Looking Back
looking (Editor’s back Note: at This St. Francis column 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 1929
City Park - Dr. J.W. Dennis of Hot Springs offered to donate to the city the lot, 132 feet square, directly south of the Roy Fisher residence on South Washington Street, for the use as a city park. The offer was made through a letter to Mayor Scott. Mayor Scott stated that he had written Dr. Dennis stating his appreciation as mayor of the city for the generous offer and that the offer would be presented to the council for its action at the next meeting. Dr. Dennis is a native of St. Francis County but had been making his home in Hot Springs for a number of years, where he had prospered greatly. He was back here for a short visit during the past summer and was highly enthused with the remarkable growth this city was making. The lot that he offered to donate is a valuable one, and splendidly located for a small park. Eventually, the Post Office will be built on the site now used for park purposes opposite the Imperial theater.
City Hall - At the next meeting of the city council it is probable some action will be taken relative to the proposed city hall. Some months ago Mrs. A. Becker and Sol Lewis offered to donate to the city a lot to the rear of the Post Office, facing Izard street, for this purpose, the gift being in memory of their brother the late Chas. Lewis. It is probable that this site will be accepted, although effort is being made to locate elsewhere, disregarding the offer of the free site and paying for some other site out of the proceeds of the proposed bond sale. Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Becker have had the deeds to the property prepared and are ready to turn the property over to the city should the council decide to accept it for the purpose of using it for a site for a city hall.
Kills Two - An eastbound Rock Island passenger train struck a truck and killed two brothers, J.D. Ray, aged 23, and Frank Ray, aged 20, at the first crossing east of Palestine. The young men were engaged in hauling cotton seed from Palestine to Forrest City and were on a return trip to Palestine, which makes the accident all the more unexplainable, as there is a clear view of the track for a great distance. One theory is that the boys had made the crossing so frequently that they became careless and absent mindedly perhaps and maybe blinded by the sun, which at that hour of the afternoon was shinning directly in their eyes on the return to Palestine, drove around another automobile which was slowing down in order to allow the train to pass, reaching the crossing just in time to catch the full impact of the train.
Second Story - Judge S.H. Mann is having plans prepared for a second story to his building on Rosser and Jackson streets, occupied by the Neal-Warren Drug Co., and expects to award contract during the next few days. It will be of brick construction and entrance will be from the north corner of the building, adjoining the Sterling Department Store. Plans are being prepared by Estes W. Mann, Memphis architect. The second floor will be added to help relieve the demand for offices and several applications have already been made to Judge Mann. Offices will be modern in every respect, especially suitable for doctors and dentists.
The Big Zepplin - The big Zepplin used by Leavitt's Cut Price Department Store in the parade at Brinkley's celebration a few weeks ago and then again at the Crowley Ridge Fair at Wynne last week, was carried to Pine Bluff earlier this week and piloted by A.B. Wolfe in a big parade at Pine Bluff where it attracted great attention.
No Indictment - Thirty-one indictments were returned by the Grand Jury in session, but none is recorded against John Ramsey, aged 45, who shot and killed Jesse Hughes, merchant and planter of Haynes. The reason for failure to indict Ramsey was not made public. Ramsey was held to the Grand Jury, but later was released on bond. band, Hick Forrest Band - City's Led by delegation the "hick" to the State Fair being held this week in Little Rock left town amid loud applause for that city. The band led by Ed Neal as "Annie," the prima donna of the organization, was itself a show. There were 12 other funny characters in the band, some of whom were, Paslay Johnson, as "Toby" and a natural; Sid Ferrell, as "Uncle Josh" himself; Walter Stevens Jr., as a "shy little violet," Prof. Nelson as "Hank," Grit Shylock as “Izzy," and several others. They will play several free concerts upon arriving in Little Rock and will stage a downtown parade on Main Street.
Complimented - Mrs. Jas. L. Alley received the following letter from Mr. Harwood. It was entirely unsolicited. Jonnie Rowland was her pupil for six years and Paul Shultz for two years. Mrs. Alley introduced accredited music here in the high school in 1920. Her pupils are given credits for doing the required state work and passing examinations in same. Two years ago the state issued a new certificate to their accredited teachers and this compels superintendents of schools to give their pupils credit whether they teach in schools or privately. My Dear Mrs. Alley: Since Paul Shultz came to me I have wanted to write you a letter complimenting you upon the splendid work you are doing as a teacher of piano. Now I am fortunate in having another of your products, and I must express to you my appreciation of the beautiful training you have given to both Paul and Jonnie. I shall always regard you as a teacher of outstanding ability and the city of Forrest City is fortunate in having you in its midst. I hope that Jonnie may have every opportunity as she is a girl of outstanding ability and there is no telling to what heights she may climb. I shall do everything possible to help her, as she is entirely worthy. She seems very happy here and is making friends of some of the best students we have which means much to her. Hoping that we may have the pleasure of meeting you soon, I am, Very sincerely, F. Harwood, Henderson-Brown Conservatory of Music.
October 1949
Trying To Escape - While attempting to evade pursuit after his automobile ran into the Crosley panel truck owned by J.H. Shelby on the corner of Hill and Rower early last night, Willie Brown, of near Forrest City, suffered a badly fractured hip as his car rammed into an embankment on old Kittle Road near Mt. Vernon Cemetery. According to Police Chief George Trusty, who found Brown injured, the man, driving a 1941 Chevrolet, was going east on West Hill Street when he rammed into the Crosley vehicle, which overturned. Mr. Shelby, manager of Harlem Theatre here, escaped injury. State Policemen, who happened along about that time, were unable to catch Brown. A short time after Chief Trusty found Brown in the wrecked automobile outside of the city. Brown was treated at Crawley Cogburn Clinic. This morning he was removed to the University Hospital in Little Rock. Brown is charged with speeding, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Flying Saucers Visit Here Reports of "flying saucers" have been coming in from various parts of the country for the past several years and not to be out done by any metropolis, large or small. Forrest City received a visit from these nocturnal lights last evening about 9 o'clock. One of the clearest reports was given us by Joe Perdzock, City Water and Light Co. cashier. He says he observed the phenomena from his home. He declared the glowing lights seemed to come from the northeast, circled south and west and finally returned in a north easternly direction, following a course slightly more to the north than when they first appeared making a giant U shaped track over the city. Some observers saw only one of the ghost like skyriders while others say they saw a distinct pair of glowing lights. A bridge tournament in session at the Country Club was interrupted, while the players took a good look at the unusual sight in the sky. Some of them gave the explanation that a peculiar atmospheric condition was reflecting the beams from the
Bon Air air marker light south of the city, while others said the vision was caused by reflected headlights from cars approaching the city from the east as they climbed the hill on East Broadway. Others are just as positive they were the mysterious "saucers" that have caused so much comment. We do know that lights can cause some weird patterns in the sky, when reflected by cloud banks or unusual atmosphere conditions. Several years ago when construction of the bridge across White River at Clarendon was in progress, some night welding was being done. Residents at Roe and Stuttgart, from 6 to 18 miles west of the scene, were both amazed and alarmed when they discovered the huge and shadowy figure of a man in a mask and helmet completely covering the skyway above them. As far as us, we don't know but until definitely proven otherwise, we are going to claim it was a belated visit from the "flying saucers" that have aroused comment in so many other communities over the nation at large. Homesite on North Forrest Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bridgforth have purchased from the Merrit estate a beautiful home site on North Forrest Street. The property, which faces west on North Forrest for 200 feet, extends east almost to the Merrit home site. A street 30 feet wide will be opened south of the property between it and the Ed Ash home. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgforth plan to erect a beautiful modern home on the site in the near future. Fallen Heroes - A beautiful granite memorial will be erected in front of the Civic Center building on North Washington Street by the King-Beazley Post of the American Legion, in memory of those from St. Francis County who gave their lives in World War I and II. It will contain the names of all the county's fallen heroes on its face, indelibly engraved there for all time to come. Commander Joe Burkhart of the Post said today the Legion is especially anxious to have all names of war dead from this county turned in as early as possible and as correctly as possible. Lists of the fallen service men have been obtained Department, by number omissions. Legion officials of from but mistakes a has close the shown check War and a
Patsy Miss Stewart, Fire Prevention 20-year-old - Miss red headed is our selection clerk at City as "Miss Drug Flame Store, of 1949" in connection with Fire Prevention Week now being observed in Forrest City and throughout the entire nation.
Wins $100 - Another Forrest Citian has hit it lucky. Mrs. G.E. Fisher, who is visiting relatives in San Pedro, Calif., won $100 in prizes last night on the "People Are Funny," Art Linkletter program broadcast from Hollywood. Mrs. Fisher gave a "pet peeve" answering that "her daughter pops her gum and it is most irritating." Several years ago Mrs. Fisher was on an Art Linkletter program and a famous hairstylist gave her a new hairdo.
King and Queen for Junior Carnival - The latter part of October another gala Junior Carnival will be staged at Forrest City High School. Those carnivals are put on each year and sponsored by the Junior Class. Judging from past events the public will have a treat in store – gay and unique side shows and a magnificent grand finale at which time the carnival king and queen will be crowned. King and queen candidates, elected by each class, are follows: 12th grade, Helen Porter and Charles Hunter; 11th grade, Ruth Ann Gray and Bonner McCollum; 10th grade, Pat Printz and Joel Perdzock; ninth grade, Tommy Eldridge and Jane Moore; eighth grade, Jackie Sue Clark and Gordin Griffith and seventh grade, Betty Jo Merrell and Paul Graves. Votes on sale at 1 cent each!
Slots Found - An operator of a Forrest City beer establishment was ordered to "show cause" why her permit should not be revoked for exhibiting gambling devices. The order was issued by Revenue Commissioner Dean R. Morley and a hearing was set. The order went to Mrs. Ineeda Martin who operates John's Place on Highway 70. Officials report that nickel, quarter and half dollar slot machines were found in the establishment.