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W. P. A. History of Pontotoc County, Mississippi

CHAPTER 1 CONTINUED

Old Settlements
 

Sherman was settled in 1896.  The early settlers were John Witt, A. F. Witt, I. John Johnson, J. I. Wade, W. A. Witt and family, R. P. Kelly, who built the first residence after the town was located) W. D. Banks, Taylor Sirratt, Bill Thomason, and J. A. Livingston.

The first church was Baptist and organized in 1888 with twelve members.  The minister was J. D. Austin, and the members were W. A. Witt and wife, John W. Witt, Miss Beulah and Ara Witt, Rose Witt, Mrs. Sarah Pitts, and daughter, Mrs. Jane Martin, Mrs. J. W. Johnson, and D. C. Johnson.

The first school was located where Captain Shand's residence now, 1939, stands.  The teachers were George Potter and Mrs. Nannie Cypert.  The Mississippi Normal Institute was located in 1889.  J. N. Davis was the founder and it was organized by John Witt, A. F. Witt S. W. Banks, S. E. McCarly, J. A. Livingston, Press Kelly, and J. I. Wade.  The teachers were D. W. Davis, J. Y. Tucker, D. C. Langston, and Miss Ella Davis.

Some outstanding citizens were Joe Price, who later became state auditor, George Austin, John Witt, Charlie Baker, Miss Jetty Wade, a teacher, Miss Frankie King, Miss Nannie King, Claude Hall, superintendent of a school in Texas, Mrs. N. L. Thompson, Dick Davis, W. T. Brown, cashier of Bank of Sherman, S. L. McNeil, Dr. W. B. Phillips, J. Y. Wright, Sam Hall, W. S. Banks, W. R. Bruce, W. A. Gillespie, Calvin Tucker, J. Witt, and Dick Davis who was consul to France and is now in Greece.

Photograph:  Tobias Ridge, the D'artauguiette Battleground where the battle was fought, May 20, 1736.

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