Columns

At a meeting of the Wills Point Public Library Board of Directors Tuesday night, the location was changed to an upstairs office in the Campbell building across the hall from the office of Dr. J.W. Bettis.  Dr. Bettis, who serves as president of the association, stated that the date of the opening is still June 1. We’re still running a little behind the number of books we hoped to have by this time and would appreciate getting any books in as soon as possible. One hundred and twenty three books were donated last week to the library. Those making book contributions were Mrs. Laura Adams, James Brockman, Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Rose and the estate of Mrs. Ellis Campbell. Dr. Bettis asked if anyone has books to donate please call the chamber of commerce office at 54 so they may be picked up or leave them at the office.

M.K. Hallman and Jack E. Deen were re-elected to serve another term of three years as school trustees in the election Saturday, April 2. Mr. Hallman and Mr. Deen begin their new terms Monday night, April 11, when the board meets.

The city council of Wills Point this week, posted a reward of $100 for the apprehension of and upon conviction of anyone found maliciously destroying city property. Recently signs at the city limits of Wills Point have been pushed over by automobiles, the council said. And several months ago the rubber stop signs in the center of the downtown streets were cut off at the base near the concrete mounting.

Plans for a public library in Wills Point are well underway and the opening date has been set for June 1, according to Dr. J.W. Bettis, president of the newly organized Wills Point Library Association. This project is being, sponsored by the Wills Point Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday Book Club and the Business and Professional Women’s Club. Each organization is, represented by two directors on the association board. Dr. Bettis and Blant Castleberry representing the chamber, Mrs. D.L. Bateman, and Mrs. W.H. Wingo, Jr., are from the Wednesday Book Club and representing BP&W club is Mrs. Scott.  The library will be located in the Wills Cabin. (See newspaper for complete article.)

AUSTIN — Following news reports of coordinated, terroristic bomb attacks in Brussels, Belgium, on March 22, the Texas Department of Public Safety posted a reminder to Texans to remain vigilant and to report suspicious behaviors.

DPS Director Steven McCraw said ordinary Texans “play a crucial role in helping law enforcement protect the public from groups and lone-wolf actors intent on harming others.”

“Fighting crime in today’s threat environment,” McCraw added, “can be greatly enhanced through the combined efforts of the public and law enforcement, and we urge individuals to report any illegal or suspicious activity they witness to iWATCH or their local authorities.”

The city of Wills Point this week passed an ordinance providing for the construction of a general market and manufacturing building and called for bids on its construction.

First construction on Interstate 20 in Van Zandt and Smith Counties is expected to begin about April 10 or 15, according to district highway engineer, W.W. Potter. Mr. Potter stated that bids would be let Tuesday or Wednesday for the work. Set for construction are 6.62 miles of grading and bridge structures from the Van Zandt County line to a point 6.6 miles east. The same type of work is set for Van Zandt County from Highway 64 north of Canton, east 4.2 miles to highway 19.

The 14^th annual Future Farmers Livestock and Poultry show will be held at the W.T. Russell Cotton Warehouse on South Fourth Street on Saturday, March 19. The Chamber of Commerce Show Sponsor, has donated $125 as prize money to be presented in silver dollars by Jack Lester, chairman of the agriculture committee. Twenty-seven boys of the chapter have entered 50 of their projects in the show including livestock and poultry.

There is a little labor and lots of flavor in electric skillet cookery, according to Paula Caldwell and Dafamay Sherwood, 4-H members from the Myrtle Springs 4-H Club. These girls have worked up a 15 minute electric team demonstration “Using An Electric Fry Pan.” They plan to give demonstrations to various clubs and civic groups in the county.

Dick Senter was elected president of the Rotary Club for the year 1960-61. He will take over his duties on July 1, along with the other new officers. Jim Burden was elected vice-president, Ralph McLeod was re-elected secretary-treasurer, and R.M. Hooks was chosen director. Serving with Mr. Hooks will be F.M. Hollandsworth and W.T. Russell, holdover directors. In the absence of C.D. Cates, program chairman, R.K. Crow was introduced as special speaker by Roy Curtis.

Turnout at the Agri-Business Conference held Tuesday in the high school auditorium was excellent, with more than 250 attending the program throughout the day.

Mayfield Tractor Co. was robbed sometime between Saturday night and Monday morning at

7 o’clock, according to Ed Plessis, chief of police, who investigated the robbery.”

H.L. Gaddis, police chief of Wills Point the past two years turned in his resignation to the city office Saturday morning effective at that time.  Mr. and Mrs. Gaddis moved Saturday to Rockwall where he has accepted a position on the police force there. According to Joe Gabbert, city recorder, several applications for the job have been received. He said members of the city council, will probably meet early in February to discuss plans.

Building permits issued in Point during the year 1959 more than doubled the number of permits issued for the previous year. Total estimated value of the 33 permits issued for building and improvements amounted to $278,025.
Bryan Blalock, known throughout the nation as “the East Texas humorist with a ready flow of homespun wisdom and philosophy,” will be the guest speaker at the annual chamber of commerce banquet Thursday night, Jan. 28, at 7:30 o’clock in the school cafeteria. Dewitt Bateman will serve as master of ceremonies.  Special music will be presented by the high school orchestra and the Cartwright school choir.  J.T. Wages, immediate past president, will give a brief talk following the presentation of officers and directors by W.H. Wingo.  Jr. Gene Mayfield, president, will make a short talk. Proceeds from the banquet will go to the White Rose Cemetery Association.