CIRCA 1880s TEXAS DOG COLLAR MARKED WITH THE ANIMAL'S OWNER, ID OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH H. DILLAHUNTY, TEXAS RANGER

$1,250.00 SOLD

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Item Code: M21178

This historic artifact of Western Americana is a Texas-identified, hand-made metal dog collar complete with its original blacksmith forged-link chain, collar clip and tee-handle. From the frontier plains town of Strawn in North Central Texas comes this rugged type of dog collar that bears the identification of the animal's master painstakingly stamped unto the surface of the center band.

The informative and slightly amusing inscription reads "J. H. DILLAHUNTY. / STRAWN TEXAS. / I am Capt. Dillahunty's Dog Whose Dog Are You". Historical records are scant on Dillahunty but research from the Texas State Archives in Austin has revealed that Joseph Henry Dillahunty and his wife arrived in Texas from Tennessee in 1857. Dillahunty established the first mercantile store in the area that later became known as Palo Pinto within the county bearing the same name. The small community of Strawn, Texas was developed between 1880 and 1885 and lies in the southwestern part of Palo Pinto County. Strawn still exists today and in the year 2000, its population was 739 souls.

According to Mary Whateley Clarke's book "Riding for the Brand", Dillahunty's store soon became the community's communications center with current news brought in from near and far. Dillahunty's mercantile business became the main provider of durable and other goods for over 600 farms and ranches in the area during the 1880s. He was popular and kept a barrel of whiskey on hand for 'his paying customers'. Another measure of the man named Joseph H. Dillahunty can be sensed by author Clarke's caption that reads, "When a customer died owing a bill, Captain Dillahunty often marked it off and wrote 'Paid by God'".

Dillahunty served as a Texas Ranger Captain before the Civil War and during the conflict, Dillahunty commanded a company of Texas State troopers from Palo Pinto County. The cavalrymen served in the First Frontier District of Texas under the command of Major William Quayle. These men were not part of the Confederate Army but served under officers who were employed by the State of Texas. The Texas State Troopers' main role was to maintain the supply routes of goods shipped to the Confederacy at that time and to protect the settlers from marauding bands of Indians, cattle rustlers, and outlaw gangs. After the war, cattle ranching emerged as a popular venture all over the North and West Texas plains and Palo Pinto in the 1870s became a ranching center. Subsequently Captain J. H. Dillahunty of Strawn was instrumental in organizing the Cattle Raiser's Association of Texas in 1876.

The metal dog collar measures 19" long and is composed of sixteen 7/8" high, oval brass rings interlinked with ¾" high brass loops connected to three 3" long x 1" high crescent-shaped metal bands. One band rests in the center of the collar and one on each end. The adjustable link bands expand the collar and the smallest setting opens to approximately a 5" diameter collar. Collar wears a mellow patina overall. Artifact is still strong and in remarkably very good condition. The metal forged link chain that comes with the collar measures 51" long and is made up of individual forged and twisted links. One end of the chain has a twisted metal tee-handle and the opposite end of the chain still has a 3" long metal spring clip attached. Chain bears a pleasing chocolate brown patina overall.

This handmade, identified Texas dog collar with the pet owner's provenance to J. H. Dillahunty of the famed Texas Rangers would make a most unusual and ideal personal display item in any Texas, western or Americana collection. Unfortunately there is no record of the kind of dog Dillahunty kept, or the dog's name.   [ra]

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