Spearman Reporter Headlines

by Gary Ellsworth, Reporter Statesman Contributor

100 Years Ago – 6/1/1923

$75,000.00 BOND ISSUE FOR SPEARMAN SCHOOL

Petition Signed by Large Property Owners is Submitted to the School Board – Election June 30.

Appreciating the fact that an enormous amount of work must be done before the beginning of the next school term, if Spearman has a school building adequate to the needs of the Spearman Independent school district, a movement originated among the property owners of the district the first of this week, to have the school board call an election to vote on the proposition of issuing $75,000.00 in bonds of the Spearman Independent School District for the purpose of erecting a suitable school building. A petition was circulated among the property owners, which was signed by practically everyone to whom it was presented. This petition was presented to the school board, and they accordingly called for an election to be held Saturday, June 30, 1923, to allow the voters of the district to express themselves either for or against the proposition. The school board is preparing the notices and taking other steps toward holding the election, and in all things are acting with great care, that no mistakes may occur which would delay the work of construction should the voters of the district decided by their ballots that the bonds should be issued. We have heard practically no opposition to the proposition. It seems to be the universal opinion that Spearman must have a school building, and that is the proper course to pursue. The Reporter believes that the present school board is capable of handling the proposition in a creditable manner that the proposition will carry with very little opposition. Our school is our greatest asset, and we should have suitable buildings, equipment, etc., that it may hold the enviable position to which it has risen in the past three years.

Ford Weekly Purchase Plan

Following out our policy of extending the facilities of this bank in whatever way we can to serve the public we have arranged to give our co-operation to the new Ford Weekly Purchase Plan. We realize what the automobile means to the average family in bringing them greater enjoyment of life, and we believe our action in helping those who desire to become Ford owners will be appreciated by many families who can now realize that ambition through the new Ford Weekly Purchase Plan. Under this plan, you begin with an initial deposit as low as $5.00. Then select the type of Ford Car you want — Touring Car, Runabout, Coupe, Sedan, etc., — and arrange to make weekly deposits on which interest will be computed at our regular savings rate. Come in and let us explain the Ford Weekly Purchase Plan to you, or, if you wish, go to the nearest Ford Dealer for further details. Start today, and before you realize it you will be driving your own car. The First National Bank of Spearman

75 Years Ago – 6/3/1948

Vote Favors Bond to Build New Gymnasium

Out of 96 votes cast at Gruver in the election held Saturday 75 votes favored issuing and selling $40,000.00 in bonds for building a new Gymnasium, and 21 were cast against the issuing and selling bonds for building a new gymnasium. The election carried and work will begin soon on the construction of the new building for the Gruver Independent School District.

Important Notice

Bert Kellner has taken over the responsibility of cleaning the alleys in the business and residential districts of Spearman. The accounts for this service are due July 1st. Those who have not paid are instructed to pay the bills at the Hale building, to Mrs. Kirkham. Charges are $1.00 per month residential service and $3.00 per month for business houses. I am not in a position to keep books and send statements and if you are satisfied with my work and want me to continue, please take the responsibility of paying at the Hale Building.

50 Years Ago – 5/30/1973

6 Counties Released From Quarantine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) lifted the restrictions May 24 on the movement of cattle in six more Texas Panhandle counties as a result of actions taken to eliminate cattle scabies— an infectious skin disease. The action brings to 26 the number of Panhandle counties from which quarantines for cattle scabies have been lifted by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) since April. Counties released from the quarantine were Dallam, Hansford, Hutchinson, Moore, Oldham, and Sherman. They were quarantined in December 1971. All cattle in these counties have been inspected by USDA. or Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) livestock inspectors prior to the May 24 action, explained APHIS officials. Cattle found Infected or exposed to the disease were treated with a USDA-approved cattle dip and upon reinspection were found free of scabies. Cattle ready for slaughter were transported, under isolation, directly to federally inspected slaughtering plants to prevent the disease from spreading to other cattle.

APHIS veterinarians explained that scabies is caused by tiny parasitic mites which feed on the skin of cattle. Cattle with scabies lick, tub, and scratch to relieve the intense itching caused by the mites. The infection does not affect the animals meat, but the skin irritation can be costly to cattlemen through loss of weight and decreased feed efficiency in infected animals. APHIS officials said the six-county inspection covered 86, 000 cattle on 156 ranches or feed lots in Dallam County; 174,000 cattle on 180 properties in Hansford County; 61,000 cattle on 250 properties in Hutchinson County; 59,000 cattle on 63 properties in Moore County; 29,000 cattle on 76 properties in Oldham County, and 110,000 cattle on 63 properties in Sherman County. Eight counties in Texas, and eight more in New Mexico, still remain under quarantine for cattle scabies, and therefore no cattle can be shipped out of these counties without first undergoing close examination for scabies infection, said APHIS veterinarians. They are Carson, Castro, Deaf Smith, Hartley, Ochiltree, Parmer, Potter, and Randall counties in Texas; and Chaves, Curry, DeBaca. Guadalupe, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Torrence, and Quay counties in New Mexico. APHIS officials said that the inspection of all cattle in these 16 counties is continuing.