100 years ago
Oct. 2, 1917:
TEXARKANA LED ALL THE CITIES IN ARKANSAS IN WAR LIBRARY DONATIONS
Texarkana is reputed to have led all cities in Arkansas in the subscription to the national war library fund, and yesterday afternoon, Chairman F.W. Offenhauser received the following telegram from Harold Braddock, director, Washington, D.C.: "Library war council congratulates you on Texarkana's patriotic response to nations need." The total amount subscribed up to yesterday afternoon was $1,169.80.
Oct. 3:
CITY WORKERS ARE GRADING STREETS
The Texas street department has been busy the past few days grading Pine Street-or the lane, as it is called-from Eleventh street to 29th. In addition, several cross streets feeding into Pine have been plowed and graded. No graveling is being done nor weeds cut.
Oct. 4:
PREACHER HOLDS UNUSUAL RECORD
One of the oldest Baptist preachers in the state of Texas, Rev. W.S. Lackey, accompanied by his wife, is in the city for a visit with his daughter, Mrs. R.F. Stokes, and her husband on 23rd and Olive streets. Rev. Lackey has the unusual record of having lived and preached in his present home county for the past 50 years. His home is Caldwell Burleson County.
Oct. 5:
PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Black are rejoicing over the arrival of a son at their home on West Eighth Street. Mrs. Lillie Price and small son, Neely, left yesterday for a visit with Mrs. Price's brother, J.F. Kennedy, and family in Shreveport.
Oct. 6:
BUILDING TO GET NEW PLATE GLASS
Plate glass front and sides, for a distance of about one-third of the footage back from Third on State street, is to be placed at once in the Hardin building, Third and State street, by W.C. Hardin, it was learned this morning. Hardin has arrived from Corpus Christi and, with a force of workmen, this morning began the work of tearing out the old front and wall. This store room is to be practically rebuilt for the McWilliams-Sain Drug Co., which will occupy it as soon as it is completed. It is expected to make the new drug store a model of beauty and convenience.
Oct. 7:
PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Born to Miss Grace Matheny Swanson, of 923 Waterall St., a son. Born to J.E. McWilliams and wife, of 1501 Wood St., a daughter, eight pounds.
Oct. 8:
FIRE PREVENTION DAY IS TUESDAY
"Fire Prevention Day" is to be observed here. In addition, Chief Springer of the local joint fire department expressed the wish today that he and other men would visit the various schools and make practical talks to the children to emphasize the greatest precautions against fires.
50 years ago
Oct. 2, 1967:
BOY SCOUTS HELP HANDICAPPED
Member of Boy Scout Troop 16 distributed posters Saturday in the interest of National Employ the Handicapped Week. Arthur L. Jennings, publicity chairman for the local Committee for Employ the Handicapped had troop members make posters to encourage hiring. Troop members are Robin Roberts, Steve McAdoo, Ricky Berman, Robbie Berman, Steve Fountain, Jerry Roberts, Terry Dickeson, Steve Wunnenberg and Jack Allensworth.
Oct. 3:
CAMERA RECORDS EYE MOVEMENTS
Thomas Johnston's eye movements are being photographed while he reads. Mrs. James H. Foster, reading diagnostician who operates the camera, will analyze the filmed record and compare Thomas' reading performance with national norms derived from a study of 12,000 cases. The reading eye camera, purchased by Texarkana, Texas, schools with Title 1 funds, photographs small beads of light that are reflected from the reader's eyes while he reads. These beads of light are recorded on moving film. Thomas is a pupil at Grim school.
Oct. 4:
FIREMAN PUT OUT
BLAZE AT LEE'S DRIVE-IN
Thirteen hamburger patties and a portion of the filtering system of the grill were being cooked on were destroyed when a short-lived grease fire erupted on the Lee's Drive-In hamburger grill at 1002 E. Ninth. Grease on the stove was ignited by the cooking fire, Fire Chief Gene Davis stated. The drive-in was filled with smoke for a good while after the blaze was extinguished. Two units-a pumper and a hook and ladder truck-were dispatched to Lee's, but the blaze was put out in a matter of moments by firemen.
Oct. 5:
TEXAS JUNIOR VARSITY MEETS MARSHALL
The Texas High Jr. Varsity will meet the Marshall High School "B" team at 7 p.m. Thursday in Marshall, Texas' Maverick Stadium. Starters from Texas High will be: ends, Ennis Harrison and Jerry Fields; tackles, Herman Justus and Hal Knight; guards, Don Moser and Paul Lewis; quarterback, Carl Teel; fullback, Mike Morris; tailback, Eric Hall; wingback, Richard Lawrence; defensive substitutes, Doug Norton, Chuck Kift, Bruce Sharp and Donald Ebert.
Oct. 6:
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DEDICATES SPRING BANK FERRY
Lt. Gov. Maurice Britt of Arkansas dedicated the Spring Bank Ferry between Lafayette and Miller counties in ceremonies Thursday afternoon. According to Britt, the junction of Lafayette and Miller counties is one of the most beautiful and productive areas in the state of Arkansas. "It contributes oil, agricultural produce and ranching," said Britt. "The people have only recently been without a ferry service that has been operating here for 125 years." The Spring Bank Ferry began operations in 1820 as a toll ferry owned by William Richard Blanton. His family operated it for the next 125 years.
Oct. 7:
DeKALB BOY WINS TOP FFA AWARD
Gary English of DeKalb will be presented the American Farmer Award at the 40th Nation Convention of the Future Farmers of America to be held in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 11-13. This is the highest award given to a Future Farmer. Jim Matthews and Douglas Henry will also attend the convention. They will be accompanied by James Roden, vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor in DeKalb schools. Ten thousand Future Farmers from 50 states will be in attendance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of vocational agriculture and 40th National Convention.
Oct. 8:
CAPP TOURS SITE OF DOGPATCH, U.S.A.
HARRISON, Ark.-Al Capp, creator of Li'l Abner, toured an 825-acre area of the rugged Ozark Mountains south of here Tuesday where developers are carving out a replica of the Dogpatch, U.S.A., comic strip community. Work on Dogpatch, located along Arkansas 7 about seven miles south of Harrison, already has begun. Already available to visitors are stagecoach and surrey rides and a fishing lake. The developers expect to spend about $3 million on the project in the next three years.