In “Our Community: Organization and Development of Nolan County – Heritage of the Great Southwest,” Lelia Jeanette Wade crafts a compelling narrative that spans the rugged early days of Nolan County, Texas, to its thriving presence in the early 20th century. Through a detailed exploration, Wade unveils the indomitable spirit of the pioneers, the complex interactions with Native American tribes, and the transformative impact of technological advancements like the railroad on this remote corner of the Southwest.
This manuscript, self-published in 1960, not only documents the historical milestones of Nolan County but also encapsulates the essence of the American West’s evolution. With a keen eye on both the macro and micro, Wade guides us through the arrival of the first white settlers in 1873, their conflicts and collaborations with indigenous peoples, the rise of ranching and farming as economic mainstays, and the pivotal role of Sweetwater as the county’s heart.
Through the lens of “Our Community,” readers are invited to traverse the journey of settlers who transformed a harsh landscape into a livable region. The narrative is enriched with anecdotes of daily life, revealing the fabric of a community knitted together through hardship, innovation, and the pursuit of prosperity. Wade delves into the establishment of the first institutions, from schools to hospitals, which laid the groundwork for Sweetwater’s development into a regional hub.
This manuscript is not just a historical account; it’s a homage to the resilience of those who ventured into the unknown to lay down roots in Nolan County. Through stories of buffalo hunts, encounters with the railroad, and the establishment of governance and social order, Wade paints a vivid picture of a community’s evolution. It’s a tale of survival, growth, and the enduring spirit of the American West, making “Our Community” an essential read for those interested in the rich tapestry of Texas history and the broader narrative of the American frontier.
Table of Contents
PART I Growth and Development of Nolan County and Sweetwater, Texas
| Title | Page # |
|---|---|
| Foreword | 1 |
| The Buffalo and Buffalo Hunters | 5 |
| Pioneering in the West | 7 |
| Indians and Indian Weapons | 10 |
| The Panhandle of Texas | 12 |
| Sweetwater Creek | 15 |
| Nolan County, “Our Community” | 17 |
| Dora, First Settlement in Nolan County | 23 |
| Law and Government Come to Nolan County | 24 |
| The Stagecoach Plays Its Part | 28 |
| Railroads Come to Nolan County | 29 |
| Ranching Comes to Nolan County | 32 |
| Old Settlers of Nolan County | 38 |
| First Things First in Sweetwater | 41 |
| Sweetwater, “Distributing Center of West Texas” | 43 |
| Sweetwater Post Office, Then and Now | 48 |
| Governments of Sweetwater | 51 |
| Banking in Sweetwater, Early-Day and Today | 53 |
| Sweetwater Hospitals | 56 |
| Entertainment of the Early Days | 57 |
| Entertainment in Nolan County and Sweetwater Today | 60 |
| Churches, Early-Day and Modern | 62 |
| Sweetwater Schools Then and Now | 67 |
| Sweetwater School Boards Through the Years | 71 |
| An Indian Raid Through Nolan County | 73 |
PART II “Tales of the Old West”
| Title | Page # |
|---|---|
| A Would-Be Sheep Raiser | 80 |
| The Cowboy, Two Ladies, and a Horse | 81 |
| The Cowboy and the School Teacher | 82 |
| Prairie Dog Town in the Olden Days | 83 |
| Rabbits and the Depression | 84 |
| Excerpts from a Governor’s Speech | 85 |
| The Razor-Back Hogs | |
| A Carload of Chickens | |
| Skipping Down the Stairs | 86 |
Illustrations and Maps
| Title | Page # |
|---|---|
| The Lower Plains (Introductory Map) | |
| The Buffalo | 4-5 |
| The Gun that Killed 10,000 Buffaloes | 6 |
| Pioneering in the West | 7 |
| The Sentinel | 9 |
| Early Indian Weapons | 11 |
| The Panhandle (Map) | 12 |
| The Creek for Which “Our Town” Was Named | 14 |
| Nolan County (Map) | 16 |
| Philip Nolan | 18 |
| Products of Nolan County | 20 |
| Dora, First Settlement in Nolan County (Map) | 22 |
| First Sheriff of Nolan County | 25 |
| Law and Government Come to Nolan County | 26 |
| Early Stage Coach | 27 |
| First Texas and Pacific Engine in Nolan County | 29 |
| Railroads Come to Nolan County (Map) | 30 |
| An Early-Day Cowboy in Nolan County | 32 |
| Cowboy of the Range | 33 |
| An Early-Day Ranch | 34 |
| A Modern-Day Ranch | 34 |
| Home on the Range | 35 |
| Old Settlers of Nolan County | 37 |
| The Music Makers | 39 |
| Sweetwater, “Distributing Center” (Map) | 44 |
| Street Scene in Early-Day Sweetwater | 45 |
| Early-Day Post Office, 1897 | 47 |
| Post Offices in Sweetwater | 49 |
| Thomas Trammell, a Real Pioneer | 53 |
| Entertainment in Early-Day Sweetwater and Nolan County | 58 |
| First Church in Sweetwater | 61 |
| First Methodist Church in Sweetwater | 61 |
| First Christian Church | 63 |
| First Presbyterian Church | 64 |
| First Baptist Church | 65 |
| Trinity Baptist Church | 66 |
| Sweetwater’s First School | 68 |
| Sweetwater’s First Stone School | 68 |
| A Modern School, John H. Reagan Junior High | 70 |
| Indian Raid Through Nolan County (Map) | 74 |
| Tree Where the Baby Was Hanged | 75 |
| “Wanted, Dead or Alive” | 79 |
