The Fisher County Index of Landmarks & Vanished Communities links to a map that shows the latitude and longitude when you move the cursor, allowing you to pinpoint locations. The index has the name of locations and the corresponding coordinates.
This photo of the old Hobbs store was sent to me by Bobby Shanks from Newburgh, Indiana. His grandfather, Henry Clay Shanks, owned and ran the old Hobbs store for a while. Here is what Bobby wrote me:
"My uncle (Luther Shanks) would be very happy for someone to take an interest in what he had put together. I’ve brought together information from various points in a family history written by my uncle. He references a book listed on your site “A History of Fisher County Texas“, written by Yeats and Shelton. The store is shown on page 86, according to his notes.
My grandfather Henry Clay Shanks was born in Hawkins County east Tennessee in September of 1876. Having an independent nature, when he turned twenty-one he decided to move to Texas. He had in mind to work for a man named Robert “Bob” Hayter. Hayter was driving cattle from the Double Mountain area and was married to one of grandfather Henry’s cousins.
In late 1897 or early 1898 Henry bought the store from a man named Cavender.
During the time he owned the store, he sold everything from Bull Durham smoking tobacco to clocks and clothing. In one corner was the Post Office, which he ran, and also did repairs on watches. In about 1900, Henry Clay’s brother joined him, followed by a sister, Vona. They lived in a small house near the store. Aunt Lavona “Vona” Shanks married Walter Cave in 1906 and Henry Clay Shanks married Alberta “Berti” Hawkins the same year. In 1913 he sold out and bought a farm about eight miles outside of Rotan. He doesn’t say who bought the store. Uncle Luther does say that the store was run by my grandfather’s father in-law, C.C. Hawkins, for a period in the early 1930s.
After extreme dry years in 1918 and 1919 and having problems with an allergic reaction to the feed crops he grew, Henry moved to Oregon. As far as where the store stood, my uncle mentions a gin being about a mile and a half away and the Hawkins farm being nearby. The only thing that he mentions that may not have changed is some low hills on the Hawkins Farm that he refers to as being rattlesnake infested."
Bobby also sent me a photo of the Hawkins family taken around 1910. I'll post that picture later this week.I haven't heard anything else about Joe Hardin, but I'm sure I'll have information by tomorrow.
Headlines for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record, March 27, 2008 issue:
- DPR Annual meeting Mar. 29
- Fisher County gins nearing end of season with record bumper crop
- Fairy Tale Fashion Show & Luncheon
- FUMC, Rotan Easter Cantata Mar. 30
- Blood drive at Fisher County Hospital Mar. 31
- Roby Lady Lions make All State, Tara Schroedter & Kim Williams (photo)
- Rotan UIL One Act Play (photo)
- Apples, Oranges & Hardrock Candy
- Obituary for Roxie (Reep) Etheredge
- Newsbriefs: AARP Tax-Aide; Fisher County Democratic convention
- Run-off election set for April 8
- Frank Cockrell Art Association meeting minutes (photo)
- Rotan Economic Development meeting minutes
- Recipe Corner: Slow Cooker Pork Tender Loin
- Snake den uncovered (photo)
- Fisher County Sheriff's report
- Lions & Yellowhammers track photos
- Birth announcement for Bryce Austin McAnally (photo)
- Terry Groves earns All-State honors (photo)
More chances for rain tonight and tomorrow. Check out KTXS weather for local conditions. Scroll to the bottom to get National Weather Service updates.
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