1885 "Menardville Murmurings" published in San Angelo Standard Newspaper

In my search for early information on Menard County, I've been looking at the San Angelo (Tom Green County) Texas newspaper microfilm for columns called "Menardville Murmurings". The microfilm is BADLY MARKED and FADED. It has been EXTREMELY HARD to read some of the columns but I will transcribe what I can and note what is questionable or unreadable.

January 3, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: December 31, 1884

Editor Standard-The holiday season has passed without unusual stir or bustle, and almost without incident. Christmas day was bitter cold, but that did not prevent the horse races from taking place, nor did it keep the young people from dancing till a late hour that evening.

Several of our young men were away from town last week: A. G. Nason and Ben Daniels being in your city, and Henry Buckley and Rol Barthelow were paying McKavett a social visit.

Enoch Ballou has lately associated with him W. W. Lewis, and the new firm of Ballou & Lewis is prepared to furnish anything in the merchandise line to their numerous customers.

E. V. D. Stucken has recently returned from a purchasing trip and has brought back a large assortment of goods, which he proposes to sell very cheap for cash.

Our town can now boast of three large, well-stocked business houses, two first-class saloons, two firms in the land business, and the best primary school in West Texas.

Scruggs & Daniels, carpenters and builders, will soon have them a nice shop on San Saba Avenue.

Our town has improved considerably the past year and we do not mean to stop in well doing. Another twelve months will see still greater strides for we wish to rival San Angelo before a great while.

The infant child of Prof. and Mrs. Hunter died last Sunday afternoon and was buried on Monday. The family has the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement.

Today, the last of the year is also one of the coldest; a norther having been blowing since last evening.

January 10, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: January 7, 1885

Editor Standard-The Commissioners Court met in called session yesterday and ordered the Assessor to correct the rolls so the Collector could be prepared to receive taxes.

Mr. F. F. Fetman who has been confined to his house for sometime past, is now able to be out.

Our popular townsman, A. G. Nason, still lingers in your city, notwithstanding the holidays have passed. His friends suspect that something other than business enjoyments holds him there.

Our town has been crowded with freight wagons the past week and it begins to look as if the spring trade has already come.

Stockmen report that numbers of cattle and sheep throughout the county were killed by the extreme cold weather of late.

Mr. R. A. Winn? has recently bought him a ranch on Elm Creek in this county.

Mr. C. G. Burbank? of McKavett, was in town during the session of the Commissioners Court.

The little son of Mr. Felix Mann/Mars? fell from a donkey on which he was riding a few days since and broke his arm. Dr. Dorr (unreadable) set it and now the patient is doing well.

The weather has cleared up beautifully; the past two days having been almost spring-like.

January 17, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: January 14, 1885

Editor Standard-On last Saturday afternoon the citizens of our town were startled by the announcement that Mr. Charles Bowers, of McCulloch county had committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. It seems that he was subject to fits of melancholy, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Willis? Huey of this county, had come to Menardville on this day to consult a physician. Directly after eating dinner the two gentlemen, Mr. Huey and Mr. Bowers, walked down to Williamson & Saunders store where they met Mr. Williamson on the front gallery. After talking a few moments Mr. Bowers asked for a drink of water, and was directed to the small room at the back of the store. While in there he saw a razor lying on a shelf in front of the mirror, and with that he cut his throat from ear to ear. Mr. Huey and Mr. Williamson started into the store and about the same time, Mr. Bowers emerged from the back room showing a most ghastly wound in his throat and bleeding profusely. Help was called immediately, but it proved to be of no avail. Mr. Bowers dying soon afterwards from loss of blood which could not be stopped. An inquest was held and the verdict of the jury after and examination of several witnesses, was that the deceased came to his death from a wound in his throat inflicted with his own hands in a moment of insanity. His remains were taken to Brady City on Saturday for interment. Mr. Bowers was a man of considerable means, and leaves a wife and one child to mourn his untimely end.

There is a movement on foot among the citizens of this place and vicinity to form a Joint Stock Company and buy the irrigation ditch. Already two-thirds of the capital stock has been subscribed, and if their plans are consummated there will be considerably more farming done here.

There was to have been a dance here Tuesday evening, but the weather proved so unprofitious that it was postponed to Friday night.

Mr. Enoch Ballou left by Wednesday’s stage to Austin and the New Orleans Exposition.
We are now having spring rain but trust no norther will follow.

January 24, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: January 21, 1885

Editor Standard-For the past ten days, we have had unusually severe weather; first a cold rain, then a freeze, afterwards a snow of several inches. Before the snow melted it began to sleet, and now we have another snow. Reports from the country state that quantities of sheep have died and are still dying and cattle are drifting southward as fast as they can go. We have no doubt that the losses in live stock in this county will be very heavy, though at present no estimate can be made.

Mr. George Estell, of this place, met with a painful accident about six miles west of here last Saturday night. He took the stage here intending to visit some relatives, and as he was getting out of the stage, his foot slipped and he fell under the horses; one of which kicked him several times about the head before he could be dragged out. His (unreadable) was badly cut, one or two teeth were knocked out; and.........(unreadable), but at last accounts, he was doing very well.

CAN’T READ THE LAST PART OF THIS COLUMN BEYOND:

Mr. Will Sanders has been confined to the house for several days but his friends hope to see him again when the sun begins to shine once more.

January 31, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.

CAN’T READ

February 7, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: February 4, 1885

Editor Standard-A most pleasant entertainment was given last Friday evening at the school house by Prof. Hunter, assisted by his scholars. It consisted of recitations, dialogues and music, and was heartily enjoyed by the many patrons of the school and invited guests who were fortunate to be present. It was the second of a series of such entertainments to be given during the session at stated intervals, and the scholars showed most satisfactory progress since their first appearance before the Menardville public about two months ago. The best primary school in West Texas in undoubtedly here.

We are soon to have a Public Hall. A subscription paper was circulated on Monday and over five hundred dollars was subscribed at once. This will be enough to get the lumber and the amount necessary to construct it can soon be raised. The Menardville Mastodon Minstrels will give another exhibition in a short while for the benefit of this worthy enterprise.

Mr. Gabe Gay and wife arrived Sunday afternoon and were given a cordial welcome at the house of

Mr. J. D. Scruggs that evening. After the usual congratulations were extended, the party repaired to the dining room where an elegant supper was discussed at great length.

We are glad to see Mr. Will Sanders out on the streets again. He had had a long seige in the house.

The new dwelling of Mr. J. L. Alexander is nearly completed.

There has been quite an epidemic of colds among the children here and in some cases it has almost resulted in pneumonia.

The weather continues mild and the farmers are all busy. We anticipate plenty of grass and fine crops the coming season.

February 14, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.

COULDN’T FIND IT IN THIS ISSUE.

February 21, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: February 18, 1885

Editor Standard- The Commissioner’s Court adjourned last Friday after a session of five days, during which considerable business of importance was transacted.

A petition from G??? L. North and other to change a part of the road leading from Menardville to McKavett, was presented and considered, and it was ordered by the Court that five free holders and citizens be appointed to examine and the County Surveyor to survey the proposed change and make a full report at the next regular meeting of the Court.

The question of the propriety of erecting a new Court house and jail came up, and after considerable discussion and opposition on the part of some of the Commissioners, it was finally decided that $5,000 should be appropriated for a court house and $?? for a jail. (can’t read the rest)

February 28, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.

No submission of Menardville Murmerings in this addition?

March 7, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.

Can’t read

March 14, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.

No submission of Menardville Murmerings in this addition?

March 28, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: March 18, 1885

Editor Standard-The series of sermons by Rev. Mr. Young, of Burnet, which has extended over two weeks, was closed last Sunday evening. Mr. Young was well liked here, and the church was filled every evening with attentive listeners.

Prof. Young, of Sherman, the great temperance talker, came in on Monday and addressed crowded houses that and the following evening. He kept his audience in the best of spirits while talking; he denied a goodly number “the best of spirits” afterwards and charged them a dollar for doing it.

Mr. John Williamson left on Sunday’s stage for Austin; accompanying his father and mother that far on their return home.

Mr. R. P. Davidson, of the firm of Thomas & Davidson, came down from San Angelo a short time since in company with Chas. E. Davidson. The latter gentleman returned in a few days to the regret of his acquaintances here who would have been pleased to have seen more of him.

Quite a large force is now at work on the irrigation ditch under the direction of Supt. Waller, who says he will have it in good condition by the time the water is needed. More than ordinary interest in the matter of farming and gardening has developed in this neighborhood than present years, now that there is a favorable charge to irrigate.

From the looks of the budding trees and the flight of bats from their winter quarters, we judge spring is here.

April 4, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: April 1, 1885

Editor Standard- District Court convened here on Monday last, Hon A. W. Moursund, District Judge, and A. J. McGinnis Esq., District Attorney, being present. There was very little business before the Court, the civil docket being cleared of a half-dozen cases by compromise and the only case on the criminal docket was continued by agreement. The Grand Jury, however is fighting bravely yet, and judging from the number of witnesses examined and still to be examined, we expect quite a number of indictments.

Among the attorneys present at this term of the Court we notice Mr. Wm. F. North, of Austin, Major H. M. Holmes and R. Runge Esq. of Mason.

Our sprightly townsman, A. G. Nason, left last week for Austin and San Antonio on a business trip.
Menardville still improves. Another dwelling is now in process of erection and others are in contemplation.

Stock seems to be doing well and the pople appear much more hopeful for the future.

April 11, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: April 8, 1885

Editor Standard-The Grand Jury finished their labors and were discharged last Friday. They presented twenty-three bills of indictment, thirteen of which were for misdemeanors. These cases were consequently transferred to the County Court which meets on the first Monday in May. If this sort of work continues, there will surely be an opening in Menardville for an enterprising attorney. Heretofore there has been but little business in our courts and prospecting attorneys have usually left never to return after making an examination of the dockets.

We are sorry to note the death of Mr. Wm. H. Sanders which occurred on Saturday morning last. The funeral took place from the family residence the following afternoon. Although Mr. Sanders had been living here only a few moths, yet, by his courteous and gentlemanly bearing he had attached to himself in that short time many warm friends who now mourn his untimely end.

Messrs. Ballou & Lewis expect to fence in a pasture about 4 miles below town very soon.
Mr. E. V. D. Stucken left last week for San Antonio, and will likely visit the Exposition at New Orleans before returning.

We were blessed with a splendid rain last Monday morning, and the prospects for good crops and plenty of grass are bright. Farmers and stockmen all seem cheerful.

April 25, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: April 22, 1885

Editor Standard-Since the action taken by the managers of the Santa Fe Railroad in appointing a committee to inspect the route by the way of San Saba and San Angelo to Colorado City, our people are decidedly hopeful of having a railroad within 20 or 30 miles of this place in the near future. Such a proximity to a rail line will be of inestimable benefit to our county in making known to the outside world its many natural advantages of soil, climate ad water. The great drawback to its settlement has heretofore been the great distance from a railroad.

Mr. James T. Hurt of Austin has taken charge of the Burnet and San Angelo mail and stage road and will make considerable improvement before a great while. He has placed Wm. J. Ellis in charge, and could not have selected a better or more energetic manager. This change of management seems to give general satisfaction all along the line.

Yesterday Prof. Hunter took his school children up the river on a picnic, and while some of the children were crossing the river on a foot-log, little Bessie Murray fell into the water which happened to be deep and quite swift at that place. She would undoubtedly have drowned but for the cool heroism of Jeff Davis, a small boy who jumped in and brought her safely to the bank.

Miss M. S. Clenderren?, of Concho county, accompanied by Mr. S. E.? Farmer, was here on Tuesday, and she hardly had time to intimate that she had decided granger instincts before the blushing magistrate had converted her into a bona fide Farmer.

Mr. T. W. Mann, at a recent meeting of the Board of Directors, was elected superintendent of the irrigation ditch. Arrangements have been completed to furnish all the water needed for the present season and at reasonable rates.

We have had several fine rains recently. Farmers say prospects for an abundance of small grain and grass are good.

April 25, 1885 pg. 3, Col. 6

Died-Mrs. Annie E. Gay, wife of Thomas A. Gay Jr., at Menardville, Texas of pneumonia, March 19, 1885. Mrs. Gay, daughter of A. D. and C. A. Porter, was born in Hayes county, Texas, July 26, 1861 and was 21 years of age. She was united in marriage only two months when Death visited her. We trust she is now enjoying the blessed rest of the saints. A devoted husband, mother and a large family of brothers andd sisters mourn her loss. She was brought up in the Presbyterian church.
(ALICIA'S NOTE: Annie E. (Porter) Gay is buried in Pioneer Rest Cemetery, Menard, Tx.)

July 18, 1885 (2-5) ***Land agent of Menardville reports flow of new settlers into Menard County
(3-2) ***Yearling prices listed in Menard county

July 25, 1885 pg. 3
Menardville Murmurings
Menardville, Menard Co.
Submitted: July 20, 1885

Editor Standard-On last Monday night two workmen on the Court house here by the names of Lloyd and Brown, while playing pool at one of the saloons, became involved in a fight together, and before they could be separated Brown was stabbed once or twice by Lloyd. The wounded man seems to be doing well at the present time, and will doubtless be out on the streets again in a short while. Lloyd’s examining trial took place this morning before Judge Wyatt, county judge. The defendant waived examination and the Court fixed his bond at $400 to appear at the next term of the District Court. It is not known yet whether he will be able to give the bond here.

There were one or two fisticuff matinees among the boys yesterday, and this morning they marched up before the magistrate and settled their little accounts with the county.

Mr. E. Ballou, who has been quite ill for a week or so, is now able to be out attending to the wants of his numerous customers.

Mr. Frank Williams recently came here from Tennessee to engage in the practice of law, and is already building a good foundation for his future labors. He is a graduate of the Lebanon Law school, a genial gentleman, and we predict a successful future for him.

The Menardville Town Hall looms up, and will soon be completed. It is proposed to christen it as soon as finished with a fine ball.

Work on the Courthouse is being delayed somewhat on account of the slow delivery of lumber.
The weather is hot and dry and rain is badly needed.

San Angelo Standard -
August 22, 1885
page 3, column 5:

***Value of livestock and land cited.

San Angelo Standard -
August 29, 1885
page 3, column 1:

During a friendly scuffle for the possession of a sword cane, at McKavett, last week, between Buck Williams and Clay Dry, the latter was seriously wounded to the leg. The wounded man was brought to San Angelo next day, and with careful attention is getting well.

September 26, 1885 (2-4)
***Land transfers

San Angelo Standard -
November 7, 1885
page 1, column 4:

A Romantic Wedding: On last Wednesday afternoon, at 5 o’clock, there occurred at the hospitable home of Mrs. Corinne Tolman, opposite city hall, one of the very happiest of marriages, withal a little romantic. The groom, Mr. John Kennedy, is a Scotch gentleman and owns the “Deerville ranch” near Fort Mckavett. His bride, Miss Richardson, also hails from “bonnie Scotland”, coming to Texas under the care of her brother, John Richardson, who owns the “Dahena ranch”:, in Concho county. Along with Mr. and Miss Richardson there came Mr. Thomas McCall and bride, and Mr. George Marr, the party all coming direct from Scotland. Mr. McCall owns the “Strathmore ranch”, also in Concho county. Upon arriving in Austin, the party took rooms at the residence of Mrs. Tolman. On Wednesday morning, Mr. Kennedy, arrived in the city and at once found his countrymen, friends and his----well, let Mrs. K. tell that. The meeting was a joyous one all around. The Scottish cowboy was soon to be made the happiest of men; the occasion was to be the grandiest round-up of his life, for he was to take to his heart---and to his ranch---her whom he loved above all others. The good ladies of the house, Mrs. Tolman, and her amiable mother, Mrs. Eugenie Barrett, put everything on readiness; Rev. Dr. Wright was sent for, and the happiness of the ranchman and his Scotch lassie had reached the pinnacle when they were pronounced man and wife. Congratulations followed then a wedding dinner, and the evening was spent in the personal pastime of song, dance and repartee. Yesterday morning the entire party left the city for their western homes, expressing the greatest praise for Austin in general, and their kind hostess in particular.----Austin Statesman

(Alicia's Note: *** means I don't have the complete article at this time)

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