PIONEER CATTLEMAN WHO CAME TO COLORADO HALF CENTURY AGO SUCCUMBS

F.E. McKenzie Died At Family Home Monday Morning, Burial Tuesday

F.E. McKenzie, 78, founder of the Lazy-X Ranch in southeast Mitchell County, and identified with the cattle industry of this section since 1881, died at 2:30 o'clock, Monday morning at the family residence, 042 East 11th Street, following a stroke or apoplexy, Mr. McKenzie had been in failing health for several months.  He was stricken while at lunch Saturday noon, with Mrs. McKenzie in the dining room of their home.  

 Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 at the family residence  with Rev. O.C. Oren Reid, pastor of the First Baptist Church, and W.M. Elliott, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating, burial was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery with Masonic honors.  

 Mr. McKenzie was born in Prophetstown, Ill., October 27, 1858.  In 1881, as a young man, 23 years of age, he came to West Texas and became associated with Holloway, Fritz, & Harris to form the O.L. Cattle Company.  Headquarters were located where now stands the town of Robert Lee in Coke County.  It was early in the following year, 1882, the young McKenzie determined to merge into the cattle business for himself.
Disposing of his equity in the O.L. Cattle Company, he acquired sections of choice grazing lands in southeast Mitchell County, and within a short time became recognized among the leading cattle breeders of this part of the state.  He continued in active management of the ranch until ten years ago when he and Mrs. McKenzie moved to Colorado.

 Honoring this hardy pioneer the community in which he established that early day cattle ranch bears his name.  He interested himself in the breeding of Shorthorns, and for many years was a member of American Shorthorn Breeders Association.

 As a token of the esteem in which the late cattleman was held by citizens of the McKenzie community, school was dismissed for the day Tuesday and every pupil and teacher attended the funeral rites in a body.  Every family living on the McKenzie ranch or in the McKenzie community paid a similar tribute to the man who pioneered development in that part of Mitchell County.  They were all in Colorado Tuesday afternoon to pay respects to his memory.
 Several months ago Mr. McKenzie began to fail in health.  He was not confined to his room, however, and almost daily could be seen on the streets.  He always wore a smile and imparted optimism and cheer among those with whom he came in contact.  He was mingling among his friends downtown Saturday morning.

 With his wife, Mr. McKenzie was eating lunch at the family residence Saturday.  They were engaged in conversation when Mrs. McKenzie was called to the telephone.  Within a short time after she returned to her place at the dining table, he was slumped in his chair.  He lost consciousness at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon, and gradually sank until the end came early Monday morning.

 Hundreds of pioneer cattlemen of the Southwest have attested to the strong character of the late cattleman since his passing.  He was one of the best known ranchers to ever become identified with the industry in this part of Texas and his close personal friends of from 25 to 69 years standing; who knew him best bespeak of his noble characteristics.

 Survivors are his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Ross Dixon of Dallas, and two brothers, Nathan McKenzie of Prophetstown Ill., and W.L. McKenzie of La Porte, Texas.  All these relatives, excepting Nathan McKenzie, were here for funeral services.  

 Among the other out-of-town relatives and friends here Tuesday afternoon to attend the funeral rites were W.W. Inkman, Jr., and family of Big Spring; Maurice Jones and family of El Paso; Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Sullivan of Austin; Mrs. B.M. Jones and daughter of Sweetwater; Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Fletcher of San Angelo; Mr. and Mrs. S.U. Conner, Christoval; Mjr. And Mrs. J.P. Madlox, Sweetwater; G. W. Jamerson and family, Silver; Fred Roe, D.R. Campbell, Robert Lee, and scores of pioneer cattleman and other citizens of this and adjoining West Texas counties.  So large was the assembly of friends gathering at the home during the services that the crown overlapped the spacious grounds on the east and south approaches to the residence.  The floral offering was in profusion and very beautiful.
 Pallbearers were W.W. Whipkey, W.L. Doss, Jr., Harry Landers,  A.L. Madden, Charles Moeser, and Dean Phenix.
Honorary pallbearers were:  J.L. Doss, Dr. B.F. Dulaney, A.E. Madden, J.R. Shepherd, J.A. Buchanan, F.M. Burns, J.M. Thomas, J.H. Smoot, O.E. Jones, J.D. Lane, W.G. Jamison, R.N. Gary, F. B. Whipkey, H.C. Beal, J.B. Reese, J.M. Shuford, A.J. Herrington, H.C. Mann, J.M. Latty, D.H. Snyder, U.D, Wulfjen, G.W. Plaster, Lee Powell, Rev. J Wallace, R.S. Brannand, R.O. Pearson, F.M. Smith, Will Waven, Ray Richardson, J. Wright Moore, D.N. Arnett, J.G. Merritt, C.H. …, M. Adams, Price  Maddox, C.H. …, C. H. Earnest, 

Dan R. …, M. Carter, W.L. Doss, … Smith, N. Conner, Earl Morrison, Fred Roe, Dr. CL. Root, Dr. P.C. Coleman, R.F. Fee, Tom Johnson, K/J/ Greene. Charles Mann, Ed Majors, Oscar Majors, J. Lee Jones, John Holt, Wes Edwards, Wes Allen, J.L. Allen

RELATED LINK: F. E. McKenzie Bio (submitted by Les Niemi)