Unique Display of Relics at Local Drug Co.’s Store

September 12, 1924 - 100 years ago

Hundreds of people have stopped yesterday and today a Wanser’s window, and many have lingered long past their allotted time. May be some have missed appointed engagements, but they will be excused, for they have never before seen so varied a display of relics of the late war, and they will not be seen again except in museums in the large cities.

Meet Dusty the Bison at the XIT Museum

What do you name a stuffed bison? If it’s on display in Dalhart’s XIT Museum, the only fitting name is “Dusty,” of course.

Too Many Go Hungry in Dallam, Hartley Counties

by Cerise Merritt Ripps
Editor

Hunger – better known as ‘food insecurity’ in political circles – is on the rise, across the United States, in Texas, and in Dallam and Hartley Counties. September is Hunger Awareness Month, and there couldn’t be a better time for it.

Viterra to build grain elevator in Dalhart

 Viterra grain company recently announced plans to build a grain facility in Dalhart, which they expect to be completed by mid- 2025. The new facility will be located near the intersection of Chamberlain Road and Highway 54. It will include a state-of-the-art grain handling system and loop track served by Union Pacific Railroad. 

“We’re excited to be building in the Dalhart area,” said Viterra spokesperson Hannah Fuxa. “We anticipate that the construction of the new site, along with the completed and operating grain elevator, will lead to job creation, although the exact number of jobs that will be generated is not yet determined. Along with employment growth, we believe this build will support the local agricultural community by expanding our service capabilities and allowing us to efficiently move grain from growers to end users, like the cattle producers in the Dalhart area.”

TWU center announces new round of grants for  women-owned startups

 StartHER, a grant program of TWU’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs, is marking its sixth year of offering financial support to women-owned businesses in Texas. 

The center, a program of Texas Women’s University’s Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, began accepting applications for its latest round of grants on Sept. 3. The center will award 10 grants, each valued at $5,000.

 The Airbound Gymnastics team pause for a photo taken at the Stars and Stripes National Championships in Fort Worth last month. Pictured are (left to right) Coach Aaron Smith, Lilly Hughes, Haylee Arrington, Mia Burns, Maiden Whittington, Lauren Gard, Isabell Fitzsimmons and Coach Autumn Smith. Courtesy Photo 

Right – Haylee Arrington comes in for a landing at the Stars and Stripes National Championships last month in Fort Worth. She won third place overall. Courtesy Photo 

 Flipping out on Denrock Avenue

 “Next year I’m going to get National Champion!” That’s the goal of local gymnast Haylee Arrington. The determined 14-year-old is a student of Autumn Smith at Airbound Gymnastics, located at 101 Denrock. 

Smith opened the gym in 2021, and Arrington has been training with her since the beginning. Aaron Smith and Calie Womble, Autumn’s husband and sister, coach alongside her at Airbound.

Reported That Bandits To Rob Rock Island Train Not There

Following a tip, as the Rock Island always does, precaution was taken to offset any attempted hold-up by bandits at Meade Tuesday night, but the bandits failed to make their appearance, and there is little to tell save that two deputies, each taking the other for one of the robbers, engaged in a shooting bout with the result that each of them carries slight wounds from shot guns.

There’s a new City Manager in town!

Dalhart City Manager J. J. Oznick survived his first week on the job, and he said that it was wonderful!

Council considering $9.5 million budget

by Cerise Merritt Ripps
Editor

Dalhart City Councilmen are in the process of adopting an almost $9.5 million budget for the city for the upcoming fiscal year.

Chamber’s Farm to Table festival celebrates local harvests

 With a menu of mouth-watering local meat and produce, Texas beer and wine, and fan-favorite music, the Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce is ready to celebrate area agricultural producers and local businesses with the 5th Annual Farm to Table feast on Sept. 7. 

The popular event will again be held outdoors at Denrock Avenue and 4th Street. It opens at 6:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 7:00, and music will begin about 7:30 p.m.

DISD enrollment creeps up as tax rate creeps down

 Enrollment is up and the tax rate is down, again, at Dalhart Independent School District, according to information released at the Aug. 20 school board meeting. 

The district had 1,743 students enrolled as of Monday morning, and Superintendent Jeff Byrd said that number is increasing slowly each year by approximately 80 and 100 students since he began with the district in 2022-23.

XIT Fun Run Earns $1400 for First Responders

 XIT Fun Run organizers Jennifer Been (left) and Summer Peoples (right) presented Dalhart Fire Chief Mario Garza with checks to benefit the Dallam and Hartley County First Responders last week.

BOB DUKE TRAMPLED BY CATTLE

Carrying the imprint of a cow’s hoof on the back of his head and another on his breast, and with several ribs torn loose from their moorings, Bob Duke, prominent cattleman, is stepping about as briskly as usual and says you can’t keep a good man down.

Dalhart FFA members earn top honors

Two young Dalhart men learned this week that they will receive the highest honor bestowed by the National FFA Organization at its convention in October. Less than one percent of Future Farmers of America members achieve this goal.

State trooper receives lifesaving award

By Cerise Merritt Ripps
Editor

A former Dalhart DPS trooper received a lifesaving award Thursday in Austin for his efforts in March to rescue Amanda Miller, who had been injured in a crash with a semi-truck. It was given to him by the Texas Public Safety Commission.

New Suicide Prevention Number: 988

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network.

Scouting about in Dalhart

 Local efforts are once again underway to organize troops in Dalhart through Scouting America, previously known as Boys Scouts of America then, briefly, BSA Scouting. The new name change will become effective on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th birthday.

 Doing a good turn for others

 The Dalhart Rotary Club is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year with a lofty goal – achieving 100 acts of service for 100 years of service - and you could be part of it, says local president Coury Tucker.

In the Rearview Mirror, pulled from the archives of The Dalhart Texan, brought to you by Furniture Fashions.

August 15, 1924 - 100 years ago

SANTA FE WON’T COME THIS WAY

In answer to a letter from the Dalhart chamber of commerce, President Storey of the Santa Fe says there are no plans at present for an extension of their line from Elkhart into Texas or New Mexico, but are merely making a preliminary survey for the purpose of obtaining additional date in regard to the character of the country, grades, etc. so as to be fully informed when conditions become favorable for an extension.

Dalhart Police, City hit with $1.8 million claim

The City of Dalhart and Dalhart Police Department are facing a $1.8 million claim for unlawful arrest, imprisonment, search and seizure, and related actions following a July 10 incident involving two police officers and a Dallam County deputy.

Andrew Spignor, an insurance agent and consultant from Sun City, AZ, was visiting his fatherin- law and sister-in-law, who have asked to not be named, with his wife, Arelys, and young son. The three had been staying in Dalhart off and on for about two months, Andrew said. His sisterin- law had also just had a female friend staying with her, but kicked her out for unacceptable behavior a few days earlier, according to the Spignors.

On the evening of July 10, Andrew and Arelys were sitting outside the family apartment on Maynard Avenue when the former friend (whom we have chosen not to name) appeared and demanded entrance so that she could retrieve items that she had left behind. When the Spignors refused, as previously requested by Andrew’s sister-inlaw, whose name is on the apartment lease, she threatened to call the police. They encouraged her to do so, stating that the police would not assist in a civil matter.

She left, then returned with two female Dalhart Patrol Officers who, again, shall remain unnamed. According to a video recording of the incident, after hearing the situation, the first officer appeared ready to leave. Her partner, however, stated that the former visitor had squatter’s rights and could, therefore, enter the residence however she chose. The officer then pointed to a tire iron that was laying on the porch and told the “friend” that she could even pick it up and smash a window with it to gain entrance if she wanted to.

When the former friend did pick up the tire iron and advance toward the window, Andrew Spignor moved to block the pane of glass, saying that he had a right to protect the home. At that point, the second officer arrested him. She called for backup, which brought a Dallam County Deputy to the scene. Spignor was handcuffed behind his back and forced into the backseat of the patrol car after.

The three officers then entered the residence without consent and against the protests of Arelys, escorting the “friend” and “looking around at everything,” Arelys said.

Andrew Spignor said that he spent approximately 19 hours in jail, was subjected to a strip search and was forced to sleep on the floor. His previously injured wrist, which had been surgically repaired, was reinjured during the arrest and has been chronically swollen for the month since it happened.

The Dallam County Attorney’s Office has “rejected the charges in the case…due to no charges being filed,” per an email sent to Andrew.

He is seeking $1.873 million in total damages and a public apology from the City of Dalhart, the Dalhart Police Department and the Dallam County Sheriff’s Department for the unlawful arrest and imprisonment.

“I’m willing to negotiate,” he said. “I don’t want to bankrupt the City. Everyone here, for the most part, has been very nice, from the grocery store to the County Clerk. But this was wrong.”

The Dalhart Police Department had no comment. City officials did not respond to requests for comment or additional information.