The Folk Art of Broom Making and Storytelling at the Company Store

Our Mississippi County Delta is gaining national recognition because of our stories and features in Country Rustic Magazine. . .and in October, there will be a photo shoot at Our Country Farm Home which will be featured in the 2019 Fall Issue. . .bringing even more interest to our little community. . .Hope you will enjoy the upcoming events along with us. . .READ MORE HERE. . .

". . .The mention of those yard brooms bring memories of the unique tradition of Southern swept yards. Many families living on the farms, cleared their yards and gardens of all grass and weeds, leaving nothing but the bare ground. They swept with brooms made of twigs, or bundles of brush and dogwood limbs, bound together with linen twine, cotton string, or heavy wire. I remember seeing entire families performing the weekly sweeping ritual in the cool of the morning. The rich soil became packed into a concrete hardness, creating an additional room outdoors for surviving our hot and humid summers. . ."

By-the-way, did you know that Dell once had a broom making operation on Main Street? It was called a 'broom factory' in the very early days of the community, when logging was still taking place. Not only a broom factory, but a barrel making factory, too. . .Just a few tidbits for you. . .

C C Golden and Moody Family

Many pioneer families who moved into the Ekron area had a significant  influence on the formation of the town of Dell early in the 1900's.  The petition for the incorporation of Dell, Mississippi County, Arkansas in 1905 was signed by thirty-two men, many of whom had been a part of the Ekron community for many years. Some moved to Dell to establish boarding houses for the logging crews. Others set up general stores and eating establishments. Some began to buy farmland as the forests were cleared. Some helped clear those forests. Others just "moved into town".
    Many current residents remember L. M. Moody, son of Green E. Moody, who lived in Dell for most of his adult life. Before moving to Dell, he was raised in Ekron, along with his sister May Belle, and his Golden step-sisters. Mr. Moody was considered Dell's historian. Unfortunately, his stories were never  recorded except in a few short newspaper articles.  His niece, Gwyndolyn Golden Smith, has carried on his unofficial title of historian. Her family records boast the surnames of such Dell families as Beavers, Bradberry, Bunch, Bryan, Golden, Moody, Winn.
Thanks go to Gwendolyn for sharing her family records with us.
    Thanks also go to Annette Lee for the family photograph and comments on her family ancestors.

The History of the C. C. Golden/Moody Family

Compiled information from Gwyndolyn Golden Smith, daughter of Myrtle Golden Smith; 
Annette Lee, granddaughter of Margaret Golden; 
and the files of Dru Duncan

 L to R:  Mary (Kitty) Golden, Myrtle Golden, 

Tempie Elizabeth Golden, Baby Girl Golden,
Monta Golden, Luther Moody, 

Margaret Ettna Golden (Photo courtesy of Annette Lee)

  By 1860, the Goldens of  were settled in the Ekron community of Mississippi County, Arkansas, according to the U.S. census records of that year. Before moving to this area, Christopher Columbus (Kit) Golden lived in St. Francis County, Arkansas. He was the son of O. B. Golden and Martha E. Thompson Golden.
    C. C. Golden's first wife was Clorinda Dillingham, who died the year following the birth of their only child, George Fletcher Golden, in 1878. George would own and operate a boarding house in Dell with his wife ca. 1907. He may have also owned a sawmill there. He was the timber supervisor for Blytheville Cooperage and Chicago Mills for 30 years. When he died, he had been successful in a real estate business and operated a store and service station at the Herman Davis Park in Manila.
    His second wife was Melissa Daugherty. Together they had two sons, Samuel Harrison Golden and Felix Golden, who died at age 3. Samuel Harrison Golden was known by his family as "Uncle Handsome".
    C. C.'s third wife was Temperance Elizabeth Bunch, daughter of Hulda J. Walker and Andrew Bunch. The Bunches had settled close to Big Lake in 1843 when they arrived in Arkansas by way of Tennessee and Missouri, becoming neighbors to the Hectors who were the original pioneers of the Dell area. Andrew Bunch was in the Missouri Calvary during the Civil War. He was captured in Mississippi County, Arkansas and imprisoned at Grant prison in St. Louis. He died there of "inflammation of the lungs" and was buried in Missouri.
    Tempie Elizabeth was married first to Green E. Moody, another early resident of Ekron. G. E. Moody was a leader in the community. In 1878  he donated land for a small Methodist church to be built. Called Moore Chapel after the pastor at that time, the church was the only one between Manila and Blytheville for many, many years. Located approximately three miles north of Dell, it was used by families in Ekron and Dell until it was torn down ca. 1900. Two stories circulate concerning the demolition of the chapel. The first relates that when the members decided to build a new church, the old one was torn down. They met in the school for many years afterwards. The second story reveals a more probable cause. An epidemic of meningitis broke out one year in this low, swampy country. So many people died that year it was necessary to tear down the church, board by board, in order to make numerous coffins quickly. (L.M. Moody)
    It is uncertain how G. E. Moody died. The night of his death, the water was up, flooding the community. Tempie locked the children in the house and went in a boat for help. Assistance came too late. He died sometime that night at the age of 30 years old. He and Tempie had had two children together, May Belle and Luther Marion.
    C. C. Golden and Tempie Elizabeth Bunch Moody married ca. 1885-86. They continued to live in the Ekron area until their deaths, raising Tempie's two children by Green Moody and their own eight girls: Martha Elizabeth, Minnie Ellen, Margaret Ettna, Mary Ellis Golden, Monta Evelyn, Myrtle Evins, Mirinda Ethel, and Myra Edna.  C.C. and Tempie died within days of each other in 1907. According to newspaper obituaries, they died of "the fever". Gwyndolyn Smith relates that statement to be untrue. "C. C. Golden was not very sick. The doctor gave him medicine too strong for his heart, although he told the doctor it was too strong for him.  The family never did say that he or his wife had any kind of fever. Tempie Elizabeth died from pneumonia on Monday, March 11, 1907. C.C. Golden died Thursday, March 14, 1907." They are buried at the Wilkins Cemetery at Ekron. The concrete markers read: Liz Golden  1-28-1862   3-16-1907 and C.C. Golden  10-28-1849  3-17-1907. These dates appear to be incorrect, according to G. Smith.  During the 1970's Hansel Simmons made concrete grave marker for the Goldens. He wrote in the dates from his memory of those handed down by family members.

    After their parent's death, three of  the Golden sisters-Margaret, Mary and Monta-were raised by their stepbrother Luther Moody and his new wife, Pearl Bryan, in Dell.  Myrtle also lived with the Moodys for a short time.  When Martha (Patsy) Golden and Ross Beavers married in 1907, Myrtle moved in with them.
    A family story is told that the girls didn't like their new step-mother, Pearl.  Among other things, she gave them Groves Chill Tonic. Margaret told her sisters their Mother never gave them that and for them to spit it out when she wasn't looking. So they did. "They already had the bad taste, so they might as well to have swallowed it, as it was not lethal." (G. Smith)
     May Belle Moody, stepsister of the Golden children, married Timothy Frank Shultz of Ekron. Frank's family had lived there since 1899. His mother was a Wilkins.
    Luther Moody remained in Dell most of his life. He  worked as a cook in a logging camp at one time, but for the most of his life, he worked in the grocery business. He was a charter member and leader in the Dell Methodist Church and was considered the unofficial Dell historian. He was a leader in the community and a loving father and husband. He left the community briefly in 1926  when Pearl died of pneumonia. "When Pearl Moody died they had had Gladys (Keener) only two months and five days. Gladys went to stay with the Woodards in the country. . .Aunt May Belle Moody Shultz kept house for L.M. for a time. L. M. went to Blytheville then for a time to work, but not for long. He had worked for Dell Supply when Pearl was living and later for many years. Dell Supply was owned by Otto Bradberry, who died in 1937. Then he went to work for Taylor Freeman." (G. Smith) Eventually, L. M. would own his own grocery business in Dell.  Luther's second wife was Arietta (Rita) M. Glover. She had one daughter, Marcella. Together they would have four children: L. M., Virena, A. G. and Larry Gene. Rita died of cancer in 1959. In 1965 another tragedy would strike the family. L.M.'s youngest child, Lieutenant Larry Gene Moody, was killed in the war in Viet Nam. He was believed to have been the first Mississippi Countian to die in the war. He and three other officers were ambushed. He was 24 years old. Luther died the next year, at the age of 83.
    Martha Elizabeth Golden and her husband Ross Beavers lived in Dell for a time. They then moved to a house at the present-day site of the Greyhound Bus Station in Blytheville. The Beavers were from Cave-In-The-Rock, Illinois. Many of them settled in the Dell area and had signed the petition for the incorporation of Dell, Arkansas in 1905. Ross worked as a barber for a number of years and also was employed as a bookkeeper and collector for various business firms. He was elected Blytheville city treasurer and later won the election for city clerk. His sister, Julie Ann, married O. P. Winn, the first mayor of the incorporated town of Dell.
    Margaret Ettna worked at her stepbrother George Golden's boarding house in Dell  for several years. Monta Evelyn lived with Della Ozee and worked at the Dell post office in the early 1920's. Eventually, all the girls married, establishing their own families. "My Grandma (Margaret Golden) and her sisters were lively, complex and spirited women who worked hard all their lives, and they set a wonderful example for my sister and me. . ." (Annette Lee)
    Margaret Ettna Golden married Albert Edward Shearer in Dell on November 20, 1911.
    Mary Ellis Golden married Tom Simmons.
    Monta Evelyn Golden married ______Orr.
    Myrtle Evins Golden married Henry Elmer Smith.

Arietta and Luther Marion Moody

 

The Moses Crawford Family

The History of the Evaline Wright
and Moses Crawford Family

Compiled information from the records of

Lois Crawford and Mary F. Crawford Lendennie, 

and the files of Dru Duncan 

The progenitor of this Crawford family was Moses Crawford, born ca 1805 in Georgia and died October 23, 1888, married in 1831 near Helena, Arkansas, Evaline Wright, born in Tennessee and died August 24, 1876, Mississippi County, Arkansas. Moses parents were from South Carolina. He came to Arkansas with his parents in his youth. After marrying Evaline, Moses first busied himself in rafting, hunting and also did a little farming. At that time, other occupations were more profitable than farming. They moved to Mississippi, then to Osceola in 1844 and made one crop before settling on land in Chickasawba Township in 1845. They cleared 35 acres and lived there ten years. They sold their farm and moved to Pemiscot Bayou where they remained until their death. To Moses and Evaline were born eight children: Sarah Evaline Crawford, Mary Jane Crawford, Nancy Evaline Crawford, William Crawford, George W. Crawford, John Charles Crawford, Charles Moses Crawford, and Thomas Yates (T. Y.) Crawford.
Reverend William L. Crawford, born February 15, 1847 and died January 13, 1916, buried Mooney Cemetery, married Lula Field, born February 1870 and died June 27, 1920, buried Mooney Cemetery.

T. Y. Crawford was the eldest of the eight, born  in 1833, St. Francis County, Arkansas. T. Y. began working for himself at the age of seventeen, working, hunting and working in wood yards on the river . Previous to his marriage to Miriam Myra Potter at the age of twenty-three, he had purchased a farm in Missouri. This farm was traded to his father, Moses, for the homeplace on the Pemiscot Bayou. T. Y. lived there until his death. The farm comprised 274 acres, 60 under cultivation, was improved with  buildings, fences, and orchards. In 1888, T. Y. began running a trading boat down the bayou but the next winter brought his stock of goods to his house and kept a successful store there.  To T. Y. and Miriam were born:
1.Tom W. Crawford,
2. John T. Crawford,
3. George W. Crawford,
4. Wesley Crawford,
5. Margaret P. Crawford,
6. W. Richard (Dick) Crawford, married Nancy Moody, born February 1867, Arkansas. They lived in Gosnell. To them were born:

6-1. Hardy Richard Crawford, Sr., born May 3, 1892 and died June 17, 1961,  married November 18, 1915, Mary Emma Akin, born 28 November 1897, Yarbro, Arkansas and died 22 March  1979, Blytheville, Arkansas, the daughter of Benjamin Akin, born November 1875, Tennessee and died 19 September 1946, Blytheville, Arkansas, married 29 December 1896, Tipton County, Tennessee,  Clara Chapman  of Yarbro, Arkansas, born 1875 and died 20 July 1954, Blytheville, Arkansas.  H. R. and Mary Emma  moved to Dell in the early 1920s, where H. R. Senior was a bookkeeper and co-owner of the Dell Cotton Gin Company.  They owned a home on Main Street opposite the Dell Methodist Church.  H. R. Senior was the Mayor of Dell during the years 1935-37.  To H. R. Senior and Mary Emma were born:

6-1-1. Richard Benjamin  (R. B.) Crawford, born September 10, 1917, Yarbro, Arkansas and died  April 5, 1990, married in 1938, Thelma Koehler. He graduated from Dell High School and attended Arkansas State College in Jonesboro. He served his country in the Air force during World War II. R. B. and Thelma lived in Dell where R. B. was the manager of the Dell Compress until 1958. They moved to fresno, California where he was associated with the cotton industry. To R. B. and Thelma were born: 6-1-1-1. Thelma Louise (Lucy) Crawford;
6-1-1-2. Barbara Joan Crawford,  6-1-2. Hardy R. (H. R.) Crawford, Jr., born February 21, 1920 and died October 5, 1995, Dell, Mississippi County, Arkansas, married Lois Aileen Gaither of Caruthersville, Missouri. H. R. lived in Dell nearly all of his life. He worked as a bookkeeper and was manager of the Dell Water Company.   And other thing……….------- In  1950-51, H. R. was the Recorder for  the Dell Town Council. To H. R. and Lois were born two children: 6-1-2-1. Lois Gaye Crawford, married  ; 6-1-2-2. Robert Hunter Crawford.

6-1-3. Emma Lou Crawford, born December 17, 1922 and died January 19, 1989, married Malcolm Greenway of Dell. To Emma Lou and Malcolm were born: 6-1-3-1. Rebecca Greenway  6-1-3-2. Malcolm Greenway, Jr.

6-1-4. Virginia Crawford, born December 10, 1924, married Harold Knop of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Virginia graduated from Dell High School and attended Arkansas State College. To Virginia and Harold was born: 6-1-4-1. Kathleen Knop.

6-1-5. Mary Francis Crawford, born January 27, 1929, married 1948 Johnny Lendennie. Mary Francis graduated from Dell High School and attended Arkansas State College. To Mary Francis and Johnny were born: 6-1-5-1. Mary Jean Lendennie  6-1-5-2. John Richard Lendennie;
6-1-5-3. Steven Lucius Lendennie.
                6-2. Dixie Crawford, born ca 1904 and died January 1950, Blytheville, Mississippi County, Arkansas
                6-3. Clarence Crawford
                6-4. Henry Crawford
                6-5. Katy Crawford (Hart)
                6-6. Relee Crawford (Sanders)
                6-7. Annie Crawford (Mosely)

7.Isaac Y. Crawford
8.Mary Bell Crawford
9. Edward M. Crawford
10. Henry L. Crawford

THE SEVEN CRAWFORD SONS

Louella Tate and William Henry Payne Family

Excerpts from: The History of William Henry Payne

and Louella Mae Tate

Recorded by Dorris Jean Payne Williams, assisted by Virginia Helen Payne Duncan,

and Harriet Nadine Payne Seiford, August 1996.

Additions by Robert Franklin Payne, Sr., May 2001

 

  L to R: Martin Stephen Payne, Flora Mae Payne, Alva Little, 

Laura Myrtle Payne, Margorie Anderson Little, Lawrence Little (baby) 

Back: Mary Elizabeth Thompson Anderson Payne, 

William Henry Payne, Bert Little, Eva Little

Louella Mae Tate was about fourteen, when she moved from Marion, Illinois, to Belknap, Illinois, during World War I. William Henry Payne was serving in the U. S. Army, spending some time in France. The Tate and Payne families were neighbors in the county of Johnson. The Payne's owned a 40 acre farm, and Frank Tate worked on the farm owned by Cal Casper in Johnson County, Illinois. Previously, Frank Tate had worked as a fireman on the railroad between Marion and Carbondale. Because of a train wreck, Frank was laid off and went to work at a local coal mine, but due to ill health, he had to get out of the mine. As a result he moved his family to the Belknap, Johnson County, Illinois area.
    When Will, William Henry Payne, returned home from the war, he was met at the train station in Belknap by a large portion of the townspeople. It was a habit of many people to meet the train just to see who got off that day. That was Louella Mae Tate's first look at the ex-soldier, who served his country in France. At that time, it was thought that Will Payne was engaged to Louella's best friend, Hettie Griffith (Lemke).
    Later Will Payne walked Louella Tate home from a party and a budding romance blossomed. They were married in Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois, at the courthouse, August 20, 1920. They made the trip to Cairo by train and returned to Belknap to make their home with Will's mother, Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Payne. Will's father had died while he was in France and he did not know until he returned home that his father, Martin Stephen Payne, had passed away.
    It seemed living with a mother-in-law proved difficult for all concerned. One of Louella's duties was to milk the cow. Each time she did so , the cow would kick. She complained to Lizzie, who always insisted the cow did not kick. One evening Louella grabbed the shinny new milk bucket and went to the barn to proceed to milk the cow. Well, the cow kicked again, flattening the bucket and spilling the milk. Louella returned to the house with flattened bucket in hand and very little if any milk. This was Lizzie's NEW SHINNY BUCKET. Needless to say words flew between them. But also other things happened. At one point Lizzie tried to feed a new grandchild, Harriet, the white part of chicken manure for colic or something similar, but Louella intervened. That DID NOT happen.
    No doubt Will was caught in the middle because sometime after Harrriet was born, Will and Louella went to Wright City, Missouri, west of St. Louis, to work as a hired hand on a cattle farm. Upon arrival at the farmer's home, Herman and Maggie Stoff, they were offered supper or maybe they called it dinner. Will and Louella were hungry and tired and upon sitting down to a beautiful table, they were given a bowl of soup, much to the dismay of Will. He thought that was IT. But, jelly, preserves, butter and apple butter were set on the table. Will ate a huge serving. Then other courses came, bringing meat, vegetables and dessert. Needless to say, they had the most elegant meal they had ever been served.
    The Stoff's were of German descent and a lovely family. The Paynes's corresponded with them for many years after they left Wright City.
    There was also another hired hand. He often came home with Will for lunch. Louella and Harriet would watch out the window at lunchtime, and if they could see two people walking, Louella would put another pan of biscuits in the oven. The man had never eaten hot biscuits, (he was a bachelor), and he really liked them.
    Will was not happy cattle farming, and was given the opportunity to go to Blytheville, Arkansas, to farm with his Uncle George Payne. George Payne, was a one half brother to Will's father, Martin Stephen Payne. Uncle George Payne owned a small farm east of Blytheville. The farm was located close to the current State Route 18 Highway and I-55 exit.
    Will and Louella, along with Harriet, rode a train from St. Louis to Arkansas. . . Louella said she had been very cold on the train as well as on the trip to Uncle George's farm. When they got to the house the doors were open and the dogs were lying all around the stove. To her, that was NOT paradise!! Louella Payne spoke well of Aunt Lula and most of the children, but Uncle George, though he was good to them, had a problem with alcohol. Will did not like that part of him. Will and Louella became very close to George and Lula's son, John Henry Payne, and his wife, Tassye Taylor Payne.
    Since it was winter and not time to start farming, Will went to work for the Chicago Mill and Lumber Company. The company had houses in Blytheville for their workers. Will and Louella moved into one of them. It was located on the east end of town. Virginia was born there in 1923. . .
    . . . About 1925, Will and Louella, located at Hermondale, Missouri, near Holland, just across the Ark-Mo state line, on a farm owned by Uncle George Payne. Will was farming there when Wayne Kenneth Payne, was born. Also while living in Missouri, the couple made friends with Wallace and Tiny, (probably a nickname), Cox. They owned a grocery store. Tiny would always include Harriet in the candy giving. The families remained friends for many years, visiting frequently and exchanging Christmas cards. . .
    After living in Hermondale for a while, they moved back to Blytheville and lived near the Sudbury School. It was there that Harriet began school. Virginia remembers that Louella walked Harriet to school.
    Also at that time, Leatha Tate, Louella's sister, lived with the family and worked at Blytheville Laundry, located on South First Street. Leatha met and married Bill Payne, son of George and Lula Payne, and Will's half cousin, whom she later divorced. Leatha Tate Payne later married Bucey Owens, and lived in Yarbro, Arkansas, where Bucey farmed in the area. Later they moved south of Roseland and lived there for several years and later moved near Dell, Arkansas, and farmed until Bucey's death.
    Sometime after that the family moved to the Ekron Community, which is now County Road 519, near the Half Moon Community, northeast of Dell, Arkansas. There was a post office, school and (a store) in the community. For many years, Will sharecropped 40 acres with two mules on the John Roney farm. He was given a "furnish" (loan) of $25.00 a month, which was paid back when the crop was harvested. Later Will farmed the entire farm of John Roney until he retired. It was while there, Wilma Jane Payne, was born in 1928. She died February 01, 1929, and one year later on February 01, 1930, Dorris Jean Payne, was born. One fall, Will was not able to repay Mr. Roney, so he moved to another place. After farming a year, he repaid the loan to Mr. Roney. Mr. Roney was impressed and said no farmer had ever done that before.
    Will and Louella moved to Yarbro, Arkansas, north of Blytheville, and lived in a big house with Leatha and Bucey Owen, Louella's sister. Will farmed with Bucey on the Easley place. Later they lived in Flat Lake community, east of Blytheville. It was there that Will fell off a mule that was frightened when going over a bridge and broke his arm.
    Dorris was just big enough to walk. Once while walking by her Dad's side, she hit her head on his arm cast. Thinking she had hurt him she would say "sorry". While there, Will farmed for Mr. Colony. From Flat Lake, the family moved back to the Ekron Community, where Johnny William, Robert Franklin and Russell Lee were born in 1933, 1937 and 1939 respectively. They remained there until 1984, when Will and Louella moved were they lived when they first moved to Blytheville. Will died in 1985 and Louella in 1990.
    The Ekron Community and Town of Dell, Arkansas, has been a vital part of this family lives. All of the children of William Henry and Louella Mae Payne attended school at Dell. Harriet, Virginia, Dorris, Johnny, Robert and Russell Payne, graduated high school at Dell. Dell was a vital part of the lives of all of the siblings.
    William Henry Payne served on the Dell School Board for a short period of time after the Ekron School consolidated with Dell. Robert Franklin Payne, Sr., son of William and Louella Payne lived in Dell, for a number of years, working at the Dell Compress and later, Agrico Chemical Company east of Blytheville. Robert Payne served on the Dell Town Council for a number of years and the Dell School Board from the mid 1970's till Dell School consolidated with Gosnell Schools.

---

Payne Family Records
Submitted by:
Robert Franklin Payne, Sr.
Grandson of Martin Stephen Payne, Son of William Henry Payne
 

---

Martin Stephen Payne (son of Henry Y. Payne and Jane Cave)    b. 1 Dec 1858  N. C.     d. 21 Nov 1918  Ill
   (Martin Stephen Payne moved to southern Illinois in 1872 at the age of 12 years old. He was living with his
   parents in 1880 in New Grand Chain, Pulaski County, Illinois. His father, Henry Y. Payne, moved his family of
   six children, and his second wife, Mary Ann Burris from Surry County, Illinois. The story was told by one of
   Henry Y. Payne's daughters, the family floated by raft down river, starting on the New River in western Virginia,
   just across the State Line from Surry County, North Carolina, across West Virginia to the Ohio River and down
   to Hillerman Landing just west of Metropolis, Massac County, Illinois.)
        married: Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Thompson (Anderson)         b. 15 Aug 1865  Ill       d. 25 Nov 1951  Ill

Children of Martin Stephen Payne and Mary Elizabeth Thompson Anderson:

01    William Henry Payne                    b. 2 Sept 1893  Ill         d. 24 Jan 1985  Ar
            (William Henry Payne served in the U. S. Army Calvary during World War I. He served in France and
            Germany. He was overseas when his father, Martin Stephen Payne, passed away. William did not know
            until his return home after the War that his father had died. William and Louella moved to Northeast
            Arkansas, near Blytheville in 1922 and remained in the area the remainder of their lives.)
                married 28 Aug 1920  Ill
                Louella Mae Tate                  b. 4 Dec 1900  Ill.        d. 3 Nov 1990  Ar
                    (Parents: Franklin Tate and Auta Mae Hutchinson)
                Children of William Henry Payne and Louella Mae Tate:
                        01-01    Harriet Nadine Payne             b. 6 Apr 1921  Ar
                            married 18 Dec 1943  Ar
                            George Arthur Seiford                     b. 3 Sept 1922  Ar
                                (Parents: George Seiford and Myrtle Church)
                        01-02    Virginia Helen Payne              b. 30 May 1923  Ar
                            married 26 July 1946  Ar
                            Carl Eugene (Tootsie) Duncan        b. 24 Jan 1924  Ar
                                (Parents: Claude Duncan and Velia Tomlinson)
                        01-03  Wayne Kenneth Payne             b. 7 Apr 1925  Mo        d. 6 Mar 1993 Ms
                            married 10 Jan 1945  Ar
                            Ruth Juanita Trammel                     b. 13 Jul 1928
                                (Parents: Paul and Ida Trammel)
                        01-04  Wilma Jane Payne                    b. 9 Dec 1927  Ar         d. 1 Feb 1929  AR
                        01-05  Dorris Jean Payne                    b. 1 Feb 1930  Ar
                            married 7 Oct 1961  Ar
                            Charles Clark Williams                   b. 21 Jul 1930  Ar
                                (Parents: Chelsa Sigle Williams and Dorothy Clemance Clark)
                        01-06  Johnny William Payne              b. 30 Apr 1933  Ar
                            married 21 May 1953 Ar
                            Betty Sue Lauderdale                      b. 8 Apr 1935  Ms
                               (Parents: Samuel and Emily Lauderdale)
                        01-07  Robert Franklin Payne             b. 3 Jul 1937  Ar
                            married 30 Aug 1956  Ar
                            Loretta Yvonne Sigman                   b. 21 Sept 1938 Ar
                                (Parents: Earl Kimbrough Sigman and Lois Loretta Lollar)
                        01-08  Russell Lee Payne                    b. 14 Aug 1939  Ar
                            married 27 Aug 1960  Ar
                            Patricia Lee Penter                          b. 8 Jul 1941  Ar            d. 16 Feb 1989 Ar
                                (Parents: Arthur Penter and Ora Lee Hawkins)
                            married 28 Jan 1995  Tn
                            Helen Ingram Watkins

02  Donna Bell Payne    b. 18 Sept 1895  Ill    d. 23 Aug 1896  Ill

03  Earnest Guy Payne  b. 18 Sept 1897  Ill    d. 22 Jan 1898  Ill

04  Lura Myrtle Payne  b. 22 Oct 1899  Ill      d. 22 Jan 1999  Ill (99 y o)
        married: Earl Miller  b. 9 Jan 1898          d. 25 Nov 1986  Ky
        married: William Larrsion   b. 1898  Ill    d. 1984 Ill

05  Flora Mae Payne     b. 16 Mar 1901 Ill      d. 2 Nov 1972 Ill
        married: Clyde William Betts   b. 25 Jul 1897 Ill   d. 12 Jul 1981 Ill

06  Lilliam Precilla Payne   b. 27 Mar 1905 Ill    d. 14 Sept 1905 Ill

Photo: William Henry Payne, Margie Anderson Little, 
Laura Myrtle Payne and Flora Payne
 
 

CC DUNCAN MEMORIES: Farmer's Gin Company of Dell

"U. W. Moore, Leslie Moore, Earl Magers, Russell Greenway, Dewey Sheppard built the Farmers Gin Co. of Dell, Inc. Mr. Earl Magers managed the gin until his death in January 1957. During the time Mr. Magers managed the Cotton Gin, I worked on the farm during the spring months. I weighed cotton at the Farmers Gin Co. of Dell, Inc, during the winter and fall months. 

You might say I got an education on how far people would go to cheat. On certain customers trailers, I had to check and see if they had some people in the trailer, too. Also, if there was a water keg or barrel on the trailer, I checked to see if it had water in it. I repeated the above when they weighed back across with the empty trailer. The cottonseed rebate was figured on the first weight, less the weight of the cotton bale. To have a higher rebate, the people would not weigh back across, and they'd dump the water.

After Russell Greenway and Mr. Earl Magers died, it left Mr. U. W. Moore and Leslie Moore. The Board of Directors appointed me as manager. There were a few other customers, but really not very many. The gin customers were made up of the stockholders. Most of the cotton came to the cotton gin in trailers. I tried to gin the trailers in rotation as they were weighed across the scales. You always had some that had to have the trailer now. I would stay with the schedule. It was tough on the small person, because they did not have enough trailers for their cotton. The Moore brothers told me all they cared about was getting their trailers empty. So I tried to do that. Everything went along well, except I had ginners who liked to drink on the job. I got John Ray trained as a ginner and had much better luck. Of course you had the break downs in machinery. I spent many nights, as well as days, going to Memphis, Tennessee for parts. I did not get paid that much, but the job was ideal for me. I had the farm, but Arnold (Gilliam) took care of that. I could spend my time on the golf course, or with the family during the summer months. But come fall, that gin ran 24 hours a day."

WRITTEN 9 OCTOBER 2002

Al Hibbler: Famous Singer Remembers Dell

Google "Al Hibbler" on the internet. Chances are the information you'll find will never mention that Hibbler ever lived in Dell, Arkansas. But, he did. In fact, it was while he was living in Dell as a boy that Mrs. Myrtle Martin took an interest in the obviously talented young man. She worked diligently to get Al and his brother accepted into the Arkansas State School for the Blind in Little Rock, Arkansas, where they began classes in 1930. And, as they say, "the rest is history!" In 1935 while Al was studying voice at the Blind School, he first met Duke Ellington. Almost a decade later, they met again. This time The Duke hired Hibbler. From there Al Hibbler became a legend, singing for many great bands before going solo. His biggest and best known hit "Unchained Melody" sold 3.5 million copies in just six months. "He" sold 2.5 million copies.

The Arkansas State School for the Blind may claim they taught Hibbler voice, but he always told friends that he learned more about singing while sitting at Brownlee's Store (in Dell), listening to the radio. He was known as a "street singer" even then. Dallas Brownlee often spoke of he and other friends, sitting on the Hibbler front porch and listening to the young Al sing.

The following article appeared in the Blytheville Courier News ca 1991.

Dell Native Makes a Swing Through

by Tammie Howell, CN Staff Writer

BLYTHEVILLE--One of Missisppi County's own came back for a visit last week, jazz singer, Al Hibbler.
Hibbler was visiting Alle Freeman from Little Rock when he decided that 40 years was too long to go without coming home for a visit. Hibbler grew up in Dell and shared several memories of his childhood. Blind from birth, Hibler said, he used to sit all day in the Brownlee's Store in Dell and listen to the radio. "I learned more about singing by listening to that store radio," he said. "I used to sit there all day long, just listening." All of that listening must have paid off for Hibbler, because at the age of 75, he's still singing and has been ever since those days of listening to the radio in Brownlee's store in Dell. Hibbler said that Myrtle Martin of Dell helped him and his brother, who was also blind, to attend the Arkansas State School for the Blind in Little Rock. In Little Rock, Hibbler was known as a street singer, because he sang everywhere he could. In 1935, Hibbler graduated from the blind school and went to work singing with local bands. He sang with Monroe Fingers and His Yellow Jackets, Tex Boots and His Buddies and ended up singing with Duke Ellington in the 1940's. After singing with Ellington, Hibbler went out on his own. "He" was the title of one album he put out that sold 2.5 million copies and "The Unchanged Melody" which he released in 1955 sold 3.5 million copies in six months. "I made five cents a record on that," he said. Another of his songs, "After the Lights Go Down Low," sold 950,000 copies. As Hibbler reminisces, names such as Nat King Cole and the young Frank Sinatra flow with the conversation. "I knew Frank when he was just starting out," he said.During the interview, a childhood friend, Frank Collins, resident of Blytheville, came in to visit. The men shook hands, and Hibbler told his friend, "You look good! You look real good."About his blindness, Hibbler said, "People tell me that I can't see, I don't tell them, because I see a lot.""Life can be so beautiful, whether you're blind or not, if you know how to live it!" he said.One of his secrets to living a happy life, he said, was "I don't worry about things that I can't do anything about." Problems, he said, were made by people who enjoyed creating problems! "I do my best to make everything easy," he said.Hibbler said he'd had a very good life. He's been around the world twice, with his singing career, even to Australia, he added. He's won many awards, including the Down Beat Award-three times, the Esquire Award-twice, and lots of awards from colleges including "The Kings Of Singers" award, given to him in 1955 from Columbia University. One plaque that his is very proud of is from Gov. Bill Clinton, which was presented to him for doing a benefit concert for Philander Smith College.Of all this, Hibbler said, one of his greatest achievements was to be able to come back home after all these years and visit the people. For the past two or three years, Hibbler has been working on his autobiography. The book entitled, "Al Hibbler: Sees All and Tells All," should be out by the end of the year, he said.When asked if he was still recording, Hibbler said, "Yes, when I find a recording company who wants to record something sane. I like to sing so that People know what I'm talking about!"As the interview drew to a close, Freeman, played several of Hibbler's songs on a cassette player. The three men, Hibbler, Collins, and Freeman, sat there, not speaking, but listening to Hibbler's voice coming from the cassette player as he sang, "He Is Always There," and "What Tis," each lost in their own thoughts.

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----Al Hibbler died 2001 in Chicago, Illinois. He was 85 years old.----

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More of his story, his family and ancestors to come. . .

Cemeteries in the Dell Area

J. RUDDLE, GRANDFATHER OF ALICE RUDDLE MAGERS--buried at the Mississippi River

Local Cemeteries in the Dell Area:
Mooney Cemetery: On an old Indian mound north of Dell lies what is known locally as the Mooney Cemetery. Many of the tombstones date back to the mid-19th century, but the mound was used by Native Americans long before that. Many burial sites are unmarked. Many tombstones are broken and lost. The following is a list of the those that remain, as recorded by Gerald Sizemore: 
 

M. A., Wife of John Perry, April 3, 1849-Sept 9, 1904	Callie, Son of C. D. & M. A. Edwards, July 16, 1893-Feb 1, 1906
Ellen Perry, Oct 12, 1901-June 15, 1917	John, Son of G. & M. A. Edwards, Nov 17, 1881-Oct 9, 1882
B. J., Daughter of J. W. & Maggie Perry, May 8, 1898-Nov 18 1899	G. D. Edwards, Died May 23, 1914, Age 61
Lorene Perry, Sept 19, 1915-June 22, 1917	Mother: Lula Field Crawford, Feb 1870-June 27, 1920
Joe Perry, Apr 20, 1889-Oct 10, 1916	Father: Rev. William L. Crawford, Feb 15, 1847-Jan 13, 1916
J. A., Daughter of John & M. A. Perry, May 19, 1884-Dec 2, 1898	Rebecca, Wife of G. H. Edwards, Apr 15, 1863-Feb 16, 1897
Minnie Fisher, Feb 10, 1884-Apr 16, 1909	Van P. Wolley, Oct 7, 1922-July 19, 1924
Gracie H. Southard, Feb 28, 1905-Oct 21, 1928	Ted A. Barger, July 17, 1880-Aug 28, 1920
Aarena E., Dau of t. J. and E. Daugherty, Mar 6, 1902-Aug 28, 1902	William Avitts, Dec 11, 1852-May 23, 1914
William Roberts, Jan 12, 1879-Feb 4, 1916	John Thomas Merryman, Nov 23, 1917-Mar 5, 1918
Robin H., Son of J. W. & C. A. Meador, Jun 3, 1896-Sept 12, 1917	Perlie Angeline Merryman, Feb 20, 1912-Feb 27, 1918
Lucy Belle, Dau of J. W. and C. A. Meador, Feb 1913-Sept 1916	Charles A. Enloe, Feb 15, 1857-Dec 27, 1910
	Mary E., Wife of M. J. Bishop, Died 1866

Wilkins Cemetery: Ekron/Half Moon Area: Sometime in the mid-90s, Mom (Irene Magers Duncan) and I fought our way through the briars and brambles on a mission to record as many tombstones as possible in this cemetery. I'm sure we did not find all the marked graves. It was also apparent that many graves had never been marked.

James Riggs,	Annie Bell, Dau of J. T. and M. E. Merryman, Feb 10, 1901- March 22, 1903
Cordelia Ann Riggs, His Wife, 1865-1924	Minerva E., Wife of A. J. Estes, June 17, 1854-April 2, 1910
James W. Riggs, Their Son, 1899-1924	Thos E. Bunch, Son of M. E. and Mita Bunch, Oct 20, 1880-July 19, 1892
Ellen Patterson, April 14, 1832-October 22, 1912	Baby Holland, Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Holland, b.&d Feb 20, 1918
Theodore, Son of H. C. and M. E. Duncan, May 23, 1884-Aug 24, 1906	Woodrow, Son of W. D. & Lelia Deason, Mar 23, 1916-Apr 24, 1917
Alva, Son of C. T. and A. P. Duncan, Nov 8, 1911-October 29, 1912
Thomas Duncan, May 2, 1821-June 27, 1914	Infant Daughter of W. B. and A. L. Vastbinder, b&d June 7, 1902
Washington, Son of C. T. and Alice Duncan, Feb 22, 1916-June 14, 1917	Jessie E., Son of Samuel & L. L. Vastbinder, Mar 3, 1890-Dec 23, 1904
Clyde Farris Duncan, Oct 21, 1910-Nov 26, 1912
Rudy Jewel Duncan, Oct 6, 1914-June 4, 1917	Lawrence, Son of W. O. T. & T. F. Danon, Jun 28, 1905-Jun 21, 1908
Lilly Ethel, Daughter of C. T. and A. P. Duncan, July 11, 1905-Oct 2, 1905
Flora, Daughter of C. T. and A. P. Duncan, Feb 6, 1899	J. M. McGill, February 1, 1855-January 6, 1912
Earnest L. Son of E. R. and Lizzie Heflin, Aug 20, 1917-June 19, 1918	Earnest A. Kinney, February 5, 1881-August 9, 1908
Hervie W., Son of H. W. and S. J. Richardson, May 14, 1907-May 27, 1907	J. J. Easter, December 10, 1843-January 30, 1908
Lolar, Wife of J. G. Richardson, December 20, 1888-August 16, 1909	L. M. Widner, December 1, 1858-June 25, 1905
Baby J. W. Richardson, July 24, 1926-July 24, 1926	G. W. Rhodes, May 26, 1855-October 1, 1905
Tommy, Son of J. G. & J. L. Richardson Nov 5, 1907-Nov 9, 1907	Joseph Renfro, Aged 85 Years, Died: November 16, 1904
Becca Jane Richardson, May 23, 1855-March 22, 1904	James U., Son of J. N. & S. A. Robinson, Born: Apr 5, 1888, Aged 1 Day
B. N. Shultz, December 11, 1869-August 26, 1916	Sara A., Wife of J. N. Roberson, Died: Aprl 8, 1888, Aged 44 Years
Tlitha Shultz, November 24, 1887-December 26, 1916	Dorothy Wilkins
Liz Golden, January 28, 1862-March 16, 1907	Vanae, Wife of J. C. Smith, Feb 4, 1844-Mar 31, 1913
C. C. Golden, October 28, 1849-March 17, 1907
Claracy C., Wife of M. Ashbranner, February 4, 1856-June 8, 1889
M. E. Ordin, Son of M. S. N. & C. C. Ashbranner, Sept 3, 1891-Mar 14, 18-
James E., Son of M. & C. Ashbranner
Silas P., Son of M. S. N. & Clara Ashbranner, Apr 12, 1887-Jan 9, 1900

Shady Grove Cemetery, Shonyo: The Shady Grove Cemetery is a cemetery of African Americans. Very few tombstones are present, but it is evident that many persons are buried there. The cemetery stood to the right of the Shady Grove Church.

Delia, Wife of Noah Bell, Oct 18, 1874-Sept 30, 1926	Bunnie Titus, Arkansas Pvt 526 Engrs, October 22, 1932

Simmons Plantation Cemetery: The Simmons Plantation Cemetery is also an African American cemetery. A stone marker reads: 1923 "This burial ground decicated by B. S. Simmons to the Loyal Members of the Negro race who have served him and this plantation so devotedly and so faithfully through the years." Very few tombstones are present but many persons buried there. A fence encloses the area. A church once sat close to the cemetery.

Zack Murphy, Died Nov 22, 1964, Age 75 years Annie His Wife "Loyal and Devoted Employees of B. S. Simmons for 48 years"

GROWING UP IN THE DELTA by DeLois Tittle

While my father, Curtis Duncan, was fighting his battle with cancer, DeLois Tittle wrote him several letters, telling him how the crops were doing and did some reminiscing along with it. DeLois works at Half Moon Farms. She grew up in this area and went to Dell School. With her permission I have added some of her letters to this site, hoping her words might bring back some memories to those who spent their childhood growing up on the farm. 

June 8, 2005 

Dear Mr. Duncan,

Well farming is in full swing and things are busy. We could surely use a rain, but that will come when the good Lord deems it to be time. The crops are looking good and hopefully this will be a good year for all of us. We tried to cut wheat yesterday but the moisture is still too high so we have put it on the back burner for a few days. Tons of fertilizer are being put out and we are using the pivots where we have them. Of course there are the usual problems of flats and the men running out of chemicals faster than Randy can service them all. . .I once had a dream of owning maybe 40 acres of ground for him to farm. . .I suppose because I came from a farming background and have never lost my amazement at the constant replenishing of the earth which made me want some land so badly. So I still stay close to my roots in my profession and rejoice as do the men when spring finally arrives and we smell the soil and know when it's time to plant. You know exactly what I mean. When I was a child we learned which soils would make the best mud cakes by the feel and the smell. Of course my mom did not always share our enthusiasm when she would find out we were taking her eggs for the batter. Once I slipped into a hen house to steal some eggs from underneath a chicken. I had seen my mother do it many times, but she would put the egg back. That was very confusing to me until I took the egg and did not put it back into the nest. I learned what a setting hen was in a way I never forgot. She clawed and pecked me and my mother came running when she heard my screams. I was still holding the egg when she arrived. She took it from my hand and returned it to the nest and the hen was happy. I was too young to realize she was preparing for the baby chicks with those eggs. That was one time I did not get a spanking as my mother felt I had already had one which would leave an indelible impression on me. She was certainly correct. Did I quit stealing the eggs? Certainly not, I just made sure I got them from a nest which did not have a hen sitting atop. As I said I came from the farm in the most practical sense. I can still see the ladies around the quilting frames and remember when I first learned to piece a quilt. All was done by hand and sewed with love making many memories from the fabrics used and the time shared with neighbors. How different from today in this fast paced world. The generations which have followed us have lost a great heritage which could only result from the experience and never realized by our sharing in word the lessons of life we learned. How lucky we are to have those memories and foundation upon which to call when we need them....

PLOWS AND WHEELS FROM BURDETTE PLANTATION

June 21, 2005

Hello,

Well it's definitely summertime in the delta and I am glad you are inside and cool. It seems as it gets hotter my errands increase or perhaps I just notice it more. As I am cold natured the heat is a welcome experience for me but as I recall the days when I was chopping cotton it was not always so welcome especially when the wind was so hot and dry. How we longed for some rain and on those nights when it would rain the sound of the spatters heard through an open window were so relaxing and gave the night breeze a cool breath. We did not have an air conditioner and a fan for each bedroom was a luxury not easily afforded. In preparation of the coming summers, we always had to make sure the screens were in good order. That's how I learned to cross stitch though that was not the terminology we used. The term then was just patching the screens. It was certainly effective. When growing up on the farm and arising at 4:30AM to help with breakfast and be in the field by 6:00AM, I had all the fantasies of most farm kids to get a job when I grew up that would not require getting up before daylight. I would sit on the back porch fighting the mosquitoes and make all the plans for my future. The warm nights were filled with the perfume of honeysuckle and gently wisped me away into dreams and aspirations. The next day however was filled with the reality of my present plight but my nights were always there to keep my dreams alive. At this time of year we were looking forward to July as the crops would be layed by. Though getting relief from the chopping there was more work to do as this time was for canning and quilting. Children always worked from an early age so gardening, canning sewing skills were as much a part of our education as going to school. Some would view my childhood as difficult but it really was not. Life was slower and a much gentler time than the busy schedules of present days and filled with love and security. We had no reason to lock our doors at night and could never have imagined the crime of today. I am so glad I have that heritage and the strength it gave me to cope with all the things that happen in life. How lucky I was to have a good foundation  which was provided by good Christian parents. Farming has changed so much since then and how I wish my dad could have lived to see the wonders of it all. The cotton here was more than head high and picked by hand rather than machines so it could be grown even on poor black dirt and nothing will ever be as good as watermelons picked directly from the vine when ripe. Filled with sweet goodness we always ate too much of them and of course the rinds were the choice weapon against siblings and friends. Thanks for going down memory lane with me and perhaps it has stirred some sweet memories for you of days long since gone, but never forgotten. All the promises made I find myself getting up at 4:30AM every morning so I can be at work by 6:00. I suppose old habits are hard to die, but you know I probably wouldn't have it any other way...

THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER

Killing Bares Jungle Casino at Pettyville

BIG LAKE--by T K PHOTOGRAPHY

Eva Melton, born in Manila, Arkansas, sent this article via email.  She received her copy from the Dorsey Edmundson Family. She is currently researching her Edmundson roots. Thank you, Eva, for sharing. . .
 
(ca. 1922 or 1923)
 
KILLING BARES JUNGLE CASINO AT PETTYVILLE
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Arkansas Sheriff Flushes Young Monte Carlo When Gamblers End Love Feud in Fight.
-----------------     MANILA, Ark., May 8--Clustered in the jungle wilds near Pettyville, amid fragrant blossoms of rustic foliage, sheriff's deputies today stumbled upon a secluded Monte Carlo, a veritable hidden casino that rivaled Arkansas City, in its calmest days, for poker action and dice fading fame.
    This nook of the card sharp and lair of the "crap shooter" was revealed during a man hunt by the sheriff in the aftermath of a desperate love feud, fought to the death, last Saturday, when Dorsey Edmundson, of Big Lake, Ark., was found beneath a card table, a bullet wound in his breast.
    George Duncan, of Dell, Ark., was sought by the deputies, charged with the murder. He was captured and conveyed to the Blytheville jail because indignation against the prisoner was running rampant in this community. Money plentiful in Game
    As the story was learned by the sheriff, a "craps game" was the star attraction of the woodland casino Friday night and early Saturday. Coin and bills in prosperous amounts had changed hands during the night's performance and business was picking up in the "tiger's retreat."
    "Moonshine" was bubbling and beading and old Bacchus was in his prime until Duncan and Edmundson met at the table of the "galloping dominoes."
    Duncan and his wife had been separated for two or three years. Edmundson was alleged to have been paying her court. The feud of jealous rivalry had long been pending, and friends had forecast "hip pocket" action between the two more than once.
    A dispute, ______ over the game, spectators thought, arose between the two. Duncan is alleged to have reached for his "gat." There was a click, an explosion and a burst of smoke. Edmundson crumpled on the ground.
    The deputies found all the tables, chairs and paraphernalia of a metropolitan gambling resort in the dense growth of brush and wildwood.

With Permission by T K Photography