Hopkins Co TX -Hopkins County People in the 1900's



From: June E. Tuck 1224be@neto.com>

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Hopkins County People in the 1900's - No.1



Abstracted by June E. Tuck



From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute

any historical facts in the articles.



(Spelling was at its worst in these newspapers. Corrections were made only if

I was sure of the spelling.)



(All articles coming from one of the following Sulphur Springs newspapers -

Sulphur Springs Gazette, Hopkins County Echo and The Daily News Telegram)



Mr. and Mrs. W. H. McKeever of Illinois, who are visiting their son, W. A.

McKeever and daughter, Mrs. M. P. Epps, of Yesner, celebrated their golden

wedding July 31, 1905 , at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Epps. They were united in

marriage in Pope county, Arkansas, July 31, 1855, six children being born to

them. At the celebration were three of their living children, twenty-two

grandchildren, and four great grandchildren present, several being unable to

attend. Including relatives and friends there were 42 persons present. Mr. and

Mrs. McKeever took their place at the head of the table. The grandsons and

granddaughters formed a line on the gallery sang How Firm A Foundation, after

which the blessing of God was invoked and dinner served. The affair was very

pleasant for all, and Mr. & Mrs. McKeever, white haired and tottering at the

threshold, were happy as they good be. (Dated Aug. 4, 1905) Edited



1906, Feb. - W. T. Waggoner of Decatur recently sold to R. S. Allen and Assoc.

of Houston, 40,000 acres of land in Wichita and Wilbarger counties, the price

paid being in excess of half million dollars. The land will be used for

colonization purpose.



Rev. H. N. G. Bentley returned to Como where he had been reared near by, Dec.

1909, to be pastor of the Baptist church, and made his home in the Gamblin

house in north Como.



1910 - In June 1910, J. F. Youngblood, the oldest brick-layer in the world, in

his 105th year, laid one brick in the wall for the Carnegie Library in Sulphur

Springs.



In 1920 the small son of Mr. & Mrs. Byrd Longino fell from a window on the

second floor of the family home. He was saved from being killed by falling

among some vines. (Later years we found out that this young son, was Dr. Joe

Longino and he had fell in some running rose bushes and was unharmed. J.T.)



L. Bridges broke both bones in his right arm this week trying to crank a Ford.

- May 1920



Mr. & Mrs. W. P. Morgan passed their Golden Wedding day at their home four

miles east of Sulphur Springs, June 16, 1920. They were married at Grove Hill,

Alabama on June 16, 1870. They came to Texas at an early day, afterwards they

have lived ever since. To this union 10 children were born, two having passed

away, Burris and Henry. They have four sons living, Lee, Pete, Solon and

Howard, and four daughters, Mrs. Oscar Lewis, Mrs. Will Kennedy, Mrs. Joe

Mattison and Mrs. Charlie Greer. They are nearing their seventieth birthday

and both are gay and jolly at that age. They are peacefully spending their old

days at their home near Crush.



Mr. & Mrs. J. L. Boatman of Old Tarrant are to have a reunion of their

children on Sunday with the following children to be present: C. C. Boatman

and family of Settle, Washington; Mrs. Maude Russell of Aransas Pass; Mrs.

Lula Jacobs and children of Dallas; J. F. Boatman and family of Sulphur Bluff;

J. M. Boatman of Teague; and Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Boatman with whom they make

their home. - May 1920



Secretary W. W. Evans, C. E. Beasley, F. M. Horne, S. E. Nichols, B. F. Otts,

and C. C. Brogitti attended a meeting of the East Texas Tomato Growers in

Jacksonville Monday. Mr. Beasley was made secretary of the organization. Nov.

26, 1920



W. W. Lawson of Annona, Red River county, is visiting old friends here. Forty-

six years ago, Mr. Lawson helped build the first school building and then

teach the first school at Pleasant Grove, nine miles northwest of Sulphur

Springs. The board of trustees of the school hesitated about giving him the

school on the grounds he was unmarried. Mr. Lawson won over the protest by

telling the board that he was soon to marry Miss Mag Ramey, daughter of Mr. &

Mrs. R. R. Ramey, one of the popular young ladies of the community. The

marriage took place the following Christmas. - July 1924



Mrs. S. M. Jennings celebrated her seventy-second birthday at the old home,

one mile east of Saltillo, Sunday by the home-coming of ten of the eleven

children. J. D. Jennings of Orange, Texas, failed to attend on account of the

importance of staying with his work in the old fields. Those present were:

Mrs. J. D. Arthur, L. C. and P. L. Jennings of Saltillo; Mrs. Lester French of

Mt. Vernon; Mrs. G. B. Leftwich of Talco; Mrs. W. H. Whitten of Bogota; S. W.

Jennings of Graford (sic,) Mrs. W. C. Davis of Graford, W. L. Jennings of Oran

(sic,) and J. E. Jennings of Sulphur Springs. Also 39 grandchildren, 4 great

grandchildren, 3 daughters-in-law, and 4 sons-in-law. 100 people attended. -

Jly. 1924



Ed Kistenmacher and his family, who are visiting in Jefferson, sent a message

here stating that Mr. Rowell, Mrs. Kistenmacher’ grandfather, was severely

beaten and robbed while out at his barn Monday morning. The assailant had not

been caught, they were scouring the country around there. Mr. Rowell is over

80 years of age, and one of the most prominent business men of Jefferson. -

Later reported - Mr. Kistenmacher returned from Jefferson Wednesday morning.

He reports that Mr. Rowell still unconscious with little hope of recovery. No

clue has been found. A large club was found near the barn. Mr. Rowell was hit

on the front part of his head, presumably as he entered the barn. His

pocketbook was gone and he was known to have had money with him. He had

several negro rent houses and generally collected rents on Saturday and kept

the money until Monday. The theory is that someone saw him collect this money

and waylaid and robbed him. - July 25, 1924



Rev. & Mrs. J. B. Gober, today, celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.

Rev. Gober, who is county treasurer, observed the occasion by arriving bright

and early at his office in the county court house ready to dispose of the days

regular run of business, while Mrs. Gober performed her routine of housework.

Both were recipients of many congratulations from their many friends. (Printed

in the Greenville Banner, reprinted in the Echo. Sept. 1924)



Gus Minter, who is door bailiff of the present grand jury, brought to the Echo

office this past week one of the oldest documents in Hopkins county, if not

the oldest. It is the last will and testament of his grandfather, Thomas

Mathis, filed in Hanock County, Georgia, on January 4, 1830. The will is a

lengthy document showing that the testator was one of the well-to-do farmers

and slave holders of that day. He owned and will a number of negroes to his

several children, along with a land acreage, and all kinds of farm animals,,

including cows, horses, mules, jacks, hogs, sheep, etc. The will shows at the

time of his death that he had on hand lots of feed and food for the home use.

Corn, fodder and hay are included in large quantities. He left considerable

money to his heirs, although nothing was said in the will about bank stock,

automobiles, etc. The will shows that in the old days of our grandfathers that

they came nearer having a diveristy of all kinds of crops than we of today.

They knew nothing of autos, electric lights, etc., bur rather delighted in

fine stock and large well kept country homes, where old time hospitality and

southern chivalry abounded at all times. (Hopkins Co. Echo, Sept. 1, 1924)



Sidney Henderson, employee of the Olympia Ice Cream Co., had a narrow escape

from serious injury Monday morning early, when his clothing caught in the cogs

of one of the ice cream freezers. Henderson steadied himself against a near by

post and had his clothes torn off him, but managed to keep himself out of the

machinery. It was a close call, and although he lost both his pants and shirt,

he says that he is very glad he has all his skin left. - Oct. 1924



J. P. Orr, pioneer citizen of Hopkins county, came all the way from Winnsboro

to Sulphur Springs to vote for the straight Democratic ticket. Mr. Orr was

born on the Red Hills of Georgia and came to Texas early in life. He cast his

first vote in Hopkins county in 1860 and has been voting Democratic every

since. Nov. 28, 1924



Three brothers marry three step-sisters is a most unusual thing but has

happened in Hopkins county. Friday, County Clerk Russell M. Chaney, issued a

marriage license to H. L. Lawson and Miss Sarah Francis Shaw. The groom is the

son of M. H. Lawson, a splendid citizen of the Birthright country, and the

bride is the daughter of Mr. Ellen Shaw Lawson, wife of M. H. Lawson. When Mr.

Lawson married Mrs. Lawson he had three sons and she had three daughters.

These sons have married these three daughters - Dec. 1924



Eli Hargrave has resigned his position as outside man for the First National

Bank and gone to Denton to join his family, who are there for the school

advantages. Terry Starrett of Como has been selected by the bank to take the

place of Mr. Hargrave. - Dec. 1924



I. T. Harper, son of Mr. & Mrs. Walter Harper, has just received a telegram

from Philadelphia, notifying him of his promotion to the "Expert Rank" in the

League of Curtis Salesman.



This is an organization maintained by The Curtis Publishing Company for boys

who sell its publications. Membership in the organization is limited to boys

who attend school and promotion in the League can be gained only by a boy who

is doing increasingly satisfactory school work, at the same time that he is

making an excellent business record with the company. Young Harper is a

brother of Teddy Harper, who has won special distinction with the Curtis

Publishing Company and who is soon to receive the title of "Master Salesman."

(Hopkins Co. Echo, July 1924) Edited



Mr. & Mrs. T. E. Williams had a great day Friday, July, 1924, as members of

the family gathered in the reunion at the city park. Late in the afternoon

they went to their homes to await till the next reunion which will be held on

the same day next year. The following were among those present: Klough

Williams and family, City; Victor Williams and family, Old Tarrant; Marvin

Williams and family, Gafford Chapel; Verge Williams and family, City; Roger

Williams and family, Old Tarrant; Eugene Williams and family, City. Mrs. Black

and son, Gafford Chapel, were also there. Twenty-one out of Twenty-four

grandchildren were present. All the children were there except Mrs. Noble

Connor. (Hopkins Co. Echo 1924) Edited



Mr. & Mrs. A. B. Bingham threw open their beautiful home last Saturday night,

entertaining with the largest, miscellaneous shower that Saltillo has enjoyed

in a long time, honoring Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Farror (nee Miss Dolly Hall.) At an

early hour guests began to arrive and Mrs. Bingham put her every effort to

give her guest a delightful evening. The home was beautiful decorated with

autumn flowers. Apples effectively arranged with their green leaves gave a

tough of autumn. Diversions for the evening were games and music. Guest

surrounded a handsomely table consisting of hot chocolate and cake. Mr. and

Mrs. Farror were presented with many nice and useful presents. The event came

as a complete surprise to them, who unsuspectingly motored from Dallas.

(Printed in the Saltillo Signal reprinted in a S.S. paper, dated Oct. 1924)



Mrs. J. K. Brim entertained a number of former schoolmates and friends with an

all day party and dinner at her home on Gilmer Street Tuesday. It was given in

honor of her sisters, Mesdames Templeton and Currin of Durant, Oklahoma. Each

guest brought a covered dish filled with some kind of delicious food, placed

on the dining table, laid in spotless linen and sparkling with silver and

china. Those present were: Mesdames, Mont Gordon of Dallas, Lloyd Wright of

Florida, Wylie Reid of Haskell, Ward Gober, Carl Stirling, Mamie Pate, Will

Ellis, Ina Whitaker, Landon Davis, W. W. Williamson, Jack Bolton, Geo. Stough,

Misses Elizabeth Murrie, Laura Cumming, Phala Kennedy, and the host and guest.

- Aug. 1924



Mrs. Bettie Bell was given a surprise birthday party, celebrating her 80th

birthday, at her home on Connally street, by her daughters, Mrs. Clara Goodman

of Dallas, and Miss Effie Bell. Out of town guest listed were: Mrs. W. P.

Goodman, a daughter; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Tedford, brother; Mrs. W. C. Mann and

daughter, Mamie, nieces. - Sept. 1924



Tracy Williams did a believe it or not - he loaded two horses on his truck in

Saltillo Friday morning and drove to Sulphur Springs to have the horses shod.

Later in the day he reloaded the horses on the truck and hauled them back

home. It is none of our business, but what is the matter with the horses doing

a little walking to town instead of being hauled? What are horses for anyway?

This reminds us of the fellow way down in South Texas that bought him a fine

new automobile and then hitched up a yoke of oxen to build a road to his home

so that he could drive his car to and from town. Tracy out to have climbed on

one horse bareback and "loped" into town, leading the other nag. - Jan. 1930



Charley Ashcroft is home from Nacogdoches, where he and Mayor Henry McGrade

have bought the bottling works of that city. Mr. Ashcroft has been there

several days getting the plant in good shape. Virgil Lynch has been made

superintendent of the plant, who learned the inside workings of a real Coca

Cola plant in Sulphur Springs. - Feb. 28, 1930



The Glosup brothers, better known as Jimmie and Eddie Dean on Station KGBZ at

York, Nebraska , gave a musical program at the new Sulphur Springs City

Auditorium, which was an added feature of the Old Settlers Reunion, in 1931.



Captain W. S. Mitchell married Mrs. F. D. Dildy, of Texarkana, at the First

Methodist Church in Texarkana, in Feb. 1932. Capt. and Mrs. Mitchell returned

to Sulphur Springs, later that day, to their home on College street.



In February, 1932, John Shoffit, son of Mr. & Mrs. L. L. Shoffit, was awarded

the Eagle Scout badge of honor at a special meeting given by the troop at

which the Dads of the Scouts were guest of honor. John had been an active

Scout in the American Legion Troop for four years, having served as patrol

leader and at present was Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Last summer he was

awarded the Junior Red Cross life savers certificate while he attended Camp

Clark. The Eagle badge was presented to John by three of his fellow Eagle

Scout.



John B. Hardin, old Sulphur Springs home boy, is making good way out in the

Windy West. Mr. Hardin has been appointed postmaster at Vernon, Texas, and has

already assumed the new position. He was born and reared in Sulphur Springs,

being the brother of I. H. Hardin of this city. After finishing High School,

he went West. He was lieutenant in the World War. After returning from the war

he accepted a position in the Vernon national Bank, which he resigned when

appointed Postmaster of that town. - May 1935



Arvel Vandergriff, a graduate from Sulphur Springs High School and Austin

College at Sherman, was elected to teach in the Jefferson School at Sherman.

Mr. Vandergriff will be the Athletic instructor and history teacher for the

school. He will assume his duties Sept. 20th, as he is now employed in the

high school at Southmayde. - May 1935



Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Bryson celebrate Golden Anniversary - They had the

following living children: Hugh Bryson of Dallas, Miss Bill Bryson of Dallas,

Mrs. Vera Hutchinson of Sulphur Springs, and Mrs. Dorothy Mae Stribbefield of

West Texas. - Feb. 1938