Ozona Stockman, The

The Handbook of Texas traces the paper through many hands. Hudspeth sold it to the Metcalf brothers in 1895, and they sold it to Clemmie Dodson in 1903; several owners later, it reached Judge Davidson. W. C. Easterling bought it from Davidson and sold it in 1923 to R. J. Cooke, whose son-in-law John H. Sawyer edited it. Kitty Montgomery, already its editor, bought it from White in July 1972 and in 1987 sold it to John S. (Scotty) Moore, owner of the rival Crockett County News. In 1994 it came out on Wednesdays with a circulation of 1,800.

What the plaque says

In 1892 Claude B. Hudspeth (1877-1941) began publication of a weekly newspaper called the "Ozona Kicker." Following his three-year ownership, Hudspeth entered politics, serving first in the Texas Legislature and later as representative from the Sixteenth Texas District to the United States Congress. The newspaper was published by later owners as the "Enterprise," "Courier," and "Optimist." When County Judge Charles E. Davidson purchased the operation in 1913, he changed the name to "Ozona Stockman" to reflect the important role of cattlemen and the ranching industry in the development of Crockett County and the surrounding area. W. Evart White took over as publisher and editor in 1926. A native of Tom Green County, he had served on newspaper staffs in Austin, San Angelo, San Antonio, and Cuero before purchasing the "Stockman." Under his leadership the content and format of the paper were changed to match the style of leading daily publications. In 1941 White directed the work on an 88-page special edition. Printed in honor of Crockett County's 50th anniversary, it was considered a major achievement for the staff of a weekly paper. White retired in 1972 after 46 years with the "Stockman." (1980)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Crockett County Museum — steps away
  Three floors of ranch-country history in Ozona, the only town in Crockett County, housed in a burned-out 1926 church rebuilt as a hospital and courthouse annex.
• Caverns of Sonora — 26 mi
  A show cave on a Sutton County ranch, opened in 1960 by cavers who wanted to stop the damage, and dense with helictites that grow sideways in every direction.

More markers nearby

• Fort Lancaster, C.S.A. — steps away
• Crockett County — steps away
• Ozona's First Water Well — steps away
• Ozona's Water System — 0.3 mi