The Way It Was:
New Interstate 30 will open today in New Boston
100 years ago
July 24, 1917: MUCH DAMAGE IS DONE BY FLOODS FOLLOWING RAIN This city was visited last night and this morning by heavy rain, approaching the proportions of a waterspout, and the early hours of this forenoon, the downtown streets and nearly all of a swampoodle district on the Texas side, the railroad yards, happy hollow and front street sections were inundated and were a sea of water. Rehkopf Mattress Works and Rosenberg Cotton Warehouse and stock stables stand in lakes knee-deep in water. July 25:
MAN ACCIDENTLY SHOOTS SELF
Misfortune came in a double dose recently to John Massey, a well-known farmer of the Bloomburg neighborhood, who now lies in a local hospital suffering from the effects of a pistol shot wound received last Friday night. It came while he was cleaning his pistol: A .38-caliber bullet entered his left leg 7 inches above the knee and ranged downward, lodging under the knee cap. It is feared his leg will be permanently stiffened by the accident. The accident came at a time he was recovering from two broken ribs caused by a mule kick a few weeks ago.
July 26:
POLICE FIND LOST BOY
The Arkansas police department is holding Otis Machen, a 13-year-old boy, who, it is said, ran away from his parents at Calvin, La., a few days ago. He was picked up in the railroad yards here and taken care of at the police headquarters. The father has been notified and will call for him tonight.
July 27:
REGENTS TRIUMPH; UNIVERSITY TO OPEN ON SCHEDULE
Local members of the alumni of the University of Texas today received letters of notification from President Vinson of the institution to the effect the Board of Regents has succeeded in arranging finances so that the university will be opened and conducted on schedule, as given in this year’s catalog.
July 28:
WATER COMPANY TO ENDEAVOR TO INCREASE RATES
Will the Texarkana Water Corporation to be permitted to increase the water rates to consumers to fill the $150,000 need? This is the question which has arisen following a meeting this morning in the Chamber of Commerce headquarters, attended by W.H. Roth, secretary of the Texarkana Water Corporation, and the following citizens: Stuart Wilson, W.R. Grim, Leo Krouse, John N. Cook, E.W. Frost, W.A. Nelson, F.W. Offenhauser, W.L. Wood, Jr., S.C. Nancarrow, Mayor K.M. Kelley, S.J. Henry and Jim Christopher.
July 29:
WAR ON MALARIA MOSQUITOES MAY BEGIN NEXT WEEK
A strong talk in favor of eliminating the mosquito which transmits malaria germs was made by Dr. Collom, who stated that, according to his observations, fully 25 percent of the people in this city suffered from malaria. He entered exhaustively into a discussion of malaria, its effect and costliness, and also consequent fatalities. “It would be cheap if the city spent $3,000 a year to eliminate malaria,” Dr. Collom concluded. Cotton Belt offered to accept $600 in city script for the Arkansas council’s portion of the expense; two aldermen prefer to hear from the public first.
July 30: THE TEXARKANIAN GETS EXTRA TELEPHONE SERVICE
The Texarkanian now has additional telephone service for the benefit of its news department. The number of this phone is 2-2-2-2, and all matters for the news department, such as personals, locals and other matters of news interest, are to be telephoned to this number. Business matters should be addressed over the number 2-2 phone. This includes classified ads, regular advertising, job printing and all such matters.
50 years ago
July 24, 1967: IT JUST DOESN’T PAY TO STEAL
Charles E. Johnson, 24, unknowingly turned himself in at the Texas police station after reportedly stealing a car in Houston. He had run out of gas and left the car on the side of the road. The police checked the tag number and found the car was reported stolen. When Charles got back to put gas in the car, it was gone. He called the police to report the car stolen, and they told him they had it. He went to get it and was arrested.
July 25:
AMERICAN LEGION CHAMPIONS
Members of the district champion Texarkana American Legion Indians with Coach Bob Roberts won with a clean slate. Players are Jack Hehn, Gary Reid, Doug Norton, Dana Roberts, Chris Moser, Jerry Gross, Bill Stewart, Don Purifoy, Jim Williamson, Larry Gooding, Jerry Hinsley, Ronald Burnett and Ronnie Steed.
July 26:
LEROY SMITH JR. HONORED ON NINTH BIRTHDAY
Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Smith Jr. entertained their son, Leroy Allen, with a party. Attending the party was Mike Moore, Donnie Butts, Greg Holland, Mickey McKee, Jeff Stone, and Jane and Michael Pillow.
July 27:
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 30 TO OPEN TO NEW BOSTON TODAY It was announced Wednesday that
Interstate Highway 30 would be opened at 10 a.m. today from Spur No. 86 (which leads to the Red River Army Depot) to Highway 8, northeast of New Boston. This will open Interstate 30 all the way from Homan, Ark., to New Boston, Texas. Meanwhile, extensive work is being done to Highway 82, and it is hoped that all motorists would use Interstate 30 and keep off Highway 82 to eliminate traffic hazards that are being created by repair crews. July 28:
AT CAR CONVENTION
CAR officers at the Arkansas State Convention of the American Revolution convention held in Hot Springs. Officers are Cynthia Cook, Texarkana, historian; Mrs. M.R. Klerekoper, De Queen, senior secretary; Carolyn Rhodes, Arkadelphia, state president; Mrs. John Carr, Arkadelphia, senior vice president; Mrs. Robert Rhodes, Arkadelphia, historian; David Drammond, Arkadelphia, past president; Linda Arnold, Texarkana, secretary; Jan Carpenter, Arkadelphia, registrar, and Julia Klerekoper, De Queen, treasurer. July 29:
CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT OF 51,800 IS FORCAST FOR AREA IN 1975
The National Planning Association, which several days ago predicted that Texarkana’s metropolitan area would be 135,000 by 1975, also predicted that civilian employment would be 51,800, according to information received. Texarkana’s metropolitan area was 91,600 in the 1960 federal census. July 30:
284 CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN HEADSTART
The Bowie County Headstart program is heading down the home stretch with 284 children participating in the project, which will wind up August 11. Centers have been operating since June 19 at DeKalb, New Boston, Hooks, and Liberty and Grandview in Texarkana. Each child has received a complete physical and dental examination, and most of those needing medical and dental work done have been cared for. During the eight weeks of the program, each child receives complete immunization against various diseases. Those indicating the need have received psychological evaluation.