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 1944

Local Soldier Wins Commendation - The 15th Army Force in Italy: Staff Sergeant Noah M. Fryer, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fryer of Route 2, received official citation in orders, it was announced from the 15th Army Air Force headquarters. In the words of the citation which accompanied the award of the Good Conduct Medal, Sgt. Fryer's work has demonstrated fidelity through faithful and excellent performance of duty, efficiency through capacity to produce desired results. It also mentions that his behavior has been such as to deserve emulation. Sgt. Fryer is stationed in Italy with the 15th Army Air Force Liberator bombardment group, commanded by Col. M. M. Munn. A member of a combat crew, his duties are that of an engineer and nose- gunner of a B-24 liberator bomber. The unit of which Sgt. Fryer's organization is a part has been seeing plenty of action in the Italian campaign – as the Nazis well know. They have been blasting such important targets as the Plosti oil refineries and German held air drones and railroad yards. Their bombing performance has earned for them several citations from higher headquarters. Sgt. Fryer previously received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action against the enemy; the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious achievement in aerial flight. Sgt. Fryer is married to Mrs. Catherine Fryer of Route 2, and has two brothers in the service, S- Sgt. Cal. R. Fryer and Aviation Cadet C. G. Fryer.

Wynne Man Casualty - First Lt. Oliver Newton Killough, aged 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Killough of Wynne, was killed in action in France June 15, the War Department notified his parents. He was in charge of a 105-mm gun in an infantry unit. His last letter to his parents, written three days before his death and received here the day before the War Department message, said he and his men knew they were going into action, they were confident they would get a good fight. Lt. Killough was a nephew of Circuit Judge Neil Killough, of the Second Judicial Circuit, now a captain in the army with the provost marshal's office at Dallas. His father, Walter Killough, has been elected by members of the bar at each term of court to replace Judge Neil Killough on the bench during his military service. Lt. Killough's last furlough here in January, 1944, concluded with furloughs of Captain Neil Killough and Captain Killough's son, Cpl. Jack Killough, who is also in England. Lt. Killough was born in Wynne, graduated from Wynne High School and attended Arkansas State at Jonesboro for two years. He took his bachelor's degree at the University of Arkansas in 1942, entering military service as a second lieutenant shortly after graduation. He took R. O. T. C. training at the University. He was the namesake of his late grandfather, a well known lawyer in Eastern Arkansas' early days. Leaving here in January, he reported to Fort Dix, N.J., then went overseas.

Classifieds - For Sale-Sound, gentle, young mare and new rubber-tired buggy. Dr. Thomas Wilson, Wynne Phone 160. ***Wanted - Three or four room, furnished or unfurnished apartment. See Roland Manning, manager of Kroger Store on Broadway of America. ***For Rent - 3-room apartment, furnished. Close in. After Thursday, see Miss Susie Nelson 207 S. Washington St. ***For Sale - 1939 Oldsmobile, $ 675; 1941 Special Deluxe Chevrolet, $950; new crop oats; new wood range stove. O. P. Hammons phone 318R. *** Wanted To Buy - Old alarm clocks, watches and old gold, Discher Jewelry Store, *** Walk Out To Butler's - Or Highway No. 1, North on North Washington for Sandwiches and Drinks of all kinds- also home cooked meals. Our Speciality Pit Barbecue. ***Highest Prices Paid - for Fresh Country Eggs and Friers. Watkins' Cafe. *** See Ostrander Feed Co. for Staff-O-Life Mule, Dairy or Poultry Feeds. We specialize in Baby Chick Feeds. N. Grant Street. Phone 150. *** Hay For Sale - Also Registered Hereford Bulls, 1 John Deere Power Baler. V. O. Turner Phone 7- F- 2.*** Wanted To Buy - Metal coat hangers, 2¢ each, delivered to the store. Laser's Department Store. ***Lost - Black 2-year-old horse, weighing around 600 lbs. Lost about 4 miles north of town. Notify Mrs. L.G. Gray, F. C. Rt. 1 Box 369. *** Baby Chick Time - U.S. Approved - Pullorum Tested - Five leading breeds. Place your order at once dread disappointment. Write for prices and order dates; 5 percent discount if cash with order. Visit Our Hatchery - Cross County Hatchery, 1 1/ 2 miles East Highway 64, Phone 192- J- 2 Roger T. Cobbs, Box 214, Wynne.

Wheatley News - Staff Sgt. Chas. Hemenway Jr., and family of Fort Jackson, S.C., arrived in Wheatley to spend 15 days with their parents. *** Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Cook had as their guests for the weekend, their children of Memphis. Mrs. Bob Becker and two children, Misses Emogene and Norma, and Thomas. *** Mrs. W.T. Foy of Memphis spent the weekend with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Dalch. *** Miss Ruth Miller of Ft. Smith, is visiting in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller. *** L. B. Decker and his father of Fairberry, Ill., were in Wheatley in interest of his farm. *** Miss Odine Ochlshlager of Memphis, spent the weekend the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Ochlshlager. *** Mrs. Geo. Smith has as her guests her daughters, Mrs. D.L. Harris and little son of Warren, Mrs. Carl Rawls and daughter, Carolyn of New Orleans and Mrs. Greg Stewart and two children, Sandra and Greg Jr., of Humnoke, Ark. *** Pvt. Geo. Bokker of North Camp Hood, Texas, was a Wheatley visitor Friday. ***Mrs. Porter Brownlee and daughter, Shirley, returned Wednesday from Eldorado, where they have been visiting several weeks in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Bush. *** Mrs. Charlie Scott, who has been visiting her daughter, Miss Lillian, in New Mexico, returned Thursday. *** Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ellis have as their guests, Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Brown and children of Memphis, and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Williams of Keevil Junction. *** Mrs. P. W. Phelps and children of Stuttgart, spent the 4th of July in the Williamson home. *** We are very sorry to report Myra Jean Ward ill.

Shoe Shop - J. G. Welch will open a shoe shop in the Carwile Barber Shop, located next door to Watkins Cafe and across from the St. Francis Motor Company on Broadway, around Aug. 15. Mr. Welch has been in the shoe repair business for the past 30 years and for the past two years has been associated with Goldsmith's Shoe Repairing Shop in Memphis.

F.C. Boy Dies In New Guinea - Pfc. James Newton Cahill, 22, with the U.S. Engineers, died on July 12, in New Guinea, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bishop. Pfc. Cahill was a native of Memphis but moved to St. Francis County as a child and had lived and attended school here. He had been in the Army for the past four years and overseas for about two and one half years.

F.C. Girl Puts More Punch In U.S. Bombers - The type planes that the first raid on Japan are a little better now than they were then; and this, is a measure, is due to the efforts of a Forrest City girl who was always good in mathematics. Alice King, 24, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. King Sr., of here, as the youngest in her field in the nation, has the responsible task at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratories in Cleveland, Ohio, of making the mathematical computations after engines have run tests. She has a staff of 20 girls under her. It was this group which worked night and day to correct a fault in the B- 29 engine's cooling system. As exciting as being in front lines are, the moments when "big men of the organization" are standing at her elbow, waiting for the final computations which they pass on immediately to the California factories. However, it is just routine to the young girl who was majoring in math at Sweetbriar College two years ago

Our Boys - Mrs. L.L. Replogle of this city received word from her brother, Pfc. Perry M. Hamilton, who is with the infantry in France. Pfc. Hamilton writes in a letter that he is well and getting along fine. *** Lt. Lawrence Rea Jr., will arrive here for a 24-day leave to be spent with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Rea Sr. He called his mother from Florida saying he is back in the states following 14 months service in India with the AirTransport Command. *** Pfc. Orland "Bake" Long, advises that he has arrived safely "somewhere in England." He enjoyed a nice trip across and sends word to tell all his friends "hello." *** Charlie E. Pinkston, stationed for 10 months along the Ledo Road in the China-Burma-India theater, has been promoted to Technician Grade V. T- 5 Pinkston, son of Mrs. Charlotte Pinkston of 421 Scott Street, was employed at Uncle Jim's Night Club on Highway 70 before joining the Armed Forces. Now attached to an engineering unit, he is one of thousands of American soldiers helping to build a lifeline to beleaguered China through the mountainous jungles of northern Burma. He is authorized to wear the Asistic- Pacific Ribbon with Bronze Star. *** Cadet Tom Aycock arrived this morning from Peru, Ind. to spend an 11day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Aycock. His parents and sister, Miss Elizabeth Ann Aycock, met him in Wynne. Cadet Billy Bowen accompanied Cadet Aycock as far as Forrest City, then left later for his home in Altheimer. Upon completion of his leave, Cadet Aycock will return to Peru after which the class of Naval Cadets, of which he is a member, will be sent to Pensacola, Fla., for further training.

Local Soldier Wounded - Word has been received from the War Department by the family of Pvt. Ernest Swan that he was seriously wounded while fighting on French soil on June 29. Pvt. Swan was inducted into the Army on Nov. 19, 1943, and sailed for overseas duty around April 25, 1944. He was stationed in England until the early part of June when he was sent into France with the invasion troops. He was fighting with Co. B 357th Infantry Division when wounded.

Swollen Creek Claims Life - James Leonard "Grit" Luallen, aged 24, was drowned Sunday afternoon when the bridge he was crossing gave way beneath him, hurling him into the swirling waters of the creek, swollen by heavy rains. He was born near Haynes on June 22, 1920, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles William Luallen. The victim was coming home from the home of his brother, Claude Luallen, and was crossing the bridge to the road when the bridge caved in. He, his mother, her baby, Claude Luallen, Pricilla and Naomi Stevens fell into the creek. Claudine Luallen, another member of the group, crossed the bridge ahead of the others and escaped. Naomi got out of the water immediately but Mrs. Claude Luallen clutching her baby in her arms and Mrs. Charles Luallen were swept several hundred yards down the creek before they caught onto a thorn tree extending out over the water. People who lived nearby rescued them. James was unable to catch hold of the tree and was swept on down the stream. His body was recovered two hours later a quarter of a mile downstream. Mrs. Charles Luallen is being treated for shock at the Laughrun Clinic.

Social - Mrs. Albert Buford and daughter, Miss Nancy Buford, returned from a trip to the East which included such interesting points as New York City, Washington, D. C., Boston and Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Gammon of Memphis spent the weekend in Forrest City as the guest of Mrs. Ben Gammon in the home of Mrs. Lollie Carl-Lee. Ed Carl- Lee of Memphis, spent the weekend in Forrest City in the home of his mother, Mrs. Lollie Carl- Lee; Ensign Tommy Thompson, stationed at Millington, Tenn., spent Sunday in he home of Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Harrelson, as the guest of their daughter, Mrs. Martha Clarke; Marine Staff- Sargent Raoul Carlisle returned to New Orleans after a brief visit with his family here. Mrs. Carlisle, who is staying in New Orleans with S-Sgt. Carlisle, will remain a while longer in Forrest City.