These were some of the stories reported by the Texarkana Gazette this week in history:
100 years ago
Jan. 16, 1917:
BIG REALITY DEAL FINISHED
One of the biggest reality deals was completed here when: J. W. Betts and E.C. Peyton of this city, purchased from W. H. Coyle of Guthrie, Okla., the 1,057-acre plantation formerly known as the Floyd Thompson place, at a price of $45,000. The plantation which is equipped with gin mill and store and is said to be one of the most productive farms to be found in this section of the country. The plantation is eight miles from Texarkana, at Paup's Spur, on the Iron Mountain Railroad, its major crop is cotton.
Jan. 17:
GRAND CONTEST
STARTED TODAY
A most wonderful opportunity for every young woman of Texarkana and the entire surrounding territory. This day the great automobile and prize campaign conducted by the Four States Press officially opens. The gathering of votes which are printed in each issue of the paper and taking of subscriptions to this paper. Thousands of dollars of prizes will be handed out.
Jan. 18:
OLD TREE STILL PRODUCTIVE
Thought to be the oldest fruit tree in this country, the pear tree planted 280 years ago by Governor Endicott of Massachusetts is still thriving well and bearing a yearly crop of fruit of the first quality. Governor Endicott, being a great lover of sugar pears, sent to a relative in Dorchester, England, for a pear tree
Jan. 19:
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
The Library of Congress reports the acquisition last year of 88,101 volumes and present possession of four million publications of all kinds, It is still true, in spite of the high price of paper, that of the marking of books there is no end.
Jan. 20:
TO MY FRIENDS
Owing to the continued growth of my business and increasing demand for repair work, I have installed the very latest machinery for this work. I handle Diamond union made shoes for men, and Merry Widow shoes for ladies. If you wear them, you'll wear no others. D. S. Silverman, 210 West Broad street.
Jan. 21:
BOUGHT PAIR OF MULES
A case of interest was brought to the attention to Judge Jim Holloway when a complaint was filed against a man whose only name given to the court was "Hughes" on a charge of forgery. A man who gave his name as Dr. W. H. Cannon, bought a pair of mules from George McDaniel in Texarkana, for which he gave a check from a Nashville bank. The man sold the mules to Matthew Queen, a farmer living on Red River for $100 in cash. The check was returned to the bank in Texarkana, to which it was given to McDaniel for collection. Deputy Joe Robinson talked to a Fulton officer and he replied that he had arrested a man who gave the name of "Hughes" on a charge of drunkenness, but on the following day he had escaped and had not been seen since. The farmer who bought the mules with cash was notified that they were purchased through fraud so he brought the mules in and delivered them to McDaniel, thereby losing the hundred dollars. A warrant was issued for "Hughes" arrest.
Jan. 22:
BEAT OVER HEAD WITH GUN
Texas-side police report, W.M Mattison, an elderly storekeeper at Fifth and Elm streets had closed his store and went back to his room in the back of the business to retire, when he heard a knock at the front door. Someone was shouting they needed some goods, so he opened the door and two men in masks, hit him in the face with a six shooter. They took some merchandise and 8 dollars from the cash drawer. Mr. Mattison was found okay, just shaken up the next morning.
50 years ago
Jan. 16, 1967:
BLAZE DESTROYS
ASHDOWN COMPANY
Fire destroyed the Valley Equipment Company at 8:15 a.m. The building located on Highway 71 near downtown Ashdown, was quickly engulfed in flames and despite local firefighting units burned to the ground. Estimated damage was between $150,000 and $200,000. A mechanic draining gasoline under a truck while another worked under the truck with a drop light. Gasoline came in contact with the light bulb and ignited. The fire spread fast but no one was injured.
Jan. 17:
FIRE DAMAGES HOUSE HERE
A house at 2314 Taylor Street was damaged by fire late Monday night. Jessie Gibson was identified as the occupant. According the fireman, the fire started in the bathroom and caused extensive damage. Cause of the blaze was not determined. Oaklawn and Ferguson Park answered the alarm.
Jan. 18:
NEWCOMERS CLUB
Mrs. R.D. Fouts and Mrs. H.P. Brelsford were hostesses for the first Newcomers club meeting of the year at Northridge Country Club. Mrs. Sam Wiseman, hospitality chairman, introduced Mrs. Stella Cassidy and Mrs. Donna Adams.
Jan. 19:
JEWEL WROTEN
FAMILY REUNITED
Members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jewel Wroten of Fouke, Ark., were reunited for the first time in eight years. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wroten and children of Grass Valley, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Wroten and children of Alex, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. Arlis McKenzie and children of Midland, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Gene A. Wroten of Texarkana. Mr. and Mrs. Wroten have nine grandchildren. They are life time residents of Miller County.
Jan. 20:
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS WINNERS
The Junior Chamber of Commerce presented distinguished service awards for 1966 to five local men at their annual banquet Thursday night at Texarkana College Student Center. Winners were Bun L. Hutchinson, Otto Atchley and Norman Russell, Bosses of the Year; John Stroud, Outstanding Young Man of 1966; and O. Paul Smith Jr., Outstanding Young Educator of 1966
Jan. 21:
BEECH STREET CONSTRUCTION IS
HALF COMPLETED
With the motto, "Here we grow!" the Beech Street Baptist Church has reached the halfway mark toward the completion of her one half million-dollar educational building due to be dedicated in May.
Jan. 22:
POLLY POINTERS
Here are some useful Pointers for parents to watch for. Anything tastes better to a three-year-old if you tell them they can't have it. Anything tastes better to a 1-year-old if the dog has it. Anything tastes better to the dog if you get nasty when he takes it off the table. Dishes always dry by evaporation if left alone, babies only occasionally. The attention span of a 3-year-old is 7.3 seconds. A 1-year-old has never heard of attention spans.