Bosque County: Land and People (A History of Bosque County, Texas) Page: 72
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interest of Roscoe Parks in the Meridian
Light and Power Plant. In 1914 J.J. Lump-
kin, Jr. bought out A.K. Bass and Frank
Woodruff. During some of these years, power
came from the electric plant at the old mill
in Clifton. In 1925 the lines and equipment
at Meridian and Morgan were sold to Conti-
nental Gas, Lights and Power Company.
Natural gas as a fuel came to Meridian in
the 1920's. Before that many houses were
lighted with acetylene gas or carbide.
Newspapers
Probably this is the time to mention the
newspapers of this town. From about 1875 to
1879, the Bosque County Herald was pub-
lished by J.G. Woods and J.A. Gillette, as
mentioned in the Commissioners Court
Records.
The Bosque Citizen, published June 26,
1886-May, 1891 by James W. Vincent, has
copies in the University of Texas newspaper
files.
The Bosque County Blade, G.W. Geers,
editor, was about December, 1887.
The Bosque Eagle, Sam Harris, editor, was
in existence a few years before and after 1898.
In 1902 Harris bought out Valley Mills
Courier and moved there. A paper called the
Sun was begun in Meridian in 1898 but was
later moved to Valley Mills.
The People's Tribune was established by
James Day at Walnut Springs in 1896, but
later was moved to Meridian. Within a few
years, it was run by Levi A. Dunlap, editor,
and Edwin D. Dunlap, business manager, and
the name was changed to Meridian Tribune.
Mr. Dunlap operated this paper for over fifty
years. It is still operating today, but under
different ownership.
As the county neared its fiftieth year,
oldtimers planned a celebration on July 4 in
Meridian. Actually it was held at Rudasill's
Fair Oaks Hereford Farm, one mile north of
Meridian near the present roadside park. An
artesian well supplied water. Camping was
allowed on the grounds. Coffee was free. An
estimated 8,000 to 10,000 came. The next
year the Old Settler's celebration was held in
the same place. However, in 1906 it was
suggested people camp in the wagon yards in
Meridian free, or at the iron bridge over the
Bosque, or at Comanche Crossing. Oscar J.
Rea pumped water from the artesian well into
metal tanks for drinking purposes. A proces-
sion was formed at the square, escorted by
Texas Central Band of Walnut Springs and
the Norse Imperial Band, and marched to the
grounds.
By 1908 Meridian discontinued the usual
July 4 celebration to devote the energies of
the town to the Fair. The first Bosque County
Fair at Meridian was held August, 1905. Next
year the officials purchased 34 acres of the
Neely farm two blocks west of the Santa Fe
depot. A catalog was issued with these
divisions: hogs, cattle, horses and mules,
poultry, and farm products. Also there were
ball games, and at least four horse races daily.
In 1908 a grandstand had been erected, also
an exhibit building had been built.
Each year the Fair grew until about 1916.
No fair was held that year because of the war
in Europe. In 1917 the stockholders voted to
sell the land and pay off the debts. They got
back all the shareholders' investment plus a
gain on each share.
About 1900 Mrs. J.J. Lumpkin organized
72Meridian State Park
40,
A ... lTrades Day in Meridian
Old Fossett Hall, built 1867, site of public
meetingsBosque County Jail, built 1875, used until 1980.
Demolished by Ralston-Purina.AM
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Bosque County History Book Committee. Bosque County: Land and People (A History of Bosque County, Texas), book, 1985; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth91038/m1/88/?q=campbell: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Denton Public Library.