Fluorspar Mills in operation in the County in 1958

Fluorspar Mills in 1958

I think most all of us that have lived our lives in Crittenden County are always interested in reading the old history about our fluorspar mills and mines. They were so much a vital part of the history of our county. It is fortunate that our local paper, The Crittenden Press, reported on the happenings of these mills, by doing this we are lucky to have all this information to read about those days when Fluorspar was king in our county. This following article, written in 1958, was in the ending days of the great fluorspar era in our county. 

April 24, 1958. Fluorspar Mills

Several Companies Identified with Fluorspar

• The West Kentucky Fluorspar industry is represented by numerous companies who are active in Crittenden and Livingston Counties.

• The Calvert City Chemical Company is the largest producer with a mine in Livingston County and a mill at Mexico. The Kentucky Fluorspar Company, with office and plant facilities at Marion, prepares various grades of fluorspar and fluorbarite for the steel and ceramic industries.

• The Nancy Hanks fluorspar mine is located in Livingston County near Salem. The Delhi Fluorspar Company has office and plant at Marion where various grades of fluorspar are prepared for the general market.

• The Willis Crider operations at Mexico with office and processing plants there prepare fluorspar and barite for the general market.

• Mico Mining and Milling Co. has a plant in Crittenden County where barite is being prepared for the general market. This plant is located on Highway 91 North about 2 miles from the Cave-In-Rock ferry landing. Barite or barium sulfate is sometimes called heavy spar, and is used in drilling oil wells and for other industrial uses.
  

Fluorspar occurs naturally in veins or beds as crystalline calcium fluoride disseminated in vein rock commonly associated with calcite and silica. The crystals vary in color from whites, cream, yellow, blue and purplish. The crystals are cubic with octahedral cleavage and rare specimens are of semi-gem quality and clear specimens may be of optical quality.

Fluorspar is used by the steel companies as a flux in iron smelting, by the various ceramic industries for quality and opacity control, and the acid grades are used for the production of a wide range of important chemicals. The range of chemicals includes hydrofluoric acid, fixed dyes, refrigerants, propellants, insecticides and moth repellents, jet fuels, and other chemicals used by the aluminum processors and the Atomic Energy Commission.

• Calvert City Chemical Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation, is producing acid grade fluorspar for their hydro fluorite acid plant at Calvert City. Calvert City Chemical Company has a fluorspar mine at Dyers Hill in Livingston County which produces the ore requirements for the mill located at Mexico. The mill at Mexico recovers commercial quantities of lead and zinc concentrates as by-products as well as production of the acid grade fluorspar concentrate.

• Calvert City Chemical Company is an important factor in the local economy with a total payroll of about 75 men.

• The Kentucky Fluorspar Company was organized in the early 1900s by Judge Northern, C. S. Nunn, J. W. Blue and others. The company operated various mines in Crittenden County until about 1922, at which time they sold all of their mines to the United States Steel Corporation.

•  DELHI Fluorspar Corporation was organized in 1940 by H. F. McVay and Claud A Fletcher. At that time they were operating the Babb Mine, North of Salem, under the Delhi Foundry Sand Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Claud A. Fletcher became president of Delhi Fluorspar Corporation. The Corporation continued to mine, mill, grind, buy and sell fluorspar. Since the sale of the mine in 1944, the Corporation has continued to buy, process, and sell all grades and sizes of fluorspar.

• The REYNOLDS ALUMINUM Company has an exploration office at Salem. Mr. John W. Hook is resident geologist, and Mr. Tom Winans is assistant geologist. The office has a staff of six men who are active in their search for ore reserves. The company has been in the area for about five years and has acquired several fluorspar properties.

• J. Willis Crider Fluorspar Company purchased the current operation from Crider Brothers in 1951. Since that time the J. Willis Crider Fluorspar Company has been in continuous operating, buying, producing and selling gravel fluorspar. In 1955 the company purchased a new heavy media separation plant as an addition to the original mill in order to increase production. In 1957 the log washing plant was installed to wash and clean barite ores. At the present there is one shaft operating on fluorspar and stripping operations are going on for the barite ore. Properties owned and under lease for mining operations are located in Caldwell, Crittenden and Livingston County. Officers are J. Willis Crider, owner, and Billie Travis, superintendent.
• *****

The Year 1940 Had Extreme Weather

Extreme Weather Conditions Hit The County in 1940

The year 1940 in Crittenden County was a year of extreme weather conditions. From the archives of The Crittenden Press, let's take a visit to 1940 and see what was in store for the county.

January 5, 1940. The year started out with the Ohio being frozen over at Dam 50 for two days. W. D. Hatcher, lockmaster at Dam 50, reported a two-inch depth of ice over the Ohio from bank to bank extending from Dam 50 to the mouth of the Wabash. This was the first solid freeze of the river since the winter of 1936 when a low of five below was reported and the weather remained below freezing for a period of four days.

The season's low was reported Jan. 2nd when the mercury dropped to two above. In downtown Marion,temperatures of two to three above were reported Jan. 3^rdwith Tuesday night being the most severe. Following a two inch snow fall, a thaw proved detrimental. A light mist began to fall and froze as it struck the ground. Highways were coated with ice and became treacherous.

Down in the Tolu area of the county, Claude Arflack and a group of men who had stock wintering on Hurricane Island, opposite Tolu had to cut ice before placing a boat in service to remove the stock.  The men laid a board plank walk and used large saws. After sawing the ice in blocks the loosened portion and then shoved it downward into the current with the aid of skid poles. After completing the path a ferryboat will be used to remove the stock.

Several residents of the Tolu community walked across the river and reported solid ice from Kentucky to Illinois.

January 26 came and with it temperatures 15 degrees below January average. The third blast of the season struck the county Wednesday night driving the mercury to 5 below. At noon if only had climbed to 10 above with no thawing. A two-inch snowfall early Tuesday morning making the total for the past thirty day 17 inches. Freezing temperature and piercing winds followed, placing crusts on the coating making walking hazardous and halting traffic.

***

April 3^rd. Spring finally came and with the change of season more severe weather.

On the night of April 3^rd the county was struck by a twister. Freakish in all respects, the sections suffering heaviest were Tolu and the Iron Hill and Sugar Grove areas.

In the Sugar Grove-Tribune sections, a barn was unroofed on the farm of Henry Paris, a similar structure of Frank Woodsides was twisted from the foundation and practically demolished. Sol and Cecil Baker each lost barns and the home of Hubert Hunt was completely unroofed. P. P. Lamb and Homer Travis, adjoining farms, were the largest sufferers. Lamb had two barns destroyed and lost a large steer when the animal was trapped under a falling roof. Travis' home was blown several feet from its foundation and in addition a large barn and small shed was down.

Cedar Lane, known to all Crittenden countains, was twisted, torn and will never again be the picture of scenic beauty that it previously presented.

One of the largest trees in the Iron Hill-Deanwood sections was uprooted directly opposite the front porch of the home of Joe Dean with roots protruding several feet in the air and within jumping distance of the porch, but no damage was done to the porch or house. The storm was apparently split by Iron Hill as no damage was done beyond.

It was reported that buildings on the farm of George Dowell were damaged and the home of Hodge Tabor, near the E'town and Tolu-Y was twisted and blown from the foundation. Luther Hardesty had a barn town down and house unroofed.

In the southern section of the county, the storm unroofed several sheds and a home in the Mexico section, the blow next struck Mott City at the intersection of Princeton-Dycusburg highway. Mr. Mott and son, Glenn, were in the large stone building attempting to hold the doors closed and were thrust aside, the doors blew open and the velocity of the wind was sufficient to blow the rear wall of concrete blocks aside as if it were paper. Some of the blocks were thrown a distance of 12 feet from the wall.

April 26^th. With melting snow from the north mixing with heavy rainfall along the path of the river, the Ohio river flooded.

The river bottoms were covered and many ferry boats were not operating. No stock drowning or damage had been reported, the owners being warned and having time to remove the animals and anchor buildings in the areas that would be flooded.

The damage to roadbeds was severe caused by heavy winds that lashed at dirt fills for many hours and complicated by the swift current. All bottoms and lowland had been under water for ten days with many low lying roads being cut off from any traveling.

***

Next came summer with it's heat wave and drought.

July 26^th. Severe and intense heat over the entire county has caused much suffering and discomfort during the last four days with temperatures ranging well above 90 degrees. In many fields pastures and crops are drying badly.

August 2^nd. Fourteen days of heat wave, and for several days the Mercury was near 100 degrees for the last five days. Crops in the fields were wilting and pastures searing and in many sections ponds for stock watering purposes dry and water being hauled from wells to pastured stock.

August 8^th. Heavy showers finally bring relief and broke the fourteen day heat wave.

August 23^rd. Severely high winds hit the county and damaged many acres of corn in all sections of the county and fall yields were decreased by 40 to 50 percent. The wind was freakish, shattering large trees and unroofing several barns in scattered sections. The rains following the high winds did much to aid late crops but many acres of corn were beyond aid. In the lower river bottoms pastures assumed green surfaces and ponds filled that had been dry for the past three weeks.

***

Fall comes and with it more damage from the weather of 1940.

On November 11^th comes a severe windstorm that wrecks a familiar landmark.

The severe windstorm that struck Monday, Nov. 11^th, blew down the covered portion of a familiar landmark, the Covered Bridge, on old Fords Ferry Road at the crossing of Crooked Creek. Abutments and floor had been repaired recently and these were not damaged.

In addition to the bridge damage, several barns were unroofed, trees uprooted and chickens killed.

The blow came early Monday morning following the severe downpour Sunday night.

Marion water supply was replenished and the spillway reported overflowing.

After the windstorm Monday, the temperatures began to drop and ice was reported in many places on Tuesday. Wednesday, Nov. 13^th, was the coldest of the fall season.

So ends a rough weather year for Crittenden County. It's interesting to read and learn of these past weather conditions that affected the area in years past.

Some Early County Lawyers

Marion seemed well-blessed with the number of attorney's that were available in her early years. From the archives of The Crittenden Presses you can find many ads placed there telling of their services to help the public. Here are just a few of the attorney's that were practicing law in Marion in the late 1880s.

JAMES & JAMES

Lemuel H. James, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, June 7, 1844, received his education in the common school's and when only twelve years of age was left an orphan and began working to support himself and widowed mother. No doubt his trials and had work gave him a great deal of the push, pluck and perseverance which has made all that have a personal knowledge of his character and of his work pronounce him as a thoroughly capable and reliable lawyer.

He practices in all the state and federal courts and is noted for his success in winning cases.  L. H. James wields a jury as one man.  He is a self-made man who began educating himself at 19 years of age, and studied law under the Honorable Sumner Marble.  He was admitted to the bar in 1859.

He has made a successful specialty of criminal law, and has in the most severe litigation been equal to the task and come off conqueror.

He is noted for the quickness and vigor with which he compels attention to the governing questions and the same quality has given him is enviable reputation among businessmen.

Associated with him in business, is his son, Ollie M. James.

***

Ollie M. James, born to legal purple, his success might have been great through the illustrious name of his father, but his own merits give him a prominence that is distinctly his own.

He was born on a farm in Crittenden County July 27, 1871, attended the public school and academy at Marion receiving a thorough general education. 

In 1887 he was elected page to the House of Representatives and in 1889 was made cloakroom keeper of the Senate.

He was admitted to the bar in 1891, under Judge Givens, formed a partnership with his father in 1892. His naturally strong and well-equipped legal mind together with his persuasive address has won him an enviable reputation, he has that magnetism that commands strict attention when he talks.

He is a good jury lawyer, always gaining his prestige by honorable means. He has a larger acquaintance over the state than any man in the county and before him opens a bright prosperous future.

L. H. James died in 1928 and is buried in the James flamily plot at Mapleview Cemetery.

His son and partner, Ollie M. James, went on to have a brilliant political career, and had bright prospects for the future but he died Aug. 28, 1918 of kidney disease and is also buried at Mapleview cemetery.

***

 Cruce & Nunn

The law firm of Cruce & Nunn occupy a fine suit of rooms in the Carnahan building, and are they are never too busy to talk and execute business, although they have a large law practice, one that has proven alike satisfactory to the lawyer and the client.

Their large library, composed of the authentic works with the latest reports and publications, brings them in touch with the brightest minds of this and every other age, and much time is devoted to a careful perusal of its volumes. 

They are both men of experience and ability, whose practice has won the favor of all with whom they have met in business connection.

Wm. I. Cruce, the senior member of the firm, is a Kentuckian, born in this county, near Crayne. His legal education was thorough and he possessed the necessary qualifications to make practical use of it. 

He is a lawyer of recognized ability and Marion has cause to feel proud of him. Well versed in law and unusually ready and quick in repartee, it is not strange that he has established a position among the best lawyers in the state.

William I. Cruce after this time moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma with other members of his family. He died there in 1928 and was also buried there.

***

Clem S. Nunn is also a son of Kentucky and is a rising young attorney. He has the natural adaptation and educational training for a good, sound lawyer, and thus far in his professional calling has every reason to be pleased with his success. 

He is careful and painstaking, looks closely after the interested of his clients, and secures favorable verdicts by the employment of honorable and professional methods. The firm as now composed is one of the best in this part of the State.

They have incorporated into their law practice live business methods. The are not only able to handle any matters entrusted to them, but they give close and prompt attention to all cases of whatever magnitude, and it they take it al all, it is "to win." Their live methods are continually adding to their already large volume of business.

Clem S. Nunn died June 19, 1935 and is buried in Mapleview Cemetery.

Winning Shady Grove Basketball Team of 1936

March 13, 1936 – All District Team

Shady Grove swept to the championship of District Five Saturday night at Fohs Hall by defeating Tolu 35-25.

In the afternoon session the semi finals, Tolu defeated the Marion Terrors by a one point margin, 23 to 22 and thus won the right to enter the finals against the upper bracket winner, Shady Grove. 

This game was the most hotly contested and hardest fought of the meet and especially so because of the fact that both of the favorites, Marion and Tolu, were placed in the same bracket.

In the opening session Mattoon defeated Frances 16 to 12 and Shady Grove emerged victorious over Dycusburg 57 to 16.

 Friday night Marion won over Smithland 54 to 6 and Tolu swamped Salem 58 to 8. The result of these games placed Marion against Tolu in the lower semi final bracket and Shady Grove and Mattoon in the upper.

Semi Finals

Saturday afternoon, in the semi final play Tolu won over Marion and Shady Grove beating Mattoon 25 to 17. By far the largest crowds of the tourney witnessed these two games and not until the final gun sounded did anyone know the outcome of Marion and Tolu so close was the score and the play. Both fives resorted to all teaching and strategy that was at their command with the result that it was the star game of the meet.

Finals

In a game marked by speedy play and featuring Towery, the star performer of Shady Grove, and the slanting shots of Belt and Hardin, of Tolu, Shady Grove won the meet and the right to represent the district in the regional play at Earlington this week. Tolu, the runner up, is also accorded the right under the ruling of the association and will likewise enter.

March 20, 1936 – Athlete From Shady Grove is Honored Player.

Carlisle Towery, pivot man of the Shady Grove quintet, Fifth District champions was named on three all star teams and second on another. 

Towery, a junior in the school is sixteen years of age and six feet and three inches tall. He was named on the Crittenden and Caldwell counties all start five and also that of the Fifth District; finally concluding the season by being placed on the regional second group at the meeting at Earlington last week.

Nebo winner, defeated Shady Grove, in one of the opening games but only after a hard fought battle.

Crittenden County Folks - Dr. Ollie T. Lowery

Crittenden Press   Aug. 12, 1938 –

In the passing of Dr. O. T. Lowery the county has lost a good citizen, and the community in which he lived has lost a public-spirited physician whose fine services will be sorely missed in the days that are ahead. 

Ollie T. Lowery, born 1883 in Tolu, Ky., was a son of T. W. and Sallie Matlock Lowery. O. T. Lowery also attended and received his medical training at the Hospital College of Medicine at Louisville, Ky. He was first married to Effie Parker of Salem. They had two sons, Thomas Wood, and Guy Allen. Effie died in 1922 and Dr. Lowery later married Jennie Pell Houston of Carrsville.

After serving in World War I, he opened an office in Marion but later moved back to his hometown of Tolu to be near his family.

Dr. Lowery’s obituary tells of his tragic death at his home in Tolu. Crittenden Press, August 12, 1938. Dr. Ollie T. Lowery, prominent physician, was accidentally killed by his own gun early Sunday morning at his home in Tolu.

Having been absent from his home at the bedside of a son in a Memphis, Tenn., hospital, Dr. Lowery was advised that his chickens were being killed by some unknown cause. Hearing a noise in the chicken house early Sunday morning, he aroused his housekeeper and the two of them went to the structure, about 75 feet from the house. Dr. Lowery took with him a .38 caliber pistol.

Upon reaching the chicken house he instructed the housekeeper to watch the outside of the building and see if a mink should escape through several holes in the foundation and walls. The housekeeper did as told and Dr. Lowery went into the building. Shortly thereafter the report of a gun was heard and Dr. Lowery moaned. Rushing into the building the housekeeper found her employer dead.

Spreading the alarm, nearby resident’s came to her assistance and the body was removed to the house. Coroner C. T. Boucher, Co, Atty. Stone and Sheriff J. E. Perry were notified and rushed to the scene. Boucher conducted an inquest and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Survivors are five sons: Tom, Detroit, Guy, John, Herman and Ollie, all of Tolu; a brother Leonard, Sturgis, and a sister Mrs. Tom George, Salem. 

Dr. Lowery was a respected and loved family Dr. of Tolu. He never had office hours or appointments; he was on call when anyone needed him. In his last years, he wrote his prescriptions, filling them from his own drug room. He made house calls when needed, day or night. His referrals to a hospital for surgery were accurate, and his diagnoses were without any modern tests. Many remember how he stayed by a bedside, or the times he put the patients in his own car, took them to the hospital and stayed there until they were better. He was a comfort to the patient and also the patient’s family.

These old time doctors of long ago deserve a lot of credit. Dark nights, mud, roads, rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind and storm are but trifles in the lives of most of them, but for the average doctor back then, they were conditions, many times repeated, which must be met and endured. Irregular hours, sleepless nights, long grinds of watchful waiting, all were but parts of the day’s work for the average doctor in the small town and rural communities of yesteryear.

Fire Truck and new City Hall Building Signaled Exciting Times In Marion in 1927.

May 4, 1920

Marion City Council Meeting

The matter of the purchase of a fire truck equipped with the necessary apparatus for extinguishing fires came before the council. It was explained that with this apparatus costing only $2,500 would save the residents of Marion about $5,000 annually in fire insurance premiums, providing the city have the necessary volunteer fire department. It was voted that the truck be purchased.

***

Nov. 19, 1920

The new chemical fire engine which the city council purchased last spring arrived on Tuesday. A demonstrator from the factory came with the machine, which he assembled it immediately.
The apparatus is mounted on a Ford chassis and has a capacity sufficiently large to extinguish a fire of considerable size and will do it quickly. The engine is equipped with chemicals which when mixed produce Carbon Dioxide, the most effective gas known for fighting fires.

The new engine cost the city about $2,800, however the reduction in fire insurance premiums will be en ought to repay this in a very few years.

A volunteer fire department will be organized immediately. On their hands will be the responsibility of subduing in its early stages any conflagration, which might happen in Marion.

***

Jan. 7, 1927 – A New Fire Engine

The new fire engine ordered several months ago by the city arrived this week. This engine has already been tried out and is ready for use when the occasion arises. The guaranteed capacity of this new piece of fire fighting equipment is 500 gallons per minute and under test this week pumped 420 gallons in one minute.

With the old engine the firemen had to depend on water pressure alone in fighting flames but the pumping equipment on the new adds increased force and provides for the use of a larger number of gallons per minute.

***

April 8, 1927 – Council Votes to Purchase a Lot. According to plans presented to the city council, at their regular meeting Monday evening, by Councilman C. B. Hina, Marion is to have a municipal building.

Mr. Hina was the chairman of a committee named to look into the matter of securing a site for a proposed city hall and fire headquarters, and reported to the council that the lot belonging to W. E. Cox, located just north of the Masonic building on Bellville, could be purchased for $1,275.00

The proposed building would contain offices for the police judge, city clerk and mayor, with ample storage room for the fire truck and equipment, and a storeroom for other city property.

It is planned to construct this fireproof building at a cost of about $3,000.

***

April 22, 1927- City Installs Fire Alarm Controls. Marion has three new remote control stations for the operation of the fire siren. The installation was completed on Monday of this week by Guy R. Lamb and his assistants.

One of the new stations is at the corner of Main and Carlisle streets, on the Marion Bank side of the street, another is at the garage of the Stephens Motor company, where the new fire truck is kept (until the new location is finished) and the other is at the residence of the fire chief, D. E. Moore, on College Street.

The fire alarm system of the town now operates more systematically than ever before. During business hours all reports of fire are to be telephoned to the Stephens Garage, and after business hours to the residence of D. E. Moore or turning in from the street station by the Marion Bank.

***

 September 30, 1927 - New Modern Garage.  J. N. Boston and Sons are the builders of one of Marion's finest and most modern garage buildings in the state of Kentucky.  The building, which when completed, will be occupied by the Stephens Motor Company, and will have a front of pressed brick and side walls of glazed red tile.  It is to have a steel structure, and part of the front space will be occupied by a filling station.  Entrance to the main part of the building will be through the front and also from the side street.  A large show room with spacious windows will occupy the front part of the building.  The new Marion fire truck will also be housed in this new building.

(Pictures of the new Stephens Garage on South Main Street.  In later years it would house the Crittenden Motor Company and T. and W. Electric.  It's still a beautiful old building sitting empty.  (H & R Block uses a section during tax season each year.)  How about those gas pumps on the side walk next to the street.) 

Dec. 30, 1927 – Passing Year One of Activity. As the bells Saturday night ring out the passing of the old and herald the arrival of a new year, Marion people will perhaps be reminded by the triumphant ringing of the progress that this year, 1927 has brought to the town.

This year has seen the erection of a much-needed public building, Marion's new city hall, which occupies the Bellville Street lot adjoining the Masonic Hall. 

Council members at this time were: A. J. Baker, Albert Henry, George James, M.O. Eskew, C. B. Hina and E. F. Sullenger, Mayor – J. G. Rochester, Clerk – John G. Bellamy, City Attorney - John A. Moore, Fire Chief - D. E. Moore.

How The Ohio River Got It's Name

      A view of the beautiful Ohio from the hills of Bells Mines.

Away up in the Alleghenies, a tiny streamlet starts rolling, and tumbling, and foaming over rocks, leaping over toy cascades, gathering the water from a thousand ravines and gulches till it becomes a roaring mountain torrent; and still sweeping on, now skirting a rich meadow of bottom land, and now passing beneath the shadow of towering bluffs and beetling crags, it becomes a beautiful and romantic little river, and meets another stream that rises within the hearing of the awful thunders of Niagara, and after receiving many a sportive branch and rippling rill and foaming creek and watering many a farm and garden in Western New York, and Pennsylvania it, too, reaches the magnitude of a river. These are the Monongahela and Allegheny. Like two merry, rocking, romping children they unite their destinies and form the beautiful Ohio. 

How did this river get its name, and what does the name signify? What do we understand by the word Ohio?" Here is the legend:

An Indian chief of the Miami tribe then occupying the shores of Lake Michigan, with a small band of his tribe, wandered southward on a hunting excursion. A few miles from the Ohio they startled a deer from his cover and despite all their wiley maneuvering the wary animal eluded the hunters, frequently in sight but always escaping the winged shafts sent after him. 

The deer led the hunting party southward till late in the afternoon, when they suddenly emerged from the dense forest into an open spot on a high piece of ground overlooking the river. About the middle of the stream was the deer, bravely swimming for the Kentucky shore, and safely beyond the reach of it's pursuers arrows, but all thought of the deer was lost in contemplation of the exquisite beauties of the scene before them.

For five miles above and ten below the majestic stream was in full view. Kentucky, then an unbroken wilderness, presented a landscape of undulating hills and fertile valleys, all clothes in the rich, green foliage of May, that looked like a land of enchantment. 

The Indian Chief, in appreciate of the beauty of nature and in his wonder, and admiration, uttered the ejaculation, "O High O."  And the chief had unconsciously given to the noble river a name that was destined to go with it through untold centuries.

At a later day the French came to this territory and explored the river from Pittsburgh to Cairo, and reveled in its beauties. They called it "La Belle Rivire" – Beautiful River.

 Looking from the bluffs of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois to the Kentucky side.  The mighty Ohio River is a beautiful sight.

If you have never seen the view of the Ohio from high atop the hills of Bells Mines, or from the top of the bluff on the Cave-In-Rock, Illinois side, you have missed a beautiful sight. Truly one of Crittenden County's treasures.  But the river can have a destructive side too, when the heavy rains cause it to flood into the low lying areas of her shores.  But today we look at the beauty.

The Church That Was Never Finished

I wrote this article in April of 2008.  Has some good history about Tolu.

The Church That Was Never Finished

This is an interesting article concerning another church that was planning to be built at Tolu in 1921 but never got any further than a corner stone built and a marker engraved. The article appeared in the July 8^th, 1921 edition of The Crittenden Press.

The Cornerstone of the Tolu Methodist Church was laid Monday, July 4^th in the presence of the largest crowds that ever assembled in Tolu.

The ceremony was under the auspices of Hurricane Lodge 571 F & A M with Dr. Arthur Mather acting as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky.

The program for the day was started by a concert by the Marion and Tolu orchestras, followed by the Marion Methodist Male Quarter. The concert was followed by a number of speeches by some of the most prominent men of the country. T. C. Bennett acted as Chairman. Addresses were made by Dr. A. Mather, Rev. J. W. Turner, Hon. C. S. Nunn, W. D. Cannan and Hon. J. W. Blue Jr. Miss Mary Elizabeth Bennett, daughter of T. C. Bennett recited the Declaration of Independence.

Immediate after the speeches came one of the most enjoyable features of the day, the barbecue dinner. There was an abundance of meat, which was cooked in true barbecue style. Hogs, cattle and sheep were prepared for the feast and then there were salads, pickles, breads, pie and lemonade. It was estimated that over 2000 people were fed. The feast was spread on the spacious lawn of Mrs. J. W. Guess adjoining the lot on which the new church is now being built.

Immediately after the barbecue the members of Hurricane Masonic Lodge No. 571 with members from adjoining Lodges met in their hall about the Farmers & Merchants Bank with the following officials in charge. Dr. Arthur Mather, Grand Master, W. D. Cannan, Deputy Grand Master, T. T. Guess, Grand Senior Warden, A. J. Bebout, Grand Junior Warden, C. S. Nunn, Grand Secretary, J. W. Blue, Grand Treasurer, E. R. Williams, Grand Senior Deacon, E. J. Travis, Grand Junior Deacon, R. W. Wilborn, Grand Marshal, C. E. Mayes, Grand Steward, Lem Bozeman, Grand Steward, M. V. Arnold, Grand Architect, C. W. Love, Grand Tyler.

       This was the corner stone that was talked about in the article.
The procession was then formed and the company marched to the site of the new church.

After the ceremonies of laying the cornerstone Dr. Mather read an inspiring and eloquent address. A copper receptacle containing the following articles was place beneath the stone, Bible, Discipline, Nashville Christian Advocate, Central Methodist Membership roll, names of Bishop Denny, Rev. T. L. Hulse, Rev. O. M. Capshaw, Dr. A. Mather, those of the building committee and a copy of the deed.

The new church will be one of the most magnificent for the size of the town in the state. It is to cost $22,000. and will be most modern and well built. 

Everyone present had the best time that could be possible. There was an abundance of eats, entertainment for everyone, good speeches, good music and a shady lawn to rest on.

****

Mrs. Myra Guess Hamilton who lives on her ancestor's home place, the J. W. Guess place, told me that she wasn't sure why the church never was built, unless the money was never raised to finish the church.

 The old corner stone still stands in the empty lot adjoining Myra's yard, and the engraved corner marker has a home in Myra's flowerbed.

Marion's 1958 Pony League

 

Front row L-R: Truman Croft, Jim Guess, Lynn "Lefty" Birdwell and John O. Hodge; 

Middle row: Jimmy Alderdice, Eddie Joe Burkalew, Donald "Hurtsey" Easley, Buck Travis, W. A. Franklin and asst. manager Gerald Tabor.

Back row: Carson Davidson, manager, Frankie Browning, Allen Franklin, Jesse Bennett and Asst. manager, Lonnie Burkalew     (not shown that was in the group were Jerry  Abell, Jimmy Love and bat boy Steve Davidson.)

What a team. First Little League squad was probably Marion's best ever

It was 1950. The “Korean Conflict” was on everyone's mind. The post WW II prosperity was hitting full stride. A strange new sound called rock-and-roll was eminating from radios in teenager's hands all across the country.

In Marion, 1950 was the first year for Rotary Club Little League baseball. That first team was coached by Orville Pfunder and Carson Davidson. Mr. Pfunder one of the organizers of this group and surely never in the history of the community has any one man done more towards making a success of this project. 

Davidson believes, and with good reason that that first team was probably the most successful, on or off the diamond, that Crittenden County has ever fielded. Fourteen players, a bat boy and Davidson worked their way from little league in '53, '54, '55, and '56 to Pony League in '57 and '58, American Legion ball in '59 and the Marion High School team after that.

Six of the team went on through college, three on baseball scholarships. One was named to the Murray State Hall of Fame, and one had a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals.  

Lynn "Lefty" Bridwell was named to the Murray State Hall of Fame for his southpaw pitching.

 Donald "Hertsey" Easley was the shortstop.  Easley graduated from Marion High School, and was given the opportunity to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals. 

 Jim Guess was the man behind the plate.  He won a baseball scholarship from U. K., but went to Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro.

Jimmy Alderdice played second base. Alderdice played baseball at David Lipscomb College in Nashville.

 

Davidson said, one of the thing that always stood out to me about these boys was that they were such an intelligent and hard working group. The most rewarding things is to know that baseball helped these boys going out into everyday life, some of them got scholarships for school, and seeing how these boys turned out in everyday life.

Mr. Davidson said he was assistant coach under Orville Pfunder when the team took to the field the first time as Little Leaguers. He took over during their last Little League season and guided them through Pony League and American Legion play.

The best season was 1954. The boys were in Pony League and went 20-1 on the season.

 

The boys biggest opposition came after they moved into Legion ball in 1955. They came face to face with the Paducah Chiefs.

The Chiefs weren't your standard American Legion team. Their roster boasted names like Hawk Taylor, who went on to play catcher for the Milwaukee Braves, and who was thrown out of a ball game here by umpire Jim Fred Mills. Phil Roof, who shuffled around the big leagues for a while, and Charlie Loyd, U. K. pitching ace, were also with the Paducah Chiefs.

The teams split regular season games and met in the finals of the sectional tournament after winning their respective regions. The Marion boys suffered one of their infrequent defeats, 4-3.

The boys moved into high school the next year, a few going to Crittenden County High and most to Marion High. Lefty Bridwell transferred to MHS from CCHS to play with his long-time teammates.

The MHS team took the runner-up position in the regional tournament, losing to Murray High School 1-0 on a balk. The call was one of the most controversial in the history of high school baseball in Kentucky.

Davidson said, “I still think we had a better ball team than they did. Our pitcher (Bridwell) had a no -hitter until the balk call. I believe the umpire was honest in his thinking, but it just didn't work out for us. He said later that he never would have made the call if he'd have known what it would have started.”

As with any group of young people, the boys went their separate ways after high school. In later years, Davidson said, he felt that this first little league team gave a strong start to the Little League program in Marion, a program he feels has improved over the years and been good for our youngsters.

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Declamatory Contests - An Important Part Of School Activities Of Long Ago

A much looked forward to event of the schools of long ago were the Declamatory contests. The dictionary states that Declamatory is a formal speech made in public and spoken with great emotion and force. The matches must have been full of tension and emotion as to see who the best and forceful speakers were.

From the archives of The Crittenden Press lets go back visit some of these exciting events. Memorizing daily assignments were very much a part of school then, it called for much focusing and concentration on what you were trying to learn.

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Feb. 23, 1923 – Oratorical and Declamatory Contest

The preliminary oratorical and declamatory contest was held at the Marion Graded School auditorium. Mr. Richard Hicklin, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Hicklin, was the winner of the gold medal in the oratorical contest.

 Richard  Hicklin - Gold Medal Winner

 Miss Thelma Travis was the winner of the medal in the declamatory contest. The subject of Mr. Hicklin's oration was The Masked American. It was a great composition and was effectively delivered. 

 Thelma Travis - Gold Metal Winner for her story telling.

 Feb. 22, 1924 – Declamatory and Oratorical Contestants Draw Crowd

Weeks of preparation had put the contestants of all the grade schools on edge and eager for the opportunity to display their talents to a large audience which was just as eager to hear them. So many young ladies had wanted to enter the contest that an elimination contest had been held in private, the five winners of which appeared last Friday.

The two winners were, Miss Elizabeth Haynes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Haynes of Marion and Mr. Ryvers Sarlls, of near Bells Mines. Miss Lois Hicklin read "The old Nest" as the opening number, following an invocation. Miss Hicklin's portrayal of this literary gem was a very charming one. Mr. Avery Reed then appeared with "The Self Supporting Student" as his subject. "Peg O' My Heart", one of the sweetest stories in all English literature, was then read by Miss Virginia Terry.

"The Master Passion" was the subject Mr. Thomas Nelson had chosen. Misses Margaret and Blanche Guess sang a beautiful number at the close of this and were heartily encored. Miss Dorothy Haynes then appeared with "Flaming Ramparts" a reading requiring much dramatic ability to effectively render and Miss Haynes did wonderfully well. Mr. Ernest Hughes then spoke on "A Nation's Honor," Mr. Hughes has the possibilities of making an unusually good public speaker.

Miss Ada Nelle Frazer had chosen "Why the Chimes Ring," a reading which requires much natural ability and intensive training to render at all effectively. Mr. Ryvers Sarlls then appeared with the winning oration, "Character." It was well delivered and with further training Mr. Sarlls should make on the county best young speakers.

Miss Elizabeth Lee Haynes then appeared with a dramatic reading , entitled the "The Valiant," It was beautifully read and presented.

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October 26, 1926 – Contest at Mt. Zion A Great Success

The declamatory contest for Division Four of the county schools was held at Mt. Zion last Friday evening. The contestants were; Gretna Woody of Seminary School; Vivian Sullivan of Prospect; Eugene Beard of Baker, Bertha Kirk of Heath, Gwendolyn Gahagan of Weston, John Fowler of Oak Hall, and Hughie Wilborn of Post Oak.

The gold medal was won by Hughie Wilborn and the silver medal by John Fowler. The Cave Spring quartette, composed of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Drennan, Ray Brantley and Dallas Little added much to the program. They will sing at the final contest on November 20.

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Nov. 19, 1926 - Contest at Frances

The declamatory contest in Educational Division Two was held last Friday at Frances. All of the contestants from the different schools had splendid readings and had been well trained.

The gold medal was won by Miss Ruth Hard, a pupil of Mrs. Bessie Oliver at Caldwell Spring. The second prize, a silver medal, was awarded to Miss Anna Belle Hunter, of the Mexico School. Miss Hunter is a pupil of Wilton Yandell.

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This beautiful gold pin that was the prize for the person that won the Declamatory Contest.  

Much hard work and time went into the students practicing to be in this speaking contest.

But this pin was worth all the hard work and effort.

I wonder how many of these once prized pins are still out there somewhere, tucked away in the back of a drawer or in a dusty box or trunk in a family's attic or basement and them not knowing the history of the Declamatory Pin.

The Marion Tannery

The Marion Tannery one of Marion's important early enterprises was the establishment of a modern system of tanning leather.

Organized under the direction of Billy Duke Haynes, under the title, "W. D. Haynes & Company," the participating members being Edwin, Bob Bigham, and Edward Black. The company proposed to incorporate the latest improved methods of processing animal skins, from the raw to the finished product, and to manufacture all products made from leather.

Sometime in the year 1868 he Mr. Haynes bought a tract, some ten acres of land, at the southern border of town. The Marion-Princeton road then separated the property from the Old Presbyterian Church and Graveyard to the east and adjoining the property was dense forest, owned by the Robert Lycurgus Bigham estate. On the property was an ever-flowing spring of water, and a log house, two rooms, divided by open hallway, and kitchen detached. (located where Hometown Food Grocery's store is today)

In that day leather and leather products were not much sold in stores. Every community supported its own shoemaker, saddler and harness maker; sometimes all three in one person, handyman. 

With the bright prospects apparent the company proceeded to acquire basic supplies - white-oak bark, to be cured without exposure to moisture, and animal skins in great quantity. For the protection of the dried bark and working space for the horse-powered bark –grinding mill an enormous size shed was erected, and curing rooms for raw hides. 

Next thing, three pools, dimensions 10 x 10 ft. and 6 feet deep; one pool fresh water to soak dry hides in; another, a strong lime solution to loosen the hair, and a third emersion in fresh water to neutralize the lime. Skins thoroughly rubbed to remove all foreign matter, graded according to thickness, the larger ones split in halves; the grades are separately processed.

Tan vats, 30 in all, excavations 3 ½ x 6 feet deep, also lined with thick tongue and grooved lumber and water tight. Arranged in rows with working space between. Partly water-filled, a generous sprinkle of pulverized bark sufficient to support the first skin carefully spread, on which another sprinkle of bark – alternating the skin and bark until the vat is filled to capacity, there to remain for months in incubation, until the tanner, by test pronounces the leather matured.

During the period of leather incubation thee are processing rooms to erect and equip. Leather leaving the tan must at once be thoroughly treated in oils to restore pliability; rubbed to a firmness, shaved to uniform thickness, and when desired, colored. For this precise operation an expert currier is kept on duty. 

 Extending the buildings, there are shops for the tradesmen; harness maker, saddler and long rows of benches equipped for the many shoemakers always present.

The Marion Tannery rated of much importance to the community. The trade in tanbark and hides brought in much needed revenue to Crittenden County and adjoining territory, and people came from all around for quality goods. A large number of artisans of the trades had employment there.

Along in the year 1878 someone invented a system of Steam tanning. Using extract concentrates, and steams under high pressure. They cooked it. It was all so natural and simple. Leather could be matured in a matter of weeks. That was the blueprint to the cold water tanner's finish. He must change his system or retire.

Luckily for us there came a respite. The first steam-tanned leather offered the public proved inferior. It had been overheated and broke in places. For a long time people were prejudiced against the steam–tanned leather. By the time the error had been corrected and confidence restored, we had disposed of our stock and sold the property. On the 27^th of August 1879, we vacated the place and left Marion.

A big mill and whiskey distillery soon occupied the tan yard site and buildings for a good many years and the ever-flowing spring was their source of water supply. (This area today is where Hometown Food's grocery store and parking lot are located.)

Historical Homes For Sale

Some of Marion's oldest and historical homes are up for sale.  Hopefully someone that will love them will purchase them.

Picture made in Oct. 2007 while Ed and Dell Runyan lived here.  Earlier articles thought the house was built in 1834.  But after viewing the interior of the home and the beautiful features, hard wood floors, stain glass windows, transom windows, beautiful staircase, I think it was built more like the 1860's. 

This picture made Sept. 2019 as the home sets waiting to be purchased.   After the Runyans sold the home, it was covered with vinyl siding in the burnt red color.

Home located on Gum Street in Marion. 

This beautiful old home was built in 1887 by Perry S. Maxwell. 

 It was purchased by Dr. Robert L. Moore in 1893.

 The next owner was Lemuel H. James.  This home was originally a one story house, the second story was added in  1902 by Mr. James.  

After Mr. and Mrs. James died, their son, Senator Ollie M. James and his wife lived here.  It was t heir home during Ollie's rapid climb up the political ladder that was cut short by his premature death.

The last owner of the home was Robert Marshall Jenkins.  He has recently passed away and the home is now up for sale.  It is located at 204 East Depot Street.

Another beautiful old home is the William Barnett home locate on North Main St. This picture made in 1999.

 It was built in 1912 by contractor George H. Miller of Evansville.  

Mr. Barnett, a successful farmer from Tolu  wanted a nice home in Marion to live so his daughters could attend the Marion school.

In the past few years the home has been recently worked on with repairs and updates and the outside has been covered in gray vinyl siding with white trim.

I've never been inside, but ones that have say it has beautiful woodwork.

I hope these beautiful old historic home will soon find new owners that will appreciate them.  They add a lot of beauty to our local history.

D. C. Tastes Crittenden County Syrup

This wonderful and historical information about Crittenden County was written by Dr. James O. Nall, physician and author of "Night Riders of Kentucky and Tennessee," in September 2, 1954.

Crittenden Sorghum Honored in D. C.

It is said that Senator Ollie M. James, Marion's most popular personage, introduced Crittenden County's sorghum to Washington, D.C. 

Sorghum molasses, according to the story, was a regular item on the James' table, as in most other Kentucky homes, during Ollie's childhood, and he developed a liking for it that stayed with him during his entire life. 

Not only that, he praised its delectable qualities to his congressional friends, both in the House and Senate. Many of them, accustomed to sorghum in their own states, refused to believe that Kentucky sorghum was any different than that made elsewhere, but there was one famous gentleman, who, on Ollie's word, decided that it was worth a trial – the Honorable Champ Clark, Speaker of the National House of Representatives, from Missouri. That was when the slogan, "I'm from Missouri, you'll have to show me," was in vogue, and, perhaps, that was Speaker Clark's attitude. 

So Ollie visited his good friend, Sion Hunt, known to everyone as one of the best sorghum makers in Crittenden County, and asked him for a gallon of the best molasses he had in the house.

"I've got just exactly what you want, Ollie," he said. I've never had a better crop. The weather was right, and I cut it and made it up just at the right time."

Mr. Hunt took his pocketknife and pried the lid off a gallon bucketful. The bouquet was delightful. The molasses looked like liquid gold, and it tasted like heavenly honey. "You're right, Sion," Ollie agreed. "If Champ doesn't like that, he's lost his sense of taste."

So, taking a fresh, unopened bucketful, Ollie carried it home and set it in the corner of his room where it could not be bothered by anyone. Then, when he returned to Washington, he carried it in one hand, his bag in the other. It is said that he never let the bucket out of his sight unless it was under lock and key.

In changing trains, he let the porter carry his bag, but not the bucket. In going to the diner, he carried the bucket with him, not to eat from it, but to be sure it would not be stolen and the contents eaten by someone else.

At the Washington railroad station, he let the redcap carry his bag, but not the bucket. And he treated the taxicab driver the same way. He would not trust his gift to the hands of anyone but the recipient. And, finally, his friendly chore ended, he delivered it to Speaker Clark at his Washington home.

Ollie admonished him that sorghum should be eaten only with hot-buttered biscuits, that it was sacrilege to eat it any other way. And so Mrs. James came into the picture, for she was a biscuit maker of excellence. Her biscuits, so I am told, were of silver dollar size, just big enough to split in half and make four good bites. And, covered with sorghum molasses, what bites!

 

Let us suffice to say that Speaker Clark loved Crittenden County sorghum, that Mrs. James taught Mrs. Clark how to make Kentucky biscuits, and that the Speaker laid in an annual supply of Hunt-made molasses from then on. But he never told his and Ollie's dubious congressional friends. He insisted on reserving that delectable secret – and shall we say dish, jug or bucket, for himself and family.

 

"Ollie," Champ said one Sunday morning, after they had eaten breakfast together. "I'm sure the gods never had such ambrosia on Mount Olympus."

"You're right, Champ," Ollie replied. "By Jove! You're right, by Jove!"

Now, that they are both residing on Olympus, let's hope they still agree.

So, Trigg County many have its ham, McCracken may have it's strawberries, and Graves County may have it's cream but there was a time when Crittenden County had sorghum molasses

– the best in all Kentucky.

 I think it should be revived. Yes, and hot biscuits, too!

 

Court House Corner Stone - June 1961

In June of 1961, as the new Crittenden County Court House was being constructed, a history cornerstone was being prepared to be placed in one of the corner stones of the new court house.  Following is the list of items that were placed in the box.  Time flies by swiftly and now this year of 2019 that was 58 years ago.

May 11, 1961 – Courthouse Ground Broke

County Judge Earl McChesney broke ground Wednesday, May 3, 1961 for the new Crittenden County Courthouse. Other county officials attending the ceremonies were County Clerk R. P. Davidson, County Attorney B. M. Westberry and Magistrates comprising the Fiscal Court, consisting of Watson Flanary, Clemens Crawford, Ernest Nelson, G. B. Kirk, Cruce McDonald, Truman Highfil, Frank H. Hill and Joe Robertson.

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June 23, 1961 -Courthouse Cornerstone Contained Many Articles

County Judge Earl McChesney announced this week a list of the articles place in the box to be sealed in the cornerstone of the new Crittenden County Courthouse.

Following is the list of things placed in the box:

* Copy of Crittenden Press of April 27, May 11, and June 15, 1961

* Copy of The Courier-Journal, Louisville, June 15, 1961

* Financial statement of the Peoples Bank, as of December 31, 1960.

* Financial Statement of Farmers Bank & Trust Co, as of December 31, 1960.

* The Holy Bible presented by Nelda Phelps.

* Box of Plastic Products, presented by Mi-Marker Company, Marion

* History & Roster of Co. D., Med. Tank Bn., 123D Armor, Marion and the Ellis B. Ordway Post No. 111.

* Histories of Crittenden County Hospital, Crittenden County Library, Marion Kiwanis Club, Marion Woman's Club, Rotary Club, ASC Office, Fidelity Finance, and Moore Business Form and Ben Franklin Store.

* Official roster of Henderson-Union REA & Rural Kentuckian, June, 1961

* Personnel roster and other items, Kentucky Utilities Company, Marion, 1961

* Sealed envelopes from Marion Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, Levias, and Crayne Cumberland Presbyterian Church

* Histories of Mexico Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, Marion, Crooked Creek Missionary Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Sugar Grove Presbyterian Church, Blackburn Church

* Notes on Quarterly Conference Tolu Methodist Church, Tolu

* Bulletin, Marion Methodist Church, June 4, 1961

* Sealed envelope of Crittenden County Schools

* Earth Science, March-April 1955, presented by Ben E. Clement

* Leaflets from the American Legion, Welfare Department,

* Pamphlet: 10^th anniversary of Price-Thomson LP Presbyterian Church USA

* Postcard, B. E. Clement collection

* Brochure on Fluorspar, by B. E. Clement

* Two Fluorspar samples, B. E. Clement

* Photograph of groundbreaking of New Courthouse, May 1961

* Gem & Mineral products, Maurice N. Boston, Marion

* Summary of Operation of Patmor's Seed Plant

* Letterhead of Crittenden County Soil Conservation District

* Thumbnail sketch of Farmers Home Administration

* Billings of the Kentucky Theater

* Menus from Marion Cafe, Sunrise Cafeteria and Rohrer's Drive In

* Letterheads of various business houses in Marion

* List showing City Police Force

* Dam 50 personnel

* Boy Scouts and Charter of America, Scout Master Denver E. Tabor

* GA Girls and Leaders

* Letter, Tourist & Travel Div., Dept. of Public Information, Frankfort, dated June 15, 1961

* Highway Magazine, June 1961

Completing the list of articles put into the cornerstone for the new Crittenden County Courthouse will be a seventy-four year old newspaper printed and published in Dycusburg, Ky., on April 30, 1867. George T. Harris was the Editor and Publisher of the four page tabloid that hit the streets every week. The paper was named The Crittenden Courier. The subscription rate was 50 cents per year and contributions were solicited from the public.

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