SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD herald@mediactr.com
When Betty Tosh Miller visited our office recently, she brought with her a copy of the May 10, 1951, issue of this newspaper. What a flood of memories the 12-page edition revived. She had found it in her mom's collection of "stuff." Only another pack rat can understand another pack rat. But Magoline, like your writer, is a keeper of things which have historical significance to us.

She had the privilege of being photographed with a prize received in a drawing at Piggly Wiggly's. Store manager Weldon Garrett was also in the photo.

This was when the grocery store operated on the south side of the square, part of which now serves Chapman Pharmacy.

The prize was no doubt the first of its kind in our area. It was a Youngstown Kitchen Dishwasher. The unique gift was a cooperative effort between Childs Piggly Wiggly and Cobb- Holman Lumber Company of Jacksonville.

The picture appeared in three column format with a credit line to Wiley Shattuck.

It has been a long time since we put all that copy - ads and news - together. The method was hot type, a hideously laborious process that only those who were there can remember. Pictures were mailed to East Texas Engraving in Tyler where they were engraved in zinc, mounted on wood to type high measurement, and returned to us for the continuation of the process. Ultimately, readers saw the photo. Wiley was a longtime friend of ours and helped with picture taking, developing and printing before we managed to establish our own dark room.

But you don't want to read the history of the newspaper. You want to know what was "in" that issue of more than 56 years ago. Among the advertisers were the well read announcements from the Cherokee Theatre. They (meaning Frank and Katie Gillespie) provided new movies every two days, sometimes a special oneday only showing. Several for that week had received recognition as Academy Award winners. The were "Born Yesterday" starring Judy Holliday, William Holden and Broderick Crawford. Another was "Sunset Boulevard," also starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson and Erich Stroheim. Not to disappoint the country and western music lovers, Roy Acuff starred in "Smoky Mountain Melody." Hanna Real Estate (remember Clara and her spouse, Will, who was our mayor?), Chas. L. Kerr Co., dealer for Frigidaire refrigerators and much more.

Moving to the inside pages a very beautiful bride appeared. She was Rusk's own Dorothy Long married to George Marks, a friend of my Better Half from their days at Temple High School. George had graduated from Texas A&M and was assigned to Rusk's Extension Service office.

Then we were privileged to shop with many firms "at home" and never gave thought to shopping anywhere else. Another advertiser of that issue was Temple Builders Supply. Did you know that Arthur Temple once owned a business in Rusk, located in the building now occupied by our Heritage Center? Others included Martin Motor Co., J. C. Williams Ford, Moseley Drug Store and The Smart Shop. Wallace Funeral Home announced the formal opening of their new building May 13. Refreshments were to be served and ladies were to be given an orchid.

The lead story on page one announced, "J. C. Williams named Rusk's Honored Man."

He was called Rusk's prominent and beloved citizen by Lion Frank Gillespie who presented him with a plaque of appreciation from the Rusk Lions Club. E. R. Gregg, president of the Chamber of Commerce, offered fitting words of recognition to the honoree.

"Johnnie has left his imprint on Rusk," said Mr. Gregg. "His time, his talents, his money and his spirit are a part of and are definitely woven into every improvement and forward move to which you can point. In 25 years, I have never known him to deny help to the needy, strength to the weak.

"He has been successful without arrogance, humble and thankful for his success and generously sharing it."

Aren't these words "pure, apples of gold," spoken by a great man about another great man. What a privilege to have known both of them and call them friends.

Well, to make this a little more all-inclusive, let me tell you which RHS seniors were to be in the annual senior play. Miss Robert Leake and Curtis McLeod were the class sponsors. Cast included Joe Frank Anderson, Helen Haynes, Neil Woodard, Linda McIntyre, Ranee Echols, Mary Ethel Guinn, Joy Nell Dover, Curtis Maness, Ophelia Pryor Williams, Charles Heald, Jimmy Persons, John Wyatt Andrews, Marilyn Jackson and Joe Max Taylor.

Oh my, I knew it would be like this. Time to go, but I have only scratched the surface. You need to know this, however.

There was a story, page one, about a parks committee meeting, Ide Hall, chairman reported the signing of that bill by Gov. Allen Shivers.

It had been sponsored by State Rep. Jack Weisner of Wells. The bill gave permission to Rusk for the creation of the Jim Hogg State Park.

What goes around, comes around, I've heard. Thank you, Magoline, for sharing your precious "stuff" with all of us. Keep smiling.