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.)
November 1913
Killing At Palestine - Deputy Prosecuting Attorney S.S. Hargraves went to Palestine to investigate the killing of a negro by the name of Will Taylor at the hands of two white men by the names of "Jim" Reeves and Tom Shores, of Lee County, who were charged with the crime. Attorney Hargraves states that the proof developed that the two white men came to Palestine and armed with a revolver, a bottle of wine and a deck of cards, went up into a new barn belonging to the Banks Company. In company with the negro, Taylor, where the three became engaged in a poker game. The difficulty followed, in which it is stated that the negro tried to "short change" one of the white men. The lie was passed. The negro, it is said, hit Reeves with a heavy piece of timber, after which Shores, it is said, shot him. At the preliminary hearing of the two white men held before Squire Hugh Coffey, the two men, Reeves and Shores were discharged.
Killing Bear - City Marshall J.M. Davis, the veteran bear hunter of St. Francis County and County Treasurer George Taylor, the mightiest of the mighty hunters of Eastern Arkansas, have a Thanksgiving "B'ar" pelt to their credit. These two jovial sportsmen made themselves away to Mud Lake Hunting preserves and early on Thanksgiving morning were in hot pursuit on Bruin's trail with Treasurer Taylor's famous pack of bear dogs, as true a pack as ever entered a southern forrest, furnishing the music of the chase and pressing hard on Bruin's trail. The chase was exciting and lasted for several hours over the slashes and across the cane breaks in the vicinity of Mud Lake. Uncle Jack finally came up with the bear for the first shot and succeeded in wounding him and as the dogs were closing in, the wounded bear was dispatched a short time later by Treasurer Taylor. When questioned about the hunt on his return Thanksgiving evening, "Uncle Jack said this was truly an instance where we killed the bear."
Painfully Injured - Mr. J.W. (Hunter) Crippen, Madison, was kicked by a mule. The animal's hoof landed on the left side of the gentlemen's face and jaw, knocking out several teeth and otherwise bruising and severely injuring the side of his face. As a result of the shock the gentleman was rendered unconscious for several minutes and the blood flowed from his ears and nose, over which his family was very alarmed for some time and fears were entertained lest Mr. Crippen could not recover. News from Madison, however, is to the effect that the injured man is improving very nicely but that he will not be able to work for several weeks. The familiar figure of Mr. Crippen, who has served the people of Madison in the capacity of drayman for a number of years, is sadly missed by all who know him and he has the sympathy of a legion of friends in his misfortune.
Buys First Machine of Kind In Arkansas - Scott Bond and son, wealthy negro planters of Madison, purchased a modern gravel moving and loading machine at a cost of $10,000. The machine is the first of its kind for the state of Arkansas and is the second ever sold in the South. The owners will locate the big machine at Crow Creek, near Madison, where they have contracted to furnish the Rock Island Railway Company with gravel for the use in ballasting the company's tracks. The machine was purchased from the Philadelphia Cable & Excavating Company. Scott Bond is one of the most widely known negroes of the South and has always been affiliated with the progressive interests of the state and has taken an active part in the movement to elevate and educate his race.
They Put Him Down - Quite a number of our local athletes had a little fun and diversion one morning the first of the week, when a tourist wrestler floated into town and issued his detinue, coupled with the statement that he could throw any man in Forrest City. He was quickly surrounded by a party of young men, who made up a purse, and Messrs. Walter Proctor and Eb McCutchen sailed into the mat three times in succession, each of the home boys throwing the stranger the first fall. The incident created quite a little diversion for the young men and was greatly enjoyed by all who witnessed it.
Forrest City Wins - The Forrest City High School team evened up matters with the team of the Brinkley High School when two teams met in this city for the second time this season, on which date the local colors were carried to victory by the score of 7 to 0. The Times is informed that the game was called off at the end of the first half because Brinkley was so greatly outclassed that it was useless to continue the play. The star players for the home guard were Albert Waterman and Kirk Becker. The full line up for Forrest City was as follows: Rob Swan, center; Chas. McDaniel, right guard; E.L. Butler, left guard; Homer Gee, left tackle; Roy Fisher, right tackle; Joe Levy, right end; James Oursler, left end; Kirk Becker, quarter; Ed Wright, left held; Orvillie Shinn, right; Albert Waterman, full back; Dr. J.S. Shields, time keeper and Rev. George H. Kirker, umpire.
Hallowe'en at the Rectory - A number of children assembled at the rectory and were turned loose to enjoy an old fashioned Hallowe'en party. It was a notable event to the children. Many of them were invited to a sure enough party for the first time in their lives and they heartily appreciated them. The first thing they did, as soon as they entered the door, they found an apple at its end. They made paper roses. And next, they drank fruit punch and ate ginger cake until they were full to the neck. Last of all, they dressed themselves in white and went out spooking. All the little people throughly enjoyed themselves and are eagerly looking forward to the time when their kind hostess will give them another party.
Fine Portrait - Ernest Carson, the artist barber, who has heretofore made portraits of several of our prominent citizens, is engaged in making an oil painting of the late Hon. W.E. Williams and also, of the late Mr. Geo. B. Pettus. We have had the pleasure to see the portrait of our old-time friend, Bill Williams, and while we do not pretend to be an art critic of great ability, we do know a good likeness and good work when we see it and we are greatly pleased with Carson's effort. It is made from a picture taken several years ago, when we were all younger than we are now and Bill looks like a 2 year old and as handsome as he was gallant. It is a fine likeness and a splendid piece of workmanship and we do not hesitate to say that Carson deserves much praise and credit for his work. It will afford Mr. Williams friends much pleasure to look upon this handsome likeness and as they look, it seems to almost speak to them. We have not seen the picture of Mr. Pettus but we are sure that it will be a good one, as Carson has splendid ability and will do his best.
Widener Times - Dr. Murphy, Col. Sweet and Messrs Fogg, Humble, Starecher and Taylor, all Widenerites visited Forrest City. ***Mesdames Gus and Emory Sweet paid Memphis a short visit. ***Mr. P.J. Van Viect and others from Memphis arrived in Widener enroute to Mud Lake, where they intended to spend several days hunting and fishing. ***Our neighbor, Mr. J.C. McCabe, is on the sick list this week. ***Mrs. Sweet, wife of Col. S.E. Sweet. arrived home from Memphis where she spent several weeks visiting her daughter.
Oh, You, Mr. 'Possum - It is not often perhaps once or twice in a lifetime that a busy editor has the opportunity to partake of a real genuine treat in the way of a "possum and sweetentaters" dinner, but such was the good fortune and pleasure of ye scribe at the lovely home of Judge and Mrs. M.B. Norfleet, a mile north of town at the old Southern hospitality was generously dispensed. Here, in the heart of the beautiful surroundings of springs, forest trees, hills and dales, they have erected their home, surrounded by nature's richest gifts, and here, where the 'possum grows, we dined. The dinner was prepared by Mrs. Norfleet herself and we have no words which can convey the skill and expertness of this good lady in the culinary art and especially does she excel and know how to cook and serve "dat 'possum, which am good and sweet." It was done to a turn, served brown and smoking hot and was luscious and delicious. Oh, you Mr. 'Possum. Everything on the sumptuously spread table was home grown, including the 'possum, which was captured a few nights before in the hills adjacent to their home. The sweet potatoes exuded the candied syrup, which was augmented with a delightful jelly. There also spaghetti that melted in one's mouth and hot biscuit, rolls, light bread and fine butter, our favorite beverage of buttermilk and other good things too numerous to mention, winding up with an old fashioned apple pie dumpling, black coffee and grape juice. Messrs. T.A. Buford and Eugene Williams were also guests on this merry occasion and Dr. McDougal's absence, on account of business detention, was greatly regretted. We want to thank these good friends for their kindly remembrance of the editor, and to say that we thoroughly enjoyed both the dinner and the occasion is putting it very mildly. We did full justice to it; such justice, in fact, as makes words seem lame beside the silent testimonial of three helpings and a longing for greater capacity.
November 1928
New Residence - Fred Moseley will soon occupy a new and attractive home, which he is having constructed on the lot adjoining his present home on North Division Street.
Strong Demand - VaccaroGrobmyer Co. report a strong demand for residences. During the past two weeks they have sold six residences built during the past several weeks. In speaking of the demand, Gazzola Vaccaro stated that his firm had such confidence in the continued growth of Forrest City that they were keeping two crews of carpenters at work building houses that could be sold at a moderate price. They are selling them on easy payments, making it possible for one to own his home at slightly more than the usual rent charges.
Briening-Burford - William A. Briening and Miss Vera Nina Burford were married at Wynne Saturday night by the pastor of the Baptist Church there. Mr. Briening, who conducts the Hot Shop Bakery, has made many friends. Mrs. Briening is the granddaughter of Mrs. H.W. Ward, with who she has made her home. Mr. and Mrs. Briening spent a few days in Little Rock and are now at home here. On completion of the Cox Apartments, they plan to occupy one of them.
Cheese Factory - The manufacture of cheese in Forrest City will begin on Nov. 19. The plant will be opened up at 6 o'clock to receive milk. The capacity of the plant is such that it can handle every gallon produced in the county and then some. Dairymen need have no fear of over production. The only problem now is to make the dairy movement a huge success is an increased production of milk. Make Monday a big day by bringing in every gallon of milk that you can.
Former Congressman Dies Marianna, P.D. McCulloch, 77, former U.S. Congressman, prosecuting attorney for this county and resident of Marianna for 50 years, died at his home here late Monday night after a long illness. Mr. McCulloch suffered a stroke of paralysis six years ago and had never completely recovered. Funeral arrangements were being held up while relatives endeavored to get in touch with Judge G.H. McCulloch, U.S. federal trade commissioner, who was reported on his way to Washington. The commissioner had recently visited his brother here and left Monday afternoon. Mr. McCulloch served 10 years in Congress, his last term being about 15 years ago. Prior to that, he had been prosecuting attorney for this county for about 12 years.