Phillips County Historical Quarterly

In May or June, 1861, Stuart's Coledge (college) in Clarksville, Tenn., was closed, where I was going to school and I went to Uncle Garret Quarles in Christian County, Ky. to wait and see about coming home to where my Father & Mother lived near Helena, Phillips Co., Ark. But while in Christian County, Ky. (it was where I was born in 1844) there was a cavalry co. being raised & I got me a fine horse and joined it. The co. was called the Oak Grove Rangers, and we elected as our captain Tom Woodard, 1st Lt. Darwin Bell, 2nd Lt. Frank Campbell, 3rd Lt. Jo Jones & Bill Elliot Orderly Sargent. We left Ky, and went to Camp Trousdale near Galitin, (Gallatin) Tenn. & when the move was made to go into Kentucky, this co., Capt. Tom Woodard's and Capt. John Morgan's (he was afterwards General John Morgan) co. was the first troops to get to Bowling Green, Ky. While in Bowling Green, General Albert Sidney Johnson organized an army and our co., Capt. Tom Woodard's, was made co. A of the 1st Ky. Cavalry.

Col. Ben Hardin Helm, Colonel, and Capt. Tom Woodard was made Lt. Colonel. Col. Ben Hardin Helm was a Brother in law of President Lincoln having married a Miss Todd, Mrs. Lincoln's sister. Alex Todd, Mrs. Lincoln's brother was our quartermaster Sargent.

Along in the winter of 1861 & 1862, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson's Army fell back out of Ky. & went south of the Tenn. River to where the battle of Shilo was fought & Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson was killed there. The 1st Ky. Cavalry was left at Florence, Alabama, to guard the bridge across the Tennessee River. We burned that bridge to keep General Buel's army from crossing. He was on his way to reinforce the army at Corinth.

General Ben Hardin Helm was made a Brigadier General and put in command of what was called the Orphan Brigade, the Ky. infantry, and he made Alex Todd, his brother in law, his Aid De Camp. Afterwards they were both killed at the Battle of Chickamauga. Capt. Tom Woodard was made Colonel of the 1st Ky. Regt. when Col. Helm was promoted.

We served in Co. A, 1st Ky, one year and we were disbanded in July, 1862, at Chattanooga, Tenn. We only had three small skirmishes in this first year.

When our co. was disbanded, Col. Tom Woodard resigned as Colonel of the 1st Ky. Cavalry and with most of his old co. went back to Ky. and raised the 2nd Ky. Cavalry & he, Col. Tom Woodard, was made colonel of the Regt. and Bill Elliot was capt. of Co. A of the 2nd Ky. Cavalry.

After I was mustered out with Co. A, 1st Ky. Cavalry at Chattanooga in July 1862 I and Nick Poindexter and Baker Levill rode from Chattanooga to within a few miles back of Fryer's (Friars) Point, Miss. and we stayed with a co. that was being raised there for a while and we captured a captain and several men on picket at Fryer's Point at night and I found out from them that General Hovey's Brigade that was camped at Old Town, less than a mile from my Father's place, had left there and gone to Helena. Then I and Nick Poindexter crossed the (Mississippi) River and went home and stayed one day night and Father went to Helena & got us some clothes and we went back across the river in Miss.

About that time the army that was captured at Fort Donalson was exchanged & Col. W. A. Quarles regt., the 42nd Tenn. was near Jackson, Miss. and I went there and was with him and his command several months. We were ordered from Jackson, Miss. to Port Hudson, La. We stayed there until about the 1st of June, 1863, when the 42nd Tenn. which was in General Maxey's Brigade, was ordered to report to General Joseph E. Johnson that was organizing an army back of Vicksburg in order to try to relieve General Pemberton in Vicksburg, Miss. We marched all the way from Port Hudson, La. On the night of July 4, 1863, Gen. Joseph E. Johnson had pontoon bridges across the Big Black River and we had orders the next morning to cross the river and attack General Grant in the rear. On the morning of the 5th of July instead of crossing the river on the pontoon bridges we went the other way to Jackson, Miss. having heard that Vicksburg surrendered on July 4th the day before

It was very hot and dusty, it being the 5th of July and water was scarce and bad I saw a number of men fall with sunstroke & we spoiled all the water that we did not use by killing some of the poorest stock and pushing them in the water. The Federals or Yankees could not have followed us & got any water, but they were allways well fixed. They had wagons with rubber bodies I was told that they brought water along with them.

We were in Jackson a short time & had some skirmishes but no engagements. We were shelled a great deal. There were a very few houses that were not struck by some sort of ball. We left Jackson and crossed the Pearl River & the enemy came in.

After we left Jackson Col. W A. Quarles got me a pass direct from Gen. Joseph E. Johnson for me to go to the Army of Tenn and join Co. A, 2nd Ky. as it was made up with a good many of my old co. in the 1st Ky. Cav. They were near Chattanooga, Tenn.

I got to the 2nd Ky. Cav., Co. A., Capt. Bill Elliot was Capt. and Darwin Bell was 1st Lieutenant, about a week before the battle of Chickamauga, which was the 19th & 20th of Sept. 1863. The 2nd Ky. Cav was in General Armstrong's Brigade which was made up of the 1st Tenn. Cav., 3rd Ark. Cav. & McDonald's Batalion which was part of Forest's old regt. and the 2nd Ky. Cav. We were kept busy as the two Armies were closing in getting ready for the fight & we were under fire every day in skirmishes during that time.

After the Battle of Chickamauga, General Wheeler and most of the cavalry were ordered on a raid in the rear of the Federal Army. We went north of Chattanooga and forded the Tennessee River and went around by Shelbyville & Pulaski & other towns and recrossed the Tennessee River by fording it near Courtland, Alabama.

Along in the winter of 1863 and 1864 when we were having a rough time, as all who were at Dalton, Ga. know, we had plenty of ice and snow, I was unexpectedly ordered to report to Gen. W. A. Quarles at Dalton, Ga. He had his headguarters in a part of Mr. Tim Coolidge's house and was comfortably fixed & I enjoyed the change & with a plenty of old friends. And I had another pleasant surprise in a short time. While the weather was still cold & snow on the ground, General W. A. Quarles Brigade was ordered to Mobile, Alabama. Going from ice & snow to Mobile where the climate was mild and pleasant we all enjoyed it greatly. General Maury commanded the Department & General W. A. Quarles commanded the city & immediate surroundings. We had our Headquarters office in the Custom House, across the street from the Battle House, the largest hotel in the city & our headquarters where we ate and slept was out in the direction of Spring Hill in a comfortable frame building next door to Col. Evans, the father of Miss Augusta J. Evans. She was well known as a authoress. We were having a good time.

Admiral Buchannon commanded the Navy in Mobile Bay. The Navy got the best of everything & the Midshipmen were always dressed up so nice I concluded to join the Navy & I wrote Judge Thomas B. Handly who was our congressman from Helena, Ark., & he got me appointed Midshipman by Secretary of the Navy Seealy (?) Malory & ordered to report to Admiral Buchannon. But I did not get the appointment until I, with Gen. Quarles Brigade, had been ordered to report to Gen. Joe Johnson commanding the Army of Tennessee and was then at Kenesaw Mountain, just north of Atlanta, Ga., which is the highest altitude from Lookout Mountain at Chattanooga, Tenn. to the Gulf of Mexico. I was then Aide de Camp to General Quarles & did not go back to report to the Navy.

We had some fighting at Kenesaw Mountain. Gen. Polk was killed on Pine Mountain which is close to Kenesaw Mountain. We soon left them & in a short time we were at Atlanta, Ga. where Gen. Joseph E. Johnson was relieved & Gen. Hood was put in command.

All of the Army was sorry for the change but the authorities at Richmond, Va. wanted to hold Atlanta & Gen. Johnson was going to give up the city & retreat. Gen Johnson said we might build another city but we could not get another Army as there were no more men to get.

Gen. Hood made things lively. We had three three big fights, in a week, first on July 20 & second on July 22nd & the 3rd on July 27th, 1864. We were in two of them, the 20th & 22nd of July. On the 22nd our command lost a good many men.

After these three fights, Gen. Sherman marched around Atlanta & went south and east & Gen. Jno. B. Hood marched north into Tennessee. We tore up and destroyed the railroads north of Atlanta and on march to the Tennessee River near Tuscumbia, Ala., where the army crossed the river on pontoon bridges. Rations and shoes were scarce, beeves would be killed & the meat issued and enough of the hide would be cut in pieces to tie over the foot up around the ankle for shoes to march in the next day, the hair being inside for the socks.

The next fight we had was at Franklin, Tenn. on the 30th of Nov. 1864. It was a nice bright pleasant day. The fight commenced about three o'clock in the evening & there was five or six thousand killed and wounded in about three hours. The Yankees left that night and we had the field the next day.

My duty as Ordnance Officer of Quarles' Brigade & E. C. Walthall's Division & Stuart's Corps. I was on the battlefield the next day collecting up the ordnance & c. There was thirteen Generals killed and wounded in the fight. Some of the killed were Gen. Pat. Claborne, Gen. Gist, Gen. Adams. Gen. W. A. Quarles was badly wounded but he finally recovered. Greenfield Quarles was on Gen. Quarles staff had his horse killed & he was shot in two places & was captured (Greenfield was the brother of Clarence Quarles, the writer). But he (Greenfield) was left as all the wounded were, when the enemy retreated that night. Stephen Cowley & Billy Montford of Gen. Quarles staff were killed. I was the only one of the General's staff that was not killed or wounded. The brigade went into the fight with seven (7) regiments. There was about thirty five percent killed and wounded.

The Army then followed the enemy to Nashville, Tenn. & when

the fight came on the Confederate line gave way & the retreat commenced.

Gen. Forest's cavalry and Gen. Walthall's Division of Infantry was the rear guard to protect the army on the retreat until they crossed the Tennessee River. Gen. W. A. Quarles' Tenn. Brigade & Gen. D. H. Reynold's Ark. Brigade was in Walthall's Division bringing up the rear. I was with them.

After the battle of Franklin, Greenfield Quarles, being wounded, was sent back to Columbia, Tenn. and was at Mr. Dunnington's house. Dr. Jackson was our Brigade Surgeon, turned over to me our Brigade headquarters ambulance on the retreat. When we got to Columbia, Tenn. I went by Mr. Dunnington's house in Columbia with the ambulance and got Greenfield Quarles and he was brought out with the Army south of the Tennessee River. After he got well enough to ride we got a furlough and came to Phillips Co., Ark. and Greenfield Quarles was captured again and sent to prison, and was in prison until after the surrender.

I surrendered when the Confederates did at Helena in the spring of 1865. When I came to Helena to surrender I found a letter directed to my father with my parole in it. That was sent me from my old co., Co. A, 2nd Kentucky Regt. when they surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. So ends the war.

Clarence Quarles

Helena, Ark.

April 17th,1918

I have been in Phillips Co. ever since 1851 & I like it well enough to stay here the balance of my time.

C. Q.

The following items are from a booklet called Historic Souvenir, Helena, Arkansas,' published about 1910 or 1912

The Cleburne Hotel

May, 1905, will be chronicled by future historians of Helena because of the fact that in that month the Cleburne Hotel was first opened to the public. The house has 40 guest rooms, every one of which is large, light and airy, special attention having been paid to the ventilation. A number of these rooms have private bath and all are equipped with hot and cold running water, steam heat, electric lights, telephone, etc. The hotel is conducted on the American plan and is famous for its cuisine and service. Mr. J. C. Schmitt, the proprietor, took charge of the house in 1907. Previous to that time he was superintendent of the Kimball House at Atlanta, Ga., one of the largest hotels in the South, and he also conducted very sucessfully a commercial hotel at Madison, Wis. He is a gentle man of large experience in hotel life and his thorough knowledge of the business and his ability in managing the hotel's affairs has been an important factor in the houses success."

From the same magazine --

The Smoker

The cigar store in the Cleburne Hotel building, popularly known as the Smoke, is the oldest and largest exclusive cigar store in the city. This store has an enviable reputation of satisfactory dealing with the trade extending over a period of five years, and they attribute their success to the fact that they carry the largest assortment of imported and domestic cigars in Eastern Arkansas. Every convenience is supplied for the customers, such as smoking, reading rooms, etc., and a large line of magazines, periodicals, newspapers, etc., are carried. B. R. Fitzpatrick & Son are the proprietors, and the store is in charge of a saleslady and assistant."

Helena Water Company

Helena is today, without a doubt, one of the healthiest cities in the country, and in addition to its ideal climate it also has a distinction of possessing one of the best and purest water supplies in the Southwest. This pure artesian well water has given Helena the distinction of possessing the lowest white death rate in the State. A short treatise on the manner in which the Helena Water Company obtain and distribute the city's supply will be of interest to the public. It is taken from four artesian wells drilled to a depth of 500 feet, and pumped to their reservoir, which is on a hill at an altitude of over (blank) feet above the business section. All of the wells have ten-inch pipes and a capacity of

1,000 gallons per minute, and the Water Company can supply the city with all of its requirements by running one well, in other words, they have a capacity and equipment large enough to supply a city of 60,000. Mr. R. M. Foster, the manager, and Mr. Thomas J. Mitchell, the superintendent, are both gentlemen of long experience in this line of business and the able manner in which they have looked after and conducted the company's affairs speaks highly for their executive ability."

WEST HELENA

As Seen Through The Eyes Of Walter J Shannon

By Carolyn R. Cunningham

Mr. Walter J. Shannon has the unusual, if not unprecedented, record of having been both the 2nd and 22nd mayor of a town. The town is West Helena, which in 1965 is a rapidly growing city of over 11,000 people. When Mr. Shannon became mayor in 1921, it was a rapidly growing town of 3,000 people.

Mr. Shannon was born in 1883 in Tippah County, Mississippi. In 1905 he married Miss Nelle Wyle Pegues, who was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, and they had two sons, Phillip and Bill. In those days jobs to do with the railroad, Mr. Shannon's line of work, were hard to find, so one day he followed a tip, got on the train and crossed the Mississippi for the first time. Crossing the river by train boat was something of an experience. It was the Illinois Central transfer boat, the old Pelican.

This was June 13, 1913, and the lead turned out to be false. He had hoped to get the position of telegraph operator in the Cotton Exchange on Cherry St., which was under the management of Mr. Joe Solomon, but the vacancy he had heard of did not exist. Finding himself here, away from home where jobs he knew were scarce, he decided to at least take a look around to see what it looked like west of the Mississippi. He has been here ever since.

He had had considerable experience as a railway agent, so he fired a telegram off to the Missouri & North Arkansas headquarters at Leslie, Arkansas, to inquire if there were any vacancies nearby. He was hired by return telegram and assigned to an almost brand new station in West Helena. He caught the interurban streetcar and proceeded to West Helena to get acquainted with his working surroundings. That new station he arrived at was pretty sound and sturdy, I guess, because it is still a landmark in West Helena. And it was headquarters for Mr. Shannon until 1946.

The former railway agent, Mr. Otto, had left to go to work for the Superior Chair Co. in West Helena, owned by the West Helena Consolidated Co.-- Mr. E. C. Hornor and Mr. J. S. Hornor. It was located two blocks south of Plaza on the railroad, the Missouri Pacific and the Missouri & North Arkansas. 33 years have seen many changes in the railroad business and in West Helena.

Mr Shannon took rooms at the Commercial Hotel, operated by Mr. A. J. Heskett, and within a month was joined by his

family. Soon they were able to move into a new home on Garland, just west of 2nd St. They lived there about two years and then moved to the first block of South 6th. Six years after moving to West Helena, the Shannons bought their present home at 608 Cleburne. It was a fairly new home, having just been occupied by the J. E. Brown family until their new home at 1002 Park was finished.

The house was built by Van Clay Kesl as were many of the West Helena homes. Mr. Kesl was an excellent builder. No task was too tedious for his special attention, and the homes he built are still standing strong, as a monument to him. His son and grandsons have carried on the reputation he built, Oldrich, Jimmy and Vensil Kesl.

Back to the depot -- four passenger trains and two freight trains were running through town daily. It was the only mode of transportation, so business was good. The railroad served all the industries of West Helena, and these were many.

Mr. E. C. Hornor was riding horseback along the ridge where Beechcrest School now stands one day in the early 1900's, when he suddenly thought why not make this a manufacturing site? And this is exactly what he and others set out to do, and they succeeded, for when Mr. Shannon took over as agent in 1913 the following companies were shipping out carloads of merchandise:

The J. W. Dennison Sawmill, where Faust Mill is now located. Mr. Dennison had been West Helena's first mayor, serving from 1917 to 1921.

National Cooperage and Shelly Stave Co., which made slack barrel staves.

Buckeye Veneer, owned by G. W. Updegraff.

Superior Chair Co., which made wooden chairs for dining room and kitchen use. Mr. Shannon owned a set of them, but has only one left.

Helena Veneer Co., manufacturing veneer for furniture for drawers and tops, owned by Mr. Van Briggle.

All of these were south of Plaza. North of Plaza were:

Penrod-Jurdon, which made a high class thin veneer for fine furniture. This is presently known as Beisel Veneer Co. Both Mr. Penrod and Mr. Jurdon were from Kansas City.

North of this last was Pekin Cooperage and Stave Co., which manufactured both tight barrels and slack barrels. Tight barrels were exactly that -- barrels that would not leak – whereas slack barrels were used principally for packing meat for exporting from Chicago to South America and other countries. The tight barrels were used for whiskey and perhaps vinegar and molasses. The oak for these tight barrels came from northwest Arkansas and was said to be the finest in the world.

Cooperage gets its name from the man who made the barrel, who was called a cooper. Stave is a board sawed out of a log in a curved shape. A cooperage is the whole job collectively. This area was an ideal setting for such lumber industries, because at that time they were clearing up virgin timber in the bottom lands, mostly gum and oak.

Arkansas Veneer Co., owned by Frank Cannon and his brother, made veneer for furniture, egg cases, etc. In these days there were no paper egg cartons, as now.

Chicago Mill & Lumber Co. moved in about this time and built from the ground up. They still operate at the same place under the same name. Mr. E. C. Nelson was manager.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were pioneers in the development of West Helena. They were identified with the religious, educational and civic programs of this new town. Mrs. Nelson served as the first president of the Library Board, and was largely instrumental in founding and establishing the West Helena Library Chicago Mill gave much of the lumber for building it.

In 1921 when Mr. Shannon became mayor, West Helena had been incorporated for four years. It became a first class city in 1920. Fist class city is a classification rating from incorporated town to city standing. The name "West Helena" came about due to the fact that the freight rate structure placed Helena in the southeastern territory, and they enjoyed lower rates than the southwestern territory The dividing line was right about here, so in order to give the same rates to this area as that of Helena, they named it "West" Helena. The plat was filed and the dedication date was June 1, 1910.

As the second mayor, Mr. Shannon conducted the business of the town any place they could find to meet, principally in store buildings, sometimes in the depot, and after the library was built, they often met there. At this time the city clerk was W. O. Glines, followed by Alfred Raff. Mr. Raff was in business with his parents and brothers. His father, C. G. Raff, Sr., was an alderman, as was Luther Darnell, father of Mrs. Howard Fennell.

The Darnells built the lovely brick home at 527 Cleburne, now the home of Mrs. Ida Mae Leighton and still one of the finest homes here. Across the street in a big square 12 room frame house, Dr. O. C. Williams had built a combination home and clinic. He was married to the former Florence Robards, aunt of Carolyn Robards Cunningham, author of this article.

Many oldtimers in West Helena have asked me if I were re-

lated to Mrs. Williams, and when I said yes, a look of complete understanding came over their faces as they explained that I had reminded them so much of someone they had known, and it was a relief to have the puzzle solved. Here, as well as in the family, they say I talk and move about like Aunt Florence, and at home they always said I sat my horse like she did. It has been nice to be placed by West Helenians as the niece of someone so well liked by so many people.

Other doctors here about that time were Dr. Rogers, Dr. Mc Adams and Dr. Estes, who moved from here to Blytheville. They usually walked about town to make their calls. There were no lawyers here. The law enforcement officer was a constable. James Patrick McKinnie, better known as Mack. His daughters are Mrs. Dick Webster and Mrs. Emma Robertson.

George Thaddeus Galloway and his family moved here in 1913, and in 1922, the year after Mr. Shannon became mayor, Mr. Galloway ran for and was elected city judge. From then on he was known as Judge Galloway. He was city judge for 26 years, being reelected without opposition all these years. He served until two years before his death in 1950. His son is Captain Dwight Galloway and a stepdaughter is Bernice Wade Merrifield. Both live here. He owned and operated the Star Grocery Store in the same building as the Commercial Hotel.

There were not many other businesses on Plaza. Bill Lyford had two stores where Fulton Simpson's is now, one a grocery and the other a general merchandise store. Across the street Mike Harris owned a small grocery store. He was the father of Nick Harris, owner of Nick's Cafe.

Then there was Raff's, a meat and vegetable market near the present location of City Drug Store, the site of McCoy Drug, then later Topp Drug Co., for years one of the favorite meeting places in town. Raff's later built a group of buildings where Raff's Grocery and Raff's Seed, Feed and Hardware were located. Later, Raff Wholesale was opened, which is operated by Arthur and C. G. Raff, Jr. The Commercial Hotel was located about where the Whiteway Cafe is now.

This was Plaza about 1920. Later the Arkansas Trading Co. was built, Mr. C T. Hudson manager. It was located where Raff Wholesale is now. It had general merchandise and was owned by Penrod-Jurdon Co. Mr. Hudson moved to Dallas, Texas.

In those days the mayor was paid only a nominal fee. Revenue was low, and taxes were the only source of income, amounting to about $5,000 a year. There was a gradual though constant growth.

The Baptist Church was located on 4th St. It burned and the lot for the new church on 7th and Plaza was given by Miss Prince and her sister Mrs. Ashley. It burned and then the present building was put up.

Mr. Shannon has watched every church and every school being built, as well as most of the business houses. Where the Helena Garment Factory is now was originally a cotton mill, moved in from Barton. They made cotton yarn which was shipped to various mills which had looms to be made into cloth.

In 1959 Mr. Shannon ran for the 22nd term of mayorship of West Helena and was elected -- a far cry from the young town he had served so many years before. Mrs. Shannon passes away this year. Phillip married Carolyn Gresham and they have two children, Phil and Carol, now Mrs. James E. Grant, and one granddaughter, Carolyn. Bill married Manelle Vaden, niece of Mrs. Vern Brooks. Their daughter married Dr. Eugene Josephs and they have four children and live in DeQueen, Arkansas.

Mr. E. C. Hornor once told Mr. Shannon that the purpose of West Helena was that the working man could have a home of his own, and those of us who live here could testify that the purpose has been fulfilled and far surpassed the original plan.

"MORE PHILLIPS COUNTY HISTORY"

Marvell, Ark., Dec. 29, 1921

"Editor World:

My older brother, C. J. Yancey, of Alton, Illinois, who lived here in the sixties, and who is spending the Christmas with me, has given me some data covering some of the past history of Phillips County. Taking the Old Town road, running from Helena, to Old Town point, the first plantation on that road, in the late sixties and early seventies, was owned and operated by Congressman Hanks, who lived in the suburbs of Helena. The next place was owned by Mr. James Clopton, then the Pollack Taylor place, which was owned and operated by him and his brother, Hancock Taylor, who enlisted in the Confederate army at Helena, under General Pat Cleburne. They came here from Jefferson County, Kentucky, with their slaves, before the war.

After the war, Pollack Taylor shipped down from Kentucky a boatload of good work mules, the first good mules brought to the county after the war, and for some years he worked the Taylor and Biscoe places. He and Bob Casteel also stocked the McGee place with work mules, and worked it. This place was where Wabash is now situated.

Next to Taylor's home place comes that of Alex McGonigal, who died on his farm. Next the Macalpin place, owned and worked by Geo. Johnson, who lived on the place. Then the upper Higgins place, then that of Lon Johnson, who lived on and worked the place, and which place is now known as the Highland Lake Place. Next the Captain Key place; next the widow Higgins place, operated by her brother John Brand; next the Tom John place, operated by Dr. Gillespie, who died on this farm. Next that of Col. Bob Rankin, who lived on the place, which was where Lakeview now stands. Next the McGee place, which as stated above, was operated by Pollack Taylor and Bob Casteel. Next was the place operated by Major Govan, who married a daughter of Captain Key and lived on this place. Next was that of Willie V. Johnson, who lived on his place and brought the first thoroughbred horses and and cattle to this county. He bred Bonny Scotland horses, and Durham cattle. Next the Mat Clay place, operated by Hector Lewis, who lived on the place. Then the Quarles place operated by Tom Casteel, who lived on the place. This place lies between the Canal and Old Town Landing. The Quarles also owned a large plantation on Old Town Island, running down to the point of the lakes.

One remarkable character was J. B. (known as "Big") Lambert, who built cotton gins run by mule power on most of the farms. He obtained all of his material, except cogs and gin stands, from

the cypress brakes; made his lumber by riving cypress slabs, his press screws out of red gum, the large drive wheel out of oak. The wooden cogs for this wheel he made from persimmon.

A great many of our older citizens, doubtless, remember Big Lambert, who built several bridges in the county after we began to put in sawmills. But he always hewed all of his heavy timbers out of cypress trees which he found in the woods near the bridge.

Respectfully,
G. W. Yancey"

EARLY HELENA SCHOOLS

By Dale P. Kirkman

The first school of record in Helena was that of John S. Hornor, opened on April 25, 1836 somewhere on North Ohio St. It ran for five days a week from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M. The schoolmaster advertised in the Helena "Constitutional Journal" that he had been in that business for some years, and would not only pay attention to the pupils' morals, but would try to improve them. Terms per quarter:

For Orthography, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic	$6.
English Grammar, Geography, History and Composition	$8.
Algebra, Geometry, Surveying and the Latin language	$10.

In that same year, subscribers to a school fund in Helena were contracting for the building of a schoolhouse on Lot 481, commissioners being Wm. B. R. Hornor, James H. McKenzie and Fleetwood Hanks. This lot had been given to the town of Helena in 1821 by Sylvanus Phillips for a school. Whether this school was built, I do not know

In 1837, a man named W. Roy advertised for a school that he would teach, students to attend for a minimum period of three months, but this school probably had a brief existence because the ads did not continue.

The "Southern Shield" of Helena ran an ad in April, 1840 for a school for boys and girls to be operated by Albert G Underwood, to offer English education, geography, arithmetic and history. Mr. Underwood saw greener fields than teaching, for that same year he was running for coroner, by 1849 had an ad for writing deeds and Probate of claims and by 1851 was a practising attorney.

Miss E. Black of Boston had an ad in the "Southern Shield" of April, 1849 for a school for girls of a five months session, which was the length of time most of the schools ran. She offered a regular program, plus musical education on the piano, instrument and vocally, and drawing and mezzotint. She had the backing of John S. Hornor and the three school commissioners. This school had probably opened in 1848, because the October, 1849 "Shield" said that it was starting the third session. Miss E. Black's sister, Miss Martha Black, was mentioned as a teacher in 1849, and the paper ran their ads through 1854. This school lasted into the 1860's.

In 1848, the same year that the Misses Black started their school, a male and female high school began in Richland Township, ten miles northwest of Helena, with Orin Carpenter as superintendent.

This school had several Helena students.

Then followed several schools that must have been of very brief existence a male academy started in Helena in January, 1850 by B. F. Hitchcock, principal (ancient languages to be included) a male and female seminary under Dr. J. H. Jurey, his wife and other teachers, to continue for ten months. a male institute run by Professor Abner Morrill, A. B., graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine and offering Latin, Greek, French and German (imagine that now), a school for boys, opened in January, 1853 by James M. Murphy and adding philosophy to the usual courses. Boyd Johnson in The Arkansas Frontier says that in 1850 there were six schools in Phillips County, four of them for girls and two for boys, and that there were seven teachers and 95 pupils, with no tax income or public funds to support the schools.

In 1853, Rev. T. S. N. King, a Baptist minister, won the office of school commissioner for Phillips County and held that office for several years. David Y. Thomas in Arkansas and Its People A History 1541-1930 says that before the Civil War, there was no law in Arkansas that provided for a property tax to pay for public schools. Any funds had to come from leases and sales of land given by Congress for that purpose and from unclaimed shares of estates. The "Shield" records that Commissioner King was busy in 1856 selling off the 16th section of land in Township 2 North, Range 5 East in lots of 40 acres each, but it does not tell which school would receive the proceeds.

Earlier, in 1853, after having heard a series of recitations by students of the Misses Black before the townspeople and being highly edified by them, R. F. Sutton got up and made a speech to the effect that Helena citizens had spent thousands of dollars on churches, but had never built a suitable schoolhouse.

In October, 1853, C. C. Bliss started a Classical Institute for boys, adding chemistry and physiology to the regular course. He changed the name of this to the Male School the next year, and also, with his wife and Miss Azubah J. Eastman of Bangor, Maine (the Mainestaters seeming to have a propensity for Arkansas), that same year opened the Helena Female Seminary.

With the exception of the Misses Black's school, these schools were short-lived. In 1854, one of the best and best-known schools was started by T. C. Anderson, called the Helena High School. He called it a "classical and mathematical school" and the course of instruction of the University of Virginia was to be followed. If boys from a distance wanted to attend, rooms with respectable families would be found for them. This school continued for some years, with G. T. Morgan taking Mr. Anderson's place as principal in 1858.

Miss Lindsay of Huntsville, Alabama opened a Female Institute at Helena in February, 1856, and the Helena Male School was opened in January, 1857 by Rev. W. J. Vineyard and A. B. and E. G. Burney. In September, 1857, Rev. Otis Hackett, A. M., of the Episcopal Church, Mrs. Hackett and Miss Jennie Pardee opened St. Mary's school for Girls. Added to the regular courses were botany, Spanish and embroidery. This school ran about three sessions and Mr. Hackett soon had an ad to sell the pianos and other furniture, and Miss Pardee opened her own school the next year. In 1858, Miss M. Harris opened a primary school.

Times were getting on, as evidenced by the fact that Miss Lindsay in her ad said that she was reared in a southern state and had only southern educated teachers. Shortly after, for reasons unknown, she turned her school over to Mrs. Mary Oldham. Another school of brief duration was that of Professor Samuel W. Mitchell from Jackson College, Tennessee. He opened a school for boys in 1858, and had as references John S. Hornor, Dr. John F. Hanks and John J. Hornor.

In 1856, Bishop Andrew Byrne of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock bought the Biscoe home with ten acres of land and fixed the home up for a school. It opened in 1858 at St. Catherine's Academy and was run by the Sisters of Mercy. It was considered to be the best school in town, and many planters of the county sent their daughters there. Evidently this school ran until about 1868, when it was discontinued, but the property continued to be held by the Catholic Church. The school was started again in 1879 as Sacred Heart Academy by five Sisters of Charity from Nazareth, Kentucky.

Mrs. Nelson opened a school in 1860 on Rightor St., opposite Mr. Dixon's house (this was the first time a specific location was given in the paper). Apparently this school reopened in 1862 with two different parts, the Helena Male School on Rightor St. under Nelson and Montgomery, offering navigation, engineering and bookkeeping, and the Southern Home Female Seminary under Mr. and Mrs. J. Nelson with Miss Margaret Johnson, teacher. Cotton and provisions would be taken in payment for tuition. This school was described as being in "West Helena."

A select School for Young Ladies, for boarders at $13 a month, was started on Rightor St. in 1862, four doors west of the Episcopal Church. Head of the school was L. DePumpelly, assisted by Miss S. Newell, Madame Hubner and Madame Fouche. About this same time a school was opened by O. F. and Frank Russell, formerly of Helena Preparatory School, at a site five miles from Helena and 1/2 mile from the St. Francis Road. They advertised a new and commodious building.

The war years saw little formal education and the next school of record was in 1870, opened by Miss Lucy Deputy, an English

school for boys and girls. This was near the home of Judge West on Rightor St, primary classes $3 a month and advanced, $5.

That same year, an impressive ad was entered for a Male and Female Boarding Institute For Eastern Arkansas at Helena, Rev Thomas W. White, principal, P. O. Box 146, Helena. Rev. White was principal of the male department and Capt J. W. Morton was associate principal Miss Hattie E. White was principal of the female department with Miss Florida Calhoun Cralle, assistant This school had a long list of names given as references, among them Major J. J Hornor, Col O H Oates, Gen J C. Tappan, Drs. McAlpine, Burton and Rice, and a reference each at LaGrange, Newton and Moon Lake, Mississippi.

Helena School District #1 was organized in 1869 under Mayor H. P. Coolidge, and the schoo! board consisted of J. E. Bennett, president J. Q. Taylor, secretary; members, Austin Barrow, J. T. White and Nicholas Straub. Mr. Bennett remained president of the board until 1883. At the time of the organization, there was no school building in Helena.

The site of Jefferson School (the present site of Safeway Store) was a cypress swamp, running north to south through the school grounds, but the property was bought in 1872 for $6,580. The first school building was built on cypress pilings ten feet high, had four rooms and was a frame building. The place was still swampy and at recess the pupils sat on the high board waiks and fished in the eight or nine feet of water below.

School was from 9:15 to 4:30, and lasted anywhere from 7 1/2 to 10 months. The first faculty consisted of Mr. Russell, principal and teachers, Mrs. Georgia Slater and Miss Lucy Deputy. Another room was added to the school in 1877.

A new school was built and the school plans were copied from a school in St. Joseph, Missouri, construction costing $24,000. The building was not finished until 1886, but the school went into use in 1885 as the old school burned January 23, 1885. Helena at that time had less than 4000 people.

The clock in the tower of Jefferson School was a Seth Thomas clock, the motor weighing 1500 lbs and the pendulum 250 lbs. In the 1930's, a 1/4 horsepower motor was installed to wind the clock once a week Before that, the clock had to be wound by hand, which was very laborious. When parts of the clock broke, new pieces were made for it in a local machine shop, and the smallest wheel in the motor was 5 inches in diameter.

An increase in students and a need for expansion necessitated another school building, and in 1912 the Helena High School was

built on the site of the old General Hindman home, graduating the first class in 1913.

As the years have passed, an increase in population has brought other changes. Old Jefferson was torn down in 1950 and a new school was built, using the original lot given to the town of Helena by Sylvanus Phillips. In 1946, the Helena-West Helena School Districts consolidated, the result being a combined high school built in old Caney Park, graduating its first class in 1950. In 1961, a combined junior high school was built next to Central High School. The tale of evolution covers 125 years, from John S. Hornor's school in a log cabin on Ohio St. to Central Junior High School on Highway 49.

§§§§§§§

Sources used to collect facts in this article:

Helena "Constitutional Journal," March 8, 1836 --- December 21, 1837.

“Helena Spy" March 10, 1838 ---September 24, 1838.

Helena "Southern Shield,", March 28, 1840 ---August 20, 1870.

“‘Helena World," February 15, 1938.

Historical Helena-West Helena 1820-1953, pamphlet of Chamber of Commerce.

Herndon, Dallas T., Annals of Arkansas 1947. The Historical Records Assoc.

Johnson, Boyd, The Arkansas Frontier. 1957.

Thomas, David Y., Arkansas and Its People, A History 1541-1930. Vol. II.

FROM HELENA TO CORPUS CHRISTI

"B. L. Lyford, his son, C. C. Lyford, Mrs. B. L. Lyford and Mrs. M. P. Tate and two children, the entire party of Helena, passed through Little Rock in an Overland touring car on the return trip from Corpus Christi, Texas. The party passed through Little Rock on their way to Corpus Christi the latter part of June. The party of six people left Helena Sunday morning, June 26, with Leslie Allen, a driver in the employ of Mr. Lyford, driving. The first stop of any length was made at Little Rock, where they remained two days. When leaving Little Rock the Glidden route was taken to Texarkana. From Texarkana the long drive from that city to Dallas, Texas was made with very few accidents to mar the pleasure of the trip. Remaining in Dallas a few days, they continued to San Antonio, the remaining 140 miles of the trip to Corpus Christi was made with practically no mishaps. The party remained in Corpus Christi, where several weeks were spent in sight seeing.

The return trip was started August 19, the route being selected by the party. C. C. Lyford, son of B. L. Lyford, met the party at Corpus Christi and drove the car on the return trip. Although the roads through northeastern Texas were said to be in bad condition, the trip to Texarkana was made with only one accident, and that a puncture.

The distance from Texarkana was made in good time, without any trouble except a patch coming off one of the front tires. This required but a few minutes to repair.

The party arrived in Little Rock Friday morning. Young Mr. Lyford remained and drove the car to Helena Friday afternoon, while the remainder of the party continued the trip to Helena by train. The entire distance covered is estimated at about 3,000 miles, the exact distance not being known, as trouble with the speedometer prevented a record being kept.

While the car was apparently in-good shape, it showed by its rock-scarred and mud-covered condition the results of a muddy country. The fact that six passengers were carried each way and that very few accidents resulted is considered by local dealers features that make the trip one out of the ordinary."

From The Helena Daily World, September 6, 1910

REHOBOTH CHURCH

By Zora Langston Atkinson

The events that led to the founding of Rehoboth Baptist Church are closely associated with the older members of my family. The first minister that served Rehoboth was the Reverend John J. Huckaby. He and his family came with a group of seventy people from Union County, South Carolina, in the winter of 1870-1871. Most of the group settled that year on or near the "Old Bogan Gist Plantation" which contained 640 acres and was located in Phillips County, sixteen miles west of Helena, Arkansas. One of the first things that John J. Huckaby did was to organize a Sunday School. It was not long before people came from far and near to hear the group of South Carolinians sing. Most of the singers had been trained in singing schools in their native state.

A year or two later, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Huckaby with their two young daughters, Cornelia Helen and Emma Gist, moved into the Vineyard community. Here they found a group of high-type people but there was no house of worship. Many of the families had moved to Arkansas from adjoining states. Arkansas had not recovered from the hardships suffered during the Civil War and Reconstruction Days. It was a struggle for most families to make a living. Some of the roads were mere trails and the usual methods of travel were on horseback, in wagon, and by foot.

Churches were few, and measured by the length of time it took to reach them, they were, indeed, far apart. The following churches are mentioned in records of the county: Bethel Baptist Church, near North Creek; Cypress Valley Baptist Church, near Rondo; Spring Creek Methodist Church at Spring Creek; Salem Baptist Church on Coffee Creek; Old Central Methodist Church, near Lexa; Marvell Baptist Church, and Helena Baptist Church. The membership of all the Baptist Churches in Phillips County was between 300 and 400. Most of the churches had a very small group of members and some were not able to survive. For example, when Bethel Church closed its doors many of the members united with Cypress Valley Church.

Since there was no church in Vineyard, a group of interested people under the leadership of J. J. Huckaby met in different homes where he conducted religious services. He began his religious work at the age of seventeen but he had never been ordained as a minister He was a cobbler by trade. From the records of the Cypress Valley Baptist Church, in 1874, he was the local preacher. At a Church Conference on June 6, 1874, the body heard a recommendation for the ordination of John J. Huckaby by a committee from Bethel Baptist Church consisting of Elija Holtzclaw, W. H. McGrew, and G. F. Thompson. The church voted in favor of the ordination and appointed a committee to invite three ministers to ordain Brother Huckaby on July 4, 1874.

In order to get the visiting ministers, the date had to be changed to September 6, 1874. Brother L. K. Obenchain preached the sermon, after which was the examination. The church and presbytery being satisfied, the ordination was performed. The Reverend Scafe delivered the charge, and the Reverend Obenchain presented the Bible to Elder Huckaby. This Bible is now in the possession of his granddaughter, Lucile Ferguson Furtwanger, Greenville, California.

He continued to serve this church until 1882, with the exception of 1878, when the Reverend J. M. Bailes was elected minister, but there is no church record for that year. The following year Elder Huckaby was elected minister. The last Conference of the Cypress Valley Baptist Church was held on Saturday before the second Sunday in March 1882. The members voted to move the "church organization" to a house near Vineyard and voted to name the church "Rehoboth", the following members were received by transfer from Bethel Church W.H. McGrew, A. M. Hopkins, W. B. Brackeen, and Mrs. Ann A. Binkley.

The first Conference held at Rehoboth was on Saturday before the first Sunday in April, 1882. The Reverend J. J. Huckaby was paid $16.70 in part payment for services rendered. The building was an old store that had at one time been a saloon. The building Committee asked the members to meet the following week to make essential repairs and this crude building became the "Meeting House" for a small band of faithful members until 1886, when they were able to build a new church edifice. The first service was held at Rehoboth on the second Sunday in May, 1882. Stephen H. Holtzclaw gave the land where the present church and cemetery are located. W. H. McGrew gave an acre or more of wooded land directly in front of the church for hitching posts, - a parking lot in the 1880s.

Raising money for the budget was a problem in that day just as it is in most churches today. The church voted a monthly subscription of ten cents per member. This church was soon recognized for its hospitality. In the fall of 1882, the church sent an invitation to the Association to meet at Rehoboth in October 1883.

The first Sunday School was organized in 1883, and was reorganized in 1884, with John F. Langston as Sunday School Superintendent. The Baptist Woman's Society was organized in October, 1886. It was the forerunner of the present Woman's Missionary Union.

This story was told to me about three of the oldest and most loved of the charter members. Each of the three ladies wore a white cap with streamers, similar to the one worn by Rachel Jackson. Each one had a special seat. Mrs. Armenta Langston, a very tiny woman, sat in a small chair near the pulpit, so that she could hear every word of the sermon. She was the mother of LeRoy Langston, John F. Langston, and Julia Langston Lowe. Mrs. Mary Prince, "Aunt Polly"

to all her friends, was very particular about her clothes, and her collars were made of beautiful lace. She was the mother of Frank and Alexander Prince. Mrs. Sarah Bellamy, a most faithful member, was the mother of her good Presbyterian son, Henry Bellamy.

I would like to mention three of the church leaders who served in an official capacity for a total of 108 years. To each of these men we owe a debt of gratitude for their long and faithful service to the church and to the community. John F. Langston was ordained deacon in 1880 and served until his death in 1898. W. H. McGrew and C. L. Langston were ordained deacons on the third Sunday in October, 1884. W. H McGrew served more than 42 years, and C. L. Langston served nearly 48 years. There were many, both men and women, who served well this church in which they were so much interested

On Saturday before the fourth Sunday in May 1886, the following Building Committee was appointed W. H. McGrew, John F. Langston, Warren D. Holtzclaw, and G. B. Turner. They were asked to make a report at the next regular meeting.

On Saturday before the fourth Sunday in June, this committee made the following report "We, your committee appointed at the last meeting, to take into consideration the building of a new church, would like to submit the following report: 1 It is the wish of the members that we build a church 2 It is the desire of the committee to build a house at this place 3 We recommend a building 30 x 42 feet, which will cost about $450." This report was accepted and the committee continued and was asked to push forward the good work. The report was signed, W. H. Paslay, Moderator, and G. B. Turner, Church Clerk.

The building of the church was a labor of love, and the members gave freely of their time during the summer months, and all the money they were able to spare. Everyone was happy, for at last they would have a suitable house in which to worship. The church when completed was painted white on the outside, but the ceiling of the interior had to wait for a while.

The pulpit furniture and the seats were made by hand. The lumber was cut from very large cypress logs. My father designed the pattern for the benches, and he and his uncle, John F Langston, made the seats that were used until the church was destroyed by fire in 1922. The organ was bought years later. In this story I would like to pay tribute to the members of the choir and to the organists for the excellent music they provided for all of the church services. Mrs. Hodge Vineyard, "Miss Willie," played for all church services until she moved to Helena. Mrs. W. S. Beaty, "Miss Stella," took her place and served as organist for nearly forty years. She is a staunch Presbyterian but there was no Presbyterian church in the community, so she gave her services to this little Baptist Church. She has a very warm spot in her heart for Rehoboth, for in this church she became

the bride of Dr. W. S. Beaty. Her childhood sweetheart, Carey King, sleeps in the church yard.

This story ends with March, 1897, but I shall add that the church burned on Saturday after Thanksgiving in 1922. The cause of the fire was never known. For some reason the minister did not come, and the members were on their way home, when someone saw a cloud of smoke and rushed back to the church. The only thing saved was the organ and a few song books. The members gathered around the dying embers and decided to rebuild the church just as quickly as possible.

The following ministers served Cypress Valley and Rehoboth Baptist Churches from June, 1874, to March, 1897.

1. Reverend John J. Huckaby served as pastor of the Cypress Valley Church from 1874 to 1882 with the exception of 1878, when the Reverend J. W. Bailes was elected minister, but there is no record for that year. J. J. Huckaby served as Pastor of Rehoboth from March 1882 until his death in September, 1884.

2. The Reverend W. H. Paslay served in 1885 and 1886.

3. The Reverend J. H. Armstrong served in 1887. The church was without a pastor in 1888.

4. The Reverend R. G. Hewlett was elected in November, 1888 and served until 1891.

5. The Reverend W. H. Paslay served from 1892 through 1897 and for several years more.

The following guest ministers are mentioned in the church records M. K. Thornton, T. S. Freeman, W. P. Peeples, S. W. Bonner, J. S. Carson, Mr. McCarty, G. W. Graham, L. K. Obenchain, R. H. Moran, Murphy, Scaife, and McKinney.

These names are taken from the original roll of the Cypress Valley Baptist Church. This list included all persons who joined as charter members. Some were removed by death, others moved away, while a few were dismissed for drinking, dancing, and others for non-attendance.

CHARTER MEMBERS

Males J. J. Huckaby, LeRoy Langston, William Hollum, John F. Langston, W. H. Robards, S. D. Bonner, J. W. Ramage, T. W. Gilliam, W. J. Wooten, C. L. Langston, Hillard Greggs, W. A. Bobbit, E. L. Sutton, Marion Rutlage, T. A. Langston, Miller Thompson, Avery Jacks, J. E. Hopkins, A. M. McQueen, A. M. Hopkins, W. H. McGrew, W. B. Brackeen, T. J. Tucker, W. L. Ware, G. W. Harcraft, M. Mize, W. P. Sallis.

Females Armenta Langston (Mrs. Absolom), Mary Prince (Mrs. Abram), Susan F. Langston (Mrs. J. F.), Malinda Hollum (Mrs. Willaim), Lucy Prince, Prescia Prince Langston, Rebecca Bonner,

Mollie Ramey Bonner, Sarah F. Huckaby (Mrs. John J.L, Nanny Ramey, M. Robards, Lucretia Shands (Mrs. J. F.), Jennie Wooten Cornelia Huckaby Ferguson, Emma Huckaby Holtzclaw (Mrs. W. D.), Netta Greggs, Caroline Sutton, Willie Webb, Mrs. Avery Jacks, Mrs. J. P. Bobbit, Hadassa Collins, Elender Fleener, Sarah Grace Hopkins (Mrs. J. E.), Elizabeth Gilliam (Mrs. T. W.).

REHOBOTH MEMBERSHIP ROLL, 1882-1897

Males G. B. Turner, Tom J. Dice, W. D. Holtzclaw, Willie Ramey, N. B. Lowe, Jasper Fant, J. F. Shands, J. P. Lee, J. E. Clark, C. Wickard, J. M. Binkley, Frank Prince, Thomas Courtney Langston, W. A. Chatman, A. H. Ramage, John Thompson, J. H. Armstrong, Thomas Sallis, William Bonner, S. H. King, W. H. Ray, Stonewall Fant, J. S King, F. H. Hopkins, John Turner, B. B. Stivers, W. E. Bonner, Fred Ramey, John Ramey, Carey King, John Shackelford, Thomas Lowe, Nials Vance, Ernest Howard, George Wright, C. T. Chandler, Alexander Prince, Minor Bonner, Edward Walls, John Nance, NI D. Ramey, H. P. Raddin, W. H. Hunter, R. C. Evans, Martin Larkin, J. B. Lowe, J. B. Hammos, W. J. Bobbitt, Robert Beezley, W. F. McKinney, James Belsha, and John King.

Females Sarah Bellamy, Emmer F. Prince (Mrs. Frank), J. M. McQueen, M. C. Shands, Jennie Green, Deanie Green, Sallie Ann Binkley, Ann A. Binkley (Mrs. J. M.), Becky Green, Mary McGrew (Mrs. W. H.), Mattie McCoy Sallis (Mrs. W. P.), H. C. Turner, E. Brackeen (Mrs. W. E.), E. Lowe Ramage, N. W. Thompson, M. Evans Cheek, Nancy Sallis, E. Z. Morris, Sarah Bird, Effie Prince, Addie Harris, Bettie Hollum, Missouri Bonner (Mrs. William), Sallie King, F. M. Mitchel, Annie Mathews Binkley (Mrs. J. W.), A. G. Fant, Mollie Langston, Nely Gregory, Mahaly Gregory, Laura Hopkins, Mary Larkin, Emma Dinkin, Lizzie Ramey, Fannie Lowe (Mrs. J. B.), Lavanda Binkley, Lou Evans, Blanche Garrison, S. J. Ramey, M. A. Welis, Pope Few, Sally Thompson, Ida Howard, Jennie King, Willie Vineyard (Mrs. Hodge), Madge Chandler, Lelia Chatman, Emily Chatman, Jennie Thompson, Maud Thompson Martin, Lucy Dinkin, Laura Prince, Annie Prince, Addy Ramey, Mary Roddin, Lula Larkin Mathenia Holtzclaw Wooten, Donie Bonner, Hattie Morris, Jessie Shands, Jeffie Prince, Kate King, Lola Tryon, Lula Ramage, Viola Bonner, Josephine Holtzclaw, Belle Martin Langston (Mrs. T. C.), Vesta Holtzclaw, Ella Wicker, and Louvanah Ray.

This is a brief sketch of the Reverend William H. Paslay who served Rehoboth Church for a longer period than any other minister. He was born in South Carolina, on December 18, 1831, a son of H. W. and Mary Wright Paslay. His father was born in 1803 in South Carolina and was a graduate of the Medical Institute of Charleston, South Carolina). He was both doctor and minister and came to Arkansas in 1857.

W. H Pasley received his education in his native state and was

a graduate of Furnam University. He taught school for several years, and was ordained in Alabama, where he was engaged in teaching and preaching He came to Arkansas in the fall of 1872, and located in Monroe County. He preached in St. Francis, Lee, and Monroe Counties for a period of more than 35 years.

He married Geraldine Rupum of Alabama and they were the parents of four daughters, Mara Tula, Ora Lana, Etta Leta, and Alva Mona. After his wife's death he married Julia Prince of Alabama. She died leaving one child a daughter, Estelle. His third wife was Ann Dozier of Jasper County, Georgia. They were the parents of three sons, W. H. Jr., Woods D., Robert E. He and his family made their home in Forrest City and in connection with all of his other duties, he cultivated a farm of 320 acres He was a Mason and a member of the Knights of Honor. He is buried in Forrest Hills Cemetery, at Forrest City, Arkansas.

There were other families not affiliated with Rehoboth Church that played an important part in the affairs of the community. Dr. J. H. Vineyard was a prominent citizen, and the community bears his name. He and his family were among the early settlers. He ministered to the sick for miles aroung. He made most of his calls on horseback, and when he left home in the morning, it was not unusual for his family not to see him until the following evening. These were his words "I never refuse to make a call, day or night, even though I know I shall never receive a red cent." He was loved and respected by everyone. I shall add my words of appreciation to the doctor who saved my life when I was a small child.

Another pioneer family was Captain and Mrs. F. M. Hawkins. He was a native of Tennessee. He began his farming career at the age of eighteen and that was his principal pursuit through life. He came to Arkansas prior to the War between the States, and in 1861 enlisted as a private. He rose to the rank of Captain in the Nineteenth Arkansas Regiment. He took part in three major battles. He was captured at Arkansas Post and sent to Camp Douglas in Chicago. He finally escaped and returned to his regiment. He returned to Arkansas and bought the farm where Oscar and Louise McGrew now live. In 1878 he married Mrs. Betty Brady of Shelby County, Kentucky. He raised fine stock, and Mrs. Hawkins was particularly proud of her turkeys. Mr. Hawkins said to my father, "Why yes, Bettie raises turkeys and sells them for seventy-five cents, and every one of them cost at least a dollar and a quarter."

He was a Presbyterian and his wife belonged to the Missionary Baptist church When his wife died, he chose a spot in Rehoboth Cemetery where she was buried. A few years later, he was laid to rest by her side. In his will he left money and specifications for a beautiful mausoleum to be erected over their graves, and for a strong iron fence to be placed around the churchyard with double iron gates. The mausoleum and the iron fence stand as a monument to his memory, but through

bank failure the money for the upkeep of the cemetery was lost. The cemetery is now greatly neglected.

In the summer of 1958, My husgand and I visited Rehoboth. I planned to get some information from the marker placed at the grave of my great uncle, John F. Langston. To my horror and amazement, all of the markers had been removed from the graves for a space of thirty feet or more on both sides of the church. Where are the markers? I was unable to find the answer. Perhaps they have been hauled off, or piled in a corner out of the way. I would venture a guess that the markers were in the way of the mowing machine when someone cut the grass. On the east side was a picnic table and benches. There is a saying that the old must give way to the new. I cannot conceive of any group of people, much less a church group, who would be so thoughtless as to remove the monuments that mark the final resting place of these we have loved and lost for a while. Even if the markers were returned, or new ones provided, no one could place each marker at the spot where it belongs. There is no plat of the cemetery, and Mrs. Gregory, a member who lived across the road from the church, was the only person who could locate most of the unmarked graves. She has passed on. On both sides of the cleared strips and to the fence, the cemetery is grown up with vines and shrubs. These form a dense growth so interwoven that the only way even to make a path would be with an axe. I would be glad to share my part in the expense of reclaiming this sacred spot of ground. I feel very deeply concerning its neglect and the removal of the markers.

..... From Genealogical History of the Langston, Princes, Holtzclaws, Hopkins, Starnes and the Story of Rehoboth Church

CO K FIRST ARKANSAS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY

Co K, made up of men from Phillips County, was organized for services in (the) Mexican War and was mustered in in July, 1846. Its roster was as follows:

Commissioned officers John Preston, Jr., Capt. Lewis S. Poe, 1st Lt Ezekiel H Gilbert and Davis Thompson, 2nd Lts. Lt. Poe resigned in October, 1846 and Vachel S. Dillingham took his place.

Non-commissioned officers. John C. Palmer, 1st Sgt Thomas M. Dickson, James D. Latimer, Pierre A. Barker and Israel P. Risinger, Sgts James W Sullivan, Matthew S. Finch, Albert B. Odle, James Hamilton, Nicholas P. Rightor, Corporals. Ebenezer G. Harris and Archibald Saunders, Buglers William M. Snively, Farrier.

Privates James Allen, Stephen Alley, Frederick Becker, Edward H. Bevil, Alfred Bryant, Nicholas Burge, Luke Clifford, James Cookerell, Samuel] Coree, Anthony W. Crawford, Joseph Dailey, George O. Dickson, Augustus G. Dorsey, Thomas Duty, William Edwards, William J. Edwards, Sanford Elliott, Ambrose Ferebee, John Fleenor, Nathan M. Foster, John Gilbert, Philip A. Gilbert, Solomon K. Goodman, John Gray, Mathew Guthrie, James B. Harland, George W. Harris, John M. Hawkins, Robison Head, William Holder, James M. Ingraham, Barrett R. James, Wade A. James, Richard M. Johnson, Wilkinson B. Johnson, James M. Jones, William H. Jones, Thomas C. Kendall, William Laxon, Lafayette Loyd, John Luster, John McBroom, Isam Manning, Abner Matlock, William E. Moore, William D Munsay, Dennis Murphy, James H. Neal, James B. Palmer, Ransom H. Price, William Rapplee, Thomas W. Ren, Moses Robinett, Alexander Seaborn, George Semple, Joel D. Simms, J. Freeman Smith, Joseph E. Spencer, Andrew J. Thompson, Lorenzo D. Tomlinson, Joseph Webb.

Co K was mustered out at Monterey, Mexico, June 7, 1847.

From Centennial History of Arkansas by Dallas T. Herndon.

DIARY OF SUSAN COOK

Susan Cook was a member of a family that came to Phillips County and the Barton area from Yalobusha County, Mississippi in 1856. She was about 20 years old when she started this journal. Susan Cook married E. A. Hicks, and she was the grandmother of Mrs. Marian Hicks Tardy Newkirk of West Helena, present owner of the diary. She died in 1912 and was buried in the Cook Cemetery at Barton. The June, 1965 Quarterly had an article about the Cook Cemetery by Mrs. Thomas Faust.

§§§§§§§

Jan. 1, 1864 - The first of the New Year broke in upon us this morning, clear but so cold. The old year has wrapped his mantle about him and retired into darkness amid the orphans and the cries of the widows, but he heeds them not and leaves them behind for the smiling New Year to eradicate, if possible, the seeds of sorrow he has sown. Oh! May this be a brighter year. Oh God! If it be thy will, may we be spared many scenes such as we witnessed last year. With its end may peace and plenty return to our loved land. This morning we spent all alone, but about noon there came a loud knock at the door when opened Dr. Dunn, surgeon of Dobbins' Regt., came in. Before night Mr. Ed Hicks, an escaped prisoner from Cairo, came over. The two spent the night with us.

Jan. 2, 1864 - Still very cold. Snow nearly conceals the face of Nature. Mr. Hicks and Dr. Dunn spent the day with us. Mr. Jarman and Mr. Waters visited with us this evening. It is currently reported that there has been another fight on the Potomoc between Gen's. Lee and Meade. No particulars.

Jan. 3, 1864 - A very dull day, sleeting and raining. Like Judge McKiel, "I have been studying the Constitution of the United States." Now that there is none." Mr. E. Hicks and Dr. Dunn spent the day with us.

Jan. 4, 1864 - Such a day this has been! Cold, rain, and sleeting. Nature seems to have lost all control over the elements, or they have combined to freeze and weary the patience of us poor mortals. Been busy making pants for Pa, finished them tonight. Upon the whole I like to make pants, but deliver me from shirts! Mr. Jennings Blount

came over this morning, stayed a short time. Mr. E Hicks took tea with us tonight.

Jan. 6, 1864 - Still very cold, snow and sleet. The grim monster Death has been in our midst and borne forever from his parent's view a darling little cherub. Willie Green, is no more. He departed this life early this morning quite suddenly. He is now an Angel of light, a fact which should be a consolation to his grief-stricken parents. Been busy making pants for Mr. Hicks but have made slow progress. The Union meeting in Helena was largely attended. J. A. Butler, Mr. Miles, and Mill Hanks were the delegates to the Convention at Little Rock. The last named declined.

Jan. 6, 1864 - Finished the pants today. Dr. Edmonson visited with us this morning. Mr. Nat Graves, Fred Mayo, and Mrs. Jane Lambert spent the day with us. Very cold, snowing.

Jan. 7, 1864 - Our visitor left this morning in spite of our entreaties to the contrary. Emma Hicks and Ada Hutchinson spent the day with us. Wrote to Bro Roland and Tom Starns to see if I could ascertain the nature of my brother's wound. We are all alone tonight.

Jan. 8, 1864 - Spent quite a plesant day. Dr. Dunn and Mr. Hicks came over this morning, stayed until afternoon, visited with Mr. Waters, and returned to spend the night. Called at Mr. Jarman's this evening had quite a pleasant time. Been playing drafts tonight with Mr. Hicks, quit even.

Jan. 9, 1864 - Quite cold but moderating a little. Dr. Dunn left early. Little Lela is quite sick. Mr. Hicks stayed nearly all the morning. Played drafts with usual luck. Mr. Jarman called this morning. He and Pa went on the road. Heard that Forrest made raids into Memphis occasionally, the negroes rebelled and took Fort Jackson, and that Grant had left Chatanooga and gone to Nashville. God grant it may all be true.

Jan. 10, 1864- Another Sabbath of the New Year has passed very pleasantly. Sis. Sallie left this morning, went to her school. Cousin Dick came out from Helena this evening. Lieut Pierce, one of our enrolling officers, has deserted and gone to Friars Point to marry. Poor girl! I pity her if she marries a man so devoid of principle. Mrs. Fitzgerald (afterward Mrs. Jarman) visited us this morning. Mr. B. King is with us tonight. It is much warmer. I think in a few days it will be pleasant.

Jan. 11, 1864 - This has been an eventful day, much warmer. Dr. Dunn and Mr. Hicks spent the day with us. Lela Dunn, my little pet, is much better. I am so glad. It would grieve me to the core for her to die, but I would not be surprised, for like Tom Moore, "AIl I love fade and die." Cousin Dick and I went to Mr. Jarman's this evening. Mrs. Fitzgerald came home with us to spend the night. We have had a fine time.

Jan. 12, 1864 - A very pleasant day. The snow is gone entirely. Pa and Cousin Dick went over to Helena this morning, with cotton. Mrs. Jones sent us her son's letter this evening. It stated that Bro. Roland was getting along very well. We are lonely tonight.

Jan. 13, 1864 - Dr. Dunn spent the day and is with us tonight. There was a soldier, a spy, or a horse thief, I do not know which, here today. But I am inclined to believe a Federal spy. I do not think he will make much this trip, for every one suspects him. Pa came back from town tonight, No news except the reported capture of Pine Bluff by our troops. He brought an orphan boy home with him, Young Evans.

Jan. 14, 1864 - Quite pleasant. Dr. Dunn left this morning, went to Mrs. Blount's, came back this evening and will spend the night at Mr. H. Hick's with his family. Dr. Edmonson was here this morning. Mr. Waters this evening. Been reading Federal papers today, but find no news, everything new is contraband now.

Jan. 15, 1864 - Pa went over Big Creek and spent the day. Mr. Bart Green visited us this evening. Ed and Tab Hicks spent the night with us.

Jan. 16, 1864 - Ed and Tab left early this morning for fear of a scout. Been busy today helping Ma with some patchwork. Dr. Dunn came over this evening and is spending the night. He will probably leave for the far West tomorrow. How I hate for him to go! We will be lonely. I love him as a brother. We have had a pleasant time tonight.

Jan. 17, 1864- Cloudy again. I fear we shall have more bad weather. Mr. Jarman came over and spent the morning. Ed and Tab came by on their way to Camp Blair. They are gone till the end of the war. Parson Luckardu stopped in for the night. He has heard that Bro. Roland is with relatives in Mississippi on furlough. Dr. Dunn has postponed his trip until tomorrow and will remain with us tonight. Tommie Nickelson is staying with the children tonight.

Jan. 18, 1864 - Much to our suprise we found the ground covered with snow this morning. Dr. Dunn and Mr. L. left early. Been busy spinning today.

Jan. 19, 1864 - We have spent this day all alone. No one has been near today. Pa has been having some hogs killed. We will make out to live if the Federals will only let us alone. Jennie Swan and Jesse Clopton are married.

Jan. 20, 1864 - Dr. Edmonson and Mr. Green were here today and reported the Federals out last night. A scout of about fifteen or twenty "Arkansas refugees" came out near midnight, searched all the neighbors' houses but found no one. It would have done my soul good for a party of Southern soldiers to have tried the mettle of those "low down dog". They would have run into the Mississippi without stopping. Today has been as pleasant as spring.

Jan. 21, 1864 - Ben Reynolds was here today He brings the report that some more of our men have turned traitor and gone to the Federals among others George Tompson a hitherto brave little fellow. I cannot believe the report, nor will until I have further evidence. William Kiser has been missing since the night the scout was out fears are entertained that he has been killed.

Jan. 22, 1864 - Heard today that Miss Julian Lane and Mr. T. Wallace were married. I wish them much happiness, may their path be strewed with flowers. Pa went to Helena today. Nannie and Mury are spending the night at Mr. Hutchinsons. We are all alone.

Jan. 23, 1864 - A beautiful day, the birds are singing as sweetly as in May. I spent the day at Mr. Jarman's, had a nice time. Came home, found Ben Reynolds here. Pa got back from town this evening. Brought Miss Emma Colderidge with him. She came out to see her cousin Charlie Colderidge. By the by she is strong Union. She and Mr. Reynolds are spending the night with us.

Jan. 24, 1864 - Miss Emma and Mr. R. left early this morning. Judge Jones and Mr. Hutchinson spent the day with us. I was deeply interested all the morning in their conversation. There is something to be learned from hearing gentlemen converse. Spent the evening with a bride of two months, Mrs. John Nelson. Mr. Kizer was not killed as reported.

Jan. 25, 1864 - A pleasant and beautiful day.

Jan. 26, 1864 - There is a Federal scout out in the country somewhere

been out several days. We heard bugles tonight on the toad. Still clear, pretty weather

Jan. 27, 1864 - Pa was sent for at midnight last night to help bring in two murdered men, Mr. Bob Alison and Mr. Kane from the back of the Harde place to Mrs. Graves. They had started to Helena with eight bales of cotton for Parson Wilks - were camping at Lick Creek. About nine o'clock Tom and Sam Ferguson came to them with pretended orders from Lieut. Swan for them to report to him at the back of the field where he was camped. They went and were shot down as soon as they reached the place designated. Mr. Allison's son, a lad of seventeen winters, was also fired upon, but fortunately was missed, he feigned death and came off safe. Lieut. Swan was not here nor had been there. Those boys then came back, took the cotton and went on to town. They will try to sell it and get off up the river before they are caught, but Mr. Wilks and the escaped boy have gone in to try to catch them. Gen. Buford is in a tantrum about so many of his scouts and negroes being gobbled up on the other side of the river and swears vengenance on us poor creatures on this side -- says he is going to destroy the country completely from Helena to White River. But nobody is scared. The report has been confirmed in Helena that the Secesh have Pine Bluff. I received a letter from Joe Stayton today. He says, "We will have Little Rock in three months." I hope so, but I can hardly believe it, for twenty-five boats loaded with Union troops have gone down the river, and it is surmised that they have gone to reinforce that place. I am sitting up tonight at Mrs. Weatherlies with a sick lady, Miss Underwood. I do not think she will live twenty-four hours longer.

Jan. 28, 1864 - Came home this morning and Cousin Jim Brooks was leaving, going on to Helena. He is a refugee. Mr. Wilks and young Allison got to town just as the boat the Fergusons were on was going out of sight. Gen. Buford gave them a guard of twenty men, put them on a tug, and started them after the men. They overtook the boat at Walnut Bend, arrested the murderers and brought them back to Helena. They were sentenced to be shot at eleven o'clock yesterday. Gen. Buford offered to let young Allison shoot them, but the citizens objected, and they are going to be shot by the military. They had spent twenty-five dollars of the money, the rest was all safe. Gen Buford sent out scouts yesterday evening and brought in all cotton and burdens stopping within four miles of his lines to prevent any more murders or robberies.

Jan. 29, 1864 - Mr. W. Renfro and Mr. Waters dined with us today. Sis. Sallie came home this evening. Those boys have not been executed yet.

Jan. 30, 1864 - Cloudy. More bad weather we fear. I am sitting up with Miss Underwood tonight. She is no better. Dr. Vineyard says she will probably live forty-eight hours longer. Mrs. Sam Weatherly and I are keeping watch alone.

Jan. 31, 1864 - Sabbath. Came home this morning, found Mrs. Fitzgerald here. Sis Sallie went back this evening. Went to meet Rob and was caught in a shower. I thought of pneumonia pretty strong. Ma is sitting up tonight.

Feb. 1, 1864 - Rather cool Ma is sitting up again tonight. Mrs. B. Green was here today. Miss Emma Coleridge came back this evening. She is passing the night. Dr. Phillips from Bragg's army is at home. Pa will go to see him soon.

Feb. 2, 1864 - Miss Emma and I spent the day with Mrs. Jones today, had quite a nice time. Nothing new. Mr. Allen Polk was here today.

Feb. 3, 1864 - I am sitting up again tonight with Miss Underwood. She is still in a dying condition, but her symptoms are better. I hate to see her suffer so long when there is such little chance for her to recover. Pa went to Helena this morning.

Feb. 4, 1864- Mr. Hutchinson was here this morning. Pa got home tonight. Aunt Mary Brooks came with him. He brought no news.

Feb. 5, 1864- Captain Martin, a conscripting officer and a particular friend of mine, spent the evening with us. He has been pressing men into the Confederate service today. I heard this evening that my darling brother died of his wound. I can hardly believe it, for we have heard so many times that he was getting well. I feel that this would be more than I could bear. I could never bring my rebellious heart to say, "Thy will, O God, not mine be done." I can only pray that this additional trial may not be placed upon our already heavy hearts.

Feb. 6, 1864- This has been a sad lonely day. I have felt that all life's charms have dimmed. I seem wrapped in a pall as black as night. My brother! Oh! My darling! What would I not give this night to know thy fate? Be it

what it may. I have written to him this evening but feel as if I am addressing myself to one who has left this wicked world with its cares and turmoils far behind and had winged his way to a brighter one beyond the skies where war and partings will be known no more. We can only wait and pray, but the suspense seems more than mortal can bear. A Federal scout came out yesterday, caught George Tompson at Mrs. Hutchinson's, captured Capt. Martin and all his conscripts at Mr. Dade's. The scout is still out I am so sorry they caught Capt. Martin. He is a friend I prize highly, and is a particular friend of my brothers.

Feb. 7, 1864- Another beautiful Sabbath day has come and gone, and oh how few of us have spent it as we should. I have a little in the Bible, some in the "Waverley Novels", and went to Mrs Graves this evening. Mr. George Smizer, Dr. Edmonson and Miss Sue Johnson were here this evening. Pa went to see Capt Phillips again this evening. He says it is a mistake. My brother is not dead. Oh! How glad I am! I feel much happier now. The scout went in this evening. Oh! How I wish another may never come out.

Feb. 8, 1864- Spent the day with Mrs. Jarman. Mrs Fitzgerald is in Helena. Ma is sitting up with Miss Underwood tonight. Mr. Higgings is passing the night with us, had quite a debate upon "Womans Rights", that never ending theme.

Feb. 9, 1864 - Mr. Higgings spent the day with us and is spending the night. He is a perfect bragadocia. Dr. Edmonson was here tonight. Mr. Jarman is held as hostage for a man arrested by the Confederates.

Feb. 10, 1864- A pleasant day! Mr. Higgings left this evening. It is reported that Lieut. Casteel is captured. Captain Phillips is with us tonight, he is on his way to the army of Tennessee. He very kindly offered to carry many things in the shape of clothing he could to Brother Roland.

Feb. 11, 1864- Capt. Phillips left this morning, carried boots and clothing to Bro. Roland. Mrs. Jarman sent for me this morning to stay with her while Mis Fitzgerald went to Helena. Mr. Jarman has been paroled to the town, so has Capt. Martin. Mr. E. Hicks slent the evening with us. Mary Crosby spends the night.

Feb. 12, 1864- There is a report that Newburn, N. C. had fallen into our hands, that we had defeated the Feds at Cumberland Gap. Sis Sallie came home this morning.

Feb. 13 - A beautiful day! Dr. Edmonson was here this morning. Mrs. Jones and the children spent the day with us. We had a nice time. Mrs. Jones is an elegant lady. I like her very much.

Feb. 14 - Valentines Day! This was once a day of excitement to us girls, but now it passes just as all other days. Mr. E. Hicks was here this morning. We have no news today, been reading the life of Kossuth, a Hungarian General. Sis Sallie went back this evening.

Feb. 15 - Raining, a dull dreary day, turning colder.

Feb. 16 - A very cold day. Mr. Jarman came over this morning. He is just from prison. He told us much that was said and done during his imprisonment, and many things that astonished me. Lieut. Mayo and two other Confederates soldiers were here this morning. Miss Gem Bennette is with us tonight on her way to Helena. I have been low spirited and troubled today. No news from the Tennessee Army. Miss Becky Kindle and Lieut. Jim Taylor were married last week. The Antediluvians were marrying and giving in marriage when the flood came and I suppose it must be so till the end of time.

Feb. 17 - Been reading a "St. Louis Republican" but could glean but little news from the contradictory statements that crowd its columns. Knoxville is again invested by Longstreet. Nearly the whole of East Tennessee is in our possession once more. A skirmish is reported on the Rapidan in which the Feds were considerably worsted. It is rumored that a scout captured Col. Jeasey on the St. Francis River a few days since. He was conscripting and raising a regiment. Capt. Martin, Lieut. Tompson and I guess the balance of the prisoners went up the river yesterday "for during the war".

Feb. 18 - The first thing that reached my ears this morning was, "Sis Sue, the ground is all covered with snow!" And sure enough it was. But the sun shone out brightly and by noon there was scarcely any trace of it to be seen. Capt. Ball and Lieut. Jorden were here this evening. Lieut. Jorden is a comic fellow and always amuses me very much. They are making up a company for Confederate service. Every other man we meet is a conscripting officer. Now I think Phillips will be well raked.

Feb. 19- A cold clear day. Nothing new.

Feb. 20 - A reported skirmish on Indian Bay; Federals worsted. Two of Mrs. Scaife's house servants left and carried away nearly all her clothing. I received a letter from T. W. Starnes a member of Bro. Roland's company today and he states that my brother is with Mr. L. W. Moore at West Point, Georgia, and that he

has lost three fingers. How glad I am his condition is no worse. Miss Maggie Graves is with us tonight. She and I went to Mrs. Hutchinson's this evening. Mr. E. Hicks took tea with us tonight

Feb. 21 - Went to Mrs. Harryman's today to see Drew, my old schoolmate and best friend. We had a nice time, called at Dr. Hughes' on our way home. Cousin Mollie and Cousin Hattie Brooks are with us tonight. Eight or ten Secesh came here tonight for forage for their jaded horses. Heard today that Bro. Roland was on his (way) home. I would be so glad if I knew it to be so.

Feb. 22 - Such a pretty day! Everything has combined to make it beautiful, and it has been a quiet one. No one has been neat. The little birds have sung their sweetest songs near my windows. The day calls to my mind the scenes of my happy childhood when I wandered by silent brooks or played in shady groves and listened to the warbling of the birds. Then my mind turns involuntarily to the present time. The hopes of a few years, oh how changed! I shall not suffer my nature to become desponding. It does no good to brood and causes those around me to be unhappy. Ma is gardening.

Feb. 23 - Another beautiful day. A large Federal scout has gone out and is now over Big Creek. Some more of our boys will go up. Been knitting soldiers' socks tonight. I read tonight the 23rd chapter of St. Luke, which tells of the trial and crucifixion of our Saviour, my favorite chapter.

Feb. 24 - There is a report out that the scout had got into business on the other side of the creek. About fifty went into town this morning some walking without hats and boots. This evening sixty came out with ambulances with hospitals and battle flags. I suppose they are going to the rescue of the others. It may be wicked, but I nevertheless hope they are past rescuing now. I read W. W. Mosby's speech in the United States Senate. He is a Missourian and a conservative. I admire the sentiment of his address. Though an enemy, I respect him.

Feb. 25 - A portion of the scout have gone in, the others are trying to overtake Anderson to recapture their men and horses. Willis Mason and Doc Tomason have been taken prisoners. Been reading Hamlet tonight. I have never admired Shakespear's works until now. I am deeply interested. This has been a pleasant day, very unusual for the time of the year.

Feb. 26 - I am reading "Midsummer Night's Dream" now. I like it so much I will never pass sentence on another until a second

treading All the scout has gone in. They did not retake their captured property. Capt. Loss Moore was captured. He was formerly from the Army of Tennessee. There has been a heavy cavalry fight back of Memphis. No particulars. Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Waters visited us today, Pa is absent tonight. He went to that mill on Big Creek this morning. Another beautiful day but a little cooler.

Mar. 4 - Mrs. Dunn sent for me on the 27th. Spent quite a nice time. Snowed, sleeted and rained. We stayed indoors, read, and amused ourselves with different games. I did sit at Dr. Rice's one night with the corpse of Miss Ophelia Rice. She has left many friends to mourn her untimely fate. She died with Pneumonia in Memphis. She was a pretty, sweet girl. I came home this morning, but it was with difficulty, for there is so much water. With a flag of truce Lieut. Green with six men have been down to Helena to effect a change of prisoners. They stayed here two nights. I regret not seeing them.

Mar. 5 - Been all alone today. Went to Mr. Freelan's this morning to see Ann Weatherby, had a muddy disagreeable walk. Heard this evening of a fight near Batesville between some of Davidson's cavalry and some of our troops. We were victorious.

Mar. 6 - Sis. Sallie came home this evening to stay. Sherman's expedition against Mobile has failed. Gen. Seymore has been defeated in Florida'). Uncle Buck Brooks was here today.

Mar. 7 - Mrs. Green was here this morning. Emma Hicks Matt and Pink Weatherby spent the day. Mrs. Mayo and Aunt Jennie Lambert are spending the night with us. They are going to Helena. There is a report now that Chatanooga has been evacuated by the Federals.

Mar. 8 - A dull day No news of interest a stirring. Frank Miller, an absentee, took dinner here today. Heard that some Yankee farmers, visiting their farms, were handled roughly by the Confederates. Good for them! I am glad.

Mar.9 - A rainy, stormy day. Uncle Buck Brooks, Cousins Mollie and Hattie were here today on their way to Helena. But concluded to go no farther and returned home. Mr. Hutchinson spent the evening He had a great deal to say about his taking the "Amnesty Oath."

Mar. 19 - Went to Mrs. Green's this evening. Got some new papers. They state that the Federal defeat in Florida amounted almost to a stampede. Their loss was heavy. Mr. Miles of Helena and a Miss Warren of Mississippi were married last Sunday. Bill and John Palmer have deserted and gone to Helena.

Mar. 11- Went to Mr. Jarman's this evening. Heard that Wirt Adams Guerilla company captured the White Cloud between Memphis and Helena. They got twelve thousand dollars in green backs besides other valuables. Read some Federal officer's speech to the people of Tennessee, which promises more than the Federals will perform. Mr. Jarman gave me a nice tatting needle.

Mar. 12 - Dr. Edmonson was here this evening. Been reading 'Woodstock" by Scott this evening. It is a tragedy from beginning to end. I have an uncomfortable, uneasy feeling from treading such pieces. I like comedy better. We have had a brisk wind from the North all day. March is not going to forget his propensities.

Mar. 13 - Went to Mrs. Graves this morning to see Mrs. Renfro. May came home with me and we went to see Ann Weatherly this evening. Heard today that Gen. Sherman had abandoned his Mobile expedition and he and staff were in New Orleans. Gen. Longstreet is still in Tennessee, and I hope will stay there or go further up. Kilpatrick has returned to Washington. He has declined taking Richmond yet a while.

Mar. 14 - Today is election day in Helena. All over county and state officers are to be elected or rather appointed. I do not suppose there was a large concourse of citizens present. Went to Mrs. Nicholson's this evening. Ann Weatherly is with us tonight. I fear we shall have more snow. It is turning cold fast and it is cloudy.

Mar. 15- Very cold. Nothing new.

Mar. 16 - One of our negro women left this morning. Stole a horse and saddle and went to the Feds. Pa followed her and got back his horse and saddle. The news is shining for the South from all quarters. Judge Jones was here this morning. He brought some of his son's letters for us to see. Brother Roland was getting well.

Mar. 17 - Been writing today to my Aunt Mary Cooper. I love her devotedly and it is such a pleasure to write to her. Mr. Jarman was here today.

Mar. 18 - "It never rains but it pours". We have company all day. Mrs. Nickelson spent the day. Dr. Edmonson came this morning. Mrs. Blount and Mrs. Jarman spent the evening. Five Confederate soldiers passed this morning. A large Federal scout came out yesterday evening on the Spring Creek road. They are still out. I received a letter from Joe K. Stayton today. Pa went to Helena today.

Mar. 19- Cold and disagreeable day Pa came out tonight. No news of interest except three hundred thousand Yanks are going to attack Richmond in three different directions. Mr. Arthur Thompson and Miss Nannie Bohannen were married Thursday night. Hurrah for the widowers!

Mar. 20- Mr. Jarman was here this morning -- went home with him and took dinner. Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Waters took dinner here. Dr. Edmonson visited us this evening. Mr. E. Hicks, Tab Hicks, Hal Slaughter, and Chapple, four Confederate soldiers took tea with us-- stayed awhile then went to the woods to sleep. Some of Capt Davis' men had a fight with the Feds in Monroe, killed one man and captured seven with horses and side arms.

Mar. 21- Very cold and cloudy. Mr. Hutchinson dined with us today. Wrote a letter to J. K. S. The soldiers came in to breakfast.

Mar. 22 - The scout has gone in and carried about fifteen of our men among others. Charlie Coolidge, Mr. Tom Scaife, and they recaptured Capt. Hosick. Miss Bettie Lane is in town under arrest for smuggling. It is feared she will be banished. Mr. Randle is dead.

Mar. 23 - Miss Bettie was brought to the pickets and set at liberty on foot today. But Dr. Grant and Mr. Moore have been sent to Alton Prison because it was thought they had something to do with buying the goods she was smuggling. Pa and Sis Sallie went to Helena this morning too. Carried the children of our "Freed Woman" in to her.

Mar. 24- Maggie Graves spent the day with us. Pa and Sis Sallie came home this evening. Had no news. Mr. Moore and Dr. Grant have not been sent up the river as reported. They have had no trial yet. Raining.

Mar. 25 - Been reading "Annie of Geinestirn" and Federal papers today. Grant is now a Lieut. General and in command of all the Federal forces in the field. He is subject to the orders of no one. The "Chicago Times" Says, "We may expect stirring news from all quarters now". I hope so, but disastrous to the Yankees!

Mar. 26 - A beautiful pleasant day. The first we have had in some time. Ma and Sis Sallie have gone to Uncle Buck Brook's. A scout came out last night to John Nelson's, searched his house and then went down on Old Town.

Mar. 27 Another warm pleasant day, but it is now cloudy and I fear we will have rain soon. Mr. Hutchinson was here this morning.

Charlie Hicks and Foster Cage called this evening. Mr. Vineyard preached near here today. How I regretted I could not go. It is the first time there has been preaching in this country in a long time. One of Mrs. Jameson Rice's children died yesterday. Ben Reynolds is a prisoner again.

Mar. 28 - A windy, cold, and cloudy day. A soldier boy passed today, riding a large balck steed. How noble he looked.

Mar. 29 - Dr Edmonson called this morning. He and Pa had quite a long conversation on the origin and course of this war. I went to Mrs. Graves' this evening. Saw Aunt Jennie Lambert, Mrs. Baldwin, and Mrs (Capt.) Key. All on their way to Helena. Mrs. Bart Green was here this evening.

Mar. 30 - The weather is moderating a little but it has continued long enough to be cold to get every one's fences burned for fire wood. And some few have come near losing their houses. There is a soldier in the country from the Army of Tennessee. He reported the boys in fine spirits and all re-enlisted for "forty years''.

Mar. 31 - The soldiers have made two or three raids down near town, capturing mules and horses and killing one farmer. Gen Buford vows vengenance on us, but I don't think we can be worsted. Kentucky and Missouri are in a broil. Gov. Philps of Missouri has come out openly for the South. Several hundred Missourians have made their way to General Price who is now in command of this department. Thus are the reports but we hear one thing one day and the next it is contradicted. Dr. Dunn is at home, I heard this evening - come down from Memphis. I hope it is not so.

Mar. 31 - For that is not the route a Confederate generally takes to come home, unless there is foul play or is a prisoner. Ann Weatherly and Mr. Jesse Clopton are spending the night.

Apr. 1- Mr. Clopton left but came back directly and reported the Feds at Shell Bridge. We have been expecting them all day, but have been doomed to disappointment. Forrest has taken Union City, Hickman, and burned Paducah to the ground. Captured four-hundred Yanks at the first place. So says the Memphis Bulletin. Capt. Hosick has again made his escape and brought out a fine horse and saddle belongin to Fisher, a notorious scouter, and refugee. I have been fooled twice today and received one letter which was anonymous. (April Fool!)

Apr. 2- Went visiting today to Mrs. Johnson's and Mrs. Blount's, spent quite a pleasant day. Heard that several of our pri-

soners in Helena had taken the oath. Mr. Tom Allison, Bill Evans, two Walthal boys and John Dye are the ones who are reported to have taken the oath to support one government while they have been fighting for another.

Apr.3- Pa went over Big Creek. Sallie and Nannie went to see Mrs. Dunn. A large Federal scout came out on the Spring Creek road this morning. They are looking for Anderson.

Apr. 4- Another scout on the Little Rock road with wagons. They have come out to stay sometime I fear. Commenced teaching this morning, had five pupils.

Apr.5- Had five more pupils today. Mr. Hutchinson and Dr. Edmonson were here this morning. Mr. Ed Hicks spend the evening. The Scout is camping at Big Creek and will probably go in tomorrow. Lieut. Jordan and Capt. Ball have turned out to be notorious jay-hawkers. How hard it is to know people now!

Apr.6- There is a report that there will soon be an exchange of prisoners. Mr. Ed and Tab Hicks took tea with us. They have gone to the woods to sleep. Had three more pupils today.

Apr.7- A warm, pleasant day. Vegetation will soon be robed in the green habiliments of spring. Pa and Mr. Hutchinson went to Helena this morning. They were to come back tonight but have not come yet. We are fearful they have been detained. The scout is still out. Maj. Carmichael the commander is reported missing. Ed and Tab came in to breakfast, but stayed only a few minutes. Cannons were firing near.

.....MORE MEMBERS

Barton High School	Barton, Arkansas
O. D. Butterick	Helena
Mrs. O. D Butterick	Helena
Central High School	Helena-West Helena
Central Junior High School	Helena-West Helena
H. W. Cook	Los Angeles, California
Mrs. J. E. Countiss, Jr.	Elaine, Arkansas
Forrest City Library Association	Forrest City, Arkansas
Col. Clarence Q. Graham	San Antonio, Texas
Mrs. F. O. Griffin, Sr.	Helena
Mrs. H. R. Hendrie	Costa Mesa, California
Robert M. Hornor, Jr.	Helena
Mrs. Ralph Kyte	Elaine, Arkansas
Marvell High School	Marvell, Arkansas
Mrs. Leonora H. Morris	West Helena
Mrs. F. R. McKnight	Helena
Thomas M. Short	Anaheim, California
Mrs. H. L. Thomson	San Mateo, California
W. H. Woodin	Helena

Phillips County Historical Quarterly

Quick Links:

GenWeb Contacts:

Tell Us About It!