Stratford in Sherman County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016
1. Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford Marker
On May 2, 1901, an election was held to determine whether the Sherman County seat should be moved from Coldwater (a ranching center in the central part of the county) to Stratford (a growing town on the new railroad). Partisan feelings ran high and the legality of certain votes was questioned.Because of a threatened injunction against the move, a special session of court was held at 1 a.m. on May 6. Votes were canvassed and, under cover of darkness, the county records were spirited to a tent about 2 blocks south of here. A horseman bringing the injunction to halt the move arrived too late. For several days apprehensive Stratford citizens kept an armed guard posted around the tent.
Proponents of Coldwater then filed a suit titled "W.B. Slaughter Et Al. vs. D.W. Snyder Et Al.", but by the time court convened, Stratford had been widely accepted as county seat and the suit was dismissed.
Those who helped move the records included D.W. Snyder, County Judge; C.F. Rudolph, County Clerk; Dick Pincham, Sheriff; D.D. Spurlock, Deputy Sheriff; Tom Chambers, Treasurer; W.J. Potts and J.H. Bowman, Jr., Commissioners; and
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Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4241.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1901.
Location. 36° 20.281′ N, 102° 4.209′ W. Marker is in Stratford, Texas, in Sherman County. Marker is on North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 North 3rd Street, Stratford TX 79084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sherman County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Sidney Sherman (a few steps from this marker); Early Settlers on Coldwater Creek (approx. 3.7 miles away); Sherman County (approx. 5.6 miles away).
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016
2. Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford Marker is on the left
Sherman County Courthouse Marker is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.
