(Kilgore, Texas) - Why would a town in Texas that was founded in 1872 and incorporated in 1931 be searching for its name?

It's because someone took the meaning of 'welcome to town' a bit too literally and took all the letters off the marquee welcoming visitors to town on Highway 31 North.

Kilgore would like its letters back y'all!

This isn't the bonus round of Wheel Of Fortune where you're given the R-S-T-L-N and E and try to figure out what the left behind lights are spelling on the sign driving into town.

City of Kilgore via Facebook
City of Kilgore via Facebook
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The city's marquee is stunning. Before the theft, it was a bold statement, driving into Kilgore with its white background, three gray horizontal stripes, and big bold blue letters spelling KILGORE.

City of Kilgore via Facebook
City of Kilgore via Facebook
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The City of Kilgore posted on their Facebook page Tuesday morning requesting their letters back.

Someone took “ Welcome” a little too literally and walked off with the letters from our Kilgore Sign on HWY 31 N. While we appreciate your enthusiasm for Kilgore we’d really like to have our missing letters back. If you have any information regarding these missing letters please contact us. Lets keep our town looking its best, one letter at a time. (Facebook)

Anyone with information on the missing letters is encouraged to call the City of Kilgore at 903.984.5081.

Comments on the city's Facebook page have been very mixed and many people wondering why someone would do this, while others think it could be some kind of college prank and others thinking that Kilgore, Nebraska, Idaho, Pennsylvania, South Carolina or Ohio were in a budget crunch and took off with the letters.

City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
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City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
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City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
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City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
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City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
City of Kilgore, Texas via Facebook
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If you are caught with these letters and the cost of replacing them is greater than $2500, you could face a felony charge if the city decides to prosecute.

Whatever the case, the City of Kilgore simply would like their letters returned.

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Gallery Credit: Lucky Larry, Mix 93-1

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