History of Columbia County Arkansas

1947. Early days in Columbia County, AR, are recalled in this 103-page spiral bound book, a reprint of History of Columbia County by Nettie Hicks Killgore, originally published in 1947. The 11" x 8.5" booklet is printed on 60# opaque paper. A vinyl sheet has been added to protect the tri-color front cover. The book is written in a readable style, by a writer who was obviously familiar with the material. It is filled with historical facts, numerous names of early residents, and personal recollections. For instance: "While the Commissioners were having dinner in the home of B.S. Harper, the subject of a name for the new town was discussed, and the daughter, Miss Elizabeth Harper, suggested the name of Magnolia. This was at once adopted. Miss Harper married Mr. Norbourn Young, who later became one of the County Commissioners. Mr. and Mrs. Young brought up a splendid family in the community, and late in life, after Mr. Young's death, she became a teacher in the old public school on the present site of our splendid Grammer School." The section on "The War Between the States" takes a look at the "Women of the Confederacy," and the "Invincible Guards" under Gen. Thomas Dockery. An anecdote of the war concerning Mrs. Dockery, General Grant and a dog named Truce is of particular interest. The book contains names of many different groups of people: the first grand jury, the first petit jury, attorneys, judges, sheriffs, county and circuit clerks, assessors, treasurers, legistlatures, mayors, preachers, church society presidents, teachers, bankers, business owners, newspaper owners and employees, members of the Columbia Guards Company G, Sixth Arkansas Regiment, Confederate Army, and other soldiers from the county, and names of Confederate soldiers buried in Magnolia Cemetery, and officers of numerous social and fraternal organizations, World War I and World War II veterans. Besides Magnolia, book includes the present communities of Emerson, Waldo, McNeil, and Taylor. Many other communites are also recalled: Calhoun, Atlanta, Lamartine, "Old Home Community," "Christie's Chapel Community," Walkerville, Brister, Chalybeate Springs, Wingfield, Mt. Vernon, Zion, Village, Friendship, Killgore Lodge, Beech Creek, Ebenezer, Laughlin, New Hope, Rocky Mound, Lone Beech, Pleasant Hill, Welcome, and the Philadelphia Community. Various home sites are noted: Frazier Plantation Home, the Blakely/Sharman/Blewster home, and the homes of General Turner, John A. Smith, Quincy Couch, Tom K. Smith, Judge Todd, Gen. Dockery, Col. Ben Johnson, Col. George Smoote, Dr. D.L. Killgore, Capt. Dave Dixon, Capt. Paul Dismukes, Capt. Thomas Scott, Capt. T.C. Monroe, and Gen. John Porter McCown. Historic Spots noted include: Magnesia Springs and the Confederate Reunion Grounds. Illustrations are not very good quality. They include the first courthouse (a drawing), the courthouse in 1856, and the 'new' one, built in 1905, the First Methodist Church, the First Baptist Church, Jackson Street Methodist Church, Central Bapist Church, Male Academy in 1859, Southwestern Academy, Magolia High School, A & M College, and Harvey Couch High School in Calhoun. Besides the names mentioned in the first part of the booklet, there are biographies of several county residents: Rev. J.A. Sage, Miss Inez Couch, Judge Joe L. Davis, Dr. Sanford Couch Monroe, Dr. D.L. Killgore, J.E. Hawkins, Miss Sue Strong, and Maud Virginia Crumpler. In addition, the book includes brief notes on "Some people who have achieved Success": T.C. McRae, R. Minor Wallace, Judge Basil Baker, Perry C. Bolger, N.J. Gantt Jr., Judge A.D. Pope, Elmer D. Davies, Paul Futrall, Sam Dennis, W.P. Keith, John Magale, Henry Grimmett, Walter E. Hicks, Milton McNeil, J.W. Owsley, Leland Longino, Dr. J.P. Runyan, Dr. Wiley Buffington, Dr. Broadus Jameson, Dr. Ben Luck, Kelso Wallace, Edwin Hutcheson, Camp Sanders, Dr. John Wyrick, Dr. Walter Wyrick, R.C. McDaniel, C.O. Couch, Joy Houck, Mrs. Estelle McMillian Blake, Miss Lizzie Welbourn, Mrs. C.N. Weems, Mrs. Mary Kelso Booth, Zenobia Emerson, Ruth Emerson, Margaret Anderson Stokes, Mrs. Nila Embree Turner, Miss Ruby Cook, Mrs. John W. Rhea, Mrs. Louella Fomby Futch, Miss Minnie Hawkins, Miss Jewel Kathryn Stevens, Travis Jackson, George Harper, and Claud Linton. The book ends with several bear tales, the arrival and disappearance of inumerable pigeons in the late 1840s, and a number of "firsts" -- the first automobile, phonograph, bicycle, radio, movie theaters and an airport. . Limited Edition Reprint. Spiral/Comb . New/No Jacket. 11" x 8.5". Private Press.