A History of Coming To Daingerfield, Texas
LOWELL EDISON RUTLEDGE, M.D.
General Practice, Daingerfield: May 1, 1948--May 1, 1987.
Dr. Lowell Edison Rutledge and his wife, Christine Sobey Rutledge, first came to the small but thriving East Texas town of Daingerfield, Texas, in March of 1948. Dr. Rutledge had been discharged from the U.S. Army in early February and was eagerly searching a suitable location for his medical practice. At that time, there were four other doctors in Daingerfield: Drs. D. J. Jenkins, C. S. Truitt, D. R. Baber, and a Dr. Wheat. The closest hospital was in Pittsburg, Texas and was filled to capacity; but the new David Granberry Hospital was already nearing completion in nearby Naples. Dr. Rutledge was assured that if he chose the Daingerfield area for the practice of general medicine, he could have staff privileges at the new David Granberry Hospital just as soon as it opened.
The people of Daingerfield were friendly and optimistic about the future of their town and it was that obvious enthusiasm and friendliness that encouraged Lowell and Christine Rutledge to choose Daingerfield over the other towns considered. In 1948, all of the downtown buildings were filled and the businesses appeared to be doing very well. Lone Star Steel was enlarging all the time and the many auxiliary businesses of truck and pipe companies were constantly expanding. The Convair facility had earned a good reputation and the T & N Railroad was rolling along at high speed. To Lowell and Christine Rutledge, this seemed the perfect place to establish their new home and the decision was made.
Problems arose almost immediately. The town was thriving so well there was no office space available nor were there any houses for rent. Eventually, they discovered that part of the second floor of the W.T. Connor Building, where a lodge had formerly met, was vacant. The building had several drawbacks, but it was centrally located: close to the court house with the law office of Aubrey Robison in between. Arrangements were made with the owner for the space to be divided into rooms suitable for a doctor's office and the work began.
One of the main drawbacks the building had was the fact there were no inside stairs to the area where Dr. Rutledge would establish this office. His office space was accessible only by a set of narrow wooden steps attached to the outside. This was not only a handicap for the patients, but also for the delivery of equipment. When the heavy X-ray equipment was delivered, lumber had to be borrowed from William's Lumber Company to bolster the underpinnings. Meanwhile, a room for the young couple was found in the home of Mrs. Bessie Newsom. After later renting a small house for awhile, the couple eventually built a home of their own on Webb Street, where they lived for the remainder of his life.
Other businesses in the W. T. Connor building at the time of the Rutledge's arrival in Daingerfield include George French and Mr. Perkison, attorneys with offices on the second floor. On the ground floor there was an abstract office, the post office, and Dr. Truitt's office. Attached to the same building was the office of Boyett Stevens, attorney. William's Lumber Company was on the same street. W. A. Connor's Farm Supply was across the street to the east. North of that, on Jefferson Street, was the Blue Moon Cafe.
Across the railroad tracks and the depot, on Webb Street, was Pearson's Drug Store where Lowell and Christine stopped their first day in Daingerfield for a ice cold Coca Cola. It was then they had their first taste of what residents curled their noses and referred to as their "iron ore" water, which had an odd color but was harmless to drink. Also on Webb Street were E. G. McMillan's Grocery and Dr. D. J. Jenkins' office. On the corner, Leslie Johnston had a chili and hamburger place. The First Baptist Church was next. On the north side of Webb Street was another drug store (this one owned by Lawrence Jenkins), the John T. Key General Merchandise and the Morris Theater. A little farther west was the Nail Funeral Home.
On Coffey Street was located The National Bank of Daingerfield, a small cafe, Perkison's Jewelry Store, Knieff's Clothing, Partin's Barber and Beauty Shop, Irvin Hardware, the ice house, Leo Connor's City Cleaners, Dr. Edward Mack's Dental office, Max McCain's Cleaning Shop, a service station, what became known as Leslie's Farm Supply, the city cemetery, and the Church of Christ where Dr. and Christine Rutledge attended services.
The Old's Service station, Dr. Wheat's office, and the Cadenhead Variety Store were on Lamar Street. Schools were segregated. The white school at that time was a large rock building north of the present courthouse. The "colored" school as it was referred to in 1948, was in the east part of town.
In 1955, Dr. Rutledge was joined by Dr. James Lee and the partners moved into a new medical building out on Linda Drive where Dr. Rutledge continued to practice medicine until May, 1987.
Dr. L. E. Rutledge
December 17, 1920--March 30, 1988
Rosalyn Alsobrook 
