County Clerk, W.F. Wright County Judge Owen Thomas Sheriff Hudson Miss Luella Hauk, county superintendent of public instructionProfessor Stephens will open a singing school at Rockdale Baptist Church Monday, July25, according to J.M. Covey. Rev. Mr. Miller will assist the pastor, Rev. Joel Grimesin holding a meeting.The home of J.E. Mounce on Bunkley street was destroyed by fire Sunday night.The servantÕs house in rear of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Orr on North Swensonavenue caught fire about noon Sunday and was badly damaged.Jess Lee Sanderson helped in the John Herron tin shop, while soldering a pipe, dippeda wet ladle into a pot of hot metal. This caused the metal to splash up into his facecompleted destroying his eyesight. He was rushed to the Stamford sanitarium on July 9from Rule for further treatment.Anson, July 13 Ñ Local citizens are working on a new clue as to the identity of theother members of a band of burglars who some time ago attempted to burglarize theJ.M. Radford Grocery House of Stamford and one, Jack Smith, alias A.J. Tanner ofHaskell county, was shot down by the night watchman, John Estes. Tanner confesses tohaving been sent to the penitentiary from Jones county in 1920 to serve two years forforgery.NugentA few people from Wilsonville attended church at Nugent Sunday night.The Stamford American Thursday, July 21, 19277,500 people at Baptist EncampmentSwenson Building contract delayed as bids too highThe home of Mrs. R.E. Bridges on East Bunkley street was destroyed by fire Wednesday at 7:00.Stamford helps organize Rotary club at HamlinThis notice is to notify the public that no fishing, hunting, or trespassing isallowed on my premises at the Swedish Dam.N.P. EkdahlThe Stamford American Thursday, July 28, 1927Work to being on Stamford Gas SystemPipeline is being laid into eastern part of Jones CountyHumble to pipe Oil from Wells in Nugent area Line will run from Shackelford county to the Higgs well near Nugent.BrownÕs Grocery will have new brick building. The building will be 25 x 80 feet andwill be located on the second lot north of the present location of the store. J.T.W.Brown, proprietor of the store has purchased this lot which adjoins the Methodistchurch property. The church recently purchased the two 25-foot lots just south of thebuilding. The new building will have faced brick on the side next to the church aswell as on the front. T.S. Ross of Gorman is the contractor. Work on Swenson building due to start next week.Public Schools of Stamford will open 5th of September Kindergarten is given approval of school boardN.S. Holland, SuperintendentThe home of W.G. Henderson on South Swenson destroyed by fire on last Thursday.B.F. Thomas, B.S., Prairie View State Teachers College has been named Principal ofthe Washington SchoolA new undertaking establishment was opened in Stamford this week under the name ofStamford Undertaking Company. The firm is composed of W.N. Kinney and W.H. Jones. Mr.Kinney will have active charge of the business. He is well known in Stamford as afuneral director and embalmer. Undertaking parlors are located in the new building onthe south side of the square, owned by Morgan Ray. Firm will give free ambulanceservice anywhere inside the city limits. A large new Kissel ambulance has beenpurchased.The Stamford American Thursday, August 4, 1927Swift Gin Company and Rule-Jayton Cotton Oil Company held a picnic at the EricSwenson place on the Clear Fork, near Lueders last Friday.Dirt broken for erection of Swenson building on Wednesday morning at the northeastcorner of the square where the old townsite office building formerly stood. C.S Oatesof Abilene is the contractor.The Stamford American Thursday, August 11, 1927Dr. and Mrs. F.E. Hudson, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil McDaniel and Miss Dora Kothman willleave for Paris in September to attend the American Legion convention.Ford Agency at Seymour bought by R.F. Townsend, owner of the Townsend Motor Companyof Stamford. J.O. Butler, sales manager in Stamford will move to Seymour.Mrs. Anna L. Dial announces that her kindergarten and first grade school will openthe first Monday in September. Mrs. Dial is adding the first grade work this year.Fay Anders has leased the filling station at the Camp Cozy tourist park on EastHamilton Street and is operating under the same Camp Cozy Filling Station. Mr. Andershas been employed at HusbandÕs Filling Station for the past year.Free KelloggÕs Corn Flakes to every reader of the American.The Stamford American Thursday, August 18, 1927C.C. Cannon of the Spring Creek community brought the first bale of 1927 cotton toStamford Monday. The bale consisted of 2300 pounds of ÒsnapsÓ which turned out 571pounds of lint cotton. The bale was sold to the highest bidder and brought 23 cents apound. Bob Taylor, buyer for the J.S. Smith and son gin was the buyer.The Stamford American Thursday, August 25, 1927Skaggs Brothers of Breckenridge are Contractors for installation of Natural gas systemT.A. Upshaw to erect business houses on north Swenson avenue. The buildings will beimmediately north of the rock building occupied by BairdÕs Grocery and otherbusinesses. Each building will be approximately 15 x 47 feet. One of the buildingwill be occupied by JacksonÕs Cafe, another by John Steeley, who will operate a meatmarket.Stop signs are installed at four street corners McHarg and Swenson (northwest cornerof square); Hamilton and Swenson (southwest corner of square); Hamilton and Ferguson(near Methodist church); and Oliver and Swenson (near Baptist church).The Stamford American Thursday, September 1, 1927Buildings badly damaged by fire Monday morning Loss from fire in Austin building isestimated at $5,000. The first destructive fire that has occurred in the businessdistrict in Stamford in more than three years occurred Sunday night when twobuildings on North Swenson avenue, owned by J.P. Astin were damaged to the extent ofpossibly $5,000. The fire started in the building occupied by Charlie LagadinosÕCandy Kitchen and spread to the vacant building next door south. At times the CrystalTheater and American Cafe buildings were threatened.James Tanner, inmate of the Anson jail, charged with the Radford Burglary marriedMiss Nora Lockridge who is also inmate of Jones county jail.Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Crump have acquired what was formerly known as LouÕs Cafe on WestMcHarg avenue, next to the Quality Service Station, and will operate it under thename ÒOliver Crump CafeÓ. He had been with the White Kitchen Cafe.Mrs. J.A. Middleton and daughters, Misses Mattie Merle and Leta Mae.The Stamford American Thursday, September 8, 1927Lloyd Conatser, 19, was arrested in Columbus, Miss., last Saturday in connection withthe slaying of Sheriff R.J. Smith and his deputy, Jake Owens, of Fisher county nearRoby a week before. Bill Smith, who accompanied Conatser to Mississippi and who is alleged to have fired the fatal shots, is said to have left Columbus just before ConatserÕs arrest. He was said to be headed for Canada and at last report was still at large.Tanner estimates Jones County Crop at 54,000 balesForty-two bales of cotton destroyed by fire at Avoca.H.D. Reid of Lubbock was arrested near Funston Wednesday morning in connection withan attempt to rob a safe in Breckenridge Tuesday night. Sheriff Tom Hudson and DeputyA.G. Sanders of Anson made the arrest. Officers at Breckenridge surprised two men inthe act of knocking the knob on a safe in a creamery Tuesday night. One of the menwas shot to death by one of the officers, but the other escaped.LuedersHomer J. Martin of McKinney has made his home in Lueders and is employed with theBunkley Drug Store at Lueders.New HopeSeveral persons from here attended the funeral of Mrs. Dee Fielder at Bethel, Monday evening.The Stamford American Thursday, September 15, 1927NugentMrs. Creath Harvey of Abilene is visiting her son, J.D. Harvey and daughter, Mrs.Randolph (Pauline) Moorehead. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Moorehead are announcing arrival of alittle son, born September 7.The Stamford American Thursday, September 22, 1927Meeting is held by library board at Cooper Hotel.Thirty-four years in the service without a black mark or even so much as a Òbrownie"is the enviable record of P.R. Bettis of Stamford who resigned September 5 as anengineer on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. Mr. Bettis owns a considerable amountof property and gave up his railroad job to look after his own business affairs. Mr.Bettis has been on the same road throughout the 34 years of his service. he was withthe Texas Central when it was bought by the Katy. Mr. Bettis has been running on thewest local, Stamford to Rotan and return. H. Peterson is now the engineer on thisrun.J.P. Astin starts business house east side square Work began this week on two newbrick buildings on the east side of the public square, immediately north of thebuilding occupied by the Piggly Wiggly store. J.P. Astin is erecting the building andE.D Jones is the contractor. The larger building is to be occupied by a ÒHelpy SelfyÓchain grocery to be operated by A.S. Zachary.The Stamford American Thursday, September 29, 1927LuedersMr. and Mrs. Fred Goodrich and little daughter of Anson have moved to Lueders andwill make their home with Mrs. GoodrichÕs father, J.T. Lawrence.The Clarence Saunders, ÒSole Owner of My NameÓ store will open for business inStamford Saturday according to Herbert V. Woodson, new chain grocery operator. Thestore is located on the west side of the square. Sterlin Dodgen, formerly withWaples-Platter, will be a member of the force of the new store.The Stamford American Thursday, October 6, 1927Work started on another building on east side by J.P. Astin. Building to be occupiedby L. Schwarz & company.Grand Jury asks for strict enforcement of Sunday closing lawBride and groom no longer at home in Jones County jail Mrs. Tanner was charged withchicken theft and was granted a remission by Governor Moody and left to join hermother at Munday. Mr. Tanner was sent to the penitentiary.219 new subscribers of the Stamford American Listed.Denton M. Black has purchased the Stamford Tailoring and Cleaning Company. For manyyears, he has been a member of the firm Elliott & Black.J.C. McGaughey has purchased the Texas Service Station formerly owned by LeonardCarlson. Mr. Carlson is to be with Hedberg Garage.The Stamford American Thursday, October 13, 1927Owen C. Powell, formerly of Colorado, Texas, is now associated with J.M. Shaw in theShaw Tire Company.Both Conatser and Smith to be tried on double charges Bill Smith, alias Roy Miller,alias Joyce Sheppard, 23, and Lloyd Conatser, 19, were reindicted Tuesday by theFisher County grand jury for alleged murder of Sheriff Bob Smith and Deputy JakeOwens. Sheppard and his wife were arrested at Morganfield, Ky., under the name of RoyMiller. Sheppard in a statement to Sheriff OÕBar of Taylor county, claimed thatConatser shot the sheriff. Smith said he was born in Belton, December 6, 1904,married, sent to the Arizona penitentiary for life for killing a man over a cropdivision, was divorced by his wife, escaped last December, landed in Roby and afterconducting a dance hall for some time was married. Conatser, formerly a resident ofRoby, joined him just shortly before the double killing. Trial to be in Anson.AvocaThe Avoca school opened October 10. The faculty consists of Prof. O.M. McCloud andwife and Mrs. Noel Brown and Misses Lucy Purifoy, Christine Carter and Grace McCloud.Mrs. H.J. Hanson is the music teacher and Mrs. Slover Culwell expression teacher.The W.T.U. Cooking school to be held at the City AuditoriumThe Stamford American Thursday, October 20, 1927H.F. Faver must serve two years in the state penitentiary for the killing of J.A.Lisle, gin man of Rule, last February.Distilled Water for sale byTexas Coca-Cola Bottling Co.405 East ReynoldsNugentSchool began here October 17. Teachers are Mr. Townsend, Miss Miller, Miss Cummins,Miss Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Jess Middleton are announcing the arrival of a five-poundgirl.Flower Show to be held October 25, 26, 27The Stamford American Thursday, October 27, 1927More than 8,000 bales of cotton ginned to dateMrs. J.G. High has her brother and family, Mr. and Mrs. Wylie Lovelady of Abilene asher guests. Mr. Lovelady being one of the Flower Show judges.Many new homes are springing up on east side of town In SymondÕs addition - Mr. andMrs. F.W. Peckham, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Woodson, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Connell and the onerecently purchased by Mr. and Mrs. N.M. Phy. East Elizabeth street U.D. Thompson homeEast Vanderbilt street - Floyd Lindsey, Frank Kohout, T.E. White, Mr. Day, Mr.Griffin, and rent house owned by John Morrison. East Wells avenue - Louis Hardy, E.E.Yates, Clint Brannon, brick home of H.F. Park Wesleyan Avenue - Hudley Raines, W.H.Peters, W.D. Meers Yale street - Dewey Fuqua, I.P. HelplerBerryhill school in session on October 11. Professor Stephens is the principal andMrs. Stephens and Miss Inez Burns are the teachers.The Stamford American Thursday, November 3, 1927Bonds sold to finish highway work in this DistrictEditor of oldest Farm Journal is to pay Stamford visit Loring A. Schuler, editor of ÒThe Country GentlemenÓ will visit S.M.S. ranch.Jury in the Joyce Sheppard murder trial was given the death penalty. Loyd Conatserwas given a 99 years term in Anson for the murders. - Anson Enterprise.New HopeMiss Alvoy Thompson is teaching school at Ericksdahl, where school started Monday.The Stamford American Thursday, November 10, 1927Fitz Rounds Out His 35th Year at ShoemakeÕs TradeOn November 7, 1892, Peter P. Fitzpatrick. a blue-eyed Irish lad, became a bondedapprentice to an Irish shoemaker. The term Òbonded apprenticeÓ meant that the boy wasbound under the English law at the trade which he had chosen. At the end of the fouryears, the young shoemaker had made good and upon going before a board of examinersmade up of master shoemakers, he was declared qualified as a master-worker andentitled to draw the wages of a journey maker. More than 30 years have elapsed sincethat day when the proud young Fitzpatrick successfully passed the test. During thattime, he has seen fat and lean years but through both he has continued steadily topound away at his work of repairing soles. After a few years at his trade in Ireland,he started his great adventure by coming to America. He landed in New York and spentseven years in various parts of Òthe states.Ó But 20 years ago, he landed in Stamfordand Òsettled down.Ó Here through the years he has continued to ply his trade as amaster shoemaker. Fitz has seen other trades and businesses come and go but he has nofear for the future of the shoemakerÕs trade. ÒWhen children are born without feet,Ósays Fitz, Òthen shoemakers will go out of business.ÓRev. J.L. Bates, the first pastor of the Nazarene church in Stamford, has accepted apastorate in Waurika, OK and has moved there from Bethany, OK, where he has been forthe past few years.Dr. and Mrs. E.P. Bunkley are building a new home on East Reynolds. The building isto be of white brick and will have two stories. The new brick home of Mr. and Mrs.C.M. Frances is under construction.The Stamford AmericanThursday, November 17, 1927Rev. R.A. Stewart is returned to Stamford as Methodist Pastor Rev. J.H. Hamblen is re-appointed presiding elderA thoroughly modern and up-to-date hot water system is being installed in the highschool by C.E. Wallace.Henry Tsuji has opened a laundry at 409 South Vassar street called Home Laundry.Tsuji was formerly in charge of the Stamford Inn Laundry.The Stamford AmericanThursday, December 1, 1927Lutheran Church at Sagerton Now in new buildingSagerton - Nov. 30. The 23rd of October was a great day for the Sagerton communitywhen the new Zion Lutheran church was dedicated. A neat little parsonage has beenerected for the pastor, Rev. C.F. Juergensen, who is now a resident here. Everyone isinvited to visit at these services.Letters to Santa ClausRoy Leslie BujonBobbie Steve BujonEugene TolleThe Stamford AmericanThursday, December 8, 1927Ring telephone 66 for Coal, I am handling the Swastika and Dawson lump coal. J.S. Smith.Letters to Santa ClausVictoria CrowLouis WhiteMuriel Geneva CozbyDixie MayBaxter CozbyInez SorrellClifton CobbJewell HughesAltie Mae HughesThe Stamford AmericanThursday, December 15, 1927Compulsory school attendance law is now in operation on December 5thNugentV.V. Moorehead made a trip to Abilene.Santa Claus LettersEula Lee BurneyDenzil GouldStacy BurneyDenzil MoonDorothy Dee BurneyRuth Marie MorganH.C. SmithHelen PustejovskyAlice CookAlvin ComerEwell PhilipsChubby BarnettNannie SmithBessie SmithGladys CoxMarvin Edward NewcombDaulton DavisDorothy Jack BatesHerbert Koch, Jr.Nettie Bea AndersonZelma Zea AndersonWoodrow ReidLanora BlackburnClarence BlackburnRebanell BlackburnErnest Gene BlackburnJohnnie CullumMiriam CozbyÒLittleÓ Melba CozbyLee Elford CozbyThe Stamford AmericanThursday, December 22, 1927Santa Claus LettersOra Fay WilsonRuby Mae WilsonAlbert and Dorothy ThaneLa Nelle AustinChriysteen Fay McKoyDelma Belle JonesDuane JonesDelton ÒDockÓ JonesLa Nelle AustinJohn M. Harvey, age 7Marvin Harvey, age 5Albert Harvey, age 2 mo.Alvin and Osker RodgesRuth BennettForrest Eldon LawrenceCarl LeagueIrine and Corine GregoryRuthie PannellEvelyn PannellRaymond WeeksEley BennettB.F. Hargrove, Jr.Ruby Mae and Billie HargroveOnis CrawfordWeldon CrawfordEarl CrawfordBernadell BushDorothy Faye ScottCharles Henry SorrellAlene JenningsJewell MossThe Stamford AmericanThursday, December 29, 1927Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Rhodes celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Saturday, December24, at their home six miles south of Stamford. Mr. RhodesÕ father and mothercelebrated their 50th wedding anniversary three years ago, December 25 at Otto,Texas. Mrs. RhodesÕ parents are still living, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes were marriedDecember 24, 25 years ago at Otto, Texas, and came to Stamford in 1919.OÕRearÕs Bootery, owned and operated by O.O. OÕRear, moved this week from thelocation with Mrs. E.O. Hood & Co. to one of the new Astin buildings.Officers Prepare for Final attack on Cisco BanditsTwo of Robbers have been captured, other two badly wounded. Abilene, Dec. 28 Ñ A posse of more than 100 men were gathered near the Goose Neck of the Brazos River between South Bend and Oil City early last night awaiting orders from Texas Rangers Tom Hickman and Gonzallaus, who were in Graham perfecting plans for a final onslaught on two ambushed bandits, believed to have participated in the robbery last Friday of the First National Bank of Cisco. The two men were located near the bend of the river late yesterday as they were frightened in the act of stealing an automobile from a farmer named Dennis, it was said. One of the men is believed to be the leader of the bandit gang. Both he and his pal are badly wounded. A third is in the county jail at Graham suffering serious wounds inflicted when he was shot down by pursuing officers near that city early this morning. He has made no statements. Two men detained for investigation in the county jail at Albany, Texas, arrested early Monday, admitted late today that they had dressed the banditsÕ wounds and had given them food Sunday. Charges of aiding and abetting int he robbery have been filed against them.