Crittenden's Preachers in 1891

Crittenden Press, Nov. 19, 1891

Probably no county, in proportion to its population, has furnished, to the various denominations, as many ministers as Crittenden.

Among the native preachers, now active in and preparing for the ministry are, of the Missionary Baptists: T. C. Carter, W. R. Gibbs, Wm. Belt, Eli M. Eaton, H. B. Fox, J. J. Franks, W. C. Pierce, R. A. LaRue, Henry Holloman, D. P. Campbell, H. G. Summers, Israel M. Bebout and J. M. Roberts.

Of Methodist there are in the Louisville conference, J. W. Bigham, Rushing, the two W. F. Hogards, (father and son), the two Loves, R. C. and H. C. (brothers), Stubblefield, McConnell and G. S. Summers. Then J. G. Haynes and B. E. Martin are preparing for the ministry in this church and have licenses to preach, so has R. S. Clark.

The Cumberland Presbyterian have Rev. James F. Price, W. C. M. Travis, who are active in the ministry, while Davis, Ben. F. McMican, Jacobs and Boisture are in the preparatory department.

This makes a total of thirty and the list is doubtless incomplete, and does not include a number of divines who live and have work in the county, but who were not born and reared here. It will be seen from this that the divine command: "Go thou and preach the kingdom of God," has not gone unheeded by the people of this county.

Paying for a Frolic.

Saturday John York and William Barrack were before judge Moore to answer the charge of disturbing religious worship at Sisco Chappel. Barrick entered a plea of guilty and was fined $20.00. York entered a plea of not guilty, but the jury took a different view of the matter and charged him $20.00.

The evidence showed that the boys fired a pistol and exercised their lungs too near the church. Our courts have had a number of cases of this character recently and the result usually makes such sport an expensive luxury.

Marion's Opry House

The Opry House

In the early 1900's Marion was a lively place with it's many stores located near the court square. On the north side of the court house was located the popular Opry House. Here all kinds of shows and activities took place. Let's visit the Opry House in October of 1903 and see what was going on.

Crittenden Press, Oct. 22, 1903

The following account of the ball given at the Marion opera house was written by one of their new press reporters.

It was a gallant array of Knights and Dames that graced the opera house floor on Thursday evening.

The inspiring strains of the well equipped brass band of Madisonville with its twelve pieces made music that could only be likened to the celestial waves.

The opera house under the direction of Manager Will Clifton. It was a magnificent sight to view the wildly circleing, handsomely dressed waltzers. It was indeed a great dance.

Tuxedos and swallow tails was for the night discarded, but we are happy to say every gentleman had a coat on.

Your reporter interviewed several of the contestants and takes pleasure in reproducing their views:

• Sam Gugenheim "It was simply a peach."
• Will Clifton "You bet that was a dance."
• George Roberts "Fine."
• John Wilson "It closed a little too early."
• H. H. Sayre "I left at mid-night."
• Roy Gilbert "Lets have another."
• Ernest Carnahan "Never had so good a time."
• Tucker the druggist "It was a great dance."

Neighborhood News in 1880

Many items of interest were happening in our fair city and county during this time period in our past history. We are fortunate that the Press had many news correspondents that helped gather all the news, now today 128 years later we are able to read their news of yesteryear.

Crittenden Press, March 31, 1880

• Marriage Licenses have been issued for the following since our last report. T. L. Hughes and E. M. Williams. J. B. Perry and M. A. Beabout.
• Our young friend Foster Threlkeld, of Hurricane, was in town yesterday in search of farm hands. He hired some, paying $19 per month.
• R. B. Dorr has just returned from the city where he purchased a beautiful lot of furniture. All are invited to come and see the large stock of furniture.
• Mr. John Hood, while running a flat boat up Hurricane Creek last week was severely injured by a falling tree. The boat ran against the tree, Hood attempted to push the boat off by placing his shoulder against the tree. The tree gave a way and fell across his body.
• The popular Cumberland River Steamers, C. W. Anderson and B. S. Rhea will issue tickets to persons visiting the Nashville Centennial for one fare for the round trip. The clever men of this excellent line of Steamers will make you feel comfortable and happy. S. H. Cassidy & Co. Dycusburg, are agents.
• There are more log-rolling and other working parties going on in the county this spring than for a number of seasons.
• Rev. J. S. Henry will preach at Forest Grove Sunday.
• Weston Merchants have plows for sale. John Nunn and Co. are the merchants.
• Mrs. Polly Wheeler, one of the oldest ladies of the county, died at her home last week.
• Mrs. Rachel Travis, living east of Marion, died last Saturday morning. The deceased was born in 1787, joined the Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1810, at the time of its organization and was at the time of her death the only surviving member of that church, who joined at the time of organization. She is the mother of a large family of children, and many grand children bear her name.

In Memory of an old and dear friend, Cortis Hill

The Piney Fork Church posted on their sign in the church yard "Brother Cortis, it's been our pleasure. We'll miss you.

Rev. Cortis Hill, passed away Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 at his home, working in his yard. The Lord called him home. He will be missed very much. Rev. Hill was a member of the Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he served as pastor for over 40 years. They will indeed miss him, as his friends and neighbors in the Crayne community where he was well known, and his many friends all over the area.

In the 1950's Cortis and his family were members of the Crayne Cumberland Presbyterian Church that was located on Hwy. 641 next to the Crayne School. His wife Dorothy played the piano for the church singing and Cortis was our song leader. These were the days of simple but rewarding Bible Schools in the summer and the wonderful old Christmas programs at Christmas time. Each year at Christmas Cortis and Dorothy donated the large fresh cedar tree for the church from their farm. They were always an important part of the activities at the church.

Bro. Cortis was a friend to so many, he was always a family friend, through good and hard times, whether it was preforming a marriage ceremony or comforting the family in the death of our Dad and Mom, he was always there when needed.

He will be missed.

Seven Springs Provided Name For Community

Continuing with the history of how some of our communities got their names, from The Crittenden Press, Sept. 1931 we learn of some of the names in the southern part of our county.

The Seven Springs Church, according to J. A. Guess, clerk of that church, was so named because when it was first built it stood close to several large springs, which with the exception of one have since disappeared. The first Seven Springs Church was on Axley Creek about two and a half miles from the church that is used today.

On a high bank near Axle Creek were seven springs in a row some few feet apart. This was once a popular picnic spot. High water from the Cumberland River deposited enough sediment to entirely cover these springs which later again came to the surface as one large spring about 100 yards down the creek.

In the early days the seven springs were surrounded on all sides by a thick woodland and cane breaks, the natural habitat of wild turkeys, squirrels and wildcats.

In 1886 Rev. Jim Benton, a Methodist minister, held a revival in a brush arbor at Seven Springs. In 1894 Thuse Jeffords built another brush arbor where Rev.Job Hollaway, of Lyon County, preached regularly until cold weather. That winter a little log church was built and Rev. Hollaway was holding the meeting. In August 1895, the Ohio River Association sent Rev. J. A. Lockhart to organize a Baptist Church in the community.

The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Greenlea, Plenie Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Jeffords, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sparkman, Willie Hill, Lee Travis, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Jeffords.

When the Emmaus Baptist Church, not so many miles away was organized its members selected that name from the Bible.

More History on names in our county

The old Deanwood Store and Post Office. This picture was made in May 2002. The day the Historical Highway Marker was dedicated.

The marker reads: Deanwood Post Office first established in 1873 as Iron Hill Post Office, located 1/2 mile west of present location. First postmaster James W. Woolf. Joseph M. Dean, appointed postmaster in 1874 and again in 1881, relocated post office to building in front of his home. Joseph N. Dean, son of Joseph M. Dean, moved post office into a building on present site; appointed postmaster in 1900.

Continuing with the history of some of our old post office names. From the Crittenden Press dated Oct. 2, 1931.

Deanwood formerly Iron Hill took its name from the Deans, a prominent family of that community. Piney Bluff nearby is so called because of the profusion of beautiful pine trees over the picturesque cliffs and bluffs. Piney Creek gets its name for a smilier reason. Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church is on a for, of Piney Creek.

When the early settlers first came to the community now known as Shady Grove they found a delightful camping place shaded by beautiful forest trees like an attractive park, hence its name. One of these early settlers, it is said, once claims to have stood in Hopkins County and shot across the corner of Caldwell, killing a deer in Crittenden County on the present site of Shady Grove. Shady Grove is on the water shed between the waters of Piney and Donalson creeks.

Old Post Office Names

Ever wonder how some of our old post offices came by their names. Here's an interesting article from The Crittenden Press, Oct. 1931, that tells us some of this history.

Famous characters from history provided names for some of Crittenden County localities, fanciful names from the brains of prominent citizens for other communities and post-offices.

Most of the postoffices have long since been discontinued with the extension of a thorough system of rural routes, but the territory in which they are located still goes by the old name.

• Mattoon was originally selected as a name for Bart Moore's store, but now the whole community is so called because the fame of the store spread for miles around. Mr. Moore was known as one of the most successful country merchants in Western Kentucky.
• When the Sheridan post office was established it was named in honor of General Phillip Sheridan at the suggestion of A. J. Bebout, who was post master there for several years.
• Out west of Crayne is a one-room school called White Hall, which was originally used also for church gatherings. Col. A. H. Cardin gave a good donation towards its erection, as did Senator Clement, A. B. Hodge and other. Mrs. Cardin took an especial interest in the new building. It was she that suggested it be painted white and called "White Hall." A much smaller building occupies the spot at this time.
• The post office just below at the cross-roads, was named "View" suggested also by Mrs. Cardin. The post office has been discontinued. Now the name White Hall and View are appilied to practically the same community.