River Brought First People to Crittenden

Rivers and Paddle Wheeler From Yesteryear

The following recollection was told to Bob M. Wheeler by his father, Floyd Clark Wheeler as they went on boating trips on the Ohio when Mr. Wheeler was game warden for the county.

 

Before Navigational Dams 50 and 51 and the dikes on the Ohio were constructed, the current of the Ohio bounced off Battery Rock on the Illinois bank, then swung southwest to the Kentucky bank where the Tradewater added to its onward rush.

 

The residue from the two rivers formed a large earth and rock bar on the Illinois side opposite what was to become Weston. This bar extended down river in sandbars with the end being at the present Dam 50 site.

 

This bar forced the river into a narrow canal-like channel that hugged the Kentucky bank until the waters from Camp Creek merged with the Ohio. It then bounced off Cottonpatch Hill and slowly swung northwest to hug the Illinois bank past the Cave-In-Rock bluff. This formed a natural crossing place for larger grazing animals on there way to the Saline River Valley salt licks in southern Illinois.

 

Down from Cave In Rock was the formation of huge sand bars, which later became McKinley Island. The river then bounced off the Tower Rock out-jutting to slant southwest thru the narrow channel between the McKinley bars and the head bar of Hurricane Island. This passage was the one feared most by captains of mercantile flatboats. They would even hire local pilots at Cave In Rock to maneuver their boats through the rough passage.

 

At Hurricane Island, the Ohio struck the Kentucky bank a little above what is now called Hurricane Creek. The creek added more swift water to the river's flow. It was just below the mouth of Hurricane Creek that a Revolutionary War pensioner of Virginia, Robert Kirk, set up a flatboat dock on his land grant. The site was very near today's equipment transfer point from the Tolu Landing to Hurricane Island. It became knows as Kirksville and it was the only dock marked in what is now Crittenden County on the early Ohio River navigational charts.

 

Below Kirksville, the Ohio channel rushed down on the south side of Hurricane Island, (the opposite of today's flow which resulted by the constructional of navigational dams), and curved its way around the west tip of the island, before taking a northwestward turn to bounce off the Illinois side below Elizabethtown.

 

It would have been extremely difficult for the first pioneers of Crittenden County to land and dock these flatboats, which contained fragile household and farming equipment of the early years, without expert piloting. The supplying of the settlers who had pioneered what was to be Crittenden County was done overland, and soon became a profitable market to many advanced-type commercial flatboats. So enterprising pioneers like Robert Kirk and George Flynn at Weston took advantage of ownership of natural harbors to provide docks for this trade.

***

After reading and learning about some of the early history of the the Ohio River let's recall some of the wonderful and nostalgic, steamboats that plied these rough and rowdy waters of long ago.

 

Of the early steamboat captains and boat owners, few names rated higher than the names of Judge Wiley Fowler's sons. Famous boats bore their names: the Joe Fowler, the Gus Fowler, and the Dick Fowler. 

 

The Joe Fowler was named for Captain Joseph Fowler and was the most popular packet on the river. She made regular trips with passengers and freight from Louisville to Pittsburgh and she was always in demand for Madri Gras season for the trip to New Orleans. The Joe Fowler was the fastest stern-wheeler on western waters. The shanty boat dwellers dreaded to see her coming, because she threatened their tiny boat-home that dotted the rivers for many years. Not only did the Joe Fowler carry passengers and mail, but she carried freight. 

 

Despite the fact that the Joe Fowler was a hard working boat, both she and the Dick Fowler were luxuriously furnished for passengers and live bands provided music for dancing each evening.

 

Another excursion boat owned by the Fowlers was the Idlewilde. Her river excursions were a popular event. Instrumental bands of the time were on board to provide entertainment and music for dancing on the Ohio. She made regular stops at all the landings along this area. 

 

In the early 1900's, Mr. W. B. Wilborn, the Fowler's agent at Fords Ferry, advertised summer excursion on the steamers Joe Fowler and John S. Hopkins. He wrote that one should take advantage of the extra low rates and enjoy the most pleasant trip offered on inland waters. Boats duly furnished and have all appointments. Orchestra on board. The fare, with berth and meals, from Fords Ferry to Paducah and return is $2.50 for the round trip, and from Fords Ferry to Evansville is $3.00 for the round trip. 

 

It is fascinating to think about the steamers stopping at all the landings along the Ohio that we are familiar with, from Weston, and Fords Ferry to Clementsburg, Cave-In-Rock, Tolu, Rosiclare, Carrsville, and E'town landings. What a bustling and wonderful sight it must have been. 

 

Many other excursion boats also operated on the rivers and the showboats announced their arrival to all the local towns with booming calliopes and she cruised down the river, the music bouncing off the hills at Weston and Cave In Rock and echoing down the river. 

 

The Delta Queen when she was docked at Cave-In-Rock in 2008.

(note: I was fortunate enough a few times, before the historic Delta Queen was docked for good in Oct. 2008, to hear the calliope as she docked at Cave-in-Rock landing and as she took off and resumed her trip down the river. It is something I will never forget, and makes you long to hear it once again and to see the great paddle wheel churning the river as she moved away.)

***

Violent Storm Hits County, Tolu Hit Hardest

The Crittenden Press, June 10, 1993.

June 4, 1993 – Violent Storm Sweeps County.  Tolu Hit Hardest.

When the skies began to darken over Tolu Friday morning, June 4, some residents of that community, did not think it would be different from any other storm.

However, in less than an hour one small community was almost literally turned upside down.

A storm, packing up to 95 mph winds, hail, lightening and heavy rains, that moved across the entire Crittenden County area, stuck it’s heaviest blow in Tolu, according to Tolu Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tony Alexander.

Alexander said state officials he had talked with have no doubt that it was a tornado that ripped through the Tolu area leaving behind massive amounts of debris, downed trees and structure damage. Residents there were left without electricity, water and telephone services.

One home in the community belonging to Myra Hamilton, has been declared a total loss by insurance adjusters.

Judge John May declared a state of emergency Friday and Alexander and other set up a command post and shelter for all of the county’s storm victims at Tolu Elementary School.

The shelter was the source of food and restroom facilities for victims and workers and was used as temporary housing for some.

Alexander and others, who were working near the Tolu community when the storm hit, had to use chain saws to cut a path though the downed trees blocking the roads to get into the community to survey the damage and help storm victims.

Noble Wright, a Tolu resident, who was a home said after the storm quieted that there are three streets here, and it looked like every one of them was covered in 15 to 20 feet of trees.

In addition to Tolu, the nearby Hebron community was also hard-hit, according to Alexander. The storm swept through the area and downed numerous trees of all sizes.

200-Year-old Tree Fell Victim to Storm  

Gene Brazell, said he lost one of the most important symbols of stability in his life. His home was not damaged by the storm, neither he nor his family were injured, but he lost a piece of history that is irreplaceable – a 200-year-old Cherry Bark Oak Tree. The tree was located on Brazell’s farm which reaches to the bank of the Ohio River.

I can’t describe the feeling I have about the loss of that tree, Brazell said. He said part of his sadness comes from the fact that the tree was on his farm when the nation began. Brazell found the tree while he was tending cattle when he was 18 years old. He said he continually visited the tree, and it was a place for him to go and relax.

The Kentucky Forestry Division determined the age of the tree to be around 200-year-old, and said it was by far the largest of its kind in Kentucky.

 

Reign of Outlaws

 This interesting article is from an old book titled "The Ohio River" printed in 1906 by G.P. Puttnam's Sons, New York.  The Reign of Outlaw and Rowdy.  I love these early printings, for I feel the earlier they were printed the more truthful they are, as the stories haven't been recopied and added to during the years of being reprinted.

 The Reign of River Outlaws and the Early Pioneers on Shore

The pioneers who entered the Ohio Valley after its conquest from the aborigines found it to be a beautiful gem very much in the rough. Savage conditions did not prevail, it is true, so far as scalping and burning at the stake were typical of them, but it was many ears before life and property were safe from outlaws, and more before rowdies and rowdyism ceased to menace liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

 

Drifting about from place to place setting up claims for land that rightfully belonged to others, now and then, if the exigency of the case demanded, committing brutal murder, and at all ties brawling in grog-shops and pilfering along the rivers, the outlaws of the "Ohio Country" gained a national reputation. But it will be readily admitted that in this matter there has been a vast deal of exaggeration; there was but one Micajah Harpe, and but one Harpe's head raised on a pole; yet to read some pages one would believe there was a Harpes head on every tree in the West, and an uncouth murdered behind every bush that grew along the wild Ohio's bank of flowers. 

 

Every new county must needs suffer, it seems, from the pens of travelers who portray exceptional incidents so vividly as to make the exception seem the commonplace. And it is also true that local historians have been guilty of exaggeration of events in their own localities; many small affairs have assumed great proportions under the gentle breath of legend.

 

The lower Ohio River was very sparsely settled until a comparatively late date and in pioneer days this portion of the river was for a time a noted resort for bands of pirates from whose hands the descending flat-boatman did well to steer clear. 

Cave-in-Rock, on the Illinois shore near the present hamlet of that name, was a notorious rendezvous for a number of years. This is a cavern measuring about two hundred feet long and eighty feet wide; at its mouth it is eighty feet wide and twenty-five feet high. The floor was very smooth throughout and the walls arose in grades like seats in a theater. 

 

Strange hieroglyphics dating far back into prehistoric days covered the gloomy walls. The mystery of the place was enhanced by another room-like apartment over the cavern; the passage-way to this second cavern was like a huge chimney some fourteen feet long. Since about the time of the war of 1812, if not before, this grotto has born the name Cave-in-Rock; about it towers a rocky eminence into which the grueling hands of the floods have torn this aperture.

 

Early in the century a man named Wilson brought his family to this river stronghold and made it his home. More than that, he threw the home open to the passing public and mounted his hospitable sing, "Wilson's Liquor Vault and House of Entertainments," where not the passerby reads "St. Jacob's Oil"' if the proprietor's liquids were not a balm it was not because there were not broken heads to mend. 

 

For the idea gained for its originator all the returns that his ingenuity deserved; flatboats were continually passing down the river to Mississippi ports and a grog-shop (an alcoholic liquor, esp. run diluted with water) at the water's edge was a feature that at that day and that place could not fail to attract both the curious and the thirsty. 

 

As evil never fails to carry in it the seeds of its own undoing, so here the House of Entertainment soon gathered a plotting band of guerillas headed by none other than Wilson, the proprietor, which began a murderous confidence game that take rank in the West with the worst of outrages. 

 

The gang made its headquarters on nearby Hurricane Island and the plan of operations was fiendishly simple; richly laden, were inveigled to the cave, where in short order a crew from the island took charge of the boar and floated it to New Orleans; here the cargo and boat were sold and upon returning to Cave -in-Rock the proceeds were divided. Many circumstances combined to make this conspiracy safe and the conspirators wholly free from suspicion. 

 

The danger of the river travel on the Ohio and Mississippi was great, and so many boats were wrecked that the owners of any one of the captured boats could easily account for their loss of the score of dangerous navigation.

 

Then too, there were the dangers of the return overland trip from New Orleans in case the boat did reach its destination in safely; this journey through Tennessee and Kentucky, as will be shown, was perilous in the the extreme for those carrying money. Thus the desperadoes at Hurricane Island were not suspected for some time and it was longer still before the scattered population of the region took the matter into ins hands.

 

Wilson's band numbered nearly fifty; many of these escaped before the storm broke; a few were taken prisoners. A large price was set on Wilson's head and to obtain it, one of is own murderous gang killed him. "Not long after," writes so good as authority as Collins, "In the upper room of his mysterious cavern were found about sixty skeletons, which confirmed the take of systematic confidence, betrayal, and murder.

 

The reign of outlaw-ism in the area was of prolonged duration, attracting wide attention and gaining for the area a reputation as unique as it was unsavory. The river was the highway of travel and consequently social conditions here came under the eye of hosts of travelers, whose accounts had, after, a wide circulation. Frequently these accounts were told with literal truthfulness and yet, as they stand, are misrepresentations. 

 

The outlaw-ism was a natural product of the era of disputes over land and of grubbing (clearing of the land). It was a hard time to live or let live; the good old days are written and spoken of lightly but they must not be made to cover the first two generations of pioneer life. 

 

The life was exhausting; the forests were to be feled, the great logs rolled together and burned, and families reared and provided for, and usually the land to be paid for – with markets many miles away. All this had to be done under the most difficult climatic conditions, the fevers attacking the men at their work in the wet forests, especially along the river, with regularity and often with fatal effect.

 

When this home-building and land-clearing was accomplished, if one had a picture, it would reveal not only the changes that had been wrought, but a host of prematurely broken down men and women, besides and undue proportion resting peacefully in a family grave yard nearby. 

 

If one could attempt truly to chronicle merely the hardship ad suffering of a day when dentist and rubber boots were unknown, the result would be too painful to be interesting reading.

Crittenden County Fair - September 27, 1940

Fair Weather Forecast For Two Day Event - Boxing Bouts And Riding Show 

Crittenden Fair opens this morning with a parade.  Formation is scheduled at Fohs Hall with all entries asked to assemble no later than 8:30.  The Fair continues thru Saturday concluding with a horse and riding show at the football field Saturday night.  Saturday afternoon a series of boxing bouts are to be staged at the field. 

 Parade Formation

C. W. Haynes yesterday released formation of the parade:  J. Ray Daughtrey and W. W. Runyan, Parade Marshalls; Marion School Band; Farm Bureau; Riding Section; Team of Oxen; Farm Machinery; Car Section; School Section; and Fire Dept.

Athletics

Athletic contests are to feature the Friday afternoon hours and bring together foremost athletes of the county.  Features are three legged and sack races for school pupils.

Stock Show

Stock exhibits are more and better than in former years.  This includes both prize stock, farm stock, and that entered by 4-H clubs.

Boxing

Boxing Saturday afternoon headlined by Stanley (Blackhawk) Oliver meeting Harry Mudd, Princeton, in the 114 class in a grudge battle.  Two preliminaries open the card.  Others scheduled are Charley Cook against Bill Oliver, of Princeton, both making 145 weight; Junior Foster, 130, is pitted against another Princeton scrapper, Elbert Sharkey, in the same weight division.   Six bouts appear on the main card. 

Immigrants Come To Bells Mines For Work

Immigrants Part of Our Past History

Part of our almost forgotten history lies in the northern part of county in the area known as Bells Mines. We know that John Bell, politician from Nashville, Tenn., came to Crittenden County, back while it was still Livingston county in the 1830s. He purchased a lot of land around the Tradewater river to start his coal mining company. 

 

I’ve always wondered how did a politician from Tennessee find his way to far western Kentucky to purchase land and start a coal mine operation. As we all know back in the early 1800s Andrew Jackson, another politician from Tennessee, was here exploring for silver and created a couple of our old iron furnaces. My thoughts are John Bell knew Andrew Jackson from their political careers in Nashville, and perhaps Andrew Jackson told John Bell about the this area and it’s minerals.

***

Immigrants Come To America

By the early 1850’s and 60’s, European immigrants had learned of the need for mine laborers and they began to arrive at Bells mine seeking employment.

 

The American coal industry, relied heavily on immigrant labor during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Immigrants were recruited to the coal mines in various ways. I have always wondered how the immigrants knew about the Bells Mine Coal company. How did they know to travel through the unknown and come to this area. Maybe this will give some insight on how they knew to come here. Some were attracted by labor agents stationed in major ports of entry who often recruited new arrivals by painting a rosy picture of the living and working conditions in the mines. Other followed friends and relatives in a search for employment and a steady income to support their family. 

 

In the decade from 1845 to 1855, large numbers of immigrants fled to the United States to escape the results of crop failure and starvation, civil and religious unrest, sever unemployment or almost inconceivable hardships at home. They also sought to escape the political unrest caused by riots. A lot came to the United States because all young men would be automatically drafted into the military. This is the reason the Hina family came to America and then to Bells Mines. The father wanted his sons to come here to escape being drafted and have a better life, but what their reasons were, they came to work and make a better life.

 

Many early immigrants were primarily natives of coal mining regions of Great Britain, Ireland and Wales, with large number of eastern and southern European immigrants flooding in during the late 19^th century. Many of these were skilled miners.

***

Immigrants Arrive at Bells Mines

In the 1850 Crittenden County census an unbelievable number of immigrants already lived here, all located in the area of Bells Mines. From Germany there were families and individuals totaling 74, from England 42, France 5, Prussia 6, Wales 1, Scotland 1. From Prussia and Germany came craftsmen in the trade of Shoemakers and Blacksmiths. 

 

In the 1860 Census more immigrants had come from England, Ireland, Denmark, France Baveria, Wales and from Switzerland and made the population ever more. 

 

Besides this large number of immigrants, there were also living here a large number of people from the states of Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Indiana. Most all of the heads of these families were listed as miners.

***

Naturalization Application for Immigrants

These immigrants that came to America would need to fill out an "application for naturalization" and file his intent in either the county or circuit court. He could also file his intent in one state and, if he met all the requirements, became a citizen while living in another state. 

 

The first statute dealing with naturalization was labeled the Naturalization Act of 1790 and allowed any white person, alien, of good character who have been in the United States for two years to become a citizen. Not included were slaves, indentured servants and most women. The applicant also had to renounce all allegiance and fidelity to every "foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty " and promise to support the Constitution of the United States. 

 

After his period of time was up he would return to court and finalize the process and become a citizen. There are many of these applications located in the Crittenden County Clerk’s office in the old County Court record books. Here are a couple that I abstracted.

***

Order Book 2, June 14, 1858, page 2

This day Joseph Hina appeared in Court and on his solemn oath declared that he came from Baden on or about the ___ day of ___ while a minor under the age of 21 years that he hath resided in the United States for the span of 3 years previous that it was Bonafide his intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce forever all allegiance to any foreign Prince Potentate State or Sovereignty particularly Electorate of Baden whereof he is a citizen and subject and having adduced satisfactory proof to the court that he hath resided in the United States for 3 years past that for the first three years of that period he was a minor and under age and the said Joseph Hina is declared to be and is hereby admitted a citizen of the United States which is ordered to be certified. (The Hina family stayed in the community and has descendants living here today.)

***

Book 2, July 9, 1860, Page 426

Christopher Barnaby personally appeared in Court and produced a certificate duly authenticated showing that he has on the 12^th day of April 1858 in the county court of Crittenden County in Kentucky and made the necessary declaration of his intention to become a citizen of the United States and having declared an oath that he will support the Constitution of the United States that he doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiances and fidelity to any foreign Prince Potentate State and Sovereigenty whatever and particularly Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland of whereof he was before a citizen or subject and having produced to the court satisfactory evidence of his having resided in the United State five years at least and in this state one year at least and that during that time he has behaved as a man of good moral character attached to the principals of the Constitution of the United States and will disposed to the good order and happenings of the save whereupon the said Christopher Barnaby is hereby admitted and declared a citizen of the United States.

(Christopher Barnaby stayed in Crittenden County and lived all his life in the Bells Mines community and had a small coal mine of his own, known as Barnaby’s Mine.)

***

Times were hard

In the 1860’s during the Civil War, times were extremely hard on the community of Bells Mines. There would be many days they weren’t able to work the mines and the Union army confiscated their coal barges and what coal they had mined, and took it for their own use, this left the mines unable to move what coal they had to other locations to sell for funds to pay the miners. 

 

As the hard times for the coal company continued, many of these families once again packed their belongings and moved on to other places, some moved over the county line into Union County to work in their mines, (one of these families was Piper), many moved on to Southern Illinois, and I found several families moved to West Virginia, Texas and even out west. By the 1870s and 1880s most all of the original immigrant families that came to Bells Mines had moved to other parts of the country taking their history and family names with them. But without them in the beginning, Bells Mines Coal Company might not ever have been.

 

The Bells Mines community of 1860 shows some of the families that are living there.  As you can see their occupation was "miner"

Honoring a Pioneer Mother

Aunt Rachael, A Mother’s Day Tribute

 In honor of Mother's Day this past Sunday lets visit again with our special pioneer lady, Rachael Travis and see what she did when two of her children got lost. We know Mother's are special and will do what it takes to love and protect their children. But first a little early history on this special mother.

I don't find much written history on the female's of our county, but this little lady must have made quite an impression on a lot of folks, for there are several stories about her. I would love to have a picture of her to share, but through all the years of my research, I have not found anyone that has a picture, but through the words written, you can picture her in your mind. (Rachael Travis is my 3-great grandmother.)

***

Our Aunt Rachael

Her name is Rachael Travis, people called her "Aunt Rachael." She was the daughter of John and Mary Blakeley, born Nov. 5, 1788 in York County, South Carolina. She was thirteen years old the day they crossed the top of the Cumberland Mountains coming to Kentucky. They traveled through an unbroken forest where not a single white person did they behold save those of their own party. The only thing to break the solitude of the journey was the continual change of scenery, the songs of birds, the scream of wild beast and an occasional meeting with the Indians. and she carried a rifle gun on her shoulder most of the way. Already a brave and strong person.

Rachael married James Travis Dec. 1, 1805 and they made their home on the Copperas Spring road (at the cross roads of Blackburn Church Rd. and Copperas Springs rd, where the Mike James home is today. The house is actually built around the old log home.) They were the parents of seven children, and they have many, descendants in Crittenden County today.

In 1820 Rachael commenced the practice of a Midwife and followed this profession nearly sixty years. No doubt she attended more births than anyone else in her day in Western Kentucky. When she was called she went hot or cold, rain or sunshine.

Aunt Rachael, as everyone called her, was a person with remarkable constitution. She had very little sickness during all her life. Her health was so vigorous that, a short time before her death, she could walk anywhere in the neighborhood. Her memory was so noted that she could remember all the incidents of her life, and tell them with an interest that would engage the attention of all that heard her talk. At the age of 91, on March 26^th, 1880 she was perfectly resigned to the will of her Master, and expressed her willingness to go to her eternal home and be at peace. She was laid to rest beside her husband, James in the Piney Fork Cemetery, close to where she began her life in Crittenden County.

***

Unfamiliar Surroundings

In 1821 James and Rachael Travis, a young married couple of sturdy pioneer stock, moved from their farm in the Copperas Spring community of Crittenden County to another farm near Caseyville, in Union County. They lived in Union County for only one year, and then moved back to Crittenden County, but it was there our story happened. This new territory was unfamiliar to the young children.

The country in 1821 was quite different from what it is today. There were no paved highways, only paths and wagon trails. Most of the country was in forest, with only an occasional field fenced with split rails. There were no stock laws, and what horses, cows and hogs the farmers owned were allowed to 'run out' and graze where they might.

It was a custom every morning to turn the milk cows out of the lot as soon as milking was finished and drive them a short ways from the homestead. Then after half an hour or such a matter, the calves were driven in the opposite direction and in that way cows and calves were kept separated during the day.

On this particular day, the cows and calves had been separated as usual and the family had gone to church. The preacher preached longer than usual, he always preached long, and it was past midday when the Travis family reached home.

The calves that had been driven away in the morning had not stayed away as long as usual and were on a hilltop near the barn when the family arrived.

So while Mrs. Travis prepared dinner, Tressie, age 9, and her brother James Harvey, age 5, were sent to drive the calves farther away. They drove them farther than they intended and before they realized it they were lost in the dense woods.

They kept walking and walking and just before dark came to an abandoned cabin. James Harvey wanted to go in and spend the night, but Tressie had heard stories of escaped Negro slaves that had run away from their masters in the South and were roaming through the forest on their way to Illinois and Indiana, and she was afraid to go in the cabin. So the two children kept walking until they were so tired they could walk no more. Tressie made a pillow of twigs and leaves and they lay down at the foot of a large poplar tree, Tressie with her head on the twigs and James Harvey with his head in Tressie's lap.

The noises of the night kept the sandman away. The owls were hooting and the wolves barking. Once Tressie thought she heard a panther, though she was not sure.

About two o'clock in the morning they heard something walking through the leaves, coming closer and closer, but they did not run. When it came into sight, they saw it was their father's old deer hound, Tray. He had found them.

Tressie thought that if they stayed there until morning Tray would lead them home and as soon as day began to break, they started. But Tray was not ready to go home, he was too busy hunting deer.

The two children followed him over miles and miles of woods until finally they came to a path. Someone was coming on horseback, but Tressie was afraid to call, it might be an escaped slave. The rider was looking to one side of the path and the other and as he neared the young sister and brother they saw that it was Brother Wallace, the minister of their church. Then they yelled to him.

Tressie was helped up behind the preacher and James Harvey put in front and they started for home. Brother Wallace told them that all the country side had been out looking for them, so he fired his gun to let the other searchers know that the lost were found.

***

Mother Rachael Was Watching

The three jogged on toward the Travis home and when within a few miles of it they began to hear a trumpet sound, it never ceased until they were within sight of the house. The trumpet sound was made by their father's fox horn, which is made from a cow's horn.

The trumpeter of this horn, was their mother, Rachael, and she was sitting on the comb of the roof of the house. Mrs. Rachael Travis, was a very unusual woman, with exceptional courage and stamina. All night and all day she had sat on the housetop blowing her trumpet and watching for her children.

No one had eaten since breakfast of the previous day, no one had been hungry until now. But now there was great rejoicing and feasting.

***

History of Tressie and James Harvey

Theressa Barnett Travis, called Tressie by her family, grew up and married first David Crider. He died in 1850, her second marriage was to John Price. Tressie died March 11, 1904, at the age of 92, and is buried in the James Wheeler Cemetery on Just-A-Mere Road. The Rev. James F. Price, the well-known minister and a historian of Crittenden County was John and Tressie's son.

***

James Harvey Travis, known as Harvey, grew up to be a grand old gentleman and the ancestor of many Crittenden County families of today. He first married Mary Brantley, they had nine children, and second married Elizabeth Crowell Ford, a widow, and they had nine children. He died February 28, 1908, at the age of 92, and is buried at the Crowell Cemetery, on Nunn Switch Road.

Rachael's tombstone is located in the old part of Piney Fork Cemetery.

 She and her husband James, were charter members of the Piney Fork, CP Church.

Taylor's Department Store - 1905

After the big fire in Marion in 1905 the local businessmen didn't seem to let it discourage them. Many started rebuilding their places of business back as soon as they could. On the corner of Main Street and Bellville soon after the fire, a Dry Goods store was established by Mr. Gus Taylor on the bottom floor of the Masonic Temple. It was known as the Taylor Store. Let's follow through the years and see what other changes are in the future for this store.

From the files of The Crittenden Press.

December 8, 1905 –

In the beautiful and commodious store rooms of the Masonic temple, on the corner of Main and Bellville Streets Taylor & Cannan have occupied their new quarters. These are not only large and roomy, but excellently located.

The show windows are among the largest and prettiest in town and are now handsomely dressed, one displaying a line of shoes and the other a line of carpets, rugs, both Brussels and Ingrain. On each side as one entree are two long floor cases, one containing a rare line of purses and pocketbooks and men's ready-made shirts. The other shows all kinds of collars, turnovers, combs and handkerchiefs for ladies.

The right side from counter to ceiling is devoted entirely to the shoes department. The high shelving calls for roller ladders, which have been ordered and will be installed at once. The other side contains dress goods, ribbons and hosiery of every and all descriptions.

The entire ready-made department is on the second floor. Their line of men's and boys' clothing, hats and caps and ladies' wraps is full and complete. They also carry a large line of trunks and valises. Their entire stock in new, clean and up-to-date and of the very best quality. They are not fully equipped and organized and would appreciate the inspection of the public.

Jan. 4, 1924 –

With the ending of the old year, and the ushering in of the new year of 1924, a number of Marion's well-known business firms have undergone some changes in membership and style of firms.

The firm of Taylor and Taylor, Dry Goods, composed of Gus Taylor and Creed A. Taylor has undergone reorganization. Messrs. C. W. Lamb and J. D. Vaughn have purchased the interest of Mr. C. A. Taylor and the firm will continue business under the firm name of Taylor and Co. This business house was established about twenty-two years ago under the firm name of Gus Taylor.

A year later W. D. Cannan purchased a half interest and a thriving business was done by Taylor and Cannan for seventeen years when Mr. Cannan sold his interest to Mr. C. A. Taylor. After a business career of three years the firm again undergoes the changes above referred to.

The Press bespeaks for the new firm of Taylor and Co. the same prosperity as the old firm merited in the past.

Nov. 13, 1931

In the Masonic building, on the corner of Main and Belleville Streets, is located one of this county's best-known dry goods stores. All three members of the firm, Gus Taylor, C. W. Lamb and J. Doyle Vaughn are Masons. Mr. Taylor is a Kiwanian and Mr. Vaughn, a member of the American Legion. All three take an active part in community activities.

Mr. Taylor, the senior member of the firm has been in the dry goods business in Marion for the past thirty years and was in business by himself at the beginning. His store has always been located in the same block and since the construction of the present Masonic temple after the destructive fire of 1905, the Taylor store has occupied the same building.

For seventeen years Mr. Taylor had for his partner, W. D. Cannan. In 1918 after Mr. Cannan disposed of his interest, Creed A. Taylor, became a member of the firm and the business was operated as Taylor and Taylor.

In 1924 the present firm was organized. All three devote their full time to the business. Miss Louise Love is employed as clerk.

The store enjoys an unusually good patronage, not only in Marion, but also from people throughout the county. Years of fair dealing with the public have built up for the owners a large, list of satisfied customers. Well-known makes of standard merchandise are sold. The store prides itself on the high quality of material sold, and the steady growth of the store speaks well for the management.

Dry Goods, shoes, ladies ready-to-wear and men's furnishings are sold.

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From 1947 when the Hunt's bought this store until December 2004, we all knew Taylor and Cannan's Store as Hunt's Department Store. From Allison Evan's story in the February 10^th, 2005 Crittenden Press we learn of the Hunt's move to their new location. One more piece of Hunt's Department Store history, as a youngster growing up and buying shoes in the Hunt's Department Store, I remember the roller ladder they used to reach the boxes of shoes on the higher shelves. I asked the Hamilton's what ever happened to this ladder. They told me it took up so much space that they had it removed, and it found a new home at Louise Hamilton's, Uncle Homer Guess's farm, as a ladder to the hay loft.