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.)

December 1908

Death of A.T. Henley - Killed at Goodwin, Mr. A.T. Henley, of consumption. While not unexpected, the tiding of the death of Mr. Henley cast a gloom over the neighborhood far and near. He had been a sufferer from this dreaded disease, consumption for sometime, but the fear of death had no horrors for him but rather a comfort, and he died as he lived, a good husband, a good father, a good neighbor and citizen. Mr. Henley was 46, was born and raised near Goodwin. He leaves a heart broken wife and three children to mourn their loss. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and the funeral services were conducted by the Odd Fellows Lodge of Wheatley. As an evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Henley was held over 300 persons attended the funeral.

Death of Mrs. Allen - Mrs. Julia T. Allen, 46, beloved wife of Mr. N.J. Allen died at her home a half mile east of Colt after a brief illness of malarial fever and was buried in the Forrest City cemetery. Revs. Nelson Wilford, of the Methodist churches of Colt and this city, respectively, officiating, and conducting the funeral ceremonies in a most beautiful and impressive manner. Mrs. Allen in her maidenhood, was Miss Julia T. Cobbs, daughter of Dr. J.H. Cobbs, at one time one of the leading physicians of this county. She was born in Little Rock, moving to this county with her parents soon afterwards and at her death was a member of one of the oldest and most prominently connected families in the county. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, a pure, sweet, good woman who was known and loved by a large circle of relatives and friends for her quiet, sweet womanly virtues. She was a kind and loving wife, a devoted mother, a genial neighbor and a true friend. She leaves a husband, one daughter. Miss Lucille, age 12, and two sons. Mr. Howell, grown, and Master Allen, age 10 years, and many other relatives and friends to mourn their terrible loss, and to them The Times extents sincere sympathy in their lacerated hearts. The home bereft of mother is never the same again. She is the light and elder of the family circle. Her place can never be filled, and there is a cloud over the home now, which time alone can remove. May God comfort them and heal their lacerated hearts.

Democrat Times - $100 Reward offered for the capture of the crazy man, the pet coon and the green man. The above mentioned escaped from the zoo owned by our chronic kicker, who is very much disturbed over the escape of her pet animals. ***Alice, little daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Guest, fell, unjointing her arm at both elbow and shoulder. We are glad to know that the hurt hasn't proved serious. ***The Squire has received another "Gold Mine" bill board but it seems that the "suckers" are not as numerous as they were last week.***Miss Pearl Wright visited her mother at Sand Ridge. ***On Friday afternoon we intend having a short exercise and an old time spelling bee. All are invited to attend.

Double Wedding - At Tuni Church in the southern part of St. Francis County, Mr. A.B. Gray and Miss Ivy F. Hasley of Tuttleton, and Mr. A.E. Gray and Miss Lenice Halbert, of Caldwell, were happily married. On short notice many friends met in the church to witness this double marriage of two very handsome young ladies, held in high esteem to two manly brothers, well known and poplar. They were preceded to the altar by their intimate friends, Mr. Louis McDaniel and Miss Treachie McDaniel, when the rite of holy matrimony was impressively solemnized in the beautiful ceremony of the Methodist Church, by Rev. Dr. Z.T. Bennett, presiding elder of this district.

Forrest City Honoree - The Arkansas Gazette of Sunday, contained a splendid portrait of our friend and fellow citizen, Reuben B. Dye, together with the announcement of his elevation to the office of Chief Deputy State Land Commissioner, under commissioner L.I. Coffman. vice Mr. C.B. Myers resigned. Mr. Myers began as janitor in office in 1875, when he was but 13 years of age, and by earnest effort and close attention to business was gradually promoted until the death of the lamented Paul M. Cobb, he was appointed to fill the vacancy by Governor Eagle. In 1892 he was elected by the people. He then retired, was afterwards appointed chief deputy under Ritchie, and served under Colquitt, Conway and Coffman. Reuben G. Dye, who succeeds Mr. Myers to the deputyship, entered the state land office in 1898, beginning on the lowest desk in the office. He served in that capacity with the late J.W. Colquitt from Oct. 30, 1898, to October 30, 1902, and was promoted by F. E. Conway and served with him from Oct. 30, 1902, to Oct. 30, 1908. He was again promoted by L.L. Coffman, Oct. 30, 1906, and now holds the best position in the office next to his principal. His career has been one of gradual and deserved promotion, and his long experience splendidly equips and fits him to hold the office. We understand that he will be a candidate before the next Democratic primary for Commissioner of State Lands. During his connection with the land office Mr. Dye's sesquaintance has extended to every part of the State and he has many friends in all sections who have given him flattering encouragement and thus induced him to consent to allow his name to be used. Here at home, we believe he will carry the vote solid and the opposition throughout entire Eastern Arkansas. If any at all, will no doubt be very scattering, but he will come as near carrying it solid as any man could. The State Land Office is absolutely non-political by reason of that fact that the Commissioner of State Lands is not on either the Penitentary, Railway Assessment nor the Election Board. The land office has charge of the land interests of the state only and the records pertaining to it. Mr. Coffman, the commissioner, gave the following to the press Sunday: I have tendered the deputyship to Mr. Reuben G. Dye, of Forrest City and he has accepted. During my association with Mr. Dye in the State Land Office I have had ample opportunity to judge his qualifications. I am pleased to tender him the deputy-ship because of his special fitness and peculiar ability to meet the demands of the position. I make this appointment with full confidence that the present efficiency of the department will be maintained." The Times is much pleased to learn of Mr. Dye's promotion, and contemplated race for the principal position. We congratulate him upon his splendid career and we wish him the greatest success in his new position, and in his race next year. Forrest City is proud of her favored sons, of which he is one of the most prominent.

Locals - Charley Francis was struck by engine No. 2081 as it was backing up to Wynne. The accident occurred near the water tank north of town. An ugly hole was knocked in the side of his head, and it was believed for awhile that he would die. The engineer came back to town, and notified the coroner. When the coroner got there, Francis was so much improved as to be able to get up and walk home.

Palestine Times - The slashes are full. Sunday was a truly religious day here. ***Mr. John Higgins was in town Monday. ***Nick Grimes went to Forrest City Monday. ***The gins run now, only semi occasionally. *** It is said Clint Tidwell wants to become "kinfolks of the preacher.'" ***"The heavy rains Saturday knocked business completely out. ***Dr. T.G. Porter spent Thanksgiving Day at his boyhood home at Marvell. ***Rev. May and wife, of Wheatley, were guests of their niece, Mrs. Henry Jordan, Sunday and Monday. ***Mrs. Sanford, of Memphis, was the guest of her sister, Mrs. C. M. Wilkinson, last week. ***Postmaster and Mrs. J.A. Sulcer spent several days in Argenta last week. ***The

Misses Epps, of Madison, spent Thanksgiving with their sister, Mrs. J.P. Moore. ***Miss Nellie Wood was the charming guest of her cousin Miss Emma Halbert last week. ***Ebert Mohler, now of Memphis, has been spending several days with home folks. ***Henry Halbert says that notice last week in regard to Constable Simmons was worth a whole years subscription to The Times. ***Trapping in now the principal occupation of many of our people, with some it is growing quite remunerative. ***The friends of Mrs. Joe Staton, who has been in the hospital at Memphis, will be pleased to know she is rapidly improving. ***Mrs. Laura Whitby, a charming young lady of Forrest City, was the guest of friends here several days last week. ***Mrs. Hall, of St. Joseph, Missouri, is the guest of her son, Mr. J.P. Moore and will spend some time here. ***Joe Straton made a business trip to Memphis last week. ***A socialist lecturer struck town Monday morning and delivered a speech here on that subject. A large crowd was present to hear him Monday afternoon at Able's Hall. ***The revival at the Baptist Church is still in progress at this writing and the interest that has best awakened among our people is great. There have been many conversions and many who have wandered from the church have returned and declared their determination to lead Christian lives. Brothers Pippin and Ruth have endeared themselves to this people and the results of their labor can be seen and felt by all.

Paralyzed - An old gentleman named John Hoover arrived in the city on the Iron Mountain train. He was en route to Texas and stopped here to seek a few days employment as his funds were exhausted. He came up town, and just as he had passed Mr. W.P. Evans Kruerry grocery store was stricken with paralysis and fell to the pavement unconscious. It was thought for a while that he was dying, but he was picked up by City Marshall Davis and taken to Fisher's Hotel, where Dr. Bogart attended him and he soon regained consciousness sufficiently to make himself known, and managed to tell something of his life, though his left side and tongue is affected. He gave his name as John Hoover and said he was born near Waco, Texas. He was one of six children though all have died and as far as he knows he has no relatives in the world. He is a bridge man by occupation and worked last on the Canadian Pacific Railway. He has been in feeble health and was going to Texas to die and be buried. He left there 42 years ago and has not been back since. He is improving.

School Wanted - Dr. J.O. Rush, vice president of the St. Francis County Medical Society and president of the Forrest City School Board, was in the city to assist in the operation upon a patient whom he had been treating at his home. Dr. Rush is much interested it the development of the school system in the state and takes a great deal of pride in assisting in the management of the schools of Forrest City. He says that since the annex to the high school in Forrest City has been competed, the public school enrollment is greater than it has ever been and that his town is rapidly becoming the educational center of Eastern Arkansas. "Our people," said Dr. Rush, "are much interested in the establishment of agricultural schools in Arkansas. They are going to do all they can to secure the passage of an act by this legislature providing for the establishment of such institutions throughout the state. Forrest City is at the crossing of the Rock Island main line and the Iron Mountain - 10 miles east of Little Rock and 45 miles west of Memphis. We believe the next legislature will make provision for the establishment of agricultural schools in the state and one of them should be located at Forrest City. Individually I shall contribute liberally to the establishment of such a school in my town, and I am sure there will be large subscriptions from others forthcoming when the offer is made to put an agricultural school there. We want one of those schools when the time comes to establish them and we are going to have it."