In 1923 Wichita Falls: Pretty Dick, moonshine and chickens were the news 100 years ago
A long time ago in a galaxy very close to home – before there was social media or internet. Before there was television. Heck, before there was even radio – people learned what was happening through the newspaper. We thought it would be enlightening – and occasionally worth a chuckle – to dip way, way back in time and see what the news was. What the buzz was. What the scuttlebutt was – 100 years ago on this date. So, on occasion, we will hop aboard our virtual time machine and race back through the dusty, yellowing pages of time – and The Times.
Happenings in Wichita Falls April 20, 1923
Here’s what was happening on April 20, 1923 in the Times and/or Record News.
From Tom L. Burnett’s rodeo in Iowa Park:
“It was a sure-enough rodeo. John Driggers was hurled into a fence face first by Pretty Dick.”
On Page 12:
“A small fortune in liquor went down the sewer pipes at the courthouse Wednesday night when federal prohibition officers here poured out 215 gallons of booze that had been captured in various raids in this section.”
And:
“Repairs are nearing completion on the No. 3 fire station truck which was considerably messed up when it rolled off a high embankment on Bluff Street and landed bottom side up in a ditch.”
And:
“Speaking before a large crowd of Rotarians and guests, Judge William Atwell assailed the uselessness of dance marathons.”
On Page 6:
BOWIE, TEXAS – Sheriff Harry Walker and City Marshal Hogue Young went out to the woods and hills about five miles east of Stoneburg Wednesday afternoon and captured a 30 gallon copper still with hose pipe, about 150 gallons of mash, three or four sacks of sugar, a box of raisins and other things that go into the manufacture of whiskey. One man about 34 years old was arrested. Another man beat it for the tall timber.
From Perkins-Timberlake store ad:
“Leah Baird – Noted Movie Star and One of Filmdom’s Most Beautiful Actresses will appear in our store. Leah Baird is the first movie star to visit Wichita Falls and comes to the Olympic Theater with her latest picture, ‘Is Divorce a Failure?’ of which she is both author and star.”
From classified ads:
“Crystal-gazer Madame J. Rea Keys is in your city for a few days and will be happy to give advice in all your troubles. Stratford Hotel Rm. 2”
“For Sale: five-room modern house on Sixteenth Street. 100 White Leghorn chickens go with this property.”
“WANTED: Couple to get married on the stage of the Strand Theater Friday night.”
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: On this day in 1923: Pretty Dick, moonshine and chickens made news
