The Way It Was:
City observes 93rd birthday; signs needed
These were some of the stories reported by the Texarkana Gazette this week in history:
100 years ago Nov. 28, 1916: NEED STREET SIGNS
The absence of street signs in Texarkana is arousing much comment by newcomers and visitors to the city, and it is argued that undue difficulty is encountered in finding addresses on account of no street designations. Price quotations for various signs were secured, but the amount of money was deemed too much.
Nov. 29:
PUTTING IN ALLEYS
Four new bowling alleys are being installed in the skating rink in the Sanderson building on Vine Street, and they will be conducted by the Texarkana Amusement Co., under the management of George Bennett. The opening date will be about Dec. 1 it was announced yesterday afternoon. It is good that the new skating rink was abandoned and bowling will be substituted.
Nov. 30:
SALVATION ARMY MAKING PREPARATIONS TO FEED THE POOR
The local Salvation Army is calling on the public for offerings of food and certain apparel for the benefit of the indigent in this city during the holiday season especially. It is the design of the Salvation Army to afford a good dinner for everyone it is possible for them to reach, and to this end, the cooperation of the public is urged.
Dec. 1:
PRICE OF CHARCOAL IN CITY HAS DOUBLED THE PAST YEAR
Due “to the war” in Europe, the price of charcoal has advanced in Texarkana 100 percent, according to a washwoman in this city. Many of these laborers have advanced the prices for weekly washings according as some of their supplies are costing them more. It would seem strange that so insignificant a commodity as the washer woman’s charcoal should be doubled in price over that of last year’s, but it is evidently true.
Dec. 2:
GRAVES WON’T MOVE
Louis Graves desires to correct impressions gained by some, from the story of his purchase of a truck farm on the Richmond Road and the erection of a country store on it, that he intends to move from the city. He will continue his store on County Avenue, but his brother-in-law, E.J. Fant, will raise vegetables and berries, poultry and eggs for the city store, conducting the neighborhood store as a side line.
Dec. 3:
TEXARKANA RAPIDLY BECOMING AN IMPORTANT CENTER FOR SHIPMENT OF POULTY, EGGS, BUTTER, MORE
When representatives of the railway companies make their rounds of the business section of the city this winter gathering shipping statistics for compilation by the freight departments, they will find in Texarkana a new source of considerable tonnage. Only the other day it was remarked by a prominent railway freight agent, paying a business visit to the city, that Texarkana was concentrating and shipping more live poultry than Dallas, Fort Worth or New Orleans. One of the most extensive handlers of all kinds of poultry, eggs, country butter and articles of produce is the Texarkana Poultry & Egg Co.
Dec. 4:
BUYS BRYANT FARM
J.H. Moore, of this city, has purchased the old Thad Bryant farm of 160 acres six miles north of the city on the County avenue road and will engage in farming next year.
50 years ago Nov. 28, 1966:
MAN DIVORCED WIFE TO GO TO VIET NAM
A former truck driver who got a divorce so he could join the Army—and then remarried his wife—is now happily flying a resupply helicopter in Viet Nam. “I have no regrets,” says Warrant Officer Franklin Beggs, 26, “I feel this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” Army said Beggs had too many dependents. Beggs’ two dependents were his wife, Linda Joyce, and a son, Mark, 3. Mrs. Beggs also is expecting a second child. So they discussed it and got a divorce on grounds of cruelty. As soon as Beggs was done with basic training, he hurried home on leave, and he and Linda were remarried three days before Christmas.
Nov. 29:
CHILDREN ESCAPE FLAMING HOUSE
Five children escaped injury about 4:15 p.m. when their home was destroyed by fire. Fire Chief Gene Davis said the children, 4,3,2,1 and three months had been left alone when a teen-aged baby sitter left the house. The children set fire to the home by playing with paper in the stove. The children escaped the burning house with the assistance of neighbors, Davis said. He said the four-room dwelling was engulfed in flames when units from College Hill and Arkansas Central station arrived.
Nov. 30:
HONORED AT PARTY ON SECOND BIRTHDAY
Terri Lynn Sharp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Sharp, was honored on her second birthday at a party at the home of her parents. Those attending were Sandy Tipon, Tony Hadaway, Deborah and Sandra Ussery, Crystal Jones, Judith and Joel Miller, Carrie and Paula Zachry, Darla Jones, Cindy and Pam McBride, Mrs. McDowall, Mrs. James Tyson, Mrs. Jerry Jones, Mrs. Billy Zachry, Mrs. Jim McBride, Mrs. Hubert Jones and Mrs. Earl Slaton.
Dec. 1:
FOUR OF CHORAL GROUP ‘MAKE’ ALL-STATE CHOIR
A choral group from Arkansas Senior High got the news that four of the singers had made the All-State Choir. Mrs. Hurst learned Rose Vitro, Wilma McBay, Charles Thurmond and Scott Proctor won All-State in tryouts this month. Mrs. Hurst, director of choral music in the Arkansas school system, has 136 students in junior high and 64 students in senior high.
Dec. 2:
MERLE HAGGARD
TO PLAY FUNDRAISER FOR NASH FIRE DEPARTMENT
One of the biggest groups of Country and Western music stars ever assembled for one show in Texarkana will appear at the Texarkana College Auditorium Saturday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. Headlining the Country music greats will be Merle Haggard. Haggard will have his great band “The Strangers.” Also in the show are Ray Frushay, Eddie McDuff and McDuff’s outstanding band “The Country Gentlemen.” The show is being sponsored by the Nash, Texas, Volunteer Fire Department and proceeds will be used to buy new equipment.
Dec. 3:
L-E BAND RECEIVES RATINGS
The Liberty-Eylau band and majorettes received high ratings at the University Interscholastic League contests held in Hooks and Longview. The majorettes received a superior rating in twirling, and the band received an excellent rating in marching. Members of the Leopard Band range from the seventh through the 12th grades. Majorettes are Patti David, Christie Morrow, Terri Ryan, Michelle Andrews, Sherry Kruse and Carla Gerber. Band director is E. Dale Sorsby.
Dec. 4:
CITY OBSERVES 93RD BIRTHDAY WITH BANQUET
Some of the sweetest and some of the funniest moments of Texarkana’s past were relived from the memories of Texarkana’s earlier citizens at the celebration of its 93rd birthday by the Texarkana Pioneers’ Association on Saturday night at the Hotel Grim.