Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday Evening, March 6, 1936
Local People Are Entertained At CCC Camp Friday
About thirty local business people of the city were guests of the CCC camp at luncheon Friday at noon.
On Arrival at the camp, the visitors were met by Lieut. W.F. Cox, commanding officer, and were his guests, at the regular noon meal, which was the same as is given the camp personnel and was nothing unusual, according to Lieut. Cox. The menu consisted of fried steak, gravy, potatoes, beans, peas, relish, bread, cake and coffee, all expertly prepared. The meal was all that could be asked for, and was served by members of the camp force.
Following the dinner, the guests were taken on a short inspection tour of the living quarters, infirmary, recreation hall, supply room and office, and were shown how the grounds of the camp had been£ improved during the past few months with the walks all bordered with native rocks, with spaces left for planting of trees and shrubs, ornamental pillars of rock have been erected at the main entrances of the camp by some of the boys who have been studying masonry work and they look like construction of experts.
The camp has now become one of the best equipped of any in this section of the State, and the location has been converted from a barren field into a thing of real beauty, and when the grass begins growing will be still further improved in appearance.
Mt Pleasant should be proud of its CCC Camp, and the personnel which is operating it. Many of the enrollees are engaged daily in soil, erosion work in various parts of the county and are doing a big part in converting old worn out farms into sustaining institutions.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Monday Evening, April 27, 1936
42 Enrollees Are Enlisted At Local CCC Camp
Announcement was made Monday morning by Lewis A. Parr, educational advisor at the local Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, to the effect that during last week the enlistments of forty-two enrollees were accepted and classified as to their service. Thirty-eight of the new men were junior enrollees and 4 were veterans.
Oath of office was administered here, after which they were accompanied to Paris by Lt. McMurray to be entrained for their respective camps. The junior enrollees were sent to the CCC camp at Phoenix, Arizona and the four veterans were given service at a veteran's camp at Amarillo.
It was also announced Monday that First Lieutenant William F. Cox, Commanding Officer of Company 2886, had been promoted to rank of Captain in the Chemical Service of the United States Army. The oath of office was read by Lt. George I. Rhodes in the presence of all enrollees and officers of the camp, who stood at attention while the honor was being conferred. Captain Cox's promotion became effective ten days ago, but was not actually conferred on him until Saturday morning.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
July 22, 1936
Boxing at CCC Camp With Good Program
The weekly boxing tournament at the CCC camp tonight has an extra good program.
Bouts will be staged between members of the local camp and the one at Daingerfield, and there will be two bouts between Negroes from the camps at Winnsboro and Bogata.
The main event will be between Henson and Copeland, both weighing over 200 pounds.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday Evening, July 23, 1936
Good Boxing Card Wednesday Night At Local CCC Camp
Nine three round bouts of boxing were presented at the arena of the CCC camp Wednesday night, which gave the fans plenty of sport. Some of the bouts were good exhibitions, while others were between boys who had little experience. However, it was a good show with nearly an hour and a half of entertainment.
The judges were W.E. McClintock, Paul Pearce, and Vance Plum and Griffin again acted as referee.
The results were as follows:
White, 140 vs. Austin, 135; draw
Baugh, 140 vs. Smart, 133; Smart won
Bice, 140 vs. Shaver, 143; draw
Murphy, 145 vs. Knight 140; Knight winner
Copeland, 207 vs. Henson, 203; draw
Four Negroes from the Bogata camp were listed for three round-bouts. Riggs, 172, was opposed by Beard, 193, but they were both ousted after the second round because they were just tapping each other. Dews, 173, and Royal, 173, then went into the ring. Dews had Royal groggy at the end of the second round. Beard was then put back in the ring to face Dews, and although the bigger Negro had more rest, Dews won the decision after a lively scrap.
Another program will be given by the camp next Wednesday night.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Sunday Morning, August 23, 1936
CCC Enrollee Dies Friday at Local Hospital
Floyd Brummeless, enrollee at the local Civilian Conservation Corps camp, passed away at the Taylor Hospital here Friday night from the effects of pneumonia. He was eighteen years of age and had been ill for about four days.
Floyd was the son of J.H. Brummells of the LaFayette community in Camp County, about ten miles southeast of Pittsburg, and is survived by his father and one sister whose name we have been unable to learn.
After his death the body was taken in charge by Riddle Undertaking Company and prepared for burial. From there it was conveyed to LaFayette, where funeral services were held at 3:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Interment was at the LaFayette cemetery.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday Evening, September 19, 1936
CCC Corps Enjoy Barbecue-Dance At Omaha Friday
The entire enrollment of the local CCC camp, including the camp school teachers, officers and men, with the exception of the necessary fire detail that remained at the quarters, enjoyed a barbecue picnic and dance at Glass Club Lake at Omaha from 2:30 to 9:30 o'clock Friday afternoon and evening. A cottage and picnic grounds were furnished through the courtesy of Marshall Farrier of Omaha.
The affair was arranged by the commanding officer, Captain William F. Cox, as a reward to the company for their efforts in trying to win the district efficiency flag, a coveted honor among camps of the Tyler district.
Every three months camps of the Tyler district stand rigid, detailed inspection, covering every phase of camp life, in competition for efficiency honor, and after inspection is made the camps are eliminated until the best camp in each of the three subdivisions of the district is determined.
At this time the three camps were Bonham of subdivision No. 1; Mt. Pleasant of No. 2, and Jacksonville of No. 3.
Friday morning final inspection of the local camp was completed, under the supervision of Captains Benjamin Murph, Fred H. Murchison, and Fred A. Cooley, in collaboration with Captain Henry Bollman, Tyler district adjutant. During the inspection, not a single detail was overlooked.
Announcement of the winner of the big blue flag with a white letter "E" will be made within the near future.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Monday Evening, September 21, 1936
CCC Enrollee From DeKalb Is Killed Sunday
Carroll Emerson, enrollee of the local CCC camp, was shot and killed at DeKalb early Sunday, and Clay Evans, farmer, living near DeKalb, surrendered and was placed in jail at New Boston soon afterwards.
Emerson was shot twice in a scuffle with Evans, it is said, and died soon afterwards. The trouble is thought to have arisen over family affairs, in which Emerson's brother was involved, and there, had previously been several fist fights as a result of the differences between the two families.
Emerson was 22 years of age and had been at the local camp for some time. For the past month he had been employed as a draughtsman at the Soil Conservation offices, and was well liked by all of his associates.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday Evening, September 26, 1936
CCC Camp Wins Efficiency Flag Whole District
Announcement was made Saturday morning by Captain William F. Cox, Commanding officer of the local Civilian Conservation Corps camp, to the effect that the camp has won the efficiency flag for the entire Tyler District.
The flag, a large blue one with a white letter "E" in its center, is a coveted prize among the several camps in the district, and is awarded to the camp that stands the most perfect inspection, which covers every detail and phase of camp life, from the grounds to the enrollee's private quarters.
Final inspection was held about a week ago, at which time the competition had already been narrowed to three camps in the district: Bonham, Jacksonville, and the Mt. Pleasant camp. After inspection here was completed, Captain Cox entertained the local officers and men with a barbecue and dance at Glass Club Lake at Omaha, for their efforts in winning the flag.
Mt. Pleasant and Titus County are justly proud of the honor that has been given to our CCC camp, for the blue flag, flying directly beneath the Stars and Stripes on the camp flagpole, is an emblem of merit that shines over the fifteen camps of the Tyler District. Captain Cox and his men are extended the congratulations of every citizen of Titus County.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
October 10, 1936
Another Group CCC Boys Go to Arizona Friday
Another contingent of CCC boys left Mt. Pleasant Friday night on the regular passenger train No. 5 of the Cotton Belt. Two Pullmans and a baggage car were attached to the regular train for their accommodation.
This group came from the Daingerfield camp, and will be; used as replacements for a camp at Bowie, Arizona.
There has been quite a movement of CCC enrollees to western areas, several transfers having been made from the Eighth and Ninth Army Corps supervision, and more are to follow at an early date from this section of the State.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday Evening, October 15, 1936
Another Group CCC Boys Leave On Train Today
Another contingent of local boys from the CCC camp here will leave tonight on Cotton Belt train No. 5 for Bowie, Arizona, where they will join a contingent previously sent to a camp at that place from Daingerfield.
The Daingerfield camp will send 48 men from their camp on this train, while Mt. Pleasant will furnish 26 for the same party. The entire group will be in command of Captain John Stricker, from Daingerfield.
Two tourist Pullmans will be used for transporting the boys, and a baggage car will contain their equipment. The group will be diverted to the Southern Pacific at Dallas for the remainder of the trip.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday Evening, October 15, 1936
CCC Camp Installs Broadcast Equipment
Each Building Wired With Speakers; Good Sound
BIG CONVENIENCE
OPERATES FROM QUARTERS OF CAPTAIN COX
A Daily Times reporter, in company with Capt. William F. Cox, Commanding officer at the local CCC camp, was given the opportunity Thursday morning of inspecting a community broadcasting system recently installed throughout the entire camp.
The system consists of a ten tube radio, located in the private quarters of the Commanding Officer and a set of loud speakers, one of which has been pieced in each building on the ground with the exception o the supply room. The system was installed by Capt. Cox through money derived from profits of the Camp Exchange and is the second such system that has been hooked up in the entire Tyler District; Bonham has similar equipment.
By a manipulation of the controls in Capt. Cox's headquarters it is possible to supply music and station broadcasts to the various camp buildings. Further manipulation of the controls makes it possible for the music to be heard in the various buildings without being heard in the central room, or the same thing can be reversed. The operator can then tune out the station broadcasts and present a program of his own, call men from their quarters or for special detail; read news items from newspapers to the men while they are in their quarters, or give instructions to them without having to summon them.
According to Capt. Cox, during the coming winter months he intends to present his own programs of entertainment over the broadcasting system from talent selected from enrollees of the camp. These programs cannot be heard outside of the camp grounds but they will furnish amusement to the men without it being necessary for them to leave their own rooms.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
October 26, 1936
CCC Camps Have Given Occupation to 76,804 Teams
AUSTIN - October 26 - INS Since the organization of the Civilian Conservation Corps camps in April, 1933, a total of 76,804 Texas have been given employment, according to statistics received here.
On August 31 of this year, 10,455 Texans were working on CCC projects, and 11,410 men were working on Texas projects.
Seventy-eight camps were operating in the State on October 1. Work being done was divided among soil conservation projects, national forest work, state parks, state forests, private forests, bureau of reclamation projects and military reservation improvements.
From the beginning of the corps in 1933, through August 31, 1936, the CCC has spent $44,920,000 in Texas, and workers sent $10,831,000 of that amount home to their families. Enrollees send $25 of their $30 monthly allotments to their families.
Work projects completed through July 1, included 132,535 acres treated, 39,197 check dams built, 2,818,283 square yards seeded or sodded, and 1,895,833 acres of bank sloping and gully control work done. That all comes under the general head of erosion control.
Twenty-two large impounding or diversion dams were built; 101,216 acres of forest stand improved; 28,669,000 trees were planted and, 3,380 truck trails built.
The new forests contain 1,714,000 acres, of which 631,000 have already been purchased and placed under the administration of the National forest service.
Each of the four forests, which are to be the Sam Houston, Sabine, Angelina and Davy Crockett forests, areas with heavy cut-overs, and forest service agents declare that they have great value and possibilities as permanently productive timber lands.
The Sam Houston Forest contains 491,800 acres in Montgomery, Walker and San Jacinto counties. About 148,000 acres of this area have already been approved for purchase by the National Forest Reservation commission. It has been largely cut over and will be restocked with young loblolly and shortleaf pine. Some hardwoods will be planted.
The Sabine National forest includes 439,600 acres in Sabine, Shelby and San Augustine counties on the Louisiana boundary, in the Sabine watershed. It is three-fourths cut-over and will be re-stocked. Almost half is already under Federal administration.
The Angelina area contained 368,700 acres in Jasper, Angelina, San Augustine and Nacogdoches counties, and the Davy Crockett reserve in Houston and Trinity counties contains 394,200 acres.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday, October 29, 1936
ANOTHER GROUP OF CCC ENROLEES TO LEAVE HERE TONIGHT
Another contingent of CCC enrollees will leave tonight on the Cotton Belt regular passenger train.
There are 125 men to make this trip, and they will occupy two regular coaches, instead of tourist Pullmans, as the others did who were sent from this area.
This latest contingent will go to Littleton, Colorado.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, October 28, 1936
CCC Camp Enrollees Are Building Own School House For Vocational Classes
Equipped With New Woodwork Tools; Machinery
Built of Split Logs; Will Be of Rustic Appearance
The Civilian Conservation Corps in Mt. Pleasant is taking another step forward in the promotion of education among the enrollees of the local camp, by the construction of a building to house the vocational education classes that are being conducted among those of the boys who are interested in the work.
The structure is nearing completion and consists of a big building 20x30 feet in size. It is being built of split logs that give a flat interior wall, yet lends a rustic appearance to the outside. The work is under the direction of Hollis Combs, and is progressing at a fast rate of speed; when it is finished it will be one of the neatest buildings on the grounds. Its position is northwest of the recreation hall.
Included in the school work that will be taught there are classes in wood-working, typewriting, general business, commercial geography, business spelling, and business correspondence. In order to accommodate the wood-working class officials of the camp are installing a complete set of new machinery and tools for the betterment and the convenience of the students. The tools are of modern design and are very efficient.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
November 3, 1936
[Tom Connally, Wright Patman Story - Headline was cut off]
Will Be Speaker at Luncheon to Be Served at CCC Camp
States That He Will Be Here for SCS Celebration
PATMAN WILL PROBABLY BE HERE FOR THE OCCASION, TOO
It was announced at the Chamber of Commerce meeting Monday night that Senator Tom Connally had definitely accepted the invitation to be the guest of Mt. Pleasant Friday at the celebration in honor of the Soil Conservation Service work on the Hart Creek watershed. It is thought that Congressman Wright Patman will also attend during the afternoon, although he has an engagement at Paris in the morning.
The announcement was made by E.C. Johnson, manager of the local project, who will be in charge of the tour of inspection of the work that has been done during the past year.
Mr. Johnson said that he wanted as many business and professional men of the city as possible to see the various phases of the improvement work that has been done, because several of the farms on the watershed have been greatly improved since this work was begun. Startling effects can be seen, in which the farms are now the pride of their owners, and they are becoming much more profitable to them through the methods of controlling soil erosion and land utilization.
The tour of inspection will start at the SCS office at 10 o'clock Friday morning, returning at noon for a luncheon at the CCC camp, and another tour will be made during the afternoon.
A program will be presented at the luncheon, in which Senator Connally will be the speaker for the occasion. He will probably talk on the effects of the SCS program, which is doing so much for the preservation of farm lands throughout the entire Nation. Local citizens are urged to attend this luncheon, which will be priced very low, and to pay for a visitor's ticket.
This will be the second occasion on which a tour of the local project has been featured. The other took place during the summer, and was largely attended with a great deal of interest shown.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
November 6, 1936
SENATOR CONNALLY MAKES ADDRESS AFTER LUNCHEON AT CCC CAMP TODAY
Visitors From Many Other Places Make Tour of Inspection of Hart's Creek Watershed
A large crowd of business men and farmers made the tour of inspection of the Hart's Creek Erosion Project Friday in connection with the celebration in honor of the work that has been going on for ever a year.
Following a short meeting at the office of the project, the crowd left at 10:30 in trucks and cars, first visiting the Swint & Sims farm northeast of town, where they saw how pasture contours are constructed and sodded. A crew was at work on this place at the time.
The next place visited was that of W.O. Scott, where pasture work, terraces and outlet channels were noted.
Stopping at Fred Mercer's place, one of the first to be planned under the cooperative agreement, seeing all phases of the erosion work.
Phil Blackwell's, Judge C.T. Neugent's, and R.A. Dale's places, all close together, were the final farms visited. Each of these shows the full development work that is being done on the farms of the watershed.
The various phases of the soil erosion work include pasture improvement and development, reforestation, cover crops, strip cropping, crop rotation, terracing controlled terrace outlets, contour ridging and furrowing, contour cultivation, gully control, rodent control, and game conservation, all of which were explained to the visitors making the trip.
Returning about 12:30, the entire crowd assembled at the CCC camp where a luncheon was served in the mess hall.
This luncheon was attended by 87 persons, many of whom were visitors from other places.
Following the meal, which was served by the regular personnel, E.C. Johnson announced the program, acting as toastmaster. He expressed appreciation of the interest shown by Mt. Pleasant business men in the project and the celebration, and introduced W.F. Cox, commander of the camp, who invited all of the visitors to make an inspection of the entire camp after the program.
Major Hildring, district commander, made a short talk in which he said that he was glad that the visitors could see the military side of the CCC work, and announced that the Mt. Pleasant camp is the best of 16 in his district.
Mr. Johnson then introduced the following: Judge C.T. Neugent, chairman; G.L. Keittv, H.L. Hess, Fred Traylor, Raymond Brown, directors, and Fred Mercer, W.O. Scott and R.A. Dale, cooperators of the Harts Creek Soil, Conservation Association, whom he said, had given much of their time and energy to the promotion of the SCS work in this area. He also introduced Paul Walser, State Coordinator, and Delbert Snider, secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce.
State Director Louis P. Merrell made an interesting talk, recalling the interest shown by Titus County people about 18 months ago in their efforts to secure a demonstration here, said this interest brought about their success. He expressed his pleasure at the fine Cooperation shown by local people, and explained a number of details of the work being done.
Claude McDonald was called on to introduce the principal speaker for the program, Senator Tom Connally, and he did so in an eloquent manner.
Senator Connally's talk was greatly enjoyed by all present. He said that for many years he has seen the necessity of some sort of control of soil erosion, which was at first confined to terracing, but that under the new operations, the service has been enlarged until it covers practically every phase of farm work. Conservation of farm lands and natural resources has now become one of the largest services the American governmental agencies, which now recognizes that the wealth from the soil is the only real wealth of this country. He expressed pleasure that business people are taking an interest in the work of erosion control, as this gives the government more encouragement, because everybody is affected by the results. The establishment of CCC camps all over the country is now being recognized as one of the greatest accomplishments of the present administration, because it gives boys an opportunity to become useful citizens, which they otherwise would not have had. None of these projects would bring out the most good unless the people adopt the practices, and he expressed his pleasure that so many farmers are copying front the demonstrations, such as is here. He closed his talk with a comparison of the opportunities in this county and the conditions in other nations. Americans have always had equal political opportunities, and in the future they can be assured of the same chances in economical affairs. Everybody can look forward to a better day, according to Senator Connally, because the present administration is working for the people as a whole, and not for any particular class.
Following Senator Connally's talk, a number of the visitors inspected the CCC camp, and then, made another short tour of the Demonstration.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
November 17, 1936
CCC ENROLLEES TO HAVE HOLIDAY ON THANKSGIVING
WILL ALSO BE GRANTED TWO LEAVES OF ABSENCE IN MONTH DECEMBER
Announcement has been made by the United States Army Information Service, Eighth Corps Area, from the headquarters office in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, to the effect that all enrollees of the Civilian Conservation Corps, in the Eighth Corps Area, will be granted special Thanksgiving leaves from their respective camps. The leaves will be effective on November 26th.
It was also announced that two periods of five days each, for leaves with pay, will be granted during the Christmas Holiday season.
Leaves will be granted from the close of the work day on Tuesday, December 22, to extend to midnight Sunday, December 27. Enrollees who do not take leave at this time will be granted leaves extending from the close of the work day on Tuesday, December 29, to midnight Sunday, January 3, 1937.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
December 12, 1936
CCC BASKETBALL TEAM TO WINFIEID
DOUBLE HEADER WILL COME UP AT THE TAYLOR GYMNASIUM
The basketball team of the local CCC camp goes to Winfield tonight for a double header at the Taylor Gym with the Winfield Bearkats. The CCC boys have not lost a game in which they have played, this season, and the Winfield boys claim to be "right" for these games. Plenty of excitement will be offered the fans for these contests.
Winfield boys won from Saltillo Friday night, defeating the visitors by a score of 33 to 20. Teddy Taliaferro continued to be the relief star by scoring 13 points in three quarters.
The girls' team lost to the Saltillo girls Friday night.
Winfield is getting ready for some real games featuring the: team from Carey, which will, come to Titus County for a series of games during the Christmas holidays. The Carey team, which is coached by Milburn "Catfish" Smith of this city, will also play at Cookville while visiting here.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
December 21, 1936
50 CCC Camps Being Planned For Use of Girls
WASHINGTON. (INS)-Girls of less-privileged families no longer need envy brothers going to C.C.C. camps, as 5,000 of these have already been enrolled to start vocational training in 50 camps of their own.
On a recent lecture tour, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt visited one of the first of these camps to be opened, near Kansas City. There girls were receiving intensive training over a period of four or five months in such work as would help to make them economically independent. At this particular camp, orders for tennis nets were being taken and filled.
Camp Director Richard R. Brown stated that camps would be located at abandoned C.C.C. barracks, vacant resorts, school buildings and other quarters W.P.A. can use free of charge. Plans called for work centers in Rhode Island, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, South Dakota and Tennessee.
Girls will receive $5 cash a month in addition to board, lodging and clothes. Each girl will perform a certain amount of camp work. She will receive instruction in cooking and housework and put these to practical test. She will be taught handicraft, such as the making of hospital supplies, repairing toys, sewing, and the making of historical highway markers. Preference will be given to girls who promise to profit by the experience of camp life, and will be able to take back into their homes and communities the benefits of instruction given.
Girls having a flair for gardening and agriculture will be given special instruction in tree and plant nursery work. All will have instruction in English. Health, and hygiene, and disciplinary problems will be submitted to a "Student Council" selected by the girls themselves. Women will direct all activities in the camps. Girls will not be put in uniforms. Clothes will be made by the young women themselves as part of the instruction in dressmaking. Materials will be supplied through W.P.A. projects.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, December 23, 1936
C.C.C.ENROLLEES GIVEN LEAVE FOR XMAS HOLIDAYS
RECEIVE WEEK'S VACATION AND WILL BE ALLOWED OFF IN 2 GROUPS
An announcement was made Wednesday morning to the effect that all enrollees in the local Civilian Conservation Corps will be given one week's leave of absence in honor of the Christmas holidays.
According to Captain William F. Cox, commanding officer at the camp, the leaves are being granted in order that the boys will have an opportunity of spending the holidays with their parents and relatives, and they are being given time off in two separate groups.
Approximately one-half of the entire camp finished their pre-holiday work Tuesday night, but their leave was not effective until Wednesday morning. They will not be expected back in camp until midnight, December 27. The other group, who are not taking their vacations now, will be given a week off, beginning Tuesday night, December 29, and will be allowed to remain away until midnight, January 3.
