The Way It Was: Men kill 150 rattlers; wolf escapes zoo

100 years ago

Feb. 8, 1916:

WILL MONEY IN HIS STOMACH

Before the estate of Albert Hallen, eighty-five years old, could be settled a post mortem operation was necessary to remove from his stomach a $10 gold piece, which Hallen had included in his will bequeathing $250. Investigation showed the sum bequeathed $10 under the sum at hand. The coin had been swallowed several days ago by Hallen in excitement, apparently, in making his will.

Feb.9:

HAS UNIQUE HOUSE TO STORE POTATOES

WALDO, Ark.-T.G. Boswell, a prominent merchant-farmer of this place has a unique potato house, in which there is stored three thousand bushels of sweet potatoes. Mr. Boswell, in building this house went exactly according to the instructions of a prominent potato man. With the result that he has saved all last year's crop. Many farmers are taking notice of this and it is likely that several houses of this kind will be built this season.

Feb. 10:

PERSONALS

A son was born Tuesday night to Mrs. Carl Willis of Oklahoma City, who is visiting Mrs. W. A. King of 1505 West Fourth Street. A little son was born to Mr. and Mrs. King Monday night.

Feb. 11:

MEN KILL 150 RATTLERS

There are fewer rattlesnakes today than there were the middle of the week, as a threshing crew working near the city killed 150 snakes in a few minutes near where they were working recently. A large rattler was observed by one of the men lying in a low place at the mouth of a hole. He was pulled out and killed and with him six more, and then others. For more than a half hour the men worked hard killing snakes, and when there were no more in sight tails were counted and 150 had been killed. The largest measured six feet and four inches and he had an even dozen rattlers.

Feb. 12:

PROPOSES BAN ON SLOT MACHINE

A city ordinance is now being drafted to stop the operation of slot machines. Proprietors of places in which these machines are kept were warned today that their operation soon must cease.

Feb. 13:

SCHOOL BOY HELD FOR HENRIETTA TEACHER'S MURDER DENIED BAIL

Jay Wilson, a student, charged with the murder of James G. Wright, principal of the public school at Newport, this county, in the crowded schoolroom, was denied bail late yesterday in his examining trial.

Feb. 14:

THIS FAMILY GROWS QUICKLY

Five children in two years is a record made by wife of Pastor. Mrs. Harry O. Simmons, wife of the pastor of the M.E. church of this county. Twins were born a few weeks ago. Triplets were born two years ago, boys and a girl, the later surviving. The twins, a boy and a girl, are healthy youngsters. It is understood that the M.E. Church congregation is planning to increase the Rev. Mr. Simmons' salary.

 

50 years ago

Feb. 8, 1966:

SCHOOL'S OUT TO FIGHT THE FIRE

Most school children consider Monday as another dull day at school, but not the students of St. James Day School. They battled a grass fire on the school property for four hours Monday afternoon. School was dismissed earlier so the students could go to the airport to see off poet W.H. Auden. When they returned, they found the grass behind the school on fire. They dismissed the students and then used teachers and anyone who could help fight the fire. They used buckets, trash cans and made a bucket brigade. The fire apparently started near the railroad tracks west of the school and heavy wind helped it cross onto school property. It burned several acres of the schools grass but no damage to the buildings.

Feb.9:

WOLF ESCAPES FROM THE LITTLE ROCK ZOO

A 100-pound white wolf escaped from the Little Rock Zoo, but was captured by animal pound officials. The wolf was not harmed, James Tynor, the zoo's animal curator, said. Police and pound officials dropped a rope around the animal near a residential area, pinned it and returned it to the zoo. Tynor, who said wolves are not normally dangerous except when cornered, said the wolf escaped through loose boards in its cage.

Feb. 10:

TC HONOR

Tommy Goller Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Goller, 918 Spruce, was recently elected president of Phi Beta Lambda, honorary business organization at Texarkana College. Goller is also a member of the TC Players. A business administration major, the sophomore is a circulation district manager for Texarkana Daily News.

Feb. 11:

MOTORIST HITS PARKED CAR

Sidney David Smith, 23, of 510 Lelia, received emergency treatment at Wadley Hospital about midnight Wednesday for minor injuries suffered when his automobile struck a parked car on West 15th Street. Smith was treated and released. Officer Charles Campbell identified the owner of the parked vehicle as George L. Hammock, 1609 W. 15th. Smith was charged with failure to keep a proper lookout causing a negligent collision.

Feb. 12:

DIGGING FOR BIT

Gerry Brewer and Sandra Hughes assisted Mrs. Ellene Johnson, Rosebud Junior Garden Club sponsor, in planting a tree on the grounds at Texas High. This was one of the projects undertaken by the garden club members in cooperation with the Beauty In Texarkana committee. The garden club members and Future Farmers of America will also distribute pine seedlings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Curb Market, 3rd and Pecan, and Mizell Olds-Pontiac in Oaklawn Village. The seedlings were donated by International Paper Company.

Feb. 13:

OLD GLORY MEANS BROTHERHOOD TOO

Old Glory and the concept of freedom it stands for is high on the agenda of Brotherhood discussion among Rabbi Joseph Levine, Catholic Priest Martin Molloy and Protestant Minister Howard A, McGee. They endorsed "Operation Old Glory" which has as its objective the flying of American flags all over Texarkana in honor of the boys fighting in Viet Nam.

Feb. 14:

LOVELL WAS FIRST EAGLE SCOUT IN SPACE

Astronaut James A. Lovell, co-pilot of the Gemini 7 spacecraft, was the first former Eagle Scout to "soar" into orbit. Of the first 30 astronauts named, 27 have Scouting backgrounds.

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