FRANKLIN COUNTYHISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTERVolume 23, Number 1, January/February 2018

Website: http://www.fcha-online.org

Date: January 1, 2018– (Potluck)

Time: 6:00 p.m. **Time Change**

Program: “Walking with Mr. Thoreau” by Lauren Heymeyer

Place: Masonic Lodge, Mt. Vernon

Hosts: BF Hicks, Steven Hammons, Robert Long and John Hicks.

Lauren Hehmeyer is a professor of History and English at Texarkana College andhas published in the fields of Library Science, Education, and Literature.

She has also served that institution as the Reference Librarian and Interim Deanof Academics. In 2015, she received a grant from the National Endowment for theHumanities to attend the “Summer Institute on Transcendentalism and Reform inthe Age of Emerson, Thoreau, and Fuller.”

She presented a paper on Thoreau at the Thoreau Bicentennial Celebration inConcord, Massachusetts, in July 2017. She and a colleague will soon publish anonline education series entitled, “Counseling Through the Sages.”

The new roof is almost completed on the Henry Clay Thruston house.Money for the roofing materials was raised through donations to the Tour of Homes event.

Many thanks to Two Pines Construction for donating their time and labor!

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Tour of Homes

Franklin County Historical Association presented a Tour of Homes on Sunday, December 3rd, and the eventwas a huge success! Hundreds of visitors had a rare opportunity to explore six privately-owned historichomes. The self-guided tours allowed individuals to see how these centuries-old structures have beenrenovated to preserve the original architecture, yet perfectly paired with modern updates. Money raised fromthe Tour of Homes will go to replace the roof on the Civil War-era Henry Clay Thruston home. The projectis already underway!

Special thanks to our tour home owners: Steve Hammons, the Judge G.E. Cowan House; Jason and AlyssaBurton, The McGill House and Banister House; Chock and Marcy Yates, The Holley-Gill House; Jason andLauren Lewis, The Haynes-Moore House; and Paul Macias, The Thomas-Holder House.

This event would not have been possible without the support and generosity of our sponsors: Fran’sAntiques, Two Pines Construction, First National Bank of Mt. Vernon, Century 21-Butler Real Estate, TomScott Lumber Yard, Ostertag Construction, Northeast Texas Land Titles, Texas American Bank, B. F. Hicks,Ken Greer, Frankie Cooper, and Lisa Lowry.

Presidential Musing

Reading the scrapbooks, by B.F. Hicks 2017.

Geraldine Hill Styles, daughter of Guy P. Hill and his wife, Sallie Green, entrusted me with her scrapbooksof old clippings and memorabilia, almost forty years ago. I had the scrapbooks scanned and have placeddisks with the data in both the genealogical and historical association offices. The materials have been ofconsiderable value in documenting historical events here.

As with most scrapbooks, the problem for documentation lies in the fact that the person maintaining thescrapbook often did not list the publication from which the article was clipped and certainly not the date.

Stephanie and Brad Hyman asked for my assistance in providing photographs for them to display on thewalls of the new Chop House on the Bankhead – the restaurant they and some partners will soon open in theGuy P. Hill Building on the south side of the square in Mt. Vernon.

I pulled the scrapbooks and started turning pages. I found a few snapshots relating to their building whichI’ve provided to the Hymans. Visit the restaurant and check out the historical record.

But what proved of real merit. A fairly long article, clipped from the Optic Herald ca. 1935, recounting thevisit of Syd Turner to Mt. Vernon. “No Fun Nowadays, Sighs Syd Turner, Back for Visit.”

The historical background from the article: “Mr. Turner was born in Daingerfield where his father settledwhen he moved to Texas from Springfield, La. The family came to Mt. Vernon when Sydney was 2 yearsold. His father was one of the first merchants of Mt. Vernon and had his establishment where J.M.Parchman’s establishment is now. Parchman was a clerk in the store and eventually bought out the Turnerinterest.” (Editor’s note: building on the south side of the square with present Genealogy offices. Later,Jeff Meredith went to work as a clerk in the store and bought out Parchman.)

“Turner organized the First National Bank of Mt. Vernon in 1900, and worked in it for four years. Sincethen he has organized 12 other banks in Texas.”

“He went from here to Talbott, Coleman County, then to El Paso, and then to Del Rio, organizing a bank ineach city. Since 1912 he has been in San Antonio… He is now retired and makes his home in San Antonio.”

“Mr. Turner married Miss Mary Hill, daughter of Captain and Mrs. John P. Hill, in 1899. (Editor’s note:Mary Hill is a sister to Guy P. Hill who built the Hill Building on south side of the square, now housing theChop House on the Bankhead.)

Mr. Turner reported that the most excitement he recalled was the bear hunt. “Somebody saw a wild bearloping across the street on West Main near the Church of Christ.” (Editor’s note: think location of oldLowry Furniture Store, 3 blocks west of the square). “It was only a few minutes until all the able-bodiedmen in town were giving chase, some on horseback and some afoot, all armed with axes, shovels, hoes,pick-axes, pistols and what else they could lay their hands on…. They spread out… beat the bushes… neverfound anything but one small stray dog.”

“Next to the bear hunt, the biggest event in Mt. Vernon was the last badger fight held here, at Teague’sblacksmith shop. (Editor’s note: present courthouse location). Mr. Turner refused to explain what a badgerfight was but said ‘Norman Dupree, Arthur Majors and Joe Arrington would probably remember verywell’.”

“People don’t have nearly as much fun here now as they used to, Mr. Turner believes. He recalls the timewhen there was a Christian Church prayer meeting on Tuesday nights, a Baptist prayer meeting onWednesdays, a Methodist meeting on Thursday nights, and then a dance Friday and a prize-fight Saturday.The young people made them all, one after another and then went to Sunday School on Sunday.”

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“The first Sunday School in Mt. Vernon Mr. Turner remembers very well. It was organized and taught byH.H. Weaver at the Union Church which stood where Mrs. Tom Holder’s residence is now located.(Editor’s note: new bed and breakfast on Holbrook St. owned by Paul Macias).

“The center of social activities used to be the Montezuma Lodge, of which Mr. Turner was president andleading spirit. The lodge meetings were held over Davenport’s store (editor’s note: east side of square,KenSal’s Asian Restaurant); the Club consisted of the merciless initiation of any new citizen or unluckydrummer the boys could catch. When they got a prospect, no matter what time of the day or night it was,the “Montezuma Horn” would blow from the top of the Davenport building and all members would come atfull speed. The clerks would drop their yardsticks and run out of the stores, chuckled Mr. Turner.”

“With his roommate, Wheeler Banister, Mr. Turner had a standing agreement that whoever came in last atnight would pull the first one out of bed by the feet. All went well until a preacher came to spend the nightat the Turner house and Mr. Turner went to sleep on a pallet and gave the preacher his bed, believing hisroommate was out of town for the night. Banister came in during the early hours and energetically hauledthe sleeping man out of bed, only to be almost choked to death by the preacher who thought a burglar hadattacked him.

“Court was conducted in the old days much like that of Judge Roy Bean west of the Pecos, Mr. Turnerrecalls. He was called to serve on a jury in one case in which the defendant was accused of assault tomurder in connection with a drunken affray the night before. When the jury brought in a verdict of notguilty, the prisoner let out a triumphant whoop.

“Come on, boys”, he yelled to the jury “and I’ll buy you all a drink.” “You can’t do that! Order in thecourt, or I’ll fine you for contempt” bellowed the judge. “Oh, you come too, judge” said the prisoner.“Court adjourned” said the judge hastily.

(Editor’s note: Don Meredith and our local Harvey family are all Davenport descendants. Mary Brady ofAustin is a descendant of Sydney Turner and is an active member and supporter of our association. For allof us, the reports of life before the age of television and digital devices sounds quite entertaining. As wepoint out to our students: We have real Texans telling real stories about real places; life right here in MtVernon.)

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Memorials and Honorariums

Donated By In Memory

Marc Lee Lake Donald S. EmbreeKay Frazier Gene Frazier, C. T. PennyLinda Moses Howard and Lou Cargile

Donated By In Honor

Ray Loyd Johnson Michael MeredithNancy Bolduc B. F. HicksGary and Karla Haynes B. F. Hicks

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A Child’s Memories of World War II

The Gift That Lasts Forever

By Kay Howell

The old folks call it a blue norther. It is cold arctic air that originates in Canada and blasts across the GreatPlains, straight into Texas. A pundit once observed that the only thing holding the cold front back is barbedwire.

For those who have an unobstructed view of the horizon, the arrival of a blue norther is a spectacular sight.A long, flat cloud forms across the northern sky. Because the clouds are low and stormy, the horizonappears to be a dark blue color, darker than the sky above the cloud mass. As the arctic front approachesthe sky turns gray; there are strong gusts of wind and sudden bursts of cold rain. Then, as the front hits,there is a quick drop in temperature. A strong arctic front can move from Canada to Texas in two days, andthere is no other continental area on earth that allows the phenomena of a blue norther.

The farmers of Texas watched and waited for the first blue norther of the year for an important reason:There was no electricity and thus no refrigeration on most of the farms. The animals had to be killed andthe meat preserved when the temperature was below freezing. Otherwise the meat would spoil. The oldtimers had an adage for this important day: The first hard freeze after the first of the year is hog killin’ day.

It was nine days after Christmas when Mother heard the weatherman on the radio say an arctic cold frontwas headed our way. She knew it was a blue norther and tomorrow would be hog killin’ day. Slaughteringand dressing a hog was heavy, bloody work, usually done by the male members of the family. ButMother’s three brothers had been drafted; it was another job that she and her sister had to take on. Theirfather could not do it alone.

I was sitting at the kitchen eating the last bite of a biscuit when Mother clicked off the radio. “Yourgrandfather will be here early in the morning to pick us up, so gather up what you want to take to playwith.” She pulled two old towels out of the cabinet and walked out the back door.

I finished my biscuit and glass of milk and followed her. “Will Mike be there?”

“I ‘spect so.” Mother was wrapping a towel around the faucet near the porch and tying it in place withstrips she had torn from the other towel.

“Why are you doing that?” I asked.

“To keep the water from freezing and bursting the pipes. It’s going to get very cold tonight. Now go backin the house and do what I told you.”

I had more questions, but I could tell from Mother’s voice now was not the time to ask. I decided to takemy new doll and my old coloring book. I knew Mike would probably want to color, and I didn’t want himmessing up my new book that I got for Christmas. He didn’t stay in the lines.

The afternoon went by quickly as Mother made preparations for our trip to Mama and Papa’s house. Icould hear the wind blowing when she helped me into my pajamas. They were made of soft cotton flanneland had footies attached; nonetheless I could feel the cold floor through the soles. The sheets on my bedwere cold, too. Mother held a small blanket close to the heater until it was warm and tucked it around mebefore pulling the covers up to my ears.

The next morning the sound of Papa’s voice woke me. Warm clothes—flannel shirt, thick corduroy pants,and thick socks—lay on the foot of my bed. I put them on, but gave up on my shoes which were on thefloor by my bed. I had trouble figuring out which shoe was for which foot, so I carried them into the living

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room where Papa was sitting. He set his coffee cup down and helped me slip them on and then tied themfor me. He also rebuttoned my shirt. It didn’t come out even at the bottom.

Mother put a sausage in a biscuit and wrapped it in a napkin. She told me I could eat it in the car. Heavycoats, stocking caps for Mother and me, a cap with ear flaps for Papa, and we were off.

Mama had a big hug for me when we walked into her kitchen. She took our coats into the closest bedroomwhile Mother and Papa tied on big aprons that appeared to be made of oilcloth. Mother leaned down so wewere face to face. “I’m going to go outside and help Papa for a while. You stay here with Mama and dowhat she says.”

“No,” I cried, “I want to stay with you.”

“It’s too cold out there, and you would be in the way.”

“No-no-no, I want to stay with you.” I grabbed Mother’s arm and tried to hang on.

Mama interceded. “Hush now,” she said as she pulled me away from Mother. Mike’s waiting for you inthe parlor. You don’t want him to see you crying, do you?”

“No.”

“His mother is already outside, and he’s having a good time playing with the new toys Santa brought him.Let’s go show him your new doll.” She dried my eyes with the corner of her apron, handed me my doll,and led me to the parlor.

Mike was sitting on the floor close to the fireplace. I sat down on the opposite side of the fireplace andadmired his new toys. He, in turn, told me my doll was nice.

It was a cold, dreary day. Mama had pushed the curtains back and raised the shades to let more light intothe parlor. From where I sat I could see low-hanging gray clouds and hear the occasional gusts of windrattling the windows and moaning as it blew across the corner of the house.

Mike was playing with his new firetruck. He paid no attention to the rattling windows and moaning windas he pushed the firetruck across the floor, ringing the small bell that was attached to its hood and makingvocal noises like a siren.

I held my doll closer and let out an involuntary sigh. I didn’t like to be away from my mother.

Mama heard me. “Are you cold?” she asked.

“Oh, no, ma’am, it’s nice in here,” I answered.

“Then stand beside me and watch what I’m doing.”

I leaned against the arm of Mama’s rocking chair and watched as her needle flicked in and out of the whitelinen held taut by an embroidery hoop.

“That’s nice,” I said, “it’s like coloring with thread.”

Mike left his firetruck on the floor and stood on Mama’s other side to watch. After a minute or two heannounced, “That’s girl stuff,” and went back to his imaginary game of fighting fires.

Mama glanced at me and saw that I was still watching closely. “Your mother likes to embroider. Don’tyou watch her?”

“I like to draw and color when she does that,” I answered.

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“Well, I don’t have a coloring book, but you can embroider with me if you like.”

I looked at the intricate needlework Mama was holding. “I don’t know how.”

“Oh, it’s easy. I can teach you. Want to try?”

“O-o-o-kay,” I said. I wasn’t sure I could do that.

“Good,” Mama said. She placed her embroidery project in her sewing basket and moved a large footstoolto the left side of her rocking chair. “I’ll be right back,” she said. She left the room and returned, carryinga small sewing basket with a red bow on the handle. “This is part of my Christmas gift to you. I didn’tgive it to you on Christmas Day because there were a lot of kinfolks around. I wanted to spend a little quiettime with just you when you opened it. So today is a quiet day. Open your present.” She set the basket onthe footstool and sat down in her chair.

Mike could not contain his curiosity. He stood beside me and watched as I opened the sewing basket andlooked inside.

The first thing I pulled out was a small embroidery hoop, about six inches in diameter. Below it were threepieces of white cotton, each hemmed and ironed and stamped with an embroidery design.

“Look in the pockets on each side,” Mama said.

The larger pocket contained a dozen skeins of brightly colored embroidery thread. The smaller pocket helda small pouch and a pair of scissors with short blades.

“Those are sewing scissors. They are very sharp, so be careful when you use them,” Mama said, “and don’tcut paper because you’ll ruin them if you do.”

I unbuttoned the little pouch and opened it up. Inside were three needles with large eyes.

“Those are embroidery needles,” Mama explained. “They’re very hard to find these days, so don’t losethem. Why don’t you look at the cup towels and choose the one you’d like to work on first?”

I unfolded the towels and studied them for a moment. “I like the butterfly,” I said.

Mama nodded. “That’s a good choice. It has several easy stitches I can show you how to make.”

With Mama’s help I selected the part of the design I wanted to embroider first and the color of the thread Iwould use. She showed me how to cut a short length from the skein, separate the individual threads, threadthe needle, and tie a knot on the end of the thread.

“There is just one more thing,” Mama said. She reached into her sewing basket and brought out a red satinbag that was closed with a drawstring. “This is the other part of my gift. My mother gave this to me whenI was about your age, and now I’m giving it to you. Hold out your hand.” She opened the bag and placed atiny thimble on my open palm.

“That’s like Mommy’s,” I exclaimed, “except it’s littler. I held it out to show Mike.

Mike leaned forward to get a better look. “What is it?” he asked.

“It’s a thimble,” Mama answered. “You wear it on your middle finger and use it to push the needle, likethis.” She picked up her embroidery and showed us how she used her thimble. “Now it’s Kay’s turn. I’llmake a stitch or two to show you how.”

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Mike and I watched as she demonstrated how to make a running stitch and then handed my first embroideryproject, clamped securely in a hoop, to me.

I sat down on the footstool and took the needle in my hand. “Go down here and up here?” I asked as Ipointed.

“That’s right. Don’t pull the thread too tight, now, or you’ll have puckers. Mama watched and talked methrough several stitches before she sat back in her chair. “That looks good. See how easy?”

I didn’t think it was easy, but I didn’t quit. Still haven’t. And that’s how my life-long love of anything thathas to do with needles and thread began. But I still don’t know how to kill hogs.

Holiday Bible Cake

Mrs. Jessie Stretcher

3.5 C flour2 C raisins1 C butter2 T honey1 C milk3.5 tsp baking powder2 C sugar2 C figs4 eggs1/4 tsp salt2 C almonds1 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg

Cream sugar and butter. Add beaten egg yolks, honey, milk, and 3 cups of flour which have beensifted with spices and baking powder. Use remaining flour to flour fruits. Add beaten egg whitesbefore floured fruit is added. Bake at 350 degrees in greased and floured pan for 60 minutes.

Mrs. Jessie Pryor Stretcher was the daughter of Martha and Edgar Wafford Pryor. She marriedCyryl Stretcher. They were members of the Baptist church. They had four children: (1) Joe DanStretcher, father of Kenneth Stretcher; (2) James William "Buddy" Stretcher; (3) Frank Stretcher,father of Gary Dale Stretcher, Kelley Donald Stretcher and Keith David Stretcher; and (4) CharlesStretcher, father of Ronnie Stretcher, Mark Stretcher and Sue Stretcher.

The Stretchers are buried in the Mt. Vernon City Cemetery. The original Stretchers came fromIndiana about 1868 and are ancestors to many present residents of Franklin County.

January is membership renewal time for FCHA.

We look forward to sharing a great year with you!

Grandmother Stretcher (1903 -2001) with her granddaughter

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Brooks Painting Added to Franklin County Historical Association Art Collection

Tom Wilkinson III presented a painting by Mary T. “Granny Brooks” to the Franklin County HistoricalAssociation art collection for display at the Majors-Parchman House, according to Curator Robert SterlingLong.

“The painting was given as a wedding present to my Aunt Agnes on the occasion of her marriage to FrankBurns in July 1915,” Wilkinson said.

The painting, “Fall Landscape,” will be the second painting by Brooks in the FCHA collection.Previously, Tom Wilkinson had given a floral still life “Yard Long – Yellow Roses with Lilacs” which hadbelonged to his aunt, Gladys Wilkinson Winkle to the Historical Association.

Brooks, born in 1835 in Kentucky, moved to Mount Vernon in 1860 and continued living here until herdeath in 1923. Her daughter-in-law, Lucia Flagg Brooks “Miss Lutie” was a prominent artist and teacher,and taught many of the following generations of painters in Mount Vernon. Four of “Miss Lutie’s”paintings are in the Franklin County Historical Association’s art collection, and are on display at theMajors-Parchman House.

“One of the best things about Tom’s latest gift of the Mary Brooks’ painting is the connection we canmake with another work in our collection,” Long said. “We have a copy of the 1915 painting which wasdone by Tom’s aunt Gladys in 1920 and is on display in the entry hall at the Majors-Parchman House.Now, we have both Brooks’ original painting and the copy by Gladys Wilkinson Winkle, and they arehanging together. This will really add to our collection as you can see how one generation of MountVernon artists influenced the next generation.”

Preparing to hang Brooks painting. TomWilkinson III takes the Mary Brooks painting“Fall Landscape” from FCHA curator RobertSterling Long in preparation for hanging at theMajor-Parchman House. Wilkinson’s gift ofthe painting adds to the holdings of FranklinCounty artists over the past 150 years whichare on display.

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Hog Killin’ Weather

By Gail Reed

It was an unseasonably warm fall in here in east Texas. The mercury rose to nearly 80 degrees well intoNovember, but the temperatures are dropping and soon it will be hog killing weather. Is that a good thing?Well, if you’re depending on Porky to feed you through the winter it is.

You see, many years before we could all just run down to the store for a package of bacon you had to lookyour dinner in the eye and kill it. My grandmother, Lena Jacobs Scroggins, told me how neighbors and familywould come together at one house, some bringing their hogs with them, and there would be a verycelebratory atmosphere. After all, not everyone was so fortunate as to have a hog to kill.

The hogs were raised from weaning age and “fattened” to about 500 pounds. Traditionally, they werebutchered in autumn or early winter when there was “a spell of cold weather” so the large quantity of rawmeat didn’t immediately start to spoil before the curing process could take place. Slaughtering at that time ofyear also meant they had hams for the holidays and food throughout the winter when vegetables weren’t asplentiful and the diet was more dependent on meat.

Several days prior to this event, many preparations were made. First, a scaffold was erected. It had to bestrong enough to support the weight of the hog and tall enough for it to swing by the feet and have the headoff the ground. Knives were sharpened, wash pots were cleaned and firewood gathered. On hog killing dayeveryone would be up before dawn.

The hams, ham hocks, sides of bacon, tenderloins, and shoulders were rubbed in salt or sugar and would allgo in the smoke house to be cured. Some of the meat would be ground up for homemade sausage. The fatwas fried into cracklings or rendered into lard and the intestines became chittlins. The head would be boiledand the meat from it formed into head cheese—which, by the way, has nothing to do with dairy. The brainswere seasoned with salt, pepper and vinegar to become souse. And no, I’ve never been, and never will be

This is no ordinary-sized hog! Richard "Dick" Wims, Talco,Texas, ancestor of Dr. Dennis Reed and the Wims family ofMt. Vernon.

brave enough to try it!

Every bit of the animal was made into some type offood to carry them through a hard winter. As mygrandmother said, “we used everything but theoink.” Such were the times that nothing could bewasted. That’s why now when we say someone“goes whole hog” it means just that — all ornothing.

Now I am a lover of most things swine, from baconto barbecue, tenderloin to sausage. But I have tosay, as much as I do love pork, I will readily admitI’m not as tough as our ancestors had to be. I wouldprobably give it up if I had to go through thisprocess to get it. I’m very happy to be able to go tothe grocery store to buy my Christmas ham.

Happy as a pig in slop, you might say.

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Texana Library News – Robert Long

Charlotte Chaney, owner of The Frame-Up and longtime member of the Franklin County HistoricalAssociation made a gift of several historic maps of Northeast Texas, as well as metal easels for their displayfor use in the Wilkinson Texana Library at the Fire Station Museum recently.

Among the maps Chaney donated was an original 1906 map of Morris County, in addition to a very earlymap of the state of Texas. “We are very pleased to receive this donation from Charlotte for the FCHALibrary,” Librarian Robert Sterling Long said. “We have a number of other historic maps on display at theFire Station Museum, and Charlotte’s gifts will really add to our research potential. Charlotte has been agreat help to the FCHA otherwise in conserving and restoring historic paintings and drawings. Not onlywill the maps add to our holdings, but the several metal tabletop easels will enable us to more properlydisplay them, as well as for our art holdings when we have special exhibits.”

Chaney is retiring and will no longer be running The Frame-Up, but she said with her new “free time,” shewill be able to be more active as a volunteer for the FCHA. The Historical Association is always lookingfor volunteers who want to become docents at one of the several Association facilities. Anyone wishing tovolunteer some time can contact FCHA Office Manager Gail Reed at the Majors-Parchman House, 903-537-4670. If a person cannot be a regular docent, there are always projects which need an extra hand,whether it is helping prepare the newsletter for mailing, helping hang new exhibits, or any of a multitude ofjobs.

Volunteer Kathy Shelton continues cataloging the books in the Wilkinson Texana Library. She has beeninputting information on the Library’s holdings into a searchable database which will make doing researchat the Library more convenient. “It has been surprising what I have found as I work through the materialson deposit at the Library,” Shelton said. She has found, besides the expected books, pamphlets and FranklinCounty records, early business ledgers, as well as copies of the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald dating back tothe early 1900s. “I was really glad to see the maps Charlotte donated,” Shelton said. She added she hasreally enjoyed seeing the maps of Franklin County which were already a part of the collection.

Shelton is about to train Betty Meek to help with the cataloging project. Meek has been interested inworking with the Library, and volunteering some time to the Franklin County Historical Association. Thereare always opportunities for volunteers with FCHA.

Charlotte Chaney of The Frame-Uppresents FCHA Office Manager GailReed with several historic maps anddisplay easels for the WilkinsonTexana Library at the Fire StationMuseum. The maps will be ondisplay soon after they are accessedinto the Collection.

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Halloween at the Depot

Approximately 1,000 visitors came through the Cotton Belt Depot for Trick or Treat on the Square to seethe model train exhibit, our scary characters, and of course, to get candy! Jerald and Mary Lou Mowery,Beverly McPherson and B.F. Hicks we appreciate each of you for donating the sweet treats, in addition toSam Ferguson for taking pictures with the children and their families.

Thanks to all our volunteers who came out to help, including Dianna Shelton who was on hand making andgiving away animal balloons, FCHA members in costume, Lauren Herman (Spider Woman), Laurie Dihle(Kangaroo), Neil Scott (Hippie), and our two good witches – Carol Ann Scott and Karen Smith. Thankyou to Jerald and Mary Lou Mowery, our train conductors. This is such a fun event each year and anotheropportunity for FCHA to give back to our community!

Emmersyn and Easton Reed,center, children of Michael andMeredith Reed, pose withHalloween characters at theDepot.

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Yantis Elementary Visits Museums

FCHA was delighted to host 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students from Yantis on tours of the Fire Stationand Cotton Belt Depot museums! Thank you teachers of Yantis ISD for thinking of us for your field trips.

School Challenge 1956

“Dear Mt. Vernon High School, we all love you. We’ll never fail you and we’ll ere be true. Loyal to ourColors, Purple and White….” To this day our School Song still rings in my head.

In the last newsletter, Ralph Banks told a story about Don Meredith being chased by a Bear (Coach Bryant)in 1956. Ralph stated that in our years at Mt. Vernon High School, boys could play only football andbasketball. He must have forgotten the daily hallway ball whizzing. Ping Pong was an addiction for a dozenof us starting each morning by 7:00 a.m.

Such a variety of styles! Marshall Perritt serving a big self-constructed wooden paddle to deliver hard slams.I created squirming spins with my imported sponge rubber-covered paddle face. Billy Jordan had a herkyjerky body motion which endeared him on the dance floor. Others developed personal techniques. Ourplayers were as devoted to our sport as those who wore purple and white in football and basketball games.

During my high school years (1952-56), Mt. Vernon never beat Sulphur Springs in football and never lost toSulphur Springs in basketball. Approaching graduation in the spring of 1956, I could not stand the thoughtof Mt. Vernon High School not being the clear Sports King in our district. I asked our student council toarrange a match with Sulphur Springs High School ball bouncers. David Jack Bolger promoted the tie-breaking Super Match, held at Mt. Vernon High School. No band played and there was no crowd to cheer,but focus and intensity of participants was as high as in football and basketball.

Two Wildcats had a personal score to settle. They were basketballers the previous year, losing to Mt.Vernon 91-45 with Don Meredith scoring 59 points. My talented team mates, Dick Moore and MarshallPerritt, quickly ended their Ping Dream - - leaving me to challenge the Number 1 Wildcat bouncer.

In the Match Final I faced James Guthrie who was as tall and determined as our herald All Statefootball/basketball star. Guthrie was not disrupted by my wacky dipsy doodle spins and his brick walldefense was hard to penetrate. I was fortunate to win. But our hallway bouncers gave Mt. Vernon themultiyear edge over Sulphur Springs.

Reading the Optic-Herald each week, I am amazed at the many kinds of activities available for students.That was not true in the 1950s, and today youngsters develop skills and confidence for later life. I would nothave gone to college and earned two degrees had it not been for Ping Pong at Mt. Vernon High School. Ilearned to be a WINNER.

EPILOGUE: The story about our match with rival Sulphur Springs continued for a half century. That fall of1956, I entered East Texas State at Commerce and again met up with James Guthrie. For the next four yearsas doubles partners, we dominated the six table College Ping Pong Parlor. Then after college we playedmajor events, including the U.S. Open in 1974. YOUTHFUL FRIENDSHIPS can last a lifetime. In that lastnewsletter was a photo of Michael Meredith with two of my classmates, Elceone Black Roberts and AlmaShields Martin. They were dressed alike more than six decades after they started doing that.

Some of our 1956 team pingers are now deceased (Dick Moore, Marshall Perritt, Glen Jumper). But BillyJordan is still very active in Mt. Vernon, having been inducted into the School Hall of Honor, and cooking apot of stew for community causes.

Me? Guess my local legacy will be reflecting about Mt. Vernon during my growing up years. As with JerryTittle and Ralph Banks, when inspiration strikes, the PAST flows out like water from a faucet.

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Ray Loyd Johnson, November 2017Member, Class of ’56, Mt. Vernon High SchoolDedicated citizen; active supporter, FCHA

NOTE: Ray Loyd Johnson’s collected works are published as REFLECTIVE RAYS. The book is offeredfor sale by the Franklin County Historical Association. Hardcover $20.00; Softcover $10.00. Pick up atour offices in Mt. Vernon. Or add $2.00 per book for shipping and handling and we’ll mail your copy. Mr.Johnson paid for the publication of the book and all proceeds now go to the historical associationoperations. The book has 128 pages; many photographs; and the alphabetical index lists over 750individuals who are referenced in the book. It is a classic collection of life / of “coming of age” / acrosssmall-town America in the 1940’s and 1950’s and it offers a true slice of history for our community. If youdon’t have this book, we have about 200 in inventory; please order yours to share this legacy with yourfamily.

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Charles Teague 1960-1968David Bolger, Jr. 1969-1970J.D. Maples 1970-1972Joe J. Jordan 1972-1975Neal Solomon 1975-1978Jim Long 1978-1980Mike Edwards 1980-1998H.H. Miller 1998-2001Darwin McGill 2001-2004Kathy Shelton 2004-2006J.D. Baumgardner 2006-2011Margaret Sears 2011-

Mt. Vernon Leadership

Carolyn Teague, Main Street Director for the City of Mt. Vernon posts a weekly e-mail report. E-mailher to get on her list for the news reports which cover a range of topics; current events and a bit ofhistory. Her e-mail: mountvernontexas@gmail.com

The following report on Mt. Vernon municipal history came out in her August 28, 2017 report:

One hundred and thirty-four ballots were polled in an election in Mount Vernon on August 27, 1910 todetermine whether or not the town should accept Title 18. The election made Mount Vernon a cityunder the corporate name of the City of Mount Vernon. Eighty-three citizens favored the corporationand 51 opposed.

Below are the mayors that have served since we became incorporated.

J.D. Goswick 1910-1911H.L. Wilkinson 1911-1923Maurice Wilkinson 1923-1925R.T. Wilkinson 1925-1928W.J. Moore 1928-1931J.W. Middleton 1931-1932Charles Devall, Jr. 1932-1934Theo Miller 1934-1938M.M. Mahaffey 1938-1939T.I. McDonough 1939-1948J.M. Moore 1948-1950Sam Harvey 1950-1960

(Editor’s note: Of further interest is the reference to the badger fights of the 1880’s in the presidentialmusing in this newsletter. The fights were held at the Teague Blacksmith Shop on the northwest cornerof the square where the courthouse would be erected in 1912. Carolyn’s ancestors operated thatbusiness before transitioning to the automotive industry at the turn of the century.)

Strange “X” Names in Mt. Vernon

By Bob Cowser

I remember well “Junior” Title, the sheriff, who patrolled the courthouse square on Saturday nights,sometimes stopping teenagers from the Saltillo School, especially if he did not recognize them or theirvehicles. Some who attended Saltillo School had Winnsboro or Como RFD addresses on their drivers’licenses, so Junior was suspicious about their authenticity.

Before Junior’s father and brother rented the building on Kaufman Street, it was rented by Xystus Carsonwho operated a grocery and feed store during the ‘40s. My oldest sister Juanita was married to XanthusCarson, Xystus’ son, and she and Xanthus helped Xystus in the store.

The “X” names of the Carson brothers and their sons intrigued me when I first heard them. Xystus, thefarmer and later merchant, had several brothers, all of whose names began with X. The only names I canremember are the names of Xerxes and Xylander, both of whom taught country schools around Saltillo.Xerxes taught at Greenwood in the 1880’s and Xylander taught at the Stout’s Creek School in the 1890’s.Xerxes named one son Xerxes Hill and Xystus named one son, Xanthus. I just remembered another name:Ximenes.

Bob Cowser, Saltillo, Texas native, PhD from TCU in Fort Worth, friend of the FCHA, has contributed yetanother article. Dr. Cowser is retired and lives in Martin, Tennessee. As a volunteer, Bob taught Englishto several groups of people in the Northwest Tennessee area. Bob is a prolific writer, having publishedover 100 poems in various journals. He has also authored several books and essays. Bob has previouslysent us his contribution “Dipping Vats” which we published in our May 2016 newsletter. We are honorednow to have his recollection of New Deal programs and their influence in this region in the 1930’s and‘40’s.

* Join Us *

The Franklin County Historical Association

For an Opening Reception Honoring Hudson Old’s

Photography Exhibit

"A Year of the East Texas Journal"

Fire Station Museum

February 2, 2018

5 to 8 p.m

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THE AGRICULTURAL CENSUS OF TEXAS – 1887

This data is the first report of the Texas Department of Agriculture from the year 1887 (it was reprinted in2001 by the Texas Historical Association). The report covered the state of Texas, county by county. Theintroduction for the publication stated that it reported “Agricultural and General Statistics” – for eachcounty of the state. The following is the entire report for our county in the year 1887. Punctuation andgrammar are reproduced as they appear in the 1887 report.

The introduction for the 2001 reprint says that the census was “ultimately a government-subsidized effort atproducing written information to attract newcomers to Texas.” In 1887 there were 243 counties (just asFranklin County was carved from Titus in 1875, a few more counties would be created to achieve the 254counties which lie in our state). We present:

FRANKLIN COUNTY,

One of the second tier of counties from the Red River, is in the northeastern portion of the State. It isone of the smallest counties of the State, and occupies a narrow strip of country south of the Sulphur Forkof the Red River, which separates it from Red River County on the north. It was created from Titus County in 1875. The general surface of the county is undulating; the soil a gray loam, and easily cultivated. All woodland mostly oak and hickory. The people are engaged in farming and stockraising. Most of the cereals common to the State aregrown here. The soil is finely adapted to a diversity of crops. Sugar cane grows as luxuriantly here as inany section of the south, and produces a heavy yield. All kinds of fruits are also grown. Peaches, apples,plums, pears, etc, do specially well. Vegetables of all kinds are produced in abundance. Sulphur Fork of the Red River, Cypress Bayou, White Oak Bayou, and Grassy Lake generally affordwater for all purposes. The finances of the county are in a healthy condition. According to the last report, in 1887, of thecounty treasurer to the commissioners’ court, the county was out of debt and had a balance in the treasuryof $641.08. The rate of county tax is 30 cents on the $100 valuation. Two railroads run through the county – the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas, and East Line and RedRiver. The former passes through the county from east to west. The latter passes across the southwestcorner of the county. These roads have a combined mileage in the county of 14 miles, with propertyassessed at $83,408. Number marriages during 1887, 51; divorces 4, births 261, deaths 101. There are in the county 23 merchants, 1 private bank, 9 lawyers, and 14 physicians. The Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Christian churches are each represented by churchorganization in the county. Improved land sells for from $8 to $20 per acre, unimproved from $3 to $10. State school land in the county 3617 acres. The county was organized in 1875, and contains an area of 310 square miles. Population in 1880, 5280; in 1887, 6039. Males 2850, females 2786. Color and nationality: Americans5502, colored 531, Irish 6. There are in the county 881 white and 97 colored families. The assessed value of all property in 1877, $532,695; in 1887, $780,777. Gain in ten years $48,082. Mount Vernon is the county seat, population 700. The other principal towns in the county are: GrayRock, population 100; Purley, population 100. There is 1 weekly newspaper published in the county.

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Schools. – This county has a total school population of 1436, with 22 school houses, and givesemployment to 39 teachers. Average wages paid teachers: White – males $50, females $40; colored –males $50, females $40. The total number of pupils admitted to the schools in 1887 was 1083, averageattendance 670, and average length of school term 82 days. The estimated value of school houses andgrounds is $ n/a, of school apparatus $300, making the total value school property $300. Total tuitionrevenue from all sources $8481.79.

Farm and Crop Statistics. – Acres in prairie 15,287, in timber 97,693, in pasture 4281, in cultivation29,281.

Stands bees 256, pounds honey 1980, value $375. Tons cotton seed 11,793, value $11,915. Number farm laborers employed on the farms during 1887, 116; average length of time employed 4.5months; average wages paid per month $11.91. Fifty-four farmers in the county gave chattel mortgage on crops in 1887, to produce the same, the totalamount of said mortgages being $3142.50. Twenty-one per cent of the cotton crop was destroyed by worms, and the injury to all crops by drouthwas 14 per cent. The farmers of this county purchased during the year 76,221 pounds of bacon, 6818 pounds of lard,6181 bushels of corn, and 4802 gallons of molasses. Number of renters on farms 341.

Fruits and Gardens. – Acres in peaches 432.5, value of product $6256; in apples 284, value $7690; inplums 3.5, value $204; in pears 20, value $290; in melons 8, value $481; in garden 175, value $12,228;number of grapevines 174, value of grapes $23; gallons of wine 8, value $32.

Poultry and Dairy. – Chickens 58,333, value $8892; ducks 182, value $71; turkeys 1239, value $621,geese 3800, value $1900; dozen eggs sold and used 79,316, value $7931; milk cows 2042, value $30,677;gallons milk 269,645, value $26,964; pounds butter 105,418, value $10,541.

Live Stock. – Horses and mules 2840, value $108,255; cattle 8330, value $50,847; jacks and jennets 34,value $1240; sheep 6440, value $9645; goats 148, value $375; hogs 6141, value $6505.

Farm Animals Died. – Horses 107, value $5485; mules 13, value $935; cows 153, value $2085; stockcattle 186, value $1152; hogs 1522, value $3856; sheep 771, value $1461; goats 42, value $210.

Animals Slaughtered. – Cattle 427, value $3186; hogs 4645, value $35,724; sheep 131, value $248;goats 5, value $9.50.

Wool. – Sheep sheared 5295, pounds wool clipped 22,964, value wool clipped $4714.

FCHA PROGRAMS FOR 2018

January 1st Lauren Hehmeyer Walking with Mr Thoreau Masonic Lodge, Mt VernonMarch 5th Dawn Standridge Chocaw Indian School/ WheelockAcademy, Millerton, OK

Century Room, Mt VernonMay 7th Andrew Torget, How Mexico’s Far North Became theAmerican Southwest Cultural Arts Center, Mt VernonJuly 2nd Anne Evett’s, Heritage Food Hagansport Community CenterSeptember 3rd Paul Benson, The Man Who Invented Christmas Cultural Arts Center, Mt Vernon

Franklin County 2018Historical Association

P.O. Box 289Mt. Vernon, Texas 75457

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONMemberships are based on the calendar year.

Members joining mid-year will receive all publications for that year.

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