Menard County Texas

Newspaper Articles

A special thanks to Dan Feather of the Menard News and Messenger for letting me share his newspaper articles with you.

NOTE that these pages may NOT be used for profit and may NOT be reproduced in any manner without his consent.

Pioneer Special Edition

June 18, 1936

WELCOME PIONEERS--This special pioneer edition of the Menard Messenger is our welcome to you. In our small way we hope to convey some of our deep appreciation to you for all you have done in the building of Menard.

You came to Menard when this country was an undeveloped frontier, infested with Indians, you came in wagons and on horseback to plant the seed of civilization. You tilled the soil and fenced the lands. You lived as neighbors and friends---all striving toward a single goal---Progress.

Today, time has slowed your hand, but your moving spirit and undying courage has fostered and maintained in the hearts of your sons the love fore, and loyalty to, the country which you have built for them.

With what you have done, and what you stand for in mind, we sum up our appreciation of you in two words---WELCOME PIONEERS.

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Mr. Speck, as most everyone knows, was born in Germany. He came to this country as a young man and has established himself as one of our most successful ranchmen. He is a most successful ranchman. He mastered the English language in a while?, speaks and writes Spanish as well. But he never went to a school in this country.

MURCHISON RECALLS CATTLE TRAIL DAYS IN THIS SECTION

"Driving cattle was beautiful work when you got on to it," claimed A. H. Murchison, grand old man of Menard, while discussing his twelve years as a cattle driver and range "boss".

Mr. Murchison began cattle driving around 1875. With a usual crew of about twelve cowboys, 150 to 200 horses, a covered wagon, and a few blankets, Mr. Murchison made the cattle trail his home for a dozen years. He has driven herds to every cattle state in the Union. The longest trip he ever made was to Montana; he was on the trail for over four months.

Recalling his life on the trail, Mr. Murchison said that the cattle driver's work was just as routine as any working man's duties are today. Each cowboy had his tours of work and his own assigned post. The cattle were guarded night and ay, therefore, their duties were continuous ones. In those days, men worked and when they got off work, they went to sleep.

Drivers Had No Trouble
Contrary to general opinion, the trail drivers had little trouble. Occasionally they were bothered by a few Indians, but otherwise they were unmolested. Snakes were numerous in those days, but Mr. Murchison never had a man bitten. In fact, he only lost tow men on the trail--they were struck by lightening and buried right where they were killed.

For the most part, the country was open pastures and they could travel right up the trails. Whenever they had to cross Indian territory, a few head of lame cattle as a gift to the chiefs would usually open the range for them.

Commodities Are High
Merchandise was high in those times, but were much better than what we have today, claimed Mr. Murchison. Almost all clothes were made of wool. Wool shirts and pants were worn the year 'round. In those days shirts cost $5.00 to $6.00, pants were $8 to $10, a hat cost $10 or $12, and blankets $10 to $20.

Salaries were rather good in those days too. A cowboy usually got $1 a day and board. The boss received $125 to $200 a month. Cattlemen could afford to pay good salaries then as a rancher would clear $2 a head over expenses on contract cattle.

A herd of 2500 cattle would cost about $1500 to move out to Mexico. All cattle then were native cattle and could be moved about ten miles a day. As a rule, the cattle were in just as good shape at the end of a drive as they were when they left home.

Mr. Murchison made his last drive in 1887 to Clayton, New Mexico. At the time he was working for Felix Mann. This drive took over two months. When he returned he opened a merchandise store for himself and has operated it continuously since that time.

Emil Toepperwein
Still another old-timer who should be commended for his energy and craft is Emil Toepperwein who came here in 1894 and established a still photograph gallery. He started the saddle repair business in 1895, and then became connected with F. Luckenbach in the saddle shop and hardware business. At one time he served as justice of peace. He was county treasurer for ten years and never was defeated.

Mary Elizabeth Thompson was born on July 22, 1877 in Goliad. She came here forty-five years ago and settled in Fort McKavett. She is survivor of the Ben Fickland flood. During the flood she was washed out of her house on a feather bed. She is married to Lewis Thompson. Their children are Mrs Willie Warren, James Thompson, Hugh Thompson, Ruff?? Thompson, Mrs McGuffee and Mrs Seay.

James D. Pullen runs a filling station in Fort Mckavett. He was born in Fort McKavett on March 4, 1890. His wife is Flossie Ellis. Their four children are: Lillie D. Pullen, marie Pullen, James Pullen and Elton? Pullen

Mrs. Savanah Bradford, the wife of J. W. Bradford, was born in 1879 in South Carolina. Her father and mother were James and Martha Alexander. The moved to Menard when Mrs. Bradford was five years old.

Mrs. Nancy R. Wilkinson, wife of the late Jack Wilkinson, has lived in Menard for seventy years. She was born on February 7, 1860 of Scotch-Irish parents. She now lives on her ranch at the head of Clear Creek. Mrs. Wilkinson has nine children, Mrs. E. L. Mears, Mrs. Max Russell, Willie Wilkinson, Lamar Wilkinson, Frank Wilkinson, Archie Wilkinson, Charlie Wilkinson, Ernest Wilkinson and Edgar Wilkinson.

Ben Cole, owner of the Cole Domino Parlor, came to Menard in 1891. He worked on the Los Moras ranch for Jim Runge when he first came here. Later he worked for Jim Callan, and then opened the White Owl Restaurant with Frank Tipton. Their resaurant was in a tent. Mr. Cole was born in Tennessee on March 22, 1853. His parents were F. R. Cole and Catherine Cole.

Mrs. Mary Katherine Kirkpatrick was born on May 24, 1851 in Rusk County. Her father was T. G. Utzman and her mother was Elizabeth Dean. Mrs. Kirkpatrick came to Menard thirty-six years ago. She is a widow and has three children, L. J. Kirkpatrick, Levy Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Tom Russell.

Mrs. C. E. Treadwell

Mrs. C. E. Treadwell was born on March 30, 1842, in Talledegada, Alabama. She is the oldest woman living in Menard county. Mrs. Treadwell came to Texas with her family in 1856. She started in February of 1856 and arrived in 1857. They started from Alabama with a mule team. There were about fifty people in the party not including about seventy slaves. They came to McCullogh County in 1888 from Hill county and pastured 1,700 head of cattle. They moved to Menard in 1890 and settled at the Nine Mile Ranch. Later, they moved to the present Treadwell ranch. Mrs. Treadwell is the daughter of William Hall Garner, a relative of John Garner, vice president of the United States. Her great-grandmother was the aunt of Henry Clay. Mrs. Treadwell was married to C. E. Treadwell on January 13, 1864. Her living children are: W. W. Treadwell, Mrs. Mae Treadwell Sheen, Bascom Bishop Treadwell and John Treadwell.

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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Tuesday, September 27, 2011 9:36 AM