From the San Saba News & Star Archives
80 Years Ago
January 6, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Whisenant observed their 58th wedding anniversary on January 3. The Whisenants have been living in San Saba for over 40 years and own their home in the southern part of the city.
Jym Sloan, pioneer correspondent of The Star, has been confined to his home on account of illness and his Sloan Siftings and history columns have been missed by readers of The Star.
James L. Beckner has purchased the Laura Leath property south of the Santa Fe station and he and his mother, Mrs. A. D. Beckner, and family will make their home there.
William Baxter Smith of the Kerrville Times staff is visiting his parents, Postmaster and Mrs. W. A. Smith.
L. C. Ward, San Saba County Chairman for the Fourth War Loan, has announced that the quota set for this county is $268,000. San Saba went over the top in the Third War Bond Drive last fall and officials of the local committee say, "We can do it again."
Lewis Smithwick has bought the property on the south side of the square from Mrs. Lula Nalls and heirs and has already begun reconditioning of the property where he will build a modern warehouse when materials are available. The front part of the building is now being dismantled and the remaining rooms will be left standing for the present as rental property. This front part of the house is a historic landmark on the square and was used by the late John Blakeney as a grocery store in the 1890's. Around 1900 the site was used for the San Saba telephone exchange which was operated by Misses Annie and Dickie Blakeney. Miss Dickie Blakeney married Tex O'Reilly, who has become nationally known as a soldier of fortune, writer and radio commentator. O'Reilly made his home at this location while he was in San Saba. The late Berry Nalls bought the property about 25 years ago and Mrs. Nalls and the four children have owned the place since then.
50 Years Ago
January 3, 1974
Cold, windy and dry -- so ended the year 1973 in San Saba as a bitter cold front swept the state and nation. Early January 1, 1974, the unofficial temperature rear 18 degrees in San Saba as the freeze extended as far south as Del Rio. Rainfall for the year was above average in San Saba County with a official reading of 33.77 inches.
Cherokee Home for Children this week received a gift from a San Saba resident, W. a. Long. The gift was a check for $10,000.00 and if left in saving for four years will amount to $12, 909.15.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernesto Perez are the parents of twins, Jose Luis, six pounds, seven ounces, and Jose Carlos, five pounds, 13 ounces, born Dec. 26.
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Dane Mahan are the parents of Shawnda Renee, four pounds, six ounces, born Dec. 23.
Mr. and Mrs. George Templeton of Fort Worth visited in the T. E. Hawkins home.
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Bearden, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Williams and Jeriann, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Holmes and Ronnie B. and Chuck Bearden were Christmas day guests in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bearden.
The San Saba City Water Plant has begun a spruce-up and clean-up operation. Interior painting has already begun. Jody Whitley has been in the process of cleaning the filters. The elevator lifts chemicals to the third floor which are then machine fed to purify San Saba water.
San Saba City and County officers have put together an impressive display of paraphernalia that has been used by those apprehended with Marijuana and related drugs. Police Chief, H. L. (Hub) Hubbard has prepared the display in a cabinet in the office of the County Sheriff and invites all to look it over. The Cabinet also has Marijuana plant samples used for identification. Some items were donated from other agencies.