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From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute any historical facts in the article.
Dictated by J. T. Arthur of Saltillo to G. G. Orren - 1937
Lollar’s Store was located about two miles southwest of Weaver on what was known as the Sulphur Springs and Jefferson Road. This store had its beginning in the early fifties (1850's) and was one of the most widely known stores in this section of Texas, due to the volume of business and its large trade territory. The trade territory of this store extended six to eight miles in each direction. This famous old store did an enormous credit business and it is said that no reliable person was ever denied credit and that credit was extended for as long as two years at a time. This store was a general merchandise establishment, and from an old ledger we find that whisky was 25 cents a quart and quinine $10.00 an ounce.
Taylor Hudson established the first store at this location, on north side of the road. Later Albert Barnes bought an interest in the store. Tom Veal, who lived eight miles from Jefferson on the Bayou, established a store on the south side of road a short time later. Tom Veal was a brother to Dick Hamilton’s mother. Later, Veal sold the store to L. A. Lollar, who had married Veal’s sister. L. A. Lollar ran the business until his death and then his son, John Lollar, closed the business in the eighties (1880's.) Bill Bird (sic) of Pine Forest, and who married a Minter, was head clerk and bookkeeper for Lollar as long as he was in business.
Other merchants of Lollar’s Store were Jess Jones, Williams, and Buster Lollar. Dave Smith operated a store about half a mile east of Lollar’s Store. Later he was succeeded by Frank Jones.
The name of the post office at Lollar’s Store was White Oak and was the first post office in this section of the country, supplied by a star route from Mt. Pleasant to Sulphur Springs. Dr. Christian was the principal postmaster.
The doctors of Lollar’s Store were Smith, Roebuck, Simpson, and Christian. Lewis Christian operated a saddle shop and made saddles, and L. A. Lollar a gin and grist mill. L. A. Lollar built one of the largest residence in the county. The building was hand-dressed and the windows and doors were homemade. It required about two years to complete the house. Lish Turner, father of Jack Turner of Saltillo, was the head carpenter. Part of this house has been moved from the old location.
The first Masonic Lodge in eastern part of the county was organized in the sixties (1860's) and located at Lollar’s Store and was known as White Oak Lodge. The Christians had a church organization that probably was one of the first in this section of the county. They met in the lower floor of the Masonic Building. Rev. Beard, who lived at Beardtown, Lamar County, and in whose honor the town was named, organized the church and was the first pastor. They also had a splendid rural school that was famous over the county, which also met in the Masonic Building. Doc Dutton was one of the teachers. The lodge was later moved to Pine Forest.
Lollar’s Store was a famous center of business, religious worship, culture and public meeting. Prominent candidates would discuss the issues of the day there. The Cotton Belt Railroad failed to pass through this particular place and in a few years Weaver was established and Lollar’s Store passed from the scene except for a few old residence. Justice Court was also held at Lollar’s Store.
The old settlers were Dr. Smith, Dr. Christian, Veals, Hudson, Lollar, Barnes, Frank Jones, Brumley, Hiram Henley, Haywood Henley, Bart Ashmore, John Ashmore, Lewis Christian, and Bill Byrd (sic). In the late eighties or early nineties a Mr. Hargrove from Louisiana bought the Dr. Smith farm, now the Davison farm, and moved to it with a number of negroes. Frank Jones and wife, aged people, lived on the Bill Byrd farm. Two of the negroes found out that Jones had some money, so one night they slipped over there and knocked the Jones in the head. Their skulls were crushed and they were unconscious for some time. The neighbors, not seeing anyone stirring around, investigated and by that time one had regained consciousness and told what had happened and who committed the crime. The enraged neighbors captured the old negro and hid him from the officers. They decided to burn him and sent to Sulphur Springs for some oil. Later, they decided to hang him and did so. He was hanged south of the store. Then he was cut down and buried in a shallow grave. Later the hogs rooted him up and ate him. The negro plead guilty to the crime and said they got $18. which they intended to use in returning to Louisiana. The officers captured the young negro. He escaped but was recaptured years later, tried and came clear, as the old negro did the work and the young negro was only with him. The Governor threatened investigation and punishment of the mob but nothing was ever done about it.
A Mr. Stroud, an infidel, was in the post office one day arguing infidelity. Some one saw Rev. Bud Sherwood coming and told Stroud that the parson was coming. When Sherwood entered the post office, Stroud remarked, "God, who would believe there was a God? What do you think about it, parson?" The parson’s answer was, "My bible teaches me that a fool says there is no God." Stroud, then with an oath, said, "That was a bold expression to give an old man." Sherwood then said, "My bible teaches me to answer a fool according to his folly," and then walked away. Stroud threatened to follow the parson and whip him, but didn’t.
We cannot understand how people living in a gospel land and the light of the gospel they have before them will suffer themselves so depraved that they will believe and argue that there is no God.
Later Mr. Stroud moved to Arkansas and dropped dead and this is in accordance with the scripture - "He that hardeneth his heart and stiffens his neck shall die suddenly and without remedy."
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