This week in Canton history...

Submitted by Canton1 on
By Sandra Jones Van Zandt County Genealogical Society

CANTON HERALD, Feb. 23, 1950

CANTON BUSINESSMAN IN REVIEW, Our business man in review this week is Joe M. Hackney, owner and manager of the Plaza and Texas Theatres.  Mr. Hackney purchased the Texas from S. G. Fry of Tyler in 1939, and has operated it since.  Four years ago he built the Plaza Theatre, which is one of the most modern motion picture theaters in East Texas and uses the Plaza for all showings.  The Texas Theatre is used for Saturday nights only. Mr. Hackney has been in the theater business since 1928.  At that time he worked for Jefferson Amusement Company of Beaumont.  He worked in Longview, Gregton, Arp and Henderson and was employed as a motion picture projectionist for seven years.  In 1935 he was made a manager.  In 1934 and 1935 he worked for RKO film exchange in Dallas.  The management of the theatre stated that they are proud of their theatre and its patrons.  They hope to bring to the people of Canton the best in entertainment as soon as it becomes available.  Mr. Hackney was married in 1933 to the former Izel Pool daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Pool of Henderson.  They have two children, Don Hackney, 14 and Michael, 11.  Both are students in the local school.  He was born and reared in Henderson and is the son of Mrs. Inez Hackney of Jefferson and the late Roy Hackney.  He attended school in Henderson.  Mr. Hackney employs nine people at his theatres.  They are Alton Rasco, operator, Eloise Jacobs and Nadine Jarvis, cashiers; Floyd Davis, janitor, Don Hackney and Bill Ray Knox, doorman and ushers.  Fox Robertson, Michael Hackney and Charles Skidmore candy boys.

Friday, Feb. 24 is World Day of Prayer as designated and for a number of years sponsored by the

United Council of Church Women of America.  The purpose is to suggest to all Christian people that on this day they engage in groups or individually in prayer for world peace and a more cooperative Christianity throughout the world.

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