Forney Happenings 1884
Forney
Dallas Weekly Herald
1 May 1884
FORNEY, April 27 – (Correspondence) – Forney was visited last night by one of the heaviest rains ever known here accompanied by considerable winds and immense lightning. Railroad hands have been watching bridge across Buffalo all day, as it seemed nothing would prevent it from going. Farmers will necessarily be thrown behind with crops if we have any more rain, and it seems now we have it before morning.
Colonel Pfouts, of the Herald, was with us this morning. He was sorry to learn we had a local option town. He left at 10:40 for Terrell.
B.M. Terrell and Bud Wilson have their new drug store completed, which will be an ornament to Forney.
I have just learned that Harry Bros., camp on East Fork is being completely overflowed. Ed. Harry was last seen setting on a scaffold which he had erected, about six feet in the water. All hands will be compelled to leave their bois d’arc quarters.
Politics are beginning to boom here. We are for Gibbs first, last and all the time. Mr. Nash has many strong friends here.
Forney
Dallas Weekly Herald
19 June 1884
FORNEY, June 13 – Forney is now very quiet as far as business is concerned. We are having some little excitement to-day, as to-morrow will tell us who shall be our city officers. We have quite a number of aspirants for aldermanic honors, and in fact the race will be very interesting through the entire ticket.
Our hay men are now taking advantage of the sunshine. They are bringing it in at the rate of ten car loads per day and are crowded with orders. This is regarded as the hay centre of north Texas, at least our producers say they are patronized from every section of the state.
Dr. Sewell has just completed the school census of this precinct. It numbers 100, the second school precinct of the county. We would like to have a first class teacher to come among us and build up a permanent school.
Farmers are quite busy and will in a few days have their crops in good condition. We will yet make an average crop, everything being favorable from this time.
Terrell
Boisterous Negroes – Political
Galveston Daily News
Monday 7 July 1884, Page 2
Terrell, July 6 – A crowd of negroes, returning to Forney from this place yesterday evening, created no little commotion among the passengers on the train by their rude and boisterous conduct, which finally culminated in a fight between the two negroes and a man by the name of Butler. One of the negroes was severely beaten; the other parties were not hurt much. All were arrested at Forney.
J.O. Terrell, of this city, and T.F. Nash, of Dallas, candidate for the state Senate, spoke at Forney last night. Those of the citizens who attended were well satisfied with the effort of the candidate.
Hotel Arrivals
Dallas Daily Herald
Saturday, 26 July 1884, Page 2
At the St. George: R.T. Turner and family, Forney; W.S. Newton and L.R. Strand, Forney; D. Reagin, Forney; G.H. Crawford, Forney.
Special Spray
Dallas Daily Herald
Saturday, 2 August 1884, Page 5
Mr. William George, commonly known in Dallas as Texas Bill, but now of Abilene, is visiting his brother-in-law, Mr. Bondies of Forney.
The Baptists of Forney are holding a revival under the management of Rev. Dunn. Quite an interest is being felt and many accessions are expected to the church ere the meeting closes.
A Forney special says: Mr. Mat Green and Mrs. Nora Mitchell were married last night at the residence of Mr. P.E. Yates. Both are favorites of Forney, and each may say they have wisely chosen. Thus the good work goes on.
Fence Cutting at Forney
Dallas Daily Herald
Saturday, 16 August 1884, Page 2
From a gentleman, who arrived in the city yesterday from Forney, it is learned that four or five miles of Mr. Hope Johnson’s fencing near that place was cut Thursday night. There is considerable feeling in that section against the cutters, who are not known.
From Forney
Dallas Weekly Herald
28 August 1884
FORNEY, Aug. 26 – Forney has been enjoying a series of meetings during the last month. It seems that they will never stop until the last sinner has returned. The Methodist and Presbyterians are having at this time a very interesting revival, under the management of Rev.s Hornbeak and McQuirter.
Prof. B.M. Terrell’s school commences on the 1st of September. He has enrolled 170 scholars. He has secured the prices of Miss Lizzie Holsey, of Chatfield, as music teacher. There is now in contemplation a fine school building, to be built north of the railroad, as the present one is not sufficient.
Parties continue to depredate upon Hope Johnson. After calling his wire, they returned a few nights since and dried his hay stack, pulled up and burned about 140 of his fence posts. The officers are doing everything possible to bring the offenders to justice.
A fine bridge is soon to span the East Fork on the Terrell and Dallas roads.
Crops are much better than was thought for some weeks since. Corn is about an average. Cotton will make from one-quarter to one-half bale per acre.
A party of ladies and gentlemen from Terrell came in on the train to-day bound for Daugherty’s lake for a fish. Among the ladies noticed was Mrs. Stanbridge, Miss maples and the Missess Annie Childress, Beulah McClardy, Lelia Moore. Among the men were Capt. Ben Gill and Major Tom Griffith. They were joined here by Cols. Roguet and Alexander and merry time is expected judging from the amount of ice and lemons they had on hand. The ladies had their baskets full of good things to eat.
From Forney
Dallas Daily Herald
Sunday, 23 November 1884, Page 3
FORNEY, Nov. 21 – (Correspondence) – Forney has at last recovered from the effects and excitement of the election, and comes in boldly for her share of the honors in the glorious Democratic victory just over. Forney celebrated the same in many ways.
Messrs. Alf. Davis and Trezevant, also R.V. Tompkins, of Dallas, were out yesterday on a gunning expedition in this section. The game they bagged will not cause them to come again, soon, I fear.
The greatest social event of the season was given last night at the Forney hotel in honor of the department of Miss Mittie Jackson, of Sabine Pass, formerly of this place. She leaves to-morrow, much to the regret of all.
The dance was continued until a late hour. Present were the Misses Watkins, Holsey, Self, Boles, Griffin, Reagan, Payton, Daugherty, Malone, and several others whose names I now fail to remember. It was an event long to be remembered.
H.H. Sowell was recently appointed mayor of Forney, Mayor Venner having resigned on account of private business.
Hotel Arrivals
Dallas Daily Herald
Thursday, 11 December 1884, Page 2
At the St. George: L.N. Riter, Forney; D. Reagan, Forney; W.O. Weaver, Forney; A.M. Perry, Forney; S.H. Wideman, J.W.A. Walker and wife, Forney; R.P. Rhea, Forney, J.S. Clements, Forney.
Hotel Arrivals
Dallas Daily Herald
Sunday, 16 November 1884, Page 2
At the St. George: B. Alexander, Forney; A.B. Clements, Forney; C.H. Wilkerson, Forney.
