PARKER COUNTY SHERIFF’ S POSSE
The 50th anniversary Frontier Days rodeo was a huge success being labeled as one of the top 15 rodeos in the State of Texas. The PRCA presented an award to the Posse in appreciation of 50 years of Pro Rodeo participation. A sweetheart reunion was held on the Saturday of the Rodeo and all past captains were introduced on the final night of the rodeo. New chute gates were installed, a new roping box was built and a“ Sheriff’ s Box” was added to the grandstands. A Professional Bull Riding event was held for the first time on August 22 and 23. The Posse received 1st place trophies from parades in San Angelo, Mineral Wells, Jacksboro, and Bridgeport. Other activities included the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade, the Fort Worth Stock Show parade and Rodeo Grand Entry, the Martin Luther King Day parade, the Pioneer Days parade in Fort Worth, the Peach Festival opening ceremonies, and the Springtown parade. Don Woodruff received a 25 year membership award. The Posse mourned the loss of members: James Bodiford, Billy Tibbit, and Jesse Stigall, Jr. New members added in 1997 included Louis Sneed, Cody Todd, Billy Blue, William E. Riddle, and Bob Tallman( Honorary).
1998 Jack Parker, Capt.; Wayne Bryant, Lieut.; Bob Glenn, Sec./ Treas.; Duane Bailey, Corral Boss; Tommy French, Wrangler; Jerry Thomas, Rodeo Chairman; Courtney Ford, Posse Sweetheart. The 51st year of the Parker County Sheriff’ s Posse started out on a somber note with the passing of charter member Forest M. Lindsay and fifty year veteran member E. A. Thomas, Jr. The rodeo contract was renewed with Bad Company Rodeo of Del Rio, Texas for a two year period. Members of the rodeo committee attended a conference at the Texas Circuit Finals in Waco. The restrooms in the rodeo areas were upgraded and painted. Chute gates and livestock holding pens were renovated. Parades and events attended included the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, the Martin Luther King Day Parade, the Forth Worth Rodeo and Stock Show Parade and Special Introduction Grand Entry, the San Angelo Parade, the Mineral Wells Rodeo Parade and Trail Ride, the 4th of July Parade in Granbury, the Jacksboro Rodeo Parade, the Dedication of the Rails to Trails between Weatherford and Mineral Wells, the Abilene Rodeo Parade, the Springtown Chamber of Commerce Wild West Days Parade, the Pioneer Days Parade of Fort Worth, and the Weatherford High School Homecoming Parade. First place trophies were earned in San Angelo, Mineral Wells, and Abilene. Twenty-five year awards were presented to David Nash, Jerry Thomas, Mike Thomas, Bennett Piester, R. G.( Bob) Perkins, and Charles Beggs Moncrief by the 1973 Captain W. R.( Dub) Riddle. New members for 1998 included Justin Shifflett and Jim Bradford. The 1998 Rodeo had a record 566 contestants and the Parker County Livestock Improvement Assn. Show had 1,285 entries. The Rodeo entertainment was highlighted by a“ game” of Cowboy Poker played by Fred Thomas, Jerry Thomas, Bob Glenn, and Jack Parker. The Mexican Fighting Bull won by a landslide with the arena being cleared in record time! The 2nd Annual Professional Bull Riders Event was held in August. It was a dry and hot year in Parker County with record heat and drought conditions.
1999 Wayne Bryant, Capt.; Duane Bailey, Lieut.; Bob Glenn, Sec./ Treas.; Tommy Newberry, Corral Boss; Kerry Kelley, Wrangler; Fred Thomas, Rodeo Chairman; Jenny Rogers, Posse Sweetheart. The 52nd year of the Parker County Sheriff’ s Posse was indeed a busy one! Early in the year we were saddened by the loss of former captain and longtime member, Eugene( Gene) Polser. Then, again, in the later part of the year we bid farewell to a good member and friend, Elmer Hall. Bad Company Rodeo of Del Rio, Texas was once again our rodeo producer which resulted in record entries of 619 by PRCA cowboys as well as record entries in the PCLTA Junior Livestock and Crop Show totaling 1,035, both new records. Projects completed during the year included the construction of new modern air-conditioned restrooms on the north side of the rodeo arena, an addition and renovation of the rodeo ticket office, holding pen and roping chute renovations, western cedar staves added to rodeo ground entrance, and the purchase of a new tractor for ground maintenance. The Posse participated in the Greenwood Farm Horse Trials, the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Horse Branding Seminar and provided a $ 1,000.00 to the Weatherford College Agriculture Department. Parades participated in included the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo Parade( won second place, which was the first time ever win), Martin Luther King Day Parade, Fort Worth Stock Show Grand Entry and Special Introduction, San Angelo Rodeo Parade( second place), Mineral Wells Rodeo Parade( first place), Mineral Wells Trail Ride, and Jacksboro Rodeo Parade( second place). A new rodeo format was introduced in 1999 with a new sponsorship program with street banners. Cowboy Camp was a feature of sponsors and cowboys alike and all past captains received special recognition at the Captain’ s Dinner. Members honored for fifty years of service were Jack Borden, Weldon Jordan, Boley Pearson, and Willard Thomas. Also honored for twenty-five years of service were Holton Riddle, Tom Riddle, Bob Elders, Jerry Durant, Perry Mader, Tom B. Saunders IV, Tony Lavite, and Monty Wiggins. New members installed in 1999 included Ron Mayberryand Bobby Sandlin. The drought continued in Parker County throughout the year, but the 1999 Rodeo on June 16-19th proved to be one of the most enjoyable with cooler than normal temperatures. There was a 9.2 % increase in ticket sales over 1998.
2000 Duane Bailey, Capt.; Kerry Kelley, Lieut.; Bob Glenn, Sec./ Treas.; Tommy French, Corral Boss; Jimmy Sharp, Wrangler; Bill Parkey, Rodeo Chairman; and Aimee Parkey, Posse Sweetheart. The 53rd year of the Parker County Sheriff’ s Posse was most successful with numerous events and physical improvements. The Posse participated in a special and unique monument ceremony on Veteran’ s Day in Mineral Wells. The Posse participated in parades in Abilene, Springtown, San Angelo, Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, Fort Worth Stock Show Parade, Martin Luther King Day Parade, Mineral Wells, and Jacksboro. First place trophies were won at both the Mineral Wells and Jacksboro parades. Bad Company Rodeo of Del Rio, Texas was the producer of the 2000 rodeo with outstanding results. Projects completed during the year included a new structure for Cowboy Camp, purchase of a new diesel mower, and approving expenditures for the remodeling of the caretaker’ s living quarters. The By-Laws were amended to require a five year probation period for all new members. Members honored for forty years of service were J. P. Binion, Dr. Noel Bryan, Coy Carter, J. W. Ford, Herman Stroud, and Bill McDavid, Jr. Those receiving twentyfive year awards included Dr. Gary Grote, Charles Wetherell, and Rasie Ward. New members installed in 2000 included Stoney Ray Johnson, Roddie Lowrie, Jeffery Ford, John Robinson, and Larry Sullivan. Life membership status was granted to Boley Pearson and Weldon Jordan. The Posse mourned the death of James Wilson Carter, a member for 38 years. Although rain occurred during the 2000 rodeo, Parker county was about to experience over 100 days without moisture and an extremely hot summer.
2001 Arlie Ashley, Capt.; Mark Riebe, Lieut.; Justin Shifflett, Sec./ Treas.; Blaine Peacock, Corral Boss; Bill Riddle, Wrangler; Bob Elder, Rodeo Chairman; and Lacy Bailey, Posse Sweetheart. The Posse attended a record number of events in its 54th year of representing Weatherford and Parker County. Parades attended included Abilene, Springtown, Del Rio, Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, Fort Worth Stock Yards Christmas Parade, San Angelo, Mineral Wells, Bowie, Jacksboro, and Llano. Other events included a Ride-A- Thon for crippled children, the annual Fort Worth Stock Show Grand Entry Recognition on Weatherford Day, and the annual Trail Ride to Mineral
38 PCSP 79TH ANNUAL FRONTIER DAYS