HISTORICAL PIECES
ABOUT ETOWAH

EARLY POSTMASTERS
Megaera Ausman, Historian, United States Postal Service

ETOWAH, ARKANSAS
by Eunice Wells

GARDEN POINT METHODIST CHURCH
Dr. Eldon Fairley and other previous writers.

HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI COUNTY
By Mabel Edrington copyright 1960

THE GARDEN POINT CEMETERY ENGRAVING

THE HISTORY OF ETOWAH
By Mrs Edward Wray May 29, 1935.

ETOWAH NEWS
Osceola Times Thursday Jan 17, 1907

FEATURE ON TOWN OF ATHLESTAN
By Carolyn Wallace

EARLY ETOWAH POSTMASTERS
The United States Official Register, published in odd-number years and listing all postal employees by name through 1911, indicate that, in 1903, the postmaster of Etowah received compensation of $38.95, in 1905 the compensation was $71.48; in 1907 $71.00; in 1901, $74.00; and 1911, it was $120. From (Megaera Ausman, Historian, Untied States Postal Service) More info available from National Archives.

Francis M Jackson 02/20/1902 Postmaster
George Girdley 05/24/1904 Postmaster
James A Scudamore 09/24/1906 Postmaster
Francis M Jackson 10/09/1907 Postmaster
Samuel W Luster 04/15/1906 Postmaster
Minnie E Faulkner 08/21/1917 Postmaster
Myrtle N Williams 05/13/1919 Postmaster
Samuel W Luster 09/16/1922 Acting Postmaster
Samuel W Luster 10/17/1922 Postmaster
Mrs Jennie Sharp 06/27/1936 Acting Postmaster
Mrs Jennie Sharp 10/30/1936 Postmaster
Henry R Paul Jr 07/28/1961 Acting Postmaster
Mrs Velma Cagle 06/23/1972 Officer-in-Charge
Mrs Velma Cagle 02/02/1974 Postmaster
Linda Kirk 05/04/1985 Officer-in-Charge
DeAnna Phillips 12/21/1985 Postmaster
Linda Kirk 05/04/1990 Officer-in-Charge
Pamela D Poag 09/08/1990 Postmaster

ETOWAH, ARKANSAS
by Eunice Wells and other contributors; Jennie Sharp, Lucille Jackson, Jess Pruitt, Katherine Kroepfl, Ruth Jones, Georgia Heard and Inez Wildy.
This is the story of Etowah and vicinity and the first settlers as told to me by some of those people or their descendants. Some information came from the United States Census, tax records, and maps of the area.
Etowah is located in Little River Township in the western part of Mississippi County. It was first known as Jackson's Island because of a family named Jackson in that area and because the area was partially surrounded by Old River. No one could be sure of which Jackson family was there that early. Laura Jackson and her family were there when Will Davidson came from Hohenwald, Tennessee and settled about 1885.
At that time steamboats could go to Marked Tree on Old Little River. But very few signs of the river are left. There is a slough in front of Mamie Girdley's home place that was part of the river. Russell Wells said he was told the river was twenty feet deep in front of the house where he was born in 1909.
Steamboats brought goods from Marked Tree to stores in Etowah. Jess Pruitt, also born in 1909, told how he and other young men and boys met the boats at the landing and helped to unload the freight and put it on wagons and then hauled it to stores. I was told by Ruth Walker Jones that the river gradually disappeared after the floodways were dug.
Who were some of the earliest people to come to the area? They were hunters, trappers and fishermen. There was an abundance of wild animals such as mink, raccoon, bear, and panther, and plenty of fish. The Little River Township, 1860 U.S. Census, listed only names such as Baugher, Burgess, Beasley, and Dillard. The 1880 census had such names as Jackson, Hamlin and Patterson. The 1890 census was burned.
Bob Wilmoth told his son that when he came in 1897 it seemed to be a place for "outlaws." It was really "wild" country, settlers were young men "seeking their fortune." The timber lured some of them. They worked as loggers, rafters and crewmen. Stores and commissaries were opened and they needed workers. Young men without a family needed a place to live, and
there were places to board and someone had to cook.
Not everyone who moved in stayed on. Some of those who did were Hardin Meadows, Bob Wilmoth, Barney Walker, the Woodruffs, the Jackson’s, Kirby’s, Brannon’s, Dave Pruitt’s, Girdley's, Orron Bedford, the Gus Smith, the Scudamore, Sam Luster, Joe Speakes, Charley Vaughn, Earl Seratt, and others.
Working the timber was hard and even dangerous work, but it was a sure living and had excitement. Oxen were used to "snake" the logs out of the woods. Wagon wheels were boxed up so they would slide over the mud road. Many of the logs were put in the river and rafted to the mills at Marked Tree. Later sawmills were came to Etowah. Basil Heard brought his mill in 1926 from Pascola, Missouri.
In 1902, Etowah was chosen as the name for a post office to be open there. Etowah is an Indian name, and it could be an appropriate one as Indians did once live in that area. But before this had all taken place, the area was a forest primeval, with hardwood, cypress, cottonwood and others. An 1847 map made by the United States Corps of engineers showed sunken land, a large lake and meaning streams flowing toward the St. Francis River at
Marked Tree.
R.H. Wilmoth was here by 1897, coming from Mississippi by way of Marked Tree. He had a job with Chapman and Dewey Lumber Company. He told his family it took two days to get to Marked Tree in a wagon pulled by two teams of oxen. Jenny Meadows Sharp recalls that in 1908 she and her father went to Osceola with a load of cotton to be ginned. Four mules pulled the wagon and it took all day. They spent the night at the Chiles home and took another day to get home.
William Fuke Wells came with his wife, Marie, in 1902; George and Flora McCallister in 1904, Ed and Alvina Wildy and Ottie Way and Mamie Girdley in
1914.
As the land was cleared of trees, it was planted in crops. But the land was still subject to overflow, and a drainage system had not been set up.
Then there was the problem of getting products to market. Some corn was fed to the livestock and made into meal at the gristmill. But the cotton
had to be ginned at Osceola or some other distant place. The land was very fertile and no fertilizer was needed for years. Cotton grew head-high.
Most farms were small enough for one family to work. Mules were used to pull plows. Cotton was picked by hand, usually taking all season to pick a
crop.
Some farms were homesteaded or bought from owners like Chapman and Dewey Co. at Marked Tree. The farms were mostly 40 to 80 acres. In 1904 Ike
Smith had 40 acres as did George and James Girdley. By 1910, tax records show names of J.T. Davidson, J.A. Scudamore, R.H. Wilmoth and J.N.H.
Woodruff. There was no plantation life here. Ruth Jones, now of Cooter, Missouri, told how her father Barney Walker tried farming one year. He raised cotton, the price of cotton fell, and he dumped the picked cotton in the Old River and then went back to timber cutting! In a chattel mortgage in 1920, B.W. Sisco borrowed $1200, using four mules and one cow as security. The deal was for him to plant 12 acres of cotton and 15 acres of corn on
Smith Chambers' farm.
Will Davidson moved from Hohenwald, Tenn, perhaps by 1885. He married Laura Jackson who was already here. Their children were Mary Rebecca (Molly) born in 1888 and J.T. born in 1890. Molly married Hardin (H.J.) Meadows who was born in Alton, Ill. who came in 1902.
Hardin was a clerk in a store at first and later farmed. The Meadows children were Jennie Sharp, Laura Johnson, Pearl Campbell, Juanita Hall, H.J Jr., and Jimmie Parrott. Jennie still lives in Etowah, She asked me to spell their name, "Medows" but most of the family spells it "Meadows" now.
R.H. (Bob) Wilmoth came to Arkansas in 1897 and started to work in timber. In time he opened a commissary in Etowah to sell supplies to timber workers. He also had a gristmill, bought land from Gus Smith and built a home in Etowah where he died in 1966 at age 88. His first wife was Myrtle Faulkner, daughter of Minnie Faulkner. Myrtle died in childbirth. Bob later married Myrtle Williams from Tennessee. Their children were Robert, Andy, Sally, Carolyn, Sue, Katherine, Betty, Jane, and Jean.
William Fuke Wells was born in Illinois and left home as a young teenager. In Missouri he married Marie Lovions who had been born in Tennessee. They came to Etowah in 1903. He farmed but his first love was logging. Their children were Robert (Bob), Russell (Pete), Frank (Shorty), James and Kitty who married "Slim" Moore.
Mot Brannon moved to the area in 1890 from Missouri. His daughter Bertha married Dave Pruitt in 1900. Their children were Harry, Eugene, Tommy,
Pearl, Lillian, Capitola and Jess. Jason Lunsford came from Kentucky to Lepanto to practice medicine and to put in a drugstore. He came to Etowah by way of the river, met Jane Brannon (Mot's daughter) and never went back. They married and their children were Buster, Goldie, Gussie, and Martha.
Ottie Way Girdley married Mamie Ellen England in 1903. He homesteaded land in 1914 but is best remember for his boats that went back and forth to Lepanto and Marked Tree hauling goods for Etowah stores. The "Ruth Walker" was his best know boat. Of the eleven Girdley children were Noah, Mollissa, James, Birley, Lucille, Thoman, Cecil Thelma, Luella, Pauline, and Melvin, only six survived to adulthood.
Ed Wildy and his bride, Alvina Marie, came to Etowah in 1914 from Illinois by train to Osceola. The trip to Etowah was in a wagon over dirt road still surrounded by virgin timber and swamps. Ed set out to build a house and barn similar to the ones he had left in Illinois. He became a large landowner. The Wildy children were Earl, Leroy, Wilbur, and Charles, who lives on the farm.
Barney Walker left his home in Rector, Arkansas at an early age. His daughter, Ruth said he wandered about until he came to Etowah and went to work in the timber. He married Mildred Falls in 1907, tried farming, but always went back to timber work. However, he did purchase 80 acres which is still owned by Ruth Walker Jones.
George and Flora Ellen McCallister and son, Henry, came in a covered wagon from Green County, Illinois, in 1904 and homesteaded land near a levee.
Henry married Pauline Reed in 1929. Their daughter is Flora Ellen Bass.
Gus Smith, one of the early settlers from Tennessee, had seven children; Isaac, Lester, Gus, Kate, Bud, Ross, and Eva. Isaac married Hazel Woodruff from Indiana; their children were Mitchell, Ross, Otis, and Georgia, who married Carl Heard. Ike died in 1910, when in Osceola to pay taxes, died of food poisoning.
Georgia is living on land her father bought or homesteaded. Hazel Woodruff Smith later married George Henry Pierce.
Lister Cornelia Kirby was born in Milan, Tennessee. She married Redreick(Red) Jackson and had one son, Bennie, who was born in 1903. "Red" died when Bennie was three months old. Lister later married Nelse Woodruff, whose sister was Hazel Smith. Mrs. Woodruff was postmistress at Athelstan in 1911, mail was sent to Etowah beginning in 1920.
The Scudamore were James, George, Ollie and Minnie, all from Illinois. James was postmaster in 1906. Minnie moved in 1912 and was postmistress five years. Her children were Earl, who married Mildred Heard; Myrtle, who married Bob Wilmoth; Ethel, who married a Mr. Strawn, Marie who married____; and Job Bob. George Scudamore married Florence Jackson in 1904. Ollie Scudamore taught at Section 16 School and married Joe Girdley. They were the parents of Sylvan, who married Lillian, a sister of Annie Mae, Brownie, and Moncy Sisco.
J.T. Davidson, son of Will Davidson, married Less Smith, a sister of Isaac Smith. They had one son, Herschel. Later J. T. married Annie Mae Sisco and they had two children; Alonzo and Dorothy Dell.
Basil Heard and his son, Carl, moved from Pascola, Missouri, and put up their sawmill outside of Etowah in 1926. Later Mrs. Heard came with the other children; Pauline, Bryan, Emma, Mildred, Maude, James, Sam and Paul.
Charles McCollum worked for Chapman and Dewey Lumber Co. logging and doing other timber work. Georgia Lewis married Charles and cooked for timber
workers. They lived in Etowah, their children were Clarence, Cecil and Buck.
Jennie Medows Sharp told about Major Ray who had married her Aunt Jennie Medows, her namesake. They were both midgets and traveled with circuses all over the world. Major Ray also worked for Brown Shoe Company and was well known as a promoter for Brown Shoe Company with his dog, Tige. After their retirement, they came to Etowah where he worked in stores. He often entertained school children with his magic tricks.
A one-room school was built on land donated by Will Davidson. Eight grades were taught. After the building burned, it was rebuilt with two rooms, and third was added later. The terms were divided into summer and winter session. Georgia Smith Heard said she rode a horse about two miles and stabled the horse at school during the day. Lucille Girdley Jackson often hitched a ride with Georgia. During floods or high water, some pupils came by boat. Some of the teachers that Lucille could recall were Mr. Strawn, the Burchfields, Annie Mae Sisco, and Moncy Sisco. Annie Lou Mitchell was the music teacher from Lepanto, but she lived in Etowah during school terms. Several girls took piano lesson from her. One of these was Jennie Medows Sharp, who plays the piano at her church now. The teachers put on plays at school, often using people of the community as well as
students in the cast. The Caldwell's were recalled as a family who took part in plays and other activities. But they moved away and no one kept in touch with them.
Frances M. Jackson was the first postmaster at Etowah. Others who followed him were George Girdley, James A Scudamore, Samuel Luster, Carrie Mattix, Minnie Faulkner, Myrtle Williams, Jenny Sharp and Velma Cagle. Sam Luster served at three different times. The Athelstan post office was closed in 1920, and the mail was sent to Etowah. At one time W.F. Wells carried mail between Etowah and Lepanto by horseback.
Church services were held in the school building by various preachers of different faiths. Revivals were usually held in summertime, sometimes under a brush arbor. Church and Sunday school were places also for socializing. Good cooks might have lots of company on Sunday. Marie Wells said she thought half the Sunday school came home with her boys on Sunday. They had good reason to come, according to Jess Pruitt. He said Mrs Wells was a great cook and the table was always set.
Doctors who lived here were Dr. Holleman, Dr. Beecher and Dr. Lunsford. Malaria fever was probably the most common ailment due to the mosquitoes.
Chill tonic and quinine were standard medicines for chills and fever. Castor oil and chamomile were given pretty often for other ailments. Midwives helped to bring babies into the world.
Delta Historical Review Summer 1990

THE HISTORY OF ETOWAH
By Mrs Edward Wray May 29, 1935.
Township 13, Range 8 East was sectionized in the years of 1846 and 1847, and the only inhabitants at that time were two families of people by the name of Scott and Bunch.
The government survey show Scott lived in section 33, two miles south of where Etowah is now located. It appears by map that Bunch lived in the northeastern corner of Township 13, near section one. This seems to be the first settlers in this township where Etowah is now located.
Frank Jackson settled in Etowah where the Ed Wildy family lives. Marine Jackson, brother of Frank, was first postmaster of Etowah. Henry Smith ran the first store in Etowah. Lamb ran the second store and also was a schoolteacher.
When the Etowah post office was first set up, David and Lamb moved into a new building which was built by Walter Morrell. Major Ray built the first store of any size in Etowah. It was managed by H.J. Meadows. The next store built was Davidson and Mattox. The next was built by Frank Davis and was run by the name of David and Wortham. The next store built was Wilmoth and Luster.
Wilmoth bought out and ran the store under the name of R.H. Wilmoth. Next in business was J.T. Davidson who bought Marcoms Brothers. J.T. closed out his store and later O.W. Girdley open up tin the Davis building and ran a few years and closed out. J.E. Wright put in a stock of goods in Girdley's building. In 1926, S.W. Luster added a little grocery line to his post office.
In 1930, Mrs. Linnie opened a store in Maxwell Barbershop and later moved in Wright's building. The first barber shop in Etowah was run by Mr. Maxwell. Walter Metheny and Carl Heard built a store and after a while Metheny bought Heard out.
K.B. Campbell built a cafe and ran a while and closed out. Wilmoth built a brick store where the old one stood. The Etowah people built a gin and ran it under the name of "Etowah Gin Company."
J.C. Baker put in a poolroom and cafe. In 1935, Baker sold out to Fremont Smith and Baker and Metheny built a poolroom and cafe.
In 1932, Basil Heard put in a sawmill, moving one from the outskirts of town and later his son Carl took it over.
In 1935 the people ran a high line to Etowah, also in that year R.H. Wilmoth built a dance hall and theater.
Carolyn Wallace of the Osceola Times writes in her column: Etowah was first Jackson's Port or Jackson's Island. In its hey-day Etowah boasted a store, gin, pool hall and a school. It started out with logging operation and later as just a farming community.
My father worked as a bookkeeper for the Wilmoth Store during the depression. On Sunday nights he would obtain a picture show film and it would be shown at the gin or store. Everyone who could, paid ten cents to see the movie, regardless of what entertainment existed in Etowah, so everyone came.
After the film was over, usually a dance was held, and if you didn't have a partner you danced with your son, daughter, or even children danced together. It was a good time to be alive and enjoy life in a village like Etowah.
PS. The Major Ray mentioned was a midget.
Osceola Times

GARDEN POINT
METHODIST CHURCH
Dr. Eldon Fairley and other previous writers; Camilla Clay Koch, Sarah Hill Smith, and others.
This is a story of a group of stalwart Christians, who keep the light of Christian love and hope shining in a rural area through fifty-nine years, from the difficult, but simple days of the mid-1930's to the more complicated, computerized days of the 1990's. Garden Point United Methodist
Church served its members, the community, Mississippi County, and their Lord faithfully and well. Prior to its organization, most people attend church in Lepanto-quite a trip in the days of dirt roads, poor drainage and with mule-drawn wagons or T-Models Ford as transportation.
The Lord works in mysterious ways, and he did so in the organizing and building of the Garden Point United Methodist Church. As the area in western Mississippi County around Little River and Etowah developed in the 1920's and thirties, there were no churches in the area, and a death was the stimulus that brought life to this little church.
The youngest daughter of the thirteen-member Shelton family died of blood poisoning in 1933. Due to the lack of church facilities in the area, the funeral was held in the West Ridge schoolhouse on a cold, rainy March day. The bridge in front of the school collapsed as the funeral procession traveled to the Garden Point Cemetery. This tragic series of events caused this family to initiate the movement for a church in the area that could serve as a house of worship as well as a funeral chapel.
Months passed with little progress. Then, in early 1934, a Methodist Minister, Sam B. Wiggins (from the Jonesboro district,) held a revival in the community. From a large tent pitched near the Garden Point Cemetery and close to the future location of the church, Brother Wiggins preached good, inspiring and stimulating sermons. His messages and his visitations with people on a one to one basis rekindled the spark initiated by the Shelton family. During the revival he stayed in the home of Frances Clay and her mother, Mrs. Cleora Shelton Chrismond.
There had been one previous attempt to organize a church in the area. A Baptist, a Brother Wimpy, failed due to lack of interest in 1930. A foundation and cornerstone had been laid. (This was moved about one-half mile to become the foundation of Garden Point United Methodist Church.)
The church received the deed to the land from W.B. Chapman, President of Chapman and Dewey Land Company, in 1935. It was dated April 10, 1935, but
was not filed until Sept 2, 1935.
The charter members worked hard and diligently to build, organize and get the small church on a firm foundation, both physically and spiritually.
Financial contributions were small and hard to come by in the Great Depression years of the mid-1930's. Even donations of time and labor were hard since folks were busy trying to make a living in those difficult days; but with strong faith and lots of determination, the building was finished in 1935. Carl Heard was the head carpenter. Along with Mr. Heard, other known chapter members included the following: Georgia Heard, Cleora Chrismond, Frances Dodd Clay, Molly Meadows, Juanita Meadows, J.A. Chrismond, and Hannah Rogers.
Once the building was completed, other essentials were slowly added through hard work and donations. The members picked cotton for Herbert Gurley to pay for the curtains. Mr. A. C. Spellings donated the runner, and Mr. and Mrs Lloyd Shelton donated the pulpit. The kneeling rail was a gift from the Woodard children. Finally, pews were purchased at a cost of $663.75 from a lumber company in Little Rock in 1948. These replaced the original rough, hewed benches.
Through the years, the little church grew in members and influence. It became an integral part of community life, not only for regular worship services and revivals, but also for wedding, funerals and community gatherings.
Garden Point United Methodist Church merged with Riverside Methodist in 1966, some thirty-two years after its organization. Riverside Church stood
one-half mile east of present day Little River Church of Christ on property owned by Noble and Debbie Dixon, parents of Ella Mae Dixon Poag. Reverend P.E. Ramsey established it as a result of a revival during the late 1920's. The building, constructed by men in the community, was built of rough lumber. Sunday school was held each Sunday, but worship services were held only when visiting preachers were available. The church building was destroyed by a storm and rebuilt at the same site in 1935. A parsonage was added in 1946; however, as farming became more mechanized and the resulting decrease in population, the members decided they could no longer stand alone. The decision to merge with Garden Point was made by the Conference. The Riverside building was moved and joined to rear of the Garden Point United Methodist Church to become a fellowship hall. The parsonage and land were sold.
In 1984, Garden Point celebrated its fiftieth year of existence and the ministers were listed. More recently, it shared a minister with Lepanto-with Garden Point have an early service. But alas, the declining rural population and decreasing member-ship as younger members left the area to seek their fortunes in larger, metropolitan places, affected Garden Point. It closed its doors in June, 1993, and its members transferred to congregations in Lepanto, Keiser, and Osceola. Norman Clay purchased the building and moved it to his home just down the road. He also designed the attractive monument placed on the site by the congregation commemorating Garden Point's existence from 1934-1993. The land was deed to the Garden Point Cemetery.
Although Garden Point United Methodist Church no longer exists and the building has been moved-the spirit, the determination , and the faith kindled in the mid-1930's and retained for fifty-nine years, lives on in the lives of the many people it influenced. Mere mention of the church to former members (as this writer has done) brings on celestial brightness and joy to their countenance. This small congregation of loyal and faithful, everyday Americans accomplished much good for the Kingdom. God bless them!
Dr. Eldon Fairley and other previous writers; Camilla Clay Koch, Sarah Hill Smith, and others.
Delta Historical Review 1996

HISTORY OF
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY
By Mabel Edrington copyright 1960
Once in a swap area in west Mississippi County was situated this small hamlet, but the Pioneer spirit of courageous men who, to begin the redemption of this productive land knew the hard work of driving log teams of four and six oxen to heavy wagons with boxed wheels to slide through the deep mud road in the 1890’s when the acres were covered with a fortune in virgin timber which hardy souls slowly but surely marketed and began cleaning up the cutover acres getting into shape to become some the finest agricultural land in the State of Arkansas.
These families who now operate some of these farms are the E.S. Wildys and sons, Earl, Charles, Wilbur and (Leroy deceased). They came from the fine farming section of Belleville, Ill, and I must put this little story in was told me by Vance Cartwright of the Cartwright Hardware Co. years ago. Vance had gotten some base burner coal stoves in, and Mr E. S. Wildy came in and Vance said “Mr Wildy let me sell you one of our new Base burner stoves.” Mr Wildy was hesitant but Vance kept up his sales talk and finally Mr Wildy said “Well I just can’t use it, because we have furnace heat in our home.” An example of German thrift and family comfort in those early days.
Another family of note at Etowah is Robert H Wilmoth who came here in 1897 and state driving an ox team in the logging business. Here at Etowah he acquired 488 acres where he has lived for half a century.
In 1912 he opened a Commissary where he served Loggers and today that small beginning has turned into a modern brick building with modern merchandise to supply the surrounding farmer., he also operates a Gin here.
He married Miss Myrtle Harrison and they have nine children to carry on in the same manner of useful patriotism as their parents.

THE GARDEN POINT MONUMENT Engraving
On this site in 1934, Garden Point United Methodist Church was founded. Sam Wiggins, a Methodist preached from the Jonesboro District held a tent revival here and from that revival evolved the Garden Point Church on Sept 2, 1935. Land was deeded to the church members from Chapman and Dewey Land Co. for the construction of a church, financed by early church members of the community. A white frame church was erected and completed in 1935.
The small church grew and became a landmark for Mississippi County, holding church services, revivals, weddings, funerals and community gatherings.
In 1966, Garden Point and Riverside Methodist, which was established in the late 1920's merged and became one congregation. Garden Point continued to serve its community until June of 1993, when it became necessary for the small rural congregation to close the doors of the church for the last time. The buildings were sold and the land donated to the Garden Point Cemetery Association. May this land continue to serve God's people?

ETOWAH NEWS
Subject: Etowah Injun and other writers 1907 +
Retyped by Shirley Brackett

Osceola Times Thursday Jan 17, 1907
W.H. Davidson saw and gristmill is in operation this week and was the scene of a serious accident the first of the week when J.H. Duncan got one hand badly mangled. His misfortune is regretted very much as he was a good, sober and trusted employee in the sawmill.
Too warm for hog killing time this winter but some of the fortunate got either a squirrel, duck, possum, several got a turkey or a deer once in a while.
The old yule log here in Jackson's Island is still smoldering with occasional flashes.
Some sickness here on the Island but none expected to terminate fatally. Much rain and mud keeps the farmers and planters out of the field and the ungathered corn and cotton badly damaged and much of the crop still out.
The Farmers Education and Cooperative Union of America is gathering the people in and it is hoped they will be able to better themselves in many ways before another crop is made. We are glad to see the farmers banding together for their own protection and betterment for we think it will be good for our land.
Now that the holidays are over we should hear from your corp of bright correspondents regularly.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday March 21, 1907
ETOWAH NEW S
Spring seems to be here again and looks as if the farmer could be ready for a new crop.
Some peach and pear trees are still alive but rather scattering.
Health is generally good on the island. Cole Jackson has not recovered and Mrs. Macy Wells is complaining some.
Some timber is moving off down Little River now.
Steamboats are still running Little River bringing supplies for the farmer and boating out their cotton.
Dr. Lunsford is moving his office from Little River to Jackson Island. H.J. Meadows is renewing his stock of goods again now.
Mr. John Buck, Ol Bigham, John Davidson, and J.H. Duncan have just returned from Marked Tree.
News is exceedingly scarce just now.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times
ETOWAH NEWS April 4, 1907
We are mourning the death of another old citizen M.T. Parker, known as "Uncle Milt", who died Monday March 25, 1907. He attained the venerable old age of 3 score and ten: 73 years old. He lived a long, honorable and useful life for one of the chances. He had been Postmaster of Athelstan for a number of years, always honest, accommodating, pleasant and sociable. Uncle Milt was buried in Frazier graveyard Tues, March 26 1907.
Thus another old soldier of the civil war who fought for the Union of the States has passed on the answer to the last roll call, and so the world of mankind must go.
The long spring drought was broken Tuesday morning when a light rain began to fall. Vegetation is very far advanced for this time of year here. Many beautiful flowers are in full bloom.
Farmers in general and the organized in particular have gone to work getting ready for the new crop: hay, cotton, potatoes and many gardens stuff.
We have our usual good health here on Jackson Island and with Dr. Cumming on guard at the north end and Dr. Lunsford on the south end we’re still better.
Easter almost frozen us out.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday May 3, 1907
ETOWAH NEWS
H.J Meadows is a Union farmer and more than up to date. He is planted already. Help is scarce here this spring but Johnny Davidson and H.J. Meadows have secured a couple of hands each and A.M. Smith has one.
Miss Bertha Monroe enjoyed her 13th birthday will her Grandmother McAllister’s' on Sunday. Misses Esther Finch, Mary Cumming and Maud Dunkin were among the visitors to Etowah the first of the week.
You "measly little burg" over on the Mississippi River ought to have our good doctors over there on guard and you not would have measles. Our doctors would settle them for you before they swarmed.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday May 9 1907
ETOWAH NEWS
Weather fine again. The 6 weeks delay in farming which had discouraged farmers generally and rents especially seem to be broken off
now and everybody going to work with a vim.
Plenty of time yet brother farmers, for a corn crop but a little late for the cotton.
Etowah folks can almost hear wedding bells ringing in the distance.
Capt Davidson's sawmill slowed down for a short while the boys gathered in a mess of fine fish now and then also a mess of spring chickens of the featherless variety. We don't call them so neither would the young squirrels.
School election last Saturday was purely a business affair. W.R. Jennings is to be the new director in District 30 for the next 3 years.
Nature is all smiles again and a sight to see the fields are clean as can be and the orchards and forests are bountiful green. Come up Osceola's and take an outing at the famous fishing waters of west Mississippi County.
God be with you till we meet again.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday June 13, 1907
ETOWAH NEWS
Farmers at work now with renewed hope and greater energy for this is the finest of June weather.
Mulberries and peach fruit is in some evidence and garden stuff and new potatoes plentiful.
Farmer’s Educational and Co-operative Union of America still on the increase, in fact we look for better things in the near future, according to that good writer Newell Dwight Hilliss, in the New York World, "Honesty is now Becoming a Contagion." I liked the article so much that I send it to the Times for publication, believing it will do good.

HONESTY IS NOW BEING A CONTAGION
Text - Hosea 1 1: "In the last days I will pour out my spirit upon all men (flesh). "
"The geologist tells us that the White Mountains were the first peaks to emerge from the sea: then little by little, the whole continent appeared, rising above the hot waters of either ocean. That was a great moment when Mount Washington first cleared itself of water, steam and sand and stood, crowned with sunlight, the fore-runner of a new continent."
"But more wonderful still the sudden entrance of conscience and ethics into the sorrowful life of the republic. For years, doubtless, the preparatory processes have been going on, but the ethical movement has published itself only in the last few weeks and months. Today the railroads are posting their rates and withdrawing secret rates. Alarmed politicians no longer hawk franchises in the lobbies of the city hall.
Recently a wholesale house has raised the price for a certain food product. The reason given is that each pound package contained fifteen ounces in return for a pound purchased. The merchant says that the saving of that ounce always paid for the pasteboard boxes and the packing. Now that his firm has become honest, he has confessed that for years his firm has stolen one sixteenth of the goods from the people who bought them. Henceforth
who can say that religion is not worth its weight in good and coffee and rice and sugar? It seems that the appearance of conscience in trade has wrought out the Pure Food bill, and that henceforth the food that are adulterated will be marked adulterated, and food that are pure will be marked pure."
"Even more wonderful is the influence of conscience in politics. The time was when the world of politics was a wide waste, a Salton Sea. Now an occasional peak of honesty is emerging there from. The peaks seem solitary and separated, the occasional names being as distant from each other as the star named Sirius and our sun. Nevertheless conscience has appeared."
"In Springfield Ill., a merchant from a certain city wished a certain bill put through the legislature. On the surface the bill looked all right, representing the interests of the people; secretly it was in the interest of the merchant, who had sent his paid lobbyists to the State Capitol. Probably the legislators did not know what was involved, but the leaders reported the bill favorably. On hearing of this good fortune, the merchant prepared to take the midnight train for Chicago but in the late
afternoon he decided to drive out and visit Lincoln's tomb. Stopping his carriage he walked slowly about the monument. When the shadows of night fell he found himself looking at the face of Lincoln, with his face toward the State House and his hand holding a scroll. At length, in the darkness the merchant returned to his hotel. Giving up his berth on the sleeper, he spent the night in the capital but all night long he tossed upon his bed.
When the day dawned he sent for his representative and told him to withdraw the bill. When this attorney expostulated, saying the bill would pass, since the work was all done, the merchant insisted. Crowded for his reason, he drove his attorney to the park and cemetery and there in front of the Lincoln monument he make the driver stop p and looking up, he said to the lobbyist: "I cannot do so mean a thing with Lincoln looking toward the State House and watching me."
"Being dead, the martyred President lived and spoke eloquently pleading for justice and honesty. And in every city and state capitol honest men are appearing. Every day witnesses a political uprising in some city. With whips and scourges the public conscience is driving the moneychangers out of the city councils. The time is near at hand when the City Council shall be as honorable and distinguished a body as the Chamber of Commerce. And this is a new note in the political world."
"More striking still is the ethical note in the realm of public morals. England can no longer say that the multi-millionaire can do anything he wants to America. If any European reads the American press the last week he will discover that so far from the from the people living
in awe of the multi-millionaire who outrages the laws of decency and good morals, he will close the papers with the idea that the store mentioned Croesus has had all the sewers in the forty city empties upon his diamonded, talkative and mush-be-throttled neck."
"That cell also in the prison with its inmates warms all youth that legal ability, all the influence of friend and money avail nothing to keep a successful lawyer who has perjured himself and helped general crime, from going to his---------- former lies, vices and sins. In prison if a
youth wants position and preferment he must plead the cause of the poor.
In literature and fiction if the novelist wants to succeed he must portray the triumph of honor and the defeat of shame and humbug. If a magistrate want to increase its circulation, it takes up some cases and becomes a voice for the public conscience. On every side are young men of ability and large mental requirements who have tried to get on by adopting the low ethical ideals of the policies of the old schools, with the result that these ambitious young men are now utterly discredited and without any hope of future preferment."
Honesty is becoming contagious. It is a suspicious hour for our people. It is the golden age for which the fathers longed. And this new note of conscience in public life prophesies a pure era of happiness and progress for the people of the Republic.

It may be a case of hope again hopes but we wish it were true.
We are all in our usual good health and this is the most and best news of the day.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday July 4, 1907
ETOWAH NEWS
Saturday was big day at Etowah on account of the Farmer Picnic Dinner. A most excellent time was enjoyed by all who could come. There was plenty of good things to eat, good music and good speaking by Messer's Speaks and Strom, who gave us some good wholesome advice and revived and encouraged us much.
The crowd was somewhat scattered and confused but sober and well behaved.
The ball game was no small point of the amusement.
Boat rides were also enjoyed.
Many came from Athelstan were with us and down the river as far as Lepanto.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Aug 1, 1907
ETOWAH NEWS
The nice little showers came to favor us in the back swamps. We are also favored with streaks and stops of sunshine so that the farmers can cultivate their young crops.
Another nice little wedding to report form Etowah. This time Mr. G.W. Ward and Mrs. Ida B Suttle were made man and wife by Esq. G.W. Scudamore.
Just a sprinkle of sickness now, mostly children and young men who have worked through the dewy mornings and the heat of the day in the big corn.
Mrs. Ellen Smith and Mrs. Elmira Jackson who have been sick are much improved.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Aug 1, 1907
ETOWAH NEWS
A little shower that relieved growing crops much fell the first part of the week. Corn was getting very dry.
On account of much sickness our little doctors have been kept pretty busy for two or more weeks but no mortalities as yet to report.
If Etowah Injuns will pitch their ears in the right direction now they may be able to hear those wedding bells coming again. When the right old boys get so polite and handy among the pretty sweet girls, there is some expectation among the curious of a match soon.
Road work going right on in the nearby roads. Wish they would make all the roads good.
Can't some one tell us about what books we are to have here in District 36 and where they are to be obtained and the cost etc.
The fine blackberry crop is about gone and the little peach crop is going.
Miss Mary Miller visits Miss Esther Finch once in a while and sometimes twice in a while.
Rain the first of the week damaged some of the hay in the fields. Potatoes very poor stand this season. Roasting ears appearing in the fields.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Oct 3, 1907
ETOWAH NEWS
Little Ruby, daughter of W. R. and Kate Jennings is dead. Again the flower of the family was taken. A lovely little girl, indeed! Died Tuesday, Sept 17, 1907 and was buried the 18th at Garden Point Cemetery. The sorrowing family have the sympathy of all.
Warm days and cool nights bring on chills and billous troubles.
Corn is doing no more good now. Cotton, though, seems to be maturing.
The ordinance of baptism was administered to one person last Sunday by a Deacon of the General Baptist Church.
The new woman arrived a H. J. and Mollie Meadows Saturday afternoon the 21st. She weighed 11 lbs and is fully up to expectation. Another addition to our population is a little 7 lb daughter at the home of Cole Jackson born Sunday.
Etowah Injun

Osceola Times Thursday Nov. 26 1908
ETOWAH NEWS
Squire Scotts court at Athelstan was crowded Saturday on account of a replevin suit between Ike Smith, plaintiff and G.H. Scudamore, defendant.
The dispute was on account of a little cow and calf. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff.
Winter is close at hand judging from the many weddings. Perhaps they may also indicate a very cold winter and a hard year.
The fish camps are sending fine fish to Osceola. Wish we had good buffalo or catfish.
Cotton picking most froze out.
Mr. John Buck of Etowah and John Killion of Missouri are about to get into trouble about the farm rent and improvements that was to have been made on the farm. We are very sorry of this for farmers are no good in litigation.
Squire Gill has resigned justice-ship and Mr. F. M. Jackson is about to get the appointment.
The stores around Etowah are crowded now on Saturdays while cotton picking and timberwork goes on, but both jobs are weakening and high tariffs and Wall street prosperity seem to be the cause.
Capt. Davidson has put his saw and gristmill in fine shape and is doing a first class work and lots of it. A. C. Jackson of Etowah and Mrs. Ellen Parker of Athelstan are about dispute about a cow.
The new schoolhouse No. 2 will soon be complete and Professor Crumerion of Sharp County is ready to begin school.

Osceola Times Thursday April 15, 1909
ETOWAH LOCALS
We are having some cool weather now and farming and gardening are slow.
Rafting is the general employment and keeps towboats dragging the rafts out of Old River.
J.C. Jackson started for Osceola today to pay taxes. Guess he found plenty of water along the way.
Health is very good at present, our little doctor is getting some rest.
Mrs. Lessie Davidson and Mrs Lillie Smith visited Mrs Davidson's mother last week.
Miss Rosa Butler was visiting Miss Rosa Watkins Sunday and their best fellows came calling in the evening.
J.H. Woodruff of Athelstan was over to see Mrs. Lister Jackson Sunday. Mrs. Duncan was visiting Mrs Jackson Sunday evening.
Mr. Davidson is a good sawmill man, he averages sawing once a week and that is Saturday. I guess when Dr Cummings gets back he will give him a dose of move around medicine.
Mr. Will Jennings and Mr. Smith have traded farms. Mr Jennings gave him 40 acres and $700 for 80 acres of Smith home farm.
Old Uncle Joe has left his wife again, he will be back about the time the crops are done for he won't work, his wife and children make the living.
The steamer Dauntless came up the river today. We understand Frank Davis of Athelstan has bought half interest in it. Guess he means business. G.W. Scudamore is pulling his timber in the chute, guess he will start with it to Madison in a few days. If this misses the wastebasket, will write some again.
Etowah Hobo

Osceola Times Thursday April 23, 1909
ETOWAH NEWS
We are having some unseasonably cold weather but our crops are not far enough advanced to be harmed. Nearly all the cotton is planted and the corn ground is ready to plant.
Mr. Nelts Woodruff of Athelstan married Mrs. Lister Jackson of Etowah. They were married at Mrs. Woodruffs. Our Post Office is a money order office now. The Dauntless has about quit running now on account of the moss.
All the news for this time.
More A Non

Etowah News Sept 29 1910
The Davison Mattox Mill and Gin Co have the big 80-horse engine and boiler in place and expect to start again very soon. They shut down a month ago to take out the old machinery for shaving and shingles etc. to put in a big new gin. Get your cotton ready boys, for they will soon be ready for your cotton as well as your lumber.
Much sickness and some deaths have occurred in our neighborhood during the past few weeks.
Cotton seems to be fairly good but we are not picking yet. Timberwork however is starting out lively.
Good Scribe

Etowah Nov 17 1910
Farmer RH Wilmoth raises pumpkins, big ones and lots of them but Squire JNH Woodruff has pumpkins that weigh 30 to 70 lbs and some 500-lb to a vine.
Farmer BF Nance is one of the sooners. He was the first to bring a bale of cotton to the big new Gullet gin. Mr Nance also has curiosity in the way sweet potato bloom. We have never heard anyone say and have no information on the subject.
Cotton is rolling in a constant stream this fine weather.
People are moving in and out this autumn.
Slow Jim

Etowah News Jul 6 1911
The gentle rains last week revived all vegetable and all fortunes as well, but the farmers will have to get busy if they keep their crops in the present fine condition for grass and weeks are growing as well are the corn and cotton.
Farmers BF Nance is claiming first in your persimmons or cotton this season. He was the first to gin last year and the first to report blooms this year. His cotton under the management of Mr John Brass blooming the 18th day of June.
Mrs Mattox seems to be getting along fine with her post office and store. Luster and Co. are at work on their building for a drug store and barbershop.
The Davis Wortham Co is filling up with new good and grocery is starting business in fine shape. So you see business is picking up in Etowah.
Farmer Meadows is ahead on field corn, silks being evidence the middle of June,
Some Sickness six month old baby is very sick.
Mr. and Mrs John Davidson newborn daughter is doing fine.
Mrs June Grimes and daughter Rosette are off for Indiana for two summer months.
Yours,
More Inconstant.

Etowah News June 13 1912
The winter was severe and overflows bad at Etowah, but she is sailing right through it all gay and cheerful.
Farmers are generally a little behind with their crops.
Dr I Cumings is improving his front yard and gate and other ornaments and Dr. Lunsford has laid off his coat and going to farming suburban
lands. Corn will be almost 15 cents and pea hay not at all.
Farmers are getting a very poor stand of cotton. Some already plowing it up and planting corn.
Floods and storms, wars and earthquakes seem to be coming upon the world thick and fast.
JA Scudamore was in Illinois living this cold winter and he has suffered from rheumatism ever his return.
Our stores in Etowah all report dull times. Well, we may expect money to be slow till cotton picking and timberwork start.
Many cattle and hogs have died out in the swamps during the past few months with nothing to feed on.
Reporter

Etowah News July 11, 1912
Pete Shultz, a leading citizen of Little River township near Athelstan about 12 miles west of Osceola was shot and instantly killed by Pete McAllister, a neighbor while at a dance on Jackson's Island the night of the 4th.
The cause of the trouble is unknown, both men were drinking, and while Shultz was talking to one of the women, McAllister came up and shot him, killing him instantly.
Mr. Shultz was a useful man in this community and his death is generally regretted. He leaves a wife and several children.

Etowah News July 25, 1912
Mrs L. Mattox, the postmistress of Etowah, Mississippi County, and her husband, her deputy were charged with embezzlement and were brought under arrest today by Dep US Marshall ED Bennett. It is charged that postmistress and deputy the defendant misappropriated about $1000 from the money order deposits.
The defendant denied the charge and claimed that $1100 of the alleged claim was stolen when the store was broken into. It is also claimed that part
of the money has been refunded to the government.
The defendants were taken before Minor Markle, Commissioner, for a preliminary hearing but the case was continued. The defendants are out under bond
for their appearance in court.

Notice August 20 1912
Notice is hereby given that the partnership of Davidson and Maddox of Etowah has been dissolved and I will not be responsible for the debts and obligations of the firm or G.L. Mattox, a former member of the firm at this day and date. Aug 20 1912.
WH Davidson.

Athelstan Sept 20, 1912
Mrs Nola Vaughn is reported very sick at this writing.
Miss Bertha Colwell was visiting at Mrs Fraiser on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Strawn was a visitor at this place on Sunday.
Mrs Frank Hatcher and daughter Miss Erma had Mrs Ross Smith as their visitor on Sunday.
"Joe"

Athelstan Sept 27, 1912
Mrs Adam Smith and Miss Mary Caree were here Wednesday evening.
JP Richardson and Mrs Nettee Rider are holding a revival meeting at this place and much interest has been shown.
JR Davis Jr spent Saturday night with his uncle GC Frashier . Mrs Etta Davis, Mary Moore, and Bertha Colwell spent Saturday afternoon with Mrs
Frashier.
Mrs Lizze Davis and daughter Marion were guests of JT Davis on Sunday.

Etowah News February 7 1913
Jerry Butler at Athelstan shot J Frank Davis to death on Tuesday.
Davis for a number of years has been a leading citizen and businessman in the community, was married and the father of 3 children. Last summer he left home with Butler's wife going to some point into Missouri. Tiring of his relationship with the women, he deserted the woman and came back to his family. It was said that some boastful remark made by Davis in regard to the matter was reported to Butler, who met his man and gave him the contents of his gun, five shots entered the body.
There were no eyewitnesses. Davis was examined and a pistol was found on his person.
Butler was arrested and placed in jail to await action of the grand jury.

Osceola Times April 1 1913
Etowah News
Mattix and Davidson of Etowah Township in Mississippi County were declared bankrupt before referee Horace Sloan. Their liabilities are listed as $10000 with assets of $5000. The firm conducted a sawmill business. Mr Mattix, the senior member is the husband of postmistress of Etowah who was recently acquitted after the sensational trial in the federal court of embezzling post office funds.

Osceola Times June 7 1913
ETOWAH LOCALS
A crowd from Etowah attended the ball game at Athelstan Sunday evening.
Mr. Stran has been employed to teach the school here. We wish him much success.
Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Meadows, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Meadows and Mr. and Mrs. John Nobles visited at Mr. Wells last Sunday.
Dances are all the go now. A crowd from here attended a dance at Athelstan a few evening ago.
Jesse Lambert and Orah Nobles were calling upon friends Sunday evening.
Mrs. Ollie Smith visited Dr. J. H. Lunsford family the last of the week.
Our poet master Mr. W. S. Luster killed a large snake in the post office one day last week. He did not know what kind of snake it was.
Mrs. Snipes is visiting at H. J. Meadows.
Mr. and Mrs. Barney Walker visited at Mr. Frank Rickers and attended the ball game at Athelstan.
We are needing rain here badly the gardens are beginning to burn up. Miss’s Myrtle and Ethel Faulkner visited at Mr Ottie Girdley last week.
News is scare.
Monica

Osceola Times July 11, 1913
ETOWAH LOCALS
A good rain has fallen here and crops are looking fine.
Ottie Girdley has gone to Missouri on a visit.
Lost, strayed or stolen, a small chew of gun, about the size of a goose egg. Finder will please return the same to Fred S and receive reward.
Miss Gladys Spikes is sick at the home of Mrs John Roberts. Mrs Spikes went out to visit her on Saturday.
S. W. Luster was calling on friends in Athelstan, Friday.
Mr. and Mrs D. Wilkerson of Athelstan spend the Fourth at Etowah with friend and enjoyed the good things to eat and drink.
Mr. and Mrs Chas, Woodruff and Mrs. Ida Woodruff, went to Osceola Sunday to be there for court and to do some shopping.
Miss Pearl Smith of Manila is visiting relatives and friends here.
Truman Neal came back Saturday from Hornersville, MO and reported a fine time.
Monica.

Osceola Times Aug 7 Year 1914
We had a shower about a week ago, the first we have had since early in May. Cotton is fine and corn fairly good except tin spots on the old sandy land.
This is the county and this is the place to make a living with farming.
Mr J. B. Buck has just finished baling his crop of fine timothy and clover hay. About 400 bales cut already and another light cutting due.
This is a good year to have plenty of good hay and cotton on the farm, for money and milk and butter will be scare in many localities, also beef and vegetables, but the pumpkin crop is fine.
If we have any fruit at all we will have to work pumpkins up into apple butter, mighty good enough.
A few cotton boles are open.
Health is good here now, one doctor moved to the country and one to Lepanto and one gave up his job and went into the time business.
The buzzing, sitting auto would be very common here if we roads they could run on.
This is the seventh of August, very dry this morning but we look for rain today. All our local weather prophets are agreed that it will rain today as it has rained every 7th of August for the past thousand years.
A good time it seems to us now for people from east and west who are burnt out and people north who are froze out, to come to genial Arkansas.
Farmers are done plowing here and there is not much to do except to work on the roads.

Athelstan
Mr Charley Riley and Mr Ben Brady of Cannelton, Ind are visiting near Athelstan this week.
The Steel Bridge on the Osceola and Little River Road will soon be completed.
Mr ON Reed, Campbell, MO is visiting relatives and friends here.
Mr VA Moore of Blytheville, has moved to Athelstan.
Mrs DB Rider of this place was called to Jonesboro, on account of the serious illness of her father, Dr W.W. Primm.
Crops are looking fine. Sewing turnips is the business of the day.
Mr Charles Woodruff and family visited Mr JM Staples last week.

Osceola Times Nov 7 1913
Athelstan
JNH Woodruff, the real estate man of Athelstan, was in town the first of the week. He says the farmers are gathering their crops rapidly and that quite a lot of cotton is being hauled to Osceola to market. And much more would be brought if the bridge across the canal at the upper road hadn’t been torn away by dredge men who had to get their boat past and it has not been replaced. This is to be regretted, just at this season when roads are expected to get bad soon. If possible, some sort of bridge should be built at once, it will be too long to wait for the steel bridge which is part of the drainage contract and contemplated improvement. Mr. Woodruff was in town to hear the preliminary trial of his neighbor Tom Hendrix
before Justice Bowen.

Osceola Times Aug 7 1914
Crops are looking fine in this locality considering dry weather, especially the cotton.
MJW Walkers started a 10 day singing school here with quite a number of pupils.
The protracted meeting closed Sunday night with several souls saved.
M Moore, a Holiness preacher from Blytheville is down here looking for a location.
Mrs. AE Scott of this place is quite ill with typhoid fever.
Mr Daniel Rider returned home from a visit to his old home in Iowa a few days ago and reported everything dry and well there.
Mr Ollie Whitson made a business trip to Osceola with his sister, Mrs Dollie Vadem, formerly of Osceola.
A few days work will complete the bridge on the upper road and the distance to Osceola will be much shorter than the way we how travel.
Frank Rickets and his wife made a business trip to Lepanto last week.
We are expecting to hear wedding bells in this vicinity by all appearance.
Dr. WW Primm and wife of Jonesboro were visiting their daughter Mrs DB Rider last week.
Miss Fannie D Strawn, school teacher of Etowah was visiting friends here in Athelstan on Saturday and Sunday.
They are doing quite a lot of work on our county road, which we hope will not get impassable in the future.
The general talk nowadays in this locality is the road known as the Little River Road.
Mr C Frashier was seen riding in his buggy on Tuesday, you know it means something.

Osceola Times Aug 14 1914
Athelstan
Mr. Charley Riley and Mr Ben Brady of Cannelton, Ind are visiting near Athelstan this week.
The Steel Bridge on the Osceola and Little River Road will soon be completed.
Mr O.N. Reed, Campbell, Mo is visiting relatives and friends, near Athelstan.
Mr. V. A. Moore of Blytheville, has moved to Athelstan.
Mrs. D. B. Rider of this place was called to Jonesboro, on account of her father, Dr. W.W. Primm.
Crops are looking fine in this locality, from recent rain. Sowing turnips is the business of the day.
Mr. T. J. Sharp, who has been suffering from typhoid fever is improving very slowly.
Mr Chas. Woodruff and family visited Mr J. M Staples, last week.
Mr. Sam Frashier, of Athelstan, made a business trip to Lepanto last week.
Mr. A. C. Chambers of Etowah was in Lepanto, Saturday purchasing wire to build a new fence.
Mr. John Harmon has moved to section 18 to look after the logging interests of Mr A. B. Woverton of Jonesboro.
Mr. John B Stokes make a business trip to Manila, last week.
Mr. Al West of Etowah was in Lepanto last Friday on business.
The dance at Mr. Gus Smith's Jr. last Friday night was well attended.
Mr T. J. Hendrix, one of our prosperous farmers is very busy in the timber business.

Athelstan Aug 21 1914
We have had some fine showers this week.
School will begin next Monday, our schoolhouse looks fine since it has been repaired and has a new coat of paint. George Scudamore, wife and children have returned from TN where they were visiting.
Mrs Rosa York has returned to her home in Truman. She has been here visiting friends and relatives.
Our friend Will Jenkins is in our town shaking hands with his many friends.
Our enterprising mill crew works on just as if their were no war in Europe.
Mr JD Buck has his teams hauling logs.
Dr Marsus has located here. Frank Rickett and wife and son were in Athelstan on Tuesday.
Frank Hatcher and George Workman took a carload of cattle to St Louis last week.
Mrs Rosa West and John Clevenger are on the sick list.
Sam Griffin started for MO on Tuesday am. We suspect he left someone with a heavy heart, however girls he will soon be home again.
Gay Girl

Athelstan Aug 28 1914
Still hot and dry but some appearance of rain.
Health very good.
T.J. Hendricks made a business trip to Lepanto Thursday.
W. T. Shoemaker made a trip to Osceola the first of the week to purchase material to build a swelling house.
The school at this place is making quite of lot of preparation for the school exhibition on the 28th of August.
Mr. J. T. Sharp of this place and Mrs Dollie Vaiden of Osceola were united in marriage by Auire Titman.
Mr Saratte's mules ran away a few days ago, throwing his wife and two children out of the vehicle, hurting Mrs. Sarattes. We are glad to report that she is improving at this writing,
Mrs. R.C. Kirby fell from the porch injuring her hip badly.
Some few people are picking cotton which is fine consider the seldom but the corn is cut short.
We have people moving in every day. We certainly welcome them and appreciate their coming; it makes us feel like we are in the march of progress.
The dredging work is still going on out here. They think they will have enough water to work the rest of the season.
Mr O.K. Warren of Jonesboro is making preparation to move on his farm here and we are glad to have them come.
Quite a game of ball was played between Athelstan and Etowah; the score was 8 to 9 in favor of Athelstan.
Will ring off as news is scarce.

Osceola Times Sept 4 1914 Athelstan,
Mr. Henry Frashier was seen on the road to Etowah last Sunday afternoon.
Miss Annie May Sisco's school closed last Friday, and she gave an exhibition at which the little members of her school played their parts well.
The present rains have made the turnips crops look very flourishing in this locality.
The schoolhouse near Athelstan will soon receive a coat of paint. The contract was let on the 25th, Mr D. B Rider was the lucky man for the job.
Mrs. R. C. Kirby is improving slowing, one of her limbs was fractured last Monday in a fall.
Miss Jessie Staples, of Caruthersville, MO is spending the week with her sister, Mrs Chas. Woodruff.
Mr. Thomas Vaughn of Tyronza Lake, was visiting friends and relatives near Althanstan this week.
Mr and Mrs. Walter Stevens are going to move near Athelstan.
Mr. O.K. Warren of Jonesboro tells us that he is going to move his farm near Athelstan in the near future.
Mr. W. F. Shoemaker is bringing in the material to erect a new house on the J. H Gill place which now belongs to O. M. Fairly of Osceola. Mr. C. M.
Stokes has rented the farm for a term of four years.
Mr Crews. of Pemiscot County, MO has rented the Slone farm near Athelstan for a term of five years. We are glad to have Mr Crews for a neighbor.
Mr. T. W. Harvey shipped a carload of fine hogs to St Louis last week and is out looking up another load. The scarcity of corn and the stock is causing the people of their neighborhood to sell their hogs.
The stork left two fine boys at Mr. Matt Wright's last Wednesday.
Miss Eddie Davis left Sunday morning for Jonesboro, to attend school.
Miss Annie May Sisco left this morning for a visit to friends in Tennessee.
Mr. B. W. Sisco went to Athelstan to attend the concert given at his sister’s school.
The rainfall Saturday night and Sunday was 1 and 1/4 inches.
Fifty-two people were register to vote in Little River Township as listed in the paper of Sept 11, 1914.

Osceola Times Nov 6, 1914
ETOWAH NEWS
Mr. R. H. Wilmoth and family visited at Mrs. Faulkner's Sunday.
The Guthry girls visited with Miss Marie Faulkner Saturday and Sunday and all reported a good time, eating watermelons and apples and playing.
No Sunday School yet, but day school goes on with increasing interest says Miss Strong, teacher.
Business seems to be picking up a little at the Scudamore's land agency and very much at Squire Lunsford's law office. The Squire don't seem to encourage much law in the neighborhood, but if they will go to law it is sugar and coffee money to him.
While George Scudamore was over in Tennessee visiting, he bought three $15 hound pups, getting ready for the hunting season. George made a good investment as he will soon pay for his hounds. He already has one nickel possum hide on the mount and he trapped one night and burned out ten cents carbide and fifteen cents in shot and shell. Now just how long will it take him to pay for his dogs as this rate? We are not scholar enough to tell, too high to calculate, and we're not good figuring no how.
Miss Esther Finch and her Uncle John Davidson and son visited Mrs Faulkner's on Sunday.
Some sickness this week, Theodore Luster and Mrs. Rose Brannum seem to be the worst cases, we hope they will soon begin to improve.

Osceola Times Nov 13 1914
ETOWAH NEWS
All seems to be taking advantage of the fine Nov weather to gather their cotton crops, corn and pumpkins.
We expect hard times on account of the war, but we have pretty sure local signs of hard times here on Jackson Island. Everyone trying to get married, they all want somebody to help make the living. The boys that are old enough to get married got hitched last week. Now we have another crop of boys coming right on that want to marry very much.
Among this crowd of boys we note: Cole Jackson, Robert Carter, Little Jimmie Scudamore, Mayor Butler and Sam Hooty.
Every house is crowded full of cotton pickers.
We can hardly keep cheerful and good humored with cotton so low and knowing that the politicians
have locked up the people money in the banks to give the cruel speculators a chance to buy farmers products cheap. They will soon be selling products back to us at a fancy price.
Little or no sickness to report.
Mrs Cal Jackson, GW Scudamore, and Barney Walker raised the sweet potatoes this year.
Mr Faulkner raised the pumpkins, chickens and ducks.
Be patient with us good people and we will do better next time.

Osceola Times Nov 27 1914
ETOWAH NEWS
As the smoke has been so bad, we could not see anything to write but will write this week.
JT Hendricks started this am to Osceola with 23 bales of cotton which was raised on his farm near our little town. Hope he gets a good price for it.
WT Shoemaker has been busy hauling cotton this week. He reports that the roads are fine.
MW Williams., formerly of here, had a serious accident as he started back from Dell by jumping from a runaway wagon. His leg was broken and his shoulder thrown out of place.
Miss Maude Lumpkins was visiting Miss Cummings on Sunday.
Mr ER Hendricks is doing quite a picture business these days among the young folks, who are having their beauty struck.
A prosperous young man is in our town and Miss Vonnie Strawn of Etowah, were seen on our streets Sunday.
Business is picking up in our vicinity now especially in cleaning up and burning new ground.
All the sick are now on the mend.
Mr. Charles Vaughn is seen going toward the Sterns quite often quite often these days, wonder what that means?
I will ring off with the best wishes to widows and widowers of Athelstan and Etowah.

Osceola times Dec 7 1917
ETOWAH NEWS
Miss Ruby and Irene Shoemaker and their brother Charles of TN are visiting their father, WF Shoemaker.
Quite a number of young people went kodaking Saturday after on the river and had an enjoyable time.
Miss Ida and Edna Crews entertained several years’ people at their home and all reported an enjoyable time.
The Athelstan school entertainment was quite a success. All seemed to enjoy themselves. The Negro recitation by 2 young men was especially commendable.
Miss Mary Moore and Jeff Davis gave us a surprise by being quietly married in the home of the bride. We wish them great success.
Miss Allie Dills of Keiser has returned home after a short visit with friend in Heber Springs. She will return there for high school next month.
JM Smith and family of Burdette spent a few days with Mr and Mrs WF Shoemaker this past week.
A party of young men went coon hunting Friday night but did not tarry for some wolves were nearby.
Mr and Mrs AN Dills of Keiser were visiting the Shoemaker family on Sunday.

Athelstan 1917
WB Roberts and Miss Bessie Cockell were married at the Methodist church Monday evening by Rev EK Sewell. The young couple was accompanied by two friends and the ceremony was witness by 3 Osceola business that were friends of the groom. Mr Roberts is a sturdy, independent farmer and his bride is a winsome intelligent young lady. Both are well liked in their home community. The Times extends hearty congratulations to them both.

FACTS ABOUT THE LITTLE RIVER ROAD
For the past several weeks we have heard some of the very few arguments offered against the road to Little River and it has occurred to us to try to answer some of them; we will do it now.
The first and most commonly used argument is we can't afford it. We are constantly spending more money for frivolous and worthless things than this road will ever cost us. In the proposed road improvement district, are $25,000 acres of as fine land as can be found anywhere, and the most of it is drained and ready to be placed in cultivation, the balance will be as soon as the present system of drainage is complete which will be within the
next two years, at the least. In the town of Osceola is property worth at least one third as much as this land, or in other words, equal for purposes of taxation to more than 30,000 acres of land. It is figured that the road will cost around $115,000 fully completed. The plan is to issue 20-year bonds, bearing six per cent interest, and thereby raise the money with which to build the road. The estimate of cost of building the road is based upon the figures of competent engineers, who know their business. With 112,000 acres of land for taxation, it is easily seen that the total amount to be raised per acre would be little more than $1.00 per acre to be paid in installments covering 20 years. Whoever owns land that cannot afford a tax of 7 cents per acre for a good road, where he has no road at all ought to sell the land, for it isn't worth the trouble of keeping it. Now 7 cents per acre means $2.80 on 40 acres; last year one man lost more that $300. on the cotton grown on 40 acres of land near Athelstan, merely because he could not, on account of bad roads, bring his cotton to market at Osceola. Our cotton buyers and merchants of course lost something too, because this man no doubt would have sold them to local dealers here in Osceola, often he had sold his cotton to our cotton
buyer. He would, of course have brought his cottonseed to Osceola, if he could have brought the cotton and would have sold them to the local dealers, who could have would have paid him more money and at the same time make a profit for themselves. It is very difficult to enumerate the
various other ways that this transaction would have benefited various other business men of the town, but we dare say that most any ordinary merchant would have been glad to pay this man's road tax, if he had been a regular customer, and yet at the same time would never have charged him as much as his goods are bound to cost him on Little River, under the present road conditions.
One reason we have heard argued is that we are not ready for the road. As a matter of fact, we always had the cart before the horse, for while all the improvements that we have are very desirable and necessary, we could much better have waited for them until we get this road and added this vast trade territory to our town, giving us a larger volume of business from which to pay for them. We have never heard a single argument in support of that statement and the parties who make it usually stop there as thought that settled it. It may be that they think that all this valuable land ought to be in a thorough state of cultivation before we attempt this road. It will be in cultivation much quicker if the road is built, for that will be an inducement for people to go into what is now a wilderness and make homes, for they can then be in easy reach of the open county. It may be that some people are not ready for it, the squirrel hunter who is content to grow a few acres of corn each year, barley enough as we have hear it said "to coax the squirrel within shooting distance so that he will not have to walk so far after it" is not ready for anything that means clearing up and putting this land in cultivation. The cattle men, who so long as this vast country remains a wilderness will not have to feed their cattle but can let them range on other people land and gather enormous profit with practically no outlay of energy or expense is "agin it" and don't you forget it. So also are the crane, the tadpole and the bullfrog, but the people of this country who are willing to see it develop,
and to see more people have homes, to Mississippi County and Osceola develop into what they really ought to be are for it, and they are not going to let anybody forget it either.
The unique protest was made recently by one of our prominent citizens who thought that some poor fellow might lost his home, He didn't care himself, he could pay his taxes, but some man who was poor might not be able to pay it. Again we say that the man who can't raise 7 cents per acre to pay on his land for this road ought to sell the land, for it is of no use to him and the sooner he is rid of it the better his chances for making a living, for if he is trying to farm that land and thinks he is doing it, he not fooling anybody but himself.
Aug 7 1914

ETOWAH SCHOOL DEDICATED Dec 3 1915
Etowah, Athelstan and Hatcher school communities met Friday Dec 3, 1915 to dedicate the new schoolhouse at Etowah. The work done by each school was fine and showed what the teachers are trying to do for the people of Little River. The folks came out in numbers and at the noon hour spread a dinner "fit for a King " in quantities sufficient for a dozen crowds. Everybody did it justice.
In the evening the Athelstan school gave a play, "Diamonds and Hearts," which caused many nice things to be said about Miss Sisco's work and the interest taken in school by patrons and pupils.
The play was pretty, pathetic and humorous at the same time. A half dozen times just as the crowd was brought to tears, something would happen to convulse them with laughter.
Etowah has a beautiful building perhaps the prettiest one room school house in the county and as nice as any in the state. It was well planned and should they want to add another teacher, the house can be make into two rooms with little cost and not spoil the looks or the convenience of the building.
Professor Kelly is using his best efforts to build the community as well as the school's interest and folks are commended for their response.
"Nothing succeeds like success."
The writer wishes to express his appreciation for the privilege of helping to dedicate the new house and for the courtesy show him while in their midst.
JM Miller.

Etowah News Dec 1918
Mr and Mrs Jack Isaacs, living near Etowah have a fine baby boy which weighed 15 lbs at birth Mar 11, 1919.
The baby has been named Walter in honor the son of Mrs Nancy Fry who attended the mother during her confinement.
When one month old the baby weighed 20 lbs while the mother only weighted 104.
The parents are doing splendidly and folks around Etowah believe Walter Isaac is the champion baby of all Arkansas.
Marriage license for Homer Walling and Rosa Farmer both of Etowah on Mar 21, 1919.
Walter Parker of Athelstan was a business vision here may 6 1919 and renewed his subscription to the Osceola Times.
Mr Parker has been with the American forces in France. He landed at Hoboken on April 4 and arrived at Camp Pike April 21 and was mustered out Apr 26.
He was in France one day less than 10 months and served with front line men on the Marne in Jul 1918. He was injured in his right shoulder and then confined to a hospital for 10 weeks.

Mr Parker is the son of Mrs Nancy Fry of Athelstan and will take up his farm work that he left in 1917. He was a brother Henry E of Oklahoma, who was in the army of occupation in Germany and expects to be home doing the same. During Mr Parker’s absence his affairs were looked after by his cousin Sam Frashier and he is pleased with the way he found everything upon his return.
Etowah News Aug 1 1919
Messrs O Hatcher, Otto W Girdley and HJ Meadows, commissioners for Etowah Road District 3 have sold the bonds for the contract of about 11 of road to SA Sage, a contractor from Marked Tree, AR.
The road is to be built in this district consists of 18 miles and about 7 miles remains to be let.
Contractor Sage will begin work at once and the work will be pushed as fast as possible.
The community are feeling proud of the fact that this is the first of several district recently organized to begin work on a large road.
Mr and Mrs ES Wildy are happy over the arrival of a handsome baby boy, born Aug 21 1919. The baby has been named Leroy James in honor of the mother’s brother.
Dr Lunsford was the attending physician and he reports that mother and child are doing well.

Etowah News Nov 7 1919
RA West, one of our substantial citizens living near Etowah will move his family to Osceola in the summer and make this their future home.
Al knows a good thing when he sees it and says that he wants to be a citizen of Osceola because of our schools and other conveniences. and he realizes that when our new roads are completed Osceola will become the metropolis of the NE Arkansas.
The latchstring of the city is always hanging on the outside and we welcome Mr and Mrs West and his family as citizens. Mr West will continue to look after his farming interest at Etowah. He recently returned from a trip to Sikeston where he visited his parents. His mother had surgery at a Cairo hospital and is now improving.

Etowah News April 2 1920
The work of grading the Osceola/Little River road is being pushed rapidly toward complete and the prospects now are good for the hard surface to be placed during the summer.
This is one of the most important projects under way in the county expanding new territory which will add much to the prosperity of Osceola.
The completion of this road means practically doubling of Osceola trade territory and the new county is had the finest farm land in America.
This Little River country is destined to take first rank among farming communities of the nation.

Etowah News Jul 2 1920
Rev. AE Chapman of Blytheville is holding a great revival meeting in his tent which is set on the school grounds in Etowah.
The attendance is excellent. Over 300 people were in the tent Sunday night and several conversions have been make.
Good order is being maintained and the public interest in the meeting is at a fever high.
Rev Chapman has struck a popular cord at Etowah and our correspondents say no other minister has please the people so well.
The meetings are expected to close with the Sunday night service.

Etowah News July 25 1920
Gus Smith was charged with the murder of Ed Jensen, was tried yesterday before Squire Morris and held for trial to the grand jury without bail.
A large number of citizens of the western part of the county were here as witnesses and observers during the trial.
The defendant was represented by H E Sullinger while H John Scobey appeared for the state.
Mr Sullinger gave notice that he would make appeals for bail before the county judge to determine whether the defendant will be allowed bail or held in jail awaiting the next grand jury.
Judge Keck granted bail to the defendant in the sum of $15000 early this morning.

Etowah News July 18 1920
Word received here that Ed Jensen, a prosperous young farmer near Athelstan was shot and killed near his home Wednesday.
Deputy Sheriff Hart Drew left yesterday morning for the scene and has a warrant for the arrest of Gus Smith, who is accused of committing the murder.

Etowah News 1943
Three of the Heard brothers are in service in this War. Sam entered the service in 1940, Paul in 1941 and James in 1943. (All came home; Sam and Paul served in the Navy and James in the Seabees, a branch of the Navy.)

Etowah News Mar 25, 1945
Chief Petty Officer Samuel Heard and his wife, Aline Shackleford Heard are visiting in the home of his brother Carl Heard , they will return to VA with Ben Butler Jr where they are in service together.
Fred Smith of Marked Tree was visiting relatives in the community this week.

ETOWAH NEWS
TRI-CITY TRIBUNE
Auction to Benefit the Garden Point Cemetery Fund
Laden’s Auction Barn in Lepanto will hold a benefit auction at 7 pm on Saturday Sept 28, 2002 for the C. Anyone who has family or friends buried at Garden Point Cemetery is asked to donate one item to the auction. For more info……..

TRI-CITY TRIBUNE
The Garden Point Cemetery Committee will hold a benefit dinner on Friday April 19 1996 from 3- 8:30 pm at Etowah Baptist Church in the fellowship hall.
The dinner will consist of Barbecue, coleslaw, baked beans, potato chips dessert and drink. The plate will cost $5.00. Proceeds will go toward an entrance sign for the cemetery.

BBQ Dinner
The Garden Point Cemetery is having its 8th annual benefit BBQ Dinner Friday April 25, 2003 from 11 am until 7:30 pm at the Etowah First Station located at 4626 West State Hwy 136 Etowah, AR Eat in or Carry-out. The Sandwich plates will ………

Etowah holds BBQ Fundraiser
The Garden Point Cemetery Committee is hosting its annual barbeque dinner from 11 am until 7 pm on Friday June 11, 2002at the Etowah Police Station. The dinners will be $5.00 and will include a jumbo BBQ sandwich, slaw, beans, chips and dessert. Deliveries…

Etowah Memorial Day Service
The Garden Point Cemetery in Etowah will host a Memorial Day Service at Garden Point Cemetery on Monday, May 27. 2002 Services will include will include an Honor Guard conducting a 21 gun salute ad Taps , wreath laying on the veterans monument by……..

Osceola Times February 5, 2004
Wildy Barn Listed on Historic Register
The Edward Samuel Wildy Barn at Etowah in Mississippi County has been listed on the National Register of historically significant properties, Arkansas
Historic Preservation Program director Ken Grunewald announced.
The Edward Samuel Wildy Barn at 1198 S Arkansas Highway 136 is a two-story, three bay, gambrel roof structure built in 1915 and surrounded by a windmill, silo, two water troughs and several associated concrete pads.
“The Wildy Barn is built from cypress wood that was abundant in Mississippi County at the time of it’s construction, the National Register nomination says. It is one of the few barns still standing in northeastern Arkansas in its original condition. The barn sits on the original home site (selected for its higher elevation) of the Wildy farm.”

Osceola Times November 25, 2004
Etowah Mayor Wins AG Community Service Award

Charles “Bo” McCollum, AG Community Service Grand Winner, wears many hats to serve Etowah.
It is not unusual to serve as a volunteer firefighter or EMT in a small community or to take an active role in the city’s government. However, Charles “Bo” McCollum, the 2004 Chairman’s Award winner for Community Services, does all three and also holds down a full-time job in the packaging department at American Greetings Osceola facility.
McCollum has donated more than 11000 hours in service to the community of Etowah. In addition to his work as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, he also serves as the town’s elected mayor. According to Glovie Guy, packaging manager, an McCollum’s nominator, it’s his wonderful spirit of community, as well as his rive truly make a difference, that is so inspiring.
“Bo had won several award and certificated for his efforts. While I know this is one of his proudest moments, his greatest satisfaction should come from knowing that he is almost single-handedly responsible for improving the quality of life in Etowah,” Glovie Says.
This improvement is clearly apparent at the Etowah volunteer fire department, where McCollum is not only a proud member, but was also instrumental in its founding. Since helping create the department, he has taken the initiative to obtain greater training for his group and has gained funding to build a fire station, install fire hydrants and purchase vital fire fighting equipment. His leadership may be best exemplified, however by his work as the town’s volunteer mayor. As mayor, McCollum has single-handedly secured major grants to develop community parks, improve the local cemetery and upgrade the town’s water and sewer systems. His tireless efforts to improve water and sewer system were rewarded with a $1.6 million grant, and as a result work on the improved systems will be completed by the beginning of 2005.
In all that he does it seems that McCollum simply can’t help but go that extra mile., Never satisfied with what he has accomplished, he is always working to make everything around him better. This tireless devotion is not lost on his co-workers at Osceola. “Bo is just not-stop,” Glovie says. “His enthusiasm and energy are contagious and the community of Etowah and American Greetings are very lucky to have someone like him.

Bryan Heard, 67, of Etowah died Monday, Mar 1 1976 at Osceola Memorial Hospital. Mr Heard was a retired bookkeeper for Etowah Gin Company for many years.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday at Swift Funeral Home in Osceola with burial following I Mississippi County Memorial Gardens in Osceola. Survivors include his wife Jewel,; two sons, Bryan Jr Heard of Lancaster Tx, and Capt Eugene Heard of Blytheville, Air Force Base; three brothers, Paul Heard of Newport, Carl Heard of Etowah, James Heard of Casa Grande, AZ; four sisters, Mrs Pauline Pylest and Mrs Emma Holder of Phoenix, AZ, Mrs Mildred Faulkner of Osceola and Mrs Maude Lyerly.

FEATURE ON TOWN OF ATHLESTAN
By Carolyn Wallace
In the coming issues of The Citizen-Journal we are going to feature some of the our nearby communities, This week we are featuring the area just west of Osceola about 12 mile called Athlestan.
No one seems to know the reason for this name, and it is apparently just that. We talked with various member of the community such as Mrs Evelyn Cockerham, Mrs Sarah Smith and husband Wilbur and Mrs Cleo Woodard about the lives and times of this unique community.
To the watcher, it appears that everyone out there - the Crews family, the Woodard and Ashley families are all kin to one another. Most of the older ones seem to have one thing in community - they all attended a school called Athlestan School or Tyronza School was situated just back of the Frazier home on old Highway 40. At one time Mr. Sisco was the teacher and posed proudly with his pupils in front of the school in the middle 1920’s.
Mrs Thelma Ashley wrote her memories of growing up in the community and spoke so well on the mail situation back then. The mail had to be obtained by horseback and a carrier went three times a week to Lepanto to bring the mail back to Athlestan. A small dwelling close to Little River served as the post office. One person went to the post office and delivered the mail to his neighbors. That didn’t last long as one party kept opening the mail and getting the news early on.
In the 1920’s E.B. Woodard bought land in the community and brought his family here. They opened a store and were instrumental in getting a school and post office started. By then, the mail came from Osceola, Virgil Ashley was designated to fetch the mail for many years.
The school presented many problems in early days.
It was just a one-room school. It contained a big pot bellied stove, and the kids who came in soaked and mud-splattered could dry off by it. They had to walk or be brought in by wagon or horse. Some walked. Mrs Cockerham remembers being put in a boat and being ferried across the river to school. Sometimes the school was fortunate enough to have two teachers, so then a curtain was spread across the room to divide the classes. Sometimes for devilment the older boys would pull the curtain down causing havoc in the room. On pretty day some of the classes were held outside under a big tree. Mrs Cockerham remembered the Christmas that she and her mother, Mrs Woodard took a wagon into Osceola and brought back Christmas goodies for the children and what a good time they had. Mrs Cockerham’s family lived about two miles from the the school, and they walked to school every day. Her family, the E.B. Woodard family came Athlestand in the early 20s when she was a little girl. She went to school in the first grade at Osceola and the second at Athlestan. I was amazed to find out that when living in Osceola the family lived on Keiser St. in a house that stood where Drs. D. V. Malock now lives (corner Keiser and Chestnut). The family moved to Reline Farm on the highway in 1923. It was then the family established a store and post office. This must have been a good life and compared with some of the glamour today’s life. There were box suppers, spelling bees and church was held in the school building on Sunday.
Quoting from a previous article this is what she had to say about the school; There were lots of the Crews family that attended school. Bill Crews was apparently a very mischievious boy and kept things going. Lawrence (Mrs Cockerham’s brother) was not far behind. Once Bill got into the bell tower to escape a whipping. Often the bigger boys would throw caps and gloves in the trees. Bill first had a horse, then a car and in later years, an airplane. He called me the “teacher’s pet.”
The game most played was called “Last on the hill is a dog.” The hill was an Indian mound beside the house. The girls wore big back kickers and white blouses. When we ate our lunch, brought from home we always ha fun. We would go out to an old light house building. It had doors and some wooden horses that we set up to eat on. I enjoyed swapping food with others. The children liked my lunches as they were store bought. After eating, we cleared the table an put on shows (where in the world was the teacher?)
I have fond members of the teacher, and remember especially Berniece Waite (my cousin) my sister Thelma Ashley, Otis Short, Jewell Short, Mr Irby, Pauline Ward, Edna Girdley, Mrs Johnnie Keiser, Miss Kerlan, Mrs Kennedy, Mrs Ana and Pearl Jackson. My sister was married to Wargel Ashley and lived across the river so should take us across the river in a boat in the morning and afternoon. It was ot safe but we did go into town ever so often. The road was so full of holes it would almost bury the mules. I was so scared when we got to the bad holes as the mules would get excited, and I envisioned them falling back into the wagon. Sometimes we would have to get another mule to pull us out of the mud hole.

NEWS RELEASE to our

ETOWAH COMMUNITY

REMEMBERED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
The Town Crier Tuesday June 5, 2007
By Revis Blaylock

The true meaning of Memorial Day was apparent at the 2007 ceremony held at Garden Point Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday May 28. Residents and former residents of the area gathered to give tribute to family members and friends who died serving their country, honor all the veterans buried at Garden Point, remember their loved ones, and the unveiling of a monument placed in memory of Joseph Allen Sisco, hometown World War II hero.
Preprogram music was provided by Brother Huey and Mrs Meherg prior to the raising of the flay by Major John Northcutt and the Rivercrest ROTC. Etowah Mayor Charles “Bo” McCollum, welcomed everyone.
“We have a lot to be thankful for,” McCollum said. “We will have a special dedication to a hometown boy who lost his life in World War II. His sister, Clara Lee Hill, came to us a while back about placing a monument in honor of her brother.”
McCollum expressed his appreciation to the family for the beautiful monument. He also recognized the work of Shirley Mathey, Garden Point historian, and the cemetery board for the work they do. He also thanked Bob Wilmoth and his family for the generous donation of additional land for the cemetery. An open book monument was placed in the cemetery in honor of the Wilmoth Addition.
Brother Meherg offered the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance as led by Kendal Stovall, veteran, U.S. Army, Iraq.
The National Anthem was led by David Hall, Veteran of the U.S. Navy and Etowah Baptist church song leader.
Bob Wilmoth, veteran of U.S. Army, WWII and Robert Johnson, veteran of the U.S. Army, Vietnam, presented the laying of the wreath in Remembrance of Veterans.
The Memorial Day Message was presented by Ron Langston, veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Lake City First Baptist Church pastor, and former Etowah resident. Langston said it was good to be back home. “I grew up in Three Way and my dad was H. O. Langston, “ he said. “Today, we are here to honor the men and women who served and the liberty and freedom of our nation. I was privileged to travel to other countries while serving in the Air Force and as a missionary. I have lived in other countries under dictatorship. I believe God has blessed America.”
Langston recalled some of his childhood memories from growing up in the area.
The Etowah Police Department and volunteer officers presented a 21 gun salute.
Court Mathey and Greg Smith, Etowah Baptist pastor, presented some special music.
Mrs Hill of Michigan, spoke briefly about the monument placed in honor of her brother. “How good it is to be home,” Mrs Hill said. “If Joe were here, he would say the monument (an eight foot granite bench) is practical, and I think he would say it feels so good to be home. We were raised on a farm and he was practical.”
Mrs. Hill and her son Dr. Samuel Hill, Jr, laid a special wreath with a picture of Joe at the monument placed I his honor. Brownie and Daisy Sisco and their children: Earl, Joe, Clara Lee, Sarah Sue, Joe, Anna, and Mary Lou lived in Etowah from 1920 until the 1952. They were farmers. Brownie Sisco, a WWI veteran, named his two sons for his buddies, Earl and Joe, who helped him survive mustard gas in the trenches of the Aragon Forest in France. The family moved away but always treasured their Etowah roots. Their sons, Earl and Joe Sisco marched away to help with the WWII effort. Earl Sisco volunteered for the Navy and his brother Joe the Air Corp. They survived the war.
Joe went back into the Air Force and died, along with 16 others, in a fiery B29 crash in North Dakota on Aug 20, 1948.
“Joe loved football and airplanes,” his sister said. He graduated Keiser High School where he played football and was a member of the marching band. The monument honoring a Hometown Hero, is inscribed
“In loving memory Joseph Allen Sisco, Technical Sergeant AF #14121721. Nov. 11, 1922 - Aug. 20, 1948,” He flew 35 missions in Europe during WWII with the 8th Air Force. The Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Oak Leaf Cluster, Medal of Valor, Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars with ribbons and medals from European, African, Middle Eastern campaigns are among the many decorations Sgt Sisco received for his service.
Mrs Hill said her brother had been shot down twice during the war. “He told me once he thought about Etowah, his family and his home,” she said. “He had to bail out of a plane over the south of France in 1944. He said he knew he had to pull the cord but surprisingly he said he was not afraid.” She said a couple rescued him, tended his wounds and kept his hidden for 28 days. “The last thing he said to me was ‘I’ll see you when the watermelons are ripe.’ We brought his home on Aug 29, 1948, and the watermelons were ripe but they were not sweet.”
An added honor to the Garden Point Cemetery was the display of the special plaque declaring Garden Point on the National Historic Cemetery Register. “It took a long time and a lot of work but we are happy to have Garden Point placed on the National Historical Register,” Mayor McCollum said. “Shirley Mathey and others helped make the designations possible.”
Mathey now lives in Horseshoe Bend but still calls the Etowah area home. She has served as historian for Garden Point Cemetery since 1995. She started working on the project and siad it became her passion. She and members of the cemetery board are making every effort to have every person buried at Garden Point in the data base. She started adding obituaries and now has over 1100 obituaries.
“We thought we had 89 veterans buried at Garden Point, but now through research er have discovered we have 133 veterans buried here, “ she said. “We are still looking for obituaries and family members who can help us record the gravesites we do not have on record. For more information on Garden Point Cemetery log on to: home.centurytel.net/gardenpointcemetery. To contact Mathey with any information e-mail her at Shirley Mathey@centurytel.net.

REMEMBERED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
The Town Crier Tuesday June 5, 2007
By Revis Blaylock
The true meaning of Memorial Day was apparent at the 2007 ceremony held at Garden Point Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday May 28. Residents and former residents of the area gathered to give tribute to family members and friends who died serving their country, honor all the veterans buried at Garden Point, remember their loved ones, and the unveiling of a monument placed in memory of Joseph Allen Sisco, hometown World War II hero.
Preprogram music was provided by Brother Huey and Mrs Meherg prior to the raising of the flay by Major John Northcutt and the Rivercrest ROTC. Etowah Mayor Charles “Bo” McCollum, welcomed everyone.
“We have a lot to be thankful for,” McCollum said. “We will have a special dedication to a hometown boy who lost his life in World War II. His sister, Clara Lee Hill, came to us a while back about placing a monument in honor of her brother.”
McCollum expressed his appreciation to the family for the beautiful monument. He also recognized the work of Shirley Mathey, Garden Point historian, and the cemetery board for the work they do. He also thanked Bob Wilmoth and his family for the generous donation of additional land for the cemetery. An open book monument was placed in the cemetery in honor of the Wilmoth Addition.
Brother Meherg offered the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance as led by Kendal Stovall, veteran, U.S. Army, Iraq.
The National Anthem was led by David Hall, Veteran of the U.S. Navy and Etowah Baptist church song leader.
Bob Wilmoth, veteran of U.S. Army, WWII and Robert Johnson, veteran of the U.S. Army, Vietnam, presented the laying of the wreath in Remembrance of Veterans.
The Memorial Day Message was presented by Ron Langston, veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Lake City First Baptist Church pastor, and former Etowah resident.
Langston said it was good to be back home. “I grew up in Three Way and my dad was H. O. Langston, “ he said. “Today, we are here to honor the men and women who served and the liberty and freedom of our nation. I was privileged to travel to other countries while serving in the Air Force and as a missionary. I have lived in other countries under dictatorship. I believe God has blessed America.”
Langston recalled some of his childhood memories from growing up in the area.
The Etowah Police Department and volunteer officers presented a 21 gun salute.
Court Mathey and Greg Smith, Etowah Baptist pastor, presented some special music.
Mrs Hill of Michigan, spoke briefly about the monument placed in honor of her brother.
“How good it is to be home,” Mrs Hill said. “If Joe were here, he would say the monument (an eight foot granite bench) is practical, and I think he would say it feels so good to be home. We were raised on a farm and he was practical.”
Mrs. Hill and her son Dr. Samuel Hill, Jr, laid a special wreath with a picture of Joe at the monument placed I his honor. Brownie and Daisy Sisco and their children: Earl, Joe, Clara Lee, Sarah Sue, Joe, Anna, and Mary Lou lived in Etowah from 1920 until the 1952. They were farmers. Brownie Sisco, a WWI veteran, named his two sons for his buddies, Earl and Joe, who helped him survive mustard gas in the trenches of the Aragon Forest in France. The family moved away but always treasured their Etowah roots. Their sons, Earl and Joe Sisco marched away to help with the WWII effort. Earl Sisco volunteered for the Navy and his brother Joe the Air Corp. They survived the war.
Joe went back into the Air Force and died, along with 16 others, in a fiery B29 crash in North Dakota on Aug 20, 1948.
“Joe loved football and airplanes,” his sister said. He graduated Keiser High School where he played football and was a member of the marching band.
The monument honoring a Hometown Hero, is inscribed
“In loving memory Joseph Allen Sisco, Technical Sergeant AF #14121721. Nov. 11, 1922 - Aug. 20, 1948,”

He flew 35 missions in Europe during WWII with the 8th Air Force. The Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Oak Leaf Cluster, Medal of Valor, Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars with ribbons and medals from European, African, Middle Eastern campaigns are among the many decorations Sgt Sisco received for his service.
Mrs Hill said her brother had been shot down twice during the war. “He told me once he thought about Etowah, his family and his home,” she said. “He had to bail out of a plane over the south of France in 1944. He said he knew he had to pull the cord but surprisingly he said he was not afraid.”
She said a couple rescued him, tended his wounds and kept his hidden for 28 days.
“The last thing he said to me was ‘I’ll see you when the watermelons are ripe.’ We brought his home on Aug 29, 1948, and the watermelons were ripe but they were not sweet.”
An added honor to the Garden Point Cemetery was the display of the special plaque declaring Garden Point on the National Historic Cemetery Register. “It took a long time and a lot of work but we are happy to have Garden Point placed on the National Historical Register,” Mayor McCollum said. “Shirley Mathey and others helped make the designations possible.”
Mathey now lives in Horseshoe Bend but still calls the Etowah area home. She has served as historian for Garden Point Cemetery since 1995. She started working on the project and siad it became her passion. She and members of the cemetery board are making every effort to have every person buried at Garden Point in the data base. She started adding obituaries and now has over 1100 obituaries.
“We thought we had 89 veterans buried at Garden Point, but now through research er have discovered we have 133 veterans buried here, “ she said. “We are still looking for obituaries and family members who can help us record the gravesites we do not have on record. For more information on Garden Point Cemetery log on to: home.centurytel.net/gardenpointcemetery. To contact Mathey with any information e-mail her at Shirley Mathey@centurytel.

MEMORIAL 1961
Garden Point Cemetery Association announces receipt of three memorials give in memory of Mrs Etta Morgan from Mr and Mrs L.C. Shelton, Dan Portis and Frank Bell.
Donations for the upkeep for the cemetery of $10 each were given by H.J. Medows and Bertha Arnold.

STANTON unMARKED
Attempting to rekindle a fire in a heater by pouring kerosene over what she thought were dead coals, resulted in an explosion, cost the life of Mrs. Maxine Stanton, 21, ____________1940’s at the moment threatening the lives of her three children and left the dwelling aflame.
Mrs Stanton died Wednesday in the Baptist Hospital in Memphis from her severe burns. The body was shipped to Swifts Funeral for burial.
Passer-bys along the house south of Lepanto, on the Harley Crew’s land, saw Mrs Stanton rolling over and over in the yard and Richard Lee screaming.
They rescued the children from the flaming house, but they only had minor burns. ? Lepanto News Record
_______________________________________

SHELTON V C 10
James Obediah Shelton 72, died Mar 7 1962.
He was born Jun 11 1890, the second child of Wm. Henry and Alice Cassidy Shelton in _________ MS.
He leaves 2 sons: J B Shelton of Tulsa, OK, Wayne Shelton of _____ MS, 3 daughters, Joyce McFarland of Osceola, Eloise Shelton______, Otha Shelton________, siblings: Naomi Moore, Eunice Wallace of Lepanto, WD Shelton of Harrisburg, Lloyd Shelton of Hatcher.
He was buried in Garden Point cemetery.

SHELTON V C 12
Eloise Jenne` Shelton, 49, died Jul 7 1977 in 
______. She was born to Myrtle Peeples and James Obediah Shelton on Mar 12 1928 in the Hatcher community.

She was buried in Garden Point cemetery.

SHELTON V C 13
Otha N Shelton Heard ___________ 76, died May 14 1993 in _________ AZ. She was born to Myrtle Peeples and James Obediah Shelton on Mar 12 1928 in the Hatcher community. Her sister ________ predeceased her. She leaves half-sister; Joyce McFarland of West Memphis, and 2 half brothers Wayne Shelton of Oxford, MS and JB Shelton of Tulsa OK.
She leaves her daughters from her marriage to James Heard, Phyllis Heard Cortez and Donna Heard Brannum, and five daughters who live in AZ.
She was buried in Garden Point cemetery.

SHELTON V C 16
Myrtle Peeples Shelton died ____________. She was born to __________________ on _____________.
She was the wife of James Obediah Shelton and leaves her daughters, Otha and Eloise.

She was buried in Garden Point cemetery.

SHELTON V C 14
Phillip Shelton_____________

SHELTON V C 13
Infant Shelton ______________

SHELTON V C 08
Myrvis Shelton, 21, died Mar 8 1933 from blood poisoning resulting from a hand caught in a car door accident. She was born Dec 15 1012 and the 10th child of Wm and Alice Shelton.

She was buried in Garden Point cemetery.

(I married, moved, had cancer / treatment, survived and am working feverously to make a historical record about Etowah. Really I’m OKAY!
Love Shirley

Dear Interested Party of Garden Point Cemetery,

Thank you for your information/interest / response about our beloved Garden Point Cemetery.
As the self appointed historian of Garden Point Cemetery, I find information in various ways.
(newspaper research, contacts with Etowah people and Memorial Day, written letters or e-mails.
I am working on 3 sets of records:
I To compile/complete a current list of WHO is buried at Garden Point Cemetery. (GPC)
II To compile/complete a current placement of WHERE people are buried at GPC.
III To obtain a historical reference by reconstructing obituaries (WHAT FAMILY) of people buried at GPC.

I To compile a current list (DATABASE) of WHO is buried at GPC.
To date 1/22/2006: Records show 2003 + persons who are buried at GPC, of which 200 + are unknown.. a stone, marker etc) (There are spaces for approx 5000 ? persons according to some conversations with early townspeople.)

II To determine placement) using a (SPREADSHEET) of WHERE people are buried at GPC.
To date 9/1/2004 I have 1878 persons in the database marked and unmarked of which more than +200 are stones.. There are places with no placements, however, upon digging in these areas, they run into bones, caskets, etc.

III To obtain history of Etowah relatives (OBITUARIES) of data of GPC. THIS IS MY MAIN FOCUS NOW!
To date…9/1/2004 I have 283 obituaries of Garden Point Cemetery including 89 military burials.
To date 10/1/2005 I have 500 plus obituaries of Garden Point, now including 132 military burials.
To date 11/1 2005 I have 662 plus obituaries of Garden Point. LOOK at this focus!!! HELP
Here’s how to reconstruct your families obituaries: Besides the NAME and DATES (which I usually have)
Add the PLACES of (A) birth and (B) death.
Please recognize the historical value when you list 3 or more generations: (1 ) - the parents - 2 deceased- (3) the survivors.
Survivors: include spouse, children, grandchildren, and great grand children.
The services: Minister, place/time of funeral, and the mortuary used. If you know, if not, leave it out.

(2) NAME BIRTHDATE DEATH DATE Usually I have these.

I need places of (A) birth and (B) death.
(1) They were born to (parents)
_______________________________at
(A) (PLACE State/township)__________________
They died at (B) (PLACE State/township)___________________________(perhaps the reason)___________

(3) Survivors include:

Service: include mortuary, church/ time of funeral.

Personal info: Include military service, occupation, denomination, interests /honors.

Return information as soon as possible to either :Shirley Heard Brackett Mathey
1108 Cook Rd
Horseshoe Bend, AR 72512 870-670-5450
email shirley_courtmathey@centurytel.net

Mayor “Bo”
Etowah Township
PO Box 113 Etowah, AR 72428
870-531-2340 e-mail etowah@ritter.net

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