Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 6, 1986 Page: 12 of 18
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RAINS COUNTY LEADER
Emory,Texas Thursday, February 6,1986 Page 12
LOOKING BACK
THE WEATHER AIH'T WHAT IT USED TO IE
':2ie&A leaded
\
DEAR LEADER,
I would like to comment on
tie "Clerk Fees" and "NOTE"
articles In the B. Deaton
"Courttousp Report" (RCL
Jan. 30, page 17).
Her closing statement, "Here
Is another County office tl>at
Is paying Its expenses and
showing a profit for Rains
County" Is absurd. The same
statement can be. made for
the tax office and the office
of County Treasury, but sim-
ply has no bearing on the ef-
ficiency of the office. (The
Clerk may, on the one hand,
devote worktime to collecting
fees and otlwr office duties,
or the Clerk can delegate
these chores to an assistant
and devote worktime for cof
fee and playing pranks and
jokes on "friends".)
At first glance one gets the
Impression that since the. pre-
sent County/District Clerk Is
collecting so much more
money than her predecessors,
she has become Indispensable.
On closer reeding, however,
one can assume, If the Infor-
mation given Is correct, that
the fees collected would have
been exactly the same re-
gardless of who the clerk was.
Furthermore, had any one of
the otlier three candidates
who ran for the Clerk job four
years ago won the election It
Is likely that the Counly/Dls-
trlct Clerk job would not now
be the highest paid job In the
Courthouse, with the staff
members of that office also
the highest paid.
The point Is, the money col-
lected by the Clerk Is for spe-
cific ptxposes and the collec-
tion job Is one of the functions
of the office. The fee or com-
mission system Is no longer
used to pay county officials.
Anyone who assumes office
thinking that a percentage of
tl* money taken In should be
reimbursed to them, or that
tlwlr salary should be adjusted
accordingly, might consider
the poor $6/day jurlor "em-
ployed" to decide a million
dollar damage case. This
$6/doy figure was arrived al
as being a fair and just com-
pensation by tlie same Com-
missioner's Court which de-
cided that the County/District
Clerk should be paid nearly
$3,000 more per year than
anyone else. (You figure ttat
one out.)
Another point: Both former
County/District Clerks em-
ployed members of tie oppo-
site sex os assistants when
they held the office. We now
have a gender gap In the
Clerk's office!!! Is this some
sort of Womens Lib. conspir-
acy???
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER SPARKS
Rt. 1 Box 103
Emory, Tx. 754A0
»«»**«
DEAR LEADER,
Please relief my subscript-
inn i > the Leader for another
year.
Thank you,
RACHEL (DAVIS) GILLIAM
893(5 TON A WAND A
DALLAS, TX. 75217
Sends LEADER
Roy Mark Watson is sending
a subsc ription of the Rains
County Leader to lii< daught-
er, Mrs. Bobbie Cross of
Pottstovn, Pa.
HOOD FUNERAL HOME
I HONOR ALL BURIAL POLICIES
Louise Hood
DAY 473-2216 NIGHT 473-2215
HARDWARE-BLDG. MATERIALS
EMORY HUS
RAY HARDWARE CO.
HARDWARE -
BUILDING MATERIALS
• Plumbing Supplies
• Sporting Goods
• Home Furnishings
POINT, TX. S98-32H
Traylor's Garage
Complete Automotive Repair
24-Hr. Wrecker Service
Tires, Batteries & Accessories
HWY 19, 3 Ml. N. OF EMORY
HOURS: 8-5 MON-FRI
SAT 8-12 NOON PH 473-2941
/ 7.9% Interest
on ft-Ton Pickups,
Cavaliers,
Novas,
Cutlass Ciera & Cutlass Supreme
I
ROBERT ROBERTSON
Check My Prices Before You Buy
F:
SANDLIN MOTORS INC
204 6 Hwy 67 Easl
Mt Pleasant Texas 75455
Bus Phone (214) 572 3656
Res Phone (214) 572 4510
It seems that our wind-
tanned oldsters like to talk
about the weather as much as
anything and they are quick to
recall o favorite saying that
wotdd-be homesteaders were
always told, "Come to Rains
County, Where It Rains."
True, there have been many
times when It rained, and
rained, and rained. But this
area has had Its share of
drouths, too. However, tlie
mud and dust have not left the
same Impact on the area as
the extremely cold winters of
1887-8? and 1898-9?, and tlie
tornadolc Springs of 189k and
1907, when there was some
"real weather."
For the old timers are quick
to tell you that, "This Weather
sure ain't what It used to be,
even the good ole Texas blue
northers have been subdued
by civilization."
It has been said that In the
winter of 1887-86, pickles
froze In the barrels In the
general stores and that the
combs froze "dean-off" the
chickens. However, records
show that the winter of
1898-99, during the month of
February, all previous records
were broken and many
records set, still stand. It was
during tliat time according to
one native Rains County mm,
"It seemed that even hell
would freeze over." During
the letter date, a dasslc
Texas Blue norther whistled
down on this east Texas Com-
munity In such a severe and
unexpected onslaught that
milk froze solid In the cans,
vinegar In bottles, bedroom
water pitchers froze and burst
and tlie glass broke and fell
away from the solidly frozen
beer In the local saloons.
John R. Ratliff, however, re-
called an earlier winter, that
of 188k, when he was born on
March 6. He related that dur-
ing the severe late spring
weather, his parents had to
chop meat with an axe and
thaw It out to cook It.
During all of tt*se severe
winters, farmers and ranchers
suffered enumcrlcal losses as
livestock literally froze to
death wl«re standing. The
more optomlstlc farmers pre-
dicted each time, "The death
of tl» boll weavll." Needless
to say, that lowly Insect sur-
vived. One old timer related
that dirlng the winter of *99,
that the wind was so strong,
"you hod to run backwards to
spit."
During the springs of 189 k
and 1907, tHs area was dev-
astated by tornadoes, (old Is-
sues of local papers referred
to these as cyclones). The
first destructive cyclone oc-
curred March 18,189k, late on
a Saturday afternoon at ap-
proximately 7t20 p«m.
Following o spring of contin-
ued turbulent weather, the
menacing tall of this cyclone
dipped down out of heavy lad-
den skies with all the fury of a
maddened old maid.
When It passed, four persons
were dead and tnlrty more In-
jured, of these several ser-
iously. Every business estab-
lishment in Emory suffered
property damage, while the
Baptist Church and the Ma-
sonic Hall were completely
destroyed along with a num-
ber of homes.
The first cyclone left tie fol-
lowing deadi Miss Ester Alex-
ander, daughter of I.C. Alex-
ander! W.B. Henry, who left a
wife and three children; G.T.
Walker, who left a wife and
five children; and the small
cNld of Will Murry,
Those Injured were: Judge
Lamb's wife, who suffered a
broken leg and other Injuries;
Ernest Lamb, Henry Lamb and
Marshall Lamb, Deputy Sheriff
McCord, who was In tlie Lamb
house was Injured as was Fred
Cooke. Judge Lamb's resi-
dence, tenament house,
stables, vehicles, and every-
thing else was completely
swept away.
Others Injured were: Mrs, Ed
Norris, Gennle Norris, Mrs.
Cdlle Gray, Mrs. W. Campbell
and three children, the mother
and wife of M.S, Pierson and
little Mary Pierson, Mrs. Mollle
Johnson, A.B. Selt, Oscar Dick,
Jim Alien, Besle Rodes, Lon
Williams and his wife, J.W,
Quarles, his wife and three
children, T.U, Parsons, and
Gilbert Harvey's child.
In May of 1907, onother dl-
sasterous cyclone passed
through Rolns County dirlng
the later part of May, killing
six persons, Injuring fifty and
causing over $50,000. In prop-
erty damage.
TNs cyclone came In through
the south western portion of
the county near the Dunbar
Community and passed out the
northeastern portion, just east
of the Freedom school house.
Tlie cyclone was proceeded
by about an hours' very heavy
rain and hall.
The cyclone was sighted as It
approached and storm houses
Immediately filled to capacity,
a large number of people took
refuge In the gullies south and
east of town.
As the cyclone progressed
through Rains County, It
covered an area about 150
yards wide, sweeping awoy
everything In sight,
Dirlng this cyclone, the fol-
lowing persons were killed:
Walter Martin, Mrs. Sail l e
Burk halter, Mr. Ivy, the eight
year old son of John Littlejohn
ond Aunt Ann Martin.
The following account was
related to tlie author, by Mrs.
Carrie Gowln. "My husband,
Ranee ond I and our baby
daughter, Jessie, were In the
'07 cyclone. We got In c hole
w lie re o tree had beer, blown
up by the roots and hung on to
each other. My sister's son,
William Littlejohn was killed
and Grandma Rowell was
saved from the falling plonks
of tlie house celling only by
tlie high back of her rocking
chair catching them, so they
didn't hit her on the head. Sis-
ter Mlttle hod to be dug out
from bricks that fell all around
her. My nephew was killed by
o limb blown off and striking
him on tlie head, killing him
Instantly,"
The following were Injured:
Miss Mollle Gory, Mrs. J.H.
Simmons, Miss Flossie Sim-
mons, Miss Core York, Miss
Della York, Frank Cooke, wife
and small child, Mr. Buckner
Fitzgerald, Mrs. Walter Martin,
Aunt Lizzie White, tlie eight
year old son of BHl Thornton,
the eight year old daughter of
Wes tie y Woosley, Col Lee's
wife and baby, Aunt Emma
Abernathy, Joe Middleton and
baby.
As this cyclone entered Rains
County tl* first house It
strut k was tlct of Rev. G.A.
Williams, about 2 1 /2 miles
from tlie river, next was Die
Davis farm and on to John
Brown's farm, to Ben North-
cutt's place and tier to John
Northcutt's, J.W. Plttltte's, I.N.
Hairs', A.P. Ward's, Lonnie
Farr's, Whit Chapman's house
occupied by Mr. Giles and
family, AU of these home-
steads suffered severe
domoge.
The Rockey Point School was
directly In the path of the cy-
clone but was not harmed,
some vacant houses owned by
Mrs, Duffey, the Geo. Green
Heirs, Mr. Humphries, J.M.
Clifton and V.H. Montgomery
were totally destroyed.
Tenement houses on Captain
Cain's farms occupied by J.A.
Baker, J. Rodden and Edgar
Ryland and wife were also
struck; the A.M, Hays form
owned by Tackett and Allen
but occupied by the Meyer
Bros, and tlrlr sister, Miss
Opltella was demolished.
Next came the farms and
homes of Sam Rytant, Lonnie
Fitzgerald, J.H, Gunter, John
Shook, and J.H, Simmons, this
latter residence was com-
pletely demollsiied, Mrs. Sim-
mons, her daughters, Cora,
Flossie and Della York were In
the house and all were badly
Injured. Tlie dothlng was
completely blown off of tlie
young women.
The Buckner ritzgerdd house
and a house owned by J/.
Hooks ond occupied by Mr.
Putlier and his motlier were
badly damaged. Uncle Tom
Weatlerly's house owned by
him and occupied by West
Woosley and Pill Thornton, It
was at this point that the
"Earth wes literally swept
dean." Wolf City, a Negro
settlement, was completely
blown away with eleven
houses totally destroyed.
The Ed Hebisen farm oc-
cupied by W.T, Plunk and
family and Mr. Prescontt's va-
cant house were also badly
damaged.
The County Poor Farm was
hit bad. Supt. Baker, his family
and Frank Cooke and h|s
family were together. The
men mode the women and
children Ue down In the floor
and spread fecther beds, mat-
tresses and bedqullts over
tl**m, then they crawled un-
der. The house was torn to
pieces but all escaped with
only slight Injuries.
Another house on tlie Poo'
Farm occupied by four In-
mates was destroyed killing
three of these persons In-
stantly while the fourth died
later.
Next In One was A.B. Yorks
barn, S.N. Tadlock's home,
The Henry Chapel School,
which was completely de-
stroyed, two houses on Emma
Henrey's form, two Ixjuses on
tie W.D. Peeples farm and
three houses on Mrs. Hiram
Cotes form. Aside from these
damages, almost every busi-
ness In Emory suffered severe
damage.
Returns Home
Mrs. Frank Alexander wos
able to return to her hone
Saturday, after being In the
home of her son, Frank Goff
Alexander of Richardson,
after recovering from hip sur-
gery, which she hod In tic
Presbyterian Hospital.
12141 356 3982
(214) 447 2166
Ray's Electronics
Rt 5. Box 8554
Quinlan. Texas 754 74
TV Sales ft Service
Satellites Sales ft Service
%
100 Yaris Eist il Sav-Mirt ii SH 35
Church
Directory
C41V4RY
BAPTIST CHURCH
INDEPENDENT
FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST
Sunday Services:
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 u.m. Worship
6:00 p.m. Worship
7:00 p.m. Wed. Evening
Pastor - Jimmy Jarretl
Hwys 515 & 779 <.73-2107
East of Emory 2-1/2 Miles
First Baptist
Church of Point
Services:
Sunday School 9:45
Worship 11:00
Evening Service 6:00
Wed. Night Service 7:00
Pastor, Samuel Glenn
CLARK'S CHAPEL
CHURCH OF GOD
Flats Community
SERVICES:
Sunday School 10 a.m.
Morning Worship || a.m.
Sunday Evening 6 p.m.
Wed. Evening 7:30 p.m.
Carl Beshears - Pastor
W00SIFY
BAPTIST CHURCH
Hwy 47 South of Point
Sunday School 10:00 ci.m.
Church Service 11:00 a.m.
Evening Service 6t00 p.m.
Wed. Eve.ServIce 7:00 p.m.
Loyd McKinney, Pastor
Fisherman's Missionary
< Baptist Church <dlX
Pastor Roy Prather
Sunday School.......,10 A.M.
Morning Worshio......11 A.M.
Sunday Night..........6 P.M.
Wed. Night............7 P.M.
lesus said, "Follow no and I will sake
too fiskers of moo." -Malt. 4:19
DAUGHERTY BAPTIST CHURCH
APPROXIMATELY k MILES NORTH ON 275
SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 A.M.
SUNDAY WORSHIP 11:00 A.M.
EVENING WORSHIP 6:00 P.M.
WED. SERVICE 7:00 P.M.
WAYNE WOLFE - PASTOR 473-3686
Sharing the Word of God
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE INVITED TO WORSHIP AT
PILGRIMS REST BAPTIST CHURCH
SUN. SCHOOL lOlOO A.M.
MORN. WORSHIP lllOO A.M.
B.T.S. 6!00 P.M. B.M.A.
EVEN. WORSHIP 7:00 P.M.
WED. BIBLE STUDY 7:00 P.M.
Co east from square on 515 approximately 5 miles,
turn right on 2946, go one miie lo church.
REACHING OUT BECAUSE WE CARE
y
EMORY UNITED
— METHODIST CHURCH
£
Church School
9:45
Worship Service
11:00
EveniRi Service
0:00
Highway 19 North - One Block From Square
Point
Church of Christ
Bible riasses-9:00 A.M.
Worship Services-It) A.M.
Evening Worship-6 P.M.
Wed. Eve. Serv.-7 P.M.
fv.pryone Welcome
AllFN GREEN-Minister
County Line
Baptist Church
Sunday School t0 a.m.
Worship Service It a.m.
Evening Worship 7 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
Faith Independent
Baptist Church
Or* Block West of Square
Sunday School 10 a.m.
Morning Worship (| c.m.
Evening Service 7:30 p.m.
Wed. Bible Study 7:30 p.m.
Jimmy D. Shedd-Pasfor
Bailey Gaston--
Music Director
EVERYONE WELCOME!
BRIGHT STAR
BAPTIST CHURCH
PASTOR - Lonnie Erwin
356-338A
Sunday.ServIcesi
5unday School 10 o,m.
Morning Worship II a.m.
Evening Worship 6 p.m.
Wed. night Services 7 p.m.
FOR BUS RIDE CALL
473-2880 or 765-2429
EMORY BAPTIST CHURCH
YkVf///rf/( h/
ON THE SQUARE PHONE 473-3357
MICHAEL H. REYNOLDS - PASTOR
. .BEARING rmjiT
IN FA9T TEXAS
I
BIBLE SCHOOL
MORNING WORSHIP
CHURCH TRAINING
EVENING WORSHIP
WED. BIBLE STUDY
9145 A.M.
11:00 A.M.
5:30 P.M.
6:30 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
yfl
Emory Assembly Of God
Highway io South
FMORV. TtXAS 78440
Sunday School 10 A.M.
Morning Worship 11 A.M.
Evening Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wed. Service 7:00 P.M.
(’ll, (2l4i 473 2371
MoNTie L Pahker. pabton p o Box 305
"PHtACMINd ThB OolWIL OP JeU( ChRKT"
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world
is crucified unto me end I unto 1h9 world." (Gal 6 14).
A Royal Welcome is Yours ot
£1?? (Sfiurrlj of (EfjriBt
Sunday
Bible Study............................10:00 a.m.
Morning Worship....................10:50 a.m.
Evening Worship..................... 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday
Bible Study............................ 7:00 p.m.
Thursday
Ladies Bible Class.................10:00 a.m.
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Becknell, Kathleen Hill. Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 6, 1986, newspaper, February 6, 1986; Emory, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth765689/m1/12/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rains County Library.