The San Angelo Press (San Angelo, Texas) 22 Nov 1901, Fri
A WEDDING
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Court House, Miss Laura Herring, daughter of Mrs. E. H. Herring and sister of Hubbard
and Theodore Herring, was married to Mr. T.R. Wells, a prominent citizen of Stiles, Texas.
Miss Herring comes from an old Texas family, and moved from Waco to a ranch near Ben Ficklen at first, but for the
past two years the family has resided in San Angelo.
The Press extends it's congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Wells and trusts that prosperity and happiness may always
prevail at their hearthstone.
The San Angelo Press (San Angelo, Texas) 12 Aug 1903, Wed.
FROM STILES.
Stiles, Tex, August 8th, 1903.
Editor Press.
Mr. and Mrs W.H. Ashe are visiting relatives in Runnels County. Jim Belcher left today for Fort Worth.
Thorpe Brothers have rented the Mason Hotel and are refitting and furnishing it for a short order house.
Bob Beaty is building a neat residence on Oak street.
Contractor H E Mason is rushing work on Sheriff Japson's dwelling.
E.L. McMasters, the solid ranchman from the north side of the county, was in town Thursday.
Harrison Watkins came over from his ranch Monday and spent the day with us.
Henry Japson sold Cunningham Bros. a residence lot on College Avenue for $75.00
W.G. Bartlett sold J.B. Lucas a handsome lot on north side of the square at p.t.
C.G. Lasswell and O.L. Woods, two substatnial and enterprising "four-sectioners" from the Bar S pasture,
"took us in" one day this week.
J.J. Black and B.F. Isgrig were attending county court here last Monday.
The Ladies Circle W.O.W. will give a supper at the courthouse this (Saturday) evening.
Smith Walker has just completed a nice residence on his four-section place south of town, and was in here Tuesday
pricing furniture, etc. Looks mighty suspicious; but, of course, Smith denies it all.
Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Stinebaugh entertained a party of friends at their hospitable home on Main street last Tuesday
evening. Delicious refreshments were served and progressive games, interspersed with excellent music, were the features
of the evening's entertainment.
In the Midsumer Carnival to be held on the 18th and 19th of this month, Stiles will surpass not only all other
towns, but also her own previous efforts in this line. Horse racing, roping, broncho "busting," dancing,
tournament riding and chariot races are some of the amusements provided for each day. Barbecued meat will be furnished
free to everybody. Don't forget the date, and remember a "full attendance is requested."
"Quill Pearce"
The Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Tex) 11 Nov 1903, Wed
FOR SALE-
A well-improved ranch of 5,120 acres at $2.50 per acre. Also 275 good cattle; good 6-room dwelling, lots
wood and water, good level land; half cash on land, balance on long time; cattle all on time. School on adjoining land.
In the new county of Reagan, or West Tom Green, 10 miles south of Stiles. S.B. RATLIFF, Stiles, Tex.
The San Angelo Press (San Angelo, Texas) 11 Feb 1904, Thu
FROM STILES.
Stiles, Tex., Jan 29.
Editor Press:
As I haven't noticed any news in the Press from this locality lately I will give you a few items.
It has been exceedingly cold here for some time and am glad to say we are having beautiful weather again.
Our school is progressing nicely.
Mr. Collison is having a well put down on his ranch south of Sherwood and will also erect a five room residence.
The health of our community is exceedingly good. We are needing rain very bad, but stock are doing well.
J.T.
The Twice-a-Week Herald (Amarillo, Texas) 9 Nov 1906, Fri
LOTS OF BUILDINGS
Stiles, Tex., Nov. 6--Stiles and Reagan county are coming to the front in no uncertain manner this year, and the
cotton crop in this section is a genuine surprise. Tom Taylor is just completing a $3,000 residence and D.C. Thorp is
erecting a handsome home and new residences are going up in every quarter of the town.
Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) 29 May 1906, Tue
TRIPLE TRAGEDY IN TEXAS HOME.
As a result of a shooting affray Sunday night near Stiles, Reagan county, Tex., the following persons are dead:
J.R. Warren, aged twenty-eight years, a wealthy ranchman; Mrs. J.R. Warren, his wife, and Mr. Peirce of Hillsboro, Tex.,
a guest of the Warren family. There were no witnesses, but from a telephone message sent to Sehriff Japson at Stiles, it
is deducted that Warren killed his wife and Peirce, and then committed suicide.
The Scranton Republican (Scranton, Pennsylvania) 30 May 1906, Wed
FOUND THREE DEAD BODIES.
Ranchman Kills Wife and Boarder and Then Shoots Himself.
Stiles, Texas, May 29.-- Sheriff Japson, was in his office here when he received a telephone message from J.R.
Warren, a prominent ranchman, who lives six miles from town, telling him to come out to his place right away.
"There are two dead bodies here now and there will be another before you get here," was the way Warren told
the sheriff over the telephone. Sheriff Japson took Dr. Cume and rode out to the Warren ranch. They found the dead
bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Warren and a young man, W.W. Pierce, who lived in the family, all lying in one of the front rooms
of the ranch home. Warren had shot and killed his wife and Pierce and then killed himself.
Warren Sheaf (Warren, Minnesota) 4 Oct 1906, Thu
GIRL IS AUTHORITY ON STOCK.
Young Woman on Ranch Knows All Ins and Outs of Business. Fort Worth, Tex.--Miss Johnnie Gardner, born on a cattle
ranch on the Rio Grande, in Reagan county, Tex., is an accepted authority by the cattlemen who know her in matters
pertaining to cattle and their management. "I was brought to the ranch on which we now live when so young that I
have no recollection of the time," said she to your correspondent. "We live near the county seat of Reagan
county--Stiles. My father has a 32 section ranch under fence, and owns the greater part of it. The county is high above
the sea level and there is no healthier place in this part of the world. Grass is fine now and cattle are doing
well." "We raise black polled cattle altogether, and I think I prefer them to any other class. As beef they
surpass all cattle, and then they are not horned, so there is no hooking and fighting among them."
"There is one point in connection with the Rio Grand country there where we live that has never been
exploited, that is artesian wells. Our water is good and pure. What we have is free from gyp and probably the best
freestone water in the state."
The Comanche Chief (Comanche, Texas) 27 Dec 1912, Fri
QUIETLY MARRIED ON CHRISTMAS EVE
At six o'clock Tuesday p.m. just as the sun went down, a quiet but beautiful wedding, Miss Norma Cunningham and Mr.
J.B. Irby, being the parties at interest was solemnized at home of the bride's aunt, Mrs. J.W. Reese, Geo. W. Sheafor
officiating. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.I. Cunningham of Stiles, Texas, and a granddaughter of
Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Cunningham of Comanche with whom she has been visiting for some time. The groom is a son of Mr. and
Mrs. Jasper Irby of Newburg, and has resided in that community for several years. We take great pleasure in joining the
host of friends of both these splendid young people in extending congratulations and best wishes. They will make their
home at Newburg.
El Paso Herald (El Paso, Texas) 2 Oct 1919, Thu
FORMER POSTMASTER INDICTED BY U.S. GRAND JURY AT PECOS
Ike T. Boyles, former postmaster at Stiles, Texas., was indicted early in the week by a federal grand jury at Pecos
on charges of embezzling money orders to the extend (sp) of $2,200, according to assistant district attorney W.M. Fryer,
who returned from Pecos Wednesday. The case has been transferred to El Paso and will be tried here during the fall term
of federal court.
Lime Springs Herald (Lime Springs, Iowa) 4 May 1922, Thu
DISCOVER POTASH IN TEXAS.
Washington--Discovery of potash in notable quantity in the Southwestern corner of Reagan county, Tex., was anounced
by the U.E. Geological survey of the Department of the Interior.
Shiner Gazette (Shiner, Texas) 11 May 1922, Thu
GOOD SHOWING OF POTASH FOUND IN REAGAN COUNTY
Washington, May 2.--The discovery of potash in notable amounts in a new area in Texas is announced by the United
States geological survey, department of the interior. The new discovery is brought to light through the analysis by the
survey of drill cuttings collected from the Santa Rita No. 1 well, drilled by the Texon Oil and Land Company in the
southwest corner of Reagan County, Tex. Most of the samples contained no potash worth noting, but the sample which,
according to the driller's log, was taken from bailings after drilling from 1,150 to 1,165 feet, contained the
equivalent of 2.46 per cent of K2O; that from 1,175 to 1,182 feet 5.63 per cent, increasing with depth. The richest of
the samples indicates 10.78 per cent of K2O in the soluble salts.
The Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, Kansas) 5 Jan 1924, Sat
SAVED OIL WELL.
Stiles, Tex., Jan. 5.--In order to save an oil well which is being drilled in the Santa Rita field in Reagan County,
Less Heller volunteered to descend 200 feet into the well which was cased with 18 inch pipe. He was successful in saving
the well and when he reached the surface the company making the test gave him $200, or $1 for each foot he was lowered.
The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) 13 Nov 1926, Sat
BILLY COATES SHOOTS OFFICER AND GIRL AND THEN ESCAPES
Texan is Rejected From Dance Hall at Big Lake in Reagan County-Bullet That Killed Girl First Struck Man in Arm-
Coates Makes Getaway By Auto.
Big Lake, Tex., Nov 13-A gigantic manhunt covered the Reagan county oil fields today in an effort to capture Billy
Coates in connection with the double killing last night when Coates was ejected from a dance hall here. He turned and
shot Constable George Hays through the back of the head and then grappled with C.A. Jones, shooting him through the arm.
The bullet went on, killing Alta Bean, 19, telephone operator. Coates then escaped by auto.
The Gettysburg Times (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) 13 Nov 1926, Sat
TWO ARE SLAIN IN HOTEL BALLROOM; MAN FLEES
Big Lake, Tex., Nov 13--William Coates, 34, a machinist, shortly before last midnight invaded the ballroom of the
Santa Reta Hotel at Best, Texas, from which he had been ejected earlier, and shot and killed Constable Hayes. As he
struggled with C.A. Jones, who came to the policeman's aid, Coates' revolver was discharged and Miss Ulta Beam, 19, fell
dead on the dance floor with a bullet in her temple. Jones was wounded in the arm during the struggle.
Coates found an open path through the panic stricken dancers and escaped through the lobby of the hotel. Scores of
armed men were searching for him throughout the oil fields today.
El Paso Evening Post (El Paso, Texas) 26 Sep 1927, Mon
NEW TEMPLE AT BIG LAKE
A $22,000 Masonic temple has been completed at Big Lake, Tex. The building is of cream colored brick, is two stories
high and 40 by 80 feet. The lower floor is occupied by a store. The second story contains the lodge room, club room and
ladies' lounge.
Big Lake lodge has a membership of about 60. Nearly half of this number belong to the Scottish Rite Bodies of El
Paso. Fourteen applicants for the El Paso Scottish Rite will attend the reunion here Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.
Big Lake has also completed a new court house and high school.
El Paso Evening Post (El Paso, Texas) 30 Sep 1927, Fri
Open Big Lake School
Big Lake, Tex.,--The new $100,000 school building here has been opened and the high school department moved therein.
This puts an end to the congestion in the grade school.
Two big buses have been purchased for the transportation of the high school students from Best, Santa Rita
and Texon.
El Paso Evening Post (El Paso, Texas) 1 Nov 1927, Tue
SING PRAISE FOR BIG LAKE, HIS HOME CITY
Cattle Prices Bring Prosperity Boom, Mason Says
Cattlemen in the vicinity of Big Lake, Tex., are restocking their ranches and are generally prosperous as a result
of the prevailing good cattle prices, Rudolph Theis, of Big Lake, says. Theis is here attending the Scottish Rite
reunion.
On the Suggs estate alone, he estimates, there are 20,000 head of cattle and 60,000 head of sheep. This estate, wich
formerly consisted of 500 sections of land, has been divided into smaller ranches of 10 to 20 sections each.
Within a radius of 75 miles around Big Lake, there are 200,000 cattle and as many sheep, Theis says.
"We have a $100,000 high school in Big Lake that would be a credit to any city of 50,000 people." Theis
said.
"We also have a $100,000 courthouse."
Of the 80 Masons in Big Lake, 60 of them are Scottish Rite Masons, Theis added.
The Big Lake Masons completed a lodge building last summer. It is of brick construction and equipped to accommodate
lodge meetings and ceremonies.
The West Texas Utility Co. recently spent $100,000 in constructing power lines which suupply power from Big Lake to
Ozona and the Powell oil field.
Fredericksburg Standard (Fredericksburg, Texas) 18 Dec 1931, Fri
YOUTH DIES IN OIL
Big Lake, Tex., Dec 12 -- Gas overcame Raymond Fannin, 17, while he was on tip of an oil tank at Santa Rita today.
He fell into three feet of oil and died before he could be rescued. The tank was one of the Continental Oil Company's
groups.
The boy, an employee of the Parkersburg Rig and Reel Company, had been sent to the top of the tank to obtain a
hammer. He apparently was dazed by the gas while searching for it. He was the son of Deputy Sheriff Sam Fannin of Best.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, Texas) 13 Sep 1936, Sun
LAKE JUST A NAME
Big Lake, Tex.,--The lake from which this city got its name is pratically dry - only one small hole is left of the
once large body of water. Pioneer residents believe cattle watering there kept the bed tramped down sufficiently to hold
water in its earlier, larger days.
Valley Morning Star (Harlingen, Texas) 29 Aug 1938, Mon
WINDMILL BUILDERS TO BE HONORED GUESTS
Big Lake, Tex.,--When Reagan county celebrates its 35th birthday here August 19-20, the builders of "Old High
Lonesome," erected in 1887 and one of the first windmills constructed in this section, will be the guests. The
builders were Goron Stiles and Sam Murray.
Stiles, for whom the former county seat of Reagan was named, lives in Mobeetie. He has retired but Murray is a
ranchman and lives in Sheffield.
The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Texas) 14 Feb 1939, Tue
REAGAN COUNTY JAIL BARE FOR 7 MONTHS
Big Lake, Tex. - Reagan county folk are law-abiding. Sheriff A.W. Billingsley reports no prisoners at the jail in
more than seven months.
The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah) 25 Apr 1939, Tue
RICH OIL STRIKE WAS "MISTAKE"
Big Lake, Tex.,--What began from a stroke of hard luck still continued today to be one of the world's best producing
oil wells. The well, which has yielded continuously for 16 years, was the start of the Big Lake oil field, which has
largely supported the University of Texas.
A motor truck carrying equipment to a test drill site broke down several miles short of its destination. So the
heavy machinery was unloaded and set up there instead, where oil was soon struck. A later test of the originally planned
site proved the spot was without oil.
Fitchburg Sentinel (Fitchburg, Massachusetts) 6 May 1939, Sat
EMPTY JAIL PROVES INVITATION TO CUPID
Big Lake, Tex.- Never, says Sheriff A.W. Billingsley, would he have believed that a Cupid could be aroused by a
simple announcement that his jail had had no guests for seven months.
But that's what happened. The story about the prisonerless jail got into a California newspaper. Back came a letter
to Sheriff Billingsley. "I read about how good you people are, not having any roomers in the jail." it read.
"I wonder if you know of some lonely man with a good job and some means who would like a little blonde, five feet
one inch tall and weighing 125 pounds?" "I'd love to live in Texas. I prefer a man over 40 years old."
The sheriff, who's started a search, has a reputation for always getting his man.
Lubbock Morning Avalanche (Lubbock, Texas) 1 Jul 1943, Thu
TEXAS FLIER KILLED IN CALIFORNIA CRASH
March Field, Calif., June 30--Second Lt. Loncie L. Tucker, 28, of Stiles, Tex., was killed today when his fighter
plane caught fire and crashed near Newhall, Army officials announced.
Tucker was banking at 300 feet when the plane burst into flames. He tried to bail out at 100 feet, but his parachute
failed to open.
Surviving is his widow, Mrs. Vera R. Tucker of Glendale, Calif.
The Army said Tucker attended San Angelo High school and Daniel Baker college at Brownwood.
The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah) 12 Nov 1975, Wed
BEST
During the oil boom of the 1920s and early 1930, the town of Best in Reagan County, Tex., was known as "the
town with the best name and the worst reputation."
