Little River County Ferries

 

Birthday Party Held For Ashdown's First Citizen

 September 10, 1930  ~~Little River News

The 84th birthday of Mrs. M.A. Dupree was observed with a dinner Sunday, September 7, at the home of Mr. & Mrs. A.B. Hambleton of this city.  Mrs. Dupree was the first woman settler of Ashdown, her husband, the late W.D Dupree, building the first home after the town was located by the railroad in 1882.  She has resided here continuously ever since, and has a large number of descendants, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nearly all of whom were present on this occasion....(attending) Mr. & Mrs. JH Coggins, Mr. & Mrs. JH Welch and children, Mrs. Lucy Thomas, Mrs. Charles Waddell and baby, Mr. & Mrs. A Hambleton of Ashdown, Mrs. WH Crouch, Mr. and Mrs. Eber McDowell and children, Mrs. Bryant Duncan of  Ogden.  Hyman Dupree of Texarkana, Mrs. William Lambert, Miss Allie Dale Lambert of Winthrop, Mrs. Robert Wright And grandchildren of Foreman.  Jean G Lambert of Alabama and Frazier Wright of Wilton. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{Martha Ann Pounds Dupree} 

Little River News- Feb 1 1932 

Link to her memorial on 

findagrave

Bound by the Rivers

Little River County is almost an island unto itself. Bounded to the north, south, and east by the Little River and the Red River, ferries became a way of life for most of the early settlers.

Steamboats brought supplies, luxuries such as whiskey and flour, and people in and out of the county. But if you wanted to go into Sevier County to the North, Hempstead County to the east, or Miller County to the south, most likely you had to get on a ferry to do it.

In the early to mid 1800’s there were over twenty ferries in operation.

These ferries were located at major road crossings over the county line.

From Sevier County Court Records:

This day the following named persons were granted Ferry privileges at their several Ferries as follows to wit;

James Morris at his ferry across Little River from the 24th day of October 1843. William Wright at his ferry across Little River from the 25th day of April 1844 and Benjamin H. Layne at his ferry across Red River from 24th day of July, 1844. It is therefore ordered by the court that there be levied and collected from each of the above dates, and there are hereby authorized to receive the following rates at their respective ferries to wit;

For each man and horse 25 cents, for each footman 12 and ½ cents, for each wheel carriage ox cart or wagon 25 cents per wheel, for each span of horses or yoke of oxen, in carriage cart or wagon 25 cents, for each head of cattle 6 and ¼ cents for each head of sheep or hogs 3 cents.

It is therefore ordered that licenses be granted to the above-named persons in accordance with law.

April Term 1849

This day it appearing to the courts, that there has been no tax assessed on ferry privileges in this county since the passage of the late revenue act of 16th December 1846 and that said act does not repeal the act requiring each person keeping a ferry to procure from the county court a license for such privilege, and it appearing to the court that there are five ferries now established in this county at which charges are made for ferriages, and that the owners there of have not received from this court a license for that purpose and that the rates of ferriages have not been fixed by this court to wit:

The Ferry kept by Benjamin H. Layne at Laynesport across Red River, the ferry kept by William Wright across Little River, the ferry kept by J. Bowers across the Little River, the ferry kept by John Hudgens across the Little River, the ferry kept by William Burk across Little River.

It is therefore ordered by the county that there be levied as a tax on the privileges of ferrying at said ferries as follows twenty; on the ferry kept by Benjamin Layne the sum of twenty dollars, on that kept by Bowers the sum of ten dollars, on that kept by William Wright the sum of fifteen dollars, on that kept by John Hudgens the sum of fifteen dollars, and on that kept by William Burk the sum of five dollars, for such privileges for the term of one year from this date.

And that the rates of ferriages at said ferries shall be as follows, to wit:

For carriages or wagons,

For each two horse wagon or carriage with the horses the sum of one dollar, on each four horse carriage or wagon with four horses or two yoke of oxen the sum of one dollar and fifty cents, for each six horse wagon with six horses or three yoke of oxen the sum of one dollar and seventy five cents and on each cart or carriage with two or four wheels, and horses, the sum of fifty cents.

On each man and horse, the sum of twenty five cents.

On each foot passenger the sum of ten cents.

On each led horse the sum of fifteen cents.

On each head of cattle, the sum of five cents.

On each head of hogs or sheep the sum of three cents.

And it is further ordered by the court that the clerk of this court issue a license to each of the ferryman keeping said ferries in accordance with the foregoing order and deliver the same to the sheriff of this county as mentioned in thir several accounts now filed as follows to wit;

H.G. Rind as presiding judge of the county and Probate courts the sum of twelve dollars…$12.00

Joseph McCraven associate Justice the sum of $14.00

Lavner P. Griffing associate Justice the sum of $14.00

It is ordered that the clerk of this court draw warrants on the Treasurer for the same.

Ordered that court adjourn until court in course.

Signed:

H.G. Rind P. Judge

Joseph McCraven As. J.P.

Laurner B. Griffing J.P.

Some licenses:

Ordered that the clerk of this court issue to James Morris a ferry license for the term of one year upon his paying unto this county treasurer of Sevier County the sum of five dollars he the said James Morris having filed bond according to law.

Ordered that William Wright have by the clerk of this court issued to him a ferry license for the term of one year upon his paying into the county treasury of Sevier County- the sum of five dollars he having filed bond as the law directs.

On motion it is ordered by the court that the clerk of this court issue to Benjamin H. Layne a ferry license for the term of one year from this date upon his pay with tax the county treasury the sum of five dollars he having filed bond as the law of the land directs.

Names of some of the ferries:

Buster Ferry

Allen Ferry- ferry crossing Little River to Fulton

Green Wood Ferry-Northeast of Billingsleys Corner

Morris Ferry-North of Crossroads

Laynes Ferry- one crossing the Red River (south of Laynesport) and one crossing the Little River (about where Ashley’s Camp is now, on old Highway 71.

Norris Ferry-North of Crossroads

Stoker’s Ferry Southwest of Millwood Dam

Little River News: 1930 Alleene

 Little River News

May 1930

ALLEENE LOCALS

Mr and Mrs Tom Whitney of New Boston TX were here on business Wed and
Thurs.

John Woodson and Tommie Cox of Camden were visitors here Fri night enroute
to Oklahoma City.

Misses Ruth Cope, Mamie Gifford and Carl Whiteman of DeQueen visited
friends here Fri afternoon.

Mr and Mrs Fred Wright of Ashdown were visitors in town Fri.

Mr and Mrs J.R.(B?) King and Mrs J WJ Mast of Texarkansa were visitors
here recently.

Miss Merle Gillihan visited friends in Ashdown last week.

J.J. Seastrunk, E.F. Scarborough, C.O. Thompson and O.L. Seastrunk motored to
Foreman Sat.

Mr and Mrs Russell Pierce spent the week end with relatives at Winthrop.

Joe Norwood of Texarkana visited relatives here Sat.

Mr and Mrs J.N. Honnell visited relatives in Lockesburg Tues.

Mr and Mrs Tom Crawford and daughter Dorothy and Price Crawford and
daughter Lucille, Celia Patton, Leona Gillihan and C.O. Thompson attended
the school program at Arden Fri night.

Merlie Gillihan and Carl Whiteman of DeQueen attended the show at
Texarkana Sun night.

Henry Freeman of Foreman was in town Wed.

Mrs Oather Coarver and little son of Wallace spent the week end here with
her parents, Mr and Mrs J.D. Seastrunk.

Mrs Sherd Barrett of Ashdown spent the week end here with her sister,
Mrs Charlie Scarborough, Thurs.

 

Flat Creek School

Submitted by Kenneth R. Seal

Flat Creek School, 1st to 6th grades, District 15 or 17, was located, between Alleene and Foreman, in Sec. 8 of T 12S, R 31W, east of Highway 108 near Flat Creek at the curve on the east side of LR165 (old Hwy 108).

The first classes were held in 1904, taught by Jesse Freeman. My Mother, Martha Miller Seal, was one of the first students attending classes in this small one room building. Some of the other students were her older brothers, Henry and Florence and a cousin William Frazier Wright.

I went to school there in 1934-1936 along with my brother Franklin, sister Betty Joy, cousins Lowell Frazier and Bobby Wright, and friends Vernon and Don Lock. There were others, but I don't remember their names. Teachers were Nellie Lumpkin, Myrtle Bowman & Grace Lock.

Martha Miller Seal was borned September 17, 1899 near Flat Creek in Little River County, Arkansas. Died August 20, 1991 in Houston, Texas. Excerpts from her autobiography that pertain to Flat Creek school are as follows:

"One morning we had three men visitors. Of course Mother and Dad knew that the men's business was to organize a school and church. After several hours of talking and planning, if was decided when and where it would be started. The glad day came at last. The building was funished----one room for school and church. I can barely remember our first services I was very young. However I remember very distinctly feeling God's presence. I was so happy!" "In 1904 the fifth child was born, a big fine boy named Riley. By this time Mother and Dad realized it was time to get Henry and Florence in school. There was no school house anywhere near. Soon afterwards some men came and made plans for the school I mentioned earlier. It was a one room structure made with lumber and was near our home. The benches were made from split logs with pegs for legs. The flat side was smoothed with a foot adz so our clothes wouldn't be snagged by the splinters. I was five years old when I started to school. A cousin, Jesse Freeman was my first teacher. He taught me how to write my ABC's, count, and even read in the first reader. He was a dear, good man. We didn't have nice desks as schools have today. We carried our lunches in a little syrup bucket. We didn't know what a sandwich was, but our lunches were always good."

No doubt two of the visitors Mother referred to were her Grandfather Richard Frazier Wright, and Uncle, Robert James "Bob" Wright. The school was built on land owned by the Wrights.

Copyright 2021

Kenneth Seal/Rayedene Graves

Additional Information~ from Tom Wyley Cleghorn

"I went to school there in 1934 when I was 5 years old. Nellie Lumpkins was the teacher. The kids I remember are:
Jr and Bobby Wright James, Eb and Louise Gorman Buster and Emma Laura Ripley;  Margie Golden Bobby and Randolph Bivens Lesley and Berniece Cleghorn Louise Homes(she drowned in Little River at Anderson's Ferry) Some Knightens

King Ryder School ~ 1913

King Ryder School 1913

(photo courtesy Winthrop Historical School)

1-      ? Edward Williams

2-      ? Randolp Hess

3-      McKinley Connor

4 -     Virgil Sossaman

5-      Walter Olmstead

6-       Floyd McDonald

7-       Fred Smith

8-       Bob Wright

9-       ? Charlie Smith

10-     Elvin Olmstead

11-       Wiley Jones

12-       Eddith Barton

13-       Nannie Smith

14-       ?

15-       Walter Williams

16-       Lena Barton

17-       ?

18-       Sanford Weaver

19-       Dixie Smith

20-       ?Elbert Small

21-       Emmie Taylor

22-       Annie Jones

23-       Brian Jones

24-       Maidie Weaver

25-       Letty Mixon

26-       Olie Barton

27-       Mae Barton

28-       Francis Weaver

29-       Annie Sossaman

30-       Jim Wright

31-       Esther Connor

32-       Kitt Hess

33-       Jake Hess

34-    Randolph Hess

Ben Lomond School News ~ 1934

Ben Lomond School News-Jan 18, 1934

From the DeQueen Bee

Submitted by Lucyndia Starks

The high school girl’s club met on Thursday to elect new officers for the last semester.  This club was formed at the beginning of school and has proved helpful and interesting to the members.  One meeting each month is given over to a social.  Here the girls become better acquainted with each other and with their teachers.  The following officers were chosen: President, Lula Tabler; Vice-President, Gladys Norwood; Secretary, Edna McCombs; Reporter, Pauline McCombs; Faculty Advisor, Miss Fomby.  The following committees were appointed to serve for this month: Social Committee: Grace Wade, Pauline McCombs, Maxine Cobb; Program Committee: Iva Shadle, Lula Tabler, Lillie Terry.  

Those receiving certificates for 20 perfect spelling lessons were: Third grade, Merle Brown, Opal Norwood. Fourth grade, Varnell Garrett.

100 per cent attendence list for third month- 

12^th grade: Lula Tabler, Edna McCombs, Louise Roberts, Paul Stoker; 

11^th grade: Ruth Mitchell, Morgan Wright; ninth grade: Flo Spigner, Edna Mae Terry, Clyde Brown, Coy Cooper; 

10^th grade: Iva Shadle, Gladys Norwood, J.C. Cooper.

Honor Roll for third month:

9^th grade, Flo Spigner, Pauline McCombs (leader)

10^th grade, Ralph Johnson (leader)

12^th grade: Edna McCombs (leader), Lula Tabler.

11^th grade: Morgan Wright (leader).

Honor Roll

First grade A- Lucinda Tabler, Mildred Bess Sutton , Ray Walker, John William Leathers and Betty Jean Wade.

First grade B- Bernice Pierce, Billy George Mize and Mildred Butler.

Second grade- George William Corbell, Patricia Ruth Mabry, Dennis Wade, Kenneth C. Crawford.

Third grade- Junior Gentry, Richard Jeffers, Stella Mae Addington, Louise Barrett, Opal Norwood.

Fourth grade- Williard Adams, Grover Tabler, Sam Wade, Rufus Medlock, Varnelle Garrett, Mattie Lee Good, Mary Kem Cooper, Edna Edith Walker, Lorita McGaha.

Fifth grade- LeRoy Stoker, Magdalene Jeffers, Finis Wade, Nathalie Leathers, Franklin Wilson.

Sixth grade- Maranel Good, Marilinda Hill, Mary Garrett, Marjorie Mitchell, Miley Thomas, Lillie Mae Good.

Seventh grade- Judy Baker, Ray Corbell, Dorothy Barrett, Majel Needham, Barney Crawford

Eight grade- Myrtie Beatrice McKay, Ruby Mitchell, Elca B Mitchell, D.P. Sample, Fannie Lou Leathers, Jake Brown. 

Ashdown Gossip ~ September 1942

Ashdown Happenings-L.R. News

September 10, 1942

Mr and Mrs Jett Orton and son of Fulton spent the weekend with Mrs. J.J. Crotty. 

Mrs. Pearl Orton of Texarkana is visiting Mrs. J.J. Crotty this week. 

Joe Steele left Monday for Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas. Miss Ruth Lambright left Sunday to teach this year in Wilton. Mrs. Walter Pruitt was taken to the hospital in Texaarkana Sunday for medical attention. 

Miss Elizabeth Lay left Sunday for Arkadelphia to attend Henderson State Teacher’s College. Miss Octavia Lay went to Longview, Texas Friday to teach this yeaar. Miss Erma Jean Crawford went to Texarkana Sunday to begin her commercial course. Miss Mary Sue Piercy left Saturday for Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas. Mack Reed Christian left last week for Magnolia where he enrolled at A and M College. 

Mrs. L.F. Wheelis spent the weekend in Hot Springs with relatives. Miss Nora Bowman of Texarkana spent the weekend with her parents, Mr and Mrs Ed. Bowman. 

Jimmy Choate and Henry Kaufman were Thursday business visitors in Mena. Mrs. Willella Baughman of Arkadelphia visited Mrs. O.T. Graves last week. 

William Pond of Foreman was a Sunday guest of Mr and Mrs J.L. Roden. Miss Frances Locke of Little Rock spent the weekend with Mr and Mrs T.J. Locke. Mr and Mrs Arthur Lott of Okay spent Sunday with Mrs T.J. Lott and family. 

Miss Lillabell Floyd of Lockesburg is visiting Mr and Mrs Martin Ross. Mr and Mrs J.P. McIntyre of Marlow, Oklahoma are visiting Mr and Mrs Leon Autry. 

Mr and Mrs George Mooney have moved to Kilgore, Texas, where Mr Mooney is employed. 

Misses Ola Mae Pennington and Orhea Johnson spent the weekend visiting Camp Crowder, Missouri. Miss Kathryn Bone of Little Rock spent the weekend with Miss Dorothy Shaver. Mrs Mack Christian spent the weekend with her parents, Mr and Mrs Reed, at Mineral Springs. 

Worth McGraw of Pine Bluff spent the weekend with Mr and Mrs W.P. McGraw. Richard Latimer of Camp Claiborne, Louisiana visited here the first of the week. 

Misses Beulah and Irene Carroll of Hot Springs are visiting Mr and Mrs Joe Jester and family. Mr and Mrs J.H. Welch spent Sunday with their daughter at Texarkana. Mr and Mrs W.P. Leslie spent Thursday night in Nashville with Vas Leslie. 

Misses Ruth Ringgold and Annie Maude Yates left Sunday to attend Arkansas State Teacher’s College at Conway. Miss Evelyn Simmons returned Thursday from a visit in Longview, Texas and is now employed at Evans Variety Store. 

Mary Lou Owens, daughter of Mr and Mrs Louie Owens, had her tonsils removed at a Texarkana hospital last week. Mrs Charles Stewart Allen of Ft. Worth, Texas arrived last week for a visit with her parents Mr and Mrs A.J. Scibner. 

Buck Wright, who is stationed somewhere in California, is visiting his parents, Mr and Mrs Fred Wright. Miss Maranel Good who is taking technical work at St. Louis, spent the weekend with Mr and Mrs E.R. King. 

P.E. Collins of Longview, Texas, spent last week with Mr and Mrs O.G. Roberson, Mrs Roberson returned to Longview with them for the weekend. 

Misses Charley Marie Bowles, Mary Toland and Frances Ann Wright left Sunday for Arkansas State Teacher’s College at Conway. They were accompanied by C.I. Bowles and J.Y. Wright. Mr and Mrs H.R. Price and big baby girl (Barba Ann) of Gladewater, Texas, stopped over in Ashdown in route from a weekend visit with Mrs Price’s mother who lives in Horatio and his cousin who lives in Ashdown. 

Early Little River County Arkansas Physicians

Name, Age, Birth State, Occupation, Township

1860

L.B. Dowd 40  Ct physician -Franklin Tp

John D. Rowland 31  Tn physician -Red River Tp

W.F. Simmons 40 Ga physician -Red River Tp

John D. Bellah 42 Tn physician -Red River Tp

Edwin L. Hamilton 24 Al physician -Red River Tp

P.R. Bowman 35 Ny physician -Red River Tp

Alexander Lovett 37 Tn physician -Red River Tp

William Hawkins 27 Nc physician-Little River Tp

Honesta Bizzell 24 Nc physician-Jackson Tp

J.W. Harmon 34 Tn- physician-Jackson Tp

M.W.C. Frazier 29 Ky -Jefferson Tp

1870

J.M. Parker 46 Ga doctor -Franklin Tp

Soloman Wyatt 71 Va doctor-Lick Creek Tp

John M. Simms  37 Va physician -Red River Tp

Henry J. Hunter 36 Va physician -Red River Tp

John T. Butler 28 physician  Tn-Red River Tp

William H. Hawkins 37 Nc physician -Red River Tp

James C. Wright 45 Nc physician -Jackson Tp

Orville Alexander 32 Mo physician-Jackson Tp

Joshua Gray 28 La physician -Jackson Tp

Ulisses U. Ware 34 Tn physician -Jackson Tp

1880

W.H. Hawkins 47 Nc  physician-Rocky Comfort

W.W. Roberts   1846  Ar physician -Little River Tp

Samuel H. Pruett 1836 Tn  physician- Little River Tp

W.S. Waits 1848 Ms physician Jackson Tp

J.H. Gray 1840 Al physician Jackson Tp

J.P. Lawley 1845 Al physician Jackson Tp

Joseph Poole 1844 Mo physician Little River & Burke

John Crum 1852 In physician Little River Tp

John Parker 1826 GA physician Franklin Tp

Richard Smith 1853 England physician Lick Creek Tp

J.M. Dunn 1834 VA physician Richmond Tp

E.L. Hamilton 1836 AL physician Red River Tp

information from US census

Alleene Local News 1930

ALLEENE LOCALS

 Mr and Mrs Tom Whitney of New Boston TX were here on business Wed and
 Thurs.

John Woodson and Tommie Cox of Camden were visitors here Fri night enroute
 to Oklahoma City.

Misses Ruth Cope, Mamie Gifford and Carl Whiteman of DeQueen visited
 friends here Fri afternoon.

 Mr and Mrs Fred Wright of Ashdown were visitors in town Fri.

 Mr and Mrs J.R.(B?) King and Mrs J WJ Mast of Texarkansa were visitors
 here recently.

 Miss Merle Gillihan visited friends in Ashdown last week.

 JJ Seastrunk, EF Scarborough, CO Thompson and OL Seastrunk motored to
 Foreman Sat.

Mr and Mrs Russell Pierce spent the week end with relatives at Winthrop.

 Joe Norwood of Texarkana visited relatives here Sat.

 Mr and Mrs JN Honnell visited relatives in Lockesburg Tues.

 Mr and Mrs Tom Crawford and daughter Dorothy and Price Crawford and
daughter Lucille, Celia Patton, Leona Gillihan and CO Thompson attended
 the school program at Arden Fri night.

 Merlie Gillihan and Carl Whiteman of DeQueen attended the show at
 Texarkana Sun night.

 Henry Freeman of Foreman was in town Wed.

 Mrs Oather Carver and little son of Wallace spent the week end here with
 her parents, Mr and Mrs JD Seastrunk.

Mrs Sherd  Barrett of Ashdown spent the week end here with her sister,
 Mrs Charlie Scarborough.

Little River News
May 1930