The Grand Jury in July 1896

From the archives of The Crittenden Press dated July 2, 1896, the Press reporter shares his thoughts with the readers of the paper. It makes for interesting reading as he tells some personal information about each member of the jury.

During a lull in business Thursday, while the grand jury engaged in discussing a basket of fine peaches, with wide open doors, the Press scribe was invited in. He timidly accepted the invitation and soon found that he was with as jolly a set of folks as one usually meets, and no where did he find any racks, screws or tweezers to be using in pulling facts from witnesses, no instruments of torture were seen.

The pleasant faces of a dozen of the best citizens of the county indicated no woe for the boys, who insist on going fishing about court time. They were:

• W. J. Hodges, a big 49 year-old Republican, and a Cumberland Presbyterian.
• William A. Woodall, aged 41 years, and a Republican for 41 years, and a Baptist for more than a score.
• David W. Brookshire, who stands charged with 56 years of time a Republican and a Baptist
• David Washington "Wash" DeBoe with a luxurious hirsute growth on his chin, but with a dirth of a similar production on the top of his head. He pulls the beam of time at 54, and is a Cumberland Presbyterian.
• William Fowler, who has been knocking around the county for 57 years; he is a Democrat, and according to his statement, "goes to all the churches."
• J. A. Yandell, whose venerable looks show plainly that he has reached three score and ten and three. He is a Republican, and doesn't belong to any church.
• J. Frank Conger, the liveliest one of the whole lot, who was reading the Press, smiled as he said: "I am only 33, a Baptist, a Republican and the best looking one of this whole lot of grand jurors."
• W. A. Adams, hale and hearty at 67, a Democrat of the old school, and a Cumberland Presbyterian.
• R. C. Givens, who had just reached the middle point of the time allotted to man, 35 years. He is a Republican when he votes, but has voted only three times, he is a Cumberland Presbyterian.
• G. W. Parish, sturdy looking as a forest oak, is just turning the 52 year; he is a Democrat and a Baptist.
• R. E. Pickens, the only merchant on the panel, handsome and suave as a man of 25, yet on the books he is charged up with 51 years. He is a Democrat and a Presbyterian.
• R. W. Wood, with a big plain honest Methodist, Democratic face, has passed by the 50th year milestone, but is yet as mild, unassuming and pleasant as a fresh modest youth.

Forgotten Passages Volume II Now Available

Forgotten Passages Volume II book is back from the printers and ready for sale. The book contains the articles that were in The Crittenden Press from 2006-2007. I've also added new information and lots of pictures that weren't originally in the articles. Some times after an article has been published, I will get calls from people that share more information or new pictures and also help me with corrections that need to be done. I welcome these calls and enjoy hearing from everyone that enjoys the articles, or case may be, want to correct me in something I've written that is in error. As usual, I will have a few typo's scattered throughout the book. I apologize for this.

If you are interested in purchasing a book contact me at 270-965-2082 or bunderdown@apex.net or Brenda Underdown, 139 Oak Hill Drive, Marion, KY 42064. The cost of the book is $30.00. If I mail it I will need to add $3.00 for the shipping and handling. I am also planning to be at the Crittenden County Historical Museum located at 124 East Bellville St. on Friday, April 25th, and Saturday April 26th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM with books for sale.

Thanks to all that have supported me by reading the articles and buying the book.

More County Court News Items

Here are some more interesting tidbits from the minutes of the County Court meetings. The court actions were published after each meeting in The Crittenden Press. These items give us a look back to a different time in our history. These minutes were printed in the Dec. 14, 1893 edition of the Press.

Dec. 14, 1893 - County Court

• The will of Silas Coram was probated.
• T. W. Williams, commissioner, reported road opened as applied for by J. R. Clement
• Upon motion of A. B. Rankin a ferry was established on Crooked Creek at Fords Ferry, and rates were fixed at 5 cents for each foot man, 10 cents for man and horse and 25 cents for team and wagon.
• Martha D. Clark qualified as administratrix of the estate of her deceased husband with W. C. Farmer and D. Woods as her securities.
• The following road overseers were appointed: J. W. Carter, Wm. Adams, D. R. Brown, Powell Heath.
• Bird Asher allowed $5.00 for making rails used in opening public road.
• Wm. Goode filed pauper claim for the year 1893 amounting to $212.59, after deducting rents
• H. K. Woods allowed $22.65 for school books furnished indigent children
  

June 6, 1895 - The following item was titled "Did you Know That"

• The court house is neatly kept
• Marion has a population of 1404
• Marion is proud of her Graded School
• The town clock could not be dispensed with
• John Skelton is making a good police judge
• John Parr's merry laughter will cure the dyspepsia
• The best school Marion ever had closes this week
• J. H. Morse is getting to be an expert wheelman
• Dr. J. H. Clark is the best fisherman in the county
• An iron fence will be put around the school house
• J. P. Pierce does more business than any other man in the county
• Squire Postlethwait has purchased a lot and will build a house in Marion
• Livingston, Lyon and Trigg counties have voted for prohibition this year
• Three men have been hung by mobs and one by the law in Crittenden County
• Frank Loyd is never happier than when in the discharge of official duties
• When Deputy Sheriff Pickens goes out after the boys he rarely returns empty handed
• Cad Bennett is knuckling down to business is Ardmore, Indian Territory
• Dr. Swope will leave behind him lots of friends and a splendid practice when he goes to New Mexico
• Friday and Saturday next is examination day, and a score or more of teachers will be on the anxious seat
• W. B. Yandells' new brick residence will add to the beauty of Bellville Street, the prettiest thoroughfare in town
• W. I. Cruce will move to Ardmore, Indian Territory, about September 1st, and that everybody in Marion and Crittenden County is sorry that he is to leave us

County News in Nov. 1891

The old Crittenden Presses that are on mirco-film, where I find most of my material for history articles, have such a variety of newsy items. From community items, marriages, and deaths, we can learn about the history and genealogy of our county.

These items are from the Nov. 12, 1891 edition. From the County Court items:

• G.L. Scott qualified as guardian for Edith Scott.
• W.H. Mayes qualified as administrator of the estate of Mariah H. Smith, deceased, and qualified as guardian for Nellie and Sallie Smith.
• J. A. Clark allowed $2.25 for repairing bridge.
• J.W. Todd qualified as administrator of Lucy Todd, dec'd.
• The will of A. A. Crider was ordered to record. According to provisions of the will Mrs. Laura Crider qualified as executrix, without bond.
• E.L. Nunn was appointed curator of the will of Timothy Taylor, dec'd.

The following claims were allowed:

• R.W. Threlkeld and T. A. Harpending for blasting rock out public road, $14.
• J.A. Guess, plow and team on road, $6.75.
• J.B. Carter, plow and team on road, $6.
• J. B. Carter, plow and team on road, $6.
• F.J. Imboden, pauper claims, $20.
• The following road overseers were appointed: Lee L. Burklow, Nelson Dalton.

Marriages licenses have been issued to J. Ambrose Wheeler and Alice Williamson; Elliott Jones and R. A. Davis; M. C. Howard and Laura Robeson; J.C. Shaw and Amanda Holoman; Patrick Woodsides and Ada B. Corley.

The Nov. 26, 1891 Crittenden Press had these items of interest.

• Mr. Sam W. Paris, a teacher of this county, received notice of his appointment as a railway mail clerk, and orders to report at Louisville at once. He gave up his school and left to begin work in his new office.
• Rich Edmundson who was arrested in this county for selling liquor without license plead guilty at the Federal court in Paducah and was fine $100 and sent to jail for two months.
• H.R. Stembridge has a notice posted on the bulletin board at the court house to the effect that his wife has left his home without cause and his consent.

The Reaper, Death.

• Mr. Isaac Sisco, a venerable old citizen of this county, died at his home a few miles northwest of Marion on Saturday, Nov. 21. Mr. Sisco was one of the old landmarks, an industrious, honest, peaceble citizen; he leaves a large family.
• Grant Spurr, a young man who lived with his father, Isaac Spurr, east of Marion, died Saturday.

Local News in 1891

Through the articles that were printed in The Crittenden Press, we can learn so much about the people and history of Marion and Crittenden County. These old newspapers were indeed very 'newsy' and told all kind of good information. These two items of interest came from the year 1891.

From the September 3, 1891 edition, comes the article entitled "Forty Old Men." The Press is indebted to Mr. J. H. Walker for the following list of names of Crittenden County's forty oldest citizens. There is probabley no man in the county more conversant with its early history, than Mr. Walker. There are very few of the old families whose history for generations is not stored away in his remarkably retentive memory.

Chesteen Hood - 90, J. S. Grady-88, Joel Moore-87, Ephriam W. Hill-86, Henry Walker-85, Silas Coram-85, Thomas Wright-84, Timothy Taylor-84, Burton Ford-84, Hugh Beard-83, F. H. Croft-83, G. F. Clement-82, Gatesfield Farley-82, P. C. Barnett-81, Matthew Hughes-80, Chesley Nunn-80, Reuben Cook-80, Joshua Kemp-80, Bazil Butler-79, Edward Dority-79, James King-79, John Hodge-79, J. H. Hawkins-78, Edmond Holoman-78, J. G. Nations-78, Leander Hughes-77, Isaac Sisco-77, U. G. Witherspoon-77, Chapel Nunn-77, Watson Wood-77, A. J. Hill-76, W. P. Maxwell-76, Robert Heath-76, John S. Fowler-75, U. L. Horning-75, Wayne B. Shaw-75, Bazil Jacobs-75, John D. Thurmond-75, and a later name submitted was B.M.G. Heath-79. Colored. Sam Smith-87, and Amos Woods-84.

October 15, 1891 - The Superintendent Makes His Visits and Offers Some Pertinent Remarks.

The Superintendent visited the following schools and teachers last week

• Belmont, S. W. Paris
• Bellville, J. F. Canada
• Shady Grove, W. B. Davis
• Enon, R. O. Davis
• Fish Trap, J. P. Crawford
• Hoods Creek, Miss Cleo Nunn.
• Applegate, Robt. Wheeler.
• Prospect, Miss Sarah Cannon.
• Dempsey, A. E. Clark
• Rutherford, Sam Paris.
• Greens Chappel, W.C.M. Travis
• Bakers, Robt. Haynes
• Postoak, Miss Henrie Howerton.
• Harmony, J. K. Beard.
• Simpson, a colored school under the tutorship of Adella Pippin.
  

The teacher at Prospect had closed her school before the Superintendent arrived. Mr. R. C. Haynes was not teaching the day his school was visited. He said that the trustees had not furnished the necessary comforts for his school. We hope that this will not occur again and that the trustees will take more interest in the school. Miss Cannan had closed her school to attend the nuptials of friends.

I was glad to find such thorough training in the Shady Grove School. Last year this district had an old dilapidated building for a school house. it now has completed a splendid and comfortable house well furnished. with such a house and with one of the best teachers in the county, I expect good results of this school.

I trust that every friend of the common school will lend their schools their aid. Respectfully, W. J. Deboe.

A Visit to Crittenden Springs Hotel

One of the most splendid places Crittenden County had in it's past was the famous health and pleasure resort

known as the Crittenden Springs Hotel. What a sight it must have presented in it's day. It was built in 1887 by the Crittenden Sulphur Springs Company, Inc., boasted 125 rooms, including a ball room, gambling room, dining room, barber shop and a wonderful lobby. Located on a high hill overlooking the beautiful country side about 6 miles from Marion.

For 25 years the hotel flourished as a Mineral Spring Health Resort, during an era when people felt drinking and bathing in various types of spring water was beneficial to one's health.

The rancid odor of the water from the hotel's sulphur spring could be smelled a great distance from the hotel itself. The spring bubbled up from under a pavilion which was called "The Gum." In addition to the sulphur water spring was a clear water spring, which provided water for those guests who found the pungent sulphur water unpalatable.

During the summer months many residents of the area would spend from a weekend to a month or two at the hotel or one of its cottages. Tourists from Louisville, Evansville and other large cities would come to Marion by train where they were picked up by a "hack" drown by horses and transported the remaining 5 miles to the hotel.

Fluorspar mining was becoming a fast expanding industry around the turn of the century and mining men from Louisville filled the guest rooms.

Many entertainments were provided for the guests, including a Bird and 'Possum Supper. This festival meal took place in the month of November 1893.

It was a splendid affair. The 'Possum and Tatters' was delicious beyond description; the quail-on-toast was simply superb, and the sulphur water was sweetened and otherwise prepared to gratify the taste of everybody.

The great dinning room was festooned with the gay colors of the autumn leaves, wreathed with the wild vines, blushing with the first kisses of frost, and smiled with the beauty of the wild woods. No homage ever paid to salaried cook of king or potentate would do justice to the culinary arrangement of this occasion.

More Community Visits of the Past

In this visit to the past, from items of The Crittenden Press, we will see what has been happening in the communities of Forest Grove and Blackburn Church. Blackburn Church area is in the far eastern part of the county and Forest Grove in north western section.

February 11, 1949, Mrs. Lola McDowell gathered the news from the Blackburn area. As you read these items, you will notice that families did a lot of visiting 59 years ago.

• Bro. James Boone filled his appointment here Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
• Bobby Hopkins spent Saturday night with Gerald McDowell.
• Mr. and Mrs. Jim McConnell visited last Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gentry and son.
• Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Corley have moved back to the area. They liked us so well they just couldn't stay away.
• Mr. and Mrs. Harold Alexander and baby of Crayne visited Sunday with Mrs. Esma Alexander, W. P. and Marilyn.
• Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hazzard and son, of Sugar Grove, vivisted with Mr. and Mrs. George Boyd.
• Bobby Hopkins spent Tuesday nith with Eugene Priest, of Deanwood.
  

March 11, 1949, Mrs. Stella Hodge submitted the happenings from Forest Grove.

Commencement night for the area grade schools was held at Forest Grove School Friday night, Feb. 18th. The following pupils having successfully passed the eighth grade examination. From Colon School, Robert D. Moore and Gerald Merle Belt. From Oak Hall, Owen Claghorn. From Dam 50, Dennis Glenn Belt and Frankie Truitt. From Hebron, Margaret Shaffer, Tommy Carter, Janet Ann Cook, Jean Fox and Robert Neal Sliger. From Froest Grove, Shirley Ann Gill, Ruth Bond, Donald Hodge, Paul Butler, Elizabeth Stewart and David Flanary.

The teachers of these schools got together and arranged to have a program together at Forest Grove with music by local boys and bits of entertainment from the various school.

Hollis Franklin made a talk to the graduates and to all, which was very much enjoyed. A few patrons from the differnt schools had a few words to say. Superintendent Braxton McDonald presented the diplomas.

It was a bright-eyed bunch of youngsters gathered there to have a little honor done them for work well done. They deserve to have some appreciation shown them.