USA > Arkansas > Johnson County > Johnson County, Arkansas, the first hundred years > Part 7
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FARM PRODUCTS
have been found to grow peaches as fine as the world produces. Any variety seems to flourish with equal perfection, but for dur- ability and shipping the famous Elberta takes the lead. Thous- ands of these trees have been put into orchards and as the indus- try grows the orchardmen learn how to better care for them. A clean, well kept orchard presents a beautiful picture. The fruit is large, round and smooth, with an admixed coloring of red and yellow, assimilated it might seem from the soil on which they grow. The flavor is most appetizing and finds favor with all connoisseurs of peach culture. Truly the Elberta has no equal. The growth and shipments reached the zenith in 1912 when the county sent out to other markets 1100 cars, while many were left for home consumption and also hundreds of bushels, over ripe, were not taken from the orchards.
In 1902 J. R. Tolbert, a newspaper man and fruit enthusiast, received from Georgia, the first real Elberta.
In 1912 there were 400,000 trees in the county. The season of 1919 was a successful one in money value. Approxi- mately 500 cars were shipped, netting the orchard men $500,- 000.00. Shipments are made from Clarksville, Lamar, Knox- ville Hartman and Coal Hill. The season of 1919 gave to Lamar the lead as to number of cars shipped.
FARM PRODUCTS
Cotton-Along with the rest of the South, the people of this part of Arkansas depend on the cotton crop for the principal livli- hood. Johnson County however lies in the extreme northern section of the cotton belt. The lands along the river and creeks are most productive of the plant. It has always been grown however to some advantage on the hill lands and since the intro- duction of the modern fertilizer these rolling uplands produce cotton almost, if not, the equal of the bottom land crop.
Corn-The corn grown all over the county is the second largest crop and second in value.
Alfalfa-The greatest forage crop known, is mowed in this county four or five times a season and produces from three-fourths to one ton per acre. This hay plant grows best in the low lands.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Wheat is grown to some extent. Oats and other hay crops adapted to the climate are productive and much planted.
Irish potatoes are the standard food crop and grow to per- fection anywhere. They are semi-perishible, but with poper care may be kept from season to season. It is possible for Irish potatoes to bring in much money, though they have never been given cooperative attention. Each farmer raises enough for his own use and some for the near markets. It would be possible, however, to raise them in great quantities, since two crops in one season can be easily grown. But in a country like this where so many major crops are produced on one land, some of them must fill places a-down the scale even though the fruitage might be greater than another which is planted. Most of the Irish potato crop is raised on the mountains.
Sweet Potatoes rank in production, size and flavor with the same crop in other sections of the state. They are never an entire failure, regardless of climatic conditions.
Watermelons, which grow to enormous size and of superior flavor, are found in the patches of every farmer. Enough for his own use and often many for the local markets.
Corn-Field Peas and Beans. Every farmer plants one or more fields with the ever productive corn-field peas that hold so much food value for both man and animal. They are planted as a mid-season crop, usually replacing some early fruiting pro- duct. The many varieties of beans are grown successfully on a small scale.
Cantaloupes-This delicious fruit-vegetable is another growth especially hardy on the rocky knolls of this county. It is said by expert authority that the famous Rocky Ford grows to no greater perfection in their native state of Colorado than on the hill lands of this section.
Peanuts-This little ground pea which at this time is receiv- ing so much attention in the south seems specially to have found its nativity in the chemical contents of the soil here. The plant varies with the weather but failure is unknown. In favorable seasons, one is prone to wonder how one little pea can produce so many matured nuts.
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LIVE STOCK
Cattle-Since the law providing for the tick eradication, which was introduced in the state senate by the Johnson County Senator, Lee Cazort, was passed, more interest has been taken in the introduction of fine cattle into this county. Prior to this, many progressive farmers possessed breeded stock but when the health of the cow is almost assured they purchase with more confidence. The Jerseys are most used for dairy purposes. Other splendid registered types are the Black and White Holstein, Durham, Hereford, Angus Poles, Shorthorns and others.
Many men interested in the upbuilding of the cattle industry have all along brought into the local markets fine breeds. This record would not be complete should the name of R. D. Dunlap be left out in mentioning the pioneer workers for a better and higher standard of livestock throughout the county.
Johnson county possesses her prorata of breeded hogs, with the Duroc-Jersey, Big-Boned Poland-China, O. I. C. and Im- proved Poland-China, respectively, in preference. There is, perhaps, not one of the "razorback" variety, so much talked of in other states with reference to Arkansas, in Johnson county.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
CHURCHES
Together with the coming of our pioneers and their idea of settling a country in which to live, rear their children and make a place for their successors, came the old family Bible and a Christian creed. No matter how humble the home, and most of them were humble, this Book was given a place on the center table in the best room in the house, if there were more than one, if not it still held vantage in the cabin.
In this same book each denomination saw their faith clearly written and those truths therein binding them to a future; while between the pages of the old and the new testaments was chron- icled births and deaths of one or two or perhaps several gener- ations, thus binding them to a past in a land from which they came.
The first move of any community as soon as a few families were close enough to constitute a neighborhood was to encourage religion. Rev. Cephas Washburn of the Presbyterian Mission among the Cherokee Indians was the first man, so far as known, to deliver a sermon in this part of Arkansas. Itinerant ministers, however, preached here and there among the settlers.
Following this trancient method of worship came the greater and more effective camp meetings. For this form of service a spot was selected as centrally located as possible with a spring or some good water near. Poles were cut from the forest and propped upright some eight or ten feet apart and in numbers sufficient to make space for the crowd anticipated. On top of these poles, limbs and branches with foliage were interwoven, thus forming a fitting roof. People came from far and near and camped, during the intervals of the meetings. Usually cone or wigwam shaped enclosures were made for each family. Small saplings were hewn down and placed with the upper ends to- gether, at a common centre, while on the ground they were spread in a circle, and, many times, "clap-boarded" around. These were used for personal belongings and also a place in which to sleep. Time has erased every trace of these picturesque
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CHURCHES
places of worship. Less than a half dozen persons, who were children then and tottering in dotage now, are left to point out the spots.
On the top of the hill west of Clarksville where today is buried hundreds of the county's dead, and known as Oakland Cemetery was the first Methodist camp meeting ground. The exact spot of this rustic temple may be located on the north side of the cemetery about two hundred and fifty feet south from the east and west driveway and sixty feet west from Main street running north and south. A pathway wound down the hill to the east across the old roadway from Clarksville to Spadra, and im- mediately at the foot of the hill was a spring of water that "never went dry." This spring is still giving her draughts to the surface though few of today know that the old pump standing by the road is covering a once welcome bubbling of water. When this camp was located we do not know, but in 1843 we learn that it was abandoned and another place selected at Bethlehem where for thirty years revivals were held.
At the foot of Stillwell Mountain four miles north of Clarksville flows a yellow streamlet of caleabrite water known today as Hudson Springs. It was here that the Cumberland Presbyterians chose to build an arbor and hold their meetings. Associated with these gatherings were the Reverends Anderson Cox and John Buchanan.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CLARKSVILLE
The first pastoral charge of the Methodist Church at Clarks- ville, so far as is known, was in 1841. The first church building was erected in 1843 and stood on the north east corner of the block on which the present building stands. It was a small frame oblong house with a belfry on the center of the front gable after the fashion of many small churches of today. By number it was located on Lot 5, Block 6, and was purchased from Lorenzo Clarks for the sum of thirty-five dollars. The trustees at that time were Messrs. Thomas Powers, Robt. Latimer, Audrew Brown, James P. King, and Samuel Strayhorn.
Their place of worship, prior to this was doubtless the old camp meeting ground west of the city. After the camp meeting place was moved to Bethlehem this plot of
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
ground was deeded Nov. 16, 1848, by John Jacob Dorsey to the Methodist Church, for a burying ground. The oldest stone in this graveyard is dated 1844.
After seventeen years of occupancy this little building be- came inadequate, therefore the site of an old saw mill on the west front of the same block was purchased on Dec. 15, 1859, from Jacob and Sarah Rogers for the sum of one hundred and twenty- five dollars. The trustees at this time were Messrs. Thomas Powers, Jacob Rogers, Anthony Lewis, Moreau Rose, Redmond Rogers, Tolliver G. Blackard, John G. Connelly, Henry B. Hayes and Thomas K. May.
This church almost complete, was burned when the Federals evacuated Clarksville on May 19, 1863. Fifty years later the United States Government paid $4,400 for the destruction.
From the foundation of this incomplete building rose another in 1870-a duplicate of the former. Bishop William Wight- man officiated at the dedication of this new church in November 1872 with Rev. H. R. Withers as the pastor. In a letter written by the Bishop to the Western Methodist the following, relative to the dedication, is found: "At Clarksville on Thursday night I ded- icated a brick church, large and handsome, with spire and bell. The full amount to meet the remaining debt was subscribed during the day and at the dedication service at night. Here one of the newly appointed trustees of the Central University (Vand- erbilt University), Judge W. W. Floyd, was our host."
This substantial building stood for a period of forty years with but few changes. The only noticeable one was made in the latter part of the '80's when the belfry which first pointed upward from the center front of the roof was torn down and rebuilt more proportionate and pretentious from the east front corner of the top.
Rev. Henry Hanesworth was the last pastor to serve in the old church and doubtless he was the prime factor in the original project, which was brought into action in 1909, to tear down the old church building and replace it with a new and modern one. He and his co-workers met with much opposition, but undaunted by objectors, who in most instances were sentimentalists, they began the work and soon a handsome and commodious structure, the pride of the town, was being built of the beautiful Cabin Creek stone. It was estimated to have cost $30,000, but today it could
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CHURCHES
not be duplicated for less than $60,000.00. The finishing of this church covered a period of several years. Bishop McCoy offic- iated at the laying of the corner stone during the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Galloway in 1912. Other pastors who have had a part in the final finishing of the building were Revs. J. F. E. Bates and H. L. Wade. On Sunday morning April 15, 1917, Rev. Stonewall And- erson, D. D., Presided at the formal dedication with "The Function of the Church" as his subject. Rev. H. L. Wade, one of the best loved ministers the church has ever had, was the pastor.
The Finance Committee during the entire building operation was composed of two faithful gentlemen, Judge Hugh Basham and B. P. McKennon. The Building Committee was, Judge J. J. Montgomery, R. H. McKennon, T. E. May, J. W. Coffman, Dr. W. R. Hunt, J W. Lemley and A. J. Clemons.
Since the organization of this Methodist Church in Clarksville the following pastors have served in the order here given. In 1811, Juba Easterbrook; in 1842, J. F. Fruslow and M. B. Lowry; in 1843, W. T. Anderson; 1845, James W. Shipman; 1846, Nathan Taylor; 1847, John M. Steel; 1848, W. A. Cobb; 1849, J. J. Pit- man; 1851, Young Ewing; 1852, W. T. Thornberry; 1853, C. M. Stover; 1851, James D. Andrews; 1856, James L. Denton; 1857, John M. Denton; 1858, Geo. Emmet; 1859, Burwell Lee; 1860, C. M. Stover; 1861, William Shepard; 1862, William Robins; 1865, Russell Reneau; 1868, C. H. Gregory; 1869, N. Futrall; 1871, B. Williams.
Clarksville station was formed in 1872 with H. B. Withers as the first pastor. I. L. Burrow, J. J. Roberts, T. M. C. Birming- ham, Josephus Loving, B. H. Greathouse, S. H. Babcock, J. W. Kaigler, J. L. Massey, J. W. Boswell, W. D. Matthews, N. Futrall, R. M. Traylor, J. A. Walden, J. R. Harvey, Stonewall Anderson, W. F. Wilson, G. W. Hill, N. B. Fizer, J. C. Sligh, J. H. Glass, H. Hanesworth, J. J. Galloway, J. F. E. Bates, H. L. Wade, J. T. Wilcoxon and J. B. Evans.
The Annual Conference of the Methodist Church has been entertained in Clarksville five times during the eighty years of its organization. First in 1843 when the first little church was new. Bishop Roberts presided. In 1870 when the second build- ing was just complete, Bishop Keener was in the chair. In 1883 with Bishop Cranberry; in 1893 with Bishop Keener again in the
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
pulpit and in 1918 in the building now standing when Bishop Edwin D. Mouzon presided.
The Methodist Magnet is a church paper published at inter- vals by the members.
AUXILIARIES
Auxiliaries of this church have been organized from time to time. The first organization of the kind was the Ladies Aid Society which held its first meeting in the church at five o'clock on April 19, 1875. Rev. I. L. Burrow, the pastor, presided. The following women were the charter members: Mesdames Lou Floyd, Mattie Adkins, Eliza Gosset, Lyde Hill, Lit Connelly, Mary Pennington and Mary Harley. The officers elected were Pres., Mrs. Mary Pennington; Sec., Mrs. Mattie Adkins, Treas., Mrs. Lyde Hill. Two years later the roll contained the following names,-Mesdames Mary Puckett, Eliza Gossett, Mary Penning- ton, Lyde Hill, Mattie Adkins, Lou Floyd, Mary Harley, Emma Cravens, Maggie McKennon, Mary May, Eliza Brown, Lit Con- nelly, Mollie Rose, Z. G. Simpson, C. Roberts, Mary Peacock, Bet- tie Littlepage, Mary Maffitt, Eliza Adams, Fannie Miller, Amanda Harley and Misses Sallie McKennon, Mollie Colthorp, Amanda Jarnagin, Lou McConnell, Susie Reed, Annie Reed and Sallie Goens. A Missionary Society was also organized in the '80's but data of this society is not at hand. Mrs. Ori Jamison was its faithful president for many years. She was also president of the District Missionary Society for a long period.
THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CLARKSVILLE
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Clarksville was or- ganized in 1840 under the leadership of Rev. Anderson Cox. The meetings of this congregation were held monthly for several years in the County Court House, and later in the upper story of the old Hershey building on the south side of East Main street next door to the McConnell drug store on the corner. For eigh- teen years this struggling little congregation was without a home of its own. There came a time when a wave of prosperity was sweeping the village. A brick kiln had been located near and many houses were being built. This church people also joined in the
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CHURCHES
progress and on June 3, 1858, purchased a lot 50 x 70 feet from B. F. Hershey for the sum of one hundred dollars. It is desig- nated at Lot 10, Block 1, in the town of Clarksville. It can be better located when referred to as the corner of Cravens and Cherry streets. The trustees at the time of the purchase were Messrs. Wesley Garrett, James H. Jones, Anderson Cox, William Rudd, James B. Brown and Wilson G. Taylor. The building cov- ering the lot was an oblong, spacious room, with the belfry on the center front. Rev. John Buchanan delivered the dedicatory sermon while Rev. Anderson Cox was the pastor. This church was used during the war of the '60's as the main hospital for each army as they in turn occupied the town. Thus this place of worship stood intact for fifty-five years. Many persons grew to maturity and died, having worshipped in no other church, but the hand of progress finally caught the much loved old building. New people came who saw only the brick and mortar, inadequate and old-fashioned, therefore during the pastorate of Rev. Edwin H. Liles, in 1904, an extensive remodeling took place and a pipe organ was installed.
With the coming of the College to Clarksville in 1891 the Presbyterians began to feel the responsibility and went to work to further the advancement which began at that time. Their strength in membership grew as well as their ability, and now, after thirty years, this church is one of the strongest and richest in the state. An edifice standing on the corner of College Avenue and Cherry Street is today almost complete, the most resplendent building in the city, erected at a cost of $100, . 000. On either side of the main entrance are marble tablets- one with the date of the church organization and the name of its organizer, Rev. Anderson Cox, who "builded better than he knew." The other gives the date, 1919, when the present building was be- gun with the name of Rev. Elbert Hefner, the pastor who has labored so untiringly for its completion.
The corner stone was lowered into place on December 9, 1919, by the Masonic Fraternity of this city, J. W. Sallis officiat- ing, he having been previously appointed by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F. and A. M. of the Grand Jurisdiction of Arkansas.
This church in 1906, as did the great body of Cumberlands over the South, submerged its identity into that of the parent or-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
ganization of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. Following this action came a law suit over the church property, for there was some dissension. That which belonged immediately to the church was given to the majority membership, they being in favor of the change. The College however, because of the word- ing of the deed retained the name of Cumberland. Recently that too has been overcome and the institution is today known as "The College of the Ozarks."
Ministers who have occupied the pulpit for this organiza- tion from the beginning are as follows: Revs. Anderson Cox, P. M. Latta, J. D. Boone, W. J. Faust, John Buchanan, N. G. Nunn, H. B. Milner, S. H. Buchanan, C. E. Stokes, Dr. F. R. Earle, J. A. Conley, J. R. George, W. C. Wheat, E. H. Liles, G. D. Crawford, W. L. Darby, R. E. Robinson and Elbert Hefner.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
The Baptist Church at Clarksville was organized in Septem- ber of 1893. Rev. Maynard and Rev. Welcher were the ministers who assisted those citizens, banded together, to become a part of the great denomination of Baptists. Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Jett, Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Jett, A. M. McLane, Mrs. Sarah Rogers, Mrs. Emma Davis and Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Langford were carly members to unite with this organiza- tion. The lot on which the neat little frame church house is standing was given by Mrs. Sarah Rogers and is located on the northeast corner of Cherry street and Central avenue. The Aid and Missionary Society of this church was enrolled sometime during the year 1897 with Mrs. Sarah Rogers as the first president. Mrs. Rogers served until her death two years later, when Mrs. C. B. Rhodes was chosen to fill her place.
OTHER PROTESTANT CHURCHES
Doubtless there were many other protestant churches in the county in pre-war days but the records of those given are the only available ones.
Ewing Seminary, while built for a school, as were many at that time, was used for a church, and for many years Rev. Ander- son Cox filled that pulpit once a month, as did other ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church from time to time. After this house was burned the congregation moved their
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CHURCHES
membership to Cabin Creek and thus founded the Cumberland Presbyterian Church there. In that same neighborhood between the present town of Lamar and Piney Creek was a little Methodist church called Pleasant Grove. While this was used for both a school house and church we learn that it was pri- vate property owned jointly by four progressive citizens, S. B. Cazort, Thomas Madden, Harvey Easly and Oren Wallace.
Salem, at Hagarville, a Methodist Church of early origin, had on its roll the names of several prominent persons of that upper Piney neighborhood. A few of them were, S. D. Price, Joseph Adkins, John Rodgers, I. D. Towell, J. N. Johnson, J. L. Joyner, and A. J. Frazier.
A Methodist Church north of Coal Hill was organized in 1857.
The Greenbriar church near Clarksville was built on land bought from Vincent Wallace for the sum of $10.00. The trustees at that time were men whose names still ring familiar- David Clark, L. G. Blackard, Wm. Blackard, Daniel Farmer and Vincent Wallace. The building was erected just after the war and stood on the flat land to the south one-half mile below where the substantial concrete one is now located on the hill-top.
At Shady Grove, under the influence of the venerable Ander- son Cox, a Cumberland Presbyterian membership united and held their meetings in pre-war days in a remodeled barn. This con- gregation built a church soon after peace was made.
Rev. Cox with his unbounded energy also organized and caused to be built a church at Lone Pine.
During the years between '64 and the early '70's the country was struggling under devastation, and but little public building was done. Every one was busy readjusting personal affairs, and, too, many valuable citizens were no more, therefore not until after eight or ten years had passed did post war finances permit much public expenditure.
The year '71 found the Methodists in Clarksville completing the church following the one which was burned in '63.
Pine Grove, near Piney Creek, in 1873, was probably the first Baptist Church in the county. A small house was put up and such names as John Hickey, Joe Ragon, John Brown, Harve Ragon, William Mays and McMinn, were connected with its mem- bership.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
The Oakland neighborhood near Cabin Creek also early in the '80's organized into a Baptist church and enrolled many mem- bers. Among them are found the names of James Eldridge, D. A. Escnige, Louis Martin and Mrs. Emma Davis.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND THE SCHOOL HOUSE AT HARMONY
At the foot of the Mulberry Mountain on upper Horsehead creek a dozen families located in the '30's and in 1840 built a log church. This settlement was referred to by their chosen name of Harmony. And indeed there must have been Harmony for the Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists used this church house in common for eighteen years.
But finally when the old house had served its purpose and was torn away a new frame building was erected in its place but this time the building was owned and dedicated by the Cumber- land Presbyterians. Thus this church became a part of that great protestant faith and has continued without secession or dis- sension through the seventy-five years since its beginning, the only organized church in that neighborhood. And when the vast body of Cumberlands submerged into the parent organization of the Presbyterians they too, without controversy, joined the ma- jority movement.
This second church house served for a time as a school house too, but a few years later a school house and lodge rooms were built as one, with the school below and the lodge rooms in the second story. This building is still standing and is in use. The church is gone and in its stead there stands today one built of native stone, pretentious and commodious, one of the best church- es in the county with an entrance vestibule, a spacious auditorium with oak pews, a well-furnished altar place and a mezzanine at the back which is built for the seating of approximately fifty persons. The memorial windows are works of art commemorat- ed to several of those who endured the hardships of pioneering and founded the Christian work of the neighborhood. The build- ing of this last church was going on in 1915-16. It was formally dedicated on June 27, 1920. Rev J. J. Partain was the pastor, Dr. W. T. Thurman of Piggott delivered the sermon of the occa- sion, while the state chairman of Home Missions, Dr. C. E. Hayes of Hot Springs, was master of ceremonies. Dr. Elbert Hefner of
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