Looking Back

(Editor’s Note: This column looking back at St. Francis County’s history is featured each Friday on this Lifestyles page along with the week’s History Photo. The items included in this column were printed in previous editions of the Times-Herald.)

July 1920

Haynie in town - GR Haynie, candidate for governor of the state, was in the city as he addressed an audience of 50 or more on the street using one of the gravel trucks as he is rostrum. He was introduced by OB Rollwage who in introducing him said that he was a man eminently fitted for the position to which he aspired. Mr. Haynie discussed the issues of the campaign without in any way abusing his opponents. He criticized very severely the abuse as he turned it, Haynie out of respect to the manner in which the convict farms have been run, stating that almost the poorest farmer had made money the past few years while the state farms had gone in debt. He outlines his platform as favoring a graduated land tax, a bank guarantee law, a lower rate of interest. He also believes that the state highway commission should be abolished as well as the corporation commission. Then he pleads for the abolition of the office of fire marshal and other useless commissions, a curtailment of local legislation also receive his attention. He's a believer in public highways and only found the majority vote of the taxpayers affected. His address was listened to with marked attention and at its close, there were those who congratulated him on his effort and accorded him their support.

Baseball scout – On Thursday of last week the ball players here had three men from the big leagues in the grandstand watching "Sunshine" Thompson "Tack" Charles Frank of the Atlanta Crackers, Mike Fan of the Detroit Tigers and Dock Hottum of the big leagues. These man were all interested in the twirling of Thompson and having heard so much concerning it they decided that they would say for themselves. Sunshine has pitched a better game than he did on that occasion. There is one thing about him and that is he can always be depended upon in a pinch and if he happens to get himself in a hole he generally pages himself out of it.

Cotton Stalk - Tom Johnson, candidate for sheriff, brought to this office the first of the week two cotton stocks from the farm of George T. Brown at Democrat both bearing blooms and the older and larger of the two was filled with squares. He tells us that the cotton on this place is in fine condition and bids fair to make a heavy yield and is beginning to fruit very full. There was no trouble to find the blooms as the field begins to be full of them and with just a little shower now and then the crop will be a good one. With such reports as this and others of like nature why I have the blues?

Oil Reported - The test oil well being put down by the Forrest Oil Company south of the city last night roached a depth of 3,155 feet and was passing through a soft sand that bore evidences of oil so workmen reported last evening the past two days the drillers were going slow through a hard rock which is thought may be a cap rock to oil or gas below. The Forrest Oil Company announced they will continue to drill to the length of the string of the present rigging which would carry the hole to the depth of about 4,200 feet. One member of the company said they would probably continue drilling until they struck oil or salt water. For information to those making inquiry it is stated that the iron casing of the well extends to the depth of about 1,600 feet and below that there is no casing except that made by mud.

Linden Times - A good rain fell here and in most parts of the county and as crops were worked almost up to the point of being clear of grass. It proved to help crops instead of being a disadvantage. ***The Fourth of July has come and gone again and it being on Sunday was celebrated very quiet.***The Linden and Tuttleton ball teams played ball again this week. They have some lively games and I'll enjoy the games each week.*** Will Edgar had the misfortune to lose his mule. We all know how to sympathize. ***Mrs. Andy Jones near Dansby is a visitor at Linden this week.*** Mr. and Mrs. Mace Farmer were shopping in Forrest City Saturday. Also, the ladder’s father, Mr. Will Clark was a visitor at Forrest City Saturday. ***Mr. Neil Farmer, wife and baby visited Pete Lewis and family on the Fourth.*** John Huckelby and wife, Miss Nellie Brown and brother Tom and Miss Virginia Williamson motored over to Memphis last Sunday and Mr. Huckelby's new Ford touring car.*** The Mr. Manleys were very pleasant callers at Linden this week looking after farm interests and preparing to put in a new sawmill at this place. Hurrah for Linden! *** Tom Lancaster wife and children visited on Linden Island last week.

Pine Tree Dots - Seeing very few items from this little out-ofthe-way place I will jot down a few happenings.*** The farmers are in the grass and crops poor as we are having much more rain than is needed.***There was a public dinner at Pine Tree on the Fourth and everybody ate and had a good time.***Charles Fleming, candidate for county judge, was on hand and made an interesting address.***The entire community sympathizes with John Ellis and his wife in the loss of their infant child that departed this life recently.*** JM Smith was circulating among our folks on Monday in the interest of the school.*** Mr. and Mrs. No of Forrest City are visiting at Pine Tree. ***Joe Holcomb returned home and his friends are glad to see him.***Mr. Turner is in Memphis having his arm treated.

Killing At Round Pond - An unfortunate killing occurred at Round Pond. Deputy Sheriff Will Dooley had a warrant for a man named "Jab" for carrying a pistol and went to Round Pond to serve it. He found the man and ordered him under arrest, but he resisted. Dooley waited for no chances, but shot quickly and surely, the shot striking the man about 10 inches below the heart, from the effects of which he died Monday night. The deputy was justified in the shooting. In these days when pistol toting is so common, it is well for anyone commanded under arrest to throw up their hands, for it is not wise for any officer to take chances.

Duly Incorporated - The Forrest Park Cemetery Company of this city has filed its articles of incorporation. It was capitalized at $15,000 and there has been subscribed $9,500 of the amount. The corporators are John W. Alderson, J.L. Addington and others. The formation of this company was made necessary from the fact that all available space in the present cemetery has been taken up and there was imperative need that another plot be found that could be dedicated to our "dear departed." This plot, bought by this corporation, lies two miles south of the city and will be laid off and divided into plots as soon as it is possible to do so. These lots will be sold to those who wish to have a spot sacred to their dead. It seems that it would be well the company in fixing the grounds that they build a small mortuary chapel and thus afford a place in which the bodies of those who may be brought here can be kept and the last rites said for them.

Tuni Tidings - Good morning, Mr. Editor. If you will allow us a small space in your paper, we will endeavor to send you a short communication from this part of the county. ***Tuni is still existing though very quietly. Farmers are busy getting their crops worked up and appreciate the rains very much that have fallen the past week. Crops are looking better than they had been for some time. ***Charles Philpot of the Cut Off passed through this vicinity Saturday en route to Forrest City on business.***Ed Lewis and wife are removing to Forrest City this week. We regret much to lose these good people from our midst, but wish them success in their future home.*** The Fourth passed very quietly here. As it fell on the Sabbath no picnics were given.***Mr. Proctor was a business visitor to the city on Saturday. ***Horace Rowland of Haynes was in our midst one day last week.***A quiet wedding was solemnized in this vicinity Sunday morning at nine o'clock when Miss Bertha Cook and Robert East, both of Linden Island, were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony. May their joys be as the ocean and their sorrow as light as foam.

Murder Most Foul Wednesday morning Coroner McDaniel was summoned to Whitmore to investigate one of the most cruel murders ever committed. There was apparently no cause for the killing, as fate as inquiry developed. A slight difference between the parties had been settled and the murderer was taking his meals at the murdered man's home. Allen Duncan, the man of family and highly respected by both whites and blacks. From the testimony, Rich Johnson, the killer, aged about 60, was a single man. He called at Duncan's house Wednesday morning and inquired for Duncan. He carried a gun on his shoulder. He was directed to where Duncan was at work, about 250 yards from the house. Within 10 minutes a shot was evidently taken at long range, as the second shot was taken at close range, for a ghastly hole was torn in the body. The jury rendered a verdict according to the testimony. Johnson made his escape and is still at large.

Madison News Notes Misses Nina Wilson and Eunice Kirby of Brinkley were the guests of Ed Tweedy and wife over Sunday. ***Ray Butler, Frank Tweedy, Robert Henson and Hermin Rodlin motored to Jonesboro on Sunday and spent the day sightseeing. ***W.A. McBee and wife of Widener were the host and hostess to a family reunion and good old fashioned country dinner at their residence. Those present were: Hobart McBee, Luther McBee, Ed Tweedy, wife, daughters and son, Mrs. J.T. Brown and Mrs. Ruffin Brown and two sons. ***J.A. Butler and wife returned home after having spent a month in the city of vapors. ***D.A. Reisman and son, Saul, spent a short time with W.G. Ferguson and wife a few days ago. They were passing through our city on a brief time. ***W.G. Ferguson spent the afternoon in Forrest City looking over different models of automobiles. He has not decided just what he wants in the car line but thinks he will be pleased with a one lunger. ***During the storm on Monday night the lightening killed two fine cows for J.L. Mewborn on the Graham Farm. ***E.L. Williams and daughter, Miss Diana, of Helena, are the guests of J.H. Schratz of our town. ***The crowd of bathers at the Long Bar is still increasing in number. To stand on the opposite side of the river and view the bathers and see the great number of cars parked is an interesting sight. ***Mrs. H.M. Sullivan is able to be about town having almost entirely recovered from her recent operation. *** Jim Jones well known man about town, has taken a contract, sublet by H.M. Sullivan, for cutting blocks from the timber on the Graham Farm for the Morgan & West Box Company. He is now at work with a crew of 29 men and expects to start delivering blocks to the mill in the near future. ***The Madison All Stars ball team, colored, will cross bats with Memphis Curve Stars at Madison July 23 and 24. The Curve Stars are supposed to be the colored champion team of Memphis. ***Ed Tweedy accomplished the impossible, having cut a Sycamore log on a 66-inch circular mill. The scaling was 3,280 feet and the feat was accomplished in seven hours. ***Fred Shreve, W.T. Jones and Rev. I.O. McClure attended services at Tuni on Sunday. ***Chief Weaver reports his sick toe on the mend, having covered some ground this week making arrests.

Sudden Death - W.H. Smith, living south of town and 80 years of age, died suddenly and was interred in the McDaniel Cemetery on Sunday. Apparently, Mr. Smith was in his usual health on Saturday. He visited this city and made calls on his friends, returning home with his son on that afternoon. He ate a hearty supper and retired apparently in his usual health. Sunday morning when he failed to appear his daughterin-law went to the room and returning told her husband that she had never seem him sleep in the position in which he lay. The son, on entering the room, found that he had straightened himself in the bed and crossed his hands over his breast before the death angel called him. Heart failure was the cause of death.