Bonham recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first train into town, so we wanted to run this 90-year-old article in the Bonham Daily Favorite about the first train pulling into Bonham on October 12, 1873.

Sam Rayburn's funeral remains one of the most memorable and historical gatherings held outside the Washington, D.C. area in all of America's storied past. The crowd outside First Baptist Church in Bonham, estimated at close to 20,000 people, listened on loudspeakers. Inside were four men who would at one time hold our nation's highest office; the sitting President, John Kennedy, former Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, along with Vice-President Lyndon Johnson, the man would become President on another sad November day two years later, and all listened to a remarkable eulogy given by Elder Grady Ball, a 74-year-old grocer and preacher that presided over the Primitive Baptist Church in Tioga, Texas.

In 1894 Dr. T.K. Proctor, a Dodd City surgeon, and others performed an amazing surgery on Alva Moore. Dr. Proctor was here about five years then moved to Sulphur Springs. We have researched over thirty medical professionals who practiced in the Dodd City area. This article continues the story of our town’s medical history.

This month is the 150th anniversary of the first train into Fannin County. The Fannin County Museum of History and the Fannin County Historical Commission are partnering with the Bonham Fire Department to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first train into Bonham and the 130th anniversary of Bonham Fire Department in an event at the Museum on Saturday, October 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lots of fun is planned. Please join us for this celebration.

Few items are more important for a cowboy than his saddle. A quality saddle immediately assures greater comfort for both horse and rider on long journeys; it has also been proven that a properly crafted and fitted saddle is healthier for a horse in the long term. A cowboy who truly loves his steed will only buy the best saddle for them. Former House Speaker Sam "Mr. Sam" Rayburn, when not shaping the future of the country in Washington, D.C., would spend the days relaxing and riding on his farm in Bonham, TX. He owned several horses.

This is the 32nd in a series of articles for the 175th Anniversary of Bonham. Since at least 1870 there has been interest in holding a County Fair in Fannin County. A Fair was held in 1873. A Fannin County Fair Association was issued a charter by the State of Texas in 1887 to hold fairs and shows of live stock and poultry, agriculture, manufacturing and kindred phases of industry. This charter was placed in the cornerstone of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse.

11th in a series by Andy & Sherri Weeks. The picture is of Dr. T.J. VanNoy. The VanNoy family settled about two miles east of E.H. Dodd's home near the Cobb-VanNoy Cemetery. This family had several members that were involved in the medical field.

This is the 31st in a series of articles for the 175th Anniversary of Bonham. The original fort, which was built by Bailey Inglish beginning in 1838 and perhaps finished in 1839, was located approximately where the main building of the VA Hospital now stands. It was a "block house" surrounded by a stockade, built for the Inglish family and neighbors and friends to gather in times of Indian uprisings.

Featuring Darli and Anton Iakovlef from Ballet Theater of Maryland