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History in
a Pecan Shell
Fink formed shortly
before the Civil War when the family of Fredrick Finke and others
moved into the area from their former home in Mississippi.
The community was underdeveloped until after the war when all of NE
Texas was infused with new settlers looking to start fresh with cheap
Texas land.
Fink had a post office from 1897 to 1903 but the population never
came close to a hundred. It declined to less than 20 during The Great
Depression and averaged little more than that for the remainder of
the 20th century. It is now what is known as "a dispersed rural community."
The fourth Friday in June has been declared Fink Day in Texas,
by the Texas Legislature (people who are familiar with the name).
This coincides with "National Fink Week" which is a celebration
held by families sharing that same surname. Fink barely appears on
county maps, but due perhaps to its semi-humorous name, it appears
clearly on the Official State Highway map - just below the Red River
in Grayson County.
(Update: Pink has been annexed by Pottsboro.)
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The Legend
of the origin of
the noun "Fink" and the verb "to Fink"
by Raul Hashimoto
19th Century Mississippi Keelboat operator Mike Fink - once featured
in the Walt Disney Davy Crockett series of the 1950s - was a real
person with a reputation for heavy drinking and carousing. One of
the stories about Fink places him in a shooting match with his best
friend. The two were also rivals for the attention of one particular
woman and this supposedly non-lethal "duel" had the men shooting targets
off of each other's head - winner would get the girl. When it was
Mike's turn he perforated his friend's forehead. Onlookers never knew
if it was "shooting under the influence" or an intentional and very
abrupt end to the rivalry. Some say that Fink himself, never knew.
A "Fink" came to mean someone who was capable of betraying his best
friend, although the years have softened it a bit to that of a informer
or snitch. As a verb - to "Fink" on someone was a petty betrayal for
little reward. It became a popular "friendly insult" in the 1960s.
The term of rat - for informer was added in some circles - making
the term rat-fink which is somewhat redundant.
© John
Troesser |
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Fink TX Motel
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, November 2007 |
Photographer's
Note
Subject: Fink
I think Fink is actually part of Pottsboro.
The sign is there and there's a cluster of businesses but no organized
town as such. The motel was the only reference to Fink so that's what
I shot. - Mike
Price, November 18, 2007 |
Fink, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Fink, Texas
In your information about the town of Fink, Texas. When you are
speaking about Fredrick (Fred) Finke there is an "e" on the end
of his name. The Finke's that settled here in Fink, Texas were dairy
farmers. The "e" was taken off by the Governor to make the name
shorter. Just a little note of history. Charlotte Finke, Great-Great
Granddaughter of Fredrick Finke, Fink, Texas - Charlotte Finke,
July 31, 2006
Subject:
A law passed in the 70's.
I remember working at West Publishing in the 70's up in St. Paul
and my editor and I published the Texas Statute laws. We came across
a law that honored the people of your city as a bunch of Finks and
it was hilarious. It brought back to mind that even our law makers
have a sense of humor. Also too, in 1977, Jesse James was the state
treasurer.
I am in Houston on business and I remembered these things while
reminiscing about your state. - Kathy Sander, September 14, 2005
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