Hopkins CO. TX - Article by J.W. Shook - 1927

From: B & J <jparks@neto.com>

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From the files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute any
historical facts in the article.

First One Thing and Then Another by J. W. Shook - 1927

Some time back a friend of mine asked me who was the first mayor of
Sulphur Springs. I could not tell him for certain, but put my mind to
running back over paths long since trodden.

When I came to this place in 1869 as a big boy, no bigger than I thought
I was, however, old Uncle Rube (sic)Weathers held some kind of office. I
don^Òt know whether he was mayor or Justice of Peace, but I know that he
was Mayor at one time. He had a stock of groceries in the Moro Castle
Building on Main Street. It was a large building about two and a half
stories high. He had a few things to eat and some that came in bottles
that you could take between meals. He was a good natured, whole souled
man, very large in size. He had one son, John, and three daughters. One
was the wife of Gid Warren, a lawyer who at one time was City Attorney.
His next daughter married John Whitmore. They have both died in the last
few years. The youngest married Kirk Payne. They both died many years
ago, I think in the same month. Rueb (sic) Weathers lived where Henry
Tapps Furniture Store stands now, and old Uncle Sam Davidson lived where
Theo Wester has his poultry store.

Uncle Sam was the main stay of the Presbyterian Church. He had married
the widow Tomlinson and she had several girls and one son, Ed. They were
all Presbyterians and mighty good folks. Back in those days the churches
all had some mighty fine preachers. The Presbyterians had one by the name
of Nugent. He died here at the home Specie Williams and was buried at
College Mound in Kaufman County. I was at the funeral. A Methodist
preacher by the name of Brewer preached he funeral. Kaufman County was
the home of both Nugent and Brewer. They then got Dr. Broughton, a mighty
fine preacher and an elegant gentleman who served some time, and later,
Uncle Sammy got one from Texarkana by the name of Goldburg. He was one of
the finest preachers you ever heard, but I must not say too much in
praise of their preaching without saying other churches had some strong
preachers, J. Clark Smith, Calvin Cock, M.H. Neely, T. M. Smith, Tom
Sherwood and many others whose names I do not recall.

I must go back to the mayor before I forget something. There were some
funny things happened away back in those good old days. Uncle Jack
Bridges, Lee^Òs father, was mayor for some time, and on one occasion when
he was a candidate for that office he had opposition. Uncle Jack was the
first man that I ever saw selling "sweet taters." That^Òs what he called
them. He came from Louisiana and brought a short brogue with him, and if
there was any way to leave off any part of a word and convey the same
meaning he always did that thing. Hence "taters" was the word. Now when
Uncle Jack was running, the Negroes all voted in the city election. Uncle
Jack told this story himself. He was electioneering with Charlie Prewitt,
and old crippled Negro that used to sell cakes out of a basket that he
carried on his arm. Uncle Jack told Charley everything he could think of
that was good about himself and thought he had Charley just about fixed,
when Charley spoke up and said, "Uncle Jack, I can^Òt ^Ñsport you in dis
election." Uncle Jack was very surprised and wanted to know the reason.
Charley replied, "Jack, you sho^Ò do sell your taters too high."

But Uncle Jack was elected alright, and his brother, Pierce Bridges was
City Marshal. At the risk of worrying some of your readers, I will tell
this one. When Uncle Jack was Mayor they had a law that anyone language,
or on becoming vociferous or boisterous, should be fined one dollar, no
more, no less, that was the fine that was divided by two. That law may
still be in effect yet, I don^Òt know. Uncle Jack had a grocery store
with an upper chamber where he held court. He generally had his court
early in the morning as the prisoners could get up the steps better.
Uncle Jack was a jovial fellow and everybody liked him, so they would
congregate in front of his door in goodly numbers. If one of them
happened to get a little boisterous, Uncle jack would say to his brother,
Pierce, the Marshall, "Bring him up stairs and we will have court." So
brother would do so and Uncle Jack, in a hurry to get busy in his store,
would not waste any time, and he would just tell the person at once, " I
fine you a dollar for cussin." The man maybe did not like the idea of
having top pay a fine, so he would rebel in the same language and Uncle
Jack would say he was fined another dollar for cussin again. Maybe the
fellow would be so busy talking he would not hear the second fine, so
Uncle Jack would say, "I fine you another dollar for keeping cussin." He
would sometimes get two or three fines out of one man.

Those were the great days. Sulphur Springs had a lot of red liquor in
those days, but it was the best of its kind you ever saw. Everybody was
honest and good. The firsts man that ever offered to give a mortgage for
goods was turned down, but the merchant told him that he had good face to
ever think of giving a mortgage. So he got what he wanted and came back
when he said he would and paid for the goods. He did the same thing until
his death a few years back and never had to give a mortgage. He has son
in business here now.

When I came here I found the following doctors here and practicing, Dr.
J. E. Robertson, his wife is living yet; Dr. Kyle lived where Mrs. Irwin
now lives; Dr. B ( paper torn) lived out where his daughter, Mrs. Joe
Brashear, now lives; Dr. J. Bass built him a home where Mr. ?? Smith now
lives, Dr. Johnson, who^Òs wife was Uncle Hubby Harrison^Òs daughter,
lived where Dr. Long now lives. Dr. Sullivan was here but might have
lived south of town, he was the brother-in-law of Arch Frost, Mrs.
Emma^Òs father, and Dr. Davis lived up where Mrs. J. K. Pierce now lives.
Dr. Becton moved over from Old Tarrant and was soon active in the
practice. There was not much sickness, but it was so far to Sulphur Bluff
and Reily Springs it took a long time to make a call on horse back, and
that was the way they rode in those days

Dr. O.S. Davis^Ò name was connected with good many things that were going
on in and around Sulphur Springs. He was a merchant, farmer, saw mill
man, and one of the most zealous members the Odd Fellows had, and a great
friend of poor and people that were in de-stress. By J. W. Shook