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History in a Pecan
Shell:
Fink formed shortly before the Civil War when the family of Fred Fink and others
moved into the area from their former home in Mississippi.
The community
was underdeveloped until after the war when all of NE Texas was infused with new
settlers looking to start fresh with cheap Texas
land.
Fink had a post office from 1897 to 1903 but the population never
came close to a hundred. It declined to less than 20 during The Great Depression
and averaged little more than that for the remainder of the 20th century. It is
now what is known as "a dispersed rural community."
The fourth Friday
in June has been declared Fink Day in Texas, by the Texas Legislature (people
who are familiar with the name). This coincides with "National Fink Week" which
is a celebration held by families sharing that same surname. Fink barely appears
on county maps, but due perhaps to its semi-humorous name, it appears clearly
on the Official State Highway map - just below the Red River in Grayson County.
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The Legend of the origin
of
the noun "Fink" and the verb "to Fink"
by Raul Hashimoto
19th Century Mississippi Keelboat operator
Mike Fink - once featured in the Walt Disney Davy Crockett series of the 1950s
- was a real person with a reputation for heavy drinking and carousing. One of
the stories about Fink places him in a shooting match with his best friend. The
two were also rivals for the attention of one particular woman and this supposedly
non-lethal "duel" had the men shooting targets off of each other's head - winner
would get the girl. When it was Mike's turn he perforated his friend's forehead.
Onlookers never knew if it was "shooting under the influence" or an intentional
and very abrupt end to the rivalry. Some say that Fink himself, never knew.
A "Fink" came to mean someone who was capable of betraying his best friend,
although the years have softened it a bit to that of a informer or snitch. As
a verb - to "Fink" on someone was a petty betrayal for little reward. It became
a popular "friendly insult" in the 1960s. The term of rat - for informer was added
in some circles - making the term rat-fink which is somewhat redundant.
© John Troesser |
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Photographer's
Note
Subject: Fink
I think Fink is actually part of Pottsboro.
The sign is there and there's a cluster of businesses but no organized town as
such. The motel was the only reference to Fink so that's what I shot. - Mike
Price, November 18, 2007 |
Fink, Texas
ForumSubject:
Fink, Texas
Dear TE, In your information about the town of Fink, Texas.
When you are speaking about Fredrick (Fred) Finke there is an "e" on the end of
his name. The Finke's that settled here in Fink, Texas were dairy farmers. The
"e" was taken off by the Governor to make the name shorter. Just a little note
of history. Charlotte Finke, Great-Great Granddaughter of Fredrick Finke, Fink,
Texas - Charlotte Finke, July 31, 2006
Subject:
A law passed in the 70's.
I remember working at West Publishing in the
70's up in St. Paul and my editor and I published the Texas Statute laws. We came
across a law that honored the people of your city as a bunch of Finks and it was
hilarious. It brought back to mind that even our law makers have a sense of humor.
Also too, in 1977, Jesse James was the state treasurer.
I am in Houston
on business and I remembered these things while reminiscing about your state.
- Kathy Sander, September 14, 2005
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