This Week in Odessa History

One of the first persons to settle in southwestern Lincoln County, long before Odessa came into existence, was Pat Sullivan,

Like many of the first pioneers, he was legendary. Somewhat of a recluse, not much was known about his background. His ranch was in Marlin Hollow, and Sullivan Lake is named for him.

Sullivan died August 18, 1908, at his home. The Odessa Record in its issue of August 21 reported the death and at the same time gave its readers a lesson in temperance.

Word reached town Monday evening of the death of Patrick Sullivan, an old timer of the Big Bend country, at his ranch eight miles north of Irby.

The circumstances surrounding his death, as related by The Record’s Irby correspondent, are as follows:

“About 7:30 Monday morning, Emanuel Hemmerling, accompanied by a younger brother, came to the home of the deceased, having been engaged by him the day previous to grin up some cider. The boys went to work at once where the cider press stood, at some distance from the house.

A short time after their arrival, they heard a noise at the house, as if someone were calling. This was repeated several times, but as Mr. Sullivan had been drinking heavily for some time during the days before, the boys were afraid to go to the house.

The boys remained at work until about 3 p.m., when Henry Blalock passed by, coming home from Irby. The boys related to him what had happened, and he went to the house and discovered that Mr. Sullivan was dead, apparently having been dead several hours.

The coroner was notified, and being unable to come delegated Justice Fred Woodin to ace as coroner. A jury was impaneled and taken out to the ranch. Upon investigation, the jury returned a verdict of natural death, prematurely brought on by the excessive use of liquor.

Search of his effects and correspondence did not reveal the whereabouts of any of his relatives. He was a bachelor and little is known of his affairs. He was a native of Ireland, but his age is not definitely known. Dr. Lee Ganson, of Odessa, attended the inquest and gave alcoholism as the cause of death. The deceased had been a resident of Lincoln County for 21 years.

The body was brought to Odessa Tuesday evening by Undertaker Stone and now lies in his undertaking rooms. It was embalmed and an effort is being made to locate the relatives of the deceased.

Poor Pat! Drink was his curse. Possessing more than ordinary intelligence, he might have been a useful member of society had he been able to leave liquor alone. Let us spread a mantle of charity over his shortcomings and try to remember the good that was in him.

A man of strong character in many ways, he was unable to overcome his weakness for liquor, though he tried valiantly to do so, often remaining for months at a time on his ranch to keep away from it.

But his arrival in town was always the signal for a big spree. The temptation was too strong; he couldn’t resist it.

He went the way he lived in fear he would go, an ignoble death, that others following in his footsteps should call up all their manhood to avoid.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

August 11, 1911

The Record Printery is getting out this week a little booklet describing the several courses to be offered the coming year in the Odessa High School.

New teachers this year are Miss Belva G. Bugbee of Cheney will have charge of the Domestic science and Miss Nellie Hagerty of Seattle will be supervisor of music.

Among heavy losses sustained by the cloudburst of Sunday, when houses along Indian creek, north of Davenport, were washed off their foundations, hay taken from the barns by the rapid current and wood and stock carried down the swollen stream, was the damage done a six-acre orchard. The orchard was half destroyed by the terrific force of the wall of water that struck it. Those trees which were not broken off were badly damaged and the crop, all prunes, was shattered from the trees.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

July 30, 1936

Henry Dormaier, operator of a gasoline service station here, has taken over the commission plant of the Associated Oil company and will run it in connection with his service station business. The former operator, R.E. Geissler, is extensively engaged in ranching and could not continue to devote time to the work.

Hot weather has continued during the past week, with a slight drop from the excessive heat of the past week. Sunday saw the thermometer register 90 and the readings have been climbing since. Nights continue cold, with temperatures averaging a little less than 50 degrees.

Jack Kagele, of Moody area, is the first to complete his harvest, according to information received here. He harvest 320 acres of Baart wheat, with an average yield of 12½ bushels, a good stand for the area adjacent to Ruff.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

August 3, 1961

Construction of the three Titan missile complexes surrounding Larsen Air Force Base, started in December, 1959, is on schedule, officials reported Saturday The multimillion nuclear projects are scheduled for completion next year.

Harjinder Singh of Bombay, India, declared that he had found Odessa to be one of the most beautiful towns he had seen in his tour of the United States.

Answering direct questions, Singh revealed that India has 435 million people, and the principal export of the country is tea. Its biggest import is wheat. Indian grows about 500 million bushels of its own wheat, and imports another 150 million. A flour milling industry is developing.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

August 7, 1986

Each 100 pounds of cheese donated under federal food assistance programs causes commercial cheese sales to decline by about 40 pounds.

Each 100 pounds of butter donated causes margarine sales to decline by about 80 pounds.

Those conclusions were reached in a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released recently.

Since 1982, $3.4 billion in food has been given to states for distribution to low-income families.

Volunteers on three units from Lincoln-Adams County Fire District Number 1 responded last Thursday afternoon to a stubble fire on the Tom Weishaar farm north of Odessa, where the trucks quickly surrounded about 12 acres of blaze, preventing its spread to uncut wheat nearby. Soaking the perimeter stopped flames and killed the fire, which did only superficial damage to power poles.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

August 16, 2001

Fun and entertainment will highlight activities at the 64th annual Lincoln County Fair.

The theme of this years show is “Luau at the Lincoln County Fair”.

The four-day run, which begins next Thursday, will include livestock, horsemanship, arts and crafts, judging and fitting and showing contests as well as the Bull-A-Rama Rough Stock Rodeo, barrel racing, DARE breakfasts, the salmon barbecue and the family dance.

Property owners involved in the planned local improvement district or the enhancement of downtown of First Avenue in Odessa will know by next Friday what the amount of their assessment will be.