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Sulphur Springs Gazette, July 5, 1889
From the research files of June E. Tuck
Since I will not be doing a book on Hopkins County, I have decided to share some of the things I have found with those who are interested in early Hopkins County history. Looking for early Hopkins County information, outside the courthouse, is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Hope I am sharing with you, the reader, what has not been seen before.
A Peek into July 5, 1889
The rain last Monday was a regular "clod-soaker, rat-drownder and creek-raisor." It did considerable damage to the streets and bridges and it will cost the city a good sum to make the needed repairs. Quite a number of the smaller bridges in the county were washed away.
Hubby Harrison has written to Col. J. L. Camp at Gilmer to be here at the reunion. The Colonel was one of the most popular of Ector's brigade. It is hoped that he will be here, but his health may prevent.
Jno. C. Higdon brought to town a bundle of clover and timothy hay last Saturday. It was the regular old long-headed timothy and red headed clover, and it grew waist high right here in Hopkins county.
Dr. Patton of Dallas was in town on the first of the month. On being asked how long he would remain, he replied that he would be here until he collected his rents. That is business and pleasure combined.
The Gazette job office has the contract to print the catalogs for the Black Jack High School. Prof. Bridges is principal, and the school which is already one of the best in the county, will be still better next session.
Mr. Thad Stribbling is a widower this week, as his better half is visiting relatives in Reily Springs. Mrs. Jim McDonald is also visiting relatives at Reily. In the mean time Jim and Thad are having a good old time.
Dist. Deputy Sim Wortham of Black Jack came down Monday to install the newly elected officers of the I. O. O. F.
Mr. W. P. Stribbling, brother to Jo. Stribbling of Reily Springs, took the train Monday for his home at Houston, Mississippi. He is 75 years old and has not been sick in more than twenty years until about two weeks ago when he had a light chill.
Charley Murrie has been suffering with a sore foot for some time. Over a year ago he stuck a nail in his foot, and the wound never healed. Last week the doctor took out a portion of his shoe sole which the nail had thrust into his foot. He will soon be all right.
We learn that Mr. James Gamble (sic) was drowned Tuesday evening in a creek about 4 miles southeast of Black Jack. It appears that he was in the creek bathing and the supposition is that he became cramped and sank. He leaves a wife and two or three children.
Col. Louis Starr and Mrs. H. L. Patillo were married yesterday morning . They left for the Colonel^Òs farm, eight miles southeast of town. The newly married couple are not youthful, but they have many friends who wish them many years of life and happiness.
Mr. Thos. McLaughlin, living eight miles north of Sulphur Springs, has raised a family of eight children on the place where he now lives - never lost a child. He has not needed the services of a physician at any time in the last eight years, and all the family are stout and healthy and don't look like they will ever need a physician anymore.
Mr. Niveth has a list of about forty names for a military company of cavalry, and it is expected the company will organize soon. Mr. Niveth comes from a military family, and is fond of everything military. He belonged to the cadet corps in Russia six years and was in the regular army three years with the rank of second lieutenant, when he resigned and came to America. His father, we believe, holds high rank in the Russian army now.
Miss Annis Lyon returned from Marshall Sunday where she has spent three years in a convent. She graduated at St. Mary's Academy with high honors. She received three medals, the graduating medal in the academic course, the music medial for being the most proficient in the class and certifying that she is competent to teach, and the medal in chemistry. We learn that she will take a class here in music this fall.
B. F. Ashcroft of the Farmers and Merchants mill made a business trip to Black Jack yesterday.
Last Friday evening the Sulphur Springs Wanderers who went west in a covered wagon returned. They were J. J. Dabbs, J. D. Searls, Bob Mann, J. C. Perkins and Earnest Summers. They found it delightful to rough it when you don't have to but do it of your own free will. They went to Gainsville, thence to Fort Sill, taking in the beautiful Arbuckle mountains and the still more picturesque Wichita mountains. Returning south they passed through Wichita Falls, one of the most thriving young cities of West Texas. They frightened the wild animals along the way with their guns and terrified the natives with their appearance when they returned. They looked tough. The civilizing influence of the barber had not touched them since their departure, and the growing beard made their faces look like maps of burnt districts. They have made adventures to tell and have agreed to tell them alike.
At the last meeting of the city council, arrangements were made to open Jackson street sixty feet wide from College street to the compress, and Compress street sixty feet wide from Church street to the compress. Nearly all this ground was donated to the city. These streets will give a good pass way to and from the compress. The contract was let for two cisterns for water supply.
The Knights of Pythias gave a public installation. The supper and entertainment given on the occasion of the installation of officers by the Chevalier Lodge No. 83, Knights of Pythias was in every sense a success. The K & P hall had been nicely arranged and seated, and the armory decorated for the supper and dancing. At the appointed hour Chancellor Commander Jno. T. Cate sounded the gavel and fifty gallant knights and as many ladies came to order. Master of Ceremonies W. F. Henderson, announced the program, when Deputy Grand Chancellor J. J. Dabbs assumed the first official chair, and Jno. W. Foscue, Grand Master at Arms, conducted the following officers elect through the installation ceremonies: Past Chancellor, Jno. T. Cate; Chancellor Commander, A. A. Henderson; Vice Chancellor, W. F. Skillman; Prelate, R. G. Lynch; Keeper of Records and Seals, M. McMoy; Inner Guard, J. M. Waller; Outer Guard, Sam A. Early. After this came the feast. The families of the married Knights had prepared cakes, custards, salads, meats and other dainties in endless varieties, while the single members had furnished ice cream, fruits, candies, etc. The armory had been especially decorated - draped in cedar and flowers - a feast for the eyes - a feast for the inner man. At the table, A.A. Henderson delivered a beautiful toast to the lodge. Then came C. O. James with a toast to the ladies. After the dining, sweet strains of music began to move the light fantastics (sic), and although a number retired to their homes, the young and gay whiled away the hours till the day had passed.
A serious cutting affray occurred last Friday night at the Pott's school house, about eleven miles southwest of town. So far as can be learned the particulars of the affair are as follows. A school exhibition was held at the school house and after it concluded Wiley Franks and Will White engaged in a wrestling match. White was too much for his antagonist and threw him every time. Tom Pritchett, a friend of White, made some remark about it, which enraged Franks and a quarrel ensued between Franks on one side and Pritchett and White on the other. Suddenly Franks drew a knife and slashed each of them in the face. White's nose was split but he was not seriously hurt. The knife struck Pritchett in the corner of the eye and cut a deep gash down his face near the nose, severing an artery. He came near bleeding to death before medical aid was obtained. The constable of the precinct went after Franks and tried to arrest him, but Franks stood him off with a gun and made his escape. He was afterwards arrested and jailed.
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