SOME HISTORICAL AND OTHER SKETCHES
By Owen H. Dixon
part four and final part
THE OLD CANOE
By John C. Bone
SOME HISTORICAL AND OTHER SKETCHES
By Owen H. Dixon
part four and final part
THE OLD CANOE
By John C. Bone
Where the "Forest primeval" in somber hues,
Lined the banks of a stream, the "Old Canoe,'
were plentiful, and their water-soaked sides
Tilted and dipped in the whirling tides
Of the "Dark, deep waters" of the "Shiney
Waves",
And the "Heavy shadows" from the mountain gave
The scene a color somewhat blue,
As the fisherman went to his Old Canoe.The clapboard paddles were rudely made,
But they served a purpose, for each stroke sprayed
A mist of foam, or shower of water
on the boy in front, when it "hadn't oughter,
While busily back and forth the boy
Worked his paddles with a careless joy,
Unmindful of all the loud "Boo-hoo,"
>From the forward end of the Old Canoe.The stern half sunk in the shiny wave,
Creeps lazily along the eddies, save
When the paddle and paw-paw pole,
Give it a spurt to scale the shoal -
Known as "Fish Trap", where fishermen old,
Would come in the evening as after told,
And split their pine as best they knew
To burn in the "basket". of the Old Canoe.The eddies and shoals are never still,
And they played with the old canoe at will,
As leisurely we -pushed out into the stream,
And floated along by the old torch gleam
In the darkness -- like a phantom of light,
Now "kissing the shore", and the bottom, too,
With the heavy hulk of the Old Canoe.Oh! many a time with a "careless hand"
To help us - have left the land,
Have paddled it down where the stream runs thick,
Or poled it up where the water is quick,
And laughed, as our man with a broad-side-lunge
As a fish - took a head-long plunge-
Oh! many a time with a "careless hand"
To help us - have left the land,
Have paddled it down where the stream runs thick,
Or poled it up where the water is quick,
And laughed, as our man with a broad-side-lunge
As a fish - took a head-long plunge-
Then rose to the surface in a second or two,
And Scrambled back into the Old Canoe.But now as we lean o'er its trembling sides,
And look below in the troubled tides,
The face that we see is graver grown,
And the laugh that we hear has a, sober tone.
But we love to think of the hours that sped,
As we fished where the cat and red horse fed,
E'er the river rose and swept from view,
That boyhoods pleasure, the "Old Canoe".The face that we see is graver grown,
And the laugh that we hear has a, sober tone.
But we love to think of the hours that sped,
As we fished where the cat and red horse fed,
E'er the river rose and swept from view,
That boyhoods pleasure, the "Old Canoe".
James Jeffery and John Dameron were elected Commissioners to select a
County Seat, they selecting Athens, to which place it was moved in 1830
from Liberty - (mouth of North Fork river, now Norfork).
The County Seat of Izard was again removed in 1836 from Athens to Mt.
Olive, the site being strongly contested by some who wanted it located at
Sylamore. As is usual in such contests hard and bitter feelings arose
between many on both sides, lasting, in some instances throughout their lives,With the coming of the County Seat quite an influx of people moved in,
new buildings erected and Mt .Olive soon became the leading trade center of
a large scope of country, and found itself on the map. Needless to say
these early settlers and some of their offspring - who by this time were
heads of families - were largely instrumental in securing the County Seat,
Mt. Olive then soon became the leading educational center of a large
territory, and built a brick school house. In a short time a man by the
name of Stackpole came along looking for work, he being a teacher.
Opportunity then having arrived, the citizens added another story to the
building, and shortly Mt. Olive boasted a "Mt. Olive Male and Female
Academy", with Stackpole as Principal and Mr. Songer and Mr. Smothers as
assistants - they having came with Stackpole. We do not know how long the
academic work continued, yet after it ceased common school work was again
taken up, taught by the most competent teachers the country afforded. This
writer's father - W. 0. Dixon, moved from his place where Melbourn was
later located to Mt. Olive in 1856 to teach. Later teachers now remembered
included Prof. Hooper, Mack and George Cypert, Uncle Tom Evans, T. E. Linn,
Ed Milburn, Walter and Malden Schultz, Josh King and perhaps others, all
considered as among the best to be had - the last three named however
taught after the old brick house had been torn away and replaced with a
frame structure.Mt. Olive continued thus till May 10, 1875 when the County Seat was again
removed, this time to Mill Creek - later taking the name "Melbourne", where
it remains to this time. After losing the County Seat Mt. Olive began to
lose prestige formerly held - families began moving out - business diverted
to the new town and other points springing up with the growth of the
County. Houses were torn away for want of use, and in the course of a few
years reverted to its former status. This condition lasted till the coming
of the Rail Road in 1901, when again it took on new life and soon became a
hustling little village with several hundred inhabitants. A stave mill was
brought in, giving employment to many. Four stores supplied goods to the
town and community. These times of activities lasted for a few years and
until the stave mill was removed to another location, which resulted in
quite a number of families going away with it. Business abated. One by
one other families left, and soon the new town reverted to its former
condition, with memory only as a means of picturing its second advent to
prominence.There are at this time but two now living who attended the school taught
by Stackpole: Albert S. Jeffery of San Benito, Texas and Mrs. Mary Hooper
Duncan of Elkins, Ark.Mt. Olive! How dear the name. We cannot find words to adequately portray
our feelings for the dear old place, the place of birth, life, love and
death of the parents, brothers and sisters, wives, husbands and children
whose remains lie resting under the sod, but whose Spirits are basking in
the sunlight of God. The place where the parents and grandparents of many
now living, spent their lives creating a condition less strenuous for their
offspring than was their own, anci a place which will remain hallowed to
most, if not all this family of people who ever knew it so long as their
stay here lasts.
There are at this time but few remaining. relics of' its early times. The
residence of Gus Jeffery still stands, the one erected by Uncle Lige is
still in use, the old store house, re-constructed and converted into a
dwelling., and, we believe, the age old clerks office are the only houses
remaining in and near there. Uncle Daniel's house, one mile up Pelham
creek, and perhaps some of the buildings of Daniel Jeffery, two miles below
Mt.Olive are still in use. Of course the river still runs by, and the
age-old flat rocks at its edge remain. Also on the flat rocks is a
man-made relic which will be there when "Gabriel blows his trumpet" -- if
not removed by man, referring to the old bull ring, looped onto an iron
-pin which is firmly embedded in the rock, used in earlier times as an
anchor for steam boats and rafts We believe this ring was made and placed
there by Jahoida B. Jeffery about 1880.
The "old brick house" stood as a relic for many years, but it, too, is
gone. But while it is no longer visible the memory of it is ever fresh and
vivid in the minds of those who frequented it in school and church. It and
the old Post Office - the old store building above referred to - were the
two main places of public gatherings, the latter for only an hour or two on
Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays, when mail from Melbourne and Mountain
View
was due. Occasionally the Mountain View mail failed to get there on account
of water.
All the buildings erected to house the influx of people moving in after
the County Seat was established are gone, with the exception perhaps, of
the old clerks office, which we believe to be still standing. Likewise but
few of the buildings erected after the coming of the Rail Road remain -
most of them having been torn down and moved away for want of further use
for them.
So it will be seen, Mt. Olive has experienced two new births, two deaths
and one resurrection. Will it ever have a second resurrection?In order to show some of the activities of Mt. Olive in its hey-day, also
to show how it may deteriorate in the course of a few years the following
letter, printed in a Mountain View paper is here reproduced."Mr. Editor: If you will allow me space in your paper, will tell you of an
enjoyable trip a number of people made to the thriving little town of Mt.
Olive, located on the White River Railway, five miles above Sylamore
tation.
On Thursday morning , bright and early, a merry party of about 25 boys and
girls from Mountain View and vicinity embarked for the above named place to
witness the closing exercises of the Mt. Olive High school, which closed
Thursday and Friday nights, the 25th and 26th of April, 1909.
The crowd was a sight to see as it left town - some in buggies, some in
wagons and hacks, and still others riding "Shanks Mare", all bent on
reaching the Rail-Road Station in time to board the train, which was due at
10:16 a. m. After a six mile jaunt we reached the station and were soon
aboard the train which happened to be on schedule time, and before we were
hardly seated, landed in the hustling little city of Mt. Olive, which is
noted for its excellent schools, good looking girls and boys, and
hospitable people. We were immediately in the hands of the receptive
committee, which met us at the train, and all were assigned homes.
'The first night's program was rendered by the intermediate and primary
departments, under the direction of Prof. C. H. Holland, and to say it was
good would be putting it very mildly. The recitations, pantomimes, drills,
dialogues etc. were perfectly rendered, and. reflected much credit upon
both teacher and pupils. There were two contests in the declamation and
recitation. The medal for recitation was awarded to Miss Wnnie Williamson,
and the declamation to Master Gordon Jeffery (son of R.J. and Mabel). The
prize in spelling for the entire term was given to Miss Nina Jeffery
(sister of Gordon).
The second night, Friday, was taken up by the Academic students, the
principle feature of which was the graduating exercises. 'The graduates
were Miss Sallie Jeffery, Mae Hanks and Maud Dixon, and Salutary, Class
Prophecy and Valedictorian by the so amiable young ladies was a source of
inspiration to all. The gold medal for recitation on this night was
awarded to Miss Alta Evans, and the Medal for declamation was captured by
Mr. Roy Jeffery. The contests were very close and interesting, and each
contestant should have a medal for the noble efforts made. The prize for
spelling in this department was won by Miss Marie Jeffery.
Prof. J.E. King, who has had charge of these students for the last three
terms deserves much praise for the good work he has accomplished. Taking
it all in all, we are frank to say that these closing exercises were the
best we have witnessed in many years. There was perfect harmony, and the
pieces rendered were far above the average. But we can see no reason why,
this should not be the case, as the citizens are united on the school
proposition, and are putting forth every effort to make their town a school
center for this section. During the term just closed there have been more
than a dozen boarding students from other Counties, who are loud in their
praise of the school and the town, and who express a determination to
return there when the next term begins.
The people are alive with school interests and are leaving no stone
unturned to make the next term even better than this one. The district is
entirely out of debt, and owns a large two-room frame school building, well
ventilated, and furnished with patent seats and black-boards. It is a
modern structure, in an modern town where modern methods are employed, and
all pull together for the betterment of their town, regardless of their
political or religious affiliations. A more hospitable people cannot be
found anywhere. There were more than 100 visitors present during the
exercises from Mountain View, Calico Rock, Melbourne, Guion, Mt. Home and
other points, and all were unanimous in declaring the visit one of the most
delightful times in their lives."
Albert B. Mc AlisterThe reader must not conclude from this that the schools there in Mt.
Olive's flourishing times were the only good ones the place ever boasted.
This family of people have always doted on good schools, and after the
brick house was built the best teachers were employed, though for shorter
terms - usually six months.If a bunch of my old Mt. Olive associates will join me we will take a
holiday picnicking jaunt and see if we can find some of the old familiar
landmarks out in the rugged hills adjacent to the old town. Of course we
will first congregate at the old Post Office, from whence we strike out up
Pelham Creek, up by the Gum spring, and on to Uncle Daniel's, where we
lower "The old Oaken Bucket which hangs in the well, slaking our thirst,
and being joined there by Simp and Clara Dutton, we go on up past Jahoida's
and out to Spice Wood spring where we again quench our thirst from its
living waters. From there we climb a hill to the south which brings us
into Black Gum Gap two or three hundred yards East of Blackies Gap, which
is just a little distance North of Candlestick Knob and the Gann spring to
its South. We turn East from Black Gum gap, climb a little bluff and we
are at Buzzards Roost. Here we take a rest on the moss-covered rocks at
edge of bluff and drink in some of as fine scenic views as is to be found most
anyplace. To the South lie the Gann hollow several hundred feet below
Summer Grape mountain on opposite side, while to the West is a
charming view of Candlestick Kob, Poke Mountain and of White River from
mouth of Livingstone coursing ts way along by the side of Harris Bottom
on the other side. At the head of Gann Hollow is Sand Wallow, while over
the turn of the hill further East i where Bob Jeffery, in later years, had
hishouse blown from over him ad his family by a cyclone (It blowed Bob
clean to Oceola, Ark). Leaving Bzzard Roost we follow top of ridge on
East o where it spurs off from anther hill, which we decend to the North,
comin down into the gap of Devil nob, which overlooks the homes of Bill
Rile Gllihan and Uncle Johnnie Schultz near Twin Creek. From this gap we
scale - ith help to the fair sex, quite a slippery bluff, then climb to
the top o the Devils Knob. Here another enchanting view is seen, well
worth theenergy expended in reaching it. The famous Pilot Knob some eight
or ten mile North East - the knob once climbed by a man who later became
President o the United States - ex--President Herbert Hoover. Twin
mountains ae observed in North portion of the County, Sugar Loaf South of
Calico Rock i Stone County, and a nice view of White River from White
House to mout of Wideman. Decanding this knob on East side we come down
to the head of Plham Creek and on to Garrett spring at the foot of Ruthie
knob. By this tie we are getting dry again and we hold a consultation as
to where to go net for water. We have our choice of following along East
at foot of Ruthie fr half a mile to the Ruthie Spring where we can get
good cold water an see the little fishes dart in and out from the cave in
the bluff where the pring comes out - or, we can - and do turn West one
half mile down to theGarrett spring (the home of the writer for several
years), known as a par of the Gunnel Flat place. From there we follow
down the branch, crossthe Mt. Olive - Melbourne county road and still
following the branch abut a quarter of a mile come to the Huff spring
where a man by this nam made hats under an over hanging bluff in an early
period of the settlement o Izard County. The old Huff place was later
owned and occupied by Ale Combs, later coming into possession of Riley
Layton. We turn up the brnch to the road, follow it to top of Jeffery
hill, and there take a dim pah which leads us to the Soldiers Rock, over
looking the old Watkins farmcross the river. Back to the road on top of
Jeffery hill, down to the Wiley Smith place and the Two Mile branch, on out
to Patricks' place and to Yates hill, where the cemetery now used is
located. This place took its name from the fact that a man traveling
through that country during the Civil war by name of Yates was shot and
killed there by a band of Mo. guerillas, who happened to be in Mt.Olive
the day Yates passed through. They suspicioned him being a spy, so
followed him out to that place and shot him. Coming back to Mt.Olive,
their reported what they had done. My father, Wm.C. Dixon and a few other
men went out there, dug a shallow grave just a rod or so below the road and
buried him. Grave is now just inside the John Lawrence field, south of
cemetery.
Our party in their days meanaderings back at town, reserving for another
occasion the investigation of some of the old landmarks across the river,
such as Lost Hollow, Reeds Hollow, Bolding Bluff, Pompei's Pillar -- a
round rock about three feet in diameter and perhaps fifteen feet long,
standing on end against a bluff a mile or so back from the river bluff
above Mt. Olive and near the Worlds' Wonder Cave, Hickory Knob, Turkey
Knob, the Partee spring, the coldest spring water in all that country --
perhaps in ary other; Livingstone Creek, down by the Bill Wallace place,
Ambrose' and Asa' , the church house, and from there across the hill by a
pathway to Dr. Roborts, dowm to mouth of slough, re-cross the river, up
under river bank to the flat rocks where we stop.
Time makes but little changes in these see old landmarks, and in our
gardens of memory they will remain as vivid as though visited but yesterday.It is, seemingly, an inclination for one advanced in years, for the mind
to often revert to former times, places and scenes; to re-live an active
life, and speculate upon what might have resulted in the shaping of a
future career had we only grasped hold of opportunities which offered; had
we avoided this, that and the other errors which factored largely in
coursing the route of travel through out the coming years; had we but given
serious thought as to what line of profession we were best fitted to
persue, and that would result in well spent, happy and contented life.
However, such thoughts, traced further, might lead to the idea of
perfection -- a very doubtful state for mortal man. Generally speaking
each takes the path of least resistance, leading one here, another there,
forming a variegated diversification of activities and professions. Some
few hold fast to the old homestead, while a large majority seeks greener
pastures elsewhere. For this reason, perhaps, Mt. Olive is now almost a
deserted village. Although deserted, so long as memory functions it will
remain as a hallowed spot in the minds of many who were once its inhabitants.Let me call your attention to another one of our soldier boys to a feat
performed by him, which is not generally known, as he must be urged very
persistently to speak of it in any way. He always seemed to think quite a
bit of "Uncle Owen", so after my insistence he gave me his own version of it.
Following is his account:"We went on and started fighting in the Argonne Forest Sopt. 25, 1918, and
fought continuously until Oct. 19, by which time there wasn' t many of us
left in my company. So the night of Oct. 19, we were relieved from the
Front Line Trenches and started back for a rest and for replacements to
fill our Company back to war strength. But the Regiment that relieved us
could not drive the Germans from a strip of woods. The Regiment that
relieved us was from the National Army. We were Regulars. So before
daylight on Oct. 20, we were ordered back to drive the Germans from the
woods. Our only Officer was a Lieut. and one Sergt., and about 18 of us
left in Co."M". Between us and the woods was a field we had to cross. The
field was about 75 yards wide, and the Germans' Machine Gun Nest in woods
where they could sweep the field. Our first attempt to cross, our Lieut.
and some of the men were killed, so there we were on our side of the field,
lying flat on our bellies, and Machine Gun bullets burning streaks across
our backs. I decided something had to be done, and be done quick. Of
course we could have gone back, but we thought a lot of our Lieut. that was
killed, and we were after the men who did it. I discovered a low place in
the field, and by crawling flat managed to get across, and two boys
followed me. We flanked the Mchine Gun and crew and captured one Officer,
two Sgts. and six men. But, we GOT one Officer and 18 men. After we
captured the Machine Gun and crew, the German resistance was broken and the
Regiment took the woods. For this I was awarded the Distinguished Service
Cross."
This boy lost his hearing, but otherwise was left whole.
We take much pleasure and great pride in presenting to you the HERO of our
research -- Meet Garland Jeffery, now living at Mt. Olive.Having now completed, so far as seems possible, the work undertaken, I bid
this family a kind and fond adieu, hoping that at least some of you may
derive as much pleasure in the reading and studying of this work as I have
in its compilation. Also with the admonition that you, as living branches
of this tree may so live that the inheritance of a good name handed down to
you may not be tarnished.s/Owen H. Dixon
Grants Pass, Ore.
Dec. 1938Our sincere thanks to Doug Leonard who contributed this to the Izard Co. Page
"SOME HISTORICAL AND OTHER SKETCHES"
By Owen H. DixonThese pages may not be copied by any means except genealogical purposes without the consent of the Page Owner - Jeri Helms Fultz - These pages are not in any way associated with USGenweb or Rootsweb and may not be copied by them for any reason.