- Information for this page has comes from several different sources. The information was furnished by many individuals interested in preserving our history and helping others find their ancestors. We wish to thank everyone who furnished information especially the folks who spend their time scanning old newspapers and sending the information to us via email. Some of the information came from a copy of The Southland
- Vol. XII. No 1. Additions, comments, complaints and compliments concerning this page or any other page in this site should be submitted to
- Betty Miller and Patsy Vinson.
Mr. W. E. Smith, six miles north of Edom, Van Zandt County, has succeeded in raising an excellent article of genuine China tea. Marshall Messenger, 28 November 1879, p. 2 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
While Mr. and Mrs. Freeman were riding in a wagon at Wills Point a few days ago her baby fell from her arms, and the wheels passed over it, causing death in a few minutes. Marshall Messenger, 26 December 1879, p. 2, col. 2 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
Petroleum has been drawn out of the artesian well at Wills Point. Marshall Messenger, 16 January 1880, P. 2, Col. 2 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
The Wills Point artesian well has fallen through -- or at least they have quit boring on it. Marshall Messenger, 9 april 1880, P. 2, col. 3 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
The Methodist revival in Wills Point recently, resulted in some 37 accessions to the church. Marshall Messenger, 16 July 1880, P. 2, col. 2 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
Van Zandt County has the best crops it has had in thirty years. Marshall Messenger, 20 August 1880, p. 2, col. 4 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
Wills Point has an artesian well capable of supplying the entire town with water. Wills Point, Van Zandt County is improving rapidly, and the Local is almost too good to improve. Van Zandt County does not owe a farthing; her scrip is worth one hundred cents on the dollar, and there are but two prisoners in jail, and only four paupers to be fed by the county. Denison Daily Herald, 8 February 1878, P. 4, col. 6 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
The contest between Canton and Wills Point for the possession of the county seat of Van Zandt County has been decided by the Surpreme (sic) Court at Tyler, in favor of Canton, and now the county records, etc., will be removed from Wills Point to Canton. Denison Daily Herald, 21 February 1878, p. 3, col. 1 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
The Chronicle says ther eis no political excitement in Van Zandt County. Marshall Messenger, 29 October 1880, P. 2, col. 2 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
Canton Chronicle: Farmers have been pressing their business for the last few weeks. Fruit prospect is good. Business dull, dull. Galveston Daily News, 25 March 1881, p. 3, col. 7 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
Notaries Public .... For the county of Van Zandt: W. B. Wynn, J. D. Kirby, D. W. N. McPhail, J. C. Wright and J. T. McWilliams, to succeed themselves. V. T. McChesney, K. S. Terry, S. B. Kilgore, J. M. Youngblood, J. T. Towles, Charles Reeves, A. J. Harper, John F. Blanchard and M. H. Browning, new appointments. Galveston Daily News, 29 March 1881, P. 2, col. 4 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
Wills Point ... During the severe thunder storm today Mrs. jim Vickery, residing about seven miles south of here, was struck by lightning and instantly killed. Her husband and one child were knocked down and were senseless for a short time, and other members of the family were badly stunned.Mr. and Mrs. Vickery were standing in front of the fireplace and the bolt of electricity came down and struck Mrs. Vickery on top of the head, tearing off the crown. Her clothing was set on fire, but her husband, though stunned into insensibility, managed in some way to get his family on the gallery and extinguish the flames. Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 1905, p. 7 col. 4 (Bill Page, Texas A&M Library)
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Finley Vinson