Legend of the Mocking Bird At Ford's Ferry, by Hollis C. Franklin

 

All of you, who know anything much about Crittenden County, know something about Fords Ferry. Fords Ferry is just a place now – no longer a town – just a place on the Ohio River, immediately west of the point where Crooked Creek empties into the River. Over a hundred and fifty years ago, Fords Ferry was a prosperous river town.

Fords Ferry was a town of distinction – a distinction which was not a very enviable one but a distinction never the less and a distinction all it's own. Early in the early 1800's James Ford had a respectable family and a comfortable home at Tolu, but it was told that he had a gang of outlaws that terrorized both sides of the river and his place of business was at his ferry location several miles up river from Tolu.  Late one evening Ford sat on the long wide front porch of his Fords Ferry business home, which overlooked the Ohio River.

It was an ideal Crittenden County early June evening. The sun had just gently slipped past the horizon beyond Hurricane Island; the western sky was still blue and touched with streaks of pinkish gold from the setting sun; the bees, as they gathered nectar for tomorrow's needs from the honeysuckle vine at the end of the Ford porch played the overture for Mother Nature's evening symphony which only a Kentucky June night can know.

As Ford sat on the front porch of his home that June evening, and looked across the wide expanse of the beautiful Ohio which even at that time of the day reflected and accented the blue sky, possibly he planned for the robberies which he intended for the Harps – and other robbers and cut-throats in his gang of outlaws to commit later in the night, - but even then he was not unmindful of the beauty about him. There was something of a poet in this pirate.

From the very top of a tall cottonwood, near the mouth of the creek, on this particular June evening, a mocking bird sang – sang the mocking bird version of "Love's old sweet song" to a mate in a locust thicket a couple of hundred yards up the creek.

For fifteen minutes Ford listened, and with the appreciation with which most folks who ever lived in that section have for those mocking birds, he was enjoying that evening serenade, but while he listened, his well trained ears caught another sound, a suspicious sound, and one which put him instantly on his guard, the rhythmic sound of oars-locked in a skiff coming down the river. Old Ford's ears were trained too – well trained.

A few seconds later, and by this time, Ford was on his feet, he was watching for the skiff, curious to know the identity of the man behind the oars. If he was friend, Ford wanted to know it, if he were enemy, he was prepared to take care of that situation, too. Just then the skiff came around a bunch of willows and into plain view, but Ford, at first, didn't recognize the boatman.

He called to one of his slaves – his favorite, because he was the most capable – a slave who could see, and hear – even better than his master. Ford said to the big black man who suddenly appeared at his side, "Mingo, who's the man in the boat?" To which the servant replied, "Why, Mistah Jim, don't you know who dat is?" Why dats Mestah Bon. Old Ford's features relaxed, he smiled and said, "I must not be seeing so well these days. Mingo, go help Mr. Audubon with his things and bring him to the house. He must be very tired."

And so John James Audubon came to spend the night and visit with his friend. At this time, Audubon was operating a mill upstream at Henderson, Ky.

After supper, they talked far into the night – about birds and pictures and travels – and as they talked they listened to the songs of the mocking birds, mocking birds singing in the cotton woods along the river, in the high oaks along the creek, and in the locust thickets along the river hills.

Ford turned to his friend and said," Audubon, did you ever hear such music as that?" The now famous naturalist replied, "Only one place in the world have I heard birds sing more sweetly than that – and that is in a little valley, where a small river empties itself into an inlet to the Bay of Biscay in the western part of France."

Of John James Audubon, the river pirate then made his request, "When you go back to France, I want you to bring me six of those singing birds. I want to liberate them here that they may mate with these Kentucky birds that in my old age I may listen to music, such as even musicians hear in their dreams."

John James Audubon promised that he would comply with this request.

(note: John James Audubon,(1785-1851) was one of the first to study and paint the birds of North America. He was the inspiration for the National Audubon Society.)

As to whether he was able to keep that promise before Jim Ford was shot in cold blood, I do not know, but if you have the soul of a poet, maybe you can hear the clash of pirate swords, the rattle of musket fire, and the splashing crash of oars, but if you're very quiet you don't even need your imagination to hear the call of the Mockingbird. It was as promised, music a man hears only in his dreams.

No where else do mocking birds sing more sweetly, even now, than in the cottonwoods and in the locusts thickets, in the vicinity of Fords Ferry, Kentucky.

The remains of the old chimney of James Fords Ferry House, or so believed.

County Poor House or Farm

 

History of the County's Poor House

From the archives of The Crittenden Press we learn about the past history of the county's poor house/farm. The poor house was first located on the farm of Ira Nunn. This land was located off of S. R. 365, turn right onto the W. E. Newcom Rd. From the end of this gravel road it is several hundred yards to the right in a wooded area. The Nunn family cemetery is also located here. There are many unmarked graves outside the cemetery's metal fence. These graves are said to be inmates from the county poor farm.

Keepers of the Poor House would be chosen by the lowest bidder. In October of 1890 the bidders were George McBride, Tom Lanham and Ben Rutherford, the first bid was $7.00 per month for each pauper, and George McBride was the bidder. Then the bids dropped under this sum, and Tom Lanham got the bid at $5.50.

***

The Poor House, A Disgrace to the County. Oct. 15, 1891. Mr. Asher gives his report.

For some years it has been rumored that the state of affairs at the county poorhouse was not such that conduced to the happiness nor comfort of those unfortunates who appeal to the charity of the county for maintenance. But until recently these floating reports were given little or not credence.

Monday the Court of Claims convened to look after the county finances and county institutions generally. On Tuesday, the new Superintendent of the poorhouse, Mr. William H. Asher, made his first report concerning the management of this institution. His written report was handed in and read to the court by county Attorney Blue.

The report showed that in the way of household good and clothing the provision was about as scanty as it could be and bear a name. The report gave an invoice of goods on hand when Mr. Asher began his duties as Superintendent and also of the present contents.

After this Mr. Asher was called upon for an oral statement and he made it. Mr. Asher is a responsible man and no one could or would for a moment question anything he said; yet it was hard to believe that there was a habitation in this or any other county so destitute of cleanliness, and so foreign to comfort.

Mr. Asher's statement was that the poor farm is rightly named, for as it now stands it is about the poorest specimen of a farm I ever saw, consisting principally of a 15 or 20 acre filled of gullies without any fence around it, adjoining the garden on the north, and a small fenced field of beautiful yellow clay opposite the house.

I learned that the farm of some 200 acres was originally purchased by the county for $200, that some $500 or $600 worth of timber has been realized from it, and that 150 acres were sold to Eli Nunn for $500. The land purchased by Mr. Nunn lays well, and is the only part of the farm worth shucks.

The paupers were clothed in rags, and scantily clothed at that and the rags were filthy. The place of their habitation was filthy and foul in the extreme, totally unfit for a home for a human being.

This was the condition when Mr. Asher made his first visit and about the time the present keeper took charge. Since then there had been some improvement, but the inmates were still poorly clad, there was no fuel and cleanliness was a stranger to the place.

After discussing the matter, the magistrates directed the Superintendent to buy clothes for the paupers, if the keeper failed to do this, they were to deduct the cost from the keeper's allowance.

***

Improvements to be made.

In October 1902 the Fiscal court ordered that the old county poor farm, (also known as the county's Alms house), be sold and the proceeds of the sale go toward improving the county pest house two miles south of town, on the Chapel Hill Road, which would thereafter be used as the county poor farm. (I haven't found where this location was.)

It was decided that the present poor farm was too great a distance from Marion and it would be better to have it closer to town so it could be visited more often by the Fiscal Court to see that it was being kept in better condition and that the inmates were being better taken care of.

***

July 1928 Destroyed by fire.

In July 1928 this county poor house was destroyed by fire. When the blazes were discovered they had made such a headway that it was soon found to be impossible to save the building or any of its contents.

Jack Tabor, the caretaker, his family and nine inmates, occupied the house at the time of the fire.

The nine inmates were Tom Hall, Wm. S. Teer, Mrs. Lizzie Roberts, Mrs. Zona Rich, Mrs. Nancy Edwards, Mrs. Annie King, Mrs. Julia Adams, Mrs. Mollie Dare and Bill Vinson. They were sheltered for the past few days at the county jail awaiting the arrival of tents, which were ordered as temporary shelter. When the tents arrive they will be erected on the county farmland.

***

Wilson Hill new location

A few weeks later a deal was closed by the Crittenden County fiscal court for the purchase by the county of the Wilson Hill farm from S. M. Jenkins. The land would be the new home of the county farm or Alms house. It contained a total of 132 acres and would be conveniently located on the Piney Road about 1 and 1/2 miles from the courthouse.

On the farm were two frame houses in good repair. One of these houses contained four rooms and the other three. There was a stock barn and a metal roofed stable. Water was supplied by two wells and a cistern.

Kentucky Utilities power lines passed close by the main building making it convenient for the county to install electric lights if it so desired.

While this business transaction was taking place the inmates stayed in temporary quarters in tents on the county property on the Chapel Hill Road. As soon as the transaction was closed and some work done to prepare the two buildings, the inmates and keeper were able to move into their new home on Wilson Hill.

N. A. O'Neal was keeper of the farm in 1932. Clarence C. McDonald was keeper until the county closed the home and sold the property in January of 1943.

The county farm, although a needed necessity for the people who were unable to provide for themselves, was slowly but surely draining the county of their funds. To help with this problem the fiscal court decided they must sell the county poor farm and stop being solely responsible for this service.

***

My Findings. I am not sure what happened to the inmates that were there at the time, but some searching in the Fiscal court records at the time, I found that most of them found homes with other families and the court was then able to pay a small maintenance fee to the family for their care, and considering they were able to work, would help the family with their daily chores.

During the years of the County Farm and/or Poor House, there were many deaths that occurred. Most of these deaths went unnoticed and undocumented with the proper procedure. The old Marion Cemetery and also at Mapleview, which their area of burial was called the Free field, had areas where to bury the paupers, but most of these sad souls, had no monuments to mark their grave.

Some deaths had been noted by a mention of the death in The Crittenden Press and also in the Fiscal Court minutes located in the County Clerk's office, where the court had to pay the funeral home for the casket and for someone to dig the gave for burial. One entry read: The Court ordered that Marion Funeral and Undertaking Company be allowed $45.00 for burial expenses of one of the inmates, and Silas Gass would be allowed $6.00 for digging the grave. Expenses to be taken from the Paupers fund.

***

The last county poor farm was located where Richard and Betty Cruce's home is today, on Briarwood Lane, on top of Wilson Hill, Betty told me that when they bought the land in the 1970's, that the old county poor farm houses were still there, although very run down. The buildings had been used for storage of hay and other farm items during the time it had been closed in 1943.

When they had the land cleared for their new home they had the old buildings dozed down and burnt.

School News from 1934 and 1935

 

School News of 1934 and 1935

Remembering those school days of long ago in the little wooden frame school houses that dotted our county side, bring back many memories. The day usually started with singing, a Bible verse, and always the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Then it was time for the daily studies to begin. But there were other activities that were included with the school year, such as closing day programs, picnics, plays and sports. Here are some activities that took place in 1934 and 1935.

***

Dempsey School, Feb. 2, 1934

    Our school having begun on July 19, closed January 26, with good attendance during the entire term. A large percent of the pupils did excellent work very few failed to be promoted and there were six eight grade graduates: Garnet Ray, James Ray, Frieda Gahagen, Rob, Virgil and Elizabeth Truitt. All of the graduates expect to enter high school next term.

    The last day of school we had contests and songs by the pupils, and the P. T. A. served a bountiful basket dinner, which was consumed with much elation.

    In the afternoon, the eight grade entertained for a while. L. M. Duncan, chairman of the school trustees, gave a brief talk concerning school affairs.

    Mrs. L. W. Truitt, the teacher, discussed school work. The P. T. A. presented the teacher with a tablecloth which was highly appreciated. Candy and oranges were served by the P. T. A.

    After benediction by Mr. Duncan all went home with, at least, satisfied appetites.

***

Brown School Closes, Feb. 9, 1934

    Wednesday, January 31, was a red-letter day in the history of Brown School. Beginning at 10:30 the primary grades introduced the day's program with songs and dramas.

    The speakers of the morning were: first County School Superintendent, J. L. F. Paris, who spoke at length on the advantages of higher education, and presented diplomas to the following graduates: Jewell Agnes Vaughn, Mary Belle Fritts and Willa Bell Horning.

    Second, Hollis C. Franklin, cashier of the Farmers Bank and Trust Company, Marion, delighted his audience with a beautiful reading and an impressive story. The last speaker was David H. Postelthweight, County Judge of Crittenden County, made an interesting talk on The Philosophy of Life. Then came the noon hour, and such a dinner!

    The afternoon was given over to a community play "The Little Clodhopper" a comedy-drama in three acts. Between the first and second acts Mrs. Vernon Fritts gave a reading. At the close of the second act Lee Butler and Clifton Robinson gave a stunt program.

    Miss Blondell Boucher taught the first five months of the school. Mrs. Fred Giblbert, substitute teacher, finished the term. The house was filled to overflowing with practically a hundred percent attendance of the immediate community and a goodly number from the adjoining districts.

***

Tolu School News, Nov. 1, 1935

    Our school is progressing nicely. The English department is under the supervision of Mrs. Blondell Boucher.

    Great effort has been expended in order to give the students enjoyable exercise. A new tennis court, and croquet ground has been added to our playground. In the near future we hope to add other improvement for both the high school and the grades.

    Coach W. B. Fisher reports that he is well pleased with his athletic department. Only a few games of baseball were played but in each game Tolu was victorious. The basketball team has only played three games this season and have been victorious in each of these. Come out to every home game and boost for your home boys.

    Prof. W. B. Fisher and the Agriculture class visited the farm of Mr. Aubrey Griffith and engaged in some farm practice work in poultry last week. Mr. Fisher is glad for his boys to have the practice and wants any patrons to feel free to call on him at any time.

    All patrons are urged to be present at the next meeting of the P. T .A. The program committee composed of Mrs. Warren Guess, Miss Ella Mae Gass and Miss Muriel Easley have prepared a most delightful musical program.

***

Mattoon School News, Nov. 15, 1935

    The basketball of the first team are as follows: Byron Nunn, center and captain, has had three years experience. this is his senior year and Mattoon will lose one of her best players.

    J. T. Nation, right forward, is just beginning his career in basketball. He is not only good in the game, but also in his studies. He was on the honor roll this month.

    Chester Newcom, left forward, is also in his first year of basketball. He received honorable mention on the honor roll.

    Roy Allen Johnson, right guard, is in his first year of basketball. He is outstanding in both his studies and basket ball. He was on the honorable mention list last month.

    Joe Truitt, left guard, is beginning his first year of basketball. Pete Travis is substitute for the first team.

    A play is to be given by the Juniors for the purpose of raising funds to entertain the Seniors at the close of school. This has been customary for the last three years. The class of 1934 went to Mammoth Cave. The class of 1935 went to Nashville, Chattanooga, and Lookout Mountain.

    "A Black Heifer", is the title of the play to be given November 23. The cast of characters is as follows: Eph Cincebox – Ewell Howerton; Charleton DuRuyter – Roy Allen Johnson; George Cincebox – Virgil Newcom; Willie Smith – Virgil Woodall; Weary Wraggles – E. O, Roberts; Detective Holscombe – E. O Roberts; Sugar Brown – Chester Truitt; Rube Miller – Wilbur Brantley; Fiddler – Chester Truitt; Mrs. Arabella Simpkins – Catherine Mayes; Betsy Brown – Ruth Johnson; Scraps – Naoma Johnson.

    Earlene Little, of Mattoon 4-H Club, won first prize in the calf show. Her brother, J. C. won third prize and he has gone to Louisville to the state show with the calves.

Gold Star Mother's and Family Day

 This past Sunday, Sept. 27th, was Gold Star Mother's and Family Day.  The name was changed from just Gold Star Mother's Day to and Family Day in 2011.

Gold Star Mothers Inc.

The American Gold Star Mothers Inc. was formed in the United States shortly after World War I to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag in the window of their homes. The Service Flag had a star for each family member in the United States Armed Forces. 

Living servicemen were represented by a blue star, and those who had lost their lives were represented by a gold star. On the last Sunday in September, Gold Star Mother's Day is observed in the U.S. in their honor.[

The Gold Star Mothers was founded by Grace Darling Seibold of Washington, D.C.

Our Gold Star Mother's

Most of our Gold Star Mother's stories have been lost through the years or more likely, never were told. If we are fortunate we might come across some memories as we look through the archives of The Crittenden Press. Here are two interesting articles about two of our Gold Star Mothers and how they handled their grief and channeled it into something for the betterment of their communities.

Dec. 1936 – Death Claims County's Gold Star Mother. Mrs. W. H. Ordway, 75, died at her home in the Crayne community. Mrs. Ordway had been for many years a resident of the Crayne community and was well and favorably known throughout Crittenden County.

She bore the distinction of being the first gold Star Mother in the county during the world war; her son, Ellis B. Ordway, was the first Crittenden Countian to be killed on foreign battlefields shortly after he was detailed over seas. He died in France, July 26, 1918 of wounds received in action.. Some years later, on March 28, 1924 the local post of the American Legion was named in his honor. His body was returned to the United States in March 1921, and was buried with military honors at the Crayne Cemetery.

Mrs. Ordway was popular in her community and was always lending her efforts to the betterment of the community and giving freely of time and effort in all matters that would benefit or serve to enhance civic betterment and improvement, by doing so she was honoring the memory of her son who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Mrs. Julia Long and her husband, William Ordway, are also buried in the Crayne cemetery.

***

From an article written in 1980 from The Crittenden Press.

Christmas was a bleak holiday for the George and Hattie Winn family in 1944. Their youngest son, Harold, was killed in France that year in World War II, July 13, 1944. The family had no reason to celebrate. “I was grief-sticken; I felt as if my whole world had tumbled in, I was on the verge of insanity,” Mrs. Hattie Winn, said, Harold was my baby.

Mrs. Winn went into seclusion for a year after Harold's death, comforted only by a gardenia grown from a cutting he gave her when she visited him at Camp Wheeler in Georgia.

On their way to dinner at the Officers' Club one night Lt. Winn picked three gardenia sprigs for her to wear. Mrs. Winn wrapped them in a napkin and brought them back to Kentucky to plant. From only a sprig it flourished and grew. She cherished the plant and the memories it held for her and her son.

Harold was soon assigned over seas. He wrote her from the trenches of France, “Mother, I don't want to be selfish, but I wish I could be home again between clean sheets.” A short time later he was killed.

During the sad days when news was received of her son's death the gardenias were neglected and the cherished gardenias died. This grieved Mrs. Winn and she thought of that bush back in Georgia from whence the blooms came. She wrote her son's commanding officer, and was first afraid to mail it afraid he would consider her just a silly sentimental woman. Finally, she did mail the letter asking for another cutting. But realizing the importance of the plant, the commanding officer of Camp Wheeler sent her the entire plant instead, with his “Kindest personal regards.”

The Gardenia Bush was four feet tall and necessitated the buying of a small greenhouse. Even with such careful sending the plant lived only two years. With a greenhouse on hand, friends suggested the purchase of pot flowers. When Mother's Day rolled around, people asked to buy her flowers and with this, Mrs. Winn became a florist. She said that the new flower business has given me a new lease on life. I always loved flowers, Mrs. Winn said, and the beauty of them and the pleasure they gave to other people, helped me with my grief, and I found didn't feel sorry for myself anymore.

Mrs. Hattie Winn died in 1984 and is buried at Mapleview cemetery.

***

I think all our Gold Star Mother's from World War I and World War II are gone now, we will never know their own stories of grief of the loss of the son or daughter, but it's nice to think and remember them on their special day, Gold Star Mother's Day, the last Sunday in the month of September.

Spanning Our Past III

 

Spanning Our Past III

This article is another collection of some of those interesting tidbits that I have saved. Not enough information for an individual article on each item, but definitely some informative and fun information from yesteryear. From the archives of The Crittenden Press comes these interesting stories.

***

May 1 8, 1951 – Cherokee Indian Tribe Visit Marion

On May 11th, a party of nine, including four ancestors, of the original Cherokee Indian Tribe, stopped in Marion on a tour retracing the "Trail of Tears" made by 17,000 of their ancestors 113 years ago at which time 4,000 of their tribe lost their lives.

Chief McKinley Ross, descendant of Captain John Ross, an Indian leader, presented Mayor L. D. Chipps with a peace pipe in a ceremony from the Courthouse lawn with this message.  "As Chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, I  bring you greetings from my people.  113 years ago 17,000 of my ancestors passed through Marion on a march to Exile.  Today three other tribal leaders and myself are retracing that Trail of Tears.

We left our Carolina Mountain homes two days ago on the Trail of Tears journey that carry us through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and to its end in Oklahoma.  We are retracing this historic trail in the hope the people of America may learn of a forgotten page in history.

Other Cherokee descendants besides Chief Ross in the party and wearing authentic native costumes, were Leroy Wahnetah, Joe Washington and Rev. Arsesn Thompson, the first Cherokee Educationalist.

The tour is sponsored by the Cherokee Historical Association.

Attending the Welcome luncheon at the Marion Cafe besides the Cherokee party were: Mayor and Mrs. L. D. Chipps, John Quertermous, Ben Clement, Daisy Franklin, Pauline Guess, Grace Paris, Mrs. T. C. Gilland, R. P. Davidson, N. S. Hollingsworth and Neil Guess.  

The traveling guests were presented with souvenirs of Fluorspar by Ben Clement and other favors from the down town stores.

***

July 20, 1961 - McDonald's Park

Cruce McDonald and wife, Gustava, and daughter, Sandra, were hosts to a Crittenden County officers' Picnic July 7, at their park located on the north side of Little Piney Creek in a beautiful level spot hemmed in by a steep hill and the winding creek. The land is fairly level, populated with stately old trees and carpeted with green grass pleasingly kept. This park is located on the McDonald Farm and is known all around as the McDonald Park.

There were over 85 people that attended the picnic. Those who were present sincerely hope that the event will be repeated again where friends and neighbors may gather together and discuss the problems of the day and ways and means of making the community better.

There are numerous facilities for picnickers pleasure including an outdoor cooker, lights, a small shelter house and some seats. The park is located just off the Old Flynns Ferry Road

***

Sandra McDonald Belt, shares with us that her father, Cruce, created the park, and the facilities. With large rocks located in the area and a large metal screen, he built the large outdoor cooking pit, also built the small shelter and provided picnic tables for the visitors. He also provided the electricity so the park would be useable at night. He also kept the grounds in top shape by mowing and cleaning.

The beautiful little park was well known and people from miles around came to use the park for family reunions, church gatherings, and just simple picnics with the family. At the time the Riding Clubs of both Marion and Fredonia were a big thing and they would have trail rides to the park. Most would ride their horse to the park and they would even stay all night, preparing their night and morning meals on the open fire pit. Their horses were well cared for also with the fresh water from the creek that ran close to the park.

***

September 17, 1964 - Marion's “Tookie” Holloman and his '57 Chevy

Labor Day weekend was a big day for drag race fans from throughout the nation as they gathered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the National Hot Rod Associations Championship Drag Races. Marion's “Tookie” Holloman took his share of the top honors as he won the C Class Modified Production and was runner-up in the Street Classes Eliminator races. The '57 Chevy has a souped-up '63 Chevrolet engine with more than 400 hp.

The Moore business Forms press operator has won seven races with the car and plans to enter in more competitions in weeks to come. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Ray Holloman, North Main Street, Marion.

***

September 9, 1965 – Holloman's Chevy Fails At Indy Race Monday

Allen “Tookie” Holloman and Danny McKinney's '57 Chevy “Just didn't get going good” in Monday's national Stockcar Elimination Races at Indianapolis.

The car owned by he two Marion Men, had been undefeated all season going into Monday's Labor Day classic at the Speedway.

Tookie said “another tenth of a second and I believe I could have won, I just couldn't get the car's usual performance Labor Day, he added too, that a change in the car's gear ratio made before the day's competition may have been responsible for a slower performance.

***

July 11, 1963- Hardin's Knob Fire Tower Near Completion

Crittenden County's third fire tower is nearing completion on Hardin's Knob north of Salem. The steel structure is 37 feet high at the floor of the tower platform.

During fire seasons the tower will serve as a lookout point over thousands of acres of Crittenden and Livingston County woodlands. Atop the knob is on of the highest points in either county.

To gain access to point where the structure was erected at three-fourth mile road was cut into the side of the hill. County Fire guard, Luther Lynch, said that he spent about 100 hours dozing the road. The road is very steep and winding. Sites along the trail would, however, make ideal picnic spots. The view from the tower covers several counties.

The dozer and trucks used to haul the rock used in surfacing the road are Army and Air Force surplus the state got at Fort Campbell. The land lies on property owned by J. L. Gregory and leased to the state.

Fire guards from other counties helped Lynch with the road and tower construction. The tower was approved last year following a local meeting sponsored by D. H. Postlethweight. Local enthusiasm displayed at the meeting was a great help in securing the tower said Postlethweight. Postlethweight, a local attorney and landowner, has done much to promote forest conservation and tree farms in Crittenden County.

Lynch said that a man got mighty lonely working all day long on the old D-7 dozer in area where he saw almost no one all day long. To pass the time as he worked Lynch composed a poem about the dozer and its job cutting the road up an almost impassable trail. Just for fun about half way up the newly blazed trail Lynch wrote in large letters on one of the hillside rocks “Do Not Feed The Bears.” The sign was Lynch's way of giving visitors to the hillside a chuckle.

***

Poppa's Store and The Pilot House

 

Country Convenience Store Poppa’s - 1995

In June 1995 Lucky Easley was building a convenience store on Highway 91 North about 3 miles from the Ohio River and the ferry.

The Hebron native, said the communities near the river have needed something down here, but until now there have not been enough people to support one. But with the ferry traffic, he got the idea to built the store.

The exterior of the 2,000 square feet store will be modeled after the old-fashioned stores pictured on Coca Cola memorabilia.

The front of the store will be built with Cyprus wood, and we’ll have an old gas pump out front for looks,. It will be a novelty item, a conversation piece.

Store hours will be comparable to the ferry’s hours, which are currently 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Aside from gasoline, Easley said the store will be equipped with a hot/cold deli as well as the usual convenience store products.

The store’s success will be based on the number of travelers who commute to and from work on Ky. 91. It will pull people from Illinois and we hope it will draw from people in the surrounding communities.

Easley hopes Illinois higher prices for gasoline and cigarettes will keep northerners stopping to fill up at the store. Current prices on cigarettes in Cave-in-Rock are about $1.55 for generics and $2 for brand names, approximately 50 cents higher than in Marion. Regular unleaded gasoline sells for $1.15 a gallon at one Cave-in-Rock station, compared to $1.03 stations in Marion.

It was wonderful to have this store/eating place. Besides being a great place for the Illinois folks to stop and get gas and other items before returning home across the river, it became a favorite gathering place for many of the families that lived in the Hebron area and many came in from Tolu. It was also nice for the people that lived in the area to be able to buy gas without having to drive to Marion.

The deli case was filled with all kind of deli meats to make fresh sandwiches. Many of the local farmers would come in and have lunch and visit awhile before returning to the fields.

**********************

Some years later the store was sold to J. T. May and it was re-named The Pilot House. His son David ran the store with help from some of the family. Some days you would find Jerilyn May, his Aunt behind the meat counter and his Dad, J. T., behind the grill frying up fried potatoes for the breakfast crowd.

There would be fried fish sometimes for Friday or Saturday night dinner with local families eating and visiting with neighbors and friends. These were special times, once again where neighbors got together and enjoyed time together.

I don’t remember when the store was closed, or who purchased it next, but it was a lose for the community and was missed not only by the locals but the Illinois people also.

The once beautiful store building sets empty today, I hear in really bad shape on the inside from water damage and just the usual deterioration for sitting empty for so many years.

Early Showboats

The old locomotives belching black smoke as they rumbled on the iron tracks, and the magical paddle wheelers with their calliopes that plied the rivers are two of my very favorites.

Early Show Boats On The Ohio

No one around today that would remember the days of the river show boats, the Golden Rod, the Cotton Blossom, those magnificent boats that piled the Ohio River from Pittsburgh and on down the Mississippi to New Orleans making a round trip each summer along about the turn of the century.

These large floating theaters were double deckers with the lower deck fitted out in the fashion of a theater. The upper deck housed the personnel and since they were not self propelled they required a tow boat which pushed them along the way from town to town. They were veritable floating places. The theater section would seat at least as many as two hundred people.

The personnel consisted of a full size brass band, a dozen or more chorus girls, acrobats, actors, animals trainer, etc. The brass band also doubled as an orchestra.

The show boat stopped at all the river towns along the way and provided entertainment such as might be seen in Louisville, Kentucky or the St. Louis vaudeville theaters.

The tow boat was equipped with a steam calliope whose melodious music could be heard for miles and heralded the coming of the boat long before the landing at each town. This gave the inhabitants an opportunity to rush down to the river bank and welcome the landing, the arrival being of great interest to the towns people. The calliope could also be heard over the country side and alerted the people that the show boat was in town.

It must be borne in mind that in those days there were no movie theaters, radios or televisions and automobiles had not arrived on the scene. People who traveled used the house and buggy, or walked and they didn’t stray far from home. So any unusual event attracted them.

The main attraction lasted for two or more hours and the audience was delighted. At the intermission the vendors sold peanuts, pop corn and strawberry pop.

As the years passed movie theaters, automobiles, radio and television provided people with various means of entertainment and the glory of the river show boats faded until they were only a shadow of what they had once been and finally they were no more. it is doubtful that it will ever return but it will be remembered by those who once upon a time appreciated it so much.

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In Nov. 1936 The Show Boat "Golden Rod", visited Dycusburg on the Cumberland River.  The Golden Rod, billed as the world's greatest Showboat played to a large audience at Dycusburg.  a complete Vaudeville program together with many other features were offered to the public.