Authentic History October 22, 1937
Authentic History of City of Honey Grove
Signal-Citizen, October 22, 1937
Co-operating First History of Honey Grove, Commencing in 1836 and Written by James Gilmer,
Who Settled Here in 1845, and Compiled to 1883.
From This Date H. P. Allen, Honey Grove, Has Taken Up the Historyand Is Compiling It Until the Present Date,
Assisted by W. J. Erwin of Honey Grove
PUBLISHED SERIALLY IN THE SIGNAL-CITIZEN EACH WEEK
The tone of society prevailing here cannot be excelled in the state for sobriety, industry, enterprise and strict morality. Being founded largely by the hardy old settlers from Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee and their descendants, there is imparted to the entire community a similarity of spirit and a tone of reliability and integrity of word and conduct. This influence is strongly felt, giving to our people a general sentiment of public and private community; hospitable and forbearing.
Honey Grove is preparing for a large increase this fall in her annual trade, by building roads and bridges, digging ditches and grading, building new platforms
for cotton beside the old ones, securing various buyers of cotton, stocking stores with select and abundant goods at lowest rate of sale. Thus offering a variety of legitimate inducements to the farmers of Fannin and surrounding counties to seek this as the best, surest, and most reliable and profitable market for their
produce. The work done with this object in view is already beginning to tell throughout the country and the tide of fluctuating trade is beginning to turn in this direction, recognizing the fact that a city whose citizens put out their money one roads, streets, and bridges in the placed that will command the business of the country.
Fannin County Vote On Prohibition in 1887
Pro Anti Total
Bonham 943 549 1462
Honey Grove 622 362 981
Ladonia 529 215 744
Dodd City 355 273 628
Savoy 324 135 459
Orangeville 158 63 221
Pllasant Grove 119 233 352
New Hope 165 254 419
Jones Mill 44 67 111
Gum Springs 13 63 76
Leonard 219 114 333
Grove Hill 87 55 142
Gober 178 110 288
Ravenna 138 200 338
Trenton 117 197 314
Dial 60 50 110
Total 4071 2910 6981
Pro Majority _______________________________1161
Fannin is the banner prohibition county in the state, no other county giving half so
large a majority.
Fannin’s Wealth
Assessor T. P. Baker has completed the assessment rolls for 1887. The recapitulation shows the following assessed values of property rendered for taxation. It is a splendid showing for old Fannin and speaks well for Assessor Baker and his assistants:
577,028 acres of land $3,953,732
59 ½ miles of railway 439,571
Railroad rolling stock 49,431
139 miles of telegraph and telephones 7632
(Part of the newspaper clipping is missing here.)
4511 carriages, buggies, etc. 133,906
Tools, implements and machinery 189,055
Materials and manufactured articles 5,513
17,141 horses and mules 647,443
76 jacks and jennets 10,300
7420 sheep 8,027
187 goats 183
17,864 hogs 22,121
Goods and merchandise 447,956
Money 107,504
Miscellaneous 784,432
Total $8,125,582
Increase over taxable values of last years $879,446.
Figures on Exports and Imports
Below we give in full the amount of produce, stock and goods of every description shipped from the place, as well as everything coming in, from September 1st, 1883 to September 1st, 1884. This is a full and complete report for the year, as shown by the books of the railroad company in this depot. From this exhibit
it can easily be seen that the capabilities and demands of this locality, in a commercial direction, are steadily increasing and that Honey Grove is gradually becoming of importance as a shipping point. Also, the variety of the articles shipped shows a progressive spirit on the part of our farmers, who are fast coming to the conclusion that it is not best to depend entirely upon cotton, and who now turn their attention and labor to mixed farming and raising stock. Cotton is yet the principal crop and we presume it will remain so, but the increase in the shipment of cotton is not so marked as is other things, while being considerably in excess of any former year. Especially would we notice the rising importance of the stone quarry enterprise. From almost nothing two years ago, the export of stone last year amounted to 217 carloads, and that industry even now only fairly begun. It will pay our business men to study this report closely, as it will indicate with certainty the drift of business and the public demand. It will also be of much benefit to the farmers as they may ascertain exactly what crops, and the surplus of each, are raised by others who make this place their market, and thereby may know whether this or that industry gives encouragement.
Exports
Cotton 12,989 bales
Hay 66 cars
Oats 26 cars
Corn 69 cars
Wheat 27 cars
Rock 211 cars
Cotton Seed 54 cars
Cattle 46 cars
Bones 1 car
Household Goods 1 car
Scrap Iron 1 car
Local
Household Goods 40,585 lbs.
Hides 17,900 lbs
Wool 10,963 lbs.
Beeswax 628 lbs.
Imports
Furniture 2 cars
Nails 3 cars
Lumber 278 cars
Household Goods 3 cars
Paint 1 car
Wire 8 cars
Oil 4 cars
Potatoes 6 cars
Stoves 4 cars
Wagons 11 cars
Salt 15 cars
Coal 7 cars
Stock 17 cars
Bagging and Ties 19 cars
Shingles 24 cars
Flour 42 cars
Machinery 14 cars
Agricultural Implements 3 cars
Doors and Windows 3 cars
Telegraph Poles 1 car
This installment completes the part of the history compiled by Mr. Gilmer.
Next week will be the history compiled by H.P. Allen.