As a seventeen year old, R.L. (Bob) Collier left his father´s farm where he was born in Grayson County, TX and went with a herd of partnership cattle owned by his father and another Grayson County farmer to the Indian Territory. These cattle sold not long there after and Collier remained to work as a cowhand for the then open range ranches. This career ended with the Box K outfit whose range extended to near Wichita Falls.Leaving the Box K, a period of clerking for the Hanna Mercantile of Quanah, TX followed and employment as a deputy sheriff of Hardeman County. This during the period of construction of the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad from Ft. Worth to Denver. While in Quanah, Collier was married to Ella Glaze, whose family had moved there from Collin County, TX.
Leaving Quanah the Colliers made their final move to Dickens County to file on a section of land near the Matador stock pens at Patton Ssprings, just north of Afton. Here they set up housekeeping in a half dugout. To improve this situation they made a deal with their closest neighbor, T.J. Braddock, for a one room house. There was no money involved here. Payment was made by hand shucking Mr. Braddocks corn crop. During this time, Collier and Jake Scott killed and dressed quail and shipped them to Ft. Worth Hotels. This brought in cash for groceries.
The Colliers progress here was complete when they were soon able to contract with W.M. (Bill) Winkler to build a home, especially since he was the best, not only then but through his active years. Here their only child, Faust was born.
In 1901 Collier was elected Sheriff of Dickens County, serving continuously thru 1908. He succeeded Jeff Harkey who was the first sheriff after the county was organized. An unsuccessful try for the County Judges office against then Judge Ballard caused him to abandon politics other than the Democratic party until 1916 when he was again elected to the sheriff´s office, but resigned in 1918 to return to private business, cattle and farming, that he had continued to keep up thru the years.
During his years as sheriff he wore a gun a minor portion of the time, never fired a gun at anyone, although several times only providence prevented it.
Once he received word that a man wanted for some crime to the south was supposedly with a trail herd that would pass near Dickens, as man did on their way to Estelline. This man was reported as dangerous and would likely resist arrest.
Soon a herd showed up and camped a short distance out of town. Having no volunteers, Collier rode out alone. Probably nervous, the wanted man spied the lone rider coming from town and left the herd, with his horse turned on full speed, headed for the Chuck Wagon. The race was a dead heat and as the fellow hit the ground he was covered. His comment was "If I hadn´t left my gun in the chuck wagon, you couldn´t have taken me in."
Robert and Ella Collier joined the Methodist church at it´s local organization in the Dist. Court room in Dickens. They were active in those early years in the building of the first church. The contractor was Charlie Applegate.
In 1911 the family moved to Spur and lived until their passing.
Written by F. G. CollierSource: History of Dickens County; Ranches and Rolling Plains, Fred Arrington, ©1971
Funeral services for R.L. (Uncle Bob) Collier, 85, who passed away in a Lubbock hospital after a brief illness, on Monday night, June 7th, 1948, were held in the First Methodist Church in Spur, Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 o'clock, with the pastor, Rev. L.L. Hill, officiating.The large crowd attending the last rites for Uncle Bob Collier as he was affectionately called, were evidence of the high esteem in which he was held. He was one of the most highly respected, and best know pioneers, of this area. Coming to Dickens County in 1894, he was one of the trail blazers of this frontier country. Being active and interested in seeing the West settled and developed, he was instrumental in establishing the schools and churches of the early day. He served as sheriff of Dickens Count in 1917-1918, when be resigned to look after other interests. He was said to be one of the best sheriffs Dickens County ever had. The sheriffs job was a rather rugged one in those days. Possessing the qualities that drew men to him, in walking the way of life, he has enjoyed many true and interesting friendships. He was born July 28, 1863, the son of Mr. and Mrs. F.P. Collier of Oglethrope, Georgia, came to Texas while still a young boy, was married to Miss Ella Glaze, in 1891, in Quanah, Texas, came to Dickens County in 1894, where he has resided until the time of his death. He had been a member of the Methodist Church since 1889.
Survivors include his widow of Spur; one son, Faust Collier of Hereford, Texas.
Pallbearers were Doggie Graves, Everett Robertson, M.L. Rickles, James A. Cowan, Larry Boothe, and Ned Hogan.
Campbell Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements, with interment in the Spur Cemetery.
©The Texas Spur, June 17, 1948
Transcribed June 5, 2005 by DCHC Members
Funeral services were held at the First Methodist Church of Spur, at 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 2, for Mrs. Ella Glaze Collier.Living in Dickens County for approximately 56 years and a resident of Spur since 1911, Mrs. Collier left Spur last Thursday to visit her brother, Ross Glaze. She died at his home in Muleshoe, Friday, Sept. 1 at the age of __.
She had been ill for some time. Her body was returned to Spur for burial.
Rev. Cal C. Wright officiated at the services. Serving as pallbearers were Larry Boothe, Luther Stark, Everett Robinson, Lee Snodgrass, James McAteer and Homer Dobbins.
Survivors include one son, F.G. Collier of Hereford; one daughter, Mrs.Clint Edwards of Jayton; one brother, Ross Glaze of Muleshoe; and five sisters, Mrs. Zula Black of Barstow, Mrs. May Priddy of Dublin, Mrs. Vera Green of Austin, Mrs. J.C. Barkhill of Chico and Mrs. F.A. Sacra of Roswell, NM.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Campbell's Funeral Chapel.
©The Texas Spur, September 7, 1950
From the records of Lillian Grace Nay, Spur Museum, transcribed by Becky Hodges, August 13, 2004
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