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The Special
Western Week Queen Darla Redfern and King Bobby Jones pause after the contest. Chosen from 30 entries, Darla’s runners-up were Marcia Miller, Elizabeth Taylor, Sandra McNulty, and Tommie Jean Calloway. Placing second in the king contest, Charels Hughes was named sheriff. His bearded runners-up -- Dale Monaghen, J.C. Williamson, and Dale Fabri - were named deputies. (From the Locust Special, December 1959)
The Special is an online magazine produced by journalism students at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Content and production are the responsibilities of the students. The Special is produced during the fall, spring and summer terms. Contact: The Special, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Box 4104, Commerce, Texas 75429. Staff: Hunter Miche, Crystal Robertson, Brandon Walker, Doohyun (Aaron) Hwang, Jordan Wright Faculty Adviser: Fred Stewart (Fred.Stewart@tamuc.edu)
Inside this Issue Campus Sights by Hunter Miche
Old South Week by Crystal Robertson
Lucky the Lion by Jordan Wright
Tailgating by Aaron Hwang
‘King’ Arthur James by Brandon Walker
Smitty: A Freshman from Chewey Locust Special, December 1959
Cover: Smitty from Chewey, Okla. See story inside.
Sights and Sounds of A&M-Commerce By Hunter Miche
With Texas A&M UniversityCommerce gearing up for its 125th Anniversary, it isn’t surprising that an established institution would have a large his-
The first of these would be one that is the most visible: the Heritage House, located across from the Ferguson Social Sciences Building and the Journalism Building, next door to the Alumni Center. Though now it’s a stop on campus tours, the Heritage House was previously used to house the president of the university prior to the completion of the current President’s Home, which was completed in 1968. The house housed the families of three different university presidents: Samuel Whitley (namesake of Whitley Hall residence hall) from 1927 to 1947; James G. Gee (namesake of the Gee Library) from 1947 to 1966; and D. Whitney Halladay, whose family stayed in the house for only two years before moving to the current president’s home.
tory. Many sights around school that students would dismiss as common are actually much more notable than people would give them credit for. While seldom
used today except as landmarks or tour stops, each site on campus has had at least one notable method of use throughout their existence.
•The Heritage House was built in 1927 to serve as a residence for the university’s president •The house cost $15,000 to build •Modified colonial style •Side-yard Charleston garden •Served as private presidential residence for 41 years
Another important landmark of the campus is the Victory Bell, which sits on the side of the walkway that crosses the campus from the Art Building to the Hall of Languages. Though it looks small and insignificant from where it sits now, denoted only by a plaque on a small stone block, the Victory Bell has served a number of roles throughout its time at Commerce. In 1909 in one of the university’s prior locations in Cooper, Texas, the Victory Bell served as a bell system, calling students to class and ending the day. Sam Rayburn, for whom the student center is named, was one of the many students that would ring the bell. In the 1950s, the Victory Bell was used to sound out victories in university sports. Eventually, due to the large amount of victories that the
university claimed, along with the actions of many rowdy students, the bell’s clapper was worn out, rendering it silent. After this misfortune, the bell now resides in its present location, next to one of the campus’s walkways. It is considered good luck by some for new students and university athletes to walk by and touch it. One of the most important locations however (from a historical standpoint), is the statue of William Leonidas Mayo, founder of the university. The statue stands next to the walkway that goes by the Heritage House, surrounded by a small garden and holding a briefcase, his left arm on his lapel as he prepares himself to walk into class to teach his students. Such an image matches Mayo’s own ambitions for the university ever since he founded it in 1889 as East Texas Normal College, a
private teacher’s college in connection with public schools. In 1894 the school was lost to fire and Mayo moved it to its present site in Commerce. Due to Commerce being located on a strategic railroad, Mayo hoped that its location would allow it to gain more students due to the railroad helping to commute students from North and East Texas. This gambit succeeded, and by 1917 the school had an enrollment of nearly 2,000 students. Mayo and the college became known for the emphasis placed on the education of rural school teachers. Eventually, seeking greater permanence of the university, Mayo petitioned the Texas state legislature to make the school part of the state system by purchasing it from him. Later in 1917 the
legislature would approve to appropriate funds for the purchase of the school. Shortly after hearing the news via telegraph, Mayo suffered a heart attack on the way back from the telegraph office. He was taken to the administration building, where he later died. Mayo was buried at the northeast corner of campus. The fabled “Book of Knowledge” is located there, and it’s reputed that students that give the book a rub before the school year starts would have a 4.0 grade average. Recently, the university has unveiled plans to renovate Mayo’s grave into something more worthy of his status as the founder of the university as part of the 125th Anniversary celebrations. While Mayo’s legacy has influenced the school in many ways (its various incarnations up until it be-
came a part of the Texas A&M system and its famous teacher program), in some ways the university has departed from and even surpassed Mayo’s expectations. Prior to his arrival in Texas, Mayo refused a teaching job in the Denver, Colo. school system due to the fact that the system was integrated. Today, the university is host to hundreds of students that are not only of varying races, but of all nationalities and creeds as well. Many famous people can be traced to the gates of the university, and there is no doubt that many more will do so for years to come.
William Leonidas Mayo Born: Nov. 3, 1861 Prestonburg, Kentucky Arrived in Texas: 1886 Founded East Texas Normal College: 1889 in Cooper, Texas Married: June 24, 1891 Moved to Commerce: 1894 College Enrollment: 2,000 by 1917 Died: 1917
Dr. Jesse Hawthorne leads other faculty members in their dance routine as part of the Student-Faculty frolics. One spectator, who asked protection under the cloak of anonymity, commented that the
lumbering “chorines” may not have been shapely, but “they sure were enthusiastic.” (Hawthorne was a professor and head of the department of health and physical education.)
Studentculty
Fa Frolics
In an assembly looked forward to each year, faculty members go all out to produce plenty of laughter for their usually serious students. Student-Faculty frolics, sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, provides the entertainment as well as money to purchase Christmas packages for needy families in Commerce. Highlights on this year’s program were Dr. Paul Barrus (alias America’s number one ballad singer) and several faculty members who outdid Miss Gertrude Warmack’s modern dance class in a little skit to the tune of “Skokian.” Barrus received three encores before time ran out on his part of the show.
Information and photos from 1955 Locust yearbook Dr. Paul Barrus
T T
Troubles Down South Troubles Down South By Crystal Robertsons
By Crystal Robertsons
East Texas Locutus Yearbook 1964
A&M Commerce Archives
Head of A&M-Commerce Special Collections and Archives, Andrea Weddle said, “In the early 1860s the fraternity was immediately established after the Civil War, efforts of their Old South Week attempted to encourage an image of the gentlemen ways in the South.” Fraternities were once banned on the A&M-Commerce campus in the late 1950s because the school was not anxious to create an environment that did not have a scholastic base. Due to the fraternity’s ban, Paragon, an allmale organization was established. Once the ban was lifted, members of Paragon transitioned into being the Kappa Alpha. A nationwide event celebrated among the KA fraternity, Old South Week was used as a remembrance of heritage which the organization is founded upon.
Honoring Civil War General Robert Edward Lee as the spiritual founder reminds the brotherhood of the gentlemen image he portrayed and taught.
demonstrated ties to Civil War matters. Yet, these ideas are from ignorance of a person’s true character.”
Member of Kappa Alpha, Joshua Hughes said, “For Kappa Alpha members, Lee’s teaching is a blueprint for us to follow and strive to achieve in one’s personal life.” Old South Week shared both negative and positive aspects, which were viewed differently by opposing ethic groups. Activities taking place during March 22 - 24 included a hay ride and weiner roast, presentation of Southern Belles, a Mint Julep party and an Old South banquet. The fraternity included a particular event that allowed individuals who chose to participate, to dress as antebellum cavaliers or southern belles, parading in front of Binnion Hall. The parade also included a mock slave auction in which fraternity rushes put on blackface and played the part of chattels (an item of property). Hughes said, “Accusations were made about the fraternity because Robert E. Lee fought for the confederacy and this automatically
East Texas Locust Yearbook 1972
Old South Week is a national tradition and popular event organized by the members of Kappa Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. In 1973 at Texas A&M University- Commerce the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha created controversy among African-American students resulting in relocation of the event.
By 1973, a number of African-American students took matters into their own hands, protesting the parade. According to the Locust yearbook, Old South activities were interrupted following the Southern Belle presentation when a group of black students insisted Confederate decorations be removed from the windows of five sorority houses. The decorations were up as a result of a contest for who held the most traditionally decorated house. Director of Alumni Relations Derryle Peace said, “ It was the Black Americans’ moment to approach an insensitive event in a respectable manner, explaining to the Dean of Students that we are choosing to not view such ridicule, and they must step into actions.”
era in history, in their perspective. A historian and student adviser, Dr. Buchard, was one of the few African-American professional staff during the era who supported the students’ cause, eventually holding a meeting between a spokesman for the black fraternities and KA president to discuss the events. According to the 1973 Locust yearbook, a similar protest was made in 1969 regarding KA’s agreeing not to use Confederate flags, weapons would not be carried, and slaves would not be portrayed in their activities. This agreement was not held in high regard by the KA fraternity; a member stating their real mistake was not informing sororities about the appropriate usage of decoration. University President Frank Henderson McDowell, took an administrative approach, forming a compromise between the Kappa Alpha fraternity and African-American students. The final decision relocated Old South Week off A&M Commerce Archives campus, requiring the fraternity to abide by the City of Commerce regulations for future events.
Also supporting the removal of Old South Week was African American Student Society for East Texas (AASSET). The organization appeared on campus after integration in the school system in 1964. The group was used as a tool for the AfricanAmerican students Peace said, “ Along with AASSET support in order to ensure there were an estimate of 80 members who that their presence was noticed among belonged to Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi; campus records and the first Dean of Minority Students, Ivory and involvement. Moore which contributed to our movement.” They pushed for reformation among blacks and whites at manner.” the university. Peace said, “Along with AASSET support, there were an estimated 80 members who belonged to Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi and the first Dean of Minority Students, Ivory Moore contributing to the movement.” AASSET actively assisted in political affairs among campus African-American students. In this situation, the organization involved the professional staff to acknowledge the issues between black students and the Old South event which ridiculed a sensitive
Weddle said, “ One cannot deny history or be criticized for expressing thoughts on personal feelings. Furthermore, McDowell and the following administrations approached a sensitive situation in a sensible
Today, Old South still exists among the Kappa Alpha fraternity. A change was the discontinuation of the parade in the late 1980s. The brotherhood annually hosts their largest philanthropy during Old South Week. KA Airband, gives collected proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Dallas in order to serve patients with MD. In addition, an alumni crawfish boil helps bridge the gap between current and old members. The Convivium is also celebrated as a special remembrance of their founder Robert E. Lee.
http://postinspostcards.com/2013/10/04/ncaa-division-ii-week-6-standings-results-thursday-update/a game
When A&M-Commerce got Lucky The Evolution of the Lion
By Jordan Wright
representation, the Commerce Lion was officially chosen The Lion has represented Texas as the first and to date only representative of East Texas A&M University-Commerce as State University in 1919 for its the University’s mascot almost fitting strength and status as as long as the school has been open for business in its 125 years the king of the beasts used to perfectly describe the ferocity of of success. However, Lucky the the growing university. However Lion, as we have come to know him today, has represented A&M- the actual impetus of bringing Commerce for less than 25 years. the Lions to fruition can also be directly traced to the founder of Serving as A&Mthe University, Professor William Commerce’s mascot throughout Leonidas Mayo. the university’s history of
“Its status as a symbol of strength is part of it but at the very early period of the university, it has always gone back to Mayo our founder,” A&M-Commerce archivist, Andrea Weddle said. “His middle name was Leonidas, so they took the word Leo and selected the Lion in his honor. That’s the official origin but the Lion is also just a good mascot. It is a ferocious and powerful creature.”
Despite Mayo’s no nonsense lion’s physical appearance continued over the years, it was attitude and opposition to at events gave way to the in 1991 that Lucky the Lion was including sports at the university, appearance of the very first born. Initially conceived as a claiming that he would “kick the mascot costume, created, worn, cost saving measure to counter first football that was brought and maintained for three years the expenses of supporting two on campus off and the student by A&M-Commerce student mascots, Lucky finally gave the who brought it.” He eventually Tommie Dodd. Sewn together mascot of A&M-Commerce its relented at the request of his son with fabric and utilizing face own identity. Marion Mayo. paint to create whiskers and “The actual mascot uniform The Commerce Lion feline facial features, the first has transformed over the years,” underwent numerous forms of Commerce Lion mascot costume Alumni Relations Director visualization over Derryl Peace the next 70 years said. “Lucky as or so. Its presence we know him on campus today began to stayed alive on really take shape numerous posters when I started and athletic working here equipment and back in 2004 to merchandise 2005. There have but did not been some Lucky receive its proper predecessors, visualization other lion until 1971 when mascots that were East Texas not quite the State University same. The way I cheerleaders understood the borrowed a mascot, nobody five month old knew who Lucky lion cub named was. The student Bullwinkle from in the costume Animal World in was always a Mesquite. mystery.” The use of Lucky has Bullwinkle since evolved proved so popular into a central with the fans piece of A&MOriginal Commerce Lion Tommie Dodd holds Bullwinkle the lion cub . that the mascot’s Commerce’s Locust 1973 physical presence identity, would eventually become a staple debuted at the Homecoming extending beyond athletics and of Lions, leading to the crafting game of 1971 and led to tryouts making appearances to welcome of a paper mache lion within the being held for both a male new students and visitors to the same year and even a stuffed and female lion after Dodd’s university community on special lion from Africa that was put on departure from the university. occasions, such as the Mane display for a couple of years. While the presence of the Event Preview Day, held in both Eventually the need for the male and a female lion mascot the Fall and Spring Semesters of
the academic school year and Freshmen Orientations held during the Summer. His popularity on the campus has caused students and community members alike to voice their desire to see Lucky make more appearances beyond football games, if only to add to the exposure and influence of A&MCommerce. “He does a great job at football games but I hope the university utilizes Lucky a bit more,” A&MCommerce graduate David Owsley said. “It would be great if he showed up at other
sports more often like basketball or soccer. It would be even better if he just showed up at
random campus events. It’s good marketing for the school and it raises school spirit.”
The East Texan photo by Tim Watson
East Texas State University once displayed hunted and stuffed lions before Lucky came along.
Jordan Wright
Welcome
to Tailgating By Aaron Hwang
photos by marketing communications
Students and fans gather for a variety of activities at the ta
T
ailgating? Yes, it is the
stadiums and arenas, before and
and they just pull out their
festival that anyone can
occasionally after games and
grills, chairs and food like that,
enjoy before the football game.
concerts. People attending such
” Derryle Peace, director of
A tailgate party is a social event
a party are said to be tailgating.
alumni relations said.
held on and around the open
Many people participate even
tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating,
if their vehicles do not have
which originated in the United
tailgates.
States, often involves consuming alcoholic beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at
At Texas A&M University – Commerce, tailgating started in 2003 and has consistently
“Tailgating is typically a festival
expanded and grown both for
before every football game. It’s
home games and away including
named from people who have
the Lone Star Classic at AT&T
pick up trucks that tails down
Stadium in Arlington.
“It’s an opportunity to fellowship before the football game,” Derryle Peace
ailgating events before the start of home football games “We started this party for
game. People park in the parking lot,
march to the stadium. That’s an
the first time in 2003. Before 2003,
cook and hang out,” Peace said. “The
indication to everybody that it’s
tailgating was not part of tradition
place is near the football stadium.
time for the game to start. Also,
here,” Peace said.
Part of the tailgating is at the parking
the tailgating party provides free
lot, but the other is where the circle
gifts, free food and free drinks for
is, near the university stadium.”
all attending.
“We do it every home game. It typically starts about five hours before the game. So if the game is
At the tailgate party,
at 2 p.m., then you can come at 9
you can see the university
a.m. Some people come earlier and
band playing music and the
at a lot of universities and schools,
cheerleaders. After the music, the
tailgating starts the night before the
university band and cheerleaders
food, games, fun, family and children, it is a kind of circus atmosphere, People play music, frisbee and there are “Its
all kinds of activities going on. It’s a
community festival
that you can enjoy with all families and friends. It’s for family, children, students and alumni,” Derryle Peace said.
photo by marketing communications
photo by marketing communications
All Hail ‘KING’ Arthur James By Brandon Walker
“King” Arthur James (No. 30) could probably be called
successful head coach in A&M-Commerce history, with
a legend. During his own era, his performance spoke for
a record of 132-92-6. Arthur, not being recruited by any
itself when he was acknowledged as the Offensive Player
colleges coming out of high school played full back at five
of the Decade in the Lone Star Conference. With his
feet-nine-inches and weighing 175 pounds, but that didn’t
impressive moments on the football field, he still stands as
diminish his determination as he came into camp to impress
the only athlete in the history of Texas A&M University-
the coaching staff at East Texas State University. During
Commerce to have his No. 30 jersey number retired.
training camp, Arthur stayed in Richards’s room and spent
Arthur James’s journey to the pinnacle of athletic
every waking minute doing what it took to make the team. “Being the competitive person that I am, when I
success in collegiate sports came from his desire to just play football and the determination to be great at what
set foot onto the practice field in Commerce my only goal
he did. He came to A&M-Commerce back when it was
was to beat out whoever was the starting running back and
still named East Texas State University, in the summer
I would rush for a thousand yards,” James said.
of 1966 from Texarkana, Texas. He made the trip to Commerce with his cousin, Richard Houston (one of the Lions’s wide receivers at the time who also spent time in the military during the war in Vietnam) to earn a spot on the team and play for Coach Ernest Hawkins, the most
After only two weeks of camp, Arthur had
displayed the remarkable talent that would earn him a fouryear scholarship at the university, moving him from the fourth team running back to the second team.
“He definitely was an outstanding football player, he had good quick feet and he was strong for a little guy with good hands but he had a big problem. He fumbled the ball a lot, so we had to work on that. We had him carry a football around to class and around campus which finally gave him the concept of not dropping the ball. After that problem was corrected, he became a really good football player for us,” Coach Hawkins said.
With Arthur now on the official Lions roster
and ready to contribute in whatever way he could, he would soon be faced with a moment that would make him reconsider his reason for coming to East Texas State as well as display to the coaching staff his determination and passion for the game of football and his desire to be a productive running back.
In the first game of the 1966 season against
Abilene Christian University, the Lions’s starting running back was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with “I didn’t want to be here after that game so I
the game standing at 0-0. At that moment, Arthur began to anticipate that this was his chance to play and make a name
packed my bags and went to the bus station. I planned on
for himself. However, the coaching staff felt that the moment going to Prairie View University and play for their football was too big for Arthur
team because I had a few friends there on the team and
and made the decision
knew they would give me a chance,” Arthur said.
to instead put his cousin
Richard Houston in as a
even onto the bus. After Arthur departed for the bus station
Fortunately, Arthur never made it to Prairie View or
running back. The Lions with his bags packed, his roommate called Coach Hawkins lost that game 7-0 and
and told him that Arthur was leaving and not planning on
furious with the decision coming back. After that phone call, Coach Hawkins drove to not put him in Arthur,
to the bus station and met with Arthur right before the
decided at that moment
bus arrived where they had a much-needed conversation.
that East Texas State
Once the conversation had concluded, Coach Hawkins had
wasn’t for him.
convinced Arthur to return back to Commerce and told
him that he would receive more
Coach Hawkins said.
reps at practice for the next game.
After his first full week of practice
Arthur James was the first college
getting reps with the offense, the
running back in Texas to gain over
original starting running back was
4,000 yards in a career. He holds
moved to safety, creating room for
records still to this day being ranked
Arthur James to be the new starting
number one in the A&M-Commerce
running back. In his first game as
athletic record books as the all-time
a starter against Texas Lutheran,
leading rusher with 4,285 total yards
Arthur rushed for 90 yards with
during 1966-69. He also holds the
the Lions leaving victorious with a final score of 42-0. After that game Coach Hawkins knew that he had a
In his four-year college career
Photo / Brandon Walker Arthur James retired jersey
second and third place for most rushing yards in a season at A&MCommerce, rushing with 1,538 yards
running back that would do
in 1968 and 1,334 in 1969.
good things for that team.
He holds the top two records
From then on Arthur started
for rushing performances in a
every game in his collegiate
single game, rushing for 323
career at East Texas State,
yards against Abilene Christian
only missing two games
University in 1968 and 263
due to injury.
yards against Southwest Texas,
“I can remember a
which is now Texas State
time when we called a play
University, also in 1968. He
and he took the ball wide
also is the A&M-Commerce
and the defense had him
record holder for rushing
bottled up and if he didn’t
attempts, total yards, yards
do something outstandingly
per carry, and yards gained
great he was going to lose
per game. During his time
yardage, but he darted around them and they all missed and
Photo /Locust Yearbook 1968 Coach Hawkins and Arthur James at awards banquet
he made five yards on the carry. One
at East Texas State, the team never failed to rank in the top five in rushing offense and he
man couldn’t tackle him and with his great ability to avoid
helped the Lions win the Lone Star Conference two out of
the tackle, we knew we had a special player on our hands,”
the four years he played (1966 to 1969). In 1969 Arthur
was named First Team All-American and from 1967 to
the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Green Bay
1969 he was named First Team All-LSC. With all of those
Packers but, after a few years, his pro career never seemed
records and awards being given to Arthur for his skilled
to pan out. So Arthur decided that his football career
performances on the field, his most fulfilling and humbling
had to come to an end. He left the game in peace, being
accomplishment came in 2008 when he was inducted into
grateful for the things he was able to have done during his
the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor.
outstanding career.
“When I found out I was going into the Hall
“I’m humbled and appreciative of the chance to play the
of Honor I was overjoyed, it was just a great feeling to
game of football and still have my health after all of these
be acknowledged in the same list of those athletes that
years. I have to give Coach Hawkins and the coaching staff
came before me. I just felt great being honored for the
a lot of credit especially Coach Hawkins because he was
accomplishment and records I had held but, records are
like a father to me and I am still to this day very grateful to
meant to be broken and to just be mentioned with other
them,” James said.
people at this school is just amazing,” James said.
Once his collegiate days were over, Arthur decided
to continue his chances in playing football and choose to enter the NFL. Although he wasn’t drafted, he did play for
Past tradition Newly elected president of the United Students at the university in 1963 was unceremonious “tossed” into the campus lake as part of the traditional “aquatic election party.” (Information and photo from Locust yearbook, 1963)
Old Blue mascot Cheerleaders confer with Old Blue, mascot, about the upcoming game. Blue leads football players onto the field wearing his own blue and gold jacket bearing his name. (Information and photo from Locust yearbook, 1953)
Smitty: A Freshman from Chewey From the Locust Special, December 1959
Now once upon a time there was a brighteyed, fuzzy-headed kid in Chewey, Okla. named Smitty S. Scrancion. Smitty was looking for an education, so he wrote to many colleges for information. After reading through many catalogues, one thing stuck in Smitty’s mind. At a school in Texas there was a mighty cat held in great esteem by the students. Smitty promptly decided that this was the school for him. For never had he seen or heard of a cat of such proportions. After arriving at E.T., life in the dorm posed many problems for Smitty, even through he had met many students just like himself. His main headaches were upperclassmen, borrowers, counselors, quiet hours, stray cats, studying, and empty coke machines. Smitty had a horrifying experience one day. It was the time he was walking near the Ad Building and was nearly swallowed by a snake. “I almost decided to go back to Chewey, right then,” declared Smitty. Since Smitty was interested in taking pictures, he took a photography course as an elective. Except for being stepped on a couple of times in the darkroom and getting locked in the studio overnight, nothing too exciting happened until the day Smitty
fell in a tray of developer. He got so drunk from swallowing developer that his roomy decided Smitty must have visited his homeland.
Ugly Man Contest NOTE: A traditional annual event that has since disappeared is the Ugly Man on Campus Contest along with the social club Tooanoowe. E.T.’s Ugly Man on Campus Contest was a traditional annual event sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega and proceeds from the event went to the APO scholarship fund. Scholarships were awarded to beginning freshmen. The 1960 winner was Johnny Logan (right), acting as “Luke the Drifter” and collected $93 to win the contest. Logan represented the Tooanoowe social club. Tooanoowe was organized in 1927 Information and photo from 1960 Locust yearbook
Back Cover: “Nursery Rhymes” was the theme of the Homecoming parade, with floats depicting everything from the Three Kittens Over the Moon to The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, which used a live Jersey cow. Twenty-four floats battled the wind to participate in the hour-long parade. Eighteeen bands, the Mitchell Grenadiers, two marching units from Greenville and Terrell and many cars also took place. NOTE: The parade made its way through the Main Street downtown area of Commerce, along the spectatorlined streets. (Photo and information from 1956 Locust yearbook)