History
Old Rip, Fact or Fiction? - 1897 to 1929
As the story goes, in 1897 when the Corner Stone of Eastland County Court House was dedicated, Earnest Wood, a justice of the peace, placed a West Texas honed toad, “Old Rip,” along with a Bible and several other objects of interest in the corner stone... here “Old Rip” lived for 31 years.
On February 8, 1928 when a wrecking crew began to demolish the 31 year old court house to make way for a new one, three thousand people were on hand to witness the opening of the corner stone. After Judge Ed S. Pritchard removed the Bible and the other objects, Eugene Day, a local oil man, thrust his hand into the cavity of the corner stone and lifted to the dust covered toad, “Old Rip”... holding him up by the hind leg to show him to the crowd, his other hind leg twitched... “Old Rip” was alive... the crowd cheered and “Old Rip” awoke from a 31 year slumber.
“Old Rip” was exhibited in various parts of the country including a visit to President Coolidge in Washington.
“Old Rip” died of pneumonia January 19, 1929. His body was embalmed and can be seen today in his plush-lined casket in the lobby of Eastland County Court House. You are invited to see him.