Freestone County, Texas Newspaper Articles from the 1880s Researched by Paula Snider Editor: Eric Bonner Wood [These are articles are from a local column called "Post Oak Pointers" about the Post Oak community that ran in the Fairfield Recorder newspaper. The column was authored by "Billie Cucumber" who was apparently a school student who was the jounalist from Dec 1891 to Feb 1892. Then "Amateur" took over who was a young female school student and quite funny. She did the column from Feb to Apr 1892. Then various others did the column.] =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - January 1, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers December 28, 1891 Health of the community very good. Fine Christmas weather, this. Most of our swine are safely "hid away" and so far seems keeping well. Our little community is looking up, people are moving in good people among us and casting their lot with us, and to such we extend a welcome hand. Mrs. E. Lambert and son, Charley and family arrived this week from ArKansas, the guests and relatives of Mr. J.A. Chavers. They will make this their future home. Christmas has come and almost gone and yet our aged dudes linger in their miserable bachellor state. Not their will, however, but ths girls be done. Post Oak boasts of two jewelry peddlers, while Dew boasts of chicken peddlers, vocal instruments, and many other nice things. How is this for high, Flossie? The Christmas tree at Avant was a success, also school entertainment under control of Miss Corin Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. James Lindsey gave us a pleasant social a few nights since which was well attended. Billie Cucumber =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - January 8, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers January 4, 1892 Christmas is over and nobody hurt except those disappointed ones. Mr. W.L. Glazener who has been visiting his daughter near Abilene, returned this week. His son, Ed will remain and attend school there. We have preaching twice a month, on the second and fourth Sunday; also a flourishing Sunday School that did not go into winter quarters. Soon the tuneful melody of the whistling farmer boy will be mingled with the sweet song of birds echoeing from the groves, for spring time is coming, "Gentle Annie". The cry of hard times does not daunt our thirfty, industrious farmers. Their cheerful faces bespeak brighter prospects in the future, for "Hog and Hominy" is their motto. =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - January 22, 1892 edition Locals Column Mr. John Riley and his sister, Miss Maggie, returned last week from a pleasant holiday visit to relatives in Monroe County, Alabama, tbe former home of John and his sister. Issue dated February 5, 1892 Post Oak Runners February 2, 1892 Why can't our Post Oakers have a debating society? It would be not only interesting but instructional to the old as well as the young. Our Sunday School reorganized last Sunday with a goodly number in attendance. Mr. E.E. Lindsey was chosen Superintendent and Mr. J.M. Baker, Assistant Superintendent. Let us strive to make it a success in the future, as we have in the past. Mr. W.L. Glazener says his famous race horse can beat the world and it begins to look so, as has won every race up to date. Neighbor "lokes" don't make you feel kinder bad, if your locals are "unavoidably crowded out". Now, Mr. Editor, we do not mean to cut you, but we cannot refrain from speaking when we are hit. We regret to mention the calling of Mr. Wm. Cain to the bedside of his son-in-law, Mr. F.W. Sellers, who is dangerously ill in Limestone County. This is the time of year when news is scarce; when all nature seems dead but ah she is only gathering her forces about her, and she will suddenly burst forth like the sun in his noon days' splendor, and soon the bees and budding flowers will burst forth and mingle in glad profusion every where, kissed to life by the warm solar rays. Flossie, you ought to have told us something we did not know; but say, were you bunting company or color to match your own delicate verdure? Election year is here, and let us lay aside all sectional and national prejudices, petty whims and isms, and vote like intelligent yeomanry. Billie Cucumber =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - February 19, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers February 15, 1892 Farmers are busy preparing the soil for the coming crop, hence the occasional "Gee Haw", "Wo Come", and other ejaculations. We believe there will be a larger average of oats planted this season than usual in this vicinity. We bear one man who planted twenty-seven bushels on three acres. Quite a number of our young folks enjoyed a pleasant social at Mrs. E. E. Lambert's on Friday evening, 12 inst. Many thanks, Mrs. L. Girls, do you realize the fact that leap year is here? Think of the duties incumbent upon us. Who Knows but these hard times are but a prelude to the millennium? Hearken! Think of that awful injunction: "And you shall remain as ye are"; Then let us proceed at once to pestificate the youths of our "Land and County" until we have accomplished our object. May "Jupiter Caesar" deliver us from such a life-long dilemma. We see a great deal of bazoo and hear some concerning Cotton Growers Association. Kind reader, we should be more practical and less talkative; do more and say less. I think past experience in such matters should show us the error of our way. Let each and every man have; association and alliance; read and inform himself; be his own treasurer; raise hog and hominy; school his children; swing your partner and stay at home. Amateur =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - March 4, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers March 1, 1892 Health of community is very good. One of our young men, Mr. J. C______s is studying medicine, having obtained an almanac. What about that debating club boys, can't you get it on foot? If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again. Look out, boys and girls, something is going to happen. "Sterlin" has bought a yard dog, and sings to himself; "I'll be all smiles to-night love," etc. Our school closed recently under the control of Miss Fannie Dunnagan. She is an intelligent lady and excellent teacher. May success attend her wherever she may go. Young man, he is trice happy and blessed who marries well. He, like the busy working bee that leaves mid a profusion of exquisitely, beautiful, fragrant flowers, "Where the crystal dew of morn Hangs tremulous on flower and thorn." Happiness in its holiest sense attends him. Prosperity, Peace and Love are his guardian angels, and transmit to those about him a symbolical and genial incense of priceless, pristine purity. They tell the best joke of the season on one of our neighbors. One night recently, he was aroused by the fighting of his two dogs, and rushing out he found them in deadly embrace. He seized them and tossed them hither and thither to no avail. Finally he picked up a rope, tied it around each one's neck, and threw one of them over a ten rail fence. On getting up in the morning he was horrified to find them both dead. Yes, quite pale and cold, gazing with ghastly and glassy eyes into the open space above. Amateur =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - March 11, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers March 8, 1892 A nice shower last Friday night. Everybody well and everyone else at work. Some have planted corn and others are planting. Rev. J.A. Chavers delivered quite an interesting discourse at the church last Sabbath. Two of Dew's gents "cross the line" occasionally and gladden some of our girlish hearts with a pleasant buggy ride. It is annoying to a correspondent to have to wait so long for a thing to happen, especially when expected at once. Why do they not hurry up? We have singing here, now and then. Can't some good songster come around and help us out a spell or so, and send in a bid for a school in the summer? I venture the assertion that we have more big ugly boys than any other community of its size. They're greener'n cucumbers or July gourds, aren't they girls? Amateur =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - March 25, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers March 18, 1892 No sickness to chronicle, glad to say. Our Sunday School is doing better with more interest manifested than ever before. We had singing again last Sunday evening and many were the songs we sang; melodious and mellifluent strains floated out on the breezy air like straws hat on a windy day. The little Miss Johnsons, Misses May and Grace Beauchamp and Araminta Curry, some of Dew's fairest flowers were at church last Sunday. Come again, ladies, we welcome you here. One of our dudes was heard to remark that a kiss resembled the creation. On being asked why, replied they are made of nothing; and God knows they are good. Suppose he had been sampling them. One of our young men says it looks to him like he is always behind time, that the plans his had laid, upon which to hinge his fortune had just been executed by another. The girl he loved dearer than his own life has just married and nothing to him seems palatable now but bacon and beans and they are out of season. Amateur =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - April 1, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers March 28, 1892 Mr. Gus Daniel of Plum Creek was over Sunday to see - well his friends and relatives. Come again, Gus. Mr. P.M. Speed is circulating in our world, smiling as usual, and using the "handle". Come again friend "Paddy". We are glad to say that "Uncle Ephriam" is still living and able to tread the royal pathway of life alone, and at peace with all mankind. The young man spoken of sometime since, now offers a reward of 15 cents for his dog, which has been gone thirteen days. Address: McAllister and Co., 10th Street, Jonesborough, Texas. Mr. C. C. Childs is often beard prattling "baby taffy" and mumbling pretty girl names and on being interrogated about it, he exclaimed: "Oh, yes! Another girl!" Call it Lucile, Charley. Some of the young folks enjoyed a "candy breaking" at Mr. Jesse Hicks on the evening of the 22nd, given in honor of Miss Maggie Riley and Miss Lottie Hicks. Many thanks young ladies for your invitation. Amateur =========================================================================== The Fairfield Recorder newspaper - April 15, 1892 edition Post Oak Pointers (Delayed) April 6, 1892 Some few are planting cotton, they say collectively the crop will be less, individually, larger than last year. Kind reader the word "little", is sometimes used as a term of affection, you understand? The days of miracles are over, we know, but strange freaks of nature crop out occasionally, the latest being orange blossoms in the heart of Post Oak. For further particulars apply to Morgan. Boys, when you undertake anything be sure you are wide enough between the eyes to carry it out properly. Guess Silvester was out herding the baby when Rahahab ran in and wrote his prophecy which appeared a few issues ago. Mrs. Acenith Hicks is suffering from ersipela on the hand, trust she will soon recover. The spring time has come "Gentle Annie" and the flowers are blooming on the hill, peeping forth from each shadowy nook and shady dell. These balmy, sunny hours, all too fair and bright to last. Amateur =========================================================================== Issue Dated May 27, 1892 Post Oak Meeting May 21, 1892 The Democrats of this box met in obedience to the call of the county chairman. 1st call T.T. Chester to the chair as temporary chairman and Dr. G.I. Thomas as secretary. The chairman having stated the object of the meeting, E.W. Deloach, T.T. Chester and J.C. May were duly appointed as delegates to the county convention at Fairfield, May 28th, to act with others in sending delegates to the State Convention at Lampassas. The above delegates go uninstructed as to President. As E.B. Beall, has heretofore acted as our Democratic Chairman for this beat and has denied the Democratic faith by going Peoples Party, better known as the Third Party and is acting as their Chairman, which we in our honest judgment think un-Democratic, we therefore recommend the name of Dr. G.I. Thomas to our county chairman for the Post 0ak- box in place of E.B. Beall. This done by order of the convention. T.T. Chester, Chairman; Dr. G.I. Thomas, Secretary =========================================================================== Issue Dated June 3, 1892 Post Oak Runners May 30, 1892 Health generally good. The majority of farmers in this section have bid farewell to their corn crops for a long while. The early oats are very highly appreciated as corn is scarce. The young people of Post Oak have organized a singing class which meets every Saturday night and Sunday evenings. We will have a Sunday School Picnic at Post Oak Church on the second day of July, if no providential hindrance; all who wish to attend are respectfully invited. Uncle Ephraim is still living; he was asked not long since to join the singing class and his response was, with a sigh, "I am too old." Boys, you had better spur up and be on your guard, for some of these old bachelors will be singing in the land, if you don't. Barefoot ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue Dated June 3, 1892 ANNOUNCEMENTS: For County Clerk: R.N. Compton is hereby announcing as a candidate for re-election as County Clerk subject to the action of the Democratic primary election. W.R.T. Drumwright is hereby announced as a candidate for County Clerk subject to the action of the Democratic primary election. For County Commissioner: Precinct 1: A.M. Dunagan is hereby announced as a candidate for County Commissioner subject to the action of the Democratic primary election W.W. Riley is hereby announced for County Commissioner subject to the action of the Democratic primary election. For Justice of Peace: John Terry is hereby announced as candidate for J. P., subject to the action of the Democratic primary election. F. Tate, Sr. is hereby announced as a candidate of J.P., subject to the action of the Democratic primary election. E.C. Lindsey is hereby announced as a candidate for J.P., subject to the action of the Democratic primary election. =========================================================================== Issue Dated May 20, 1892 Locals Column: Mr. R.F. Hatter, living a few miles southeast of Fairfield, bought of Judge Hardy last week, what is known as Deborde place, just west of town. Mr. Hatter and family will move to it in the fall, and thus become residents of Fairfield. =========================================================================== Issue Dated June 10, 1892 Post Oak Prattle May 28, 1892 Mr. Editor, as "Amatuer" seems to have abandoned his epistleship, we will, if he and you don't object, take his "posish". People are very well up with their work, notwithstanding the bad weather. We learn the school at this place will be taught by Professor E. E. Williford; a good selection, we think. Some of the elder heads have been accused of smiling at one another of late over the flattering corn and oat prospects. We learn there will be a Sunday School picnic at this place sometime in July. Come one, come all and bring a basket. You may say what you please, but James Hogg will be our next Governor, see if he don't. My friends, be careful of careless and hideous remarks. We can say more in a moment than we can undo in a lifetime. "If you would always be happy five things observe with care, To whom you speak, of whom you speak, How, When and Where." Madge and Mabel =========================================================================== Issue Dated June 17, 1892 Post Oak Runners June 7, 1892 Mr. Editor: Please allow us space in your valuable paper to correct a mistake that was made by "Barefoot" in last weeks locals. In speaking of the picnic and inviting the public, he should have said "all who wish to attend and will bring well filled baskets are respectfully invited". From the reading of his invitation one would suppose that he was a candidate, and expected to furnish for dinner two stewed hogs and a whole beef. A fine rain Sunday night and of course everybody is busy. Just one more rain at the right time will make us an abundance of corn. Uncle Ephraim began plowing up his cotton Monday morning and is preparing to plant it over; he says that the only way he can see to kill the grass and weeds is to plow them up, for he cannot find his cotton in them. Our Literacy school will begin here on the 20th inst., with Prof. E. E. Williford as teacher. We learn that he will move into this neighborhood sometime next week. We will be glad to welcome him as a neighbor. Singing next Saturday night at J.A. Chavers; don't fail to attend. Prof. B.O. Cain went to Groesbeck Saturday on business we would suppose. Times are quiet in this section; nothing ever occurs to merits quietude. I'll close and sign my name in full so all may know who did this. Miss June Bug =========================================================================== Issue Dated June 17, 1892 Post Oak Runners June 11, 1892 Health very good. Crops are looking very well. Preaching every second and fourth Sunday. The singing choir at Post Oak Grove is progressing very nicely. Candidates are still pleasant, they second any motion you make. What does it mean when one friend, if Miss _______ comes over to Mr. ________ on the second Sunday, will you go with me to see her? I answer for myself, I think it means business. Runner =========================================================================== Issue Dated June 24, 1892 Post Oak Whittlings June 20, 1892 Mr. Editor, if agreeable we will take Barefoot's poish this week as it seems like he (as the saying is) quit all at once. We presume it was on account of a mistake that Miss June Bug accused him of making in regard to his general invitation to the picnic and not mentioning the well filled baskets that should be brought. A fine rain this week. Corn is booming and cotton doing well considering. Mr. G.W. Eddins is on the sick list this week. Preaching last Sunday by the Pastor, Rev. E.J. Brown. We learn that the Literacy school will commence on the 20th of this month, to be taught by Prof. E.E. Williford. Several of our young men attended this picnic at Dew, and they report a nice time. Mr. W. L. Glazner's race horse got very badly cut on a barbwire not long since. Singing at Mr. W .W. Riley's next Saturday night. Rube =========================================================================== Issue Dated July 8, 1892 Post Oak Whittlings July 5, 1892 Everything quiet and peaceful. Health very good. Farmers are busy as can be, wrestling with the general green. Crops are doing fine at present. The picnic was quite a success at this place last Sat. everybody seemed to enjoy themselves so well. Several speeches were delivered and also several essays read. There was a large attendance. Visitors from all the adjoining communities. Mr. Editor, you will please excuse so short a letter this week. Rube --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue Dated July 8, 1892 Two essays read at this Post Oak Sunday School picnic last Sat. were unavoidably crowded out this week. Sunday School Picnic The Post Oak Grove Sunday School, four miles east of Fairfield gave a picnic last Sat. It was strictly a Sunday School picnic with no political speaking in it. An interesting program was carried out, consisting of songs, essays and speeches. After an opening song and prayer, Mr. C.E. Lindsey made a neat speech opening the exercises. An elegant address evincing much deep thought, concluded in elegant language was made by Prof. R.L. Williford. Two interesting essays were read by Miss Maggie Riley and Mr. W.O. Cain. The Sunshine Singing Class made splendid music led by messers. Speight Cain and Baker. A large number was in attendance, and the dinner was as fine as we ever saw in the country. The Oldest Man: We met at the Post Oak Grove picnic last Sat. probably the oldest white man in the county. His name is Mr. Isom Hicks, now going on 92 years old. He was born February 22nd, 1801 in North Carolina. We will publish a sketch of his life next week. =========================================================================== Issue Dated July 22, 1892 Died: The Recorder forgot to mention the death of Miss Eliza Mims, a well known lady of this vicinity, who died week before last at the residence of her brother-in-law, Mr. R.F. Hatter, four miles southeast of Fairfield. The deceased was about 45 years old, and was a daughter of the late John Mims, one of the earliest settlers of Freestone County, who died at his home near Fairfield a few years ago. =========================================================================== Issue Dated August 5, 1892 Post Oak Runners August 1, 1892 Some sickness in our community. Fine rains last Sunday. Crops are doing very well considering. Mr. E.R. Glazner, from this community, who went to Abilene last December returned home last Friday. Mr. Glazner, we are proud to have you back with us. Several of our young men and young ladies attended the camp meeting at Dew last Sunday. Rube ===========================================================================