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To publicize the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Assn. conven tion in Menard in June, 1917, three booster trips were made by Me nard citizens to surrounding com munities. A. E. Nauwald and John Keeler were in charge of the booster trips, and they collected the names of various automobile owners who would make their vehicles avail able for the excursions. As the day for the first booster trip approached, it was announc ed that “booster hats” could be had at Sam Melinger’s. Each car should be decorated with “flags, etc.,” it was announc ed in The Menard Messenger, which advised boosters, “Protect yourself with goggles. No fast driving allowed.” “Ranchers and farmers are in vited to make the trip. Ladies are invited and urged to go. “The whistle will blow at 4 o'clock and the trips will blow at 5 o’clock promptly. The Spring Cafe will serve coffee and sand wiches to those who desire the same before starting. A trouble car will follow.” These car-owners registered for the trips: Luckenbach Hardware Co., Y. P. Russell, Ed. Mears, Joe Decker, A. Beyer, Duff Hale, Will Jenkins, Will Murchison, W. R. Barkier, Schaefer Grandstaff, Oscar Wehle, Roy Gay, W. C. Kiehne, w. J. Callan, L. F. Stewart, John Callan, Sam Melinger, Jake Spoon, Ed Ellis, Marion Callan, J. B Lofton, Chas. Patton, Bank of Me nard, John Decker, J. Zidell, J. T. Westbrook, W. L. Oliver, J. D. Smith, Frank Slaughter, Henry Vander Stucken, Jim Pettigrew, Walter Russell, H. H. Wireless, L E. Spring, Dr. J. A. Leggett, w.w Treadwell, Mrs. T. P. Russell, Louie Ellis, H. H. Mears, Mrs. W. W. Russell, Mrs. Lem Crawford, Dan Crowell, Bud Ellis and J. T. Neel. On Wednesday, June 6, 150 boosters left Menard for the first trip, which took them to Paint Rock, Ballinger, Miles, San An gelo and Eden. They were accord ed an enthusiastic reception every where they stopped, particularly in San Angelo, where the group was welcomed with 2 band and speeches. Ed. Mears responded in his fine oratorical style, describing “Menard’s many virtues and the possibilities of having a good time if they came over to our city June 26, 27 and 28 to the convention of the Goat Raisers.” The next week it was noted in The Messenger that “Friends of Ed. Mears, leader of the booster trips, are urging him to run for the legislature on the strength of his oratory, and it’s not a bad sug gestion at that.” Friday, June 8, the second ex cursion was made, with 120 boost ers going along, to Junction, Rock springs, Sonora and Eldorado. At Junction the group was greeted by Coke Stevenson, “who made a warm speech of welcome , which was answered by Mr. Mears, the leader of the Menard boosters. “Ed. tried to express the great appreciation the visitors had of the welcome extended by its neighbor city but mere words could not express it.” Members of the Junction recep tion committee guided the boost ers out on the Rocksprings road, pointing out the crossings on the South Llano. At the Seven Hundred Springs, the group took a break of a few minutes to enjoy the scenic spot. The stop at Rocksprings was cut short because the caravan was be hind schedule. “An elaborate dinner” was pre pared at “the two big hotels” in Sonora for the Menard boosters. “Sonora spared no pains to show Menard a royal welcome.” Leaving Sonora at 6 p. Mm. the group spent half an hour at Eldo rado and headed home. “Compara tively few breakdowns were had” con the trip, it was noted. “The reception at all the towns was most cordial, and besides ad vertising the convention, which was the purpose of the trip, it brought our own business men in to a better harmony and good fel lowship.”
Newspaper Details
Menard News
Menard, Texas, US
Thu, Mar 24, 1966
Page 2
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 09 Feb 2026
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