Mrs. Sam Rather died very suddenly and unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon at their suburban home just north of Spur. Mrs. Rather had not been ill nor complaining of illness, and her sudden death was a shock to the family as well as the entire community.Mr. and Mrs. Rather were at home alone when she fell on the floor, he being unable to lift her to a bed, called for help, Mrs. Rather living only a short time and before medical assistance could render aid.
Mr. and Mrs. Rather were among the oldest settlers of the country, she being a McArthur before their marriage and a sister to Tom, Bill, Jim and Ed McArthur and Mesdames S.B. and L.S. Scott.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Church of Christ and interment was made in Spur cemetery immediately following the funeral services at the church.
©The Texas Spur, January 29, 1927
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
Sam W. Rather, 77, pioneer citizen of this section of West Texas and an active participant in the organization of Dickens County, died Sunday, October 7, at 12:10 noon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim McArthur on Red Mud. His death followed several years of failing health and a paralytic stroke suffered some two years ago.Mr. Rathers was born in Mississippi March 22, 1857, but came to Texas when a young man and moved to this section from Rosque county, near Iredale. He and Mrs. Rathers, who was before marriage Miss Florence McArthur, settled in the Twin Wells Community where they lived at the time of the county's organization and later homesteaded a tract of land in the Cat Fish community, which at that time was the best farm land available for homesteading. They acquired adjoining properties and improved one of the best farms in the section and developed a large orchard which was famous over the country for its fine apples and other fruits.
About 1920 Mr. and Mrs. Rathers moved to this community and bought two 20 acre blocks just north of the city where they resided until Mrs. Rathers death in January 1927. Following her death Mr. Rathers made his home with Mr. and Mrs. McArthur.
Funeral services were held Monday at three o'clock at the Church of Christ of which denomination Mr. Rathers had been a member for 23 years. Mr. Smith, Minister of the Church read the last rites to the gathering which included many early day friends and comrades of the deceased. Interment was made in Spur Cemetery.
Flower girls were nieces, and pall bearers nephews of Mr. Rathers. They were Mrs. Floyd Barnett, Mrs. Wallace Henson, Mrs. Thurmon Moore, Mrs. Maurine Delisle, and Misses Lillie and Wilma McArthur. Messers. Herman, Tommy, Floyd, Dee, and Everett McArthur, Thurmond Moore, Wallace Henson and Floyd Barnett.
Sam Rathers' death forms another irreplaceable vacancy in the dwindling sterling character and generously ranks of those early settlers who has made West Texas known as the "land of hospitality". We are certain that a rich tract has been reserved for him in that land across the divide.
©The Texas Spur, October 11, 1934
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. |
