An interesting letter to the Crosbyton Cemetery committee this week from Mr. J. P. (Johnny) Goins of the Fairview community tells some interesting facts about the time in 1909 when the Crosbyton cemetery was first laid out. Mr. Goins letter was in response to a card from the committee soliciting funds for the upkeep and improvement of the cemetery. The letter is reprinted here:
My Dear Gentlemen:
You will please find enclosed check for $5.00 to apply on your cemetery work. I am quite sure you have adopted a very fine system to beautify the "beautiful city of the Dead".
To the best of my knowledge, it was on the 9th day of January, 1909, in the a.m., that Mr. T. J. Walling, generally known as "Jay", foreman of the -N- Ranch; a young cowboy by name of Buck Creamer, and myself, laid off the first original cemetery. A young married man from northeast Tennessee was expecting to pass away. But he did not. His name was James Boggs.
In the first part of the year of 1909 a Mrs. Oliver, who lived close to where the old Bunkhouse stood - and that is where the post office stands and slightly north - lost her little daughter; and she was the first person to be buried in the cemetery.
I will state here and now that Mr. Julian M. Bassett, as I remember very distinctly, came out of the Crosbyton Review office and these were his actual words: "Jay (referring to Mr. Walling), you be sure and take in aplenty of land while you can get it free." It was a very windy and dry morning. Mr. Walling was riding a bay horse by name of Johnnie. I was riding a gray horse; Buck, a big chestnut sorrel. And that morning Mr. Creamer showed me how a horse could pitch - just in front of the bunk house, close to where Mr. Smith's hotel now stands.
I shall always remember Mr. Walling as a very fine Christian gentleman, who was called from the stage of action in July 1911. And I am quite sure he was buried in the Floydada cemetery. With a very short acquaintance, Buck Creamer and I became very good friends. And if I am correctly informed, he owns a farm at Goodland, Texas.
On February 24th, 1944, our one and only son, an invalid, was layed to his final rest, in the new addition of the cemetery, in the "beautiful city" with my many friends and acquaintances who have long since passed t their reward.
I shall be glad to make further contributions to your good work.
J.P. GOINS