|
|
FINK,
TEXAS
Grayson County,
Central Texas North
FM 120 and FM 406
80 miles N of Dallas
2.8 miles N of Pottsboro
8 miles NE of Denison
12 miles NE of Sherman
Population: 25 (1990)
|
History in
a Pecan Shell:
Fink formed shortly before the Civil War when the family of Fred Fink
and others moved into the area from their former home in Mississippi.
The community was underdeveloped until after the war when all of NE
Texas was infused with new settlers looking to start fresh with cheap
Texas land.
Fink had a post office from 1897 to 1903 but the population never
came close to a hundred. It declined to less than 20 during The Great
Depression and averaged little more than that for the remainder of
the 20th century. It is now what is known as "a dispersed rural community."
The fourth Friday in June has been declared Fink Day in Texas, by
the Texas Legislature (people who are familiar with the name). This
coincides with "National Fink Week" which is a celebration held by
families sharing that same surname. Fink barely appears on county
maps, but due perhaps to its semi-humorous name, it appears clearly
on the Official State Highway map - just below the Red River in Grayson
County.
Book Your Area Hotel Here &
Save
Denison
Hotels
Sherman
Hotels
More Hotels |
The Legend
of the origin of
the noun "Fink" and the verb "to Fink"
by Raul Hashimoto
19th Century Mississippi Keelboat operator Mike Fink - once featured
in the Walt Disney Davy Crockett series of the 1950s - was a real
person with a reputation for heavy drinking and carousing. One of
the stories about Fink places him in a shooting match with his best
friend. The two were also rivals for the attention of one particular
woman and this supposedly non-lethal "duel" had the men shooting targets
off of each other's head - winner would get the girl. When it was
Mike's turn he perforated his friend's forehead. Onlookers never knew
if it was "shooting under the influence" or an intentional and very
abrupt end to the rivalry. Some say that Fink himself, never knew.
A "Fink" came to mean someone who was capable of betraying his best
friend, although the years have softened it a bit to that of a informer
or snitch. As a verb - to "Fink" on someone was a petty betrayal for
little reward. It became a popular "friendly insult" in the 1960s.
The term of rat - for informer was added in some circles - making
the term rat-fink which is somewhat redundant.
© John Troesser |
Book Your Area Hotel Here &
Save
Denison
Hotels
Sherman
Hotels
More Hotels
Fink, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Fink, Texas
Dear TE, In your information about the town of Fink, Texas. When
you are speaking about Fredrick (Fred) Finke there is an "e" on
the end of his name. The Finke's that settled here in Fink, Texas
were dairy farmers. The "e" was taken off by the Governor to make
the name shorter. Just a little note of history. Charlotte Finke,
Great-Great Granddaughter of Fredrick Finke, Fink, Texas - Charlotte
Finke, July 31, 2006
Subject:
A law passed in the 70's.
I remember working at West Publishing in the 70's up in St. Paul
and my editor and I published the Texas Statute laws. We came across
a law that honored the people of your city as a bunch of Finks and
it was hilarious. It brought back to mind that even our law makers
have a sense of humor. Also too, in 1977, Jesse James was the state
treasurer.
I am in Houston on business and I remembered these things while
reminiscing about your state. - Kathy Sander, September 14, 2005
Readers with memories, stories or photos of Fink, Texas, please
contact
us.
|
|
|
