Columns

Remember the Maine: Footnotes

Remember the Maine: Footnotes

Remember the Maine: Footnotes

Whenever I have an article published in “The Red River Sun,” I send it to those on my personal email list who I think might be interested. Often, I include additional information or “the rest of the story” that I think will be of interest to the recipient.
Popeye stands in the back of a photo taken at Greenhaw’s Barber and Beauty Shop in 1942. Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew

Popeye stands in the back of a photo taken at Greenhaw’s Barber and Beauty Shop in 1942. Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew

The Memphis onTNE Red!

The following is the continuation of an excerpt from“The Hall County Gang ster: The Greatest Generation” by John R. Ballew, available for purchase on Amazon.“ M r . Blue, what have you heard about that Midway Battle out in the Pacific?
JD Souther and Don Henley Photos Courtesy of Floyd Killough Collection

JD Souther and Don Henley Photos Courtesy of Floyd Killough Collection

Rest in Peace, JD Souther

The Friday, Aug. 23 edition of the “The Red River Sun” featured a story about JD Souther titled, “Hall of Fame Songwriter has Wellington roots,” noting that Souther’s mother, Leota “Loty” Finley, grew up in Wellington and was the Salutatorian of the Wellington High School Class of 1940.
Popeye’s shoe-shine stand. Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew

Popeye’s shoe-shine stand. Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew

The Memphis onTNE Red!

The following is an excerpt from “The Hall County Ga n g ster: The Gre a t est Genera tion” by John R. Ballew, avail able for purchase on Amazon.1942 Raymond walked slowly around the square in downtown Memphis. The air was clear, and for once, the wind was not blowing.
Lifeboats rescue survivors of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba on Feb. 15, 1898. Photos Courtesy of Floyd Killough Collection

Lifeboats rescue survivors of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba on Feb. 15, 1898. Photos Courtesy of Floyd Killough Collection

Remember The Maine:

An article in the Aug. 8, 1919, edition of “The Wellington Leader” described W.T. Barton, Collingsworth County Attorney, as “the only living Spanish-American war veteran in this county.” Wi l liam Thomas ( W. T. ) Ba r ton was born Oct.
Edgar “Ed” Bailey, Memphis Independent School District agriculture teacher Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew

Edgar “Ed” Bailey, Memphis Independent School District agriculture teacher Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew

The Memphis on TNE Red!

Every town in Texas says they are the best, and every town in Texas says they have the best people. The problem is, they are all wrong. Memphis has the best people in the world. Our town has gone through ups and downs, but the people who have stayed home make our town what it is.
Photos Courtesy of Dr. Mike Wolf Collection Harold Dow Bugbee, American Western Artist

Photos Courtesy of Dr. Mike Wolf Collection Harold Dow Bugbee, American Western Artist

Athens of the Panhandle

Clarendon, located about 44 miles west of Wellington, owes its beginning to the Rev. Lewis Henry Carhart, a Methodist minister who promoted the colonization of the town. The Reverend shared a partnership with his brother-in-law, Alfred Sully, of New York.
Pt. 1: The best people in Texas

Pt. 1: The best people in Texas

Pt. 1: The best people in Texas

Every town in Texas says they are the best,and every town in Texas says they have the best people. The problem is, they are all wrong. Memphis has the best people in the world.Our town has gone through ups and downs, but the people who have stayed home make our town what it is.
The 501: Keeping up with  the ‘un’ words

The 501: Keeping up with the ‘un’ words

The 501: Keeping up with the ‘un’ words

New words happen.Back when I was a letter carrier, I learned “unchurched” from the “Baptist Standard.”Yep, I used to read the back cover of the “Standard” when I was delivering the mail.
The Memphis onTNE Red! Civilian Conservation Corps

The Memphis onTNE Red! Civilian Conservation Corps

The Memphis on TNE Red! Civilian Conservation Corps

The Memphis Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Co. 1812-V, SCS-14, was located one mile east of town. It was established on Aug. 8, 1935, and was made up of World War I (WWI) veterans. The men were issued identification cards with numbers starting with CC-XXXXX.