Sheffield ferry in East Texas oldest and last of its kind
The Sheffield ferry on the Neches River, 55 miles north of Beaumont and seven miles east of Spurger, is the last of its kind in Texas. Operated by Fred Jenkins since 1917, it charges 50 cents per vehicle outside 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays and is privately owned. The crossing near Progress shows a new bridge being built downstream as the area develops.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jerry Zuber
Bolivar Roads
Galveston Island
Bolivar Peninsula
Texas Highway Department
Neches River
Texas
Fred Jenkins
Sheffield Ferry
Sheffield
East Texas
Beaumont
Spurger
Jeff Sheffield
Jenkins
Tyler
Jasper
Neches
Tyler County
Jasper County
Kirbyville
Magnolia Springs
Hillister
Town Bluff
Collier's
Pine Island Bayou
Village Creek
Martin Ramer
Alabama
A. B. Ogden
John Jenkins
Fannie Jenkins
Local Visitors and Church Event Highlights
Visitors from Gardon Springs Pla and Provencal La were hosted in the Randal Phelps home along with Beaumont guests. Neighborhood families joined a Corpus Christi trip to see relatives. Woodcrest Methodist Church workers wrapped up a building project with a picnic. A Fletcher Emanuel Baptist zone meeting is set for June 28 with Rev. J W Lovett appointed zone superintendent. The Newton encampment draws local children in June and July. Jerry Sparks’ wedding shower honored Clara Babin, with Chaissie Sparks visiting from Mineral Wells. Several locals and relatives appear in hospital and travel notes across Beaumont, Port Arthur, Laredo, and Franklin areas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fletcher Emanuel
J. W. Lovett
Newton
Jerry Sparks
Clara Babin
John D. Trahan
Chaissie Sparks
Mineral Wells
D. B. Pattillo Sr
Leroy Pattillo
Arp
Texas
Hotel Dieu Hospital
Pattillo
B. A. Glasscock
Austin
Shirley Flowers
Baptist Hospital
Adair Williams
St. Mary’s Hospital
Port Arthur
Jim Downey
New Baby
Hardin County Hospital
Carl Greer
Baby
Laredo
Greer
Alson Johnston
Air Force Base
Eugene Holmes
Franklin
Jim McGovern
Eva Griffith
Vergie
Beaumont
Loeb Pentecostal Church
Vacation Safety Tips For Drivers Urge Seat Belt Use
The American Medical Assn the National Safety Council and the U S Public Health Service promote seat belts as lifesaving. They cite studies showing belts halve injury risk and prevent ejection, noting only a minority of cars are equipped. Experts urge universal use.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
American Medical Assn
National Safety Council
U. S Public Health Service
United States
Indiana
Ralph Kuhli
Public Safety Department
Kuhli
Beaumont ferry memory ties to old bank robbery tale
A historic East Texas bank robbery near Kirbyville ended in tragedy after the suspects fled toward a ferry and the river. One robber drowned and the other survived, claiming the loot vanished with the drowned man. Divers failed to recover the money despite weeks of searching. The piece notes the area’s past bootlegging activity and reflects on the ferry’s role before a bridge and highway changed travel. Mrs. Jenkins and Fred Jenkins recall the river era and Texas’ lone Axe Handle ferry on the riverbank.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Beaumont
Kirbyville
Posseme
Texas
Jenkins
Sheffield
Fannie Jenkins
Fred Jenkins
Janis Sampson Named Among Lamar Tech Distinguished Students
Lamar Tech vice-president O B Archer names 112 Distinguished Students for outstanding spring semester grade averages with at least twelve A grades. The list includes 64 from Beaumont, 27 from Port Arthur, 6 from Orange, and 10 from Mid-County. Janis Sampson of Silsbee is among them.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
O. B. Archer
Lamar Tech
Dean Archer
Beaumont
Port Arthur
Orange
Mid-County
Janis Sampson
Silsbee
Lamar
Negro Civic Club Terminates Year
The Exquised Club held the last meeting of the season at Mrs. C. A. Johns with seven members present. Mrs. James Singleton presided. The next meeting will be held at Mrs. Arvie Hamilton’s home on Oct. 5.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Exquised Club
C. A. Johns
James Singleton
Arvie Hamilton
Card of Thanks from Mrs. M. E. Brown
Mrs. M. E. Brown expresses gratitude to friends and neighbors for cards flowers visits and prayers during her hospital stay in a concise courtesy note.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Hardy Simmons
Ogden
Fred
D. W. Henderson
C. E. Poole
Houston
Chester
New Orleans
Rickey Benson
Patricia Benson
High Bluff
Chance
Fletcher News
A. F. Butler
Randal Phelps
Archie Kelley
J. P. Choate
Wethersfield
Conn
Negro Civic Club
M. E. Brown
Conner
H&h Dry Goods
Ilsbee
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