Phillips County Historical Quarterly

December, 1973

Published by
The Phillips County Historical Society

The Phillips County Historical Society supplies the QUARTERLY to its members. Membership is open to anyone interested in Phillips County History. Annual membership dues are $3.50 for a regular membership and $5.00 for a sustaining membership. Single copies of the QUARTHRLY are $1.00. QUARTERLIES are mailed to members.

Neither the Editors nor the Phillips County Historical Society assumes any responsibility for statements made by contributors.

Dues are payable to Miss Bessie McRee, Membership Chairman, Box 629, Helena, Arkansas 72342. Meetings are held in September, January, and May on the fourth Sunday in the month, at 3:00 P. M. at the Phillips County Museum.

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PHILLIPS COUNTY
HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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"THIS OLD BOOK"

The Civil War Diary of
Mrs. Mary Sale Edmondson
Of Phillips County, Arkansas

Edited By

R. P. Baker, Archivist
Arkansas History Commission
1972

PART VII

PREFACE

The vast majority of Civil War diaries which have come down to this present time are those of the soldier himself, They give a thrilling account of the battlefield, the campfire, and the march but usually little else. This diary is different. It is an account of a different kind of battlefield, the home front in the South. But it is no less a story of privation, destruction, and bravery.

This is the diary of a very literate southern gentlewoman. It reflects her interests in the welfare of her home, her husband and children, and her Negro slaves. In it is captured the essence of a way of life rapidly being destroyed forever by Yankee Soldiers. Gone were the gracious ways, the leisurely civilization and finally, life itself.

INTRODUCTION

MARY FRANCES SALE EDMONDSON was born November

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16, 1816, in Amherst County, Virginia, the eldest of the eight children born to the Reverend Alexander F, and Sarah Crenshaw Sale. In 1821, the family emigrated with a large number of their fellow Virginians to Lawrence County, Alabama, and settled near the county seat of Moulton. Here they made their home for a number of years.

In 1848, Mary's brother, John B, a lawyer by profession and the fifth County Court Judge of Lawrence County, "was seized by a desire to try a new Country" and removed to Aberdeen, Mississippi. It was no doubt through her brother's new friends and acquaintances that Mary met a widower from Pontotoc County, Mississippi, Dr. Albert G. Edmondson. Dr. Edmondson's first wife was Caroline Pinson, and they were the parents of three children: William, Mary E., and Caroline L. The first Mrs. Edmondson died about 1848 or 1849.

Dr. Edmondson and Miss Sale were married in Mississippi on May 23, 185). Their first child, Alexander, was born April 20, 1855, but died eight days later. Their second child, John Albert, was born on May 23, 1856.

In 1857, Dr. Edmondson, his father-in-law, Alexander Sale, and two of his brothers-in-law, William and Melville Sale, joined the great American move westward, Choosing Phillips County, Arkansas as their new home, they settled northeast of Walnut Corner. Here they bought over one thousand acres of land in the Blackfoot or Central neighborhood, along Spring Creek Road. William named his plantation Granmedi, and the home shared by Dr. Edmondson and the rest of the Sale family was called Holly Grove. Some of the other families which made up this neighborhood were those

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of: Judge John T. Jones, George R. Johnson, Richard Ford, Thomas and John Gist, Joseph Green, Arthur Robinson, Richard Anselm Blount, Amos Jarman, James Cook, Alexander Graves, Warren and Jack Smizer, Dr. T. R. Welch, F. H. Dade and David Threlkeld.

On September 20, 1858, Mrs. Edmondson's third child, Sarah, Susannah, or Sallie, was born, only to die on dune 2, 1860, ironically the same day as the birth of her fourth and last child, Louise Titus, or Lou. Mrs. Edmondson died on February 7, 1865, after several months of illness. Dr. Edmondson died in Phillips County in 1885.

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DIARY

May 23, 1864, Monday. Today Albert is eight years old--but little notice taken of the child's birthday except that we gathered a few strawberries for him.

June 23, 1864, Thursday. Weeks later we learn of the awful battles going in Virginia--where our boys under our great Gen. Lee have foiled the Yankees at every point-causing them to abandon plan after plan of approach to our capitol and up to the 22nd of June the "little giant Grant" (Gen. U. S. Grant) had achieved no success worth the name, not-withstanding his unbounded resources of men and money! We are anxiously waiting to hear of the fate of Petersburg. Up to this time we have had no tidings of mama or any of our soldier boys! I have fixed up one bundle of things and a letter to send Will but was disappointed by the messenger being recalled. We

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have sent off, some time in June, our Confederate money to be bonded--also some for Will.

June 24, 1864, Friday. This day four years ago our darling little Sally died, and our little Lou was born. Our family troubles then began. As the heavy cloud made itself darkly visible in our doomed country's horizon, sickness and death spread through our whole family, white and black. Out of a family of thirty, we lost six, all grown persons but two, and all between June and October. When little Lou was placed in her grandfather's arms--while our beautiful Sally lay cold and white in her crib, waiting to be laid in her coffin, he pressed the babe in his arms and said "poor child you have fallen on evil times--it is better with the little one we shall bury out of our sight today." Oh, how true were the prophetic words spoken with quivering lips by my now sainted father! I had no conception then of how evil the times would become. I know now. Poor Lou's birthday has never been noted except in sadness--connected as it was with her sister's death--until this 4th one when we thought why morn for the happy and safe, and neglect to rejoice for the gift of the one that was left us? So on the 24th of June we invited Lutie's little friends to spend the afternoon with her. We made them a nice supper and the sad old house resounded with the innocent mirth of 15 or 20 children, They all seemed to enjoy Lutie's fourth birthday--but in the early morning of it the Doctor and I talked over the first one.

June 26, 1864, Sunday. A quiet lovely Sabbath until afternoon, Mr. (Turner) Harrill¹ brought over his babe for Doctor to see--who was not at home.

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June 30, 186, Thursday. This last week in June has been a dry hot one--for three weeks we had rain almost everyday-~after three months of drought.

We heard a rumor from Mell--that he was well, and made Provost Marshal of the military court of the army of Gen. Bragg. This bright beautiful day just one year ago we parted with my dear sainted father, my mother, Mollie and Mell. One month from that time two of them were dead--died soon after reaching their destination, where we fondly thought they would be so safe and comparatively comfortable. Oh, if I could ever hear from my dear mother! Rumors from the East and from the West are favorable to our people--but they may be only rumors.

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Inserted here is a letter which was given to the Helena Museum many years ago, by Mrs. Louise E. Alexander. Its small blue envelope still has on it a 10¢ stamp of the Confederate States of America. The envelope is addressed to: Capt. Melville W. Sale, Provost Marshal Military Court, Hood's Corps, Army Tennessee, Atlanta, Geo. It is from Col. J. B. Sale, C. S. A.

Richmond July 21: 64

My dear Brother:

I wrote you yesterday at great length by Col. Waddell going to Atlanta, & he promised to deliver in person: but lest he may fail, as many have done, I will hastily write again. Sorry I did not keep that letter for this certain conveyance. I have talked now fully with Asst. Secty of War about the Amendment of Mil Court Law & the result

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is briefly this.

You may yet be reappointed Prov. M., certainly yr rank, but the pay changed by the Act. To be appointed you must become a soldier, & shown to be unable for duty in the field. You should go to a Conscript Enrolling officer (my friend Gen. M. J. Wright will assist you), & be enrolled; but-on account of yr mayhem in battle, he must enrol you for "light duty", & so report. The inability must be certified by the Board of Surgeons for the purpose. The Court will then apply to the Adjt General for you to be detailed as their Prov. M., stating you have been acting as such from beginning, that you are enrolled, & maimed, & send along the Surgeon's Certificate in proof of it.

This must all come up through Corps and Army Head Qrs. Write me, & I will get it through. Yr pay as detailed soldier will be $2 per day ($60 per month), $18 per month, and clothing & rations, -under Act of June 9th 64. Yr rank, as I said, unchanged. Judge Campbell says you will still ride, & the Secty says he will order it so when the Court you serve on is in the field & not on a Post. That is not yet settled & published by order; but it will be I doubt not. The Act is unpopular & we think will be repealed next session, & all harm undone that is not final.--

I now advise, in the new lights, to remain & take the chances. You would be enrolled alone for light duty, & in any event would hardly be put in ranks. Roddy's Commissary Maj McGaughy is here with an application to form the Rgt for _____ & Doan & yourself, and I think that sooner or later it can be done. You need not see him now any further, He is doing his best, & I think he will

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suceed by time. Gen Bragg can get his hand in the matter. Forrest opposes, but we will try him a few rounds before he is let off. If in luck well, all is right. If not, you are confined to the Court with the reduced pay til changed by a new law. So go to work for the reappointment the same as if that was all you want. Dont omit anything of form, or substance.

Tell Sambola, if he is unable, he can do as I tell you. Otherwise let the Court recommend no clerk, get the Gen Comdy Army to order him detailed pro tem, like Pollard was detailed as Judge Advocate.----1 approve yr decision not to accept Hindman's offer to go on staff for reasons given in my other letter, & in yours. He would be hard to get along with: but is a great fellow for energy & sense.--Keep my sword if it suits: otherwise send it to Paul. Do with same as you find best; but if sent home, send him by someone going all the way.

Love to Beatty (?) Lanndry & all the crowd.

Yrs to command

Jno. B. Sale

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July 1, 1864, Friday. 1st July. Miss Sue Johnson's (school) session closed today.

July 14, 1864, Thursday. Noon this date the sickly season has set in. Mr. Cook's (family), our family, and Mrs. Robinson's (family)—and lastly Mrs. (Richard) Ford,² all within ten days of each other. Mrs. Robinson has been previously afflicted: herself, Jenny (Graves), and Henry (Robinson) are quite dependent upon the neighbors for all that (the) slothful, thoughtless negroes

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cannot do. Dick has been sick--myself and Mahala.

July 14, 1864, Thursday. I looked this evening out of my window to hurry dear Albert to go for the cows--hearing, as I supposed, his horse coming round--when behold dear, dear brother Will's face met me full! I was much overcome with emotion --for I had not heard from him in seven months—nor from my mother. Oh, bless and thank our heavenly father who (has)...answer the prayers of his feeble ones--who lighten the burdens of the weak-- who tempereth the wind to the slow lamb. Oh, how good, how kind he is. All that is within me bless and praise his Holy name! We have heard from our mother and sister--we have looked on the face of one of our brothers once more--one who has been in "the imminent deadly breach" and suffered pains in many ways since we heard from him last. My dear mother is yet alive-~she was spared another Yankee invasion through the mercy of God--our enemies were driven back from the place of her refuge without having reached it. (By Gens. Taylor and Green --Gen. Kirby Smith stationed in Shreveport. Your uncle Harwood commanded the company of "Silver Grey's" Home guard from one parish, Caddo—and marched them down to Mansfield, forty miles distant from us--and cut one mile from the beginning of the battle, which so effectually relieved North le. from the presence and attacks of the enemy—the night of the battle, was complimented by Gen. Smith for this promptness in giving aid or offering it--and told to maintain the organization while the war lasted. It was voluntary--and of the best elderly material the pains afforded. One dear old Gentleman, Col. Douglas, was nearly seventy but manifested the energy and life of his more youthful boys. (Aunt Sue)

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July 24, 1864, Sunday. The ensuing week Mrs. Robinson's little Carrie was taken sick; her brother, Lieut. William (J. Wilburn)³ -- a noble manly soldier came home and stayed with her at the risk of his captivity for more than ten days--when on the 23 (July) poor little suffering Carrie was laid in the grave at Andrew's Chapel (old Campground) beside Miss Bettie (Wilburn), her Aunt, … -- the gallant soldier, who had been such a tender, unwearied nurse, returned to his camp his sister being unwilling to risk his captivity longer, notwithstanding her own and her sister's weakness and distress, and on the evening of the day little Carrie was buried a Yankee scout came out confident that they should (find) him with his suffering sister; but God's good providence ordered it otherwise--neither he nor my brother, Will, were where they hoped to find them, They searched Mrs. Robinson's house from top to bottom--but he had left it three hours before--and Will had not been here for a week--so they only gave us a call on Sabbath morning--took a tin cup and blanket that were within reach and left while I again tried to prepare a discomposed mind for the sacramental meeting we were looking forward to on the next day at Mrs., Robinson's where our Presiding Elder (Bro. Jones) had kindly promised to meet such of the member of his flock as could not go several miles to his appointment at Lagrange.

July 25, 1864, Monday. My dear Annah (Susannah Jones) birthday. May God be with her this day and comfort and sustain her by His presence! To us it has been a day not soon to be forgotten. Dr. and I, with Lou, in my dear father's buggy drove over to Mrs. Robinson’s to help her prepare seats for the congregation.⁴ I carried the sacremental bread prepared by Lucy. We found brother

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Jones, already there and we had given the servants permission also to attend, except Mahala who was left in charge of the place and family who (were) sick.

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FOOT NOTES

Household No. 283, 1860 U. S. Census, Spring Creek, Township, Phillips County, Arkansas.

Household no. 291, 1860 U. S. Census, Spring Creek, Township, Phillips County, Arkansas.

3 He was a lieutenant in Co. B, Dobbins' 1st Arkansas Cavalry. He enlisted June 12, 1862 and was killed at Battle of Big Creek, Phillips County, on July 25, 1864. Muster Rolls, Dobbins’ 1st Arkansas Cavalry.

4 See "Cook Diary" July 25, 1864. Phillips County Historical Quarterly, Volume 4, No. 3; March, 1966, page 37.

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EXPLOSION IN HELENA
July, 1899

by

Gene Bradford

Last year while looking through a box of old clippings which belong to my Aunt Henrietta Kloene, I came upon an article from a July, 1899, local paper. In scanning it I remembered Aunt Ret had often mentioned her friend, Mr. Gram, and his tragic death. Knowing she had lived in the Biscoe home while attending school in Helena, I asked her to tell me about it. Shr remembered the circumstances surrounding the explosion and death of her friend and told them to me, Later I found the article from the Gazette microfilm at the library. Both articles follow.

I have been unable to unearth anything about the surviving sister from Barton.

from THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE July 22, 1899

At 7:30 o'clock this evening the plant of the Helena Electric Light and Power Company was entirely destroyed by an explosion, the cause of which will never be known. There was nobody present except Charley Gram, the fireman, who was instantly killed.

The building is one of the worst wrecks ever seen in these parts, there being scarcely a brick left on top of another. The boiler lay on the

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river bank a hundred yards away, while the tracks of the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad immediately adjoining were covered with debris, a few freight cars being slightly injured.

The explosion was heard all over the city, a large crowd being attracted to the scene of the disaster. The plant was one of the completest in the country, being as good as money could buy and was doing a remunerative business.

Mr., Edward C. Hornor, the well known lawyer and capitalist was the general manager and principal stock holder in the company. Mr. Hornor says the company was damaged to extent of at least $25,000.

The fireman was the only person at the power house, and he had just arrived a moment before from his supper.

Peter Bauer, the superintendent, was on his way to the power house and was almost near enough for the flying debris to strike him. The wires of the Western Union Telegraph Company running alongside the electric power house were torn away for a space of 500 yards.

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EXPLOSION

Last Saturday evening about 7:30 the boiler of the electric light plant exploded. Charles Gram the fireman was instantly killed and nearly buried under brick. The house is a total wreck - all of the roof and most of the wall is blown away. The boiler was broken in two, one

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half is near the river bank, the other half in another direction. One colored woman two blocks away had a leg broken by a brick or block of wood. The switch engine on the Valley road was considerably scratched up and several box cars have the sides torn off. The roof of the Valley depot and several cabins have their roof damaged. Essertier's store has a number of glasses broken. The saddest of it all is the death of young Gram. A more moral and Christianlike young man could not be found. The funeral was from Mr. Cam Biscoe's residence Sunday afternoon. He leaves a sister who lives at Barton. The entire funeral expense was borne by Messrs. Hornor, the owners of the plant, they in addition will render her assistance.

The owners will begin work on a new plant at once. The electrician Mr. Bauer, barely escaped as he was returning from supper and was in a block of the building when the explosion took place. No cause for the explosion is known as a boiler inspector for an Insurance Co. made an examination of it a few days ago and found it in an unusual good condition.

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AUNT RET REMEMBERS

It was Sunday morning, July 23, 1899. Henrietta (Retsy) Kloene was home with her family at Latour for the summer vacation when a friend from Helena rode up with the sad news of the death the previous night of Charlie Granm, a young man of 21.

For several years he had lived in a little one room house in the back yard of the Cameron

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Biscoe residence on McDonough Street. For even a longer period of time Retsy had lived with the same family so that she might have an opportunity to attend the Helena High School as there was none at Latour.

Mr. Charlie worked the night shift at the power plant so his evening meal had to be served early. During the week the cook took care of this, but she was off on week ends and Mrs. Biscoe always went to Brinkley to visit her sister. Lizzie Biscoe and Gertrude Kloene, the other girls at the home always went to the movies on Saturday evening. Retsy never liked movies, so on Saturday afternoons she fixed supper for Mr. Charlie and packed his lunch. He was such a kind person to everyone that she was always glad to help him in this way.

It was he who helped her overcome her dread of the telephone. Mrs. Biscoe would become quite exasperated when Retsy would refuse to answer the phone, Mr. Charlie understood it was just that she was so self-conscious, never having used one. Telephones had yet to reach the country area. Each Saturday evening, knowing she was alone after he went to work he would call from the plant. Soon the country girl was just as comfortable using the phone as anyone. He was a very compassionate person, and it was with a heavy heart Retsy returned to Helena to attend the funeral and burial in Maple Hill Cemetery of Charles Gram.

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Dr. A. A. Hornor helped with the following information:

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EARLY SETTLERS OF
BARTON
PHILLIPS COUNTY, ARKANSAS
PART TWO

SYNOPSIS OF PART ONE

Part One was published in the June and September 1973 copies of this Quarterly Magazine. It discussed the extent of the community known as BARTON before it ever became a town; included an Enumeration of School District No. 4 naming the 22 white families living in the area about 1876-1878 consisting of 69 white and 158 colored people; a brief discussion of the families of Drury H. Lane and Michael Long and their relationship to the families of Columbus Shackelford Belsha and his brother James L. Belsha, all from Lauderdale County, Alabama, coming to Phillips County, Arkansas from about 1857 through 1866; and correspondence between James V. Belsha of Phoenix, Arizona and Mr. Henry Winbourne (Win) Cook of Los Angeles, California (born at Barton in 1880) about the aforementioned families and many of these families listed in the School District Enumeration; also some facts about old Central Church and Cemetery at North Creek where members of so many of those families are buried. It also contains a Foreword explaining the sources of the facts to be included in the several Parts of this Article.

James Vachel Belsha

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THE BELSHA FAMILIES

The name spelled Belcher appears as early as 1637 in records of Boston, Massachusetts; as early as 1664 in records of Braintree, Massachusetts as Belchar, and in records of Henrico County, Virginia in 1736 spelled Belshar. The name Belsha appears in a census of Hempstead, Long Island, New York taken in 1698. One Robert Belsha acquired a Patent to land on Linville Creek, Augusta County (now Rockingham County), Virginia, in 1763, in which he was named Robert Belshire, but John W. Wayland, a recognized historian of the area, in his book "The Lincolns in Virginia" identifies him as Robert Belsha, next to whose land Captain Abraham Lincoln, grandfather of President Abraham Lincoln thereafter acquired land. Another neighbor was John Cravens, a prominent citizen and landowner of the area with whom Robert Belsha had dealings in land. When this elder Robert died, a younger Robert Belsha was Executor of his Will, no doubt his son. We have a direct copy made from the original of the younger Robert's Bond upon qualifying as executor, in which Capt. Abraham Lincoln joined as Surety; also a direct copy made from the original Marriage Bond of the younger Robert, in which his name is clearly spelled as Belsha. Unhappily the Will and proceedings in its probate were lost, along with almost all other public records when the Rockingham County Courthouse was burned in the Civil War; however, several deeds re-recorded later in that county and earlier in Augusta County, show names of the parties to have been Belsha.

Craven Belsha (full name believed to have been John Craven Belsha) was born in the western part of Virginia, probably in Augusta or Rocking-

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ham Counties, Tazewell County, or that part of Washington County which later became Russell County, Virginia. He, along with Samuel Belsha and James Belsha were listed as "Taxables" in Madison County, Kentucky, in 1800, where Samuel died in 1814; and James was one of his executors; James moved to "the wilds of Howard County, Missouri" in 1825 with his family and part of Samuel's children. Howard County at that time included more than the northwest quarter of the State of Missouri and from which area their descendants spread to several counties of that state, including as far south as Perry County, where some live to this day.

In 1808 Craven Belsha and his wife Margaret executed their deed to the last parcel of their land "on the waters of Muddy Creek" in Madison County, Kentucky, near the town of Boonsborough; this deed showed them to be residents at time of execution in Warren County, Tennessee, where William, his father, is known to have resided at some time. His father, William, owned land in Tazewell County, Virginia and lived there for some time. On July 27, 1829, Craven gave a deed to his undivided one-fifth interest in the real estate of William Belshe (per the record) deceased father of the said Craven--"occupied at the present time by the widow of the said William." A Supplement to the 1810 Census of Tazewell County, Virginia, made from the Tax Lists, includes William Belsha, David Belsha, Polly Belsha, and Bartley Belsha, Genealogical research is now being done to prove the true relationship of these people to the Belsha family of Phillips County, Arkansas. Anyone having knowledge of these people from 1763 to 1800 are requested to get in touch with James V, Belsha, 1244 North 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, who will be glad to cooperate in clearing up questions regarding these

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and other families of that part of Virginia named Belsha, Belshe, Belshee and Belcher-Belsher, of whom he hag much information.

In 1820 Craven Belsha homesteaded a quarter section of land on the Tennessee River in Lauderdale County, Alabama, near the town of Waterloo. Craven died there early in 1836, leaving as "legatees" seven sons and one daughter, including Zachariah Belsha, who on December 19, 1835 married Ruth Jenkins, to which marriage was born two sons, Columbus Shackelford Belsha and James L. Belsha. Those two boys grew up in said Lauderdale County, where on February 11, 1857, Columbus (called Lum) married Sarah Washington Lane, daughter of Drury H. Lane. Their Civil War records show Columbus S. Belsha, Sergeant, Company "I", 35th Alabama Infantry, C. S. A. and James L. Belsha, Private-Sergeant, Company "D", 9th Alabama Infantry, C. S. A.

There is no indication found in the records of a relationship, by marriage or otherwise, between the Shackelford and Belsha families that caused Zachariah to name his eldest son Columbus Shackelford Belsha. It is believed he was so named in honor of Dr. Jack (not John) Shackelford, a prominent, well-known and much loved Medical Doctor who lived in Lawrence County, Alabama, just across the Tennessee River from Lauderdale County for many years, and who just could have been the attending physician at the birth of Columbus. The story of Dr. Jack and the part he played in recruiting a company of men in northern Alabama to assist the Texans in their War of Independence from Mexico, including their capture by the Mexicans at the Battle of Goliad and the subsequent murder of all except eight of them, Dr. Jack being one to escape, is told at length on pages 207 to 213 of "Early

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Settlers of Alabama" by James Edmonds Saunders (1806-1896). It makes very interesting reading.

EXODUS FROM ALABAMA AND THE TENNESSEE RIVER VALLEY

The Tennessee River Valley country was, and still is, a beautiful place to live, but there was not enough tillable soil in the low lands along the rivers and creeks to accommodate the needs of the farmers. The uplands consisted of a thin layer of topsoil covering almost soilless sand, gravel, and solid rock. A large percentage of the people, regardless of their principal trade or occupation, were also farmers. Research on the Lane family discloses that early in the 1680's Isham H. Lane (brother of Drury H. Lane) went out as advance agent for all the Lane and Hall families and their friends and associates, to find new locations of better land on which to settle. He went through Mississippi, Arkansas, northern Louisiana, and into eastern Texas in his search and located the Lane Homestead near Jacksonville, Cherokee County, Texas, in 1847. Many of the Lanes, Halls, and other families followed, some settling along the wayside when they found satisfactory land.

Robert Belsha was living in Yalobusha County, Mississippi, from 1835 to some time after 1840; Ewing Belsha moved to Sevier County, Arkansas before 1850; James F. Belsha before 1860 and Francis Peter Belsha about 1866 settled in Shelby County, Texas; Thomas Belsha lived in Butler County, Kentucky, apparently never living in Alabama; all of these men were "Legatees" of Craven Belsha and brothers of Zachariah Belsha.

Amos Green Jarman, born in Alabama, had moved

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to Mississippi by 1846 or 1847 when his eldest son Whitley was born. The 1850 census of Lawrence County, Alabama lists an Amos Jarman, age 60, born in North Carolina. The 1850 census of Lauderdale County, Alabama, lists Steven Jarman, age 80 born in North Carolina, in the household of John P. Threete (Thweatt?). The 1860 census of Phillips County, Arkansas, Spring Creek Township, Edwardsburg Postoffice lists A. G. Jarman, age 36, born in Alabama; his wife M. I. Jarman, and Whitley Jarman, age 13, born in Mississippi, and Thomas Wallace, age 22 and C. Ross, male, aga 20, both born in Tennessee and classified as "Manager". Ages shown indicate Amos in Lawrence County could have been the father and Steven Jarman the grandfather of Amos Green Jarman. Several other Jarman families lived in Lawrence and Sumpter Counties, Alabama in 1850; however, so the above is not conclusive but certainly is a strong indication of parentage of Amos Green Jarman, ancestor of the present Jarman family in Helena.

The 1850 census of Lawrence County, Alabama also lists under No. 311: Thomas C. Sale, age 24, merchant: Mary F., age 18, his wife no doubt; and Anna C., age 2 months, all born in Alabama.

The 1870 census of Phillips County, Arkansas, Planters Township, lists other families from Alabama as: Amos J. Hughes, physician; R, F, Hughes, merchant; George W. Waters; James Long; J. M. Evans; Arthur W, Scott, merchant; and William F, Sale, age 45, Jane E., age 36, Lue Edmondson, age 10, born Arkansas, and Henry Sale, age 13, born Tennessee. This Lou Edmondson is the daughter of Mrs. Edmondson whose diary is running concurrently in the Quarterly.

What this all adds up to is when Columbus

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Shackelford Belsha and James L. Belsha came to Phillips County, Arkansas, at or soon after the close of the Civil War and settled at North Creek, it was to make a new home in a new country, but among old friends and relatives, not strangers. The Family Bibles show that Benjamin Lafayette Belsha, fifth son of Columbus S. Belsha was born at North Creek May 2, 1866, and that James L. Belsha married Mary Elizabeth Lane, another daughter of Drury H. Lane, October 18, 1866.

The following excerpts from Census records of Phillips County, Arkansas, give the names of some additional "heads of families" settling in the Barton area and the States of their birth, many being from Alabama and Tennessee, substantiate the statement in the foregoing paragraph. They are by no means complete, since a number of changes were made from year to year in boundaries and names of the Townships making it difficult to determine which should be included or excluded. In a few instances some members other than heads of families will appear where necessary to clarify relationships and locations of homes.

The 1850 Census of Phillips County, Spring Creek Township (apparently in the Lexa area) lists Williamson Bonner, age 54, b. Virginia; Alex Graves, age 53, b. North Carolina, his wife Anna, b. Virginia, and six children born in Tennessee and Mississippi; Jefferson Taylor, b. Alabama, and Elvira, b. Tennessee; and in Big Creek Township: A. L. Lamb, age 35, b. Alabama, and his wife Hannah A. Lamb, b. Alabama.

The 1860 Census of Phillips County, Planters Township, Planters Postoffice adds: F. P. Graves, aman, age 32, b. Tennessee, in the household of Alexander Graves; William Renfro, age 26, and wife Amanda, age 23, both b. Tennessee; Abram

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Wallace, age 26, b. Tennessee and his wife Helen, age 23, b. Arkansas; A. F. Renfro, age 34, and his wife Nancy R., age 32, both b. Tennessee; James Cook, age 50, b. North Carolina and his wife Frances, b. Tennessee with seven children all be Mississippi; and Parthena Cook, age 62, b. North Carolina; Richard Long and Caroline M. with three daughters all born in Alabama; Edwin Hicks, age 21, b. Tennessee and family; the Drury H. Lane family from Tennessee and Alabama; Albert G. Edmondson and family, Alexander Sale and wife b. Virginia; Melville M. Sale b. Alabama and W. F. Sale and wife A. E. Sale, both b. in Alabama and G. W. Mitchell and family.

The 1870 Census of Planters Township added: Amos J. Hughes, physician and R. P. Hughes and their families from Alabama; George W, Waters of Alabama and his family; Nathan Graves born Tennessee; Joseph F. Graves and Charles C. Graves, both b. Mississippi; John H. Hicks b. Tennessee; Ann F. Sutton b. Tennessee; Charles Hicks b. Arkansas; Peter R. Ford, a physician, b. Tennessee; Frank Bush b. Virginia and family; A. S. Hawkins, merchant, b. Kentucky; J. A. Bush, b. Tennessee; Cadwallader Polk, b. Tennessee; C. S. Belsha and James L. Belsha, both b. Alabama and their families; and William Lowrey and family, all b. in Louisiana.

The 1880 Census of Phillips County--now Spring Creek Township, will be set out more fully, and in the order they are to be found in the records. It appears the census taker listed the owner of the farm or plantation, then the colored people who lived on his farm--then went to the next white family. No effort has been made to name these colored families, only their household members are given here. It is hoped this will help to indicate how the families were located in relation

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to each other.

No. 1; Whitley Jarman, who took the census; 2 to 12 black; 13: E. J. Weatherly, a woman; 14 black; 15: Thomas H, Chandler; 16 to 18 Black; 19: W. T. Gray; 20: A. K. Wallace; 21: E. W. Grimm; 22: Joseph F. Graves and wife M. A. (apparently widow of William Renfro) with children Houston and S. C. Renfro, boys, and Fannie A. Renfro. (This Renfro home was just west across what is now Highway 85 from the Thomas W. Wallace farm) 23 to 30 black; 31: James L. Belsha and family and Mose W. Lane; 32: Amelia W. Grooms and William Addey; 33: Thomas W. Wallace and family and man-servant Albert Terry; 34 to 43 black; 44: Mike Locklayer; 45: Martin Crow; 46: George W. Thompson and wife Dora, with A. F. Latham and Josie Latham, step-daughters and Henry Latham, step-son, also Alice, John and William Fitzgerald, step-children; No. 46 also included J. J. Hertle and J. M. Bevins, servants; 47 to 53 black; 54: E, A. Hicks and family and Jamison Burnett, nephew; 55 to 60 black; 61: E. S. Sanders and family, including Mary and Nancy Burns or Burrus (?) step-daughters, and Charles Grim grandson; 62: Amos G. Jarman, Carrie E. his wife and Sammie H. Jarman and E. C. Lockhart; 63 to 65 black; 66: B. W. Green, T.C. Green, a son and Mary Allison, niece; 67: Constantine Perkin and Etta his wife, boarders in the Green household; 68: R. A. Blount and family and William Edson, servant; 69: Jas. R. Dawes; 70 to 72 black; 73: E. T. Brown and Kate; 74: R. J. Cook and family, including Henry W. Cook 3 months old and Annie L. and Jennie H. Cook, sisters of R. J.; 75 to 90 black; 91: L. R. Payne and C. F. Payne brothers; 92 to 94 black; 95: C. S. Belsha and family and Aggie Jacks, sister-in-law (grandmother of Carrie May Otis and Julia Atkins of West Helena.); 96: John G. Waters; 97 to 109 black; 110: Jas. A.

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Bush and family and Mollie Hitchoock, teacher; 111 to 131 black; 132: A. J. Hughes, daughter Lida and Eliza Johnson his mother, also I. H. Raider, servant; 133 black; 134: Jno W. Keesee; 135 to 151 black; 152: H. C. Macklin. From here on believed to be in the Lexa area.

The railroads built in eastern Arkansas, as everywhere else in the United States, indicated the true development of that part of the state, In prior issues of the Quarterly we have been told of the surveying of the route of the then Arkansas Central Railroad--now the Arkansas Midland Railroad from Helena to Clarendon, in the Diary of Fred B, Sheldon, the last installment of which appeared in the June, 1969, Vol. 7, No. 3 of this publication, which indicates the survey was completed in or before 1872. Attached to that issue is a map of the first 20 miles of the survey which will help in locating the land on which many of these early settlers were living in February, 1871. There were, of course, some changes in those ownerships by the 1880 Census. The following paragraphs will be of some help as to when the Arkansas Central (or Arkansas Midland) Railroad was completed.

In Vol. 9, Now 1. December, 1970 issue of the Quarterly we learn the first postoffices in Barton and Marvell were established in 1873; in Poplar Grove in 1870; at Pillows at 1878, at Lexington-Lexa in 1880.

In "A Reminiscent History of the Ozark Region", - Ramfree Press, 1956, appears on page 3) the statement that "The Iron Mountain (St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway) completed in 1882, was changed to standard gauge in 1886---the Helena and Clarendon changed to standard gauge in 1886." If the original line of the Iron Mountain

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to Helena was not completed until 1882, the Arkansas Midland came first! This is further substantiated by the dates of establishment of post-offices at Barton, Poplar Grove and Marvell 8 or more years before those at Latour and Lexa.

It is also to be noted that in "A Pictorial History of Arkansas" by Fay Hempstead, published in 1890, at page 882 under Phillips County, is found the following: “It is traversed by two railroads, the Arkansas Midland, from Helena to Clarendon in Monroe County and the Iron Mountain Railroad from Helena to St. Louis, intersecting the Memphis and Little Rock Railway (now Rock Island Railway) at Forrest City in St. Francis County." A Map (not dated) attached to said book shows a branch line of the Arkansas Midland Railroad running from Pine City south to Indian Bay, all in Monroe County. It also shows stations on the Railroad west from Helena named Huma, Handy Ran and Pillows, all east of Barton and not now shown on present day maps, the Arkansas Midland being shown on the 1972 Arkansas State Highway Map as running from the Missouri Pacific Railroad, just east of Barton, west to Holly Grove and designated also as the Missouri Pacific Railroad.

From "Publications of the Arkansas Historical Association", edited by John Hugh Reynolds, Vol. 1, page 207: In 1868 bonds were issued for construction of railroads--only 47 miles of the Arkansas Central had been constructed. In June, 1877 the Supreme Court declared the bonds were illegally issued. Page 208: At the present time (1906?) Arkansas Midland Railroad Company had 47.45 miles in operation; Arkansas Central Railroad Company had 44.32 miles in operation; and St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad Company had 1044.40 miles in operation. (These mileages meant in the State, not just Phillips County.)

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Also in Mr. Hempstead's book (above) at page 883 is a list of "Those who held office in the county" (Phillips County) which includes: B. W. Green--Sheriff 1858 to 1862 and 1864 to 1866 (there appears to have been no election in 1863, so those elected in 1861 are presumed to have carried over for 1863.) T. Wallace--Coroner 1864-1866 - J. A. Bush--Assessor 1866-1868 - B. W. Green--Assessor 1878-1888 - R. A. Blount—Surveyor 1882-1886 - Thomas M. Jacks--Surveyor 1886-1890 -Whitley Jarmin--County Clerk 1882-1888.

TO BE CONTINUED

***

Corrections in Mr. Belsha's article in the September, 1973, Quarterly are as follows:

Page 16, 14th line from bottom of page: "almost" should be "also."

Page 16, 11th line from bottom of page: "almost" should be "also the."

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CAMP BARTON

By

Terry Ray White
Marianna, Arkansas

In early January, 1937, the people of Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas watched the Mississippi River as it rose -- 35 feet, 36, 37, 38 feet. This rapid rise of water was caused by a prolonged season of heavy rains beginning in the winter of 1936 and extending into the new year. On January 17 a Memphis meteorologist predicted a floodstage of 44 feet at Helena by January 22 or 23. This indicated a clear flood threat to the area along the Mississippi north and south of Helena. Predictions for the water levels were reaching 50 feet with an overflow expected.

On January 21 with the Mississippi still rising, two men, Dr. W. B. Bruce, County Health Officer for Phillips County, and Captain Austin Coates, commander of the local National Guard unit at Helena, met at the tiny community of Barton, eleven miles west of Helena to choose a site for a flood refuge camp. Captain Coates was acting on advance orders from Colonel Elgan C. Robertson of Marianna, commander of the 206th Coast Artillery, Arkansas National Guard, in anticipation of a declaration of martial law by Governor Carl Bailey. It was decided to establish one camp at Barton for all the tenants forced from back water areas so that proper sanitation and health precautions could be taken.

Estimates to the number of flood refugees there would be in Phillips County ran high.

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Local Red Cross officials said at least 2500 families would need to have outside assistance by the relief program. Jack Kirkpatrick, secretary of the Helena Chamber of Commerce said at least 1000 tents would need to be secured at once for housing the refugees. The W. P. A. was asked to help in the construction of the proposed camp and the regional office at Jonesboro assigned 75 laborers to the job.

If there were to be a large number of refugees from the flood, then Barton would be a good site for the camp. The area included about 860 acres of high ground with a number of community buildings such as the school which could be utilized. There was also access to an ample supply of water from the Walnut Corner swimming pool well owned by W. H. Gibson and from a large water tank in Barton owned by Joe Eddins.

Most of the area around Barton, from north and west of Walnut Corner to below the railroad tracks south of Barton including land owned by Gibson and Eddins as well as the school grounds, would be used for the camp.

After selecting the camp site Captain Coates designated the Baptist church building, a one room frame building, as the camp headquarters. Dr. Bruce established a hospital tent to be staffed by county health nurses and local Red Cross nurses. Raymond Held of the local sanitation office was assigned by the State Sanitation Commission to take charge of the sanitation work. He began the construction of latrines and other sanitation facilities for the refugees who would be coming to the camp. All refugees were to be housed under canvas. The local guard unit, Battery G, 206th Coast Artillery, Arkansas National Guard, with fifty-eight enlisted men and two officers under

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Captain Coates, were assisted by the W. P, A. workers in setting up the forty-three tents which they had on hand between the Barton school and the railroad tracks. This was the beginning of the tent city of Camp Barton, Captain Coates had requested 2000 tents from the Army Corps of Engineers office but only expected to receive 1000 for the Phillips County camp.

As Camp Barton began to take shape it was evident there would have to be some organized plan for receiving refugees into the camp. Therefore, Captain Coates set out a list of procedures for plantation owners to follow who needed to move their tenants to the refugee camp. The plan was as follows: Plantation owners were to 1) notify Captain Coates of the date and probable hour when they would move their tenants to the concentration camp, 2) list the number of families and the number in each family to be moved, 3) move no family unless it was absolutely necessary, 4) move those in immediate danger first, 5) move no family into the camp if they could be put somewhere else on the plantation, 6) notify Captain Coates at once if they needed any assistance from the railroad in moving out, 7) bring no family to the camp that was not from the backwater area.

Monday, January 25, was the big day at Camp Barton. While W. P. A. workers were busy erecting tents as fast as they arrived from Memphis, the first refugees began arriving in the area. They came into the area on trucks supplied by their employers and were towed into the camp by one of the county caterpillars, for it was quite muddy in the camp area itself. Once in the camp the families were given a tent for the night. There were no registrations and no innoculations against disease.

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Up to this point there was no aid from national agencies coming into Camp Barton. Only the Helena National Guard unit, the State Health office, and the local Red Cross volunteers were involved. These agencies were unable to provide the needed food and clothing for all the refugees at Barton. Therefore, a call was made on the communities of Helena and West Helena for donations. Calls for help were going out to cities all over the country during this great flood. Helena, like all other American cities, was still suffering from the depression. However, by the spring of 1937 the country had finally pulled above the production, profit, and wage levels of 1929, and the pressure was relieved somewhat. There was a general feeling that the time of economic crisis had passed. This was true in Helena also because many of the churches were able to collect large amounts of food and clothing to be taken to Barton. The American Legion collected and transported truck loads of clothing to the camp. Private citizens from the area donated over $2000 to the local Red Cross. Thus through these means the immediate needs of the refugees were met.

On January 26, Governor Bailey officially declared martial law for Phillips County. Adjutant General Dan Byrd of the Arkansas National Guard was ordered by the governor to take charge of the situation immediately. He then designated Colonel Elgan C. Robertson to command a martial district which would include all land between the White and Mississippi Rivers from the mouth of the White to a line running east and west through a point four miles north of Walnut Corner, Phillips County. This district included the cities of Helena and West Helena also. The following National Guard units were ordered to report to Colonel Robertson: Headquarters Battery, Marianna;

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Battery G, Helena; Battery H, Hot Springs, which he assigned to Camp Barton; and the medical attachment, Marianna. This action simply made official what Robertson had already done and was the official "okay" for Camp Barton. Robertson, although the official administrator of Camp Barton, left the actual decision making for the camp up to Captain Coates who merely had to clear his decisions through Robertson's office.

While Camp Barton was becoming official, James Hornor, the Phillips County Disaster Committee chairman, notified the Red Cross headquarters in Little Rock that refugees were arriving in Camp Barton daily and were badly in need of food and clothing. The Red Cross then authorized Hornor to use Red Cross money to satisfy the needs at the camp and informed him that Red Cross representatives were being dispatched by the National Red Cross to Helena.

So, by January 27 Camp Barton which was filling up with refugees was administered by two units of National Guard and local Red Cross and county health officials. By this time there were 300 tents at Camp Barton and the head count showed about 5000 persons with this number expected to increase since the water was still rising. The National Guard was dropping messages from planes to the residents in the flooded area instructing all persons then living in the area to move out at once to the relief base at Barton. Some thirty trucks and two trains were used to get the people out of these low lying areas.

By the end of January Camp Barton, which had been growing every day, had become an unorganized, confused, and potentially dangerous community. There had been no real outbreaks of sickness to

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date, but, as Colonel Robertson noted, something had to be done to structure the camp before it became just a "heavily policed can of worms."

It was at this time that the Red Cross actually took control of the camp. Miss Ann McMechen, a National Red Cross field worker, had arrived in Helena and begun to handle the relief operations in Phillips County and specifically in Camp Barton. Two Red Cross nurses, Miss Elizabeth Bailey and Miss Dora Keihley, were assigned to Camp Barton to take over bedside nursing duties. Three additional nurses and one doctor arrived in Barton on the 28th to inoculate all residents of the camp against typhoid fever. Two rooms in the Barton school building were converted to a hospital for the purpose of innoculations and a maternity ward was set up with no less than thirty-five expectant mothers.

On Friday, January 29, the first birth and the first death were recorded at Camp Barton. "Barton” Benson was born to a Negro tenant family from near Elaine and Harry Scott, a Negro Tenant on a plantation near Roto, Arkansas, died of pneumonia. So far, though, sickness had been kept under control at Camp Barton with only three cases of mumps and one other case of pneumonia reported.

By the last day of January the National Guard estimated that 7000 refugees were at Camp Barton residing in 500 tents with more tents on the way. This increase in population required that another battery of guard troops, Battery D of the 206th Coast Artillery, Russellville, be sent to Camp Barton to aid in the evacuation of the area and the policing of the camp. This put three units with over 161 guard troops in Camp Barton.

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On February 2 a proclamation was issued by Governor Bailey which named the American Red Cross as the official agency to deal with relief operations in Arkansas. Also a cutback in National Guard troops was ordered so the Red Cross could assume complete control of relief efforts. The Red Cross then began the task of registering all refugees and assigning case workers to investigate the needs of the families in the camp.

On February 3 the 3rd Regular Infantry from Fort Snelling, Minnesota, under Captain S. W. Smithers arrived in Camp Barton to relieve the National Guard troops. The Russellville battery was the first to leave in February after being in Camp Barton for only five days. Next to leave was Battery H which returned to Hot Springs after staying eight days. Battery G of Helena was the only National Guard unit remaining in the camp and it too would pull out on the 8th leaving a few troops to render police service and other necessary assistance. The regular Army troops were ordered to stay only until the Mississippi. crested so they pitched their tents on the Barton football field not expecting to be in camp very long.

While the National Guard had control of the camp there had only been a handful of Red Cross workers under Ann McMechen and about two hundred private citizens from Phillips County who had volunteered to help. By the time the Red Cross took over complete control of Camp Barton there were seven field workers from the National Red Cross and some 375 volunteer workers from the county aiding in the relief. Jack Reed, the county Red Cross director, had already established a barn and begun feeding the refugees' livestock. Other Red Cross officials took over the kitchens,

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the housing, and the hospital areas.

By February 17 Camp Barton had become the largest refugee camp in the Arkansas flood area with over 8000 Negroes and 2000 whites. Eight hundred sixty tents had been erected by this time.

All refugees who came in after the Red Cross had taken full control of the camp were registered, innoculated against typhoid and malaria, given food and blankets, and taken to their tents, and later the children were given toys and dolls.

One example of a late coming family was that of Alonzo Mann who, like many of his counterparts in the Arkansas delta, waited to leave his home until the waters were at his doorstep. Alonzo, his wife Lottie, and their five children lived on Fair Plantation about three miles south of Elaine on the Mississippi levee. Upon their arrival in camp they went through the general procedure of registration and innoculation and were assigned a tent in the white section close to the railroad tracks. Mrs. Mann was given milk for her baby and the other children received dolls and marbles that were donated by children in Helena. Mr. Mann worked with some of the other men who were sandbagging the levee south of Barton. The Red Cross housed the Manns like all other refugees under canvas. The Manns had a small pyramid-type tent that measured 16 feet by 16 feet.

In addition to the pyramid tent there were larger tents of storage size, 18 feet by 18 feet, and of hospital size, 16 feet by 50 feet. There were four hospital tents in Camp Barton staffed by two U. S. Health Service doctors and five Red Cross nurses. By February 16 more than 900 per-

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sons had been cared for in these tents.

The family unit was kept intact in assigning refugees to tents. Most families, like the Manns, were assigned their own individual tent. Practically all tents were floored and in every instance there was a sufficient number of wood stoves to keep the tents dry and warm.

The Red Cross maintained the segregation policy set up by the National Guard. The camp was divided into white and black sections with separate kitchen and feeding facilities for each. Food was served twice daily in cafeteria style around 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. However, those who worked as Alonzo did received three meals a day. There were seventy to eighty W. P. A. workers who manned the kitchen areas.

Special consideration was given to the sanitary conditions of Camp Barton. The camp had a sanitation crew who followed a daily routine of scrubbing and disinfecting the latrines, taking care of the proper disposal of garbage, and seeing that the camp walkways were free of rubbish.

During February the communities in the twin city area continued the clothing drive encouraged by the American Legion committee to collect clothing for Camp Barton. The legion post also made an appeal for books and magazines for the refugees. The Red Cross meanwhile continued drives for money and by mid-February had raised $3,861.91 for the relief fund. The Red Cross hoped at least 200 families would be able to go home by the last week in February, but they also expected at least 3000 of the refugees in camp would be homeless when the flood waters receded. Therefore, the clothing

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and money drives were continued since the Red Cross officials had no idea how long the camp might need to be continued. By early March the Mississippi had crested, the levees had held, and the flood threat was over for Phillips County, but now there were new problems with which to deal. Refugees at Camp Barton had no homes to return to, no work to do, and not even a river to fight.

This was the situation on March 2 when Patrick Betts of St. Louis took over the directorship of activities at Camp Barton. Miss McMechen who had held that position for almost one month was sent to Little Rock to take over all case work for the state, Mr. Betts evaluated the situation and concluded that Camp Barton would have to continue at least until late March. He realized the refugees needed something to keep them busy for the next three weeks or more. Therefore, a recreation program was begun that would last through March 20. Camp Barton had about 200 persons who participated in this program. The activities consisted of individual, team, and group games, reading, toy and puzzle distribution, and story hours, and involved both whites and blacks, males and females, and all ages.

Friday, March 5, was the date of the first great exodus of refugees from Camp Barton. More than 200 families left camp and returned to their homes in the Snow Lake area south of Barton. Mr. Betts said probably 7000 refugees would be evacuated from the camp within a week. It was clear then the days of Camp Barton were numbered. By March 14 only about 800 refugees remained in camp. These too would leave during the week that followed. The last tents came down by nightfall on the 20th of March and all the refugees had returned

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to their homes or had taken their tents to live in until homes could be built for them. On Saturday morning, March 21, where approximately 860 acres of rolling land had once been covered with several hundred khaki Army tents and some 10,000 homeless people had found refuge from the flood waters, there was nothing.

Camp Barton had been an effort of many agencies, local, state, and national, to help the flood refugees of the area. These agencies would say it was their duty to come to the aid of these people -- this is understandable. But why did the citizens of the county, especially the Helena-West Helena area, give go much time, clothing, and money to the refugees at Barton? It certainly wasn't their job or their duty, but the churches, businesses, the American Legion, and many private citizens played a large part in the success of the camp. There is probably no one answer to the reason all these people helped.

As mentioned before, the spring of 1937 was an island of prosperity in the depression years. It is obvious that this prosperity was a significant factor in the success of the efforts to raise money for the flood refugees; this can be reflected in the more than $25 million given to the Red Cross from all the states, the $130 thousand given by Arkansas, and the final total of over $4000 given by Phillips County. Some of the people could have been generous by nature, "Generosity is a virtue complete in itself as its own reward.” Some may have given because of social pressure. Civic pride also has to be considered as a motive, for after all, Helena was the largest town in Phillips County and perhaps some felt Helena should act like a big brother to the re-

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fugee community in Barton. Some may have given out of habit, as one gives to a certain fund every year, not really questioning why. Some people could have felt guilty about having go much while others suffered. This is a common reason for giving. All this is conjecture, of course, and no matter the reason for giving, whether out of generosity or hope of future tangible rewards or as relief for a guilty conscience, the behavior of the people of Phillips County fits nicely into a pattern which can be labeled as just human nature.

The success of Camp Barton can serve as a tribute to the people of Helena and West Helena. This success should not be forgotten since it serves to reinforce the ideologies of the basic good of man in that no matter the circumstances, people will always come to the aid of those in need.

***

Footnotes of this paper are not included for lack of space. The author used numerous issues of the 1937 Helena World, the Arkansas Gazette, and the Commercial Appeal, and other sources which deal with the 1937 flood. He also interviewed several citizens of Phillips and Lee Counties who gave him first hand information about his subject.

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