The Way It Was:

Local grower produces a real freak

100 years ago

July 8, 1919:

CAUGHT MANY FISH?

A number of Texarkana people returned this morning from a fishing trip to McKinney bayou near Fouke. In the party were Judge J. S. Brooks and family, and his brother, Ira Brooks, and family, of Little Rock, and Deputy Sheriff M. McDonald. The members of the party left Wednesday and had a very enjoyable trip, getting a large number of white perch and bass, so many, in fact, they were loaded down with them.

July 9: GUNSHOT VICTIM IS BROUGHT HOME

Miss Frankie Owens, who was shot and desperately wounded by a plumber at DeQueen several weeks ago, was brought to this city Sunday by her mother, Mrs. L.A. Owens. Miss Owens is reported to be getting along fine and will recover. The man who shot her killed himself after shooting her when she refused to marry him.

July 10:

MAN BUYS ARNOLD HOME

R.L. Hicks, president of the Federal Lumber company, has purchased the handsome residence property of Mrs. A.C. Arnold, of Mansfield, La., located at 521 Hickory street, this city. Hicks, although president of the Federal Lumber company, has not located his family here, but it is understood that he intends to make this his future home, hence has purchased residence property here. Mr. Hicks’ family, it is stated, has been in Oklahoma for some time while Mr. Hicks has been in charge of the Red Oak mill of the company.

July 11: LYMAN BROWN ELECTED SPECIAL JUDGE OF MUNICIPAL COURT HERE

Attorney Lyman Brown was appointed special judge by the Texarkana, Arkansas Bar Association this afternoon to serve during the absence of Judge J. D. Cook, who will leave tonight for Michigan. Judge Cook goes to Michigan on account of the illness of his sister. He will be absent from Texarkana for about two weeks.

July 12:

MISS BURGESS RESIGNS

Miss Mary Burgess, of Texarkana, has resigned as teacher at the Bright Star summer school in the southern part of Miller County. Miss Burgess has been teaching constantly, both summer and winter, for the past two years and as her health is not the best, she thought it advisable to give up the school. Her successor will be appointed by County Superintendent Reed at once. Miss Burgess will be first assistant at the Fouke public school next winter.

July 13:

BOND ISSUE WILL CARRY?

Only a small number of people voted in the four wards of the Texas side of Texarkana this morning for or against the insurance of bonds in the sum of $10,000 to build a fire station. Judges and clerks of election said that there would undoubtedly be a spurt in the voting this afternoon late, but the entire vote for the day would probably be light.

Apparently, no opposition has developed against the bond issue and it is taken for granted that a majority who are voting are for the bond issue.

July 14:

GROWER HAS A REAL FREAK

There must be something in the air that produces freak vegetables and fowls in the Webber Place, where J. L. Wadley, Jr., recently exhibited a three-legged duck in his barnyard, for now M. F. Morgan, in Webber Place, is exhibiting another freak, this one of the vegetable family.

It is a squash growing on a sunflower stalk, the squash being where the head of the sunflower should be. This is accounted for by the fact a squash had been planted near where the sunflower grew, and the pollen probably became mixed.

50 years ago

July 9, 1969: PONY LEAGUE LEDWELLBRUCE KENNEDY

The Ledwell Bears defeated Bruce Kennedy 5-0 behind the 14-strikeout hurling of John Webster in Pony League play. Webster’s hurling was backed by the fine hitting of Donnie Davis, Gene Martin, Terry Bruce, Steve Maggar, and Richard Presley.

July 10: LEASE CONTRACT OK’D FOR SANITARY LANDFILL

Texarkana, Ark., City Manager Paul Schriever was authorized Monday night by the Board of Directors to enter into a lease agreement with Gifford-Hill for the operation of a sanitary landfill. “This is the final step in setting up a whole system (garbage collection),” said Schriever.

The city manager was asked if the area for the landfill would be adequate for several years.

Schriever answered, “Texarkana, Ark., shouldn’t have to worry for a long, long time.” Leon Ward, city engineer, supported Schriever’s statement, saying that a study showed the landfill area would last approximately 157 years.

July 11:

RECENT BIRTHS

Wadley Hospital—July 1, Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie G. Walker, a boy; July 2, Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Magee, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Byrd L. Johnson, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Vinson; July 3, J. Yeatman, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Reginald W. Wilkins, a girl; Mr. and Mrs. Essel A. Payton, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rankin, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. James Strickland, a girl; Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Davis, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Veotis Robinson, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Shelton, a boy; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Allen, a girl.

July 12:

‘AIR BAGS’ FOR CARS

U.S. Transportation Secretary John Volpe put himself firmly on record for greater automotive safety when he told a luncheon of the Automotive Safety Foundation he was prepared to “get tough” with auto manufactures if they don’t accelerate safety efforts.

“I would hope they do it it voluntarily, but if they don’t, I can get tough,” he said. In particular, the secretary mentioned air bags, balloon-like devices which inflate instantly upon impact, but with a sound like a shotgun going off. Occupants would be thrown against the balloons.

July 13: BARBER, DICKINSON DISCUSS BRITISH OPEN

Two top Americans professionals sized up the 1969 Championship as a mighty important prize which will go to the man who gets away with blind shots.

“There are a lot of blind spots on this course. “said Miller Barber of Texarkana, Tex.

“I don’t like them, but you must play the course you are on.” Barber, ex-Air Force officer who played with Dwight D. Eisenhower, wears glasses which haven’t failed him in winning $76,000 this year on the American circuit, but he added, “They don’t help me when I want to see where my shot should be going when I can’t see it.”

Garner Dickinson, 133-pound bunch of whipcord from Palm Beach, Fla., echoed this thought. Barber and Dickinson are rated in the medium bracket in the betting for the 109-year old crown, while Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Bill Casper share 6-1 favorite positions.

July 14: LIQUOR BY THE DRINK BEAT IN SMALL VOTE

Texarkana, Ark., became the fourth city in the state to turn down liquor by the drink when the local option was defeated by a 560-vote margin in this special election.

Only slightly more than 22 percent of the city’s eligible voters showed up for the election. Some 2041 people cast ballots, of which five were discarded for incorrect marking. The voter rolls showed more than 9,000 eligible to vote.