Stembridge discusses Kilgore's Vanishing History

The Coterie Club of Kilgore met at the home of Tina King on Thursday, Apr. 27 at 9:30 a.m. Co-hostesses were Pam Deceault and Carolyn Martin. The serving table was covered with a lace tablecloth and held a large red silk hydrangea centerpiece. Members were served finger sandwiches, fresh fruit in pineapple halves. blackberry wine cake garnished with blackberries, blue cheese bites, punch, and coffee.

Sally Beane introduced Terry Stembridge, local historian, author, and businessman. Stembridge graduated from the University of Texas with a history degree. He became a basketball broadcaster in the early sixties and was the radio voice for The Dallas Chapparalls. After retiring from broadcasting in 1979, he returned to Kilgore and entered the oil business. The title of his program, "Kilgore's Vanishing History" is the result of his love with Kilgore's past and years of researching. He co-authored with Caleb Pirtle the book, "Echoes from Forgotten Streets." Proceeds from this book are to go toward the restoration of the old Post Office. Stembridge's interest in the

history of Meadowbrook Country Club was highlighted with stories about the building of the golf course and past champions. He was able to retrieve old minutes from meetings after the original club burned. Remarkably they were legible after being scorched in the fire. In these minutes, Stembridge found that the club was chartered in 1932. That same year, Tilly Wilcox was hired as the first golf pro and course designer. While working on the course, Wilcox was injured in a tractor accident and later died. Jack Gates was the golf champion in 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936. Many years later, Stembridge found Gates alive and well in California. In his eighties, Mr. Gates still has the trophy from 1936 and returned to Kilgore with it. Stembridge was able to walk the course with the elderly man and reminisce about the original layout.

Stembridge also touched on original buildings and clubs. There was a Sportatorium built in 1938. It later became the Plantation Club where the skating rink is now located. The present day City Park was once a site called Happy Hollow where the homeless camped

out. In 1941, there was a Ford dealership across from the library. Stembridge also spoke of the time when Kilgore has a professional baseball team, a race car track, and a horse track. He remarked that over a period of time, the pioneers became boomers and boomers became pioneers.

During the 1930's, The Kilgore Daily News was published every day. In 1935, Charles Devall started the News Herald, and the two merged in the 1940's. Winston Gardner, past editor for many years, wrote the first Kilgoreround in 1937. He still writes it to this day. While Gardner and Devall were in the service during World War II, their wives ran the newspaper's day to day operations. Admirably, these two women did a great job during their husband's absence.

Stembridge mentioned other pioneers such as Caroline and Sam Ross. Unbelievably, Mr. Ross survived the fu epidemic of 1918. He was expected to die and sent to a hospital room with others like him. A nurse gave him whiskey during the night, and miraculously he survived. Mrs. Ross was instrumental in donating pictures and

archives for Stembridge's first book. The proceeds from his second book, "Kilgore: Visions from Forgotten Streets" will also go toward establishing a history and learning center at the old Post Office.

After Stembridge's presentation, the meeting was called to order by president, Dianne Miller. The Club Collect was read by Cristi Langley. Martha Whitehead was announced as a new member. The last meeting will be an outing to the Daisy Bradford well and farm on May 11. New officers will be installed at that time. Members present were Cynthia Adams, Joyce Balllenger, Sally Beane, Helen George Bolt, Pat Boyd, Sue Brown, Margaret Cibele, Pam Deceault, Ann Dorney, Janie Edmonds, Sue Lynn Florio, Margie Hall, Jo Hancock, Barbara Kiser, Tina King, Carolyn Johnston, Cristi Langley, Christ Little, Carolyn Martin, Margaret Martin, Betty Maurer, Brenda Maxwell, Dianne Miller, Betty Mobley, Helen Padgett, Francye Phillips, Johnna Spradley, Carol Walker, Jo Ann Whiteside, Larue Wood, Martha Whitehead, and Kay Yates.