The Newark Journal.
$1 Per Annum
Published In The Famous white River Country. Where Alfalfa Is king
Newark, Independence County, Arkansas, Friday, July 24, 5 908
Vol. 8. No. 31
FRUIT AND BERRY GROWING
A. A. Henderson Endorses Movement
and Predicts Return of Prosperity
Editor Journal: Not desiring to
appear conspicuous, by having my
name appended to an article in any
newspaper, and certainly not desiring
to apear as agitator in ary movement,
for fear I might appear too conspic
uous, and bring down upon myself
censure from those who, perhaps, re
garded themselves as having a deeper
Interest than I may have, but some
times circumstances and conditions
justify a departure from this rule, or
any other rule.
In perusing the columns of The
Journal of last week, i notice an an
nouncement for a meeting at the Rat
ton Hall, to be held on the 1st day of
August, for the purpose of organizing
a “Berry and Vegetable Growers
Association. ”
Just at this time, and from the pres
ent outlook, 1 cannot refrain from
speaking kindly, and in my feeble way.
rendering whatever encouragement.
I can to this movement. The time,
conditions, and environments of our
community are most auspicious and
ripe for just such a movement.
The conditions of our whole com
munity are not the same that they were
five years ago, and perhaps never will
be again as a result of the changed
methods of utilizing our river-bottom
lands, and thereby abandoning the
growingof cotton and corn, for alfalfa,
which is much more remunerative to
the landowner than renting the land
at $5 IK) per accre. We also have a
territory north of us, ten miles long
anti five miles wide, that is fast wear
ing away and becoming worthless,
■when planted to corn and cotton. This
territory is tributary to Newark, and
whatever it has to sell is brought here,
as a matter of course. No reasonable
/lAtrt t u it ' t mti e. h: hi O 1 i ms u t. i am <1 i t*. i
this trade from our city. Almost every
acre of this territory is admirably
adapted to the successful growing of
berries and small fruits, as well as
vegetables. This hill land, lying to I
the northeast of us. for ten miles, is
as fine for the above named products
as other localities in our state, where
land cannot he purchased for less than
$100.(i0 per acre. Compare the land
with that around Judsonia, Heels*,
Van Buren, or any other place in the
state where they are now growing
berries, vegetables and small fruits
successfully, and the people are pros
perous and happy, and you will find
that our soil on all these lands above
mentioned possesses every requisite
necessary to come up to a par, if not
to excel the land contiguous to the
places named.
These lands when utilized in this
way, are capable of yet sus
taing a dense population, besides be
coming the most valuable of any other
lands, on account of their nearness to
a railroad, and their peculiar adapta
tion to the growth of these products.
The facilities for growing enormous
crops of cotton and corn are not to be
found here any more, besides the
growing of vegetables, berries and
small fruits, is much more profitable,
the labor necessary to be expended is
much less, and the season of the year
in which the necessary labor is to be
performed, inorder to grow these crops,
is much more pleasant than in grow
ing cotton.
r,very man wouia nae 10 nave min
children acquire a reasonable educa
tion, and it is his duty to see that
his child does acquire such. Hut we
all know that the cotton Held is a
menace to our public school system,
and thereby deprives your child of its
just rights.
Let this community adopt the plans
mentioned above, and I verily believe
that the satisfaction and comfort from
this alone would amply repay every
thoughtful man. Because these are
harvested at a time the weather con
ditions are pleasant, and the labor of
l harvestingis light, and such that every
child can assist, and its earning capa
city during the time of gathering is
very short, and the child will have
much more time for educational im
provement than in a cotton held.
It does not require the ownership of
hundreds of broad acres of land, either,
to render every one independent who
engages in this industry. An ordinary
family can he independent by judicious
ly handling a few acres. All ofourhill
land can be converted into small fruit
farms, and thereby support a teeming'
population.
Every business man should be inter
ested in this movement, for it means
more people for our rural districts,
and without the people, a town will die.
Already a great many people have
gone away from both town and coun
try around ns. and this movement, if
carried out, will bring them back.
It is a laudable movement, and I
believe if engaged in with earnest pur
pose and zeal, will bring to both farm
er and business man. much prosperity,
comfort and pleasure, when fully con
s u roa ted. 1 tespect ful I y ‘
A. A. Hendeuson.
TWO SLAIN IN DUEL
Two Boone County Farmers Engage
in Duel and Both are Killed
Harrison, July 19.—Poor fences, al
lowing one man's stock to trespass
upon the property of another, is be
lieved to he the immediate cause of
the death,of two citizens of the Bear
Creek neighborhood, in this county,
Thomas < 'rawford dying late yesterday
afternoon, while Thomas Cox passed
away this morning, following a difficul
ty yesterday.
The details of the tragedy are some
what meagre, but it appears that there
has been an ill feeling between the men
for some time, resulting from poor
fences around the property of Craw
ford. allowing livestock belonging' to
Cox to enter Crawford's fields. Cox
and ('rawford. the former accompanied
by his son, met yesterday afternoon
and renewed the trouble, in which
Crawford fired a charge from a shot
gun. Cox was no near that lie seized
the gun in an effort to protect himself.
The charge of shot tore away one of
Cox's hands and part of the load
lodged in his breast. But Cox, aided
by his son, overpowered Crawford,
took the gun from him. and emptied
the other barrel into his head, killing
him instantly. In additdn to shooting
Crawford in the head, Cox is said to
have heat his antagonist over the
head with the gun.
At the time of the difficulty it wa>
not believed that Cox’s injures were
serious, hut he died at 10 o'clock this
morning.
WILL FIGHT 2-CENT RATE
The Iron Mountain, Frisco and Cot
ton Licit railroads have tiled suits in
chancery in the United States circuit
court at Little Bock, seeking to enjoin
the enforcement of the two-cent pass
enger rate law and all freight rates
and tariffs fixed by the Arkansas
Railroad (Commission.
The,Iron Mountain says it has $21.
3.">3.210 invested in Arkansas. The
intrastate freight earnings for the year
is given at $0-10,3X4.47, with expenses
for the same perion of $7X4,002.14. On
the passenger business the railroad
company claims $*30..->42,20 as receipts
and $X7X,209.44 for expenses. These
figures are given in the complaint to
establish the claim that the 2-cent
passenger rate law and orders issued
by the railroad commission are con
fiscatory.
WANT RURAL MAIL ROUTE
Citizens of Sulphur Rock are en
deavoring to secure a rural free de
liver mail route out from that place.
The proposed route runs west from
Sulphur Rock three miles, then south
by Col. James Rutherford’s, down by
the Rutherford postottice and east
nearly to Madness, then north into
the old wire road into Sulphur Rock,
covering a distance of nearly twenty
miles and serving over a hundred
families.
The petition has been approved by
Congressman Brundidge and the gov
ernment inspector will he lu re to go
over the route in a short time.
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORKERS
I shall be glad to have the name and
postottice address of each Sunday
school superintendent and secretary in
the county.
Sidney Pickens, Co. Sec
Sulphur Rock, Arkansas.
SULPHUR ROCK HAPPENINGS
Items of Interest Picked up at the Hub
of White River Township
Sulphur Rock, July 21. A horse
driven by Edgar Akins last Sunday
became frightened near Madness and
ran away and Mr. Akins was badly
bruised up. The buggy was completely
demolished. Mr. Akins is getting
along very well at this writing but
is still confined to his bed.
Aunt Martha Gibbs, one ol the oldest
and best known citizen of Sulphur
Rock who has been sick for some time,
died Friday night and was buried at
the cemetery here. Sunday evening at
4 o’clock.
The Baptist meeting at this place
conducted by Rev. Geo. .Tames, is
moving along nicely. Seems to be a
good interest and have had several
accessions to the church.
Mrs. I. Gibson and son. Ray, of
Stuttgart and Mrs. Porter E. Martin
and daughter, Ruth, of Newport came
up Tuesday to visit their uncle, J. P.
Sink, and family.
.1. P. Martin of this place is getting
the material on the ground for a big
cotton gin and will be ready for oper
ation by September.
Miss Narcie Rice returned from
Batesville Monday night where she
has been visiting Mrs. Simon Ball for
a few days.
A car of peaches shipped from here
last week bv W. B. Knight and others
sold in Omaha, Neb., at satisfactory
prices.
Mrs. Handel who is spending the
summer here spent a few days at her
home Auvergne, returning here Mon
day.
Dr. Z. L. Ford moved his family
over from Jackson county to s[>end the
summer for the benefit of their health.
Squire <'. P. Pickens spent Monday
night with his son, Sidney, on his re
turn home from Presbytery.
The ball team left here Sunday for
Judsonia to play a series of games
with the team at that place.
T. B. Whaley left last week to take
charge of a section up on the new rail
road above Batesville.
Mis. Lizzie Vaughan of Newark at
tended the funeral of Mrs. Gibbs at
this place Sunday.
Miss Erma Sanders of Newport came
home Sunday to spend a few days with
her mother.
Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Jernigan of
Charlotte visited relatives here Tues
day.
Carl and Eddie Huddleston went to
Batesville Tuesday to do some trad
ing.
Dr. Marion Owens came up from
Auvergne last week to visit relatives.
Ben Keeney the merchant of Sharp
was in town a few hours Tuesday.
Rev. c. L. Castleberry of Piggott
spent Tuesday in our city.
B. M. Owens of Magness spent Tues
day in our city.
Sam Bevens went to Batesville Mon
day.
FARM FOR SALE
Good farm of 1M acres near High
Rock. 11 miles north of Batesville, 75
acres in cultivation 25 acres of which
is line creek bottom land which grows
75 bushels of corn per acre., Good
frame dwelling with two tenant houses.
Two orchards with an abundant varie
ty of fruits. Good oak, hickory and
cedar timber on land not in cultiva
tion. Fine water, both well and spring,
with line creek running through farm.
Good mill-site on farm. Fine cave
near dwelling where 10,000 pushels of
vegetables may la* kept the year round.
Convenient to school and church.
Will be sold cheap and on easy terms.
Henderson Real Estate Co., Newark
Ark.
BUILDING A FINE ROAD
Road Overseer N. M. Wilson is do
ing some tine work on the road lead
ing out through the bottom to the Oil
Trough ferry. He has placed the rock
crusher in town and is crushing rock
and hauling out and ballasting all the
bad places in the road. This makes a
tine road and if the entire stretch of
road from here to the ferry could be
ballasted it would be one of the finest
pieces of road in the county. Mr.
Wilson informs The Journal that he
needs several more hands and teams
for- road work and could give employ
ment to fifteen men with teams to haul
rock to and from the crusher, lie
prefers to employ only home people
if lie can get them.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Ladies Aid Society of Cord will
serve ice cream and cake at the new
Baptist church at Cord. Friday even
ing, August 7, Everyone cor
dially invited. Come out and assist a
worthy cause. Proceeds to go toward
the building of the new church.
HAPPENINGS AT B2THESDA
Happenings of the Week Briefly and
Concisely Chronicled
Bethesda, July 21.—The following
teachers, products of Bethesda High
school, began their schools last week:
James Quiette in school district No.
11: Kssie Esteb in No. 10: Mack Myers
in No. 22: Arthur Porter in No. .'10.
Each report a good number of students
and successful week's work.
Wo had a delightful rain, and we
understand it reached all over the
county. If so it’ll be worth a quarter
of million dollars to this section oh
Arkansas.
Two cars of peaches have been
shipped from this place to Omaha,
Neb. A good many peaches will yo
to waste on account of getting too
ripe.
Threshing is about finished—we
mean grain threshing -the other kind
is likely to be in season any month in
the year.
Born—To Mr. and Mrs. It. L. Ed
wards last week a baby girl. This is
their first. All parties doing well hut
Bob.
Mr. Porter is down with fever this
week. We hone he will soon be well
and able to resume his work.
Those wanting a catalog of Bethesda
High School will get same by address
ing Prof. M. J. Compton.
Nothing in the smallpox scare any
more, and church and Sunday school
work have been resumed.
Health about as good as usual for
this season, though we have a few
cases of fever.
THE SCHOOL HOUSE
The country school house should
not become neglected and permitted to
get into bud repair. Young people do
not like to sjiend day after in an illy
swept, poor-arranged building, even
though it is devoted to the Cause of
education. If the on-coming genera
tion is to obtain all the benefit natur
ally arising from education the “temple
of learning” must he an attractive
building and must be comfortable.
Too little attention too often is given
to the school house, and but little
thought is given of the health and com
fort of the children receiving their ed
ucation in the country school house.
Remember, these youths are to rule
the land later in life.
_—
STOCKHOLDERS MEETING
There will be an annual meeting of
the stockholders of the Sulphur Rock
Telephone Co., held at the town hall
in Sulphur Rock, Ark., on Monday,
August 10, 1908, at 8 o’clock, p. m.,
for the purpose of electing seven di
rectors to serve for the ensuing year,
and the transaction of such other busi
ness as may legally come before the
meeting. Sam Tugule, Pres.
John K. Ravvunu, Sec.
Sulphur Rock, Ark., July 10.
COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING
A meeting of the Democratic County
Central Committee of Independence
county is hereby called to be held at
the court house in the city of Bates
vilie <m Saturday, July 25th, 1908, at
10 o'clock a. m., to take up some mat
ters of of importance. Every member
is urged to be present in person.
R. K. McHenry, Chairman,
c. D. Metcalf, Secretary.
HEAVY DRAIN ON COUNTRY
—
Farmers Spend Big Sums for Things
They Should Raise at Home
Kdlfcor Journal: I have taken it up
on tnvself to make an examination in
to an item of commerce which is of in
terest to the farmers throughout the
country, us well as our immediate
vicinity. Newark is a small town com
pared to many other places and the
territory from which it draws trade is
limited, yet it is a place of consider
able business and is surrounded on the
south and east by the rich farming'
lands of both White and Black river
bottoms, and a good hill country on
the north and west. An ordinary year
the cotton handled here amounts to
about five thousand bales.
Hut the condition of our country is
based upon the independence and
wealth of our people. We presume
that what holds good here will cor
respond with other towns with equal
advantages. We lind from an exami
nation the following condition which
will indicate the condition of our
people.
Since January 1. lbiH, there has
been shipped into Newark about twen
ty carloads of corn, of seven hundred
bushels each, or fourteen thousand
bushels of corn. The average retail
price of this corn has been about eigh
ty-five cents per bushel or a total of
Ill lilt? >» ill I It? J Ml llHi inert? ims IJWI1
shipped here eleven ears of a chops,
or a total of twenty-two hundred sacks,
which sold at an average of 91.50 per
sack, making a total of $3,300. In the
same time there has been shipped here
five carloads of meal or about eight
hundred barrels of meal that retailed
at an a verage of $.3.25 per barrel or a
total of $2,000. Thus in these three
items alone it will he seen that the
total ammount of $17,800 has been
spent here this year to date for corn,
chops and meal.
Now this does not mention the fact
that several thousand bales of hay
have l>een shipped in here, and at the
same time several carloads of meat.
We cannot give the exact figures at
present on Hour, meat, hay and other
stuff, but we have information definite
enough to convince us that not less
than fifteen or twenty thousand dol
lars have l»een spent for flour, meat,
hay, etc., which will run the figures up
to forty or fifty thousand dollars that
lias been spent for grain shipped in
and other feed stuff bought by our
farmers during the fir st six months of
the present year. If such a condition
as prevails in Newark hold good
throughout the state, we will ask the
question. "Who is it that stands in
the way of the success of the farmer,
and who will or can redeem him front
such a condition?
With the rich and fertile lands to
produce the corn, wheat and hay suf
ficient not only for home consumption
hut to have a surplus to sell to the
non-producer,the producer in this case
has become the slave to high prices
and dependent on other markets for
his living. This condition will not
do to practice or undertake to defend
it. We have organized as a business
organization for the purpose of better
ing the condition of each other and
tiie country at large and therefore we
think the first lesson to 1k“ learned, is
the one that will tearli us to quit l»e
ing the purchaser, and learn to lie the
seller of all this tremendous amount
of feed stuff. Our land will produce
the corn and hay, and corn and hay
will produce the meat. With this con
dition existing we could be an inde
pendent and happy j>eople. But the
above figures plainly show our de
I>endence upon other sections for a
living. And even under this state of
affairs it is a hard matter to get our
people to reduce the acreage planted
to cotton.
air uu:u> ciiiu ii uoes seem
to me that the figures are enough to
put us all to thinking and should be
sufficient to convince every farmer that
organization will not benefit you un
less you practice what you preach.
To reason along these lines, our
farmers this year instead of selling to
the outside world, will be the purchas
ers of not less than three or four mil
lion dollars worth of the neeessites of
(Continued on page 4)