Jones Co. TX - Newspapers - The Stamford American: March 6, 1925 *********************************************************** Submitted by: Dorman Holub Date: 28 December 2019 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/jones/jonestoc.htm *********************************************************** The Stamford American Friday, March 6, 1925 Davenport Apartment building among new prospects; other building notes Davenport Apartment buildings on the corner of McHarg and Ferguson. Joe Smith of the Stamford Cotton & Produce Co, is building a handsome home on Hudson Road. Clint Brannon, one of the wealthy hamburger merchants on the south side of the square, is building a new house out on east McLendon street. Rev. J.D Crockett is next door. Hamilton Wright, staff writer on the Fort Worth Record is tearing his house down and will rebuild. W.P. Lyles is opening a Variety Store in his building next door to the American, where the Stamford Dry Goods Co., recently vacated. - Lyles Economy Store. Experiences of Jas. A. Brock at Old Fort Griffin by Kathryn McDaniel I got my material from the story told me by my father. He could not remember all the parts so I supplied them with my imagination. The main part of the story is true, but other parts are not. James A. Brock was the head clerk in the army post store at Fort Griffin. Ranchmen and buffalo hunters bought supplies from this store, and it became a very fine live business place. Young Brock received a good salary and conceived the idea of starting a ranch on Foyle creek, six miles west of Fort Griffin. He hired a negro by the name of Nick Williams to build a cabin and make the necessary improvements. He then began to buy a few head of cattle and started the J-A-B brand. By saving his money and by sharp trading his ranch began to show signs of prosperity. Brock was not satisfied with his longhorns so he sent an order back to his old home in Oberlin, Ohio for some shorthorn Durham cows. To make sure of his safety he asked his cousin Frank Sassiter to travel with them to Dallas, the end of the railroad. Then drive them to Foyle Creek Brock sent Nick and another negro man with supplies to meet Sassiter at Dallas. When they arrived Brock generously offered his cousin a half interest in his ranch. Sassiter accepted Brockís offer. Everything was alright until time to attend the fall round-ups. There was only a small number of their cattle on the range and Sassiter went alone. He went in the direction of Fort Phantom Hill. This was the last time he was seen until five years later. The next evening Nick found the pack horse on the home range. For several days searching parties rode the range, but found no trace of the cousin. In the meantime the enemies of Brock were getting out reports that Brock and Nick had killed Sassiter for his part of the property. Since Sassiter did not appear this report seemed true. Some officers heard this report and arrested Brock and Nick. They were determined to hand them but others would not let this happen because they did not have enough evidence. The people even went so far as to swing old Nick to a tree three times to get him to fasten the guilt on Brock. During this time others had written for Sassiterís brother and his wife. They came and took possession of Foyle Creek Ranch. Brock had also written for his father to come. His father came and brought with him a lawyer who released Brock and Nick on bail. Brock thought that Sassiter and his brother had planned this to get all the property. He believed Sassiter to be alive and hiding. He employed detectives, sent out descriptions and photographs. When he had spent all his money he would work and then begin his searching again. Finally a man was found in Bentonville, Arkansas answering the description of Sassiter. Brock recognized him. Sassister was living under the name of Saycock and had lived in Bentonville for about three years. Sassiter at first denied his identity but later confessed it. He told Brock this remarkable story: ìAfter I left Foyle Creek Ranch and was going down Salt Creek Valley, my horse stumbled and I fell off on my head. This knocked me senseless. Some ranchmen picked me up and when I awoke I could neither remember my name nor where I lived. From there I went to the coal mines and the men gave me the name of Saycock. I kept this name and from there I came to Bentonville and began in the pottery business. This is the truth I have been telling you.î ìI believe you,î said Brock, ìbut you must go back to Fort Griffin with me to be identified there. When they arrived in Ft. Griffin Sassiter was identified by friends and relatives. Brock was of course innocent. Sassiter deeded back his part of the ranch and returned to his home in Bentonville. Brock took possession of Foyle Creek Ranch and prospered. Old Nick was not forgotten either because Brock remembered and rewarded him fro his faithfulness. Note- the above story is one of the themes written by the history class of the Sophomore grade of Stamford High School under Prof. Knight. John Damron, senior partner of the City Barber Shop, has sold his interest to his partner, H.F. Jackson and will remove to Dallas and open a new shop in the big new Santa Fe office. Herbert Lawhon and Floyd Jones are tinkering lizzies at the old Jack Russel stand on South Wetherbee St. The Central Christian church has called the Rev. B.M. Harris of Spur as pastor. Family will move here and occupy the J.C. Hargrove residence on East Oliver St. The Central Christian church has been without a pastor for two years. Mrs. W.J. Rosamond passed away on Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m., March 1, 1925 in the Baptist Memorial Sanitarium in Dallas. Mrs. Rosamond was born in Emory, Texas, June 16, 1857, and her life has been one of beautiful manifestations. The body accompanied by the grief stricken husband and family returned to Stamford and funeral services were conducted at the First Baptist church by Rev. F.S. Groner of Dallas, former pastor of her church here assisted by Rev. J.H. Morris, a Methodist minister, on Monday at 3 p.m. Ten children survive. Interment took place at Highland cemetery. Penick-Hughes Company in charge. Mary Francis Booth Herrick was born June 20, 1868, near Dawson, Navarro County, Texas, and moved to Armour, Limestone county, in 1884. Married to Ralph H. Herrick on June 28, 1886, at Tehuacana Hills by Dr. Hornbeck, president of Tehuacana College. The family moved to Lueders in 1903. She united with the Presbyterian church and lived a Christian life. She passed on to her reward among the saints at 8:25 Monday morning, Feb. 23, 1925 of heart trouble at the family home in Lueders. She is survived by her husband and three sons: H.E. and Ralph of Lueders and Frank H. of Throckmorton, and a sister: Mrs. W.J. Armour of Trent, Texas, all of whom were present at the end, also Mr. Armour, the brother-in-law, and two brothers: Joe Booth of Coolidge and Gus Booth of Sherman. Funeral was held at Lueders Methodist church with Rev. A.J. Brown, the pastor, and Rev. J.J. Gentry, Baptist pastor, officiating and interment made at Highland cemetery. Her husband was a public school teacher for 40 years. Children survive. Edgar Claude, the 9 year-old son of Mr. and mrs. G.C. ìJackî Davis passed away at the Sanitarium of heart trouble Tuesday at 11:25. Funeral services were held at the First Baptist church Wednesday at 3 p.m. by Rev. J.M. Youree, pastor of the Central Presbyterian church, Rev. W.C. Moffett, pastor of the Baptist church being ill himself and interment was made at Highland cemetery. His school grade was fourth. The remains of Mrs. Jim Black who passed away at Abilene Monday were brought to Avoca Tuesday and funeral held there with interment at Spring Creek cemetery at 2 p.m. Rev. Jim Black, the husband is a student preacher at Simmons and she was formerly Miss Nona Stackey and until a few years ago they resided at Avoca.