1891
PRESIDENT BEN'S SCHOOL DAYS
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Special to the Times-Herald.
     ROWLETT, April 12, 1891.--This community, for two weeks past, has been looking forward to and preparing for a grand time, it being the occasion of the closing exercises of the school at the "Big A" school house. A large stage with sliding curtains was erected just outside of the school house and seats arranged on the green sward for 1000 people. The stage was handsomely festooned with green boughs and flowers, the centre-piece at the back of the stage being a large "A" in flowers of different colors. Much credit is due Miss Worthington and Mrs. Housley for the artistic way in which they decorated the stage. The programme, under the direction of Prof. G. P. Worthington, was elaborate, consisting of choice recitations, readings and tableaux, interspersed with good music, vocal and instrumental. The costumes worn by the young ladies were very pretty. Many expressions of commendation were heard of Prof. Worthington for the unflagging interest he has taken in his school, and it is safe to say that he will have no trouble in securing the school for a second term.
     Owing to the late spring, the stand of corn here is not all that could be desired. Uncle Ben Davis says that if the farmers would not follow out a fixed rule in planting their crop and would be governed by the season, they would be successful in securing a uniform stand. He says if you have a wet cold season like this has been, plant your corn shallow and the ground being warmer near the top, it will sprout readily and come up. Whereas, if you plant it deep, the ground being cold, your seed will rot. Mr. Davis, who has lived in Dallas county for 44 consecutive years, offers this suggestion for the benefit of corn raisers. After your first plant has come up, make a replant about every 12 feet and you will secure an ear of corn that, when matured, will be full of grains to the end. In this windy country, the corn tassel blows out and dries up before the ears fill, thereby depriving the silk of pollen, and if you will have a few stalks of later corn, they will supply this want and the result will be fully matured ears of corn. Since the Dallas election, there is a growing demand for a straight Democratic newspaper among these people, and as the TIMES-HERALD fills the bill in every respect, the subscription list is growing fast.
     One of the landmarks of Dallas county, Uncle Ben Davis, as he is familiarly known, went to school at Greencastle, Ind., where the then future president of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, was also a scholar. Mr. Davis says that Ben was not characterized by any particular brightness in his studios, but was known as the best euchre player in the entire school; that in place of study when night came, he and a few kindred spirits could be found indulging in a quiet game of euchre. According to Mr. Davis, he was not possessed at that early day with that religious spirit with which he is now credited. The walls of the academy were newly lathed preparatory to being plastered and one morning at the regular opening of prayer, the professor and teachers were interrupted by a sound as of falling hail. Going out in the hall, the teacher found young Harrison executing a clog. Jerking down one of the laiths, he--as Harrison afterward remarked, "wore it out on me and then jobbed me with the end of it." It is to be hoped Mr. Davis will visit Dallas in the event of the president's visit, as his school day reminiscences would, no doubt, be of interest to his school mate and playfellow, Benjamin Harrison.

Special to the Times-Herald.
     ROWLETT, June 13.--The appointed grange meeting came off last night, but owing to the fact that it was not widely announced, the attendance was rather slim. Farmer Shaw was conspicuous by his absence, but Capt. Harris was in good trim and addressed the audience an hour and thirty minutes with a reasonably argumentative speech. After scoring our present senators and congressman, he paid his respects to Gov. Hogg in regard to his non-appointment of a farmer on the commission. He claims that the grange fathered the first commission bill ever put before the house of the United States. The captain said further that the grange was non-political, that its object was to educate the people to their needs, political needs, if necessary, and then for them to go in their own party and purify it at the ballot box. He declared the Grange to be bitterly opposed to the banking system, saying that the banks held too much power, but said that the sub-treasury bill and the Gibbs bill would entail more wrong upon the people than the present financial system now does.
     When the captain finished, the audience was addressed a few minutes by J. T. Corcoran, who was followed by Uncle Ben Davis, a rabid third party man, who, however, did not attempt to inject any of his politics into the Grange. There will be another meeting some time in July with a view of organizing a grange. Mr. Shaw has been telegraphed for and will no doubt address the crowd at Garland to-night. Of the number present at the Grange meeting last night, this can be said, they were, to a man, subscribers to the TIMES-HERALD.
     Rowlett has been largely on the improve of late. D. W. Housley, the affable postmaster, has doubled the size of his building and has it painted attractively throughout. He will fill his store with a new stock of goods to meet the increase in his trade.
     J. W. Barclay has moved his building farther down the street and is painting and papering it handsomely.
     It is reported that Caldwell Bros. will build and open a general store here this fall; also that O. P. Thomas, of Garland, has formed a partnership with Mr. Turnipseed and will go into business at this place this fall.
     Mr. Haley, the popular agent for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas at this place has gone north for a month's rest and his place is filled by Mr. Lewis of Lancaster.
     Mrs. Lee is reported dangerously sick.
     Corn is laid by. Cotton is up with, and the farmers are taking advantage of the opportunity offered to go fishing. The crop prospects were never better and one more rain insures a heavy crop of all kinds.

Special to the Times-Herald.
     ROWLETT, Dallas Co., Texas,. June 29.--Health is exceedingly good in this community at present.
     Crops are doing very well considering so much dry weather.
     Fishing seems to be the rage.
     Quite an enjoyable party was given at the residence of Mr. D. W. Housely Monday night.
     A number of our young people attended the pic-nic at Rockwall Wednesday and reported it a grand success.
     Berry Page was buried at the Mills grave yard Friday evening. He died at the insane asylum at Terrell, Texas, where he had been confined for some months. His loss is mourned by many friends and relatives.

     James Collins to B. F. Collins, land on Rowlett creek, $50.

     The first bale of Dallas county cotton this season was brought to the city yesterday at 2 p. m. by A. C. Clark, colored, of Rowlett. It weighted 447 pounds, classed middling and sold for 5 1/2 cents a pound. Twenty minutes later, a second bale was brought in by W. T. Dunlop, who resides on Smith's farm, near Letot station. This bale was classed middling and weighed 430 pounds. G. R. Reynolds, secretary of the Dallas Commercial club, collected from a few members of that organization, a premium of $25, which he divided equally between Clark and Dunlop.

     A local option election was voted on at Rowlett on last Saturday. The vote stood 48 for and 8 against local option.

     The young men at Rowlett organized an athletic club a few weeks ago, and getting in the financial nine-hole, as such institutions are prone to do, they concluded to give a few prize fights for the purpose of lifting their indebtedness. They came to town to consult the county attorney as to the legality of such a mode of raising the mud. Frank Cosby, one of the assistants of the county attorney, delivered a very lengthy and learned opinion to the pugilists to the effect that the law would not tolerate any such proceeding.
     They went home very dejected. But, to-day, they returned, bringing with them, Prof. Johnson, the physical director of the club, and asked Judge Cosby what would be the result if they gave a series of pugilistic events for the benefit of the church. Here, they had the judge, and he told them to go ahead with their slugging match--that everything goes, if it is for religious purposes.

     James Johnson, a section foreman on the "Katy," and William M. Harmon, one of his men, came in from Rowlett last night and took in the First ward.
     Ella Williams, a negress living at 189 Young street, is in the city prison, charged with robbing Johnson of $28. Harmon, this morning, woke up in Minnie Epperson's house near the Big 4, with his watch, $100 in money, his pants and vest missing. Minnie, who is colored, laid the robbery on some men, but Officers Keehan and Fanning believe that Minnie got the man's money and clothes.

     Pat McEntee and wife to T. N. Hickman, lot in Rowlett; $400.

     Seeking to prevent the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway company from building a ditch that may damage his land, J. K. McAmis, Wednesday morning, through Attorney A. S. Baskett, filed suit for injunction against the railway company. The property is located near Rowlett. Temporary restraining order was issued by Judge Muse.