HANDSFORD COUNTY, TEXAS, 1876 - 1979 [cover title].

Spearman: Craftsman Printers for the Hansford County Historical Comm., n.d. [1980?]. 496pp. Pictorial endsheets. Illustrations. Photographs. Map. Tan pebbled cloth with barbed wire border and wagon wheel vignette on the front cover. First edition, first printing. Fine copy (no dust jacket issued). Handsford County, located at the top of the Texas Panhandle, was created in 1876 and organized in 1889. It is named for John M. Hansford, a Texas state congressman and judge. The opening section focuses on the history of the county with an account of two early inhabitants, Englishmen James and Bob Cator. There is much on the buffalo hunters, ranching, coming of the railroads, organization of the county, early settlements, etc. Present are sections on the schools, lists of post offices and postmasters, and the Anders L. Mordt Land Company and subsequent Norwegian immigration. It also examines the impact of the buffalo, the Indian and role of the federal government in the settlement of the plains between 1850 and 1876. There is a lengthy section of family histories and “thumbnail” sketches of prominent citizens. Sections are also devoted to local business, churches, schools, civic organizations, veterans starting with the Civil War, county officials, and more. Apparently scarce with an on-line-search finding no copies.