Today, Thursday, Oct. 31, 1974, will go down as a sad day for many Pope Countians _ especially residents of the Rosebud community, and former residents of that area.
This is the final day of operation of the Rosebud Post Office.
The government is closing the office, as it has others, in a so-called "economy and efficiency" move.
The Rosebud Post Office has been in operation since August 10, 1869.
When it was established, the Post Office was located in the Lawson Hemphill property, approximately a mile from its present site in the Earl Cox Store at Rosebud. A. G. Cheney was the first Postmaster. The Office was known as the Rose Bud ( two words) when it was established, August 10, 1869. The name was changed to Rosebud, June 13, 1894.
Mrs. Ferne Cox is the last of seven Postmasters to serve residents of Rosebud and environs. Their names and dates of appointments:
A. G. Cheney, Aug. 10, 1869
Wm. King, May 23, 1870
Hollie L. Bird, June 13, 1894
John L. King, Sept. 21, 1897
Wm. King, Nov. 28, 1904
Thomas A. King (acting) Apr. 23, 1915
Ferne Cox, March 23, 1936

When the Rosebud Post Office closes today, Ferne will have served the government 38 years, 7 months, and 8 days.
Through the years, the diminutive Post Office at Rosebud not only performed a valuable service to patrons in the immediate area, but also had serviced Star Routes carrying mail to Temple Hill and Big Bay ( formerly McNoel), as well as Rural Route One out of Rosebud.
Perhaps in the eyes of U. S. postal officials, the Rosebud Post Office was an insignificant cog in the system's giant wheel, boasting only 139 pigeon holes and 8 combination boxes, but not so to the folks in and around Rosebud. In closing the Office, the government has robbed them of much of the enjoyment of country living _ the pleasant experience of "going to the Post Office" and visiting with the friendly postmistress, Ferne Cox, and her droll and witty husband, Earl Cox, and with other friends and neighbors who also had come for the ritual of "waiting for the mail."
Many interesting stories could be, and should be, written about the old-time country post Offices. Perhaps the Postal Service, itself, could learn a lesson in efficiency, accommodation, and desire to serve the people from the dedicated persons who have operated the country Post Offices.
Yes, the bureaucrats can close the Rosebud Post Office, and all the others, but it cannot take away nor replace the fond memories of the patrons who enjoyed going there and the postmasters who enjoyed serving them.