Plains and Prominence

Panhandle Plains Covered By Longhorns Before 1880

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 17:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the next edition of Plaines and Prominence as we discover the Longhorn cattle that covered the Texas-Panhandle Plains and their importance. I'm Dr. Jerry Lane chair of the Carson County Historical Commission, and also at this time I want to thank the Carson County Square House Museum and the Time to Purpose for the information provided.

Prior to 1880, the long horn, that noble, lean beef critter that gave Texas it start as a beef cattle state had complete run of the Panhandle. Only four years earlier, Col. Charles Goodnight had trailed the cattle into this virgin country to establish the first cow ranch in the whole area. He branded the hides of thousands of wild cattle grazing on nearly 1 million acres of free ranges. He established with the financial aid of an Irish gentleman named John Adair one of the largest tracks of free holdings in the west-- known as the J A Ranch.

The Panhandle was Texas' last frontier occupied then only by Buffalo, antelope, wolves and Indians. Hence Colonel Goodnight is known today is the founder of the Panhandle cattle industry-- first of a dynasty of cattle barons who were in time to make the Panhandle famous throughout the world.

Soon after Colonel Goodnight's entry into the Panhandle and others followed. The railroad had pushed west to Dodge City, Kansas not only bringing settlers, but also establishing an outlet for western beef to the eastern markets. With this two developments began to take shape, the railroad was drawing near and nearer to Texas bringing with it, bag and baggage, the civilization of the East; and the day of the long trail, to Dodge City. Abilene and beyond was swiftly drawing to a close.

The easy-handling, early-maturing Whiteface with its productivity for putting on weight and doing it quickly, caught the imagination of the cow man.

A new era of range, cattle feeding was now at hand.

Cree's Tree

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0500

Welcome to Plains and Prominence as we continue our journey of the history of Panhandle, Carson County and the Square House Museum. In the early days of the High Planes settlers had only three choices of living conditions. They consisted living of a dugout, the covered wagon or a tent; and on the High Plains, a tent wasn't reasonable due to the high winds and the winters were bitterly cold. The covered wagon was cramped and heating was very unsuccessful so that left the dugout.

There were no landmarks on the grassy plains and so. as far as one could see from the Canadian River to the Cap Rock it was all flat and that's all they had to look at. There were trees that grew along the river beds and the canyons. However, on the flat Plains, you couldn't even find a bush. As one pioneer described it, "It was like waves of the sea. but it was only the grass waving in the wind.

Sometime between 1886 and 1888. Thomas Cree brought his young wife to this dugout, just west of Panhandle which he had staked out a claim on this section near the Buffalo wallow. Mrs. Cree longed for something of beauty around her home and was hoping it would be a shrub or a tree.

Thomas told other settlers that he was going to find a tree to plant and they laughed because they knew it wouldn't grow. So he hitched up his horse. and wagon and set out for the Turkey Track Ranch about 35 miles from his dugout. Someone had sold the ranch some seedlings which were Bois d'arcs, telling them that they would be able to grow their own fence post. So Thomas Cree bought one of these and brought it home. He carefully wrapped its roots in burlap.

Thomas planted the tree on the north edge of the Buffalo wallow close to the dugout. The tree was planted at the edge of the wagon trail which led from Panhandle to Amarillo. And now there is a four lane highway.

Thomas Cree was considered the "Johnny Appleseed" of the High Plains--and the doubters, they got to see that that tree grew. No, it wasn't the biggest tree, but it was a landmark for other settlers to get their directions on the flat lands of the High Plains. And to this day, that tree stands along the side of highway 60 between Panhandle and Amarillo.

There is more to come on the Plains and Prominence about these early settlers who sacrificed so much to make Carson County and Panhandle a great place to live. I want to thank the Square House Museum, A Time to Purpose for their help, and to Jr. Shaw of Galveston Unscripted for his mentorship in this endeavor.

Establishing the Site of Panhandle

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0500

Welcome to Plains and Prominence as we travel back in time to the founding of Panhandle, Texas, the Hub of the Magic Circle and the home of the Square House Museum. This account of the founding of Panhandle its growth in the pioneer days. And various intriguing incidence was furnished by judge Southwood to Mr. And Mrs. Herbert Timmons. With additional information found in volume, one of a time to purpose Chronicle. Carson county. Judge Southwood shared. "It waa 40 years ago on April the ninth, 1887, Since I came to the section where Panhandle is not for one minute, have I regretted it? I've seen people, a strong character build a strong country and I love it. And I love them. "

When you consider the date, April 9, 1887. It was a good many months before the Southern Kansas railroad and Santa Fe line reached the Texas Plains with their tracks. The firm of Finch, Lord and Nelson, back in Kiowa, Kansas, ascertained the Southern Kansas railroad survey, and the Fort Worth and Denver railroad survey across Carson County.

That survey showed that the railroad lines would intersect on section 53, block 9 at the Tyler Tap survey and the Texas Panhandle which would become the future town site.

J. E. Southwood worked for Finch, Lord and Nelson and he saw an opportunity which called him to step out of the box and journey to the new land of opportunity and with nine companions, they made plans to move to the Texas Panhandle and file on the 10 sections of school land surrounding the future.

Site. These man loaded freight wagons with lumber for an office building. And 10 homes allowing 1000 feet of lumber for a house. And supplies to last a year. And those supplies consisted of 2000 pounds of bacon, 3000 pounds of flour. Beans coffee, sugar, canned tomatoes. Betsy and blankets, bachelor stoves, all packed into these wagons. And we're pulled by 16 wheel teams.

These impatient men anxious to be the first on the spot moved with their saddled horses and one supply wagon. He said, "I knew when we reached the destination I was on my home land." Mr Southwood died in 1935, and always lived within the site of the first section. These men paid $2 an acre for their land.

The first building in Panhandle was the company office. Next the 10 homes were constructed one on each section. Each home was 8 by 10, and we're firmly placed on the ground. Each one was staked to a cedar pole set deep in the ground at the four corners of this building.

With the coming of the railroad, it brought new life to Panhandle. John Haggard brought a stock of groceries from Kiowa, Kansas, and he opened a business in a tent. And 1888, Paul's bank opened in Panhandle and then two or three saloons and the livery stable.

This was just the beginning of this fast growing community. Which was being built on the high Plains of Texas.

Plains and Prominence

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the first podcast to Plains and Prominence, which is coming from Panhandle, Texas. This is the home of the Square House Museum. And with this being the first podcast, it's going to be many to come about the rich heritage of Panhandle and about the. Communities of Carson county. Many historical events took place in and around this area my name is Jerry Lane. And I invite you to join me on this epic and exciting journey to come.