March 2021
In the late 1800s to early 1900s Canton, TX had 4 different local newspapers. The Canton Herald, The Canton Telephone, Free State Enterprise, and The Texan-Telephone were all vibrant and thriving papers for what was a small town of around 500 people. Looking at numerous available scanned editions of all the papers, it was pretty evident that, even then, the newspaper business was a tough commercial enterprise in which to make money.
That said, the papers were part of the town as was "first" Monday (first was sometimes written in quotes), so they naturally reported on and about it. From 1882 through 1915, not one reference to "trade days" was found. The event was most typically called simply 'first Monday' or 'district court day'.
So, in the vein of looking for gems while rummaging through some antiques or simply really old wares at Canton First Monday Trades, the same was done with newspapers from a bygone era. Here are some selected excerpts about "first Monday" Canton from over a century ago.
District Court Convenes
The Texan-Telephone. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 14, Ed. 1 Saturday, September 12, 1885
District Court convenes on the first Monday in October.
District Court and Business
The Texan-Telephone. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 18, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 10, 1885
District court always makes business lively in Canton
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Not much business disposed of in District Court, this week.
Wills Point
The Local-Chronicle. (Wills Point, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 10, 1885
Quite a number of people were in town Monday, attending stray sale.
Canton Unusually Lively
The Canton Telephone. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 42, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 3, 1886
Canton will unusually be lively during the month of April—District Court will convene during that period.
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District Court convenes at Canton Monday. Being the first Monday in April, it will be estray sale day also. Monday will be a “big day.”
Hard Luck for a Newspaper
Free State Enterprise. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 7, 1900
The Enterprise has had hard luck this week. It was troubled on Monday with the census enumerator and on Tuesday with one of its favorite exchange fiends. In the mean time the stamp fiend had disappeared to the first Monday grounds where they make their living by trading hides, drinking good whiskey and enquiring for mail. And yet they tell us that a newspaper man has a good time and makes plenty of money.
A Tame Affair
Free State Enterprise. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 5, 1900
The first Monday was rather a tame affair.
January Court
Free State Enterprise. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 19, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 20, 1900
County Court convenes the first Monday in January.
A Fence, a Mule, and a Connection
Free State Enterprise. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 19, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 20, 1900
(Nothing to do with First Monday. Just made for an interesting description and had Monday in the text.)
While Arch Faulk was driving along Monday in a wagon his team became frightened, ran away and made violent connection with a barbed wire fence, which carved one of the mules up to such an extent as to render it unable for further use. Mr. Faulk, the wagon and other articles of commerce escaped unhurt.
Last Monday
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 33, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 4, 1915
Last Monday was not only the first day of the commercial week, but it was also the first day of the month, the first day of county court and first Monday. These features combined caused a large crowd to pay the capital city a visit and as a result there was much trading, many lawyers, litigents and witnesses, and a great variety of horse trading indulged in, farm work discussed, neighborhood news exchanged and other matters and things taken up in their turn. A full and true account of a genuine old-fashioned “first” Monday in the town of Canton has never been printed and published to the world and for that reason this part of our history is lost to the best works of literature. In order that posterity may not be entirely cheated out of such a gem, the writer things that he will undertake sometime in the near future to place this interesting epoch of our time in the record where it belongs.
Other Court Days
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 33, No. 39, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 1, 1915
Court times around Canton now are not like they were back in “early days" from some of the reminiscences indulged in by some of the attendants this week. Years and years ago hundreds of people would come here and camp during court, and saloons being in this place at that time, and no 9:30 closing law ever dreamed of, there were any number who would remain up practically all the night. The drink parlors did a good business and the bar tenders were worked in shifts, so that there would always be some one on duty to "wait on the trade.” Fighting was a common thing, and about the only curiosity thus aroused was to find out who “got the best of the skirmish.” It was a great time for story telling, too, and the fellow who came to town with the best string of yarns was always detained far into the night reeling off his yarns. It is presumed that there was more or less gambling also, but even in those “wide open" days this sport was not indulged in as openly as at some other places. Of course there were quiet games of poker among gentlemen of honor after the day’s wrangle in court but this was considered rather in the light of wholesome amusement instead of an absorbing desire to fleece the neighbor fellow of his roll, however, it must be admitted that few of the deft ones made the practice more of a business than innocent play, as some yet living can testify. But all of that belongs to the musty past, and nothing remains of it save the recollection.
Sitting Steady
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 33, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 29, 1915
Everybody is now sitting steady in the boat, waiting for the coming of “first” Monday, which is just around the corner. It seems here of late that if it isn’t one blessing, it is another all the time.
Quietest First Monday in History
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 33, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 6, 1915
It was the “quietest” first Monday in the history of Canton, and at first it was thought that most of the people who had started to town on that day had taken the wrong road, though finally it was suggested that everyone had taken advantage of the favorable weather, and were still at home at work. This later theory being accepted, universal satisfaction seemed to prevail.
Another first Monday into History
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 33, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 10, 1915
Another “first” Monday has passed into history without much traffic in “hoss flesh.” The great majority of citizens in Van Zandt county are busy just now in their crops, although this works a hardship in the professional jockey with nothing between him and the bread line save a few old “broom-tail” ponies, worth about nine dollars per dozen.
Ordinary August “first” Monday
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, August 6, 1915
There was nothing extraordinary about the “first” Monday in August here at the county seat. The crowd was somewhat larger than for some time past and of course trading was in proportion. The rain prevented some from coming in town while others took advantage of the opportunity and came anyway.
Jackson, TX
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 10, Ed. 1 Friday, October 8, 1915
Several from here were among the first Monday crowd at Canton today.
Monday Being First Monday
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, January 7, 1916
Monday being first Monday a large crowd was in town, some to see the sights, others to trade or sell stock. The candidates were here in force with a smile and a glad hand for every one. What a pity election year does not come oftener; they are a jolly good set and infuse life into every crowd they go.
Furs, Cow Hides, Eggs and Butter
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1917
Furs, Cow Hides, Eggs and Butter
My buyer will be in Canton first
Monday, Feb. 5. St. Louis
prices paid for everything. Don’t
fail to bring in your Furs, Hides,
Butter and Eggs. Headquarters at
Mathis’ Meat Market. Any quan-
tity will be bought and my prices
will please you.
M. Friedlander
First Monday Passed Quietly
The Canton Herald (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 6, Ed. 1 Friday, February 9, 1917
First Monday passed off quietly with a fair crowd present but not near so large a crowd as was here the two first Mondays before this. The merchants report their sales very satisfactory.
Spring is Here
Free State Enterprise. (Canton, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 5, 1900
(Just an ad for Spring.)
Note: All papers for this article were accessed between March 19, 2021 and March 21, 2021 via The Portal to Texas History.
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