MANTUA
ON THE WING
Weekly Democrat Gazette, March 21,
1901
contd
Mantua
On my way to Van Alstyne
spent the night with my old friend Prof. W. C. Satterwhite of Callis, now
teaching the school at Mantua. This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest
school district in our county. Here, long years ago, a town was built and began
to grow an prosper but alas! its days were numbered and like a certain King, saw
the "hand writing on the wall." With the advent of the iron horse a new town
sprang up and the rival village, now the pretty and hustling little city of Van
Alstyne was the fortunate winner. But to resume, this school is small, rendered
so by its proximity to the above city, and on account of the prevalence of
smallpox, didn't begin until late in the season. Thirty-six enrolled, the
attendance 33. The Professor and I are enforced bachelors and we always have a
big time together. He is an old pedagogue with new ideas and up-to-date methods.
The patrons are so anxious to retain him for another term that they propose to
build a new and larger house to accommodate the increased attendance for next
year.
Arriving in Van Alstyne I
noted the wonderful growth and many changes since my last visit there, just ten
years ago. Fine residences and large business houses that would be a credit to a
town of larger pretensions, were everywhere. Of course I called at both
newspaper offices and found brethren Rudolph and Fulton quite busy, each editing
"the largest, the best and having a larger local patronage than any similar
publication in the city," and they are. The News and Leader are model country
newspapers run on lines of economy and strict business principles. Before
bidding adieu, I called at the tonsorial parlors of Munger & Moss and Mr. Munger
amputated my beard while waiting for my horse to rest. Just before the orb of
day sank below the western horizon Weston loomed up in the distance and I
stopped for the night with uncle Jimmie Caruth.
Postmaster Curtis is full of
business and accommodations. Uncle Sam has in him a worthy and loyal citizen and
the people of Weston appreciate his devotion to duty. To me, he was very
obliging and kindly tendered me the use of his private desk for conducting my
correspondence.
Sorry that Hazel Eyes is gong
to leave us, and hope her absence will only be temporary.
Glad to see you again; Black
Eyes.
Where are you Edna? Don't
forget us in your western home.
Spring is coming, and a
certain bachelor is anxiously awaiting, hoping that something will happen before
the close of summer.
D. W. Leigh.
Mantua Cemetery
Mantua Christian Church
Communities Index
- Recommended
citation:
"Mantua - Collin County
Communities," Collin County, Texas History and Genealogy Webpage by
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
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