Dr. Charles C. Sims and Family

I came across the story below while researching another subject that fizzled. This is actually more interesting though. A history lesson about earlier residents of the old Doyle house. 

Mooringsport Mini Museum, provided by Jeannie Moore (curator)

The house was once owned by Dr. Charles C. (1874-1928) and Mollie Rhodes (1874-1931) Sims. He came to Mooringsport from Rush Point (near Dixie) around 1908. They are mentioned a few times in social columns of the day, e.g., hosting and/or visiting friends and family. He was a Mason and served on the board of directors of the Bank of Mooringsport. It was mentioned that he "went on a flying trip" (still very new at the time) to Oklahoma and Texas in 1912. In 1916, Dr. Sims was involved in a fist fight with a man from Belcher in downtown Shreveport. He served in World War I, holding the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and once wrote a letter to Mollie that was published in the Times, telling about his field hospital being bombed by the Germans; with several doctors and nurses having been killed.. 

After the war, he returned to practice in Mooringsport. Around 1925 they moved to Seminole, Oklahoma; and at the time attempted to sell the house. In 1926, notice was published that the property was the subject of a sheriff's auction. Dr. Sims died of an unspecified cause in 1928, and Mrs. Sims and the children returned to Mooringsport. They were again living in the house (apparently unsold and not seized) at the time of the 1930 census. She died in 1931. Both Dr. and Mrs. Sims are buried in Gill Community Cemetery; Marshall, TX.

On the inside cover of "Profiles of Mooringsport" a town map shows the lot to be owned by their children - daughter Charlie (cant make out married name), and sons Stuart Rhodes (1904-1976) and Murphy Mayo Sims (1907-1985). Murphy graduated from Mooringsport High in 1923, and initially attended Tulane. He received his B.A. from the University of Texas in 1928, then taught school in Rodessa in 1930, where he was identified as principal. He attended LSU medical school, graduating in 1936, and served primarily in administrative roles in Louisiana and Texas over the years.


EPILOGUE

Per Jeannie Moore, Dr. Sims' examination table was found in the house's attic by Mrs. Daphne Doyle and is on display in the Mini Museum.

The house was eventually purchased and moved to a location outside of the area.

APPENDIX:

An article announcing Dr. Sims' upcoming return home from the war also describes his military training in preparation for serving in the field, and notes his having been a Mooringport resident for 10 years..

Times 08-Dec-1918, Page 5


Dr. Sims provided details of the bombing of the field hospital in which he was working, that resulted in the deaths of soldiers, doctors and nurses. Another article mentions his having suffered from influenza while stationed in France.

Times 14-Jan-1919, Page 10

Below, an advertisement for the house placed when the family moved to Oklahoma. It apparently did not sell, as they later returned to it.

Times 22-Sep-1925, Page 13

Murphy Sims is shown below as a senior at the University of Texas at Austin.

1928 University of Texas - The Cactus (yearbook), Page 64

Murphy listed principal at Rodessa for the 1930-1931 school year. For additional reference, Mooringsport teachers are included. Of note to former North Caddo High students, Belcher teacher Amy Bond (later Gleason) taught English at that school for several years.

Times 31-Aug-1930, Page 10

Below Murphy (second from right, second row from top) appears with other staff of the New Orleans Charity Hospital in 1935.

Times 29-Oct-1935, Page 16

Dr. Murphy's bio as published when joining the staff of Rusk (TX) State Hospital in 1968. Note it does omit some positions held in his early medical career, such as serving as director of the Bossier Parish Health Unit in 1937. 

Rusk (TX) Cherokeean 26-Sep-1968, Page 1

This map from the inside cover of "Profiles of Mooringsport," a town history originally published in conjunction with the nation's bi-centennial, shows the property at that time (map's creation) belonging to the children of Dr. and Mrs. Sims.