Many
had respect for this old Texas lawman... With
his piercing eyes and chiseled jaw, N.D. Cone had the appearance
of a man who retained the ability and strength to be a policeman. Cone began enforcing the laws of Gonzales County, Texas, in 1901 when he was appointed as a deputy sheriff. He
went on to serve for many
years in various capacities as a peace officer. Mr.
Cone left a lasting impression on Gonzales and was highly
respected by folks in the community. I recall an interview with
the late Mrs. Tillie Bright of Gonzales; she told of an incident
involving Cone that occurred here sometime during the 1920s. Mrs.
Bright said that a group of people in Gonzales were upset over
something and had plans to take the law in their hands — maybe
even start a riot. Bright told of how Marshal Cone rode in amongst
the mob and told them to put down their weapons and go home —
according to Mrs. Bright, that's exactly what they did. She added,
"He was a handsome man and rode a splendid horse." Marshal
Cone was featured in a story in The Gonzales Inquirer in
1931. An edited version of that article is the subject of this
edition of Lone Star Diary. The
Gonzales Inquirer - April 23, 1931 [Headline: Rounds Out 24 Years
of Service] His
first work was in the employ of his father the late James B. Cone
who was for four years public weigher of Gonzales County. Marshal
Cone, however started his real public career when he was appointed
deputy sheriff of Gonzales County in 1901, thirty years ago, a
post he filled with entire satisfaction for five years, proving
himself exceptionally qualified to hold a position as peace
officer. The
excellent record made won for him a reputation that easily elected
him to the office of city marshal in 1906, and that position he
still holds, having been continuously reelected despite strong
opposition at times. Born
in Wilson County, just two miles from Old Rancho, Mr. Cone is a
son of the late James B. Cone and Ann Walker Cone, who came to
Texas in 1852 from Georgia, settling near Seguin where they
engaged in farming. When war between the states was declared, his
father joined the Confederate army. Later he served as a member of
the state legislature for a number of years. Marshal
Cone was one of ten children and received his early education in
the Rancho schools in Gonzales County. He has been a resident of
this city for forty years. Marshal
Cone is one of the most widely known, most prominent peace
officers in Texas and is deservedly popular in state official
peace organizations and with individuals everywhere, particularly
over south and west Texas. "N.B."
Marshal Cone, aside from his official service, is a prominent
member of the Gonzales Fire Department to which he has belonged
for years and was among those who labored so long and untiringly
for the present finely equipped motorized service and other modern
facilities the department now enjoys. A
round spirited citizen, he also takes a just pride in the
advancement of civic beauty, as witnessed by his efforts in behalf
of the planting of more trees about public works and the
installation at his own expense of the attractive fish pond on the
grounds at the city hall. Moreover,
Mr. Cone is ranked among the gifted musicians of this section,
being an adept with the banjo, and the violin, particularly when
it comes to the old fashioned tunes that really never grow old,
being a member of the old time orchestra that has and is still
winning laurels everywhere they go.
|
