The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-18
GLIMPSES OF POLK
 COUNTY TOWNS
 ALONG K. (. 5. BY
Wickes Good Trading Point and Her People Are Cheerful Despite
 Hard Times.
HINTS OF STIR AT LAYTON
Two Wrecked Safes Stand as Remind CTS of Unfriendly Visitors Talk
 of Important Improvements.

Wickes, a little town about thirty miles south of Mena on the Kansas City Southern, IS normal ly mighty prosperous commun- ity, and in these abnormal times, when the numbering interests are doing little, 1t is still good trad ing point and has good business Commercial travellers, the men who diligently watch to keep the merchants stocked up, speak we'll of Wickes. They get good orders there, and the business men are of class that make trading safe. Among the old reliables who deal in general supplies are Col. E. B. Jett, also we'll known in Western Arkansas politics; l.. G. Cole, an old.timer who now has two stores; J. A. Lewey and Goff- Carter & Co. Then there are two drug stores, one conducted by John Chilean and the second by F.. ". Hamby, and 1t is unneces- sary to say that they are drug stores, not booze joints. Booze 1 is not sold in Wickes.
 The E. B. Isett Lumber Com pany has it's mill and planer in Wickes and in ordinary times has much to do with the prosperity of the town, but at thls time is not running IS much as usual.
 Among the features of Wickes is the "'village blacksmitb,' w. E. Dollins, and his big shop. Wll, as everybody knows him, IS robust in form and voice and where he is there's always some thing going on. He has a fine equipment in his shop, IS good workman and prosperous, even though he always has time to visit or indulge in contest at pitching horseshoes, at which he is an adept. And, speaking Of that old-time game, it is in Wickes mears of passing away the time when business is dull, and thereby keeps people in a good humor with themselves and the world-and helps them forget the panic. Among the devotees of the game are Col. c. H. Jett, Dr. John $. Izard. Will Dollins, l.. G. Cole and J. A. Lewev, and when these play there's always a goodly number of interested on- lockers to watch for cleaners" and "ringers" and cheer the sue cessful ones to greater efforts. Wickes is provided with good accommodations for travellers and visitors, Aunt Lizzie" and Mrs. Emma Bounds vieing with each other in making all corners com fortable in clean beds and al tables loaded with good things to eat. Mrs. Bounds has but recent fly bought the old hotel and is having it remodeled and papered in good fashion.
 The land around Wickes is probably better fitted for farming than that about Grannis five miles south, and for that reason the fruit industry IS not so well de- veloped. but this country IS all so eminently fitted for fruit growing that the industry is almost sure to grow and make for the pros perity of those who intelligently follow it.
 At Hatton Gap.
 Hatton is located about five miles north of Wickes, at the gap in the mountains through which the railroad runs, and from which the water flows both north and south.
 I. A. Harkey is postmaster and he and hls son run the general store at Hatton and do nics l business. Visitors at the stort are almost sure to notice an un- usual sight-~two safes that have been blow up and robbed by safe blowers. who have at different I times broken into the store and secured sums of money by the use of uiiro-glycerine. MT. liar. key has not as yet secured third safe, but is on the lookout to make it interesting for the next outlaws that come that way. He has recently built niee new house on his farm a short distance away and he and his good wife are mighty good to visitors, as