CARTHAGE
THE COUNTY SEAT AND ITS
HISTORY
 

Pulaskie on the east side of the Sabine River was once the county seat of Panola County. Dissatisfaction arose as to the location. In 1849 Carthage, which is located within two miles of the geographical center of the county was selected by public vote. One hundred acres were donated by Mr. Jonathan Anderson of Shelby County. Mr. Anderson crossed the Sabine River in 1819, at Logansport, Louisiana, on the day be was twenty-one years old and settled a few miles from the present site of Carthage, which was then known as a part of Shelby County. This fine pioneer citizen lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one years.

Carthage was named by 'Major Holland; and Panola County, by Judge John Allison, each in memory of their native state—Mississippi—the former for his "home town" and the latter for his "native county."  In collecting data concerning Carthage's early history, Mrs. T. L. Anderson, one of the county's oldest citizens, having passed her ninety-first birthday, assisted greatly. She is the mother of a large family of children, four of whom reside in Carthage. These are: Dr. Irwin Anderson, W. D. Anderson, Mrs. Henry Matthews, and Miss Meter Anderson.
The following is given as related: "Pulaski on the east side of the Sabine River was once county seat of the county. It was there I was born in 1844. In 1848 a petition was gotten, up to change it. There was some rivalry existing between other contestants as to a desirable site. The Legislature ordered an election. John Anderson donated one hundred acres for the site of this town, therefore won the election. From this day Carthage, the name chosen, has held this honor.

"At this time the country was a solid forest of giant trees of all kinds, and all kinds of wild animals abounded. It was a common sight to see a mother deer with her baby lying by her side as one rode by in these woodlands. Regulators and Moderators rode these paths to warn all new-comers they were not wanted in this region, The double-barrel shot gun was carried to kill just such trespassers. My father S. L. Davis also carried his gun every time he left our house. (This was before Carthage was elected.)  "There were no saw mills here at that time. Trees were cue down and hewn into logs and made into dwellings with shelters for windows and dirt floors. The jail, courthouse, stores, and saloons were all made of logs. There were no churches or school houses. My father ran a hotel on the corner where Grimes Babery now is. It extended to the Christian Church where a garden and negro quarters were found. Where the ice plant is, there was a tan yard and a spring of cold water. Later a whiskey still was put in, then the whiskey flowed freely, often mixed with blood. As a little girl, I've often seen sand soaked streets with blood shed in public feuds and confusion. All schools were held in the "Old Masonic Hall" that stood where Jerry Long's old house now stands. Here I learned my abc's and three R's from the Blue-back Speller. The "Hall" was used by all denominations. When a preacher did come, everybody turned out to hear him. All the north corner of the square where Jones store is was a small log house used as a jail. I've been in it, though not as a trespasser. Near the Central Baptist Church where the late Judge T. E. Boren's home burned at that time was owned by Mr. Arch McKay, the owner of a grain mill located) where A. J. Holmes residence now is. It was later burned by a young woman because it got on her nerves. In these early days things were serene, and all traffic was done in wagons over dusty roads.

Sam Sprauls had a. ginger cake and beer shop on the corner now occupied by Jim Bird's brick building. He did his baking in a big brick oven on the street that passed Bert Bakers old house. These ginger cakes were a foot long and an inch thick. My how my mouth watered for a mere bite.  These were the days that fortunate was the girl that could boast of a store bought pair of stockings, but walked bare-footed almost to the church and then dressed her feet and walked in "Priscilla" style. No young man kept a young lady out nights later than ten o'clock. She wasn't considered a desirable maiden if she crossed her limbs in public or dared expose more than her toes and ankles. I've lived to see many, many changes, both good! and had. May the time never come when my folks become too modern to meditate upon the old fashioned days with its ways.

Here our story takes up the reflections of others. The first frame  courthouse was built in 1850. The lumber was sawed with hand saws by S. T. Hooker, the father of H. T., V. D. and Bill Hooker, and Mesdames C. D. Lacy and A. L. Ross of this city and Joe Hooker of Beaumont.  In 1856 it was torn down and a brick erected. In 1884 the contract for the present courthouse and jail was let to Dr. J. H. Mc-Daniel and Mr. Bert Baker by Judge T. E. Boren and built during Judge J. H. Long's first administration. Some of the pioneer families are as follows: Lacys, Andersons, Darnells, Davis, Borens, Reeves, Fites, Chilcoates, Moores, Bakers McKays, Watsons, Hendricks, Rosses, Fraziers, Neals, Hawthorns, Hookers, Forsyths, Pollards, Ohataws, Fikes, Longs, Snows, Alsups, Thompsons, Trabues, and Quests.

Mr. P. J. Hendrix built the house now known as the Central Baptist Parsonage in 1860. Mr. Tom Hull, father of Mrs. Henry Nelson, built the present John C. Brown residence in 1877, also the one now owned by Mrs. Jabe Parker. The residence now occupied by J. W. Grimes is the oldest building standing.

Carthage did her part in the Civil War. The first company was organized) with Capt. Craig, Thomas P. Hull, 1st Lieut., and A. J. Booty as 2nd Lieut., with recruits from the entire county joining, coming from these pioneer families listed and many others perhaps that we have been unable to learn about. Miss Lucinda Williams, aunt of Mr. Harry Williams, presented this company with a flag, and it was accepted by Judge Fields.

There have been some incidents recalled and given that add color and portray most vividly characteristics of our pioneer women as well as men that were so vitally necessary to develop their country and their posterity that we might have the "riches of today." Judge Henderson Fike, father of Mrs. Lula Woodyard of Woodyard Dry Goods Company, spent his first night in Carthage by a log heap at the old Snow House. It was in a dense woods, two log rooms that were once used as Judge DeBerry's office.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lacy, who had a hotel during these early days on the site of the present residence of their son C. D. Lacy, encountered many experiences of much color. Mr. Lacy recalls an incident that occurred when he was quite a small lad in the hotel dining room. A heated argument between two half-drunk men they arose to settle it with guns in the presence of some twenty others. Just as they reached the climax, Mrs. Lacy entered with spans of hot biscuits and put to flight these two would-be killers—the only ones left. The other men decided that safety lay in flight.

Again, during the midst of the Civil War the Yankees invaded Carthage and took all food supplies that could be found. It chanced that Mrs. Lacy discovered that they had not only taken her barrel of sugar but a bale of cotton and loaded them on the wagon ready to drive away. She got her shot gun, that she knew how to use, and again men decided "safety was in flight." She was truly a courageous woman who dared to do to protect her home and family. The hotel of these scenes was burned in 1884.

The "Pioneer Race Track" was on the street from where the Central Baptist Church is now located across the square, east to the present Santa Fe Station.  The old Masonic Hall was the first building used for a school building, the "Academy", was located on the site of Miss Margie E. Neal's home. The first high school was called the Panola Male and Female College and was founded by L. C. Libby. Some of the educators that pioneered Carthagenians' education were as follows: Prof. Grey; Mrs. Forstson; Prof. Rucks; Prof. Scroggs; Mrs. Demetra Hill, who taught in a building, the present site of Brookshire's store; Prof. Chatham!, who was also postmaster at one time; Prof. O. P. Carswell, who still resides here; later superintendents were L. C. Libby, Dr. O. H. Cooper, C. L. Turner, and L. M. Logan and many other worthy ones. Another teacher that is much loved and appreciated that still resides here is Mrs. Maurine Frazier Duke, a sister of Prof. Libby. Her work as a primary teacher is one of the best Carthage schools has ever known.

The earliest churches were a Presbyterian on the present site of Mr. Sam Smith's gin, one of the first ministers was Rev. Knox; a Methodist on the same site of the present church, with Rev. Wilson as one of its first pastors, a circuit rider. The First Baptist Church was built in 1878 with Rev. J. K. Bellamy one of its first pastors. The Central Baptist Church was organized Thursday, September 6, 1901, with J. M. Wright as pastor. The Christian Church had its organization in August, 1891 with Rev. Frank Talmiadge as pastor.

Among the earliest doctor of medicine were Dr. Chatham; Dr. Cooper, father of O. H. Cooper; Dr. Frank Reagan, father of Mrs. Frank Jordan and Mrs. Matt Wnitfield of Beckville; Dr. Vawter father of Mrs. J. W. Cooke.

Some of the earliest citizens that made themselves known beyond their home and bringing special honor to themselves were Capt. DeBerry, the first Secretary of State of the first Democratic administration after the Civil War in 1874 during Governor Cooke's administration; Dr. O. H. Cooper, State Dept. of Education, President of Baylor University, Simon's College, Prof, in the State University. Earlier even than this Dr. O. H. Cooper's uncle Tom Rosser, just a farmer lad, received an appointment to West Point, graduated in 1861 and received the rank of general. S. S. Baker, a most capable and truly Christian gentleman endeared himself to his people in many official capacities.
In later years Claude Pollard, who served his town and county in many capacities, served his state as Attorney-General and in other offices. Our one-time local teacher, newspaper owner, and editor of the Register, Miss Margie E. Neal, was the first woman Senator of Texas and: is now doing an efficient work in the Federal Education department. The State Senate conferred many honors on her out of appreciation of her efficiency and sterling worth) and faithful service rendered during her terms of senator-ship. Now she is in direct line of a high promotion in her present field of activity. Time marches on. So different from most old towns the city's plot is modern with most streets comfortably wide, and the parkways are beautified with native trees and evergreens, making "today's Carthage" a little city with all the finer attributes expected to culminate in time from the wonderful basic construction and ideals of the organizers and the "follow up" contributions made by descendants and new residents from decade to decade. In proportion to its populace there can't be found a more highly cultured people or more progressive, though conservative, business atmosphere, civic interest, loyal Christians, moral citizenery, wholesome and edifying social life, and universal interest in schools and; city's growth.

Carthage offers many inducements as well as a hearty welcome and a warm friendship for all who "enter her gates" either for a long or short abode. With State Highways Numbers 64, 8, 143, 181, and 43 leading into this Carthage, Texas, U. S. A., making a ribbon-like stretch of hard surface, and beauty spots, and bountiful shades that nature has given so generously, makes touring in Panola County a joy. Birds fill our native forests,, live stock of all kinds graze the rich pastures and the fertility of the soil boasts bumper crops when it is possible for them to be grown. Lumbering and the gas industry add to the county's richness.

We are indeed fortunate to be served by the Southwestern Electric and Gas Company with Mr. J. C. McMichael, local manager and his efficient corps: and the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company with Miss Pauline Lacy manager and her sister Miss Charlcie her assistant. The public receives every possible consideration and courtesy. The Santa Fe Railroad doesn't only render a great service, but sees well to the civic appearance of its properties. Mr. F. A. Delaney is local agent and manager, with years of courtesy and efficient service to his credit, and the Western Union Telegraph Company is served most faithfully by M. K. Ayres and John Martin, first and second tricks.
In a recent report concerning the "Better Homes of America" movement, our little city won national recognition, scoring in landscaping and; home modernization and building. The municipal water supply is one seldom, equaled. It is furnished by a deep well and the laboratory test revealed it 100 per cent pure—"Via Aqua to Health."

The reformation from "country town" to "city like" began with the incorporation of the town November 13, 1902 under council form. Mr. John C. Whitney (deceased) was the first Mayor; L. W. Allred, City Attorney; and Councilmen, H. C. Pankey, A. S. Ross, J. L. Holt, George M. Burton, and Dr. S. A. Woodyard. Then the incorporation was voted off for a time, but soon this backward step moved forward. However, the commissioners' form was adopted and went into effect in 1913. Judge J. H. Long came forth again to serve his people in a new capacity—City Mayor. His commissioners were Messrs. R. P. Ash, J. W. Bird, and W. G. Banks-, City Secretary. Other mayors that have served faithfully and efficiently are as follows: A. L. Ross, J. W. Bird, T. J. Wooten, who served several terms, Dr. J. A. Daniels, and our present mayor, A. L. Davis. Commissioners that gave and are still giving unstintingly of their time, business knowledge, and means are as follows: J. W. Bird, R. P. Ash, H. T. Hooker, Charlie Reeves, D. C. Hill, John Young, C. E. Moore E. C. Clabaugh, H. V. Halcombe, S. E. Matthews, and N. A. Hawthorne. Efficient and; faithful City Secretaries are Judge R. W. Priest, C. D. Lacy and B. S. Atkinson is the present acting one.

During the administration of Mayor Wooten positive action was taken in making modern improvements possible to be had. The first paved sidewalk was sponsored by the Circulating Book Club, this walk being from the corner of Violet Beauty shop to the depot. Sidewalks were built in all directions during these terms of Mr. Wooten's; provisions for the municipal water supply was made and the installation of a splendid under-ground; sewer system. Much work was also done on the streets, the city purchasing modern equipment.

Dr. J. A. Daniel was a most active and progressive mayor. A fire company was organized and a new fire truck purchased. The public square and main streets- were paved. Gas was piped in from our own county gas fields. Mayor Daniel and his Commissioners purchased property to widen the street leading from Panola to College Street, known as Daniels Boulevard. He was instrumental in securing our well-lighted street service. These two mayors have since died, but their many contributions and unselfishness service are gentle reminders of two very fine citizens.

Mayor A. L. Davis, the present mayor, is "carrying on" splendidly, finishing some projects and doing other beneficial and needed things. He has beautified the Boulevard, placed a five foot walk in the center, and; had much work done on the streets. Sidewalks have been extended, and his cooperation with school projects has been most valuable, making it safe for the boys and girls of Carthage to come and go to school. A new fire truck and fire station have been added to the city's possessions, while the most careful attention is constantly given to city sanitation.

The courthouse yard was landscaped, by the Circulating Book Club, a thirty-year-old organization, a two-fold purpose club—literary and civic advancement. Mrs. C. C. Comer is the organizer of this organization with Miss 'Margie E. Neal a charter member and still retaining membership. This club has been the moving spirit in many of the most important civic and charitable movements of the town and county. The latest outstanding work is the building of a two story brick club house with gas, water and lights installed. The public rest room and club room occupy the upper story and the Panola County Relief office occupies the first floor. In the very near future the club is expecting to open a public library and a spacious woman's rest room.

Two late organizations of public interest are the Civic Club and the Lions Club. Mrs. R. P. Ash is the president of the former and Mr. Neal Estes, editor of the Panola Watchman, the latter. The Fraternal Orders are as follows: Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen, Odd Fellows, Eastern Star, and Woodmen Circle. The American Legion has a splendid. Post here. The Boy Scout has a live Troup No. 209 with James Hendrix as Scout Master.

Brown's Hardwood Lumber Company is a great asset to the business interest of the town. They manufacture lumber and retail all building supplies over a big territory, realizing a yearly business of about $80,000.00. Another important business is the manufacturing of baskets, The Sabine Basket Factory, owned by Mr. R. P. Ash, has a yearly out-put of 960,000 baskets, realizing about $90,000.00. This factory doesn't only supply all local shipping points, but supplies the needs of an extensive territory.

Carthage's business houses are too numerous to mention each by name. The-re are more than fifty in number. The two oldest, that are still under their original names are Woodyard's Dry Goods Company, established in 1896 with Mrs. Lula Woodyard still operating the store; Hooker's Drug Store, established in 1899 by H. T. Hooker, operated; by Hooker Brothers, H. T. Hooker and V. D. Hooker, Sr. Dry goods, grocery, variety, furniture, hardware and jewelry stores are as fine as can be found in any town of this size. Electric, barber, tailor, beauty and shoe repair shops can compete with. any. Up-to-date and accommodating filling stations and garages are found in convenient places with grounds that display a keen civic pride and beauty. Cafes are the last minute in their sanitation, excellent food, and courteous treatment. The city also has an up-to-date bakery and bottling works. Carthage boost many things, but traveling men boost her hotels. S. A. Hawthorn's Hotel, the "First Star Hotel" located? where Violet Beauty Shop is now located, had an important part in promoting the hotels' growth between pioneer days and today's efficiency. Mr. Hawthorn is now active in several other businesses.

The First National Bank, with J. W. Cooke, President and A. L. Ross Cashier, and the First State Bank with. B. F. Payne. President and Horace Allison Cashier, take care of the city's and community's finances. These institutions have never experienced a failure and only one robbery. The wholesale grocery companies supply the city and a large territory. Ford and Chevrolet motor companies have excellent offices and show rooms in their concerns and do an extensive business. Cotton gins of the newest type accommodate the -crops of cotton growers. There are three florist shops that serve the public most satisfactorily.

Carthage's professional men are of high rank and rightly merit the loyal support of our citizens. They have and still are giving efficient service in their fields of activity. In the medical profession there are Doctors T. E. Anderson, L. C. Hooker, A. M. Baker, C. D. Baker, C. F. Hull, S. L. Boren, and Arthur Smith, Supervisor of the Carthage Hospital. Four recent doctors are C. C. Comer, J. S. Neal, J. A. Daniels, and H. A. Ross. The three first ones are deceased and the last was a generous contribution to Longview. In Dentistry there are Doctors D. T. Allison and P. B. Koonce, each with up-to-date office equipment. The "local bar" is indeed capable of righting the wrongs. These solons are as follows: J. H. Long, P. P. Long, Travis Long, J. G. Wool worth, J. G. Strong, S. B. Turner, Sam T. Holt, Ross Duran, D. C. Cariker, Fred Whitaker, and the late B. Baker.

There are four churches of today, two Baptist with Rev. W. C. Newburn pastor of the First Baptist Church (the oldest church) and Rev. H. O. Malone pastor of the Central Baptist; the original Christian is now pastorless. Rev. C. L. Williams pastors the Southern Methodist Church.

Carthage city schools are the pride of the entire citizenery. Among the superintendents that have ever had the schools interest at heart and making progress under many handicaps were as follows: Superintendents Logan, Escoe, A. J. Holmes, J. D. Warren, Covert, Anse Cooke, Taylor, Tom H. Tuttle, J. C. Alsup, and Q. M. Martin, the .present superintendent. The fuller report of the schools growth is given for the past twelve years. It is as follows:
Beginning with the 1923-1934 school year, Tom H. Tuttle served as superintendent. Mr. Tuttle came to Carthage from Alto, where he had been at the head of that city's school system. Under his program of work, science was given a more prominent place than it had formerly occupied in the course of study, and the Parent-Teacher Association assisted the school in equipping its laboratory with the best of apparatus. Many books of classic literature were added to the library at this time.  In 1924 the school district voted a bond issue for $10,000.00 with which to erect a two story brick building for the negro school. During this same year, with a new high school principal in charge of the white school, Gilbert Jordan, a graduate of Southwestern University, the school was initiated to football, a major sport which today holds, justly or not, such a prominent place in extra-curricular activities of the nation's schools. Troy Koch, another Southwestern graduate, was the school's first coach.Tuttle left the school at the close of the 1925-1926 term, and to succeed him, J. C. Alsup, former superintendent at Kountze, was elected. Mr. Alsup was active in efforts to consolidate nearby common school districts with Carthage Independent District, but his

efforts met with little enthusiasm in the rural communities; so the projects were dropped.  "At the close of the 1926-1927 term, Q. M. Martin, who first served the school in 1924-1925 as teacher of English, and who was high school principal under Alsup, was made superintendent. His first year was largely spent in developing a program (whereby a high school building could be erected to relieve crowded conditions then existing." At the close of the term, the district voted a bond issue for $45,000.00 with which to build the building.  "At mid-term the following year the building was completed and occupied. In the equipping of the structure the local Parent-Teacher Association contributed nearly two thousand dollars, providing two pianos and a velour front curtain for the stage. This building appeared adequate for another generation, but the rural pupil free tuition law changed the whole outlook. Enrollment figures grew by leaps and bounds. New courses were added; new units of affiliation were obtained, and by 1933 the enrollment had doubled its 1928 figure of 130.  In order to take care of the situation, in 1934 the basement of the elementary building was renovated and made into a Junior High School. The old auditorium of the same building was transformed into a gymnasium. As though the change did not please the star that rules the school's destiny, a fire of undetermined origin destroyed the building on the night of December 10, 1934.

With Federal Relief assistance a new structure was erected in the spring of 1935, and it will be occupied by the elementary school during the 1935-1936 school year. At the same time, in order to remedy the crowded conditions in the high school, two rooms were added to the building that houses that department.

From 1928 to 1934 the school increased its units of accredited subjects from 17 to 24. The growth has been largely a result of the harmony that has existed within the district, and because the personnel of the school board has remained intact throughout the period. Six of the seven men of the board have served continuously for twelve years.
With still more rural ,pupils coming to the Carthage school for high school purposes, the district is working out plans for another addition to the high school building, the new construction to be entered upon during the 1935-1936 school year.  School loyalty and school spirit is of the highest standard. Supt. Q. M. Martin uses wise discretion in all affairs entrusted to him by his faithful school board. Much success is due entirely to his time, thought, and planning for the school in all phases of work. He is truly efficient, conscientious, and a worthy example for the, student; body.
The Parent-Teacher Association has certainly been an asset to the city's schools since the: -days that it was known as the "Mothers' Club." Many contributions have come from this organization, such as: pianos, books, book cases, drinking founts, playground equipment, pictures, and building of sidewalks and land scaping the campus. In 1930 the Parent-Teacher Association caused the Third District to gain one of the first places, in the National Congress of Parents and Teachers contest on "The Best Scrap Book." It won in district, state and national entries.

©2007 K. Torp
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