Honey Grove, Texas

Thomas Craddock

Published in the Honey Grove Signal-Citizen about 1938

Written by H. P. Allen, assisted by W. J. Erwin

Thomas Craddock was another early settler. It is known that he was from Missouri, but we have made diligent inquiry but found no one who knew when he came to this section. There was in incident in connection with my first birthday that enables me to know that he was here prior to 1849. My father was living in a house that he had either bought or sold to Mr. Craddock when we were born that year. Mr. Craddock was a man who lived leisurely and allowed the other fellow to do all the hard work. He was a good financier and traded considerably in land. He was one of the few men who came through the civil war with a few thousand dollars in gold, which he would lend to dependable men. Uncle Isaac Pritle saw an opportunity to make a food trade if he could borrow $300 so he wrote to Mr. Craddock, telling him if he could get the money he would come after it and make a satisfactory note. He sent by a small boy his inquiry. Mr. Craddock read it, when into the house, counted out the money and wrapped it up carefully, then handed it to the little boy, telling him not to lose it.

Another incident somewhat like it: Uncle Billie Moss, who lived south of town, had a lot he wished to sell. Will Erwin met him and asked him his price. He fold Will $100. "Well, Mr. Moss, I will take it, and in a short time will get up the money and bring to you and you may deed it to me." Soon a younger man heard of it, and he was in the real estate business. He went to Mr. Moss and told him he had priced the lot too low. "Put it in my hands and I will get two or three hundred for it." Uncle Billy let him know that was not his way of doing, and said: "I told Will I would take $100 for it and if he comes I will take it."

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