|
1st Lt. United States Army Medical Corp. World War I
Dr. T.H. Blackwell came to Dickens in 1903 at the age of twenty one years for the purpose of practicing medicine. He went in all directions from Dickens to see his patients. He was known as "The Cowboy doctor". He rode horseback, in a buggy, and later got a T model Ford car to see his patients. the weather was never too bad for him to go.He was married to Edith Shields in 1912. They have four children, Jack, Ned and Mrs. R. H. Simmons, Spur, and Mrs. Royce Karr, of Fort Worth, TX.
He volunteered for the service in World War I, in 1918. He was in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army attached to the 45th Field Artillery at Camp Stanley, near San Antonio. Later he was transferred to McAllen, TX, where he was with the 4th Cavalry, until the war ended.
They lived in Dickens until 1924, when they moved to Spur. He ran a drugstore, along with the practice of medicine.
Because of the hardships of frontier practice, he had to retire early. They lived in Spur.
Source: History of Dickens County; Ranches and Rolling Plains, Fred Arrington, ©1971
Dr. Thomas H. Blackwell, 83, retired pioneer physician and rancher in Dickens County died November 24 at Spur Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.Born in Parker County, Dr. Blackwell moved to Dickens County in 1903. He had been a resident of Spur since 1924.
Services were held at 2:30 Saturday afternoon in the First Methodist church with Rev. Clarence Stephens, pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. William McReynolds, former pastor here.
Survivors include his wife, Edith; two sons, Jack and Ned Blackwell, both of Spur; two daughters, Mrs. Ray Karr, Fort Worth and Mrs. Rob Simmons, Spur; one sister, Mrs. J.F. Goen, Spur; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Pallbearers included John Glenewinkel, L.D. Ratliff, Joe McDaniel, Bill Bell, R.C. Green, Lynn Busbee, Jerry Ensey and Jim Humphreys.
Dr. Blackwell attended Tulane University Medical School and graduated from Ft. Worth Medical College which later merged with Baylor University. He returned to Tulane for post-graduate study.
He came to Dickens County to practice medicine when he was a very young man--a period when the west was really the west. His transportation was horseback, horse and buggy, motorcycle and finally the automobile.
Dr. Blackwell was never deterred by heat or cold -- he always answered the call. Many times, little or no money was involved -- just a great deal of experience.
He was a true pioneer with lack of pretension, being just what he was, straight forward and sincere. He was a faithful and compassionate doctor and his genial personality helped his patients as much as his medicine.
He was said to be never in a hurry and if conditions required it, he would spend a day and night with the sick. He was the doctor for both the Spur and Pitchfork ranches and often improvised a hospital room in the bunk house for a sick or injured cowboy.
In the early days of Dickens County, he once served as County Surveyor since there was no one else available who was qualified.
He helped organize the Girl Scouts in Spur, and worked with them for many years. He was a charter member of the Spur Rotary Club and a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Dr. Blackwell was a long time honorary member of the Board of Stewards of the First Methodist Church.
During World War I he served as a 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army Medical Corps.
He was owner of City Drug in Spur for a number of years, being forced to retire from its operation and the practice of medicine due to failing health. He devoted his time to his farming and ranching interests.
Friends, especially in Dickens County, have sustained a great loss with his passing. And the era of the country doctor, the doctor on horseback, passed with him.
©The Texas Spur, December 1, 1966
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay, transcribed by Kay Laster
Comittal services for Mrs. Edith Blackwell, 85, will be held today at 9:45 a.m. in the Spur Cemetery. Rev. Archie Echols, church pastor, officiating.Memorial services will be held at First United Methodist church at 10 a.m.
Mrs. Blackwell died about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Crosbyton Hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Brown County in 1892, she married Dr. T.H. Blackwell in Dickens in 1912. He was a pioneer physician. They made their home in Dickens for 12 years then moved to Spur in 1924.
A member of the Metodist Church, Mrs. Blackwell was very active in church and civic affairs until she became ill.
Mrs. Blackwell is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Royce Karr, Granbury; and Beth Blackwell, Spur; two sons, Jack Blackwell, Spur and Ned Blackwell, Washington D.C.; three sisters, Mrs. Adele Doty, Lacy, Washington; Mrs. Kathryn Steadham, Roy, Washington, and Nelda Griffin, Lubbock; one brother, V.H. Shield, Tacoma, Washington; two grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will include Dr. Ed Murray, R.A. Conner, R.C. Green, B.L. Hisey, Jim Barron, Lynn Buzbee, JuDon Rickels and Spencer Campbell.
©The Texas Spur, May 11, 1978
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
This site may be freely linked to but not duplicated in any fashion without consent. |
