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COUNTY LIFE

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By DANI BLACKBURN

After years of neglect, the 1951 Ford Simms fire truck owned by the Bowie Fire Department appears to be nothing but a pile of rust.

However, to local firemen, it is a vital part of their department’s history and they hope to raise the funds needed to bring it back to its former glory.

The Bowie City Council approved the purchase of the truck, affectionately referred to as the ’51 pumper by the current crew, on May 7, 1951. It was bought brand new from Chassis in Wichita Falls for $3,070. Simms Firefighting and Equipment Company, a manufacturer based in San Antonio, converted the truck for $6,000.

The pumper was in service for the department for 25 years and later donated to a fire museum, where it was to be restored and exhibited. However, it was by mere chance the department recovered its truck at the brink of it being junked by that museum and it now hopes to raise funds to restore it for special use. Read the full feature on Pumper ’51 in the weekend News.

Pictured: The rusty remains of Pumper ’51. (Photo by Dani Blackburn)

Truck Photo copy

Pumper ’51 pictured on the right with other vehicles in the fire department fleet back in the 1950s and 1960s. Courtesy photo.

 

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COUNTY LIFE

Commissioners court meets Oct. 14

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Montague County Commissioners face a routine agenda of business when they meet at 9 a.m. on Oct. 14.
Interim District Attorney Katie Boggeman will discuss using Senate Bill 22 funds for a part-time position.
These funds were frozen during an investigation into District Attorney Casey Hall’s use of the funds.
The 2025 resolution for the indigent defense grant program will be presented.
Other topics on Monday’s agenda will be: Consider the appointment of Addie Kirkpatrick to the Montague County Child Welfare Board; reschedule the Veteran’s Day Nov. 11 meeting to Nov. 12; allow sheriff’s office to accept unanticipated revenue of $450 for donations to the National Night Out program; pay two invoices from federal grant funds for bid notices for the wastewater treatment plant; precinct one to enter a finance agreement to purchase a 2025 Mack truck for $161,175 and finance $120,000 and consider naming the private road off South Ford Road to Brom Loop in precinct two.

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COUNTY LIFE

Sip & Stroll continues to grow with each festival

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The 29th annual Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival saw the Harvest Sip & Stroll as its prelude with about 20 merchants participating. One merchants said he estimated serving about 300 people during the evening but the strollers were out in force for the fall evening. See lots of photos in the weekend Bowie News.

Top photo- The new Culpepper Trading Post on Smythe had a soft opening as they participated in Sip & Stroll.

Witchy popcorn hands featured at H&R Block.
Folks stroll into The Wildflower Downtown during Sip & Stroll. (Photos by Barbara Green)
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COUNTY LIFE

Talking Tombstone Tour coming to Nocona

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The Montague County Historical Commission and the Montague County Cemetery Board will be hosting a Talking Tombstone Tour featuring the Nocona Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Oct. 19.
This tour will begin at the gazebo in the center of the cemetery. There is no charge for this event.
Before the tour begins, there will be a brief program to honor the unveiling of a new historical marker. The competition for a historical marker is high.
For the cemetery to be awarded a second marker speaks to the historical significance of the cemetery and represents hours of research and dedication of many people. This marker focuses on some of the founding settlers of Nocona.
Because of the size of the cemetery, the tour also will be at the gazebo. Bring your lawn chairs and listen to the stories and learn about the lives of some of the early settlers of the area. The graves of each person represented will be marked, making it easy to find the people.
As always there are too many from the past to recognize in a day. After the presentations, enjoy some light refreshments and stroll through cemetery, sit and visit with friends or share stories of your own knowledge of history.

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