Phillips County Historical Quarterly

June, 1976

Published by
The Phillips County Historical Society

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.

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 $5.00 for a regular membership and $10.00 for a sustaining membership. Single copies of the QUARTERLY are $1.25. QUARTERLIES are mailed to members. Dues are payable to Mrs.

C. M. T. Kirkman, Treasurer, 806 McDonough Street, Helena, Arkansas 72342.

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

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PHILLIPS COUNTY
HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PHILLIPS COUNTY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE

Menasco Auditing Company
Bonded Public Accountants
309 Solomon Building
Helena, Ark.
April 15, 1942

Phillips County Community Committee,
c/o American Legion,
Helena, Arkansas.

Gentlemen:

We have examined the books and records of the Phillips County Community Committee, at monthly intervals, from February 2, 1939 to October 22, 1941 and have prepared and submitted to your Committee a report on each examination. These reports have all been detailed and cumulative in nature, and the last report (previous to this one) was prepared as of the latter date above.

This report, as of today, is in the nature of a general review of the activities of the Committee throughout their administration and includes the following Exhibits and Schedules, together with these comments:

HISTORY AND PURPOSES OF THE ORGANIZATION. Commenting upon this subject we desire, in this final report, to quote from one of our earlier reports as follows:

"The Phillips County Community Committee is the outgrowth of an idea conceived by the American Legion of Helena, Arkansas for the purpose of rendering financial aid to Charitable, Religious, Educational,

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Public and Other Worthy Institutions which are compelled to appeal to the generosity of the public, from time to time, for maintenance funds, through drives and personal solicitation.

At times these drives have become burdensome to the community, and with this in view and also for the purpose of assuring the above worthy institutions a uniform income, from time to time, a plan was adopted whereby the desired results could be obtained.

The Legion sponsored the idea and placed in operation in numerous locations a type of coin slot machines. These machines are operated for purposes only as set forth above. The Legion does not profit from their operation, neither does any individual of the organization receive any profit from their operation.

The affairs of the organization are administered by a committee of representative citizens appointed by the Legion and known as the Phillips County Community Committee which has authority in all matters for which the organization was created.

Any worthy cause in Phillips County may file an application for participation in the distributions of the Committee and will have their application acted upon in the manner in which the Committee thinks best."

The foregoing quotation written in the present tense and while the Committee was functioning can now be written in the past tense without any other change, for an examination of their records has proved to us that the original purpose of the organization has been carried out in its entirety.

To present a complete picture of the organization, we are stepping further back and copying into these comments certain Extracts from the Minutes of the American Legion, Richard L. Kitchens Post #1, Helena, Arkansas, as follows, without which we feel that our report would be incomplete.

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MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1938. "Motion was made by J. B. Lambert and seconded by Ed. Bacharach that a committee be appointed to work out details to operate slot machines in Phillips County, said machines to be sponsored by The American Legion and the proceeds therefrom be used for charitable purposes, etc. The following were appointed to call a meeting on Friday night December 16, 1938, inviting the Mayors of the cities of Helena, West Helena, Marvell and Elaine, Sheriff F. F. Kitchens, C. M. Young, K. B. Lasswell and others to be present together with members of the Legion Executive Committee to go over plans for this project: J. B. Lambert, Ed Bacharach and W. D. Keeshan."

MEETING JANUARY 10, 1939. "J. B. Lambert, Chairman, made the attached report which named the following Committee to serve on the Community Service Committee for the County: F. W. Schatz, member at large, Harry L. Bealer, representing the Richard L. Kitchens Post, Ed. F. Byerley, representing West Helena, Victor Thomason, representing Marvell, and Jesse Crisp, representing Elaine. This report was unanimously adopted."

A copy of the report with which the above paragraph deals follows:

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY SERVICE, meeting January 10, 1939. "The following report is submitted to the Executive Committee of the American Legion for their consideration and we recommend that the following plan be put into effect.

We recommend the appointment by the Executive Committee of a five man board along the lines suggested at the open meeting last month at the Hut and that the following men be named to represent the different communities:

F. W. Schatz, member at large, Harry L. Bealer, representing Richard L. Kitchens Post, Ed. F. Byerley, representing West Helena, Victor Thomason,

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representing Marvell, Jesse Crisp, representing Elaine.

Careful consideration has been given by the Committee to the above men and contacts made with a large number of representative people over the County as to their selection. We believe that these appointments will satisfy everyone in the County and that they are perfectly qualified for the job. We feel that the Legion can place their confidence in these men without any fear that it will be misplaced.

We recommend that this appointment be made for a period of one year after which changes can be made or the committee carried on at the discretion of the Executive Committee. We suggest that the entire authority for the operation of the business and the distribution of funds be delegated to this board without any strings attached whatsoever. We also suggest that the Legion as a whole support the committee in every way and give them assistance whenever called upon."

Thus the Phillips County Community Committee was created and immediately began functioning; the activities of which extended over a period of 33 months (February 2, 1939 to October 18, 1941).

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. The Committee, immediately after appointment, began activities. The first slot machines were purchased on the deferred payment plan and were placed in selected business locations. The number of machines was increased from time to time, likewise the number of locations also increased, and at the close of operations the Committee held title to 165 machines distributed throughout the County.

The County was divided into three districts known as Helena, Elaine and Marvell and at regular

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intervals collections were made from the machines in each district. A report of the collection made from each machine was prepared at the time and the owner of the business in which the machine was located was paid, by the collector, one-third of the receipts from the machine; the Committee retaining two-thirds. As a condition precedent each location owner was required before the installation of a machine in his place of business to make a deposit of $25.00 (under ordinary conditions) to guarantee the safe guarding of the machine. This deposit was returned when the machine was removed.

All money collected was divided into four major funds, according to a plan decided upon by the Commitee, being designated as County Wide, Helena, Marvell and Elaine and distributions were made from the various funds to worthy causes falling within the above classifications.

The personnel of the organization consisted of five members of the Committee, one route collector, one bookkeeper and from one to two repairmen.

The above is a general review of the method of Administration. Further, in this report, we are presenting certain matters of detail.

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS. During 33 months of operation, the Committee portion of the take amounted to $357,467.21. A detail of this is shown in Schedule 2. Location owners received $178,837.62. This latter figure includes collections from machines placed out for the benefit of the Goodfellows, Legion and Knights of Columbus from which the Committee received nothing. Deposits forfeited amounted to $50.00.

Distributions made for the period totaled $317,992.88. These are set forth in Schedule 1, under the various funds from which they were paid.

Actual Operating Expenses totaled $29,062.42 and are summarized as follows:

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Exhibit A presents the above in detail.

The amount expended for slot machines during the period totaled $18,899.88. These machines were sold for $8,500.00, from this we are deducting various small items of sales cost totaling $62.03, leaving a Net of $8,437.97 from the machines. This would then give us a figure of $10,461.91 for machine cost during 33 months operations, or an average of $317.03 per month.

Summarizing, we have the following percentages based on income:

CONCLUSION. The books of the Committee are closed. There are no Assets: there are no Liabilities. Only Monuments and Memories remain to remind one of its activities. Monuments such as the Helena Hospital, the Helena-West Helena Airport, the NYA Building opposite the High School and many others. Memories of funds for food and clothing to orphans, and to Churches and Libraries, Probation Officers and numerous Charities and Recreational and Health Organizations.

A look at the Schedule of Distributions is the only way in which we can begin to appreciate the

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value that this organization has been to Phillips County, and to deplore its loss.

As a business aid to the County; we regret that there is no possible method by which we can begin to estimate its value. From general observation, we are sure however, that there are those in business today in this County that could not have remained, had it not been for the Phillips County Community Committee. In all of our period of delving into the business affairs of the other man, we have never seen a cleaner administration by a committee of any organization.

Respectfully submitted,
Menasco Auditing Company
By W. R. Slinkard

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Schedule 1
Page 1

DISTRIBUTIONS
CUMULATIVE TOTALS

Elaine:

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Schedule 1
Page 2

DISTRIBUTIONS
CUMULATIVE TOTALS

Marvell:

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Schedule 1
Page 3

DISTRIBUTIONS
CUMULATIVE TOTALS

County Wide:

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Schedule 1
Page 4<

DISTRISITIONS
CUMULATIVE TOTALS

Helena:

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Schedule 1
Page 5

DISTRIBUTIONS
CUMULATIVE TOTALS

Helena (cont.)

SUMMARY

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Schedule 2

INCOME FROM MACHINES

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HELENA WORLD
October 17, 1941

COUNTY COMMITTEE TAKING IN MACHINES
HALTING OPERATIONS
All Machines Ordered Taken Out By Committee;
No Formal Statement Made.

The Phillips County Community Committee today ordered all its slot machines in this county removed.

After operating here for the past 32 months, the Committee suddenly decided last night to remove all its machines and turn charity work back to the individual organizations and "groups who can make their own drives."

While the members of the Committee did not make any formal statement concerning the action it is a well known fact that Governor Homer Adkins has recently issued statements calling upon local and county law enforcements of the state to eliminate "gambling of every form," in the state.

The only reason advanced by members of the Committee was that the body decided to remove the machines "because of the criticism which has been made about Helena in some of the state papers."

Several church groups in the county have repeatedly sent resolutions and letters to state officials demanding that state police be sent to Helena to "take out" the slot machines which have been operated by the Committee.

The Community Committee was organized here February 2, 1939, under the sponsorship of the local American Legion Post after several unsuccessful efforts had been made through the press to eliminate slot machines and other gambling which were operated by a few private individuals.

Under the plan, the slot machines were owned

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and operated by the Community Committee, composed of five leading citizens of the county. The owner of the establishment where the machines are located received one-third of the profits. The Committee received the other two-thirds.

An audit prepared by a local auditing firm showed that the Committee's "take" for the first 30 months of operation amounted to $316,276.74. of this amount more than 84 percent was distributed to the various community agencies. Less than six per cent was spent on repairs and collections and nearly six per cent went for payment on the machines.

Whenever an organization decided to secure funds from the Committee, a written request was filed explaining why the funds were wanted, how they were to be spent and the aims and objects of the organization making the request.

Civic, religious and welfare agencies benefited from the fund.

It was only through the efforts of the Community Committee that the new Helena Hospital and nurses home was completed. A total of $48,199.17 was contributed directly to the Helena Hospital building fund and to the Hospital Association. The hospital also benefited through contributions made to other organizations.

In recent months the chief interest of the Community Committee has been in building the Army primary flying school near West Helena. The Committee underwrote the purchase of the land and the improvement of the flying field. Already more than $50,000 has been contributed to this project.

Chief question in the minds of many Helena businessmen and civic leaders today was "will we have to payoff for the airport?"

When the new flying school project was started, local businessmen and business firms signed notes totaling approximately $40,000 and these notes

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were used to borrow $20,000 cash from local banks so that the airport work would not be retarded. Under an agreement, the Committee was to pay off the loan as funds were available.

Many individuals and firms signed notes of $1,000 and these citizens were very much worried when they heard the news this morning that the Committee was "closing up shop."

A number of organizations and agencies have been receiving monthly contributions from the Committee since its organization. These include the County Welfare Office, the County Agent's Office, the County Health Unit, the Phillips County Probation Office, the Orphans Home, NYA Girls Training Home, Recreation Council and others.

One of the proudest achievements of the Committee was the purchase last year of a "Community Bus" which was used by all civic groups, clubs and schools of the county. The bus was destroyed by fire, when the Will Ragsdale garage burned down in June. However, the Committee had hoped to replace the vehicle, paying the difference between the insurance collected and the cost of the bus.

The Committee since its inception has been composed of representatives of the various communities in the county.

Members are: Chairman, F. W. Schatz, Vice President of Chicago Mill &« Lumber Co. and General Manager in charge of Southern operations; Secretary-Treasurer, E. F. Byerley, Manager of West Helena Water Works and President of the West Helena Business & Professional Men's Club; Helena representative, Harry Bealer, shoe shop owner and a past District Commander of the American Legion and past commander of the local post; Marvell representative, Victor Thompson, automobile dealer and past commander of the Marvell Legion Post; and Elaine representative, Jesse Crisp, merchant and planter.

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County Judge C. S. Fielder was out of town today and could not be reached for a statement, but another county official said it was his "unofficial" opinion that sone of the agencies which had received support from the Community Committee "would have to curtail their activities and one will probably be closed" because the county does not have any money to carry on the work.

Other organizations were also faced with the necessity of finding new sources of income to carry on their work. One P. T. A. official here said that she guessed "we will have to go back to begging to carry on our work among underprivileged children."

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The report of the Phillips County Community Committee was contributed by J. B. Lambert, Sr. The article from the Helena World belongs to the Library.

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BARTON BAPTIST CHURCH

by

Gene Bradford

On December 30, 1889, one acre lying in the northwest corner of the northwest quarter of Section 2, T28, R35, was given by Tom and Julia Wallace as a site for a Union Church house, to be under the control of the following trustees: J. T. Graves, C. S. Belsha, James A. Bush, and James Cook. A building previously used as a school was given by James Bush, and this building was moved some two or more miles from its site on Lick Creek to the Barton location and was dedicated as a Union Church on April 3, 1890.

The earliest record located for Barton Baptists is found in the 1883 minutes of the Mount Vernon Baptist Association when the following entry was made: "On call for petitionary letters. Barton Church through C. S. Belsha, J. L. Belsha and G. W. Waters. Bethel through W. H. Paslay responded," and were admitted. The total membership of Barton Baptist Church was 13. They met every fourth Sunday with the Reverend L. K. Obenchain as pastor. This same year, 1883, Barton Church collected for missions $25.20, an amount exceeded by only one other church in the Association, Forrest City Baptist Church. By 1891, the membership had grown to 30 and W. B. Peeples of LaGrange was pastor.

There were Baptists in the area earlier. In 1859, Blackfoot Church became a member of the Association. T. 8. N. King was pastor; G. R. Johnson, clerk; King, Johnson, and W. A. Huff, delegates. The membership, 7 whites and 15 blacks, met on the fourth Sunday. In 1860, A. G. Jarman was a delegate. New names during the 1870s were: J. K. Murphy, J. E. Hopkins, W. H. Roberts, S. H. King, and

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C. S. Belsha. Found in the Mount Vernon Association minutes under "History of the Association" is the following item: "Blackfoot--organized in 1859. No report since War. Monthly preaching by J. K. Murphy. No house of worship. Church small." After 1880, Blackfoot was no longer listed as a church. The last Associational meeting a delegate attended was in 1874 when Blackfoot was represented by C. S. Belsha and J. K. Murphy.

Evidently the Baptists at Barton became inactive in the 1890s and for several decades the church was predominantly Methodist or Christian. On October 10, 1917, Barton Baptist Church was again received into the Mount Vernon Association and in 1918 had a membership of 20. Mrs. Adie B. Westbrook was the church clerk and the pulpit was filled by T. T. Thompson, pastor of West Helena Baptist Church.

In 1921, the Barton Baptist Church became affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention by joining the newly formed Arkansas Valley Association. Under the leadership and encouragement of laymen Oscar Eubank, Frank Lawhon and Barney Sugg, the church continued to grow, and in the 1930s the first full time pastor, the Reverend Lum Bloomer, was called.

In the 1940s, the huge oak tree on the north side of the site, which had so long been a landmark, fell a victim of progress, the widening of Highway #20, now #49.

The present church building has only the location to remind one of its beginnings. Mr. Henry Winbourne Cook, who was born and reared on what is now the Kummer farm says, "The church at Walnut Corner was originally a schoolhouse or store building belonging to James A. Bush. I only remember seeing it once. It was white with green trim around the windows. About 1890 the beautiful church was built--using the lumber from the building given by Mr. Bush....When it was first erected it was just

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one long building....Thousands of old nail holes were puttied up and the building painted white as snow."

He also remembers that a fence was removed about this time and he and other members of his family could now cut across the lot on their way to school. The lot was bounded by: woods on the east and Mr. Wallace's pasture on the south.

Mr. Cook, who left Barton before 1900, recalls attending Sunday School, and on the first and fifth Sundays, preaching services, which were held by Brother T. J. Patterson, Christian minister. Baptismal services were held about one-half mile south of the church in Lick Creek.

According to Mrs. Pearl Bloesch, it was in the 1920s that the Sunday School rooms were added to the rear, giving the building a T shape. The basement was an addition of the 1950s. The church was also bricked.

Pastors other than Brother Bloomer have been: Lawrence Green, J. B. Measel, James Kemper, Kenneth Carey, Jim Davis, Doyle Neal, Doyle Lumpkin, Wade McCarley, and the present pastor, Norman Miller.

The church membership has grown from the original 13 to 260. The present trustees are Lawrence Clements, Leon McChesney, Raymond Von Kanel, and Jimmy Young.

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THE 28th WISCONSIN INFANTRY REGIMENT AT HELENA: VIII.

Letters of Captain Edward S. Redington, Company D

Helena, Ark., July 12, 1863.

Dear Mary:

I will write you a few lines today, although I do not feel much like writing. I have been quite sick for two or three days and today have lain down most of the time. I think there is nothing the matter but the ague, and hope to be over it in a day or two more. The ague is like everything else here; you have all the symptoms and no well defined paroxysms.

I have made an application for leave of absence. I made it before I was sick. Dr. Smith told me today, he would give me a surgeons certificate on which to make an application. I told him I would not do it; if I could not get one well I would not sick. I think that. we, Schram and myself, will get ours through. All the Generals approved them here and they have gone to Gen. Grant. If we had been a day sooner they would not have had to go to Grant. An order came out on that day that all leaves of absence not founded on surgeons certificates must go to Gen. Grant's headquarters for endorsement. We ought to hear from them in four days more, and if we get them you may look for us home soon. If Col. Lewis comes back before we leave or is likely to come in a week, we will wait until Col. Gray can come with us; he cannot leave until Lewis returns.

White mustered in yesterday; rumor says that he will resign. I hope he will and stop all trouble in the regiment. He has not done any duty as Major and I hope he wont. Quite a number of my boys are having ague and bilious fever, caused by the excessive fatigue of the 4th and 5th, and lying in trenches for two nights. The last in particular the day was

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excessively hot and just at night, it rained terribly and we had to lie in the mud all-night, as best we could. I expected all of them to be sick. I received the medicine by Gilbert. He and Reinhardt are both first rate. That sneak of a Baldwin has not come yet. I have written to Graham today to arrest him as a deserter. He is not only making himself liable to severe penalties, but is keeping others from coming home.

I tried today to get a furlough for Strong. He has something like the dropsy the Doctor says. He can do nothing for him here but I could not get the furlough because Baldwin has not come back.

Kiss all the dear ones for me, I hope I may do it myself soon.

Yours ever,

Edward

*

Helena, Ark., July 19, 1863.

Dear Mary:

I received yours of the 12th this morning with great pleasure. I was very anxious to hear from you and to know that you had received my letter, letting you know that we were all safe. It is very singular, that my letter was the only one of the hundreds that were mailed the same day that should have got through. None had reached Waukesha on the 13th. How mine got the start, I can't say, but I feel very much obliged to someone, or some circumstances, that brought it about.

When I last wrote I told you that I was rather unwell. Since then I have not done much duty, having the jaundice very bad. Am now nearly well again but not strong. My skin would have passed for an Indian without any questions being asked. My natural color has pretty much come back, and if I can

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keep quiet for a day or two longer it will be all right. I have been sorely tempted this morning though. Our regiment has gone out on a two day's scout and in all my life not one thing made me feel worse than to see my company go, and I not with them. As there is no prospect of a fight I was finally persuaded not to go. Schram has gone with them. After leaving men for two days picket and guard duty, those on detail and the sick there were only 21 to go, but as no other company had as many as mine I was satisfied. The expedition went partly as a scout, and partly to get fruit and vegetables. The apples and peaches are just getting ripe and we want some of them. We are very much in need of vegetables. There are none to be had here at any price.

I have not yet heard from my furlough, since it went to Vicksburg, and almost begin to despair of getting leave of absence. I had made up my mind that I was coming home, and I shall feel terribly disappointed if I cannot come. Schram has been as uneasy as a chained bear. He says he never wanted to see his family half as bad. He wants me to tell you to ask Mrs. Schram if she is not going to write to him any more. He has not had a letter in some time. Col. Gray has gone out with the regiment; he is in good health though he was a little out of sorts last week.

I think Col. Lewis is doing a very ungenerous thing in staying away and keeping him here doing the duty of three officers. Some men are so supremely selfish that they cannot think of anyone but themselves. You must have had a great time at Astalan--as for Park, the poor miserable fool.

What the D- did Mary ever marry him for? I hope you abused him well. I wish I had him in my company, wouldn't I make him toe the mark. If I come home I don't want to see him. I wish you and Libby had got one on each side and just -- all over

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him.

There are a good many of the boys that have the ague and intermittent fever. It is the worse kind of weather imaginable, foggy, damp and warm. It seems as if the breath only went as far as ones throat. Love to all.

Yours ever,

Edward

*

Helena, Ark., July 24, 1863.

Dear Mary:

I was in hopes when I last wrote that the next time I wrote that I should be able to come and deliver it myself. My application for leave of absence has been now over two weeks on the way between here and Vicksburg. I have about made up my mind that it is either lost or destroyed, but it may perhaps yet come around.

I have recovered my health entirely, but not my strength. It is almost impossible for anyone to get any strength in this confounded malaria we breathe. At every breath, it seems as if the air was too light to inflate the lungs, and one feels all the time, almost the same sensations that is felt in a close, unventilated room. The morning air smells fully as bad as does the air of a room where a dozen have slept and the windows all down.

There is a rumor of another fight this morning. Price is said to be back within twenty-five miles with a force, increased by the concentration of all the troops west of the Mississippi, probably not far from 25,000. If he is going to come, I wish he would come along before we all get sick. We got six ten pound Parrott guns and two thirty pound Parrotts from Vicksburg, and put them in position yesterday, making fully as many guns as our

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limited numbers can work and leave any Infantry to support them. We have expected reinforcements for the last ten days; but none have got along yet. I believe we can whip them handsomely with what we have, but a few regiments would not be any in the way, especially doing guard and picket duty. We have too few men here all the time. The men are on duty of some kind nearly every day, and every third day on picket, which duty will not be as severe as it is when the mosquitoes are a little less persevering. No man can sleep a wink. In camp we are not troubled with them. A great many are unfit for duty which of course makes it harder on the others, and if we do not get reinforcements, I am afraid before September goes out, there will not be enough for picket alone. There are not as many die but lots more are sick than there were in the winter.

You know I wrote to you that I have taken a horse. I kept him as close as possible until I could turn him over to the Quartermaster of the post and get it fixed so that I could get him again. If it had not been for Schram, I could not have brought it about. He being our acting Quartermaster managed to have him left on his hands, until a board of appraisers met, and by a little good figuring, the proper ones were appointed. Before they knew what horse they were appraising, they put him at $40. I paid the money quickly and went my way rejoicing. Within an hour an officer came to camp with an order to search every camp for the horse but found he was too late and there is one good horse the post Quartermaster won't gobble, not this time. The man who was killed on him was Col. Rector, chief of Gen. Holmes, a son of Gov. Rector of this state. He is said to be the best riding horse in the state, although there is nothing very remarkable in his looks, a cream color with a white face and medium size.

I was interrupted this afternoon and could not get time to finish in time for today's mail.

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I have been through the company to see that they all have a full box of cartridges and everything in order. We are ordered to be under arms at three o’clock in the morning so that we shall not be surprised.

I have no faith in our having a fight, but still we may, so I will finish and mail this tonight, for fear of accidents.

The Paymaster came here today and we will probably get paid again Monday. I hope this fight will come off before we are paid, for if we all get gobbled I would rather the money would be in Uncle Sam's hands than in my pocket. One thing you may be sure of, if they do gobble us, it will be the hardest pill they ever swallowed.

According to the best information we can get from the Rebs, they estimate their loss in the battle of the 4th at 4700 killed, wounded, and prisoners. We never put it the very highest at over 3500, and but few thought the number over 2500, but it seems that we were far below the mark.

I have not written to the children lately but they must not think that I do not think of them, for there is not a moment, day or night, but what I am thinking or dreaming of them. They have not written to me either since I last wrote to them. Bless their souls, how I would like to see them and you tonight. Kiss them all for me and give my love to all the friends. What is the reason father never answered my letter?

Yours affectionately,

Edward

*

Helena, Ark., Aug. 9, 1863.

Dear Mary:

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I received your letter this morning and was well pleased to hear you were all well. I believe I never passed so disagreeable a time as for the last two weeks. Between the affairs of the regiment and my anxiety to go home before this expedition started. I have been more than half sick, and today feel almost discouraged. The fact is, although I am well in all respects, still I do not get my strength and get almost tired out before night every day. The idea of marching from here to Little Rock seems to me an awful big job. Perhaps when we get back from the river I may get strength faster.

I wish we could find every Reb in Arkansas tomorrow and fight it out no matter at what odds, so that we could at them. This everlasting getting ready I am sick of. I think it will be some days before we leave here, but we may leave tomorrow. Our Brigade can be ready at a few hours notice any time.

My company is at Pioneer and will be a sort of an independent command. I am glad to get the place for several reasons; first it takes me away from the regiment; second we have a team for ourselves; and third we are relieved from all guard and picket duties. These privileges much more than make up for work we will have to do in building bridges, etc. Another thing, I can ride my horse, which I could not do if we marched in the regiment. You wanted to know if I had him still and further say that you heard that he was nearly dead. I have him, and shall keep him, unless the Rebs take him away. About his being sick, he has never been sick. When I got him, his back was very sore and I have not put a saddle on him till yesterday. He is a beauty to ride. I came very near sending him home by Schram and if it had not been for this expedition, I think I should. My plan was to send him to George until I came home, but after thinking it over, and knowing how Willie would feel if I did, I concluded the best thing to do was to keep him here-especially as all the boys seem to

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think he is part of the company. If he lives until I come home, I shall fetch him with me, as the momento of the 4th of July, 1863 at Helena, Ark.

I received a letter from Charles Gilbert this morning and shall answer it before we leave, if possible, if not, will the first opportunity.

I have this moment learned that we are to start Tuesday morning the 11th inst. We have all we can do, night and day, until that time. I have two six mule teams to get together tomorrow, draw tools and materials for complete engineer's corp, besides getting my company ready. We shall have to leave all our tents, our overcoats, and in fact everything but what we wear, and a change of shirt and socks, and our blankets.

I am going to send a box to Schram containing several guns, swords and other relics of the battle. They are labeled with the different ones they belong to. If they get through, which I very much doubt, have the guns oiled and put somewhere out of the way. The long closet upstairs will be the best place. I am sorry Jimmie lost the one he took. It was a Rebel gun made at Richmond. The ones I sent are of different kinds. I mean to send when opportunity offers, a gun of all the different arms in the service so that I can have something to look at when I get home.

So Augustus is at his old trade, prospecting. I am glad he can get some pay, and hope he will find a solid mountain of gold. I had made up my mind to talk to you instead of writing, and now the writing comes hard. I have written a few lines this evening, stopped and wrote to Col. Gray; wrote a few more, then wrote one to little George.

It does not seem possible that it may be months before I can see the children and you. I am afraid they will grow up so much I shall not know them. Do, Mary, try to make ladies of the girls and a gentleman of Willie. I want to be proud of them. I know how

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much you are tired and how hard a time you have, still I know you will be capable of overcoming every emergency. I have thought much of their different dispositions and have not much fear for any but Etta. She is a temperament that needs kind words and gentle usage more than the others. Her quick perceptions and deep feelings can very easily be entirely perverted. If she ever gets an idea that she has been in any way slighted she will never get over it. I have not said this because of anything that has taken place, but because it would not stay out of my mind tonight. Kiss all of the little ones for me and take much love to yourself.

Yours ever,

Edward

*****

This concludes Captain Redington's letters. More letters will follow in future issues from other Wisconsin troops.

*

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THE SECOND 10 YEARS
Officers of Helena City Government

Compiled by

Dale P. Kirkman

January, 1867.

Mayor: Jesse A. Jackson. Aldermen from 1st Ward: John E. O'Hara, John Clendening, T. J. Nixon; from 2nd Ward: Milo H. Wygant, Q. K. Underwood; from 3rd Ward: Dr. R. B. Shelby, J. I. Mulkey. Marshal: J.C. Wells. Recorders Nicholas Rightor. Treasurers A. K. Cameron. City Attorney: N. N. Furguson, replaced by A. L. Jarnagan, replaced by M. H. Wygant. City Engineer: A. E. Chester. City Physician: Dr. R. A. Burton. School Commissioner: John Q. Taylor.

January, 1868.

Officials of 1867 held over.

March, 1868.

Officials appointed by Governor and approved by Commanding General of 4 Military District. City is bankrupt.

Mayors: Henry P. Coolidge. Aldermen: Nicholas Straub, James B. Miles, Dr. Lawson B. Dunn, Q. K. Underwood, M. H. Wygant, Dr. T. M. Jacks, F. F. Howerton. Marshals J. C. Wells. Recorder: S. N. Delany. Treasurers Jno. P. Moore. City Physicians Dr. R. A. Burton. School Commissioner: Dr. George McAlpine.

July, 1868.

Officials installed following election in March under new state constitution.

Same mayor and aldermen as in interim, except for replacement of James B. Miles by Nicholas Rightor. Marshals Geo. W. Holibaugh. Recorder: John Q. Taylor. Treasurers Jno. P. Moore.

January, 1869.

Mayor: Henry P. Coolidge. Aldermen from 1st

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Ward: Nicholas Straub, Nicholas Rightor, James D. Weir; from 2nd Ward: W. H. Rogers, David S. Fisher; from 3rd Ward: A. B. Schroder, J. I. Mulkey. Marshal: Geo. W. Holibaugh. Recorder: John Q. Taylor. Treasurer: Jno. P. Moore. Office of School Commissioner abolished and City of Helena set up as separate school district. School Directors: John Q. Taylor, J. M. Alexander, James T. White, John E. Bennett, Austin Barrow. City Wards reorganized.

November, 1869.

Officers elected and take office in November.

Mayors William H. Rogers. Aldermen from 1st Ward: J. J. Hornor, Vincent Tapp; from 2nd Wards M. H. Wygant, James H. O'Connor; from 3rd Ward: James D. Weir, G. D. Jaquess. Marshal: David S. Fisher-? Recorder: John Q. Taylor. School Directors: John E. Bennett, James T. White.

November, 1870.

Mayor: Dr. George D. Jaquess. Aldermen from 1st Ward: James B. Miles, Jesse A. Jackson; from end Wards M. H. Wygant, Samuel Johnson; from 3rd Ward: Bowie Miller, Nicholas Straub. Marshal: David S. Fisher. Recorder: John Q. Taylor. Treasurer: Dr. T. M. Jacks. City Attorney: P. O. Thweatt.

November, 1871.

Mayor: Dr. George D. Jaquess. Aldermen from 1st Ward: J. J. Hornor, J. T. Watson; from 2nd Ward: Samuel Johnson, George H. W. Stewart; from 3rd Ward: Nicholas Straub, Austin Barrow. Marshal: David S. Fisher. Recorder: John Q. Taylor. Treasurer: Dr. T. M. Jacks. City Physicians Dr. R. A. Burton, replaced by Dr. George McAlpine.

November, 1872.

Mayor: Dr. George D. Jaquess. Aldermen from 1st Ward: J. J. Hornor, David Trieber; from 2nd Ward: Samuel Johnson, W. H. H. Clayton; from 3rd Wards Henry Lohman, Benjamin Barrow. Marshals Alexander Berry. Recorder: John q. Taylor. Treasurer: W. L. Nelson. City Attorney: C. A. Otey. City Physicians Dr. Geo.

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McAlpine. School Directors: John E. Bennett, James T. White. Alderman Clayton resigned, replaced by Samuel I. Clark.

November, 1873.

Mayors Samuel I. Clark. Aldermen from 1st Ward: J. J. Hornor, R. C. Moore; from 2nd Wards: Samuel Johnson, James Summers; from 3rd Wards David W. Ellison, Henry Lohman. Marshals: Alexander Berry. Recorder: Elcan West. Treasurers W. L. Nelson. City Attorney: C. A. Otey. City Physician: Dr. Geo. McAlpine. School Directors: Nicholas Straub, Austin Barrow.

November, 1874.

Mayors Bart. Y. Turner. Aldermen from 1st Ward: Charles Wooten, L. B. D'Orchimont; from 2nd Ward: Charles A. Moore, P. 0. Thweatt; from 3rd Wards Greenfield Quarles, Walter Jackson. Marshals Aaron Meyers. Recorder: G. H. W. Stewart. Treasurer: W. L. Nelson. City Attorneys R. W. Nicholls. City Physicians Dr. Geo. McAlpine. School Directors: John Q. Taylor, Samuel Johnson. School Directors elected later in year to replace the above: John E. Bennett, Greenfield Quarles.

1875.

The officers elected in November, 1874, held over until April, 1876, April now being election time.

April, 1876.

Mayor: Bart. Y. Turner. Aldermen from 1st Ward: Charles Wooten, L. B. D'Orchimont; from 2nd Ward: M. A. Clark, W. D. McCoy; from 3rd Wards Greenfield Quarles, Mitchell J. Johnson. Marshal: Aaron Meyers. Recorder: G. H. W. Stewart. Treasurer: W. L. Nelson. City Physicians Dr. Geo. McAlpine. School Directors: D. B. McKenzie, Henry Fink.

***

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NATHAN COHEN

Nathan Cohen, a longtime member of the Historical Society and friend of many, died in April. He left his ironwork collection to the Helena Public Library and Phillips County Museum. It is hoped that it can be displayed at its present location on a regular basis, and not just for special events.

Mr. Cohen made a trip to the new Agricultural Museum at Stuttgart last year, and after seeing the displays there, he became interested more than ever in making his collection available to the public view.

The Cohen Free Museum was one of the interesting places included in the end Annual Helena Pilgrimage in April, and had a respectable number of visitors. It was also open during Serendipity Week in June and July.

***

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Captured German U-Boat and destroyer that accompanied it, in Mississippi River in front of Helena in the summer of 1919 after World War I. The public was allowed to go down inside the U-Boat and walk through it. Pictures were taken by Walker B. Seaborn and later given to Phillips County Museum.

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