A History Of Dickens County: Ranches and Rolling Plains Page: 58
355 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
until 1932, then J.C. Parker, Hereford, Texas bought
it. In 1913, Charlie Hardwick came to Spur and pur.
chased the Palace and built the Spur theatre. In
1941, Speck Lunsford (the present owner) bought the
theater, and brought J.D. McCain to Spur to manage
it. McCain met Miss Nell Shreve who was employ-
ed by the theatres and in 1943, they were married.
They had four children, Brent, Charles, Mike and
Kenny.
In 1933 the Hi-Ho Drive In was built. It is located
two miles north of Spur, on the Dickens Highway.
Swenson First Deep Test
Drilled In 1909
This well was started in June, 1909, and the
purpose to be accomplished was to secure water for
the town of Spur. However, the town had not started
to build at that time, but it was planned and lots
were sold November 1, 1909, while the well was
drilling. It was the hope of those in charge that a
strata of artesian water might be connected which
would be ample to supply the town.
The drilling was under the supervision of H.P.
Minihan who was considered one of the most ex-
perienced in the work at that time. The drilling
was continuous until November 1913, when it was
abandoned on account of the loss of a cone in it which
could not be secured.
At the time, this well was drilled, it was said
that it was the deepest hole in the United States.
Spur's Volunteer Fire Department
Early in Spur's history, provisions began to be
made to protect it in case of fire. The first Fire
Ordinance was passed on June 8, 1915, when F.W.
Jennings was mayor. Lawis Lee, Fireman for more
than 20 years, remembers several fires fought
with buckets of water passed hand to hand, but
about 1911 two hand or horse drawn horse carts
were bought. One was stationed behind Bryant-
Link store, and one at the north end of Burlington
near the hill. John Hazelwood remembers many a
fast ride they made behind these carts. Besides
Mr. Lee, Roy Stovall, John King, Sr., Coy McMa.
han, F.F. Vernon, and L.R. Barrett are retired
firemen with more than twenty years service.
The first piece of motorized fire fighting equip-
ment, a 1924 model Le France fire truck is still
in operation, along with a 1942 Ford, and a 1950
Le France. An emergency vehicle, equipped with
self container breathing equipment, first aid kits,
stretchers, smoke masks, hand fire extinguishers,
salvage and forceable entry equipment, a resusitator
and public address system was bought in 1958, and a
tornado warning system in 1952.The 22 volunteer firemen under Chief Spencer
Campbell, Assistant Buddy Hoover and Bill Bar-
rett, Captains, A.J. Harvey and Leon Regan, and
many others have worked hard for many years
for the benefit of the city as a whole. This is
reflected in the insurance key rate enjoyed by
the citizens of Spur since Spur's key rate is only
32 cents, while other cities around are 41 to 75
cents. (Sept. 1959)58
W. S. Campbell Mortuary
And Furniture Store
Spur's oldest business, presently known as Camp-
bell Funeral Home, has been in operation continu-
ously since 10 days following the opening of the
town.
W.S. Campbell, a young bachelor, heeding the ad-
vise of the writer, Horace Greeley, who said: "Turn
your face to the great West", opened his business
in a small sheet iron building 24 by 80 feet, dir-
ectly across the street from the present location,
which the business has occupied since 1916.
The first stock included the most essential items
needed for housekeeping in 1909, such as cane back
chairs, metal bedsteads, and springs, rocking chairs,
'and baby buggies. An invoice dated November 19,
1909, shows a shipment of stock was received from
Roger Dade Wholesale Co., of Paris, Texas.
Although board and lodging was only $18.75 per
month, the young bachelor chose a life's partner two
years later when he married Miss Dora Williams,
Nov. 7, 1911. The new bride, educated in Baylor,
was a teacher of "Elocution", modernly called
speech, in Spur. The W.S. Campbells have three
children, Isabelle, Bonnie and Spencer.
Since 1909, this business with it's two generations
ownership, has operated on principles of honesty
and integrity. Members of this pioneer family have
contributed to the growth and development of Dick-
ens County.
Gabriel Built Store On Own Wits,
Courage And Perserverance
George Gabriel has been on his own resources since
he was just a boy, early in life he started working
for an uncle in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he re-
ceived his early training in the dry goods business.
Being forced to work, he had to acquire an educa-
tion at odd times and often under great difficulty,
however, he realized the value of an education and
is one of the best boosters for schools to be found
in Texas.
He became manager for the store in Salt Lake
City in which he had worked and made a success
of the business. Although just a boy, he became well
Informed in every facet of the business, the buying
of merchandise, sales management and store arrange-
ment and decoration. He became very thorough
in business in every respect, and he states that this
is the main reason for his success.
Mr. Gabriel, his mother and three sisters went to
Roaring Springs in 1924 where they established
a dry goods store, he took charge of the business
and under his management it prospered.
In April, 1933, he bought the remains of the
Stone Department Store in Spur and installed the
Fair Store, using as his slogan, "True to its name",
in 1939, he purchased the Bryant-Link Company pro-
perty on the corner and moved to that location.
Mr. Gabriel served as mayor of Spur for one
term. Chamber of Commerce director for many
years, president of the Rotary Club, served on
the White River District Board. He is a 32nd degree
Mason and a member of the KP lodge. Mrs. Gab-
riel is very active in community affairs. She has
been a member of the various study clubs, a mem-ber of the Baptist Church, and teaches Sunday school.
They have three sons, Frank, Max and Jim.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Arrington, Fred. A History Of Dickens County: Ranches and Rolling Plains, book, 1971; [Dickens, Texas]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth61098/m1/76/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .