Description of Canyon in 1909

After the Texas Legislature approved the establishment of a school named the West Texas State Normal College, a committee was formed to review proposals for a site for the new school. The report of the committee includes summaries of each of the 23 cities and towns that bid for the school. Apparently each city and town tried to outdo the other cities and towns in describing the charm, water supply, and other attributes. Each city and town provided some description of its residents.

Although today the University, Canyon, and the cities of West Texas value diversity, this was not always the case. Canyon's presentation, by L.E. Cowling, included the following description:

"The population, he [Cowling]declared, was of the best; that there were no negroes, Mexicans, foreigners or politicians there; that the people were filled with the red blood of push and energy."

Many of the cities noted the absence of members of minority groups (i.e., Abilene declared itself "100 percent Anglo-Saxon"), but no other city or town noted the lack of politicians. I'm trying to find out more about that strange notation. What did early Canyon residents think about politicians that would require the bid committee to distinctly mention that there were no politicians?

If you have any leads, please mention them in the comments.

Thanks.

Stories about WTSNC, WTSTC, WTSC, WTSU, and/or WTAMU

Do you have a story about the institution of higher learning located in Canyon, Texas? How about friends and relatives with stories?

While we can't promise that we will use every story we hear, Dr. Kuhlman and I would be interested in hearing from you. Please submit your information as a comment to this posting.

If you have information that may be too long for a comment, please email me at jrausch@mail.wtamu.edu.

Thanks.