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1907
Draw United Methodist Church. "The sign was made by Walter Venson
Caswell and Norman Ledbetter in memory of Walter's father, Vernon
Caswell."
Photo courtesy Regina Barnes Crutcher, 11-2003 |
Lynn
County is celebrating its 100th year and I have been helping to work
on the histories of various places and businesses. I am Regina Barnes
Crutcher, daughter of the late Boyd Barnes and Fern Caswell Barnes.
The Caswells moved to Draw (nearer to the Double U Ranch) in 1928
when my mother was 4. I grew up there as did my three siblings. I
have attended and belong to the Draw United Methodist Church all my
life. The church is still going strong, approaching its centennial
in 2007. We are a shared pastorate with the O'Donnell UMC.
The first family to settle in Draw was the W. A. Waller family. Prior
to their arrival, cattle roamed freely and drank from natural ponds
on their way to market up north. As other families followed the Wallers
the cattle drovers sought other ways to the north. First families
included the Sherrills, the LeMonds, the Greenwoods, the Caswells,
the Williams, the Duckworths, and the Sewells.
In the winter of 1906-07, a one-room school was built with R. A. Duckworth
teaching all grades. Athletic teams were dubbed the Draw Longhorns
with [school colors] red and black. The last year for elementary classes
in Draw was 1949. Middle and high school classes were bussed to O'Donnell.
The last business in Draw was the Draw Paymaster Gin which ginned
their last bale in 1993.
As with most rural communities, church was the only social experience
offered in towns of that size. Since the Methodist Church is the only
church still active, I will give an abbreviated church history.
Rev. J.O. Gore from the Tahoka UMC began preaching to a Methodist
congregation on March 1, 1907 with the following charter members:
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Waller, their daughters, Sadie, Emily, and Willie;
Mrs. Kittie LeMond, and Mrs. R.A. Duckworth. Sunday school was organized
at that time with 18 regular members and 30 members listed.
The present building was dedicated in 1924. Rev. Hamilton Wright was
the first pastor to live in the parsonage on church grounds in 1927.
The Draw Women's Missionary Society was organized in 1928.
In the 40's and 50's, congregation attendance regularly hit the 80's.
Young couples were prospering in business and crop production and
Draw supported a full-time pastor at this time.
But in 1965, after years of dwindling population, Rev. Robert Brown
was the first pastor since 1925 to travel from O'Donnell to Draw every
Sunday morning.
Draw UMC has sponsored five men from their congregation who have dedicated
their lives to the ministry. Currently services are held each Sunday
A.M. at 9:15 with Rev. Ken Peterson minister. Mrs. Mary V.Sherrill
continues to teach Sunday School, a position she's held for over 75
years.
Thank you.
Regina Barnes Crutcher
June 2003
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