Rural Free Delivery of the U.S. Mail reached Cass County shortly after the turn of the century. Frank Salmon was among the early carriers. He began on Route 3 out of Atlanta in the fall of 1904 and continued until his retirement in July 1953.
News from the past
It’s always interesting to read news from the past, as it was printed in the past. Enjoy these tidbits from the old Citizen’s Journal issues.
April 20,1881
This was Vol. 3 and No. 3, published at Linden, Texas, north side of square and was only three weeks over two years old. Some of the local news was as follows: The boys have stopped killing deer and gone to hunting squirrels and fishing. Thanks to Mrs. McCoy for some garden “sass.”
Sheriff Whatley and lady are visiting in Magnolia, Ark. Eld. Joel T. Smith will preach at Baptist church Saturday night before the second Sunday in May. A new post office has been established at Huffines, with our good friend J. C. McConnell, postmaster.
Eld. J. L. Whittle preached at the Baptist church Sunday morning and night, subject: “The difficulty of being saved.” Our school is still booming, Prof. Greene as principal.
The following will be the speakers at the Linden Sunday School May Day fete: Rev. D. F. Fuller, J.A. M. Cranberry, Douglassville; C. A. Culberson, Jefferson; H. F. O’Neal and J. M. Fletcher. Miles, county tax collector, advertised list of delinquent taxes in county.
Normal high school in Queen City with J. S. Crawford, principal; F. Marion Etheridge, languages; Prof. G. A. Radinsky, music, tuition $2 to $5 per month. Linden high school, J. M. Greene, A. M., principal; Mrs. J. M. Greene, Mrs. Susie Hall and Miss Mary Greene, tuition $2 to $5, good board $7 to $10 per month.
The funeral sermon of our old friend. Allen Dennis, will be preached at Liberty first Sunday in June by Eld. Henry Sheffield. The musical convention for Northeast Texas will meet at Liberty, near Dr. J. B. Henderson’s, about fifteen miles west of Linden on Thursday the 1st day of Sept., next, and embrace four successive days. The name “Liberty” brings memories of childhood days back to the present editor of the Citizens Journal, as Liberty was the first literary school we ever attended, Will A. Rowe, teacher, now an attorney in Houston, Texas. Liberty was where we also attended our first S. S. The Liberty school was later changed and moved to another location, the land and adjoining farm purchased by our father and we helped clear it up, worked the ground in cotton and corn for several years—the land is now owned by our brother, M. A. Harrell.
Some of the advertisers were: J. D. McWhorter, M. D.; Dr. A. J. Oliver, J. H. Henderson, Attorney; Geo. T. Vaughn, Attorney; D. B. and C. A. Culberson and W. T. Armstead, Attorneys, Jefferson.
October 1895
This issue carried the call by Gov. R.A. Bulberson, Allison Mayfield, Secretary of State, calling the legislature together to pass a law to prohibit prize fighting in Texas. This call issued at Austin, Sept. 26, 1895.
The Editor had his home recovered this week. The prize fight bill was passed on the second day with only 5 dissenting votes in the house and 1 in the senate. With the advertisers: Battle Ax Plug Tobacco, a great big piece for 10c.
Oh! Oh! S. C. Mays Annex Saloon keeps on tap the finest whiskies, wines and cigars. Purest liquors and polite attention is the rule of this house. Front street.
A. Crossley, Dentist; Y. A. Matthews, M. D.; V. S. Jeter, M. D.; O’Neal & Allday, Attys.; A. Miles, Insurance. This issue also carried a report of the 32nd annual Confederate reunion on the Chickamauga battlefield near Chattanooga, where A. Miles was wounded; Capt. Will Moss, killed and where several other Cass county sons lie in soldiers graves.
B. F. Ellington, cashier First Nat’l Bank.
December 8, 1898
A returning Populist, W. W. Nelms, of Georgetown, Texas, says his party has served its purpose and is dead. C.E. Biddy and Miss Emmie Baker, daughter of Capt. S. L. Baker, were married at Queen City, Dec. 3, 1898, Rev. R. Lane officiating. J. T. Melton and Miss Ada Loyless were married last Saturday.
Rev. J. W. Johnson, pastor Atlanta M. E. Church and Rev. C. A. Tower of Douglassville, are attending the East Texas Conference at Beaumont, Texas. Henry L. Owens, Douglassville, advocated diversification by raising tobacco in Cass County.
The medical association was held at Bloomburg Dec. 1st. Supt. G. W. Florence reported 184 pupils enrolled with an average of 157. H. G. Goree, col., reported 167 enrolled in colored school.
June 12, 1902 Henry L. Owens was agitating good roads for Cass County and said he was well pleased with his potato crop and the price. Trucking, raising potatoes was a leading agricultural pursuit at this time. Canning factory had been built.
Miss Mamie Miles had received a gold watch chain for being the best music pupil under Miss Wester. The T. & P. began the operation of dining cars on 5 and 6 between Jefferson and St Louis, Mo. H. A. O’Neal was president truck growers with J. M. Fletcher, secretary.
Red River County went dry in a recent election. Master Vilas and Harris Johnson are home from A.& M. The potato market today 60c. 181 cars loaded for the season. M. L. Harp is in the manufacturing business making his Argil Cream Baking powders.
The brick layers at work on Mr. Roach’s new post office building and will soon have same up. Hattie and Ida Brown, milliners. H. E. Hoyt in charge of A. C. Smith’s funeral department.
Other advertisers: S. Kaleski, W. A. Howe, R. P. Dunklin, mules and horses A. J. McWilliams & Co., F. M. Greene, Dr. D. W. Nelson, Bivins; Dr. L. M. Leftwich, Flynn; Dr. Gowen, Queen City; Dr. O. M. Connerly; W. F. Cameron, Insurance.
August 15, 1907
The work of the split log drag on keeping roads in good condition being urged. This issue contained the address of Mrs. Gertrude Curtright, in dedicating the Confederate monument at Jefferson, July 10, 1907.
An article by Will Hornsey on what the schools are to our country. The Queen City page edited by Mrs. L. M. Rush is chocked full of live news of that city.
Sulphur Oil Co., asking for franchise in Atlanta to supply the city with natural gas. Wright McClung went fishing yesterday, leaving his store in charge of Will Gage (and he is still at it.—Ed.) Justin (Cat) Rives went to Idabel, I. T., last week and pitched a no hit game, only 27 men faced him in the nine innings.
The W. C. T. U. entertained the L.T. L.’s at the home of Mrs. J. W. Hughes Aug. 6th.
When hot, drop in at Frank McClungs and let Curry Oden cool you off.