Olen C. Arthur, born March 14, 1891, in Eastland County, Texas, moved to Dickens County in 1898 with his parent J.E. (Dink) and Elmina Bowen Arthur to homestead farmland three miles north of Dickens. He graduated from Dickens Schools in 1910, and was employed by Felix C. Gipson as clerk in the mercantile and drug business until 1917, at which time he became deputy tax-collector for the sheriff. On January 31, 1917, he married Georgia Stephens in the home of her parents, C.W. and Allie Fuston Stephens in Dickens. In 1920, he was elected County and District Clerk, serving in that office until January 1927. Five of their six children have memories of: selecting and chopping their own cedar Christmas tree from the breaks east of town; community "Christmas Trees" held at either the Courthouse or Dickens School auditorium; and hiding in the coal-bin or outside bath-house on the approach of Dr. T.H. Blackwell for the purpose of injecting typhoid fever, whooping cough, diphtheria, etc. shots. House call were the common means of medical treatment in Dickens in the 1920´s.The family lived in Quitaque, Texas, from 1927 through 1929, where O.C. was engaged in the retail drug business. The youngest daughter Jean was born there. After the Great Crash of 1929, they returned to Dickens County. In 1932, O.C. was appointed W.P.A. administrator and continued thus to serve until July 1935, when he became the Spur Postmaster. In 1948, he transferred to the Rural Mail Carriers Division, where he remained until his death on January 8, 1956.
O.C. (nicknamed Slim) was deeply interested in the welfare and progress of his community, always active in many civic and service organization. Among these ere: Secretary, Dickens County Democratic Executive Committee; charter member of Spur Knights of Pythias Lodge; Secretary/Treasurer of Spur Rodeo Association; member of Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce; 20 years service on West Texas Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America; and 14 years as elder in the Spur Church of Christ. His influence was continually found on the side of development and upbuilding. For instance, working with many others, his contribution toward the planning and construction of Jones Stadium was obtaining approval and providing Work Projects Administration labor during his tenure as Administrator. He may also be remembered by old-timers as "running and updating" the big blackboard positioned on Burlington on Saturday Nights in July and August following the Democratic Primary Election. Traffic was roped off the "main" street, and citizens gathered to keep posted on the latest returns, which sometimes were not completed until past midnight. In the 1950´s, he enjoyed his favorite hobby as chief chef for large barbecues, including all the trimmings, "hosted" by the Spur Security Bank, and ranchers Oscar McGinty and Guy Goen.
Georgia was active in PTA, 1933 Study Club, and benevolent work in the Spur Church of Christ. Their six children graduated from Spur High School, all participating in the usual extra-curricular activities, such as public speaking, class plays, pep squad/cheerleading, chloral club, and band.
Georgia retired as cafeteria hostess at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, in 1968 and still lives in Abilene. She is grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of sixteen. Nell was married to John A. Moore, Jr. in 1938 and died in Jacksboro in January 1976. Beth W. Jacobs and her four children live in Pryor and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The other four children (Doris, Carl, Mozelle Caraway and Jean Martin) reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
Written by Georgia S. Arthur
Source: "Dickens County, Its Land and People", Dickens County Historical Commission, ©1986
Funeral services for Olen Carl Arthur were conducted at the Spur Church of Christ Monday, January 9, 1956, with C.V. Allen and Bob Copeland, ministers of the church, officiating.Arthur was born March 8, 1891 in Eastland County, Texas and passed away January 8, 1956 at 12:40 p.m. in the Spur Memorial Hospital.
He came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Arthur, to Dickens County on January 2, 1898. He married to Miss Georgia Stephens on January 31, 1917. This marriage was blessed with seven children; Carl of Fort Worth, Miss Doris Arthur of Lubbock, Mrs. Nell Moore of Jacksboro, Mrs. Mozelle Caraway of Dallas, Mrs. Beth Williams of Spur, and Mrs. Jean Martin of Rockford, Illinois. One infant, Velma Rhea, preceded him in death in 1924. Mrs. Georgia Arthur and a host of friends survive to mourn his passing.
Arthur was active in many civic and community affairs. He served as secretary of the Dickens County Democratic Committee for several years. He was Dickens County and District Clerk for six years. He was postmaster at Spur from 1934 to 1948. From 1948 until his passing he was rural mail carrier for route II. Among his other civic and community interests were the youth of the community. He did extensive boys´ club work and scouting.
Arthur became a member of the Church of Christ early in life. He had served as an elder in the Spur Church of Christ for 15 years.
Surviving besides his wife and children is one brother, E.V. Arthur of Dickens. Pallbearers were F.S. Lee, Dalton Johnston, O.L. Kelley, Guy Goen, C.T. Hodge and Tom ?. Interment was in the Dickens Cemetery with Chandler´s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
©The Texas Spur, January 12, 1956
Submitted by Kay Laster
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