Educational, Civic, Cultural, & Business Organizations

    EARLY HEARNE SCHOOLS 

    The early records show that Hearne's first public school building was erected in 1870.  This building was located in the south part of Hearne and was also used for church purposes.  A Miss Penuel taught a private school during the early 1880's.  This school was located on East Davis Street just one block east of the Davis Street railroad crossing, and this two-story building is still standing in 1958 and is in use as a residence.  Old records show that the student list at this time included W. C. Allen, John T. Welch, Warren A. Wilkerson and Albert W. Wilkerson.

In 1885 a public school was held in a small one story brick building located on First Street adjacent to the Grace Methodist Church property.  Mrs. Fannie Reese Pugh was one of the teachers in this school.  In 1866 John Lawrence Jennings, grandfather of the J. H. Jett children, conducted a school in this same building.

The student list in this little brick school building in 1889; included: Tom Kinney, Eugene Oliver, Wash Minsky, Louis Parnell, Ed Byars, Dorrance Byars, Ross Ball, Phil Teeling, Luther Waite, Jack Griffin, Morris Cohen, Charles Knowles, Leah Cohen, Sophie Griffin, Hugh C. Davis, Frankie Parnell, Kathryn Davis, Lola Waite, Valesca Steffan, Bridget Layden, Pearl Moseley, Mattie Reilly, Pickie McGrew, Hallie Moseley, Minnie Lallier, Pauline Eckerle, Clara Bivin, Fannie Layden, Pearl Cohen, Florence Lallier, Will Allen, Jim Riggs, Will Lallier, Jack Reilly, and Clem Parnell.

Professor Jacob E. Cook was one of the early school teachers and the following were included in his student list: Carolyn Waltmon, Bev Beckham, Floy Beckham, Lee Beckham, and Monroe Miller.

During 1895, a public school tax was voted by the citizens of Hearne and a two-story frame school building was constructed on the corner of Magnolia and Brown Streets.  School records show that at this time 400 students were enrolled in the Hearne white public school.

A further glance at old school records show that the following students comprised the second grade in 1905; Gladys Green, Milicent Ward, J. P. Gray, Frank Rosenstein, Madelyn Curry, Henry Boswell, Phillip Rosenstein, Willie Scriviner, Rachel Wilson, Lutic Stewart, Harry Johnson, Jessie Brady, Janie Larkin, Mack Hardy, Earl Bolen, Jane Covington, Will Batley, Madelyn Dillard, Isaac Kirksey, Willie Lallier, Anna Oliver, Fannie Ely, Mabel Braswell, Tinnye Moseley, Katherine Moseley, Elmo Parnell, Ely Ayres, Eugene Mathews, Dewitt Waltmon, Mary Emma Guenzel, Ora Arnold, Ruby Arnett, Pearl Dotson, Bob Snell, Seth Brown, Mattie Gentry, Harrison Whitehead, and the teacher was Miss Mattie Minter.  

Students listed in 1906 with Miss Ethel Brady as teacher included: Alma Snell, Mary Iva Menefee, Edna Autry, Zella Biggs, Eddie Breedlove, Kathryn Parnell, Robert Snell, Marguerite Skains, Helen Scriviner, Wootsie Jett, Jessie Taylor, Ted Terry, J. R. Manning, Charles Easterwood, Marion Lindsey, Juanita Brown, Rosalee Haining, Horace Mathews, David Johnson, Wait Hoyt, Claude Mathews, Pat Hall, Clyde Lipscomb, C. G. "Boy" Wood, Jack Johnson, Robert Moss, Louis Lipsitz, Fayette Ely, Inez Boswell, Ruby Ely, and Emil Scherbel.

The Senior Class of Hearne High School in 1912 included: Nona Carr, Eunice Gardner, Norma Welch, Matty Belle Scott, Lurline Houston, Estelle Boswell, Floy Larkin, Berta Moss, Harry Rosenstein, Vernon Easterwood, Pete Ferguson, Enoch Harding, Reuben Mathews, Knight Waltmon, Mamie Curry, Irene Brady, Lougenia Terry, Agnes Taylor, Annie Carr, and Hortense Lipsitz.  

The first grade in 1909 included: Kathryn Bishop, Julian Court, Robert McCarver, Richard "Stuffy" King, Travis Brown, Bobette Hart, and Ann Marshall.  

A glance at an old basketball team picture shows that the following were members of the High School Basketball Team in 1915; Dewitt Waltmon, Louis Guenzel, T. P. Griffin Jr., Louis Lipsitz, Jack Wray, Robert Rohde, Willie Gentry, and Frank Rosenstein.  

In 1919, the two-story frame school building on the corner of Magnolia and Brown Streets was demolished and a new two-story brick building constructed.  In 1958 this building is being used as an elementary school.  In 1930 a new high school building was built in the south section of Hearne on Wheelock Street.  Wood Field, the home of the Hearne High School Eagles, was also built during 1930.  The high school gymnasium was built in 1940.  In 1955-56, the new East Side Elementary school building was constructed.  

During the 1920's a small school building was constructed near the Mexican residential district on the east side of town, but after about ten years, the Mexican school students were transferred to the other public schools and this school building was abandoned.  

During 1895, a two-story frame school building was constructed on the west side of town for Negro students.  At this time, Professor W. E. Grubbs was the Negro school principal.  Professor Tom Taylor was also one of the early day colored school principals.

In 1944 the old two-story Blackshear School building was destroyed by fire and the Negro students used the colored churches for school purposes for the remainder of the semester.  Later, the hospital area of the former Hearne PW Camp was made available for use as a Negro school.

After World War II, the school board purchased the hospital buildings at the former Hearne PW Camp and moved these buildings into town to the colored school campus for use as school classrooms.  These buildings also were destroyed by fire and in 1956 a new and very modern high school, grade school, and gymnasium along with a fully equipped athletic field were built by the Hearne school board for students of Blackshear School.  B. C. Murray is the principal of Hearne Negro Schools in 1958.

During the 1880's, a Negro industrial school, the Hearne Academy, was constructed, this school being located about three miles north of Hearne on the Calvert highway.  Professor H. M. Broiles, a Negro educator, was the president of this academy and there were six instructors.

In the early 1920's another Negro college, Page Normal Sc Bible Institute, was in operation.  This college was located on the Henry Prairie road about four miles northeast of Hearne.  This college continued to operate until about 1932 when all of the buildings were destroyed by fire.  

    HEARNE SHAKESPEARE CLUB (Organized 1911)

    Twenty-five Hearne women who, in 1911, met to organize a literary club, lighted a candle that has cast its beam far.  Banded together primarily for the study of the works of Wililam Shakespeare, the organization has so expanded its objectives throughout the many years since, that its membership has had a part in practically every forward movement in and for Hearne.

While the club has continued literary pursuits it has become departmental in its work and has active committees on Education, Conservation, Public Welfare, Citizenship and branches of art.

The club has donated generously to every local worthy cause and this club also inaugurated the first local yard and garden contest, thereby inciting interest that made for town-wide beautification.

The Hearne Shakespeare Club has not confined its interest only in the progress of Hearne, but in its affiliation with State and General Federations of Women's Clubs has contributed its part to these mediums of service.  From its ranks have been chosen from time to time State and District Federation officers and committee women whose work has been outstanding.

Some of the early members of the Hearne Shakespeare Club include Mesdames Florence Blair Allen, Mary Boyd Allen, Annie C. Bivin, Callie Rogers Blaylock, Lillian Della Boyd, Mabel Brady Cole, Pauline Eckerle Cummings, Elizabeth Harding Easterwood, Jimmie McClure George, Lou Shaw Griffin, Carrie Harrison Hensley, Annie B. Horlock, Cora B. Hughes, Carrie Waltmon Karney, Lady Will Kirksey Kenner, Mollie E. Lane, Lea N. Lewis, Valesca Steffan Marshall, Mae Davis Philen, Fannie Reese Pugh, Eleanor Smith, Blanche Snell Weeks, Clemmie Drake Wilkerson, Minnie C. Wray, and Miss Laura Walker.  

    HEARNE MUSIC CLUB (Organized 1904 )

   In a summary of Hearne's cultural assets, music would naturally rank high, and rightfully so, since her citizens have always been known to be devoted to the art which is truly "the universal language of mankind."

   That these devotees of the art of music have kept pace with the times is shown in the activities of the music clubs that contribute materially to the refining influences of Hearne and have a responsible part in the work of State and District Federations of Music Clubs.

   While various musically-inclined groups had been formed in Hearne, it was not until 1904 that a club of any permanency was organized.  Mrs. James Williams of Waco, the former Mrs. Eugene McNutt, at that time a resident of Hearne and a teacher of music, called together a group of lovers of music and laid a plan before them for organization of a club to be known as St. Cecelia Club.  This club was active for some years but for some reason did not hold together.

   That Mrs. McNutt never lost interest in Hearne's musical progress is indicated in her return from Waco, to which city she had moved from Hearne, to organize the Music Lovers Club which is now the leading musical body in Hearne.

   At the time of this visit, Mrs. McNutt was President of the State Federation of Music Clubs.

   Mrs. Robert C. Allen, later Mrs. John F. Grant of Houston, received eighteen members of the proposed club in her home on August 20, 1904 and from that date the new club began its work in earnest.

   Early members of the Hearne Music Club included: Mrs. Robert C. Allen, Mrs. W. H. Bivin, Mrs. W. C. Bishop, Mrs. R. B. Collier, Mrs. H. W. Cummings, Miss Madeline Curry, Mrs. F. W. Easteryood, Mrs. John Gatling, Mrs. Annie B. Horlock, Mrs. F. W. C. Karney, Mrs. J. Felton Lane, Mrs. R. W. Marshall, Mrs. G. D. Martin, Miss Madeline Moreland, Miss Iscah Mateer, Mrs. H. H. Schultz, Mrs. John T. Welch, Mrs. Fred L. Wood, Mrs. Ira Camp, Mrs. Jud Collier, Mrs. W. C. Allen, Mrs. Oscar Robinson, Mrs. P. S. Grogan, Mrs. W. A.  Wilkerson, and Mrs. C. A. Griesenbeck.

The first president was Mrs. R. B. Collier and other early presidents were, Mrs. F. W. C. Karney, Mrs. W. A. Wilkerson, Mrs. R. W. Marshall, Mrs. 0. G. Hudson, and Mrs. J. G. Philen.

HEARNE PARENT-TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Listed as one of Hearne's most active and helpful organizations is the Parent-Teachers Association.

A most important and satisfactory aid to the public schools, the Parent-Teachers Association has functioned without interruption since 1922.  Prior to this time there was a Mother's Club but the strength of the club was not sufficient to overcome many obstacles that presented themselves and when World War I came on, the group disbanded to give every possible aid to the American Red Cross work.

It was on call from Mrs. Libbie Burney Hall (Mrs. I. D. Hall), who had served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Mother's Club, and who later taught hundreds of Hearne children in kindergarten, that a meeting was held to reorganize patrons of the public schools and the teachers into a working organization that has accomplished much and has many worthwhile achievements to its credit.

Mrs. Hall was unanimously elected as the first president of the Hearne Parent-Teachers Association, and it was largely due to her zeal and enthusiasm that many of its early projects met instant approval and enlisted the interest of school patrons and teachers to the extent that they were put over with credit to the sponsors and invaluable to the schools.  Mrs. Hall occupied the presidential chair for three years and in later years was made an honorary Life Member of the organization.

Mrs. M. V. Carson, Mrs. Fred L. Wood and Mrs. Ellen Crenan Hudson were other early presidents of the Hearne Parent-Teacher Association.  

    PRESIDENTS OF THE HEARNE ROTARY CLUB  

    Warren A. Wilkerson, 1925
   J. T. Hamilton, 1936
    Warren A. Wilkerson, 1926
   Rev.  T. Walter Moore, 1937
    Dr. W. K. Waltmon,  1927
    Robert F. Williams, 1938
    Judge Joe Reid, 1928
   Robert H. Blake, 1939
    Ben C. Love, 1929
    Burt J. Collins, 1940
    E. A. Bryan, 1930
    James Goodman, 1941
    Edward T. Robbins, 1931
    Rev.  A. E. Rieman, 1942
   Judge J. Felton Lane, 1932
    Morris Cohen, 1943
    Dr. H. W. Cummings, 1933
    J. G. Philen, 1944
   Robert M. Duffey, 1934
   Roy Henry, 1945
    B. W. Harper, 1935
    James A. Mason, 1946
    Norman Lowell McCarver, 1947
    0. H. McCollum, 1954
    Dr. W. W. Boguskie, 1948
    Carl M. Cochran, 1955
   Theodore Rickenbacher, 1949
   A. W. Klement, 1956
    Paley A. Reed Jr., 1950
   Edwin M. McNeel, 1957
    Sidney A. Findley, 1951
    Dr. Jack A. Lyons, 1958
   Dr. F. W. C. Karney Jr., 1952
    Charles E. Blake, 1959
    Willie F. Sander, 1953  

    PRESIDENTS OF THE HEARNE LIONS CLUB

    J. Howard Fox
   John R. Grace
   Bernard Catlin
   Wait S. Hoyt Jr.
   Clarence Joplin Allen Jr.
   C. Freman Hubbard
   H. C. (Jack) Kelly
   Demetre G. Palmos
   John Childers
   Terry P. Culbreth
   Alfred E. Hanson
   Dr. Louis B. Hughes   

   HEARNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE  

The Hearne Chamber of Commerce was organized by Mrs. Fannie Reese Pugh, February 24, 1914.  Mrs. Pugh was elected secretary of the organization and served in this capacity for nine years.  It has been said that Mrs. Pugh was the first woman chamber of commerce secretary in the United States.

J. M. Haigler was the first president; R. R. Cole was the first vice president and W. H. Hensley was the first treasurer.

The Board of Directors for the year of 1914: H. B. Easterwood, R. W. Marshall, Warren A. Wilkerson, Dr. H. W. Cummings, E. A. Reinhardt, Dr. John W. Black, R. R. Cole, J. M. Haigler, and W. H. Hensley.

The officers of the new organization at that time stated that they met with much opposition, but the leading civic workers realized the need for unified effort in the boosting of the growing municipality.

During all these years the Hearne Chamber of Commerce has been actively in the lead with every industrial or agricultural movement for Hearne.  The first organization operated as the Hearne Commercial Club.  A few years later the organization name was changed to the Hearne Chamber of Commerce.

One of the chamber's first projects was full cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture in eradicating the Pink Boll Worm.  The Pink Boll Worm had been brought into the Brazos Bottom area in cotton seed shipped into Hearne from Mexico.  Many acres of cotton had to be destroyed and the Chamber of Commerce raised money to reimburse the farmers for their lost cotton.

In 1916 the Chamber of Commerce promoted a campaign for an East-West highway and the Brazos River bridge near Valley junction.  This campaign was successful and led to the construction of the bridge and road through Robertson County by the voting of bonds . 

The original membership of the department was composed of the following: H. B. Easterwood, T. F. Brashear, F. L. Crump, William Scherbel, H. M. Liles, Dr. S. J. Alexander, W. C. Allen, S. E. Kenner, J. J. McNutt, J. P. Oliver, M. Sexton, F. W. Easterwood, J. S. Wilson, Dr. H. W. Cummings, J. H. Ferney, J. W. Horlock, Charles Later, W. R. Batley, William Waltmon, Vance Kirby, Ike Levine, Gerson Hart, Jake Cohen, L. C. Smith, J. G. Philen, Alex Silverman, B. D. Rasco, B. T. Gillespie, B. G. Talmadge, J. R. Covington, J. W. Green, 1. D. Hall, W. S. Wilson, Fuller Morris, T P. Griffin, W. E. Pryor, Sam C. Carson, B. F. Larkin, Sam Lipschitz, J. P. Massey, F. W. C. Karney, J. Felton Lane, J. J. Hall, Platt Ferguson Jr., Randle Miller, M. S. Barnett, S. J. Barry, Ancil Boswell, Green Brown, W. A. Wilkerson, P. L. Brady Sr., and H. D. Beaumont.  

In 1912 the city water works system was completed and a few scattered fire hydrants were installed.  The fire department's equipment at that time consisted of two hose reels, that were pulled by manpower and very often from the horn of a saddle, and a few joints of hose for each reel.  Quite often the reels were pulled to the scene of a fire by hooking them up to one of the Model T cars of the day.  

The first piece of motorized equipment was purchased in the latter part of 1913.  This truck was a Model T Ford hose cart, equipped with two sections of ladders and small fire extinguishers.  This type of equipment was very effective in its day and was the envy of neighboring towns that did not have any equipment.  

Those were the days when there was "a hot time in the old town tonight" on many occasions.  Several major fires caused large losses in the early days and on two occasions when the Hearne business district was composed entirely off rame wooden buildings, the business district was almost completely wiped out by fire.  

Old timers like to tell the story about the local "drunk" who stole the fire truck and took it off on a fishing trip to Little Brazos River.  This truck was missing for about two days, giving the drunk ample time to sober up and realize the seriousness of his "prank." This was supposed to have happened about 1916.

HEARNE THEATERS  

Theater-goers in Hearne today, who go to theaters and see the latest in talking pictures reproduced on the silver screen along with three dimension and cinemascope and sound equipment of the most modern design while they are comfortably seated on a cushion chair and the theater building completely air conditioned seldom consider how far we have advanced in theater entertainment since the early days of Hearne. 

Today's cinematic offerings, with the human voice, music and other sounds reproduced on the screen, are so far ahead of what pioneers saw and enjoyed that anyone predicting them in the 1880's would have been called insane.

In the 80's and 90's Beckham Opera House, located on the corner of Magnolia and Third Streets, saw the presentation of the road shows that were so popular during that era.

Then, too, occasionally a lecturer, equipped with a stereopticon machine, deli-hted the Hearne audience with his 'still views' of such sights as Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, the Flatiron Building in New York (the skyscraper of that time) and many other such scenes.

With the coming of movies Hearne citizenry soon became acquainted with such early stars as Francis X. Bushman, Theda Bara, Pearl White, Warner Oland, Vernon Sc Irene Castle, William S. Hart, Ruth Roland and others.  "The Perils of Pauline" and "The Mystery of the Double Cross" thrilled Hearne movie fans.  H. L. Lewis at one time during the 90's operated an outdoor theater with silent pictures.

Sliett and Bledsoe, Walker Pinkerton, G. D. Martin, John Stewart, R. L. Lewis, and J. B. Looney were owners of local silent movie theaters in Hearne.  George Chatmas came to Hearne in 1926 when he purchased the old Queen Theater.  In 1930 Mr. Chatmas brought the first all talking pictures to Hearne to the Queen Theater and on June 18, 1936 he opened the Chatmas Theater on Fourth Street.

EARLY HEARNE NEWSPAPERS  

The first newspaper published in Hearne was owned by judge J. M. Thurmond and the best information available indicates that this newspaper, Republican in politics, was first published in 1872.

In the spring of 1872, The Hearne Signal was established by by Edward Bailey.  This was a small three-column paper, and all home print.

In the later part of 1874, Reverend J. C. Waddell and T. P. Martin established The Hearne Enterprise.  This paper was published in 1877 by John M. Langan, a lawyer.  In the fall of 1876, R. M. Smith established The Hearne Argus and A. D. McNutt established The Hearne Courier.

A glance at The Hearne Enterprise issue of August 31, 1877 revealed the following:  

A full page in this paper proudly proclaimed that The Hearne Enterprise was a live Democratic newspaper ... the best family newspaper in Texas.  The Enterprise proclaimed that it would ever be found the friend and advocate of sound national principles in opposition to all sectionalism from whatever quarter it may come and would give special attention to the interest of our own county and especially to Hearne, which will soon be the county seat of our rapidly developing county.  Published as it is at the junction of the two great railroads of the State, in a live business town, the Enterprise will afford as good an advertising medium from abroad as any paper in central Texas.  The paper also carried an advertisement of Wadsworth Drug Store located on Fourth Street.  Weather gloomy.  So is the planter in the bottom ... The Colored Baptist of the town are making an effort to locate a college in Hearne ... Mr. A. D. Thresher, had his pockets picked a few nights ago with the thief getting a watch, a few dollars in money and a sock ... The Reverend Mr. Pickett of Bryan and the Reverend Mr. Mcjunkin of Calvert, will assist in the labors of the Protracted Meeting . . . Henry Lewis has a male hog of Berkshire breed that is a perfect beauty . . . W. T. Watt keeps constantly on hand a full supply of lime and cement ... The Lucillian Club held its last meeting at the residence of Mrs. J. P. Herndon . . . Mr. Holland cultivated on the Henry Lewis place, 53 acres in corn which yielded 56 gathered bushels to the acre.  Take your little pencil and see how much it will bring him at an even 25c a bushel ... The firm of Charles Martin and T. E. Cramer is disolved by mutual consent ... The firm of Gregory and Sanderson has been disolved by mutual consent and Bob Gregory, the Pioneer Butcher and marketman continues the business alone . . . Browsers on life's nutritious meadows will always find the price as well as the bars down at Bob Gregory's with the best meats in kind and quality on his stalls that the country affords . . . Louis Schilling's Eureka Bath and Barber Shop, shave 10c, hair cut 25c, shampoos 25c . . . J. C. Waller was the proprietor of the junction Hotel . . . H. Van Vorst, Champion Boot and Shoemaker . . . G. Stieber, Fancy Boots gc Shoemaker . . . T. J. Stirman practical carpenter and builder . . . Martin Sc Co. Bankers & Exchange Dealers . . . J. C. Adams was the occulist . . . W. B. Wadsworth was the dealer in drugs, medicines, perfumes, fancy soap, toilet articles, etc. and was also agent for the world renowned Avery plow . . . Davison Sc McNutt have opened on Post Office Street, a first class saloon and billiard hall and would respectfully solicit a share of public patronage.  We intend to keep none but a first class house ... J. G. Henniger, Wagon Ironing, farm work and all kinds of repairing done at short notice at his shop on the corner of Magnolia 8-- Second Streets . . . Dr. John M. Morrison offers his professional services to the citizens of Hearne and surrounding country with office in the Wadsworth Drug Store ... Dr. Marion Matkin offers his professional services to Hearne and vicinity with office in Wadsworth Drug Store.  

    The Hearne Enterprise and The Hearne Courier served Hearne until 1890 when The Hearne Advocate, a six column paper, was established by W. H. Howell.  The ownership of this paper changed hands several times and in 1896 it was owned and published by Mrs. Fannie Reese Pugh.

    In the late 1890's The Hearne Standard was established by Messrs.  Owen and Rocke.  During this same period, The Independent, a seven column paper was published at the Hearne Academy, a large industrial boarding school for colored youths.  The publication of this newspaper was a part of the industrial education of this institution.  The Hearne Academy was located about four miles north of Hearne on the Calvert road.

In 1911, The Hearne Democrat was established.  For almost a quarter of a century from May 12, 1911 to May 20, 1935, the destinies of the Hearne Democrat were guided by Judge J. Felton Lane, a distinguished member of the bar and prominent Hearne citizen.

Judge Lane, who was entirely without previous experience in the field of journalism, became the owner of the newspaper as the result of the former owner, whose note he had endorsed, relinquishing possession to him.  Prior to Judge Lane's acquisition of the plant, The Democrat had passed through several extremely lean years when the fates of many weekly publications over the country were hanging more or less in the balance.

In his first editorial, which appeared in the initial issue after he assumed ownership, judge Lane pledged his best efforts in the publication of The Democrat and that the paper would take an active part in the civic advancement of the community.  Under his guidance The Democrat increased its circulation and new equipment replaced antiquated machinery.  However, it was not until 1929 that the old method of hand-setting the newspaper's type was replaced with a linotype machine.  D. B. (Dunc) Carrington who presided over the keyboard of the modern linotype, began his career with The Democrat only a month after judge Lane took charge.  Dunc Carrington handled the mechanical end of the paper for 18 years when each type that appeared in each weekly issue had to be set up by hand and then distributed back into the cases before a new edition could be started.  Dunc Carrington continued his career with The Hearne Democrat for 41 years until his death in 1952.  

In Judge Lane's first issue of The Hearne Democrat on May 12, 1911 appeared the following items: A trip to Austin by Mayor P. L. Brady Sr. and judge John E. Bishop in the interest of a $25,000.00 bond issue by the City of Hearne for the building of Hearne's Municipal water and electric plant ... A Prohibitionist notice announcing the meeting of club members to discuss their fight against "John Barleycorn" . . . An advertisement by Monroe Miller telling of the excellent features of the 1911 model Overland automobile ... A news story that will recall to our older citizens memories of the Bull Moose party whose champion was Theodore Roosevelt telling the results of a straw poll in the mid-western states in which Roosevelt was well in the lead.  

In 1935, Robert H. Blake became the publisher of The Hearne Democrat and continued to be the publisher until 1940.

In 1940, Theodore Rickenbacher, a native Kansan, purchased The Hearne Democrat and became the editor and publisher of this paper.

HEARNE BUILDING & LOAN ASSOCIATION  

Since 1891 the Hearne Building & Loan Association has served as a home builder in Hearne.  

This organization is not only one of Hearne's pioneer business establishments but is among the first Building 8c Loan Associations in Texas, its charter being Number 6 in the state. 

The minutes of the first organizational meeting of this firm dated February 5, 1891, shows that Mr. L. Kaufman presided as chairman over the meeting and Mr. Robert Cyrus Allen was named secretary.  At this meeting, one of Hearne's early and well known businessmen, Mr. William Crenan, was named as the first president.  Mr. E. M. Weyl, who later became a successful merchant in California, was elected as the first secretary.  

The first board of directors consisted of the following group of leading business men of Hearne; J. Widman, H. K. Davis, Chas.  L. White, John Robb, J. L. Moseley, R. A. Allen, W. W. Bivin and G. I. Branum.  

This early organization had only a few thousand dollars assets, but vision for future advancement of our city by the early directors and officers made this organization a success from the very beginning.  The first few years of operation were rather difficult, and the records show that the idea of economy was one of the major policies.  The association was organized as a mutual body with each member having like privileges and like benefits.  

In reviewing the past history of Hearne and looking forward to its future, the officers and directors of the Hearne Building & Loan Association feel the satisfaction that it has contributed its share to the present civic progress of Hearne. 

The following is a list of those who have served as president, secretary, and attorney for the organization:  

    PRESIDENTS
   William Crenan
   H. B. Easterwood
   G. I. Branum
   E. M. Weyl
   James L. Hazlett
   Dr. H. W. Cummings
   Dr. W. K. Waltmon

    SECRETARIES
   E. M. Weyl
   James F. Peel
   F. W. McWililams
   W.   H. Hensley
   W.   W. P. Easterwood
   Mrs. Bertha M. Beaumont  

    ATTORNEYS
   J. Felton Lane
   John R. Grace
   Bill Palmos

   PLANTERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK

   On April 13, 1907, a group composed of five Hearne businessmen, three Franklin businessmen and one businessman from Houston, was granted a charter, Number 232, by the State Banking Department to open the Planters Sc Merchants State Bank of Hearne, Texas.  Those businessmen interested in this bank consisted of Messrs. H. B. Easterwood, W. H. Ely, J. H. Hartzog, J. R. Henry and R. W. Marshall of Hearne; J. H. Lomax, W. W. Hilton, and G. H. Albers of Franklin; and F. W. Vaughn of Houston.

Organizational plans for the proposed bank were discussed at the first stockholders meeting which was held on April 8, 1907.

Directors elected at the organizational meeting were: H. B. Easterwood, W. H. Ely, G. H. Albers, Dr. H. W. Cummings, W. L. Forbes, F. W. Vaughn, W. T. Bartholomew, Tom M. Taylor, J. R. Henry, R. W. Marshall and J. H. Lomax.  The first officers who served during the planning for the opening of the bank were: F. W. Vaughn, president; R. W. Marshall, vice president; and J. H. Lomax, cashier.

When the bank opened for business in July 1907, the following were the officers: Tom M. Taylor, president; Dr. H. W. Cummings, vice president; G. H. Albers, cashier; W. H. Hensley and W. C. Allen Jr. assistant cashiers; and Floyd W. Easterwood, bookkeeper.

The original bank was located in the Marshall Building on Magnolia Street and in 1918 was moved to the corner of Fourth and Magnolia Streets.  

On the October 1, 1911 meeting of the directors the following changes were made: Dr. H. W. Cummings, president; J. G. Philen, cashier; W. C. Allen Jr., assistant cashier; and Floyd W. Easterwood, bookkeeper.  Roy 0. Ely was employed as a bookkeeper in July 1914.

Records of the bank's first years show that the competition in local banking circles of that era was keen and the young institution labored successfully through some trying times.  However, since the day the doors were opened the Planters & Merchants State Bank has rendered continuous service for the agricultural, commercial and industrial advancement of this section.

Upon the resignation of Dr. H. W. Cummings in 1925, J. G. Philen became president of the bank and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1949.  Upon Mr. Philen's retirement, Roy 0. Ely was made president and H. C. (Jack) Kelly vice president and cashier.  Directors include E. Y. Ely Sr., Charles Ferrara, and C. B. Thames.  

    FIRST STATE BANK

   The First State Bank of Hearne was formerly opened for business in ceremonies held on September 6, 1957.  The bank opened for business in a new building constructed on the corner of Cedar and Third Streets.

   State Treasurer Jesse James formally opened the bank to the 114 general public when he officiated in the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony.  The principal address for the opening was given by the Honorable Will Wilson, Attorney General of the State of Texas.

Reverend Bufford Harrel Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hearne, gave the invocation. Brazos A. Varisco, President of the bank, received the Certificate of Authority from J. W. Munson, Department Examiner, of the State Department of Banking.  

Bankers and dignitaries from throughout the eastern half of Texas attended the formal opening.  A total of 2126 visitors registered in the bank's guest register on opening day.  Attorney General Will Wilson, in a short talk preceding the opening, congratulated the residents of this area on the fine new bank building.  Deposits at the bank for the first day of business amounted to $413,812.03.

The executive officer for the new bank, Wilbur Strong, had previously served as president of the First State Bank of Texas City, Texas and was associated with that institution for twelve years, and will serve as executive vice president for the First State Bank of Hearne.  Thomas E. Brashear, formerly connected with the First National Bank of Cameron, Texas is the cashier.  Other employees at the new bank on opening day were: Mrs. Virginia McNeel, Mrs. Mae Beth Hoyt, Mrs. Minnie Ola Little, and Mrs. Doris Ann Utecht.

Officers of First State Bank are: President, Brazos A. Varisco; Executive Vice President, Wilbur Strong; Cashier, Thomas E. Brashear; Vice President, Morris Cohen; Vice President, W. S. Hoyt Jr.; Directors: J. H. Fox, Jimmie F. Payne, Roy Henry, Dr. E. M. Boyd, Frank De Stefano, G. R. Varner, Bryan F. Russ, Joe Varisco, Vince Court, and E. M. McNeel.