Letters From Judge W. A. Lackey About Tap (Red Mud), Dickens County, Texas.

The Jayton Chronicle, Friday, Sept. 30, 1966

Here is a letter that Kent County Judge D. J. Young received recently from W. A. Lackey who taught school at Tap, Texas in the winter of 1907-08. K. P. Brantner said Mr. Lackey was his first teacher. Judge Young thought it of general interest and asked it to be published in the Chronicle:

Dear Judge,

Thank you for your recent letter and tell Brantner I have no recollection of whipping any pupil that year.

When I left there in 1908 I went to Collingsworth Co. and with the money I had saved from teaching I went to Cumberland University in 1909 and 10. It was at Lebanon, Tenn. and I came here from Memphis, Tex. which is the county seat of Hall County and have been here since.

I boarded with a man by the name of Sam Owen in Kent County. I think both he and Higgins were from San Saba County. Higgins had two daughters and if I remember correctly their names were Bonnie Rivers and Ruby Lake. I know I was invited to one wedding while I was there but have forgotten which one. I went with Mr. Owen and he said it was the first time in eight years there had been a light in the Higgins house.

The Higgins had some trouble over a divorce and also there was a killing. Owen's oldest daughter married a man called Bud Morrison. The next oldest daughter was named Fern and I saw her once in Dallas where she was a public stenographer. The next oldest one was Ann who so far as I know never married. The next was Grace who married a man at Estelline that was the headquarters for the Mill Iron brand, I believe. He also had a son named Tom. He moved to Canada in 1908 and I heard once or twice from his son after they moved.

Youngest daughter was named Arlene and I do not know what ever became of her. Owen said it was 60 miles to the nearest railroad when I was there. I also met a young lady by the name I believe of Rachael Ellis who, of course, rode a side saddle, but she was handy with a lariat.

I am originally for near Tupel, Miss. My parents are buried near there. When I was there, I thought the girls were the most graceful. The only other ranch I can remember in Kent County was the B-Bar-S, Brown and Scoggins, although I am sure there were other companies that had an interest in it.

I remember a Mr. Donoho that had lots in Jayton.

I think the Swensons owned the Spur Ranch when I was there.

I have an assignment to go to Idabell tomorrow to hold court. It is about 135 miles from here. I think there is a cypress tree there that is 2000 years old. If I can get a post card of it I will mail you one, also one to Brantner.

With best wishes,

W. A. Lackey

Tell Brantner I was 82 last April.

Dear former Pupil;

I am sorry I cannot recall your name and neither do I remember whipping anyone when I was teaching near Tap. What was the name of the school; Was it Red Mud?

I am almost sure you can remember the name of the man I boarded with--Sam Owen. You should remember the name of his son--I think his name was Tom and that he also had a sister whose name as I recall was Arlene. They both went to school to me as I remember. I know that I could never dance and when they had a dance at Owens, when the cowboys came to Owens for a dance they would come in with high heeled boots. I would lend them my shoes so they could dance better. I think I told Judge Young about a certain Bud Morrison and he wanted to teach me how to ride a bucking horse. He had a stallion named Black Warrior. Before I got on him I asked him what the horse was worth and he told me. And I told him if I was thrown and my foot hung in the stirrup he was my horse and for him to shoot his stud, and he was mine. And that day was the first time I ever ate lamb fries, when he would see a calf which had not been cut or branded.

It was so good to hear from you and if you see anyone else who went to school to me give them my regards. I was 23 years old when I got there and 24 in April before I left there. So if you will count up you will see I was 82 last April.

With the best of good wishes to you and any other pupils that went to school to me give them my best and personal regards. I shall be glad to hear from you or any other one who went to school to me. Send me your picture if you have one.

As ever,
W. A. Lackey

Author's note: This was a handwritten letter on a printed letterhead. Mr. Lackey verifies that the school year was 1907-08. C. R. B.