The Beginning of Clay County Pioneer Reunion
The gathering of old-time residents of Clay County was called for August 19, 1932, at 3 p.m. by a group of local club women. At this meeting the Clay County Pioneer Association was organized. Committees were appointed to formulate it's Constitution and By-Laws, and to arrange for it First Reunion October 28, 1932. The purpose of the Clay County Pioneer Association, as set forth in the preamble of the Constitution and By-laws adopted by the group, is to honor the memory and accomplishments of the hardy emigrants who sought to make a haven and home for their families, and set themselves to the arduous task of reclaiming a wilderness and replacing it with a civilization.The Annual Reunions of the Pioneers have had excellent attendance by both the members and their friends. At the First Reunion about 125 were present and in 1933 from 375 to 400 Pioneers registered. The policy of the Association has been to obtain and keep a complete record of early settlers in attendance.
It has been the source of a great deal of pleasure to the Pioneers themselves and their friends to observe the enjoyment this organization has given to the early settlers who have attended the Reunions. Pioneers who had no acquaintance prior to their meeting at the Reunions have felt a real kinship with each other. Many friendships have been made and renewed.
From year to year the entertainments for the Pioneers have taken many varied forms. There have been years when each one was requested to bring a basket lunch, while, on numbers of occasions, lunches have been provided for the pioneers by generous contributors. The homes of Henrietta have been opened to the Pioneers and other guests.
Colorful parades have been outstanding features of the Annual Reunions. This is quoted from the description of one of the parades:
"Memories of the old Texas wagon trains and hard riding cowboys
have been vividly aroused. Picturesque vehicles and equipage
have been revealed. Riders in pioneer costume, pack horses,
heavily burdened with frontiersman's supplies, the ancient
ox-cart, chuck wagons, and prairie-schooners which rolled
quietly over dim trails a half-century ago have formed the long
column of parades. The old west has lived again in the
impressive art of its outmoded equipment, and for the hour,
transported the cheering onlookers, along the streets of
Henrietta, back to the thrilling atmosphere of pioneer days."
Formal programs, free tickets to the Rodeos, and theatres and Old Fiddler's contests have been part of the entertainment. The Street Dances, featuring the Pioneer and Modern dance, have added to the festivities. On several occasions there has been the coronation of a king and queen, chosen from some pioneer family of Clay County, with the Duchesses and Ladies-in-Waiting chosen from various communites of the communities of the county.
Clay County History
The Origin of Some Clay County, Texas Town Names
BellevueNamed by a surveyor from New York in honor of Bellevue Hospital.
Bluegrove
The earliest settlers located in a grove of trees which at a distance appeared as a blue haze.
Buffalo Springs
The spring nearby gave the town its name.
Byers
Named in honor of Byers Brothers, early ranchers and land promoters. They located the town site about three miles west of the old settlement of Benvanue. While Byers grew in population, Benvanue declined.
Cambridge
The town was probably named in honor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, by a settler from the east.
Charlie
Named in honor of Charley Taylor, an early settler who operated a store and a weigh station on the stage line from Henrietta to Fort Sill, Indian Territory.
Cobb
Named in honor of Babe Cobb, pioneer rancher and educator.
Dean
Bears the name of Calloway Dean, an early farmer and rancher. It is often called Deandale to include the name of the pioneer rancher and banker, Jim Dale.
Deer Creek
The community was named for an intermittent stream near the town site.
Dick Worsham
It was the railhead on the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad and was located near the headquarters of W.S. Worsham's extensive land holdings.
Doss
Named after the Doss Brothers, early Clay County ranchers.
Halsell
The now inundated community was named in honor of J.F. Halsell, one of the earliest ranchers in the county.
Henrietta
Originally named in 1857 at the same time Clay County was created by the Texas Legislature, the county was named for Henry Clay, the distinguished Statesman, United States Senator from Kentucky, and Secretary of State, who was responsible for the present boundaries of the State of Texas as a result of the Compromise of 1850. Henry Clay was the most distinguished Statesman in America and towered above the contemporary Presidents. The town was named Henrietta by giving it the feminine equivalent of the name Henry. The Henrietta post office was established July 7, 1874.