Oak Hill Early Days

Little River News

March 7, 1934

OLD TIMER TELLS OF EARLY DAYS OF LITTLE COMMUNITY OF OAK HILL

By H.G. Chauncy

In 1877 my father, A.V. Chauncy, moved out from near Richmond to the neighborhood called Lick Creek, which is now known as Oak Hill neighborhood. 

At that time there were but few people who lived in that neighborhood.  They were Joe Perry, J.M. McCall, Purnel Challand, H.W. Hill, A.C. Patterson, E.S. Patterson, A.P. Patterson and their mother Mrs. Bettie Coble, a widow woman and her family, Joe Ruff, an old bachelor, A.M. Bishop, F.P. Freeman, John Henderson and Bob Campbell.

All of these people had little farms of fifteen to twenty acres.  They raised corn, potatoes, peas and all kinds of garden stuff and some cotton in those days.

There was no church nearer than Richmond and I think there was one little schoolhouse called Centerville.

The county was full of wild game, deer, turkey, wild cats, and wolves.  When the people wanted a fresh mess of meat they got together and went out and killed a deer, took his hide off and then divided the meat.

From 1877-1934 there is a great change.  In 1877 there was only one public road, known as the Richmond and Cotton Wood Schoals Road.  Now there are public roads leading in all directions.

Oak Hill has two churches, one schoolhouse and a wide spread of farming land. 

People no longer have access to a free range and there are laws, which forbid them from hunting at any time.  The community is now thickly settled and lots of good people live around Oak Hill.

Early Millwood/Hopewell Days

Little River News

February 21, 1934

EARLY DAYS AT MILLWOOD

The community of Millwood, now known as Hopewell, ranks among the oldest settlements in Little River County.  The first school at Millwood was a three-month school taught in a log house on Mrs. Sye Baley’s farm.  The school remained for two years with Mr. Chillcott as teacher.  In 1872 a small school building was built where the cemetery is now, with Mr. Quinnin as teacher.  The school was located at its present site in 1890. 

On June 16, 1876 the first church in the community was organized with Rev. Berry as pastor.   Those who organized the church were J.B. Blackerby, B.F. Renfroe, Jim Henderson, Frank Wilkerson, and Dr. Parker.  The people contributed money to buy the lumber to build the church.  The lumber was hauled on ox wagons from Matt Moss’s mill at Peytonville.

A post office was located on Mr. Kitchen’s farm, which is now owned by G.H. Hatcher.  Those who were in charge of the post office were E. Payton, Arch Chancy, Mr. Kitchen, and Mr. Hicks, who operated it until his death.

At this time, G.C. Wheat took charge and a star route was then formed.  Albert Stevenson, a Negro, carried the mail

Mrs. N.A. Doughten is the oldest citizen of the community who is yet living.  She still takes an active part in the church affairs.

Some of the first settlers were Mr. and Mrs. Bill Clark, who settled a farm near Red Bluff, John Moon, who settled the L.H. Starks farm, and Mr. Renfroe, who settled a part of L.F. Fomby’s farm before the civil was.  Slaves were used on this farm.  Other early settlers were Doughten’s, Smith’s, Jones’s and Baley’s.

Foreman Sun Gossip 1935

Foreman Sun 
Town Gossip 

June 28, 1935

Local News ~

Mr. and Mrs. Otis Gilleylen visited in Little Rock a few days this week.

Miss Elizabeth Hooks, of Idabel, visited relatives in Foreman, Saturday afternoon.

Miss Lorena Darnell, of Columbus arrived Sunday for a visit to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Hawkins.

D.P. Fawcett, of Texarkana, is having a new floor put in the old Read & Company building.

Miss Billie Alexander left Sunday for a visit to her sister, Miss Mae Alexander, at Greggton, Texas.

Miss Mildred Hopson is home from Shreveport, LA., for a visit to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bun Hopson.

C.S. Bell found a terrapin one day last week that had the name of Albert Harris engraved on its back and the year 1918.

July 5, 1935

Arkinda News~

Miss Clara Henderson, who spent several weeks visiting relatives here has returned to her home at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Buford Bayliss and mother Mrs. Atwell, of Washington, visited a few days last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bayliss.

Mrs. Mary Bale, of Little Rock is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. J.A. Pittman at Climax.  Her sister, Mrs. C.N. Skinner of the King Rider community spent the day with her at Mrs. Pittman’s last Tuesday.

Mrs. Clotil Kirkland, of Kansas City, Missouri, is the guest of friends and relatives here. Judge Waldrop was a very welcome visitor here last week.

Mrs. Jewell May  and small son, Jimmie, of Haworth, Oklahoma, spent Saturday and Sunday with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Kirkland.

Mr. and Mrs. Forest Hathaway, of Haworth, Oklahoma, spent Sunday with relatives here. Mrs. Orville Hathaway and children, of Grant, Oklahoma, spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Hathaway.

Mr. Sid Leeper has been assigned the position of Frisco agent here, relieving Mr. Orville Hathaway, who has returned to his home at Grant, Oklahoma.  Mr. Leeper was agent here in 1921-1922 and the many friends which he made at that time have not forgotten him and are glad to have him back here again.