Freestone County, Texas Newspaper articles from 1923 All from The Mexia Daily News newspaper (of Mexia, Limestone County, Texas) by Eric Bonner Wood -------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, Mar 4, 1923 edition Page 3: LOCAL NEWS "J. W. Curry[?] of Teague was a business vistor here Friday." "J. E. Murray was a Wortham business vistor the past week." "Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Peyton, Mrs. Roy Akin, Mrs. Rush Hickman and Mrs. Jim Prickett went down to Teague Thursday afternoon to attend the funeral of Mrs. E. A. Cox." "Mrs. T. B. Poindexter and Mrs. A. J. McKinney attended a luncheon at the home of Mrs. W. P. Harris in Teague Thrusday. They were accompanied to Teague by Mrs. Ben Huddleston, and Mrs. C. C. Hackney accompanied as far as Mexia. - Wortham Journal" -------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, Mar 13, 1923 edition Page 3: "FREESTONE GRAND JURY REPORTS TO JUDGE BLACKMON The following is the recent report of the Grand Jury for Freestone County: The State of Texas; County of Freestone. In District Court, Freestone County, Texas, February Term, 1923 To the Hon. A. M. Blackmon, Judge of said Court: Your Grand Jury impaneled at the February Term of the District Court of Freestone County, having completed our labors, beg leave to submit the following report, and ask leave to finally adjourn: We have been in session seven days and diligently investigated all violations of laws which have come to our attention. We have examined 101 witnesses and have returned 29 true bills, 24 of the grade of felony and 5 misdemeanors. We have inspected the court house and the County jail. There appears to be a shortage of bed clothes to properly and comfortably take care of the unfortunate inmates of the jail. We recommend that the Commissioners' Court make more adequate provisions in this regard. We find a general disregard of the laws requiring market men and others engaged in slaughtering cattle and hogs to keep a record of the marks and brands of cattle and hogs slaughtered and to report the same. The failure to comply with these requirements aids the theives to cover up their crimes and in this way the officers are seriously hampered in running down offenders of this class. We call upon the citizens of this County to report to their officers such violations of this law and thus render valuable assistance in keeping down thefts of cattle and hogs. Respectfully submitted, J. S. NEWELL, Foreman W. B. WEAVER, Sec." -------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, Mar 18, 1923 edition Page 3: LOCAL NEWS "Miss Mabell Everett of Teague is spending the week end with Miss Jessie Mae Theron." -------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, Mar 19, 1923 edition Page 6: "W. D. Cornelius of Teague was a Mexia visitor today." -------------------------------------------------------------- Thrusday, Mar 22, 1923 edition Page 3: LOCAL NEWS "Boyd Mitchell, O. A. Harley, Gene Heichelbeck and Mrs. Randolph Patton, all of Teague spent yesterday with Mrs. Leo McDonald." -------------------------------------------------------------- Thrusday, Mar 22, 1923 edition Page 1: "FREESTONE COUNTY FAIR OFFICIALS ELECTED FOR '23 TEAGUE, March 22 - The following officers and directors have been elected for this year by the Freestone County Fair Association: A. P. Carter, Kirven, president; A. L. George, Teague, vice president; W. F. Richardson, Dew, secretary; J. S. Ivy, Fairfield, T. B. Connell, Teague, S. M. Sorley, Dew, Ed. M. Watson, Stewards Mill, D. E. Greene, Teague, D. M. Worthy, Donie, R. G. Peurifoy, Wortham, J. R. Hawthorn, Streetman, Robt. F. Riley, Teague, Lee Kirgan of Fairfield, was elected director of the county at large. Another meeting has been called for April 7, at Teague, at which time further plans for the holding of the fair this fall will be discussed. The first fair was held at Teague last fall and such success was had with it that the people of the county requested the association to be made permanent. A long lease was donated by the city of Teague for its beautiful park for fair purposes and a number of buildings have been erected therein." -------------------------------------------------------------- same Thrusday, Mar 22, 1923 edition next section Page 1, Section 2: "49 MEMBERS AND GUESTS ATTEND LIONS MEETING Teague Visitors Tell Some Things They Like About Mexia, Too. ... Representatives from the Teague Lions Club were present, A. L. George, Jodie (J. E.) Woods, and Dr. W. P. Harrison, being guests of the Mexia Den. All of these gentlemen spoke. Walter Womack and N. H. Pierce were local visitors. ..." -------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, Sept 16, 1923 edition, Page 1: "FREESTONE FAIR AN EVENT OF SUCCESS AT TEAGUE by T. L. Childs TEAUGE, TEXAS, Sept 15 - The three days Freestone county fair closed Friday after a most successful exhibit, the fair from a financial standpoint having succeeded beyond all expectations. For the first time a gate fee was charged, but the attendance, especially at night, packed the grounds to the limit of their capacity. Many surrounding towns and communities in Freestone, Limestone, Navarro and Leon counties attended the fair, and some exhibits were also brought from these counties. On account of the long drought and failure of feed stuffs, the cattle and hog exhibits were much shorter than formerly, and the agricultural products also showed the effects of unfavorable season, with the exception of cotton. The women's department, however, was much greater than ever before, being noticable both for the large number and the quality of the exhibit. The women not only displayed keen interest in their own departments of fancy work and cooking, but various women's organizations of the churches secured concessions and conducted stands for the benefit of their buidling funds. Probably much of the credit for the large attendance, especially from the towns, was the result of their activities. A new feature of the fair was the physical examination of babies each day which was conducted by a baby specialist from the State Health Department, the various local physicians co-operating with her and making the examinations. All defects were pointed out to the parents of the children, and no feature of the fair occasioned more interest and comment than this department, which was under the supervision of Mrs. J. E. Watson of Teague. A surprisingly large number of babies were examined by the physicians and in many instances parents were astonished to learn of the defects in their babies. The exhibit of poultry was greater than in former years, and fanciers were greatly pleased with the birds shown. All of the show breeds were on exhibition, but the white leghorns were greatly in the majority. Some really fine birds were shown and the premium list was larger than ever before. It has only been during the last few years that improved breeds of poultry have been encouraged in this country, and the growth has been remarkable. There are now scores of farmers and poultry raisers specializing on improved breeds. An auction sale of poultry and cattle was held on the last day of the fair, being conducted by Col. J. Riley Green of Wolf City. Several fine Hereford bulls were among those that changed hands. Prize watermelons weighing up to 70 pounds were sold. This being considered a record for this time of year. On Friday the Lions Club of Mexia, some fifty in number came to Teague and entertained the Teague Lions Club at luncheon. Addresses were made by the visitors, including one on "Neighborliness" by A. Garland Adair, of the Mexia Daily News. After luncheon the visiting club attended the fair. A considerable surplus is expected to be realized from the fair, and probably plans will be discussed shortly as to what disposition will be made of the same." "32 FROM MEXIA ATTEND LIONS MEETING AT TEAGUE Thirty-two Mexiates went to Teague Friday for the Lions weekly luncheon which the Mexia club had transferred to that city. The Teague Lions were the guests of honor. The several cars used to convey the delegation from here to Teague left the Majestic Hotel at 12:15 p.m. and reached Teague about 1:00. At 1:30 pm, at the Phillips Cafe the meeting was called to order and the luncheon began. The Teague Lions accepted the invitations extended them and were present a roaring and in large numbers. The unique affair provoked much commendation from the neighboring organization and the members there assured Mexia Lions that they would return the visit soon. J. I. Riddle, President of the Mexia Lions called the meeting to order. Invocation was by a Teague minister. Mr. Rid[d]le made a brief talk, in keeping with the spirit and place of the meeting. The roll was called and the report of the Secretary given by DeWitt Lamb. Following this, the program was turned over to the leader of the day, Sam Werner. The welcome address was given by R. D. Morgan and the response by A. L. George and the Teague Methodist minister. Mesdames Sam Werner and Wyatt Hayter rendcred [sic] some highly appreciated selections on the piano, which were applauded generously and added much to the joy of the hour of neighborly fellowship. Miss Mary Adele Woodard, who recently arrived in Mexia from Ranger, to conduct a school of expression, gave two readings in a highly talented and delightful manner. The ladies all made a distinct hit not only with the inmates of the Mexia den but with the visiting Teague Lions as well. A. Garland Adair of the News delivered an address on "Neighbors". The Elks orchestra of this city played many numbers which were received with enthusiasm. Comments to the effect that Charles Clover's musical associates represented the best orchestra they had ever heard were quite frequently expressed. Altogether, it was a most delightful occasion and one that was appreciated fully by visitors, guests and member alike. Those present from here are listed elsewher in these columns." Page 12: "FREESTONE FIRES FIRST GUN IN GOOD ROADS CAMPAIGN by T. L. Childs The opening gun of the campaign in Freestone county for the building of a first class highway from the Trinity River on the East to Mexia on the West, was fired Tuesday night at a precinct meeting at Wortham. A delegation from Fairfield and Teague attended the meeting, and Mexia had a number of members of the Lions club on hand. Petitions will shortly be presented to the Commissioners Court asking for the electionn for $750,000 in bonds for the purpose of retiring $369,000 of outstanding bonds, and for the purpose of building the Freestone county link of the Roger Q. Mills State Highway No. 7. The building of this highway will carry with it the bridging of the Trinity river, no bridge for many miles either North or South now spanning this turbulent stream. It will give a direct route from East Texas to West Texas, opening up an immense territory that at the present time has neither railroad nor dirt road communication. This highway is one of the major importance, beginning at Savannah, Ga. and ending at Los Angeles, Ca. Present plans indicate that a concrete road will be built from Teague to Fairfield to care for the immediate amount of heavy traffic, while from Fairfield to the river probably a gravel road with taryia[?] topping will be used. The Mexia-Teague pike will probably be re-topped with asphalt finish. The State Highway Engineer has already promised the fullest aid and co-operation in this undertaking which is recognized by them as being of statewide importance." "F. Hendricks and T. A. Jones were Teague visitors Thrusday." LOCAL NEWS "W. G. Forrest was a Teague visitor Friday." "Mrs. Leo McDonald spent a few days the past week with relatives in Teague." [Transcriber note - edge is clipped on the orginial for the following article, but it is easy to guess at the missing words] "YOUNG WELL NEAR THE [WOODBINE] --- Fairfield Recorder After slight delay on account [of] fuel oil being exhausted, drilling [is] now progressing steadily on the Young well. The hole is now 3200 feet deep, according to reports, and the [well] is near the Woodbine sands, the [sands] where oil was found in the Mexia field. -------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, Dec 12, 1923 edition, Page 4: "ED. M. WATSON IS NEW PRESIDENT OF FREESTONE FAIR At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors of the Freestone County Fair Association Ed M. Watson of Stewards Mill was unanimously elected president of the Association to succeed A. P. Carter of Kirvin who resigned. Mr. Watson is spoken of as being quite competent to succeed the retiring leader, who so successfully conducted the Fair just closed, as he has been closely connected with the association for some time, and has shown himself to be worthy of the office to which he has been elected. Other officers of the organization will remain as they were this year. Hopes are entertained that next year's fair will surpass all previous ones in the point of success."