Judge Oscar Dancy

by Dr. Tony Knopp

            On October 26, 2006, Cameron County celebrated the (very expensive) restoration of the historic 1912 Courthouse. While the structure was out-of-service as the official courthouse, it had been named the Oscar Dancy Building in honor of the long-serving late county judge. On that pleasant fall evening the restored and again official Cameron County Courthouse was rededicated to Dancy, with his portrait presiding over the (new) commissioners’ courtroom. The main address of the evening was given by Dancy’s grandson, Dan Kennerly, a man whose charm reflected that of his ancestor. Some years previously I had obtained tapes of radio broadcasts made by Judge Dancy, and I now provided copies to his grandson. When the judge’s voice first reached Kennerly’s ears, his face lit up with delight at hearing a voice he had not heard for many decades.

            Judge Oscar Dancy served nearly 50 years as Cameron County Judge, from 1920 to 1970, with a two-year interruption during the Depression. Born in a log cabin in North Carolina in 1879, Dancy gained his early political experience by making speeches for William Jennings Bryan during the 1896 presidential campaign. After serving in the Spanish-American War Dancy was chosen as mayor of a town in his home state, but his wife’s illness compelled him to relocate to South Texas in 1909. Dancy practiced law for a time, was appointed county attorney in 1917, then elected county judge as the political machine of “Boss” Jim Wells finally faltered.

            An enduring characteristic of both Judge Dancy’s public policies and his personal life was his commitment to frugality. The judge did not waste money on liquor or fancy living, never owned a car, and lived in a modest residence. Although he frequently travelled to Austin, Washington and Latin America on behalf of the county, he always strove to save the taxpayers’ money by staying in second class hotels and eating basic meals. When, after 25 years, he was awarded a salary increase, he refused to accept it for himself. According to County Attorney Jack Wiech, Dancy “had the increase deposited in a special fund to help those who were in dire need…Whenever the special Fund was depleted, he gave from his own pocket.” As a proponent of development in the twenties he was willing to commit funds to what became known as “Dancy’s sidewalks”--roads constructed of concrete but only one lane wide. That way the money went twice as far, since passing vehicles could each keep two wheels on the concrete—better than having four wheels in the mud. According to Dancy, “We had to get the farmers out of the mud and in to the market places.” When other counties saw their roads deteriorating during the money-short Depression, “Dancy’s sidewalks” held up.

            In the 1930’s and 1940’s Judge Dancy worked for flood control and water conservation. He was a strong proponent of the Water Treaty of 1944 with Mexico that led to construction of Falcon Dam. He persuaded Cameron County to fund the Anzalduas Dam in Hidalgo County despite Hidalgo County’s failures to participate. A long-time supporter of the concept of Padre Island National Seashore, Dancy saw his dream fulfilled in the latter days of his administration. He also worked for the development of South Padre Island, including the first causeway to the island.

            Oscar Dancy was able to achieve his policy goals because he was a successful politician. He knew how to relate to his constituents primarily because he liked people. A typical visit to Rio Hondo involved the judge leaving his ride at one end of the main street, then walking through town greeting everyone and asking about their families by name. His gifts of money to the poor came from the heart even if they had political benefits. Throughout his life Judge Dancy was die-hard Democrat, as essential position in one-party Texas. He was known to answer his phone, “This is Oscar Dancy, the Democrat.”

            Toward the end of his career Judge Dancy was still proposing innovative development projects, including desalinization of Rio Grande delta land and a fresh-water canal from East Texas. He lived alone, rising at 4:30 am to cook his breakfast and walk to the bus stop on his way to the courthouse. He had out-lived nearly all his family. “I miss my family more than I can tell…,” he said. “ It’s an awful thing, you know, with them all gone. But I cherish their memory.

            Oscar Dancy died only ten days after leaving office. He had lived lonely years devoted to good government in Cameron County. When he finally laid down his burden, his reason for living had ended. But his legacy endures in the Oscar Dancy Building and the county he served so long and so well.

Arnulfo Oliveira Memorial Library archives.