EARLY OFFICERS OF SWISHER COUNTY

Prior to July 17, 1890, Swisher County was attached first to Oldham County, then to Donley, later to Hale for judicial purposes, and was finally organized in 1890. Besides the commissioners already mentioned, other officers were: County Judge, J.H. Settle; F. Faulkner, County Clerk; F.W. Scott, Sheriff and Tax Collector; T.A. Gray, Assessor; W.W. Stegall, Treasurer; Lon D. Mars of Amarillo, County Attorney; W.R Hutchison, surveyor. Judge Settle died before his term of office expired and C.T. Word, now of Amarillo, was appointed in his place. J .M. Stapp was mentioned as a commissioner also. Some of these pioneers were still active in the affairs of Tulia in 1937 among them were G.C. Hutchison, J.L. Cantrell, Dr. J. Edd Crawford, W.C. Crawford, Tom L. Parker, J.R. Ward, and J.W. Vaughn.

The first jail was a two cell building with an

office in one end measuring 20 x 30 feet and 10 feet high. The county was paid $35.00 for two lots to be used as a jail site. In this connection it is interesting to note that the records tend to indicate that Swisher County has been a law-abiding area with only two death penalties having been given in this county up to 1937.

L.D. Mars was designated to locate and record county school lands. He was to be allowed all necessary expense and a reasonable compensation for such work as he might do.

W.G. Conner was the first mayor of Tulia, served as a commissioner and as County Treasurer. He donated a block between the Santa Fe depot and the square for a park. He donated the two blocks where the school building now stands. After the organization of the county, the county seat was located on Mr. Conner's section.