History from the Courthouse Basement
By Glynda Pflug
When Rhonnie Campbell took office as Moore County Clerk in January of 1971, she and deputy clerk, Katie Vitz, found early-day court records stored in the courthouse basement.
According to a story in the Amarillo Globe news, written in May of 1971, they became interested in the volumes of historical binders, so they began digging into the records. They found the first criminal case filed in the county was against a man for "burglary in the night" in December of 1895.
They found, also, a case where a resident was charged with unlawful betting in a 1902 election. The person posted a $100 bond.
According to a story in the Amarillo Globe news, written in May of 1971, they became interested in the volumes of historical binders, so they began digging into the records. They found the first criminal case filed in the county was against a man for "burglary in the night" in December of 1895.
They found, also, a case where a resident was charged with unlawful betting in a 1902 election. The person posted a $100 bond.
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The first will probated was in 1902 following the murder of a man by his wife.
In 1896, the first charges were filed involving the theft of cattle. The first general election was in 1896. Records show 33 votes were cast. |
...they became interested in the volumes of historical binders, so they began digging into the records. |
The first Moore County Commissioners Court was had in July 9, 1892 in a temporary courthouse. The special meeting was called to consider the purchase of county stationery from a Galveston firm. The commission agreed to pay for the stationery by issuing county warrants of $100 each bearing eight percent interest. The commission agreed to prepay the freight to Hartley which was as far as the stationery could be delivered. In August of the year, the commissioners met again and ordered two safes to be delivered as far as Channing.
J. W. Blassingame was Moore County District and County Clerk in the 1890's and his salary was $500 per year. The sheriff was paid $300 per year and commissioners received $3 for each session they attended.
The first cattle brands were entered into records in April of 1895. They were for D. H. and J. W. Snyder, T. S. Snyder and J. H. Avery.
W. H. Lewis was Moore County's first sheriff and A. H. Hughes was county attorney.
The first car, a Reo, was registered in 1908.
According to Mrs. Campbell, "The basement of this courthouse contains so much of the county's history." The yellowed volumes tell stories of the beginning of the county.
Compiled from:
Amarillo Daily News story, May 29, 1971
J. W. Blassingame was Moore County District and County Clerk in the 1890's and his salary was $500 per year. The sheriff was paid $300 per year and commissioners received $3 for each session they attended.
The first cattle brands were entered into records in April of 1895. They were for D. H. and J. W. Snyder, T. S. Snyder and J. H. Avery.
W. H. Lewis was Moore County's first sheriff and A. H. Hughes was county attorney.
The first car, a Reo, was registered in 1908.
According to Mrs. Campbell, "The basement of this courthouse contains so much of the county's history." The yellowed volumes tell stories of the beginning of the county.
Compiled from:
Amarillo Daily News story, May 29, 1971