Some Early Facts About Crittenden County, By Rev. James F. Price

This interesting article was written and published in The Crittenden Press in Jan. 16t, 1931.

Facts And Reminiscences About Crittenden County

Today most of the information can easily be found on the internet, but in 1931, Rev. Price's history information was priceless, and his knowledge of the early pioneers, came from his own personal research and talking with descendants of these families. Written in 1931 by Rev. James F. Price. 

Crittenden County is in many aspects a remarkable county. It is in the edge of the coal fields of the northern area of the county and in the center of the great fluorspar deposits of southern Crittenden County.

 

Geologically it is on the edge of the continent separated from the Purchase by the Cumberland River. The larger part of the Purchase was once a great lagoon, the northern part of the gulf of Mexico. Into this lagoon were washed century after century great beds of gravel from the high mountains of western Kentucky and Tennessee, brought down by the Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers. These gravel beds were eventually covered with soil and form much of western Kentucky.

Crittenden County is considered a broken or hilly county, and yet it contains much fine farming land. It is surprising how much agricultural products we raise. It contains much pasture land, and has quite an amount of live stock. It is also noted for its dairy farms. 

The above mentioned products together with coal and fluorspar, furnish the sources of income.

The people of this county may well be called “The common people” of which Lincoln said, “They were the best people on earth because God had made so many of them.” This term common people means that they are neither wealthy nor aristocratic. But they are brilliant in mind, noble in heart and cordial in all social relations.

Our schools are good; about the average. Most of our churches are not wealthy, but devotedly religious. In efficient Sunday School works we stand about the third in the state. 

The history of this county is thrilling with romance and adventure. Its natural scenery can scarcely be surpassed.

This county has produced its portion of noted men. Not many counties can boast of two United States Senators, William J. Deboe and Ollie M. James.  Many other noted men have gone from this county to fill important positions.