Photos & Postcards from Bowie County and Texarkana

A lot of the photos were missing by the time I got this county. When there was a great deal of information included with the missing photos, I moved the information to an appropriate page (families, history, news articles, etc.). This is a graphic intensive page and the thumbnails will take a minute to load.

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Information Photo Submitter
Duflot Family Reunion
Children of Albert and Marie A. Duflot, August 15, 1915, Lynn Ferry Road, Texarkana, Arkansas
Left to Right: Clara Lee, Aubrey Alice, Ruble Forest, Pearl Mae, Bertha Blanche, Marie Anna, George Stephens, Joseph Leo, August Albert and Albertine Antoinette Duflot.
Duflot Family, Bowie County, Texas Jane Slaughter
Billy Duflot and Emory Dale Sorsby, taken about 1924 in Texarkana Billy Duflot and Emory Dale Sorsby, Bowie County, Texas Jane Slaughter
Inside of the "Rock Store", Harris Grocery, 1965 - Grant, Florence, and Vicki Harris
Highway 71 South, Miller Co. Ark.
Grant, Florence, and Vicki Harris, Bowie County, Texas V. Harris
James L. Crane family of Fouke, Arkansas James L. Crane family, Bowie County, Texas Jim Stacks
Mrs. James Lon (Arizonia Smith) Crane Arizonia Smith Crane, Bowie County, Texas Jim Stacks
Batte Family, Miller Co. Ar. Left to right: Purline, Lizzy, Henry W. (Dixie) Batte, Emma, ?, and Ida Waldrip Batte. Little Boy with gun is Arthur Batte. I will have to get back to you with the name of the girl behind Emma and the Baby. Dixie was my GGrandfather. Emma was my grandmother. Batte Family, Texarkana, Texas Jim Stacks
Arkansas High Group Photo before 1926 #1 Arkansas High School, Bowie County, Texas Pat Foster King
Downtown Texarkana, Broad St. early 1900's Texarkana William Sweeney
Hoffman Hardware, Texarkana, Ark. the bill for the entire kitchen, except table, chairs and pie safe, for the home of E. E. Canant and wife Ida McKeehan Canant. Hoffman Hardware, Texarkana Lloyd Canant
Catholic School Class Texarkana, Ark. abt. 1910 Old photo of the Catholic School on the Arkansas side of town. My father, Leo T. Sweeney is seen peeking over the head of the girl in the front row (tall girl, white blouse, right side.) Must be about 1910 as my Dad was born 1899, and he looks about 10 or 11 years old. Catholic School Class, Texarkana William Sweeney
The Anthony Bernard Sweeney Family, circa 1902, left to right: Joseph Owen, Father Anthony B., (on lap) Leo Thomas, Mary Elizabeth, George Edward, John Lawrence, Mother Mary Ann, Anthony Bernard Jr. Anthony Bernard Sweeney Family, Texarkana William Sweeney
The Sweeney Home, circa 1908, 406 Beech Street, Texarkana, Arkansas
The home of Anthony B. Sweeney, early pioneer of Texarkana, Arkansas. This home was located at 406 Beech Street, Texarkana, Arkansas. (Across the street from the present day St. Edward's Catholic Church) The Sweeney's lived here from the early 1900's until the late 1930's. Sitting atop the two gate posts is Leo Thomas Sweeney Sr. and brother George Edward Sweeeny.
Anthony Bernard Sweeney home, Texarkana William Sweeney
Old photo found in father's belongings. It is a picture of the Texarkana Life Underwriters. Does anyone know where this building is? or was?
On the back of the picture is written: Group Picture Texarkana Life Underwriters, taken Thursday Jan. 21st., 1932. National Insurance Day. Reading from left to write:
1. Leo T. Sweeney - Central States Life - Texarkana
2. A. T. Motchenbacher - Sun Life of Canada - Little Rock
3. A. F. Young - Aetna Life - Texarkana
4. Mrs. W. B. Farrer - Equitable Life - Texarkana
5. V. A. Pate - Aetna Life - Texarkana
6. James a. Case - Equitable Life - Texarkana
7. W. F. Galloway - a Life - Texarkana
8. ?. T. Doubglas - Press Reporter - Texarkana
9. L. ?. Nicewarner - Equitable Life - Texarkana
10. James Buchanan - Equitable Life - Texarkana
11. A. E. Whatley - Equitable Life - Texarkana
12. ?. F. Ellen - Sun Life Canada - Camden, Ark.
13. ? ? Henry - Sun Life Canada - Texarkana
Texarkana Life Underwriters, Texarkana William Sweeney
Charles Lafeyette and Martha Ann McGowan Cates
Charles was the son of William M. and Sarah Ann Rigbsy Cates. Charles was born 2 May 1868 and died 27 Jul. 1943. He married Martha Ann McGown on 10 jul. 1888. Martha was born 21 Aug. 1872 and died 30 Dec. 1938.
Charles Lafeyette and Martha Ann McGowan Cates, Bowie County, Texas Edward Cates
William M. and Sarah Ann Rigsby Cates. William born on 6 Jun 1802, son of John Morgan Cates. He died 4 Feb. 1881. He married Sarah Ann Rigsby on 27 May 1845. Sarah was born 1 Sep. 1824 and died 31 Mar. 1910. William had been married to Polly Bowers before marrying Sarah. William and Sarah are buried in the Holly Springs cementery near the community of Boyd, AR. William and Sarah Cates, Bowie County, Texas Edward Cates
John Morgan Cates, son of Richard Cate, was born om 16 Jan. 1771 in North Carolina. He died on 11 Oct. 1825 in Caroll County, Georga. John married Mary Hannah Smith on 29 Nov. 1790 in Newberry, South Carolins. Mary was born om 14 Dec. 1777 in Union County, South Carolina. She died 1844 in Georgia. John Morgan Cates, Bowie County, Texas Edward Cates
This is a pledge "to abstain from the use of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage". The signers are Sam E. Lee, his wife, Ada Lee, daughters, Miss Carrie Lee and Miss Isabel Lee (my mother) & son, Master Garland Lee. Sam was the son of Amzie & Carolina Garland Lee. Researched by Carolyn Patten Shell. Temperance pledge, Bowie County, Texas Pat Foster King
1924 - Lillie Barber becomes one of the first female sheriffs in the county when she replaces her husband, Lish Barber, after he died in a grocery store shootout on College Hill. Convicted of Barber's murder, was a former Texarkana, Arkansas police chief. Lillie captured the Outlaw Kinney Wagner. Lillie Barber, Bowie County, Texas Jim Stacks
Creosote School - "The teacher is "Ruby Dennis DeFee", (grandmother of William Sweeney) who was, for many years, a school teacher in Texarkana, Texas. I recognize my mother's writing identifying the school as Creosote School Consolidated 1917-1918 (on back), with some unidentified students."
"Ruby DeFee was a teacher right up until her death in 1944. She resigned her duties as teacher about one month before her death. She was teaching school at Spring Lake Park School then. She was the widow of William Jackson DeFee, a former City Secretary of Texarkana, Texas. He was also a drug store owner-pharmacist for many years and was one of the first licensed pharmacists in the State of Texas."
William Sweeney, San Antonio, Texas, August, 2000
This school believed to be one of the schools previously in what is now the Liberty Eylau School district area.
Creosote School, Texarkana, Texas William Sweeney
1951 Nash Rambler Station Wagon in front of the Texarkana College. Hughes Motor Company Texarkana College, Texarkana, Texas William Sweeney
William Titus and Martha (Johnson) Bellieu with children Walter Howard (Pete), Myrtle, and Pearlee. She was pregnant with Elton Arthur (Kiddo). The old house was on the corner of Springlake Park Road and Summerhill Road. William Titus and Martha (Johnson) Bellieu, Texarkana, Texas Jim Stacks
Carra Belle, Willard, & Clifford Marland Old (abt.1899) Clifford, Clarabelle and Willard Old, Texarkana, Texas Marland Old
Thomas Turner McGee in uniform Thomas Turner McGee, Texarkana, Texas Marland Old
Hayes - McMillan Family, New Hope, 1909
In photo - Alice Hayes, (Little Mammy's Sister), Acie Hayes, Jr, Dewie Hayes, Bessie Hayes, Cook, Ira Hayes, Freiberger, Mary Hayes, Ryther, Johnnie Hayes, Webb, Lydia Hayes, Moore, William Monroe McMillan (Papaw), Ida Ella Jane McMillan (Little Mammy), Cleoda Darlin McMillan-Robinson, Follis Everett McMillan, Oba Vera McMillan-Kelly, Carrie McMillan-Terral, Maudie Stephen
Hayes - McMillan Family, Texarkana, Texas Eddie Robinson
Hayes Family Group Picture Hayes Family, Texarkana, Texas Eddie Robinson
New Hope School/Class in 1914 New Hope School/Class in 1914, Bowie County, Texas Eddie Robinson
The J. C. and Mary Stingley Family J. C. and Mary Stingley, Texarkana, Texas Eddie Robinson
The Sam and Verna Gay Family Sam and Verna Gay, Texarkana, Texas Eddie Robinson
The D. A. Baugh Family, Dalby Springs D. A. Baugh Family, Dalby Springs, Texas Eddie Robinson
1912 College Hill School
"Was unable to identify some of the students. The teacher at that time was H. L. Knight (who later became the Postmaster of Avery and the Post Office was in the back of the building now owned {January 23, 1975}and used as a business by Brose Medford.)
  "This school was located back of Orville Beardens home. The first school was torn down and a new one built in 1921. This school that was built in 1921 was sold and moved South West of Clarksville, this building was sold in the late forties. Another school was built and remained in use until the 50's when College Hill consolidated with Avery. At one time there were three teachers there and they served lunches for 2 or 3 years. The community donated the food that was for the lunches. Coy Hannah said "he offered one bushel of Poke Salad and Mildred Martin's little girl and Deloris Jean Clark didn't like it, but said they would lap it up anyway." because at that time if you ate everything on your plate you received a mark and when you had so many marks you received a prize. Some of the last teachers to teach there were Mr. and Mrs. Hegler, who upon consolidation went to Omaha and Mildred Martin came to Avery. Orville Bearden used to build the fires in the morning for 10 cents that was two fires (a nickel a piece)- custodians have really come up in the world since then."
1912 College Hill School, Bowie County, Texas Eddie Robinson
Jeremiah Giles b. 1885
He was a son of Jerry Giles and Harriet [Lucy] Bradshaw Giles. He married Ida E. Walraven in 1895, he was 20 and she was 21. They had 6 children, 5 girls and 1 son. Susan Giles Mitchell, 1896, Effie Lerner Giles Carter, 1903, Nora Bell Giles Wilson, 1911, Bonnie Giles Browing, Ethel Giles and son Ruben Giles. They lived around Dekalb & New Boston, TX. He was a farmer and she was a house keeper. He passed away sometimes between 1910, 1911. This picture was hand painted.
Jeremiah Giles, Bowie County, Texas Lillie Giles Best
Medical office of E. E. Canant, Bassett, Texas, 1931 Medical office of E. E. Canant, Bassett, Texas Lloyd Canant
Mt. Sterling School, near Austin Chapel on FM 1840 Mt. Sterling School, Bowie County, Texas Jean Old
Old photo taken at one of the schools in Texarkana, Texas. My mother, Ruth Sweeney nee DeFee is in the front row, 3rd from left. I feel she was about 8 yrs old, making this about 1915. I do not know the school, who the other students were, nor the teacher on the right. Unknown School, Bowie County, Texas William Sweeney
Found in my Grandparents photos. Halbert, Jarrett, Williams. I think it is what is known now as the Grim Hotel but on the door it has Wells Fargo & Co. Express. Would love any comments on this one. Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Texarkana, Texas Tresa Underwood
Broad Street photo, Texarkana, 1874, One of two postcards I found. On the back of them they have "C. T. AMERICAN ART" Broad Street, 1874, Texarkana, Texas Tresa Underwood
Broad Street photo, Texarkana, 1939, One of two postcards I found. On the back of them they have "C. T. AMERICAN ART" Broad Street, 1939, Texarkana, Texas Tresa Underwood
School group that I believe was made in Bowie Co. circa 1900-1905. The only person I can identify is my grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Barton (b. 1886). She moved from GA to Bowie Co. as a child (I'm not sure exactly what year) with her parents James Garvin Barton and Angeline (Annie) Hawkins Blackston Barton. My grandmother lived in Bowie Co. until approximately 1913, when she, her husband James Ervin Smith, their infant daughter (my mother), and my Barton greatgrandparents left for Tennessee. I am unable to identify anyone else in the picture, and don't know the name of the school where it was taken. I do know my grandmother taught school in Bowie Co. (possibly in the Maud community) for a time before her marriage, but I believe that she is still student in this picture since she is standing in the back row with some other young women of a like age. unknown school, 1939, Bowie County, Texas Lavone Major
William Monroe and Winona Diatema (Carney) Stacks on their Wedding Day in 1897 in Bowie County. William Monroe and Winona Diatema (Carney) Stacks, Bowie County, Texas Jim Stacks
Photo taken in Mr. DeShong's Drug Store in 1904, New Boston, Texas. Photo courtesy of Jim Miller of New Boston DeShong's Drug Store in 1904, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
New Boston School, 1914, 8th & 9th Grade with names New Boston School, 1914, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
1898 Old Salem School photo with names 1898, Old Salem School, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
The 1928 DeKalb Girls Basketball Team DeKalb Girls Basketball, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
Wards Creek School 1909 Wards Creek School 1909, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
T. A. Fuller Mercantile, New Boston, Texas T. A. Fuller Mercantile, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
Oak Grove School in 1900 Oak Grove School, 1910, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
Woodmen Parade, New Boston, 1904 Woodmen Parade, New Boston, 1904, Bowie County, Texas Marland Old
Sand Hill School, 1929 Sand Hill School, 1929, Bowie County, Texas Daniel Holmes
Old Salem School, 1939, from the Citizens Tribune Old Salem School, 1939, Bowie County, Texas Kathy Mitchell
Robinson Family & Boarders abt 1898
Boys on steps, left to right: James Monroe (2/5/1893-2/3/1973), Freddie Lee (9/11/1898-7/31/1899), Howard Victor (1/25/1891-1/21/1929), George Stanley (9/7/1896-9/3/1963). Behind Howard Victor, is their Mother Ellander Post Robinson (9/27/1873-2/10/1959) and behind her with moustache is John Monroe (9/26/1858-6/1/1936). The others are boarders and a colored maid-housekeeper. They were living in Bauxite, Ark., later moved to Red Water, TX and had 5 more children, Eddie O. D., Emerald Clyde, Judge Clifford, Franklin Otho, Mary Elizabeth.
Robinson Family, Bowie County, Texas Eddie Robinson
The family and home of James D. and Ella Beatrice Bigford Steelman in Malta, Texas, 1907
Children pictured left to right are Clyde Layfayette (1896-1978), George Elgin (1899-1926), Thomas Oscar (1902-1985), Mamie Cordilia (1900-1965) and Carrie Cordilia (1904-1978) (in Ella's arms).
James D. and Ella Beatrice Bigford Steelman, Bowie County, Texas Bob Steelman
Red Bayou Methodist Church Historical Marker text
  This rural congregation constructed its first church building on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. J.M.C. Yates in 1861. The log building, located at the present-day site of Red Bayou Cemetery, also served as a school.
  In its early years the church held camp meetings on a regular basis; families arrived in wagons, buggies, and on horseback to camp together under brush arbors for three to four weeks at a time. Worship services were conducted by circuit-riding preachers, among whom were the Rev. Jester White, the Rev. McDougle, and the Rev. Charles Edgar Lamb. In 1882 the church established a mission church known as Tapp Memorial in the nearby community of New Boston.
  Sometime prior to 1912 a new frame church building was built at the site of the original structure. The new church building also served as a schoolhouse until 1922. In 1938 the frame building was relocated to this site due to expansion of the Red Bayou Cemetery. Sunday school classrooms were added to the building in 1948 and again in 1952. In 1953 the congregation acquired a parsonage and called its first full-time pastor. A fellowship hall was added in 1987.
  Red Bayou United Methodist Church continues to serve the community with various outreach programs.
Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995
Red Bayou Methodist Church, Bowie County, Texas Barbara Niemeyer
Mrs. Maggie Wright, 1925, my great great grandmother, who made her home in Simms, TX. Maggie Wright, Bowie County, Texas L Thompson
Picture of Edgar Floyd & Martha Annie Barnes Wright. They both were known by their middle names. We think this picture is in the 1940's era. Edgar Floyd & Martha Annie Barnes Wright, Bowie County, Texas Doni Wright
1945 Liberty School, 9th Grade
This is the Liberty School in West Texarkana, Texas on the old Buchanan Road across from the Creosote Plant, which my father worked for over twenty years. This is the front entrance of the school building.
top row L to R: Mrs. Dupree (teacher), Dorothy Jean McCaskill, Martha Ann Allen, Mary Jane Watkins, Loretta Cravens, B. E. Dailey, Herman Gumm. middle row L to R: Hoyde Carter, Alton Rodgers, Gene Cantrell, Ruby Thompson, Nelda Hall, Betty Louise Smith. front row L to R: Billie Faye Johnson, Eugene Mathews, Phillip Oliver, Henry Smith, Jay Riley, Jimmie Ross Merritt, Richard Lynn Campbell.
1945, Liberty School, Bowie County, Texas Jay (James William) Riley
Boy Scout Troop 23 (Liberty) Texarkana, Texas
Man in Doorway: Mr. C. J. Jackson. top row L to R: Pat Gerber, Kenneth McNeal, Jim Trimble, B.E. Dailey, Billy Hall, Billy Ralph Shipp, Tommy Lane, James Manley, Joe Kaufman, James Moore. middle row L to R: Alton Rodgers, Jimmy Evans, Charles Monk, Eugene McGee, Eugene Mathews, Phillip Oliver, Donald Bodine, Richard Campbell. front row L to R: Mr. C.K. Bender, Norvell Courtney, Howard Smith, Buddy Greenwood, Jay Riley, Ray Fricks, Carl Martindale, Henry Smith, Darryl Bodine, Mr. C.A. Shipp.
1945, Liberty School, Bowie County, Texas Jay (James William) Riley