History of West Texas Old Settlers Reunion
The West Texas Old Settlers Reunion was organized in Crosbyton on September 24, 1926, at the Crosby County Fair. The officers elected for the incoming year were Judge Pink L. Parrish, president; R.B. (Bob) Smith, vice-president; and J.J. (Pat) Murphy, secretary-treasurer. The executive committee appointed were W.P. Lamar, S.M. Walker, H.S. Smyers, John K. Fullingim, C.O. Roy, and N.Y. Bickell.An interesting incident that happened at the first reunion was that John McDermett, who was sheriff of Crosby County, arrested George W. Smith, but instead of handcuffs, presented him a Memorial Loving Cup which had the inscription - "To the person who has resided the most number of years in Crosby County." George was only one when his family, the Hank Smith's, moved to Crosby County in 1876.
The reunions have been held continuously since 1926. For many years they were held at the Hank Smith Memorial Park in Blanco Canyon at the site of the Old Rock House, the home of the Hank Smiths. People from many states attended and for several years the attendance reached into thousands. All old settlers looked forward to this big event of the year.
During the war years of 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1946 the reunion was not held because of World War II. In 1947 the meetings were resumed and were held in the three towns, Crosbyton, Ralls, and Lorenzo. Many interesting programs and many good speakers have been listed on these programs through the years.
Another very important highlight in the celebrations of the West Texas Old Settlers was the dedication of the Pioneer Memorial Building which was donated by Mrs. W.P. Lamar in memory of the pioneers of this entire area. This was really a dream of Mrs. Lamar's which became a reality in 1958.
In 1966 the directors and all present voted that the reunion would be held in the Pioneer Memorial Building in Crosbyton.
Another very interesting part of the program each year is the "Old Fiddlers Contest." Mrs. Dulaney Davis has been in charge of this part of the program for many years.
It is very interesting to read the constitution and by-laws of this organization. These were written by the directors in 1926 and approved by the old timers and pioneers in 1927.
As the years have passed many of the pioneers and old settlers have passed on to a place of a greater reunion, "The Great Beyond", but the younger generations have tried to carry on the great traditions that these rugged pioneers started and so ably carried out.
Researched by Evelyn Smith Lowrie 1969
Newspaper Article on Old Settlers Attending in August 1933
Submitted by Craig McDonald
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Crosby County TXGenWeb Project
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