The family of W.D. and Cornelia Thacker loaded wagons with their belongings and left Commanche County, Texas for the West. We lived three miles west of Commanche. We left on Nov. 6, 1911. There were nine children at that time, Bessie, Eva, Nathan, Cora, Robert, Riley, Richard, Thelma and Herman.We had four covered wagons with four mules to each wagon. Papa drove the head wagon and Mama next, then Nathan and Bessie the last wagon. We came through Buffalo Gap and spent one night out on the prairie. We landed in Dickens County on Nov. 10, 1911, and camped near Spur. After we left Spur we ate dinner under two large Hackberry trees between Dickens and Spur. We came on through Dickens and through the Croton Breaks and on to the Croton community where we pitched our tent on the ole Marion Hutton place. The Gage family owns it now.
We children all started to school the following Monday and to our surprise, Prof. Barnes and his wife, who we had gone to school at Rising Star were the teachers. We stayed there in a tent for a few days and Papa rented a farm from Doc Edwards. We moved on that place and made two crops.
In 1912 Papa's parents, Grandpa and Grandma Thacker came to live with us. Mr. Edwards built a house for them and they lived in it one year with two old maid daughters and after one year they moved back to Buffalo Gap.
In 1914, Mama's parents came to live with us, also another son was born. In August 1924 my grandfather Hash passed away, then in August 1925, mother passed away; and then in Sept. 1925 our little brother, Jack, passed away. In December 1925, dad lost our place by holding cotton in 1920, when it was 40 cents per pound and taking 5 to 10 cents for it later on. In 1932 we bought the place.
In 1916 mother's health became bad and had to go the hospital, and I had to quit school and take over the job of housekeeping and baby care. It was just a few weeks before I was to graduate with the class of 1916.
It was just a few weeks, Mama gained her strength back and lived nine more years. In 1917 the boys registered for the Army. Nathan was the only one in our family that was old enough to register. He left for camp in July and was shipped overseas and on to the front, but did not see active duty before the Armistrice was signed. He returned to the U.S. in April, 1918. In 1924 he married Emma Lee Bradley.
In 1918 Papa ran for Commissioner of Precinct No. 4, and was elected. He ran for re-election and was elected; but he resigned the second year to drive the road maintainer. Nathan drove the caterpillar.
In 1917 I felt like I should do something and I didn't have any money so I went to the Citizens National Bank and borrowed $100.00 on my daddy's signature and took a business course and came home in December. That was the first time I was ever away from home and I sure did get homesick. I stayed at home till the following summer and started working in the Clerk's office for Martin Gay. In December 1917 I went to work as bookkeeper for Riter Hardware Company at Spur. Worked one year. Got married to George Pierce in Dec. 18, 1920. He is the son of G.W. and May Pierce another pioneer family.
In 1921 a daughter was born to this union, Georgia Ruth, now Mrs. Ewell Booker of Lubbock.
In 1925 after my mother passed away my grandparents Thackers were living in Dickens and Dad moved to live with them. They lived there one year and moved back to Buffalo Gap and Papa and the other children, Jack, Thelma, Essie and Richard moved back to the farm and worked it until all the children married and moved away.
Written by Eva Pierce
Source: History of Dickens County; Ranches and Rolling Plains, Fred Arrington, ©1971
William D. Thacker, former resident of Dickens Co. died Dec. 15, in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Essie Hobson, in Andrews, Teas.He was in poor health for the past year.
He was born May, 1870 and married Correlin Hash, Dec. 1891, and moved to Dickens County in 1911. The last twenty five years of his life he spent with a daughter. He was the father of twelve children, six girls and six boys.
He became a Christian at an early age and was a member of the Methodist Church almost 65 years.
Pallbearers at his funeral were his grandsons: Bob Cooper, Ewell Booker, Bill Hampton, Hoise Reed, Bob Fowler, Bryant Kirby, Jack Thacker, and Robert Thacker, Jr.
He is survived by nine children; Mrs. Bessie Hobson, Mrs. Ena Pierce, Mrs. Cora Seward of Big Springs, Mrs. Thelma Gunn of Moses Lake, WA, and Mrs. Essie Fulbright, of Carruthers, CA, Nathan of Ida Lou [Idalou], Robert of Lafors, Riley of Guthrie and Herman of Mesa, AZ; four sisters, Mrs. Burley Hash, Mrs. Eliga Barrack, Mrs. Bertha Hutton, and Mrs. Nettie Stubblefield; two brothers, Riley of Pear Valley and Robert of Hunt; 33 grand children ad 34 great grandchildren.
©The Texas Spur, December 23, 1954
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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