History of Gary, Texas

History of Gary, Panola county, Texas The Panola Watchman, Thursday, August 13, 1953
note: spelling is the same as found in the article

Gary History

Zuber was the first name give to this little town, but with the coming of the post office and later the railroad, necessitated a change as there was another town by the name of Zuber, older than this one in Texas.

The present town was created from the community known at Mt. Bethel, so called from the Baptist church located two miles from the present town site.

In the year 1898, when the railroad from Timpson to Carthage was built, the town of Gary was founded. The railroad was built by Mr. Smith Garrison and the town was named for his grandson, Gary Sanford.

Gary has had the priviledge since of boasting of two railroads -- the Sante Fe and the Texas and Gulf. However, the latter has been discontinued.

In the beginning there was only a large commisary that supplied the workers on the railroad and their families, but soon eterprising citizens began to build stores and the town was started.

Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Hull build and operated the firststore. Dr. Zack Daniel, a young man just beginning his medical career built the first drug store, it changed hands a few times, one time owned by Tom Knight, deceased.

Among the earliest settlers are as follows: Hulls, Heatons, Brannons, Marshalls, Applegates, Fords, Worshams, Witchers, Daniels, Callins, Hodges, Graves, Hall, and Jeff and Taylor Ball (perhaps others whose names we could not secure). These were the moving spirits in all the development of community and town activities.

The Baptist Church

Some of the devout christians that have helped much in making the social and the christian life of the town what it is are as follows: Rev. and Mrs. J. W. McLeroy, Dr. and Mrs. Z. Daniels, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Ford, Mrs. O. L. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hull, J. E. Cassity, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Brannon, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Marshall, and Mrs. N. A. Hull.

The following Superintendents have pioneered the school life of Gary efficiently: Supts. J. Bookshire, C. Applegate, J. H. Brumble, J. R. Nichols, W. J. McElroy, John Brinson, W. R. Ety, and W. T. Brinson; later teachers -- Heaton and W. T. Bridges.

The following sons of Gary have risen to some degree and prominence: Hon. T. O. Walton, President, A. M. College; J. E. Stanford, for a number of years associated with East Texas Chamber of Commerce, as Secretary and Hon. J. W. Davis, a prominent Dallas Attorney and Senator, son of Dr. Davis, and old resident of Gary. Others that have served their County are: D. C. Hill, A. O. Stanford, T. K. Brannon, and W. D. Heaton.

Doctors Copeland, Davis, and Daniels have served their people well in their medical profession.