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.)

May 1898

Spare the Song Birds - It shall be unlawful for any person within the State of Arkansas to kill, wound or injure any wild bird, other than the game birds, or to destroy, disturb or rob the nests of any such birds, or to sell or expose for sale, either dead or alive, any of such birds, or to sell or expose for sale any of the eggs of said birds; it shall be unlawful for any railroad company, express company, steamboat company, or any other company or corporation or private person, their agents, employees or servants, to have in possession or receive for transportation or carriage, or for any other purpose whatsoever, any such birds or eggs; but this section shall not apply to English sparrows, crows, blackbirds, hawks, owls, eagles and other birds of prey, nor shall it prohibit any person from killing such birds on his own premises when in the act of destroying fruit or other crops. Approved March 15, 1897.

Five Dollars Reward - The above sum will be paid for information which will convict the vandal who penciled the letters "R. L. C." on the walls of the witness booth at the courthouse. Also the above reward will be paid for information on any future arrest of vandalism upon the public property. J. S. Cowan County Judge April 13, 1898.

Hitch - Complaint has been lodged with The Times that there is a dearth of hitch racks and a superfluity of "Five Dollars Fine" signs in our city. The former is no doubt true, and our merchants should race to it at once that such conveniences are plentiful and easy of access. Life is made up of little things and so is the attractiveness of a town. So if we would draw a large patronage of the people, we must provide for their necessities while they are within our gates. As to the signs: They are necessary in order to protect improvements and enclosures. Where there are plenty of hitch racks, the signs will not be so noticeable. It is to the discredit of our city that the racks do not abound and detrimental to this trade and we hope that this police will be sufficient to cause them to be supplied and at once.

Levees Break - Pine Bluff May 12 - The Linwood levee broke. The plantations of Chas. Howard, W. W. Ware and A. J. Clemmons were flooded and crops completely ruined. The Iron Mountain track was under water and traffic had been suspended between Noble Lake and Alexander Lake. The Frenchtown levee a few miles below here broke. Water rushed on the land while the hands and overseers and families were asleep and the people were getting out the best way possible. The Murphy, Atkins, Corroran and Trimble plantations were under water. The steamer Drew was at English rescuing property and families. In the southeastern portion of this city, the streets were all under water and a number of citizens were moving out on higher land. Several farm cabins came floating down the river and would likely be followed by more, from all reports; English, May 12 - The levee at this place had broken and the country was completely under water. The Gore, Caldwell, Eden, Geisreiter, Watson, Sherrill, Gibson, Barrett, Vangine, Cobb, Mayfiled, Patterson, Tucker, McGaughey, Noel, Crawford,

Quattlehaum, Altheimer and Miller plantations were completely inundated. The Collier, Hudson, Houck, Freetown, Dr. Withers and Phillips places were partially under water; Pine BluffBetween this place and Little Rock, along the Cotton Belt, much damage was being done by the high water. At Toltec, back water in Plum Bayou covered hundreds of acres. Water reached the streets of Keo and many colored families were moving out. The state convict farm near England was inundated. Back water from the river was in sight of Sherrill and the levee at Haywood broke. Thousands of acres at the latter place were over flowed. In many places along the line, the Cotton Belt track was under water.

Colt Times - S. M. Blaylock was in Colt Friday and Saturday; There was a hot time in old Colt last Saturday - election day - and whiskey downed free, had a couple of nights and tore up things generally; As the result of the election, W.E. Williams, S.M. Blalock, Geo. Rowland, N. B. Nelson, R. B. Macon and Geo. Boothe came out ahead in this township; Ollie Miller, of Wynne, was shaking hands with friends in Colt last Sunday; Will Weddington, one of our old boys, who now resides at Harrisburg came down to get his mamma to let him go to Cuba, but she said "nit;" Mr. and Mrs. John Tipton had the misfortune to lose their baby boy. The little fellow was sick only a few days before he died. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved parents in their hour of sorrow; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. E. Davis, accompanied by Misses Sue and Olga Kelly, came down on their wheels.

They're Off - For weeks there had been active preparations making in Forrest City for war. The Taylor Rifles, under Capt. J. T. Brady, held meetings, recruited their numbers, drilled faithfully and waited anxiously, and we might say impatiently, for the order of the governor, which would call them to the rondevous. This order came Wednesday, and the whole town was astir, soldiers were here and there and everywhere, gathering together their possessions, making their final arrangements, packing their knapsacks, and passing a few hours with loved ones especially sweethearts preparatory to taking final leave. Special coaches were set out here. The company was ordered to "fall in," and after a brief parade of the square, marched to the depot. The entire populace had gathered to bid them goodbye and God speed, and as they were drawn up in line along the platform the citizens passed along and gave them a hearty handshake and words of cheer and encouragement. There were tears in the eyes of scores of those present, and stout hearts melted at the sight and thought of the mission of that handsome company of soldiers, composed of the glorious young manhood of our country, and that indeed they may be called upon to face the fire of the treacherous Spaniard and some, perhaps, never return. The company was in fine spirits, and as the train moved out, and the roar of anvils and the cheers of men, women and children, they seemed a happy hearted band of patriots. A beautiful streamer, painted red and blue on white canvass, bearing the name of the company, "Taylor Rifles," decorated the side of their car. Upon this streamer, too, just between these two words, were the stars and stripes of Uncle Sam and the motto, "Remember the Maine."

Respect - Whereas, on the 15th day of April, our beloved brother A. M. Nash lost his life by drowning, while in the act of protecting his business interests

in St. Francis bottoms, and Whereas, by his death this lodge had lost one of its most earnest and loyal members, the community a valuable citizen and friend, and his family, a kind and loving parent and liberal provider. Therefore be it, resolved by General Forrest Lodge, No. 33, K. of P., that it expressed its deep and sincere sympathy to the bereaved relatives and assured them of the love of the brotherhood as exemplified by Damon and Pythias, and of their protecting eye. Resolved, that a page in our minutes be set aside to his memory; that the lodge be draped in mourning for 30 days and the members wear the usual badge; that a copy of these resolutions be furnished the family and to the Forrest City Times for publication. Sol. Lewn, E. L. Vadakin, Geo. P. Taylor, Committee.

Fishing at Spirit Lake - Splendid accommodations for sports men could be had at Spirit Lake, Ark. Mr. T. B. Weathersby erected a hotel on the lake, which would accommodate 50 persons. He had a large number of fishing boats in service, which could be hired at the rate of $ 1 a day. Oarsmen could be secured for 25 cents per day. Minnows could be secured from him for 20 cents a dozen, in any quantity desired. Fishing tackle could also be secured at the hotel. The hotel charge would be $2 per day, but parties desiring to visit this resort would not be required to stop at the Hotel, as Mr. Weathersby had ample grounds for camping. Tents pitched on these grounds would not be charged for, nor will sportsmen be required to take, their meals at the hotel. The only expense to camping parties would be of hiring the boats and of buying minnow, if any are desired. Spirit Lake was an ideal sporting ground. Squirrel hunting in fall and spring and duck shooting in the winter were both excellent; and fishing was good all through the summer. Large catches were quite common. The Cotton Belt railway made sportsmen very low rates to Spirit Lake and return. If at any time you have a party who desire to go to Spirit Lake, write or wire this office, stating size of party, and a special low rate will be quoted you. Special hotel rates would be made for parties of two or more.

Foul Play - Coroner Gaines was notified by wire from Palestine that the body of a colored man was lying in the L'Anguille River just below the railroad. The following morning the coroner and jury of inquest investigated, as best they could and from all that could be learned, it was decided by the inquisition, that the body was that of Hugh Reynolds, of this place, and the verdict was so rendered. Later it developed that this decision was a mistake and that the floater was the body of Sam Malone of this place. Malone left the city Saturday night on the westbound train, bound for Brinkley and on account of his drunken condition, was put off the train at Palestine. It is supposed that in his stupid condition he fell, or was possibly knocked from the trestle by the morning train, which passed that point about daylight, or it was possible that he was foully dealt with, as he was known to have money on his person. The body showed evidence of being bruised but from its distorted condition, it was impossible to decide the nature and extent of such injuries. Malone had relatives in this city who aided the coroner in establishing his identity; not, however, until the body was buried, near the scene of his death.