NEWSTORY:  Bronte Postmasters -1890 to 1964

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
May 2011
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The Bronte Enterprise, Coke County, TX - Sept. 3. 1964 
Historical and Progress Edition

George S. Kelly First Bronte Postmaster

Sometime through the years, the early official records of Bronte Post 
Office have been lost or destroyed. The Post Office Department in 
Washington established George S. Kelly as the first postmaster, beginning 
in 1890.  R. E. Cumbie said the first post office was located in a 
Harris residence here.
 
According to Bronte Enterprise files, W. L. Hayley became the postmaster 
in 1900 and served until 1924.  The post office was located in his drug 
store after 1915.

M. M. Boynton became postmaster in 1924 and served until his death in 1926 
when his wife became acting postmaster and served until 1938.  R. J. Epperson 
was next and served until his death June 5, 1940.   Mrs. Carrie G. Williams 
became the permanent postmaster in 1941 and served until Jan. 1, 1955.  
J. A. Stephenson was acting postmaster during a term from Jan. 1955, to 
Mar. 31, 1956 when Mrs. Hollis Stevens was appointed acting postmaster.

She was succeeded by Noah Pruitt, Jr. on Feb. 22, 1957 as acting postmaster 
and he received his permanent appointment in August, 1959.

A new post office building was completed in November 1961, at the corner of 
Washington St. and Oliver Ave.  A formal opening was held Dec. 7, 1961 with 
Congressman O. C. Fisher as speaker.  Prior to moving to the new location 
the post office was housed for many years in part of the Bank building to 
the north of the bank proper.
 
The Bronte office was made a second class office July 1, 1954.

Pruitt, the present postmaster, is a veteran of World War II, having served 
in the Pacific.  He has been in the grocery business with his father prior 
to being appointed postmaster.  He is a graduate of Bronte High School and 
is married to the former Dorthey Faye Scott.  They have one daughter, 
Norma Lynn.

Mr. and Mrs. Noah Pruitt Sr. of Bronte are his parents.


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