Genealogy Group Trip to Smithland

The Crittenden County Genealogy Group took a field trip to Smithland Sat. June 12th.  We met at their log cabin visitor and genealogy center for our program.  We enjoy meeting and sharing programs with our neighbors of Livingston County, since these counties  were one until 1842.  The program was given by Don Foster, president, of the Livingston Co. Genealogy Society and Doris Cochrum, on some of the history of Smithland 's old homes.

In the picture above were our members that made the trip.  Left: Connie Gould, Doyle Polk, Dot Kunnecke, Fay Carol Crider, Rita Travis, and Ann and Don Walker, formerly of Crittenden County, and now live the winter months in Arizona.

Don Foster, also a member of our Society, and who presented the program on old homes in Smithland. Don was also our tour guide for the day and we walked around and looked at some of the old homes and business buildings that are left.

After the program we ate lunch at the Smithland gazebo, appropriately named, Buzzard Roost.  From here you can get a wonderful panoramic view of the river(s).  I say rivers because it is here when the mighty Ohio and the Cumberland river meet.

Also from this point you can see in the distance the Smithland Dam.  When this dam was completed in 1979 and was placed in operation, Crittenden's obsolete wicker-type Dam 50 was destroyed.  New history for Livingston was created and old history from Crittenden was destroyed.

 The picture at the right is where the Cumberland and Ohio rivers meet.  The blue-green water is that of the Cumberland and the muddy-brown waters are that of the Ohio.  The Ohio has a reputation for being one rather a dirty body of water.  It's amazing to see the straight line where the two bodies of water meet.  It's as if they are reluctant to merge together.

You can see the great Smithland Locks and Dam  in the far distance of the picture.  This is the first structure of this size on the Ohio River and the world's largest twin navigational locks system.

McFee and Weldon Monuments

In the Dec. 7, 1893 edition of the Crittenden Press  there is a small article telling the readers of two nice new monuments being carved.  The article reads:  Henry Bros. are engaged in carving from the crude marble a handsome but not expensive monument to mark the last resting place of the late W. E. Weldon.  It is composed of five pieces, all except the base being Georgia marble, and will stand seven feet high.  It will be the handsomest in the grave-yard at Deer Creek, when completed.

At right is W. E. Weldon's monument as it looks today.  Picture made June 2010.

His obituary from the Crittenden Press, April 6, 1893 reads:  Tolu Community Items:  W. E. Weldon died here, March 30th, and was buried at Deer Creek the 31st.  Billy was a good man and died happy.  He will be much missed in his church and community.  Sixteen wagons, hacks and buggies, besides riders followed him to the grave from Tolu.  It shows what a hold a good man has on the people.

This firm also has an order for a family monument for Mr. A. D. McFee.  It will be a shaft ten feet high, beautifully proportioned, with tasty decorations in relief.  It too is to be of Georgia marble, and will stand on the McFee lot in the new Marion cemetery.

Crittenden Press, May 3, 1900:
Col. A. D. McFee, one of the most highly respected citizens of the county died at his home after an illness of six days of heart disease.  Arthur Douglass McFee was born near Belfast, Ireland,  in April 1827.  His father was a wealthy and prominent native of the Emerald Isle, and his mother was a Scotch lady, and a defendant of the famous Douglas family of Scotland.  When Arthur was twelve years old the family came to America, settling at Brooklyn, N. Y., where they remained a number of years.  Later the family moved to Ohio, near north Bend, where the parents died.

Arthur sought and found employment on the famous line of steamers that plied the waters from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and was well known in river circles.  He was married to Miss Annie Marcus, of Boone County, Ky.  They lived in Boone County, Ky and then moved to Crittenden County about twenty years ago, (abt. 1880) buying and settling upon one of the best river bottom farms in the county where he lived until about a year ago, when they moved to Marion.

In the late 1880s the McFee family name was well-known in Crittenden County.  They owned a large river bottom farm in the area of Fords Ferry and Clementsburg area.  The McFee name is one of the old family names that has disappeared from our county.  Buried in the McFee family lot at Mapleview are: Annie V.McFee, died Oct. 27, 1934, wife of A. D., Son, S. D. McFee, Jr. died Jan. 10, 1893, Son Edward McFee, died Feb. 1938, Dau. Florence B. Gregory, died July 11, 1892.

Piney Fork Camp Meetings

Another well-know Camp Meeting that used to be held in Crittenden County was the Piney Fork Camp Meetings.

This shed-like building was built in 1886 to hold services during the yearly camp meetings held on these church grounds starting in 1812.   This was the second such shed to be built here; the first was built around 1867 - it replaced a brush arbor.  This building, (picture above) which was designed to seat 1,000, was torn down in the spring of 1970, after extensive damage was done to its roof by the heavy winter snowfall.  The logs from which the lumber for this building was sawn were cut from the Henry Brown farm and were hauled by oxen to the sawmill by Jim Bugg.  The old pulpit that was used in the shed and several other items are in the Crittenden County Museum.

From the files of The Marion News, August 28, 1936, here is an interesting article about one of the old camp meetings at Piney Fork.

The annual services of Old Piney Fork Camp Ground closed last Friday evening, August 21, after eleven days of exceedingly successful communion, which resulted in 26 conversions and 30 additions to the church roll.

The Rev. J. E. Bell of Tecumseh, Okla., assisted the pastor, the Rev. Guy Moore, and preached from the same pulpit from which some of the greatest ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church have delivered sermons, interest grew from the opening service and large audiences listened attentively to the great spiritual messages.

Piney Fork is the oldest church in Crittenden County regardless of denomination, having been started in 1810.  The organization was completed in 1812 by the Rev. Finis Ewing, who was pastor for several years.  The first building was erected in 1812 on a sixteen-acre tract of land given by John Travis and George Green.  The present building is 70 years old and is the third building that has stood.

The revival which just closed, was held in the open-air tabernacle which eats 2,000 people.  It was built about 50 years ago and is the second tabernacle to have been erected on that site.  

Piney Fork Camp Meetings are famous throughout the land.

A Look at old Hurricane Camp Meetings

Soon it will be time for the 122 Hurricane Camp Meeting, June 7-12.  In by gone time the camp meeting was looked forward to for many reasons, most for religious purposes, some for a time for renewing old friendships and making new ones.  Some wanted to use this gathering time as a means to sell their goods,  which were not always so good.  Seems there was always some groups of wayward souls, known as the "Blind Tigers" trying to sell their good near the church grounds.  Where the name Blind Tigers came from, I'm not sure, but it was the men that stayed in the shadows and had liquor for sale.

The picture at right above is of the old Hurricane Meeting shed that burned in 1921.  The cemetery is visible on the ground behind the shed. The house in the background is possible one of the cabins that people stayed in during the meetings.

Here is a news items that appeared in the local paper in Sept. of 1904.

The annual camp meeting is now is session at this place and the attendance is as good as expected.  Only the hotel people are allowed to sell anything on the grounds and that is such as lunch goods, ice cream or watermelons.

It appears that "blind tiger" resorts were wont to spring up on camp grounds but by some means the eyes of many of the tigers have been opened and their masters have found enlivening pursuits elsewhere and most all who were under suspicion have been apprehended but possibly one or two others may yet be caught.

Next Sunday is expected to be the biggest day of the meeting. The ground on the inside of the camp enclosures is all covered with grass and the many shade trees make it a pretty grove.

 The Hurricane Camp meeting shed as it looks today.  All cleaned up and anxiously waiting for the people to come each night and listen to the non-denomination old fashioned revival sermons. 

Early Automobiles

In January of 1912, J. W. Wilson, the local Ford automobile agent in Marion, received his first 1912 consignment of automobiles, consisting of a car load of Ford machines of various types, one a four door passenger of the latest 1912 model, one a run about, and one for delivery purposes and general utility uses, such as express, ice, laundry, groceries, milk or other public utilities.

In the picture at the right Mr. Wilson lined his new shipment of automobiles along Main Street for all to see.   

The old news item about this scene describes it as quite a pretty sight as the automobiles moved up Depot Street after being unloaded from the train, and were displayed on Main Street.

Although a luxury to own and a time saver for traveling the new automobiles also had their dangers, not only for the owners but for passengers, and passers-by.  Here are a few items from the early 1900's Crittenden Presses telling about these accidents.

• Three automobiles were reported destroyed by fire in the county.  A Ford belonging to Fred Crayne was burned.  Mr. Crayne was driving the automobile when the machine caughtt fire from a short circuit.
• C. M. Dillard, of Marion, lost a truck by fire while on his way to Rosiclare, Ill.  The flames from the burning machine ignited the dry leaves and the woods caught fire resulting in the burning of a fence.
• A Ford car belonging to Frank Butler caught fire from the backfire in the carburetor while being driven near Frances and was destroyed.
• Miss Dezzie Arflack was out buggy riding with an escort Sunday afternoon near Marion, while alighting from the vehicle almost got run over by an automobile resulting in a number of painful bruises.  The chauffeur said it was unavoidable on his part.
• Mr. H. B. Hamby was driving a buggy in the vicinity of Haffaw Mines near Mexico, he was run into by an automobile and the buggy wrecked.  Mr. Hamby escaped with slight injuries, as so did the horse.  The driver of the machine was not reported.
• Dr. J. R. Perry, while cranking his car Friday afternoon, had his right arm broken near the wrist.
• Mr. Odis Paris while cranking his car had his right arm broken below the elbow.  Physicians dressed and set the wounded limb and Mr. Paris is now able to be out, carrying his arm in a sling.

Memorial Day of the Past

In the past The American Legion Post would hold the Memorial Day Services at different cemeteries throughout the county and have the services at one of the graves of the soldiers that died during the war.  Today the services for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day are held at Mapleview Cemetery at the sight of the War Memorial.  In case of rain, as it happens many times, the service is held at historic Fohs Hall on  Walker Street.

The picture above was taken on May 26th of last week.  The War Memorial had been decorated with flags and flowers for the Memorial Day week-end.  A very touching sight.

The following item was taken from the Crittenden Press, May 1932, it tells of a Memorial Day Service many years ago.

The regular annual Memorial Day Services will be held this year at the Repton Cemetery, conducted at the grave of Lonnie Moore.  These services are held each year at some cemetery in the county, in honor and memory of our war dead.  The Legion Post decided at their regular meeting Monday night to conduct the services this year at the Repton Cemetery in honor of any veteran buried there.  H. C. Enoch is in charge of the program for that occasion and is preparing an impressive program suitable for the occasion.  The Community Band, sponsored by the Legion Post, will participate in the program, as well as a firing squad from Company I, this place.

Lonnie Moore was born Nov. 17, 1887 and died June 16, 1919, from the flue, as many of the young men did during that time in history.

Kevil Family Update

Just a couple of weeks ago I posted an article about the Kevil family and their monument at Mapleview.  

One day this week, I received a call from Tom Kevil of Knoxville, Tenn.  He is a descendant of J. Bell Kevil and was interested in visiting Marion and seeing the Kevil family plot.  Wednesday of this week we met and I showed he and his wife Helga some of Mr. Kevil's roots in Crittenden County.  The picture at the right is of Mr. Kevil standing by the family monument at Mapleview.

The Kevil family was located at Dycusburg before they moved to Marion.  Joseph Bell Kevil was also engaged in the milling business while living there.

The Kevil family in the early 1900's was one of the founders and original owners of the Marion Mill, (the location of the present Marion Feed Mill), and just across Bellville Street lives Kevil Street, which was named for the Kevil family.

 Another interesting fact and what turned out to be the highlight of the visit was that the Kevil family attended the Methodist Church.  The church was built in 1911 and the Kevil family donated one of the stained glass windows that grace the church's sanctuary.  We got to go inside the church and Mr. Kevil got to see the window donated by his ancestors.

  

The writing at the bottom of the window says.  "The Kevil Family."