Erath County, TX Historical Newspapers

From the Stephenville Tribune - April 1, 1898

Transcribed and submitted by Diana Quinn

Bethel Locals

Eds. Tribune. – A peoples party club was organized at this place last Saturday night with eleven members. P. G. Stephens was elected president and John Olive secretary. We meet again next Saturday night.

Old Bethel is coming out of the kinks. We have a fine school under the management of Prof. Dean Bruington, a fine literary society meets every Friday night, a pop club, a good Sunday school, singing and prayer meeting every Sunday night.

We have preaching by Rev. G. W. Childress first Sunday, Rev. Hudson second Sunday, Rev. J. J. Davis third Sunday, and Rev. Will Green fourth Sunday.

P. A. Hairston is on the sick list this week.

Charley Judon made a business trip to Thurber Friday, returning Sunday.

W. D. Mourey, who for some time past has been in Eastland county, returned Friday.

John Thompson has had an attack of rheumatism for some time.

M. W. Birdwell, our candidate for assessor, is still in the ring. We would like to see Bud nominated and elected. X.Z.

Transcribed and submitted by Barbara Kirkland

A LETTER OF LONG AGO (By William F Cobb)
Published in the Courier – Sentinal, Ellijay, Gilmer Co., Georgia Newspaper.

“Bluff Dale, Texas
November 29, 1899

Mr George W Gates
Editor Courier – Sentinal

“If you will allow me space in your paper, I will give you a few ____ from this part of Texas.

“This is a healthy country. I think it is the garden spot of the world. Anything will produce here that will produce anywhere else. It is one among the greatest peach counties in the world. Apples do not do very well here. We get one good crop out of every three, and there is no use to say anything about cotton. We make it every year, and corn grows as fine as can be, though corn is a little scarce here now, owing to a little drought that we had in the summer. Corn is worth 40 cents per bushel and cotton is 9.50 today. Sweet potatoes are worth from 30 cents to 50 cents per bushel, and as fine as you ever saw.

“A man can do well here if he will here if he will half-way try. A great many North Georgians are here, and some of them came here “strapped,” but they now have a good start.

“Not many days ago I was at Bud Bramlett’s and he showed me 1860 bushels of fine wheat that he raised this year. Bud is an old Gilmer county boy and is not afraid to work. Andrew and Fletch Long, Frank and George Gentry, and several other Gilmer county boys are here. Some come and go back and some stay. Bill Rogers arrived here Friday.

“It has been 5 years since I left Old Ellijay the last time, but if I live it will not be 5 more years till I will see the old home again – the dearest spot on earth to me. But I have got a good farm here; 106 acres, 85 in cultivation. I made 7 bales of cotton myself off 12 acres, and my renter made 25 bales.

“Last August was a year ago I changed my way of living, and I am now trying to live a Christian life, and I find it the happiest life on earth. I have a good Christian wife and two sweet little babies to cheer me on my way.

“If I could write some gracious line,
That those who mourn might read;
Some simple, hopeful, words to cheer
The hearts that grieve and bleed

“If I could speak some kindly words
To buoy some sinking soul
Across whose beaten, storm-tossed bank,
The waves of sorrow roll.

“If I could sing some stirring song,
To cheer some fainting hearts –
Implant a firmer purpose there
To set a nobler part.

“If I could do some kindly deed;
To light a life that’s drear
And bring a smile to quivering lips,
Or check a gathering tear,

“And that I owned no gold or lands,
True riches I would attain.
For if I should save one soul from hell
I have not lived in vain.

“Success to the Courier – Sentinal and its readers,

“William F Cobb”

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