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.

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.

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.

All contents of this web site are the property of Alicia Brown unless otherwise noted. You are free to copy or print out pieces of information for your personal genealogical research, but nothing on this site may be used in other ways without my permission.

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Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:03 AM