Harrison Magazine from Summer 2021

fa s h i o n | b a c k ya r d s u r p r i s e s | h a r r i s o n c h a m p i o n | & M O R E !

Culinary Delights:

Food trucks offer a unique twist on

LOCAL CUISINE

C ove r S t o r y :

passion & purpose

Charles H. Cornish’s passion has helped Wiley College, community grow

summer 2021 ISSUE

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LETTER

summer 2021 ISSUE

M

erriam-Webster defines community as a unified body of individuals. At the heart of this magazine it is about celebrating the Harrison County community. For those who travel across highway 80, I-20 or up and down Hwy. 59, those who don’t stop may not take notice of the fabric that makes up our county community.

Unfortunately, those of us who live here are often just as at fault for not enjoying what is right under our own nose. We all get busy with life, and say something like ‘I will check that out later when I have time,’ but we usually never make the time to ‘check it out.’

Part of the planning process for each Harrison Magazine issue is to discuss what parts of our community we want to highlight and bring forward into the spotlight to be seen.

What quickly becomes apparent in these planning sessions is there are parts of our community each staff member operates within or is aware of that the rest of the room is unaware of.

This creates a place for each of us to learn more about our county and create interesting dialogue about people, organization and places we could introduce you to in future editions.

This issue is full of examples of the discoveries we make in our planning process that we are excited to share with you.

Mr. Cornish, who is profiled, has a great passion for Wiley College as well as many other organizations here in Harrison County. I am sure you will feel his enthusiasm come off the pages. Looking for something new to eat in the area? Check out our feature on the variety of food trucks and the personalities who make them go. Never been to Memorial City Hall?

Discover its beautiful interior, as it provided our backdrop for this edition’s fashion shoot. Are you aware of the work Orlando Valle is doing with the Hispanic Lions Club? If not, we would like to introduce him to you.

Please take a moment and find time to learn about and enjoy the people, places and organizations that make Harrison County home, be that with those included in this issue or not.

Additionally, share that great experience with someone else, and invite them to enjoy it as well. A vibrant community has an energy to it. Be that spark of energy that residents and visitors to our community can feel.

Publisher Alexander Gould

agould@mrobertsmedia.com

Editor Wyndi Veigel

wveigel@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Advertising Sales Johnnie Fancher

jfancher@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Marquisia Wright

mwright@marshallnewsmessenger.com

contributing Writers Jessica Harker Bridget Or tigo Robin Y. Richardson Meredith Shamburger

contributing Photographers Michael Cavazos Les Hassell

Graphic Designer Katie Case

Special thank you to The Brass Trunk Memorial City Hall Pietro’s Pazzeria Christina Cavazos

on the cover

Charles Cornish III, Director of Alumni Relations, at Wiley College.

Photo by Les Hassell

published by Alexander Gould

agould@mrobertsmedia.com

4 | HARRISON MAGAZINE

903.935.7914 | 309 e. austin st., Marshall

TABLE of contents

16

FASHION

6

BACKYARD SURPRISES

‘I’m certain I’ve been to Uncertain’ COVER STORY

Passion & Purpose

Passion would be a word that many would use to refer to Harrison County resident Charles H. Cornish III. He is passionate about many things — Wiley College, the arts, fine dining, travel and community involvement.

HARRISON CHAMPION

Harrison County Hispanic Lions Club works to make information accessible to all community members

10 14

HEAR Linking mind to ear since 1998.

Show Stoppers Fashion by The Brass Trunk

CULINARY DELIGHTS

Food trucks offer unique twist on local cuisine HOUR GLASS

Marshall women recount surviving 1900 Galveston Hurricane

20 22

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BACKYARD SURPRISES

Left: Views of Caddo Lake from Shady Glade in Uncertain. Right: Jerry, right, and Cheryl Wilson of Nacogdoches paddle their kayaks around cypress trees during the annual Caddo Lake Earth Day Paddling Regatta in Uncertain.

‘I’m certain I’ve been to

Uncertain’ story by Robin Y. Richardson | photos by Les Hassell

T

he town may be named Uncertain, but there’s no doubt that the quaint community of about 300 local and surrounding residents offers some of the hottest tourist attractions around.

“We’re a small community; and, of course, we have all kinds of tourists from everywhere,” said Sherlyn Bourne with Caddo Outpost, From boat tours to eating and shopping, Uncertain — known as the “gateway to the beauty and mystery of Caddo Lake” — provides a host of activities to enjoy.

“Back in the 80’s we were known for the many, many outlaws that came out here because no one knew of Caddo Lake, but now it’s a nationwide tourist attraction,” said Bourne.

“We’ve had people from Russia, Germany, London. Missouri, and Illinois. A lot of people come from New York, California.

“They do a lot of canoeing, kayaking, fishing and tours,” said Bourne. “After the first week of (reopening after) COVID (pandemic shutdown), it has not slowed down one bit.”

Judy Van Deventer, the city’s secretary, concurred.

“All the B&Bs (bed and breakfasts) were full during spring break,” said Van Deventer.

The town sees visitors from as close as the surrounding areas of Marshall and Longview from as far away as Dallas, Houston, 6 | HARRISON MAGAZINE

California, Missouri and frequent visitors from Illinois.

“We even had a guy from New York who said he wanted to tour Texas and asked, ‘Where should I go?’” Bourne said.

The New Yorker was directed to Uncertain.

“We have the only natural lake in the state of Texas; we have the oldest inland marina in Texas, Johnson Ranch, and the largest bald Cypress forest — pretty much in the United States,” said Bourne.

The city has also caught the attention of state and national media outlets, including Texas Highways and CNN. “Texas Highways, CNN, they do a lot of stuff out here,” said Bourne, sharing how Uncertain has been in the national spotlight for many years.

Boat tours Bourne said the town boasts specialized boat tours that add to its uniqueness.

“We have mud boats or the go-devil tours,” she said, expounding the go-devil tours journey deep into the backwaters.

“Then there are the pontoons; so it’s all really, really neat.”

“Everybody has their own little niche, which is quite nice to have in such a small community,” said Bourne.

The tours are so unique, that even the city’s website,

cityofuncertain.com, advises to: “Don’t leave Uncertain without seeing Caddo from the water.”

“A variety of tour boats (steamboat, pontoon boats, mud boats) allow visitors to explore the meandering bayous and sloughs, giving guests to Caddo an intimate touch with the mysterious beauty that is Caddo Lake,” the city states.

The city suggests contacting local tour operators, including Big Cypress Tours, Mystique Tours, Bill Carter’s Go Devil Tours, Shady Glade Tours and Caddo Lake Bayou Tours for a tour around the natural gem.

Additional tours close to Caddo Lake, but outside the city of Uncertain include Outback Backwater Tours, Ole Jigger Caddo Lake Adventures, and Swamp Tours- all located in Karnack, which neighbors Uncertain.

Flea market, Art, State Park, Refuge For those wanting to find some good treasures, the Uncertain Flea Market is open the first and third weekends of the month, starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The 68,000 square feet indoor exhibit space, located on Farm-to-Market Road 2198, is the biggest tourist destination in the area, the city of Uncertain’s website describes.

“It’s very popular,” said Bourne.

Next door to the Flea Market is Mossy Brake Art Gallery.

The art gallery, owned by Ted, Jo Ann and Scott Imhof, is inspired by the natural wildlife and beauty of the area.

Another attraction includes Caddo Lake State Park, located just five miles outside of Uncertain in Karnack. The state park boasts nature trails, cabins and provides opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, geocaching and paddling ventures on the more than 50 miles of paddling trails.

Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a 7,500 acre refuge created to manage, conserve and protect the migratory birds and other fish and wildlife, is also five miles outside of Uncertain, offering bird viewing opportunities. More than 216 species are recorded.

Dining Visitors who have worked up an appetite have a variety of eateries to choose. From specialty dishes to down-home cooking and seafood, the community has it all.

“There is no reason to ever be hungry here,” the city states on its website.

Shady Glade Café, an integral part of Shady Glade Resort, located on Cypress Drive, is known for its home-cooked meals, perfect fried catfish and hand-battered chicken fried steaks.

“Have a great breakfast before hitting the water for a day of fishing or join us for lunch,” the restaurant invited.

The restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch.

Big Pines Lodge, located at 747 Pine Island Road in Karnack, on Caddo Lake, invites guests to Continued on Page 8

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SUMMER 2021 ISSUE | 7

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MOBILITY HEADQUARTERS! Big Pines Lodge on Caddo Lake near Uncertain. “come by boat, car, truck, motorcycle or whatever you have and enjoy the best home-cooked catfish and hushpuppies on the planet.”

Additional restaurants in the Uncertain/Karnack community around the lake are: Riverbend Restaurant, located at 211 Private Road 2422 in Karnack; Lighthouse Bar and Grill, at 1805 Blairs Landing Road in Karnack; and Aseret Mexican Restaurant, at 17300 FM 134, in Karnack.

Caddo Outpost, located at 144 Cypress Drive, is open seven days a week. The convenient store functions as a one-stop shop offering goods and services, toiletries to barbecue.

“We are a convenience store, but we barbecue our own meat and we have a Brown cow, which is a chopped brisket and special sauce, and a pulled pork sandwich,” shared Bourne.

The store also offers freshly-made cold-cut sandwiches and homemade kolaches. On weekends, they serve biscuits and gravy. Wine and tobacco products are also available.

“We’re almost like a mini Walmart,” said Bourne. “We have soaps, and toothpaste, charcoal, and we have your barbecue necessities and then we have cases of water; and, of course, we have a big array of candies and ice cream and sodas and beer. We also have all your condiments and all your canned goods. We sell cheese, lunch meat, Gatorade and chips — by the small bag and large bag.”

The store has become the go-to for tourists.

“We’re kind of the local information center,” Bourne said. “We keep information on fishing, tours, kayaking, fishing and lodging.”

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Special events The town welcomes all to its various unique events, such as the Uncertain Floating Christmas Parade, Fourth of July floating parade and fireworks display that all take place on the Big Cypress Bayou. The elaborate New Year’s fireworks display is also a crowd pleaser. Additionally, the annual Earth Day event is a spring-time favorite that offers a fun-filled day of paddling excursions.

“We do pretty good,” Bourne said of the town’s events.

The city is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors, leaving no doubt that a good time was had.

“We always say: I’m certain I’ve been to Uncertain, Texas,” Bourne chuckled.

8 | HARRISON MAGAZINE

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PURPOSE

PASSION 10 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

story by Wyndi Veigel | photos by Les Hasse

ell

PASSION WOULD BE A WORD THAT MANY WOULD USE TO REFER TO HARRISON COUNTY RESIDENT CHARLES H. CORNISH III. HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT MANY THINGS — WILEY COLLEGE, THE ARTS, FINE DINING, TRAVEL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

F

or Charles, his enthusiasm for Wiley College began after his mother, Debra Woodkins Cornish and himself moved back to her hometown of Marshall from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Having fond memories of the university since his parents met at the college in the 1970s, Charles began looking at a variety of schools when he was a high school senior.

“There was something that I realized about Wiley that I just didn’t see elsewhere. My mom and dad had lifelong friends that they had met at Wiley.

My godfather is also a graduate of Wiley. He and my father, Charles H. Cornish II, were fraternity brothers,” he said. “When you’re a senior in high school you look at things differently than you did before.

That’s what made me make Wiley my choice. I wanted to be a part of that and the close knit community. I met some of my best friends at Wiley. It’s different when you grow up with someone and you see that person everyday; you have no choice. But your friends in college, those are people that you pick and choose to be a part of your life because you have some of the same interests.”

It wasn’t until the last minute when Charles chose Wiley and said, ‘I want to be a part of this. There is something special here that I’m just not seeing other places.”

Entering the college in 2003 to earn his Bachelor’s in Secondary Education in English, he had no idea that his path would be determined by a series of events far outside his control.

“It’s amazing how things sometimes work and you don’t even realize how things are setting up for your future,” he said.

One of the first things that had an impact on the then-freshman Charles was becoming a part of Student Leaders at the college. Being involved with student leadership in high school, Charles knew this could help him make new acquaintances.

“What happened was in my time at Wiley I became very active as a student with Student Union Advisory Board, then I became an officer for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) because we are a UNCF affiliated institution.”

That started him interacting with other UNCF schools and offices of alumni relation directors at

that time, he said. Through his time with UNCF, he got to know vice presidents for institutional advancement and college presidents from all of the 39 UNCF member institutions.

“That experience stimulated what has become my lifelong passion for philanthropy and advancing the Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) legacy,” he said. Wiley College has made a lasting impression on Harrison County both from an economic standpoint and attracting those who may not be familiar with the county or with Marshall.

“We attract students from all over the United States and the world. Once they come to Wiley College many of them stay and make Texas their home,” Charles said. “The college has played a major role in history and in Harrison County. We’ve had top notch speakers, influencers and made an impact during the Civil Rights movement. We really are a beacon of light for diversity and education.”

His involvement at Wiley early on eventually led to him serving on the UNCF council, the advisor of whom was the Director of Alumni Relations.

“I would travel all the time, as a student, serving on the boards, and hosting conferences because then I started serving on host committees. We would have them all around the United States,” he said. The director at the time began to get ill as she battled cancer and eventually passed away, leaving the university with a vacancy that desperately needed to be filled. As Charles began his semester of student teaching, the college asked him to fill in to hold the office of alumni relations together.

After graduating, the university president made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and he became Young Alumni Coordinator. In this position, one of the first job responsibilities he accomplished was a class reunion for the 50th anniversary class.

“I think that year we worked and we were able to secure $50,000 from the 50th anniversary class. That was one of the first times that had been done. I never planned to go into a career of fundraising. That was never my plan,” he said.

After serving in this position, Charles was made the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations for about seven years and helped establish the Office of Major Gifts and Planned Giving office, where he worked

S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 I S S U E | 11

“

There is no way you can live in a community and not give back.”

for about six years.

Eventually, his love for the university brought him to be the Director of Alumni Relations in March 2021. He is certified in the areas of donor relations, major gifts, and crisis management fundraising. So far in his career, he has helped raise $12 million in donations for the college.

His participation with Wiley College lead to another one of his passions—traveling.

Out of his top favorite places to travel — Paris, Toyko, London and New York City — one of his most memorable trips was with Wiley students who traveled to Toyko on a school trip.

Charles was responsible for organizing and planning a trip to the Japanese city for approximately 20 students who were attending a United Methodist Church Conference.

“At first I declined just because of the responsibility involved with something like that,” he said. But then he realized what a difference an experience with that much culture could have on the students, some who had never even flown on an airplane before.

“It was a very memorable experience and I’m so glad I had that experience with our students,” he said.

One of the memories that stands out for him about that trip is the cleanliness of the city, even on the bullet train from Tokyo to Hiroshima. Charles described a team of women who enter the bullet train and cleaned the mode of transportation from top to bottom.

“It was as clean as any hospital I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Another experience that was memorable is the food that the students and their advisors consumed on the trip. The students, he said, couldn’t adapt to how fresh the food was in Tokyo with limited preservatives and an abundance of fresh fruit, juices and seafood.

12 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

“They were fascinated by Americans,” Charles said, of the Japanese. “They would give us the peace sign or sing Michael Jackson tunes.”

Charles said he also loves traveling to New York City due to the fine dining and entertainment that is located in the city.

“Any time I can enjoy fine dining and great entertainment, I’m happy,” he said.

Charles praises the cultural experiences that are available in Marshall.

“We have an outstanding orchestra. We don’t have to go to a large town. To have a facility like Memorial City Hall, we are so blessed,” he said.

This extends to his love of arts and culture in Marshall also. His adoration of arts and culture can be seen in his involvement as a boardmember on the Marshall Symphony Orchestra and a boardmember on the Marshall Regional Arts Council.

“I’ve always just had a passion for involvement in the community,” he said.

He is currently part of the Rotary Club of Marshall, an East Texas Boys and Girls Club boardmember, the treasurer for Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and participated in Leadership Marshall. He is also a former member of Marshall Main Street and a former boardmember for the Marshall Public Library board.

“There is no way you can live in a community and not give back.

God blesses you so you can be a blessing to others,” Charles said as to why he is involved in myriad ways for the community. “It’s something that anyone can do, so why not help?”

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S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 I S S U E | 13

HARRISON CHAMPION

President and founder of the Harrison County Hispanic Lions Club, Orlando Valle, first focused on starting a health fair and offering more scholarships to local Hispanic students but had to reorganize their plans during COVID, providing resources and information to those in the community that had limited access.

Harrison County Hispanic Lions Club works to make information accessible to all community members story by Jessica Harker | photos by Michael Cavazos

T

he Harrison County Hispanic Lions Club had big plans for the year 2020 when they officially formed in December 2019.

When complications to those plans came about due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the group refocused and worked to keep community members safe and informed throughout the unprecedented time.

President and founder of the organization Orlando Valle said that when they initially formed, the group was focused on starting a health fair and offering more scholarships to local Hispanic students.

“We had the health fair all ready to go, and then we heard about COVID in late February,” Valle said.

It was then that the group started getting calls from vendors canceling for the fair, which they eventually chose to cancel along with planned blood drive events.

“It was hard because we were excited,” Valle said. “But then we just pulled back and reorganized and asked what can we do?”

Reorganizing meetings to be hosted virtually through Zoom, the group worked to identify the needs of the Hispanic community as they faced the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group decided to work to do their part to get information regarding COVID-19 accessible to all community members, both English and Spanish speaking, and utilized social media to do it.

14 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

The group started hosting Facebook Live interviews with local officials like County Judge Chad Sims, as well as updated information on COVID-19 case numbers and vaccine locations, all available also in Spanish.

“We have a lot of people who are non-English speakers, who do not have access to public information for that reason, and we want to help bridge that gap,” Valle said.

The group continued with those Facebook Live sessions as the year went on, expanding the videos to include information regarding the local sheriff and police departments as well as Marshall Independent School District.

“We started working with MISD and with the parents of local students, to help bridge the gap between the school districts and the Spanish speaking residents, who don’t have access to a lot of this information,” Valle said.

The group was also able to host fundraisers to help fund their first scholarships in 2020, offering two $250 to local students, which Valle said that they want to continue to grow and expand on in the future.

“We want to offer more, and for more money, as we continue to grow,” he said.

He said that since the group began, they have gotten a lot of positive feedback in the community for the work they have done, even though a lot of it was not initially planned.

“So many people have personally come up to me and said

“We are focused on community involvement and volunteering. Everyone is welcome.” thank you for what you’re doing,” Valle said. “I think it’s because the need for these resources and all of this information was there, and we were able to address that need.”

The group has been able to partner with the local Elks Lodge, where they meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

The two groups also partnered to host a school supplies drive event in 2020 to assist local families with the costs of school supplies.

Valle said that the group meets weekly and not monthly like most Lions Clubs do, as to be more accessible to working community members.

Additionally, the group is always looking to add more volunteers to their organization. Anyone interested in getting involved in the group can go to their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/hispaniclionsHC/ to learn more.

“We are focused on community involvement and volunteering,” Valle said. “Everyone is welcome.”

Orlando Valle, President and founder of the Harrison County Hispanic Lions Club

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16 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

photos by Les Hassell

Kenzie models a cold shoulder Johnny Was silk top with Krazy Larry pants and jewelry by Kendra Scott.

1

2

1) Becky, left, wears an embroidered top by Johnny Was. It is certainly a show stopper. Her pants are by Renuar. She is carrying a coral embossed with beading purse by Hobo. Kenzie is modeling a cold shoulder Johnny Was silk top with Krazy Larry pants and jewelry by Kendra Scott. 2) Kenzie, left, is wearing a perfect dress by Umgee. Her accessories are by Kendra Scott. Becky, right, is wearing an IC Collection dress which is very flowy and has pockets. Her necklace is by Nest.

S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 I S S U E | 17

1

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18 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

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CULINARY DELIGHTS

From hamburgers to one-of-a-kind hot dogs, Cajun food, soul food, seafood, pizza, barbecue and more, Harrison County food trucks have a little bit of everything.

Food trucks offer unique twist on local cuisine story by Bridget Ortigo | photos by Les Hassell

W

hen it comes time to grab some lunch or dinner, Harrison County’s food trucks offer a unique taste for meals on the go.

From hamburgers to one-of-a-kind hot dogs, Cajun food, soul food, seafood, pizza, barbecue and more, Harrison County food trucks have a little bit of everything.

Doni’s Coney Island Hot Dogs When it comes to hot dogs, there’s only one that is the real deal and Doni Simmons offers it at his Doni’s Coney Island Hot Dogs food truck in Marshall.

In 1893, the Vienna Beef hot dog was introduced at the Chicago World’s Fair and since then, it’s made hot dog history as the best selling, authentic “Chicago Dog.” “It’s actually made out of brisket,” Simmons said. “We are the only ones in a 271 mile radius that sells the Vienna Beef hot dogs. They are completely different than a regular hot dog. They are the most famous hot dog in history.”

Not just anyone can sell the Vienna Beef hot dogs and if you are allowed to sell them, you have to pair them with the correct buns and toppings, Simmons said.

20 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

“I started a year and a half a go selling the hot dogs and I had to educate people on what a good hot dog is,” he said. “The Vienna Beef hot dogs have a following - they are the hot dogs that are sold at Wrigley Field. If you sell them, you have to do everything to the recipe and menu of Vienna Beef.”

It only makes sense for Simmons to sell the best. He’s used to working with the top of the line talent in whichever career he’s in.

“I used to do concerts and I’ve worked with Alice Cooper and Frank Sinatra,” he said. “I eventually got into the barbecue business in Conroe but I’m a fourth generation Marshall resident so my wife and I came back here to open a barbecue business.”

Best of Texas Smokehouse is the restaurant the Simmons opened on their acre and a half of land at 323 Bailey Cut off in Marshall.

“We’re a destination spot,” Simmons said of his barbecue business and location. “We have outdoor concerts here but when the brisket started getting too expensive, I got into the hot dogs.”

Now that we are on the back end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Simmons has re-opened his barbecue restaurant but is still operating his Doni’s Coney Island Hot Dogs food truck on the same site.

“The hot dog truck is open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” he said. “The barbecue restaurant is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6

p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. We offer brisket, ham, chicken breast and sausages at our barbecue restaurant.”

Simmons is also now selling the famous Vienna Beef by the pound, along with the famous poppyseed buns that go with the special hot dogs.

For more information about Simmon’s hot dogs, visit the Doni’s Coney Island Hot Dogs Facebook page at www.facebook.com/doniconeyislandhotdos or give them a call at 903-927-1080.

Dough Boys Pizza When it comes to pizza, nobody knows dough like the Dough Boys at Dough Boys Pizza Food Truck in Waskom.

East Texans craving some Italian on the go can grab everything from pizza to wings and pasta at the full pizzeria which is parked at the Market at the Mural, located at 245 Cyclone Street in downtown Waskom.

“We are set up full time at the Market at the Mural,” Dough Boys Pizza owner Jess Matson said. “We started in March of last year, during the pandemic. We are a COVID-19 survivor business. We actually killed it through COVID-19. We did really well.”

Matson said he had previously owned and ran a shaved ice/snocone food truck and when the pandemic began, it just made sense to switch to pizza and wings.

“We offer all to go orders and we do online ordering as well at our website www.pizzadoughboys.com and we also do events,” Matson said. “We go to the Bossier Night Market three times a year.”

Dough Boys Pizza is open from 4 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. To follow their Facebook page, visit www.facebook.com/doughboyspizzawaskom

Ms. Sweeties Cajun + Soul Ms. Sweeties Cajun + Soul food truck travels throughout the East Texas area and has built up quite the local following.

“I started with catering and now I still do the catering but I also set up my food truck at events,” owner Shirley Mosley-Higgs said.

“Normally I would set up in Marshall at the Hometown Tire Center on Highway 80, across the street from Auto Zone, but about three months ago I started setting up in Linden. When the food truck/ restaurant issue heated up here in Marshall, I went to Linden. They only have two restaurants there and business is really good.”

Mosley-Higgs said she sets up once a week, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the old Farmer’s Market, unless it’s the second Saturday of the month, then she sets up on the square in downtown Linden to participate in “Linden Together.”

“Every second Saturday, they invite businesses and vendors to set up on the square for free for an event they call ‘Linden Together,’ and it is just a really neat event,” she said.

In addition to parking her food truck in East Texas cities, Mosley-Higgs also participates in events in the area, including Hallsville Western Days each fall and most recently, the State Fair of Louisiana in April.

“The state fair was an 11 day set up, from April 28 to May 9 and it was busy,” she said. “That was my first state fair and I met so many people and received so much business from the fair. I sold 430 bas-

kets of fish, 375 bowls of gumbo and 388 crawfish mac and cheese dishes. I also sold a lot of my famous ‘crack tea.’”

Ms. Sweeties’ famous “crack tea” earned its name after she mixed up a gallon for some friends and family and they were later asking for the addicting “crack tea.”

“It’s kind of like a punch,” she said. “It’s a tea base but I put pineapple and orange and lime in it. The true name of it was originally ‘tropical tea’ but after someone called it ‘crack tea,’ it just stuck because people just can’t stop drinking the stuff. When I called it ‘tropical tea,’ I sold three cups of it but when I changed the name on my sign to ‘crack tea,’ I sold 99 cups.”

Now Mosley-Higgs sells her crack tea by the gallon but tea isn’t even close to all she’s known for making.

“Everything I cook, I try to make my self from scratch,” she said. “Gumbo is one of my best sellers and I make my own roux and I put chicken and sausage in it. Catfish is another one of my best sellers, along with my loaded fries, which has smoked brisket, cheddar, sour cream, barbecue sauce, onions and jalapenos on it, and my loaded baked potato that has the same toppings is another best seller.”

Ms. Sweeties’ crawfish mac and cheese is another fan favorite and often requested when she does catering gigs.

“I do a lot of catering, especially in Jefferson for businesses - most recently at Sonoco in Jefferson where I did fish, chicken strips, fries, hush puppies and pinto beans,” she said.

Those interested in enlisting Ms. Sweeties’ for their next event or those who just wish to follow her to her next stop, can keep up with her on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mssweeeties, or they can order online at her website at www.mssweeties.com

Mega Bites/Catfish Express When it comes to food truck businesses, Randy Cox is a pro. The Harrison County resident and his wife Betsy Cox sell everything from catfish to hamburger sliders to sno cones out of food trucks they own.

“We have Mega Bites Slider Company, which is sliders and fries and stuff, and we have Catfish Express Catering Company, then we have Krazy Cold Sno Cones,” Randy said. “We normally set up in the Grand Plaza Shopping Center in front of China King in Marshall but we haven’t been there for about a month now.”

The Coxes also set up at Martha Josey Ranch in Marshall during the entire month of June for the camps hosted there, Randy said.

“Our catering business with Catfish Express is our number one priority but we will go and set up the other food trucks at events or places,” he said. “We had Catfish Express Restaurant nine years ago but then we went all mobile. The whole food truck business started as a side thing for us for a couple of years and then we made it full time, setting up at parking lots and now we have five employees.”

Those interested in catering one of the Coxes food truck businesses can do so by visiting the Catfish Express site at www.catfish-express.com, or for Mega Bites at www.facebook.com/megabitesslidersco or by calling the couple at 903-930-6883.

S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 I S S U E | 21

HOURGLASS

Left: Men work on the Opera House after the 1900 hurricane in Galveston. Middle: Pedestrians walking through flooded street. Right: Galveston Orphans Home after 1900 Hurricane.

Marshall women recount surviving

1900 Galveston hurricane story by Meredith Shamburger | historic photos courtesy of Galveston and Texas History Center

Editor’s note: Hour Glass is a historical look at Harrison County using the Marshall News Messenger archives.

T

he Great Storm of 1900 is considered the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Between 6,000 and 12,000 people died when a Category 4 hurricane hit Galveston and storm surges between 8 and 12 feet inundated the coastline. About 7,000 buildings in the city were completely destroyed.

Among the survivors were two Marshall women, Theo Thompson and Vivia Addison, and The Messenger reported their account of the hurricane on Sept. 16, 1900 in a story titled “FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH.” The following is a reprint of that story: Misses Theo Thompson and Vivia Addison reached home from Galveston Saturday morning at 2 o’clock, and knowing that their experience during the storm would interest the readers of The Messenger, a reporter called on the young ladies at their homes yesterday, when both of them very kindly related the events of that awful night of darkness and terror. As they were rooming together, their experiences were practically the same, and will be so reported.

Miss Thompson went to Galveston June 17th and Miss Addison Aug. 1st, both attending Draughan’s business college.

The young ladies boarded at 1910 Avenue H, which is near the center of the city; on the block with the court house -- with only an alley between; one block from Ball’s high school. In substance, the young ladies said; “Saturday morning we heard that the waves were ‘perfectly grand,’ and we tried to hire a carriage to drive over and see them.

One young man in our boarding house said: ‘Be patient, and you will see them without going far,’ but we did not take it seriously.

“From our house we could see the excitement, and finally the sprays of water; then the waves and the wreckage carried before

22 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

it -- but still were not alarmed. At about 4:30 in the afternoon the great smoke stack of the electric power house fell within a block of us, while we were looking at it -- and we realized the seriousness of the situation.

“Most of our household left, but two gentlemen, the landlady and tour lady boarders remained, thinking that the house, being on a terrace some four or five fee above the street, and on pillows, would be safe.

“The water came higher and higher, and from our windows we looked out on the frantic crowds of people -- men, women and children -- white and black, afoot and in vehicle, all seeking safety, and a great many going into the court house.

“Between us and the court house was an all-“The Alley Of Despair,” as it proved to many. The wind had a fair sweep from the gulf down this alley, and being pent up came with a velocity of 125 miles an hour, and the surging masses, after struggling for blocks and blocks, and finding a shelter behind the five large buildings on our block, were unprepared for the cyclone passing through this alley, and they were hurled down and out into the street and water the instant they stepped into the alley.

“From our position we saw the rescuing party at the court house stretching ropes; and men going after and bringing in the weak and helpless -- but still we had confidence in our house.

“The water rose above our steps; under the house; darkness -the darkness of despair to many poor souls -- spread over the city, seeming to shut out all hope -- but our little band were just beginning to feel doubtful.

“The water lapped and splashed against the bottom of the house; and occasional spray struck against the side -- the house rocked and trembled.

“About 8 o’clock one of the gentlemen who had remained said

he would swim out and get help and come and take us out. He met the fate of others when he got into the alley, but from the street rose again and swam to the nearest rope.

“In the court house he called for help, and two white men and two negroes responded, and in half an hour they were back.

“They had secured two ropes to the court house, and swam over to us, then stretched and fastened the ropes, and two men taking one woman at a time, carried us through the raging waters to the court house yard, where two fresh men took us -- they on their knees and we sitting down -- and dragged us to the door. They dared not stand up, or we would have been blown away.

“We were the third and fourth carried over, the landlady remaining to the last. We packed a valise with a complete change of dry clothing, and after the land lady was rescued, one of the negroes who had carried us over, went back and got the valise.

“The water was up to our chin, and the rain felt like hot shot, and we expected our faces blistered.

“Miss Thompson was the last person admitted through the door -- Miss Addison, the land lady and those who came afterwards were helped in over the door.

“It was a night of sleeplessness and terror to the huddled up crowds in the court house -- all sorts of people, but no thought of cast or color.

“The moon rose finally, but was partly obscured by clouds, and we could see the water, and the floating debris, and knew or could imagine the destruction that was going on.

“All through the night rescuing parties -- white and black working side by side -- brought in men, women and children, and they told their experience, and loss of father, husband, mother, wife, children -- one or more or all -- and it was a night never to be forgotten, though we felt perfectly safe and secure.

“About 6:30 Sunday morning we went back over to our boarding house, and found it unroofed and the windows out, but otherwise as we left it. The water had entered the first floor a few feet.

“The storm began to subside about 2 a.m., and at 6:30 the alley was dry.

“We had breakfast at 10 o’clock, coffee made from salt water.

One of the gentlemen went out to buy some provisions, but found the groceries that were open sold out, and a perfect panic prevailing. He went to the cracker factory, and brought home a box of crackers. The second trip out he brought a side of bacon and some cheese -- and we felt secure for the present against starvation.

“We had dinner at 4 o’clock, “We filed a telegram on a boat at 10:30 Monday, and it was carried to Houston and sent, and received in Marshall Tuesday afternoon.

“Wednesday night the odor from the dead and burning bodies settled over the city, and we had to use camphor and cologne to keep from getting sick.

“We left Galveston on a schooner Thursday afternoon, spent the night in the cars at Texas City, and reached home at 2 o’clock Saturday morning, Mr. Bibb and Mr. Summers having come after us.

We are thankful to be alive.”

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