First County Officials

Duane's take

The official marker for Wichita County's first county officials is the story I'm bringin' you today, straight from the historical record. Now, the first Anglo-Americans settled in Wichita County way back in 1856. But settling and organizing, those are two very different things.

The county was named for the Indians of the region, and it was Indian troubles that kept any formal local government from taking shape. For a long time, this place was just land and people and no courthouse to speak of. That delay stretched all the way to 1882.

Twenty-six years of waiting. Then finally, Wichita County got itself organized, and somebody had to step up and run the thing. A whole roster of firsts.

First in the county. First ever. Judge James S.

Akers took the bench. Robert E. Huff stepped in as Attorney.

F. M. Davis pinned on the badge as Sheriff.

W. E. Brothers handled both the County and District Clerk duties, which tells you something about how lean the operation was starting out.

James H. Banta came on as Assessor. A.

Warren took the Surveyor role. John A. Williams was named Treasurer.

And then there is my personal favorite title on this list: Inspector of Hides and Animals. That job fell to B. M.

Saxon, and you have to respect a man whose entire office tells you exactly what kind of country this was. Out on the commissioners court, Thomas J. Williams held Precinct Number One, Joseph McFarland covered Precinct Number Two, M.

B. Bynam took Precinct Number Three, and E. G.

Bullard rounded it out in Precinct Number Four. Twelve names. One brand new county government.

Built on ground that had taken twenty-six years just to be ready for it.

What the marker says

First Anglo-Americans settled in Wichita County in 1856. The county was named for Indians, and Indian troubles delayed local organization until 1882. The first officials were: Judge, James S. Akers; Attorney, Robert E. Huff; Sheriff, F.M. Davis; County and District Clerk, W. E.Brothers; Assessor, James H. Banta; Surveyor, A. Warren; Treasurer, John A. Williams; Inspector of Hides and Animals, B. M. Saxon; Commissioners--Precinct No. 1, Thomas J. Williams; Precinct No. 2, Joseph McFarland; Precinct No. 3, M. B. Bynam; Precinct No. 4, E. G. Bullard. (1970)