The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1917-08-30
BUNCH-AN INTRODUCTION.
4 Lively Community in South Polk
viii BE Heard From.

WIN ~ AetoAN hNVAts
Thirty-six years ago, weary
party Of travellers Joseph G. Bunch
and his family-who had started to
20 from Texas to Rich Mountain
camped overnight on ridge along
the old Washington roao, three
miles northeast of the present town
Of Wrkes. The trip had been made
with an OK team and had taken
from early in October till late in
December.
The family was so travel weary,
and the beauty of the Ridge and the
apparent fertility of the soil deter
mined them TO so no farther in
search of new home, but to cellar
out farm on the ridge, and make it
their abiding place.
At that time there were but four
families living between the Cossa-
tot and Hatton Gap and deer, bear,
and other wild animals were plen-
tiful.
But before many years had passed,
other weary travellers had made the
ridge their stopping place. and a
contented and prosperous commun-
ity had hewed productive farms out
OF the wilderness, and the wild ami
mails were thing of the past.
Now there is, and always has been,
one peculiar feature about this
ridge that whatsoever came, almost
invariably stayed. As a result, nine
ty per cent of the farmers of the
community are land owners. Their
farms are their pet possessions, and
are cared for accordingly. In few
Of the communities of Polk county,
will more progressive methods of
farming be found in vogue, and
more diversified crops, than on the
ridge. Catalogues, peaches, straw
berries, hlackberries. and garden
truck are shipped to Northern mar
kets. Soy beans, velvet beans, pea
nuts, and cowpeas hold their own
with corn and cotton.
The community has always recog-
nized the fact that the forerunner of
progress is education, and from the
very first, has endeavored to provide
good schools for the rising genera
ton. Latimore Compere will long be
Iatfeetionately remembered as hav-
ing taught the first free school in
The community.
In 1900 Joseph G. Bunch donated
an acre Of land to the community,
To be used as a school site. On this
sight, box school house was erect
ed and used continuously for fifteen
years. This building, however. at
last proved inadequate for the needs
Of the community and in 1915, one
OF the best one-room school houses
in the county was erected
This building is weather. boarded.
painted, and ceiled, and provided
with large, clear-toned bell. With
in are found convenient cloakrooms,
the latest type of single desks and
seats, excellent blackboards. maps, a
globe, and other often lacking ne
ressities. The windows occupy al
fell fifth of the floor space, and are
SO arranged and provided with
shades that there are no injurious
cross lights to strain the childrens
eyes.
Every effort is exerted TO make
this school-n0t a poor imitation Of
a city school--hut model country
school, adapted to the needs and re-
quirements Of the boys and girls Of
the community.
In addition to the school. Sunday
school, church services, and Sunday
afternoon song service are held in
the school house. Thus the school
building is made what has been so
much advocated of late years-the
heart Of the community a commun-
ity center.
Now don't you think you'd all like
to come and visit Bunch? Or. fail
ing that. shouldn't you like to hear
from us weekly thru the columns of
The Star?
Tunqi0