Jones County Texas Archives - History of Ward Community - 1930 *********************************************************** Submitted by: Dorman Holub Date: 19 January 2020 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/jones/jonestoc.htm *********************************************************** The Stamford American Friday, April 18, 1930 Vol. 7, Number 1 Ward community was once the only stopping place from Abilene to Wichita Falls by Mrs. Bertha Miles Bosse Through the courtesy of Messr. H.E. Bailey, G.B. Astin and G.W. Bosse. In the year 1890, a lone horseman came riding along a narrow wagon road, from which trees and small shrubs had been removed. This road was a typical pioneer road, being cleared out as progress was made. This horseman came to what was then considered the far Western Texas looking for unclaimed land. At sunset he halted at the public camping ground. This place was located 1-1/2 miles north of the present site of Stamford when there was no Stamford then. A railroad, a small creek, and a road running East and West now marks this old camping ground. The character of this narrative was none other than J.B. Clark. After instructions from mother camping Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Willie Ward owned quite a large tract of land near Paint Creek. On this land was erected a school house and a community house. This community house was the only stopping place or place of entertainment between Abilene and Wichita Falls. This community house was used for religious, educational and recreational meetings. Camp meetings were held here about twice a year. Grass and brush arbors were used during the warm weather. The ministers were brought from Wichita Falls, Ft. Worth and Abilene. A certain man of the community would always lead in the shouting and one of the ÒprodigalsÓ would always get up and say, Òwell brothers, wellÓ for three times but he was never able to get the rest of his confession told. A school was held during five or six months of the year. This school was maintained through the donations of the patrons and school taxes. This school was kept under severe discipline as most schools were during that time. The recreation usually consisted of a three-day dance, held in the community house. Men, women and children all thoroughly enjoyed these times. Land in this community that would now bring $35-40.00 an acre was purchased for $3-6.00 per acre with a 40-year payment plan. This community originally extended from what is now the city limits of Stamford to the extreme northern bound line of what is now known as the McConnell community. In the late 1890s an open saloon was kept in the southwest corner of this community. One man kept his horse tied near this saloon so often and so long that his horse pawed out a hole deep enough to bury himself in. In 1918, this district was divided in two equal parts, the land north of the Paint creek was made in to a community called Paint Creek and the southern part kept the name of Ward. In 1921, G.W. Bosse gave 1-1/4 acres of land for school building was built. School ground equipment as well as continual improvement has helped to make this rural one of the best one-teacher rural schools in the county. In 1922 a church and Sunday School was organized. Worship was held in the school building. Quite a bit of this community is taken up by the R.V. Colbert ranches. A home demonstration club was organized in 1929 with a total of 17 members.