This Week in Canton History

April 7, 1960

Benny Ray Getty, 1958 graduate of Van school, was killed instantly Sunday afternoon when his car collided head-on with another car on farm to market Road 733, four miles north of Ben Wheeler. Twenty year old Getty was driving his 1954 Ford when the accident occurred on a hill the other car in involved with the 1954 Chevrolet. The death of the young man brought to two the number of fatalities from highway accidents in Van Zandt County in 1960. 

Three Canton aldermen were returned to their host by local voters in the Tuesday city election. Only nine voters went to the polls own uncontested city election each candidate received nine votes. No write-in votes were recorded incumbents reelected included C. Travis Coleman, John H. Reynolds and B. R. Mahaffey. In the school trustee election James Beggs and B. J. (Doc) Dawson were reelected Beggs received 45 votes while Dawson told 46.

Bethel Well Shows 393,000 feet of gas – more all along was salt water has been stamp tested in the Pure Oil Company and Texaco Inc., Number one Flatt Unit only J. B. Hubbard survey, Cotton Valley prospect in the Old Bethel community.  On latest stem run at 10,655,721 latest Stan Ron at 10, 655, 721 with tool open two hours and 45 minutes, the well showed 393,000 feet of gas daily and flowed oil and saltwater in 105 minutes at an estimated rate with half the output oil.

Wesley Bryant, 73, retired oil well worker of New London, died at his home early Thursday, March 31. While an oil well worker his headquarters were in New Iberia, LA. He moved to New London from Canton four years ago. Funeral services were held 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon at the New London Baptist Church internment was in the Kilgore Cemetery under the direction of Hilliard and Sons funeral home.

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