Saturday, March 1, 1997
Eastland Horned Toad Capital for the Day
By MAYBELLE TROUT
Correspondent
EASTLAND - Old Rip almost smiled from his plush casket Friday
as a large crowd gathered in the Eastland County Courthouse lobby.
Friday was proclaimed Horned Toad Capital For the Day by Gov.
George W. Bush and Old Rip Day by County Judge Scott Bailey.
Several people recalled Feb. 28, 1928, when the toad was pulled
alive from the cornerstone of the courthouse that was being torn
down.
The toad had been placed there by a young boy in 1897 before
the stone was sealed.
On Friday, Virginia Weaver Russell recalled that she was nine
years old in 1928 and school had let out for the opening of the
cornerstone.
Richard May of Abilene recalled seeing the toad being pulled
out alive.
Velton Moser, 15 at the time, worked carrying water to courthouse
crews.
"I could see him" Moser recalled.
State Rep. Jim Keffer of Eastland brought greetings from Bush,
who said he hopes horned toads will someday be plentiful again.
Eastland resident Bette Armstrong, a member of the Horned Lizard
Conservation Society of Austin, spearheaded an Old Rip Coloring
Contest for students at Siebert Elementary School.
The 18 winners,three from each grade in K-5, were brought by
bus to the courthouse where they received a prize.
Each of the 174 entries will be displayed in store windows
downtown.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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