Published: February 06, 2009 03:48 pm      

Kissin' Kin

By Evlyn Broumley, Genealogy

“‘First Monday’ Came From Stray Day Sales of the Pioneer Days,” reads the by-line from the Weatherford Democrat, Friday, 14 March 1924.

“How many of those who came to Weatherford on First Monday know how the first Monday in each month became the great trading day of each month? Probably most of the older citizens connect it up with the old “stray day sale” while the younger generation never gives it a thought or take it for granted.

Back in the early days, when horses and cattle represented a large part of the wealth of this county, there were many animals that strayed off, were taken up and advertised to be sold and under the law these animals were sold on the first Monday of each month. As many of them were knocked off at bargain prices, numerous buyers were attracted here for the sales and many of these bought horses and cattle. That meant increased for merchants and the idea of making it a special bargain day was born.

A.H. Gernsbacher is the first merchant here who ever applied the name “Stray Day Sale” idea to merchandising. Mr. Gernsbacher states that according to his recollection, it was 24 years ago this Spring that he had some special bargains and use the “Stray Day Sale” advertising. Soon most all of the merchants were promoting their sales and it soon became known as “First Monday.”

For more than twenty years “First Monday” has been a special day on which people from all over the county, and from adjoining counties as well, have come to Weatherford. There are only two things that keep them away, one being unusually bad weather and the other an unusual press of farm work. When conditions are right, there are men, women and children here by the thousands, business is good and trades innumerable are made on the square and streets of the city.

On last Monday the crowds were kept away during the morning hours to some extent by the threatening weather but in the afternoon the city was jammed with livestock and farm products of all kinds being offered for sale. In addition there were lots of fellows who just came along with no particular business but the desire to meet their friends and talk about past conditions and future prospects.

The automobile has greatly extended the limits of Weatherford’s trade territory and there are hundreds who can come in here in the afternoon who formerly had to get up before day and spend most of the day traveling in order to get home by bedtime.”

NOTES: Remember this was written in 1924, but reading earlier newspapers after 1900 will show many advertisements for “First Monday” and also listings of Estray notices concerning the animals that will be sold.

The Gernsbacher family was one of several Jewish families that came to Parker County in the 1880s and 1890s. His store was on the north side of the square in where today’s Weatherford National Bank is located. The Gernsbacher’s home was located at 401 (today) West Josephine, a very large two-story Victorian home set on several lots, with gardens, fish ponds, and raising their geese for Thanksgiving. This house burned in 1975-76. The Gernsbacher sons move on to Dallas to open a store, along with another Jewish merchant here, Mr. Sanger, who established Sanger Bros.

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Evlyn Broumley’s column, “Kissin’ Kin,” appears Sundays in the Lifestyles section. Send inquires to Evlyn Broumley, 3802 Lake Shore Drive, Weatherford, TX 76087 or email www.evlynbroum@prodigy.net.