Looking Back

( Editor’s Note: Forrest City will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in May. In conjunction with the anniversary, this column looking back at St. Francis County’s history will be 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.

January 1920

Entertained For Miss Miller - Miss Anne Grace McGill entertained at Colt in honor of Miss Elizabeth Miller of New Castle. Among the entertainment features were many games as well as a reading by Miss Wilmuth Christopher, entitled "Over the Banister,” reading by Miss Miller, "Mammy's Pickininy" and "The Biggest Dunce in School," selections on the Victrola. Refreshments of fruit salad sandwiches, hot chocolate and wafers were served. Among those present were the following: Misses Wilmuth Christopher, Dorothy Williams, Rena Peevy, Anna Williams, Lola May McGill, Charline Fitzpatrick and the honoree, Elizabeth Miller.

Miss Elizabeth Sweet Entertains - Miss Elizabeth Sweet, who was home from Galloway College for the holidays, entertained at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Sweet in Widener. For the occasion, the house was beautifully decorated in Christmas bells and holly, the entertainment featured games, music and a contest. Among those present were the following: Billy Webb, Nannie Hines and William Alderson, Virginia Hines and C. C. Rolfe, Lucille Davenport and Harry Knight, Rebecca Sanders and Harry Sanders, Jenelle Eldridge and Leonidas Merritt, Louise Aydelott, Margaret Buford, Ruth Pasley, Elizabeth Sweet and Reuben Benson, Miss McClare, Miss Adine Jones and Miss John I. Jones.

Carpenter Dies - The funeral of G. A. Carpenter, who died Sunday at his home at 801 N. Division St., after an illness of two weeks, was held with interment in the city cemetery. He was 60 years of age and had been a resident of this county for many years.

High Honor - Forrest City High School had been accorded the highest rating bestowed upon public schools by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. This meant that graduates of the high school were admitted to any college in the South without further examination or preparatory study. Prof. Jack McCullough and his able corps of assistants obtained this recognition for the Forrest City High School through their capable administration of the school, and the patrons were fortunate in having such efficient instructors for the youth of the county.

Times-Herald To Move - The Times-Herald will move into the larger quarters during the next few days, occupying the store room on Front Street next to the Post Office. The business of the paper had outgrown its location and equipment. A large quality of new type, another press and other equipment were added to better serve our customers.

Dance Party At Madison - One of the most enjoyable events of the holiday season was the party and dance given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Cobbles of Madison. Dancing and various games were enjoyed by the young folks until a late hour, as was also a candy grab box, the amusing feature of which was the matching of couple in the drawing. Piano selections by Misses Mary Kirby, Ollie Henderixson, Fannie Tatum, Alma Crippen and Mary Joe Cobble and music on the graphophone was enjoyed throughout the evening. The dining room in which dainty refreshments were served at the conclusion of the evening was pretty in Christmas decorations, the table cover being bordered in Christmas motifs. Among those who enjoyed the delightful evening were the following: Misses Myrtle Tatum, Fannie Tatum, Ollie Henderixson, Hazel Hull, Helen Kirby, Hazel Gurley, Alma Crippen, Adna Kirby, Mary Kirby, Hallie Cobble, Lucille Kirby, Messrs Wells, Herman Rodin, Clyde Berry, Frank Tweedy, Wilfred Tweedy, Claude Henson. Orha Lancaster, Cecil McFall, Willie Harris, Hobert Henson, Robert Henson, James Hull, Lenox Purnell, Mr. and Mrs. W. Kirby, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Hull of Boyce, La., and Mr. and Mrs. Henderixson.

Locals - W.W. Campbell was a Forrest City visitor in Marianna; Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Davidson and son, Allen, returned from a few days visit with relatives and friends in Marianna; Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Epps and daughters returned to their home in Memphis after having spent Christmas with his mother, Mrs. Mary Wilder and sister Mrs. Chas. Waterman; Miss Lillie Mae Staten returned to Harrison after a few days visit with her relatives in this place; Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Wheeler of Pine Bluff left for their home after a short visit with Mrs. Wheeler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Epps, in Madison and her sister Mrs. J. P. Moore of this city; Miss Edith Bolinger was clerking in the Newsstand where she was pleased to see her many friends; George Dooley Jr., was a Forrest City visitor in Marianna; J.W. Malone of Jonesboro arrived to spend a few days with his son, Jas Malone and family of this city; Reedes Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Johnson, was accidentally shot and wounded. Friends hope the wound will not prove serious.

Snyder- Cook Wedding - A quiet wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Cook, when their daughter, Evelyn, Became the bride of Mr. John Snyder. Only relatives and a few intimate friends witnessed the ceremony, which was performed by Rev. Jerry Wallace of the Episcopal Church, the impressive ring service being used. For the occasion, the home was prettily decorated with beautiful ferns, carnations and roses. Preceding the ceremony, nuptial music was rendered by Mrs. Roger West and Mr. Albert Pyle. The bride, who was very attractive in a tailored costume of blue, with accessories in harmony, wearing a corsage bouquet of roses and valley lilies, had her only attendant, a friend, Miss Bettie Golay of Russellville, Ky., whose frock was of lustrous black velvet, carrying an arm bouquet of pink Killarney roses. The bridegroom's attendant was Mr. Sam Mann, who acted as best man.

Oursler's Grocery Changes Hands - Messrs. Chas. Buford and Roy M. North purchased the Oursler's Grocery on North Washington and the business would be conducted under the firm name of The Buford Grocery Co. Mr. Chas. Buford would be in active management of the business and needed no introduction to the people of this city. Mr. North was a Post Office inspector with his taking an active part in the business, so its conduct would devolve on Mr. Buford.

Entertained By Elizabeth DeRossitt - Miss Elizabeth DeRossitt entertained a number of her friends. Games, music and a contest were enjoyed, the prize, a box of pretty stationary being awarded to Emily Knight. For refreshments, a delicious salad course and cake were served, with a dainty bob bon box of candy being given to each guest. Among those present were the following: Evelyn McDaniel, Elizabeth Sanders, Rebecca Hines, Emily Knight, Drucilla Barrow, Sara Allen Merritt, Lois Tharp, Irene Harris, Mabel Parker. Martha Watson, Margaret Eldridge,

Carrelyn Eldridge, Roseida O'Brien, Hazel Torrence, Dorthoy French, Albert Grobmyer, Phillips Lanier, Paul Lanier, Mallory Buford and John Mosby of Memphis.

Death of Squire - Squire Frank Figures of Marianna, who had been well known in Lee Co. for many years, and his friends were grieved to learn of his death at a St. Louis hospital where he had gone for an operation. He was interred at Lexa. He leaves a wife and children, together with many friends to mourn his death. The children were all summoned to St. Louis and hastened there. One daughter married Dr. Phillips, who is serving the Government at one of its large camps in the East. Another married Mr. Dubose and resides near Memphis, while still another married our esteemed townsman, Mr. Brian Frazier. To Mr. Frazier and the entire family, the Times- Herald extends its condolence in their bereavement.

Killed Resisting Arrest - On Friday, Jan. 16, W. M. Brown, in company with George Dooley, a deputy sheriff, was called to a place near Bonner's Mill. Mr. Brown made the statement that he was informed that the man was a bad one as he had resisted arrest the day before. In his testimony before the Coroner S. P. McDaniel, Mr. Brown said that he and Mr. Dooley went to the house and on asking for the man were told by a girl that he was out in the field. He went to find out where he was and seeing him some 75 yards away called to him to come to him. The man replied, "well wait,” and with his shotgun started toward a can break a short distance away. Mr. Brown then called to the man that he was an officer and for the man to consider himself under arrest-to throw down his gun and come to him. The man refused to heed this command and ran to a stump where he partially concealed his body and raised his gun to fire. Mr. Brown was too quick for him and fired his shot striking the man in or near the heart and killing him. Coroner McDaniel empaneled a jury and held an inquest. The facts brought out were substantially as related and the jury brought in the verdict that the man, Will Wiley, came to his death by a gunshot wound inflicted by W. M. Brown. The jury exonerated Mr. Brown from all blame.

Sentence Held Up - John Mallory, convicted at the September, 1919, term of St. Francis Circuit Court of a charge of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in the penitentiary, was granted a stay of execution of 60 days by Governor Brough. Mallory stabbed James Connelly, who it is alleged had assaulted his father, who died as a result of the wounds. A petition bearing approximately 500 names, asking that a full and complete pardon be granted Mallory, was filed with the governor. The stay of execution was granted to give the governor time to investigate the merits of the case. The jury which convicted Mallory deliberated parts of two days, it was said, and several were in favor of acquittal. The verdict was a compromise, it was said.

Bold Highway Man - On Friday evening last, as Mr. Walter Frazier, one of the cotton buyers was going along Washington Street enroute to Capt. John Young's, where he has his rooms, he was intercepted by the bold highway man. It was early in the evening only about two o'clock, but as we were without lights at that time and it was raining, the darkness was intense. Just as Mr. Frazier came opposite the alley, across from the Elks building, he was halted and marched up the alley. He thought at first some of his friends were perpetrating a practical joke on him and went laughing, with his captors. He was rudely told to "cut it out" and the command was enforced by the jabbing of a gun into his face. He was relieved of his small change and a cigar or two and made to "beat it" up the alley to another street. The holdup men were strangers to Mr. Frazier. It is thought by some that the men mistook their victim and that they were laying wait for another party but in the darkness mistook their man. It is satisfying to know that they obtained but little in their attempt and that Mr. Frazier suffered no bodily injury.