Menard County Texas

Legal Tender Saloon

While the below picture was forwarded to me by B. F, I located a Menard newspaper article (date unknown) written about the saloon accompanied by the same picture. This article said that the picture was taken about 1907-1908 and the Legal Tender Saloon had been located "where Ray's Barber Shop is today before "it" (the Legal Tender Saloon?) was moved to the site of the old fire station"

The article stated that Jimmy Crowell identified the men in the picture as:

From Left: (1) Crowell's father, Lee Crowell, (2) an unidentified man, (3) Rena Callan, (4) bartender Lem Crawford and (5) Bill Peoples.

(source of above picture: Belinda F) Thank you so much for sharing this!!!!!

I didn't know where Ray's Barber Shop was, but I can verify that in 1907-1908, the Legal Tender Saloon was located where the offices of the Bevan's State Bank are now. This picture documents the location since you can see the corner of the bank building to the left of the saloon.

If anyone knows where this Legal Tender Saloon building was located in Menard, please contact me. (source of above picture: Belinda F) Thank you so much for sharing this!!!!!

A Popular Resort.

One of the most popular resorts in this city, where the busy business man, the rockman, the farmer, and all others can spend their leisure hours, discuss politics, the markets and chat with friends, is the Legal Tender Saloon, owned by Russell & Walker. This well known and popular retreat is fitted up in elegan style, has pool and billiard tables and can supply the most fastidious with the purest and best whiskies, wines beer and cigars. Case and barrel goods always on hand. Their wares are always from the best distilleries and no inferior article is palmed off on the public as "best quality." Their large and increasing patronage is secured by their courteous and polite treatment to customers; their superior grades of liquors, and the entire absence of boisterous conduct of drunken men.

The visitor always finds a hearty welcome here, and is never left worse than when he was found. When you are seeking a quiet place in which to while away your leisure hours, drop into the Legal Tender and get acquainted. you will be treated right and a welcome always awaits you. Their force of mixologists are at all times ready to serve you with the best.

(LEFT) This article about the Legal Tender Saloon was written in the Menard County Enterprise in 1904. Note that the owners at this time were "Russell & Walker"

(RIGHT) This ad was published in the Menard Messenger on May 20, 1915

1880's? -William Whytock-"I have looked down a gun barrel twice in my life, that I know of. I was running a short order eating place in the back of the Legal Tender Saloon. Above, there was a gambling hall. One evening an overbearing fellow came down from the gambling joint and ordered six suppers. 'Bring them upstairs as quick as you can,' he said. I told him that I had no one to send them by and that he could come and get the suppers as I would have them ready in about twenty minutes. He threw his gun on me and ordered me to get those meals upstairs. Well, I stood and looked in that gun but I was determined I wouldn't do as I was ordered. Some men came in for a meal and the man with the gun backed off." (source)

August 16, 1917---(excerpt) "Nic Arie, the popular bartender at the Legal Tender" (see 1917 marriage announcements)

Below are pictures of the bar that was originally in the Legal Tender Saloon. It is now housed in the Menard Depot Museum

NOTE: While I strive for accuracy in all transcriptions, please be advised that typing errors may be present. I would suggest you always verify my online information with a copy of the actual record.

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Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:00 AM