Services set for Anson Martin

Anson Martin died today. He and his wife recently sold their home at Camp Springs and moved to east Texas.

Visitation will be Tuesday 6-7:30 p.m. at Weathersbee-Ray in Rotan.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Cross Roads Baptist Church.

Shaken

- Hobbs quake -

There was another big quake tonight, reminiscent of the one that occurred January 2023. No marbles broke this time, but things went flyin' out of the cabinets and off the wall.

There have been at least three more after shocks and quite a bit of trembling. 

It's hard to get used to them when they're that big.

United States Geological Survey pegged it at a 4.9.

Polk Directory then down a rabbit hole

- Includes Hobbs history -

The Polk's Directory and Texas State Gazetteer has a short entry for Hobbs, Texas in the year 1914.

Population 45. In Fisher county, 14 miles from Roby, the county seat and 14 from Rotan, the usual banking and shipping point. Telephone connection. Henry C. Shanks, postmaster. Shanks Henry C, General Store.

Looking for a photo of the old store in high school annuals of the late fifties, only text ads could be found for Henderson's Grocery and Station.

An internet search for photos led to a book (and the usual barrage of Hobbs, New Mexico results), The Empty Schoolhouse by Luther Bryan Clegg. 

Upon sampling the book, Buddy Burnett sprang to life as he spoke of Dallas, Grady, old Baird and Camp Springs in describing the history of the Hobbs School. It's interesting to note, according to Burnett, that the original school was called Chicken Foot.

Stanley Morris, the surveyor, told me years ago that there was a place that used to be called Dallas here in Fisher County. As close as I can ascertain, that was east of Hobbs, around the intersection of county roads 319 and 320. There used to be an old house there that we called The Buzzard House because my kids and I saw a buzzard chick living in it.

I've ordered the aforementioned book and I look forward to its arrival. It's a collection of stories from people who attended the first rural schools in Texas.

If you're interested, you can also purchase it by clicking on the book title link.

Thinking about Larry

- A few of my books-

I was reading a book the other day, and one of the characters said, "I'll give you one piece of advice about the oil business, the one you're going to be running starting tomorrow, and that's return your phone calls. Don't put it off and don't skip any, even if you think the person you're supposed to call is an asshole or a flake."

That's a good rule of thumb in everyday life, too. I've had high-falutin' people drop the ball, like lawyers and realtors, and it's shameful. I won't do business with people who don't call back.

Larry McMurty wrote the above lines in his book Duane's Depressed, when Duane hands over his oil business to his son, Dickie.

I drove through McMurtry's home town of Archer City the other day, hoping to shop in his bookstore Booked Up. It's on the courthouse square, but was closed that day. From what I've read on the interweb, since his death it has been managed by his store partner, Khristal Collins.The website featured some of the same books I have (see photo, just a part of my collection), and that made me proud.

At a glance, the town looked like what Roby and Rotan might look like put together. I couldn't figure out where Sam the Lion's pool hall would have been, but I was just passing through and had to be on my way. 

A tiny heartbreak

- Spiny Blooms -

In the business of raising chickens, there are a lot of cute, fuzzy chicks hatched, but many more die than live. Some fail to thrive, some drown, get stomped, get eaten or pecked by another hen, or accidentally get hit by their own mother when she flails around trying to protect her babies. There are many ways for a chick to die. Dead chicks are no big deal, usually.

Right now we have a few survivors: Bim and Bam, the Rosemary Hen's large chicks that have been adopted by Rosie 2, the other hen who was setting under the rosemary bush; Bin One Hen's little one; and the little Asil Hen's five tiny chicks. There was one other, the Shop Hen, who had a little brown chick.

The little brown chick got its leg broken a couple of weeks ago, and I never thought it would make it. If there's a defect or wound, I've learned to give up hope quickly.

That little chick got stronger, though, and had finally just about completely healed by last Friday. It was a joy to see it running after its mother as she pecked and clucked and scratched up tidbits for the little thing.

The next morning, though, the little chick was nowhere to be found. Something had gotten it during the night while it roosted in the shop with its mother.

I was about to get into my truck to go to work when Charles, the chicken expert of this place, said, "Look, she's sad about her chick."

I looked over and saw the mama hen sitting on top of the big gate, her back to us and her head hanging low. I don't think I've seen many sadder sights. It tore my heart in two.

I didn't say anything, just stared at the chicken while I was thinking my thoughts, then Charles said it was time to get on to work, so I got in my vehicle and drove off.

I told myself it was silly to cry for a chicken. I told myself babies die all the time and I think nothing of it. I reminded myself of people who had died lately that I had not wept over. Then I cried over that sad mama chicken and her little brown chick.

Sometimes, I can't explain or justify feelings, and, sometimes, I fall in love with chickens.

Hobbs School for Sale

Williamson-Branson Real Estate is now offering the Hobbs School campus for sale. Check out the details and spread the word. Wouldn't it be cool if a big college or university would buy it and use it as an extension? Texas A & M at Hobbs! University of Texas at Hobbs! Texas Tech at Hobbs! The University of Hawaii at Hobbs!

The Birds

I've had a series of experiences with fowl in the recent weeks, the latest occurring today when a bunch of mud-nest making birds decided to reside under the eaves of my house. I keep going out there to shoo them away and spray down the beginnings of nests with the water hose. I went and looked in the cement culvert they usually stay in to see if there was an obvious reason they had taken to the house, but I didn't see anything. Maybe they know it's going to rain and wash away their nests.

I saw a pheasant out here a few weeks ago, and I've had three other people tell me they have also seen it. He just pecks along the side of the road, not caring a fig about traffic, so busy with his doings. It's so funny, because one year we went to North Dakota, and I was just about guaranteed a pheasant sighting, but it never happened. I had to wait until pheasants came to Texas to see one.

That same week I also heard a road runner make a sound for the first time in my life. One time I heard one thrum it's beak when it thought I was threatening it's baby, but this time I heard an actual voice. I was at a neighbor's house getting out of my car when I heard a mournful sound that I first thought was a dove. Then I thought it might be a dog shut up in the garage. I moved my head to hear the sound more clearly when something on the peak of the roof caught my eye. There was the roadrunner standing there, then I saw his throat move, like a rooster's does, when he made the sound. It's nice to know there are still things to discover in a place I'm overly familiar with.

Also that same week I had gone north from Camp Springs up to the ranch at the end of the road, then turned left onto the dirt, when I saw some of the funniest white birds. They didn't look like an egret. Each had a big, rounded-out face with an amusing expression. It made me laugh.

Of course I didn't have my camera for any of the photo opportunities! Prepared? Not me. I was sorry to see what looks like grackles in the back yard this morning. I'm a big animal lover, I hate to run over even a mouse in the road, but those rude birds may inspire me to do some target practice with the .22.

P.S. Ms. Chicken and five chicks have been forced back to the coop since I found one dead on the shop floor. Boy, was that a dumb idea!

Moms are strong

This week I unloaded and loaded Miss Grand-daughter from the car and I'm pretty sure I overexerted one of my stringy muscles. I used to have strong, full mom muscles, but the only ones left are in my brain, trying to figure out how to outsmart my kids. Believe me, I'm starting to lose that race. Or just realizing how far behind I really am.

Here is the Hobbs kids photo I promised you last week. I recognize a few kids, like on the front row Darlene Teel, Penny Price and Sherry Anderle. I think a little girl named Esther who briefly attended is hanging off the side. I see Mary Ellen Cave sitting high right. I recognize Kristi Price and some Anderle boys. Anyway, if you know the names, comment on the bottom here and I'll add them in. Thanks, Penny, for the photo!

My dad has promised to introduce me to a real Hobbs buff whom he says has photos and scrapbooks dating way back when, and even some paraphernalia from when the military airplane crashed in the 1950's. I hope to meet her soon and share her memories of the community with all of you.

Here's an article I ran across called Folklore of the Rattlesnake, which seems timely, since the Sweetwater Jaycees Rattlesnake Roundup is just a month away, and on subject, since it mentions Buddy Burnett and other locals. The link I put to the story is a web page, but you can click at the top of it and download the whole article for easier reading.

I also found a photo of a blown out well near Hobbs on the Portal to Texas History website. You can spend a lot of time there just clicking around. Tons of info.

I don't know what went on at the school this week that required an ambulance, sheriff's vehicle and DPS. I had hoped it would be in the paper, but the Sheriff's report only went to Feb. 6. If I see it next week, I'll let you know. I guess I could just call up to the Sheriff's office and ask, but it would probably be annoying if I were calling up there all the time asking what's going on. I guess I could text them: WGOA (what's going on at) ----- (fill in the blank). I bet they'd appreciate that.

For those who love music (I do!) Sweetwater will be hosting a music festival Mar. 23-27. Check out the event on Facebook and suggest some of your favorite bands for the show. You'll have to log in to see the info.

The wind is blowing, how unusual, and flurries are forecast for this afternoon. Check out the Hobbs, TX weather at NOAA. Wear a coat if you're coming this way!

Woo-oodmen, come out to pla-ay

I went to see the damage at the Dowell Cemetery done by the groundskeeper, as was written to the Rotan Newspaper in a letter to the editor, but I got it in my head it was Sardis Cemetery, for some reason, so I went there.

There was no damage, since I was at the wrong cemetery, but I did find a Woodmen of the World Memorial marking the grave of H.W. Germany. I have been looking for one for a while, since reading on the Handbook of Texas website that at one time there was a Woodmen of the World Lodge at Hobbs.

Which I guess really has nothing to do with the marker, since the tombstone tree stump was part of the insurance award for anyone who purchased a policy. Still, the stones are rare because the company discontinued the issuance of the tree stump monuments after 1920, due to high cost. There is a tree stump marker in the Hobbs cemetery, but there's no indication that it's a Woodmen memorial. Anyway, I'm glad to have finally seen one.

I saw a great documentary on Ovation TV, Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of Folk Music. Mr. Smith was an eccentric fellow, and basically this show is about a record collection he put together in the 1940's. When I first saw the commercial for it, I thought it would include songs such as This Land is Your Land and There's a Hole in the Bucket, but then I heard that eerie mountain music and I knew that this was something different.

To get a taste of what the album (cd) contains, you can go to amazon.com and click on the sampler. I think this is the most important music collection I've ever heard or read about. Oh, and it is equally important to have the program recorded, because it has modern interpretations by David Johansen and such, and you'll just want to skip right past that. The only current artist I enjoyed was Steve Earle, but they didn't even play the whole song he sang. He gave a lot of commentary, though, and I liked that.

I didn't have any luck on the Hobbs Senior Ring front. It must have been some other Panther. It was a ladies ring from 1973, and only guys graduated that year from our school. I appreciate the finder trying to find the owner, though. It still might make a good story for someone else.

By the way, we're looking to add a Guinea pig to the family, and if any of you out there have a lead on where to get one, let me know. I prefer to get one that is already in a home instead of a pet store. Maybe one of you have a colony of Guinea pigs that you'd like to reduce. That is the correct term for a group of GP's, incidentally.

Yays: Drivers License office in Roby; rain

Nays: A wasp in the grass when you're walking barefoot

Friday Waiting for Snow

- Miss Kitty -

Well, this is actually a photo from when all this weather began a few weeks ago, but, apparently, this is what we're expecting this weekend. The National Weather Service is calling for 2 to 4 inches of snow for tonight, 1 to 3 inches for tomorrow. But we all know how that goes, we'll believe it when we see it.

Here's your latest update for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record for the January 11, 2007 issue:

• ATMOS Energy Line Rupture Leaves Roby Without Gas, Repairs Made to Pressure Leak (photo)
• Rotan Centennial Committee Celebrated Rotan's Beginnings
• Roby School Board Minutes, Supt. David Hale's Contract Extended
• 3 Vehicle Accidents in 16 Hours (photos)
• Ginning Season Nearly Over, 8000 Bales for 2007; 2005 saw 62,017 Bales
• Billy Polk Commends John Morgan in Letter to the Editor
• Roby CISD Honor Roll
• Kelsea Kent Receives $1,000 Faskin Foundation Scholarship (photo)
• Fisher County Commissioners Court Minutes, Financial Report Given from Depts.
• Sophia Scott Makes West All Area Band
• Emily Zinsitz Marches in Rose Bowl Parade
• Debit Cards & Online Banking Coming to Rotan 1st National
• Western Texas Honor Roll
• Rotan Farm Consignment Sale Saturday March 10, 2007
• Steve Estes, County Agent, Presents Animal Emergency Management Plan (photo)
• Two Jobs in the Help Wanted Section!
• Fisher County Hospital District Meeting Set for Jan. 23, 2007 @10 & 11 a.m.
• Rabbit Showmanship Clinic Held in Roby (photo)
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Round-Up
• Subscription Renewals Due for Rotan Newspaper
• Kent County Livestock Show, Jan. 19-20
• Fisher County Basketball
• Birth Announcement for Emma Nicole Gregg
• Sardis Cemetery Association Meeting Minutes, Curbs Not to Exceed Two Inches
  
• Haskell Livestock Auction Results, 940-864-2624
  
• Form to Pay Sales Tax on Purchase of Vehicle to the Buyers County
  
• Stay at WindWord Inn in Rotan, 325-735-3391
  

Keep warm out there and make sure you care for your outside pets and varmints. Hot chocolate all around!

Haven't Seen You Since Last Year...

- Hereford bull -

It's always a surprise when it turns out that winter is really here, although it comes every year. Just like we're always surprised by baseball sized hail every summer.

Hope everyone had good holidays. Here's the update on two Rotan Advance Roby Star Record issues:

December 21, 2006:

• Rotan City Council Meeting Minutes, Request Made to Close Streets and Drive Ways
• Shelby Spikes Wins 2nd Place at District FFA Banquet for Singing (photo)
• Israel Ramon Convicted of Being a Pervert and Child Molester
• Newspaper Subscription Renewals Due
• Rotan Community Stock Show (photo)
• Bradey Murphree Accepts TPTA Midwest District Award (photo)
• Birth Announcement for Daniel Benito (photo)
• Chamber Christmas Benefit, photo of Amy Garland and Peggy Rivers
• Haskell Livestock Auction Prices
• Rotan UIL Results (photos)
• Obituary for Royce Doyle Rasco
• Recipe Corner: Cranberry Salad
• Fisher County Hospital Board Meeting, Judy Niell P.A. and Donald Wheat DPM Approved as Staff
• Western Texas College Registration January 11
• Roby CSD Financial Statement
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Abilene Rehab & Rotan Stock Show Photos
• H.A. "Tince" Kiker Celebrates 100th Birthday

Rotan sales tax rebates for December 2006 were $10,766.61 (Dec. 2005 $9,547.51), year to date $155,189.19 (2005 $144,198.99).

Roby sales tax rebates for December 2006 were $4,400.05 (Dec. 2005 $1,390.25), year to date $29,644.65 (2005 $22,134.31).

December 14, 2006:

• Winners Named in Rotan Christmas Parade (photos)
• Sophia Scott Makes All Region Band (photo)
• Judy Niell PA to Join Clearfork Health Center Staff (photo)
• Rotan Junior Livestock Show Dec. 16th
• Ginning Season Ends, Low Totals
• December 8th Vehicle Accident (photo)
• Roby School Board Minutes, Steady Attendance of 289
• Rotan ISD Meeting Minutes, Steady Enrollment of 363
• Julie Henderson & Mark McCall Engagement Announcement
• Marcia C. Mota e Silva & Carlton W. Robertson Marriage Announcement (photo)
• Lizzie Young Celebrates 97th Birthday (photo)
• Fisher County Commissioners Court Minutes, Steve Estes Reported Animal Id Program Dropped by USDA, Rodney Tankersley Expresses Courthouse Maintenance Issues
• Obituaries for Oliver Earl Cooper, Mrs. Willie Sivilla (Bill) Sumerlin, Juanita Williamson and Carl Thomas Hitt
• Results for Nolan/Fisher County Pecan Show, Jimmy Laurie, Aiken Ranch and Jimmy Price Winners
• Recipe Corner: Sugar Free No Bake Cookies
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Colin Hicks Shoots First Deer (photo)
• FCHC Meeting Minutes, Next Meeting First Tuesday in Feb. 2007
• Roby City Council Minutes, BFI "Forgets" to Give Good Customer Service

Someone ran off with the last issue for 2006, so I need to pop down to Thriftway and get it before the new one comes out. Happy New Year, all, and a prosperous one at that.