The Way It Was: ‘King of Rock’ Jerry Lee Lewis to be here Saturday
100 years ago July 17, 1917: AUTOS BY EXPRESS
The demand for the 1918 model Buick autos in Texarkana is so great that the Texas Motor Co. has been forced to go to the expenses of ordering a carload of these autos by express, paying no less than $500 in charges for the transportation of the four cars that constitute the carload. Texas Motor Co. is giving little heed to expense in order to satisfy customers.
July 18:
ROAD IS EASY TO REPAIR
Automobiles are complaining of the condition of a part of State Line Avenue for a block or more north of the post office building and are suggesting that the street forces might easily grade the street down, and make it more presentable. Tourist from out of the city comment unfavorably on this present condition.
July 19:
1,100 MILCH COWS OWNED IN 4-MILE RADIUS OF THE CITY
There are 1,100 or more milch cows within a 4-mile radius of Texarkana, it was stated by an authority on such matters here this morning. All of those cattle are kept for milk-producing purpose. Quite a large number is to be found in the dairying industry, but many more are retained on the farms as a source of food supply.
July 20:
LIVESTOCK FAIR
PLANNED FOR TEXARKANA
Texarkana agriculture exposition and livestock show will be held in this city during the latter part of October, it was learned from a member of the fair committee of the Chamber of Commerce today. The committee also is negotiating for a place on which to make the exhibits. So far it has been decided to make the enterprise purely an exhibition of produce of the farm, ranch and garden. Handiwork from the people.
July 21:
POWER COMPANY INSTALLING NEW LIGHT SERVICE POLES
New electric light service poles are being placed on Broad street by the Southwestern Gas & Electric Co. in place of the old ones, which will be shortened and used in out-of-the-way places. The change calls for a total of 30 long cedar poles from Michigan and Washington. Some are cedar, and some are fir and are expected to serve from 10 to 12 years.
July 22:
PAVEMENT PICK-UPS
James E. McWilliams, in the employ of the local office of the Walls Fargo & Co. express, is one of the older men to enlist in the Army service. On July 12, he was enrolled in the Texarkana ammunition motor-truck service, being at the time 31 years and 6 months of age.
July 23:
ILLNESS COULD KEEP
MAN FROM MILITARY SERVICE
Relatives yesterday received letters from Oval Hargett stating that now, after three weeks, he is able to sit up a little. He fears however, that his illness will interfere with his plans for a time at least of his being one of Uncle Sam’s soldier boys, which, if it does, will be a great disappointment to Oval.
50 years ago July 17, 1967: TEXARKANA TERMINAL IS DESERTED
Three lonely pickets, empty tracks and confused pigeons was the scene at Union Station as the railroad strike was in its second day. Three pickets, one on the Arkansas side, one on State Line, and one on the Texas side walked back and forth carrying signs that said, “On Strike, I.A.M.A.W., Local 1243, District 51.” Several idle railroad men stood across the street from the station apparently discussing the strike.
July 18:
LBJ SIGNS BILL, HOPES FOR END OF RAIL STRIKE
President Johnson signed Monday night a bill to halt the nationwide railroad strike. He said, “We hope this crippling strike is about to end.” Johnson said in a statement relayed to newsmen that “ending the strike will enable the products of farms and factories to move freely once more, permit the mail to go through and permit badly needed arms and vital supplies to be sent to our fighting forces in Vietnam without interruption.”
July 19:
SITE SELECTED FOR NEW POST OFFICE AT MAUD
Rep. Wright Patman announced Monday that the Post Office Department had selected a site for a new post office at Maud, Texas. The site, located on the south side of Main Street between Highway 8 and Milam Street, includes 11,250 square feet. It was purchased for $768 from Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Eugene Womack, Box 338, Maud.
July 20:
BOYS ARRESTED FOR HARRASSING MONKEYS AT ZOO
The Texas Police Department has started a campaign to stop the abuse of animals at the zoo by patrons, and Police Chief Bill Hughs warns that it will be costly to those caught. Two teenage Texarkana boys were arrested last week and made to post a $100 bond for mistreating some of the zoo’s monkeys. Two boys were arrested after they were observed throwing lighted cigarettes at the monkeys.
July 21:
‘KING OF ROCK’ HERE SATURDAY
Jerry Lee Lewis, recording artist, who will appear at the Pines Ballroom on Saturday night, July 22, is known as the “King of Rock” to his fans throughout the world. He has recently returned from his fifth tour of England and Europe, where he was received with fantastic enthusiasm by thousands of fans. Everywhere he has appeared, he was a smashing success.
July 22:
TEXARKANIAN GRADUATES LITTLE ROCK POLICE ACADEMY
Trent Spahr, former Texarkana resident who is now a police officer in the Little Rock Police Department, recently graduated from the Little Rock National Police Academy in the top five of his class. Spahr has been on the police force for seven months and has lived in Texarkana the past two years. He is married and is the father of one child. The son of Mr. and Mrs. George Spahr is a graduate of Texas High School and attended Texarkana College.
July 23:
COW AND CALF
ARE COLLEGE BOUND
A registered Hereford cow and calf have been donated to the University of Arkansas by Arch W. Smith, local cattleman. He is one of several Arkansas cattlemen who have donated cattle to the university to help develop a “teaching” herd. The university already owns a number of cattle, but these are generally used in various pasture and growth test and should not be disturbed by penning for teaching purposes.