This Week in Canton History

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

CANTON HERALD-June 30, 1960: 

Funeral services for Sarah Catherine Whitton were held Friday, June 24, at Elm Gove Church. Mrs. Whitton was born on March 19, 1871, in Van Zandt County and passed away at her own in Whitton on Thursday, June 23. Her husband, Eli Whitton, preceded her in death two years ago.  Interment was in Elm Grove Cemetery under the direction of you Eubank Bros. Funeral Home.

If you have visited the courthouse during the past few weeks it makes you wonder why it isn’t air-conditioned. The comfort of too many people is involved in the span of a year for the county seat not to be air-conditioned.

If you find any mistakes in the news column this week, you can blame it on our number two daughter, Jeanne, who has been filling and with the Herald staff this week as proof reader. She has been quite a help to us… In spite of her many mistakes.

A Fort Worth man is being held in the Van Zandt County jail with the burglary of two grocery stores on Sunday, June 12.  Sheriff J. W. Burnett said that the man would be taken to Dallas Wednesday afternoon to take a lie detector test. The burglaries netted the culprit $375 in cash and 74 cartons of cigarettes. Hopkins Grocery in Edom and Green’s Store in Van were the stores hit by the robbery. An eyewitness at Edom reported seeing a man entered the Edom grocery early in the morning on June 12.

An alleged stolen car caused the Fort Worth man to be jailed this week.

A Gala Fourth of July barbecue and picnic has been scheduled by the Canton Volunteer Fire Department to raise money for the City Park Recreation.  Included in the Activities to be held during the Day are Boat Rides, Baseball, “Go-Cart” Rides, Pony Rides, Waterskiing, and many other things to do for the whole Family.  Capping off the Day of Celebration will be a Barbecue Beef Dinner to be served at 5 o’clock. Tickets are on sale by very member of the local department.

The Annual July 4, Party by the Canton Firemen help defray expenses for the park to operate during the summer months, including the expenses of the Little League Baseball Teams.

Dean Brown, Fire Chief told the press that something will be going on all day for every member of the family to do. The concession stand will remain open throughout the day of activities.  Prices for the picnic dinner or $1 for adults over 12 and $.50 for children under 12 years of age.  All the businesses in Canton will be closed and a large crowd is expected to take advantage of the Fireman’s Benefit.

Mr. and Ms. Jim Johnson of Route 2, Canton, will observe Their Golden Wedding Anniversary with open house from 2 to 5 O’clock Sunday afternoon at their home. They were married July 3, 1910, and have resided in Van Zandt County all their married life.

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