True Stories of Amazing People and Places in Texas

Motley County, Texas from 1800's to 1950 as pictured in archived government photographs, vintage postcards, old school yearbooks and newspapers. Click on photos to view larger.

Cook on the Matador Ranch in 1906 stirs a boiling pot under a tarp attached to the chuck wagon while a cowboy in the background is either eating something with both hands or playing his harmonica.

Family poses at Turtle Hole in northeastern Motley County while their chickens run from photographer in 1879. A post office stop between Childress and Matador operated there for a short time . . . Read more view full size

Quanah Parker, the last Comanche chief, and and three of his wives relax by the pond at Ballard Springs on the Matador Ranch in 1905

Photo by famed cowboy photographer Erwin Smith . . . See full size photo

Birdseye view of Celebration of the opening of Motley County Railroad in Matador Texas . . . look closer

Wedding Photo of Jim and Byrd Jackson in 1900

From an article by Janelle Jackson Shirley from Matador Texas.

"Today was the day, the year 1922. All good-byes had been said and now it was time to walk out the door of their Erath County home for the last time. Ever since the decision was made to move to West Texas, Byrd had tried to reassure her children about leaving their childhood home for a new home in the west" . . . read more

In the 1890's a family made camp outside Matador. Photo shows the Motley County Jail in background

Carouth Family Traveling to Terry County through Roaring Springs 1922

Carouth Family Stops in Roaring Springs in covered wagons on their way to settle in Terry County in 1922 . . . Take a closer look

Former Matador Ranch cowboy and owner of the Dew Drop Saloon Jeff Davis Boone was fatally wounded in the Motley County courthouse in 1892 when he picked a fight with newly elected Motley county Sheriff Joe Beckham . On September 21, 1892, a grand jury indicted Beckham for assault to commit the murder of Jeff Boon. The district judge moved the case to Floyd County (Floydada) . . . Read more

Matador ranch hands pictured left to right have been identified as Unknown, Robert Thornton, Bill Hemphill, Wildhorse Melvin Warren (Wagon Boss), Rosie Deaton, Wishie Derickson, Alfred Irwin, Johnnie Cavitt, Cliff Stevens, Polecat Vinson (Cook), Unknown, and Ellis Key. Photo is from E.D. Smith Collection . . . see full size

Pictured from left to right, Jaunita Mize (manager), Mary Ruth Muse, Frances Carpenter, Eugenia Tilson, Mary Ellen Barton, Wandean Garrison and Coach Hugh Grey. Second Row: Ruby Burton, Janell Jackson, Ruth Jameson, Lucille Plumlea and Grace Lavern Tilson ... See full size

Resources:

West Texas History & Memories

Early Life in Texas County by County

Books about Texas People and Places

Amazing People from Texas County by County

Motley County, TX History and Genealogy

Texas History and Frontier Genealogy