Unauthorized History of Dallas

The Scenic Route Through 150 Years in "Big D"

Rose-Mary Rumbley

• Publisher: Eakin Press
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781681792095
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

When Dallas turned 150 years old in 1991, Rose-Mary Rumbley celebrated the occasion by writing The Unauthorized History of Dallas-a history that takes the scenic route.

Rose-Mary, whose German immigrant forbears began arriving in Dallas after the Civil War, accumulates histo­ry almost by osmosis. And she finds humor in ever snaggle-toothed story.

Her peephole history includes a collection of stories accumulated by her family, many originally published in the Oak Cliff Tribune. Rose-Mary explores everything in Dallas from South Fork and that "awful" Texas accent, to a two-bit Santa, and Dallas personalities are dis­cussed, including Robert L. Thornton, Doak Walker, Rufus C. Burleson, and even Bonnie and Clyde. There is also coverage of businesses-the department store bunch, Pegasus and Mobil Oil, Texas Instruments, LTV, and more.

CHAPTER V

Some Dallas Businesses

YOU COULD BANK ON IT

There’s an old tale that the whittlers use to tell when they squatted for hours on the court house square, chewing, spitting, and yes, even whittling. The story was about a town where everyone was so honest, that the merchant was able to send his dog to the bank with the day’s earnings. “Yep, I seen it! That dog was trained to pick up that money in his mouth and walk right up to the cashier’s window and make the deposit!” Obviously, from that story we know that everyone in the town was honest including the dog. Well, at the turn of the century, the city of Dallas had that kind of honesty as well, because my mother as a small child was trained to take the day’s earnings from her father’s bakery (a bag of nickels and dimes), to walk down Main Street to the bank, and to make the deposit. No one ever bothered her. Of course, I do have to admit she was less a threat than the dog in the story, since Mother by nature wouldn’t bite! Regardless, she was perfectly safe even though everyone knew she was carrying money. She’d make the deposit and amble back home. My mother loved doing this — her favorite chore. Banking as a child really made a lasting impression on my mother, because all of her life she always loved going to the bank!

Just a week before she died, I had to drive mother to the bank so she could make a deposit. She loved to do her own banking, she insisted that she always do it, and fortunately, she was able to do it until the day she died. I could never get her to move her account to a neighborhood bank. No!!! She had to go downtown to the First National Bank, because she had taken those nickels and dimes there as a child, so she was going to continue taking her nickels and dimes to the same bank. The bank had changed in size and locale, but to my mother it was always the same.

Actually, for years and years banking in Dallas never changed. In fact, it’s just recently that the banking industry has made some shifts. There were name changes. First National is gone. It’s now North Carolina National Bank of Texas (NCNB). There must be some of the old Dallas bankers rolling in their graves over some of those rather drastic changes.

FRED FLORENCE

Fred Florence, who was the President of Republic National Bank, pulled off one of the grandest Public Relations stunts in the history of the banking business. Beginning in the 1920s, every kid that enrolled in the Dallas schools automatically got an account with Republic National Bank. Every Tuesday, students brought their pennies, nickels, and dimes to school to put into their accounts. The homeroom teacher was the banker. This banking system went on throughout the “saving years.” Today, if you told a kid to save his money, he wouldn’t know what you were talking about.

Mr. Florence, himself, grew up a saver. In 1907, when he was seventeen years old, he got his first banking job — sorting checks and sweeping out the First National Bank, Rusk County. He saved his money for college and law school. However, when he was given the job of teller in that bank, he ran all the way home to tell his parents that he planned to be a banker, not a lawyer.

After serving in World War I, Fred Florence came to Dallas to work for the Guaranty Bank which later was called the Day and Night Bank. Still later, it merged with Republic National Bank, and today it’s part of North Carolina National Bank of Texas.

Florence, the dynamic banker, had many friends, one of whom was the illustrious pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, Dr. W. A. Criswell. These two men frequented the same barber shop. In the 1940s, downtown business men loved to eavesdrop on and later tell about the conversations between Fred Florence and Dr. Criswell. In one chair sat the banker. In another chair sat the preacher. While the barbers snipped away, these two Dallas personalities would have fascinating and forceful tete-a-tetes. Needless to say, they grew closer as friends, so much so, that Dr. Criswell often pointed out that Fred Florence had “Baptist leanings.” This was a bit unusual since Mr. Florence was Jewish and was married to Rabbi Daniel Lefkowitz’s daughter.

“Really, Dr. Criswell,” I said one day. “Fred Florence — a Baptist ?? ? ? ? ” Dr. Criswell was quick to reply. “Aaaah — in his heart — in his heart!” I would not argue that point. Only God knows.

Speaking of God, banking, and Dr. Criswell, I remember my days of teaching Vacation Bible School. I always requested to teach the third grade. Third graders are so sincere and so honest. These traits lead to a lot of fun. When Dr. Criswell visited the Vacation Bible School, he asked the kids if they were planning to go on a vacation. “Oh, sure, we’re going to Disneyland,” came the response. “Fine,” Dr. Criswell cheered. “Now, what is the first thing you put into your suitcase when you go?” Dr. Criswell had been going places for years and the first thing he put into his suitcase was the Bible. He waited for the proper response — the Bible. He forgot that these kids live in a different world, so the answer was quite startling. “Yes, little one. What is the first thing you put into your suitcase when you go?” The answer boomed from the tiny body, “Credit cards!” Dr. Criswell was speechless and Fred Florence rolled over in his grave.

ROBERT L. THORNTON

Robert L. Thornton was born August 10, 1880, Hamilton, Texas. His family eventually moved to Ellis County where Bob picked cotton for a living. He prided himself in that he could pick 500 pounds of cotton a day. In 1904, he came to Dallas and got a room in a boarding house, 219 Ross Avenue, Mrs. S. L. Johnson, proprietor. This was when he decided to become a candy salesman. Finally, he had enough money saved to go into business with a partner, Metta Stiles. They opened a book store. Bob Thornton owned a book store, but he had never read a book. This was the first time in history that this had happened. He lost money on the book store, but he certainly did not lose on the next business. At the age of thirty-six, he opened a bank west of Lamar Street, 704 Main Street — the Stiles, Thornton and Lund Bank. This bank specialized in automobile loans and was very profitable. It was later called the Mercantile Bank — now Bank One.

Bob Thornton built a tall building with four clocks on it — the Mercantile Bank Building — now so overshadowed by the newer skyscrapers. My daddy had his office in this building and often saw Uncle Bob in the elevator. One day, Mr. Thornton was approached in the elevator by an eager symphony fan. “Mr. Thornton, would you give to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra?” The reply came immediately. “Sure would. Just don’t make me go to the concerts. I only like music that I can pat my foot to.”

When R. L. Thornton was Mayor of Dallas, he saw to it that the City Council meetings were brisk and business like. “If it’s a DO meeting, I’m available. If it’s a DON’T meeting, I ain’t interested.” He was a doer. Thornton saw to it that a woman was on the city council — first one — Mrs. Carr P. Collins, Jr. He pointed out that a city was like a man. “If a man don’t have anything to do, he gets restless and accomplishes less, for himself and everybody else. As long as a city is moving and doing — keeping busy — that city is going to continue to grow. Let’s keep the dirt flyin’.”

W. H. GASTON

Dr. Robert W. Glover, head of the History Department at Tyler Junior College, found in an abandoned log cabin in the East Texas piney woods a series of letters written by two boys, Robert and William Gaston. These letters described in detail the Battle of Richmond, 1862. Obviously, the parents of the boys had lived in the cabin and the mother had hidden the cherished letters. Fortunately, Dr. Glover found them and published them in a book, Tyler to Sharpsburg. He included in the book, the story of the Gastons. He tells of how W. H. Gaston finally got to Dallas after the Civil War and of how he eventually founded Republic National Bank. William’s brother, Robert, never returned. He lost his life in the Battle of Richmond. Actually, most of the letters were written by Robert Gaston, but after he was killed, the surviving brother, William, took up the correspondence.

The Gaston story begins with Colonel and Mrs. R. K. Gaston, members of a well known South Carolina family. Their sons, Robert and William, were born in Wilcox County, Alabama. In 1849, like so many Southerners, the Gastons came to Texas and settled in Anderson County, East Texas. Later they came to live in Smith County where the Colonel was elected to serve in the Texas Legislature.

When the war came in 1861, the boys enlisted in the Texas Guards, organized in Palestine, Texas, by Captain A. T. Rainey. The Guards made their way to Richmond where they became part of General John B. Hood’s famous Brigade.

William was elected Captain and was called Boy Captain of Hood’s Brigade. The tough Texans became well known for their bravery and their reckless attitude in battle at Manasas, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg.

Unfortunately, Robert Gaston was killed at Richmond in June 1862, and William applied for and received a transfer to the Trans- Mississippi Department. For the remainder of the war, he was stationed at Galveston. There he served as the aide-de-camp to his former regimental commander, A. T. Rainey, who had been seriously wounded at Gaines’ Mill.

After the war W. H. Gaston returned to Anderson County where he married Miss Laura Furlow. She lived only a few years. William then married her sister, Miss Ion Furlow and with her reared a family, three sons and two daughters.

Eventually, W. H. Gaston moved to Dallas with his family. Here he prospered and eventually became President of Gaston National Bank. Later this bank became Republic National Bank. He developed the street railway system and he gave the land for the State Fair grounds to name a couple of his civic contributions. W. H. Gaston lived to be 87 years old.

Here’s an excerpt from a letter written from Richmond, June 29, 1862.

Had daylight lasted two hours longer we would have ruined the right wing of the grand army. We slept on the battlefield within 300 yards of the Yankee lines. A person might think that it would be a horrible thing to sleep on the battlefield, and so it is. But we were so worn out that we could have slept anywhere. When we went into the fight we laid aside our blankets and knapsacks on the field and we soon supplied ourselves with enough of these to sleep comfortable. Every time we woke up we could hear the shrieks of the wounded and dying, some calling for their regiments, others for their friends and relatives. This seems truly horrible now, but at the time would excite very little emotion. The wounded Yankees would appear very thankful when ever we would give them water or any assistance. A great many of them said that they had been taught by their Generals to expect no such favors at our hands, that we would murder them without mercy if they fell into our hands.

When morning came the enemy had retreated back several miles and were nearly all across the Chickahominy. Directly after daylight we saw a white flag coming slowly through the woods in front of our regiment from the direction of the enemy. Our pickets halted it and Gen. Hood went to see to it, when a Colonel, Captain and 3 privates surrendered to him. They said they had lost their regiment and were tired down hunting it. Every prisoner we took seemed very well satisfied. When they would pass us, our boys would hollow “On to Richmond.” The Yankees would frequently reply that they knew they could get there one way or the other.

While resupplying ourselves with ammunition, Gen. Wingfall made us a speech in which he complemented us in the highest terms. Gen. Hood also made us a little speech, though he is a better soldier than speaker.

If I had time I could write you many interesting things but I have neither time nor paper. Love. Your affectionate son. W. H. Gaston.

NATHAN ADAMS

Nathan Adams was born November 26, 1869, in Giles County, Tennessee. His father died when he was five years old, so his mother was forced to become the support of the family. She taught school, and since teaching school did not bring in too much money, little Nathan was reared in near poverty. Somehow, he managed to finish school and go on to Giles County College. His college career was cut short, however, because again there just wasn’t enough money to keep going. He began to work at the Giles County Bank for the grand salary of $8. 33 a month. An attorney for the Texas and Pacific Railroad was in Giles County trying to obtain some records for a case he was handling. The railroad was being sued, and this attorney, John Wilkes, needed some banking records. Young Nathan Adams secured the records for the attorney in perfect form. The lawyer was impressed. In fact, Mr. Wilkes was so impressed, he offered the young man a job with the railroad in Dallas. Nathan Adams decided that going to Dallas was the thing to do. He arrived in Dallas, Texas, December 28, 1887, with $4 in his pocket. Adams immediately checked into the St. George Hotel and reported to the railroad for his job, January 1, 1888. He carried this note, “Here’s the young man I was telling you about.”

Nathan Adams was with the railroad only a few months, and then he felt that he was better off in banking. He got a job with the National Exchange Bank. Here, Nathan served as a teller, then as a cashier, then as an advisor, and up, up, up, up the ladder in the banking business, until he was the president of First National Bank of Dallas. He brought about the merger of the American Exchange National Bank with City National Bank to make First National Bank. Nathan Adams served as President until he retired in 1949 at the age of 80 years.

This man was a tremendous leader and a giver of love. He had a great part in the founding of the Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children. Often he went to the hospital to read to the children. He was also a big supporter of the Dallas Eagles, the baseball team. Nathan Adams led in the contributions to the Community Chest, forerunner of the United Fund. During World War II, he worked in the War Lone Drive and received a tribute from Henry Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury.

When Nathan Adams retired from the presidency of First National Bank, he was asked the secret of his longevity. “I never worry. I leave that bank down on Main Street. I give my time to lots of interests.” He also pointed out that young people always wanted to start at the top. This he said, was impossible.

There was a big recognition dinner when he retired. Dechard Anderson Hulcy, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said, “God has blessed the great city of Dallas with Nathan Adams.”

When Nathan Adams was ninety-three years old he became very ill and moved into the very hospital he founded, Scottish Rite Hospital. He lived there for four years until he died at ninetyseven. The Morning News presented a story of his life. They called it a Salute to an Old Red Fez.

ROBERT L. THORNTON AND THE FAIR PARK

National historical recognition has been given to the Fair Park, Dallas, Texas. It is the largest display of art deco in the country. Going out to the Fair Park is like stepping into a 1930s time capsule. The buildings were constructed, the grounds were beautified, the atmosphere was set for the 1936 Texas Centennial. Texas was one hundred years old, 1836–1936.

The grandest building of all at the Fair Park is the Hall of State. This elegant structure was built for 1.2 million dollars. At the Centennial celebration, 24 search lights pierced the night sky and set out a thrilling invitation to all that could see them. Come, come to the party!

Thousands of people did come. President Roosevelt came with the beloved Eleanor. The presidential motorcade entered the Cotton Bowl, which was also built at that time, and FDR was driven up to the platform. There he addressed the nation on radio. Also on that platform stood Robert L. Thornton, the man responsible for the whole thing.

We Dallasites all owe Uncle Bob a big “Thank You” because he did bring the Centennial to Dallas. The planning of this 100th anniversary started in Corsicana, Texas, 1923. It was then a group got together to plan this great event that would happen in 1936.

The group wanted plenty of time to get ready. After all, the Chicago World’s Fair, the Columbian Exhibition, honoring the 400th year of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, was a year late. The fair should have been in 1892. but the fair was held in 1893. The committee didn’t get it together in time.

The St. Louis World’s Fair was also a year late. The Louisiana Purchase was made in 1803. The fair in St. Louis was in 1904. This committee, too, was a year late.

Texas wanted their big moment celebrated on time, so they started early. Unfortunately, the planning committee appointed a man who couldn’t get the thing off the ground. Jesse Holman Jones of Houston, financier, builder, publisher, and philanthropist, seemed to be the perfect man for the job. However, he fizzled early, and the Centennial almost didn’t come to pass.

The Governor of Texas in 1923 was Pat Neff, who was very much in favor of the Centennial committee. This was good, because Neff was to get some state money for the project. However, with Jones at the head, the whole proje...