The Randall County News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, September 10, 1909 Page: 1 of 8
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J
THE RANDALL s COUNTY NEWS.
Vol. XIII.
Canyon Randall County Texas Friday September 10 1909.
Xo. 24
:
LOCATING COMMITTEE
MAKES STATEMENT
DECISION IN FAVOR OF CANYON CITY IS
MADE AFTER INVESTIGATIONS.
Committee is Greatly Surprised at the Develop
ment Push Enterprise and Intelligence
of Great West.
"The committee to locate the
West Texas Normal college be-
gan its labors in Fort Worth
August 9 1909 where it contin-
ued in session during four days
listening to the representatives
of contesting towns explain the
advantages claimed by the re-
spective places. The committee
then arranged for itself a trip of
more than two weeks including
nineteen bidding points.
"After carefully studying the
topography of the cities them-
selves and the surrounding ter-
ritory and the sites offered by
the respective towns the com-
mittee returned to Austin and
for three days carefully consid-
ered all the facts in each case.
The committee thinks it has not
failed to take into account every
important point that could be
raised in favor of any one of the
group of splendid Texas towns
that bid for the location of this
school. To reach a decision has
been an exceedingly difficult
task. Without attempting to
give a summary of the argument
which sustains the conclusion
the committee desires to say it
has kept faith with the public
and its own good conscience and
deliberately reached the conclu-
sion that under all the circum-
stances the location of the nor-
mal at Canyon City is in the
interest of the development of
the state as a whole. This deci-
sion is final unless the commit-
tee fails to agree with the local
committee in Canyon City upon
details of the bid or unless Can-
yon City should fail to make
good its bid.
"It will be remembered that
Canyon City is favorably located
in a great section of the state
and that its bid consists of prop-
erty and labor to bo donated for
the erection of a plant to the
value of $100100 and a choice of
seven sites of forty acres of land
each.
"The committee will return to
Canyon City in a few days and
select a site and enter into con-
tracts with good and sufficient
security and then make its final
report to the state board of edu-
cation whose duty it will then
be to have the buildings erected
and the college ready for work
not later than Oct. 1 1910.
"The committee was surprised
and delighted at the wonderful
development of the great West
and at the push enterprise and
intelligence of the citizens who
hold its destiny in their hands.
We feel sure that the good of the
state demands that the next leg-
islature shall establish two addi-
tional schools of high order
amply equipped and well sus-
tained to take care of the edu-
cational and industrial develop-
ment of the state west of the
ninety-eighth meridian. We are
pleased to be able to announce
to the public that the state board
of education is also of the opinion
that the next legislature should
establish one more school possi-
bly two in the territory in-
dicated. . "We wish to say that certain
newspaper reports that have
gone out from Austin concern-
ing the attitude of members of
the committee toward various
towns were made in utter ignor-
ance and at variance with the
facts in the case. We further
desire to say that any statement
indicating Governor Campbell
has interfered in any manner
whatever with the deliberations
of the committee is untrue and
unjust. The state board of edu-
cation was invited into consulta-
tion with the locating committee
touching a question of the cor-
rect interpretation of the law
under which the West Texas
normal was created. Governer
Campbell stated in the joint ses
sion of the committees and to
different members of the board
personally that he had perfect
confidence in the judgment and
integrity of the locating board
and that its decision whatever
it might be would be sustained
by him. He stated furthur that
he approved the careful manner
in which the locating board had
gone about its duties and that he
was satisfied that the state would
be well served whatever the
committee's decision might be.
He insisted that he had no pre-
ference among the towns and
desired not to offer any advice to
any member of the committee.
The statement in the Fort Worth
Star-Telegram over an Austin
date of Sept. 1 purporting to
give the attitude of the board to-
ward different com)eting towns
and mentioning Governor Camp-
bell and Senator Hudspeth in
relation to the deliberations of
the locating committee does the
governor Senator Hudspeth and
each member of the locating
committee serious injustice be-
cause the statement is made in
ignorance and at variance with
the facts as they exist. We
think it only just and fair to all
concerned that we make this
statement concerning the news-
paper reports which have pur-
ported to give information con-
cerning the work of the commit-
tee since its return to Austin."
A. P. Davidson.
R. 15. CorsiNs.
John Makshau..
Beautiful Home Wedding.
Wednesday September 1st at
4 p. m. at the home of the bride's
parents Mr. and Mrs. H. James
of Ceta Texas Mr. H. B. Wesley
and Miss Tennie Elizabeth James
were united in the holy bonds of
matrimony. Standing under a
bower of trees the young couple
listened to the beautiful and im-
pressive words of the marriage
service delivered by the Rev. Dr.
J. D. Cook of Tulia Texas.
The bride was was attired in a
lovely gown of white silk and
lace. The popularity of Mr. and
Mrs. Wesley who are among the
younger set of Ceta society was
attested by the large gathering
of relatives and friends who
crowded the residence and
grounds over one hundred and
fifty being present to tender their
well wishes.
Immediately after the cere-
mony a magnificent supper was
served. Fruits arid all the deli-
cacies of the season were in
abundance. The bridal cake en-
twined with a wreath of white
forget-me-nots was a triumph of
the caterer's art. The bride was
the recipient of a large number
of beautiful and appropriate
presents. Mr. and Mrs. Wesley
are undecided at present as to a
location but it is to be hoped
they will remain with us.
Wreck Near Friona.
The east bound passenger train
due here at 4:05 o'clock Wednes
day afternoon did not put in its
appearance until about eight
o'clock yesterday morning the
trouble having been caused by a
freight which was wrecked just
this side of Friona soon after
noon on Wednesday. The train
which was wrecked was a fast
freight and reports state that
nearly a quarter of a mile of track
was torn up and it was necessary
to build a track around the wreck
so that the trains might pass. No
one was hurt or killed in the
tumble.
CANYON CITY CELEBRATES
STATE NORMAL LOCATION.
CITIZENS OF PLAINS COUNTRY CONGREGATE
HERE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT TO HELP
IN MAGNIFICENT JUBILEE.
Old Time Experience Meeting is Result and Night is
Spent in Joyous Enthusiasm Much Noise Joy
and Good Cheer Reign Supreme.
"Hurrah for Canyon City" was
the unanimous cry of Amarillo's
delegation of approximately two
hundred persons as they unload-
ed from the special Santa Fe
train yesterday evening at the
home of the West Texas State
Normal.
"Hurrah for Amarillo" was
the response echoed from an even
greater array of happy men and
women.
"This was the introductory
and almost before the Amarillo
party knew what was happening
rapid flight along Canyon City's
pretty streets in autos furnished
free was in progress and soon
all stood in the glare of the count-
less electric lights were the
blast of anvils volleys from guns
and sweet music made a con
glomerate sound indicative of
joy. of life of action.
"Glad hurrahs rang out from
every side Canyon City as hos
tess to visitors from every sec-
tion of the Plains country was
so laden with joy that she with
lavish hand disseminated it free
ly to all and if there was even a
sour thought when the borders
of municipality was reached it
was banished as something un
clean and unfit for participation
in that joyous occasion."
The above clipping from the
Daily Panhandle of Amarillo ex-
presses the sentiments which
prevailed in this city last Friday
and during the entire evening
when this city celebrated in a
manner befitting the great event
which had taken place in its his-
tory. People from all the sur-
rounding country were here and
they came to help celebrate not
the victory of Canyon City and
Randall county alone but the
victory of the greatest portion of
the great State of Texas the
Plains. And they came with ex
pressions of congratulations to
our little city because of the fact
that it won over twenty -seven
other good towns and had won
the battle after weeks of work.
It was a great time that the
people had here last Friday night.
Great for a number of reasons.
It was the beginning of a new
era in the history of the town;
great because it showed what
could be done by a town when
they are united upon a proposi-
tion; great because it tended to-
ward strengthening the bonds
which join the sister cities of the
entire Plains and Panhandle coun-
try into a sympathetic union for
the advancement of the interests
of the Panhandle; great because
it marked the beginning of state
recognition of the greatness of
our country; great because it was
the beginning of an educational
awakening such as has never he-
tore been seen in the history of
Texas.
Prominent people from all the
adjacent territory had been in-
vited to come and they did espe-
cially so from Amarillo because
it took a passenger train of seven
cars to bring those who attended
from that city. Citizens of the
surrounding counties came dur-
ing the day and the special train
from Amarillo arrived about b
o'clock and was met at the depot
by citizens with autos and the
band by whom the visitors were
escorted to the place of meeting
on the public square where near-
ly every citizen of the town was
gathered to help celebrate.
Speaking of the entertainment
the Daily Panhandle of Amarillo
had the following report:
Despite the fact that it was
Canyon City's greatest crowd
and that it called together not
only the entire population of the
city but many from neighboring
cities and towns there was noth-
ing but joy and gladness hearty
welcome and good cheer. There
was nothing to even indicate that
in all the Panhandle country
there is such a thing as a hood-
lum a crook or even a crank. It
is unfortunate that all the people
of Amarillo and the Panhandle
as a whole might not have been
present. There was ajoyousness
readily infectious and it is of
that quality that is slow to wear
off.
Speakers' stand and seats ar-
ranged for accommodating the
vast number were placed on the
north side of Randall county's
elegant new courthouse. This
structure was ablaze with light
from basement to dome pouring
in mellow streams from doorways
and windows. The outside light-
ing making the entire court
plaza almost as bright as noon-
day. A HAPPY HIT.
When the visitors had gotten
over their first great delight of
the welcome and the hearty cor-
diality of the greeting of friends
the speakers' stand was occupied
and L. E. Cowling chairman of
the meeting exclaimed:
"It's all over but the shoutin'
and we'll let the visitors from
little Amarillo and the other little
towns hell) us do that." This
was a jolly little dash that indi
cated the trend of future expres
sions so fully in keeping with
the spirit pervading the assem-
bly. Mayor Haney was called to the
stand and like the new convert
he was almost "too full for utter-
ance." The mayor told of the
glad nature of the occasion of
the joy that was everywhere ap-
parent. He stated that Canyon
City had assembled to rejoice and
to be rejoiced with by her neigh-
bors and friends. "We are here
for the purpose of talking and
hearing talk. We have been as-
sisted in landing this prize by
every town in the Panhandle
and joined by them all we make
our bow with a feeling of honor
to the locating board at whose
hands we have received this mag-
nificent gift." At this juncture
Mayor Haney read a number of
telegrams from various sections
congratulating Canyon City on
her success.
Jlixjk j. c. hi nt
Judge J. C. Hunt upon behalf
of the citizenship as a whole
opened his remarks by saying:
"1 am too full for utterance
when some rakishly inclined
friend in a stage whisper said
"Where'd you get it Judge?"
Hut Judgellunt was in the clouds
he heard not the earth whis-
per with its suggestion. "I am
happy by reason of this hearty
cooperation" continued the
speaker. "It is the basis of all
true success and forever puts to
flight petty jealousies and dissen-
sions only hurtful in their influ-
ences. From Dalhart to the
Texas & Pacific there is one broad
spirit of fraternity and brother
hoodno room for anything that
is bad or unsightly this atmos-
phere is deadly to such a state
of things."
Judge Hunt then drifted into
a dream of future greatness of
the Panhandle country working
in imaginary poetry and song
impromptu but to the point.
Getting to earth again Judge
Hunt exclaimed:
"We don't know how big we
really are. We have landed a big
prize but even greater things
are in store for us. The best
things are yet to come. We want
to say that you're welcome thrice
welcome at the hands of this en-
tire citizenship and we love you
all."
.lriXiK A. N. H EN. SON
Judge A. N. Ilenson express
ed glad welcome on behalf of
Randall county when he ex
claimed:
With all our hearts we wel
come you insincerity and truth.
We bear to none ill feelings but
to all love and kindliness. Our
interests are identical with those
of our neighbors and on this oc
casion we welcome you all in be-
half of Randall county."
EDITOR K. A. TEK1UI.I.
R. A. Terrill in behalf of the
local press extended glad wel
come in a few. brief sentences
well chosen and clear cut after
which he remarked: "It is not
words of welcome that is the tit-
ting adjunct to this momentous
hour but it is the glad handshake
the heart to heart assurance of
appreciation for acts of co-operation
and presence of this match
less people. We are permitted
to entertain this throng on this
joyous occasion only through the
heartiest co operation of all the
Panhandle. We appreciate it
every bit. We realize and appre-
ciate the fact that a petition of.
approximately 10000 signatures
was presented by the Panhandle
of Texas asking for the location
of the normal soon after the
state legislature created the in-
stitution. This was one of the
stepping stones to our present
great victory a victory by no
means a loss to any inch of this
great country. We have no dis
likes we are united for the gen-
eral good of this peerless people
and country.''
HON. .1. li. COWMAN
Representative J. R. Mowman
addressed himself to the assem
bly as a friend claiming that
right and receiving response
snowing that he neiu a nappy
place in the hearts of the people.
The speech was opened with a
pleasinganecdote andalittle later
Mr. Bowman gave in oratoric
and his characteristic style the
boundaries of the Panhandle the
"Modern America." Canyon
City was styled the Minerva of
the Plains from which Gabriel
shall blow his horn. "Amarillo
and all the Plains country ' de-
clared Mr. IJowman "contest
with Canyon City this honor to-
night. They feel that they have
won equally with her and they
are happy and appreciative of the
prize here secured."
"This is the first gift at the
hands of the state of Texas to the
Panhandle country but it wiiijuunui vuu.a..
be far from the last. The county
of Randall and Canyon City pay
into the coffers of the state thous-
ands of dollars and only draws
about $2000 therefrom for edu-
cational purposes. Oldham coun-
ty pays into this state $3131 and
only gets $230.00 in return for
educational purposes the re-
mainder of the money going to
other sections of the state."
(Continued on I'ajreTwo.)
RAILWAY EXTENSIONS
IN WEST TEXAS.
SANTA FE OFFICIALS SPEAK WELL OF
DEVELOPMENT OF BIG WEST.
Numerous Extensions of Santa Fe System is
Contemplated May Effect
Canyon City.
GalvestonTex.Sept 5. Prom
inent officials of the Gulf Colo-
rado and Santa Fe road returned
to the city on Friday from the
western part of the State where
they have been looking over the
situation in general and railroad
conditions in particular. From
F. G. Pettibone vice president
and general manager of the
Santa Fe it was learned that
engineers are at the present
time making preliminary sur-
veys for the San Saba branch
which branch will be from some
point on the Santa Fe between
Lampasas and Brownwood to
the western border of San Saba
county a distance of probably
fifty miles. It is probable that
this branch will extend farther
west and include Brady and it
is possible that the line will go
even further and include Men-
ardville. However at this time
no definite information can be
had on the extension of the line
further west than the line of
San Saba at which place the
residents have guaranteed depot
facilities right of way and bon-
uses in a manner that would in
dicate the real need for a good
railroad. The possibilities of
that country cannot now he es-
timated for in addition to having
the finest lands both bottom and
prairie and a branch of one of
the foremost roads in the coun
try they are negotiating for and
have practically secured an irri
gation plant which will cost in
the neighborhood of $2000000
and will irrigate some sixty thou-
sand acres of fertle lands. To
secure this irrigation it is nec-
essary to assure the irrigation
company of contracts for at least
20.000 acress for irrigation pur
poses of which some 12000 or
13000 acres have already been
secured. It is understood that
the charges for such irrigation
will be almost infinitesimal that
is about $4 per acre for fifteen
years after which time the
water will be free. So with
such prospects in view the citi
zens of San Saba county Lam-
pasas county and possibly Mc-
Culloch and Menard counties
should feel jubilant.
Another extension of the Gulf
Colorado and Santa Fe will be
that from San Angelo in a north-
westerly direction through
Water Valley and Carlsbad to
Sterling City a distance of forty
miles. This extension has been
definately decided upon and lo-
cating engineers are now on the
ground arranging for the prelim-
inary construction of the road
and it is expected that the actual
construction will be started in
about thirty days and go forward
to a rapid completion. That
part of the country is also pos-
sessed of rich lands selling even
now for bottom lands at $25 per
acre. A branch of the Colorado
River in addition to several
1 large creeks runs through that
Work on the construction of
the Coleman-Texico lines has al-
ready commenced from Coleman
on the Gulf Colorado and Santa
Fe to Texico on the Atchison
system line a distance of nearly
300 miles. This line will be
operated by the Gulf Colorado
and Santa Fe as far as Sweet-
water Tex. and then on to
Texico by way of Lubbock and
Continued on I'ayt Two.)
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Terrill, R. A. The Randall County News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, September 10, 1909, newspaper, September 10, 1909; Canyon City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth322624/m1/1/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .