Pioneer Exponent, Comanche County, 13 March 1876

Mr. J. B. BURTON of the Pecan Valley Eagle , gave us the pleasure of his company this week. Mr. BURTON is energetic in his efforts to build up a live paper for the people of Brown, who ought to lend a liberal support. Call again friend BURTON, the latch string of our office hangs on the outside.

Dr. MATCHETT returned this week from Hillsboro, and reports crops looking remarkably well throughout the section through which he has passed. The farmers seem to have planted an unusual amount of oats which look very promising. We are pleased to learn that the Doctor will remain with us for a while.

M. STRICKLAND many years established in the business of book binding and lithographing, and has the finest assortment of stationary in Texas, This is a reliable house and we ask for them the patronage of our people.

On yesterday the cry of "fire!" rang out, startling our unusually quiet town with its alarming sound. The fire was discovered in the roof of the store, occupied by Mr. J. S. VEDDER, and, with the usual promptitude of our citizens, a hundred or two men were soon at the scene of action with buckets and hatchets and succeeded in staying the flames, but not until it had burned a considerable hole in the roof. Never was more alacrity displayed, and it was of the highest importance, for had there been the least delay or bad management, the flames would have gotten such headway that it would have been impossible to suppress them, and had it not been that there was a cistern of water at the back of the store, it is doubtful if it could have been saved. And how terrible would have been the consequences! for the entire side of the square was wooden buildings, and they would have all been laid in ashes.

Now let us organize a hook and ladder company, and get a few of the small fire extinguishers. And in addition let a good cistern of water stand at the back of each store. These matters are of vital importance and action should be taken at once. We will have more to say on this subject hereafter.

I found a mule tied in the brush at Logan’s Gap, six miles west of Comanche. Said mule is of the following description: Black, about 12 years old, branded on left shoulder with a blotched brand and has a peculiar bridle mark. Thinking said mule had been stolen, I took charge of it, where the owner can get possession by proving property.

E.N. WALDREP Comanche, March 16, 1876

Hon. J.P. OSTERHAUT, Judge District Court

James BOYD, District Attorney

John CARNES, Sheriff

J. D. BONNER, District Court Clerk

S.F. TODD, Treasurer

J.T. TUNNELL, Surveyor

County Court:

N. YARBROUGH, Presiding Justice; G.W. MONTGOMERY, H.W. SUBLETT, John ROCH, D.J. ROWE

Churches:

Methodist – Rev. JOHNSON preaches every Sunday, at the Methodist Church

Baptist – Rev. J.T. HARRIS preaches at the College every third Sunday morning and the Saturday night before.

Presbyterian – Rev. W.A. SMITH preaches every first and fourth Sunday at the college.

The Orders:

Masonic – Comanche Lodge No. 316 meets the Saturday night on or before the full moon in each month. G.A. BEOMAN, W.M.; John S. JOHNSTON, Sec.

I.O.O.F. – Comanche Lodge No. 165 meets every Monday night. B.F. WRIGHT, N.G.; C.E. WILLIAMSON, Sec.

Temperance – Comanche Lodge No. 2 Moral Aid Society meets second and fourth Thursdays in each month. P.W. GRAVIS, C.K.; R.G. ARMSTRONG, Sec.

Pioneer Council No. 449 United Friends of Temperance, meets every Friday night. Wm. LOWRY, W.P.; Wm. A. FIELDS, Scribe.

The Grange:

Salt Spring Grange meets first and third Saturday in each month. W. R. SINGLETON,

W.M.; W.A. PHILLIPS, Sec.

Physicians:

ROBERTSON & LANCASTER, D.J. McDOWELL, REDDEN & TURNER, G.W. TUCKER

Attorneys:

HUTCHISON & SHROPSHIRE, C.E. WILLIAMSON, G.R. HART, FLEMING & STEPHENS, Wm. A. FIELDS, S.P. FORD, Wm. LOWRY, W.S.J. ADAMS

Bankers:

H.R. MARTIN & Co., bankers and dealers in exchange

Places to Trade:

W.H. WILSON - Dry Goods, Groceries, and general merchandise

CAMPBELL & ZETLEMOYER – Dealers in Furniture and Undertakers

D.L. GOOCH – Drugs, Medicines, and Groceries

CAMPBELL & MIZELL – Dry Goods, Groceries, and General Merchandise

J.S. VEDDER – Dry Goods, Groceries, and General Merchandise

REDDEN & TURNER – Drugs and Medicines

HAMILTON Bro’s. – Drugs, Groceries, and Lumber

DICKSON & GREEN – Dry Goods, Groceries, and general merchandise

J.C. WEAKLY – Stoves, Tin, Sheet Iron, and Copperware, and House Furnishing Goods

Wm. BARNES – Groceries, Plows, and Hardware

M. RILEY – Fancy Boot and Shoe Maker

©2004 Judith Michaels.  This transcription is the generous work of Judy Michaels taken from microfilm held by the Newspaper Collection of the University of Texas at Austin with a microfilm copy at Comanche Public Library.  The information may be used for personal research only and not for commercial purposes without specific permission.