Thurber's Holy Day
By Cameron Mitchell
We all
know Labor Day in the United States is the last big celebration as the
unofficial end of summer. Officials supervising Texas Pacific Coal and Oil
Company's town of Thurber, Texas, made sure all of its residents had a great
time in the summertime jubilee. Instead of loading the train cars at 6 am for
work in the difficult conditions the mines had to offer until 5 pm, workers had
this annual three-day weekend off full of rest and recreation. Known as one of
the most important days in Thurber, the company's Labor Day festivities
acknowledged the hard work and accomplishments of the miners, brick workers, and
company staff over the prior year.
 |
| Thurber's United Mine Workers of America union members pose for a photo with their Labor Day Float. Thomas Collection, W. K. Gordon Center |
A grand
parade was the biggest Labor Day tradition in Thurber. The Labor Day “Queen of
Festivities,” usually a beautiful local girl and her “Maids of Honor” led this
opening event. There were many decorated parade floats, especially from the
local unions. Thousands of spectators lined the street for a view of the fun.
The parade route started from the quadrangle, otherwise known as downtown, and
continued east on Park Row to the pavilion. Once reaching the pavilion, the
area was the scene to a massive community picnic.
Although
the area did not have any trees to shade away the Texas summer sun, picnickers
of all kinds flocked to the grounds. It seemed like the whole town was in
attendance, including: miners and their families, families from nearby
counties, and even Texas & Pacific superintendent W. K. Gordon and his wife
were getting in on the fun. According to former resident Lilly Gibson, the
picnic even hosted air balloon rides in which the balloon would ascend then the
wind would "blow 'em across the to...the big mountain where they got the
clay for the brick."
 |
| The parade was a highlight of the Labor Day festivities in Thurber. Thomas Collection, W. K. Gordon Center |
Since it
seldom rained in September, the summer heat was great for business because
sweltering picnickers were met by barrels of soda pop and pink lemonade for
sale with salesmen hawking, "Sweet as honey dew, and cold as ice could
make it!” Alcoholic beverages could not be sold at the picnic grounds since the
picnic grounds were located in dry Erath County. Barbecue was also sold for
those who did not bring a picnic basket. After the picnic, the all-American
celebration included baseball exhibition games between Thurber's amateur club
and a visiting amateur team.
Carnivals,
another Labor Day tradition, also entertained the spectators in Thurber.
Company advertisements seeking amusement attractions would fill the classified
sections in regional newspapers weeks leading up to the event. This gave the
company enough time to book the best acts. According to former resident John
Spratt, "crowds flocked to a full array of sideshows filled with freaks,
strange animals, and animals." Devices for testing strength flanked
shooting galleries and games of chance where carnival barkers called out for
the crowd to try their luck.
 |
| People flocked to Thurber to participate in Labor Day festivities. Thomas Collection, W. K. Gordon Center |
A firework
display lit up the West Texas skyline once dusk arrived. Afterwards, a dance
ended the day's festivities. Frequently held at the pavilion, the dance featured
local and travelling bands ready to play the night away. Overall, Labor Day was
the perfect opportunity for the company to encourage its diverse population to
engage in these patriotic and Americanizing events. The company intended these
festivities would unify the town's residents in order to promote loyalty,
safety, and satisfaction among employees.
