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TEXLINE, TEXAS. Texline, on U.S. Highway 87 eleven miles southeast of Clayton, New Mexico, in western Dallam County,
is named for its location on the Texas-New Mexico line. It began when the Fort Worth and Denver City
Railway purchased land from the Capitol Freehold Land and Investment Company and built a division point
there for its line in 1888. By the end of that year the town had a post office, a hotel, a depot, and
railroad shops. Charles F. Rudolph, editor of the Tascosa Pioneer, predicted that Texline would be
"the wildest and the roughest and the toughest town of this section," and for a time
his prediction was right.
Texline served as the Dallam county seat from 1891 to 1903, when the county government was moved to Dalhart.
The county's first public school was begun in Texline about 1892. Charles W. French, an agent for the Panhandle
Land Improvement Company, described the boom days and the hardships that his family and other area homesteaders
endured due to the lack of adequate medical treatment (until 1907, the nearest doctor was in Clayton) and
occasional fuel shortages. Often the only fuel available was coal, which local residents purchased from the
railroad. The town was incorporated in 1916, but removal of the railroad shops in 1923 caused population to
decrease to 385 by 1940. Nevertheless, Texline retained some twenty-five businesses and several churches.
By 1984 the population was 477. The XIT Trail Drivers' Reunion (see XIT RANCH) is held there annually.
The population was 425 in 1990 and 511 in 2000.
The Texline Marshals Office is served by full time Marshal, a part time Deputy Marshal and by the
Dallam County Sheriffs Office.
In addition to general law enforcement services the Marshals Office provides a variety of services to include
house watches, business checks, security for events at the Texline ISD. The Marshals Office is dedicated
to community involvement an is often involved with events such a Texline Community Days and other
community events.
Employees of the Marshals Office have extensive experience in all areas of Law Enforcement to include Traffic
Safety, Drug Interdiction, Sex Crime Investigations, Auto Theft Prevention and Investigation, Computer Crimes,
Homicide Investigations, High Risk Warrant Service, and Violence against Women and Children Crimes.
The Marshals Office is led by Bryan Jones who has over 24 years of Law Enforcement experience. Marshal Jones
has served in all areas of law enforcement from detention officer to Chief of Police. Marshal Jones
holds peace Officer Certifications in Georgia, Colorado and Texas. He is a member of several
law enforcment organizations and a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA Leadership School.