In 1919 Babe and Mable Berry moved from Rotan to Spur. Dad was a brick and rock mason and built most of the older houses and buildings in Spur. My parents lived out their lives in the Spur community and never lived any other place after having moved here. There were five children; Monna M., Howard S., Norlin, Margaret and Barbara. We all attended the Spur schools with the exception of Howard who died in infancy.My first teachers in school were Fannie Kelly and Nina Grace which was in 1920. That same year Spur was hit by a bad epidemic of smallpox and almost every family in town was quarantined. A big yellow rag was tacked to every house, which was under quarantine, and no one could come or go from their house until they were over the smallpox.
For entertainment there was a large Harley Sadler tent show which came to town and everyone attended whether or not they were really able. Also, once a year in the Fall we had a big Dickens Co. Fair located South of town. It was also the football stadium and had a race track. The exhibition building was at the North end and livestock, food, quilts, etc. were shown. A large carnival would usually come to town and it was the highlight of the year.
Most of the families in Spur were very similar. Our parents worked every day to give us the things we needed and we were poor but we didn´t realize it as almost everyone was in the same situation. The families just had fun together and everyone went to whatever entertainment the town had to offer.
The kids´ pride and joy was the beautiful Spur Inn and it really was a show place, we thought. No one but rich people could enter. At the back of the building there was the big servant´s quarters and beautiful cars pulling in and out. It was the Swenson´s office and headquarters but to us, it was much more than that. Later they allowed us to have a banquet there and we still thought it was really something.
Several of the children´s parents opened up their homes to the high school to have parties and dances; for example, Kate Senning, R.E. Dickson, Mrs. McClure and many more. Spur has always been known for its gracious people who love helping other people and that is why I´m glad to be a Spurite.
Most of our school picnics and parties were at Silver Falls Lake just North of where the Spillway is now. There was a place to swim, dance and skate.
I graduated in 1931 and we went to Medicine Park, Okla. on our Senior Trip and the cost was $9.00 each for three days. We had a great time! I married Paul Bateman in 1932. Our children are Jo Ann, Paula and Russell.
Our family has always taken pride in being from Spur; we have always supported the Spur Bulldogs. There is no better place to live than Spur.
...Monna BatemanSource: Dickens County History...its Land and People © Dickens Historical Commission; Printer: Craftsman Inc. Lubbock, Texas 1986
Services were held Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church, Spur, for Monna Mae Bateman, 74. Church pastor Rev. George Price, Jr., officiated, assisted by Dr. Ned Hicks, pastor of the First Christian Church.Mrs. Bateman died suddenly at the South Dickens County Senior Citizens where she was serving as site director. Justice of the peace Woodie McArthur ruled death was due to natural causes.
Born in Rotan on October 22, 1913, she had lived most of her life in Dickens County. She was Food Service Supervisor for the Spur Public School for many years. She was a member of the American Association of Retired persons. Senior Citizens and the Mary Martha Sunday School class.
She was a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include one son, Russell Bateman, Shallowater; one daughter, Jo Ann Hill, Slaton; one sister, Margaret Baker, Lubbock; five grandchildren and one great grandchild. A daughter, Paula, preceded her in death.
Honorary pallbearers included R.J.Bell, Guy Karr, Tang Smith, Pete Day, Claude Barclay, Alvis Bilberry, Bob Conner, Leo Day, Sr., A.C. Sharp and O.A. Vaughn.
Active pallbearers included Bryan Bateman, Glenn William´s, Dale Gray, L.B. Monsey, Bryan Monsey and Stanley Bateman.
Burial was in Spur Memorial Cemetery with Campbell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
©The Texas Spur, November 19, 1987
Obit submitted by Lillian Grace Nay
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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