An idea conceived by Rancher J.Y. Crum, supported by manufacturer Roger Williams and promptly endorsed by eleven other ranchers and businessmen of Parker County brought into being the birth of the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse, an organization typically Texan that could, would, and has to this day preserved the southern flavored Western traditions of 140 year old Parker County.
These thirteen men who comprised the original membership of the newly organized Posse were as follows: J.Y. Crum, Fletcher Dalton, Marsh Farmer, Walker Good, Aaron Hays, Forest Lindsay, Dave Hudson, Frank McEntire, Cullen Robinson, Loyd Smith, Tom B. Saunders, Roger Williams, and L.T. Wood.
On January 13, 1947, their first official meeting held in the office of Roger Williams Manufacturing Co., Weatherford, twelve attended with one absentee proxy. From this group the officers were chosen, namely: Aaron Hays, Captain; J.Y. Crum, Lieut.; Roger Williams, Sec.-Treas.; Fletcher Dalton, Corral Boss; and Walker Good, Wrangler. The High Sheriff, John F. Young, automatically became Honorary Leader of the Posse. January 20th this group “13 strong” met and agreed to a maximum membership of 20 in order to apply for a state charter. The following seven men accepted next into the Posse during this Historic Period of organization were: Jack Borden, Walter Caraway, Barney Phillips, Ferd Slocum, Ray Smyth, H.K. Whaley, and S. A. Wheeler.
During the following week a third meeting was held. The Charter was applied for by the Posse’s attorney Jack Borden, and Tom Saunders was appointed to draft the Constitution and By-Laws. Meeting dates were set to be the first Monday of each month and the place of meeting to be the basement room of Williams Manufacturing company. The membership quota was raised to 40 and the Posse’s purpose as set forth in its charter was to be as follows:
“To foster interest among its members in keeping alive the true traditions of the Old West, a sacred heritage of all Texans; to promote good fellowship, good sportsmanship and a greater interest, both social and civic, in their community; to assist the High Sheriff, upon his request, to quell a riot, a disturbance or any emergency deemed necessary by the Sheriff in calling upon this Posse to assist in the protection of his jurisdiction. The policies of this Sheriff’s Posse shall at all times be in harmony with the policies of other towns’ and counties’ Sheriff’s Posses, Riding Clubs and Horse Breeders Associations in the mutual promotion of good horsemanship and good Texas Horses.”