Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Friday Evening, May 24, 1935
Locating Party for CCC Camp is Here on Thursday
The locating party for the establishment of a Citizens' Conservation Corps camp visited Mt. Pleasant Thursday afternoon to inspect the sites offered for the location of a camp at this place.
The committee comprised Captain Galliard, commanding officer for the East Texas division, together with a Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Corps, and Ed Nagle, regional administrator for CCC camps.
The visitors made a tour of the available sites, and expressed a preference for the Fitzpatrick pasture in the southeast corner of town, but it is not known if this site will be available as yet.
Selection of the location will be made at a later date, as Mt. Pleasant has been definitely chosen as the location for one of these camps. Four large barracks will be erected to house the men, and there will also be a number of other structures erected. Good drainage, accessibility to lights and water are the principal factors to be considered in making the location.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Thursday Evening, June 13, 1935
Titus County Definitely Assured of a CCC Camp
Delegates from seven counties attended a meeting at Lindale Wednesday afternoon, in reference to the location of Citizens Conservation Camps in those counties, and a report from the meeting definitely assures a camp for Titus County. All seven counties are to have them, but two of them are to be negro camps.
For a while it was thought that a negro CCC camp had been allotted to this county, but at the meeting Wednesday afternoon it was officially announced that the two counties to receive them would be Wood and Nacogdoches, with locations at Nacogdoches and Winnsboro.
It is expected that the construction work on the necessary barracks for Mt. Pleasant's camp will probably begin within the next ten days, with accommodations for between two and three hundred men. They will be located on the Lilienstern tract on the Old Paris Road, across the road from the standpipe.
The major interest of the camp will be in soil conservation, and will mean at least an eighteen months' program.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Tuesday Evening, June 19, 1935
Sewage Lines To Be Extended To CCC Camp
At the meeting of the City Council Tuesday night it was voted to make all arrangements to have sewage and water lines extended to the George Lilienstern tract just north of the city, for the benefit of the CCC camp to be located there in the near future. Another meeting of the council will be held soon to receive bids for the necessary materials that will be required for the extension of the lines.
The council also discussed the new planning board that is to be organized in Titus county, and appointed, as their representative on that board, Mayor E. M. Lide.
Two ordinances were voted and adopted at the meeting Tuesday nite. One of them was an ordinance to levy a tax of $5.00 on each domino table; and each marble machine put in operation within the city limits. The other ordinance was for the benefit of the city's delinquent tax-payers, giving them an opportunity to pay their back taxes by July 1st, with an addition of only 5 per cent added to penalty and interest. If the tax payers fail to pay their taxes before that date they will be forced to pay a penalty of from ten and one half to thirty-four and one half per cent, depending upon the length of their delinquency.
Other matters of routine business, besides the above actions, were also discussed at the meeting.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Monday Evening, July 22, 1935
Erosion Control Courses Planned For CCC Workers
Soil erosion control instruction will be offered to enrollees in every civilian conservation corps camp, Robert Fechner, director of emergency conservation work, announced in Washington.
Outlines of study, prepared by the | office of education and the soil con-j serration service, have been submitted to the war department, which is responsible for administration of this program. Wherever possible, classes will be conducted by erosion control specialists regularly attached to demonstration projects.
"The prime purpose is to provide a rudimentary working knowledge of erosion control technique," H. H. Bennett, chief of the SCS pointed out. "No attempt will be made to produce specialists. The courses will be set up in two units of twelve weekly lessons each. If demand warrants additional studies, the service will be prepared to offer specialized studies in soils, agronomy, agricultural engineering and forestry."
College trained courses, giving college graduates and ex-students classroom and practical instruction, have been carried on by the service for more than a year in connection with its demonstration projects. Many graduates of these courses are now available for positions under the expanded program of the service.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Saturday Evening, July 27, 1935
CCC Camp Lease Is Approved and Work Starts Soon
All papers pertaining to the lease of the George Lilienstern property in the northwest portion of the city for the location of a CCC camp has been accepted and approved by the proper authorities, according to a letter received Friday by Secretary Delbert Snider of the Chamber of Commerce.
Secretary Snider was also notified by Captain Woodward of the construction department that officials will be here within a short while to make locations for the buildings which are to be erected, and that construction work will start soon after the locations are made.
As yet, no information has been received regarding Titus County's prospects of securing the soil erosion demonstration, but it is thought that no announcement will be made until after the CCC camp is started. Everybody feels sure that the demonstration project will also be located here.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Wednesday Evening, July 31, 1935
Materials for CCC Camp on Way, and Work Starts Soon
One of the Army officers directing operations of CCC camp activities was in Mt. Pleasant Wednesday morning, and announced that materials for the construction of Titus County CCC camp have already been shipped and are expected to arrive over the Cotton Belt some time this week.
On the arrival of these materials, construction work will start immediately on the camp, which will be located on the Geo. Lilienstern property on the Old Paris Read, near the stand pipe.
Ten buildings will be constructed to house about three hundred men, who will be employed on terracing work throughout the county, and on other rejects of a similar nature. It is hoped that the county will also secure a soil erosion demonstration, when the CCC boys will have still further employment of a more permanent nature, which will be of lasting value to the farms of the county.
The camp being located in Titus County should prove of great benefit in a business way as well as being of great value to land owners, who will I receive much assistance in building up their farms through co-operation with the directors of the local camp.
It will probably be several weeks before active work by the camp employees will be directed toward their regular activities, but in the meantime they will have plenty to do on the construction work.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Friday Evening, August 2, 1935
Preliminary Work Begun on Local CCC Unit
Large Supply of Material Arrives Here Friday Morning and Getting Grounds Ready For Construction Is Started
MATERIAL FOR BUILDINGS IS RECEIVED AND CLEARING BEGUN FRIDAY
The preliminary work of the construction of Titus County's CCC camp was begun Friday morning, with the running of lines for the location of the buildings according to the blue prints which had previously been made for the site on the old Paris road, opposite the standpipe.
Seventeen carloads of lumber were set out on the city tracks Friday morning, when it was planned to begirt unloading, but the trucks for hauling this material had not arrived, so this work was delayed for a time. We, understand that most of the lumber for the buildings had been nailed together at the lumber mill at Broken Bow, Okla., and will be put up in sections on the order of the construction of Army barracks used during the war, so that it will take only a short while to erect the ten buildings which will house the CCC men who will be used for soil erosion work in this section.
The city also began work of connecting water lines for the camp with the main which extends from the standpipe to the city, and adequate pressure will always be available. Water is furnished for the camp by the city without cost. Sewer connections are also made by the city.
How many men will occupy the camp is not known at this time, but it is thought that there will be approximately three hundred, as similar camps have been employing about this number.
The construction of the camp is under the direction of Lieut. Duran of the Army Engineering Corps, but the operation of the camp when completed will be directed by the Quartermasters' Corps. Local labor is being used as much as possible in construction work, and the buildings will be ready for occupancy in a short while.
Titus County people are still anxiously awaiting news concerning the location of the soil erosion project, for which they have made application and worked hard to secure, and everybody hopes .that the Tankersley and Hart Creek watersheds will be selected so that the CCC employees may be used in the demonstration work.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Wednesday Evening, August 14, 1935
CCC Officials Make Complaint Concerning Road
Officials in charge of the local CCC camp are making considerable complaint about the condition of the street and road leading to the camp location near the standpipe. Their complaint is a just one, too, as the sand is so deep in places .that it is almost impossible for a loaded truck to travel and passenger cars also have difficulty.
The officials say that in view of the tremendous amount of work that is to be done for the benefit of citizens of the county that county and city officials should put forth some extra effort to have the road fixed so that it is easier to travel. West Twelfth Street has been the city's "stepchild" for a long time, and it is in worse condition than any other street accommodating anything like the same amount of travel. This street is included in the next improvement program, which is being placed before the Work Progress Administration for approval, when it is expected that it will receive the same treatment as the several other streets which have been graveled and curb and gutter constructed, but it is not known when work can start under this program, and in the .meantime, travel to the CCC camp still is very difficult. A grader could do some good work on this street now, and the cost would be very little to make it at least more passable.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Monday Evening, August 19, 1935
CCC Company To Occupy Location By September 1
Official notice has been sent out to the effect that the Citizens Conservation. Corps camp at Mt. Pleasant will be occupied on or before September 1st. A truck convoy is already busy carrying equipment and supplies from the district warehouse, located at the Tyler headquarters, to the site here, and occupation will begin as soon as everything has been made ready for the men.
The Tyler district of the CCC has eight camps already occupied and ten new camps that will be occupied at about the same time that the one here will be filled. The new camps are located at Mt. Pleasant, Wolfe City, Bogata, Daingerfield, Linden, Marshall, Winnsboro, Tyler, Jacksonville and Milam.
In order to get an idea of what will be necessary to supply the 4,000 men at the eighteen camps in the district, the CCC warehouse at Tyler has already received three carloads of canned goods, one car of flour, a half car of canned milk, 10,000 pounds of dry beans, 1,500 pounds of macaroni and 1,000 pounds of tea. This is in addition to the large quantities of fresh vegetables and fruits that will probably be procured locally at each camp.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Saturday Evening, August 21, 1935
Number CCC Boys Already Here to Start Their Work
Already quite a number of the boys assigned to the local CCC camp have arrived, and all of the quota of 240 will be here by the time limit, which is midnight on August 31st.
About one-eighth of the total number assigned here will be Titus County boys, the others coming from various, other counties of this section.
Lt. Miller is now acting commander of the camp, with Lt. Duran in charge of the construction work. When all construction is completed, Lt. Duran will take over the command of the camp. J.W. Alsup is the engineer in charge of the work to be done by the CCC boys on the soil erosion project which will be started as soon as the camp is properly organized.
It is expected that the demonstration will be started soon after the first of September on the Hart's Creek watershed, and this project will require at least two years, with a possibility of three years additional.
The colored CCC camp at Bogata will be utilized for a considerable amount of work in the north part of the county, in cooperation with the land owners in that section.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Monday Evening, September 2, 1935
Officials Named for Soil Erosion Staff
Temporary Offices for Demonstration Will Be Located in Chamber of Commerce Rooms Until Other Space Is Available
Completion of the organization of the staff of the Hart's Creek Soil Conservation Service project in Titus County was announced Monday by E. C. Johnson associate soil conservationist, who is in charge of the local group. Temporary headquarters have been set up in the Chamber of Commerce offices until a permanent office and storage space can be secured.
The project area consists of 26,600 acres, covering the full watershed of the creek, and it was recommended to the Department of Agriculture by Louis P. Merrell, regional director, of Lindale, following an extended campaign by local citizens, with Secretary Delbert Snider of the Chamber of Commerce doing the majority of the contact work.
Nearly everybody in the county is familiar with the work which will be done, as this paper has carried numbers of articles concerning the demonstration. The program will be three-fold: Control of erosion by the coordinated use of all known methods, treating each acre in accordance with its needs and adaptability; reduction of the flood hazard by effective erosion control; and farm reorganization for the development of economically sound farm enterprises without seriously affecting present income. The farmers who cooperate with the soil control service in controlling erosion on their farms will contribute labor, equipment and materials that they have on hand. The work done in the watershed will serve as a demonstration of the measures
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agriculture for four years. He is now at the Lindale demonstration studying projects similar to those he will find here.
A.B. Kyle, junior agronomist, is an A. & M. graduate, and has been employed on the Lindale project for the past year, specializing in forestry and pasture work which will be given special attention on the Titus County project.
Other specialists will be added to the staff soon.
For the next few weeks, most of the work of the demonstration will be confined to organization, planning the demonstration and contacting the land owners who are cooperating. Then employees from the employment office and the ECW camp near town will be utilized in the regular employment for the project. At present members of the camp personnel, under the direction of J.W. Alsup, are being used to prepare the winter wood supply for the camp, located in the northwest part of town.
Members of the staff who are here express themselves as well pleased with their reception in Mt. Pleasant, where everybody has offered to assist them in every way, and they say that they will soon be ready to render the people of the county a real service in the demonstration work, which will be of untold value to Titus County people in the future.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Monday Evening, September 2, 1935
Large Number Boys From Titus County Sent To CCC Camps
An enviable record has been made by Titus County by way of the number of boys that have been sent to Citizens Conservation Camps from here. The final report Monday morning was to the effect that 125 boys have been sent from this county to CCC camps in New Mexico and Arizona. Forty-nine of the number left Mt. Pleasant Sunday morning to be stationed near Phoenix, Arizona. According to relief officials the 125 boys who have already gone will be all that will be taken from this county.
The quota for Titus County was filled some time ago, but due to the fact that other counties were unable to supply the number of boys that were allowed from them, the office here was given an opportunity to exceed its quota.
The removal of the CCC boys from here cuts down the case load of families on direct relief to an appreciable degree. It also gives the county a good record for physical fitness, for the boys who are chosen must pass a rigid examination in order to be eligible. That is one of the reasons why other counties fell down on their, quota and were unable to supply the number of young men to fill the vacancies in the various camps.
In addition to the 125 boys who were sent to the Western locations, thirteen were allowed to remain here in the local CCC camp. Also, six veterans were accepted into the service.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Friday Evening, September 13, 1935
Landscaping of CCC Camp Adds Beauty to Site
The people of Mt. Pleasant should be proud of what is going on in the way of beautification at the CCC camp on the Old Paris road, and if they will take the troubles to drive by the site they can readily see how a weed-ridden field can be developed into an attractive living place for the large number of boys that are located there. The work is not yet complete, and won't be for some time, but already so many things have been done that the location is unrecognizable.
The barracks, dining hall, hospital and other buildings have been grouped together in such a way that they show up to the best possible advantage; they have been painted, and time is now being devoted to building up the appearance of the grounds. Drives are being built and are bordered with native rock, and rock borders are going up around the buildings. A little later on shrubbery will be planted, and when spring comes next year and the ground becomes well-sodded with grass, there will be very few places in the county that can rival the attractiveness of the site.
According to our information visitors are more than welcome to drive out and inspect the entire camp, and quite a few go each day, but there are a number of people in Mt. Pleasant who would really like to go who are kept away because of the bad condition of West Twelfth Street. With such a beauty spot so near the city something should be done to improve the approach to it.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Friday Evening, October 25, 1935
Big Barbecue To Be Held For CCC On Monday Night
Final arrangements have been made for the big celebration and barbecue, honoring the Citizens Conservation Corps and the Soil Conservation Service which will be held at the CCC camp on Monday night, October 28th. Tickets have been printed and have been placed in the hands of a committee, appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, for sale to individuals as well as business concerns.
In view of the fact that the CCC and the Soil Conservation Service, which are generally thought of as one group at this place, will bring untold benefit to Mt. Pleasant and Titus County, in the way of upbuilding of soils, employment and additional business, it is the duty of every person who can to attend this event. Especially it is the duty of every business concern in Mt. Pleasant to buy a ticket, whether they have representatives or not. The Chamber of Commerce brought these services to the county, but with the poor support that is being given the organization they can not possibly do it all. The tickets are on sale for only fifty cents, and the money will be used for the purchase of food for the occasion. Don't turn the committee down when it approaches you.
A nice program has been arranged for Monday night, under the direction of H.G. Brown, and every person who is present will have an opportunity to learn what has been planned for Titus County during the coming months. Before this can be done it is necessary for the services to have the support of every citizen of Titus County.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times - Tuesday Evening, October 29, 1935
TWO HUNDRED CELEBRATE NEW PROJECTS WITH BARBEQUE
Soil Erosion and CCC Officials Honored in Program Rendered At Camp By Titus County Citizens
The big celebration Monday night; commemorating the establishment of the Soil Erosion demonstration and the CCC camp in Titus County was a pronounced success.
The celebration was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and the citizens of the county responded most loyally by having a big attendance. A large quantity of barbecue had been prepared for the occasion by the cooks of the CCC camp, while the enrollees acted as hosts to the visitors. Lieut. Duran, camp commander, cooperated in the affair by alloting the mess fund for evening meal to assist in the barbecue, and the camp boys were served at the usual hour, and the visitors at 7:30. The mess hall was used for this purpose, and the two hundred or more people were easily accommodated.
The menu was barbecue, potato salad, pickles, ice cream and lemonade. A string band composed of CCC enrollees, furnished music for the occasion.
Following the dinner, a program was rendered with Hiram G. Brown acting as master of ceremonies.
Mayor Earl M. Lide made a short address expressing appreciation of the citizenship of the county for the establishment of the erosion project and the location of the CCC camp in Titus County, saying these will be of greatest benefit to the agricultural interests, and everybody is appreciative of the selection.
Lieutenant Duran welcomed the visitors in behalf of the camp, and introduced the following visitors: District Commander Captain Ford, District Surgeon Colonel Cook, Captain Murchison, commander of Sub-District 2, Captain Fry, commander of the Winnsboro camp, Dr. Ralph Jinks, Lieutenant Miller and Educational Advisor Rambeau of the local camp personnel.
E. C. Johnson, manager of the erosion demonstration, responded to the welcomes, and introduced all of the official personnel of the project to the group.
Commissioners Thomas and Stringfellow were then presented to the gathering and complimented on their efforts in securing highway improvements.
Captain Ford made a pleasing talk in which he expressed appreciation for the attitude of local people, saying, saying that the large attendance was evidence that they realized the value of the two organizations.
J.C. Dykes, regional director of the Soil Erosion Service, with headquarters at Lindale, was the principal speaker of the evening. He first explained in an amusing way the duties of DeWitt Huckabee, formerly county agent here, and now connected with, the SES, saying that many citizens had inquired as to what DeWitt is doing. Mr. Dykes complimented the local project on its progress, announcing that more land owners have signed agreements in this project than any new one in the entire state. He then explained that it is the intention of the service to save what good land is left and assist in building up farms in this area, and that the effects of the program are to be of lasting value. He pleaded for all to pull together in this great work and to back the extension service and vocational agricultural program which is continually cooperating with these other demonstrations.
J.Y. Bradfield, president of the Daingerfield Chamber of Commerce, complimented Titus County citizens on their foresight in securing these projects and extended an invitation to visit the State park at Daingerfield, which is being constructed through the help of a CCC camp.
Mr. Brown then complimented the efforts of Secretary Delbert Snider of the local Chamber of Commerce, saying that his untiring work in securing and arranging the necessary data, and interesting people in visiting the Lindale project was largely responsible for the Hart Creek demonstration in this county. Mr. Snider responded with a few words of appreciation. The local papers were also complimented by Mr. Brown, and the meeting was closed with a short talk by Dr. Dan M. Witt. Before and after the barbecue, enrollees of the camp escorted many of the visitors through the various departments of the reservation, showing them the barracks, offices, kitchen and other places of interest. They also directed the parking of the cars and in many ways showed they were glad to have a part in the celebration and were appreciative of the interest local people are showing in their work.
All those who attended enjoyed a very pleasant evening, and gained a better insight to the possibilities offered to the county through the projects and allied organizations.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Date not available, year was 1935
Outlines Plans Of Operations For CCC Group
At the Rotary Club Tuesday, Lieutenant A. E. Duran, commanding officer of the Mt. Pleasant CCC camp gave some very interesting data or how the camp is to be operated.
There will be 200 to 250 young men enrolled at the local camp, all of whom except about 24 will be available for work on the soil erosion demonstration on Hart's creek watershed. These boys are enrolled by the War Department, and are under its supervision, but they are designated for work to various agencies of the Government, those here being with the erosion service. They have their own system of discipline, but not so strict as in the Army, although they have ways of designating punishment and fines for infractions of rules.
The boys are now undergoing a seasoning process preparatory to their regular work, as they are not ready for active duty, since all of them had to undergo various vaccinations and serum injections. They will work on their projects six hours a day for five days a week, and will have Saturdays and Sundays off, except the 24 who will be on camp duty. Their work is the result of the relief program of the Government, and many are underprivileged. Voluntary classes are being organized for educational work, but there is a great need now for reading matter. Lt. Duran asked the Rotarians to assist in gathering magazines and books for the boys and have them delivered to the Chamber of Commerce offices, from where they will be taken to the camp. Many of these boys, according to Lt. Duran, are well educated, and will appreciate good books. They are a good bunch of boys, and they will give no one any trouble during their stay here, said the speaker.
The co-operation and kindness of the people of Mt. Pleasant has been greatly appreciated by all connected with the camp, and Lt. Duran made particular mention of this fact.
D.C. Crews and Hubert Smith of the Pittsburg club were visitors.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Monday Evening, November 18, 1935
Command Change Made at CCC Camp Effective on 20th
Effective on Wednesday, November 20th, Lt. Duran, who has been the commanding officer of the local Citizens' Conservation', Camp since its arrival here, will have completed his active duty in the service, and will .give up his command to accept a position that awaits him in San Antonio. Likewise, on that date, Lt. Miller will give up his place as second in command in order that he may enroll as a student in A. & M. College.
The new officer in charge of the camp will be Lt. William P. Cox who has been second officer of the CCC camp at Bonham, whose home is in San Antonio. Lt. Henry L. Graves will take over the post that is vacated by Lt: Miller.
The new transfers are made under the personal supervision of Capt. Fred H. Murchison, of Marshall, who is Sub-Commander for this district of the CCC, and who is in Mt. Pleasant now making final arrangements for the changes.
On Saturday, November 16th, a new allotment of 16 enrollees arrived at this camp from Marshall, which moves the strength of the company up to 220.
