L. G. Phillips

Last Rites for L. G. Phillips. 82, first merchant in O'Donnell and who died in his home here Wednesday at 8:30 o'clock, were held from the First Methodist Church today at 2 o'clock p.m. with Pastor J. H. Crawford and A. H. Cummings, pastor of the Nazarene church officiating.

Burial was made in the city cemetery under the direction of Clyde Brannon, Funeral Director of The Higginbotham Funeral Home, Lamesa.

Survivors include Mr. Phillips' widow; sons, Lester of Oregon, W. B. of O'Donnell, Jay of Oakland, Calif., Will of San Antonio; daughters, Fannie of O'Donnell, Mrs. Beulah Spencer of San Francisco, Mrs. Cleo Carter of Oregon; sister, Mrs. Lizzie Collier of Goldthwaite and half-sister, Mrs. F. K. Poplewell of Lubbock. Forty grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren also survive.

Pallbearers were R. C. Carroll, J. W. Gates, T. R. Tune, Harvey Line, Albert Koeninger, Roy Gipson, while serving as honorary bearers were Waldo McLaurin, Perry Howard, A. C. Hamilton, A. W. Early, Mr. Cook, Earl Curtis, O. D. Howard, Chas Wells, Ed Payne, Cliff Lambert, P. G. Galneau, J. S. Fritz, Mr. Murphy, J. E. Tredway and J. B. Miles.

Flower bearers were grandchildren of Mr. Phillips.

Born in July 1856, Mr. Phillips was over 63 years ago in Cook County, later moving to Lynn where he settled at Draw. He became the first merchant of O'Donnell in 1911, operating a general merchandise store, following the towns layout by C. H. Doak, who gave the lot to "the first merchant on the ground." Mr. Phillips remained in Business until about 1922.

The first Sunday School superintendent of O'Donnell was another distinction which Mr. Phillips held.

Materials which went into the erection of Mr. Phillips' store were hauled overland from Big Spring, and the pioneer merchant went through all the trials and vicissitudes common to the lot of pioneers who march into unsettled territory with heads up and hearts strong. Among his favorite stories concerned mail facilities of the early days. He was notified that a registered letter awaited him at Old Lynn, about 22 miles from where he resided. Mr. Phillips made preparations for the journey but found upon his arrival that it was only an "ordinary letter" which had been sent him to make certain that it was delivered.

Contributed by Pam Mathiasen.