The Way It Was: 253 light plants operating in Texas

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a column of local happenings and history pulled from the pages of the Texarkana Gazette and its legacy newspapers. Look for “The Way It Was” every Monday.

100 years ago

Feb 24, 1914: WERE GRATEFUL— Two hoboes came into the East Side police station last night and wanted lodging. They were given lodging and breakfast and in the morning they scrubbed out the station and it is looking very spick and span this morning.

Feb 25: VISITING MINISTER CALLED UPON TO WED VISITING COUPLE—A wedding was solemnized this morning in the Miller county court house, the principals being T.M. Rowe and Miss Nicle Hokes, both of New Boston, and the officiating parson being W.A. Lyle, pastor of Christian church, Denison, who is visiting the city. The couple departed this morning immediately after the ceremony for New Boston, which place they will continue to make their home.

Feb 26: 253 LIGHT PLANTS IN TEXAS—A report just issued by the federal department of Commerce and Labor at Washington shows that there are 253 electric light and power plants operating in Texas; 235 are controlled by firms, corporations and individuals, while 18 are operated by municipalities. The cost of operation during the year 1912 was $4,924.093. Within a decade, the income of these plants has increased 227 percent, while the expenses show a gain of 233 percent. This industry furnishes regular employment to 2,021 persons, while ten years ago, only 773 persons followed this line of endeavor for a livelihood.

Feb 27: FBC TO HAVE “GET ACQUAINTED” BANQUET TONIGHT—New members will be guests of the old ones, and blanket invitation is issued to everyone. Tonight at 7:30 o’clock, there will be a reception and “Get Acquainted” banquet at the First Baptist Church, Fourth and Pine streets. New members are ones that have joined since the new pastor, Rev. Geo. W. McCall arrived. These number about 100.

Feb 28: TO MANUFACTURE CHURNS—The Sellman Churn & Manufacturing Co. has been organized with a capital stock of $1,000 and will begin operations in this city at once. The offices and plant of the company will be located on Stateline just north of the post office. J.B. Sellman has been elected business manager. They expect to do a large business of making and selling the Sellman patented churns.

Mar 1: TALE OF THE SHIRT— Texarkana is to have some first baseman. Bailey is his name. It is reported he is a great big man. Burton-Peel heard of this. They were jealous of their reputation of fitting all sizes and have secured a shirt which they believe will hold him. It is 32-inch neck, and is displayed in their window. This is the tale of the shirt, but it is also some shirt-tail.

Mar 2: BURGLAR WAS DARING— Last night, there was another burglary on the East Side. This time, it was across the street from the police station. The rooming house of F.I. Church, on the corner of Third and Walnut Streets, was entered last night at some time between 11 and 4 0’clock. A watch and chain and $11 were taken from Mr. Church’s cloths, while his wife’s jewelry, which was on the table, was unmolested. The house is never locked, as many railroad men live there and are liable to be called at any time. The thief is thought to be someone who knew all about the house and the habits of the occupants. No guilty parties have been found yet.

50 years ago Feb 24, 1964: ARKANSAS SCHOOLS WILL SALUTE STATE’S POULTRY INDUSTRY—Texarkana, Ark., schools will join other Arkansas schools in a salute Wednesday to the Arkansas poultry industry. Mrs. Fred Halsey, manager of the school lunch program for Texarkana, Ark., is planning to serve fried chicken to about 3,350 students Wednesday. Statewide, it is estimated that 221,291 students will jam school cafeterias to feast on Arkansas eggs, chicken or turkey. More than 93,946 pounds of chicken and turkey and 18,441 dozen eggs will be needed to stage the school lunch salute.

Feb 25: DRIVER CHARGED AFTER AUTO HITS STORE—Texarkana, Texas, City Police charged Miss Bobbie W. Misenheimer of Rt. 3, Box 289, with failure to control speed after she crashed into the Maple Street Grocery, at 2127 Maple St., about 1 p.m. Monday. Misenheimer told officers that the power steering on her car went out and she was not able to control the vehicle. The grocery store is owned and operated by Paul R. White.

Feb 26: FACES THEFT CHARGES— David Conner, 20-year-old of 710 Charles Street, has been charged with theft in connection with the theft of a large amount of linens and silverware from Hotel Grim. Police officer Fred Hazlett said Conner had admitted taking the linens and silverware over a period of about three months. All items have been recovered.

Feb 27: HELPFUL TIP—On the back of every old photograph of relatives, put the person’s name in the picture and their relationship to you and date. Any other interesting facts about the person are also added. Survivors won’t have the problem of looking at a picture and wondering who the heck it is and when the heck it was taken.

Feb 28: EX-GOVENOR ADKINS DIES—Homer M. Adkins, former Arkansas governor and a political “whiz Kid” in his heyday, died Wednesday night in a hospital here. He was 73. He was governor for two terms and was always in the public eye until he retired. In his later years, Adkins had lived quietly at Sleepy Hollow, his large home in the Social Hill area 15 miles west of Malvern.

Mar 1: FLAVOR OF HONEY— Honey has more than one flavor. In the United States alone, there are some 2,000 plants from which bees make honey, each lending a distinct flavor and aroma.

Mar 2: YOUNGSTER PROVES HE CAN DRIVE—A 12-YEAR-OLD Texarkana youth told his sister Friday night he was going to take the family car and get it washed. He climbed in the car and drove off. When his mother came home and found the car gone, she rushed to the police station to report the car missing, but everything was under control. By the time police got to the house, the car was parked neatly in front without a scratch on it. The Mother said he had never been behind the wheel of a car, but every time they got a new one, he would announce, “Mommy, I can drive that car.” He can.