This information was found in the vertical files of the Genealogy Department of the Longview Public Library.

THE AVINGER CITIZEN
Special Historical Edition
Jun 18, 1954

TOWN LATER NAMED AFTER DR. J.H. AVINGER

The first Avingers were three brothers who came to America from Germany before the Revolutionary War. Landing in New York, they made their way to the conony of South Carolina, where reference is made in a history book account of the battle of Utah Springs, S.C., to a "widow Avinger." Reports indicate families by the name of "Avinger" still living in Southern Germany. It is possible that the early spelling of the name was "Ebinger".

H.S. Avinger, after when the town of Avinger, Texas, was named, was born March 9, 1822, on a farm in Orangeburg, S.C. near the present small town of Vance. He attended the Jefferson School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., graduating at the age of 19. When 22 years of age, he journeyed by ship (the New Orleans); by river boat via Shreveport and up Cypress Bayou to Jefferson, Texas; then 20 miles inland over the Jefferson-Clarksville road to a settlement called "Young's Chapel". He arrived in the spring of 1855.

Young's Chapel was located four miles west of Hickory Hill and three miles west of the present town of Avinger. Both communities are now a part of greater Avinger. The community consisted of a Methodist Church (moved to Avinger in the 1870's), a general store operated by Alfred Abernathy and three dwellings. Dr. Avinger obtained board and lodging in the home of the Rev. Thomas Young, for whom the town was named. He returned to S.C. in the spring and married Mattie Hooker. They returned to East Texas in the spring of 1857, and lived in the Young home. The Rev. Thomas Young is the grandfather of Mrs. George Alford who still lives in Avinger.

Dr. Avinger bought the entire James Anders Survey, 640 acres, on January 8, 1860, and built a large log house on the approximate site of the present John Avinger home. This house was remodeled in 1879 and remained in excellent condition until destroyed by fire on June 18, 1928. The lumber was cut in his own mill and planed by hand. His son, L.H. Avinger, planed much of this lumber under the "big Oak tree" still standing until a few years ago. The Avinger Springs were located at the foot of the hill near the old home place and was once damed to provide a Mill Race. L.H. Avinger learned to swim in the pool when a friend threw him out of the boat in twelve foot water. L.H., Carrie and Julie were the three Avinger children.

Dr. Avinger built his first store north of the present Bill Bishop home, and established a General Merchandise concern with emphasis on drugs. The nearest other business north from his store was a blacksmith and carriage shop operated by an old Negro named Ned Cameron. Ned's wife was famous for her ginger bread and "Sweet Potato Beer". The Hickory Hill community one mile south consisted of a Presbyterian and Baptist Church, Post Office and a general store or two. Residents of this vicinity were L.A. Pattillo, Davis Hendricks, M.D. Avinger and Thomas M. Kimball.

A large orchard on the Avinger place covered the area extending from the present Henry Sturdivant and Esta McCain residences to the W.A. McCain home and the Methodist Church grounds on the East and South sides of the block.

M.D. Avinger, a younger brother of Dr. Avinger, arrived from South Carolina in 1960 and coustructed a house about 50 yeards East of the present Denman Yarbrough home. This house was later occupied by the Fowler family, until a portion was ripped off by a tornado, April 15, 1921. The old well on the place is still being used.

On June 22, 1879, M.D. Avinger married Nanny Fritch at Hickory Hill. Their children were Charley, Josh, Harry, Dud, Ollie, Hallie and Andy. Still living are Charley at Newsom; Josh at Dallas, and Hallie at Wichita Falls, Texas.

Kit, a half-brother to Dr. and M.D. Avinger, arrived from South Carolina in the 70's. He came to Hickory Hill via the new Eastline and Red River Railroad, then under construction from Jefferson to points west. The rail was completed to one-half mile of his destination. His frist home was built on the present site of the W.L. Montgomery home, where he lived until he sold it to Fred Hall. His next residence was the present home of Mrs. Alice Haynes, and he opened a grist mill near this house. The old cememt footing that served as a foundation for his engine is still visible. He was a natural carpenter and many of his sturdy articles are in use today. Kit Avinger died in the house now occupied by Barney Jackson.

When the Red River and Eastline railroad (later known as the Sherman, Shreveport & Southern) reached the Avinger farm in 1877, Dr. Avinger supplied the lumber from his sawmill, built and gave them free, the first depot. The new station was called "Avinger" in his honor and he was made the first agent. One of the first engines (a narrow gauge, wood burner with 2 1/2 feet driver wheels), carried the name Dr. Avinger on the cab instead of the usual number. The depot was located about where the bank is now and he moved his store to about the same site as the present Alford store. Dr. Avinger's store and depot were the first two buildings in Avinger. Hickory Hill Post Office was moved to Avinger on Oct. 25, 1877, and the in Dr. Avinger's store on Jan. 16, 1878. Catherine Avinger, daughter of the doctor, became the first postmistress at this time.

The rails were extended to the Hearne place, three miles north of town and a turn-table erected.

M.D. Avinger also built a building about this time on the site where the Bishop Station is now located. A fine well of water and a big Oak tree which stood for many years are remembered. The tree was used as a hitching post for horses and teams. The building later housed the postoffice when M.D. Avinger succeded his nephew as postmaster on August 27, 1886.

The story of Dr. Avinger's murder as given to us by his grandson John Avinger:

Tradegy confronted the doctor on June 27, 1881, when walking from his office to his home. While enroute he was asked to stop and see a sick colored woman. After treating his patient the doctor stepped from the sick room into the dark hall of the old house where he was attacked by a negro with a sharp knife. The assailant fell to his knees, and with this moment slashed the doctor across the abdomen. The doctor's only reaction was an effort to ward off the attacker with an extended arm as he slumped to the floor.

It was learned a short time later that the assailant was a negro by the name of Hicks Ross who was a fugitive from Georgia, wanted for the killing of his wife. He had sharpened his knife at a shoe shop operated by a Mr. Simmons, and he fled into the nearby woods after he had carried out his premeditated deed.

The doctor was carried to his home and lived for three days before dying on June 30, 1881. Ross was captured before the death of the doctor by one of the numerous search parties combing the area. Various spots where he might be expected to turn up were watched and on about the secord day, a Mr. Stroman and another man captured him at a spring as he was drinking.

There was strong feeling among the people and it was contemplated to hang him then and there, and it was at the request of Dr. Avinger that he was turned over to the authorities for proper handling by due process of law. The negro asked to see the doctor, stating that he was the "best friend he had ever had", and voiced the opinion that the doctor might go his bond! This was an ironic twist for such an occasion.

Ross was given a trial and sentenced to 10 years in the state penitentary at Huntsville. Records in the trial, and newspaper clippings, indicate that the doctor was instrumental in seeing the negro receive a light sentence. Ross was reported to have died in prison from inflammatory rheumatism, but a former prison guard later admitted to the Avinger family that he had killed the negro when he attempted to escape the prison.

Lawrence H. Avinger, son of the doctor, returned from Southwwestern University at Georgetown, Texas, the day of his father's death. He took over the various enterprises of his father, and the care of his mother and sisters. He relieved his sister, Carrie, (now Mrs. Hedik), in the postoffice, later turning the office over to his uncle, M.D. Avinger. L.H. Avinger married Trudy Phillips of Orr Switch, in about 1865.

L.H. Avinger engaged in various business in both Avinger and Sulphur Springs, and his son John Avinger, opened the first motion picture theatre in Avinger, 1913-14. John Avinger is the only direct descendent residing in the town that bears his name. Mrs. Alice Haynes, daughter of Kit Avinger, still resides in the city also.

The contributions of the Avinger family to the progress of this community will ever by remembered by the citizenship.