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COUNTY LIFE

Montague Catholic Cemetery to receive Texas historical marker

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Members of the Montague County Historical Commission cordially invite you to attend the dedication of an official State of Texas historical marker at the Montague Catholic Cemetery at 3 p.m. May 26. The public is invited. (Please note in Wednesday edition the time was incorrect. The event is at 3 p.m. not 2 p.m. as printed).
This marker was donated by the Robert H. Fenoglio family whose ancestors originally settled this area, then grew and prospered through good times and bad to make Montague their home and home for future generations.
The Montague Catholic Cemetery is located 1.3 miles west of the Montague County Courthouseon the north side of Catholic Cemetery Road. It began as part of a rural Catholic community in Montague, but it now serves Montague County, as well as other parts of central North Texas.
Between 1860 to 1920 Italians heavily emigrated from the northern parts of Italy into other European countries and America, eventually into Texas. Peasants from the Lombardy, Piedmont, and Venetian regions of northern Italy left because growing conditions made it almost impossible to make a living.
The earliest Anglo-American settlers known to have located in Montague County were Henry Braden and John Keenan in 1854, but they were soon followed by many other settlers making their way west.
Montague County was created by an act of the state legislature. Though created Dec. 26, 1857, the county government was not organized until Aug. 2, 1858. It is this date that recognized by locals as the county’s birthdate.
Montague Catholic Cemetery, lying approximately one and one half miles southeast of the town of Montague, was established on March 8, 1902. At the time of its establishment it was called the Roman Catholic Cemetery of Montague.
Rules of the cemetery stated that lots were to be free for Roman Catholics living in the community. For those Catholics not living in the Montague community, a fee between $2 and $5 per lot would be assessed.
Since 1910 many other Catholics of Montague and surrounding communities have claimed cemetery lots there. More than 250 marked and unmarked graves are now recorded in the cemetery.
First person to be buried in the Cemetery was Giroloma Vitali, son of John and M. Vitali. He was an infant, born Nov. 11, 1900, and died March 29, 1901. The body of the oldest person lying in the cemetery is that of Barrett Raymond who was born on Oct. 8, 1841. He died March 5, 1915.
The cemetery is lovingly cared for by residents of Montague, some of whom are descendants of those original Italian settlers and attend the church their ancestors attended so long ago.
Many of those buried in the Montague Catholic Cemetery played a major role in the development of the town of Montague and left a legacy of hard work and determination for those who follow as well as a sense of pride in their Italian heritage

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COUNTY LIFE

Santa Claus makes a stop at Bowie Elementary

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Brothers dressed in their holiday PJs get their pic with Santa. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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COUNTY LIFE

Bowie fish fry to assist youth fair sales on Jan. 4

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Enjoy a fish fry and live music concert on Jan. 4 all to support the 4-H and FFA youth of Montague County as they compete in the annual youth fair.
The annual Bowie fish fry for the Bowie buyers group will begin serving at 5:30 p.m. at the Bowie Community Center. Cost is $10 per plate. There will be a live auction at 7 p.m.
The evening’s concert will feature Dax Davis. Live music begins at 8:30 p.m. with the Davis concert at 9:30 p.m. Cost for the concert is $25 per ticket and $20 for a student, or $300 for a reserved table for eight.
Tickets are available at Fashion Floors, 202 N. Smythe or call 872-2468.

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COUNTY LIFE

2025 Montague County Youth Fair tops 1,160 entries

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The entry numbers are in for the 2025 Montague County Youth Fair has 1,160 projects will be considered by the judges Jan. 8-11 at various locations in the county.
Youth fair officials said of the 1,160 there are 333 students participating from clubs and schools throughout the county. These contests provide something for everyone from robotics and skills-a-thons to top cake bakers and welders.
The home economics divisions will welcome 596 entries up significantly from the 471 this past year. There will be 132 for creative arts, 64 in fabric construction, 160 in food and 240 in photography. There are junior and senior divisions for each category.
Home economics entries can be checked in from 7-9 a.m. on Jan. 8 at the Nocona Community Center. They will be judged that day with results posted at 6 p.m.
The silent auction for home economics items will open at 6 p.m. in the show barn and end at 9 p.m.

Read the full story on all the entry numbers in your mid-week Bowie News.

Top photo – Bowie High School welders work on their projects. (Courtesy photos)

Nocona FFA students were busy working on their youth fair projects as the Christmas break arrived this past week. (Courtesy photo)
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