Hancock Gave 100 Acres for Sul Ross From: The Alpine Avalanche June 28, 1962 Diamond Jubilee Section

"My first night in Murphysville, now Alpine, (in 1884), was spent holding a herd of cattle on the hill where Sul Ross College now stands. I little thought then it would be my privilege, 35 years later, to deed the State of Texas 100 acres of that hillside for a campus for Sul Ross Teacher College."

Thus spoke William Box Hancock, early day cowboy, trail driver, rancher and one of the pioneer residents Alpine and Brewster County. Mr. Hancock, the father of Mrs. Maude Baines of Alpine, was born Sept. 23, 1860, in Boxville, Lavaca County, Texas. His grandfather Dr. M. D. Box, was soldier in the War of 1812, and his father George Washington Hancock fought for the Confederates in the Civil War. Following the Civil War, G. W. Hancock and his family settled at Rockport. They were very poor, although plenty of fine tenderloins were available at the packeries just for the asking. In the late 1870's at Rockport, cattle were killed for their hides and tallow and there was no ice to preserve the meat.

The family moved to San Antonio in 1874 where young W. B. Hancock caught fish and trapped quail, selling them to the Menger Hotel, San Antonio's leading hostelry. The quail brought 10 cents each. At that time the Alamo was used for a warehouse by a Frenchman named Grenet. The stage made the trip from San Antonio to El Paso by way of Fort Stockton and Fort Davis in 10 days. Hail destroyed the family's chickens and crops in late 1878 and that event was to change Mr. Hancock's life. He paid $22 for a wild horse and went to work for the Woodard and Oge Ranch. In February, 1879, two herds were put on the trail to Dodge City, Kan., and Mr. Hancock was one of the drivers.

In 1884, Mr. Hancock brought a heard of cattle belonging to him and his brother-in-law, Jim Newton, to Uvalde and shipped them to Murphysville(now Alpine), arriving December 16, 1884. Reminiscing in later years, Mrs. Hancock said: "I have lived to see Alpine grow from a wild frontier town to a well-ordered community. There were some bad actors in an early day, but some of them were killed in gun battles and the rest moved on.

During the first 10 years of my residence in Alpine, I owned and supervised a drugstore and livery stable. At the end of that time, I bought a ranch 15 miles north of town and engaged in the ranching business until 1925, when I sold the ranch to H. L. Kokernot." In October, 1886, Mr. Hancock married Miss Nellie Powe, who had come to Alpine from Mississippi. To this union five children were born. Ruth and W. B. died in infancy. Only three lived to maturity; Mrs. Maud Baines, the oldest, living in Alpine, who was born in 1887; Georgia Hancock Jackson, of Crystal City, Texas; and Lee, who owns a ranch near Carona.

Nellie Powe Hancock died in April 1896. In February, 1899 Mr. Hancock married Miss Bertha Mae Monagin, who came from Michigan. They had three children, James, who died in 1918 while a senior in New Mexico Military Institute; Mary, who died the same year of scarlet fever; and Mrs. Bertha Mae Abernathy, who now lives in Houston. Mr. Hancock , was one of Alpine's first postmasters, serving from March 7, 1891 to July 27, 1897. He was a bank director for 20 years and was one of the early members of the Methodist Church, affiliating with them in 1891 and serving as steward and trustee. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, serving twice as worshipful master; a 32nd degree Mason, Knight Templar, and Shriner. He was a life member of Alpine Lodge NO. 766, AF&AM.

When a site was needed for Sul Ross State Teachers College, Mr. Hancock donated 100 acres on the western slopes of Hancock Hill. Mr. Hancock died in August 1938. In November, 1943, Sul Ross College officials named the men's dormitory Hancock Hall in his memory.