histories of etowah page etowah awarded grant 2 the ... wri… · the great flood of 1927 37...

1 GARDEN POINT CEMETERY

HISTORIES OF ETOWAH Page

ETOWAH AWARDED GRANT 2

EARLY ETOWAH CITIZENS 3

THE HISTORY OF ETOWAH: Mrs. Edward Wray 4

ETOWAH, ARKANSAS HISTORY: Eunice Wells 5

ETOWAH SCHOOL DEDICATED: Newspaper Clipping 6

ETOWAH NEWS: Osceola Times 1907 – 1920 10

ETOWAH NEWS: Tri-City Tribune 25

THE LITTLE RIVER ROAD 26

ETOWAH, A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 28

COOKBOOK COMMITTEES 29

EARLY ETOWAH POSTMASTERS 31

REMEMBERED FROM MEMORIAL DAY: 2007 34

THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1927 37

ASSORTED HISTORIES

HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI COUNTY: Mabel Edrington 44

POINSETT COUNTY 44

MARKED TREE BEGINNINGS 46

WARRENTY DEED 53

MISS SALLY 54

ORIGIN OF TERRAPIN DERBY ?

ETOWAH

Services and Utilities

Town Hall

Police Department

Fire Department

Road Improvements

US Postmasters

Garden Point Cemetery Shirley’s


NEW CITY OF ETOWAH ELECTS LEADERS

By Kenneth Heard Arkansas-Gazette April 1996

Residents of this recently incorporated farming community in Northeast Arkansas held their first

election Tuesday along with an election night bash attended by people from as far away as Michigan and

Colorado.

Etowah became a city April 1996 when Mississippi County Judge Steve McGuire signed

incorporation papers. Voters elected a mayor, recorder-treasurer and five aldermen Tuesday------.

Residents said they wanted to receive their share of the county’s sales tax revenues to develop better

roads, build a senior citizen center and provide more police protection.

By incorporating, Etowah, which lies about 15 miles west of Osceola, can receive county, state and

federal money. The revenues are disbursed among towns on the basis of populations.

McGuire estimated Etowah, a town of about 200, could receive about $24,000 annually in county

money.

Charles McCollum, one of the people involved in getting Etowah incorporated, was elected mayor

Tuesday night defeating Alvin Collins 106 to 37 votes.

Position 1

Christ Ferrell 76

Merl Stokes 65

Position 2

Laura Girdley 90

Ricky Spain 51

Position 3

Elwanda Sharp unopposed

Position 4

Linda Sharp 74

Vandull Stokes 65

Position 5

Robert Johnson 66

Jerome Smith 47

Clinton Sorrell 25

Johnson won the Position 5 race with a runoff, a county clerk’s official said because of the special

election status. Linda Sharp, owner of the Etowah Bar and Grill, said former residents traveled from


Colorado, Michigan and Indiana to attend the election and a party at her restaurant. “We made history

here,” she said. “It was something special.

THE HISTORY OF ETOWAH By Mrs Edward Wray, (this was Marie Cook) written May 29, 1935

Township 13 Range 8 east was sectionalized in the years 1846 and 47 and the inhabitations at that time

were two families by the name of Scott and Bunch.

The Government survey show Scott lived in section 33 two miles south of where Etowah is now located.

It appears by map that Bunch lived in Northeast corner of Township 13 near section 1.

This seems to be the first settlers where Etowah is now located.

Frank Jackson settled in Etowah where Mr Wildy lives. Marine Jackson, brother of Frank, was first

postmaster of Etowah. Henry Smith ran the first Etowah store; Lamb ran the second store and also was

a schoolteacher.

Walter Morrell built when the Etowah post office set up, David and Lamb moved into a new building

which. Major Ray built the first store of any size in Etowah. It was managed by HJ Meadows. The

next store built was Davidson and Maddox. The next was built by Frank Davis and run under the name

of Davis and Wortham. The next store was Wilmoth and Luster.

Wilmoth bought Luster out and ran the store under the name of RH Wilmoth. Next in business was JT

Davidson opened a store and later closed his store. OW Girdley opened up in the Davis building and ran

a few years and closed out. JE Wright put in a stock in the Girdley’s building. In 1924, SW Luster a

grocery line to his post office. In 1930, Mrs Linnie opened a store in Maxwell Barbershop and later

moved in Wright’s Building. The first barber shop in Etowah was run by Mr Maxwell. Then Metheny

and Carl Heard build a store and after a while Metheny bought Heard out.

KB Campbell built a cafe and ran awhile and closed out. Wilmoth built a brick store where the old one

stood.

The Etowah people build a gin and ran it under the name of Etowah Gin Company. JC Baker put in a

poolroom and cafe. In 1935, Baker sold out to Fremont Smith and Metheny built a poolroom and cage.

In 1926 Basil Heard put in a sawmill which was moved in 1932 closer to town. In 1935 the people ran

a high line to Etowah. RH Wilmoth built a theater and dance hall the same year.

ETOWAH, ARKANSAS HISTORY

by Eunice Wells and other contributors; Jennie Sharp, Lucille Jackson,

Jess Pruitt, Katherine Kroepfl, Ruth Jones, Georgia Heard and Inez Wildy.

This is the story of Etowah and vicinity and the first settlers as told to me by some of those people or

their descendants. Some information came from the United States Census, tax records, and area maps.

Etowah is located in Little River Township in the western part of Mississippi County. It was first

known as Jackson's Island because of a family named Jackson in that area and because the area was

partially surrounded by Old River. No one could be sure of which Jackson family was there that early.


Laura Jackson and her family were there when Will Davidson came from Hohenwald, Tennessee and

settled about 1885.

At that time steamboats could go to Marked Tree on Old Little River. But very few signs of the river are

left. There is a slough in front of Mamie Girdley's home place that was part of the river. Russell Wells

said he was told the river was twenty feet deep in front of the house where he was born in 1909.

Steamboats brought goods from Marked Tree to stores in Etowah. Jess Pruitt, also born in 1909, told

how he and other young men and boys met the boats at the landing and helped to unload the freight and

put it on wagons.

O.W. Girdley’s Boat, “Ruth Walker,” at work on Little River, 1915

When the Etowah post office was first set up, David and Lamb moved into a new building which was

built by Walter Morrell. Major Ray built the first store of any size in Etowah. It was managed by H.J.

Meadows. The next store built was Davidson and Mattox. The next was built by Frank Davis and was

run by the name of David and Wortham. The next store built was Wilmoth and Luster.

Wilmoth bought out and ran the store under the name of R.H. Wilmoth. Next in business was J.T.

Davidson who bought Marcoms Brothers. J.T. closed out his store and later O.W. Girdley open up tin

the Davis building and ran a few years and closed out. J.E. Wright put in a stock of goods in Girdley's

building. In 1926, S.W. Luster added a little grocery line to his post office.

In 1930, Mrs. Linnie opened a store in Maxwell Barbershop and later moved in Wright's building. The

first barber shop in Etowah was run by Mr. Maxwell. Walter Metheny and Carl Heard built a store and

after a while Metheny bought Heard out.


K.B. Campbell built a cafe and ran a while and closed out. Wilmoth built a brick store where the old

one stood. The Etowah people built a gin and ran it under the name of "Etowah Gin Company."

J.C. Baker put in a poolroom and cafe. In 1935, Baker sold out to Fremont Smith and Baker and

Metheny built a poolroom and cafe.

In 1932, Basil Heard put in a sawmill, moving one from the outskirts of town and later his son Carl took

it over. In 1935 the people ran a high line to Etowah, also in that year R.H. Wilmoth built a dance

hall and theater.

Carolyn Wallace of the Osceola Times writes in her column: Etowah was first Jackson's Port or

Jackson's Island. In its hey-day Etowah boasted a store, gin, pool hall and a school. It started out with

logging operation and later as just a farming community.

My father worked as a bookkeeper for the Wilmoth Store during the depression. On Sunday nights he

would obtain a picture show film and it would be shown at the gin or store. Everyone who could, paid

ten cents to see the movie, regardless of what entertainment existed in Etowah, so everyone came.

After the film was over, usually a dance was held, and if you didn't have a partner you danced with your

son, daughter, or even children danced together. It was a good time to be alive and enjoy life in a village

like Etowah.

PS. The Major Ray mentioned was a midget.

ETOWAH SCHOOL DEDICATED

Dec. 3, 1915


Etowah, Athelstan and Hatcher school communities met Friday Dec 3, 1915 to dedicate the new

schoolhouse at Etowah. The work done by each school was fine and showed what the teachers are trying

to do for the people of Little River. The folks came out in numbers and at the noon hour spread a dinner

"fit for a King " in quantities sufficient for a dozen crowds. Everybody did it justice.

In the evening the Athelstan school gave a play, "Diamonds and Hearts," which caused many

nice things to be said about Miss Annie Mae Sisco's work and the interest taken in school by patrons and

pupils.

The play was pretty, pathetic and humorous at the same time. A half dozen times just as the

crowd was brought to tears, something would happen to convulse them with laughter.

Etowah has a beautiful building perhaps the prettiest one room school house in the county and as

nice as any in the state. It was well planned and should they want to add another teacher, the house can

be make into two rooms with little cost and not spoil the looks or the convenience of the building.

Professor Kelly is using his best efforts to build the community as well as the school's interest and folks

are commended for their response. "Nothing succeeds like success."

The writer wishes to express his appreciation for the privilege of helping to dedicate the new house and

for the courtesy show him while in their midst.

JM Miller

EARLY ETOWAH CITIZENS

Information from several sources

Jackson’s Island (Etowah) was named for the early pioneer, Frank Jackson.

Charlotte Porter, b. 1-25-1892, d. 9-19-1978 is buried at Garden Point Cemetery, is step-granddaughter

to Frank Jackson.

William Henry Davidson, born 11-3-1861, d. 6-1-1949

William Henry Davidson, was an early pioneer to this area and arrived from Hohenwald, TN, to settle in

Etowah in 1885. Known familiarly as Captain Davidson as well as “Uncle Will”, he was proprietor of a

saw and grist mill, landowner, farmer, cotton buyer, and merchant. He and many of his descendants and

relatives are buried in Garden Point Cemetery. Land for the first school was given to the people of

Etowah by Captain Will Davidson. The business enterprises of Capt. Will offered opportunity and drew

many young men seeking a future to the sparsely populated and wilderness area.

Dr. Jason Hardy Lunsford, b. 5-3-1878, d. 6-28-1969

Dr. Lunsford moved to Jackson’s Island (Etowah) March 21, 1907. He was a faithful medical doctor

who lived the rest of his life in the community. He was a leader who not only was doctor, but did some

farming. He also helped the rural community with legal matters, and at times served in some capacities

as judge.

A. M. Smith, b. 2-20-1846, d. 4-12-1930

In West Tennessee where A. M. Smith originally lived a troop of Confederate Calvary passed through

the area, and he followed them. He was very young. His family sought him for years, told everyone

everywhere they went about their search, and described A. M. as having a certain visible scar. One day a

person who had heard the story saw a man with a scar. After forty years the family was re-united. The

account of this story and reunion is recorded in dated. A. M. Smith was an early settler, farmer, and


active participant in the life of the growing community. His descendants and family members continue

to contribute to its betterment. Many relatives are also buried in the Garden Point Cemetery along with

A. M. Smith. (This needs some work, and the account should be listed in the Bibliography)

Harding J. Medows (aka Meadows) b. 8-24-1878, c. 10-26-1956

H. J. Medows, a leading citizen in the town of Etowah and a lifelong resident, arrived in the early 1900s,

shortly after the turn of the century, because of his brother-in-law, Major Willie Ray. Major Ray, a

midget, was a nationally known personality made famous through his work with the Sells Brothers

Circus Manager and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. He was married to Jennie, H. J.’s sister, who was

also a midget. After his circus career, Major Ray became even more well-known as Buster Brown, and

with his dog, Tige, worked for the Brown Shoe Company as a living trademark. Major Ray wished to

invest his money, and built a large store in the town of Etowah, and H. J. agreed to move to

Etowah and to manage it for him. H. J. remained in Etowah for the rest of his life, and was a moving

force in the town. In 1919, he was a Commissioner of Etowah Road District #3 and this was a time of

building roads and bridges in this rural area. He became an important and knowledgeable farmer. His

descendants still own the farm.

Robert Henry Wilmoth, b. 3-27-1878, d. 7-26-1966

Bob Wilmoth arrived in the Etowah community in 1897. He worked in timber for the Chapman Dewey

Lumber Company which at the time was clearing large tracts of land in the area. He became a farmer,

merchant, cotton buyer, and had his own logging operation as well. He built several commercial

buildings to rent so that new businesses would be encouraged to locate in Etowah. In 1935 electricity

came to the town, and he built the theater and dance hall to encourage business activity and

entertainment, greatly welcomed as a respite from the harsh work of the time. Mrs. Wilmoth served as

assistant to the first postmaster, Marion Jackson, when the Etowah Post Office was established. A

community leader, he served as director on the Etowah School Board, and was President of the Etowah

Gin Company for many years.

Perry Henry Morris, b. 9-27-1889, d. 7-1-1952

Laura Leona Morris (Mrs. Perry Henry), b. 1-23-1890, d. 9-29-1984

Leroy Edwin “Chick” Ragland, b. 10-4-1896, d. 2-20-1951

Hazel Morris Ragland, (Mrs. “Chick” Ragland) b. 1-6-1916, d. 8-10-1943

In 1935 when electricity came to Etowah, with it came the Morris and Ragland families. Perry and

Laura Morris with their daughter, Hazel, and son-in-law, “Chick” Ragland had traveled the vaudeville

circuit for over twenty years. They had traveled by train, and later had their own traveling tent shows.

Ready to settle down, they arrived with their brand of entertainment for the newly built theater in

Etowah. This colorful and talented musical family added greatly to life in this rural community. They

entertained the population with silent movies, talkies, live shows, and dances. Laura Morris, popular and

beloved, would in later years delight the community when she would occasionally in full make-up and

dress revive her comedy routine from her vaudeville days as Sis Hopkins.

Mott Brannon (aka as Branum) moved into the area in 1890 from Missouri. Many of his offspring and

descendants are buried at Garden Point. His daughter, Janie, buried at Garden Point, married Dr. J. H.

Lunsford, who played an important role in the welfare of the community in the early 1900s.

Mamie E. Girdley, b. 9-15-1889, d. 7-4-1971

Noah W. Girdley, b. 9-3-1904, d. 8-26-1972

Lillie Girdley (Mrs. Noah W.) b. 10-16-1911, d. 1997

Ottie Way Girdley married Mamie Ellen England in 1903. They were homesteaders, but are best

remembered for the steamboats that Ottie Girdley ran on Little River delivering goods to be sold to and


from Etowah. In that day and time the steamboats were a lifeline to the area as the roads were

nonexistent or extremely bad. His best remembered boat is the “Ruth Walker”. The Girdley’s through

the years have continued to contribute to the community in many ways. Both the elder Girdley and

Noah, his son, operated stores. Noah and his wife, Lilly, were instrumental in the building of the

Etowah Baptist Church. Noah was a talented builder, and the beautiful wood that he finished out for the

church sanctuary stands as lovely as ever today. ( An interesting fact about Mamie Girdley is that her

father migrated from England with his father and mother. The father and mother died, and as the son

was too young to know his name, the people there named him England knowing his family had

migrated. He was called Lum England.) Many of the relatives of this family are buried in Garden Point

Cemetery and many are still active in the community.

Charles W. McCollum, b. 1893, d. 1972

Georgia Ann McCollum, b. 1902, d. 1972

James Leslie (husband of Sophia McCollum, and son of Charles and Georgia Ann), b. 10-22-1924, d. 4-

25-1989

Charles McCollum is another pioneer who answered the call of opportunity offered in the area. He was a

logger, and his wife, Georgia, was a cook in the logging camps. They stayed on to raise their family in

Etowah, and were a part of its growth. This town is fortunate that they did stay as their grandson,

Charles “Bo” McCollum, is the current mayor of Etowah. Bo is largely responsible for the incorporation

of Etowah, and since then he has been the moving force in acquiring a city hall, city police, fire station,

park, sewage system, and many, many other city improvements too numerous to cite in this narration.

His energy and enthusiasm for improvement for the town he loves is boundless. Sophia McCollum,

James Leslie McCollum’s wife and Bo’s mother, (from England) has played an enormous role in all

these endeavors, loyally working in every project. So the greatest contribution of this pioneer family to

this town was the gift of their grandson. Other McCollum family members are buried at Garden Point

Cemetery as well.

John Thomas Sharp, b. 6-20-1862, d. 1-14-1937

John Britt Sharp, b. 10-9-1894, d. 1-1-1974

Jennie Bessie Sharp (wife of Cliff Sharp, Sr.) b. 9-14-1905, d. 3-9-1998

Listed above are a few members of the Sharp family who are buried in Garden Point Cemetery, and who

have contributed to the history of this town. J. T. Sharp was an early settler in the community, and his

son, Britt, was for many years the sheriff of Etowah. Britt was known for his ability in his work, and was

highly regarded by the community as he was the major figure that controlled lawlessness in those rough

days. Jennie Sharp was postmistress in Etowah for 36 years, from 1936 to 1972. She worked for the

betterment of the community serving as pianist in the Etowah Baptist Church as well as Sunday School

Teacher most of her life. She followed in the footsteps of her mother, Molly Davidson Medows, who

started the first Sunday School in Etowah before there was a church building. She followed in her great-

grandfather’s steps as well as Jennie’s great-grandfather, Marion Jackson, a Spanish-American War

Veteran, was the first postmaster of Etowah.

Carl Heard, b. 10-20-1903, d. 12-8-1989

Georgia Smith Heard, (Mrs. Carl) b. 2-22-1910, d. 3-17-1998

The Heard’s came to the Etowah area in the early twenties, and erected a lumber mill. Carl was skilled

in lumber and with machinery. He contributed his skill as head carpenter, and donated his sawmill crew

to frame the Garden Point Methodist Church which was previously located at Garden Point Cemetery. In

1939 Mr. Heard became a farmer. When mechanization in farming began to emerge, Carl built his own

mechanized machinery to fit his particular operations. Some of these included a heavy-duty disk


carrying frame, an earth-moving machine, a land leveler, a portable gasoline driven grain elevator, and

all types of small machinery such as a sub-soiler ditching plow, all made in his machine shop. Always

interested in better farming methods, Mr. Heard was an asset to the community’s farmers with his

tremendous skills and vast knowledge.

Edward Samuel Wildy, b. 4-26-1892, d. 9-6-1985

Alvinia Schnieder Wildy (Mrs. Edward Samuel), b. 4-19-1892, d. 7-12-1981

Charles Luther Wildy, b. 6-29-1928, d. 10-8-2001

Leroy J. Wildy, b. 10-22-1919, d. 10-6-1948

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wildy (arrived by wagon from Osceola,) from Illinois in 1914 to take possession of

owner absentee farmland previously purchased by Ed’s father. Ed bought the land from his father, and

remained to raise his family. He was active in the affairs of the community as he was a Director in the

Etowah School and a Commissioner in the Etowah Road Improvement District. Both he and Mrs. Wildy

were active in the local School Improvement Association, a forerunner of the PTA. Mrs. Wildy taught

Sunday School in Etowah as well. Later, they were instrumental in establishing the Lutheran Church in

Blytheville, Arkansas.

The earliest marked graves in the Garden Point Cemetery include:

R. H. Jackson, b. 7-15-1872, d. 8-27-1903 Our first marker.

John William Carter, b. 8-8-1888, d. 5-28-1904

Susie F. Carter, b. 7-1-1895, d. 8-29-1904

W. A. Smith, b. 1847, d. 4-26-1909

B. F. Comstock, b. 1849, d. 1910

Murvial Griffin, b. 1865, d. 1910

Ellen V. Smith, b. 1891, d. 1910

Mary Talitha Stewart, b. 7-8-1885, d. 4-2-1910

Garden Point Cemetery has many unknown graves. It is probable that there were burials before 1903

as the Cemetery is located on a “ridge” of elevated land, and standing water and flooding was common

to the area as the system of levees had as yet not been built.

Below are listed additional early settlers and pioneers to the community who are buried in Garden Point

Cemetery. Many relatives of these pioneers are also buried in the cemetery, and descendants still

populate the area in almost every instance.

Amos Chambers, b. 1869, d. 1938

Janie R. Chambers (Mrs. Amos) b. 1874, c. 1939

Emma Victoria Chambers, b. 1-23-1875, d. 10-8-1952

Lillie Chambers, b. 1-1-1875, d. 4-9-1913

Cleora Mae Shelton Chrismond, b.8-3-1892 d. 10-28-1961

Sally Ann Finch (sister to Captain Will Davidson), b. 7-9-1876, d. 1-21-1968

Andy Kemp, b. 5-18-1885, d. 1-9-1968

Arminite Kemp, (Mrs. Andy) b. 9-30-1891, d. 5-16-1981

James Patterson, b. 1-20-1873, d. 7-17-1919

Sally Ann Presley, (grandmother to the Stokes clan), b. 1-28-1877, d. 6-19-1953

Bertha Lou Branum Pruitt (Mrs. David R.) d/o Mott C. and Margaret Branum, b. 12-24-1883, d. 7-10-

1971

David Richard Pruitt, b. 3-22-1876, d. 3-4-1966

Jess Pruitt, b. 1909, d. 10-15-2003

Wess Stokes, b. 11-30-1905, c. 9-9-1960


Charlie Mae Stokes, b. 12-23-1907, d. 3-1-1983

Byron Walker, b. 7-14-1881, d. 9-9-1967

Mildred Walker (Mrs. Byron), b. 4-12-1891, d. 5-11-1950

James Nelson Woodruff (Herbert), b. 11-31-1872, d. 4-8-1956

Lister Cornelia Woodruff, b. 3-21-1885, d. 7-25-1975

ETOWAH AWARDED GRANT

March 21, 2013

Governor Mike Beebe and Department of Rural Services director John Andrews presented $152,741.10

to 16 rural communities selected for Fiscal Year 2013

Cycle 11 funding through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program at an awards ceremony Feb.

27 held at the State Capitol in the

Governor’s Conference Room.

In attendance were representatives receiving an Arkansas Rural Fire Protection Grant on behalf of

Etowah. The Etowah Volunteer Fire Department received $13,932 to purchase and repair a building

next to the fire station to be used store fighting equipment.

The Department of Rural Services works in partnership with the Arkansas Rural Development

Commission to administer the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs in three cycles each year.

Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communities in rural areas of less than 3000 in

population are eligible to apply for assistance through the mayor of county judge’s office.

ETOWAH NEWS CLIPPINGS

Subject: Etowah Injun and other writers 1907 - 1920

Researched by Shirley Brackett

Osceola Times Thursday Jan 17, 1907

W.H. Davidson saw and gristmill is in operation this week and was the scene of a serious accident the

first of the week when J.H. Duncan got one hand badly mangled. His misfortune is regretted very much

as he was a good, sober and trusted employee in the sawmill.

Too warm for hog killing time this winter but some of the fortunate got either a squirrel, duck, possum,

several got a turkey or a deer once in a while.

The old yule log here in Jackson's Island is still smoldering with occasional flashes.

Some sickness here on the Island but none expected to terminate fatally. Much rain and mud keeps the

farmers and planters out of the field and the ungathered corn and cotton badly damaged and much of the

crop still out.

The Farmers Education and Cooperative Union of America is gathering the people in and it is hoped

they will be able to better themselves in many ways before another crop is made. We are glad to see the

farmers banding together for their own protection and betterment for we think it will be good for our


land.

Now that the holidays are over we should hear from your corp of bright correspondents regularly.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday March 21, 1907

Spring seems to be here again and looks as if the farmer could be ready for a new crop.

Some peach and pear trees are still alive but rather scattering.

Health is generally good on the island. Cole Jackson has not recovered and Mrs. Macy Wells is

complaining some.

Some timber is moving off down Little River now.

Steamboats are still running Little River bringing supplies for the farmer and boating out their cotton.

Dr. Lunsford is moving his office from Little River to Jackson Island. H.J. Meadows is renewing his

stock of goods again now.

Mr. John Buck, Ol Bigham, John Davidson, and J.H. Duncan have just returned from Marked Tree.

News is exceedingly scarce just now.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times April 4, 1907

We are mourning the death of another old citizen M.T. Parker, known as "Uncle Milt", who died

Monday March 25, 1907. He attained the venerable old age of 3 score and ten: 73 years old. He lived a

long, honorable and useful life for one of the chances. He had been Postmaster of Athelstan for a

number of years, always honest, accommodating, pleasant and sociable. Uncle Milt was buried in

Frazier graveyard Tues, March 26 1907.

Thus another old soldier of the civil war who fought for the Union of the States has passed on the

answer to the last roll call, and so the world of mankind must go.

The long spring drought was broken Tuesday morning when a light rain began to fall. Vegetation is very

far advanced for this time of year here. Many beautiful flowers are in full bloom.

Farmers in general and the organized in particular have gone to work getting ready for the new crop:

hay, cotton, potatoes and many gardens stuff.

We have our usual good health here on Jackson Island and with Dr. Cumming on guard at the north end

and Dr. Lunsford on the south end we’re still better.

Easter almost frozen us out.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday May 3, 1907

H.J Meadows is a Union farmer and more than up to date. He is planted already. Help is scarce here this

spring but Johnny Davidson and H.J. Meadows have secured a couple of hands each and A.M. Smith

has one.

Miss Bertha Monroe enjoyed her 13th birthday will her Grandmother McAllister’s' on Sunday. Misses

Esther Finch, Mary Cumming and Maud Dunkin were among the visitors to Etowah the first of the

week.

You "measly little burg" over on the Mississippi River ought to have our good doctors over there on

guard and you not would have measles. Our doctors would settle them for you before they swarmed.


Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday May 9 1907

Weather fine again. The 6 weeks delay in farming which had discouraged farmers generally and rents

especially seem to be broken off

now and everybody going to work with a vim.

Plenty of time yet brother farmers, for a corn crop but a little late for the cotton.

Etowah folks can almost hear wedding bells ringing in the distance.

Capt Davidson's sawmill slowed down for a short while the boys gathered in a mess of fine fish now and

then also a mess of spring chickens of the featherless variety. We don't call them so neither would the

young squirrels.

School election last Saturday was purely a business affair. W.R. Jennings is to be the new director in

District 30 for the next 3 years.

Nature is all smiles again and a sight to see the fields are clean as can be and the orchards and forests are

bountiful green. Come up Osceola's and take an outing at the famous fishing waters of west Mississippi

County.

God be with you till we meet again.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday June 13, 1907

Farmers at work now with renewed hope and greater energy for this is the finest of June weather.

Mulberries and peach fruit is in some evidence and garden stuff and new potatoes plentiful.

Farmer’s Educational and Co-operative Union of America still on the increase, in fact we look for better

things in the near future, according to that good writer Newell Dwight Hilliss, in the New York World,

"Honesty is now Becoming a Contagion." I liked the article so much that I send it to the Times for

publication, believing it will do good.

HONESTY IS NOW BEING A CONTAGION

Text - Hosea 1 1: "In the last days I will pour out my spirit upon all men (flesh). "

"The geologist tells us that the White Mountains were the first peaks to emerge from the sea: then little

by little, the whole continent appeared, rising above the hot waters of either ocean. That was a great

moment when Mount Washington first cleared itself of water, steam and sand and stood, crowned with

sunlight, the fore-runner of a new continent."

"But more wonderful still the sudden entrance of conscience and ethics into the sorrowful life of the

republic. For years, doubtless, the preparatory processes have been going on, but the ethical movement

has published itself only in the last few weeks and months. Today the railroads are posting their rates

and withdrawing secret rates. Alarmed politicians no longer hawk franchises in the lobbies of the city

hall.

Recently a wholesale house has raised the price for a certain food product. The reason given is that each

pound package contained fifteen ounces in return for a pound purchased. The merchant says that the

saving of that ounce always paid for the pasteboard boxes and the packing. Now that his firm has

become honest, he has confessed that for years his firm has stolen one sixteenth of the goods from the

people who bought them. Henceforth who can say that religion is not worth its weight in good and

coffee and rice and sugar? It seems that the appearance of conscience in trade has wrought out the Pure

Food bill, and that henceforth the food that are adulterated will be marked adulterated, and food that are


pure will be marked pure."

"Even more wonderful is the influence of conscience in politics. The time was when the world of

politics was a wide waste, a Salton Sea. Now an occasional peak of honesty is emerging there from. The

peaks seem solitary and separated, the occasional names being as distant from each other as the star

named Sirius and our sun. Nevertheless conscience has appeared."

"In Springfield Ill., a merchant from a certain city wished a certain bill put through the legislature. On

the surface the bill looked all right, representing the interests of the people; secretly it was in the interest

of the merchant, who had sent his paid lobbyists to the State Capitol. Probably the legislators did not

know what was involved, but the leaders reported the bill favorably. On hearing of this good fortune, the

merchant prepared to take the midnight train for Chicago but in the late

afternoon he decided to drive out and visit Lincoln's tomb. Stopping his carriage he walked slowly about

the monument. When the shadows of night fell he found himself looking at the face of Lincoln, with his

face toward the State House and his hand holding a scroll. At length, in the darkness the merchant

returned to his hotel. Giving up his berth on the sleeper, he spent the night in the capital but all night

long he tossed upon his bed.

When the day dawned he sent for his representative and told him to withdraw the bill. When this

attorney expostulated, saying the bill would pass, since the work was all done, the merchant insisted.

Crowded for his reason, he drove his attorney to the park and cemetery and there in front of the Lincoln

monument he make the driver stop p and looking up, he said to the lobbyist: "I cannot do so mean a

thing with Lincoln looking toward the State House and watching me."

"Being dead, the martyred President lived and spoke eloquently pleading for justice and honesty. And in

every city and state capitol honest men are appearing. Every day witnesses a political uprising in some

city. With whips and scourges the public conscience is driving the moneychangers out of the city

councils. The time is near at hand when the City Council shall be as honorable and distinguished a body

as the Chamber of Commerce. And this is a new note in the political world."

"More striking still is the ethical note in the realm of public morals. England can no longer say that the

multi-millionaire can do anything he wants to America. If any European reads the American press the

last week he will discover that so far from the from the people living

in awe of the multi-millionaire who outrages the laws of decency and good morals, he will close the

papers with the idea that the store mentioned Croesus has had all the sewers in the forty city empties

upon his diamonded, talkative and mush-be-throttled neck."

"That cell also in the prison with its inmates warms all youth that legal ability, all the influence of friend

and money avail nothing to keep a successful lawyer who has perjured himself and helped general

crime, from going to his---------- former lies, vices and sins. In prison if a

youth wants position and preferment he must plead the cause of the poor.

In literature and fiction if the novelist wants to succeed he must portray the triumph of honor and the

defeat of shame and humbug. If a magistrate want to increase its circulation, it takes up some cases and

becomes a voice for the public conscience. On every side are young men of ability and large mental

requirements who have tried to get on by adopting the low ethical ideals of the policies of the old

schools, with the result that these ambitious young men are now utterly discredited and without any

hope of future preferment."

Honesty is becoming contagious. It is a suspicious hour for our people. It is the golden age for which the

fathers longed. And this new note of conscience in public life prophesies a pure era of happiness and

progress for the people of the Republic.

It may be a case of hope again hopes but we wish it were true.


We are all in our usual good health and this is the most and best news of the day.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday July 4, 1907

Saturday was big day at Etowah on account of the Farmer Picnic Dinner. A most excellent time was

enjoyed by all who could come. There was plenty of good things to eat, good music and good speaking

by Messer's Speaks and Strom, who gave us some good wholesome advice and revived and encouraged

us much.

The crowd was somewhat scattered and confused but sober and well behaved.

The ball game was no small point of the amusement.

Boat rides were also enjoyed.

Many came from Athelstan were with us and down the river as far as Lepanto.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Aug 1, 1907

The nice little showers came to favor us in the back swamps. We are also favored with streaks and stops

of sunshine so that the farmers can cultivate their young crops.

Another nice little wedding to report form Etowah. This time Mr. G.W. Ward and Mrs. Ida B Suttle

were made man and wife by Esq. G.W. Scudamore.

Just a sprinkle of sickness now, mostly children and young men who have worked through the dewy

mornings and the heat of the day in the big corn.

Mrs. Ellen Smith and Mrs. Elmira Jackson who have been sick are much improved.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Aug 1, 1907

A little shower that relieved growing crops much fell the first part of the week. Corn was getting very

dry.

On account of much sickness our little doctors have been kept pretty busy for two or more weeks but no

mortalities as yet to report.

If Etowah Injuns will pitch their ears in the right direction now they may be able to hear those wedding

bells coming again. When the right old boys get so polite and handy among the pretty sweet girls, there

is some expectation among the curious of a match soon.

Road work going right on in the nearby roads. Wish they would make all the roads good.

Can't some one tell us about what books we are to have here in District 36 and where they are to be

obtained and the cost etc.

The fine blackberry crop is about gone and the little peach crop is going.

Miss Mary Miller visits Miss Esther Finch once in a while and sometimes twice in a while.

Rain the first of the week damaged some of the hay in the fields. Potatoes very poor stand this season.

Roasting ears appearing in the fields.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Oct 3, 1907

Little Ruby, daughter of W. R. and Kate Jennings is dead. Again the flower of the family was taken. A

lovely little girl, indeed! Died Tuesday, Sept 17, 1907 and was buried the 18th at Garden Point

Cemetery. The sorrowing family have the sympathy of all.


Warm days and cool nights bring on chills and billous troubles.

Corn is doing no more good now. Cotton, though, seems to be maturing.

The ordinance of baptism was administered to one person last Sunday by a Deacon of the General

Baptist Church.

The new woman arrived a H. J. and Mollie Meadows Saturday afternoon the 21st. She weighed 11 lbs

and is fully up to expectation. Another addition to our population is a little 7 lb daughter at the home of

Cole Jackson born Sunday.

Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Nov. 26 1908

Squire Scotts court at Athelstan was crowded Saturday on account of a replevin suit between Ike Smith,

plaintiff and G.H. Scudamore, defendant.

The dispute was on account of a little cow and calf. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff.

Winter is close at hand judging from the many weddings. Perhaps they may also indicate a very cold

winter and a hard year.

The fish camps are sending fine fish to Osceola. Wish we had good buffalo or catfish. Cotton picking

most froze out.

Mr. John Buck of Etowah and John Killion of Missouri are about to get into trouble about the farm rent

and improvements that was to have been made on the farm. We are very sorry of this for farmers are no

good in litigation.

Squire Gill has resigned justice-ship and Mr. F. M. Jackson is about to get the appointment.

The stores around Etowah are crowded now on Saturdays while cotton picking and timberwork goes on,

but both jobs are weakening and high tariffs and Wall street prosperity seem to be the cause.

Capt. Davidson has put his saw and gristmill in fine shape and is doing a first class work and lots of it.

A. C. Jackson of Etowah and Mrs. Ellen Parker of Athelstan are about dispute about a cow.

The new schoolhouse No. 2 will soon be complete and Professor Crumerion of Sharp County is ready to

begin school.

Osceola Times Thursday April 15, 1909S

We are having some cool weather now and farming and gardening are slow.

Rafting is the general employment and keeps towboats dragging the rafts out of Old River.

J.C. Jackson started for Osceola today to pay taxes. Guess he found plenty of water along the way.

Health is very good at present, our little doctor is getting some rest.

Mrs. Lessie Davidson and Mrs Lillie Smith visited Mrs Davidson's mother last week.

Miss Rosa Butler was visiting Miss Rosa Watkins Sunday and their best fellows came calling in the

evening.

J.H. Woodruff of Athelstan was over to see Mrs. Lister Jackson Sunday. Mrs. Duncan was visiting Mrs

Jackson Sunday evening.

Mr. Davidson is a good sawmill man, he averages sawing once a week and that is Saturday. I guess

when Dr Cummings gets back he will give him a dose of move around medicine.

Mr. Will Jennings and Mr. Smith have traded farms. Mr Jennings gave him 40 acres and $700 for 80

acres of Smith home farm.

Old Uncle Joe has left his wife again, he will be back about the time the crops are done for he won't

work, his wife and children make the living.

The steamer Dauntless came up the river today. We understand Frank Davis of Athelstan has bought


half interest in it. Guess he means business. G.W. Scudamore is pulling his timber in the chute, guess he

will start with it to Madison in a few days. If this misses the wastebasket, will write some again.

Etowah Hobo

Osceola Times Thursday April 23, 1909

We are having some unseasonably cold weather but our crops are not far enough advanced to be

harmed. Nearly all the cotton is planted and the corn ground is ready to plant.

Mr. Nelts Woodruff of Athelstan married Mrs. Lister Jackson of Etowah. They were married at Mrs.

Woodruffs. Our Post Office is a money order office now. The Dauntless has about quit running now on

account of the moss.

All the news for this time.

More A Non

Etowah News Sept 29 1910

The Davison Mattox Mill and Gin Co have the big 80-horse engine and boiler in place and expect to

start again very soon. They shut down a month ago to take out the old machinery for shaving and

shingles etc. to put in a big new gin. Get your cotton ready boys, for they will soon be ready for your

cotton as well as your lumber.

Much sickness and some deaths have occurred in our neighborhood during the past few weeks.

Cotton seems to be fairly good but we are not picking yet. Timberwork however is starting out lively.

Good Scribe

Etowah Nov 17 1910

Farmer RH Wilmoth raises pumpkins, big ones and lots of them but Squire JNH Woodruff has

pumpkins that weigh 30 to 70 lbs and some 500-lb to a vine.

Farmer BF Nance is one of the sooners. He was the first to bring a bale of cotton to the big new Gullet

gin. Mr Nance also has curiosity in the way sweet potato bloom. We have never heard anyone say and

have no information on the subject.

Cotton is rolling in a constant stream this fine weather.

People are moving in and out this autumn.

Slow Jim

Etowah News Jul 6 1911

The gentle rains last week revived all vegetable and all fortunes as well, but the farmers will have to get

busy if they keep their crops in the present fine condition for grass and weeks are growing as well are

the corn and cotton.

Farmers BF Nance is claiming first in your persimmons or cotton this season. He was the first to gin last

year and the first to report blooms this year. His cotton under the management of Mr John Brass

blooming the 18th day of June.

Mrs Mattox seems to be getting along fine with her post office and store. Luster and Co. are at work on

their building for a drug store and barbershop.

The Davis Wortham Co is filling up with new good and grocery is starting business in fine shape. So

you see business is picking up in Etowah.

Farmer Meadows is ahead on field corn, silks being evidence the middle of June,

Some Sickness six month old baby is very sick.


Mr. and Mrs John Davidson newborn daughter is doing fine.

Mrs June Grimes and daughter Rosette are off for Indiana for two summer months.

Yours,

More Inconstant.

Etowah News June 13 1912

The winter was severe and overflows bad at Etowah, but she is sailing right through it all gay and

cheerful.

Farmers are generally a little behind with their crops.

Dr I Cumings is improving his front yard and gate and other ornaments and Dr. Lunsford has laid off his

coat and going to farming suburban

lands. Corn will be almost 15 cents and pea hay not at all.

Farmers are getting a very poor stand of cotton. Some already plowing it up and planting corn.

Floods and storms, wars and earthquakes seem to be coming upon the world thick and fast.

JA Scudamore was in Illinois living this cold winter and he has suffered from rheumatism ever his

return.

Our stores in Etowah all report dull times. Well, we may expect money to be slow till cotton picking and

timberwork start.

Many cattle and hogs have died out in the swamps during the past few months with nothing to feed on.

Reporter

Etowah News July 11, 1912

Pete Shultz, a leading citizen of Little River township near Athelstan about 12 miles west of Osceola

was shot and instantly killed by Pete McAllister, a neighbor while at a dance on Jackson's Island the

night of the 4th.

The cause of the trouble is unknown, both men were drinking, and while Shultz was talking to one of the

women, McAllister came up and shot him, killing him instantly.

Mr. Shultz was a useful man in this community and his death is generally regretted. He leaves a wife

and several children.

Etowah News July 25, 1912

Mrs L. Mattox, the postmistress of Etowah, Mississippi County, and her husband, her deputy were

charged with embezzlement and were brought under arrest today by Dep US Marshall ED Bennett. It is

charged that postmistress and deputy the defendant misappropriated about $1000 from the money order

deposits.

The defendant denied the charge and claimed that $1100 of the alleged claim was stolen when the store

was broken into. It is also claimed that part

of the money has been refunded to the government.

The defendants were taken before Minor Markle, Commissioner, for a preliminary hearing but the case

was continued. The defendants are out under bond

for their appearance in court.

Notice August 20 1912

Notice is hereby given that the partnership of Davidson and Maddox of Etowah has been dissolved and I

will not be responsible for the debts and obligations of the firm or G.L. Mattox, a former member of the


firm at this day and date. Aug 20 1912.

WH Davidson.

Athelstan Sept 20, 1912

Mrs Nola Vaughn is reported very sick at this writing.

Miss Bertha Colwell was visiting at Mrs Fraiser on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Strawn was a visitor at this place on Sunday.

Mrs Frank Hatcher and daughter Miss Erma had Mrs Ross Smith as their visitor on Sunday.

"Joe"

Athelstan Sept 27, 1912

Mrs Adam Smith and Miss Mary Caree were here Wednesday evening.

JP Richardson and Mrs Nettee Rider are holding a revival meeting at this place and much interest has

been shown.

JR Davis Jr spent Saturday night with his uncle GC Frashier, Mrs Etta Davis, Mary Moore, and Bertha

Colwell spent Saturday afternoon with Mrs

Frashier.

Mrs Lizze Davis and daughter Marion were guests of JT Davis on Sunday.

Etowah News February 7 1913

Jerry Butler at Athelstan shot J Frank Davis to death on Tuesday.

Davis for a number of years has been a leading citizen and businessman in the community, was married

and the father of 3 children. Last summer he left home with Butler's wife going to some point into

Missouri. Tiring of his relationship with the women, he deserted the woman and came back to his

family. It was said that some boastful remark made by Davis in regard to the matter was reported to

Butler, who met his man and gave him the contents of his gun, five shots entered the body.

There were no eyewitnesses. Davis was examined and a pistol was found on his person. Butler was

arrested and placed in jail to await action of the grand jury.

Osceola Times April 1 1913

Mattix and Davidson of Etowah Township in Mississippi County were declared bankrupt before referee

Horace Sloan. Their liabilities are listed as $10000 with assets of $5000. The firm conducted a sawmill

business. Mr Mattix, the senior member is the husband of postmistress of Etowah who was recently

acquitted after the sensational trial in the federal court of embezzling post office funds.

Osceola Times June 7 1913

ETOWAH LOCALS

A crowd from Etowah attended the ball game at Athelstan Sunday evening.

Mr. Strand has been employed to teach the school here. We wish him much success.

Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Meadows, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Meadows and Mr. and Mrs. John Nobles visited at Mr.

Wells last Sunday.

Dances are all the go now. A crowd from here attended a dance at Athelstan a few evening ago.

Jesse Lambert and Orah Nobles were calling upon friends Sunday evening.

Mrs. Ollie Smith visited Dr. J. H. Lunsford family the last of the week.

Our poet master Mr. W. S. Luster killed a large snake in the post office one day last week. He did not


know what kind of snake it was.

Mrs. Snipes is visiting at H. J. Meadows.

Mr. and Mrs. Barney Walker visited at Mr. Frank Rickers and attended the ball game at Athelstan.

We are needing rain here badly the gardens are beginning to burn up. Miss’s Myrtle and Ethel Faulkner

visited at Mr Ottie Girdley last week. News is scare.

Monica

Osceola Times July 11, 1913

A good rain has fallen here and crops are looking fine. Ottie Girdley has gone to Missouri on a visit.

Lost, strayed or stolen, a small chew of gun, about the size of a goose egg. Finder will please return the

same to Fred S and receive reward.

Miss Gladys Spikes is sick at the home of Mrs John Roberts. Mrs Spikes went out to visit her on

Saturday.

S. W. Luster was calling on friends in Athelstan, Friday.

Mr. and Mrs D. Wilkerson of Athelstan spend the Fourth at Etowah with friend and enjoyed the good

things to eat and drink.

Mr. and Mrs Chas, Woodruff and Mrs. Ida Woodruff, went to Osceola Sunday to be there for court and

to do some shopping.

Miss Pearl Smith of Manila is visiting relatives and friends here.

Truman Neal came back Saturday from Hornersville, MO and reported a fine time.

Monica.

Osceola Times Aug 7 Year 1914

We had a shower about a week ago, the first we have had since early in May. Cotton is fine and corn

fairly good except tin spots on the old sandy land.

This is the county and this is the place to make a living with farming.

Mr J. B. Buck has just finished baling his crop of fine timothy and clover hay. About 400 bales cut

already and another light cutting due.

This is a good year to have plenty of good hay and cotton on the farm, for money and milk and butter

will be scare in many localities, also beef and vegetables, but the pumpkin crop is fine.

If we have any fruit at all we will have to work pumpkins up into apple butter, mighty good enough.

A few cotton boles are open.

Health is good here now, one doctor moved to the country and one to Lepanto and one gave up his job

and went into the time business.

The buzzing, sitting auto would be very common here if we roads they could run on.

This is the seventh of August, very dry this morning but we look for rain today. All our local weather

prophets are agreed that it will rain today as it has rained every 7th of August for the past thousand

years.

A good time it seems to us now for people from east and west who are burnt out and people north who

are froze out, to come to genial Arkansas.

Farmers are done plowing here and there is not much to do except to work on the roads.

Athelstan

Mr Charley Riley and Mr Ben Brady of Cannelton, Ind are visiting near Athelstan this week.

The Steel Bridge on the Osceola and Little River Road will soon be completed.


Mr ON Reed, Campbell, MO is visiting relatives and friends here.

Mr VA Moore of Blytheville, has moved to Athelstan.

Mrs DB Rider of this place was called to Jonesboro, on account of the serious illness of her father, Dr

W.W. Primm.

Crops are looking fine. Sewing turnips is the business of the day.

Mr Charles Woodruff and family visited Mr JM Staples last week.

Osceola Times Nov 7 1913

JNH Woodruff, the real estate man of Athelstan, was in town the first of the week. He says the farmers

are gathering their crops rapidly and that quite a lot of cotton is being hauled to Osceola to market. And

much more would be brought if the bridge across the canal at the upper road hadn’t been torn away by

dredge men who had to get their boat past and it has not been replaced. This is to be regretted, just at this

season when roads are expected to get bad soon. If possible, some sort of bridge should be built at once,

it will be too long to wait for the steel bridge which is part of the drainage contract and contemplated

improvement. Mr. Woodruff was in town to hear the preliminary trial of his neighbor Tom Hendrix

before Justice Bowen.

Osceola Times Aug 7 1914

Crops are looking fine in this locality considering dry weather, especially the cotton.

MJW Walkers started a 10 day singing school here with quite a number of pupils.

The protracted meeting closed Sunday night with several souls saved.

M Moore, a Holiness preacher from Blytheville is down here looking for a location.

Mrs. AE Scott of this place is quite ill with typhoid fever.

Mr Daniel Rider returned home from a visit to his old home in Iowa a few days ago and reported

everything dry and well there.

Mr Ollie Whitson made a business trip to Osceola with his sister, Mrs Dollie Vadem, formerly of

Osceola.

A few days work will complete the bridge on the upper road and the distance to Osceola will be much

shorter than the way we how travel.

Frank Rickets and his wife made a business trip to Lepanto last week.

We are expecting to hear wedding bells in this vicinity by all appearance.

Dr. WW Primm and wife of Jonesboro were visiting their daughter Mrs DB Rider last week.

Miss Fannie D Strawn, school teacher of Etowah was visiting friends here in Athelstan on Saturday and

Sunday.

They are doing quite a lot of work on our county road, which we hope will not get impassable in the

future.

The general talk nowadays in this locality is the road known as the Little River Road.

Mr C Frashier was seen riding in his buggy on Tuesday, you know it means something.


Athelstan

Mr. Charley Riley and Mr Ben Brady of Cannelton, Ind are visiting near Athelstan this week.

The Steel Bridge on the Osceola and Little River Road will soon be completed.

Mr O.N. Reed, Campbell, Mo is visiting relatives and friends, near Athelstan.

Mr. V. A. Moore of Blytheville, has moved to Athelstan.


Mrs. D. B. Rider of this place was called to Jonesboro, on account of her father, Dr. W.W. Primm.

Crops are looking fine in this locality, from recent rain. Sowing turnips is the business of the day.

Mr. T. J. Sharp, who has been suffering from typhoid fever is improving very slowly.

Mr Chas. Woodruff and family visited Mr J. M Staples, last week.

Mr. Sam Frashier, of Athelstan, made a business trip to Lepanto last week.

Mr. A. C. Chambers of Etowah was in Lepanto, Saturday purchasing wire to build a new fence.

Mr. John Harmon has moved to section 18 to look after the logging interests of Mr A. B. Woverton of

Jonesboro.

Mr. John B Stokes make a business trip to Manila, last week.

Mr. Al West of Etowah was in Lepanto last Friday on business.

The dance at Mr. Gus Smith's Jr. last Friday night was well attended.

Mr T. J. Hendrix, one of our prosperous farmers is very busy in the timber business.

Athelstan Aug 21 1914

We have had some fine showers this week.

School will begin next Monday, our schoolhouse looks fine since it has been repaired and has a new

coat of paint. George Scudamore, wife and children have returned from TN where they were visiting.

Mrs Rosa York has returned to her home in Truman. She has been here visiting friends and relatives.

Our friend Will Jenkins is in our town shaking hands with his many friends.

Our enterprising mill crew works on just as if their were no war in Europe.

Mr JD Buck has his teams hauling logs.

Dr Marsus has located here. Frank Rickett and wife and son were in Athelstan on Tuesday.

Frank Hatcher and George Workman took a carload of cattle to St Louis last week.

Mrs Rosa West and John Clevenger are on the sick list.

Sam Griffin started for MO on Tuesday am. We suspect he left someone with a heavy heart, however

girls he will soon be home again.

Gay Girl

Athelstan Aug 28 1914

Still hot and dry but some appearance of rain.

Health very good.

T.J. Hendricks made a business trip to Lepanto Thursday.

W. T. Shoemaker made a trip to Osceola the first of the week to purchase material to build a swelling

house.

The school at this place is making quite of lot of preparation for the school exhibition on the 28th of

August.

Mr. J. T. Sharp of this place and Mrs Dollie Vaiden of Osceola were united in marriage by Auire

Titman.

Mr Saratte's mules ran away a few days ago, throwing his wife and two children out of the vehicle,

hurting Mrs. Sarattes. We are glad to report that she is improving at this writing,

Mrs. R.C. Kirby fell from the porch injuring her hip badly.

Some few people are picking cotton which is fine consider the seldom but the corn is cut short.

We have people moving in every day. We certainly welcome them and appreciate their coming; it makes

us feel like we are in the march of progress.

The dredging work is still going on out here. They think they will have enough water to work the rest of


the season.

Mr O.K. Warren of Jonesboro is making preparation to move on his farm here and we are glad to have

them come.

Quite a game of ball was played between Athelstan and Etowah; the score was 8 to 9 in favor of

Athelstan.

Will ring off as news is scarce.

Osceola Times Sept 4 1914

Mr. Henry Frashier was seen on the road to Etowah last Sunday afternoon.

Miss Annie May Sisco's school closed last Friday, and she gave an exhibition at which the little

members of her school played their parts well.

The present rains have made the turnips crops look very flourishing in this locality.

The schoolhouse near Athelstan will soon receive a coat of paint. The contract was let on the 25th, Mr

D. B Rider was the lucky man for the job.

Mrs. R. C. Kirby is improving slowing, one of her limbs was fractured last Monday in a fall.

Miss Jessie Staples, of Caruthersville, MO is spending the week with her sister, Mrs Chas. Woodruff.

Mr. Thomas Vaughn of Tyronza Lake, was visiting friends and relatives near Althanstan this week.

Mr and Mrs. Walter Stevens are going to move near Athelstan.

Mr. O.K. Warren of Jonesboro tells us that he is going to move his farm near Athelstan in the near

future.

Mr. W. F. Shoemaker is bringing in the material to erect a new house on the J. H Gill place which now

belongs to O. M. Fairly of Osceola. Mr. C. M.

Stokes has rented the farm for a term of four years.

Mr Crews. of Pemiscot County, MO has rented the Slone farm near Athelstan for a term of five years.

We are glad to have Mr Crews for a neighbor.

Mr. T. W. Harvey shipped a carload of fine hogs to St Louis last week and is out looking up another

load. The scarcity of corn and the stock is causing the people of their neighborhood to sell their hogs.

The stork left two fine boys at Mr. Matt Wright's last Wednesday.

Miss Eddie Davis left Sunday morning for Jonesboro, to attend school.

Miss Annie May Sisco left this morning for a visit to friends in Tennessee.

Mr. B. W. Sisco went to Athelstan to attend the concert given at his sister’s school.

The rainfall Saturday night and Sunday was 1 and 1/4 inches.

Fifty-two people were register to vote in Little River Township as listed in the paper of Sept 11, 1914.

Osceola Times Nov 6, 1914

Mr. R. H. Wilmoth and family visited at Mrs. Faulkner's Sunday.

The Guthry girls visited with Miss Marie Faulkner Saturday and Sunday and all reported a good time,

eating watermelons and apples and playing.

No Sunday School yet, but day school goes on with increasing interest says Miss Strong, teacher.

Business seems to be picking up a little at the Scudamore's land agency and very much at Squire

Lunsford's law office. The Squire don't seem to encourage much law in the neighborhood, but if they

will go to law it is sugar and coffee money to him.

While George Scudamore was over in Tennessee visiting, he bought three $15 hound pups, getting

ready for the hunting season. George made a good investment as he will soon pay for his hounds. He

already has one nickel possum hide on the mount and he trapped one night and burned out ten cents


carbide and fifteen cents in shot and shell. Now just how long will it take him to pay for his dogs as this

rate? We are not scholar enough to tell, too high to calculate, and we're not good figuring no how.

Miss Esther Finch and her Uncle John Davidson and son visited Mrs Faulkner's on Sunday.

Some sickness this week, Theodore Luster and Mrs. Rose Brannum seem to be the worst cases, we hope

they will soon begin to improve.


All seems to be taking advantage of the fine Nov weather to gather their cotton crops, corn and

pumpkins.

We expect hard times on account of the war, but we have pretty sure local signs of hard times here on

Jackson Island. Everyone trying to get married, they all want somebody to help make the living. The

boys that are old enough to get married got hitched last week. Now we have another crop of boys

coming right on that want to marry very much.

Among this crowd of boys we note: Cole Jackson, Robert Carter, Little Jimmie Scudamore, Mayor

Butler and Sam Hooty.

Every house is crowded full of cotton pickers.

We can hardly keep cheerful and good humored with cotton so low and knowing that the politicians

have locked up the people money in the banks to give the cruel speculators a chance to buy farmers

products cheap. They will soon be selling products back to us at a fancy price.

Little or no sickness to report.

Mrs Cal Jackson, GW Scudamore, and Barney Walker raised the sweet potatoes this year.

Mr Faulkner raised the pumpkins, chickens and ducks.

Be patient with us good people and we will do better next time.


ETOWAH NEWS

As the smoke has been so bad, we could not see anything to write but will write this week.

JT Hendricks started this am to Osceola with 23 bales of cotton which was raised on his farm near our

little town. Hope he gets a good price for it.

WT Shoemaker has been busy hauling cotton this week. He reports that the roads are fine.

MW Williams., formerly of here, had a serious accident as he started back from Dell by jumping from a

runaway wagon. His leg was broken and his shoulder thrown out of place.

Miss Maude Lumpkins was visiting Miss Cummings on Sunday.

Mr ER Hendricks is doing quite a picture business these days among the young folks, who are having

their beauty struck.

A prosperous young man is in our town and Miss Vonnie Strawn of Etowah, were seen on our streets

Sunday.

Business is picking up in our vicinity now especially in cleaning up and burning new ground.

All the sick are now on the mend.

Mr. Charles Vaughn is seen going toward the Sterns quite often quite often these days, wonder what that

means?

I will ring off with the best wishes to widows and widowers of Athelstan and Etowah.

Osceola times Dec 7 1917

Miss Ruby and Irene Shoemaker and their brother Charles of TN are visiting their father, WF


Shoemaker.

Quite a number of young people went kodaking Saturday after on the river and had an enjoyable time.

Miss Ida and Edna Crews entertained several years’ people at their home and all reported an enjoyable

time.

The Athelstan school entertainment was quite a success. All seemed to enjoy themselves. The Negro

recitation by 2 young men was especially commendable.

Miss Mary Moore and Jeff Davis gave us a surprise by being quietly married in the home of the bride.

We wish them great success.

Miss Allie Dills of Keiser has returned home after a short visit with friend in Heber Springs. She will

return there for high school next month.

JM Smith and family of Burdette spent a few days with Mr and Mrs WF Shoemaker this past week.

A party of young men went coon hunting Friday night but did not tarry for some wolves were nearby.

Mr and Mrs AN Dills of Keiser were visiting the Shoemaker family on Sunday.

Athelstan 1917

WB Roberts and Miss Bessie Cockell were married at the Methodist church Monday evening by Rev

EK Sewell. The young couple was accompanied by two friends and the ceremony was witness by 3

Osceola business that were friends of the groom. Mr. Roberts is a sturdy, independent farmer and his

bride is a winsome intelligent young lady. Both are well liked in their home community. The Times

extends hearty congratulations to them both.

Etowah News Dec 1918

Mr and Mrs Jack Isaacs, living near Etowah have a fine baby boy which weighed 15 lbs at birth Mar 11,

1919.

The baby has been named Walter in honor the son of Mrs Nancy Fry who attended the mother during

her confinement.

When one month old the baby weighed 20 lbs while the mother only weighted 104.

The parents are doing splendidly and folks around Etowah believe Walter Isaac is the champion baby of

all Arkansas.

Marriage license for Homer Walling and Rosa Farmer both of Etowah on Mar 21, 1919.

Walter Parker of Athelstan was a business vision here may 6 1919 and renewed his subscription to the

Osceola Times.

Mr Parker has been with the American forces in France. He landed at Hoboken on April 4 and arrived at

Camp Pike April 21 and was mustered out Apr 26.

He was in France one day less than 10 months and served with front line men on the Marne in Jul 1918.

He was injured in his right shoulder and then confined to a hospital for 10 weeks.

Mr Parker is the son of Mrs Nancy Fry of Athelstan and will take up his farm work that he left in 1917.

He was a brother Henry E of Oklahoma, who was in the army of occupation in Germany and expects to

be home doing the same. During Mr Parker’s absence his affairs were looked after by his cousin Sam

Frashier and he is pleased with the way he found everything upon his return.

Etowah News Aug 1 1919

Messrs O Hatcher, Otto W Girdley and HJ Meadows, commissioners for Etowah Road District 3 have

sold the bonds for the contract of about 11 of road to SA Sage, a contractor from Marked Tree, AR.

The road is to be built in this district consists of 18 miles and about 7 miles remains to be let.


Contractor Sage will begin work at once and the work will be pushed as fast as possible.

The community are feeling proud of the fact that this is the first of several district recently organized to

begin work on a large road.

Mr and Mrs ES Wildy are happy over the arrival of a handsome baby boy, born Aug 21 1919. The baby

has been named Leroy James in honor of the mother’s brother.

Dr Lunsford was the attending physician and he reports that mother and child are doing well.

Etowah News Nov 7 1919

RA West, one of our substantial citizens living near Etowah will move his family to Osceola in the

summer and make this their future home.

Al knows a good thing when he sees it and says that he wants to be a citizen of Osceola because of our

schools and other conveniences. and he realizes that when our new roads are completed Osceola will

become the metropolis of the NE Arkansas.

The latchstring of the city is always hanging on the outside and we welcome Mr and Mrs West and his

family as citizens. Mr West will continue to look after his farming interest at Etowah. He recently

returned from a trip to Sikeston where he visited his parents. His mother had surgery at a Cairo hospital

and is now improving.

Etowah News April 2 1920

The work of grading the Osceola/Little River road is being pushed rapidly toward complete and the

prospects now are good for the hard surface to be placed during the summer.

This is one of the most important projects under way in the county expanding new territory which will

add much to the prosperity of Osceola.

The completion of this road means practically doubling of Osceola trade territory and the new county is

had the finest farm land in America.

This Little River country is destined to take first rank among farming communities of the nation.

Etowah News Jul 2 1920

Rev. AE Chapman of Blytheville is holding a great revival meeting in his tent which is set on the school

grounds in Etowah.

The attendance is excellent. Over 300 people were in the tent Sunday night and several conversions have

been make.

Good order is being maintained and the public interest in the meeting is at a fever high.

Rev Chapman has struck a popular cord at Etowah and our correspondents say no other minister has

please the people so well.

The meetings are expected to close with the Sunday night service.

Etowah News July 25 1920

Gus Smith was charged with the murder of Ed Jensen, was tried yesterday before Squire Morris and held

for trial to the grand jury without bail.

A large number of citizens of the western part of the county were here as witnesses and observers during

the trial.

The defendant was represented by H E Sullinger while H John Scobey appeared for the state.

Mr Sullinger gave notice that he would make appeals for bail before the county judge to determine

whether the defendant will be allowed bail or held in jail awaiting the next grand jury.


Judge Keck granted bail to the defendant in the sum of $15000 early this morning.

Etowah News July 18 1920

Word received here that Ed Jensen, a prosperous young farmer near Athelstan was shot and killed near

his home Wednesday.

Deputy Sheriff Hart Drew left yesterday morning for the scene and has a warrant for the arrest of Gus

Smith, who is accused of committing the murder.

Etowah News 1943

Three of the Heard brothers are in service in this War. Sam entered the service in 1940, Paul in 1941 and

James in 1943. (All came home; Sam and Paul served in the Navy and James in the Seabees, a branch of

the Navy.)

Etowah News Mar 25, 1945

Chief Petty Officer Samuel Heard and his wife, Aline Shackleford Heard are visiting in the home of his

brother Carl Heard , they will return to VA with Ben Butler Jr where they are in service together.

Fred Smith of Marked Tree was visiting relatives in the community this week.

MEMORIAL 1961

Garden Point Cemetery Association announces receipt of three memorials give in memory of Mrs Etta

Morgan from Mr and Mrs L.C. Shelton, Dan Portis and Frank Bell.

Donations for the upkeep for the cemetery of $10 each were given by H.J. Medows and Bertha Arnold.

ETOWAH NEWS

Tri- City Tribune Later contributions 2002

Auction to Benefit the Garden Point Cemetery Fund

Laden’s Auction Barn in Lepanto will hold a benefit auction at 7 pm on Saturday Sept 28, 2002 for the

C. Anyone who has family or friends buried at Garden Point Cemetery is asked to donate one item to the

auction. For more info……..

Tri- City Tribune 1996

The Garden Point Cemetery Committee will hold a benefit dinner on Friday April 19 1996 from 3- 8:30

pm at Etowah Baptist Church in the fellowship hall.

The dinner will consist of Barbecue, coleslaw, baked beans, potato chips dessert and drink. The plate

will cost $5.00. Proceeds will go toward an entrance sign for the cemetery.


BBQ Dinner

The Garden Point Cemetery is having its 8th annual benefit BBQ Dinner Friday April 25, 2003 from 11

am until 7:30 pm at the Etowah First Station located at 4626 West State Hwy 136 Etowah, AR Eat in or

Carry-out. The Sandwich plates will ………



Etowah holds BBQ Fundraiser

The Garden Point Cemetery Committee is hosting its annual barbeque dinner from 11 am until 7 pm on

Friday June 11, 2002 at the Etowah Police Station. The dinners will be $5.00 and will include a jumbo

BBQ sandwich, slaw, beans, chips and dessert. Deliveries…


Etowah Memorial Day Service

The Garden Point Cemetery in Etowah will host a Memorial Day Service at Garden Point Cemetery on

Monday, May 27. 2002 Services will include will include an Honor Guard conducting a 21 gun salute ad

Taps , wreath laying on the veterans monument by……..

THE LITTLE RIVER ROAD


For the past several weeks we have heard some of the very few arguments offered against the road to

Little River and it has occurred to us to try to answer some of them; we will do it now.

The first and most commonly used argument is we can't afford it. We are constantly spending more

money for frivolous and worthless things than this road will ever cost us. In the proposed road

improvement district, are $25,000 acres of as fine land as can be found anywhere, and the most of it is

drained and ready to be placed in cultivation, the balance will be as soon as the present system of

drainage is complete which will be within the

next two years, at the least. In the town of Osceola is property worth at least one third as much as this

land, or in other words, equal for purposes of taxation to more than 30,000 acres of land. It is figured

that the road will cost around $115,000 fully completed. The plan is to issue 20-year bonds, bearing six

per cent interest, and thereby raise the money with which to build the road. The estimate of cost of

building the road is based upon the figures of competent engineers, who know their business. With

112,000 acres of land for taxation, it is easily seen that the total amount to be raised per acre would be

little more than $1.00 per acre to be paid in installments covering 20 years. Whoever owns land that

cannot afford a tax of 7 cents per acre for a good road, where he has no road at all ought to sell the land,

for it isn't worth the trouble of keeping it. Now 7 cents per acre means $2.80 on 40 acres; last year one

man lost more that $300. on the cotton grown on 40 acres of land near Athelstan, merely because he

could not, on account of bad roads, bring his cotton to market at Osceola. Our cotton buyers and

merchants of course lost something too, because this man no doubt would have sold them to local

dealers here in Osceola, often he had sold his cotton to our cotton

buyer. He would, of course have brought his cottonseed to Osceola, if he could have brought the cotton

and would have sold them to the local dealers, who could have would have paid him more money and at

the same time make a profit for themselves. It is very difficult to enumerate the

various other ways that this transaction would have benefited various other business men of the town,

but we dare say that most any ordinary merchant would have been glad to pay this man's road tax, if he


had been a regular customer, and yet at the same time would never have charged him as much as his

goods are bound to cost him on Little River, under the present road conditions.

One reason we have heard argued is that we are not ready for the road. As a matter of fact, we always

had the cart before the horse, for while all the improvements that we have are very desirable and

necessary, we could much better have waited for them until we get this road and added this vast trade

territory to our town, giving us a larger volume of business from which to pay for them. We have never

heard a single argument in support of that statement and the parties who make it usually stop there as

thought that settled it. It may be that they think that all this valuable land ought to be in a thorough state

of cultivation before we attempt this road. It will be in cultivation much quicker if the road is built, for

that will be an inducement for people to go into what is now a wilderness and make homes, for they can

then be in easy reach of the open county. It may be that some people are not ready for it, the squirrel

hunter who is content to grow a few acres of corn each year, barley enough as we have hear it said "to

coax the squirrel within shooting distance so that he will not have to walk so far after it" is not ready for

anything that means clearing up and putting this land in cultivation. The cattle men, who so long as this

vast country remains a wilderness will not have to feed their cattle but can let them range on other

people land and gather enormous profit with practically no outlay of energy or expense is "agin it" and

don't you forget it. So also are the crane, the tadpole and the bullfrog, but the people of this country who

are willing to see it develop, and to see more people have homes, to Mississippi County and Osceola

develop into what they really ought to be are for it, and they are not going to let anybody forget it either.

The unique protest was made recently by one of our prominent citizens who thought that some poor

fellow might lost his home, He didn't care himself, he could pay his taxes, but some man who was poor

might not be able to pay it. Again we say that the man who can't raise 7 cents per acre to pay on his land

for this road ought to sell the land, for it is of no use to him and the sooner he is rid of it the better his

chances for making a living, for if he is trying to farm that land and thinks he is doing it, he not fooling

anybody but himself.

ETOWAH, A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

The Etowah area was in time past known as Jackson’s Island, named of course, after an early settler

whom no one seems to be able to rightly identify. The word island, was a choice word to aptly used to

describe land almost entirely encircled in a loop fashion by Little River. In 1902, a man by the name of

Frances Jackson opened the first Post Office, and the name Etowah was chosen. Etowah is an Indian

name, and it most appropriate as there was at one time a large population of Indians who lived through

the area. Etowah’s first public graveyard is still referred to as The Indian Mound. The discovery of

Indian artifacts has been common for many farmers thought out the years. The first actual settlers were

loggers, rafters, and crewmen. Many were young men who were “seeking their fortunes.” The were

hired by a large logging company, and when the land was cleared, the company either rented the land for

farming or sold it. Some still recall the name of Chapman Dewey Logging Company. Some old timers

described the area as wild country with rough living, but with great opportunity. The land itself was


particularly fertile and rich with a deep topsoil perfect for farming, made even more so after the system

of levees was built. Before the levees were built, much of the area, alive with mosquitoes was

swampland, and Little River supported a bustling trade with steamboats. Now, Little River is totally

dry in places, according to some, the now illegal DDT helped to save the quality of life and eliminate

many incidences of malaria and yellow fever.

People who now live elsewhere, but who identify with Etowah in some fashion, are constantly trekking

back to visit, to drive through or to look up an old friend. One wonders what is the hold that Etowah

has. It assuredly is the people. Etowah did not just consist of individual families, but people

intermingled as one colossal extended family which was the community. That was and is its beauty.

History still moves forward for Etowah. Sure the gin the old gym, the school house with its wonderful

bell, many stores, the pool halls, liquor story, old show house, blacksmith shop, barber-ships, service

state, plus café are mostly gone; yet exciting things are still happening, and it’s great! Didn’t several

generals of youngster and sometimes oldsters often repeat the following saying in a sing-song manner:

Etowah-ditty,

It ain’t no town,

And it ain’t no city,

Just a little place,

Called Etowah-ditty.

That little sing-song saying is passe` or in for a landmark revision because Etowah is now an

incorporated, bonafide city.

The beginnings were an idea, conversations, and a call to the Municipal League in Little Rock. Then in

late August of 1995, a meeting was held at the old Missco School with several county and state officials

in attendance. It was at that point an idea became a goal, and in September an incorporation committee

was formed. The next several months produced one meeting after another, with state and local officials

as well as lawyers involved with paper work. By late November a petition to incorporate was passed in

the community. At least 75 registered voters had to sign the petition. When the petition drive was

finished, 80% of the voters signed for incorporation.

The first hearing was for December 29, 1995, but there were boundary line problems. So a professional

engineer was hired to plot the Town map and to make sure all boundaries were clearly marked.

The second petition was passed in late January and early February of 1996 with the same margin of

support. So the second hearing date was set for April 9, 1996, by the Mississippi County Judge. At that

meeting, residents were allowed to voice objections, but as no one did, and with about 75 residents

present, the judge allowed the order of incorporation. An election was soon held to select a governing

body for the new town. On August 20, 1996, the Town elected its first Mayor, Treasurer, and Town

Council.

Etowah has gone through several changes. It has a town square, a new city hall, police department, fire

department and certain city services have also been established for the citizens. Many improvements are

evidence, and there is an ever-growing sense of pride in Etowah.

For many years, the Garden Point Cemetery had been cared for by a group of concerned citizens and

volunteers who worked who worked hard and who did a terrific job. With the incorporation of Etowah,

a natural evolvement was that the city as a legal entity assume that responsibility. The cemetery

committee, how determines the management and direction of Garden Point, and the city council

enforces those rules, regulations, etc., set up by the committee through city ordinances.


Much has been accomplished in a short time, which stand as a reflection of the philosophy of the mayor

who has said, “Time is so precious, and every moment wasted is a moment that cannot be recover.”

May the years ahead continue to be productive, and may everyone be proud to say, “ ETOWAH.”

COOKBOOK COMMITTEES

HARD WORKING ETOWAH PEOPLE

ETOWAH COOKBOOK COMMITTEE 1999

Sally McCollum, Gene Wilmoth, Sally McMechen, Bo McCollum


Sally McCollum, Gene Wilmoth, Sally McMechen, Bo McCollum


Sally McCollum, Sally McMechen, Bo McCollum

ETOWAH ACCOMPLISHMENTS Since 1995-2000

From 2nd Etowah Cookbook, and 3rd Etowah Cookbook.

1) 1995 - Received an energy grant for the city.

2) 1995 - Started trash service for all residents of the town. Received a grant Rural Advocacy to construct the Town Triangle

Area, which included the flag poles, monument and benches.

3) 1996 - The Garden Point Cemetery was incorporated into the city business, which allowed the town to apply for grants,

put some restrictions on the cemetery that were not done previously, and allowed the town to receive the town to receive

additional burial property through a donation, which would not have been given other wise.

4) 1996 - A COPS Grant in the amount of $64,800.00 was received so that a full-time police officer could be hired.

5) 1996 - The Etowah Police Department was established.

6) 1996 - A town shop building was constructed.

7) 1996 - A Justice Department Grant Fire Department was established. Keiser donated a truck and some surplus equipment.

The department began with 3 members and now has 19 trained fire fighters. The truck began with 13 members, and how has

19 trained fire fighters. The truck is currently housed in the shop building. Etowah is grateful to the Keiser Fire Department

for its help.

10) 1996 - A grant was received from the Health Department for its help. A grant was received from the Health Department

in the amount of $1300.00 to equip Etowah First Responders.

11) 1996 - Streets were named after Etowah’s pioneer settlers, and signs were erected.

12) 1996 - Etowah citizens inaugurated their first Christmas Parade, and their first City Picnic.

13) 1997 - The City Hall moved from the Etowah Baptist Church to the Old Etowah Pool Hall, which had been purchased

and remodeled by Robert and Shirley Johnson.

14) 1998 - Gravel and culverts were added throughout the town to help with drainage.

15) 1998 - A grant from FEMA was received in the amount of $10,000.000 to purchase Etowah’s first Tornado Siren.

16) 1998 - A grant was received from the Justice Department to purchase a computer for the Police Department.

17) 1999 - American State Bank in Osceola donated to Etowah their old building. Volunteers moved the building, and

volunteers finished it into the fine new City Hall that it is today.


18) 1999 -An effort was begun to collect old photographs and documents about Etowah for historical values.

19) 1999 -A second pumper truck was purchased for the Fire Department.

20) 1999 - A grant in the amount of $500.00 was received from the U.S. Forestry Department to help purchase equipment

for the Fire Department.

21) 1999 - A $75,000.00 grant was received from the U.S. Justice Department for hiring a part-time police officer.

22) 1999 - Garden Point Cemetery issued its 1st Etowah cookbook with proceeds earmarked or cemetery upkeep.

23) 1999 -A grant in the amount of $18,000.00 was received to received to purchase a chipper for the Etowah Street

Department.

24) 1999 - The city received an award from Wal-Mart in the amount of $5,000.00 to help match a new fire department grant.

To win this award, an essay was written about Robert “Bit” Johnson, who has volunteered so any hours of his time and lot of

effort for Etowah, Bit was surprised and pleased to received this Wal-Mart Volunteer Award. Only one other town in

Arkansas received this type of award.

25) 1999 - A Tree Board and Committee was established in order to qualify for Tree City USA Status, which helps the town

receive grants for trees and equipment through the U. S Department of Forestry. 23) 26) 2000 - There is now a grant pending

for trees for the cemetery and the new park.

27) 2000 - Lee Wilson Company donated to the city of Etowah 13 acres of prime land for the establishment of a city park.

28) 2000 - A grant in the amount of $20,000.00 has been received from Arkansas Parks and Tourism for the construction of a

ball field, playground equipment, picnic tables, benches and other improvements for the city park.

29) 2000 - The town went through an ISO rating to establish Etowah’s fir rating for insurance premiums.

Several fire hydrants were installed throughout the town at a cost of $1500.00 each.

30) 2000 - RC&D’s Fire Plan was executed, which qualifies the town for a $1500.00 grant immediately; and with future

prospects of grants, which can be as much as $15,000.00.

31) 2000 - A $60,810.00 Rural Block Grant was received to build a new fire station, a four-stall metal building, which will

include an inside train area.

32) 2000 - Property, valued in the amount of $7,000.00 had been donated to the city by Merle and Malcom Weathers. This

land will be used to build a new fire station.

33) 2000 - A Veterans Memorial was erected by the city at Garden Point Cemetery. A Veterans Day Ceremony has been

established also as a yearly event to assemble together at Garden Point to honor veterans.

34) 2000 -A $5,500.00 grant was received from the Justice Department for the purchase of equipment for the police

department.

35) 2000 - An ISO rating was received, which reduced the town fire rating from 9/10 to 7/9. This new rating will save

Etowah citizens about half on their premiums.

36) 2000 - Streetlights have been installed through out the town and the cemetery.

37) 2000 - Another $500.00 grant was again received from the U. S. Forestry Department to purchased equipment for the

Etowah Fire Department.

38) 2000 - The city received an award from Wal-Mart in the amount of $1,000.00 for economic development. To win this

award, an essay was written about Teresa Weathers Tippy, who has volunteered her time working toward a city park and

working with the youth of our community.

39) 2000 - A grant was received from Enterprises Community for $3,500 for the building of the handicap area at Etowah

City Hall.

40) 2000 - A grant was received from the Department of Energy for energy saving doors and windows at City Hall,

including door openers, for $3,500 for the Fire Department.

41) 2000 - An award was given by the Municipal League to Etowah for being one of 12 cities in Arkansas to receive the

above grant.

42) 2001 - A $15,000 grant was received from Rural Services and $15,000 was given by the Goldsby Trust Fund to build a

pavilion for the city park.

43) 2001 - The U.S. Forestry gave the City of Etowah a grant of $14,000 to purchase a mover and trees for the park and

cemetery, as well as educational materials of tree preservation.

44) 2001 - Etowah received a grant of $23,000 from the USDA for the purchase of a Police Durango Ca and additional

monies were received from Enterprise Community for police equipment for the car.

45) 2002 - A new fire truck was purchased with a $65,000 grant given by Rural Services/CBGD Grants.

46) 2002 - A grant was received from RCD for $7,500 for the purchase of water tanker for the fire department.

47) 2003 - A grant from the Forestry Department of $1,000 was received for fire-fighting equipment.

48) 2004 - The following year a grant from the Forestry Department of $1,000 was again received for fire-fighting

equipment.


49) 2004 - A grant in the amount of $750 was received from Sam’s Club of Jonesboro, Arkansas, for the purchase of a 2-

way radio link City Hall with the Manila School District for emergency purchases such as tornado and earthquake

communication needs. The children of Etowah attend school in the Manila School District, and Etowah is located some

distance from the school.

50) 2004 - The Etowah Fire Department received a $2,750 grant from RCD to purchase mobile radios/fire equipment.

51) 2004 - A grant was received from the Justice Department for the Etowah Police Department to purchase police

equipment.

52) 2004 - A grant was received in the amount of $1.4 million from CBG and USDA with a city loan of $186,000 to extend

over a 40 year period for the new sewer system, which will be complete in August 2005.

53) 2004 - A grant from Soil and Water Conservation in the amount of $10,000 was received to replace fire hydrants on

Brackett Road and to remove and replace the water line sizes from 4 inches to 6 inches.

54) 2004 - Received $8,000 from the U.S. Forestry to plant trees and plants in the city, park, cemetery and triangle.

55) 2004 - Received a grant from Rural Services for $7,500 for a basketball court for the park.

56) 2004 - Received a grant of $47,500 from FEMA to purchase fire department equipment.

57) 2004 - Received a grant of $34,000 to put down asphalt for a walking track in the park.

58) 2004 - Placed six concrete benches in the cemetery for people to sit and rest.

59) 2005 - Etowah was one of 13 cities in Arkansas to receive a 5-year award for being Tree City USA from US Department

of Forestry, Arkansas Forestry Commission and Arbor Day Foundation.

60) 2005 - The Arkansas Forest Commission award Etowah with $3,025 to be used for equipment and maintenance of trees.

61) 2005 - Mayor Bo McCollum was given the Chairman’s Award at his place of work, American Greetings. As a part of

the award, he was given $1,000 to give to the charity of his choice. Bo chose to split the money between the Etowah First

Department and the Etowah Police Department so that each received $500.

62) 2005 - Mr and Mrs R.H. Jr (Bob and Gene) donated approximately five acres of land that adjoins the Garden Point

Cemetery. This increases the size of the cemetery’s upkeep and maintenance for time to come, as burial plots will be sold.

63) 2006 - Garden Point Cemetery nominated by the Arkansas Historical Committee for National Historical Recognition.

EARLY ETOWAH POSTMASTERS

A List of the Postmaster’s in Etowah

The United States Official Register, published in odd-number years and listing all postal employees by

name through 1911, indicate that, in 1903, the postmaster of Etowah received compensation of $38.95,

in 1905 the compensation was $71.48; in 1907 $71.00; in 1901, $74.00; and 1911, it was $120. From

Megaera Ausman, Historian, Untied States Postal Service) More info available from National Archives.

Francis M Jackson 02/20/1902 Postmaster

George Girdley 05/24/1904 Postmaster

James A Scudamore 09/24/1906 Postmaster

Francis M Jackson 10/09/1907 Postmaster

Samuel W Luster 04/15/1906 Postmaster

Minnie E Faulkner 08/21/1917 Postmaster

Myrtle N Williams 05/13/1919 Postmaster

Samuel W Luster 09/16/1922 Acting Postmaster


Samuel W Luster 10/17/1922 Postmaster

Mrs Jennie Sharp 06/27/1936 Acting Postmaster

Mrs Jennie Sharp 10/30/1936 Postmaster

Henry R Paul Jr 07/28/1961 Acting Postmaster

Mrs Velma Cagle 06/23/1972 Officer-in-Charge

Mrs Velma Cagle 02/02/1974 Postmaster

Linda Kirk 05/04/1985 Officer-in-Charge

DeAnna Phillips 12/21/1985 Postmaster

Linda Kirk 05/04/1990 Officer-in-Charge

Pamela D Poag 09/08/1990 Postmaster

ONE OF OUR POSTMASTER’S

This article about Mrs Jennie Sharp came from

Stories of Old, written by Sandra Brand Everyone know everyone else in small communities and according to Jennie Sharp, this is even more

true in the town of Etowah.

The life-long Etowah resident laughed when she said, “You can’t talk about anyone around here because

it will probably be their kin fold that you’re talking to.”

Sharp was born in 1905 about a half mile from where she lives now. “I was born in a wooden shack

down on Ole River, “she explained, My father was farmer at that time. He had 83 acres of land.”

One of seven children, Sharp attended school at Etowah School District #36. “We only had one room

until I was either years old and then the school burned,” she noted. “When they built the new school

they put in two rooms.”

Although she never finished high school, Sharp attended two years in Missouri, her last year being at

Hornersville. “I decided to get married so I quit school.”

However, it was not until she was 20 years old that Sharp finally agreed to marry her first husband,

Cliff. “I taught school for a little while first, but I had to give it up.”

Explaining the abandonment of her teaching career, Sharp finally agreed to marry her first husband,

Cliff. “I taught school for a little while first, but I had to give it up.

Explaining the abandonment of her teaching career, Sharp said that she went to Blytheville twice to take

the teacher examination to become a certified instructor. “But every time I would hear the word

‘examination’ I would forget everything I had ever known.”

It was 1925 on Christmas Day when the “Lady of Etowah” finally did marry. In the next eight years she

had four children. Then in 1935 when her baby was 15 months old, her husband died.

“We lived here at Etowah when we got married, but we later moved up the road to three-way,” Sharp

said. “In 1929, my husband worked for the Sheriff’s Department patrolling the Osceola area and then in

1930 he began patrolling the Blytheville area.”

In 1931, he bought some land off Highway 140 and began farming, “she continued. “ He sold that land

five weeks before he died in 1935.

After the death of her husband, Sharp moved her four children back to Etowah from Three-way. “We


moved here and built a house which burned in 1970. After our house burned we bought this old house

and had it redone.”

“After Cliff died I did know what I was going to do,” Sharp said. “I couldn’t make a living picking and

chopping cotton. That cotton just wouldn’t stay in my sack.”

“One day I was talking to the sister of the postmaster,” she explained. “I said wouldn’t it be nice if

Uncle Sam retired and I could have his job.” She said “that is never going to happen.”

“Well, six months later I got a big envelope in the mail with a lot of papers in it. I didn’t know what

they were. I went to talk to Uncle Sam. It was then when he told me the post office had turned civil

service and he said he couldn’t pass the exam necessary to be postmaster.

“In June I got my certification,” she added. “When I took the exam, just like all the others, I forgot

everything. I only made a 65 on the test and you had to have 70 to pass. Lucky for me , they allowed

me five points for being the widow of a World War veteran.”

So in 1936, Sharp went to work as postmaster of the Etowah Post Office. She held that position until

she turned 67 and then she decided to retire. I stayed there for 36 years and believe me I couldn’t have

taken another day,” she laughed.

Sharp shared,” Watching the clock sure did bother me. I did work real hard trying to make them a good

postmaster.” Talking a little about her hometown, Sharp noted that there was only about six acres of

land cleared at Etowah when she was little girl. “My grandfather owned four 40 acres at the back of

town. He had a saw mill, cotton gin, and grist mill along the river.”

“You can’t even tell that there is a river there now, but when I was a little girl steamboats used to anchor

here,” she continued. “I remember I tried to get my dad to take me to the steamboat store and buy some

candy.”

“When I was six years old we went to Marked Tree to go Hot Springs on a boat, Sharp continues. “That

was the year of the Titanic and the year that we had a big flood here.”

“When we came back home everything was flooded and we had no where to go. We moved into the

woods where there were only a few stumps around., she laughed.

However, most of Jennie’s childhood was spent in a old store house with the big double front doors

located across the road from where she lived now. “I remember once when a man killed another man in

the store across the road. I covered my head with a pillow. I was afraid that he was going to kill me.”

Sharp went on to say that the early settlers of Etowah only went to church when “a man on big black

horse” came along. “We didn’t have a regular preacher.”

Being dissatisfied with this arrangements, Sharp’s mother sent off for a book titled “Aunt Charlotte’s

Sunday School.” Every Sunday morning all of us kids would gather around mom and she would hold

Sunday School.

Another fond memory Sharp has is her Aunt Jennie, who was a midget working for the circus in the

early 1900s. Although Jennie died when Sharp was nine years old, the “Lady of Etowah” said her aunt

was one of the colorful people she has ever met.

“Aunt Jennie had a singing parrot and once the bird mocked mom calling the cow,” Sharp remembered

with the smile, “We laughed so hard.”

“Aunt Jennie also walked out on the circus once while touring in Australia. “When she wasn’t on show,

she would read her Bible,” she explained. “Once the owner told her to stop and she said if they didn’t

want her Bible, they didn’t want her either.”

While she was still a young girl, Sharp believed that she would lose her mother to cancer. “We were in

Hot Springs where she was old she had cancer and would probably to live much longer. Her mother had

died when she was only six-months old and she was shifted from place to place. I was scared this would


happen to me. However, mom didn’t die until I was 54.

“ I remember when I was a little girl, Papa and us girls would try to pick and chop cotton,” she

continued reminiscing. We would also gather the hay and put it in the barN.”

Sharp went on to say that she will never forget when electricity and the automobile came to Etowah.

“We were living in three-Way (a small community) when the first lights came on.”

Otto Girdley owned the first car in Etowah. “He was a farmer, but he also ran the grocery store.”

It was in 1902 when the first post office came to the city of Etowah. “My great grandfather Marion

Jackson, an old Spanish American War veteran, was the first postmaster.”

Sharp went on to explain the old post office burned on March 4, 1944. “The first occurred at 4 a.m.,”

she remembered. “We carried everything that we could out of the first and put it on the porch of

Wilmoth’s Grocery Store until we could carry it here.”

“The war was on at that time and they just threw the new post office up, another post office was erected

a few years later.”

Today, Sharp’s grandson runs a grocery store in the old post office. “When I go in there I tell him it’s

just like going back to work.”

Things have really changed, according to the lady who has spent many years in the same hometown. “I

now have 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.”

REMEMBERED FROM

MEMORIAL DAYS

by Revis Blaylock June 5, 2007

The true meaning of Memorial Day was apparent at the 2007 ceremony held at Garden

Point Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday May 28. Residents and former residents of the area

gathered to give tribute to family members and friends who died serving their country,

honor all the veterans buried at Garden Point, remember their loved ones, and the

unveiling of a monument placed in memory of Joseph Allen Sisco, hometown World War

II hero.

Preprogram music was provided by Brother Huey and Mrs Meherg prior to the raising of

the flay by Major John Northcutt and the Rivercrest ROTC. Etowah Mayor Charles “Bo”

McCollum, welcomed everyone.

“We have a lot to be thankful for,” McCollum said. “We will have a special dedication to

a hometown boy who lost his life in World War II. His sister, Clara Lee Hill, came to us a

while back about placing a monument in honor of her brother.”

McCollum expressed his appreciation to the family for the beautiful monument. He also

recognized the work of Shirley Mathey, Garden Point historian, and the cemetery board

for the work they do. He also thanked Bob Wilmoth and his family for the generous


donation of additional land for the cemetery. An open book monument was placed in the

cemetery in honor of the Wilmoth Addition.

Brother Meherg offered the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance as led by Kendal

Stovall, veteran, U.S. Army, Iraq.

The National Anthem was led by David Hall, Veteran of the U.S. Navy and Etowah

Baptist church song leader.

Bob Wilmoth, veteran of U.S. Army, WWII and Robert Johnson, veteran of the U.S.

Army, Vietnam, presented the laying of the wreath in Remembrance of Veterans.

The Memorial Day Message was presented by Ron Langston, veteran of the U.S. Air

Force, Lake City First Baptist Church pastor, and former Etowah resident. Langston said

it was good to be back home. “I grew up in Three Way and my dad was H. O. Langston, “

he said. “Today, we are here to honor the men and women who served and the liberty and

freedom of our nation. I was privileged to travel to other countries while serving in the

Air Force and as a missionary. I have lived in other countries under dictatorship. I believe

God has blessed America.”

Langston recalled some of his childhood memories from growing up in the area.

The Etowah Police Department and volunteer officers presented a 21 gun salute.

Court Mathey and Greg Smith, Etowah Baptist pastor, presented some special music.

Mrs Clara Lee Hill of Michigan, spoke briefly about the monument placed in honor of

her brother. “How good it is to be home,” Mrs Hill said. “If Joe were here, he would say

the monument (an eight foot granite bench) is practical, and I think he would say it feels

so good to be home. We were raised on a farm and he was practical.”

Mrs. Hill and her son Dr. Samuel Hill, Jr, laid a special wreath with a picture of Joe at the

monument placed I his honor. Brownie and Daisy Sisco and their children: Earl, Joe,

Clara Lee, Sarah Sue, Joe, Anna, and Mary Lou lived in Etowah from 1920 until the

1952. They were farmers. Brownie Sisco, a WWI veteran, named his two sons for his

buddies, Earl and Joe, who helped him survive mustard gas in the trenches of the Aragon

Forest in France. The family moved away but always treasured their Etowah roots. Their

sons, Earl and Joe Sisco marched away to help with the WWII effort. Earl Sisco

volunteered for the Navy and his brother Joe the Air Corp. They survived the war.

Joe went back into the Air Force and died, along with 16 others, in a fiery B29 crash in

North Dakota on Aug 20, 1948.

“Joe loved football and airplanes,” his sister said. He graduated Keiser High School

where he played football and was a member of the marching band. The monument

honoring a Hometown Hero, is inscribed

“In loving memory Joseph Allen Sisco, Technical Sergeant AF #14121721. Nov. 11, 1922

- Aug. 20, 1948,” He flew 35 missions in Europe during WWII with the 8th Air Force.

He was awarded The Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Oak Leaf Cluster,

Medal of Valor, Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars with ribbons and medals from European,


African, Middle Eastern campaigns are among the many decorations Sgt. Sisco received

for his service.

Mrs Hill said her brother had been shot down twice during the war. “He told me once he

thought about Etowah, his family and his home,” she said. “He had to bail out of a plane

over the south of France in 1944. He said he knew he had to pull the cord but surprisingly

he said he was not afraid.” She said a couple rescued him, tended his wounds and kept his

hidden for 28 days. “The last thing he said to me was ‘I’ll see you when the watermelons

are ripe.’ We brought his home on Aug 29, 1948, and the watermelons were ripe but they

were not sweet.”

An added honor to the Garden Point Cemetery was the display of the special plaque

declaring Garden Point on the National Historic Cemetery Register. “It took a long time

and a lot of work but we are happy to have Garden Point placed on the National

Historical Register,” Mayor McCollum said. “Shirley Mathey and others helped make the

designations possible.”

Shirley Mathey still calls the Etowah area home. She has served as historian for Garden

Point Cemetery since 1995. She started working on the project and said it became her

passion. She and members of the cemetery board are making every effort to have every

person buried at Garden Point in the data base. She started adding obituaries and now has

over 1100 obituaries.

“We thought we had 89 veterans buried at Garden Point, but now through research have

discovered we have 149 veterans buried here, “ she said. “We are still looking for

obituaries and family members who can help us record the gravesites we do not have on

record. To contact Mathey with any information e-mail her at:

[email protected]/

HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI COUNTY

By Mabel Edrington copyright 1960

Once in a swap area in west Mississippi County was situated this small hamlet, but the

Pioneer spirit of courageous men who, to begin the redemption of this productive land

knew the hard work of driving log teams of four and six oxen to heavy wagons with

boxed wheels to slide through the deep mud road in the 1890’s when the acres were

covered with a fortune in virgin timber which hardy souls slowly but surely marketed and

began cleaning up the cutover acres getting into shape to become some the finest

agricultural land in the State of Arkansas.

These families who now operate some of these farms are the E.S. Wildys and sons, Earl,


Charles, Wilbur and (Leroy deceased). They came from the fine farming section of

Belleville, Ill, and I must put this little story in was told me by Vance Cartwright of the

Cartwright Hardware Co. years ago. Vance had gotten some base burner coal stoves in,

and Mr E. S. Wildy came in and Vance said “Mr Wildy let me sell you one of our new

Base burner stoves.” Mr Wildy was hesitant but Vance kept up his sales talk and finally

Mr. Wildy said “Well I just can’t use it, because we have furnace heat in our home.” An

example of German thrift and family comfort in those early days.

Another family of note at Etowah is Robert H Wilmoth who came here in 1897 and state

driving an ox team in the logging business. Here at Etowah he acquired 488 acres where

he has lived for half a century.

In 1912 he opened a Commissary where he served Loggers and today that small

beginning has turned into a modern brick building with modern merchandise to supply

the surrounding farmer., he also operates a Gin here.

He married Miss Myrtle Harrison and they have nine children to carry on in the same

manner of useful patriotism as their parents.

THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1927

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

The great flood of 1927 was the most costly flood in Arkansas history and one of the

worst in the history of the nation. It afflicted Arkansas with a greater amount of

devastation, both human and monetary, than the other affected states in the Mississippi

River Valley. It had social and political ramifications which changed the way Arkansas, as

well as the nation, viewed relief from natural disasters and the responsibility of

government in aiding the victims, echoing the Hurricane Katrina disaster in the present

day.

In largely agrarian Arkansas, the Flood of 1927 covered about 6,600 square miles, with

thirty-six out of seventy-five Arkansas counties under water up to thirty feet deep in

places. In Arkansas, more people were affected by the floodwaters (over 350,000), more

farmland inundated (over two million acres), more Red Cross camps were needed (eighty

of the 154 total), and more families received relief than any other state (41,243). In

Arkansas, almost 100 people died, more than any state except Mississippi. In monetary

terms, the losses in Arkansas (totaling over $1 million in 1927 dollars for relief and

recovery) surpassed any other affected state.

The Flood of 1927 had its origins both in nature and in man. In the late 1920s,

technological advances kept pace with the growing economy. Heavy machinery enabled


the construction of a vast system of levees to hold back rivers that tended to overrun their

banks. Drainage projects opened up new, low-lying lands that had once been forests but

had been left bare by the timber industry.

Feeling protected from flooding by the levees, farmers borrowed money with easy credit

from banks booming with the record levels of the stock market. They expanded their

fields to low-lying areas on their own property or moved to new lands that were fertile

from centuries of seasonal flooding. They felt safe behind the levees and secure in selling

their crops to new markets, now accessible by railroad, truck, automobiles, and even

international shipping. The “buy now, pay later” mindset of the 1920s encouraged people,

including farmers of modest means, to purchase washing machines and other labor-

saving devices on installment plans. Even nature seemed to be cooperating, as the

summer of 1926 brought rain instead of drought.

The spring of 1927, however, saw warm weather and early snow melts in Canada,

causing the upper Mississippi to swell. Rain fell in the upper Midwest, sending its full

rivers gushing into the already swollen Mississippi. Its destination, the Gulf of Mexico,

acted as a stopper when it too became full. Then, in the South, it began to rain.

April 1927 saw record rainfall in Arkansas, with more than seven inches falling on Little

Rock (Pulaski County) in just a few hours. There was no place for it to go because the

ground was saturated. Lakes, rivers, and streambeds were full. The swollen Mississippi

River backed up into the Arkansas, White, and St. Francis rivers. The White River even

ran backward at one point as torrents rushed into it from the Mississippi.

Levees could not hold, with every one between Fort Smith (Sebastian County) and Little

Rock failing under the enormous surge of water. The September 1927 National

Geographic said that the streets of Arkansas City (Desha County) were dry and dusty at

noon, but by 2:00 p.m., “mules were drowning on Main Street faster than people could

unhitch them from wagons.” Water poured in and had nowhere to go. Homes and stores

stood for months in six to thirty feet of murky water. Dead animals floated everywhere.

Rich Arkansas farmland was covered with sand, coated in mud, or simply washed away,

still bearing shoots from spring planting. Mississippi River was sixty miles wide. Almost

twice as much farmland was flooded in from all around Arkansas—cold, sick, and

hungry. Some found shelter in public buildings or other makeshift locations. Nearly all

found themselves without food, water, or dry clothing. The segregated tent cities on high

ground could barely hold them all. Disease ran rampant in the overcrowded camps.

Conditions then worsened.

With the floodwater having nowhere to go, much of Arkansas remained under water

through the spring and summer and into September of 1927. Farmers could not plant

crops. The carcasses of thousands of dead animals lay rotting in stagnant pools.

Mosquitoes found perfect conditions to breed that summer, carrying malaria and typhoid

to refugee camps already burdened with dysentery and the threat of smallpox. Emergency

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workers at the camps were also shocked at the extent of pellagra, a vitamin deficiency

disease brought on by lack of protein.

The death toll from all states devastated by the flood was placed by the Red Cross at 246.

(Pete Daniel in Deep’n as it Comes places the number at 443.) But the number of people

left without food, water, clothing, or work numbered almost 750,000.

There were racial and socio-economic ramifications in Arkansas as elsewhere. Out-of-

state emergency workers clashed with local health officials and large planters over the

extent and types of aid and to whom such aid should go. In some places, the Red Cross

distributed aid directly to the victims. But in others, so as not to challenge the plantation

system, relief supplies were given to the large planters, who were then in charge of

distributing them to their sharecroppers.

Planters feared that their sharecroppers, both black and white and most deeply in debt,

might not return home from the Red Cross camps, leaving them without enough labor to

put crops in the fields when the land dried out. This led to a controversial mandate in

which sharecroppers, particularly black sharecroppers, were admitted to and released

from the camps only under the supervision of their planters. African Americans needed a

pass to enter or leave the Red Cross camps. Some were forced at gunpoint by law

enforcement officials to survive on the levees indefinitely in makeshift tents as water rose

around them while would-be rescue boats left empty. They were forced by the National

Guard with fixed bayonets to work on the levees, in addition to other flood relief efforts.

The Red Cross maintained refugee camps for flood victims through September 15, when

many people, black and white, were finally able to return to their devastated land to try to

survive the winter and start over with virtually nothing.

The Flood of 1927 took place when the rest of the country was enjoying the peak of

Roaring Twenties prosperity. In Washington DC, the federal response under President

Calvin Coolidge to the misery in the flooded South was simple: not one dollar of federal

money went in direct aid to the flood victims.

The Flood of 1927 brought Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover into the spotlight as

Coolidge’s appointee to chair local and voluntary relief operations, laying the

groundwork for his successful presidential campaign the following year. (In 1928,

Hoover defeated Democratic presidential candidate Al Smith of New York and his

running mate, Joe T. Robinson of Arkansas.) Hoover called the flood “America’s greatest

peacetime disaster” and said that “the disaster felt by Arkansas farmers, planters and

residents of river lowlands was of epic proportions.”

Amidst the suffering, Hoover saw the opportunity for land reform to change the

plantation system which had been in place since Reconstruction. With some large planters

bankrupted by the flood, leaving huge tracts of land without effective ownership, Hoover

proposed the idea of dividing the land into smaller holdings and building true land

ownership for both black and white tenants and sharecroppers. Requesting








confidentiality, Hoover issued a memorandum describing the proposal to a few

individuals, such as Harvey Couch, flood relief director in Arkansas. Hoover suggested

putting aside $1–2 million from flood relief funds. This money would be specifically

used for resettlement on twenty-acre farms through a resettlement corporation with

directors, including “colored representation.” Nothing came of the plan. When he was

elected president, Hoover established private resettlement corporations, all of which were

failures.

Through the modern communications of the day, such as radio, the Flood of 1927 drew

national attention to the plight of sharecroppers, black and white. It spurred a mass

migration of black sharecroppers who had tired of farming, poverty, and debt. Thousands

left the plantation as soon as they could, heading north to look for jobs in cities such as

Detroit and Chicago. Mechanization and corporate farming replaced their labor. For

white sharecroppers and independent small farmers, many family farms in Arkansas, as

elsewhere, would come under corporate ownership.

In 1927, the Mississippi River remained at flood stage for a record 153 days. When

Arkansans could return to their homes, often in August or September, they began to

rebuild. The town of Arkansas City, near McGehee (Desha County), lay beneath the

muddy water of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers from April through August 1927. The

Red Cross cared for the entire population of 1,500 people while the town was completely

rebuilt.

Arkansas bridges and roads also required extensive rebuilding, and the decision to rebuild

the shattered levees led to disagreement among various parties, including the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers, who were accused of using outdated manuals.

The Flood of 1927 brought about a political shift, especially among African Americans.

Those who had traditionally favored the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, since the

Civil War resented the Republican response, or lack of response, and shifted their

allegiance to the Democratic Party.

The 1927 flood also led to a change in attitudes regarding the government’s role in

helping its citizens in time of crisis. Prior to this time, people generally feared “the dole”

and preferred work to “charity.” However, the enormity of the catastrophe led many to

support the type of New Deal programs proposed by Franklin Roosevelt’s Democratic

administration in 1932. People now looked to Washington for help, for the misery was

not over.

In 1930, just three years later, when many were still recovering, the same rich land that

was submerged by floodwater in 1927 turned to dust and blew away in drought. The Red

Cross returned and did not conclude its assistance to the Delta until March 15, 1931.

Hurricane Katrina in 2005 has often been compared to the Flood of 1927, which is the

tragic benchmark for such natural disasters. In the 1920s, a time when the entire federal

budget was around $3 billion, the Flood of 1927 ultimately cost an estimated $1 billion,









including damage and indirect costs such as relief, recovery, and lost productivity.

Additionally, the 1927 flood had a social and political effect on Arkansas as elsewhere in

the affected region, and it remains to be seen if the aftermath of Katrina will have a

similar impact. As in most disasters, the 1927 flood saw the best and the worst of

humanity. Of the 1927 flood, author John M. Barry says in Rising Tide: “Their

struggle…began as one of man against nature. It became one of man against man. Honor

and money collided. White and black collided. Regional and national power structures

collided. The collisions shook America.”

Land Drainage

Reclaiming the swamp and overflow lands in the Mississippi River Delta required

draining those lands and building levees to stop the inevitable floods that periodically

occurred. Without drainage, the land was useless for farming. Early residents realized that

once the land was cleared of the timber and drained, the rich alluvial soil would be

productive for a variety of crops, especially cotton. Initially, early settlers had attempted

to build makeshift barriers to halt the powerful flood waters, but these attempts were

ultimately useless. Although the line of levees along the Mississippi River expanded

during the nineteenth century, the water always found a weak spot and inundated the

region.

In 1879, Congress created the Mississippi River Commission to establish a unified flood

control plan. In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the commission’s

goal was to build higher levees based on previous flood heights and improve their quality.

Between 1905 and 1915, the Arkansas General Assembly passed laws to create a program

of flood control in Arkansas’s Mississippi River Valley.

Organization of drainage districts required landowners to petition the county courts to

place a lien on the lands through a court order. The court order insured that improvement

taxes would be paid. Money collected from the taxes paid the principle; it and interest on

bonds issued by the drainage district, along with proceeds from the bond sales, were used

to build the levees and drainage canals. The drainage districts also had the power to hire

deputies to patrol levees to keep sabotage and vandalism at a minimum. Often, the

drainage districts received matching funds from the federal government.

Arkansas’s levee/drainage districts were:

· Chicot District—Chicot County (1881)

· Clay and Greene District—Clay and Greene counties (1887)

· Laconia District—Desha and Phillips counties (1891)

· Red Fork District—Desha County (1891)

· Linwood and Auburn District—Lincoln County (1893)

· St. Francis District—Crittenden, Mississippi, Cross, Phillips, Lee, St. Francis, and

Poinsett counties (1893)










· Plum Bayou District —Lonoke, Jefferson, and Pulaski counties (1899)

· District Number 1 of Faulkner County—Faulkner County (1905)

· French Town District—Jefferson County (1905)

· Long Prairie District—Lafayette County (1905)

· Red River District Number 1—Lafayette County (1905)

· Tucker Lake District—Jefferson County (1905)

Many of these early drainage districts found it both physically and politically difficult to

construct adequate levees to halt the overflow of the Mississippi River. Some people

believed that building levees interfered with the natural development of the land; hunters,

in particular, resented being told to vacate land they had hunted and fished for years and

feared that drainage canals would destroy the habitat for animals and fish. Those who

lived or ran stock on the islands in the Mississippi River feared that levees would raise

the level of the river and flood them out. There were attempts in some areas to cut the

levees and sabotage the plans of the drainage districts.

However, the majority of the people of the state benefited from the levee-building efforts

of the twelve districts. For example, prior to adequate levees in Mississippi County,

approximately five percent of the rich alluvial land was in cultivation and another five

percent capable of cultivation. About ninety percent of the county “was regarded as a

hopeless permanent mosquito and malaria infested swamp.” After the lands were drained,

that swampland was turned into tillable soil, and instances of malaria dropped

dramatically; doctors treated in the span of a year what they had previously treated in a

week.

It took many years for the levee systems and drainage canals to be successful in keeping

the water out. Opposition by many large landowners and the Northern-owned lumber

companies, who were averse to paying drainage taxes, hindered levee building for a time.

In addition, many of the early levees were poorly constructed and were susceptible to

collapse when pounded by violent floods. However, through perseverance and sheer luck,

in many cases, the drainage districts became successful and enabled Arkansas to become

one of the most productive farming states in the nation.

THE LEVEES BROKE

During the Flood of 1927, the levees failed, and the whole system had to be revamped.

Herbert Hoover, then the secretary of commerce, acknowledged that part of the

devastation from the flood was due to the “tinkering” of humans: despite unusually heavy

rains, it was the levee system itself that resulted in the flood waters being poured into the

Mississippi River Valley all at one time, as the tributaries had no room to expand due to

the levees.










In the modern era, there has been a great deal of rethinking on the issue of levees and

drainage districts. The fertility of the soil surrounding the Mississippi River and its

tributaries has, for millennia, depended upon cyclical flooding of rivers. Levees have

effectively prevented that flooding for the sake of stability. Modern land draining and

clearing equipment, along with intensive farming practices, are slowly exploiting the

Delta, one of the richest agricultural regions in the United States, to the point of

degradation.

For additional information:

1927 Flood Exhibit. Delta Cultural Center, Helena, Arkansas.

Barry, John M. Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed

America. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1997.

Bearden, Russell E. “Arkansas’ Worst Disaster: The Great Mississippi River Flood of

1927.” Arkansas Review: A Journal of Delta Studies 34 (August 2003): 79–97.

———.“The Great Flood of 1927: A Portfolio of Photography.” Arkansas Historical

Quarterly 61 (Winter 2002): 388–404.

Daniel, Pete. Deep’n as It Come: The 1927 Mississippi River Flood. Fayetteville:

University of Arkansas Press, 1996.

Fatal Flood. American Experience. DVD, VHS. PBS Home Video, 2005.

Hobson, Edythe Simpson. “Twenty-seven Days on the Levee—1927.” Arkansas

Historical Quarterly 39 (Autumn 1980): 210–229.

Lohof, Bruce A., ed. “Herbert Hoover’s Mississippi Valley Land Reform Memorandum.”

Arkansas As in most disasters, the 1927 flood saw the best and the worst of humanity. Of

the 1927 flood, author John M. Barry says in Rising Tide: “Their struggle…began as one

of man against nature. It became one of man against man. Honor and money collided.

White and black collided. Regional and national power structures collided. The collisions

shook America.”

For additional information:

1927 Flood Exhibit. Delta Cultural Center, Helena, Arkansas.

Barry, John M. Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed

America. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1997.

Bearden, Russell E. “Arkansas’ Worst Disaster: The Great Mississippi River Flood of

1927.” Arkansas Review: A Journal of Delta Studies 34 (August 2003): 79–97.

———.“The Great Flood of 1927: A Portfolio of Photography.” Arkansas Historical

Quarterly 61 (Winter 2002): 388–404.

Daniel, Pete. Deep’n as It Come: The 1927 Mississippi River Flood. Fayetteville:

University of Arkansas Press, 1996.

Fatal Flood. American Experience. DVD, VHS. PBS Home Video, 2005.

Hobson, Edythe Simpson. “Twenty-seven Days on the Levee—1927.” Arkansas

Historical Quarterly 39 (Autumn 1980): 210–229.


Lohof, Bruce A., ed. “Herbert Hoover’s Mississippi Valley Land Reform Memorandum.”

Arkansas Historical Quarterly 29 (Summer 1970): 112–118.

Mizelle Jr., Richard McKinley. “Backwater Blues:The 1927 Flood Disaster, Race, and the

Remaking of Regional Identity,1900–1930.” PhD diss., Rutgers University, 2006.

Simpson, Ethel C. “Letters from the Flood.” Arkansas Historical Quarterly 55 (Autumn

1996): 251–285.

Woodruff, Nan. “The Failure of Relief during the Arkansas Drought of 1930–31.”

Arkansas Historical Quarterly 39 (Winter 1980): 301–313.

Nancy Hendricks Arkansas State University

POINSETT COUNTY

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

1988 will be the sesquicentennial anniversary for Poinsett County which is a unique

county. It took two works of political sculpture and a later re-survey to establish the 721

square mile boundaries of the 39th of the Arkansas 75 counties. Poinsett County was

fashioned from a portion of Greene County which, in turn had been carved out of

Lawrence County. The thrice carved county qualified as a unique for winding up with a

dividing line down the middle of Crowley’s Ridge and a wide array of resources. It

underwent a turbulent history, beset by sundry calamities but was kept afloat by a care of

people with the will, spirit and capabilities to cope with whatever befell. Poinsett County

was approved by the Legislature on February 28, 1838, some 19 months after Arkansas

became a state. The County was named for Joel R Poinsett of South Carolina who was

Secretary of War in President Martin Van Buren’s cabinet.

The first known permanent settler in Poinsett County was Charles Shaver who made his

home in Bay Village in 1826. The first Poinsett County courthouse was established in

Bolivar, near Harrisburg, in the home of William Harris, a pioneer settler. It remained in

the Harris house for more than 18 years. Harrisburg became the official county seat in

1856. A log courthouse was built on land donated by Benjamin Harris. The log

courthouse was replaced by an $8,800 brick courthouse a year or so later the brick

courthouse burned in 1872 destroying all county records in the blaze. During the three

years requited to build a new courthouse -1872-1875- a Methodist church and a boarding

house in Harrisburg served as a courthouse. The burned out brick courthouse was rebuilt

in 1875. Prisoners were lodged in a cage in the courthouse until 1886 when a county jail

was built. The courthouse burned again in 1917. The present-day courthouse was

completed in 1918. Court records in 1917 fire were saved because they were housed in a


vault.

Communities in the western portion of Poinsett County tended to be developed earlier

than those in the “sunken lands” of the St. Francis. Marked Tree, fpr example was

established in the early 1880’s but didn’t become an incorporated city until 1897.

Two of the key factors in transforming Marked Tree from a worthless, swampy, flood-

plagued, malaria-ridden wilderness were the extending of the Kansas City, Fort Scott and

Gulf railroad through the community in 1883 and the beginning of construction of a levee

system to control flooding. The levees opened the area for farming and timbering. The

construction of a sawmill in Marked Tree by Oliver Davis in the late 1880’s was another

stepping stone to development of the community. Other mills followed, thriving on the

vast amount of hardwood growing east of Crowley’s Ridge.

The coming of the railroad was also a great boost to Tyronza and Lepanto. Tyronza had a

depot, post office, two general stores and a stave mill in those days. Lepanto became a

settlement in 1901 was incorporated in 1909. Charles Greenwood, owner of a logging

company, donated the land for Lepanto in 1901 and provided for surveying the streets of

the town.

Trumann was settled in 1894 and was called Mosher after a man who owned a lumber

company located there. In 1902, Mosher moved elsewhere and the settlement was called

Weona. Then in 1904, the settlement was named Trumann. It was incorporated in 1917.

Harrisburg was situated on the Helena branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and

Southern Railroad which reached the area in 1882. Weiner was a station on the St Louis,

Arkansas and Texas Railroad and contained a depot, post office , general store and

hardwood factory. Fisher was a station on the same railroad.

In 1888, land prices were $5.00 to $15.00 per acre for improved land and $3.00 to $5.00

for unimproved lands.

The first two churches organized in Poinsett Count were the Methodist Episcopal Church

South in 1837 at Sugar Creek (Bay Village) and a Missionary Baptist Church at Bolivar

in 1840.

Three companies of soldiers were a raised from Poinsett County for the Southern

Confederacy during the Civil War from 1861 -1865. One company lost l80 percent of its

enlistment.


In the early years of its history, Poinsett County was propelled by the current of

spontaneous development. The challenge of those who seek a greater development in

future years will be to seek out specific ways and means to bring it about.

HISTORY OF MARKED TREE FROM 1885

1930 by Mrs. Anna Hirschman Ritter

The City of Marked Tree has seen high times, tough times, turbulent times and

many changes since Earnest Ritter arrived here in 1886.

The following is the first hand history of Marked Tree written in the 1930’s by his

widow, Mrs. Anna Hirschman Ritter.

To begin, we have the only Poinsett County in the world and also the only Marked Tree

in the world. Poinsett County was formed February 28, 2838 and its county line

reformed in 1859. Its land area is 721 square miles average elevation 284 feet;

topography - ridge, valley and prairie.

The celebrated Crowley’s Ridge extends north and south through the County. In the

eastern part of the County where Marked Tree is located is the confluence of the St

Francis and Little River, and just four miles east is the Tyronza River. It is said that this

little area is the rivered section in the world, especially since the Little River flows along

the north side of town, makes a bend, and after joining the St. Francis, it makes a big

bend, flows on the west side of town and starts as if to go on its way west when sudden it

changes it mind and as if loath to leave Marked Tree, comes right back on the south side

of town and then seems satisfied with this last look and goes on it its way to the

Mississippi.

At this last bend of the St Francis, it is only one-fourth of a miles across to the landing

on Little River and fifteen miles around by the river. In the early days, the rivers

provided the only way of travel and at that time, dugout or canoes were the only vehicles

of travel and being light , travelers would drag them across that quarter of a mile to the

landing of the Little River instead of pulling upstream that fifteen miles around on the

rivers, so it was necessary to know where to make this landing. Hence, the “marked tree”


- as at that time this whole country was nothing by the densest kind of a wilderness, trees

being covered with vines forming a regular jungle.

The “marked” large oak tree stood very near the edge of the bank and was marked with a

large “M” about one foot or more high. It is probable that the Indians used this same

trail, but it is evident that they did not mark this tree since at that time they had not been

taught the letters of the English alphabet. So we are inclined to think it was marked by the

Murrell gang of outlaws from near Jackson, Tennessee, which, history tells us, was a gag

of outlaws who stole horses and slaves on their route Kentucky and Tennessee and

brought them through this way, over in to the Little Rock country and even to Oklahoma

and Texas. Said route by land could be traveled only during dry weather usually late

summer and fall. The “marked” tree was located just couth of where the County bridge

now crosses the St Francis River, but during the overflow of 1890, it fell into the river.

The Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad was built through here in 1883 and was

built by men with wheelbarrows which opened many new opportunities for this section.

Previous to this, there was nothing but furs to ship and they could load them in their

dugouts and take them to the Mississippi where they could connect with the steamboats

going up and down that river. You can imagine there were not many trips made to

Memphis when they had to go down the St Francis to it mouth at Helena, then up the

Mississippi to Memphis when they had to go down the St Francis to its mouth at Helena,

then up the Mississippi to Memphis which would take many days

The St Francis valley was formed by earthquakes in the winter of 1811 of 1812, which

caused the sinking of all this land several feet, from Crowley’s Ridge on the west to the

Mississippi on the east, from Southeast Missouri on the north to Helena on the south, a

distance of over 200 miles. At this time the St Francis Lake was formed, beginning six

miles north of Marked Tree, extending 24 miles north and it is 12 miles wide.

An idea of it’s desolateness can be understood when at young man Virgil Hendrick, who

was a stranger her on a visit to his brother who lived near Lake City while waiting one

day for his brother to do his trading, thought he would amuse himself by trying to paddles

about in a dugout -- a new experience in itself. It was not long until he lost his paddle

and he couldn’t swim; so for twelve days he was buffeted about on the lake without any

to eat except the young buds of the trees. It was early spring and he was wearing no coat

or p vest so he was a target for gnats and mosquitoes -- and one can imagine the different

types of weather he could experience in twelve days in the early spring in an open boat or

dugout - probably plenty of rain, heart in the day and cold at night. When found, he was

nearly dead, The brother, never dreaming that he had left in that manner did not institute

a search as he though Virgil had probably caught a ride on a boat to Marked Tree so that

he take the train from there and go home. The steamboat make regular trip to Lake City.

Until 1893, this vast area was considered a worthless wilderness, by the annually

overflows of the waters of the Mississippi River. During that year, however, initial steps


were taken for the construction of a system of levees along the Mississippi River. During

that year, however, initial steps were taken for the construction of a system of levees

along the Mississippi River to keep out these flood waters, the result being to through

open to settlement this great area of rich agricultural land. Immediately upon the

construction of these levees, there began an influx of timber and lumber dealers into this

territory for they found an immense forest of oak, ash, gum, hickory and other varieties of

hardwood timber growing in rank abundance which up to this time, had been the hunter’s

paradise and also a paradise for the men who waited for the overflow (we had one every

year then) . They then would go into the woods and cut the choicest trees, anywhere

regardless of ownership lines. There wasn’t much attention paid to ownership then as

they thought the whole country worthless except for the timber they could get out.

They would cut until the water would begin to fall then they would float them to the river

and raft their logs and float them down to the sawmill -- even down to Helena.

Prior to 1890, there was a small cypress shingle mill and the Oliver Davis sawmill a

quarter of mile from the depot on Little River. It was a 10,00 foot mill. In the spring of

1890 a Mr. Harding of Sioux City, Iowa moved his mill and his family to Marked Tree

but malaria being that that time a worse drawback then even the overflow, his family sick

all summer and he became disgusted and that same fall sold out to Chapman and Dewey

of Kansas City who have continued in the business ever since.

That next summer John and William Fuller came from Newbern, Tennessee, and bought

the sawmill of Oliver Davis and immediately erected a 100,000 feet a day mill, which

they operated for more than 10 years and shipped hundreds of carloads of lumber from

this point. About 1903 or 1904, they sold out to Papka Light Lumber Company of

Chicago who for some reason did not operated very long.

Earnest Ritter came here in 1886 to work at the Davis sawmill of which his uncle, G.

Markat, was part owner at that time. In 1887, he cut his food which disabled him for

more than a year . In the meantime, he returned to Kansas and Iowa and then came back

in March 1889. In June of that year, he embarked in the mercantile business in a very

small way, but three times in six years he made additions to this store and in 1895, he

erected a large building and continued in the mercantile business for several years. In

1892 he erected a small mill about four miles up Little River and but all the timber within

reach of the mill so the land could be cleared and later moved his mill to where the

Lepanto road leaves the river above town. It was at this place the $4000 worth of lumber

was burned. Later he moved his mill down below Marked Tree and then sawed the

timber of is know known as New World. So you see, the sawmill was the first step

toward clearing the land.

In 1906, he sold out his mill to R.E. Wilson of Wilson, Arkansas, and gave his attention

to his other business interests; also clearing up the land as, from the very first, he always

had the vision of this being a great agricultural country. In August 1889, he homesteaded


160 acres, six miles north of town and in May the following year, we moved out there

and lived six months and cash rented it (as the government required six month residence,

enough improvements to show you were acting in good faith) for $1.25 an acre.

At this time there were several others who were homesteading land along the river from

Marked Tree to the Nichols neighborhood - among them being the following: W. B.

Miller, Joe LaFaver, Bud Black, Perry Nichols, Scott Kahil, Henry Howser, a Mr.

Goodwin, Jack Hazel, Jim Snell, Jacky Smith. The Jim Snell place was later

homesteaded by J.R. Hirschman. These places were all close to Little River as that was

the only way they could travel except in the very dry weather and was always alluded to

as “the big road.”

There was neither bridge nor ferry on the entire length of Little River up to 1913 when

the bridge at Lepanto was erected. The few settler in the early days , who live up Little

River, resented the advent of the homesteader for that meat advancement and, as the

wilderness was cleared up, that would destroy their happy hunting grounds as bear, deer,

coons and many other kinds of small game and turkeys were abundant which the writer

does admit was convenient as there was no butch shop nearer than Jonesboro or

Memphis.

Fish also were abundant and , after Mr. Ritter established the fish shipping business in

1895, it was not uncommon sight to see from six to ten wagon loads waiting to be

unladed and weighed. When the weather was bad, they had to bring them down in skiffs

and other river craft. Mr. Nap Barlow was, for many years, the efficient man at the dock

and his son, Charles is still with the firm of E. Ritter & Company in Marked Tree.

Families were required to live and improve the land they homesteaded. The

improvements would show for themselves, for to take a dense wilderness and convert it

into fine farms with comfortable homes with fruit tress and many conveniences was not

accomplished in a day - it took years of hard work and most of the work of clearing up

his land he did himself. First the trees had to be deadened and after they fell and with the

help of neighbors, the longs were rolled into piles to burn. The neighbors would come to

the log rolling with their ox teams and then roll them into piles as high as they could get

them - -10 to 15 feel high - and them burn them.. The land was then ready to b e farmed

between the stumps and, after years of farming that way with some grubbing in between

time of the smaller stumps, the land was finally cleared.

These log rollings were great days for the housewife too, for every good thing that that

she was able to produce was on the table that day and the neighbors wives who make the

best of the little that came to their hands. To live among them you would be convinced

that the brave people don’t all go to war, there were some left on the homesteads in

Arkansas.

During all these years constant improvements were going on in our town to make it a


better place in which to live. Thought the town was established in the early 1880’s, it

was not incorporated until 1897 and at an election on August of that year, Mr. John Krier

was elected mayor, CM Wayland, recorder; JT Fuller, EB Hotchkiss, WB Miller and

Louis Kahle, aldermen. Mr. Krier was for many years a citizen of Marked Tree and

enjoyed the highest esteem of his fellowmen. He was engaged in the mercantile business

for many years.

A.S. Thorn and family were among the first settlers of Marked Tree and owned the

Mound Place just north of town. They were from Kentucky. Pat Murry and family came

about that time and lived on a small farm adjoining the Mound Place.

The only school house, until 1898, was out one-half mile up Little River on the Thorn

place. The said school building was a two-story with lodge hall combined but it was so

far out and most always too muddy to walk and not other way to get there and only about

three months of schools, with conveyance and ambition being lacking, the education in

those days didn’t amount to much. During this time. Mrs Harry Tresvant opened a

private school as did Mrs Trask a year later.

In 1901, the first school house was erected in Marked Tree near where the first County

bridge crossed the St. Francis with NJ Hazel as the first teacher. As Marked Tree grew by

leaps and bounds, by 1906 this building was outgrown and another school house was

built in the eastern part of town. It was soon outgrown; to be exact, in nine years, and in

1914, our present school building, a three story brick building, was erected and at this

time was added the high school course. The first graduates were Frank Wall, Harry Wall,

and Miss Alta Smith. This same building has long been outgrown and a movement was

started to erect a new up-to-date building with modern equipment but for the present, that

has been abandoned.

Revivals were held in the school house before mentioned, up Little River, and with the

condition of the roads if it turned rainy, the services were postponed but often until

summer. There would be a brush arbor revival in town conducted by traveling

evangelists. The first Sunday School was organized in 1894 with William Rudisell as

superintendent, it survived until cold weather. Nearly every summer it would be the

same things, until 1904 when the new church, which was Methodist, was built. Since

then we have had Sunday School continuously. The first established minister was

Reverend Tom Seaton, in 1898, meeting was held in different building until the building

of the first school house meeting once a month. The minister salary was $80.00 a year

and he usually had three other charges.

The Ladies Aid was organized in May, 1904, with Mrs Mattie Johnson as president and

Mrs C.E. Walker as secretary. The aim of the society was to make money to help in the

church work even to the minister’s salary. About the biggest thing we undertook at that

time was paying for the seats and pulpit for the new church. They were $550.00 and we


didn’t see how we were going to make it, but needless to say we did. The same Society

has been functioning ever since and has accomplished much toward the building up of the

Kingdom. The church house, like the school house, was soon outgrown and in 1926, the

Methodist erect a handsome new brick structure on the site of the old church which lot

Mr. Ritter had donated for that purpose. Rev. Albright was in charge at the time.

An Episcopal Church was organized a house of worship erected about 1908 but for some

reason, it didn’t flourish long and was later sold to the Baptists who erected a beautiful

new brick church on the same site with Reverent Meade as minister.

There are now three colored churches. The Anderson Chapel Baptist was the first

organized and that was in 1898. As they had no house of worship, they met from house

to house until they built In 1912, a Methodist church was organized with AC Rowell,

found and Reverent Brookins, clerk. In 1902 , the Second Baptist Church was organized

and the First Baptist Church was organized in 1922.

All of this goes to show how Marked Tree has improved as a place in which to live for it

is to be remembered that, until after 1891 when the Fuller brother brought negroes to

work in their large lumber industry, up to this time negroes were afraid to go through on

the trains and would duck their head below the windows until they were safely out of

town and if they were hoboing their way, they would hide out in the woods and sneak

through town after dark. There was a saloon across from the water tank and if any negro

was brave enough to try it in daylight, he was sure to be shot at to scare him top death.

However, I never knew of one really being shot.

Marked Tree for years bore the reputation for lawlessness and a good deal of it was

merited., but we wonder why the reputation of a town is determined by the deeds of one

lawless man instead of the ninety-and-nine who are upright law abiding citizens. This all

brings to mind the only riot Marked Tree ever had. It was in July 1894 and was caused

by the class of white men who are always crying for a job bout wouldn’t have it if you

gave it to them, thinking the negro’s were usurping their rights. In some ways the

negroes were informed that an attack was to be made and they were all barricaded in their

homes. Although there was all of 500 shots first that Sunday night, no one was hurt but it

did sound hideously warlike and especially as everyone who so much as hired a colored

cook was to be included in the attack, but I guess their energy or ammunition gave out as

none of the white people were molested.

In is said that Poinsett County is the only county in the state which, for four successive

decades, had made a fifty percent gain in populations and of course Marked Tree has had

her share in the gain. This, of course, has been brought about on account of the increased

conveniences of living conditions. First of importance was the St. Francis system of

levees which was built as a cost of thousand of dollars and which protects this part of the

County from annual overflow.

The next in importance is the hard surface road known as the Ozark Trail. It was first


proposed by E. Ritter. He was appointed by JA Emrich and DD White to serve on the

board of commissioners and by their untiring effort the road was opened for travel the

first week in November, 1923, a year and a half about Mr. Ritter’s death. The road is ten

miles from the St Francis bridge to the Crittenden County line and at a cost of $26,000.00

a mile. It certainly meant a great convenience for this whole end of the state. Think of

the convenience when all the way a young fellow used to have to take his girl to the

Fourth of July barbecue or to an occasional revival was on the mule behind him or in the

dugout canoe. The family usually followed in the ox wagon. There wasn’t so much as a

buggy here until 1900. Mr. John Krier was the first person to bring an automobile to

Marked Tree in 1915.

Next in importance is the artesian well which supplies us with the very best in drinking

water. This well is 2006 feet deep and flows 400 gallons of water a minute. It all sounds

very beautiful when the St Francis murmurs its song as it ripples its way to be Gulf, but

as to drinking water --Bah!

However, even that (the river water) was much better than the water obtained by pumps

which was just surface water and if left standing in the bucket awhile, a greasy scum

would rise on the tope of it. In overflow times, the waters would go over the tops of the

pumps unless they happened to be on stilts, as all the houses were at the time before the

levees were built.

Another great improvement was the stock law. As all the houses were on stilts at that

time, under the house was a wonderful shelter for cattle and hogs on a cold night. Often

they would hook and scramble for the warm spots all night. There wasn’t any use to

build a fence as the overflow would float it off the next spring.

Think of the loblolly the hogs would have around the pump, trying to get a drink when

the water was pumped to get cooler water. The would even root up the platform if there

were one.

And the hound dogs! The hound dogs see to have disappeared with the rest of the

undesirables. Nearly every man was a hunter in those days and every hunter had at least

two hound that always accompanied the master to town and while waiting for the master,

said hounds roved about seeking what they could devour and it certainly wasn’t safe to

leave anything eatable on your back porch or kitchen unless the door was closed -- and

not even in your wagon in the street unless you were ready to drive off. Sometimes the

hound would be obliged to wait for the master to sober up before he was able to go home.

When he did, he would mount his mule and give a few blasts on the cowhorn which he

always carried to call his dogs and not matter where they were, here they would come

with yelps of joy -- so glad to be going to home sweet home.

Every hound knew his master’s horn and they were just as faithful about following the

family to revivals. When they would get quiet, ho the fleas would bit and how they

scratched whined during the services. Sometimes they would take a notion to fight and


then there would be a hasty scramble for the tops of the benches. A story is told of Pat

Murry and Felix Cunningham who came to town one morning with the faithful hound in

attendance. While they visited the saloon as they tarried there all day into the night, they

were still past going at closing time, so the saloon keeper dragged them out onto the

porch and there the faithful hound waiting and lay down beside them. When one of them

was sober enough to get cold, he would reach over and pull the hound over to keep him

warm and ever after, that hound was called “Blanket.”

The absence of saloons is one of the greatest things that makes Marked Tree a better

place to live in and was accomplished only by a heroic fight in 1911.

Electricity is another one of the great aids to better living conditions. The first electric

plant was a small privately owned plant installed in 1898. Later Chapman and Dewey

installed a plant that furnished current for all of Marked Tree. Think of all the electric

appliances which are used in Marked Tree today.

The post office was established in 1884 and was first called Edwards after the man who

was the first postmaster. Later it was house din an old steamboat which was brought in

during the overflow but was too badly damaged for further water use. So was landed

between the main railroad and the Chapman and Dewey switch opposite the new depot,

with Bill Backman as the postmaster. Later it was moved to E. Ritter’s general store and

he was postmaster for fourteen years being appointed by President Roosevelt.

WARRENTY DEED

March 1926 (Arkansas)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That CHAPMAN AND DEWEY LAND COMPANY, a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws

of Missouri, for and in consideration of One & No/IOO Dollars and other valuable consideration, receipt of which is here by acknowledged, doth hereby grant, bargain and sell and convenience

unto the said GORDON WIMPEY, S.W.MORGAN, G.B.BLALOCK, J.M.SIMPSON, H.J.MEADOWS and A.M.SMITH SR. AS TRUSTEES for GARDEN POINT CEMETERY

ASSOCIATION and unto their heirs and assigns forever, the following described real estate lying in the county of Mississippi and State of Arkansas, to wit: FOR CEMETERY PURPOSES, AND CHURCH PURPOSES 6.5. acres lying in the SVlt of

the SEt Section ,33 Township 1, North Range 8 East- further described and set forth in the plat of John Buxton dated March 1926, copy of which is attached to this deed and made a part thereof: The hereinbefore described real estate is hereby conveyed

3,l1d this deed is made and accepted subject to any right of way and any easement, right of occupancy, affecting said real estate that may exist at the date of this deed or


for the establishment of which proceedings may have been commenced, for railroad purposes or for the purpose of any public road, highway drain, levee or other public

or local work or improvement, subject to all taxes and assessment. State of Arkansas County of Mississippi

Certified as to a true copy, of the Original filed This day of 1926

Donna DiCicco Circuit Chancery CIerk.

WARRANTY DEED May 1996

KNOW ALL MEN BY TIME PRESENTS: THAT Nancy Hall, Shirley Johnson, Camilla Koch, Shirley Brackett

and Robert Wilmoth, as Successor Trustees to the Garden Point Cemetery Association, for and in

consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars ($10.00), and other good and valuable consideration paid by the Town of

Etowah, GRANTEE, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do hereby grant, bargain, sell and convey unto

the said Grantee, and unto its heirs and assigns forever, the following described lands situated in the County of

Mississippi, State of Arkansas:

6.5 acres lying in the SW 114 of the SE 1/4 Section 33, Township 13 North, Range 8 East, more particularly

described as: That part of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 33, Township 13 North,

Range 8 East, described as follows: Beginning at the Southwest comer of said tract; run thence East 364

feet; run thence North 40 feet to the true point of beginning; run thence North 76 feet; run thence North 780 34'

East 72.8 feet; run thence South 10 5I' East 90.47 feet; run thence West '74.3 feet to the true point of beginning,

containing 6,071 square feet.

A tract of land in the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 33, Township 13 North, Range 8 East, Mississippi County,

Arkansas, also known as Garden Point Cemetery, more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at the South and East 114 comer of Section 33, Township 13 North, Range 8 East, thence in a

Northerly direction 60 53' East, 306 feet to the point of beginning proper; thence North up the East,

North and South Section line of Section 33, Township 13 North, Range 8 East, 262 feet; thence 860 00' West, 602

feet; thence South 660 30' West, 302 feet; thence South 520 IS' West, 165 feet; thence South 100 45' East,. 171

feet; thence North 800 IS' East, 988 feet to the point of beginning, inclosing the cemetery and containing

approximately 6.5 acres, more or less. Grantors retained and reserved a right-of-way, with ingress and egress

thereto, permitting the installation, maintenance, repair and removal of telephone and other communications

facilities of Grantors.

Sophie Florence Emily Lewis McCollum (1924-2016)

England visitor Comes to Etowah By Sandra Brand

Most people know the mother of Etowah is just a young girl from England. You can tell from

the accent, even though she’ been a resident of the United States for some 75 years.

Sophie Florence Emily Lewis McCollum is the daughter of the late Albert Edward and Florence Lewis

formerly of Swindon, England.

A war bride, she left England on the Queen Mary October 20 1947 with a GI named Thorpe from Iowa.


She docked in New York City Veteran’s Day November 11, 1947.

From there, Sophia moved to Iowa before ending up single once again and living in St. Louis, MO. It

was in St. Louis, she met a “mule skinner” from Etowah name James McCollum.

The soon married and traveled back and forth to Etowah to work. In 1970, Sophia found herself in

South Mississippi County for good. She spent the next several years working at the hospital in Osceola.

Throughout this journey, Sophia had two sons, Colin and Charles. Colin, born July 14, 1947 was raised

by his grandparents.

Charles has always been an Etowah boy at heart. He is now the mayor of that city.

This past month, Colin traveled to the U.S. to spend some time with his family. They have been many

visits, both from Arkansas and from England over the years.

Colin, who worked for the Natural Gal Company for years, now has a little more time on his hands.

Well, maybe. Colin is the father of 15 children, 34 grandchildren, and a 21 great-grandchildren. His

wife Patricia passed away in 2005.

While in Etowah, Colin and his brother reminisced about their grandfather Albert.

He worked as a supervisor for Swindon Railways Works, the famous Great Western Railway company

in the town of Swindon, located in Wiltshire, England.

Swindon is famous as the place where many of the best steam locomotives in the world were built,

including the first steam engine.

ORIGIN OF Terrapin Derby

From 1940 issue

It’s always a big day in Lepanto, AR when Willie Lamb Post stages its annual

Terrapin Derby. The town is filled to overflowing with an influx of visitors from far and

near and for that day at least, Lepanto is big time news on the air and in the metropolitan

journals. And all because of the effective press-agency of a man named Aesop some

centuries ago wedded to have ideas develop by Lepanto Legionnaires. William Lamb

Post will stage on Wednesday, Sept 25 just when some hundreds of thousands of

Legionnaires and affiliates from all America are getting in their best licks at the National

Convention at Boston -- and this year

Is looking forward to increased attendance and a greater number of entries.

The promotors do not promise a record-barging race; terrapins are, after all, somewhat

Temperamental and do things in their won way and in their own good time. But they do

promise a race that will give a maximum or rib tackling hilarity for a minimum of effort.

Derby for Fun and Funds

The annual Derby not only furnishes the tops in entertainment but it has solved an every

present and always pressing problem of Post finances-- in short, this novel and exciting

event is a fund-raiser. It has enabled Willie Lamb post -- twenty-seven members in a


town of eleven hundred of ninety-eight--to take a leading part in the progressive

development of its home area and to run the full gamut of community service from

playing Santa Claus at Christmastime to providing funds for blacktopping Main Street.

And in addition there’s a new $8,000 Legion Hut a real community center, to which they

can point to pride-- and that Old Man Terrapin.

How did these Lepanto legionnaires originate their derby, Auxiliary Esther Bindursky,

who describes herself as a small town newspaper woman, continues the story begun by

Mr Aesop, who, no doubt would have rated as first class journalist. Says Miss

Bindursky:

Began in 1930

“It was back in the fall of 1930. Legionnaire Coleman Jernigan had been on a trip to the

west and was telling a bunch of his comrades about a rattlesnake derby he saw in

Oklahoma. That story started the wheels turning; the members of Willie Lamb Post were

somewhat tired of meeting in an old warehouse on a back alley and wanted a hut of their

own. One of the comrades had a bright idea--Little River was literally teaming with

terrapins--why not corral couple of dozen or so an dry them our on a race course. Right

there the terrapin derby was started on its way and without further ado or discussion of

B.M. Akins, A. B. Bindursky and M.O Whayne was appointed to work out the details and

start the thing going,

“The first major problem was to get the terrapins out of the Little River. Legionnaires

Otis Bell and Herman Richards were commissioned co-commanders of racing paddock, a

wired enclosure on the bank of

Little River were the racers are kept, after capture, to await their day of glory on the turf.

Post Adjutant Whayne is the official “bookie: while the perennial Master of Ceremonies

is John S. Mosby, a Legion friend, who has served in that role for eight years.

Names in Names

“For days before the big event there is a lot of good-natured joshing about the respective

merits of the racers by interested backer--they wonder just how “John L Lewis” will fare

along side of “Scarlett O”Hara” and if “Hitler” of the landlubber tribe, will again try to

cross Little River with “hard-back” insurgents, as he did last year--if “Roosevelt” will

hobnob with “Flat-Foot Floogie: and “Snow White, of if “Hot Shot” and “McNutt” will

plant themselves on three sidelines, flowering with rage, and refuse to budge.

“It’s all great fun, and when the big day arrives the town is posed tip-top to receive the

visitor, newspaper men, photographers and Department officers of Arkansas Legion.

There is usually a parade, a luncheon for visiting dignitaries, public speaking and

crowning the Queen of the Derby. Queen Edna McClellan, daughter of Legionnaire C.B.

McClellan, who was selected in 1939, will reign until her successor is crowned.


Pay Off Important

“So much has been said about the crowd and the fun, but nothing about the pay-off--and

that’s where Willie lamb Post comes in, for the cash money that permits it to do

community services work and build houses for itself and the community. There is a pay-

off - after sizing up the herd of drove, or whatever one calls a bunch of terrapins, many

are seized with an uncontrollable desire to make a guess on the winner, and many after

the manner of human-kind the world over, back their judgment with a tangible token --

even a piece of silver. When that impulse can “no longer resisted the judgment-striken

visitor hasten to find the “bookie” and lays a dollar on the line. His or her name, as the

case many be. Is placed on a roster and a number of “nom de plume” payee’s choice is

issued. That number in turn, is affixed to the Terrapin’s bak with a brad.

How Race is Run

“Then the derby. A course of approximately one thousand feet on Lepanto’s Main Street

is blocked off. The racers are brought in and are caged under a wire contraption in the

center of the ceremonies first the starting shot and the cage is lifted, releasing the racers

to scamper helter-skelter in all directions with all the fleetness and celerity so

characteristic of a terrapin. The racers hav e the alternative of crossing the line at either

end of the blocked off race course and the first three over are the declared winners--with

prizes for their owner. In order to prepare the local public the Lepanto News Record

issues a special derby number each year and stay at homes are enabled to keep up to the

race through the facilities of WMC of Memphis, TN which for some years past has set up

a relay station and broadcasts the big sporting event, crawl by brawl, direct from the race

Track.

“Following the derby there are usually a football game, boxing matches and a street

dance. This year an Old Fiddlers contest has been added as an additional feature

attraction.

Post Has Had Three Homes

“Legion sponsorship is the derby in a community service that returns big dividends in

good will as well as in more substantial way. There’s a log record of Legion service and

contributions to the public welfare, but there is also a new home, the third one owned

since 1930. The first home was an old pool hall which the members of Willie Lamb

moved to their building plot. This old building gave way for a more pretentious building,

erected from Derby receipts aided by CWA funds, and it was in this hut that as many as

three hundred refugees were cared for at one time during the 1937 floods. It went up in

flames soon after the flood waters subsided, but a new and much larger building was

erected on the same site-- a brick building seventy by fifty-two feet, with a ball room,


lounging rooms, fully equipped kitchen and rest rooms. The furnishing of the hut were

supplied by the Auxiliary unit. Adjutant M.O. Whayne designed and personally sup ivied

the construction.

Hut is Community Center

“This American Legion Hut serves as a real community center. In addition to providing a

place of meeting for Willie Lamb Post and Auxiliary, dances and parties are held three. A

public library is maintain in one section of the building, and in addition to providing free

space the Post also throws in fuel and light. Other worthwhile contributions to the

community welfare made by the Post is it work in securing a public park and playground;

in providing eighty-five percent of the funds for blacktopping Main Street; building a

public area; sponsorship of Junior Baseball teams and assistance on dozens of other

projects.

Thanks to the Old Man Terrapin.

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