Ozona History

September 26, 1935

By Bill Gray 
Mute witness to happenings of half a century ago and lingering remnant of a now perished ‘ghost’ town, the oldest dwelling in Crockett County went down this week at the hands of wreckers after having sheltered in its time a room for school pupils, who have long since learned many ‘lessons,’ a bar room, whose merrymakers have departed, a hotel, whose quests have ‘journeyed on,’ a church that outgrew its walls and a dwelling place for many Ozona families. 

Builders are to put its timbers together again soon. The house will be ‘reincarnated’ and its new capacity will be that of a garage and service station – symbol of the modern age. Queries among old timers could not determine the builder but a portion of the house’s history was learned from one of Ozona’s pioneer citizens. R. J. Cooke, who came to Crockett County from Edwards County in September 1897. When workers a few days ago began to dismantle the old dwelling located two blocks west of the square and until recently owned by Green Cooke, first citizens of Crockett, who remember the old house for its many services, spread the word that the town’s oldest house – for it is older than Ozona – was being destroyed. 

September 27, 1945

An action-packed story that would rival the best efforts of Hollywood scenario writer, a story that had its settling over a stretch of highway a few miles west of Ozona, was unfolded by a startled motorist in justice court here Tuesday afternoon. The story was told by J. W. Stewart of Asherton, Texas, who with his wife and children, was returning from a visit on the A.C. Hoover ranch where his brother is employed. 

Stewart was driving along at about 55 miles an hour, he said, when he overtook another car, driven by a man who was alone in the car. The two cars were traveling at about the same rate of speed, so Stewart speeded up a bit to pass the car in front as most drivers will do. He had not gone far before the car he had just passed whipped by and drew up in front of his car. Stewart said, and the lone motorist got out and flagged him down. 

"Mister, you are the first man that has passed me in 700 miles and I would like to give you a drink," Stewart quoted the man as saying. Stewart said that he smiled his thanks, declining the drink, explaining that he was in a hurry and had his family with him. “I drove on and after that speeded up a bit so that he would not pass me," Stewart told the court. "But soon I looked in the rear view mirror and saw that he was coming after me hell – for leather." 

Then began a 75-mile-an-hour auto race down the highway, a race that picked up speed, Stewart said, when he looked back and saw that his pursuer had a long-barreled gun in his hand. Stewart’s wife and children got down in the floor of the car on his order to try to avoid injury in case the man started firing. 

L. D. Gibson, employed by an oil drilling firm, was arrested in connection with the incident and paid a fine of $100 and costs in justice court on a charge of driving an automobile while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

September 22, 1955

Satisfactory progress is being made on construction of the beautiful new school cafeteria building now nearing completion on the school ground north of the junior high building. Supt. L. B T. Sikes said this week. Mrs. Gus Maxwell, former cafeteria manager at Abilene, who will direct the local addition to school facilities, is here laying plans for the cafeteria operation. Mrs. Maxwell is now receiving applications for positions as assistants in the cafeteria. 

Anyone interested in employment at the cafeteria may arrange an interview by calling the high school building. Meals are to be served to high school and junior high students in the cafeteria and hot meals are to be transported in special containers to the elementary schools where they will be served to the students. 

September 23, 1965

When Ozona FFA Chapter elected officers for the new school year term, a brother and sister team emerged in the chapter presidency and as its sweetheart. George Cox was named president and Lynn Cox FFA sweetheart in the balloting. Their parents are Mr. and Mrs. Bud Cox.