The Mexia Daily News from Mexia, Texas • Page 1

Candid Comments by TOM CHATHAM For the hundreds of friends, patients, hospital staff, county and townfold who khew Dr. McKenzie, the last day of November could be filled with sad memories. At 10:30 Friday morning, Dr. McKenzie died. That afternoon, there was a parade.

Santa Claus came to town. Dr. McKenzie would consider this perfect timing. Around the turn of the century, Casimir Perier McKenzie enrolled in the Public School in Mexia. Early Mexia School chums were Oscar Denning, Raleigh BeLong, and Vincent Gantz.

Aldous Huxley's brother taught young McKenzie science at Rice. Oil. Booth friends were aviators Al and Bumps Humphreys, sons of oll tycoon Coloney A.E. Humphreys, discoverer and developer of the Mexia Oil Field. Back in the early 1920's, Perier, Al, and Bumps flew by-wing planes round-trip to Denver, stopping over at any level of land for fuel.

Part of the trip was made in a showstorm. Dr. McKenzie was interested in all phases of medicine, business, and agriculture. At one time he operated a dairy at his Forest Glade farm. The Blood Bank in Mexia is the result of a trip he made with Miss Ruth Clark to Kerrville where they obtained Information which led to the creation of our local blood bank.

friendships with area Through the 1920's, 30's, and 40's he made lasting businessmen. Ideas regarding businesses, sporting events, cultural and promotional projects were daily conversations of Walter Anderson, Lonnie Wright, J. Harold Nussbaum, Major J.W. Mayben, Jack Lair of the Renner Foundation, Don Caldwell, J.K. Hughes, J.1.

Riddle, Weaver Barnett, John Corley, Val Horn, Rufus Peoples, Wyatt Hayter, J. Fort Smith, Blake Smith, W.M. White, Dr. Stanley Cox, Groesbeck, Walter Sellers, Coolidge, and Dr. Maurice Gage, Teague.

With Jack Corley, he shared a deer hunting lease in the Davis Mountains. His fondest memories are hunting trips with his son-in-law, Lynch Davidson Smyth, and grandsons, Tracy Davidson and Brian McKenzie Smyth. Dr. McKenzie once had a Sunday School class at the Mexia United Methodist Church. He loved to host garden club groups or high school agriculture students at his home where he would point with pride his 140 different variety of trees.

His interest in the historic old Confederate Reunion Grounds led to friendships with architect-alluminator John Watson, Playwrite Kermit Hunter, Architect O'Neal Ford, Writer Frank Tolbert, and other talented individuals. Mrs. Pearl Martin was his office nurse for 18 years. Alma McDaniel, his cook, has with the McKenzie family for over 35 years. At his side has been Miss Ruth been Clark.

Together they explored new state and national parks, museums, seeking out ideas that might improve conditions in Limestone County. Dr. McKenzie loved good books, good sporting events, exciting art, new artists, and new ideas. He also liked good cigars, good food, and good manners. the years, his "other office nurse" was Mrs: Charles Felz who Looking back over worked some 25 years prior to Mrs.

Martin. The old Dr. Mark Kemp home was his office and home. His giant bed and dresser was purchased in New York and shipped New Orleans. Mrs.

Kemp and Mrs. Predergast went to New Orleans and by boat to had it shipped overland to Mexia. the many early friends of the McKenzie-Kemp clan, were the John Wortham Among Jim Teague family, Walter B. and Douglas Jackson families, James L. Smith family, family, W.E.

Bonner family, Col. John Henry family, John Elmore Ross family, D.E. Prendergast family, and Dr. Means family. Many, many friends were Judge this list over the years.

On December 30, 1973, Dr. McKenzie would have added to been 80. Up until his death Friday, he was of sound mind, good wishes for everyone, arid had real hope for better times for all his friends in Limestone County. He was an optomist and he loved good times. Thank goodness for the Santa Claus parade.

It made November 30 a little easier for us all. Chena speaks in Mexia Monday at football banquet The 1973 Fightin' Black Cat team will be honored Monday night at the annual football banquet, set for the Mexia High cafeteria, starting at 7:30. Guest speaker for this year's annual fete is Claude R. (Chena) Gilstrap, Director of Athletics and Chairman of the Department of Physical Education at the University of Texas in Arlington. Gilstrap is noted as an after -dinner speaker, and his ability to spin hilarious gridiron yarns is legend.

Chena, always ready to crack a rib-tickling joke, joined the UTA in 1953 as Athletic Director and head football coach. He stepped down in 1965 from the head coaching position, but retained his athletic directorship. A native of Granger, the popular football figure attended Schreiner Institute and the University of Texas at Austin. His lifetime coaching record is 162 wins, 83 losses, nine ties for a .643 percentage in 26 seasons. In 13 seasons, seven on the senior- -college level, Chena had an 85-40-3 record for a .680 percentage.

city beat By Bob Wright MIKE'S MIGHTY HAPPY TO BE HOME Police officer Mike BELL is quite naturally happy to be back in Mexia. He is also a deeply appreciative young man and dedicated police officer. Mike wants us a to relay his message of thanks for the encouragement, contributions, visits, letters, during his stay in Providence GOOD VIEWING Showing through Saturday at the Mexia Theatre are a couple of top-notch Walt Disney offerings. The double-bill at the Mexia moviehouse has "Charley and the and "Cinderella," the classic Angel" original from the empire that Disney DANCE ON THE STREETS TONIGHT IN MEXIA A street dance, sponsored by Mexia will be held tonight at 8 in front of Jaycees, K. Wolens Department Store.

It'll cost you $3 a couple and $2 for you WAS FAMILIAR FACE Not so long ago, Tom HAMILTON was officiating basketball games in Mexia. We always enjoyed talking to Tom before the game and during timesout, over at the scorer's bench. We are sorry to hear about Hamilton's untimely death Thursday in a Til. 1, Tric. 0.

43136 Da 11a0, 73233 The Mexia Daily News Serving The People Of The Bi-Stone Area Since 1872 SATURDAY. DECEMBER 1. 1913 Member AP and NEA 10 CENTS 8 PAGES VOLUME 74 NUMBER 282 MEXIA, TEXAS Ex-bootlegger to conduct revival at Mexia church CORNER FEED CORNER FEED STOR'. PURe HEAl PRODU NO UR SNOW First place 2004 A KEP CLEAN AND DE ME Second place ERE A MEXI LAYC Third place State School Education Department's float second-place winner. Bottom photo is the float entered by The Mexia Special in the Christmas parade here Mexia Jaycees, won who third-place honors.

(Daily News is the Mexia Garden Club's Staff Photos by Billy Patterson) (top photo) won first place Friday afternoon. Middle picture Weather MILD Mild. A former self-proclaimed Freestone bootlegger will preach revival County services at a Mexia church. starting Sunday. He is the Rev.

W.D. Melzgar of Fort Worth. who will conduct services each at 7 at the First Assembly of God evening Church. Rev. Metzgar was born at Fairfield and lived there until beginning the He later returned to pastor the ministry.

Assembly of God Church in Fairfield. who says he was saved at the Metzgar, age of 17. notes that his "early age was in bootlegging and running and spent dodging the law." The guest evangelist. whose wife is also preacher, built the new First Assembly of God Church and parsonage in Midland: and. while there.

served the West Texas District of the Assemblies of God as Missionary Secretary. He was strumental in sending and supporting many home and foreign missionaries. The Rev. Homer Tarkington. pastor of the local church.

invites everyone to attend and "enjoy the dynamite preaching of evangelist Metzgar." Special music and singing will also be a feature of the revival. Mexia schools set public hearing on School Aid Act Chena and his wife, Bette, have three sons. One of Texas' most sought after banquet speakers, he annually makes over 60 talks throughout the state, South and Southwest. He has long been a favorite with sports writers; and his quips and wit have received state and national attention. A current member of the NCAA International Relations Committee, he has won four awards as Texas Junior College Football Coach of Year by Texas Sports Writers Association, was 1961 District Coach of Year by American Football Coaches Association and 1965 Southland Conference Football Coach of Year.

He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas High School Coaches Association in 1966. A former Arlington "Man of the Year," Chena is also a -president of the YMCA and the Arlington Rotary Club. He is a past member of the U.S. Olympic Committee board of directors and a past member of the NCAA Committee on Reorganization. Tyler hospital.

Hamilton was athletic director and baseball coach at St. Edward's University at Austin. Tom, 48, suffered a brain hemorrhage last Friday night prior to officiating at a high school football game in Tyler. Tom was a basketball and baseball star in the late 1940's at the University of Texas, Judging scheduled in Mexia Monday for VOD contest Judging in the annual Voice of Democracy contest for Mexia High School students will be conducted Monday afternoon, beginning about 3:30. Judin Judging will be at the high school with Bill Lokey as contest chairman.

The contest is under sponsorship of Lancaster Post 4694, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Judges for this year's contest are Mrs. Enid Stuck, Don Caldwell, James Stanford, Mrs. Bill Collins and Bob Wright. On Dec.

13, District competition will be held in the School Administration Building at Waco, located on Waco Drive. That competition will begin at 7:30 p.In. The Mexia Independent School District will have an open public hearing concorning the proposal for Emergency School Aid Act Funds for the 1974-75 school year. The public is invited to attend. The mecting will be Friday night, Dec.

7, at 7 o'clock. in the Administration Building at 616 North Red River Street. The purpose of the committee is to help in development of the project proposal. After a grant has been approved. the committee will meet once a month so it can be kept informed and involved: and.

to make comments concerning the project. The Advisory Committee members include Thedford Rhodes. chairman: Wilmer Davis. the Rev. L.C.

Goff, Woodrow Anglin. Dwain Jones, Arthur Mack. Bobby Anglin. Randall Bryan, James Stanford, Mrs. 0.J.

Lee. Mrs. Bobby Driver, Mrs. Lee Smith, Mrs. Willie Crawley.

Mrs. Allen Johnston, Rose Levingston and Kent Johnston. 19 SHOPPING DAYS TO CHRISTMAS Mexia police report two minor accidents The Mexia Police Department investigated two minor accidents Thursday afternoon with no injuries occuring in either mishaps. At 3:10 Thursday afternoon, a 1966 Ford struck a telephone pole, causing minor damage to the vehicle. Driver of the vehicle was Rosa Ellis Hughes of Mexia.

A 1968 Chevrolet. driven by Lloyd Carl Burkeen of Mexia, was in collision with a 1966 Chevrolet, driven by Elmer Weathers Minor damage resulted in the of Mexia. accident, which occurred at 4:40. Verse A Day Galatians ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Davis appointed to Fairfield Hospital Authority Board Groesbeck Lions Club sponsor pancake supper GROESBECK (Sp.) --The Groesbeck Lions Club is sponsoring a pancake supper at the Groesbeck Civic Center.

This is an annual project by the Lions Club to raise money for club projects. The pancake supper will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.. Dee. 4. Tickets are $1.25.

FAIRFIELD J. Davis has been appointed to the Fairfield Hospital Authority Board of Directors, filling the vacancy created when W.W. Steward. died. Meanwhile, it's been announced that construction of the new hospital at Fairfield is on schedule.

Completion date was set for 380 calendar days from Sept. 4, 1973, according to the contract. Mystery Shopper's Clue -greying hair..