Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Biographical Sketch: James Winfield Whipple, Abigail Wise

History Class Publications

This is a summary of the life and legacy of James "Skinny" Winfield Whipple of Clark County, Arkansas.

Club 67 Was A Popular Place In Arkadelphia During Wwii, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

December 7 marked the 75th anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, and the United States' entrance into World War II. Several years ago, the Clark County Historical Association published "We Were There: Clark Countians in World War II," to "honor those who served, both on the home front and in uniform." Indeed the book commemorates the efforts and sacrifices of local citizens, highlighting the fact that during the war men and women from Clark County participated in all types of activities in places all around the world. Many veterans contributed to the book's preparation, and numerous people were interviewed. …

Estelle Blake, Hailee Lanier

History Class Publications

A short biographical sketch of Estelle McMillan Blake, a resident of Clark County, Arkansas.

William King Oral History - Great Depression - Dyess Colony, Kyrie M. King

Great Depression

No abstract provided.

Winnie "Mom" Sanders, Kacie Richards

History Class Publications

A summary of the life of Winnie Sanders, nicknamed Mom by her loving "boys". Who she devoted her life and time to whale at Ouachita Baptist University in Clark County, Arkansas.

Daisy Scott Sharpe Ball, Kyndall Miller

History Class Publications

A summary of the life of Daisy Scott Sharpe Ball of Clark County, Arkansas.

Living History Ii, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

On Sunday, October 30, the Clark County Historical Association will present a living history program featuring some of Clark County's earliest citizens. Among the characters making appearances will be "Jacob Barkman," "Rebecca Barkman," and "George W. Featherstonhaugh." The public is invited to meet these and other historical figures by attending the free performances to be held at the historic Rosedale Plantation Barn at 879 Old Military Road beginning at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., October 30. The site is not far from the Barkman's original home along the Caddo River. Plus, the Rosedale Barn itself is significant; it was added …

Clark County Historical Association To Highlight County's Earliest And Distinctive Citizens, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Later this month, the Clark County Historical Association will present a living history program featuring some of Clark County's earliest and most distinctive citizens. Among the characters making appearances will be "Abner Hignight," portrayed by Meeks Etchieson; "Jacob Barkman," portrayed by Bob Thompson; "Rebecca Barkman," by Charlotte Jeffers; and "George W. Featherstonhaugh," by Steve Hennagin. The public is invited to meet these and other historical figures by attending the free living history event to be held at the historic Rosedale Plantation Barn on Old Military Road beginning at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 30.

Rorie Led Dispatch Unit During Wwi, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

In 1924, Arkadelphia's Southern Standard newspaper included this headline: "Former Local Boy in Prominent Role in Six-Reel Movie." However, the young man described in the article remains largely unknown in the annals of Clark County history. With the nickname of "Speed," Clem Rorie commanded a unit of General John J. Pershing's dispatch riders in France during World War I. After returning home to the United States he became an "internationally famous motorcycle rider and professional daredevil."

County's Timber Industry Emerged In Late 1800s, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Throughout the history of the United States, wood has been one of the nation's most useful raw materials. For pioneers of the Clark County area, plenty of timber was available from forested areas and from the clearing of land. In the late 1800s, with growth and expansion of population and improvements in transportation, a great lumber and timber products industry emerged.

Clark Countian Gerig Had Distinguished Career, Wendy Richter

Articles

Through the years many Clark Countians have enjoyed distinugished careers in public service. One such man was engineer William Gerig. Although not a native of this county, he came to call Arkadelphia "home."

Salt Manufacturing: One Of County's Earliest Industries, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Salt manufacturing has long been a source of curiosity for many interested in southwest Arkansas' earliest days. It is not known precisely when Indians first began extracting the mineral from the earth near the Ouachita River in Clark County, but it was certainly prior to the arrival of the first European explorers. Because of its lengthy historical significance, one site, Bayou Sel, was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1974.

Car Stories Piled Up With Introduction To County, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

One hundred years ago, the automobile was becoming increasingly popular. As of 1903, some 50 Arkansans owned vehicles. In fact, a Hot Springs man drove to Arkadelphia that year "on his automobile," creating quite a stir here. It was the first car that most Arkadelphians had ever seen. C.C Henderson of the city purchased an automobile in 1908, and the local paper remarked that "now our horses will have to take lesson in acrobatic performance."

Burrow Gang In Clark County (Or Famous Outlaw Has Ties To Clark County), Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Clark County has seen its share of crime in the years since it became a part of Arkansas Territory in 1819. One of the Territory’s five original counties, the county covered a large geographical area in the earliest years. And, the Military Road (later called the Southwest Trail) passed through the heart of the area, carrying people of all sorts on their way to the West and Southwest. Later, the railroad crossed the county, too, somewhat paralleling the road.

Caddo Indians To Be Topic Of Meeting, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

For thousands of years, the land that is now known as Arkansas has been inhabited by native peoples. For much of that time, the Ouachita River valley and much of southwest Arkansas was home to the Caddo Indians and their ancestors. Because of the significance of this pre-history to southwest Arkansas area, the Clark County Historical Association will host a special presentation featuring Caddo Indian sites along the Ouachita River, the Caddo people, and their artifacts, at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Western Sizzlin in Arkadelphia.

Baseball A Hit In Clark County For Over A Century, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Baseball is among the nation's most popular sports, and Arkadelphia's history of the sport goes back almost 150 years. According to local legend, baseball was introduced in Clark County by a young man named Charley Murta in 1874.

One Of County's 'Most Notorious Murders' Remembered, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

About a year ago, the Clark County Historical Association published a small booklet entitled "Wanted: Crooks, Scoundrels, Notorious Characters, and Other Legendary Figures in Clark County, Arkansas." Among the characters featured in the volume were the nationally-known outlaws Jesse James and Rube Burrow, who both have Clark County ties. However, another lesser known criminal committed what some have termed "one of the most notorious murders in Clark County," and perhaps the only murder remembered with a place name---Clyburn's Leap. Originally researched by local historian Grace Benton Nelson, Clyburn's story is featured in the "Wanted" book.

Thousands Watch As Plane Lands In Arkadelphia, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

On Saturday, May 25, 1918, a major "first" occurred in Clark County--- it was the first time an airplane landed at Arkadelphia. Several thousand people gathered to watch the event. The plane arrived from Eberts Training Field near Lonoke. To the amazement of those seeing an airplane for the first time, the pilots, who were being trained for military service, performed many stunts that might be used in combat situations.

Local Funeral Home Established In 1905, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The Murry Funeral Home was established by C.B. Murry and his wife, Fairy Lee, in 1905. It began as just one portion of a multi-faceted business which also sold hardware and furniture, in addition to its undertaking services. Located on Main Street, the original operation was called, McDaniel, Murry & Lee. Its slogan was, "We serve you from the cradle to the grave."

Arkadelphia's Sky-Vue Drive-In Movie Theater, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Many long-time Clark County residents can recall going to a movie at Arkadelphia's SkyVue Drive-In outdoor movie theater. The drive-in was located about a mile north of downtown Arkadelphia on Highway 7/67. When owner Cecil Cupp opened the new facility in the fall of 1950, it was believed to be one of Arkansas' finest, with state-of-the-art equipment and modern conveniences.

Smith's Accounts Give Look Into Clark County's Early History, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

One of Clark County's pioneer citizens was Willis S. Smith - a sheriff, teacher, doctor, farmer, and writer. Arriving in the county in 1833, Smith witnessed the area's transformation from frontier wilderness to a typical, rural Arkansas region. And, significantly for us today, his accounts of those early days offer glimpses into the past not available elsewhere. We owe much of our knowledge about Clark County's beginnings to Smith.

Rose Hill Cemetery Dates Back To 1870s, Wendy Richter

Articles

Historic Rose Hill Cemetery on Main Street in Arkadelphia has served the city as a principal burial place for decades. In that capacity, it is now the final resting place for some of Clark County's most well-known citizens Its historical significance has been recognized nationally, being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Okolona Settled In 1830s, Grew For Decades, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The town of Okolona was first settled by Americans in the early 1830s when settlers began arriving by covered wagons from Okolona, Mississippi. These first residents built their homes on low ground nothwest of where the railroad depot later stood. After a few years of mud, the small settlement moved to the town's current location on higher ground. The pioneers included the Shackelford, Ethridge, Buchanan, Tarpley, Anderson and McGuire families. Among others who came were Pettus, Cargile, East, Ross, Park, Bell, Hays, Hardin, Weir, Harris, Cloud, McGill, Bonner, Logan and Wingfield.

New Book Recounts History In Dallas, Clark Counties, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The Dallas County Museum in Fordyce and Turtlehull Publishing have recently made available a new book that contains information about Clark County, Ouachita College and south Arkansas region."'My Own Precious One': A Year of Courtship in Letters from 1889-1890 between Princeton, Arkansas, and Pittsboro, Mississippi," edited by Sandra Parham Turner, Melrose Smith Bagwell and Doris Smith Beeson Faulkner, is a real treasure.

Manchester Once Included Most Of Dallas County, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The Manchester community of Clark County traces its history back to the county's earliest days. When locals speak of "Manchester" today, they are usually referring to a general area in Clark County south and east of the Ouachita River. Manchester Township was first established in 1838, and at the time, it included practically all of present day Dallas County, plus an area northeast of the Saline River, less an almost equal part south and west of the Saline. Manchester appeared as a town on an 1860 map in the northeastern part of Township 8 South and Range 18 West. Today …

Beirne Had Sawmill, Grist Mill In 1880, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The town of Beirne was founded in 1880 by James Lewis Beirne from Grafton, Illinois. Beirne established a sawmill as well as a Methodist church, at which he served as the first minister. By the end of that year, a railroad depot had been completed, and Beirne's sawmill and grist mill became operational. People of the surrounding area considered Beirne to be among the rail's best shipping points.

Legend: Gurdon Named For Railroad Surveyor, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The town of Gurdon had its true beginnings as a railroad town. After the Calm and Fulton Railroad decided to establish a stop at the location, the place needed a name. According to local legend, the community was named "Gurdon" for one of the surveyors of the railroad's right-of-way, Gurdon Cunningham.

Joan 'Named' By 1950s Road Sign, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The community of Joan (pronounced Joe-Ann) across the Ouachita River from Arkadelphia has also been called Bethlehem by locals. The origin of its name has long been a source of speculation.

Curtis Founded As Fuel Stop For Trains, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The community of Curtis, south of Arkadelphia on U.S. Highway 67, was first established in the 1870s along the route of the Cairo & Fulton Railroad (later St. Louis, Iron Mountain, & Southern Railroad). Railroad officials chose the location as a fuel stop along the rail line, about halfway between Arkadelphia and Gurdon. At first, trains picked up wood there, and later, they stopped for coal.

The first train to receive supplies at the Curtis fuel chute arrived on June 30, 1873. A group of area residents celebrated the even, but realized the place had no name. According to local …

Graysonia Once A Thriving Community, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The town of Graysonia in western Clark County once boasted of a population of about 1,000 people, but today, can no longer be found on area maps. The story of its rise and fall parallels that of many southern timber company towns which no longer exist.

Graysonia was established soon after William Grayson and Nelson McLeod became the principal stockholders in the Arkadelphia Lumber Company and renamed the company Grayson- McLeod Lumber Company. The company operated the sawmilling community of Daleville, located across the Ouachita River from Arkadelphia. By 1907, the company had depleted the timber supply in the Daleville …