TYLER — The City of Tyler hosted a ceremony Monday to unveil the second marker in the Reflections Program in Tyler. The subject marker honors Henry M. Morgan; it can be found at 212 E. Erwin, in front of the Henry M. Morgan Barbers Museum.
Material provided by the City says that in accordance with the Tyler 21 North End Action Plan, in 2009, the City launched a three year program to promote Tyler Historic Landmarks status and the installation of historic markers and plaques at North End locations. The City says the chosen locations are important to city history, including the history of the African-American community. The Reflections Program encourages citizens or interested organizations to submit nominations for the designation in the North End as Tyler Historic Landmarks, Tyler Historic Subject Markers or Half Mile of History markers.
On August 25, 1895, Henry Miller Morgan was born in Tyler’s St. Louis Community to Henry and Alice Ingram Miller. He attended school in the St. Louis Community, completing his education at East Texas Academy later known as Butler College and received a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Summerville Law College, Dallas, Texas.
In the 1920’s, Texas enacted laws requiring licenses for barbers. Due to segregation, there were no schools that admitted African Americans, so they were excluded from the practice of barbering. In 1929, Morgan conceived the idea of a barber college for African Americans. By 1933, he opened the first college for African Americans and located it on Erwin Street. It opened with only five chairs. Within just 16 years, Mr. Morgan had branches of his barber college located in such cities as New York City; Jackson, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Dallas, Texas.
The Tyler headquarters quickly grew to accommodate the expanding business, and at one time the school reportedly was training a majority of the nation’s African-American barbers. The school’s curriculum included subjects ranging from Scalp and Skin Disease to Electricity, Chemistry and Anatomy. Morgan went on to help found the Texas Association of Tonsorial Artists, a professional barber’s organization. He was vice-president of the Texas Association of Barber Schools.
In addition to his legacy to the barber industry, Morgan was actively involved in many community organizations including:
· Organized the H.M. Morgan Lodge and served as Exalted Ruler;
· Served as President of the Tyler Chapter of the NAACP;
· Served at Vice President of the 1936 Tyler Negro Chamber of Commerce;
· Was elected Chairman of the East Texas District at the State Republican Convention in San Antonio;
· Founded and served as President of the Tyler Chapter of the Democratic Progressive Voters League;
· Served as a Trustee of Butler College.
Additionaly, Mr. Morgan was an active member at St. Louis Baptist Church. He died on May 9, 1961 and is buried in Tyler’s Evergreen Cemetery. Today, he is remembered as a civic and political activist, as well as a leader in his profession.
TYLER — The Christian Men’s Job Corps has been up and running in Tyler for just seven months, but it’s already getting great results. That’s the word from Executive Director Charles Smith. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” he says the agency offers “Christian-based life and employment skills training to men who desire a positive change in their life.” The agency, modeled after the long-running Christian Women’s Job Corps, also offers one-one-one mentoring. Smith says his organization combines practical training, relationship building, emotional healing, and spiritual growth “to meet a man’s eternal needs.”
TYLER — The Smith County Wide Clean-Up is underway and runs through July 31. The event is an opportunity for county residents to bring trash and bulky items to the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free. The Smith County Environmental Crimes Unit, precinct constables, and Commissioners Court are working together to host the event.
MARSHALL — An inmate of the Harrison County Jail has died after hanging himself in his jail cell. Jecori Montra White, 34, of Marshall, was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with aggravated assault-family violence. He was believed to be under the influence of narcotics at the time of his arrest. According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, White was found hanging in his cell around 5:20 Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
TYLER – Tyler police have confirmed the suspect in the July 14 robbery of the BBVA Compass Bank has been arrested. According to KETK, Tyler FBI officials say 61-year-old Eddie Ray Myers was arrested without incident. Shortly after his arrest he was taken to East Texas Medical center after complaining of chest pains. Precinct 5 constables were doing surveillance when they saw Myers enter a house. Deputies pulled him over and arrested him. Myers was on parole in Arkansas, but was living in Tyler. It is unknown when Myers will be moved to a jail. 
