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| From
the files of The Tascosa Pioneer, published from June 1886 through
1888, all issues contained in the archives of The
Panhandle-Plains Museum, we found the following tidbits of information
telling of everyday life in the Panhandle
at that time. (In Trew fashion of
course.) |
| Photo
courtesy Eleanor Powers Beebe, 2008 |
A New Mexico
cowman named Allison was visiting in Colorado when a tooth became
abscessed. The only dentist around was a quack who bored a hole into
an adjoining good tooth then broke it off while trying to pull. Mr.
Allison was so enraged he slammed the dentist to the floor, seized
the forceps and jerked out one of the dentist's good teeth. Only his
screaming which brought help saved him from losing more teeth. It
was a rough way of exacting revenge.
The Lee-Scott Cattle Company is paying $25 apiece for the scalps of
panthers and Mexican lions killed on their ranch. It seems they have
lost young calves to the predators. I wonder what the difference is
between a panther and a Mexican lion?
A considerable quantity of drift wood came down the Canadian
River on the recent rise. The boys with teams rustled the wood
because with the absence of any forests near by, firewood is at a
premium. Cedar wood is best for burning but since driftwood is free
and easy to collect, we can't afford to waste it.
The LIT Ranch is enclosing their range with barbed
wire fences. When finished, the enclosure will be twenty-two miles
north and south and eighteen miles east and west. (If my figures are
correct that is 396 section of land or 253,440 acres.)
The first camp meeting ever held in the Panhandle
opened at McClellan Creek between Clarendon
and Mobeetie lasting
several days with various visiting preachers in attendance. ( I wonder
how many "amens" were shouted during this meeting?)
The Cresswell Ranch in Roberts
County reported the wolves have killed half their calf crop this
year. The ranch is bringing in hounds to assist in solving the problem.
(Was it really wolves or was it coyotes? Most of the lobo wolves disappeared
with the buffalo
herds eliminated a few years earlier.)
The LS Ranch boys found and butchered a lone buffalo a few
days back and brought a piece of it into Ben Bance's Restaurant. It
was sampled and found to be the most delicious steak yet. (Imagine
finding a remnant of the vast prairie buffalo
herds hiding somewhere in a remote canyon.) |
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| Two parties are
arranging to put up ice here this winter. It seems that sort of undertaking
should insure some profits as considerable ice
would find a good market here during the hot summer months. (Especially
with all the saloons in business in old Tascosa.) |
Alexander George
claims he was here in the area in the 1850s, long before the Adobe
Walls Indian Battle. If there is an older man in the area let
him come and be counted.
An occasional dog fight has furnished about the only sensations this
week in the town of Tascosa.
(And so, the world turns in the exciting life of Tascosa.
Ho Hum!)
© Delbert Trew
"It's All Trew" September
14, 2010column
Delbert Trew is a freelance writer and retired rancher. |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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