The Whitewright Sun
Thursday, October 1, 1942
pg. 1

 

Oldest Insurance Agency Observes its 45^th Birthday
The Barbee-Bassett insurance agency is today observing its 45^th birthday anniversary.  Established Oct. 1, 1897 by Tom Barbee, the agency has been directed continuously by a Barbee during the intervening 45 years.
In 1919 Tom Barbee turned the business over to his brother, W.J. Barbee, who operated it until 1931, when Tom Barbee again became the directing head, with Floyd Bassett as an associate.  Mr. Bassett recently acquired employment with the U.S. Engineer Office at Denison, and the agency work is now being carried on by Tom Barbee and his wife.
The agency still represents three of the companies it started with in 1897, Fireman’s Fund, Phoenix of London, and Milwaukee Mechanics.  It is the oldest insurance agency in Whitewright, and the third oldest business institution in town, only The Whitewright Sun and the First National Bank being older.  Incidentally, the agency has been represented in The Sun’s advertising columns during most of its 45 years.
Mr. Barbee told The Sun this morning that he “hoped the next 45 years would be as pleasant as the last 45.”