Looking Back

Teresa McCrary, Times-Herald Publishing

( 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.)

March 1903

Missing Husband - One Chiga B. Buchanan, feather merchant and traveling man, is missing and his wife is much concerned about him. When called at the departments recently occupied by Buchanan and his wife of a fortnight. The erstwhile bride is still there but her errant liege lord found occasion to flee from her. Just why he left her as he did, sick in bed, suffering from severe indisposition, is a question which he alone can answer and explanations are now in order from the absent one. The wellnigh distracted wife was reticent when first approached by the news paper reporter. "I don't think it a good idea to say anything for publication," she said, "for I dislike the notoriety which is sure to follow." When assured that the publicity given the affair might lead to the restoration of her tale of woe. "I noticed mention of my husband's disappearance," "We were married in Forrest City," as she raised herself to a reclining position on the bed, "and I was the proprietress of the St. Francis Hotel at that place. He usually stopped at my hotel when he visited Forrest City. I was doing well in the hotel business. Being a widow I was forced to gain support by my own efforts. I was independent when I met Mr. Buchanan. He was a traveling salesman at the time. His home was located in the suburbs of Nashville and he is well connected in that city. I believe he was engaged in the feather business at a point in Arkansas a short time prior to our marriage. My maiden name was Susie Tackett and I was reared at Donalson, Louisiana. I married Mr. Chilton a number of years ago in my home town. From there we moved to Arkansas, where I have lived since my marriage with Mr. Buchanan. A short time after we were married my husband suggested that I sell out my business in Forrest City and move to Memphis. After some deliberation I decided to do this, and left Forrest City for Memphis two weeks ago. He remained here for a short time only and returning told me that he had rented a rooming house in this city. We packed up our effects and moved here after I sold my hotel. We have been in Memphis about two weeks and have been conduction this rooming house since our residence here. My husband left me at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning. That is the last I have seen or heard of him. He had $ 100 of the amount I received from the sale of my hotel property. Why he should leave me is more than I can understand. He said he had a position in the shops of the Illinois Central but inquiry has since developed that he has no work there and has not been about the shops. That was the first falsehood that he has told me since our marriage. He has always been a kind and loving husband of good habits and regular hours. This makes his disappearance all the more mystifying. He is a man of medium build, 41 years of age and weighs about 145 pounds, smooth shaven, fair complexion, blue eyes and sandy hair. When I last saw him he wore a suit and light overcoat. He is easy to get acquainted with and makes friends wherever he goes."

Death of Charley Hunter - The sad tidings of the death of Charley Hunter spread over the city. A few hours before he was in the enjoyment of health and just before the hour he complained of a pain over his heart and not withstanding all was done that human aid could render his spirit passed to its maker. Out of the nine who moved to this county, only one is living, Dan Hunter. Charley died at the residence of his brother Dan and everything which family and friends could do was done; and to the friends in need on the occasion, Mr. Dan Hunter wishes to express his thanks. The remains were laid in the family lot in God's Acre on the hill. Perhaps there was no one in the county more familiarly known than Charley Hunter and his kind and pleasing manner won him friends among both whites and blacks. He had his faults- who has not but with all, none was quicker to respond to the call of duty. He will be missed by all who knew him. Peace to his ashes.

Caldwell Times - On account of the heavy rain, all religious services were suspended. *** Mrs. Sallie Hardin and Miss Minnie Ables returned after a week's visit with relatives at Missouri. *** A business was practically suspended the first week on account of this rain and snow. *** Dr. White and bride have arrived and are now at home to their many friends. *** Miss Lula Cowan, of Forrest City, who is teaching school at Smith's Chapel, was the guest of Mrs. I.M. Ratliff. ***Aunt Molley Wilkins, an old settler of this community, died.

Took Her Own Life - Heart broken and despondent over a misunderstanding with her affianced, beautiful Nellie Smith, aged 22, the daughter of G.B. Smith, a wealthy citizen of Forrest City, took her own life by shooting herself in the head. It is said her intended husband recently passed through Forrest City and she was to meet him at the train and that through a misunderstanding she did not do so. This led to a quarrel and the engagement is said to have been broken. Her grief was so great over the affair that it temporarily unbalanced her mind and while in this condition she took her own life. The lady was the idol of her father and a great favorite with all her acquaintances.

Died From Hoe Blow - D. Davis had a difficulty with S. G. Kinnamon in the neighborhood of Democrat, in which Kinnamon received a blow from a hoe handle in the hands of D. Davis, which felled him to the ground. From all the evidence Kinnamon made a motion as to draw a weapon, crowding on Davis, who picked up a hoe and felled him to the ground. Nothing was thought of the wound, Davis going so far as to help dress the wound and send the man home. Kinnamon seemed to be getting along all right and it was a surprise to all, when on Friday the news spread that he was dead. Squire Thomas immediately impanelled a jury and summons witnesses, who after hearing the evidence rendered the following return: "An inquisition taken the 27th day of February, 1903 in said county of St. Francis before W. S. Thomas, a justice of the peace of said county upon the view of the dead body of S. G. Kinnamon, P. Jackson, H. J. Jouresly, Arthur McCullars, J. R. Hensley, Frank Myers, Wm. Hooks, Frank Davis, Robt. Olson, Joe Dodd, Ike Brayell, Miles Fulgham and Sam Stokes, all good and lawful jurors of said county, who being sworn say that S.G. Kinnamon came to his death from a blow from a hoe in the hands of D. Davis and that said D. Davis was justifiable in making the stroke that ended the life of S.G. Kinnamon. Davis and the several witnesses were bound over in the sum of $ 50 each to appear before the circuit court in March 1903.

A Serious Accident - There is no sport more exciting and pleasurable and none more dangerous than hunting. It is an everyday occurrence that of someone being shot while hunting. In this town particularly, parents have been too lax in regard to children handling firearms. Every Monday- school holiday-children of all ages may be seen winding their way to the field and woods, staggering under the weight of a shot gun, with no grown person along to prevent carelessness. Last Monday four boys – Dick Eldridge, Robt. Gorman, Phil Issacs and Nathan Norton – the oldest not over 14 years of age, were hunting in the fields and ravines about a mile north of town, when by accident little Nathan Norton was seriously wounded. Little Nathan had just shot two rabbits, had reloaded his gun and placed the rabbits and gun upon a log. In endeavoring to get upon this log himself, he struck the gun and to save it from falling he grabbed at it with his right hand, when the gun exploded, burying a dozen shot in the right hand, tearing its way across striking his left arm in the muscle, shattering the bone. With rare presence of mind in a boy, Robt. Gorman, took his handkerchief and tied over this ghastly wound and grasping the area above the wound to prevent flow of blood led Nathan to a cabin close by and sent one of the boys to town for a doctor. The shooting happened between 3 and 4 o'clock and it was nearly 5 before medical attention was secured. During this time Rob held to the wound and prevented the boy from bleeding to death. The doctors amputated the area below the shoulder and the little fellow was carried to his home. Dr. Poole was assisted by Drs. White and Merritt, in the amputation.

Petrified Man - A petrified man is alleged to have been found in the Arkansas river near Little Rock. The discovery was made by H. H. Roe, of Argenta. While walking along the bank of the river. Mr. Roe saw the arms and legs of what he supposed was a dead man sticking out of the water. Upon investigation the body was found to be petrified. The body was so heavy that it was necessary to secure a horse to pull it up the bank and it required 10 men to lift it into a wagon. Some express the opinion that the body was carved out of a huge rock and placed in the river with the object of making money out of the scheme.

Coal Mine Here - A number of years ago George Crook, deceased, brought to the Times office specimens of coal discovered by him on the N. B. Nelson place some six miles south of town. He endeavored to form a stock company, but no one had confidence in the scheme, claiming that there was no coal or other mineral in Crowley's Ridge – scientists and the state geologist said so. Consequently the scheme was abandoned and the secret died with the discoverer. About six months ago a party of tie makers and haulers from Missouri came to this country with their teams, securing their chances to make an easier living than in Missouri. A Mr. Montgomerey, one of this party, while working in the woods a month or so ago discovered something resembling coal cropping out of the hillside. He investigated further and the deeper he dug into the seam, the better and purer the coal. He tried it on the fire and found it to burn readily. Being acquainted with miners, he sent for an expert, who delved deeper into the hillside and found the seam about 7 feet in width and apparently inexhaustible. The expert pronounces it good coal. Mr. Montgomery has purchased the land and will continue to develop the mine.