WHERE DRUMMERS GOT THEIR RIGS 35 YEARS AGO

Click on picture to see a larger view.

This livery stable was located northwest of the square on the lot now occupied by the T-P Service Station, adjacent to the new jail. The picture shows the public service hack, which also served as a hearse. Standing by it is Sam Mosher; the man between the horses is John Boyar; Roy Santy is holding the white horse, Old Bill, Mrs. Santy’s surrey horse; the other men in the group are strangers.

This livery stable was first owned by Will Stidham. Roy Santy bought an interest in 1903, Stidham sold his part to Mosher, and two years later Santy bought Mosher’s interests and continued to operate the stable until 1917. This picture was made about 1903.  [Leroy "Roy" Santy married Margaret "Maggie" Stidham on 26 Jan., 1900, Hamilton County Marriage Record Bk. 3, p. 138.]

Mr. Santy said that he usually kept from 10 to 15 good horses, hacks, and rigs of most every description. He also kept saddle horses. When the "drummers" would come to town, they would rent rigs to travel to nearby country stores. This stable had no doors and remained open day and night for the 14 years Mr. Santy operated it.

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Friday, June 24, 1938

W. F. Billingslea, Publisher, Hamilton County, TX