Long Description: Marker Erected by: State Historical Survey Committee Marker Number: 4810 Marker Text: To prevent the costly and time-consuming job of separating the cattle, each Texas rancher agreed to construct a fence along his north boundary line. The resulting fence was 200 miles long and ran from the northeast corner of the Panhandle southwest to near the site where Dumas was later founded, then west about 35 miles into New Mexico. It was a 4-strand, 4-barb fence with posts 30 feet apart and a gate every 3 miles. The materials amounted to about 65 carloads of wire and posts hauled from Dodge City. In 1890, however, to comply with an 1889 state law prohibiting any fence from crossing or enclosing public property, most of the fence was removed. (1969) | ||
Marker No.15930 The Hansford County Historical Commission will feature the Historical Markers located in Hansford County in a series of stories and photos. No.1 Brick Streets in Spearman This marker is the most recent project of the HCHC
The bricks of Main Street have been enjoyed for many years and lend a nostalgic feel to our quaint little community
Legend says that the bricks were shipped in via railroad and unloaded at the west end of Main. John R. Collard shared that as a young boy, they were told there were quarters hidden within the piles of brick that could be kept if found while they were moving the bricks to where they were to be laid. | ||
View recent updates to this markerHERE No. 6 Old Farwell--Marker No. 3727 Latitude & Longitude: 36° 14' 37.67764999992", -101° 22' 22.1139099984" Marker Text: Established 1886 about 1/2 mile northeast of this site. Intended to be county seat of Hansford County, created 1876, organized in 1889. Lost election to town of Hansford, which served till 1928 but is also now non-existent. Named for early surveyor John V. Farwell and members of his family, Chicago department store executives who operated XIT Ranch in this and 9 other counties - their fee in payment for building of the Texas State Capitol, 1882-86. Stones here are from the casing of a 200 foot well dug by hand to supply water to the town. (1964) Established 1886 about 1/2 mile northeast of this site. Intended to be county seat of Hansford County, created 1876, organized in 1889. Lost election to town of Hansford, which served till 1928 but is also now non-existent. Named for early surveyor John V. Farwell and members of his family, Chicago department store executives who operated XIT Ranch in this and 9 other counties - their fee in payment for building of the Texas State Capitol, 1882-86. Stones here are from the casing of a 200 foot well dug by hand to supply water to the town. (1964) From the Hansford County History Book 1876-1979 In 1880, the first town of the county was established and was named Farwell. The town was begun by a family who moved to the area from Illinois named Canott. The town was quite thriving for that day and time. Located in the center of the county, Farwell stood some three miles to the east of the present town of Gruver. The town’s buildings included a livery stable, store, hotel, saloon and butcher shot. The post office for Farwell was established in September of 1887 with Robert Rosenthal, postmaster followed by Lizzie Pierson, Aaron Canott and Nellie Croxton. The post office was discontinued in August of 1894 and move to Hansford. The first newspaper was the Farwell Graphic Hansford County Bridge Funded by Grant for Disaster Relief | ||
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The Hansford County Historical Commission will feature the Historical Markers located in Hansford County in a series of stories and photos. No. 2 Brandt Building--Marker No. 489 This frame commercial building with decorative sheet metal siding was constructed in 1918. D. E. Dillow built the structure for the mercantile partnership of P. M. Maize and his brother-in-law Fred Brandt (c. 1962). Originally, located in the nearby community of Hansford (6 miles west), then the county seat, it was moved to this site in 1920. Brandt became sole proprietor of the business nine years later and continued the operation until the 1950s. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980. In the Main Street Sidewalk Renovation Project, the Historical Commission with the help of Donna McCubbin at Hansford Abstract Office, identified all the owners of the properties listed in the records. The Brandt Building owners are:
Joe T. and Linda Venneman are the current owners of the building using it in during the season as a farmer's market and Old Hansford Pie Society | ||
BEFORE Recently the Hansford County Historical Commission built a fence around the Farwell Historical Marker. The large stones have been moved overtime by cattle and the fence was put in place to protect the area. This past week, Hansford County Historical Commission member, Lynn French and husband Daniel refurbished the marker sign. Their effort has made the sign look as new. The rocks will be placed soon.
The marker reads: Named for early surveyor John V. Farwell and members of his family, Chicago department store executives who operated XIT Ranch in this and 9 other counties - their fee in payment for building of the Texas State Capitol, 1882-86. Stones here are from the casing of a 200 foot well dug by hand to supply water to the town. (1964).
AFTER
Directions to Old Farwell Marker | ||
On September 10, 1874, Sergeant Zachariah Woodall; Privates Paul Roth, John Harrington, and George Smith; and Scouts Amos Chapman and Billy Dixon were given dispatches from Colonel Miles at a camp on McClellan Creek (in present day Gray County) to deliver to Camp Supply in the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). The troop traveled at night and rested during the day in secluded areas to avoid contact with Indian warriors. On September 12 at 6 a.m., just as the sun was rising, the troop was near the Wash*ta River and Gageby Creek (in present day Hemphill County); they rode up a little hill and when they reached the top, they were suddenly face to face with approximately 125 Kiowa and Comanche warriors who quickly encircled the small troop.
BILLY DIXON All six Soldiers were wounded by rifle fire almost instantly; Private Smith mortally, being shot in the left lung (he would die that night). Sergeant Woodhall and Privates Roth and Harrington received severe wounds. Scout Chapman was shot in the ankle which shattered it while trying to help wounded Private Smith. Scout Dixon was shot in the calf of the leg. They fought in the open for four hours, losing their horses and supplies during the initial fight. Around noon, the Soldiers moved and took refuge in a buffalo wallow several hundred yards away, which was about 10 feet in diameter. Billy Dixon carried Scout Chapman to the wallow. Some of the Solders used their knives and hands to build up the sides of the wallow while the others provided suppressing fire; all under intense rifle fire at close range by the warriors. The Soldiers thought Private Smith had been killed and was lying on the ground at the original place of attack. Running out of ammunition, Private Roth ran from cover to retrieve Private Smith’s gun and ammunition. When Private Roth found Private Smith still alive, Private Roth and Scout Dixon drug him back to the safety of the wallow. Although mortally wounded, Private Smith sat somewhat upright in the wallow along with his comrades so as to conceal the crippled condition of the Soldiers. The attack lasted all day, from morning to dark. The Indian warriors abandoned their attack at dark, after a thunderstorm blew in from the north bringing extremely cold wind and rain. With no food, coats, or hats, and only the water from the rain that collected in their wallow, the Soldiers remained in the wallow for 36 hours after the initial attack in fear that the Indians were lying in wait. Private Smith died about 11 p.m. the day of the attack. Private Roth left the wallow in the middle of the night to seek the trail to the nearest Army Fort, 75 miles away. He could not find the trail at night and returned to the wallow after a few hours. Scout Dixon left the wallow on the 13th at sunup to seek help from the Army and was successful, with the Army later rescuing the remainder of the troop.
Scout Chapman’s leg was amputated back at Camp Supply. Scout Dixon was wearing a thin cashmere shirt during the battle; he reported his shirt was riddled with bullet holes, but none had hit him in the chest. The battle received tremendous press coverage due to the intense interest of those back East in stories of Indian battles in the West. President Ulysses Grant awarded the Medal of Honor to all six Soldiers – the only battle in US military history in which every Soldier in the battle was awarded the Medal of Honor.
We invite you to visit our museum Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our telephone number is 806-350-8387. Follow us on Facebook and visit our website www.TexasPanhandleWarMemorial.com Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center 4111S. Georgia PerryGilmore, PhD,ExecutiveDirector | ||
Read moreHERE The Comanche Indians once dominated vast areas of North America—and yet, forced onto reservations, they left little record of their own story. Today a network of 22-foot-tall steel arrows by artist Charles A. Smith marks sites where the Comanches, and their last chief, Quanah Parker, hunted, traded, lived, traveled, and fought. Retrace the footsteps and hoofbeats of the “Lords of the Plains” as you honor their rich culture and history, and learn about a past that is written on the land. What started out as a group of enthusiastic regional citizens interested in telling the fascinating story of Cynthia Ann and Quanah Parker turned into a public art and commemorative project to mark the sites of Native history in the former Comancheria. Since 2011, the Texas Plains Trail Region's Quanah Parker Trail Steering Committee has facilitated the research about these sites, and overseen installation of more than 70 arrows marking the nearly forgotten-to-public-memory history of the Native American Comanche presence in the Texas Panhandle, predating the arrival of Anglo ranchers and settlers. The project's website atwww.quanahparkertrail.comindicates arrow locations and provides detailed background. Many arrow markers have already been plotted in geocaching applications, and historical events and dedications are scheduled at the arrow sites. Sign up for the Texas Plains Trail "Tales from the Trail" e-newsletter to stay informed on events and developments. | ||
"Hansford County, on the northern edge of thePanhandle, is bordered on the north by Oklahoma, on the west by Sherman County, on the south by Hutchinson County, and on the east by Ochiltree County.Hansford County, on theHigh Plains, ranges from 2,950 to 3,300 feet in altitude [and covers 907 square miles].
02 the county had 290 farms and ranches covering 593,063 acres, 54 percent of which were devoted to cropland and 45 percent to pasture." | ||
In a meeting held January 3, 2017, the Hansford County Historical Commission was sworn in by Judge Benny Wilson. Among the agenda items was the progress of the historical marker that is being moved from Hwy. 15 to the lawn of the Hansford County Courthouse. Contractor Archie Smith poured the foundation for the marker as seen in the photos by clicking MORE. The next phase will be to level the marker and place it on the base. This step will take place when the base is cured. to see more photos click (more) | ||
Marker No. 2366 Erected 1936 by TxDOT, relocated and restored by Hansford County Historical Commission May 2017
(By Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016) Notice bullet hole and missing star Inscription territories Created, August 21, 1876 Organized, March 11, 1889 Named in honor of John M. Hansford came to Texas in 1837 Member of the Texas Congress Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, 1840-1842 Died in 1844 Hansford, the county seat Location. 36°13.71′N, 101°9.527′W Marker is near Spearman, Texas, in Hansford County on State Highway 15 E
(By Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016) Note Missing Star Medallion
(By Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016) | ||
No. 12 Santa Fe Railroad Stationmaster's House Marker Number:4581 | ||
No. 13
Latitude & Longitude: 36°12'1.87462", -101°11'38.96422" Marker Text:Built 1909, by Bert O. Cator, J. H. Wright and S. B. Hale, Hansford County pioneers. Cator had built first dugout in the Panhandle, 1873; Hale was first druggist in Old Hansford; Wright promoted town of Hansford, now abandoned. Victorian architecture. This was first hotel erected in Hansford. In 1920 building was moved 6 miles east to Spearman, after railroad came into county at this point. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Bulls bought the Hotel from Don Cates in 1977 and renovated the building and gave it its Texas Historical Marker. The Hotel was built in the Old Town of Hansford. Construction was started in 1908 on Lots 27Blk 53, Old Town of Hansford. It wasbuilt by a company known as the Hansford Hotel Company. Trustees were Bert O. Cator, J.H. Wright,and S.B. Hale. The building was completed in the spring of 1909. The first manager was C.R. Thomas, moving toHansford with his family from Indiana in May 1909. At this time there was a railroad boom in the county knownas the EW&O. Many people weremoving into the area. The hotel filleda real need for the little town of Hansford. There were many different managers. C.R. Thomas, Mrs. Bessie White, Davie Foley,Paddy Doyle, W.H. Marney, and was finally sold to Ora F. Dacus. He was theowner at the time the Hotel was moved to Spearman in 1920, and located on lots7 and 8 Blk 11 Original Town of Spearman. Mr. Dacus managed the Hotel until it was sold to H.M. Wileyin 1924. Mr. Wiley sold it to J.C. Lee,February 22, 1930, Lee to R.H. Cooke, February 2, 1933; et al sold it to SidBeck. Bullish On Spearman From the Amarillo Globe News by Bruce Romia 1977. It is impossible to pinpoint the exact time that the City ofSpearman shook off some of is lethargy, glanced around, and decided to makeitself one of the fastest growing and most progressive towns in the TexasPanhandle area. It is equally difficult to give any one person or group ofpersons credit for the transformation since everybody in Spearman seems to havehad a part in making things click. Perhaps one of the guiding forces behind the rejuvenation is the Bullsfamily, formerly of Amarillo, who have given their time and talents to createthings of beauty and economic value for the city and its people. Their latest venture—conversion of the old Spearman Hotelinto a first class, multi storied shopping center—came to life this past summerwith the opening of Bulls’ Inn in downtown Spearman. The product of the imagination and artistry of CharleneBulls, plus a lot of help from her husband Roy, and the couple’s five children,was formerly dedicated last August. Thenew enterprise occupies an old building that has been designated an historicallandmark by the State of Texas. It isone of two buildings moved into Spearman from Old Hansford. The other building has also been renovatedand restored by the Bulls and is doing a business as Saks 3rdAvenue. A lot of labor, planning, and materials have gone intoconverting the old hotel into a shopping center. Today the new structure houses a variety of shops and eatingfacilities including The "N” Place, The General Store, Queen’s Cupboard, ETC.Shop, Chambers Accessories, and offices and lounge area.
the old hotel fell into disrepair and the marker was removed
Later is was burned in a controlled fire by the Spearman Volunteer Fire Department
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No. 10
Site of Cator Buffalo Camp Established by James H. and Bob Cator in the spring of 1872 while hunting buffalo in the fall of 1875.
The camp became a trading post known as Zulu. 1936
In 1875, a large, two-room pole building furnished with staple groceries and ammunition became the first trading post in Texas above the Canadian River. The stockade, located in Indian-infested country, was fittingly named for the fierce Zulu tribe of Africa. It began as a buffalo camp which crack hunters Jim and Bob Cator (from England) had made the first permanent Panhandle residence at Christmas, 1873. In 1876 Zulu became a major depot on the Ft. Dodge-Ft. Bascom military road, and it eventually received a post office contract. It was finally abandoned, 1912. (1968)
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No. 9 Latitude & Longitude: 36° 25' 51.59093999988", -101° 31' 40.5880200012" Marker Number:3857
Photo via Rob Shields Marker Text:In 1908 Anders L. Mordt, a native of Norway, secured form R. M. Thomson and R. T. Anderson the sales rights to 100 sections of Hansford County land he named Oslo. The first settlers were recruited from existing Norwegian colonies in the midwestern United States. To promote the development, Mordt advertised his inexpensive Texas land in major Norwegian language publications across the nation. He also published a weekly newspaper, The "Oslo Posten", and organized an annual Norwegian Independence Day celebration, "Syttende Mai" (May 17), which attracted crowds from surrounding towns in Oklahoma and Texas. Community worship services were first conducted at the Oslo schoolhouse in 1909 by the Rev. Christian Heltne. Officially organized the following year, the Olso Lutheran Church became the center of the farming settlement. Mordt's land sales ended in 1913 as a result of a severe drought. When the Denver and Gulf Railroad decided to bypass the area, the townsite of Oslo (2.5 miles south) declined. Although many settlers moved away, more than thirty families remained. Today the Olso Lutheran Church serves as a remainder of the area's Norwegian Heritage. (1981)
Photo via Rob Shields | ||
No. 8 Marker Number:17096 Marker Text:GRUVER CEMETERY IN 1907, JOSEPH HEZKIAH GRUVER (1863-1962), HIS WIFE, ADDIE REED GRUVER, AND THEIR SON, LAWRENCE, MOVED FROM MISSOURI AND SETTLED IN THIS AREA. A POST OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1927 AND SOON BUSINESSES FOLLOWED. IN 1929, AT THE REQUEST OF CLARENCE WINDER, MR. J.B. DULIN DONATED TEN ACRES OF LAND TO BE KNOWN AS GRUVER MEMORIAL PARK, NOW GRUVER CEMETERY. ADDITIONAL ACREAGE WAS ADDED BY CECIL AND MARGARET RALSTON IN 1970. ON MARCH 9, 1929, WILLIE A. WINDER, CLARENCE’S MOTHER, BECAME THE FIRST PERSON BURIED IN THE CEMETERY. THE LANDSCAPE OF THE CEMETERY IS TRADITIONAL WITH JUNIPER TREES SURROUNDING GRANITE AND MARBLE HEADSTONES THAT DOCUMENT THE HISTORY OF THE GRUVER AREA. | ||
No. 7 Lindberghs Land at Spearman--Marker No. 3086 Latitude & Longitude: 36° 10' 42.31251999984", -101° 12' 49.2688000008" At ten minutes before 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 24, 1934, a small monocoupe airplane landed in a pasture about 1/4 mile west of this site. The pilot taxied his craft to a stop near a windmill, deplaned, and asked the curious resident, "Lady, can I park my plane in your back yard?" The day proved a momentous one for Spearman residents. The pilot was Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902-1974), traveling from California to New York with his wife, Anne. With about one hundred miles worth of fuel left in his plane, Lindbergh chose to stop in this small community to refuel in order to avoid the inevitable crowds his arrival would cause in a larger town. A passing motorist was sent into town to purchase fuel for the airplane while the Lindberghs rested, enjoyed refreshments, and gave their hostess a tour of the airplane.
As news of the Lindberghs' landing spread, school children were excused from classes to see the famous aviator and watch the plane depart two hours later. Although brief in duration, the visit by Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh to this small rural community was a significant local event. (1989)
recommended reading | ||
No. 5 Hansford County Sheriff Robert E. (Bob) Martin Marker No. 2367
Latitude & Longitude: 36° 12' 9.52120000008", -101° 11' 48.4262900016" Killed while assisting United States Marshall making arrest in boundary line dispute in the northwestern part of county. Like many frontier sheriffs, he was a cowboy and farmer chosen for office out of regard for his standing as a good citizen. Came to Hansford, 1906, bought a section of land. Eager to see area develop, he ran a livery stable. This provided for land prospectors from the north and east the only means of travel to seek out and buy property. He married Sophia Snowden; had 10 children. He was sheriff from 1908 until his untimely death. (1965) Hansford County
Latitude & Longitude: 36° 13' 45.71771999988", -101° 9' 32.02056" Formed form Young and Bexas territories. Created, August 21, 1876. Organized, March 11, 1889. Named in honor of John M. Hansford; came to Texas in 1837. Member of the Texas Congress, Judge of the Seventh Judical District, 1840-1842. Died in 1844. Hansford, the county seat. (1965)
The annual Heritage Days Celebration takes place each year on the beloved lawn of the Hansford County Courthouse to view "He Stole My Courthouse" by David J. Murrah, Ph.D. please click (more) | ||
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=1919341&CScn=hansford Hansford Cemetery--Marker No. 2365 No. 4 Latitude & Longitude: 36° 11' 40.90891999992", -101° 17' 42.3557000016"
First burial ground set aside in this county. Earliest grave (1890) was that of Mrs. Alfie P. Magee, wife of the first sheriff. Also, buried here: the Cator brothers, founders of Zulu Stockade; and the Wright brothers, early ranchers. Only official cemetery in county until 1928; is still in use. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.
This map was drawn by J.B. Buchanan
This map was drawn by J.B. Buchanan | ||
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quanah_Parker A group of interested volunteers gathered in the chilly March 17th wind, to install the Quanah Parker Arrow at the Triangle Park in Spearman. This arrow is a 20 foot tall granite historical maker that is donated to communities that have a connection to Quanah Parker and included on the Quanah Parker Trail. There will be an official dedication of the marker later in the spring. Quanah Parker (Comanche kwana "smell, odor") (ca. 1845 or 1852 – February 23, 1911) was Comanche/English-American from the Comanche band Quahadi ("Antelope-eaters"), strictly related also to the Nokoni band ("Wanderers" or "Travellers"), his mother's people, and emerged as a dominant figure, particularly after the Comanches' final defeat. He was one of the last Comanche chiefs. The US appointed Quanah principal chief of the entire nation once the people had gathered on the reservation and later introduced general elections. Quanah was a Comanche chief, a leader in the Native American Church, and the last leader of the powerful Quahadi band before they surrendered their battle of the Great Plains and went to a reservation in Indian Territory. He was the son of Comanche chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker, an English-American, who had been kidnapped at the age of nine and assimilated into the tribe. Quanah Parker also led his people on the reservation, where he became a wealthy rancher and influential in Comanche and European American society. Quanah Parker (Comanche kwana "smell, odor") (ca. 1845 or 1852 – February 23, 1911) was Comanche/English-American from the Comanche band Quahadi ("Antelope-eaters"), strictly related also to the Nokoni band ("Wanderers" or "Travellers"), his mother's people, and emerged as a dominant figure, particularly after the Comanches' final defeat. He was one of the last Comanche chiefs. The US appointed Quanah principal chief of the entire nation once the people had gathered on the reservation and later introduced general elections. Quanah was a Comanche chief, a leader in the Native American Church, and the last leader of the powerful Quahadi band before they surrendered their battle of the Great Plains and went to a reservation in Indian Territory. He was the son of Comanche chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker, an English-American, who had been kidnapped at the age of nine and assimilated into the tribe. Quanah Parker also led his people on the reservation, where he became a wealthy rancher and influential in Comanche and European American society. | ||
Dodge City - Tascosa Trail--Marker No. 1238 No. 3 Hansford County 1876-1979 History Book---This road was surveyed during the Civil War to haul military supplies to Fort Bascom, New Mexico Territory to Dodge City and points east. Then came the buffalo hunters using the trail to haul hides and buy supplies. Tascosa became a town in the early 1880's. Oxen teams and mule teams hauled freight for the Cowboy Capital of the Panhandle and ranches that ran into hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Herds from all over the Panhandle trailed into Dodge City over this route for a number of years. Stage coaches ran weekly carrying mail and passengers over the 242 mile stretch. Brick for the court house at nearby Hansford was hauled from Dodge. Later freight came over this trail from Liberal. Ranchers continued to use portions of this trail until 1920 when the railroad was built across the county and Spearman was built. Thus another old and historic trail was fenced and plowed under. Marker Number: 1238 | ||
Near Spearman in Hansford County, Texas Marker No. 14068 36°11.834′N, 101°17.803′W
(photo by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016) Site of Hansford County Courthouse Erected by State Historical Survey Committee Inscription. This court house was located one fourth mile northwest of here and built in 1891.
(photo by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016) Site of Hansford County Courthouse Marker
(photo By Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016) Site of Hansford County Courthouse Marker
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