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 1923

Typhoid Fever - Mrs. John T. Durst was carried to Memphis for treatment for typhoid fever. She was at the Lucy Brinkley hospital and under the care of Dr. Otis Warr and Dr. George Owens. Her condition had not as yet grown serious and the hope was held out that it might prove to be only a mild case.

Mosquitos - L.G. Hastings, sanitary engineer, U.S. Public Health Services, was in the city making another inspection in the campaign to rid the city of mosquitos. Mr. Hastings was here about two weeks ago; when he made a similar inspection. Mr. Hastings stated that two weeks ago he found very few mosquitos here but that on his second inspection he found them breeding in about 76 percent of the back yards of the city. The proper cooperation was not being given the work by the individual citizens. D.S. Nelson had been appointed special sanitary inspector and would regularly inspect all premises. "If mosquitos are bothering you, first find if they are breeding in your own yard and if not then notify Mr. Nelson. Phone 225 or call Mayor Scott.

Visits - Frank Merwin of McCrory was a visitor in town; Mrs. Emory Sweet of Widener was a business visitor in town; S.S. Hargraves was a business visitor in Memphis; Dr. C.V. Powell of Round Pond was a visitor; Mr. and Mrs. L. Barnett and family were visitors in Memphis; Dr. Robt. L. Purnell of Madison was a business visitor; Mrs. Walter Sweet and daughter, Lady, of Widener were visitors in town; Mrs. C.S. Moser of Iuka, Miss., is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Tankersley, of Widener; Mrs. Chas. McDaniel and daughter, Pauline, returned home after a visit of five weeks in Widener.

Rook Party - Virginia Grobmyer entertained on the lawn with four tables of Rook. The high score prize, a bottle of perfume, was awarded to Mabel Parker, while favors of a fan were given to each. The following were present: Mary Green, Mabel Parker, Frances Johnston, Christine Tharp, Monian McDaniel, Bernice and Marian Chandler, Juanita Atkins, Jennie Bell Baker, Rivers Addington, Lolie Williams, Annie Louise McDaniel, Dorothy Bridgeforth, Dorothy Dean, Helen Malone and Dorothy Grobmyer.

A Fine Fig - L.T. Heath of Johnson Township brought to the Times-Herald office a fine fig, of the Magnolia variety. It was given on his place, and weighed 3 3/4 ounces. Mr. Heath had only the one tree of this variety but planned to set out a great many others. He also planned to put in a good sized apple orchard. Mr. Heath's place was the northwest 60 acres of the old Dorris farm. He reported his cotton crop about three weeks late and only 12 to 15 acres in cotton, as against 35 to 40 acres last year. He was unable to obtain labor and was only farming what he could care for himself.

Tom-Tom - Dr. J.O. Rush, in addition to being a good physician and surgeon was a collector of odd and curious things, his collection of relics of races long extinct undoubtedly being the largest in this part of the country, and was being constantly added to. The collection included earthenware of the Mound Builders, farm implements of stone, etc. He received a tom-tom from the Belgian Congo Central Africa. It was used by the natives there to call the tribes together. Just how far it could be heard had not been tried out here, but it was understood that it could be heard for a distance of five miles. It came to Dr. Rush as a gift from Rev. H.M. Washburn, a Presbyterian missionary, who lived and labored among the people of Central Africa. First time you hear some peculiar sound late at night just put it down that Dr. Rush is trying out his tom-tom.

Wylds Celebration - There was a barbecue on the Wylds farm July 4, which was greatly enjoyed by all those who attended. The dinner was served at the house of Will Dooley, who had charge of the farm for the past two years. There was enough to feed as many more people as was present, barbecue, fried chicken, pickles, bread, cakes and pies in abundance. Those who had the pleasure of being present were: Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose McDaniel and family, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jones and family, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Smith and children, Mr. and Mrs. Will Pipkin, Mr. and Mrs. George Dooley and son Dick, Mrs. Ed Mallory, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Lessie Myers and family, Miss Viola Dunn of Wynne, Miss Florence Weeks, Josh Mallory and S.P. McDaniel.

Contract - The VaccaroGrobmyer Company was awarded the contract for furnishing all material for the construction of the handsome $15,000 brick high school building at Round Pond. The fact that the Vaccaro-Grobmyer Co. was the lowest bidder on each item should prove interesting to these contemplating making improvements. This splendid company figures only a small profit on each sale, depending upon a large volume of business to make their profits. You can depend upon splendid service, the best of materials and a low price when you place your order.

Blacksmithing - G.M. Bates was the manager and owner of one of the largest blacksmithing and wood working plants in the county. He assembled in his establishment a most complete equipment, manufacturing and repairing all kinds of farm machinery, wagons, buggies and automobiles. This establishment built truck bodies and wheels, plow stocks, wagon parts in the wood working department and took care of the most difficult jobs in the iron working department. Mr. Bates began work in a blacksmithing shop some 30 years ago and was most throughly conversant with the trade and a skillful work man and his place on South Washington Street is the oldest of its kind in the county.

O.K. Electric Shoe Shop - Less than 10 years ago shoes of all kinds were selling at such low prices that few of them ever went out for repairs and as a consequence the shoe making and repairing business went begging, as it were, but with the advent of high prices that followed in the wake of the world war two shops could flourish where one had all but starved before, and with the change came a demand for high grade work and there was no place for the common cobler, none but experts were in demand for the reason that all grades of shoes came to the repair shop and the better grade of shoes demanded expert workmen. The first year after the war started J. Thomas, the present owner and operator of the O.K. Electric shop here, bought out the best shop in the city, installed new and modern shoe machinery and put the shoe making and repairing business on a higher plane. This establishment located at the corner of Washington and Jackson streets was among the best equipped in the state and the unusual skill of the workmen in charge had built up an extensive patronage and an enviable reputation for high class workmanship.

Falling Tree - A.J. Cody, age 35, was killed by a falling tree, while working in some timber three miles south of here on what was known as the Wylds place. Mr. Cody moved here about four months ago from Higden. His wife and five children came over about four weeks ago. His remains would be shipped to Higden for burial. Deceased had neither property or life insurance and the charitable people of this place cared for all necessary expenses.

Wreck - Rock Island passenger train No. 43, Memphis to Oklahoma City, was wrecked on the crossing at Mile Post 55, about three miles west of Palestine, shortly after midnight. Two coaches and three sleepers left the track. The wreck was caused by a broken rail. Six negros in the forward coach were seriously injured, two of the six were not expected to live. While many of the occupants of the white coach received minor injuries from broken glass and from the shock of the wreck, none were reported serious.

Derossitt Home - Contract was awarded to Harry F. Nunnally by James F. DeRossit for the construction of a handsome residence at the northeast corner of Washington and Dillard streets. This was the first improvement to go up as the result of the opening of North Washington Street through the McDaniel property. The total coast would be around $9,000. The building would be one story, brick construction to the window sills and stone coat from there up. It would contain three bedrooms, living room, sun parlor, breakfast room, dinning room, kitchen, bath rooms and basement.

Bus Line - The Gregory Bus Line between here and Memphis started. The schedule at present was only one trip each way in the day, but as traffic increased additional trips would be made. The depot was C.P. Muller's Elite Cafe and the Memphis depot was 524 Main Street. The fare was $1.75.

July 1933

Brinkley Post Office - The Brinkley Argus of last week contained an advertisement from James A. Wetmore supervising architect of the Treasury Department, inviting bids for construction of the $65,000 Post Office building in Brinkley.

Two Dollar Bill - The superstition that a $2 bill is unlucky, but that the jinx may be exorcised by tearing off a corner of the bill, is expensive to the government. Most of these bills are thus mutilated and soon are returned for redemption. As a result, the discontinuance of the $2 bill is being considered.