Taylor County, TX - Biography - Andrew Hancock **************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************************** The Abilene Reporter News Sunday, April 20, 1952 Lawn, April 19 It had been 350 mile trip for the Hancock family and their two yoke of oxen, but when young Andrew Hancock, then a lad of 12, pushed his horse ahead of the wagons and saw the tall grass, ahead he knew the trip was worth while. This was in 1882 when most of the country around here was open, grass covered grazing ready for the large herds of cattle that already made the grinding drive past Abilene and on to northern markets. This week, Andrew Hancock, 81, recalled those early days before the mesquite moved in. He says heavy grazing has caused the growth, but Mrs. Hancock, herself an elder 78, says that when the prairie dogs moved out or were killed, then the mesquite moved in. Regardless of the cause, it was a happy day for the Hancock family back in 1882 because it ended a 6 week trip from Rusk county, deep in the heart of East Texas. They raised 10 children on their place three miles east of Lawn and each, boy or girl, knew the meaning of a 12-hour day in the saddle. We lived hard back in those days when cattle were cheap, but grass easy to find. We knew the meaning of a neighbor and friend. Living comfortably in their five-room ranch house, Mr. And Mrs. Hancock now enjoy many modern ÒgadgetsÓ they never dreamed of during their early days. And still his boots, as well as saddle, shows signs of heavy service. He rides hard despite his years, and if he needs an extra hand for a few hours, Mrs. Hancock is ready to pitch in. She still does her house work and he manages his cattle and sheep. But ranching has changed since his first sight at the rolling country around Lawn. Fences have marked property lines, cattle have grown lighter.