The History of Cass County, Part 9

CASS COUNTY SENDS 1,000 TROOPS TO WAR, 26 DIE IN DEFENSE OF THEIR COUNTRY

Continuing Cass County’s History: With World War I looming on the horizon, Cass County’s young men began volunteering for service in the Army. In 1915-16, even before the United States entered the war, 92 Cass Countians had volunteered.

Then in the early fall of 1917, 869 more answered the call of the selected draft. Of these, six became 1st Lieutenants, five became Lieutenants, and one became a Captain. Twenty-six were killed in action in France; eight died in training camps; and forty were wounded in action in France.

The City of Atlanta raised such large sums of money for the Liberty Bond drives; it was honored by having a ship named for it. The ship, officially named “The Atlanta of Texas,” was christened in Mobile, Alabama in September 1920. Miss Alice O’Neal and Miss Hallie Davis were chosen to officially christen the ship, and they traveled to Mobile to participate in the ceremonies.

By 1920, the City of Atlanta had reached a population of 1,469 and the residents were enjoying free delivery mail service.

In 1923, the people of Atlanta voted bonds and built a new brick high school building on Louise Street. The school term of 1923-24 was held in the new building but in November 1924 the building burned to the ground along with all the records for the past years.

The citizens of Atlanta were faced with a serious problem because the district was bonded to the limit and the insurance would not replace the building. Then the citizens met and pledged themselves for enough to rebuild and equip a new high school building.

School continued in the churches of the town until the new building was completed. The following year, an identical building was erected on the same foundation, and the citizens of Atlanta managed within the next few years to pay off the indebtedness on the burned school, and the new one as well.

The first penal and civil ordinances of the City of Atlanta were published in book form and approved on August 6, 1889. G. O. Albright was mayor and G. W. Robinson was secretary.

Bloomburg was founded in 1895, named for a Mr. Bloomburg, one of the stockholders on the Kansas City-Pittsburgh-Gulf Railroad which had reached this point. Rails were laid into Bloomburg on August 8. 1895 and sales of town lots began immediately. Bloomburg is located one mile east of the Arkansas state line and six miles north of the Louisiana state line. Jim and Jeff Patterson moved from Bright Star in September of 1895 and built the first store. Soon after that, L. E. Easters constructed a store building on the west side of the railroad, and was the first postmaster when the post office came into being on March 17, 1896. R. Y. Bentley built the first drug store in 1896. and T. J. Grogan built the Gulf Hotel about that same time. G. W. Patterson built the first cotton warehouse in 1898. .1. J. Casey operated the first cotton gin in 1900. Methodist Church services began in 1898 in the schoolhouse on the hill Later, a church building was erected closer to the business district. The Missionary Baptist Church organized in 1906.

Bloomburg was incorporated in April 1911 with H. A. Simmons as first mayor. The first newspaper, Bloomburg Times, began in 1911 with G. W. Fant publisher. Some years later, Mrs. R, P. West published The Bloomburg Enterprise for a year or two.

We find records of doctors in Cass County from 1850s on. And from all the lists. I’d say there was always an ample number to serve the people’s needs. Some of the early doctors are given here: Dr. H. ,T. Avinger came to Hickory Hill in 1855. Hickory Hill in 1870 had two doctors. Dr. Joseph Prewitt and Dr. John B. Henderson. In 1870, Dr. John W. Teague was in Cussetta.

D. M. Leftwich was a medical doctor at Hermitage in 1903. W. E. Russell and A. E. Starnes both practiced in Avinger, and Dr. Stames was in Hughes Springs in later years.

J. M. McDuff and R. L. McClung were both medical doctors in Atlanta. A. C, Gates, M.D., lived at Jaybart. E. E. Canant, M.D., lived at Huffines. T. B. Harnill and C. E. Davis practiced in Linden.

J. C. Strawn. A. N. Neal, and J. D. Gowen were in Queen City. T. G. Howe and A. C. Oliver were in Douglassville. M. W. Harris. W. H. Barnett. and J. D. Hart To were in Bivins. That’s just a sampling. Maybe some of these early doctors are your ancestors.

Cass County has been through three great wars: The CM War (or the War between the States), World War I, and World War U. Then there’s been the Korean Conflict Viet Nam, and Desert Storm, plus all the more recent interventions. There have always been active veterans’ organizations in Cass County, starting with the United Confederate Veterans with at least two chapters in the county. Then after World War I, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and others were formed and are still active.

-to be continued-