Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, January 6, 1937
Coming Here Next Monday
Titus County people will get their first glimpse of Gene Autry, famous cowboy picture star, when he appears at the Martin Theatre on next Monday, January, 11. Autry has many admirers here and a big crowd is expected to visit the city to see him.
Luncheon at CCC Camp Is Planned For Gene Autry
Cowboy Film Star to Be Honored for Visit Here
The official personnel of the CCC camp is planning a luncheon at the mess hall next Monday noon in honor of the visit to Mt. Pleasant of Gene Autry, famous cowboy film star, who makes a personal appearance at the Martin Theatre for four performances on that date.
The luncheon is being planned in co-operation with county and city officials and the Chamber of Commerce membership, and it is hoped that Autry and his company will give a short performance at the camp for the benefit of the CCC boys during the luncheon program.
Autry is very popular with a large following in this section, and it is expected that his visit to Mt. Pleasant will be an event of real importance, drawing hundreds of people to the city to witness his show, which is said to be one of the most unique on the road. Mt. Pleasant is the smallest city which he has yet visited, as he is in great demand in the larger cities, always drawing capacity houses where he shows.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, January 6, 1937
Eighth Corps CCC Wins Safety Flag For No Accidents
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 4.-Maintaining a consistent record of few enrollees injured on work projects, the Eighth Corps Area again for the month of October led the nation in percentage of the fewest enrollees injured on Civilian Conservation Corps projects, the CCC Head quarters here was informed from Washington, D.C., today.
The Eighth Corps Area had but 4.0 enrollees injured for each l,000 enrolled during the month of October. The Fourth Corps Area ranked second in percent of fewest enrollees injured on work projects with a percentage of 7.9 enrollees injured of each 1,000 enrolled.
Of material assistance in keeping the injury rate low in the 250 camps of the Eighth Corps Area is the system of safety pennants now being used in all of the 14 districts.
Each camp is provided with a blue pennant on which is inscribed in white "No Accidents." The flag is flown on the first day of each month and each day thereafter until an accident occurs. If the camp lists a work project accident, it is not entitled to fly the pennant again until the first of the following month.
District CCC commanders report keen competition among camps in an effort to fly the pennant throughout the month and thereby establish a better rating than some other camp in the district.
In an accident summary forwarded from Washington it is shown that the accident rate in all of the Corps Areas of the U.S. for a six months' period has been reduced from 12.5 enrollees injured per 1000, the rate set last May, 1936, to 8.8 for the entire Civilian Conservation Corps, the rate for October, 1936.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, January 22, 1937
C.C.C Camp Wins No Accident and Efficiency Flag
Designated as Model Camp of Tyler District
Captain William F. Cox, commanding officer at the local CCC Camp, announced Friday morning that his camp, for the second time, has been awarded the efficiency flag for being the model camp in the entire Tyler district an honor coveted by every camp in the district, and granted after rigid inspection of each at intervals of every three months. The flag, a blue banner with a white letter, was flown from the flag pole in the center of the grounds after it was first won, but has now been taken down and placed in the camp archives.
Captain Cox also announced that the local camp was also awarded the safety flag for having the least number of accidents of any camp in the district. This is also a blue banner, but bears the inscription "No Accidents," and is being flown in front of the camp headquarters. The officer reports that not a single accident, either on the project or in camp, has occurred to an enrollee for the past fifteen months. A three month safety period was all that was necessary to win the flag.
Recognizing the merits of the Mt. Pleasant camp Major John H. Hildring, commanding officer of the Tyler District CCC, and Captain Fred H. Murchison, sub-district commander, ordered the following seven officers from neighboring camps to Mt. Pleasant to review recent improvements here: Lt. John L. Swallow, Kaufman camp; Lt. Needham, Paris; Lt. Meyer, Wolfe City; Lt. Duran, Daingerfield; Lt. Harold O'Neal, Bogata; Dr. Ralph Jinks, Dr. Smith and Lt. Sanford, Winnsboro. These officers were accompanied by several clerks who came here to take notes and gain instruction from the local camp officials.
Captain Cox, Commanding Officer; Lt. I. Holden, second in command; Prof. Lewis A. Parr, Educational Staff Advisor, and H.D. Bone, project superintendent, further stated Friday that they were determined to win every honor for their camp that the Tyler district headquarters offers in the future.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, January 22, 1937
Educational Work At C.C.C. Camp Makes Progress
New Teachers and New Courses Added
Professor Lewis A. Parr, educational director at the Mt. Pleasant CCC camp, in a conversation with a reporter from the Daily Times Friday morning, stated that in the past several weeks many improvements have been made in the educational facilities in and for the camp. Recent additions of Mr. Gregory and Miss Franklin have been made to the teacher's staff, and courses in citizenship, trigonometry, algebra, agriculture and journalism have beep added to the school curricula. With these new additions, the camp now has regular classes in thirty-three courses of study.
Too, another room to the camp school building is being contemplated. This building was erected several months ago from logs that were given by J.M. Copeland. After they were cut on his farm enrollee labor was used to get them to a saw mill, where they were split, and back to the camp where the house was erected by the camp carpentry class, under the supervision of Hollis Combs, class instructor. The inside was finished with heart slabs taken from the logs when they were split. The total cost of the building to the United States Government was $8.75, which was used to purchase roof jacks and eight windows.
Included on the teaching staff are an educational adviser, an assistant adviser and eight teachers.
In order to prove the efficiency of the educational classes at the camp, Captain William F. Cox, commanding officer, has stated that many of the enrollees could not read or write when they were taken into service, and at the present time most of them are able to write letters home and are also able to read newspapers.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
February 1, 1937
Local CCC Boys Ready for Duty Evacuation Area
Have Instructions to Start on Instant Notice
Three members of the local CCC camp, all Titus County boys, have received telegraphic instructions from the Commanding General of the Eighth Corps Area to be ready on instant notice to proceed to the flood evacuation headquarters at Jackson, Miss., to assist in removing people from the section threatened by the expected Mississippi flood.
These men, Leonard Morris, John Cannaday and Lloyd Dunn, are also expert truck drivers, and have been selected for this duty because of their excellent records while connected with the camp.
Following the break in the Mississippi levee at Bessie, Tenn., Sunday, it is expected that there will be other disastrous levee breaks, as soon as the Ohio floods increase the flow of water in the big river, and the boys are likely to be called for duty at any time.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
March 1, 1937
C.C.C. Camp Gets Recognition For Educational Work
Area Chairman Gives Praise to Broadcast Feature in Service
A radio broadcasting system, installed at the local C. C. C. camp last fall by Captain William F. Cox, Commanding Officer, has won for the camp a high honor in the educational department.
The recognition came from Leo. C. Houghton, Corps Area Chairman of the Committee on the Use of Radio in the Development of the Educational Program, who wrote the camp here as follows: "The high point of the report on the use of radio in the educational program, as submitted by the Texas committee, is in my opinion, the mention of the central broadcasting system on the camp area, as developed and operated by Company 2886 (located in Mt. Pleasant)"
The system, as installed by Capt. Cox, includes a broadcasting unit in his private quarters, whereby he can furnish major programs to all sections of the camp area, and at the same time control a call system for enrollees and officers to any place inside the area. The system also makes it possible for enrollees to give their own programs and broadcast them to the various building on the grounds.
Lieut. Richard G. Carnahan of the Dental Reserve Corps spent the past week at the local camp, during which time he examined the teeth of 151 men, cataloging their needs for his next visit here. Approximately 40 men received treatment from Lt. Carnahan, who extracted a large number of diseased teeth, filled 50, and treated several cases of pyorrhea.
This is a new service for CCC enrollees, and is a very vital one from a health standpoint, and no organization is better equipped to look after its men than the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, March 3, 1937
CCC Officials to Have Important Meet on Friday
Local Camp Will Be Host to Number of District Officials
According to Captain W.F. Cox, commander of the local CCC camp, a district meeting of officers, educational directors and Army technical staff members will be held at the camp on Friday of this week, and an attendance of at least 35 is expected to be present for discussion of important matters concerning the operations.
The new commander of the Lufkin division, Major Marvin W. Marsh, and district Chaplain, Capt. William, P. Hardagree, also of Lufkin, inspected the camp Tuesday afternoon, and classified it as a most excellent organization.
A change has been made in the organization and the Tyler district headquarters has been abolished and Capt. Benjamin O. Murph has been assigned to Mt. Pleasant as headquarters, and will have supervision over a number of camps in this section of the State. The Mt. Pleasant camp is assuming new importance with every change in operations. Major Marsh and Capt. Hardagree were entertained with a dinner at the home of Captain Cox Tuesday evening.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, March 3, 1937
Gives Figures on Soil Erosion Work in Demonstration
Much Work Has Been Done on Project During Past Year
E.C. Johnson, manager of the local Soil Conservation demonstration, in a talk at the Rotary Club Tuesday gave some very interesting figures on the work that has been accomplished since the project was started: Mr. Johnson said that of the 26,000 acres in the Hart's Creek watershed, 15,540 acres are under agreement, with 167 out of the 241 farms signed. This is 62 percent of the entire, watershed.
In the area, 85.9 per cent of the land has moderate slope, with 14.1 excessive slope.
A detailed erosion survey is being made of the land, which is divided as follows: Pasture land, 28.5 per cent; forest, 16.5 per cent; cultivated land, 42.8 per cent, and idle land, 12.2 per cent.
The demonstration is under a five-year program, with one and a half year's work already completed.
The effects of scientific methods of controlling erosion of land and the best ways of utilizing it have already been shown to a large extent, on the demonstration, and the property owners who have been following instructions in full detail are more than pleased at the results they have received.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, March 5, 1937
Conservation of Soil New Course Taught CCC Boys
Will Be Addition to Regular Work Now Available to Camp
L.A. Parr, educational advisor of the local CCC camp, announces the addition of a new course of study available for the camp personnel, which should prove of great benefit to this entire section.
In connection with other studies after the men return from their daily field work, they will have an opportunity of studying soil and water conservation practices, such as are followed by the SCS demonstration work in this area, and especially in the Hart's Creek demonstration. The new course deals in a practical manner with every phase of the work that is being done in the field. Since the CCC camps have been made a part of the Soil Conservation Service, the training received through this course may enable some of the enrollees to secure permanent employment in the program which will no doubt become one of the most important of governmental agencies, as it is becoming generally recognized that there is a tremendous need for rebuilding the farm lands of the nation.
Homer Hays, junior agronomist of the local SCS office, has charge of the new course, and will give instructions to the enrollees.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday, March 6, 1937
Army Officers Visit CCC Camp Here on Friday
Meeting Held Under Direction of Capt. Benjamin O. Murph
Captain William F. Cox, Commanding officer of the local CCC camp, was host to a group of army officers who visited here Thursday night and all day Friday. Their visit was on the occasion of a sub-district meeting, during which time the camp was inspected, and discussions were held on school activities.
Inspection was held Thursday night by the following out-of-town officers: Capt. James Parker, Lufkin; Captain Chaney, Lt. Stevens and Lt. Howard, from other nearby camps.
Attending the meeting Friday were: Capt. Fred Murchison, Lt. Millott, and Educational Advisor E.E. Briscoe of Marshall; Lt. O'Neil and Educational Advisor B.J. Barlow of Bogata; Lt. John R. Sanford and Educational Advisor J.E. Morris of Winnsboro; Captain John Stricker and Educational Adviser James R. Wilson of Daingerfield.
Louis A. Parr, Educational Advisor of the local camp, also had an important part in the meeting.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, March 9, 1937
CCC Truck and Chevrolet Coach Collide Tuesday
Occupants Lucky in Escaping Without Serious Injuries.
One of the most unusual collisions that has happened here in recent months occurred at about 9:45 o'clock Tuesday morning, at the intersection of North Jefferson Avenue and West Twelfth Street. Figuring in the wreck were a CCC transport truck and a Chevrolet coach.
According to witnesses, me smash-up occurred as the truck, driven by Carl Pruitt, a CCC enrollee, was making the turn into West Twelfth Street. What made it unusual was the fact that no one was seriously injured, although the two machines came together head-on with such an impact that the car was forced underneath the truck.
Riding in the transport with Pruitt was Raymond Tidwell, another CCC enrollee, and occupying the Chevrolet were the driver, M.J. Woodson, and another man named Chesney, who was the only one hurt, but whose injuries were slight.
As the two machines came to a standstill after the wreck, the Chevrolet was against the corner curb, and the truck, with its front axle resting on the radiator of the lighter car, was astride a fire plug in the edge of Dr. T.S. Grissoms front yard in such a way that the rear wheels were also off the ground. Almost an hour was necessary for a wrecker to untangle them.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, March 19, 1937
CCC Basketball Team to Play for District Honors
Will Go to Lufkin Saturday to Meet South End Winner
The basketball team of the local CCC camp will go to Lufkin next Saturday to play with the winner of the south end of the district for the championship of the entire Lufkin district.
On last Saturday, the local team participated in a tournament at Marshall between teams of the north end of the district, and eliminated all of the teams except Jacksonville. On Monday afternoon, in a game played here, the Mt. Pleasant boys defeated Jacksonville by a score of 34 to 16, giving them the right to represent the north division.
The winner of the south end is not known, but it is said that the game on next Saturday is expected to be hotly contested.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, March 19, 1937
CCC Enrollment To Begin April 1 For New Members
Old Enrollees Will Be Eligible to Again Make Application
Applications for the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) enrollment, to be conducted beginning the first of April and continuing through the twentieth, are now being taken thru the local Texas Relief Commission office, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week.
Those eligible for enrollment are boys from the age of seventeen to and inclusive of, twenty-eight years, whose families are now employed on WPA or are receiving aid from Resettlement; Government Crops and Feed Loan; County Welfare Association. Included in the eligible classification, this enrollment, are families eligible to receive public assistance but, for some reason, receiving no aid at present.
Of interest to former CCC enrollees is this quotation from a letter from Neal E. Guy, State Supervisor of CCC Enrollment: "For the April enrollment a former member of the CCC may be reselected for enrollment without regard to length of previous service provided he was honorably discharged at the termination of his last term of service and provided further that he meets all other eligibility requirements and has been separated from the CCC for at least one full year prior to the date he is accepted by the Army for enrollment. This applies to both junior selectees and others who are selected as cooks. There is no requirement regulating the length of previous service. All former members are required to present their last previous honorable discharge to the enrolling officer when presenting themselves for examination and enrollment."
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, March 31, 1937
Local CCC Camp to Hold Celebration On Fourth Anniversary Next Sunday
Public Is Invited to Inspect Camp Listen to Program
The local CCC camp will observe the fourth anniversary, of the founding of the Civilian Conservation Corps with a big celebration next Sunday afternoon.
During the afternoon, open house will be held until 5:30, and the public is invited to call and inspect the camp and personally conducted tours will be arranged for the visitors. The leaders and assistant leaders will receive the: visitors, who will be asked to register their names and then they will be conducted around and shown how the camp is operated.
A number of entertainment features have been arranged for the occasion, including a concert by the High School Band, under the direction of Paul Cohn. A local colored orchestra will also furnish music during the afternoon, and volley ball and soft ball games will be staged by the camp personnel. There will also be singing at the recreation hall.
Captain W.F. Cox, commander of the camp, will entertain a number of local people who have been interested in the organization, with a special dinner at noon and will personally conduct them over the grounds following the dinner
The public in general is invited by Capt. Cox to attend and take; part in the celebration and to get better information regarding the operations of his organization; see the living quarters; mess hall recreational facility, and other details of the camp in which a large number of Titus County boys are quartered.
The celebration will begin with a dance on Saturday night for the men of the camp and their invited guests. A colored orchestra has been engaged to furnish the music.
Included in the special guests of Captain Cox are the following: Judge T.C. Hutchings, Judge C.T. Neugent, Mr. and Mrs. Claude McDonald, Mayor Earl M. Lide, Sheriff Grover Ard, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. McDonald, Rotary President Dr. W.A. Taylor, Manager SCS office E.C. Johnson, Geo. Lilienstern, G.W. Cross, R.F. Lindsay, A.J. Copellar, Rev. Terry Wilson, Rev. Geo. C. Moore; Rev. W.S. Wiley and Rev. L.E. Lamb. In a short program Judge Neugent, Claude McDonald, Mayor Lide and E.C. Johnson will make short talks concerning the CCC work.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Monday, April 5, 1937
Camp Celebrates 4th Anniversary of CCC Founding
Open House Sunday Attracts Number of Local Visitors
The local CCC camp celebrated the fourth anniversary of the founding of the Civilian Conservation Corps Sunday afternoon with open house, which attracted a large number of visitors throughout the day.
At noon, Captain W. F. Cox, camp commander, tendered dinner to about thirty-five specially invited guests in the mess hall, which was also attended by a large portion of the camp personnel.
Following an invocation by Rev. Terry Wilson, a well prepared menu, consisting of steak, potatoes, beans, corn, pickles, ice cream, cake, iced tea and coffee was served by the regular attendants in a most efficient way.
After the dinner, Captain Cox acted as toastmaster for a program in honor of the occasion. Captain Cox first told of some of the accomplishments of the huge organization, which now comprises about 350,000 men. He also outlined the duties of the local force for the benefit of the visitors.
E.C. Johnson, manager of the Hart's Creek soil conservation project, spoke on the cooperative efforts of the Conservation Service and CCC organizations throughout the country on demonstrations, which have been arranged, "to teach land owners how to conserve their soil. The Civilian Conservations Corps is no longer looked upon as an emergency organization, but because of the valuable work it has done in connection with the soil conservation service, parks, forestry and Army activities, is now regarded as one of the biggest assets of the Nation. The training the enlistees receive fits them for work in private industry and in farming through the experience they have gained. Mr. Johnson then recited some of the activities of the organizations here and in this section of the State.
County Judge C.T. Neugent expressed appreciation of the work that has been done in Titus County through the efforts of these two organizations, and that it is hard to estimate the value of this work. The people of the entire county owe a debt of gratitude to those who were far-sighted enough to secure these two branches of governmental activities in Titus County, said Mr. Neugent.
Claude McDonald, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said that the government has been fully reimbursed for all the expense incurred through the SCS and CCC organizations because of the wonderful, work that has been already completed, that the personnel of both organizations constantly striving for the best results, and they are among the greatest movements ever inaugurated in this country. He complimented Captain Cox on having an outstanding camp in Mt. Pleasant, and that everybody appreciates its location here.
Geo. Lilienstern was introduced as the owner of the land on which the camp is located, and announced that it is available for this use as long as wanted without cost to the government.
H.L. Hess said that no one appreciates the work being done more than he, as he is receiving much benefit from it on his big farm near Old Union, and other farms are also receiving wonderful results.
C.H. McDonald spoke briefly on Mt. Pleasant's possibilities, and the benefits received through the location of the CCC and SCS work here.
Captain Cox presented Lieutenant Holden and Prof. L.A. Parr of his staff to the visitors and complimented their efforts of looking after the health and education of the camp enlistees. A colored orchestra furnished music during the dinner.
Following the program, Captain Cox personally conducted a tour of the camp to explain to the guests how the camp is operated. A number of visitors called at the camp during the afternoon for an inspection of the premises.
The high school band rendered a musical program, beginning about 2:15, which was highly enjoyed by a large crowd.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Monday, April 5, 1937
FDR Recommends CCC Be Made Into Permanent Thing
WASHINGTON, April 5 (INS)~ In a special message to Congress, President Roosevelt today recommended that the Civilian Conservation Corps be made a permanent part of the federal setup with a maximum enrollment of 300,000, youth.
The President's recommendation came on the 4th birthday of the CCC, which was created April 5, 1933 by executive order.
In setting the maximum enrollment of 300,000 Mr. Roosevelt was resisting demands made by various sections of the country that the forest army be maintained at a personnel of 350,000 to 400,000.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
April 14, 1937
141 CCC Boys Leave Tonight for Western Service
Contingent to Go to Parts New Mexico and Western Texas
Plans have all been completed for a contingent of 141 new enrollees of the Civilian Conservation Corps to be shipped from Mt. Pleasant at five-thirty o'clock this afternoon for several destinations in the western part of the country. This contingent is the second in about a week that has gone from here and is made up of boys from Titus, Camp, Franklin, Morris, and Bowie Counties. The other group that has already gone included 67 to Colton, California.
The destinations of the shipment today are as follows: 40 to Silver City, New Mexico; 25 to El Paso; and 76 to Bowie, Texas. They will make the trip by train.
According to Captain William F. Cox, commanding officer at the local CCC camp, 16 more boys are also scheduled to leave Mt. Pleasant next Friday for western destinations.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Monday, April 20, 1937
Twenty Recruits Of CCC Work Sent To Colorado Camp
Are Taken in Trucks to Mineola Tuesday to Be Put on Train
Twenty Civilian Conservation Corps recruits were conveyed from the local camp Tuesday morning to Mineola, where they were placed on a train to be carried to Grand Junction, Colo., for service in a camp near there. This contingent was in charge of assistant leader Holey Tuck, who accompanied the boys to Colorado, and will return here later in the week.
There has been a large number of new recruits to the CCC service in this section lately, most of whom have been assigned to duty elsewhere, while the regular men are retained in the Mt. Pleasant camp, as they are familiar with the work which is being done here.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, April 21, 1937
CCC Boys Will, Clean Cemeteries For Association
Detail Will Start on Work Early Part of Coming Week
At the meeting of the Mt Pleasant Cemetery Association held in the Council room at the City Hall at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, an announcement was made to the effect that a detail of enrollees from the local C.C.C. camp would be dispatched during the early part of next week to clean off both, the Colonial Hill and Masonic cemeteries. The detail was granted by arrangement with Captain William F. Cox, Commanding Officer of the camp.
This is the first step in a better cemetery movement started by the association, and is one that will probably mean the most of anything that could be done at this time. Since the C.C.C. makes no charge for the work, their agreement to help out in this manner merits the gratitude of every person in Mt. Pleasant, and is an indication of the great value of the Corps.
It was further announced at the meeting Wednesday that the business section of town will be divided into four sections, and a committee of two women will be appointed to each section to solicit donations for the work that will have to be done after the original clean-up has been completed. Also each civic and charity organization in Mt. Pleasant will be asked for a donation.
A motion was carried that the association ask for bids on the regular care of the cemetery, with the provision that whoever submits the successful bid must contract for the work only on a monthly or yearly basis and employ his own help. Following this motion the club was adjourned.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, April 28, 1937
Cemeteries Will Be Cleared Off on Friday, April 30
Large Contingent Of C.C.C. Enrollees to Do All The Work
Captain William F. Cox, Commanding Officer at the local CCC camp announced Tuesday night that he would order a contingent of between 110 and 120 of the enrolled at his camp to the Masonic cemetery Friday afternoon, at 2:45 o'clock for the purpose of cleaning the cemetery of weeds and unnecessary rubbish.
His actions are the result of the request by the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association for the camp's cooperation in a movement for better appearing curving places in the town. He also stated that as soon as the boys have finished at the Masonic cemetery the contingent will be moved to the old cemetery on Colonial Hill to clean up that plot, also.
In making his announcement Tuesday night Captain Cox requested this newspaper to urge that every person in Mt. Pleasant who has relatives buried in either of the two cemeteries, regardless how distant the relationship may be, to be on hand when the work has started in order to aid in any way that the Captain may see fit. This is being done for two purposes; first, that the lot owners can have an opportunity of protesting certain flowers that may be at and grave decorations that might, through circumstance, be removed; and secondly, that they can bring with them hoes and rakes to be used by the boys. According to Captain Cox, there are only a very limited number of garden tools at the camp and unless more are brought to the cemeteries by the interested parties the work will naturally be tampered.
It is thought that it will require only a day or two for the large group of enrollees to complete the work.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, May 2, 1937
One Cemetery Is Much Improved By CCC Workers
High Weeds, Grass Are Removed From Masonic Cemetery
The Masonic Cemetery was greatly improved Friday afternoon when Captain W.F. Cox supervised the operations of over a hundred CCC enrollees in cutting the high grass and weeds from the roadways and lots.
The boys did a fine job, although there; were not enough implements available for them to properly do their work. They were also handicapped as owners of the lots had no representatives present to instruct them in what kind of work they wanted.
There were only a few members of the Cemetery Association present to direct the work and there was little cooperation extended to Captain Cox, who volunteered the services of the camp enrollees.
Work on the Colonial Hill Cemetery is scheduled to take place on next Friday afternoon, but if weather conditions prevent the CCC men from going to the field, they will conduct the work before that time.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, May 2, 1937
House Limits CCC Appropriations To Only 2 Years
WASHINGTON, May 12, (INS) - Rejecting President Roosevelt's proposal to make the Civilian Conservation Corps permanent the House today passed the Connery bill with a provision touting use of the CCC to 2 years.
As approved, the measure provides for an enrollment of 300,000 - a reduction of about 50,000 - as part of the program to save $50,000,000 a year.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Sunday, May 16, 1937
Both Cemeteries Have Now Stood Rigid Cleaning
Capt. Cox Takes Boys to Colonial Hill Plot on Friday
Both of the cemeteries in Mt. Pleasant are now in a better condition than they have ever been before as the result of the actions of Captain William F. Cox, who Friday afternoon took a contingent of approximately hundred and twenty men to the Colonial Hill cemetery on West First Street, and directed them in cleaning off the grounds and graves. Two weeks ago Captain Cox took the same group of CCC enrollees to the Masonic cemetery and cleaned off that place.
In his appeal for help in the work, Captain Cox met with considerably more success in getting interested parties to cooperate with him on the clean-up program at the Colonial Hill cemetery than he did at the Masonic cemetery. Friday afternoon there was a crowd of approximately twenty or twenty-five persons who turned out to assist him, and many more who could not go to the burial plot sent hoes and rakes to be used by the enrollees. Two weeks ago, when Captain Cox made the announcement that he and his boys would work at the Masonic cemetery and asked for cooperation on the part of lot owners and other interested, persons, he secured very little help.
The City of Mt. Pleasant should be deeply grateful to Captain Cox, the enrollees, and the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association for the great civic act that they have accomplished by the work they have, done. Our cemeteries have long been an eye-sore to the community, but now are in position to develop into beauty spots, instead, provided the Cemetery Association can get further cooperation on the part of the citizenship in the way of donations to a fund that will be spent on the salary of a caretaker.
[Note: Colonial Hill Cemetery is now known as Edwards Cemetery]
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
June 23, 1937
Swimming And Life Saving Course Offered By CCC
FORT SAM HOUSTON (INS) - More than 160 commissioned officers and 4,000 enrollees of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Eighth Corps area will be expert swimmers and life savers before the summer ends. They are taking special courses to qualify them in that line.
Already members of the Oklahoma and East Texas Citizens Conservation Camp districts are enrolled at an aquatic school at Lake Lucerne, Eureka Springs.
One of the schools will be held July 1-20 at Balmorhea, Texas, 30 miles south of Pecos in Balmorhea State Park where CCC camp 1856 is located. It will be attended by members of the CCC districts of Fort Bliss, Albuquerque, Silver City, New Mexico, North Texas and South Texas districts.
Reserve officers have been assigned to attend the National Red Cross aquatic schools and when they return to their districts they begin intensive training of men under them.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, June 29, 1937
C.C.C. CAMPS
The Civilian Conservation Corps has been extended to three years after July 1, 1937. The law provides that at least ten hours each week may be devoted to general educational and vocational training; this is very helpful as there is a shortage of skilled workers in the nation today.
Projects may be undertaken on lands belonging to or under the jurisdiction or control of counties and municipalities, and on lands in private ownership, but only for the purpose of doing thereon such kinds of cooperative work as are or may be provided for by acts of Congress, including the prevention and control of forest fires, forest tree pests and diseases, soil erosions and floods. It is provided, however, that on projects undertaken on lands not owned or controlled by the United States adequate provisions must first be made by the cooperating agencies for the maintenance, operation and utilization of such projects after completion.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
July 26, 1937
Personnel Changes Have Been Made for the Local CCC Camp
Captain Cox's Term Of Service Has Expired
Major Marvin W. Marsh, district commander of CCC units, was here from Lufkin Monday, installing new personnel to head the local CCC camp.
Major Marsh announced that Captain W.F. Cox, who has been commanding officer at the camp here for the past year or more, will complete his assignment on CCC duty the latter part of August, and as he has been granted a leave of absence, beginning Sunday and to extend to the 25th of August, another camp commander was appointed. The new commander will be Second Lieutenant Samuel T. Cooper, who comes from the Apple Springs camp. Dr. Williamson succeeds Dr. Holden as head of the medical department; and Sam Casey of Woodville will succeed L.A. Parr as educational adviser.
Captain Cox will in all probability be transferred back to ROTC duty, either in Marshall or Kilgore, unless the Commanding General of the Eighth Corps area acts on the petition which is now being circulated in Mt. Pleasant, asking that Captain Cox be retained for the local CCC unit. Already, there have been many names subscribed to this petition, as Captain Cox has promoted a number of projects for the benefit of Titus County during his stay here as head of the camp. A large number of citizens would like for him to be returned here so that he can continue with the ROTC unit which he organized for the local high school.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
August 30, 1937
New Enrollments Of C.C.C. Boys To Be Called For Here
About Seventy-Five Are Expected In This County
A call for approximately 11,000 whites and 1,200 colored boys to be enrolled into the Civilian Conservation Corps during October has been issued by Adam R. Johnson, director of the Texas Relief Commission, to the various County Welfare Boards.
This number far exceeds any former enrollment and will give almost all boys in the State an opportunity to enroll if they are unemployed, 17 to 23 years of age, in need, and whose parents or themselves, due to financial, limitations; are not in a position to secure or provide comparable training. Full strength of the Texas quota is 16,000 whites and 1,700 colored, and due to discharge of enrollees reaching the age of 24 or have completed the maximum enrollment of two years, replacements will be necessary.
Heretofore, rules did not allow boys from other than groups receiving or eligible to receive public assistance be accepted, but these have now been modified. Such boys who have no dependents may allow two-thirds of their pay to remain on deposit and upon discharge, or completion of their enrollment, receive the full accrued amount where there are dependents, an allotment will be made each month direct.
Over $500,000.00 each month is brought to Texas through these allotment checks to dependents, which materially relieves the burden that would otherwise be carried by the communities.
Mrs. Jessie Johnson of the local relief office, who will be in charge of enrollments here, stated that about 75 boys could be selected from Titus County.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
September 3, 1937
CCC Camp Will Lose 90 Enrollees After First Day October
To Build Personnel Back With New Recruits
On October first, ninety members of the personnel of the local CCC Camp will be discharged, according to Lt. S.T. Cooper, commander of the camp.
The discharges will be in conformity to a new law, recently passed by Congress, limiting the time of service in the Civilian Conservation Corps to two years, and that no one over 23 years of age is elegible for service. Ninety of the present personnel will be excluded by this law after October first.
The quota of men necessary for the operation of the camp will be recruited to full strength, however, by the addition of new enrollees and the complement here will be 147 men, according to Lt. Cooper.
Owing to new arrangements made by the Soil Conservation Service, whereby working agreements are being made for conservation work outside of the Hart's Creek watershed, there will be employment for the CCC boys for possibly another two years.
On Thursday evening, Mayor McDonald and Secretary Snider of the Chamber of Commerce were dinner guests at the camp and were called on by Lt. Cooper to address the men.
Mr. McDonald spoke on benefits Mt. Pleasant has received because the CCC camp was located here; that the men have conducted themselves in public like gentlemen, and for this reason the citizens of the city will regret to see them leave, although their places will be filled with other youths of the same excellent character and demeanor.
Mr. Snider advised all who are retiring from CCC activities to file their names with the National Reemployment Service office and to secure Social Security numbers. With their past experience, the CCC boys will be enabled to make better employees than if they had not received this training, according to Mr. Snider, and are better prepared for the future.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, September 8, 1937
Requirements For C.C.C. Enrollment Are Announced
475 May Be Picked From Marshall District
governing eligibility for selection, into the Civilian Conservation Corps have been received from the Department of Labor by Adam R. Johnson, director, Texas Relief Commission.
"A youth may now be selected who has an honorable discharge and has been out only six months," stated Mr. Johnson, "providing other rules are complied with, of course, and will not have to remain out a year as heretofore. This will give hundreds of boys an opportunity to enroll in October who otherwise would not be eligible until January."
The quota for October of boys who may be selected from the Marshall District has been set at 475.
The educational and recreational programs for the coming months far exceed those in the past. Everything from the Three R's to the higher courses will be taught, as well as many vocational subjects. Shops are available in each camp for wood working, and practical experience may be gained in masonry and bridge work, fence and bridge construction, truck and tractor operation and maintenance, landscaping and soil conservation, are only a few of the worthwhile subjects.
The educational program is not mandatory, but is available to all who wish to take advantage of the facilities and opportunities to better equip themselves for private employment.
All boys must be registered with NRS office before application can be considered. They must also furnish identification numbers.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, September 24, 1937
Mt. Pleasant People Attend Banquet At Daingerfield Park
Honors Discharged Enrollees CCC Camp
Delbert Snider, Traylor Russell, T. C. Walker, County Attorney Morris Rolston and G. W. Cross attended a dinner given at the CCC camp in the State Park, a mile and a half east of Daingerfield Thursday night.
The dinner was promoted by the Daingerfield Chamber of Commerce in honor of the 25 camp enrollees who will be discharged because of age and service limits on September 30. An elaborate menu was served to about a hundred enrollees and visitors.
Following the banquet, which was served in the mess hall, Educational Advisor Wilson presided at an informal program, which included short talks by members of the Camp personnel, prominent Daingerfield men and guests. During this program, the qualifications of the men who have received CCC training were stressed, and it was urged by all that the various communities represented make every effort to secure employment for these men following their discharge.
It was pointed out that more visitors have been to the Daingerfield park than any similar project in this section, and it held third place in the State, ranking first for work done.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
October 4, 1937
Quarterly Quota of C.C.C. Enrollees Is Due For Next Week
Numbers Have Filed Applications For Admission
The quarterly quota order for new enrollees in the Civilian Conservation Service is expected by the local Texas Relief Office between October 8 and 15 when orders will be issued to place new youths that have filed applications with the local office. At present there are approximately 50 applications waiting for white enrollees and only five for colored. The latter group will likely be placed Friday of this week.
There is a big reduction in C.C.C. applications compared with a year ago. Hundreds of Titus County youths between 18 and 28 have entered various camps throughout the country since the Civilian Conservation camps were opened in 1933, and have emerged with brighter hopes for the future, in addition to gaining strength and health. The age limit since has been reduced to a range from 18 to 23.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
October 10, 1937
CCC Enrollees Are Transported From Local Camp Friday
Contingent of Bogata Negroes Leave Saturday
Twenty-five CCC enrollees from the local camp were transferred to another camp at Memphis, Texas, leaving Mt. Pleasant Friday evening at 6 o'clock by Cotton Belt train. Most of the enrollees were older men, and were evidently World War veterans.
On Saturday morning, ten colored enrollees from the Bogata camp left on the Cotton Belt train for Tyler, where they will board a Missouri Pacific train for Huntsville to be employed at another camp.
The local camp has recruited quite a number of enrollees from this section lately, and even with the transfers has a full complement of men.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
October 12, 1937
Twenty Enrollees Added CCC Camps In This Territory
Also Features a Big Dinner On The Grounds
Mrs. Jessie Johnson, County Welfare Worker, sent twenty new enrollees and four alternates to the Army Enrollment Supervisor here Tuesday morning from the Texas Relief Commission office at 315 Van Buren Avenue. The youths will be placed in Civilian Conservation Camps here and at Daingerfield for a period of six months.
During this month it is expected at least sixty-five white enrollees will be placed in Conservation Service at $30 per month. Several negro enrollees were enrolled last week where they were sent to the Bogata Camp. Other applicants will be selected from both classes Tuesday of next week. Regular enrollees selected Tuesday to pass the physical examination are as follows: Armstrong, Lonnie Ray; Baker, Theodora James; Gann, James Robert; Gray, J. C.; Gresham, Paul Jerome; Huckeba, James Edwin; Jones, Chester Roy; Martin, Raymond; Morgan, Bernice Alvin; Martin, Clifford Thomas; Newman, Willie Dee; Page, Joe Loyd; Parr, Alton; Pate, Bobbie Lee; Sparks, Ellis; McNeil, Raymond; Clay ton, Mack Sellers; Banks, O. H.; Alternates: Alexander, Edgar; Denny, Clifton Ordic; Huff, Corbit; Thompson, Richard Leon.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, November 2, 1937
CCC Quota For Year Was Completed For County On Tuesday
Enlistments Cover Forty-One Local Young Men
Forty-one Titus County boys, between the ages of 18 and 21, were taken into the Civilian Conservation Service, and enrolled in CCC camps here and at the Daingerfield camp during the past thirty days. Mrs. Jessie Johnson, county welfare worker, stated Tuesday the quota for this year has been filled and no new enrollees will be accepted until March 1, 1938. However applications will be taken as usual on Tuesdays and Fridays of each week, as heretofore.
It is probable orders may be issued at intervals for Titus County youths, along with others, to be transferred to other camps where different types of forestry, reclamation and other phases of this program is being done by American youths through the federal appropriation.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, November 5, 1937
25 CCC Enrollees Submit to Tests Of Blood Transfusion
Three Suitable For Efforts To Save Lady's Life
Tay1or hospital attendants Thursday appealed to enrollees of the Civilian Conservation Service for blood tests in the event another blood transfusion becomes necessary for Mrs. Cliff Davis, a patient suffering from an infection. Mrs. Davis was given a transfusion early this week and another may not be needed as she appears some better. Thirty-five boys received tests.
More than forty persons were tested since Mrs. Davis became critically ill, but out of this number only three have the type of blood that is needed.
Mrs. Davis is the wife of employee of the Byrd-Frost Company.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, November 9, 1937
CCC Enrollee Hurt In Affray At Road House East of Town
Owner Claims Was Using Abusive Language
Bennie Cabell, Civilian Service enrollee, is in the CCC infirmary with severe wounds about the head, which he received early Monday night as the result of an affray at the Jim Crabtree road house, east of the city limits on the Texarkana highway.
Charges of aggravated assault will be filed against Jim Crabtree, owner of the place, in County Court, following an investigation of the affair, conducted Tuesday morning.
Deputy Sheriff Sam Smith and Pete Delaney of the liquor control board went to the scene in response to a call. They reported Cabell was at the place in company with three other CCC enrollees.
The assailant is alleged to have contended the youth was using vile language, which prompted him to strike him with the butt of his revolver.
Cabell's condition is not reported as being dangerous, despite the fact he has a long gash on the top of his forehead that was opened to the skull in addition to other bruises about the head.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Sunday, November 21, 1937
New Enrollment Of Conservation Boys Effective January
Applications Are Now Being Taken
Adam R. Johnson, Director of Texas Relief Commission, advises that he has been assured of another substantial CCC enrollment of boys from needy families in January.
To the many opportunities offered the boys enrolled in the nationwide CCC program, each has the advantage of living a clean, healthy out-of-door life in a well equipped camp for a home. Plenty of good food, warm clothing, work under trained supervision, and a variety of educational and recreational activities, football, baseball, music magazines, et cetera.
To young men ambitious to get ahead, the CCC is a school of experience toward their goal. To be eligible a young man must be:
A citizen of the United States
Unemployed and in need of employment.
Between 17 and 23 years of age (until 24th birthday)
Unmarried.
Not in school.
Physically and mentally fit and able to do vigorous work.
Applications for the January enrollment are now being accepted by Mrs. Jessie Johnson, Welfare Worker, relief office, 311 Van Buren Avenue, Mt. Pleasant. Those interested in enrolling should make application promptly.
