Compiled by Chuck Lanehart
100+ Years Ago
The Last Saloon
“With the closing of the saloons in Amarillo last Wednesday night the last legalized saloon in the Texas Panhandle and the Plains discontinued business in compliance with the State laws and the wishes of the majority of the people of this section of the State. It can now be truthfully said that there is not a saloon on the Panhandle or the Plains of Texas. This part of the State is looked upon by many of the less informed class of people in the Eastern part of the State as well as other places as being a wild, lawless section of the great wide world—even go so far as to say that they cannot afford to bring their children and their families to this country because they would be raised in a lawless country, have no educational advantages and no churches to attend. The beginning of this article would indicate that this is a great mistake, which it is. The people here are sticklers for morality.
“No one wants to get a penitentiary sentence for selling whiskey, and when it is understood that this will be the result if such is indulged in, it will cease and that without having to punish very many. It works in Lubbock. It will work in Amarillo. Here’s hoping that the officers and private citizens will work as one and make Amarillo an example of morality.”
—The Lubbock Avalanche, November 23, 1911
75 Years Ago
Federal Court Hears Evidence
“With the plaintiff J.J. Kendrick on the witness stand all Monday afternoon in direct testimony, his suit, involving Yoakum county land, against Ernest Ownby of near Tulsa, Olka., is expected to take up most of the morning session in United States District Court this morning, before Judge T. Whitfield Davidson and a jury selected Monday morning.
“Kendrick is to be subjected to cross examination by defense counsel. Judge Davidson indicated he wanted opposing counsel to meet him in chambers at 9:30 o’clock to discuss questions of law and the probable shortening of the record. The suit involves two sections of Yoakum land . . . with an estimated value of $60,000. . .”
“The rest of the jury panel was excused until 10 o’clock this morning. Docketed for today were the cases of James J. Beck against Associated Indemnity corporation and Felix Shackelford and others.”
“Vickers and Campbell represent Kendrick and Crenshaw, Dupree and Milam represent the defendant. W.W. Campbell made the opening statement to the jury of the plaintiff’s side and Crenshaw for the defendant. A large number of residents of Yoakum and Terry counties were here, as well as Gaines County, for the hearing.”
—The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, December 3, 1940
50 Years Ago
Trials Continue Today in Two Civil Actions
“Trials of two district court civil actions are scheduled to continue this morning.”
“Final arguments are set for 10 a.m. today in 99th District Court, with Judge Howard C. Davison presiding, in a suit in which Robert L. Jackson seeks a $750 judgement against Earl McCuiston, doing business as McCuiston Construction Co.”
“Jackson seeks a judgement against McCuiston, alleging defects in work done under a contract for repairs and additions to his residence at 2824 33rd St. He claims it would take 8750 to make corrections in the alleged defects.”
“Jurors chosen Monday are Jack Lomax, Denver L. Jacobs, Norman Newman, Joe N. Jay, Noble Rice, Fred Huskey, James E. Oldham, W.O. Grubb, Riley L. Rush, M.T. Lincencum, David Lindsey and Robert M. Lively.”
—Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, June 15, 1965
25 Years Ago
Chili Cookoff a Big Success
“First place in the 1990 chili contest (memorializing Dorothy and Joe Nagy, who, while not dead yet, were not present), was the Colorado River Chili of the Lubbock County Young Lawyers Association. The presiding cooks were Judy Crowder and Scott Parker. Second Place was taken by the Legislator Chili of the South Plains Trial Lawyers Association, Tommy Turner, cook. Bill Harriger was chairman of the event.”
The recipe for the Legislator chili was:
“A dash of reform, a pile of rhetoric, a bunch of promises,
Go to Austin, bash a bunch of lawyers. Mix ingredients in a big crock.
Cook for a year. Serve your friends. Tell how great it is. Watch them choke.”
