Pocahontas star herald., 1924-06-06

from tne evacuation OF NlckSDuTS,
Miss. My mother was with me and
got her allowance by telling him the
truth, that my father was a prisoner
of war -Four others were with us and
ii took us two weeks to make the trip
with two yoke of oxen to one wagon,
as we had TO take feed and provisions
for the entire trip as we could not buy
anything. Many people dug up the
earth in their smoke houses and put
it in board hopper, run water
through it and dripped the salty water
through it like they dripped lye from
ashes to make soap then boiled the
salty water down which concentrated
the brine and made hard cake of
dark, dirty salt. But il would keep
meat alright. Salt would sell readily
for dollar pound, confederate
money, which was then about like the
German marks at present. We would
wonder If we ever again would have
stores where we could buy the necessi-
ties of life.
The war over, the distress continued.
Property nearly all gone, soldiers re-
turning, crippled and worn out, many,
many missing never heard of because
of the absence of the mails. Many,
many homes and farms burned up,
slaves all gone. In those deplorable
conditions we started life over again,
to build new south and we did of
which we are justly proud. Before
starting on the third episode would
like to digress to relate another in
stance or two before the Civil War.
In those good old days horseracing
was very fascinating and great sport.
Just before the war Uncle Elijah Dal-
ton, the grandfather of our fellow
townsman, Il. Dalton, owned a great
race horse, Big Brimer. The Daltons
all lived up in Ripley county on
Fourche. Dry Greek and other places.
/ knew them all since / can remember.
The Eldridge's had fine race mare
called Crook Fare. ! well remember
them both. There was quite a rivalry
between the two and il was question
which was the faster horse so a great
race was arranged to settle the ques-
ton. Uncle Lewis Dalton was to ride
Big Brimer. ] do not know the name
of the other rider, as he had not been
here long. The dav came and great
crowds were on the ground 10 witness
the greatest horse race that had ever
been pulled off in this country. The
word was given TO go and they sprang
away almost at lightning speed.
About halfway Big Brimer was lead
ing. Purposely or otherwise, the rider
of Crook Fare had arranged the bride
reins so that they could not drop down
on her neck or entangle her in any
way. Just at this juncture her rider
doubled himself up and rolled off.
Crook Fare seemed TO bound forward
and Uncle Lewis look back to see what
had happened. In doing so he reined
Brimmer a little 10 one side of the
track which broke his speed TO some
extent. Crook Fare never made a
bobble but ran out leading Brimer by
a small margin. Then the rowing and
fighting began and l thing the case
was finally settled in the courts.
My people were not horse racers
but horse fanciers and / have heard
them say that Big Brimer was the
best horse that was ever brought TO
this country. But he had sad career.
The war soon came on and n squad
of Federal soldiers came through and
when they saw Big Brimer they hal
tered him up and led him away much
to the regret of the Daltons and es-
peciaily Uncle Lewis, who was his
keeper.
There are some other people who de-
serve special mention as playing a
great part in the shaping of the poll
cies and destinies of our beloved Ar
kansas. / mentioned the Hendersons.
but more particularly, VIM. F.. the
heroic soldier, attorney general. states
man. u. S. Judge and he acquitted
himself with the great honor and dis
tinction that is befitting a great man.
The Browns. Uncle VIM. and Abner.
fathers of II. Foster Brown, federal
Judge at JonesborO, and h. A. Brown,
finaneier and capitalist Of our own
county. These two wrought great
work for humanity and have left their
footprints in the sands of time as they
have passed ON. No less could be said
of the Blacks, Capt. Dave, for many
years sheriff. Uncle John, one Of the
pillars of the county always ready to
do his part for the development of the
county. Capt. Bill. who so calamity
went INTO the lulcktsl VI lHt Hthi
I'm a cause that was nearest and dear
est TO his heart. Uncle X. ii. All
honor to his memory. What more can
we say? The very embodiment OF
friendship and devotion TO his fellow
man and especially TO his intimate
friends. He too, with many others
with that courageous spirit, laid his
all on the alter of sacrifice in a cruel
war in what he believed q just cause
and ever after carried an armless
sleeve, besides was great man and
statesman. Peace TO his ashes"
Col. John Miller Jr., Thos. and Jake
Foster, Judge Ingram and his family,
the Manskers, Holts and William Rice
the founder of Rice's Spring, Cover
nor Drew, whose remains were brought
here the Both of last May and reinter-
red I'm the Masonic cemetery In the
presence OF ten thousand people, Judge
Martin with a host of descendants
lie had two sons named James and
two JOes. So many other noted char
acters that | could name but space
fOrbids. | can't refrain from mention
inO ITuplp VIII Waddip the KILLERS