IG-N Was
Longest Line
The International-Great Northern was the oldest and longest line in the Missouri Pacific system in Texas. It was the only Texas railroad to have been exempted from taxes for 25 years and the only road to have received 20 sections of land per mile from the State.
The I-GN was created by merger of the International and the Houston and Great Northern Railroad companies. The Houston and Great Northern was chartered Oct. 22, 1866. Construction began in 1870. The International Railroad Company was chartered Aug. 5, 1870. These companies merged in 1873.
The I-GN and its subsidiaries received 6,389,120 acres of state land.
Local Attorney
Was On Court Thomas R. Greenwood, a Palestine attorney, became one of the most famous and astute members of the Texas Supreme Court.
Justice Greenwood, an outstanding student of the law, wrote many landmark opinions during his service on the Supreme Court.
Palestine Had Pork FactoryPalestine industries in 1903 included the only pork factory in East Texas, an iron factory and manufacturing plant, ice plant, cottonseed oil mill, several lumber mills, electric light plant, showcase factory and novelty works, cotton compress and "one of the best telephone systems in the state." The railroad shops covered 26½ acres, employed 500 and the average payroll was $80,000 a month.
The Iron ManOne of Palestine's all-time famous personalities was the late John (Jack) Coombs, major league baseball pitcher known as "the iron man of baseball."
Coombs, who became the owner of several downtown Palestine business properties, established an all-time pitching endurance record. He pitched and won most of a world series and pitched a 24-inning game on another occasion.
Banjo Club PerformedThe Palestine Banjo and Mandolin Club performed in the Temple Opera House in 1896, giving the proceeds to charity. At about the same time the Palestine Amateur Dramatic Club gave an entertainment for the benefit of the Jeff Davis monument fund. Name of the play presented was "Hazel Kirke."