Resolution of Respect for Jestene Cartwright Brown

A little cemetery/people history for today's post.  Love our cemeteries and all the history that they hold.  Our pioneers that came to this county and put down roots here and raised their families were special folks.  Today we are in the Repton Cemetery at the stones of J. C. Brown and his wife Eliza.  Here's a little history about them.

Crittenden Press, Feb. 13, 1908 - Resolution of Respect.

Whereas, God in his wisdom has removed from our midst Deacon Jestene Cartwright Brown, who was a very efficient deacon and the oldest member of Baker Church.  One who used the office of deacon well and purchased to himself a good degree and great boldness of the faith.

Deacon J. C. Brown was born in Hopkins County, Ky, on the 25th of November 1826, and died the 23 of December 1907, being 81 years and 28 days old at the time of his death.

He was married to Eliza O'Neal July 27, 1848.  Eliza  was the daughter of Timothy O'Neal and Drusilla Minerva Moore.  At the time of her death she was 80 years, 11 months and 17 days old. 

They had one son living A. L. "Doc" Brown.

Old Post Marks

We lovers of old history like anything that has to do with the past.  Even though most of our once busy communities are now only a name with memories of how it used to be, it is fun to see reminders from those by-gone days.  Here are some of those past reminders from the old post-offices that were scattered around the county.

  Hardesty, Ky.  Once just a small little community not too far from Tolu.  But for a while it had it's own Post Office, which was located on one side of a general store, owned and ran by Dick and brother, Frank, Hardesty.  The post office was closed Jan. 31, 1913 and the mail was sent to Tolu.

Here's an interesting one post marked at Weston, Ky. Jan 9, 1899, a hundred and 12 years ago, and still in good condition.  Post Office was first established in 1859 as Westonburg with Richard Ford as postmaster.

It was discontinued in 1916, Rose Sturgeon was Postmistress, and the mail was then sent to Repton.

Repton Post Office was also located in the local community store.  It was established in 1887 with Joel D. Sullivan as Postmaster.

I don't have the date on when this post office was closed.  But think it was in later years.

This one was post marked at the Post Office at Tribune.  It was first established in 1895 and James E. Travis was postmaster.  Also do not have it's discontinued date.

Going Springs School

One of the numerous one room school that dotted the country side many years ago was the Going Springs School.  Going Springs was located in a wooded area in the vicinity of Winlow Park near U. S. 60 North.  At one time in the early 1800's a family by the name of Going owned the land.  That was how the school became known as Going Springs School.  

One of the most unique aspects of old one-room schools was the feeling of closeness and community pride.  The schools developed around farming communities in the area.  The schoolhouse was the centerpiece of the community. 

Picture of Going Spring students in 1926.  W. K. Powell was the teacher.  He is in the back of the picture. This group of students Mr. Powell was preparing them for taking the state teacher's examination.

The young woman are: front, left to right: Clara Stone and Hazel Farley.

Second row: Maymie Murray, Mattie Lee Conger, Pauline Clark and Grace Lemon.  

Clara Stone Howerton was a well-known Crittenden County school teacher and taught in the county until she retired in 1980.

About 1929 the Going Springs School closed and consolidated with the Mattoon school district.  

I've written about Winslow Park before.  It was always a well-known and popular park.  Many family and church events were held there.  Winslow Park was a name and place that everyone used to know and could identify with going there.  As I wrote the little article for the Blog, it dawned on me that I guess my generation is the last ones that will even remember the old park.  It is all gone now and the younger generation does not even recognize the name of Winslow Park much less where it was located.

Tradewater Bridge

The old one- lane iron bridges that were once scattered across the county are all gone now, all replaced with modern concrete bridges.  And I'll admit, they do feel safer crossing them.  I remember as a child crossing the old iron framed bridges with the board flooring, how they would rattle and the boards would seem to pop up and down as the car went over them.  I was always afraid we would never make it across to the other side.

One of these old bridges was the Tradewater Bridge that was located on S.R. 132 just down from the Enon Church.  Here's some history of that first bridge, from the files of The Crittenden Press, Sept. 5, 1915.

  Crittenden County Fiscal Court met Sept. 2, 1915.  County Judge, R. L. Moore, reported his efforts in trying to secure the issue of road bonds.  A bridge was ordered built across Tradewater River at Fishtrap, not to cost more than $7,000 to be paid jointly by this and Webster County, and it is estimated that Crittenden County's part will be 38 percent and that of Webster,'s will be 62 per cent.

County Attorney, John A. Moore and Esq. W. D. Drennan were appointed a purchasing committee to work with the Webster Fiscal Court to purchase and have erected the bridge as soon as possible.

January 6, 1922.  The iron bridge over Tradewater River at Fishtrap connecting Crittenden and Webster counties were completed without an accident and opened for traffic Saturday morning December 31.  We wish to express our t hanks to Judge Moore, Esquire Drennan, and the officials of Webster County and all other who did anything to promote this important work.

On December 31 a celebration was held at Enon Church and C. T. Boucher preached.  After the service a bountiful dinner was served by the good ladies of this community.

In the picture at the left,( I have it circled) was a cast iron plaque that was placed there when the bridge was built.

This sign now is at the Crittenden County Historical Museum located at 124 East Bellville St. in Marion.  The plaque was donated some years ago.  

It says:  Crittenden Co.           
R. L. Moore Judge                 
F.  Davidson, J. P.                    
W. D. Drennan, J. P.                

Webster Co.
A. R. Wall, Judge
O. C. Vaughn, J. P.
R. W. Hoket, J. P.

This old bridge was torn down in 1982 and a new two-lane concrete bridge was constructed in it's place.

James Clinton, Revolutionary War Soldier

 Happy Birthday

America.   

James Clinton, buried in the Piney Fork Cemetery served in our nation's fight for independence.  James Clinton was born in Pennsylvania in 1761.  He and his father moved to South Carolina and in 1780 he was drafted into duty for a three month tenure.  Fighting the Tories and Creek Indians on the Georgia frontier, he got his first taste of combat.

When he returned home, about the time of the patriots' defeat at Charleston, Clinton immediately volunteered as a private in South Carolina's York District.   He served as a Sergeant in Captain Joseph Howe's Company; he was appointed a Lt. in July 1780 and served in Col. Brattons's SC  Regiment.  He was commissioned Captain and served primarily as a spy under Col. Sumter.  He served in the battles of Mobley's Meeting House; Stallions on Fishing Creek; Fish Dam Ford; Black Stocks on the Tiger River,Bratten's Plantation and Biggen's Church.

After the death of his wife, Ann Armstrong, in 1839, Clinton moved to Crittenden County and resided here until his death in 1847.

 June 1, 2002, Capt. James Clinton was honored with a plaque from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution commemorating his service.  The ceremony was organized by a descendant of Clinton's, Ann Walker Herzer.

In the picture at left, Ann is speaking with one of the Color guards that came from Frankfort to participate in the impressive service. 

Crooked Creek Church

Crooked Creek Church is another one of Crittenden County's old historic churches.  It is located  about 2 miles north of Marion on the old Ford's Ferry Road.  It is practically in the center, geographically, of Crittenden Count and the third missionary Baptist Church organized in the county.

In 1835 a group of believers were inspired to organize a New Testament Church which was to be known as the Crooked Creek United Baptist Church of Christ.  The location was purchased from the Southern Presbyterians.  Originally it consisted of a primitive log house and a few acres of ground.  This house was destroyed during the Civil War.

The building which now stands replaces the log hut.  Peter E. Shewmaker, supervised the construction of the present building in 1869 at a cost of $999.75.  Peter Shewmaker and Alexander Grissom did the logging and prepared the lumber for the building.  Together they completed it.  The church was dedicated June 17, 1870.

On July 21, 1892, the church organized Sunday School.  

The church got electricity in 1949 and in 1985 a new addition was added to the back of the building.  A basement, Sunday School rooms, water and plumbing were also added.  The church is still active today, although the congregation is much smaller than it was some years ago.

This is a view of the cemetery and church as you enter the lane to the church.

Pictures made Feb. 2011.