Morton
Cochran County, Texas
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Morton
The Morton townsite was staked in June 1923 by Morton Joe Smith and Lee Secrest, and named after Smith, who was Minnie Veal’s land agent.
Smith built a small land office on the east side of the square, which stood for over four decades, from which he conducted his land sales business. Later that same year Smith built a general store on the southwest corner of the square which he leased to the Street brothers of Littlefield. The Streets operated the store under the management of Bob Stein, for a month. Smith sold the store to Jerry Lee Winder in January 1924. Winder’s family alone caused the population of Morton to double.
Winder’s General Store also served as post office for Morton and was officially commissioned on March 22, 1924 and Mary Winder was appointed postmaster. The post office outgrew Winder’s General Store and in 1927 was moved into Lackey’s Grocery Store on the east side of the square with Mrs. Winder remaining as postmaster until 1943. Winder’s General Store still stands, having seen many names, including Minnie’s Dress Shop, Price’s, The Morton Tribune and is now owned by Cochran County.
The first school building in Morton, Morton School, was completed in January 1924. Enrollment started with seven children beginning the school term and thirty-three ending the term. Rupert McCasland, known as “Mr. Rupert”, was the first teacher at the school. Mr. McCasland would teach only that first year at the school, being elected as the first Cochran County clerk in May 1924.
The first church to be organized in Cochran County was The Methodist Church in 1924. The First Missionary Baptist Church followed on May 22, 1926 and the First Baptist Church on June 27, 1928. By this time the population of Morton had grown to 200.;
Despite a drouth, the Great Depression and the “Dust Bowl”, the people of Morton remained optimistic in the 1930s; 17 businesses were in operation and the population had grown to 210. In 1933 the City of Morton was incorporated. Henry Cox was elected the first Mayor and Floyd Rowland and W. B. Lackey as the first City Commissioners.
1934 saw the population of Morton increase to 699, F. F. Roberts was granted an electric light, heat, and power franchise and Allsup’s Garage, Doss’ Grocery and St. Clairs Department Store all opened their doors for the first time that year. By 1935 Morton was home to a total of 33 businesses with a water works and the Wallace Theatre both under construction. In 1936 the “two-telephone” town was converted to a full scale switchboard by the Southwestern Associated Telephone Company. To finish out the 1930’s, a butane/natural gas distribution system was installed on January 23, 1939.
The 1940’s brought World War II, 330 men from Cochran County served their country during World War II, 306 returned home.
On September 5, 1945 the town was shaken by the robbery of the First State Bank of Morton by Matt Kimes, leader of the notorious Kimes Gang, Ollie Melton, and Chick Rogers. The three men made off with $17,692.00. Melton was eventually arrested in Oklahoma and Rogers surrendered shortly after. Matt Kimes died from injuries received after being hit by a poultry truck while crossing the road in Little Rock, Arkansas.
In 1946 the primary school building burned down and construction began on a new building while children attended classes in local churches.
The 1940s also saw construction and opening of the hospital, city streets paved, the dial telephone system and a natural gas system installed.
Another drouth in the 1950’s took its toll on the dry land farmers and the irrigation age began. The Rose Theater opened in July 1950, a new high school and gymnasium open in October 1950 and the Last Frontier Rodeo began as an annual event. The 1950’s saw other great progress in Morton, including the completion of the First Baptist Church auditorium, the County Activity Building, a new First State Bank building, a new Junior High and school cafeteria. The city government form changed to a Mayor and five aldermen.
The 1960’s saw Morton’s population hit 3,100 and KRAN 1280 and Roberts Memorial Nursing Home went in to business.
Tremendous increases in natural gas prices brought a financial crisis to Morton in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. A complete overhaul of the city’s gas distribution system, along with key changes in staff, saved the city, but the population had already begun a steady decline.
If you know of a town or community in Cochran County that is not listed here, or if you have photos, maps, documents or stories you would like to share, please, email me!
Sources: Texas' Last Frontier: A New History of Cochran County by Elvis E. Fleming and David J. Murrah; Cochran County Legacy Vol. I - Cochran County Historical Commission