Newspaper Clippings            

County Superintendent of Public Education J.B. King requests The News to make the following announcement:  There will be  a meeting of the  Grayson county teachers’  institute  held  at the Franklin  public school  building  in  Sherman, commencing Saturday, Oct. 22 at 9 a.m.   This is the first meeting of the  scholastic year and  will be an important one.  The year’s  work for the  teachers will be outlined thereat,  as prepared by the committee  appointed  for that purpose.  

-- Dallas Morning News,  10-20-1898
 

The  democratic county  convention assembled  in the opera house this  morning at  10 o’clock pursuant to the  call of Chairman  Gilbert of Denison,  who was not present.   Temporary organization  was effected by  the election of Dan  A. Bliss as  chairman.   Zol J. Woods, J.C. Edmonds,  J. E. Wallace of  Sherman and  S. B. Evans of  Van Alstyne  were selected as  temporary secretaries.  M.W. Bowles  was elected  sergeant-at-arms and F.F. Boothman of the  Dripping Springs box was selected as assistant. One member from each box in the county was selected as a  committeeman on credentials, and the same rule was adopted on the committee on permanent organization and platform.The committees were  then sent to  their respective rooms and  the convention adjourned to meet at 2 p.m.   The roll-call  showed over 350 delegates present to cast the 123 votes of the convention. -- Dallas Morning News,  07-19-1890

A resolution was passed by the Grayson County Press Association at its meeting in the rooms at the local Chamber of Commerce, in which they agreed to join hands with the Sherman and  Denison Chamber of  Commerce in the matter of organizing the Oklahoma, Texas and  Gulf Highway Association, and to work for good roads from  the Red River to the motion of a county fair in Grayson County next year.  -- Cleburne Morning Review,  11-07-1913

Seven County tax  assessors were named by  Tax Assessor-Collect Collier Yeury.   They will start work Jan. 1 and will receive $500 each for the four month’s task. The men are  W.E. May, Sherman;  Guy Vinnedge, Denison,  C.W. Pope, Precinct 1;  Clyde Douglas,  Precinct  2; John Rice,  Precinct 3; J.B. Dickey,   Precinct  4, and  I. E. Brown,  Precinct 5.
-- Dallas Morning News 12-30-1938  
 
Strayed from Claude Johnson, near Van Alstyne, on Jan. 30, one small black mare mule, about 13 hands high, 3 years old, not shod, had on halter when last seen.  The owner will pay $5 for the recovery of his animal. A.E. Hughes,  sheriff Grayson county.

Strayed or stolen:  One gray mare  pony about 14 hands high,  4 years old,  in ordinary work order,  had  on large red leather saddle, hairpockets, made by W.P. Gunn, Sherman, TX.  Emmet  Hall will pay $10 reward for mare and saddle if stolen and I will pay $10 for capture of thief. A.E. Hughes, sheriff Grayson county. -- Dallas Morning News, 02-14-1895 
 
 The Grayson  County  Missionary Baptist  Association closed its ninth annual  convention here  this afternoon  after the most  successful event  of the kind  in its history.  Bells was chosen  as the next place  of meeting.  The committee on church letters reported a total membership in the association of 3,723; received by baptism  during the year, 290;  total increase in membership for the year, 500; deaths during year, 45. Rev. S.F. Aiken will preach the introductory  sermon 
at the next session, and Rev. J.H. Taylor will preach the missionary sermon. O.L. Smith was elected missionary for the next year  at a salary of $1,200.  A collection of $254 was  taken up for the theological  seminary at Waco. A committee of  two was  appointed to arrange,  if possible,  for an excursion  rate to Dallas on Sept. 30,  when  between   800  and 1,000 Grayson County Baptists will visit Buckner Orphans’ Home, near the city, should suitable arrangements  be made. -- Dallas Morning News,  09-19-1908    

Sheriff A. E. Hughes of Grayson county  came down today to identify the man arrested Saturday for  Ab Stevens, who is wanted in Grayson for murders committed seven or eight years ago. One of the men he brought to identify him says positively  he is Stevens,  but the other  is not positive.   An  examination of his  person  disclosed   eleven  bullet  or shot wounds in the small of his back. He says  the places were caused by boils  which were picked out.   He went by the  name of  Thompson here and is  wanted in  Grayson county under that  name on a charge of horse theft.    Sheriff  Hughes left for Sherman with Stevens (or Thompson) tonight. --Dallas Morning News,   07-02-1895

Grayson County’s  failure to provide a jail which would be approved  by the Federal inspectors as a safe place for the keeping of Federal prisoners is causing a yearly monetary loss to the county of approximately $1,200 in Federal funds.  Payment for the keeping of Federal  prisoners in on a quarterly basis, but  W.V. Graham, jailer,  said Tuesday it would average  around  $300 a quarter.  The largest quarterly  payment  ever received  was $425.    The smallest  number of Federal prisoners housed in the jail, before all were removed early this month, was three and the maximum twenty-six, the average running around six or seven prisoners. --  Dallas Morning News,  12-19-1934


Winter prevailed in Denison and this part of Grayson County last night and today.   Late this afternoon the mercury was nearing the  freezing point and  fruit and  truck growers are  apprehensive of   tonight’s weather.   About 2 o’clock  this morning, a rain  and  hailstorm, accompanied by considerable wind,  broke over  Denison and raged for more than an hour.   Water fell i n sheets and  the hailstones of  unusual size brought  many sleepers from their beds  as the stones rattled against the roofs and upon the window panes.  Rain continued to fall until after daylight. Early risers today found drifts of hailstones more than a foot in depth. Fruit-raisers stated today that while many blooms were knocked  from the trees by the hail they did not believe that the fruit prospects had been seriously affected should it pass safely  through tonight’s cold spell. During last night’s storm nearly an inch of rain fell. Many windows are reported broken and several roofs damaged  as the result of last night’s  hailstorm.  Snow flurries were frequent in Denison  throughout  the  morning  and afternoon hours. -- Dallas Morning News,  03-27-1913

The population of Grayson County  announced by the  Bureau of Census today is 74,165 a gain of 8,169.   Population in 1910 was 65,996. Denison holds its lead as the  largest city in the county with 17,065 people,  a gain of 3,433.   The population of Sherman  is 15,031, a gain of 2,619.   Other towns’  populations in Grayson County are Bells 585,  a gain of 89 people; Collinsville 837, gain of 46;  Gunter 575,  no previous record:  Howe 582, a gain of two people; Pottsboro 454, gain of 141; Tioga 777, a loss of 20;  Tom Bean 367,  a gain of 79; Van Alstyne, 1,288 a gain of 147;   Whitesboro 1,810, a gain of 591; Whitewright 1,666, a gain of 103.  -- Dallas Morning News,  09-30-1920

The constitutionality of the jury wheel  applying to Grayson  and  a few of  the larger  counties of  Texas was attached for the first time in a Sherman court this morning in the case of the State of Texas vs.  Gus Kenecht, charged with a violation of the local  option law.   Counsel for the defense,  after polling the jury as to  who  had been drawn  from the wheel and who had been summoned as talesman by the Sheriff, attacked the qualifications of those drawn from the wheel because the stipulations of  said method and its effects were  generally violative  of rights  guaranteed  under the  Constitution, the argument being in line with objections raised in Fort Worth-Dallas and other courts to the wheel.  A peculiarly  interesting  feature  today was  that the rest of the  panel was  challenged also on the  ground that none having  been brought  in by selection by a large  commission or the wheel,  they had not been summoned by  any legal  process.   The court over- ruled the challenges for above grounds. -- Dallas Morning News, 10-24-1907

Owing  to the slow progress  of cleaning counties  of the cattle  tick by e lections,  the leading cattle raisers of  Grayson county have petitioned the legislature to change or amend the present  tick eradication law to give Texas state-wide tick eradication.   Sentiment with regard to tick eradication is changing.   Texas is  nearer shaking off the tick tax on livestock than ever before.  -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, - 01-18-1917
 
Speaking  about investment  dollar activity in Texas,  a concern  with a capital stock of   $250,000 will “dress up” one of Grayson county’s pleasure and health reports. Which is to say that the proposed  program of progress includes  every thing a modern health and pleasure resort can  offer the public in the way of buildings, parks,  amusement  features and the sort. With interstate highways inviting tourist travel by automobile, and these same highways  inviting tourist travel by automobile,   and these same  highways  inviting Texas  to See-Texas-First,   it is good  business  progress and policy to develop and modernize and advertise and popularize the health and pleasure resorts of Texas. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 04-14-1918
 
The movement of certain shrewd Eastern capitalists to boom Denison, Texas, would indicate that they are strong in the belief  that the tide of  emigration  is to flow in that  direction.  Denison  is the county seat  of  Grayson county,   the fifth county west from the Arkansas line and bordering on the Indian Territory.  The place has  abundant advantages, of soil, railroad communications, etc., the only drawback being the political and social conditions of that portion of county.  But there is a  change that these may be improved,  and most people will hope that such may  be the case. --  St. Albans Daily Messenger, 05-04-1889
 
A  ten-year-old lad  from  Denison  romped  away  with the  bulk of  first  prizes at  the Grayson  county corn  show.   He prepared his land with a deep see bed, planted in March, and plowed the crop seven times. His harvest was thirty-eight bushels per acre and sold at $1.50 per bushel. In addition to the lad’s record of  first he pulled down the special prize of $50.   A liberal sprinkling of that sort  of youngsters in every county in  Texas would cause  their  want’s-the-use seniors  to get up and hustle.  The future glory of Texas is tolerably safe.  -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10-10-1909

Last Saturday the esteemed Denison Herald broke the tape at the beginning of its twenty-second mile in the newspaper Marathon and is cheerfully on its way to another prosperous year for Texas, Grayson  county and Denison.   The Herald builds while it boosts. --  Fort Worth Star-Telegram, -07-27-1910

All the  candidates for governor of  Texas who  have announced  have been  mingling with  Grayson  county people  at Sherman this week.  And each of them would have been happier if t’other sweet charmer had been away.  -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 08-11-1905
 
We take from an Extra  of the Sherman Courier an  interesting letter from Mr. R.S. Stevens,  the general manager of the Missouri,  Kansas and Texas Railroad, in which he intimates that, if the people of  Grayson county subsidize the line to the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,  that the road will be built through that county. -- Galveston News, 02-09-1872

H.K. Needham sold an  80-acre university land claim yesterday,  to Mr. Samuel Nichols, of Missouri,   who will move his family  here as soon as possible.    Mr. Nichols  has made a  complete tour of the State,  and thinks that  Grayson is the banner county of Texas. -- Denison Daily News,  04-19-1878

SERIES OF CRIMES IN TEXAS

Charles Luttrell Says 248 Men were Killed to Destroy Testimony in Murder Cases

Denison, Texas, May 5, 1893 – Charles Luttrell, who is to hang on May 17 for murder has made an application for pardon to Governor Hogg.

It developed last night that Luttrell had made a startling statement in regard to the terrible butchery of women here last spring that will probably secure him a pardon or commutation of sentence to life imprisonment.

It is alleged that Luttrell confessed that since 1878 James Brown, John Carlisle and friends had killed 248 men in order to destroy testimony against them in murder cases. In 1878 James Brown killed a stableman; John Carlisle was induced to kill another man named Sparks and Tom Shannon, their latest victim was an eye witness to both murders.

There were many other eyewitnesses and Brown and Carlisle being wealthy started in to kill evidence against them and Luttrell’s confession is but a glimpse of the awful reality of the unparalleled series of crimes that cost 248 men their lives and the perpetrators millions of dollars.

Luttrell would not give the names of the victims, but claims if afforded protection he will tell enough to satisfy the authorities his story his true. (--New York Herald, May 6, 1893, page 7, transcribed by Peggy Thompson)

DOUBLE HANGING IN TEXAS

Sherman, Tex., May 15 – Charles Luttrell and John Carlisle, who murdered William T. Sherman, were hanged here at 2:17 p.m.  (--Aberdeen Daily News, May 15, 1893, page 1, transcribed by Peggy Thompson) 

Child Dead-Mother Injured.
Denison, Tex., Aug. 5-Thursday evening while the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Willard of 831 West Texas street was playing with a toy stove, her clothing caught fire and she was so severely burned she died this morning. The mother who was very ill with typhoid fever, made a heroic effort to save the child's life, was severely burned herself and is in a very critical condition to-day.  (--The Evening News, Maria Texas, August 7, 1899, Presented by Shauna Williams)

Grayson County vital statistics reports show 34  deaths and 89 births during September. --

Grayson County Vital Statistics   Date: 1908-10-04;  --Dallas Morning News   

The Grayson County Summer Normal having been given official recognition yesterday by State Superintendent Lafevre, it is announced today that the session will be held at Austin College in this city, and that the members of the faculty are as follows:  J.E. Blair, superintendent of Denison city school, conductor; P.W. Horn, superintendent of Sherman city schools; J.A. McLaughlin and D.F. Eagleton of Austin College, Miss Lillie Martin of Dallas city schools.  Primary and manual training as well as the matter of State teachers and permanent certificates will be features. The session will open on June 25.  -- Grayson County Normal  Date: 1903-05-19; -- Dallas Morning News  

Grayson County Reunion.  List of Speaks on Program for Old Settlers’ Meeting.  The management of the Old Settler’s Association of Grayson County announces addresses for the coming reunion as follows:  Wednesday, Aug. 9, Mayor A.A. Fielder, Hon. J.D. Woods, Congressman C.B. Randell, Hon. A.C. Cruce of Ardmore, I.T.  Thursday, Aug. 10, Judge M.D. Brooks of Dallas, Hon. Tom Campbell of Palestine.  Friday, Aug. 11, Hon. George T. Jester of Corsicana, Hon. O.B. Colquitt of Austin,  Hon. S.B. Cooper of Beaumont, Congressman Jack Beall of Waxahachie.  Saturday, Aug. 12, Hon. C. K. Bell of Fort Worth, Hon. J.B. Wells of Brownsville. -- Grayson County Reunion  Date: 1905-07-27; -- Dallas Morning News   

Stolen, from Sherman on the 29^th, one dark bay horse, 4 years old, no brands, 14 ½ hands high, knot on the back made by a saddle, several marks on the back where he was bitten by another horse.  Hadon a red leather saddle made by H.S. Kimball, red leather bridle and red saddle blanket.  Will pay $25 for the horse and thief.  R.L. McAfee, sheriff Grayson County. -- Sheriffs' Department  Date: 1892-11-02; -- Dallas Morning News  

Look out for a man about 5 feet 10 inches high, heavy set, weighs 180 pounds, heavy red mustache, red-faced, little hair on nose, scar on one cheek, wanted for theft of buggy and team; have got buggy and team; $25 reward by E.F. Ford and Dick Dickson for his arrest and delivery in any jail in state.  R.L. McAfee, sheriff of Grayson County.--  Sheriffs' Department Date: 1891-01-07; --Dallas Morning News  

One sorrel mare, 15 ½ hands, no brand, collar marks, heavy set and fat, left eye weak, small star in forehead, righthind foot white.  A liberal reward for any information leading to recovery by J.T. Pickett, Jamison, Tex., and if stolen I will give $10 for thief delivered to me in any jail in the state.  R.L. McAfee, sheriff Grayson County. -- Sheriffs' Department Date: 1891-01-07; -- Dallas Morning News

Held for Contempt, Sherman, Tex., Aug. 20.--District Judge Bliss held that O. Robertson was in contempt of court for not having paid to his wife, Emma D. Robertson, the alimony ordered by the court pending the calling of the divorce proceedings between them for trial on the third Monday in September. The order to the Sheriff was to hold him until he paid the plaintiff, his wife, the sum of $25.--  Date: August 21, 1897; --  Fort Worth Register   

Hunter Dies of Wound, Sherman, Texas, June 9.--Malcolm Hunter of Sherman, who was shot by a hotel man named Hoffman at Muskogee, Okla., last night, died a few hours afterward. His father, J. P. Hunter, and brother Morris Hunter, left at once for Muskogee. -- Date: June 9, 1910, --  Fort Worth Star-Telegram  

Sherman Woman Burned by Gas, Sherman, April 23.--Mrs. V. B. Zachary of East Sherman was perhaps fatally burned Saturday afternoon when she started to light a gas oven where a child had turned on the gas. She was burned about the face, head and body. Date: April 24, 1921, --  Fort Worth Star-Telegraph   

Remarkable Accident. A Farmer Severely Wounded by a Winchester Ball Fired a Mile Away. Pilot Grove, Tex., Feb. 6.--A very painful accident occurred to Mr. George Marshall at his home about two miles north of this place Wednesday morning. He was plowing in the field when a stray ball from the winchester of a sportsman, about one mile distance struck him in the back part of the thigh and passing almost through, lodged just under the femoral artery, inflicting a very painful, if not dangerous wound. Date: February 10 1889. --  Dallas Morning News

Another Account:

Whitewright, Tex., Feb. 9.--Yesterday Rome Roberts shot at a hawk on his yard fence with a winchester rifle. The bullet missed the hawk and penetrated the left thigh of George Marshall, who was at work in his field one mile distant. Mr. Roberts came to town and carried out a physician to extricate the ball. Mr. Marshall's wound is quite painful, but not serious.

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