1870-1879

In 1872 the Texas & Pacific Railroad came to Clarksville and this new transportation made many changes in the daily life of the people but nothing compared to the change to be made by the automobile later.

The financial high point, or rather the low point, was the panic of 1873, which to us is sort of "bush league" depression. It continued for some five years without seriously inconveniencing many people in Red River County.

During this period many mules were brought in and the use of oxen for plowing was almost entirely stopped. This caused a great decrease in the use of profanity, which was regained during the last few years under the difficulties of modern life.

Farm implements were much improved.

The black-land prairies were put into cultivation and found to be our most productive soils.

Wild game was rapidly playing out and was soon to become very scarce.

The average householder of this era complained bitterly about his utility bills, which consisted of four bits worth of coal oil per month and ten cords of wood per year at a dollar and four bits per cord.

Turkey gobblers always sold at one dollar and turkey hens for six bits, regardless of size, age or anything else. Very few things were weighed on you.

Average price of cotton this decade was 14.8c.