News from the past

When the T. A. & L. railroad was built, it utilized the old roadbed of the Atlanta Lumber Co., for its line for the greater part of the way to Bloomburg.

Another early industry was the jug plant, operated by “Uncle” Bille Waldrup. This jug factory was located just across the street from the present city jail. Here churns and earthen crocks were made. Also jugs for holding syrup and other liquids used in those days.

What was of more interest to boys, Uncle Billie made clay marbles and clay tobacco pipes. No boy of those times amounted to much if he did not have some of the marbles and a few of the clay pipes. If the home-twist tobacco was too strong for his insides, he diluted it with fig and willow leaves.

A tan yard was operated in early times. It was located diagonally across the streets from the homes of F. T. Mitchell. At the tan yard, farmers could exchange the raw hides for leather or pay for the tanning of the hides with sweet potatoes, syrup, corn or other farm products.

Among the early merchants were: Jones Bailey, Bailey Woods, John A. O’Dell, S.L. Baker, Chas. Kelley, A. Miles, J. J. Johnson, R. S. Allday and F. M. Greene. The last four mentioned continued in business here until their death.

The First National Bank was the first bank to be organized. Among the first, if not its first cashier, was Mr. R. F. Ellington, stepfather of its present cashier, R. P. Dunklin. Later, when the business of the town justified it, the Atlanta National Bank was organized and still later, the Farmers State Bank. It might be mentioned that Atlanta now has more money on deposit, per capita population, than any other city in Texas.

Among the early physicians were: Drs. Davis, Currie, Morris, Jeter, McClung, and Matthews. These doctors carried their medicine around with them in old fashioned “pill bags” when they made their calls. The day never got too hot, the weather too cold, the night too dark nor the way too long to deter these disciples of Aesculapius from ministering to the suffering of humanity.

Atlanta is now known far and wide as a church town. One reason for this is because she has always believed in Sunday Schools. The first one of these was organized over fifty years ago. The late Mr. A. Miles was chosen superintendent, a position he worthily held for more than half a century. Soon after the organizing of this one, which at first was for all denominations, the Methodists went into separate organization, built a church and began to hold services regularly as the Baptists were doing.

Among the early superintendents of the Methodists were A. W. Steger and T. R. A. Willis. W. F. Cameron and George Hughes and Reverend Keasler organized the Presbyterians and served as superintendent for long years. All of these early Sunday School men have gone to their reward in the land beyond, but their influence lives today.

In closing, I would refer to an organization that can justly claim a great deal of credit for the growth and prosperity of Atlanta, The Citizens Journal. Through good times and hard times, it has followed the policy of its first editor, J. M. Fletcher, and told the world of the news of the day and of the wonderful opportunities to be enjoyed by living in the best town in Texas, Atlanta.