Forney Happenings 1885
Notes from Forney
Dallas Daily Herald
Wednesday, 4 February 1885, Page 3
Forney, Feb. 1 – Forney, like all towns situated in the black land, is at this time very disagreeable to the pedestrian farmers, though they have taken advantage of the sunshine and have done good work on their farms. Every one fully realizes the stringent times and is making every effort for a good crop, for nothing less will assist the tillers of the soil.
Justice Sewell’s court is in session to-day. W.H. Allen, of Terrell, is in attendance, having several important cases pending.
Miss Laura Melone, of Dallas, is visiting friends in Forney, but will return to her home to-day.
David Craigheed, former owner and proprietor of the Forney Register, left us yesterday, having sold the same to Mr. Cox, of Kaufman. We regret losing such a journalist and citizen; while it is our loss it is Plano’s gain, and they will never regret his accession to their citizenship. He is an editor, able generous and kind. We wish him success in his new field of labor.
Miss Lizzie Holsey paid a flying visit to the capital city yesterday and speaks in glowing terms of acquaintances she made.
Forney is offering great inducements for a good, substantial dry goods merchant, one who can assist the farmer.
J.T. Straten, of Galveston, is doing our merchants to-day. His cheerfulness has much to do toward encouraging our merchants and farmers.
H.W. Ragnet, of Terrell, is also among us greeting his many friends. Henry is regarded here a dude.
Forney
Dallas Daily Herald
Thursday, 9 July 1885, Page 5
Forney, July 8 – This section was again visited yesterday by one of the heaviest rains of the season. Farmers still complain of worms on cotton.
Henry M. Guest, of Columbia, Tennessee, h as leased the Forney hotel.
Miss Laura Malone, of Dallas, opened a summer school here yesterday.
Professor R.M. Terrell, of Forney, has been appointed vice-president of the Normal school at Terrell, of which Professor Groves, of Dallas, is principal. A large attendance is predicted.
A.T. Tillery exhibited a turnip this morning, grown on black soil, weighing 8 5/8 pounds and measuring 34 inches around.
John T. Harris, of Marion, Perry County, Alabama, a capitalist, is visiting relatives and friends, and has decided to make large investments here in real estate. He is highly pleased with Texas.
J.A. Crawford, of Bradley County, Arkansas, a brother of G.H. Crawford, of this place, is here and has decided to cast his lot in the Lone Star State.
The town council met yesterday and appointed E.G. Crawford deputy marshal, levied a tax, and will proceed to assess and collect the same at once.
As the town cannot go any longer without a calaboose, from this time on the way of the transgressor in Forney will be hard, and ye tramps beware.
Mrs. J.W. Reend [Reed?] is yet very low with typhoid fever.
Harry Bros.’ camp is again overflowed, causing another suspension of bois d’arc business. Ed is here and takes the matter cool, and says he will rush things when the sun shines.
Forney
Dallas Weekly Herald
Thursday, 16 July 1885, Page 8
FORNEY, July 14 – (Special) – Yesterday and to-day have been the warmest days of the season. The thermometer was 98 in the shade.
Farmers are rushing everything to clean their crops. Hay men are again mowing with full force in their meadows. It is estimated that there is being put up within a radius of five miles of Forney an average of 200 tons per day.
Mr. Tom Layton agreed yesterday to put up a brick store house 50 by 80, west of Forney Hotel. The house will be built immediately.
A move is on foot to organize a mercantile firm with such men as William Burgett, G.W. Reynolds and Dr. Sowell. When such men as these take hold of anything no such word as fail is known to them.
Mr. O.B. Clemens lost his fine Norman stallion last night. He choked himself to death with a halter.
Forney is soon to have a harness shop.
Ed. Harry returned from Dallas today.
Miss Bud Thomas is visiting her sister, Mrs. J.W. Record, who is now convalescing.
C.B. Carter & Co. have begun to replenish their wagon yard for the fall trade. W.J. Laugran ordered 35 cars.
Forney calculates to boom this fall, as she is going to make efforts to secure the Tyler Narror Gauge. Mayor Herndon has given some of the business men to understand that Forney can get the road if she will only exert herself.
Bound for Forney
Galveston Daily News
Sunday, 30 August 1885, Page 10
Longview, August 29 – Burt Garland, the alleged murderer of Dan Henderson, at Forney, last Tuesday, was here to-day in custody of Sheriff Williams. They took the noon train for Forney.
Forney Notes
Dallas Weekly Herald
Thursday, 17 September 1885, Page 5
FORNEY, Sept. 14, – Death has at last, after an illness of 54 days, taken from us one of our most useful and esteemed citizens, Dr. C.B. Sowell. Everything was done for him that was known to skill. Dr. Stroud was the attending physician, instead of Strong, as appeared in my last communication. Dr. York, of Decatur, an old friend and school-mate of Dr. Sowell, came yesterday – only arrived in time to see him breathe his last. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity; also a member of the Knights of Honor. In the former he had a policy of $1,000, in the latter $2,000. He will be buried to-morrow at 3 p.m., by the Masons.
Ed Harry who has been here for several months getting out paving timber for Dallas, finished his contract Saturday and left yesterday for Dallas, his home. We regret to lose him, for he was a fond associate and worthy gentleman. From all accounts, we shall see him occasionally.
The county seat question was fully discussed here Saturday, both pro and con. Each town was fully represented. This seems to be the battle-ground, as Terrell and Kaufman both seem to think this precinct will decide the matter.
Captain Harry Frees, of Dallas, is among us to-day, greeting his many friends and customers.
Jesse Moore, of Duck Creek, Dallas county, has purchased the farm formerly owned by J.B. Dallas, near Forney, and will soon be one of our citizens. We welcome all such as Uncle Jesse.
Forney
Dallas Weekly Herald
Thursday, 24 September 1885, Page 7
FORNEY, Sept. 19 – (Special) The election resulted to-day, 406 for Kaufman and 218 for Terrell.
Note: This is about the election to determine which city became the County Seat of Kaufman County.
Forney
Dallas Weekly Herald
Thursday, 15 October 1885, Page 5
FORNEY, Oct. 12 – (Special) This section was visited this morning by a heavy rain and a strong wind, doing some damage to cotton in the field, but by 12 o’clock the sky was clear and every one had gone to the cotton field again.
Shands & Co. started their gin again this morning, which has been idle for some days, having bursted the boiler last week.
Cotton is turning out fine in this section and both gins are run to their utmost capacity. There have been over 1,000 bales put up here by the two gins and mostly marketed here.
Forney
Galveston Daily News
Friday, 16 October 1885, Page 2
Forney, October 15 – C.A. Ruth, formerly of Whitney, is in the city arranging to open up a bank. He will occupy one room of the Layden brick building, and says he will begin business within sixty days. Thus moves this proud little city on the broad road to distinguished glory. The next thing Forney needs is a first-class custom-mill, and then she will be fixed to compete with any town in the country.
Rev. S.M. Templeton, of Dallas, is here to-day, arranging with delegates from the Presbyterian churches of Mesquite, Poetry, Rockwall and Forney in regard to pastoral work.
Professor B.M. Terrell, who has been superintending the public schools of Forney for the past three years, has rented and comfortably arranged the Bools building, and in the future will conduct a first-class school here.
Forney News
Dallas Weekly Herald
12 November 1885
FORNEY, Nov. 10 – Special. Monday evening as No. 1, a passenger train, was going west under Conductor Ben Collins, two tramps boarded the train for a blind baggage ride. The negro porter ordered them off, and one refused. The negro picked up a burt cinder, weighing about five pounds, and threw it with all his force, hitting the poor, unfortunate creature in the face, completely smashing his nose and otherwise disfiguring him. The man fell to the ground in an insensible state. Dr. Stroud attended him and dressed his wounds, and he is still here in a pitiable condition. The party injured claims to be E.C. Andrews, from St. Louis.
Warrants were issued for the arrest of the negro, but he was telegraphed to from this point concerning it, and he has abandoned his run. The people are very much incensed over the affair, and should the gentleman be caught he will receive a full bond.
Miss Ida Crawford, a charming young lady, and daughter of Captain Jones Crawford, was married to Mr. William Dallas this evening at ? o’clock by Rev H.I. McQuirter. An elegant reception was given by the bride’s parents to her many friends.
Professor John Kelly, the celebrated California violinist, gives a concert tonight at the Forney Hall.
A new telegraph operator arrived recently at Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Newtons. Mother and father both doing well.
Dr. Goodman, of Tyler, arrived today to visit G.W. Reynolds, of this town. Mr. Reynolds is improving and Dr. Stroud, his physician, thinks, with no change, he will recover.
