Historical Society honors historian, law enforcement

By Bob Belcher

The Navarro County Historical Society capped its 50th anniversary celebration Monday with its annual banquet and awards ceremony, featuring an historical look at Corsicana’s early railroad history.

Historian Ron Maxfield entertained attendees with a multi-media presentation of old photos and film clips of rail transportation in Corsicana, beginning before the Civil War and ending with the last run of the Interurban Railcar in 1941. Photos of the “305” car in its heyday, its “retirement years” in a trailer park, and eventual restoration prompted some lively discussion among several in the audience. Dr. Ray Dean Carroll recalled how fast the Interurban cars ran, and spoke of riding it while attending college; Rudy Carroll shared a similar story of a 15-mile, 15-minute ride to and from school as a boy.

One photo showing the “diversity” of transportation in Corsicana’s past featured a mix of automobiles, an Interurban Railcar, and a mule-drawn coach in the same shot. Maxfield has done extensive research on the history of Corsicana, with some of his miniature models of early Corsicana are on display locally at the Government Center and at Black Jack McCanless Steak House.

The Historical Society presented two special awards at the banquet — Historian of the Year, and Law Enforcement Officers of the Year.

Stephen Farris was presented with the Historian of the Year award. Farris, a former Corsicana Daily Sun staffer and currently assistant editor of the Navarro County Times, was honored for his ongoing interest in the history of Corsicana.

“He cares deeply about local history and helps record it for the future,” said presenter Rick Hocker.

“I’m totally shocked ... I’ve always been a lover of history ... I was taught to appreciate history at an early age,” Farris said in accepting the award.

Navarro County Sheriff Les Cotten presented the Law Enforcement Officers of the Year award to Captain Elmer Tanner and the Navarro County Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. team. Cotten spoke of the dedication of the deputies who make up the S.W.A.T. team, praising their bravery and courage.

“They are dedicated. They will go anytime they are needed,” Cotten said. He detailed several instances where the S.W.A.T. team was called to intervene in stand-off situations with dangerous criminals, putting their lives on the line to protect the public.

“I appreciate them. They are an asset to Navarro County,” Cotten added.

Tanner, who heads up the S.W.A.T. team, called his fellow deputies to the stage to receive the award.

“You allow us to represent and protect you. We couldn’t do that without this team,” Tanner said. Tanner also paid tribute to his wife and the wives of all the deputies involved in the S.W.A.T. operation for their support.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say thank you,” added Eddie Pevehouse of the Historical Society.

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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com