Kinsearching June 28, 2009

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 28, 2009



KINSEARCHING

by

Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
 

     On 19 July 2009, the 76th annual STRAIN family reunion will take place at Sugar Valley Baptist Church in Sugar Valley, GA. Since a new edition of the Strain family history book is being planned, descendants of Andrew STRAIN and wife Mary REED are urged to bring written updates (births, marriages, deaths, for instance) about their individual lines for inclusion. Descendants are also asked to bring old family photographs, especially those that were in the first edition, as all negatives were destroyed after the book's publication. Digital copies will be made at the reunion so the originals can be taken back home. Those unable to attend can send pictures to James C. Parker, 161 Valley Brook Dr., Dawsonville, GA 30534-6675; he will make digital copies and return the originals. For further details, get in touch with the Strain Family Association, 1508 Dug Gap Road, Dalton, Georgia 30720 (website: www.strain-family.org).


     The list below of people employed at the Eastern Cherokee Training School in Cherokee, NC, on 30 June 1894 may be found on page 520 of the ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, 1894 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1895). Details usually include the individual's name, position, salary, sex, "color" (sic) (White or Indian), and date of "present" appointment.

BEST, M. E., assistant teacher, $600, female, white, 27 Nov 1893
FREEMAN, Arthur W., industrial teacher, $600, male, white, 27 Nov 1893
HOUTS, Emma T., seamstress, $480, female, white, 25 Sept 1893
NOBLE, Fanny W., cook, $540, female, white, 22 March 1894
OBERLANDER, Hartman L., clerk, $600, male, white, 1 July 1893
POTTER, Lillian A., teacher, $600, female, Indian, 18 May 1894
POTTER, Thomas W., superintendent, $1,400, male, white, 26 Oct 1893
SCHANANDORE, Edwin, baker, $420, male, Indian, 4 June 1894
STRONG, Lucy E., matron, $600, female, white, 9 Dec 1893
WARNER, Eunice, assistant teacher, $600, female, white, 12 Sept 1893


     This week's article about Spur is a continuation of the Kinsearching column dated 21 June 2009. It concerns the increase of new businesses.

SPUR, DICKENS COUNTY, TEXAS

     As establishments opened, the newspaper kept the general public informed. "TIDWELL and LEE have opened up a barber shop in Spur and are now doing business on the east side of Burlington avenue (sic)." (12 Nov 1909, p. 3, c. 5)

     Due to all the construction, building supplies were in great demand. "Brazelton - Pryor Lumber Company have put in a yard at Spur and are now doing business." (12 Nov 1909, p. 3, c. 4)

     "The Miller Lumber Co. (sic) have a yard at Spur and are now doing business. The Richardson Lumber Co. are doing business already at Spur." (12 Nov 1909, p. 3, c. 5)

     Since several companies of the same type developed in the town, a few eventually sold out to a competitor. The lumber business and barber shops serve as examples. (More data about early barber shops can be found in Kinsearching column dated 8 Feb 2009. For further information about lumber companies, see Kinsearching dated 1 Mar 1009.)

     In order to function properly and to prosper, a new town was influenced by several factors. Citizens, for example, needed a secure place to put their cash and to obtain loans. The approval of a depository, therefore, was significant. "Washington, Dec. 16 - The Spur National Bank of Spur, Texas, with a capital of $100,000, was today authorized to begin business. The officers are R. V. COLBERT, president; C. A. JONES, vice-president; and W. G. SHERROD, cashier." (31 Dec 1909, p. 1, c. 4)

     The health of its inhabitants was also a major consideration in the town's growth. An announcement about a physician becoming a resident was definitely good news. "Dr. MORRIS, formerly of Haskell, has located at Spur and will practice his profession here in the future." (12 Nov 1909, p. 3, c. 1)

     When someone passed away, supplies were needed to take care of the body. This interesting advertisement from Dickens explains where some of the necessary materials could be found: "J. H. STRADLEY, dealer in family groceries, shelf hardware, and undertaker's goods." (12 Nov 1909, p. 2, c. 3)

(To be continued)


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