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When
we cut an article out of a newspaper, we call it a clipping. Back
in the 19th century, people called an article clipped from a newspaper
a cutting.
Go figure. And while you’re thinking about that, here’s a random sampling
of cuttings from the Dallas Herald shedding light on what was going
on in Texas in the spring of 1890.
Doss City on a boom
Mr. Editor, Doss City is on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad
on the line of Montague and Clay counties. This town is certainly
on a boom. The saw and hammer are heard early and late every day,
several business and residence houses are going up and the location
and surroundings are the best for a good town that I ever saw. Town
lots and good farming lands around the town are abundant and cheap
and sold on good time. Crops are good. We have been having some
rain and hail for two or three days. The health of our town is good,
water good, etc. - J. B. Sellman
A deserted Capitol; or excursion equals junket
The Capitol wears a deserted
and lonely aspect to-day, nearly all the solons went, a few of them
to their homes and the remainder on the excursion to Aransas
Pass and Corpus
Christi. Three coaches were filled by the excursionists that
left here at 6 o'clock this morning. The coaches were not only filled
but packed and crammed with men and women, eager to enjoy the luxury
of a free ride to the coast. Several [would-be travelers] who went
to the depot, taking in the situation, returned and blessed themselves
every hour of the day since for having gumption enough to stay at
home instead of being trampled on and galloped over the next three
days in overcrowded cars. The excursionists will return…Monday night.
Brownwood ice prices not so hot
Mr. Watkins of Fort Worth is in [Brownwood]
with a view to organizing an electric light plant and ice factory,
both of which are badly needed. Our factory here was totally unable
to supply the demands last year. Ice in Brownwood retails at 2 cents
per pound, while everywhere there is any competition 1 cent is the
regular price.
Unprincipled principal faces detention
Our little city [DeLeon]
was thrown into a state of excitement yesterday when Professor [Blank],
principal of our public school, was arrested on a charge of adultery
with Mrs. [Blank]. Professor B. came here last fall and was employed
by the trustees as principal of our school. He brought a woman named
Mrs. [B] and her little boy with him, claiming that she was his sister
and with whom he has been rooming. Our people thought it was all right,
as she was his sister; but it now turns out that she is not. Hence,
the arrest. Our justice of the peace has letters and telegrams from
Mitchell, Ind., charging [Professor Blank] with abandoning his wife
and three children, also charging embezzlement, and stating he is
the worst kind of criminal. He will have his examining trial Monday
and will also be held for the papers from Indiana. Our people are
very indignant….
True love prevails; or outsmarts his girl’s dad
Last Saturday, a Mr. McWilliams, who lived near Prairie Lee, brought
his daughter to Lockhart
to place her on the train and send her to Elgin,
to keep her from meeting a young gentleman with whom she was in love.
The young man, having learned of what was to be done, also went to
Lockhart and hid himself in a blacksmith shop near the depot, and
as the train pulled up he came out on the opposite side from the crowd
and secreted himself in the rear coach while Mr. McWilliams placed
his daughter on a coach nearer the front. Soon the train moved off,
the old gentleman left and the happy young couple made a great day
of it.
Should have been wearing his seat belt
While driving down Elm Street [in downtown Dallas]
yesterday evening the horse drawing a buggy in which was seated Col.
C. C. Slaughter, became frightened and ran away. When about opposite
Carter's stock yards Col. Slaughter’s buggy collided with another
vehicle and he was thrown out on the pavement. He became entangled
some way and was dragged some distance, receiving numerous cuts and
bruises, the most severe being a gash over the eye. He as resting
easy this morning and no serious results are expected…. |
©
Mike Cox
"Texas Tales"
July 17, 2007 column
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