LOOKING BACK

10 Years Ago

• Observant citizens assist law enforcement in finding men who stole two junk cars.

• Northeast Texas Community College becomes proactive about state budget cuts to education by cutting programs.

• Austin Jesmore graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in music education.

• Dr. Michael Miller becomes the new veterinarian in town.

15 Years Ago

• Pittsburg Gazette Editor Susan Taft took second place in column writing in the 2006 Texas Better Newspaper Contest, sponsored by the Texas Press Association.

• Josh Henry returned to the Alaska Fighting Championship to fight for the middleweight championship belt last month.

• Conzart-Johns Insurance has been in business for 60 years.

• Necah Bestul starts career in Pittsburg as a hair stylist.

20 Years Ago

• A $5.5 million construction project has begun at the Pittsburg Independent School District. This includes renovations to the old primary school, the construction of a cafetorium, and repairs throughout the district.

• Sen. Bill Ratliff, who has served as Lieutenant Governor since George W. Bush was elected president makes Texas Month’s best legislators’ list for the fifth time.

• Gary Bicknell is elected chairman of the Texas Savings & Community Bankers Association.

25 Years Ago

• Pittsburg Postmaster Jerry Huffman retires.

• Jim Archer is installed as the Rotary Club president.

30 Years Ago

• Pittsburg Gazette wins first place in general excellence and news writing at Texas Press Association’s summer convention.

• Pittsburg’s new $2.8 million water plant is complete just in time for hot, dry weather.

35 Years Ago

• Pittsburg Postmaster Everett Garrett retires. He began working for the post office as a clerk in 1949.

• Open house held at new Pilgrim’s Pride office complex on Texas Street.

40 Years Ago

• Meals on Wheels program begins in Pittsburg.

• Scott Cass receives four year golf scholarship for East Texas State University.

• Bob and Lynne Braucht purchase Pittsburg Dairy Queen.

45 Years Ago

• Camp County residents crowd the first Baptist Church for a special “I love America” program..

50 Years Ago

• Noble Smith was sworn in as Camp County deputy.

• Summer play production of “Our Town” cancelled.

• Ella Faye Blackburn assumes duties as home demonstration agent.

55 Years Ago

• Gail Groce and Key Pruett among the best at fundamental twirling clinic at Lone Star Steel Company.

60 Years Ago

• Pittsburgh Standard Conduit to locate plant in Gilmer.

• Peaches measuring 10.5 inches in circumference are grown by Ray Ransom.

• Auto insurance rates increase from $5 to $37.

65 Years Ago

• Bobby Barrett is president of the Lions Club.

70 Years Ago

• There are 15 miles of lines in the new sewer system.

75 Years ago

• Dr. R.L. Martin closes his hospital in Pittsburg and moves his patients to the new hospital in Mount Pleasant.

95 Years Ago

• Approximately 2,000 people attended a Fourth of July dinner. Sen. Pollard of Tyler was the guest speaker.

• The cucumber crop was bringing the growers $40 to $75 an acre.

110 Years Ago

• Two boys are killed by lightning while hunting in the Lily Creek Bottom.

130 Years Ago

• The musical entertainment given at the open house last Thursday night by F.H Goodjohn’s music class was attended by a medium-sized audience and was well appreciated.

• Sheriff Stanford arrested Richard Barber, alias Bill Derrick, last Saturday night. He is indicted for assault to murder and two other offenses.

FYI by CHUCK JOHNS

15 YEARS AGO: W.A. Cozart founded the agency as Cozart Insurance. Bullard Johns joined in 1952 and the business became Cozart Johns.

60 YEARS AGO: Ransom orchard was on Daingerfield Hwy.

75 YEARS AGO: Dr. R.L. Martin’s clinic was recently razed by the county and is now a parking lot.