The Canadian Record (Canadian, Tex.), Vol. 119, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 12, 2009 Page: 3 of 40
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THE CANADIAN RECORD
THURSDAY 1 2 NOVEMBER 2DD9
LETTERS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The voice of generations
MY NAME IS Frances Shaller Haley. I was born in Canadian,
Texas, on December 18,1932, in the Canadian Hospital on N. 7th
Street. The structure still stands and is now occupied by a family.
Being December I did not get home to the family ranch until snow
on the ground had melted one week later. This house was located
and still stands on land where Elk Creek and Little Elk Creek
meet and flow on down one mile into the Canadian River.
When I was three years old I can remember a flood which
occurred. The house was in danger and conditions for a three
year old seemed alarming. Then came progress and various
dams were built up the Canadian River and some of its tributaries
taking away much of the sub irrigation conditions which were
watering the streams, springs and ponds. The cottonwood trees,
fish, tadpoles and other lovely signs of nature began disappearing
along with the live water.
My grandfather C.H. Shaller settled in Canadian in 1887, right
after the Santa Fe railroad bridge was built. My father, Frank
J. Shaller was his 7th el Id of eleven children. After graduating
from high school in Canadian, his father sent him to the University
of Wisconsin where he received his degree in the School of
Agriculture. Frank was always concerned with conservation
whether it be the soil, water or money. Once he told me of his
hesitation to begin irrigation of a suitable piece of farmland owned
by the family. Aside from the waste of water it would likely help
create a surplus of that crop and the end result would be lower
prices. I considered him to be a wise man.
Now his oldest grandson, son of mine and his father J. Evetts
Haley, Jr., lives on this same ranch with his wife and family, only
one quarter mile away from the original house which still stands
on Elk Creek. Jim Evetts Haley is president of the Hemphill
County Water Board and is charged with representing Hemphill
County and its residents in conservation efforts to shepherd and
conserve their water for the future generations.
I congratulate all of the board members of the Hemphill
County Water District n their thoughtful, tireless efforts in
trying to do their job working within the boundaries of the laws
as set out by the Texas legislature and their guidelines for Texas
Water Conservation Districts.
Local control is a must. All people must assume responsibility
in thought for the next generation who will occupy these same
lands. I believe we are only caretakers charged with the duty to
protect all of our natural resources. Do not ever lose the meaning
of the word "conservation" district and local people know best how
to direct these issues.
Remember, the earliest settlers of America always chose fresh
waters for their settlements. People were wise then and should
continue to use judgment now in how this precious resource can
best be preserved.
FRANCES SHALLER HALEY
Hemphill County property owner and taxpayer
EDITOR'S NOTE: Anyone wishing to submit written state-
ments to the Texas Water Development Board regarding the De-
sired Future Conditions proposed by Hemphill County and other
member districts of Groundwater Management Area 1 should di-
rect them to: Mr. Kevin Ward, Executive Administrator, Texas
Water Development Board, 1700 North Congress Avenue, RO.
Box 13231, Austin, TX 78711-3231. All correspondence should
refer to: Petitions of G& J Ranch, Inc., and Mesa Water LP filed
pursuant to Tex. Water Code Ann. § 36.108(1). Public input will be
accepted until November 25 at 5 p.m. By February 10,2010, a sum-
mary, analysis and any recommendations prepared by the TWDB
staff will be provided to both the petitioners and respondents. The
petition will be presented to the TWDB board on February 17,
2010. The November 11 hearing on two petitions opposing the pro-
posed goals for the Ogallala Aquifer will be reported in full in next
week's Canadian Record. —LEB
Capital of the
Texas Panhandle
AT LEAST TWICE in the past few years,
there have been suggestions that the Panhan-
dle declare itself a separate state. Once a mo-
tion was presented to the Texas legislature.
Both declarations have faded..."gone with the
wind."
Now I have a brilliant idea! The Canadian
Record should add the following words under
its title. "Canadian, Texas: Capital of the
Texas Panhandle!" This should be printed in
all future editions of The Record! I'll bet you
will gradually get some attention around the
state.
Who am I to suggest such a thing? I now
live in a little place just outside Chicago called
Urbana, Illinois. But I was raised in Miami
Texas. I lived in Canadian three years or
so, "working on the railroad" under bosses
Manuel Martinez and Jimmy Hoover.
I had my first love affair with a Canadian
gal. I always felt that the drive between Miami
and Canadian was just beautiful. I would
always reduce speed to a minimum when going
back and forth to look and enjoy the scenery.
I lived in Pampa, Amarillo and spent a
few years in Austin. I still have relatives n
Canadian. They pay for my subscription to
The Record!
In Austin, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I
would often tag along with the tour guides as
they guided the newcomers around the city.
(There were always very attractive women
from around the world present!) The guides
would often boast that Austin was founded on
seven hills just like ancient Rome and some
other world capitals. Well, Canadian also has
seven hills just like Rome and some other
world capitals!
What is to be gained by your action? In
addition to public relations gained at no
expense, the next time that down-state bunch
arrives to cut down those beautiful trees and
close the roadside parks between Miami and
Canadian, you can draw up secession papers!
And it is just possible that one of these days,
t may dawn on the Texas legislature that ten
senators would give the area more political
power than two!
When that happens, Amarillo and Lubbock
will be clamoring that they be declared the
capital. But Canadian has prior ownership.
"Possession is nine points of the law." And
if we have to go to court, the Panhandle has
some smart lawyers. We just might win!
Now I hope that you can see that adding
Capital of the Texas Panhandle to all future
editions is a brilliant idea! I will be watching!
Please don't disappoint me!
But don't worry. If for some reason you
cannot take the bold leap, I have no intention
of canceling my subscription—at least as long
as my niece and nephew keep renewing it!
Stand tall!
HOMER D. HAYES, Urbana, Illinois
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Roadside parks
offer safety, beauty,
historic reminder
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER in regard
to the Texas Department of Transportation's
proposed removal of the two roadside parks
on US. Highway 60 in Roberts County
(between Miam and Canadian) and the Big
Timber roadside park north of Canadian on
U.S. Highway 83 in Hemphill County in the
northeastern part of the Texas Panhandle.
This would be a tragedy for our beautiful
area. These three roadside parks have been
a permanent fixture for many years and are
used frequently. Our area is known for its tree-
lined scenic drive and these roadside parks
are placed in beautiful tree filled areas. They
have a natural beauty and lend to the pleasure
of driving i n this area of the Panhandle.
People drive in from all over Texas for
our Fall Foliage Tour and for the 4th of July
Rodeo. These roadside parks are a wonderful
place to make safe stops.
Nature tourism has become an extremely
strong part of our economy. If these parks
were done away with, it could destroy some
of the natural beauty that many have worked
so hard to build up. The Roberts County
parks have Texas historical markers and
the Hemphill County park has a Viet Nam
Veteran's Memorial Highway marker.
Several years ago, the historic Canadian
River Wagon Bridge was restored with the
good help of TxDOT for a walking, ogging
bridge. TxDOT was heavily involved in a
Main Street and Visitor's Center project n
Canadian and did a beautiful job. I sincerely
hope that TxDOT will regard the wishes of the
citizens of this area and not close these three
very special roadside parks.
GAYLE HAYGOOD
Simple thanks
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK the CISD
School Board for the railing installed last week
at Wildcat Stadium. Good job. Well done
GENATUBB
West
Texas Press
Association
err, laac ")
MEMBERSHIPS
National Newspaper Association
Texas Press Association
West Texas Press Association
Panhandle Press Association
We are members of the Society of
Professional Journalists and staunch
advocates of the SPJ Code of Ethics
OUR POLICY
LETTERS TD THE EDITDR
are always welcome, and will be
published if they are signed and
cannot be considered libelous.
We will not publish anonymous
letters under any circumstance
All letters must be accompanied
by a phone number for
verification purposes. Letters
may be edited for length
Each letter should be received
at our office no later than
Wednesday noon for publication
that week's newspaper.
PLEASE DIRECT LETTERS TD:
The Canadian Record
P.D. Box 898, Canadian, TX 73014
(8DE)323-5738 (Fax),
or editDr@canadianrecDrd.com
ALL E-MAILS ACKNOWLEDGED UPDN RECEIPT
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Brown, Laurie Ezzell. The Canadian Record (Canadian, Tex.), Vol. 119, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 12, 2009, newspaper, November 12, 2009; Canadian, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth252775/m1/3/?q=music: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hemphill County Library.