Manila welcomes new postmaster

Jason Adams is the new postmaster in Manila. Jason, a Manila native, has been with the postal service since 1998 starting his career in Paragould. He served six years as clerk and six years a supervisor. He served in Caraway from November 2010 to June 30 of this year when he assumed the duties as postmaster in Manila.

"I am very happy to be here," Adams said. "My goal, since I started with the Postal Service, was to make Manila my destination."

Adams is a 1997 graduate of Manila High School. He is very familiar with the Manila Post Office as his mother, Wilma Adams, retired as a clerk there. His dad, the late Charles Adams, retired from the Blytheville Post Office where he also served as a clerk. His sister, Cindy Adams Ray, serves as officer in charge at the Leachville Post Office. Working for the Postal Service is a family tradition for the Adams.

Adams remembers visiting the old Manila Post Office as a kindergarten student and cancelling his first letter to be mailed. He and his classmates were welcomed by Postmaster Joe Hornberger.

He and his family moved back to Manila from Paragould in December 2011. His wife, the former Erica Finley, is also a Manila native. They have four children, Luke 13, Ethan 6, Eli, 4, and Lauren, 2.

"I am excited to be back in Manila," he said. "We have a good crew here. I have been to a lot of places and the staff here is top notch. They are willing to help our customers and each other. It is good to be home. It is seeing a dream come true."

Manila has two full time clerks, Johnny McCain and Denise Brooks, and two full time rural carriers, Lequeita Flanigan and LeeAnn Cook.

Jason said the town is growing and his goal is to meet the needs of the community. The shipping supplies have been expanded. Adams said the business is ever changing and with the automated technology of today mail can be tracked letter by letter.

The first postmaster appointed when the Post Office was known as Cinda in 1888 was Joseph M. Needham. During the Cinda years, Needham was followed by Albert Freeman, 1889; George M. Matthews, 1890; Samuel W. Bunch, 1892; James A. Rash, 1894; Samuel W. Bunch, 1897; George M. Matthews, 1898; Zack Taylor Williams, 1899; and Charley R. Davis, 1900.

Charley R. Davis was the first postmaster to serve when Cinda became Manila Post Office on Jan. 3, 1901. Following him were Robert L. Williford, 1902; Benjamin W. Cowan, 1910; George M. Matthews, 1914; Harry W. Cowan (acting postmaster) 1921; Maie Pierce, 1922; Georgia L. Stuart, 1930; Eva C. Teague, 1935 (Mrs. Teague's name was changed to Eva C. Fradenburg by marriage on Feb. 12, 1950); Joe G. Hornberger (acting postmaster 1951); Joe G. Hornberger, 1951; Fred Cole (officer in charge) 1987; Donald Nunnally, 1987).

Adams has served Manila as officer in charge since Dec. 30, 2011, and was officially named Manila Postmaster on June 30, 2012.