Columns

Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew Wilson’s Pool was built in the early 40s.

Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew Wilson’s Pool was built in the early 40s.

The Memphis on TNE Red!

John R. Ballew
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
A Memphis native, John R. Ballew taught history for 25 years in the trenches of the Texas public school system. He is a triple master: a Maste r of Science from T e x a s A&M University- Corp u s Christi, a master plumber from Texas and a master mason.
The 501:

The 501:

The 501:

Hanaba Munn Welch
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
My late friend, Elmer, once said that he and his brother used to chase rabbits so they could have meat for supper. He was a child of the Great Depression.It’s hard for me to believe Elmer and his bro ever caught a rabbit. But even if I could press Elmer on the issue, I wouldn’t.
Who was Glynn Moore?

Who was Glynn Moore?

Who was Glynn Moore?

Floyd Killough
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Collingsworth County citizens are well aware of the service to veterans and the community by Glynn Moore Post 6439 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), but some may not know about the man for whom the Post was named.
The Memphis onTNE Red!

The Memphis onTNE Red!

The Memphis onTNE Red!

John R. Ballew
Thursday, June 20, 2024
The first car got to Memphis around 1910.Since then,we have had many care dealers in town.Of course,there was Foxhall Ford, Ward Motor Company, and, nobody can ever forget, Tommie Potts.
A sneak peek into ‘The Hall County Gangster: The Greatest Generation’

A sneak peek into ‘The Hall County Gangster: The Greatest Generation’

A sneak peek into ‘The Hall County Gangster: The Greatest Generation’

John R. Ballew
Friday, June 14, 2024
The following is the postscript to John R. Ballew’s soon-to-be-published, second book, “The Hall County Gangster: The Greatest Generation.”America is the greatest country in the history of the wo r l d , and the Second World War forged the greatest generation to ever live.
Larry McMurtry: Novelist and screenwriter

Larry McMurtry: Novelist and screenwriter

Larry McMurtry: Novelist and screenwriter

Dr. Mike Wolf
Friday, June 14, 2024
Archer City, located about 149 miles southeast of Wellington, was the hometown of one of Texas’s most prolific authors and screenwriters. Larry McMurtry was born to Hazel Ruth and Jeff Mack McMurtry in 1936 in Wichita Falls. He grew up on the family ranch in Archer County.
Pt. 2: The funeral

Pt. 2: The funeral

Pt. 2: The funeral

News Staff
Friday, June 7, 2024
The following is an excerpt from “The Hall County Gangster: Raymond Ballew” by John R. Ballew.“Sir,I’m fixing to do one more thing that’ll guarantee my spot in Hell. I know you were lonely, sick and you needed help, but you’re goin’ to be layin’ next to my momma for eternity.
The Calcote family

The Calcote family

The Calcote family

News Staff
Thursday, May 30, 2024
I’d like to recognize the extended Calcote family who came all the way from Rowena in Runnels County.You may know that Rowena is the birthplace of a young woman who was the passenger in a car that missed a detour and plunged into the Salt Fork of the Red River, about six miles north of here.
Pt. 1: The funeral

Pt. 1: The funeral

Pt. 1: The funeral

News Staff
Thursday, May 30, 2024
The following is an excerpt from“The Hall County Gangster:Raymond Ballew” by John R. Ballew.3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 1938 Raymond Ballew pulled his new, red Studebaker into the South Section of Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. He parked on the dirt road next to his father’s grave.
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