From the O. B. Powell Collection
Transcribed by James Barrett
Thorp’s Spring Items – Mar. 31, 1890 – Winter must have a chance to blow; hence, as spring usurped so much of its alloted time, it now retaliates, and we fear will take such deep revenge as to kill much of the fruit and early vegetables.
Our progressive town has been under going quite a revolution of late, in respect to its streets, of which all the principle ones have been graded. The difficult passes culverted. The improvement in the looks of the place can be equaled only the facility of navigation. This work does a great credit to the energy and enterprise of our citizens. There is now no neater, prettier town in our state, than our own, for the natural scenery cannot be surpassed. The work will extend to the graveyard which is in much need of it.
We can but feel that this is but a symbol of the work to be done in the near future, when the stone pavements of Thorp’s Spring shall resound with the clatter of many hoofs, and Electricity shall take up her more certain abode with us. This will all take time, but who more certain to win at last than our enterprising people?
The board of directors of Add-Ran met someday since in order to discuss business prospective for the coming session. The tobacco question was held up and viewed on all sides. The final decision in regard it is, that there will be no abatement in the severity of the law regarding it, another session. Such a filthy habit as the use of tobacco will have no mite of encouragement in an institution which has lain aside all filthiness. The same faculty was re-elected, with the exception of Prof. F.O. McKinsey, who resigned on account of ill health. We regret to lose him from our community, though his place as teacher of Greek and Latin will be filled by some one fully as efficient.
Mrs. W.J. Jones, who has been quite ill for some time, is now, we are pleased to note, improving.
Mrs. R.L. Ragsdale started today to Schulenburg, to pay a visit of indefinite length to her parents. We give her up, even for a short time, selfishly, for she is greatly missed by many friends.
The force of habit is quaintly illustrated by an incident which occurred in the young men’s congress some few meeting’s. A young preacher, enthusiastic in speaking concerning a proposed bill, pompously addressed hi fellow members as, “my dear brethren.”
Miss Ollie Wylie, who has been for several months visiting her sister in Arizona, but returned to Abilene a few weeks since, is now visiting friends and relatives at this place.
There is another drug store in town – Mr. J.B. Estis being the proprietor.
All who have been over from this place to hear Sam Jones, report themselves highly pleased. Several are going over tomorrow to take advantage of his last day at the Fort.
— Darby
A new time card went into effect on the Fort Worth and Rio Grand last Monday, a regular passenger train now being run. The east bound arrives at Granbury at 9:20 a. m., and returns a 4:40 p. m.
District Court Proceedings – The court adjourned for the term last Friday. The following business was transacted after the last report:
State vs. George Bledsoe; assault with intent to murder; guilty of aggravated assault and fined $25 and costs.
Harriett Keith et al. vs. Fort Worth & Rio Grande Railroad Co., damage for killing Hugh Parker, verdict for defendant.
Jno. A. Geuple vs. Wm. Piercy, trepass to try title: judgement for defendant.
Mrs. L.A. Yeatman et al. vs. J.N. Haney, trespass to try title; judgement for defendant.
T.L. Wren vs. Flora Merrett et al., partition: judgement for plaintiff for half of land and for each defendant for one-sixth.
The Southern Investment Co. vs. T P. Boyd et al., trespass to try title: judgement by default against A.B. Holmes and J.L. Holmes.
F.O. Fidler et al. vs. John Collier, debt; judgement for plaintiffs for $943.44 with 8 per cent interest from Aug. 15, 1889.
The catalogue of the “Fifth Summer Session of Add-Ran Christian University’ is being issued from the NEWS job office this week. The teachers are most of them members of the regular faculty of the University, with Prof. E.C. Snow at the head. Several new departments have been added as follows: Mr. T.M. Clark, Elocution; Mrs. J.B. Cook, Short-hand and Type-writing; Mr. A.C. Elliott, Book-keeping: Mr. J.B. Osborne, Vocal Music; together with a series of lectures by Pres. A. Clark. The session opens June 15thand closes August 8th, giving eight full weeks for study. The school has in the past done good work and its increased facilities and larger scope promise still better results this year. Young teachers cannot spend the summer more profitably than by attending this school. For catalouge and full particulars address Prof. E.C. Snow, Thorp’s Spring, Texas.
Letters have been received from the Republican bosses of the state to the effect the Mr. Wilson will be removed from the Granbury postoffice despite the protest of a majority of the Republican patrons of the, and a Republican appointed in his stead. Seeing that a change was to be made, several of our Republican friends have gone to work to secure the plum and a good sized “family disturbance” is the result. The general sentiment of the community is, that if Mr. Wilson is to be removed for political reasons, let a “full Blood” Republican have the place, and give no encouragement to “half breeds.”
Mrs. F.B. Clapp and two children of Albion, Ind., and Miss Ella Woodruff of Oswego, Kas., arrived in Granbury last Thursday on a visit to their aunt, Mrs. Jno. Hutchinson. They will stay until the first of next week, and we hope they will form a good opinion of Texas.
Letters have been received from the Republican bosses of the state to the effect the Mr. Wilson will be removed from the Granbury postoffice despite the protest of a majority of the Republican patrons of the, and a Republican appointed in his stead. Seeing that a change was to be made, several of our Republican friends have gone to work to secure the plum and a good sized “family disturbance” is the result. The general sentiment of the community is, that if Mr. Wilson is to be removed for political reasons, let a “full Blood” Republican have the place, and give no encouragement to “half breeds.”
Arrangements have been perfected for the organization of the “Hood County National Bank,” which will probably be open for business by the first of next month.
The City Election – Although but little interest was taken in the city election until the day of the election, several persons went to work in earnest for their favorites and made it quite lively. Voting begun early, but on account of therain only a very light vote was polled. Ten candidates for alderman were voted for, with five to be elected.
The vote stood as follows: For Mayor – Dr. J.N. Doyle – 123; For Alderman – Dr. C.F. Rodgers – 93, Jess Baker – 46, D.C. Cogdell – 54, F.C. Bush – 50, S.J. Thrash – 94, D.L. Nutt – 66, A.P. Gordon – 42, Jno. Reichstetter – 59, J.M. Skipper – 63, H.J. Kerr – 21; For Marshar – J.L. Sandlin – 90, J.L. Glenn – 28, Jas. B. Hutchison – 3.
Randolph Daniel thinks the officers were real cruel to summon him on the jury before he got accustomed to being a married man; but then you ought to have seen him blush clear down to his toes when he gave the negative answers to the usual questions.
Notice. – The County Alliance will meet with New Hope Alliance on the second Friday in April. Each alliance is requested to have delegates present, as business of interest will be transacted – J.B. Sears, Pres., D.C. Bills, Sec.
An insect very much resembling the Hessian fly has destroyed several wheat crops in different parts of the country, and many farmers think the entire crop will be ruined. However, if the big rain is followed by hot sunshine, it is hoped the pest may be destroyed.
To our Somervell subscribers: The editor of the NEWS will be at Glen Rose next Monday, and all who are in arrears are requested to be ready to pay up their subscription.
The Fort Worth and Rio Grand sent several excursions to the Sam Jones meetings last week, winding up with a big excursion on Sunday.
Don’t the vote for city officers indicate that the people want something done?
A China Set Given Away – Besides giving customers the worth of their money, F.A. Capps proposes to show some appreciation of their patronage by giving to every purchaser of $2.00 worth of any kind of goods from his house at one time a free ticket in a drawing for an elegant 92 piece China Set worth $25, now on exhibition in his show window.
The Granbury Poultry Club is now prepared to furnish eggs for hatching from choice and s—-y pure fowls of the following breeds: White and Barred Plymouth Rocks, White and Silver Wyandotts, White and Brown Leghorns, Langshans, Black and –vas and Imperial Pekin Ducks. For prices apply to S.B. Ferrell, Granbury, Texas.
Announcements – Fees, In Advance: District Offices – $7.50, County Offices – $5.00, Precinct Offices – 3.00, Two Precinct Offices in one announcement – $5.00.
For Representative – We are authorized to announce Lee Riddle, Esq. of Granbury, as a candidate for Representative from the 40th district, composed of Hood, Somervell, Erath and Bosque counties: subject to the action of the Democratic district convention. For County Judge – G.W. Riddle. For District Clerk – T.N. Dawson. For Sheriff and Collector – D.L. Ensminger, N.S. Davis, Jasper Nelson. For Assessor – J.B. Bryant, W.A. Green, J.W. Bales, W.T. Lyle, A.G. Bobo, J.R. Hill. For County Attorney – J.B. Keith, R.C. Milliken. For County Clerk – J.H. Hiner, Phil (Cool) Jackson. For County Treasure – A.J. Pearce.
Mr. W.H. Price, representing the Collins & Armstrong Weatherford house has opened a branch house in the postoffice building, Granbury, for the sale of pianos, organs and other musical instruments, on easy terms by enstallments. He has sold a car load of instruments in hood county and is now engaged in delivering them.
Useful and Valuable – J.W. Pee is going to make his customers some useful and valuable presents on the 5th of May, aggregateing $40 in value. Every purchaser of goods to the amount of One Dollar will be given a free ticket in his drawing. Go and see his gifts and the plan will be explained.
To Horse Breeders – My Norman and Percheron Stallion will stand this season as follows: At Granbury on the first Monday in April and every 10th day thereafter; at my home on Fall Creek when not at Granbury. Apply to me for terms. Care taken, but no responsibility assumed. R.S. Stewart.