The Way It Was: Crossett men live through boat explosion
110 years ago
June 11, 1908:
NOTICE!
We have purchased one million feet of lumber from a very large mill which had to have the cash. To move this lumber as it comes in and have the cost of handling, we will make a reduction for the next 80 days of $3.00 per thousand feet in all houses’ bills of ten thousand feet over. Come quick before the desirable sizes are gone.
June 12:
CONFERENCE ON DEPOT MATTER
Officials of the three systems interested in new union depot, Iron Mountain, Texas & Pacific and Cotton Belt, were in city last night. It is understood that at the meeting all the details were finally agreed and that there will be no further delay—plans include extension of present depot and addition of second story. Work to begin soon, contemplate an extension west over the ground now occupied by “Ayres Park,” also the addition of a second story to all that portion of the present building lying west of the State line in Texas. Parties in a position to judge pretty accurately predict that work will begin within the next few weeks.
June 13:
AGRICULTURE
A great deal of perishable freight, mainly fruit and vegetables, is passing through over the various railroads from Texas, en route north, the past few days. Yesterday, 115 cars of tomatoes and peaches passed through over Texas & Pacific and Iron Mountain alone. It is said that the shipments over this route have been an average of 100 cars a day of this class of freight during the past week.
June 14:
PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Mrs. B. Rolston, who has been here visiting at the bedside of her father Mr. C.M. Cox, who has been ill for several weeks, returned to her home at Mt. Pleasant yesterday. Mr. Cox is reported much better than he was a week or two ago. ALSO—Mrs. Ben P. Jones is getting along very nicely at her home, 1632 Olive Street, after undergoing a very critical operation last Sunday, performed by Doctors Beck and Kittrell.
June 15:
MANGAN CASE BREAKS RECORD
The judgment for $17,500, given Mrs. Stella Mangan of Texarkana, in a suit for the death of her husband, a switchman, brought against the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad in a decision by the state Supreme Court Monday, was, it is said, the largest amount ever awarded by that court for the death or injury of a railroad employee. One other judgement of $40,000 was before rendered, but the person killed was not connected with the railroad.
June 16:
BEAUTIFYING HIS STORE FRONT
Mr. B. Witt, the architect, is putting in a show window front for Mr. Louis Heilbron at the latter’s jewelry store on West Broad street, that when completed will, it is claimed, take the shine off everything of the kind in the city. The work is of classic design and will be built of terra cotta and polished stone, with marble panels. A feature of the entrance will be two marble columns. The windows will be furnished with polished plate prism glass with oak and mahogany trimmings inside. The floor at the entrance will be made of tiling and will bear an elaborate monogram of the owner, Mr. Louise Heilbrom. There is no other show front in the city like it, and it is thought it will prove, when finished, one of the finest attractions of the kind in the city. It is expected that the work will be completed in about thirty days.
June 17:
A NEW DRUG STORE
The Patterson Drug Co. is the style of a new concern which has just opened up and is ready for business at 208 State Line in the State National bank building. Mr. T.H. Patterson is proprietor and manager. Mr. Patterson is one of the best known prescriptionists in the town, having been with the Smith Drug Co. for quite a number of years.
50 years ago
June 11, 1968: FIVE STUDENTS RECEIVE DAR MEDALS
Daughters of the American Revolution believe all Americans should learn how men and women of courage, faith and dedication carved from the wilderness a great nation where more people enjoy more spiritual and material benefits than at any other time in recorded history. The great American heritage must be understood and appreciated if the people are to secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Mrs. R.E. Gavalin of New Boston, chairman of American History, Texarkana Chapter, DAR, presented five American History Medals recently to elementary students. The recipients were Allan Buchanan, Fairview; Charles Waddell and Donnie Leigh, Central; Tina Cook, College Hill; and Gina Hartshorn, Union. Mrs. C.C. Fricks Jr. is regent of Texarkana Chapter.
June 12: CROSSETT MEN LIVE THROUGH BOAT EXPLOSION
Two Crossett men spent the night on a half-submerged barge in the Quachita River Sunday night after the motor apparently exploded Sunday afternoon. Authorities said the two, Bob Morris and Charles Sivils, abandoned their boat and swam to the barge. Officers said they suffered burns on their arms and legs, but apparently weren’t hurt seriously. The two were taken off the barge Monday morning after they were spotted from an airplane searching the area. They were sighted about eight miles upstream from the U.S. 82 river bridge about 10 miles west of here.
June 13:
JUNIOR LEAGUE OFFICERS
Newly elected officers for 1968-69 of the Texarkana Junior League are Mrs. Sam Buchanan, Mrs. Gerry Teasley Jr., Mrs. Thomas Arnold, Mrs. Reuel Vammen, Mrs. James R. Murphy, Mrs. Hayes McClerkin. Committee chairmen for 1968-1969 include Mrs. N.L. Rodgers, Mrs. L.E. Keeney, Mrs. John Griffin, Mrs. John Allen Buchanan, Mrs. P.L. McGee, Mrs. Joe Owen, Mrs. David Orr, Mrs. Bob Bransford, Miss Joanne Sullivan, Mrs. Ben Floyd, Mrs. Bobby Ferguson, Mrs. L.L. Ducan, Mrs. Jack Williams, Mrs. Donald Andrews and Miss Doris Yowell.
June 14:
FLAG DAY
Wave old glory proudly. On Flag Day, more people in the Ark-La-Tex area probably will be thinking of demonstrating patriotism than any other time. The patriotic purchaser may select either a Texas or Arkansas flag to fly with his American Flag. Be a flag waver on Flag Day.
June 15:
WINNERS IN LITTLE ROCK
Four Texarkana girls combined to win 10 places in the annual Junior Olympic Track Meet in Little Rock last weekend. They are Tonya Woods of Arkansas Central, Jan Ballard of Jefferson Ave. Jr. High, Lorna Woods of Jefferson Ave., and Gail Oliver.
June 16: SEVEN ATTENDING TEXAS BOYS STATE
The 28th annual American Legion Boys State, sponsored by the Department of Texas and held on the Campus of the University of Texas, got under way as 750 high school boys from all parts of Texas. Among those registering from Texarkana were: James Randall Barnes, Bobby Neal Buck, Edgar Oran Coble Jr., Gary M. Kusin, Barry Powell, Ricky Sandlin, Harold Michael Brown.
June 17: WORK STARTED AGAIN FOR INTERSTATE 30
The Texas Highway Department has announced that construction has begun on I-30 southwest of New Boston, from west of F.M. 44, N.E. to east of State Highway 96, a distance of approximately 9.8 miles. It is estimated to be completed during the summer of 1970. During the construction period, detours will be constructed at F.M. 44, F.M. 1840, Malta County Road and State Highway 96 for traffic’s use.