USA > Arkansas > Biographical and historical memoirs of eastern Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties named herein, and numerous biographical sketches of the prominent citizens of such counties. > Part 53
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CROSS COUNTY.
burg, so that from the advent of the iron horse its fall was rapid. It was the county seat of Cross County from 1868 to 1884, but prior to the latter date a great many of the merchants had forsaken the town and removed to Vanndale or Wynne. Most of the merchants of both of these places either started their business in Wittsburg or served their apprenticeship as clerks for some of the large firms there.
To-day it is a wreck and ruin of its former greatness. Large logs and timbers show where warehouses and stores occupied its streets. A few large stores are standing yet, but they are rapidly falling beneath the action of destroying time, and in a few years more the last of them will have dis- appeared. It still contains a church, school-house and one store, carried on by Mr. Casbeer, who is also the postmaster.
At the organization of the county, in 1862, pro- vision was made for the county and probate court. In 1873 this was abolished and a board of super- visors, composed of three men, who had control of county matters alone, established in its stead. Probate matters were referred to the circuit judge, sitting in chancery. This state of affairs continued until the adoption of the new State constitution, October 13, 1874, and by that constitution was provided the holding of county and probate court by the same judge, who is styled county and pro- bate judge. The criminal law and chancery courts are condensed and known as the circuit court, and presided over by the circuit judge, who holds all three courts during one term, criminal cases taking precedence.
The first attorneys to locate in Cross County were William Neeley, Samuel L. Austell, James G. Frierson, Earl C. Bronaugh, Martin L. Clardy, J. S. Brookfield and Charles S. Cameron; these men settled here during and immediately after the war. Some of these men were noted for their in- tellectual and legal acquirements, notably James G. Frierson, E. C. Bronaugh and Charles S. Cameron.
Mr. Frierson was afterward elected State sen- ator from Cross County, and Mr. Cameron became noted for his eloquence and oratorical ability.
In 1868 he was the Democratic nominee for repre- sentative in Congress, was elected, but unquestion- ably counted out through fraud. He is now prac- ticing law in Chicago.
In 1869 George H. Sanders was licensed to practice law in this county; he lived here about three years after, and during that time made a very enviable reputation for his legal ability; he is now located in Little Rock. From 1880 to 1885 Mr. N. W. Norton was one of the legal lights of this community.
The personnel of the bar of the county, at the present time, consists of Hon. T. E. Hare, who represented the county in the State legislature from 1878 to 1882; Hon. J. D. Block, at present prosecuting attorney for the Second judicial cir- cuit; O. N. Killough, J. R. Robertson and J. H. Gunning.
In 1878 William Nesbitt, aged twenty-three, procured a license to marry Mrs. H. M. Hammett, a widow of forty-six years of age. The proposed marriage was so distasteful to the family of Mrs. Hammett, that her two sons, David L. and " Dock," vowed that the marriage should never take place. So on the evening preceding the day appointed for the ceremony they went to her house where Nesbitt was, and shot him through the win- dow. Mrs. Hammett grasping a gun, ran to the door and shot at her fleeing sons, but with no ef- fect. Mr. Nesbitt died in the course of an hour. "Dock " was soon captured, but the next day at- tempting to make his escape, was killed by the deputy sheriff, W. T. Levesque. His brother, David L., was caught in Brinkley by J. D. Block, was brought to Cross County, tried and convicted, and sentenced to a term of five years in the State prison. He served but a few months of this term, being pardoned by Gov. T. J. Churchill.
During the term of Sheriff Levesque he exe- cuted Charles Carr, who had been sentenced to be hanged for rape. He previously escaped by break- ing jail, but was captured in Missouri, returned and executed at Wittsburg, in October, 1878. This was the first legal execution in Cross County.
In 1882 a negro, named Abraham Sublett, was executed by Sheriff L. T. Head for wife murder.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
For several years a noted desperado, Martin Mitchell, made the swamps in the eastern part of Cross and adjoining counties his resort. As early as 1877 he killed a man in Mississippi County, for which he was compelled to leave the country. In 1882 he killed J. T. Greer, a clerk in a store at Byhalia, Miss., for which crime a reward was of- fered for his capture, and he came to the swamps of the St. Francis River, in Cross and adjacent counties. Here he held forth for some time, defy- ing the authorities and resisting capture, till three brothers, John, "Dock" and " Woodie " Hammett, citizens of Cross County, determined to hunt him down. They found him with several choice spirits of a similar desperate character, in the swamps of Craighead County, where a pitched battle was at once fought, and as the Hammett boys killed one of his companions he immediately shot John Ham- mett dead.
It seems that no further attempt to capture him was made at that time, but in 1885 he was arrested for selling whisky; he was confined in the jail at Wittsburg, and from this, however, he soon made his escape. One Irvin, an old companion of his, who for some cause had become his enemy, at- tempted his capture. They met accidentally while out hunting, when on sight a duel, with rifles, was fought. Mitchell was slightly wounded, but Irvin was killed on the spot.
Mitchell made the swamps of Cross County his stronghold for several years following, hunting, trapping, and even working in the timber and raft- ing some, till in 1887, while in St. Francis County, he became involved in a difficulty with Charley Conway, who, it was supposed, shot at him through a window, as he sat beside a fire. The shot was fatal, and as he died all Eastern Arkansas felt re- lieved at being rid of one of its most desperate and dangerous outlaws.
Religious movements have obtained throughout Cross County from an early day. Among the Methodists, Cherry Valley Church was organized in 1885 with about fifteen members, J. F. Jerni- gan being their first pastor. The original mem- bers were Joseph Taylor, Eliza Taylor, Eva Stacy, Glen Mitchell, Marshal Brooks, William Taylor,
Mrs. Emma Taylor, Mrs. Martha Bowns, J. W. Bogard, Mrs. Ada Jordan, Sanders Cagle, Mrs. Amanda Cagle, Mrs. Rebecca Stacy, John Taylor and James Taylor. The membership now numbers about thirty-six.
Cherry Valley Baptist Church was organized as the New Salem Baptist Church, a long time ago at a point about one mile southeast of the present vil- lage of Cherry Valley. In 1885 the old church was torn down and a new edifice erected at the latter place. It is in a flourishing condition, with a pres- ent membership of about twenty-five.
Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was constituted and organized about 1848 at a point one and a half miles southeast from the present village of Vanndale. Some of the original mem- bers were S. S. Hare, Rev. Thomas P. Hare, Rev. Jacob Hare, Jacob S. Hare, Rev. John Hare, David Hare, Rev. Rensalier Vann, Col. David C. Cross, T. N. Deadrick, Charles Magett, John D. Magett, James Lewellen, William Barnes, Dr. B. D. Mc- Claran and John Sullivan.
Mount Zion was a great religious center in the early days of this country, and the White River annual conference was organized by Bishop Keener, within the walls of this old country church in 1870. During protracted meetings, crowds of people came to this church from long distances, and it was often presided over by ministers of noted intelligence and education.
In 1885 the church was moved to the village of Vanndale, where the ladies of the Ladies' Aid Society had erected a fine church edifice. It is at present in a very flourishing condition, and in good growing order; it has a membership of about 115, and is presided over by the Rev. R. G. Brit- tain. Mr. Brittain was also pastor of this church in 1856, thirty-three years ago; was then trans- ferred to work in other sections of the State, and returned here again for two years in 1866. He is now preaching on the last year of his appoint- ment here.
Around this old church, in days gone by, the old settlers, as they passed away from this world, were laid to rest. Here, upon the summit of Crowley's Ridge, beneath the shade of forest trees,
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CROSS COUNTY.
which stand as sentinels to guard their silent home, they sleep in peace; here, half a century and more ago, they labored strong with the hope of youth, and an indomitable ambition to reduce this wilder- ness of nature to broad and smiling tracts of cul- tivated fields, to found their fortunes and to build their homes. Here, forty years ago, they met be- neath these trees to organize a church, and here, when that old church was built, have they returned, but borne by sorrowing friends, to find an everlast- ing rest, as Death, from year to year, has called them home.
Another generation now worships in another church built for them, and many changes mark the progress of Time; yet as one stands amid these graves and reads the names of these old pioneers, upon the stones which mark their resting place, it is easy to realize how appropriate is this place, founded and consecrated by themselves to God, in which to rest, till the everlasting trumpet pro- claims the resurrection morn.
The First Presbyterian Church at Wynne was organized in 1887, with the following members: George F. Dixon, Mrs. L. M. Koonce, Mrs. John Graham, Miss Mary Graham, Miss Mary Dixon, Mrs. George F. Dixon, Robert H. Mebane and Dr. W. T. Mebane. Since the date of formation, the membership has gradually increased, and is now in a very flourishing condition. Rev. S. T. Reid is pastor.
The Wynne Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized at Wynne, by the Rev. J. F. Jer- nigan, in 1885, with the following original mem- bers: J. S. Brookfield, William Standley and wife, R. S. Martin and wife, W. S. Martin and wife, David Tyer and wife, and William Head and wife.
In 188- this organization erected an attractive church edifice, the only one in Wynne. It now has a membership of about forty, and is progress- ing with encouraging success. Rev. A. C. Griffin is pastor.
The public schools of Cross County are finan- cially in a flattering condition, there being an abundance of reserve money in the treasury to guarantee good salaries to teachers, and conse- quently good service can be secured. The county
is fairly well supplied with school buildings, and the county examiner reports great advancement in better buildings and a higher grade of teachers. In 1887 the enumeration was: White, 1,424; col- ored, 860; making the total number of children of school age, 2,284. The examiner's report of 1888 shows a slight falling off, probably from incomplete returns.
In 1887 there was $6,030 expended for teach- .ers' salaries and for building, and in that year there was a surplus left in the hands of the county treasurer of over $6,500.
In 1888 there was nearly $8,000 expended for the same purposes, and the county still had a reserve fund of over $5,000 on hand.
There are twenty-six districts in the county, mostly supplied with good school buildings. The school-house at Vanndale is a fine building, erected in 1877 at a cost of $1,000. Its dimensions are 24x48, one-story frame. It is situated in a fine park of six acres. At Wynne is a high school em- ploying three teachers.
The present county officials are: County judge, W. F. Robinson; clerk, J. M. Levesque; sheriff, J. B. Hamilton; treasurer, Eli Bailes; coroner, A. Phillips; surveyor, J. W. McElroy; assessor, T. W. May.
Since the formation of Cross County the va- rious offices have been filled by the following named:
County judges: S. L. Austell, W. A. Lee, H. B. Robertson, L. N. Rhodes, J. C. McElroy, S. S. Hare and W. F. Robinson.
Clerks: B. D. McClaran, James Levesque, W. K. Stokes, B. Rolleson, T. O. Fitzpatrick, J. N. Dobson, L. C. Chappelle and R. E. Dobson. The present clerk, J. M. Levesque, has served six terms or twelve years.
Sheriffs: J. N. Dobson, L. Chappelle, W. H. Cole, J. M. Levesque (Mr. Levesque served from 1874 to 1880, six consecutive years), J. H. Legg, L. T. Head, J. W. Killough and J. B. Hamilton.
Treasurers: Robert Meek, W. F. Gray, G. N. Legg, A. J. Harrell, G. W. Griffin (served two terms), J. M. Simmons (three terms), J. A. Sadler and Eli Bailes.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Coroners: K. B. Pledger, J. Fountain, David Fitzpatrick, J. T. Rolfe, J. H. Legg, J. Apple- white, L. N. Block, P. A. Warren, Perry Warren (four terms), J. H. Brinkley, J. T. Rolfe and A. Phillips.
Surveyors: M. Halk, G. Jones, Henry Cum- mins, H. Bond, T. O. Fitzpatrick, William M. Block, H. Newsom, B. Rolleson and J. W. Mc- Elroy (four terms, eight years).
Assessors: J. E. Gailey, L. N. Rhodes, R. M. Spain, J. H. Legg, W. P. Brown (four terms, eight years), H. C. Winters and T. W. May.
J. D. Block of Wynne, Cross County, was elected, in the fall of 1888, prosecuting attorney of the Second circuit, comprising Mississippi, Crittenden, Cross, Poinsett, Craighead, Greene and Clay Counties. The first representative to the State legislature from Cross County was David Fitzpatrick. In 1868-74, J. A. Houghton; 1874- 76, G. M. Sharp; 1876-78, B. Rolleson; 1878-82, T. E. Hare; 1882-84, W. C. Malone; 1884-86, N. W. Norton; 1886-88, J. D. Block, and 1888- 90, J. F. Patterson.
In 1871, Mr. J. G. Frierson, of Cross County, represented this, the First senatorial district, in the State senate. The present senator for the First district, Mr. R. Pope, is, too, a citizen of Cross County.
J. G. Frierson was also a delegate to the State constitutional convention, in 1874. In the fall of 1888 he was elected circuit judge, and died in 1884.
Hon. T. E. Hare was a member of the Demo- cratic National Convention at Chicago in 1884.
Secret societies seem to thrive as well in Cross County as elsewhere. Arcadia Lodge No. 183, A. F. & A. M., was organized in 1865, at Cleburne, with the following charter members: R. Vann, W. M .; W. H. Robins, S. W .; W. H. Barnes, J. W .; E. J. Williams, Treas .; W. A. Lee, Sec .; W. D. Peterson, S. D .; J. H. McFarran, J. D .; C. J. Searcy, Tyler; J. M. Levesque, William Taylor, J. C. McElroy, A. S. Graves and M. S. Fielder.
This lodge is now located at Vanndale, and has a membership of twenty-five. The following were the officers during the year 1889: G. W. Griffin,
W. M. ; William Taylor, S. W .; W. E. Fountain, J. W. ; J. E. Buchannon, Treas .; S. S. Hare, Sec. ; Isom Julian, S. D .; Z. Couch, J. D., and Robert Lawrence, Tyler.
In former years this was one of the brightest lodges in the State. It still numbers among its members many who are noted for their knowledge in Masonic matters. It is in a flourishing and good working condition.
Wittsburg Lodge No. 606, K. of H., was or- ganized at Wittsburg October 19, 1877, with the following charter members: Louin Chappelle, James Applewhite, L. N. Block, John W. Kill- ough, Alvis L. Malone, Robert E. Dobson, John Q.' Thomas, Shields Daltroff, James M. Levesque, R. Block, George M. Arnold and Ann Reddick Pope. The lodge was removed to Vanndale in 1886, and its present standing is all that could be desired, the insurance feature offering attractive induce- ments to members. The present officers are: J. M. Simmons, D .; J. E. Erwin, V. D .; J. Q. Thomas, A. D .; James Applewhite, Treas .; J. P. May, Guide; J. W. Killough, P. D .; S. M. Mckenzie, G .; J. W. Lewellen, S .; O. N. Killough, R .; R. Pope, F. R .; J. W. Killough, Rep. to the G. L., and J. B. Scarborough, Med. Ex. The lodge has a membership of fifty-four.
Pearl Lodge No. 175, K. & L. of H., organ- ized at Wittsburg on September 15, 1879, was moved to Vanndale in 1886, and consolidated with a lodge already in existence there. The object of this order is social and beneficial, its membership numbering about seventy-five. The charter mem- bers were G. M. Arnold, I. M. Deadrick, S. W. Thornton, J. M. Levesque, L. N. Block, S. Daltroff, W. C. Malone, J. M. Simmons, J. W. Killough, R. Pope, A. S. Casbeer, J. Q. Thomas, H. H. Ross, P. Van Patten, Walter Gorman, J. E. Erwin, Ike Block, Ben Block, A. L. Malone, R. Block, L. Chappelle, G. W. Griffin, A. J. Harrall, W. H. Gardner, E. W. Simmons, Lola Thornton, Fannie J. Block, J. M. Arnold, Nannie Levesque, M. V. Deadrick, Mary A. Simmons, Josie Thomas, Delana Kisbeer, M. E. Killough, Cora Gorman, Roselle Erwin, Fannie Block, Mollie Simmons, Hester Block, Emma Chappelle, M. E. Griffin, M.
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CROSS COUNTY.
A. Gardner and Anna Block. The present officers are: J. M. Simmons, Protector; Mrs. Josie C. Thomas, Vice-Protector; Mrs. R. Erwin, Chaplain; J. M. Vann, Treasurer; T. E. Hare, Secretary and Financial Secretary; J. P. May, Guide; J. E. Er- win, Guardian; S. A. McKenze, Sentinel; J. Q. Thomas, District Deputy Supreme Protector; J. W. Killough, J. E. Erwin and John Thomas are Trustees.
Vanndale Lodge No. 677, K. & L. of H. was organized May 29, 1883, with the following charter members: Joseph Samuels, Ida H. Vann, W. R. Foot, H. H. Roberts, E. M. Rolleson, T. E. Hare, F. M. Hare, J. T. Rolfe, F. M. Applewhite, John P. Hilburn, Mollie Head, L. H. McKie, James D. McKie and James T. Lewellen. This lodge increased in membership and carried on a separate existence until January 28, 1886, when Harland P. Gage, Supreme Protector, granted a dispensation for the consolidation of the two lodges, Pearl of Wittsburg No. 175, and Vanndale No. 677. The two lodges were united February 23, 1886, retaining the name of Pearl Lodge No. 175.
The Vanndale branch of the American Building, Loan & Tontine Saving Association (parent office at Memphis, Tenn.), was organized in Vanndale in September. The stockholders who organized this branch are: J. M. Levesque, J. W. Killough, R. Block, W. M. Block, T. E. Hare, C. M. Gardner, O. N. Killough, J. T. Lewellen, R. L. Block, J. T. Rolfe, O. A. Hamilton, C. W. McClaran and D. J. Randal. The establishment of this association in Vanndale will unquestionably prove of value to the community, as it affords the investment of small sums by all, and is, in its nature, virtually a sav- ings bank. The present officers are: T. E. Hare, president; C. M. Gardner, vice-president; R. L. Block, secretary and treasurer; O. N. Killough, attorney.
On May 16, 1889, Levesque Lodge No. 52, K. of P., was established at Wynne, with a mem- bership of about thirty five; following were elected officers: S. Daltroff, C. C .; C. M. Mebane, V. C .; W. J. Brusch, P .; S. A. Miller, K. of P. & S .; G. N. Sparks, M. of F .; C. D. Oliver, M. of E .; J. K. Hancock, M. at A., and G. W. Brown, P. C.
The Ladies' Aid Society of Vanndale was or- ganized in April, 1883, by Mrs. Hattie Marshall, Mrs. Dr. McKie, secretary, and Mrs. Ida H. Vann, treasurer. The principal object of this society was to build a Methodist Church. To these la- dies much praise is due, for now the church is an accomplished fact, having been erected at an ex- pense of $1,500 and a parsonage which cost $350. This money was mostly raised by suppers and en- tertainments given by the association. The pres- ent officers are: Mrs. J. L. Thomas, president; Mrs. Roselle Erwin, treasurer, and Mrs. Ida H. Vann, secretary.
Among the enterprises of Cross County worthy of mention is the Wynne Ripsaw, published by D. J. Burks, which was established at Wynne October 1, 1888. It is the official organ of Cross and Poin- sett Counties and is ably conducted, the publisher, by his earnest efforts, doing much to advance the condition of the people in social and moral matters. Seeing the prospects of the future in this section, it invites with liberal-spirited cordiality, immigra- tion from overcrowded neighborhoods to the rich and fertile bottom lands of this county.
As the county of Cross was not organized at the time of the beginning of the Civil War, most of the soldiers from the county's present limits are credited to Poinsett. However, this county raised five companies and sent some 500 men into the field.
The first company was organized in the spring of 1861, under the command of Capt. Will H. Trader. They were attached to the Fifth Arkan- sas Infantry. For the first year this company saw but little fighting, but in the latter part of the struggle was in many important battles and sur- rendered with Gen. Joseph Johnston, in North Carolina, in May, 1865. Also, in the spring of 1861, Company C, of the Thirteenth Arkansas Regiment, was organized in Poinsett County, with a good many men from the limits of Cross in its ranks. This company was immediately sent to the front and took part in the battles of Belmont, Shi- loh and Corinth. After the latter battle the regi- ment was reorganized and Lieut. J. M. Levesque was elected captain. The company then passed
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
through the Kentucky campaign, participating in the battles of Perryville, Richmond and Murfrees- boro. At a reorganization of the regiment, after the latter battle, Capt. Levesque was detached from this company, when he returned to Cross County and raised a company of cavalry. This company operated in Eastern Arkansas till 1864, when it joined Price on the Missouri raid. On account of illness Capt. Levesque did not accompany it on this campaign. The company surrendered at Witts- burg in May, 1865. In 1862 Capt. Tom Westmore- land raised a company, and in 1864 a company under the command of Capt. T. N. Deadrick was sent into the field.
More than one-half of the men forming these five companies were either killed in battle or died from wounds or sickness, and their vacant places at the family hearth have been mourned for many years.
There were no engagements between troops in Cross County, yet the armies of both sides often passed up and down along Crowley's Ridge, annoy- ing the citizens and often interrupting their farming operations and other pursuits.
The political status of Cross County is Demo- cratic. Out of a vote of 1,900 about two-thirds vote the Democratic ticket in State and National issues. In county affairs the Republicans vote for whom they consider the best man, not being rec- ognized as a county organization, and, consequent- ly, never placing a ticket in the field.
Cross County is well supplied with railroads, being traversed north and south twice, and east and west once by different lines. These roads afford excellent facilities for shipping produce and supplies, and have helped amazingly to bring Cross County to the position of prosperity which it at present enjoys.
The Helena branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad has 28.85 miles of main track in this county which cross the entire breadth, nearly through the center, from north to south. It was constructed in 1882.
The St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas has a length of 16.85 miles, and crosses the county north and south along its western line. It was also con- structed in 1882.
The Memphis branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern passes through Cross County east and west, and has a length within these limits of thirty-one miles. Ground was broken and con- struction began on the road in 1886. It was com- pleted and open for travel in June, 1888.
During the years between 1850 and 1860 the value of realty in Cross County was held very high. About this time the section was attracting the attention of rich and enterprising planters from the east and south who emigrated here and im- proved large tracts of land, which soon became valuable and productive plantations. At the out- break of the war farming on a large scale was practically suspended, and the industries of the country paralyzed. The close of hostilities found the people impoverished and all lands greatly re- duced in value. The people at once began to overcome this state of things by renewed perse- verance and labor, and just as the future seemed to give them flattering hopes for a return of pros- perity, the period of reconstruction followed, lasting from 1868 to 1874. During this time industries suffered more than from the effects of the war. Property of all kinds declined in value, while the rate of taxation was greatly increased till Cross County became nearly bankrupt. After this time all industries took on a healthy growth; labor be- came settled and the country prospered, large areas of land being placed again in cultivation which had been lying idle since the war. The construc- tion of the various lines of railroads through this county has developed many enterprises and estab- lished the timber interests which are scarcely equaled by any county in the State.
Saw-mills and stave factories dot the three lines of railways that pass through this county, and manufacture vast quantities of fine timber into merchantable lumber and staves, which are shipped to all markets of the United States.
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