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Lynn
County is celebrating its 100th year and I have been helping to
work on the histories of various places and businesses. I am Regina
Barnes Crutcher, daughter of the late Boyd Barnes and Fern Caswell
Barnes. The Caswells moved to Draw (nearer
to the Double U Ranch) in 1928 when my mother was 4. I grew up there
as did my three siblings. I have attended and belong to the Draw United
Methodist Church all my life. The church is still going strong, approaching
its centennial in 2007. We are a shared pastorate with the O'Donnell
UMC.
The first family to settle in Draw was
the W. A. Waller family. Prior to their arrival, cattle roamed freely
and drank from natural ponds on their way to market up north. As other
families followed the Wallers the cattle drovers sought other ways
to the north. First families included the Sherrills, the LeMonds,
the Greenwoods, the Caswells, the Williams, the Duckworths, and the
Sewells.
In the winter of 1906-07, a one-room school was built with R. A. Duckworth
teaching all grades. Athletic teams were dubbed the Draw Longhorns
with [school colors] red and black. The last year for elementary classes
in Draw was 1949. Middle and high school
classes were bussed to O'Donnell.
The last business in Draw was the Draw
Paymaster Gin which ginned their last bale in 1993. |
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The Draw Methodist
Church
Photo
courtesy Regina Crutcher, 2003 |
"The sign
was made by Walter Venson Caswell and Norman Ledbetter in memory of
Walter's father, Vernon Caswell." - Regina Barnes
Photo
courtesy Regina Barnes Crutcher, 11-2003 |
As
with most rural communities, church was the only social experience
offered in towns of that size. Since the Methodist Church is the only
church still active, I will give an abbreviated church history.
Rev. J.O. Gore from the Tahoka UMC began preaching to a Methodist
congregation on March 1, 1907 with the following charter members:
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Waller, their daughters, Sadie, Emily, and Willie;
Mrs. Kittie LeMond, and Mrs. R.A. Duckworth. Sunday school was organized
at that time with 18 regular members and 30 members listed.
The present building was dedicated in 1924. Rev. Hamilton Wright was
the first pastor to live in the parsonage on church grounds in 1927.
The Draw Women's Missionary Society was organized in 1928.
In the 40's and 50's, congregation attendance regularly hit the 80's.
Young couples were prospering in business and crop production and
Draw supported a full-time pastor at this time.
But in 1965, after years of dwindling population, Rev. Robert Brown
was the first pastor since 1925 to travel from O'Donnell
to Draw every Sunday morning.
Draw UMC has sponsored five men from their congregation who have dedicated
their lives to the ministry. Currently services are held each Sunday
A.M. at 9:15 with Rev. Ken Peterson minister. Mrs. Mary V.Sherrill
continues to teach Sunday School, a position she's held for over 75
years.
Thank you.
- Regina Barnes Crutcher, June 2003 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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