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.)
October 1924
From Mrs. Hamilton - To the good people of Forrest City, I can't express my thankfulness, and also, to the many friends elsewhere, I want to tell the world there is no anger in my heart. God tells us to love our neighbors, and he also tells us who our neighbors are. I have no love in my heart for the character that shot my boy, Arthur Hamilton. Friends, I can't express my feelings toward you. I feel that I have had many of Job's comforts and I know they are truly in sympathy with me, yet no one knows how I miss the soft clasp of his hand, his breath warm on my checks still listening for those words he never more can speak. It is so hard for everyone to see alike. I am not seeking vengeance, for God said, vengeance is mine. I can't solve my problems by myself, but this morning I felt the hand of God was writing on the wall for me. We sing, what a privilege we have to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh, how I loved him. I have been blessed with sweet children to care for me. I never feel that I am in the way and I want to be able to say when the summons comes for me, "It is finished I have kept the faith." Friends, remember me in your prayers. His Mother, Mrs. Hamilton.
Posey Corner - Mr. Fletch Sampley and family and Mr. Elmer Schmitt of Colt were the weekend guests of Mr. Elmer's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt near Zent. ***Mrs. E.C. Clifton and Miss Myrtle Stafford, of Zent, were callers at Mrs. Harris Clifton. ***Mr. Rural Wilson drove from Tilton to his parents, Mr. Bill Wilson's Saturday afternoon. Rural is the proud possessor of a 1925 model Ford. ***Mr. and Mrs. Guss Schmitt and daughter, Margaret, and Mr. Scott Fowler, of Howell, were callers on Mr. Roy Dorby near Moro. ***Ella Butler, who is attending school at Palestine, spent the weekend with home folks. ***Todd Hundley is a frequent visitor to our community since rice harvest began. ***There will be a pie supper at Posey School house Thursday night, Oct. 2. Everyone come and bring your friends. ***Mr. and Mrs. Charley Lawson and son, Isreal, motored to New Castle Monday. ***Mrs. Dave Geater and sons, Western and Jeff, and Rob Gaddin motored to Beadeville to attend the funeral of her daughter Dona Edward's infant. ***Mr. George Gehing and son, Leonard, arrived from North Dakota. His son entered the primary room at Posey Monday morning. ***Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Frith, of Wheatley, were visitors in the home of Carl Schmitt. ***Charley Lawson and family were visitors in the home of J.F. McGary, near Wheatley.
Posey Schoolhouse - Mr. and Mrs. Dent Perkins and pretty children Margie and Neil, were callers at Mr. Guss Schmitts. ***Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Bradney were visitors in Brinkley. ***Mrs. A. Gehring was a visitor at Mrs. Charley Lawsons. ***Mr. and Mrs. Harris Clifton and family spent Sunday with Mr. Guss Schmitt. ***Miss Virginia Riffey, who is the principal of Caldwell school spent the weekend with the home folk. ***Gladys, Dora Belle and Arlie Tatam and Eulah Cliffton motored to Forrest City to the fair Friday.
Died From Oil Burns - Mrs. Roxie Moore Johnson, of Widener, died from burns received from an exploding can of kerosene a few hours earlier. Death came as a relief from her sufferings, as it was realized from the first that she could not recover. Her entire body, face and head burned beyond recognition. Deceased was an orphan child of the late H.K. and Belle Davis Moore of Widener and was making her home with Mrs. Pat Roberts. She has one brother, Chas. Moore, of Widener, and two sisters, one living in Wynne and the other in California. She was 27 years of age and had lately been employed in the mercantile establishments at Hughes. For a number of years she was assistant postmaster at Widener and had numerous friends who are grieved over her untimely death. About 6:30 she went to the kitchen to start a fire, intending to make some candy. Not realizing that there were live coals in the stove she picked up a five gallon can of kerosene and started pouring it on the kindling wood in the stove. The explosion followed. Everything possible was done to alleviate her suffering but the burns were so extensive and deep that medical science was of no avail.
Passed Away - Mrs. Sarah Frances Sutton, aged 89 years, died at her home on Division Street, of acute indigestion. Though advanced in years she was in splendid health until about one hour prior to her death. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. E.A. Henderson, of Oklahoma, one daughter, Mrs. Frank E. Smith of Little Rock and one stepdaughter, Mrs. J.E. Wagnon of Alabama.
Two Killed Near Hughes - E.J. Barrow was called to the J.O.E. Beck place, four miles south of Hughes, to hold an inquest over the body of Ed Jones, who had been shot and killed by Will Lewis. Will Lewis, who was drinking, witnesses say, went to a party given at one of the negro homes on the Beck place and in a quarrel pulled a gun but was disarmed by several of the negroes who were present. He left, but returned later with another pistol and proceeded to take the place and when Ed Jones tried to quiet him, Lewis shot and killed Jones. Deputy Sheriff G.T. Duke, of Hughes, had learned that Lex Harrell, a negro living on the Good Hope place, east of the Beck place, was the vendor of the white mule and started to arrest him. Harrell resisted arrest and drew his gun, at this Duke shot and killed him. The coroner's verdict was that Jones came to his death at the hands of Will Lewis and he was held without bond to the grand jury on a charge of murder.
October 1929
Red Cross Roll Call - Edward Roleson, county chairman in the annual drive for memberships in the Red Cross, reports he is meeting with success in the eastern part of the county, but thus far small headway has been made in other sections. It is hoped that the county will be able to report its full quota on the opening day of the National Drive, and to do this all committee members are urged to get busy at once.
Robbins Circus - We had a record-breaking crowd coming to attend the large circus of Robbins Bros. The weather was ideal, the people prosperous and performances given were high class and entertaining. Drug stores, garages, restaurants, all report good business and other lines of business report better than average week day business.
Bon Ton Cafe - The Bon Ton Cafe, operated for the past few years on Jackson Street by J.M. McCrary, has moved to Washington Street next door to the Fussell-Graham-Alderson Store. Opening for business in its new location this week. The Gandy Auto Parts Co., which made plans to open on Washington Street, transferred its lease to Mr. McCrary. Pettus & Buford retained the rear part as an addition to their store on Jackson Street.
Wynne - The street paving had about been completed and our enterprising neighboring city presented a much more attractive appearance as the result. The pavement extends from curb to curb and the long strength on the north side of the Missouri Pacific is especially tempting to motorists. The business men have had white way posts installed and the city is now a bright spot at night as well as a hustling business place during daylight hours.
Reunited - Lepanto - A detour sign on Highway 61 has resulted in the reunion here of a brother and sister who have been separated for 46 years. In 1883, John Frisby left his home in St. Louis and after wandering aimlessly about for several years, settled in Lepanto, where he opened a store. His family knew he was some place in Arkansas, but never managed to get in touch with him. Last week his sister, Mrs. J.A. Polkinghorne and her husband, on a tour through southern states, were routed through Lepanto because of repair work on Highway 61. Passing through Lepanto, Mrs. Polkinghorne saw a man resembling her brother. The relationship was established through conversation and Mrs. Polkinghorne and Mr. Frisby are now enjoying a happy reunion.
Boy Slayer - Pine Bluff - A 14year-old boy began serving an indeterminate sentence of from five to 21 years in the Arkansas Boys' Industrial School, near here, for killing his 60-year-old father. Ottis Hankins, 14, was transferred to the industrial school after he entered a plea of guilty to a charge of seconddegree murder in connection with the slaying of his aged parent, Wes Hankins, last May. In sentencing the lad, Circuit Judge T.G. Parham told him the length of time he would have to serve at the school would depend upon his behavior. When asked if he would behave, the boy quickly replied, "Yes sir." The boy was taken into custody the day after his father was found dead from gunshot wounds. At first he told officers his father had shot himself, but later confessed to the killing, saying his father cursed him and mistreated him. Apparently bewildered by the court procedure, Otis displayed no emotion when sentence was pronounced. Ordinarily under weight, the lad was decidedly pale from confinement. In addition to his attorney, he was accompanied in court by a sister and an aunt, a sister of his mother, who died when he was an infant.
"Some" Potato! - J.C. Morris, prosperous planter, merchant and timber man on Road 50 west of Heth Junction, brought to the office of The TimesHerald a sweet potato weighing 14 pounds. In the same hill Mr. Morris also dug out another potato weighing 11 pounds.
Work On Hotel - A.N. McAninch of the firm of McAninch & Petter, Little Rock, was a visitor in Forrest City and stated that actual construction work on the eight-story hotel to be built here by his firm would start the last week in October or first week in November. It will contain 76 guest rooms, about two-thirds private baths, according to the plans.