The Way It Was: Sixteen-mile scenic drive being built in Miller County

100 years ago

Dec. 4, 1917:
MILK PRICES RAISED
The cost of living in Dallas further increased today when one of the leading dairies advanced the price of milk to 25 cents per quart. A pint of milk now costs 15 cents, and a glass of milk retails at 10 cents. Prepare for the increase to move into the local area.

Dec. 5:
ROSE HILL DEPARTMENT
Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Womack, a son.
Miss Natalie Wiles came over from New Boston to spend the remainder of the week with home folk.
Misses Lynn and Lucile White spent Thanksgiving day with their brother, Lloyd, in Fort Worth, where they witnessed the football game between Baylor University and Texas Christian University. This is Lloyd's first year at Baylor.

Dec. 6:
ARMY BALLOON ESCAPES
The giant Army balloon, which broke loose yesterday at Fort Omaha, Neb., had not been located early this afternoon. The latest reports indicate it was nearing the Oklahoma line at 3 o'clock this morning. The balloon is racing at a terrific speed, dragging 6,000 feet of 2-inch cable and tearing down telephone and telegraph wires, a mile at a time. If it continues, it may make it here.

Dec. 7:
SIXTEEN MILES SCENIC DRIVE IS BEING BUILT NOW IN MILLER COUNTY
The state line road is to be connected with the Carr Bend Road near Paup's spur in the near future, which will make a complete circuit drive over graveled highways from Texarkana, around through a fertile section of territory and back again, a distance of more than 16 miles.

Dec. 8:
RESPONSIBILITY BROADENED ON BEING VACCINATED
The amendment adopted Monday states: "The responsibility for the enforcement of vaccination regulations shall rest equally on each and every member of the school board, the superintendent, principal or teacher in charge, and the parents of guardians of the pupils, and each of them shall separately and individually liable for permitting any violation."


Dec. 9:
EAT HEIGHTS NEWS
Farmers of this community are well pleased with the way their peanuts are turning out. One man sold $46 worth of nuts from one-half an acre, besides getting 20 bales of hay worth 75 cents per bale. ALSO: Considerable surprise was manifested at the announcement of the marriage of Miss Rosie Ruston and Sherman Richardson, which occurred Tuesday morning.

Dec. 10:
TEXARKANA SOCIETY
Mrs. N.P. Sanderson is expected home from St. Louis this afternoon; William S. James has returned to Muskogee after a short visit here with friends; Mrs. Gordon Payne and Mrs. Pearce Wilson have returned from Diboll and Nacogdoches; Mrs. Gaines Anderson has returned to Homan after a visit with her mother, Mrs. M.E. Cloud.


50 years ago

Dec. 4, 1917:
ALLIGATOR WEED POSES BIG PROBLEM IN TEXAS
A bug only an eighth of an inch long may be the ally industries and sportsman need to clear some Texas waters of a prolific plant known as alligator weed. The beetle has an insatiable appetitie for one particular plant, the alligator weed. The control technicians found that the little black bug with yellow stripes has no appetitie for such things as rice, maize and corn. Alligator weed has proven resistant to virtually every know control method. Experience shows moving one insect or plant to another region can have disastrous results, but so far, all is looking good since two shipments came in. It is not known if they will be able to survive our winters; they were brought from South America.

Dec. 5:
'NUTCRACKER' ESTABLISHED AS CHRISTMAS TRADITION FOR TEXARKANA CHILDREN
The Nutcracker Ballet for which the music was written 75 years ago by Peter Tschaikovsky especially for children will be presented jointly by the Junior League of Texarkana and dance instructors Dixie Splawn and Judith McCarty. Said to be a child's fairyland, the Christmas ballet features an actual snow scene with sleigh, snow and life-sized gingerbread men, with lollipops and candy canes as a backdrop, based on a tale by Hoffman.

Dec. 6:
BIRTHS AT WADLEY HOSPITAL
 Nov. 30-Mr. and Mrs. William Rush Crawford, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Talmage E. Davenport, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Wilber Brown, a girl
 Dec. 1-Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Turner, a girl; Mr. and Mrs. Troy L. Matthews, a boy
 Dec. 2-Mr. and Mrs. Malvin L. Steward, a boy
 Dec. 3-Mr. and Mrs. Chester Tyson, a girl; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Spriggs, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Pryor Sr., a boy
 Dec. 4-Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Oden, a girl; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne R. Hawkins, a girl

Dec. 7:
FFA SWEETHEART ELECTED
Debbie Thompson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Thompson of Lone Star, was elected FFA Sweetheart. A senior at Dangerfield High School, Miss Thompson will represent the Dangerfield FFA Chapter at the awards banquet in Mt. Pleasant and will compete with 34 others at the area sweetheart convention in Texarkana. Her hobbies are track, horseback riding, sewing and skiing.

Dec. 8:
PILOT CLUB HEARS
DEAN McALEXANDER
The Texarkana Pilot Club held its December dinner meeting in the Palm Room at the Grim Hotel. Members and guest were Miss Mary Farrar, Miss Gail Gilbert, Mrs. Richard Kennedy, Miss VeLora Harrell, Mrs. Francis Boyd, Miss Baughman, Mrs. Paul MacQuellan, Mrs. Walter Harrett, Mrs. L.J. Campanova Jr., Miss Mary Lansdale, Mrs. Lucille Jolly, Mrs. Jack Addison, Miss Martha Sanders, Miss Mary Agnes Graves, Mrs. J.J. Scheffelin, Mrs. E.H. Hunter, Miss Margerat Edwards, Miss Mary Elizabeth Young, Mrs. Thedda Michael Dean and Mrs. W.G. McAlexander.

Dec. 9:
ATLANTA BUILDING HIT HIGH PEAK DURING OCTOBER
The total construction permits granted by the city of Atlanta for October were $212,000. Of the amount, $105,000 was recorded for the construction of remodeling or residential buildings.

Dec. 10:
REMEMBER THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
Everyone from the meat markets to the five and dime are busy during this time of year. Kids running in the streets waiting on Santa's arrival. Ladies of the house planning the treats to be made for the season. Men working hard to try to make Christmas the best that can be possible during this time when so many are off to war. Visit from the kin and wonderful family gatherings. Christmas is most of all a time to remember the birth of Jesus. Yards are decorated with mangers and baby Jesus. The wonderful day is coming, and the Christmas Carolers will be at your door soon.

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