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.)
March 1939
Manslaughter - Clarence McCollum, 30-year-old grocery man of Greasy Corner, is being held in the St. Francis County Jail on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Bob Hickman, 45-year-old carpenter of Hughes. McCollum's bond has been set at $500. Coroner Parham Christopher said at the inquest held at Hughes, the coroner's jury returned the verdict that Hickman’s death had been the result of a heavy blow received on the head when he was struck with a stone thrown by McCollum. Deputy Mitchell Taylor reported that McCollum and Hickman were engaged in a fight on the streets of Hughes when McCollum hit Hickman with a stone. Hickman leaves a wife and two daughters, age 13 and 7.
Snatchers - Two Memphis men, Elmo Newman, 40, and Floyd Butler, 30, are lodged in the St. Francis County Jail on charges of grand larceny. Officers said the men were arrested on Broadway after they had snatched pocket books from two local people. One of the purses contained $15, the other $16. Police reported they had taken possession of a Model A Ford car in which they said the men had driven to Forrest City with three companions. The companions of the two pursesnatchers are still at large, Deputy Mitchell Taylor said.
Mother-In-Law Shot - St. Francis County officers are searching for John Henry "Shorty" Devo, who allegedly shot and seriously wounded his mother-in-Iaw. Odessa Jefferson while the two were engaged in a family argument. The shooting occurred near the John Dillon Farm on the St. Francis River east of Forrest City.
Indictments - The grand jury completed its work and was dismissed from further duties by Circuit Judge E.M. Pipkin. Twelve indictments, all for felonies, were returned, including among which were the following: Clarence McCollum, first-degree murder, in the death of Bob Hickman, at Hughes a few days ago. Ruth Edwards, first-degree murder in the death of Prince Edwards, at Hicks Corner. W. H. Freeman, firstdegree murder in the death of Charlie McEwin, at Hughes. C. W. Brown, manslaughter in the death of Leroy Courtney, at Madison. Otis Willis, Elmo Newman and Clem Daniels, indicted on charges of grand larceny.
Amazing Woman - Madam Lynch, billed as the only woman flea trainer in the world, comes to Forrest City with the Mammoth Marine Hippodrome Exhibition Train for one day only near the Rock Island depot. Madam Lynch has spent a lifetime training the tiny insects and presents a veritubeo circus, with fleas that ride bicycles, juggling fleas. Football players, fan-dancing fleas, in fact fleas that do everything but bark, are on the program. Madam Lynch and her flea circus are presented in the huge 180-foot train in conjunction with the 68-ton whale, the giant octopus, killer shark, as well as 101 human oddities including the amazing "headless woman" alive.
Report of Committee - We found three inmates at the County Poor Farm who reported to us that they were being well fed and properly cared for. We found the farm in a fair state of repair and the buildings and premises in a sanitary condition. Respectfully submitted, S.M. CAPPS, W.O. KERR, H.A. SULCER, Committee. In the St. Francis Circuit Court, before the Grand Jury, March, 1939, Term. To Mr. Emory Sweet, Foreman of the Grand Jury: Report of Committee: We, your committee, appointed to visit and inspect the County Jail, Courthouse and premises, beg to submit the following report: We find the Jail in a very unsanitary condition. The condition of the jail is deplorable. The prisoners' quarters and the bed clothes are filthy. The prisoners reported to us that some of them, as well as their quarters, are infested with lice. We recommend that immediate steps be taken to remedy these conditions. We find the state of repair of the jail about as good as is possible under the existing conditions. The prisoners report that they are being properly fed. We find the Courthouse in sanitary condition, except that the basement is in bad condition, but is in as good a condition as is possible to the state of of repairs of the building. We found some living in the basement of the Courthouse and we suggest that they he required to move. Respectfully submitted, OSCIE WALKER, W.T. JONES, J.V. HODGES.
Davis Passes Away - Winfield Davis, prominent St Francis County farmer, passed away at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis following a long illness. A native of Forrest City, Davis was born on June 19, 1989, the son of the late Thomas Asbury Ramsay Davis and Anna Jones Alley Davis. He lived the greater part of his life at the Davis ancestral home located west of Forrest City where he maintained farming interests. The youngest of seven children, Mr. Davis was the last to be claimed by death. His brothers and sisters preceded him in death as follows: Benjamin Davis, March 18, 1868; Sadie Davis, Jan. 30, 1893; Chas. A Davis, Nov. 10, 1916; Henry A. Davis, Oct., 12. 1920; Matticilla Davis, July 3, 1928; Tommie Anna Davis Reazley, Dec. 11, 1934. On Aug. 17, 1911, he was married to Miss Kate Fields in Memphis, and to this union three children were born. They are Thomas Fields Davis, Memphis; Richard and Betty Margaret Davis of Forrest City. Mr. Davis was a member of the Methodist Church, having been baptized in 1884 by the late Rev. A.R. Winfield, one of the most outstanding Methodist ministers of Arkansas at that time. Mr. Davis grandfather, the Rev. Arthur Davis, was a pioneer minister of this section of the state and preached the second sermon ever delivered in Forrest City. Throughout, Mr. Davis held the respect of the people of his community his honesty truthfulness and aggressiveness won the admiration and love of a host of friends. He is survived by his wife and children.
Prominent Resident Dies Col. James M.Stewart, 91, Confederate veteran, former clerk of the Circuit Court of St. Francis County, died at his home in Little Rock. Mr. Stewart moved from Forrest City to Little Rock in 1890. His death occurred on his birthday anniversary. Born in 1849 at Collierville, Tenn., 24 miles east of Memphis, Col. Stewart came to Arkansas with his parents when he was 13. His father operated a sawmill at Madison. When the war between the states broke out, his parents at first refused to allow him to enlist because of his youth. Finally he was granted permission and joined Hart's regiment at Forrest City under Paul M. Cobbs. The regiment originally was a cavalry unit but was dismounted and became an infantry unit in General McRae's brigade. He served in Arkansas throughout the war and in the battle of Prairie Grove, suffered a bullet wound in the thigh which forced him to remain in a hospital for three weeks. He was adjutant of Hart's regiment at the close the war. He returned to Forrest City after the war, and played a part in the development of the city. Colonel Stewart served circuit clerk of St. Francis for 12 years. He was one original stockholders of the Bank of Eastern Arkansas and he organized it in 1866. He was one of a group which built the Marion Hotel at Forrest City and was in the insurance business here under the firm name Stewart & Taylor. The firm now is known as Taylor-Knight King. He was a Mason and held many honors, and confederate veteran organizations. At one time he was elected general of the Order 98 Stars and Bars. Col. Stewart became secretary of the Arkansas Building and Loan Association in Little Rock. Later, he wrote insurance, and early in the 1920s, became owner with Garland Tillar of a 320-acre tract on the Arch Street pike.