1880

1880's - A volunteer fire dept. was established and set up at the James Rickey Hall, corner of Broad and Olive and Charles W. Bramble was elected the first fire chief. WA 

Census of Texarkana Ar. list H. F. Best age 38 (b. Pa) as Postmaster / wife, Mary A 33 b. OH / 2 daus., Flora 10 and Laura 5 / A article published in the news dated Tues. 29 May 1898 states; Hank Best, our former Postmaster here but now a real estate dealer at Port Arthur was here yesterday. WA 

Apr. 1880  Alf Harvey operated the CITY BARBER SHOP and offered the first public baths for Texarkana. WA 

abt. July 1880 Notice is hereby given that on the __ day of July 1880 a petition was filed in the court house, in Miller County Arkansas, signed by county qualified voters as required by law, praying the said honorable court for an order to organize the following described territory into an incorporated town to be known as the incorporated town of Texarkana Arkansas (gives legal description of property in Township 15) ....... and designates the 9th day of August 1880 as the time for hearing upon said petition WA 

10 Aug. 1880 STATE OF AR, COUNTY OF MILLER - (in part) ...... that said petition shall be granted and is therefore now considered ordered and adjudged that the territory as described in said petition and upon said plat be incorporated and organized as described in said petition and named the incorporated town of Texarkana Arkansas. This order made out and ordered on this petition by O. D. Scott ...this 10th day of Aug. 1880. signed, M. W. Edward's WA 

1880 Oct. 22, 1905 Messers. C. E. Haydon, Fred W. Offenhauser and John B. Shepherd yesterday celebrated the 25th anniversary of their arrival in Texarkana.  It was on the evening of October 21st 1880 that the three gentlemen, somewhat younger if not handsomer than they now are, rolled in over the Iron Mountain at the old Marquand hotel to cast their future lot, for weal or for woe, with the then village but future great city of Texarkana.  They inquired for an "up town hotel" on leaving the train and some one directed them to the Moore Hotel on the corner of Front and Vine streets then kept by D. Hindman, on the site now occupied by the Texas Produce Company, and it was there that our three heroes first refreshed the inner man after landing on this portion of footstool.  The gentlemen had all left the "old homestead" in Illinois, and had come here "seeking their fortune" and it is pleasant to reflect that their seeking has not been in vain, for three worthler men never blessed any city or community with their presence.  The Texarkanian hopes they may live to celebrate more similar anniversaries. This was in the paper Oct. 22 1905 but refers to Oct. 1880. Submitted by TU 

27 Oct. 1880 THE FIRST ELECTION (title, name, votes received) MAYOR; H. M. Beidler 201, E. T. Dale 163, W. H. Bush 2 RECORDER O. C. Porter 195, Paul Jones 168, Edwin Bancroft 2 ALDERMAN W. J. Arthur 350, A. S. Blythe 209, John Daugherty 205, Sam McKneely 198, Sam Hiller 195, (previous five elected) J. H. Draughn 172, J. J. O'Conner 173, A. Goldburg 143, H. F. Best 150, J. W. Markham 2, J. B. Nix 2, E. Shult? 2, P. Ramseur? 2, Cornelius Richards 2, J. R. Banner 1 WA

 15 Nov. 1880 Salaries established; Mayor, ______; Recorder 50.00 month; Marshall, warrants served 75 cents, taking prisoner to jail 75 cents, summons a jury 75 cents, summons a witness 25 cents, taking _____ 50 cents, summons def. in criminal cases 75 cents, notifying council of special meetings 50 cents. Treasurer ______; City Attorney 50 dollars per month; Jurors 25 cents each for verdict. Witnesses 50 cents each for attendance upon council or Mayors Court. OTHER BUSINESS Council votes O. D. East as City Attorney, J. H. Draughn as treasurer, also agreed to pay 10 dollars per month for office on 2nd. floor of E. C. Donnelly building on Broad St. May 1881 - J. W. Paramore organized the Texas and St. Louis Railway of Arkansas for the purpose of laying the line from Birds Point to Texarkana where it would join the St. Louis Railway. ( changed to Texas and St. Louis in July 1881) RR was finished 31 Dec. 1882 WA 

1882

1882  Joe Ables joined the Texarkana Ar. Police Department in 1882 and left around 1885 for San Antonio, Tx. The jail was then located at Front and Pine where the Huckens House was later built. WA 

3 Sep. 1882 Texarkana's first telephone exchange was established by the Southwestern Telegraph & Telephone Co. with a franchise for 20 years and was located at 219 1/2 E. Broad.  WA 

1882 The Democrat was sold to Dayton B. Hayes & Ed. A. Church. Submitted by TU. Info from Four States Living Aug. 2002 

1883

1883 C. E. Dixon assumes duty as Sheriff of Miller Co. AR. WA 

1883-1884 Story of Dixon.

 1884   

1884 The Democrat and afternoon paper was sold to E. A. Warren & C. E. Mitchell and name was changed to Independent. Name went back to Democrat in 1890.   Submitted by TU. Info from Four States Living Aug. 2002  

4 April 1884 Certificate of Election - State of Ark. - County of Miller   I William R. Kelley, clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex official Clerk of the County Court within and for the county a for said do hereby certify that at an election held in the incorporated town of Texarkana, Miller co Ark. on Tuesday the 1st day of April a.d. 1884, for the purpose of electing municipal officers for said town, Pat Lonergan did recieve the highest number of votes cast at said election for the office of Marshall according to the returns of said election now on file in my office. (signed and sealed) 4 April 1884 William R. Kelley, clerk WA  

18 Aug. 1884 A drummer was arrested last night for violating a city ordinance. On his person was found a pistol. $25 & cost. WA 

18 Aug. 1884 The sewer running on the west side of Vine Street (Olive) between Broad and Front, and alongside of which every stranger who enters the city must walk, is a disgrace to this city. It would be a shame in a village without incorporation. The water and mud is stagnated into a green loblolly, and the stench is sickening. In the name of the health of the town what is this city government for? WA 

18 Aug. 1884 The members of the Salvation Army have begun a crusade against the corset which they denounce as a device of the devil. WA 

19 Aug. 1884 A wagon load of watermelons sold yesterday for 75 cents WA  

19 Aug. 1884 A 5 gallon keg of "Hamilton Whiskey" created more enthusiasm than the speakers last night, but the hollering notwithstanding was for Dixon and Orr WA 

Thurs 4 Sept 1884 Marshal Lonergan is seriously ill at his room at the City Hall. He is suffering intense pain from sore eyes. WA  

Sat 6 Sept 1884 Marshal Lonergan will go to Hot Springs on Wednesday next for the benefit of his health. WA 

12 Sep. 1884 Pete Ivey will have the street in front of his new brick filled up to the grade. Let every other property owner do the same.  23 Sep. 1884 Two of the recently escaped colored prisoners were captured below Garland City on Sunday by a posse of colored men WA 

24 Sep. 1884 Mr. Henry Sheflin returned last night from McKinney Bayou, at the St. Line Crossing, where he has just completed a bridge. It is on the road to Dixon Ferry, which is an important crossing for Little River County farmers. The bridge was built through private subscriptions, secured by efforts of Dick Chappell. WA  

26 Sept. 1884 - Officer McCouly locked up an intoxicated white woman this morning for stopping on the streets. She is an old offender and gives the officers much trouble. She has served several terms in the brick yard for failure to pay her fines. WA  

26 Sept. 1884 A colored barber working for Pete Williams, was arrested last night by Officer McCauley for using vile and threatening language. When turning Levy's corner, he dodged back and before the officer could realize the move, bounded into Texas at two strides. He will not return until ready to pay a fine. WA 

1 Oct 1884 Marshal Lonergan returned from the hat shop last night where he went two weeks ago for the benefit of his eyes. We are glad to learn that his general health has improved and that he has discarded his eye glasses. WA  

1 Oct. 1884 - Sheriff elect Hamilton will move into the city sometime during the present month, we are informed. WA 

Thurs. 2 Oct. 1884 A dangerous washout exist on the corner of Vine and Front St., just a place as horses frequently step into and break a limb. Fred Winning has opened a full line of fresh and new groceries near Col. Triggs on court house hill. WA  

6 Oct. 1884 Sat night a rough knocked a poor disabled man down in Rogers Saloon, west side, and was in the act of cutting his throat with a razor, when the proprietor forced him to desist by the covering him with a pistol. He ran for the east side with officers in persuit and firing at him. As he crossed the line Marshal Lonergan stopped him at the mouth of his pistol. He returned with the officer and is now in the calaboose. He is an old offender. WA  

8 Oct. 1884 The colored woman that cut her rival in the abdomen in Culloms Saloon last week was tried at Boston yesterday and fined $25.00 and cost. WA 

Tues. 14 Oct. 1884 The street commission is fixing the crossing over the culvert on Vine Street, between Broad and Front. WA 

Wed 15 Oct. 1884 Officer McCauley has accepted a position as watchman at the oil mills. WA 

Thurs. 16 Oct. 1884  A wagon load of fine trout was on the streets today. They were caught with a hook and line out of Old River,  opposite Garland City. Some would weigh 3lbs WA

 Mon. 20 Oct. 1884 An intelligence office will be opened in the city in a few days. The old well in the middle of Broad St. ought to be filled up. Texarkana needs street lamps. WA

 Mon. 20 Oct. 1884 Mr. Mathon, a resident on College Hill came into the city last night to meet the Iron Mt. pay car and get pay due him for labor, and has not been heard of since. He is a sober and industrious man, and his wife is very uneasy about him. WA 

Tues. 21 Oct. 1884  -in the mayors court, Hugh Johnson, a ward of the nation; contributed $1.00 & cost this morning for disturbing the  peace. N. H. Hardy, another "culled brudder" same thing. Malvina Wesly, a "lady of the darken hue" disorderly conduct" added $2.00 worth of shekels to the city treasury. WA  

Wed. 22 Oct. 1884  Considerable cotton came in today. The wood hauler's are in demand today. Several new residents are going up near Park Beidler. After the showers yesterday didn't the back yards & alleys smell? whew!!' WA  

Thus. 23 Oct. 1884  Overcoats and fires were in demand this morning. It is rumored that a female lawyer from Chicago will soon locate in this city. There are too many children loafing around the streets that should be in school. WA 

Thurs. 23 Oct. 1884  Texarkana is very orderly at the present, we here of but few misdemeanors. This speaks well of our officials. WA  

Fri.  24 Oct. 1884 Why not have street lamps? It is awful dark for the news-paper men to have to prowl around the streets at night,  and we are fearful that brother Allen will hurt himself. WA  

Mon. 27 Oct. 1884  We are informed that State Line Cem. needs attention. Those owning lots there should see that they are in nice condition. WA  

Sat. 1 Nov. 1884  A great deal of cotton seed came in from the country in wagon today. The beating of bones on the streets by boys is an nuisance. A couple of colored women indulged in a fight on Clinton Street yesterday WA 

Tues. 4 Nov. 1884 Officer McCauley, who went in search of the thief that stole Solinskys horse, had to return for want of funds. WA 

Tues. 11 Nov. 1884  In the exuberance of there joy the other night, some of our citizens painted one of the engines on the Iron Mt.  red, about which the Interstate of this morning has this to say: "Goulds rod engine did not go out yesterday." Warrants were issued for the happy democrats. We trust the warrants will be withdrawn as no wrong was intended and the city was alive with excitement. WA 

Tues. 11 Nov. 1884  Ben Foreman has bought interest in the W.L. Franks Gro. on Broad St. WA 

Wed. 12 Nov. 1884  Burglaries are becoming of too frequent occurrence in this city and it may be necessary to increase the police force. It can not be expected that 2 or 3 men can do the work of a half dozen officers. It strikes us that Texarkana is large enough to have a regular organized police force. WA  

Mon. 17 Nov. 1884 - We are not surprised but very much regret to learn that Sheriff Hamilton's bond as collector, was not approved by the county judge. Mr. Hamilton having been elected to the position, we trust that governor Berry, will appoint him collector thus giving him time to make a bond satisfactory to the county judge, which no doubt he will be able to do. WA 

Fri. 21 Nov. 1884  The bridge across Nix Creek broke yesterday evening as a wagon loaded with lumber was passing over it. It should  be repaired at once as a matter of justice to the citizens on College Hill. WA  

Sat. 22 Nov. 1884--This morning sheriff Hamilton carried two suckers to the penitentiary at Little Rock. Mason, 2 years for burglary and a colored man 1 year for grand larceny.  WA 

Mon. 24 Nov. 1884 General Albert Pike and Gen. G.D.Royston registered into the Marguand Hotel. They are tow of the oldest Arkansas  veterans now living. Gen. Royston was born 14 Dec. 1809 Gen. Pike was born 29 Dec. 1809 They both came to Ark. in 1832 and taught school and afterwards practiced law. WA  

Tues. 25 Nov. 1884- Governor Berry, as we are glad to learn, appointed sheriff Hamilton to collect the taxes in this county. As we all know there was some misunderstanding in regard to his collectors bond, but everyone was satisfied that he could make an unquestionable good bond. WA 

Sat 6 Dec 1884 The case of Miller County against Pat Lonergan, marshal of the East side, was decided by Judge Williams in favor of the county. WA  

Dec. 23, 1884 - As stated by our West side contemporary, yesterday was the 11th anniversary of this city, and when we see what has been done in the  past eleven years, it gives us great hope for the future. Let our people remain united in the advotacy and support of public schools and all public enterprises, and Texarkana will ere long become one of the most prosperous young cities in the south west. WA 

YOU WILL FIND MORE IN THE PUBLICATION  BELOW FOR 1884!

AWARDED OUTSTANDING FOR BOOKS PUBLISHED BY A PARTNER SOCIETY BY TEXAS STATE GENEALOGY SOCIETY YEAR 2005!

1884 ABSTRACTS FROM THE DAILY TEXARKANA INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

Soft Cover.  138 pages including a detailed index of 17 pages.  Almost 3000 index entries.  Transcribed and compiled by Tresa Underwood.  Index was done by Elizabeth Brown.  The price is $25.00 plus $3.00 P/H.  This one is also being offered on a CD.  PDF format.  Adobe Acrobat will open it.  The Price will be $15.00 plus $1.50 P/H.  

If you order both together Price will be 35.00 plus $3.00 P/H. 

Check out the Index

ORDER BLANK

1885

1885  W. T. Hamilton assumes duty as Sheriff of Miller Co. Ar. 1885-1886 WA  

Fri. 2 Jan. 1885  The new school board for the east side. Col. James Aiken President, Judge Thomas Orr, Sec. W.G. Wadley, J.H. Wootten, F.M. Duncan, J.C. Weed, WA 

20 Jan. 1885  Pete Ivy discontinued his market on St. Line and opened a new one near the Benefield Hotel. WA 

Thurs. 29 Jan. 1885 A meeting of the Fire Co. and committee was appointed, do wait on the city councils to urge the proprietor of building cisterns on Broad St. If cisterns are build the co. will take measures to obtain force pumps which will be very useful in case of fire. WA 

Tues. 10 Feb. 1885   The water works are a certainty if the city councils will give free right of way and take a number of hydrants for public use. WA 

16 Feb 1885 - ASSIGNEES SALE - Notice is hereby given that by virtue of an order of the Miller Co. Chancery Court. WA 

18 Feb. 1885  The telephone line to Hope has been repaired. WA 

1885 Fire - $210,000 Fire-The Marx Block and Interstate News Office $210,000 Fire-The Marx Block and Interstate News Office WA 

Sat 21 Feb 1885 Texarkana Daily Interpendent About half past one o'clock this morning the fire alarm called our citizens from their warm beds to discover that the Marx Block-the most elegant structure in our city was on fire-the fire having as it is supposed originated in the store room of the Texarkana Grocery and Provision Co. in the center of said block-some however are of opinion that it originated in the store of J. H. Draughn. But however that might be, the fire fiend has come and today our city is in -gloom over losses, estimated at $210,000. The Marx Block was occupied by the Citizens Bank on the North side, then J. H. Draughn, then two store rooms by the 'Texarkana Grocery and Provision Co., then L.C. DeMorse, and then M. V. Flippin with offices and families on the second and third floors. We have taken much pains and trouble to ascertain, as reliable as possible, the names of the sufferers and the extent of their losses, insurance, etc., and all the information we have was received directly from the parties themselves, without guess work on our part.   Losses. and Insurance DeMorse, L.C. stock $9,500 Insurance $6,000 About $750 worth of goods saved.  Munzesheimer and Marks Building occupied by Demorse, Loss $9,500 Insurance $7,000.  Eck Building-occupied by Texarkana Grocery Loss $10,000 Insurance $7,000.  Draughn, J.H. Loss of buildings $30,000.00 These embrace one occupied by Texarkana Gro. two by himself, and one by Citizens Bank in front, and Beard and McCorkles Insurance office in rear and Col. Draughns residence above. His family escaped with some difficulty from the flames, and saved none of their clothing. He also lost his fine Jersey cow.  Grocery & Provision Co. Loss on stock $50,000 Insurance $36,750  Beard and McCorkles Office was a Total loss with no Insurance.  Haden, J.J. Loss on two dwellings $2,500 Insurance $1,700.   Behan, W. Loss on dwelling and household $3,000 Insurance $1.,500 Loss on warehouse $800--No Insurance Stock stored in warehouse $3,200--No Insurance   Flippin, M.V. Building and household goods $10,000 Insurance $2750  He also had a big sign HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA" loss cannot be estimated.  ?Ramseur and Motz Loss on wagon factor $10,000 Insurance $2,000  Peck, Charles Saloon $800 Insurance $500.  Estis, Jesse H Dwelling $1,500 Insurance -$1,000.-   Smith, W.R. Damage to furniture by removal $250.   Texarkana Publishing Co,--Interstate News $5,000 Insurance $3000.   Ramseur and Whitener--Interstate Bldg. $2,000 Insurance $500.   Whitener, J.C. Loss on livery stable and undertakers bldg. $5,700 Insurance $2,500   Mitchell, T.S. Bldg. $19000 No Insurance  Texas Produce Co. $400 Insured Taylor and Maxwell office furniture and library $1,000 No Insurance Todd and Hudgins Office furniture and library Loss $4,000 Insurance $1.,700.  Carman, R,C, Furniture $200 No Insurance   Blankenship, A.J. Stables and fence $200 No Insurance   B & 0 Telegraph Office in Marx Block also all fixtures.   Ben James, in Flippin Bldg. Storage $1,700 Insurance $19250.  Trigg, H.W. Damaged stock $100 No Insurance.   Goldberg, A. Damage to bldg. $1,000 Covered by Insurance Following also damaged by removals Lemly, S. $100.00 Insured Johnson, R.A. 50.00 No Insurance McNealy, N.A. 100.00 Insured Cullom, W.H. 200.00 Insured Markham, J.W. 200.00 Insured Stickler, Hy 200.00 Insured  Talbot, J.L. Damage to library $250 No Insurance  Hall, J.D. Office furniture $200.00 No Insurance  Longinotti, Jo $500 Insured Citizens Bank 53000 Insurance $2,000 Chio, A.L. 1,000 Insured Redding, J. 1,300 No Insurance Hughes, J.W. 1,700 Insurance $500 Lovett, Dr. A.C. 500 Insured  Marx., Jo Silverware in bank $4,000 Insurance $2,500. First Nat'l Bank 500 Fully insured Hiller, Frank Furniture $500 Insurance $250 Duke, Mrs. M.B. $33000 Insurance $1,200 Roach, Mrs. L.S. Furniture $1,200 Insurance $600.00  Harvell, Jo Dwelling and furniture $3,000 Insurance $1,000  Estes and Smelser Furniture and books $1,000 No Insurance  Estes, B.T. Bldg. $100 No Insurance Blackburn, Mrs. $400 No Insurance Lyon, O.T. Bldg. Evergreen House $3000 No Insurance Aiken, C.M. Sr. Bldg. $300 No Insurance  WA 

Monday 23 Feb. 1885 - Texarkana Daily Independent It is reported that the parties who killed Dept. Marshall Gosling, on the train in Texas last Sunday, have been captured. Mr. Gosling had many friends in this city who trust the rumor is true. WA 

Fri. 27 Feb. 1885 U. S. Marshall Gosling, who was killed last week on the train in Texas, started the first newspaper that was ever published in bowie County WA 

Fri. 6 Mar 1885 Marshal Lonergan received a telegram this morning from Jacksonville Ill., announcing the death of his father. He left at once to attend the funeral. WA  

Wed 8 April 1885 City election results. MAYOR C. C. Dorrian 289 / Martin Forrester 279 CITY ATTORNEY H. L. Grigsby 575 / H. S. Johnson 48 RECORDER W. H. Arnold 468 / John glover 81 MARSHAL Pat Lonergan 338 / James Matthews 228 TREASURER Ben James 400 / Thomas Orr 169 STREET COMMISSIONER Joe Johnson 409 / Ogden Bryant 13 ALDERMAN C. E. Bramble 404 / Pat Hardin 362, O. Whittemore 345 Ed Schicker 366 E. F. Friedell 263 ALDERMAN NOT ELECTED E. N. Maxwell 238 / Pat Curran 226 H. Platz 159 / O. S. Garrett 127 Richard Cornelius 105 MAYOR C. C. Dorrian 289 votes, Martin Forster 279 votes; MARSHALL Pat Lonergan 338 votes, James Matthews 228 votes. CITY ATTORNEY H. L. Grigsby 575 votes, H. S. Johnson 48 votes.  WA 

18 May 1885  A young lady fell three times on the broken planks of the wood sidewalk that leads from Broad St. to the Post Office.   Every stranger coming to the city pronounces that so called sidewalk a disgrace. WA  

Sat. 20 June 1885-Sheriff Hamilton has notices posted that he will sell 131 bales of Cotton at the compress in this city July 1. It is the Cotton attached in the case of J. D. Hall vs W. T. Whitman, and is sold by order of the circuit court to save the cost of storage, insurance, etc. WA 

6 July 1885 Charles Peck sold the Paragon and Gem Saloons to W. Behan WA 

9 Jul. 1885  The new bridge over Nix Creek to College Hill will soon be completed. WA 

Sat. 11 July 1885-Sheriff Hamilton returned from Little Rock this morning where he had been to deliver Mose Tucker and Nelson Kemp to the keeper of the penitentiary. Mose, one year and Kemp, four better.  WA 

14 Jul. 1885  Passed a ordinance to protect the public from unsafe scaffolds, signs, awnings, and porches. Fine for violation is $25.00 and is the duty of the city marshall to give occupant or owner notice to repair within 5 days or town council will remove. WA

 Thurs. 16 Jul. 1885  A pistol totter went up for a fine of $25.00 and cost in recorder Matthews court today. WA 

Friday 17 Jul. 1885  Sheriff Hamilton informed us this morning he had four prisoners in the Miller Co. jail. Jerry Lewis, col, convicted of rape and granted a new trial. Moss Tate & Ned Mitchell, col., for murder Phinneas Bateman, a white male for burglary. WA 

Friday 17 Jul. 1885 Dept. Sheriff Ed Hood of Nevada Co. spent last night in the city. WA

 Saturday 18 Jul. 1885 Jo L. Cella, dept. U. S. Marshall and acting constable of Garland Twp may be found from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. WA 

Saturday 18 Jul. 1885  Burglars entered the residence of postmaster Shaw yesterday and stole a pistol, a shirt, and a comb. WA  

15 Aug. 1885 - Marriage of A. J. Lummus 21 and A. F. Stuckey 18 MCA WA