"Listen to the Echoes"
by Richard James Findley Jr.
Tatum, founded by Albert Tatum, pioneer settler, had by the turn of the century, grown into a small but prosperous village. Like many of its sort, it had its turbulent periods to mar its march to the progressive town of the present date. Whiskey was voted out in 1907, never to return legally.
In the year 1901, Mark Wyatt, Constable, was killed in a saloon on Main Street, the only eye-witness being a venerable ex-slave, Lum Barker, who was employed as porter in the place where the tragedy occurred. In due course of time Barker appeared before a Grand Jury in session in Henderson for questioning in the affair, but to no avail. He answering all interrogations with a terse, "Tatum Don't Talk" which for years became the watchword of the citizens of that town.
CHAPTER V
TATUM DON'T TALK
The first building in Tatum was the original Tatum home, which was built of logs by slave labor of
Albert Tatum, and stood behind and south of the present structure which was built about 1854. This was a
two-story affair. The present building was considered a mansion for many years, where the hospitality of the
family drew notable visitors from all parts of the state, including in the long list were Senators, Governors and
other high-ranking dignitaries.
Tatum had one store before the railroad came. This was located on the Henderson-Grand Bluff road
which ran in front of the Tatum house, on a spot between the home of the late R. E. "Dock" Young, and the
present Methodist church. Other industries were a sawmill and gristmill owned and operated by the Tatum’s.
Albert Tatum, by his first marriage, had one son, "Coon" Tatum. By his second marriage there was
Wesley, who was a schoolteacher. Paul, affectionately known as "Uncle Fox", James, who was considered
the best doctor of his day, and was succeeded by Dr. King, the first doctor in that vicinity. Dr. A. G. Shaw also
practiced medicine in the community and on his death about the turn of the century, was succeeded by Dr. A. 0.
Menefee, who practiced in the community for more than sixty years, passing away at a ripe old age about 1945.
"Fox" Tatum, besides operating the first store in Tatum, was its first Postmaster. He was a man of
great energy, with a profound love for his community. He was a favorite with all the children.- It was he who
surveyed the town site and named the streets. From the railroad tracks to the west, he gave the names of Jefferson,
Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Hill, Hood, Forrest and Winona. From the north to the south, were Sterling Price,
Beauregard, Johnson, Davis, Whitney, Jackson and Stevens, He also donated the right-of-way through the
Town site for the railroad, stipulating that there be an Agent there always. But more of this man later.
The Tatum’s, as a rule, were short lived.- Albert, the father, was born in 1810 and died in 1870.
Wesley, 1842-1878, William C. 1838 - 1862, Paul "Fox", 1845-1914 and James, 1849-1908. They all with the
exception of Paul, lie in a row under concrete boxes. His marker being a simple shaft.
With the coming of the railroad in 1887, W. T. "Buck" Hemby, was the first Agent.- He was also the second Postmaster and when the bank
was built in 1907, he was selected as the first cashier, holding that position until his death in 1908.- Mr. Hemby was succeeded by Murry De Guerin, a native of Overton, but at the time of his selection for the bank position, he operated a wholesale business in West Texas.
Dr. A. 0. Menefee was the bank's president and the community well for many years. This building was located on the corner of Jefferson and Whitney Streets.
The Texas Sabine Valley & Northwestern Railroad had its beginning in Longview in the early 80's, and was built by the Bonner family of Longview. It extended at first to Tallys, coming to Camden in 1885, and finally to a point about a mile north of Tatum, known as Bradshaw, and had its terminus on land now owned by a Negro, Spy Newhouse. This was in the year 1887, at which time the contract called for the railroad to penetrate Panola County on a specified date. To fulfill said contract, trees were felled on land and later to be the plantation of W. T. Hemby. These trees were feverishly spiked to rails and the road extended to a point just inside Panola County at White Oak Springs. The next terminus was Mineral Springs, about three miles south of Tatum.- This extension was made to serve a large sawmill operated by the Noble family. From Mineral Springs, it finally was built to Center and Grigsby, the first named place being a connection with the Santa Fe, which had gradually been built Beaumont, using log roads, which had been constructed by the late John Henry Kirby who was the lumber baron of his day. It has been said that Kirby named the stations along the line after daughters and relatives. Evadale, Bessmay and Buna being some of them. Parts of the road from Longview to Center, in the course of its construction had various names such as the "Calico Route", "The Sabine River Lumber & - Logging Co". The best known, perhaps, was "The High Dry & Windy" Agents beside Hemby, were Ellison and John Kirkley, Ben Knight, Askew, Price Ramsey, Price Rogers, Eugene Fields, Bistline and Yarborough, to name a few.
This road was served by several conductors, among which were John Alexander, Mt. Root and S. H.
Swanner. Swanner was by far the most colorful of the lot. Coming to Longview after service with the Missouri-
Kansas & Texas, and the Cotton Belt on the line from Illmo Illinois to Texarkana. He worked for some time as
general yardmaster for the Texas & Pacific in Longview, coming to the Santa Fe, which was then known as "The
Texas & Gulf", in 1907. Swanner retired in 1933, and spent the remaining years of his life in Florida. His son,
John, was a clerk in the general yardmaster's office with over fifty years of service to his credit. Whiskey was
voted out of Tatum in 1907, never to be legalized again.
Tatum was visited by a tornado in 1912, which took considerable toll in property loss, but fortunately no lives
were lost. Some homes and several business houses were totally destroyed. The grove of stately trees surrounding
the present Methodist church were felled. The storm came on a Sunday afternoon at about 2 P. M., roaring out of
the southwest, and was gone almost as soon as it appeared, leaving destruction and desolation in its wake.
The north side of Whitney and the west side of Jefferson streets were destroyed by fire in 1914, following was another disastrous fire a few years later which cleaned out the south side of Jefferson St.
Early preachers were Winbur Knox, Presbyterian, of Harmony Hill, who sometimes preached in the Tatum home. George Langly, Methodist, John Kirkley also a Methodist, and John Jones, Baptist.
Later, men who served as ministers were, Mr. Harbin, T. M. Kinsey, E. C. Grasty, Mr. Fears and Egbert Jimmerson. The Methodist church was originally a community church but later used by the Methodist exclusively. The Christian Church once stood about two blocks south of the school building , was moved its present location on the corner of Whitney and Stonewall Streets, on land donated by the Holtzclaws. Members who served long and well in this church were the late Linson Vinson, Mr. Dwinney, Mrs. Holtzclaw, and Mrs. A. 0. Menefee, Mrs. Josh Pruitt, Reynolds, Mrs. Allie Helveston, Miss Janie Watt, Mr. & Mrs. Billy Watt and many others.
Mr. W. A. Allen, who in earlier days was a doctor, built the first telephone exchange. Mr. Allen was also
a large operator of saw mills and cotton gins.
The school system in Tatum had its beginning at an early date. The first one being a one-room unceiled frame building, which stood about one mile north of the present town, near the railroad, on land owned by Mrs. M. E. Helveston. The first teacher bias John Kinard. Mrs. Helveston was the second teacher. Early pupils included the Kirkleys, Suggs, Tatum’s, Owens, Allison’s, Cannons and Kuykendall children. The Kelly children also attended this school, walking from Camden, while the Allison’s walked from Harris Chapel, both were several miles distance. After a few years the school was removed to a spot one hundred feet, on land given by "Fox" Tatum.- This was a two-room building and Angus Pinkston was the first teacher. Pinkston was followed by Miss Martha Woolworth.- In 1894, Will Cyphers of Marshall, and one time County Superintendent of Harrison county schools, was the next teacher.- Sam Forsythe then followed. Others who served in that capacity were John Root, Mr. Alexander, W. K. Menefee, Mr. Beason, J. W. Mullins, J. R. Moore, and a Mr. Lawrence, John J. Youngblood, R. T. McCarter and others.
In 1904, Mr. Alexander's assistant was Mrs. Lela McMurray and Miss Effie Daniels (now Mrs. Allie
Helveston) was substitute teacher. This school became more modern, teaching the first through the tenth grades.
Pupils of this school were Sam and Snobie Turlington, Phala Harris, Bascom and Everette Warson, Acie Dixon,
Charles Jackson, Fred Helveston, Alvie and Chester Russ, Eli Turlington, John, Henry, Ellison, Bertha, Annie
B, Myra and Paula Kirkley. Homer Turvan, Irving and Tip Parish, Herman, Henry and Sallie Foster, Tate,
Minnie Belle and Grace Menefee, and Annie Waldron. Bert and Euie Allen and many others. The author has an
Old Latin book, which shows that in the year 1903-04 Anna, and Inez Harris, Clemma Foster, Allen Helvenston,
Alva Russ, Anna Walldron, Herman Foster were pupils. Some who followed later were Minnie Belle Menefee,
Effie Newton, Verona Turlington, Laura Graham, and others.- C. L. Beason of Brazos County, was superintendent
of schools in Tatum beginning in 1906 and serving through the term 1908-10. This was the first graded school the
author attended, having gone one year to John Prothro at Old Miller school and one year at Chalk Hill under the
teaching of Memory and Ellen Wright.
Tatum Independent School District was formed about 40 years ago. The district to a common one after a few years and remained such until 1928. The year 1928 marked the date when the greatest development in the Tatum school system was made. That year the school at Chalk Hill and Steward were consolidated with Tatum school by a vote of the people. This added about 200 white and 300 Negro children to the school rolls, and extended the area about 12 miles north and west of town. As the time came for the opening of that school year, the people of the Dirgin community purchased new school busses and began sending their children to Tatum and thus consolidated with Tatum school district.
The people of Crystal Farms consolidated their school with Tatum a year before the great consolidation movement spread throughout the district and a bus route was established to serve them. With consolidation came the demand for larger quarters and the Tatum citizens voted bonds enabling them to add eight new classrooms to the brick building then in use. A new building was erected for the Negroes also.
G. D. Pruitt was chosen as superintendent in 1929. The school became a classified four-year High school and the next year eight courses were offered in High school and accredited with the State Department of Education. The next year additional units were granted, bringing the total to 16, which allowed a high school graduate to enter college without entrance examinations. Among the last accredited courses were Bookkeeping and Typewriting. The Tatum High School enjoys the distinction of being the first in the county to offer and secure affiliation in those courses. Moreover, the Tatum High School was the second high school in the county to be classified as a four-year high school and to have the courses offered affiliated with the State Department of Education.
In 1932, the Alderbranch School in Panola County, was consolidated with Tatum by a vote of its citizens. As a result of the increase in pupils, a large frame building was built on the campus east of the main building. A larger auditorium was needed, and provisions to take care of physical education, and through the Works Progress Administration and the efforts of Pruitt, this large building was completed in 1935. It contains a stage, basketball court, dressing rooms and other facilities. The seating capacity of the building when used as an auditorium is estimated at Eight Hundred (800).
At the close of the school year 1936-37, Pruitt resigned and went to Atlanta, Texas, as Superintendent of Schools there. To fill his place, Thomas R. Allen, then High School Principal, was selected. He assumed his duties July 1, 1937. Under his supervision the school has been reconditioned to fill the needs. Vocational Agriculture has been added to the curriculum and is considered one of the most helpful courses offered by the school. Tatum Independent School District has an area of 106 square miles, being the largest in Rusk County.
An interesting sidelight to Tatum school is the bell that hangs in its belfry. It is a large cast-iron bell, which was purchased in Shreveport by the Masonic Lodge of Camden in the year 1850, brought by boat to Jefferson, thence overland to Camden and placed in the Masonic Hall there. From Camden, it was moved to Harmony Hill and finally after the building that housed it was destroyed, it was placed in the Tatum Methodist church and afterwards moved to its present location.
PUPILS ATTENDING TATUM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AIER THE TURN OF CENTURY: Charlie, Nellie, Grace,
Lee and Tate Jackson; Jack, Nora, Shaw, Laura, Clarence, and Lawson Graham; Ellison, Annie B, Bertha, Henry,
John, Myra and Paula Kirkley; Robert, Charles, Arthur, John William, Jim, Janie, Jewel and Nan Tatum
Kuykendall; Phala and Nellie Harris; Snobie, am, Earl, Angus, Lula Mae, Judy, Zelma, Coy, Virginia Sue, Eli,
Verona Claud, Grady, Felton, Elmer, Roy, Olin, William, Elvis and Cleo Turlington; Emma Lee, Lonnie and
Noel Findley; Clemma, Henry, Herman, Albert, gally and Jessie Foster; Alvie, Chester and Hulon Russ; Lelia,
Mittie, Ndith, Ave, Iva, Fannie, Jack, Sam and Fred Helvenston; Bertie Lee, Inez, Ben, Winnie and Ruth Harris;
Annie Waldron; Tip, Irvin, Joe, Robert, Douglas and Tom Parish; Katie Mae Bowen; Dovie Brevard; John and
Emma Polkinghorn; John, Florence, Esther and Estell Daniels; Heber, Avis and Ethel Kinard; Ellie, Archie,
Lewis, Fannie and Ada Williams;, Katie Mae, Ross, Ruby, George, Monroe, Willie, mill, Jack, Ike and LoisBell
York; Walter and Jim Calloway; Minnie Mae and Leopold Welch; ',Matt,. Acie, John and Murph Dixon; Angus,
Effie, Allen and Lena Pinkston;Charlie Flowers; James and Julian Vincent; Lillian Townsend; Calvin Allen;
Mildred Lawrence; Alma Moore; Lewis DeQuerin; Evie, Haywood, Steep, Della, Mamie, lyrtle, and Thelma
Oden; John Walter, Willie, Tressie and Annie Laura Mills; Julian Garrison; Shaw, Jim, Rhoda and EffieTurner;
Elbert, Lois, Annie Mae, Ellise and Audry Kuykendall; Matt Witherspoon; Leonard Helvenston; Troy McRae;
Maryland Strong; BennyShearron; Margurite Pierce; Robert Beall; Willie and Lizzie Allen;-Helen, Allie and
Miller Brown; Alfred Dickson; Willie, Holman, Lucile, and Kathryn Rogers; Jenny and Ave Mills; Lee and
Robert Suggs, W. H. Schrader; Mack Young; Frank, fillis and Jewel Grigsby; Mary Joseph; Alvin Khoury;
Mitchell, Sedonia and Baby Jo Singletary; Drew Vinson; Prentiss McNaughton; Ina and Bernie Breed; Hardy and
Oda Sanders; Walter Flanagan; Katie Belle Shepherd; Bruce and Jess Marcus McWilliams; The ,Lloyd twins;
Lloyd and Jeanette Watt; Albert Ferguson; Myrtle Mills; Allene Helvenston; Cecil Simpson; Bertha Koonce;
Perlkins and Retha Leggett; Joe Beall; Orlan Watson; Lillian and Pauline Vincent; The Pelham children; Frank
and Annie Piilliamson; Monte Yoes; Minnie Belle, Grace, Tate, Albert and Agnes Christian; Gladney Menefee;
Ben Wallace Welch; Bonnie Dinkle; Velma, Jim, Louise, Don and Ralph Findley; Effie Gibson; Glassell
Crawford; Joe Irvin Biggs; Don and Dema Crawford; Jack, Edna Mae, Isaac, Verna, G. B. and Sam Jennings;
Homer Turvan; Gil Cherry; Gilchrist and Mary Hembry; William, Hiram and Jim Dick Matthews; Tatum, Albert
and Perry Taylor; Gladys, Virgie, Willie and Ruby Pepper; Curtis Morris; Johnny, Herbert, Bascom and Everette
Watson; Bertie, Euie, Byron and Obergene Allen: Harry and Myrtle Hayden; George and Berry Jones; Forrest
McNeese; Elvers and Gordon Pruitt, Virginia Allen; Mack and Albert Brown; Murph, Lelon and Neal Mullins;
Dora, Buelah, Agnes, Ermine, Herman, Shafter, Paris and Crimberry Adams, Joe and Edna Kinsey; Brook,
Robbie Sue, Hudna and Ora Wright. Snobie Turlington was the first white child born in Tatum.
THE FOLKS BACK HOME
"Uncle Fox"
Perhaps the best known character and the most zealous in promoting the interest of Tatum was Paul
"Fox" Tatum, son of Albert Tatum, the town's founder. A man of great energy with a profound love f or his
community. He was of a venturesome spirit and inventive mind. It was he who surveyed the town site, named the
streets, and donated the land for the right-of-way for the railroad. The products of his active but somewhat-
eccentric mind, almost ended disastrously for him on several occasions.
At one time, antedating Kitty Hawk, he conceived the idea of flying, but scorned the orthodox methods
employed later by the frights. Equipped with two large umbrellas, he leaped from the attic window of the
Tatum mansion, with the failure of his equipment to do as was expected, he landed in a large elm tree in the yard wiser, but considerably bruised.
On another occasion he rigged up two five-gallon cans to his feet, announcing to his brother, Doctor
Jim, "I am going to walk on water, just like Jesus did". The doctor, being of a more practical mind, and
knowing, no doubt that the age of miracles had past, stood by to lend a helping hand to haul him out of the
pond, which was located west of the present depot. The doctor's foresight in this case saved his life as
head went down and his feet up, and without assistance would have no doubt drowned.
Nothing daunted by his previous failures, he turned his energies to more practical purposes, believing the
story that had gone the rounds for many years, that fleeing Mexicans, after the Mexican war, coming up the
Trammell Trace, on being hard pressed by their pursuers, dumped a chest of gold in Hendrick's Lake. The
story so intrigued our hero that he forthwith set about for ways and means of recovering the He rigged up a boiler
and engine on the banks, and with large and curious crowds watching, proceeded to pump the lake dry. He
finally abandoned the project, but not before he had lowered the water level four feet.
He waited late in life to wed, marrying Miss Lizzie Allen when well along in years. He died in 1914 at
the age of 56 and lies buried in the Tatum cemetery besides his parents and brothers.
JOHN THOMAS KIRKLEY
Mr. Kirkley, who had been a Northern Methodist minister, moved to Tatum in the early days and settled
on the old Pruitt farm located on a hill a mile east of town, north of the old Henderson-Grand Bluff road. Kirkley
continued as a minister for some years, finally retiring and devoting all his time to farming. Known in those days
as a "scientific" farmer, most of his advanced ideas, although scoffed at by many at the time, were nevertheless,
later indorsed by leading Agricultural and Mechanical colleges over the land.
Mr. Kirkley brought with him to Tatum an ex-slave, known by all as "Ole Bill", a tall gaunt Negro who possessed superhuman strength, and who refused to wear shoes even in the most severe weather. He was the butt of many jokes and was asked to spell Tatum, to which he would always reply, "Tatum, Tatum err’ Tatum; nothing tall about it, just Tatum". His devotion to the Kirkley family was truly great and was well taken care of until his death. The monument of Mr. & Mrs. Kirkley in Tatum cemetery show they were both born Jan. 29, 1861, and passed away the latter part of 1929. A son, John Lively, lies buried beside them in the family lot.
LUM BARKER
Barker, an ex-slave, had belonged to the family of Jess Natcher, and after the Civil war came to Harmony Hill, working for the late S. J. Hendrick. When Hendrick later moved to Henderson, Barker worked for Dr. A. G. Shaw, Mr. Tribble, Jeff and Homer Harris, living in Harmony Hill until 1897, coming to Tatum as a servant in the home of Jim Waldron, lately of Camden. He spent the remainder of his life in Waldron's employ. He was a quaint old Negro who loved the company of white boys and played with Lee Garrison, Gil Jones, Willie Menefee, Gil Reece, John William Hendrick and Oscar Calloway, when they were boys.
When there was a funeral in town the bell in the steeple of the Methodist church, to which reference has been made, was tolled. Barker was the bell ringer, and he did this job when the funeral party left
the house. He rang the bell furiously for a short time, then more gradual as the procession neared the church or cemetery.
JUDGE HELVENSTON
About two miles north of Tatum on the old road to Flanagan, stands the home of the late J. N. Helvenston. The Judge was a kindly man, loved and respected by all who knew him. His voice was low and soft and he was a fluent conversationalist. His ability to talk was a great asset, especially on the occasion when he and the late Dr. Jim Tatum were sawing wood. As the story goes, they had been working all morning and as the doctor was a stronger and more robust man, the Judge tired before noon, but was loath to admit to Tatum his tiring condition. He began to describe with great detail the sumptuous feasts he had attended and gave such a vivid and realistic account of them, that the good doctor, becoming extremely hungry, called a halt, saying he was too famished to go further.
NORTON WARD
Posters lined the walls of buildings along main streets, announcing the coming of a large circus in Marshall. People were agog, the enthusiasm extending into the colored section of the town. Norton, along with others of his race, was thrilled with the prospect of seeing the show and immediately made plans to be on hand on that gala occasion. He arrived in Marshall about high noon on circus day, after imbibing freely of gin and "Sweet Lucy", decided he was hungry, so he set out to find an eating place and located a restaurant down by the railroad tracks which had a sign out front, "All the cat fish you can eat for one Dollar". Fish was cheap in those days and few there were who could seriously disturb the proprietor by consuming more than that amount, but he had not reckoned with Ward. After all, catfish is a Negro delicacy, and being fortified with the gin and "Sweet Lucy", which whetted his appetite somewhat, he set to with gusto and relish. Becoming alarmed at the prodigious appetite displayed, and the enormous amount of fish consumed, and seeking to discourage this character from the hinterland, ordered his cook to send the fish out half cooked. But, still, Ward kept going strong and on being asked anxiously how the fish was coming, replied, "Cap'n, you is cooking them just right".
EDGAR McNAUGHTON
McNaughton, the son of the late W. S. and Jane McNaughton, long time merchant in Tatum, received his degree to practice medicine from a medical school back East, but never practiced for reasons best known to himself. He was scholarly, courteous, a gentleman in every respect, and was well liked by all who knew him.
ADOLPHUS AUGUSTUS "DOLLY" BOWEN
Bowen was the town barber whose shop was the hangout for the young blades of his day. His shop carried the then familiar cabinet wherein were displayed the individual shaving mugs with their owners names inscribed on their sides. He was a rabid baseball fan and of the strongest supporters of the great team that made history for Tatum about 1913. This team consisted in part of Arthur and Frank Leggett, Clifford Donegan, Bertie and Euie Allen, Herman and Albert Foster, Glassell Crawford, Angus Pinkston, Charlie Scruggs, Charlie Hendricks and others whose names I have forgotten. He was a good barber and would, if you insisted, cut your hair like you wanted it cut, otherwise, he cut it strictly to suit himself. He married Willie Allen, a sister of Jim "Red" Allen, members of a pioneer East Texas family. He was also a brother-in-law of Fox Tatum.
JOSH PRUITT
Pruitt came to Tatum about 1910 and started a grocery business on a modest scale, which extended into a long and prosperous career. He retired a few years ago, being at the time of his retirement, the oldest business in the town.- He early adopted the slogan, which he retained throughout the years, "I sell ‘em Lo and order Mo".
He married the second time, Fanny Vinson. By a former marriage he had a son, Elvers Victor, and by his second, one son, Gordon. He was a brother-in-law of Dr. A. 0. Menefee and John Watt. He was a kind man and if he ever had an enemy, no one knew about it.
WILLIAM TURLINGTON
Perhaps there was no greater prankster in all the annals of Tatum's history than the late William Turlington. The only child of James and Matilda Turlington, early pioneers of East Texas. He was reared a pampered child. Old timers recall seeing William happily swinging in a swing, which his father hung from the rear of his high-wheeled wagon, as they traveled over the country in the business which the father engaged.
Turlington early developed a yen for practical jokes that led him at times into hot water. Few of the old
timers escaped once he set out to confuse and befuddle them nor were his activities confined to any certain group.
His near relatives always came in for their share. His agile, but somewhat perverse mind, worked overtime on
those closest to him. He came by his uncle Joelts home one day and finding him on top of the roof engaged in a
shingling job, removed the ladder and went blithely on his way. The day was extremely hot and when noon
came, Mr. Turlington was in a quandary, as his wife was not strong enough to place the ladder-back, and his sons
were too small for the job. He sizzled from the heat and justified indignation, until he could hail a passer-by to
relieve him from a most uncomfortable situation.
Then there was the time he noticed his uncle Richard had a corn crop, which was his pride and joy.
Why not get a cowbell and have his uncle and the boys chase him around the field half the night, thinking he was
a stray cow or horse that had broken down the fence? This he did until all concerned were exhausted. He then
"jumped" the fence and went on his way merrily.
He was a blacksmith by trade and a great favorite with children of the town, never too busy to stop and help a child with a broken toy or wagon. He never seemed to care particularly whether he made more than a bare living. His shop, in the main, was but a "Front" where he worked a little and joked with all who passed by. This prince of jesters was ever using his fertile mind, thinking continually of ways and means to bewilder and confound the citizenry. noticed that "Uncle Billy Dorsett, who lived next door to his shop, was preparing to burn a large stump in his garden. The night before he filled a wagon thimble with black powder and corked the ends, placing it in a hole under the stump, covering it carefully. He sat back the next day and watched the match applied. The explosion rocked that part of town, creating dust and fog comparable to a modern West Texas dust storm.
John Joseph, a Syrian peddler, was the owner of a thoroughbred colt for which he had been offered fabulous prices. Turlington painted a sign, strapped it to the animal's back and turned him out on the streets. The horse was not for sale in the first place, certainly not for the ridiculously low price the "For Sale" sign displayed. Joseph, on seeing the sign, exploded in a string of expletives that could be heard almost back to Lebanon. Fortunately it was couched in language that only a fellow countryman could understand.
Turlington once invited Edgar McNaughton to try out a newly acquired high powered rifle, the target being an
"empty" house on the street back of the shop. McNaughton’s aim was good, but his concern was greater when he
discovered he had punctured several pieces of furniture that had been stored by one of the Allen boys. Time
would forbid to recount his many capers.
Turlington passed away in El Paso several years ago, but not before he had lived a few years in Longview
where he was employed by the Texas and Pacific Railroad.- He, in some way learned that his aunt Sissy and her close neighbor were at "outs" and changing their door steps, at a late hour of the night, were but routine matters with this man who loved fun even of a questionable nature.
Those who knew him best can, in fancy, see him in the sunny halls of Valhalla, regaling the denizens of that far away place with tall tales of his exploits while living on this mundane sphere. But, let them beware, one possessed of such an ebullient spirit in this life, could hardly be expected to settle down to a decorous existence even among dissembled spirits. Again, I say, let them beware, even they might become victims of this notable prankster.
PINK SUGGS
This man is remembered by those of his day as a very tall and dignified character. He wore a derby hat
which seemed to add to his height. He lived on the East side of town, on the road that led to old Center Point,
commonly known as "the lower country4t. It seems he gained a reputation as a good drinker and when the time
came to ask for the hand of the girl who later became his wife, met with some opposition and misgivings from her
father, Mr. Turvan, who objected on the grounds that he was a drunkard.- "But, oh sir". Suggs protested, "I have
quit my drinking". This being news to his future father-in-law who had heard of no such reformation in his life,
inquired when this change had taken place, and was gravely told, "I quit this morning".
Suggs, in his "cups", was a formidable character. One to be shunned if possible, displaying a violent
temper when provoked in any way. The streets in those days were sandy and lined with great oaks. In the midst
of Main Street stood the town well, equipped with a pump. On one occasion the author and Ross York, were
sitting on the box that housed the pump. The time was late afternoon, when Suggs, "well oiled" came by and
said he was going to pump the well dry just for the hell of it. He demanded help from us to do the job.
He suggested that we pump the first part of the night and he would lie down and get some rest, relieving us at the midnight hour. We being thoroughly frightened, and seeking some excuse to get away, told him we were willing to co-operate, but first, we must go home and tell our family where we were, and what we were doing, so they wouldn't worry. To this he agreed, after promising him we'd sleep until midnight and then relieve him. We then scampered home. How near he succeeded or how long he pumped, is not clear, but suffice it t o say, when we ventured downtown early t he next morning, water covered the street and Suggs had left the scene.
JUIE DECKARD
Deckard was the son of a pioneer Negro, Matt Deckard, a blacksmith who served the Harmony Hill community well for many years. His father taking over the blacksmith shop operated by Mr. Wilhelm and operating it for the family. Known far and wide as a white man's Negro, he, like his father, served faithfully and maintained the respect of the people. He later moved to Terrell, Texas, where he died several years ago.
FRANK M. WELCH
Welch, who lived north of town, operated a candy business in conjunction with his shoe repairing shop, which was the chief means of his livelihood. This man was of Falstaff in appearance and Rabelaisian wit. Willis Menefee, after moving to Dallas, on a visit to Tatum, was asked by "Uncle Frank" how far he lived from Schoolkopf's from whom he bought most of his cobbler’s supplies. Menefee replied, "0h, I'd say about six miles." Where upon Welch, snorting with disbelief, said, "Shucks", I thought you said you lived in Dallas. He lived to a ripe old age, his grandsons being the Dixon boys, some of which live in the vicinity now.
HARRY HADEN
Hayden, who was reared in Dallas, and was the brother-in-law of Dr. Irving Parish, came to Tatum with a reputation as a bully which reputation he maintained for some time. He was sent to Tatum by his family to live with Parish and his wife, and attend school. His reputation for being tough had an auspicious beginning. The day he arrived, and on his way to his sister's home, he met Roy Turlington and needled him into a wrestling match. In the ensuing contest Turlington's leg was broken. This made him as a tough hombre and for a while all the boys held in somewhat awe. This lasted until coming by the sawmill one day, he goaded Lee Jackson who was working at the mill. In desperation Jackson peeled his scalp with a green oak strip, requiring several stitches. Until that day, he wore his crown well among the boys of his age. When this was noised about he was kept busy attempting to maintain the reputation he once enjoyed. He later became an engineer for I&GN railroad, and worked between Longview and Palestine, passing away several years ago.
T. M. KINSEY
There arrived in Tatum on November 7, 1911, a man who was to become one of the town's finest citizens. Kinsey, born and reared in Ellis County, but at the time living in Garland, was an ordained Baptist preacher. His coming to Tatum was to look over "Crystal Farms", a colonization project recently opened by W. K. Menefee. In conversation with Menefee they discussed the possibilities of newspaper for the town. After his departure for home, sentiment soon crystallized into action. Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) being subscribed by businessmen of the town and Kinsey w as given the go-ahead signal for the venture.
Kinsey revisited Tatum on Friday, Jan. 18th, and remained for several days ironing out the details. On
Friday, Jan. 17, 1912, the first issue of "The Tatum Progress" hit the streets. It was an eight-page, five column,
well composed paper and one Tatum was proud of from its beginning. The rates were One Dollar ($1.00)
per year in advance.
Among the first advertisers were, Crawford Bros., Swinney Bros., livery stable operators, Doctors
Parish and Shepherd, Jule Deckard, blacksmith, G. S. Jones, Notary Public, A. B. Foster, livery stable, J.
E. Holtzclaw, merchant. Mullins Bros. Drug store, E. C. Daniels, J. 1Y. Watt, A. T. Gladney, C. L.
Sanders, H. D. Adams, Frank Welch, First State Bank, A.'A. Bowen and a special advertisement as
follows:
"To old ladies, maids and young girls, _I am in the market for a wife, if interested, address Capt. A. J. Graham, Dirgin, Texas".
For equipment for the paper, Kinsey purchased a "Washington Hand Press" from the Garland News. He had this machine reworked by a firm in Dallas and opened his new business in a building on the side of Main Street in front of which was a grocery store, operated by Josh Pruitt. The plant had another location in the Waldron building, then to the Watson building, finally moving to a building on his own property.
The late John Nash, then a newcomer from Brooklyn, N. Y. was the "Printer's Devil". The press was hand-operated and was hand inked.- In addition to typesetting, Nash helped operate the press, and when Nash quit, Velma Findley, now Mrs. W. C. Dobbs of Longview, took over as assistant and served for some time in that capacity.
After some time, a new press was bought which had some advantages over the old one. This was known a s "Country Campbell Press", and later was sold to a paper in Big Sandy. Disposition of the Washington Press is not known, but Kinsey was informed some time later a press of this type was in use near Lufkin.
The subscription list never exceeded four hundred and the paper was a weekly. The merchants were not inclined to do much advertising, and since the subscription list barely took care of the actual operating expense, Mr. Kinsey had to look for other means of support. He was a versatile man, a surveyor of no mean ability, a good farmer, and he sold insurance on the side. As mentioned before, he was an ordained Baptist preacher, a well-educated man and a fluent speaker. Not long after coming to Tatum, he was selected by the Baptist to be their regular minister, where he served for several years. His ministry extended into the rural districts and he walked eight miles to fill one regular appointment. In later years he quit preaching entirely.
The failure of the merchants to advertise, together with the economic conditions of the country, forced
him to make a change. The subscription list dwindled to an impossible low. Never a robust business from the
start, the end came about five years later sometime in 1917. It served its town well.
To spur the merchants to a realization of the possibilities of the medium of newspaper advertising, Kinsey
caused to be inserted in his paper this bit of doggerel verse:
"The codfish lays a million eggs,
While the helpful hen lays one
But the codfish doesn't cackle,
To inform us what she's done.
And so we scorn the codfish coy,
While the helpful hen we prize,
Which indicates to thoughtful minds,
"It pays to Advertise".
Mr. Kinsey passed away in 1960, after living on his farm about eight miles East of Tatum on the
Henderson highway for a number of years. Tatum never had a finer citizen who was mom. interested in its
Civic affairs.
ZION HILL - NEGRO CHURCH
This church north of Tatum on ground donated by the late Sam Findley, had a large congregation and
claimed among its communicants such famous and illustrious names as George Washington, Jefferson Davis and
General Jackson. A. visiting preacher once announced his text as "Jay Gould Riding in a Railway Car". But,
protested a good brother, "Jay Gould's name is not in the Bible", and further calling his attention to the fact that he doubted if they had trains in the time in which the Bible was written, to which the parson replied asperity, "You is suttingly wrong about that, brother, for a man as well known as Jay Gould, is bound to be in that Bible somewhere".
Another Negro character and a member of the congregation, loved the bottle. His name was Cam
Hendrick. Cam's favorite was a patent medicine with a high alcohol content, called "Hostetter's Bitters". Once
when pleasingly drunk on this concoction, he asked A. E. Findley, an uncle of the writer, this question,
"Parson, do the good book say that if a man die he shall live again?" Findley had chided him about his
drinking, pointing out that excessive indulgence would shorten one's life. On being told that the Book said just
that, Hendrick sighed contentedly and said, "in that case, just give me another bottle of them Bitters".
MELISSIE LOVIS
Melissie, the daughter of "Aunt Betty", who -gas a servant in the home of James Mack Brown, who was the grandfather of the writer, was the town's wash woman. Her children were many and of various hues, ranging from ebony black and exhausting the different shades such as mulatto, dun, saddle colored down to those nearly white in appearance. Who Melissie's husbands were, if any, remained a mystery, which she alone could unravel.
JAMES ALLEN
Jim "Red" Allen was the son of J. E. Allen, an early settler in Tatum. It was he who coined the phrase
"Tatum on the Santa Fell_ and insisted that he get full credit in any and all projects which might tend to promote
the town and surrounding areas. He became highly indignant on hearing that a special train of "Houston Hustlers"
coming over the Santa Fe from Beaumont to Longview had failed to include Tatum on its stops. A committee
headed by Allen was hastily organized to see what could be done about this omission. Allen painted a long sign
with large black letters on a field of white. Posts were set on each side of the track and the sign stretched across
the rails. When the train puffed into the town, it was stopped by the sign which said, "This is Tatum, where in hell
is Houston"? Being greatly amused as well as impressed, all the occupants piled out, together with the band and a
full parade around the business section was made. A good time was had by all. This incident was carried by
Associated Press, and other news media throughout the United States, giving Tatum much deserved publicity.
S. H. SWANNER
Swanner came to the old Texas & Gulf Railway (now the Santa Fe) a conductor in 1907, retiring in 1933,
spending his remaining years in Florida. He was a very large man with a booming voice, and possessed a ready
wit, and a flair for the dramatic. Ever ready to add to the fame of this frontier town, which had long since gained
the reputation as a "Hell Raiser", that would do credit to towns located further West. He would, on occasions,
when approaching Tatum, call out in a loud voice, "Next stop is Tatum, prepare to meet your God". He,
however, met his waterloo at the hands of a "Drummer", who, on learning a local hotel owner had lost his watch
while meeting the train to solicit guests for his hostelry, told this man he had seen Swanner pick it up while his
train was standing at the station. A stormy scene ensued the next time Swanner came through, which took the
best efforts of the joker to straighten out to the satisfaction of all concerned.
LITTLE MOOT
"Little Moot" a young Negro lad, a servant in the home of Dr. Menefee, was nearly white. He was a great favorite with the white boys, who took him with them on trips to nearby towns to play baseball or basketball, frequently using him in an emergency, palming him off a Spaniard. On a trip to Carthage to play basketball, Moot, as usual went along, and when we lined up in the old "'Two Brother Restaurant" for a meal, he was asked how he liked his eggs. He gravely replied, "I likes mine cooked".
UNCLE JOHN L. WILLIAMS
John L. Williams, while not a native of Tatum, residing in the Harris Chapel community several
miles East of the city, nevertheless considered by most old timers as a senior citizen. In 1900 at the
Primitive Baptist Church at Harris Chapel, Tatum began celebrating his birthday. This became an annual
affair, and was usually held under trees near the church building. May 14th, was the date and friends and
relatives came from far and near. Mr. Williams was born in Georgia, his forebears coming to America from
Dublin, Ireland. The date of his birth was 1825, and he was married in Tennessee and came to Harrison
county in 1870, and to Panola County in 1876, settling in Harris Chapel. He had many descendents, many
of whom live in that community, while others are living in widely scattered parts of the state. A. C.
Williams of Beckville, is a grandson.
THE BALL TEAM OF 1913
Tatum had a baseball team in 1913, second to none in surrounding towns. In 52 games played, only three were lost. They played Longview, Marshall, Shreveport, Chalk Hill, Millville, Elysian Fields, Carthage, Beckville, Woods Post Office and other towns. The team, in the main, consisted of local boys, one of the exceptions being a man named McLain, a salesman for the Galveston Dry Goods Co., who made the territory regularly.
BOOGER RED
Booger Red, rodeo performer extraordinary, and having the reputation of being the ugliest man in America, while not a Tatumite, nevertheless it was on a trip to Tatum that his reputation suffered the only set back of his career. Booger was known where ever rodeos were held. Before arriving for this visit, it was said he had never been thrown. A local horse threw him, inflicting painful bruises. The author recently read in a National Sports magazine that Red went through is entire career without being thrown. The writer knows better for he witnessed the incident.
SID NERO
Sid Nero, a young Negro, whose family lived a short distance from Tatum on the old Harmony Hill road, was a great favorite with the white boys. One day while we were playing a "choose up" game on a lot near Welch's pond, the score was tight and one side needed a pinch hitter. Nero begged to be sent in and was allowed to do so. Unfortunately, we had but one baseball. Nero took two fast strikes down the middle, and on the next pitch hit a prodigious home run, winning the game, but alas, the ball he hit landed in the middle of the pond. The game being then over regardless of the score.
IT HAPPENED IN TATUM
A newcomer in town after an exceedingly dry spell asked an old timer, if he thought it would ever rain
again, to which he replied laconically, "I reckon so, it always has".
A noted evangelist came to town and while waiting on the depot platform for someone to meet him,
was accosted by a drunk who leeringly asked, "Where in hell have I seen you before"? The preacher,
possessed of a ready wit, replied, "I can't say off hand, what part of hell are you from"?
A pious man made an offer to the men of the Methodist church to provide the fish for a fellowship
dinner. Too late, he realized that time was running out, and if the promised fish was forthcoming someone was
going to have to fish on Sunday. His sons, with the exception of one, were as pious as their father, which meant
no Sunday fishing. "What will we do, Pa?, he was asked. The old man pondered the question for some time and
replied, "We'll let old hum do the fishing, he's going to hell anyway" .
A doctor in a nearby town, who was a fair drinker, in those days when men were men and a woman couldn't. be governor, attended a revival meeting being held under a brush arbor. When the invitation was given, he staggered down the sawdust trail and presented himself for membership. The preacher, perceiving his condition, said, "Sir, we cannot accept you in our Communion". "And, why not", the drunk asked. "Well, you are in a state .of intoxication" he was told. Squaring himself around where he faced the congregation he said, "Well, this is the first damn church that has all the members they want".
A visiting preacher was staying in the home of a good brother who could not tolerate smoking in anyone, especially a minister. Now, this preacher liked his pipe, but could find no place from the prying eyes of his host. One evening he took a stroll down through a wooded section and sitting down behind a giant oak, and feeling secure of detection, got the thing going. The host, suspicious of what was going on had followed him and when he had the pipe going good, he stepped around the tree and said, "Well, I see you are burning incense to the devil". The preacher, somewhat abashed replied, "Yes, but I didn't expect him to show up so soon"
The old time medicine show came to town one fall after an unusually good farming season. Money was plentiful, and "Dr" Lighthall, representing The Great East Indian Medicine Company", moved in for the "kill". A stage in the open air was erected, and lights were strung. The show featured Blackface acts and plays of the melodramatic type, and such doleful ballads rendered as "She is more to be pitied than censured", "The baggage coach ahead", and "Only a bird in a gilded cage". His wonderful tonic, which he claimed was good for all external, internal and infernal pains, was offered to the public for the amazingly low price of One Dollar ($1.00) per bottle. He stayed two weeks and the "take" was good. Lighthall was a large man with all the showmanship of a carnival barker, and sported a large diamond whose genuineness was sometimes questioned, began his "Pitch" by telling his audience how this remarkable medicine came into his possession. He said he received it from a dying native of India, while touring that continent.-He extolled this ware in such glowing terms and convincing manner, that when his assistants, who doubled as actors, passed through the crown peddling the stuff, the local gentry literally snatched it from their hands.
Doctor Lighthall has long been gathered to his fathers. The medicine show no longer comes to town to
entertain and to fleece the people.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
No longer does the stamping boots of bristling Matt Oden clatter down the wooden sidewalks; the
forays of the boys from across the creek who stormed into town, shooting off their guns just for the "hell" of it,
have ceased. The tall and stately Walter McNaughton, as he daily crossed the street to Bowen's barbershop for
his shave. The uproarious John Holtzclaw, as he regales the "gang" at the Post Office while the mail was being
"put" up. Timid, mouse like "Popcorn" Freeman, the Isaac Walton of his day. George Jackson, riding through
town on old "Salty". Billie Wil1iamson, in cowboy regalia, on prancing "Bonaparts"9 "Jack Spratt", and "Tom
Thumb". the wildest livery stable team in existence. Mr. Rich, the gentle Jew, representing Carlton Dry Goods
Co., of St. Louis, reposing contentedly on the porch of the Crawford Hotel. "Uncle" Craig Bowen, with his half
running walk, on his way for work in Josh Pruitt's store. Uncle "Fox" Tatum, and Jack Isaacs, with Old Duke,
hitched to a sled coming downtown for feed. The bearded Sipes brothers in town from the Sand Hills. The
Morton brothers in from the "Lower Country". Jim Watt, with his ever-present cigar, which was never lit. Mrs.
Holtzclaw, holding forth on the porch of their store. Mrs. Liza Dorsett, in her wheel chair on her vine-covered
porch while "Uncle Bill" pottered in the garden nearby. Jim Allen's tie train set out on a siding near the depot,
and the grand Negro quartet singing in the evening after the day 's work was done. Harvey Crawford meeting the
evening train for "Drummers", as guests for his hotel. Amos Williams gathering the boys in his dray wagon, for a
swim in Helvenston pond. Angus Miller roaring in from Harmony Hill, in a new car, which eventually ended up in
Jule Deckard's blacksmith shop for repairs. Miller Adams, setting up a new Cafe with crippled Newt Matthews as
the chief cook.- Tom Williams, starting out on his rural mail route trip. Mr. Sweeny, the carpenter. Tall Pink
Suggs with the ubiquitous derby. Sam Findley, the sage of the town, on his way to the cotton yard. T. M. Kinsey
seeking advertisements and subscriptions for the "Tatum Progress". Venerable Brother Fears in town for his
regular appointment at the Christian church. Quick and nervous Murry DeGuerin, behind the cage in the bank.
"Big" Allen, business engaged in the lumber and gin business. John Fort with his handlebar mustache. Jerry
Williamson, with greasy overalls slowly wending his way home after a hard day as fireman at the Parish sawmills
John Joseph, the Syrian peddler, starting out in his buggy with his bale or merchandise strapped to the back for a
tour of surrounding communities. The peal of the anvil in Turlington's blacksmith shop. Barefoot "Bill" Kirkley
dog trotting to town on an errand for his master. Tall and leathery J. H. Isaacs- straight as an Indian, who at 70
scorned the use of glasses, was a crack-shot and always went to bed with a large chew of tobacco in his mouth.
Aunt "Mag" Bowen, praying long, loud and fervently in a revival meeting, Heber Kinard, who was always the
leader of his class. The author, shining shoes in Bowen's barber shop while selling papers on the side. Jeff
Deckard moving stealthily along the streets in the evening dusk with his sack of bootleg whiskey. Limping Clyde
Edwards, ever busy hatching up deviltry to perpetrate on the Parish boys. Henry "Alphabetical" Wilson from
Chalk Hill, whose laughter could be heard from one end of the business section to the other. B. B. Crim, Baptist
preacher, fighting duels with the devil, in a brush arbor near the Methodist church. Gil Cherry, the smoothest
waltzer of them all. Welch pond frozen over with the entire school skating on it. Bowlegged "Sally" Reynolds
booted and spurred. "Weary" Willie Watkins, whose gang repaired the railroad bridges.
EPILOGUE TATUM DOES TALK
Tatum has undergone many changes over the years, the business section has moved from downtown near
the railroad track to a location centered around the intersection of Stonewall and Johnson streets, or the
intersection of the Marshall-Henderson and Longview-Carthage highways.
Many new homes have been built and the school system is one of the best. The people are religious as
evidenced by several churches. The town is incorporated, with deep well water supply. Mrs. Holtz claw was the
first Mayor. Oil was discovered several years ago with a few in the town site.
Yes, Tatum does talks She talks with her Civic pride, her beautiful homes, her progressive spirit. She
talks loudly and will continue to talk until Tatum gains and maintains her rightful place in the sun.