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 TimesHerald.)
September 1924
Big Demand - Rolfe Eldridge, of the Forrest City Motor Company, distributors of Chevrolet cars in this territory, reports bright prospects for business this fall. The automobile year runs from August 1 to August 1 so the automobile year of 1925 was just one month old at the close of business last Sunday night. Mr. Eldridge reports the sale of 11 Chevrolets for the first month, with many inquiries that will result in sales for this and succeeding months. The 11 sold in August was about onethird as many as his firm sold in the preceding year. Improved crop conditions is one of the reasons assigned by Mr. Eldridge for the increase, but another reason, he says is the splendid values being put in the Chevrolet cars. Three new De Luxe models have just been introduced by the Chevrolet Motor Company, Mr. Eldridge announced. They are the De Luxe sedan, touring and coupe and embody the latest improvements and accessories of the automobile industry to increase the comfort and pleasure of motoring. Much attention has been given to beautifying the appearance of the new models and among other innovations is the use of the Duco finish. For several months past there has been a consistent and steadily growing demand for Chevrolet cars with special fittings. As quickly as this trend appeared, factory officials started to work on the De Luxe models. Research and experimental work tested every accessory before it was selected and the color experts of the General Motors Corporation, Chevrolet Motor Company, Du Point Company, makers of Duco finish and the Fisher Body Company were consulted before the finish of the new cars was decided upon. In fact, every factor entering into the make up of the De Luxe models was thoroughly proven before the company started production on the new styles which now complete the Chevrolet line. The De Luxe sedan has a double Duco finish in blue with a contrasting red trim. This is further set off by the nickeled radiator, head and cowl lights and aluminum kick plates. This, as are the other two De Luxe models, is equipped with disc wheels, front and rear double bay bumpers, motor meter, etc. This Coupe has a roomy, two passenger body finish in the same rich blue as the sedan. Both the coupe and sedan have special deep velour upholstery with Marshall type springs. The upholstery is a gray that harmonizes with the blue finish.
Connaway Passed - Phillip K. Connaway, postmaster of the Forrest City office, died from the effects of a second stroke of paralysis, sustained on the fourth day of August. The end came peacefully and he was conscious up to a few moments before death. Deceased was stricken about one and one half years ago and never recovered the use of his right arm. The second stroke occurred on the night of Aug. 4, while at the Rock Island Depot. He improved slightly the next few days but his condition gradually became worse and he grew weaker until the end came. The services were attended by a large number of people and the floral offerings were many and beautiful. Interment was had at City Cemetery. Mr. Connaway was born in Stockton, Mo., March 4,1865. He came to Forrest City in December 1915, with his family and they have resided here since that date. He engaged in the mercantile business and was proprietor of the Connaway Variety Store at the time of his appointment as postmaster to succeed Linn Turley in July, 1922. He was a Republican in politics and loyal to his party and friends. He was well informed upon public questions and an interesting conversationalist. During his residence here he made numerous friends, who sorrow in his passing.
Mrs. Connaway Succeeds Him. His widow has been appointed acting postmaster to succeed him and assumed the duties of the office on the 16th. Her appointment had been recommended by H.L. Remmel, state leader, and John C. Bell, county leader of the Republican party. Mr. Connaway, prior to his death, had filed his resignation, effective upon the appointment of a successor and the notice of appointment of Mrs. Connaway was en route when his death occurred. Mrs. Connaway is splendidly equipped to perform the duties of the office. She was actively engaged with her husband in the major part of the clerical work as postmaster, acting as his secretary, at home.
Bobbed Hair and Beards Quite a flutter may be caused in the feminine dovecote by the state Beauty Trade association, that if women persist in bobbing their hair for several generations, they will grow breads, since hair is not permitted to grow on the head, it will grow on the face and body. Bearded ladies have not commonly been regarded as beautiful and if the girls saw such a result happening to themselves, the bobbing fever might cool off. But changes of that kind in the human physique tend to come rather slowly and the average person might guess that it would take quite a number of generations to bring it about. Up to date girls do not seem to be worrying much about posterity. If you can convince them that short hair promotes the piquant effect they are after, they are not likely to worry much as to the results of their great-greatgranddaughters.
Roleson Apartments - Work is well underway on the remodeling of the building formerly known as the Hatcher Hotel into four modern apartments, to be known in the future as the Roleson Apartments. The property was purchased by Edward Roleson and contract awarded to Harry Nunnally to remodel the building and make some additions thereto. The apartments will be ready for occupancy during November. Plans selected by Mr. Roleson are similar to apartments of the better class in the larger cities. Each of the four apartments will be entirely separate from the others. Each will consist of a living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchenette, hall, front and rear porches. The dinning room will contain a built-in bed, thus providing for a spare room for the entertainment of guests. The building will be steam heated, each apartment having its own furnace. Four separate coal bins will be built and there will be four garages. The kitchenettes will each be furnished with a gasoline stove, with oven, and an ice box will be furnished each apartment. The hallways will be of hardwood flooring and the dining rooms and kitchenettes will be covered with linoleum. The yard will be put in firstclass condition and will be cared for without expense to the occupants of the apartments. Curbing will be placed around the property and sidewalks laid on the north side. The total investment will be around $10,000.
Locals - Helen McCullough, of Memphis, spent Monday here as the guest of Eleanor McCown. Marjorie Browning, of Marianna, is Eleanor's guest for the week. ***Rev. J.C. Mason and daughter, Grace, returned from a week's visit in Little Rock and Hot Springs and were accompanied home by Mr. Mason's niece, Marguerite Emde. ***Anna Mary Muller left for Memphis to resume her studies at the St. Agnes Academy. Antoine Muller went to Armstrong Springs to enter the Moris Institute. ***Sam Burd left for St. Louis and is spending the week there buying fall and winter stocks for his store in this city. ***Will Hinton, prescriptionist at the Logan Drug Co., was a visitor to the Cotton State Merchants Convention in Memphis last week, also looking over the holiday lines for the Christmas trade, in the interest of the Logan Drug Co. ***Mrs. Horney will resume her classes in piano playing Monday, Sept. 15, Class work Saturdays in theory, dictation, ear training and music history. Phone 360 for appointments. ***Mrs. J.C. Ritchie returned Monday from a visit of three weeks with her brother and family in Gregory. ***Mr. and Mrs. Hammond P. Dooley and daughter returned Monday from a vacation of two weeks, Mr. Dooley spending his at Camp Pike, while Mrs. Dooley visited with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.L. Crafford, in Cotton Plant. ***Miss Katherine Jones and her guest, DeWitt Lathan, of Chicago, were visitors in Memphis, going over to be with Mr. Lathan's mother. ***Misses Annie Rush, Katherine Lanier, Lucille Davenport and Mildred Doyle left for Batesville to resume their studies at Arkansas College. ***Miss Bess Warren arrived Monday from Little Rock and will be the guest of Mrs. Brice Fletcher.
Posey Corner - The people of Posey are going to have a new school building. They are having a Domestic Science department built and Miss Margaret Schmitt of Zent opened school Sept. 8 in the New Liberty Church until the new building is completed. Miss Sorrels is principal and Miss Schmitt is primary teacher. The enrollment was 18 the first morning. ***Posey Sunday School invites everyone. Come and bring your friends. Be present with us at 2:30 p.m. Church services the first and third Sunday each month by Rev. Swain of Wheatley. ***Miss Gladys Latham spent the weekend with Miss Floy Sorrels. ***Mr. Daggett of Grays was through our vicinity Monday. ***Miss Eula Clifton spent the weekend with Miss Margaret Schmitt. ***Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schmitt were shopping in Wheatley. ***Mr. J.F. Bradley and family motored to Memphis to attend the fair. ***Charley Lawson and family were the guests of his son, Walter, in Brinkley. ***Several of the young people of Posey entered Wheatley school. The high school pupils are Miss Mammye Lawson, Elmer Lawson, Noel Dunnerman, Edward Riffey and Dolph Butler. Amos Williams is a fifth grade student. ***Miss Fannie Andrews left Saturday for Palestine where she is employed as a fourth and fifth grade teacher. Her niece, Ella Butler, accompanied her and will attend the Palestine High School. ***E.W. Daleh, contractor of our new school building, is working his men full time these bright days.