The Newark Journal
Published In The Famous White River Country. Where Alfalfa Is king
$1 Per Annum
Newark, Independence County, Arkansas, Friday, /larch 5, 1909
Vol. 8. No. 47
A CHANGE IS NEEDED.
Little Progess Made in Road Building
Under Present System
Si. -
Mr. Editor: I have always been as
strong an advocate of good roads as
can be found in the county, and I re
lieve that no better plan can be devised
for stiring up an interest and causing
people to think seriously on this sub
ject than by a friendly discussion of
it through the columns of our local
papers. This is a subjeet which affects
our interests deeply, yet we are putting
It in the background, and, seemingly,
giving it no thought at all. Lets get
interested; note just what is being
done in road building, what ought to
be done and the best methods of doing
it. If, after a careful investigation,
we find that we are making no im
provements on our roads with our
present system, lets try some other
system.
We think, next to churches and
schools, thequestionof roadbuildingis
the most important question now con
fronting the people—especially the
farming class of i>eople.
I think Mr. Taxpayer, in his article
on good roads in The Journal of the
19th. brought out some thoughts we
would all do well to consider. He has
made a step in the right direction, for,
unless we have a Itetter and more sys
tematic plan for working our roads,
we had just as well throw up the
sponge and think no more of good
roads in Old Arkansas.
Of courae some sections of our country
have made some little improvement,
but when we figure the amount of,
money and free labor used on our
roads each year, we will see the roads
♦ -I_1J
be. Go to the records and note ths
amount of money and free labor that
has been used on each mile of road in
our county within the past eight years
and'see if you think wo have value
received.
Do you think if we had a road com -
missioner, paid by the county, say
something' like $2.50 per day, to act as
a kind of general overseer for the
county; make it hik duty to investigate
and study road building and to visit
each township, once a month, ride
over the roads, plan the work so that
the work done by each overseer would
be in harmony with that done by the
other—do you not think that this
would be a letter plan than our pres
ent system?
Then make it the duty of the over
seers to carry out such plans to the
best of their ability or have him re
moved, so that the work done by the
overseers would be more systematic
and permanent; and will stop much
patch work that a great many of our
overseers seem to be following. Patch
work cannot possibly benefit the tax
payers of this, or any other county,
where they have levied a tax for the
purpose of building up some perma
nent roads- roads that will not wash
away, at least for a year. Let us as
taxpayers and citizens of Independence
county consider a moment and see how
many hillside roads we know of that
have been graded and left with no
water breaks across them; or at l>e.st,
water breaks that are not sufficient to
turn the water from the middle of the
road; and when the rainscorne the water
starts at the top, and washes all the
way down the hill and in less than a
A --
Now if some plan cannot lie devised I
that will do away with this slip-shod:
method of doing business, we had just
as well give up, content ourselves with j
mud, and the rough rocks and leave;
the question of good roads for the
* rising generation.
Being interested and having given !
this subject a considerable amount of
atudy, I have noted every move made
in the interest of permanent roads
and am sorry to say that most of the
townships have made no advancement
at ail, as the patch work plan seems to
be the favorite among our everseers.
1 think that we have reached the
point when something must l>e done to
arouse the people to make a demand
on our legislature for a change in
our road laws, so that by the time
eight more jears has passed and we i
have payed, in work and money, an-!
other $200 per mile for our roads, we
may see much more advancement than I
we have for the eight years past
With best wishes I remain,
Taxpayer No. 2. t
PACKERS SUED FOR $19,800,000
Little Rock, Feb. 28.—Alleging vio
lations of the anti-trust law, suits to
collect penalties aggregating $11»,8<)0,
000 were filed against six big packers
in the second division of the circuit
court yesterday by Attorney-General
Hal Norwood. The defendants are
Swift & Co., Jacob Dold Packing
Company, Cudahy Packing Company,
Co-National Packing Compony, Mor
ris Packing Company and the South
ern Beef and Provision Company. A
penalty of $3,300,000 is asked from
each defendant. The suits are signed
by Prosecuting Attorney Roy D.
Campbell and Robert L. Rogers, asso
ciate attorney.
A j>enalty may be exacted for each
day the law h is been violated, and the
enormous sums asked aie based upon
that provision of the law.
The packing companies are alleged
to have been in an illegal combina
tion to control prices of meats in Ar
kansas and defeat competition. The
combination has existed Jan. Ill, 1909,
according to the allegations of the
petitions.
The suits are based upon the anti
trust laws of 1905 and are similar to
the one recently upheld by the United
States supreme court in which the
Hammond Packing Company was de
fendant.
BIG FIRE AT HEBER
Heber. March 1.—The business por
tion of Heber was saved from l>cing
swept away this morning by fire only
through desperate efforts put forth by
the bucket brigade and after a loss of
$12,000 had been inflicted. Five store
buildings, comprising a half a block
in the main business section, were
destroyed.
the tire broke out about i:4> in the
millinery store of Mrs. O. Beswell. It
gained jr'roa.t headway before being
discovered and quickly communicated
to the other buildings. The cause of
the tire ts unknown.
The loss and insurance is as follows:
Mrs. O. Baswell, milinery store,
loss $1,000.
J. N. Barreet & Son, general mer
chandise, loss $5,000; insurance,
$.'{,000.
J. 1’. Lackey, drugstore, loss $4,500;
insurance, $2,800.
Storey & Gribble, merchants, loss
$1,800: insurance, $*<KK).
Johnson's barber shop, loss $200.
CHILDREN POISONED
Four children, one of Mr. and Mrs.
J. B. Gibson and three of Mr. and
Mrs. James Misenheimer, of Newbury
township, were poisoned last Friday*.
The children, playing in a field dur
ing the forenoon, found a plant with
a root somewhat resembling a sweet
potatoe, of which they ate. Upon go
ing to the house about the dinner hour
all four children were seized with very
serious symptoms of poisoning and in
a very short time two of the children,
little Ardeen Gibson, aged 4 years and
Earl Misenheimer, aged about H years,
were dead. The others, through the
strenuous efforts of physicians, were
relieved.
It is supposed that the poisonous
roots eaten were what is known as
crow poison or wild parsnip.—Mel
bourne Times.
OLD RESIDENT DEAD
Ben Garcia, Arkansas’ oldest in
habitant, died Thursday at the Jeffer
son county poor house, Garcia had
lived in Jefferson county for more
than 80 years and was reputed to be
117 years old. Fie was taken to that
institution last Sunday from his home*
at Altheimer. lie was a former slave,
having been brought to Arkansas by
the Barraque family years ago. He
has been a constant user of tobacco
for more than 80 years. His remains
were buried in the potter's field.
UNION NOTICE
Notice is hereby given to Union
people of Independence county that
there will be held at Heeler Union No.
1558, our district union on March 0th,
and an open session at night. Speak
ers are invited, especially our county
lecturer of south side of river.
John K. Smith, Secretary.
\
PROHIBITION BILL PASSED
House Passes State-Wide Bill by Vote
of 53 to 27
Lit lie Rock. March 1. The Gann
bill providing for statutory state-wide
prohibition passed the house this after
noon by a vote of 53 to 27. The pass
age of the bill was followed by a de
monstration lasting several minutes.
So great was the demonstration and
general confusion which followed that
the house abandoned any attempt to
continue further business and ad
journed.
The passage of the hill followed
three days of the hardest fighting the
legislature ha.-> seen this session. It
also followed the rejection of the Sim
son substitute bill providing for sub
mission, which was lost by a vote of
44 to 35 at the close of the morning
session.
The last day of the prohibition tight
in the house was witnessed by as many
spectators as could crowd into the
house chamber. Every inch of avail
able floor space on the floor of the
house, in the lobby and in the galleries
was filled. A hundred or more women
were on the floor of the house, seated
among the representatives.
The Gann bill provides that liquor
may only be sold by druggists for
such purposes as ait, mechanical,
medicinal and similiar things, and
that wines may be sold to churches
for purposes of sacrement. Physicians
must make out certificates in giving
prescriptions calling for alcohol or
liquor.
Those in charge of the fight for
state-wide claim that that they have
canvassed the senate, and with sena
tors keening their riled ups to them and
a full attendance when the vote is
taken on the Gann bill it will l>e pass
ed with two votes to spare. The Gann
bill will not reach the senate before
noJct wrcK.
DEDICATED TO THE LOAFER
The loafer is a trifling1 man,
He is not wanted, nor in demand.
He lolls around and smokes his pipe
Goes stragl inghome to roost at night.
And when the roosting act is o’er
He wags down town to loaf some
more;
Give open ear to latest gossip,
Then deals it out to “Jones and
Hobbit.
So round and round by day he goes,
With old slouch hat and thrice
patched e.othes,
Until at last he droops and drops
And then his loafing surely stops.
Where he goes and how he fares
Nobody knows and nobody cares.
One thing sure, he'll never come back
And people will find other loafers
tracks. Zeno.
VERY SIMPLE
Every little while we read in the
paper that someone has run a rusty
nail in his foot or other portion of his
body and lockjaw resulted therefrom
and the patient died. If every person
was aware of a perfect remedy for
such wounds and would apply it, then
such reports would cease. The remedy
is simple, alwas at hand, can be ap
plied by anyone—what is better, it is
infallible. It is simply to smoke the
wound or any wound that is bruised
nuiurii nuwi.
or lnnanjuiru »hh «
Twenty minutes in the smoke will take
the pain out of the worst case of in
flammation arising from such a wound.
People may sneer at this remedy as
they please, but when they are afflicted
with such wounds, let them try it.—
We have for sale one of the finest
farms in the famous Big Bottom, only
3i miles from Newark, consisting of
342 acres, 250 acres of which is in culti
vation, and produces 50 to bushels
of cora-or a hale of cotton [>er acts*.
This is one of the linest farms in
Big Bottom, which is noted for its
immense yields of cotton, corn and
alfalfa.
There are five tenant houses on the
farm, of two to four rooms each and
two good large box barns.
A genuine bargain if taken at once.
Henderson Real Estate Co., New’ark,
Ark.
FARM FOR SALE
SULPHUR ROCK SKETCHES
Sulphur Rock, March 2.—Quite a
number of gentleman from here attend
ed the Modern Woodman meeting at
Newport Tuesday night.
Miss Pearl Morgan came down from
Moorefield Saturday evening after her
sister Miss Lula who is working for
the Dorr Merc. Co.
Charlie Nelson who has a railroad
position in Louisiana is visiting his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Nelson.
John Street of Argenta spent Mon
day night here the guest of Dr. Bevens.
He was on his way to Cave City.
We were glad to see Miss Bertie
Keeney, one of our former students,
entered school again Monday.
Mrs. Mattie Martin was called to
Newark Monday to visit her aunt,
Mrs. Adams, who is sick.
Rev. M. L. Lawrence, who went to
Newport to preach Sunday, returned
Monday evening.
Dr. W. R.^yexander left Tuesday
morning for Calico Rock for a week
or ten days.
Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Moore of New
ark spent Sunday with Dan Moore
and family.
W. J. Ward of Batesville attended
the Eastern Star meeting here Satur
day night.
The Modern Woodmen of America
organized a lodge at this place Mon
day night.
Mr. McCook went to Batesville
Saturday after I umber for W. T. An
derson.
The young people enjoyed a party
at Mrs. Ida Young's Saturday night.
Dpnntv ( 'niint v lliwlcroc
w as down from Batesville Sunday.
Mrs. Mattie Ford has returned
from a two weeks trip to St. Louis.
C. C. Hance and daughter of Logan
township were in town Saturday.
T. B. Padgett or naresne huik
ing after business here Tuesday.
Rev. W. F. Wayman preached Sun
day night at the M. E. church.
Miss Lydia Jobe of Hutchinson en
tered School here Tuesday.
Luther and Raymon Riggs were down
from Sharp Saturday.
Ben Wilson of Logan township was
in town Tuesday.
Frank Ham of Moorefleld was in
town Saturday.
Mrs. Pleas Wright is on the sick
list this week.
THOUGHT IT WAS A ’TATER
The writer was a passenger on the K.
C. & Ft. Scott railroad out from
Hoxie to Mammoth Spring. He and
his wife sat side by side and just in
front sat an old man. He seemed a
little deficient in sight and a little
more so as to an acquaintance with
things, but his tastes was all right as
you will see by and by. Soon after
we pulled out, in came the news-butch,
crying his wares “figs, grapes, candy,
apples and bananas.” He stopped
at the seat occupied by the old gentle
man anti the following dialogue or de
bate took place. Putting forth his
hand and placing his lingers on a
banana, ho said: “What is them
things?” “Bananas,” replied the
i no trot* 11 \ 1 ' Whllt V” 4 *
nanas,” “What is they worth?” “Two
fpr a nickle.” “Ugh,” grunted the old
i(j^u “you can't sell your yam ’taters
to me, two fer a nickle, no sir.” “They
are not yam potatoes,” urged the
hutch.” “Well, what are they?” “Ba
nanas, bananas, old gentleman, and
two for only a nickle.” “Tut, tut
you can't fool me, I don’t give any
five cents for two yam 'taters, when 1
have sold many a bushel, fine as them
is, fer twenty-five cents, no sir.” By
this time the butch was red in the face
and evidently suffering the pains of
defeat and decided to pass on. I made
; a purchase of the golden fruit, and
handed them to Mrs.-and she be
gan to pear it for eating, when the old
gentleman turned around and said,
“What is that thing?” When told he
said, “lernrae taste it.” lie pressed
it to his lips, and then took it away,
smacked and licked his lips and said,
“ Why, hit aint a tater is it ” Sight
nor scent could convince him, but taste
did. ZliNO.
GEORGE CROSSER KILLED
Shot Saturday Night by City Marshal
J. W. Fetzer
George Grosser, .Tr., was shot and
killed Saturday night about Ui.'iO
o’clock by City Marshal J. W. Fetzer.
The tragedy oceured on the sidewalk
on Front street, just a few feet east of
the corner of Main and Front. There
were no people on the streets at the
time and the tragedy was witnessed by
only two persons, these two being
Hugh Harnett and Estes Nash.
Mr. Fetzer was attacked by Grosser
with a double-barelled shot gun, and
the killing was held by the coroner’s
jury to have been justifiable.
An inquest was field Sunday by
Coroner Flinn, and from the evidence
adduced at the inquest, the details of
the tragedy are about as follows:
Grosser had been drinking and
about 11 o’clock he and Estes Nash
started home. They met Marshal
Fetzer and Grosser asked him some
questions about a “written confession”
regarding an affair Grosser is alleged
to have had some connection with.
Grosser became angered and is alleged
to have applied a vile epithet to the
marshal, whereupon he struck Grosser
on the side of the head with his club
and asked him if lie would go home.
Grosser and the Nash boy immediate
ly started hotnp, but Grosser is said
to have remarked to Fetzer that he
would ‘‘get him before morning.”
The marshal is required to carry a
punch-clock at night, and t^ter Gross
er left he continued on fiis regular
beat. Coming down Front street some
twenty minutes later he was accosted
by Hugh Barnett who asked him to go
to the Galloway House with him and
get abed for him (Barnett) for the
niirtit. ns the hotel was closed and Mr.
Fetzer had been accustomed to getting a
room for anyone who came in after
J r-wj/ulur hours. They were walking
down the sidewalk together, When, juse
after passing E. E. Allen’s store, on
the corner of Main and Front streets,
they met Grosser and young Nash.
When in about eight or ten feet of
each other, Grosser is said to have
levelled a double-barelled shot gun on
Fetzer’s breast and commanded him
to throw up his hands. Fet/.er at once
drew his gun and began firing at
Grosser, firing five shots in rapid
succession. Grosser fell to the side
walk and expired almost instantly.
Grosser's gun was a double-barrell
ed, automatic hammerless, and it is
supposed that its failure to work
pro}«*rly is all that prevented his kill
ing the officer. Besides the two loads
in the gun, three loaded shells were
found in Grosser's pockets after the
killing.
The body was removed to the city
hall where it remained until after it
was viewed by the coroner’s jury at 1
o’clock Sunday afternoon. The cor
oner's jury was composed of the fol
lowing gentlemen: John Austin, Geo.
Gilbreath, W. G. Mims, N. M. Wil
son, II. E. Hawthorne, J. M. Martin,
E. M. Wilson, J. W. Seward, M. S.
Fisher, G. L. Saylors, G. M. Fields,
I). G. Lane and T. J. Raney. After
hearing the testimony of the witnesses
the jury returned the following verdict:
vv me j ui v miu iii<»ii ueu. v rubBcrf
Jr., came to his death by gunshot
wounds indicted by the hands of J. W.
Fetzer, who was acting in necessary
self defense.”
The remains were buried Tuesday
morning at lilue Springs cemetery.
Rev. J. F. t'ossey conducting services
at the grave.
-~~- i
BROWN GROWS ELOQUENT
Rev. J. L. Brown in closing an ad
dress delivered last Sunday evening
in Liltle Rock, said: “The great
American eagle could get gold with
its beak from the Klondike; its wings
reached from ocean to ocean; its tail
feathers shaded the Philippines; from
the eggs it laid were hatched young ^
republics throughout the world.”
liaising his hands and assuming a
suppliant attitude, the speaker ex
claimed. ‘‘I trust God the time will
come soon when the saloon buzzard
will not be allowed to roost on the
' same limb with the American eagle
i under the protecting folds of Old
j Glory.”—Gazette.