History of the Rocksprings Rodeos
Rodeos in Rocksprings have had an interesting and at times colorful history since they first began in the 1890’s. An integral facet of Rocksprings history is the Rocksprings Rodeo. Rodeos began as a result of the ranchers’ love for fun combined with his working skills. Ranchers in the Rocksprings area have been having rodeos since they first arrived. Through interviews, old records, and books, the writers have gathered information concerning the rodeo and some of the related aspects of the annual celebration.
In the late 1800’ and early part of this century, rodeo-type events were held around the area. Small ropings and dances were scattered but horse races were almost everywhere. Every rancher had at least one pony that he considered fast and many men specialized in breeding race horses. One of Rocksprings’ more colorful horse races which took place in 1895 involved Pat Garrett, the New Mexico lawman who killed Billy the Kid, and John Nance Garner, then a Uvalde lawyer and later to become Vice President of the United States. Garner stayed at the race until 5:00 that afternoon, taking bets, then hopped into his buggy in an effort to reach Uvalde by 8:00 for his own wedding.
In 1929, the rodeo had to be held on the football field. The ranchers in the Rocksprings area decided they needed a place to hold the rodeo so they organized the Edwards County Fair Association. The original directors of the association were Tom C. Hampton and V. A. Brown, Raymond H. Earwood, Gus Young, and Brown Epperson with Tom Hampton and V. A. Brown as chairmen. Tom Hampton was the first president of the Fair Association.
In 1929, the association bought about nine acres from Fred Ross. Ross didn’t want to sell but Hampton and Brown convinced him that it was his civic duty. The matter was finally settled for a billy goat, two possums, and some cash. Twenty acres were purchased from E. H. Draper in 1930 by selling stock. Although the Fair Association paid for and controlled this land, the deed was filed in Raymond Earwood’s name. Under the direction of the Fair Association the horse races started in 1929 and rodeo in 1930.
At first the rodeos and horse races were largely makeshift affairs. The people drove their cars, trailers, and wagons into a circle for the arena To contain the goats, people would stand between the vehicles. Events at the rodeos were goat, calf, and steer roping, and bronc riding. The rodeo stock was supplied by the ranchers. If a rancher had a bad bronc, he brought it. Raymond Earwood had a bronc called the Earwood Blue that was gentle when ridden bareback and was broke to a harness, but when saddled, it “went wild.” Accounts are in conflict as to whether or not it was ever successfully ridden. Contestants were all local men and boys.
The rodeo was not held during World War II. In 1949 the land was sold to the county for one dollar and the title was transferred to the county. It resumed in 1949 under the direction of the American Legion. The American Legion borrowed $1,800 from the People’s State Bank of Rocksprings and a $50,000 bond was passed. With part of this money the park building was built on the land which the Fair Association had deeded to Edwards County. The old grandstand, arena and a half mile race track built in the 1930’s were torn down. The race track was not rebuilt. A new grandstand was built for the 1973 rodeo. The dance pavilion has been enlarged twice.
For many years a free barbecue was a part of the rodeo celebration. The meat was donated by the ranchers and cooked in large open pits. The other food was donated by the Rocksprings merchants.
One of the highlights of the 4th of July celebration is the parade which features entries of various clubs and businesses of Rocksprings and surrounding areas. Before the parade, the Old Settlers Queen is crowned before the crowd which is gathered to watch the parade. After the coronation, the float on which the Queen and her duchesses are riding returns to the lining area. The parade goes around the town square and down various streets of Rocksprings. The floats and decorated cars come first then come the stars of the rodeo, the horses and their riders.
After the parade the Old Settlers have their reunion at the Park Building. There the life history of the Queen is read. Refreshments are served and everyone has a good time recollecting old friends and moments long gone.
The Old Settlers Queen is chosen by three local clubs. The Woman’s Club, The Music Club and The Merry Hearts Club. Each club selects a woman and sponsors her for three years as she goes from Duchess, to Princess, to Queen. The following ladies were crowned Old Settler’s Queen: 1953-Mrs. G. Stieber (Fanny Ahostroster), 1054-Mrs. Jn. N. Whitworth (Ida Winn), 1955-Mrs. E. S. Young (Etta Byrd), 1956-Mrs. H. S. Davis (Lucy Wittenburg), 1957-Mrs. A. G. Morriss (Lilly May Anderson), 1958-Mrs. J. C. Clark (Katie Long), 1959-Mrs. Mark Bean (Susie Franks), 1960-Mrs. O. C. Pope (Ethel Green), 1961-Mrs. F. D. Sweeten (Nora Benskin), 1962-Mrs. O. O. Cowsert (Vera Walker), 1963-Mrs. A. E. Mayes (Ima Thurman), 1964-Mrs. J. J. Croft (LuCretia Brumfield), 1965-Mrs. J. P. King (Fannie Mae Lackey), 1966-Mrs. Dud Edwards (Allie Ake), 1967-Mrs. A. L. Connell (Dolly Hatley), 1968-Mrs. O. B. Cloudt (Lyda Owens), 1969-Mrs. B. W. Weaver (Tommie Epperson), 1970-Mrs. R. B. Feynn (Faye Sweeten), 1971-Mrs. Sydney Snyder (Sydney Farris), 1972-Mrs. C. O. Whitworth (Lena Gary), 1973-Mrs. Olivia Barnes Deel (Olivia Benskin), 1974-Mrs. Leona Gray (Leona Stewart), 1975-Mrs. Colin Glynn (Mattie Chapman), 1976-Mrs. Everett D. Hubble (Effie D’Spain), 1977-Mrs. W. B. Shanklin (Doreen Orr), 1978-Mrs. Alton Miller (Emma Mae Hodges), 1979-Mrs. Thos. L. Taylor (Rachel Williams), 1980-Mrs. York Newman (Elizabeth Honeycutt), 1981-Mrs. Albert Becker (Bessie Barrows), 1982-Mrs. Brooks Sweeten (Johnnie Johnson).
Another event of the July 4th Celebration was the crowning of the Rodeo Queen. The following ladies held this honor: 1930-Less Shanklin Wardlaw, 1931-Edith Wharton Roe, 1932-Patti Beall Morriss, 1933-Bill Garrett, 1934-Sybil Smart Cloudt, 1937-Amy Ruth Moody Allison, 1938-Sibyl Rudasill Epperson, 1939-Mary Jane Buswell Greer, 1940-Myrtie Gene Thompson Weatherford, 1953-Less Wardlaw Tice, 1954-Alice Jane Mayes Rogers, 1955-Emma Lou Lynn, 1956-Shelia Hankins Rathmel, 1957-Mary Elizabeth Miller Baker, 1958-Kay Hankins Donnell, 1959-Cornelia Leinweber Shanklin, 1960-Connie Mitchell Johnson, 1961-Jo Nell Epperson Stokes, 1962-Judy Greer McCoy, 1963-Jacklyn Mitchell Bonner, 1964-Sherrie Mitchell Jack, 1965-Sally Pratt Foirte, 1966-Jimmie Ruth Wittenburg Evans, 1967-Candy Gentry Shanklin, 1968-Jan Martin Varga, 1969-Abby Glasscock Gesch, 1970-Susie Rudasill Moore, 1971-Del White Randal, 1972-Ginny Tomlinson, 1973-Zane Mitchell Todd.
The Fair Association was organized to continue the roping, 4th of July Celebration Rodeos and dances. The Edwards County Fair Association, as it was named, met on January 29, 1974 to elect a Board of Directors and adopt by-laws.
Elected to the directorship was Ned Dunbar, Carol Cottle, J. E. Epperson, Jr., Joe Connell, Bill Mitchell, Gene Graham, Rex Johnson, Jim Bob Solsbery, Vernon Dutton, Bill Seale, Jerry Haeber and Milton (Hog) Jones.
By-laws for the association were adopted after considerable discussion on this matter. The directors adopted a policy for associate membership. Associate membership is open to anyone for $10 per year and at anytime $50 has been paid within a 5-year period the member becomes a stockholder, although he will have voting and office holding privileges after payment of the first $10.00.