EDITOR'S NOTE: This week's The Way It Was appears in today's edition instead of its usual Monday publication. We apologize for any inconvenience by this temporary disruption in publication dates.
100 years ago
June 26, 1917:
NEED VAST SUMS FOR
BUILDING A DISPOSAL PLANT
Engineer Peden of Houston estimates $99,000 will have to be collected-may call bond issue election. Council to figure more, this amount together with other sums needed for improvements proposed, will necessitate a bond issue for $125,000. City to save through retiring bonds. At last night's council meeting on the Texas side of the city, full particulars were obtained regarding the estimate of cost of construction of an improved sewage system for the city.
June 27:
HAVE DONE WELL
Considering the fact that Texarkana people have contributed liberally in seven distinct finance campaigns since the first of the year, members of the Red Cross Campaign committee regard the amount raised here during Red Cross Week as a generous donation. To date the actual reports show that $12,686 has been raised, but there still are some contributions to be sent in. It is believed this will bring the aggregate up to $13,000, but not the $15,000 quota wanted.
June 28:
PAY IS INCREASED
Twelve Union Station Porters, Baggage Truckers and Helpers employed here by the railroad companies have been given an increase in wages of $5 per month. This is said to have been voluntary on the part of the employing companies.
June 29:
PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Dan Dewberry has returned from Sapulpa, Okla., where he spent a two weeks' vacation. He reports having enjoyed some fox hunts and excellent fishing. ALSO- Mrs. S.E. Fox, of 830 State Line Ave., will leave in a few days, accompanied by her little daughter, for a visit with her brother and other relatives in Rosedale, Kansas.
June 30:
TEXARKANA CHAPTER OF
THE D.A.R. ADOPTS ONE
OF THE FRENCH ORPHANS
Determined to "do their bit" the members of the Texarkana Chapter D.A.R. met at the home of regent, Mrs. Foreman and voted to adopt one of the French Orphans. The chapter will send $36.50, which is required for paying for a year of supply's for an orphan. The chapter also sent fifty feather pillows to the American Ambulance Corps in France this morning. The French Minister stated they would adopt a girl and she would write to the chapter. Much appreciation was expressed.
July 1:
TEXAS AUTO LICENSE TAX RANGES FROM $7.50 UP TO $300 PER YEAR DUE NOW
Owners of cars not hired out as commercial vehicles must pay license at rate of 35c per H.P. The State Highway Commission tax on automobiles in Texas is due and payable, beginning next Monday, and locally all persons interested will be required to apply to City Tax Collector R. Cal Cowan, at the city hall, and arrange this matter. The license period will be from July 1 to December 31, 1917. Cars must accompany a card.
July 2:
TO BUILD NEW GARAGE
Henry Adams has been awarded the contract to build a one-story brick and concrete garage on Pine Street between third and fourth, for Messrs, C.M. Blocker, H.F. Endsley and C.E. Palmer. There was a competitive bidding and the lowest estimate was $3,674. Work will be commenced at once. Other construction is the remodeling of a two-story frame house for Mrs. W.T. Huggins, on Pine Street between sixth and seventh.
50 years ago
June 26, 1967:
PLYWOOD PLANT
AIDS GURDON'S ECONOMY
A 220-acre tract of land near the Gurdon city limits is the home of the Arkla Chemical Corporation's new Gurdon plywood plant. It is located midway between Prescott and Arkadelphia. The southern pine plywood mill is housed in a structure measuring 1,540 feet in length. It is the longest manufacturing plant building in Arkansas.
June 27:
MANY VISITORS FIND
LOCAL ZOO FASCINATING
One of the most popular places in the Four States Area is Spring Lake Park; and the chief attraction there is the zoo. One Saturday in February zoo-personnel took a headcount. Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., they checked a total of 1,014 visitors, many of them in cars with out-of-state license tags.
June 28:
REDWATER PLANS NEW HIGH SCHOOL
Plans are being drawn up for Redwater's new high school complex. The 9,000-square-foot building will be built on a two and one-half acre plot east of the old school. It will house three classrooms, a homemaking department, study hall-library combination, science lab-lecture facilities, three offices and rest rooms. Bonds have been sold, officials report.
June 29:
GRANT APPROVED FOR MENTAL HEALTH-MENTAL RETARDATION CENTER FOR MILLER AND BOWIE
The National Institute for Mental Health has approved a grant for $180,411 was announced by Senator W. Fullbright and Congressman Wright Patman. The grant represents 75 percent of the cost of staffing the center for the first year. The total cost of the first 12 months is estimated $240,548.
June 30:
LOCAL SCHOOLMAN IS HONORED
Melvin. D. Dodd, 2112 West 8th, principal of the G.U. Jamison elementary school has been selected to appear in the 1967 edition of Outstanding Personalities of the South. Because of their achievements and service to their community, state and or nation, people are recognized as outstanding personalities of the south. Others included are governors, political, education leaders and many more.
July 1:
RETIRES FROM THE FORCE
Texarkana, Ark., Assistant Chief of Police Howard K. Giles, recently announced his retirement after 20 years on the force. Giles began work on the force in 1947 and became lieutenant in 1957. He has served as assistant chief for the past six years. Giles will join the Miller County Sheriff's Department after his retirement becomes effective.
July 2:
POLICE INVESTIGATE 'RIB' BURGLARY
Texarkana, Ark., police are investigating a burglary which took place at the Rib Bar-BQ Restaurant. The burglars broke a plate glass window on the south side of the building and entered there after a failed attempt at the back door. Sgt. John Butler said burglars took about $225 from the restaurant. They also took a key in the register and opened the soft drink machine and took about $25 from the machine. They also took a small metal box containing about $200 from a clothes hamper in the office.