Our History in The Texarkana Gazette!

I have been loving this feature that the Texarkana Gazette has been doing... They have been going thru old copies of the Gazette and legacy papers, and pulling "local happenings" from 124, 100, and 50 years ago and printing them... it makes me think of "Mayberry RFD" a little.

Most of the text is exactly as printed back in the day, and may not be considered politically correct today... here are a few of the stories that were printed in the February 22, 2011 edition of the Texarkana Gazette:

124 Years Ago
Feb. 22, 1887: Again we alert our city authorities that the ladies are complaining that the bootblacks and boys blockade the streets and walks, everyday large numbers congregate and play marbles from State Line avenue to Broad Street to the depots. And the funeral of poor Michael Regan occurred today, his bereaved widow and children have our deepest sympathy.
Feb. 23: Fourteen barbecued pigs will be dissected at the free supper at the Telephone saloon tonight and burglars attempted to enter the residence of Mr. R. Leitner yesterday but he was too sharp for them.
Feb. 24: It is noted in today’s paper that Jo Aflantranger is a veritable lady killer, while rapid and high rises are reported from upper Red River and tributaries. The continual rains in the territories and north east Texas have given cause for much apprehension. And Hon. C.S. Todd had a chill yesterday, we sympathize with him.
Feb. 25: The congregations increase at the Christian church every night. Elder Shelton is an able an attractive preacher. Go hear him tonight. Also Dr. Singleton is a happy father now. His firstborn is a bright little girl. May she always bring joy and sunshine about the parental home.
Feb. 26: Ex-Mayor Ghio is going to Hot Springs tomorrow to meet his brother from St. Louis, who will then come to Texarkana with him in a few days. And T. H. Humphrey will leave for Millersburg, KY. to visit his daughter Miss Mabel, who is at school there, from which place he will go to St. Louis to purchase goods.
100 Years Ago
Feb. 20, 1911: Mayor DeLoach surprised a number of self-confessed vagrants in court this morning when he dismissed six of them. The men were found quietly sleeping under the Kansas City Southern coal chute. The men stated they were out of work and were waiting the arrival of the K.C.S. train to “beat” their way out of Texarkana. And the theft of about 50 cents worth of arm bands, postal cards and shaving soap from the Kress store cost Jake Haigwood of 202 South State Line a fine of $10 and cost.
Feb. 21: J.O. Roberts struck a match beneath his automobile and the machine is now a thing of the past. After attempting to drag the broken down machine to a repair shop, he decided to investigate the lower regions of the car. A match was the handiest kind of light at hand and dripping gasoline became ignited, the entire care was destroyed. The machine was a new five passenger car.
Feb. 22: Charles Dixon and wife and two daughters, were killed at their home near Prescott Monday by Green Desmute, a black man, who had married one of Dixon’s daughters. Desmute had been quarreling over his wife’s refusal to move to Miller. The infuriated man brought a rifle into play, killing the entire family. Blood hounds were placed on the trail and a posse sent in pursuit. It is believed he is trying to make his way to Idabel, OK.
Feb. 23: Miss Sadie Delamar of 2102 Beech Street, teacher of domestic art, will be pleased to take your order for all kinds of hand embroidery. Call old phone 1130.
Feb. 24: Mrs. Ada McAllaister, wife of Cotton Belt fireman died of Tuberculosis at 2 o’clock, at the family home at the corner of Fourth and Hickory streets, making a widower of a hard working Texarkanian and robbed four tiny tots of that greatest boon of mankind—a mother’s love. Mrs. McAllister was but 26 years of age. Services will be held at the home this afternoon by Rev. James Thomas.
Feb. 25: Hearing the cry of a baby as he passed through the shed in the back yard of the Salvation Army at 417 Walnut St., Capt. George looked in the buggy and discovered there a little three-week-old waif. Capt. George said he is hopeful that some one will come forward to adopt the infant baby boy.
50 Years Ago
Feb. 20, 1961: Prince Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, celebrated his first birthday. His Ma and Pa were in India on a royal tour. The prince now weighs 26 pounds, has seven teeth, blue eyes and light golden brown hair and crawls all over the place but hasn’t tried to walk yet. He does not talk, but can make plenty of noise.
Feb. 21: The south plains of Texas were hit by one of the worst snowstorms in ages as 12 inches of snow were dumped on Lubbock paralyzing the city. And Vice President Lyndon Johnson’s luxurious private plane crashed killing the pilot and co-pilot, the vice president was not on board.
Feb. 22: Today’s paper spotlighted some of the girls who will compete for the title of Sweetheart of Area VI, Future Farmer’s of America, at the area’s convention here. Pictured are: Jo Ann Harrison, Phyllis White, Sue McPherson, Sandra Cheatham and Sandra Russell.
Feb. 23: The home of Mrs. Kelly Budd of 1302 Pecan was the scene of the meeting of Azalea Garden Club, while at 921 Fairview, Mrs. W.E. O’Neal hosted the members of Bramble Park Garden Club at her home, and the young people of Tennessee Baptist Church were honored with a Friendly Heart banquet. The Lela Lumplin Club of Navy and Marine Mothers of America combined their meeting with a Valentine luncheon.
Feb. 24: Marine Private William Anderson Jr., 19, of Wake Village, is spending a 15-day leave with his parents after completion of 12 weeks of Marine training in San Diego, Calif. While at Mr. and Mrs. Billy John Hunter Jr.’s house, on 413 Lelia, they are celebrating the birth of a son.
Feb. 25: A cedar waxwing flew in Ben Stone’s window, hit a wall, and knocked itself out. Stone, always on the alert for pictures, didn’t have a bit of film in his camera or at the house. Today is the happy birthday of Mrs. K.W. Haak, who has reached the 89th milestone in life. Miss Mary Burgess celebrated her birthday with a large white cake decorated with pink roses and 16 pink candles.
Feb. 26: For protection of the area, the fire departments at Red River Arsenal, New Boston, Maud, Hooks and Texarkana, Ark. and Texas, have signed a Mutual Aid Agreement to provide firefighting personnel, to assist each other should either experience fire of great magnitude.