BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE

 

Saturday, Nov 8 was a special day in downtown Winnsboro as three historical markers were dedicated and visitors got to experience another old-west reenactment. This one was historically accurate as researched by Jim "Doc" Davis with the assistance of Winnsboro's Historian, Bill Jones.

The historical markers are for the Bowery, which is now Market Street, The Farmer's Market, and the last stop that Bonnie and Clyde made in Winnsboro before they were killed in May, 1934. According to history, the notorious couple stopped in Winnsboro a number of times in their travels and ate at a local cafe. "They did not commit any crimes while in Winnsboro," Bill Jones said. "And they would generally leave the same day."

The day before they were killed, the couple stopped in Winnsboro to pick up guns from an accomplice before heading on to Louisiana where they were fatally shot on May 23, 1934.

The Bowery was lined with saloons and houses of ill-repute from 1890 to 1910, when an election closed the saloons. This was during the time of the timber boom in the area and business was good for the saloon owners. Before the election closed the saloons, a local sheriff vowed to close down one of the saloons and that is what led to the shoot-out that occurred on the corner of Elm and Market Street on February 3, 1907.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the two o'clock dedication of the Farmer's Market marker, Joe Dan Coe talked about his memories of Winnsboro when it was a big cotton producing area. "There were three cotton gins in Winnsboro when I was a boy," he said. "I remember coming to town with my dad to bring the cotton in. In fact, he grew the last crop of cotton that was processed in town in 1938."

Joe Dan also recalled that hitching posts were common outside buildings along Franklin Street and Highway 11 where the farmer's market also operated.

According to the historical information shared by Bill Jones, Market, Franklin and Elm Streets were all busy with farmers selling produce, cotton, and livestock in town. J.D. Jones operated the first livestock barn in Winnsboro, opening it in 1947 and running it until 1977. When the railroad came, it made it easier for the farmers and ranchers to sell their goods to a wider market.

The official dedication of the Farmer's Market marker started with the posting of the colors by Boy Scout Reed Fisher and his father, Danny Fisher who is the Boy Scout Leader. Joe Dan Boyd led the singing of God Bless America, and Joe Dan Coe read the inscription.

 

For the afternoon's festivities, Market and Elm streets were closed to traffic and visitors could stroll along the streets to enjoy music, buy food, and browse the various shops. Grahame Hopkins was also there doing caricatures. Pictured here drawing one for TCCA VISTA Volunteer and Acting Director, Cindy Fisher.

The event was spearheaded by TCCA and Jim, "Doc" Davis, who grew up in Winnsboro, left for a number of years, and has recently come back. He and the Texas Pistolero's have been involved in reenactments for a number of years and he said he enjoys bringing the old west to life.

Heather Lindsey opened the show with several songs, then was joined by her husband, Randy, and later by a voice student of hers, 13 -year-old Arran Wolters. (Pictured with her below on the left) The music was lively enough that it drew a few dancers, including Bill Jones and VISTA Volunteer, Laurel Cox.

The Shootout Cast