The Green Forest tribune., 1912-04-26
HISTORY OF
 CARROLL COUNTY
Compiled by the Goodsspeed Publish ing Go. and Was First Published
 in the Year 1889.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES. CARRCLLTON

county, about mile from the Boone county line, in the valley of Long Creek. It is almost surrounded by hills.
 The first settler upon the site of the town was one James Jones, of English and Cherokee descent, who arrived about 1883. About 1888, when the congressional survey of this territory was begun, he secured pre-emption title to eighty acres, embracing the sight of the town. Among his neigh bors was Henderson Lafferty, pioneer Methodist preacher, but man of shrewd business instincts. His ex- tensive knowledge of the large terri tory embraced in Carroll county enabled him to perceive the central location of this point, and he secured Jones' eighty acres by purchase When the time came to select location for the county seat, he impressed the eligibility of this location upon the county commissioners so successfully as to influence it's selec- tion and purchase for the sum of $1, ,000, large sum for a tract of that size in those days. The town was sur veyed by Dr. Saunders, of Huntsville, under the direction of Henry Keys, John s. Blair and Barnett Cheatham, county commissioners. A square of ample proportions was reserved for the county buildings. Lots fronting on this were sold for $25, and others in the rear for less. Notes were given by the purchasers, which were rendered Latferty in payment. William c. Mitchell, H. L. Denton and John s. Blair were among the purchasers of lots. Thus placed in existence and named under county auspices, the town early attracted population. It derived an impetus as the location of the coun- ty seat, and at the beginning of the civil war was in fourishing and pros porous condition.
 Business Interests. Henderson Laf- ferty was the first merchant of Car rollton, and therefore of Carroll coun- ty. He remained in business but a few years. H. L. Denton & Co.,, Tilford Denton, now living three miles from Carrollton on the border of Boone county, being the junior partner, open ed store in 1887. John w. Peel, formerly of Batesvile, and afterward county clerk; Henry Keys, from Wash ington county. John s. and Joel D. 1840. Failures were numerous, not withstanding the wide margin for pro- fit. Numerous changes occurred, and in 1857 the four stores of the town were those of w. s. Poynor, J. F. Sea- man, Berry 6 Massingale, and Samuel Crenshaw. H Ratcliff and Joseph Childers were hotel propretors. Both hotels were substantial two-story structures, as were also the principal stores and several private residences.
 Growth since the war At the close of the war there were but two build ings standing in what had previously been known as Carrollton, and both of these were stables. The people re- turned slowly, and families were shelt- cred in truly primitive style. One man hauled the material of an old stable that had been left standing in the mountains, and rebuilt it as a house. The first dwelling house built after the war is still standing on the southeast corner of the square. It was built in 1866 by I. w. Wann, a blacksmith newly arrived from Tennessee, and L. J. Blankenship. Mr. Wann's smith, shop adjoining was next built. Ed ward Norris, Missourian, opened the first store. l. w. Wann & Bro and Crump & Berry were among those who engaged in business within a few years. Houses of substantial char acter were built, and by degrees the business of the place and it's general appearance improved. After the crea- tion of Boone county, in 1869, it be- came evident that the removal of the county seat to more central point must inevitably occur, and the growth of the town was correspondingly af- fected At length, in 1878, the re- moval was consummated, and in the de- cade that has since passed away Car rollton has not perceptibly improved. It is still the center of a fine agri- cultural district, and commands large local trade. The present population is about 250.
 Business. .-Nunnally & Kirkham, hardware and implements; Leathers & Shpman, J. N Cardwell, Edward Mitchell, general merchandise; w. M. Watkins, drugs; H. Ratcliff, O. P. Crockett, hotels. Cincinnati Mills, Nunnally & Kirkham, proprietors, were placed in operation June 12, 1883. Engines of twenty-five horse power supply the power. The mill has g capacity of 100 bushels of wheat and 25O bushels of corn, per day. There is saw mill and cotton gin attached. The gin has capacity of six bales a day.
 Societies. Yell Lodge No. GA, F. & A. M., was instituted November To- 1853. The first officers were J. F. Sea. man, w. M.; M. Holeford, s. w.; A A. Baker, J. w. Finley Chapter No s3, R. A. M., was instuted December 10, 1887, with the following officers I. w. Wann, H. P; Kimsey Hulsey, E. K n D Crockatt E c Carrolltor