The log cabin Democrat., 1907-03-07
7 ARKANSAS V
 ESTATE NEWSQ


 were destroyed by a tornado, and one person was killed outright and Ellen Block another negro, was fatally injured. Frank Golston and wife were also slightly injured. The tornado, which occurred during a heavy rainstorm, continued but short time, and spent all its fury in the south part of town. It tore down all the telegraph wires between there and Hope, and news of the storm was not received until sev- eral hours later. In addition to the large number of houses occupied, by negroes which were destroyed, the tornado either destroyed or dam- aged considerable property occupied by white persons. Washington is one of the oldest towns in Arkansas, having been founded about 1918. It was once a place of considerably more importance than it has been for several years. Up to the time of the building of the Cairo and Fulton railroad, between thirty and forty years ago, Washington was the industrial and social center of southwest Arkansas. It was the main point on stage lines from Lit tie Rock to Shreveport, Clarksville, Texas, and other Southwestern cities, and for that reason enjoyed unusual prestige. It was also the seat of learning for a large section of territory, and its private high schools for boys and girls were at- tended by pupils from all over Ar kansas and Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Cairo and Fulton (which is now the main line of the Iron Mountain) was not built through Washington, however towns were rapidly built up along the rail- road and as they were more easy Of access they grew. They attracted people from Washington, and its population rapidly dwindled. Some of the most distinguished men that Arkansas has produced came from Washington. Among them were Gen. Grandson D. Royston, Aug ustus H. Garland, attorney general of the United States during Cleve- lands first administration; former United States Senator James K. Jones, former Governor Dan W. Jones, Judge W. $. Eakin, Judge Edward Cross and Judge B. B. Bat tie, an associate justice of the pres ent Supreme Court of Arkansas. Ruth McEnery Stuart, the famous writer, is former resident of Washington.
 While attempting to ford the Little Red river at Clinton, Miss Minnie Morrow, was drowned. She was in a wagon with her sister and brother and another young man on l their way home two miles west of |Clinton to visit friends. The river was too deep for fording and the wagon was swept from the trucks. The other young people were saved. Charley Caste, 9-year-old boy, Diving at Lonoke, was killed by a train recently. He attempted to l lump on freight train, missed his footing and fell under the cars. Both legs were severed from the body and he died in a very few minutes.
 The Ayer-Lord Tie Company, of Chicago, has purchased 15O acres of |land near Argenta and will erect |four-cylinder creosoting plant. The l plant will be operated day and night, the year round, if enough l timber can be secured.
 The Philadelphia Roller Mill Company will build blaming and woodworking mill with stave mill, barrel factory and saw mill in con- |nection. The mill will employ about 150 men and the pay roll will Doe about $50,000 year.
 Joe Davis, farmer, living at |Tuckerman, was thrown from wagon recently and the wagon, load ed with cotton, passed over him, breaking his leg and otherwise badly 6niurino him.