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.)
February 1933
Late arrivals - The grandmothers, in the persons of Mary Pearl Heustess and Kathryn Fulkerth, have arrived to participate in the festivities of the Reddell-Gatling wedding. These very charming old ladies are quite excited over the prospect of such a brilliant wedding in their families.
Locals - Hannah Moore, aged 114 years, died at her home here. The F.C. Clay Undertaking Co., has charge of the funeral arrangements, which have not yet been completed. ***Miss Ada Clarke of Cincinnati was arrested at a society wedding which she attended without an invitation, hoping to partake of the champagne served. ***Dr. and Mrs. H.J. Shearer were visitors from Colt spending today in town. ***Mrs. John I. Jones, Mrs. E.A. Ham, Mrs. Marshall Connaway and Mrs. E.J. Barrow were visitors in Little Rock. ***Rev. Glenn T. Sanford, church extension secretary of education, Hendrix College, Conway, is spending the week here in the interest of his office, and is the guest of Rev. and Mrs. G.G. Davidson. ***A report from the Baptist Hospital states that J. Fincher Wheeler, confined there, is in a very critical condition.
Mattress making - Mattress making as a plantation project is the theme of a meeting today on the J.W. Alderson farm near Triangle, where a demonstration in mattress making is being given by Miss Rosalie L. Wolfe, clothing economist, University of Arkansas, College of Agriculture. Primarily, the purpose of the meeting is for the training of the negro home demonstration agents from St. Francis and adjoining counties, although some local people were asked to attend. With the low price of cotton, coupled with a lack of comfortable bedding, the making of homemade mattresses will be one of the most practical projects ever attempted on a plantation, according to Miss Mena Hogan, county home demonstration agent, who since October has given eight demonstrations, resulting in 21 additional ones being made by those attending the demonstrations. The demonstration is being given at the home of Joanna Bradley, negro tenant, cooperating with Lugenia Christmas, local agent for the negroes.
Over 800 - Deputy County Collector John Jones stated that over 800 auto licenses and 75 truck licenses had been applied for at the office of Sheriff and Collector J.M. Campbell. He said that since the announcement that the time would be extended the business had slowed down but that they were still getting applications.
Pine Tree news - Mrs. Jim Ellis went to the hospital in Memphis. ***Mrs. Robert Thomas is very sick. ***Mrs. Jeff Williams returned home from a visit with relatives in Oklahoma. She was accompanied by her brother, and family, and Rev. Waltham. ***Rev. Waltham is giving us some fine preaching. ***Miss Eva Jordan, our school principal, is visiting in town. ***Mrs. Josie Nail is shopping in town and attending to business interests. ***Ed McMickle is taking some fine ham to town these days. Gee, wish I could board with him! ***The Young People's Singing class is progressing nicely, of which we are very proud. ***Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Adams are visiting in Pine Tree this week, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Sulcer.
Services - J. Fincher Wheeler died Tuesday afternoon at the Baptist Hospital, having been under treatment there a week or more, it is reported that pneumonia developed. Funeral services ware held in Memphis.
Stolen - Mrs. J.W. Whittenton's car, Ford, '31 model, was stolen from the driveway of the R.E. Crutchfield home. The car was found back of the high school football grounds.
Stop Sunday picture shows Reprentative B. McCollum, of St. Francis County, introduced House Bill No. 500 to prohibit operation of motion picture theaters on Sunday. The penalty for violating the measure, if enacted, would be a fine of $500 or a jail sentence of one year, or both fine and imprisonment. The bill was referred to the Committee on Conservation of Natural Resources.
Two divorces granted Lauderdale & Lauderdale, new law firm in Forrest City with offices in the Beck buildings, secured two divorce decrees in Chancery Court, Eva Mull from Arthur Mull, and Morrell B. Brannon from Mary Lee Brannon. The petitions were held the same day, and defendants, waving notice of summons and service, the cases went to trial and the decrees were granted. Both couples are white. Mrs. Mull secured her divorce on the ground of nonsupport, and Brannon scored his on the ground of cruel and inhuman treatment.
Whiskey Found - Prohibition Investigator J.B. Keenan, assisted by investigators from the Little Rock office, searched the home of Robert DeVazier, located five miles northwest of Palestine, and seized 65 gallons of whiskey in the house and upon searching the barn found and destroyed a 100-gallon still. While at the DeVazier home the investigators arrested Lum Bilbo, DeVazier's brother-inlaw, and carried him to Helena. DeVazier came in and gave himself up and was carried to Helena also. Both men had a hearing before the United States Commissioner there and were held under $500 bonds for an appearance before the District Court.
Win at ball - At the masquerade ball held at the Chatfield-Club on Feb.16, those winning prizes for most unique costumes and best dancing were Miss Dorothy Fogg of Whitehaven, Tenn., and Victor Baddour of Hughes. Miss Fogg, who is a guest of her sister, Mrs. J.D. Sims of this city, was very beautifully dressed to represent the Queen of Hearts, and her escort, Victor Baddour, went as a Spanish gentleman. After the awarding of the prizes – $5 to each – the floor was cleared, and the winning couple was requested to solo dance.
February 1970
Trooper Saves Life - State Trooper James Danley of Paragould was credited with saving the life of a Paragould motorist. State Police said Danley dived into a creek to free Robert Walker, about 48, from the cab of his pickup after the truck plunged off a bridge on Arkansas 25 just east of the Paragould city limits. State Police said Walker lost control of the truck while approaching the bridge and the vehicle landed upside down in four to five feet of water. Called to the scene, Danley jumped in to the creek in 15 degree weather, pried open a door and freed Walker from behind the truck seat, where he had been pinned. Danley was the “Trooper of the Year" in 1967.
Claims Four Lives - Four persons were killed and 10 others were injured in three separate traffic accidents on Arkansas highways. State Police said Joyce Carolyn Ashcraft, 23, and Tina Elaine Ashcraft, 3, of near Pine Bluff died in a headon collision on U.S. 270 about two miles west of Pine Bluff. The injured were identified as George Leon Ashcraft, 27, driver of one of the vehicles, and Stephen Dwayne Ashcraft, 3, both of near Pine Bluff, and Franklin Eugene Lee, 22, driver of the other car, John Thomas Kimmer, 23, and Ira Herring, 17, all of Sheridan. Eugene Williams, 34, of Memphis was killed and five others injured when Williams' panel truck ran off Arkansas 38 about a mile east of Hughes and overturned three times. Trooper Bill Mullenax said Williams lost control of the truck in a curve. Mullenax said the injured were treated at the scene and were not taken to a hospital. Jessie L. Montgomery, 69, of Marianna was injured fatally Tuesday when he apparently lost control of his station wagon and it traveled 181 feet on the shoulder of U.S. 79 east of Marianna, struck a four-foot high driveway and sailed 156 feet through the air, bouncing another 100 feet after touching the ground.
Flame Damage - Forrest City's Fire Department answered a call Tuesday morning at 9:10 to the home of
Carl Campbell at 2106 Campbell Drive. Sixteen firemen battled the blaze for about one and a half hours before completely extinguishing it. The house suffered damage to the roof, bathroom and attic. Fire department officials said the fire resulted from a short in the wiring at a wall socket, caused by an electrical appliance. Yesterday the department answered a call to Madison at the home of Beatrice Montgomery. The blaze damaged the house and two tool sheds. Twelve firemen fought the fire. A trash fire at Johnson's Alley was battled by 15 firemen last night.
In The Military - Thomas Nance - Vietnam, Marine Lance Corporal Thomas R. Nance, son of Mr. and Mrs. James K. Nance of 1206 McAdoo St., is serving with Forest Logistic Command (FLC) in Vietnam. FLC, headquartered at Camp Brooks near Ganang, is the largest supply, service and maintenance support organization in the Marine Corps. Comprised of seven battalions and to major support groups, the command serves all Marine and Republic of South Korea units operating in the northernmost tactical zone of South Vietnam. Individual missions of FLC and its subordinate military police and scout sentry dog service support. ***D.W. McGruder-U.S. Army, Vietnam-Army Private First Class Donald W. McGruder, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. McGruder, Route 1, Heth, was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam as a driver. ***Jerry Arms - U.S. Army, VietnamArmy Private First Class Jerry W. Arms, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Arms, Route 2, Hughes, was assigned with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam, recently as a mortar crewman. *** J.T. Montgomery-Wichita Falls, Texas-Airman James T. Montgomery, son of Mrs. Louise T. Montgomery, Rt. 2, has graduated from the training course at Sheppard AFB, Texas, for U.S. Air Force pavement maintenance specialists. Airman Montgomery is being assigned to the 3774th Instructor Squadron at Sheppard for duty with the Air Training Command which provides flying, technical and basic military training for U.S. Air Force personnel. The airman graduated in 1966 from Forrest City High School and attended Arkansas State. *** G.T. BrownLong Binh, Vietnam-Army Private George T. Brown, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Brown, Route 1, Colt, recently was assigned as a bull dozer operator in the 62nd Engineer Battalion near Long Binh, Vietnam.
Lite-a-Bike-Bicycle owners are reminded they may have 'safety' reflective tape applied to their bicycles by bringing them to the Forrest City Civic Center or Southgate Shopping Center. The campaign of bike safety is being launched by the VFW. Post Commander Ed Chauvin, of Post 2869, said the 'safety' reflective tape will be applied to children's bicycles without charge by members of the Post as 'part of the VFW's continuing national program of bicycle safety.' VFW members will be aided in this year's ‘Litea-Bike' campaign by the local unit of the National Guard-Btry B, 5th How. Bn., 206th Artillery. Supplier of the reflective tape is the 3M Company, which has donated about $2 million worth of materials since the program began six years ago.
Karate Champ - Larry Don Adams of Forrest City won a trophy he gained as second place winner in the U.S. Karate Championship competition in Dallas, Texas. Adams took second place in the blue and green belt division and fourth place in the tourney, 200 of which challenged in the blue and green belt division. Adams has been studying under Master Kang Rhee of Memphis and has been learning the Tae Kaun Do Style.