Conway County Heritage: Then and Now (Limited)

CONWAY COUNTY GENEALOGICAL ASSOCIATION

The Conway County Genealogical Association was formed in February 1997. A group of people consisting of Burnie Beavers, Euna Beavers and Amanda Sefton, who were interested in genealogy, called a meeting January 13, 1997 at the Farm Bureau meeting room in Morrilton in hopes of forming a genealogy group. The possibility of forming a genealogy group was discussed. A second meeting was held February 6th to complete the process. A name was selected for the group and a regular meeting day was set.

The first officers of the group were Euna Beavers, President; Mary Brents, Vice President; Rosemary Norwood, Secretary; Bonnie Chism, Treasurer; Mickey Zachary, Historian; Barbara Marler, Reporter; and Gerri Willcutt, Telephone Chairman. It was decided that the group would meet on the third Monday night of each month. At the third and regular monthly meeting of the group, Rhonda Norris, a licensed genealogist from Russellville, was the speaker. The group was made up of all levels of genealogists from beginners to professionals. The membership consisted and still does consist of people who come to each and every meeting, those who come occasionally as time permits and many who for one reason or another are not able to attend meetings at all. We have many long distance members. Members are scattered from California to Delaware to Florida. A monthly newsletter is published by the group. This newsletter tells of local events, reunions, homecomings, cemetery decorations, ancestor fairs and other things that would be of interest to genealogists. One of the goals of the group has always been for the more experienced to help those who are new to genealogy. The first Conway County Ancestor and Heritage Fair was held August 23, 1997 at the AP&L Ready Room in Morrilton. The fair featured gatherers of information, providers of information and vendors offering books and materials that were genealogy related. The heritage portion of the fair featured people of the area who were demonstrating quilting, cotton carding and many other old arts. There was also a display of quilts, handmade chairs, churns, etc.

Charter members were Burnie and Euna Beavers, Mary Ellen Brents, Bill and Bonnie Chism, Ted Hutchcroft, Leona Carter, Gerry Willcutt, Tarci Davidson, Cathy Barnes, Jeannie Price, Helen Dickens, Dorothy Youngblood, Kip and Rosemary Norwood, Mickey Zachary, Ken Charton, Tambra Lewis, Dale James, Dorothy Beal and Barbara Marler. Many members were added in the coming months.

Soon after being formed the group began the project of taking a census of all the cemeteries of Conway County. This was a long and sometimes difficult project and took a couple of years to complete. A four volume set of books was published from this information. CDs were made available later. The year 2005 finds us doing updates for the cemetery books. The new books will be available in late 2005 or early 2006. The group is now working on other books about Conway County as well.

Meetings are now held the first Monday night of each month at the Morrilton Depot Museum. The CCGA has also set up a Conway County Research Library in one of the museums. Many books, CDs, microfilm, etc. are available for researchers to use when visiting. A computer is set up to utilize the CDs. It also stores a family history database. Individuals can contribute their family histories to it. These records are privatized so as to protect those still living. Anyone can contribute to this project. The library houses many family history books also. CCGA has compiled a new history book of Conway County. It is entitled Conway County Heritage: Then and Now. This book should be available in the fall of 2005. The group is compiling other books also.

The goal of the CCGA has always been to promote interest in genealogy and to aid in research. Many of the group volunteer to help researchers from other areas by doing lookups. This is a group of dedicated genealogists and volunteers. Another goal is to add to the Conway County Research Library so that researchers can have many sources to work with when they visit the library. Submitted by Euna Beavers.

Lienhart Creamery in Morrilton.

CONWAY COUNTY HISTORY

Old Store Porch, 1971. The post office and grocery store was a community gathering place in Cleveland, AR. In good weather men gathered on the porch of the Halbrook Grocery and Post Office. Lyonell Halbrook is sitting in a rocker with his step granddaughter, Becky Skipper, in his lap. John Skipper is standing in front of them. Thomas Williams is sitting at Lyonell’s right and Hi Bowling is on his left. Byron Shewmake is sitting on the edge of the porch.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CONWAY COUNTY, ARKANSAS

Conway County formed in 1825 out of Pulaski County and is named for Henry Wharton Conway, who was territorial delegate to the U.S. Congress. At one time, Conway County covered an area of about 2,500 square miles and included most of Faulkner, Van Buren, Pope, Perry and part of Yell County. This large territory—as large nearly as some of the smaller United States--has been divided and carved from time to time, until the present area of Conway County is but 567 square miles. The county seat was moved numerous times as the county kept reforming and it was the intention to keep the county seat housed in a central location in the county.

The first county seat was at Cadron. The house of Stephen Harris was the second location of the county seat in Harrisburg (now Portland). In 1831 the seat was moved to Lewisburg. The courthouse was moved to Springfield in 1850. The Springfield courthouse was demolished by a tornado in 1858 and a new courthouse built in its place. There was a fire in 1863, which destroyed the courthouse in Springfield a second time. Another courthouse was built in 1869 in Springfield. The courthouse was returned to Lewisburg in 1873. The county seat was permanently moved to Morrilton in 1883-1884.

The Cherokee Indians owned land temporarily in north central Arkansas between 1817 and 1828, which included most of Conway County. The Southeast corner of the Western Cherokee Nation was located on Point Remove Creek, not far from Morrilton. Sequoyah, father of the Cherokee Alphabet, came to Arkansas in 1818 to bring his alphabet. The Cherokee were eventually pressured into signing a treaty to give up their Arkansas lands.

There is a marker on the corner of Jackson and S. Cherokee in Morrilton that reads as follows: Conway County Cherokee Indian Boundary. On the north bank of the Arkansas River at the mouth of Point Remove Creek a line was run in a Northwesterly direction to Batesville. On White river this line crosses the highway here and was designated as the Eastern Boundary of the lands ceded by treaty in 1817 to the Western Cherokee Indians in exchange for lands given up by them in the states of Georgia and Tennessee. The Cherokee Nation followed the Trail of Tears through Conway County. It is estimated that the forced emigration claimed over 4,000 lives by the time the last Cherokee reached Oklahoma in 1839. At times, the line formed by the Indians on their trek was about 85 miles long.

During the Civil War, companies for both the Confederate and Union Armies were recruited from Conway County. Five regularly-organized Confederate companies, which were largely recruited by volunteers strictly from the county, and the fragment of a company raised by Dr. Davis, represented at least 700 men from Conway County. Two hundred more recruits from Conway County to companies recruited in other Arkansas counties, made a total of 900 in all that entered the Confederate Army from Conway County. No more than 200 ever returned, the others dying on the battlefield, of camp sickness or in Northern prisons.

Two companies, raised by Capt. Anthony Hinkle and Capt. L. S. Dunscomb, and recruited mainly in Conway County, joined the Third Arkansas United States Cavalry (Federal Army). They were mostly stationed in Central Arkansas, at Lewisburg and other points and saw but little fighting during the war.

The following official list includes the names of all those who occupied positions of responsibility within the county from its organization until 1890 (from Goodspeed History of Conway County - 1890)

County Judges. —H. G. Saffold, 1830 to 1832; B. B. Ball, 1834 to 1835; Robert McCall, 1835 to 1836; W. T. Gamble, 1836 to 1838; J. W. Comstock, 1838 to 1842; W. G. Gamble, 1842 to 1844; John Quindley, 1844 to 1846; R. R. Gordon, 1846 to 1848; H. H. Higgins, 1848 to 1850; James Campbell, 1850 to 1854; Robert Stell, 1854 to 1856; J. T. Hamilton, 1856 to 1858; J. M. Venable, 1858 to 1860; U. A. Nixon, 1860 to 1862; Henry McFearson, 1862 to 1864; W. J. Vance, 1866 to 1868; A. B. Gaylor, 1868 to 1872; A. F. Woodward, 1874 to 1876; Joshua Moses, 1876 to 1878; M. W. Steele, 1878 to 1882; John W. Todd, 1882 to 1884; William Blankenship, 1884 to 1886; G. H. Taylor, 1886 to 1888; J. R. Hamm, 1888 to 1890.

Clerks. —David Barber, 1826 to 1829; James Ward, 1830 to 1832; Thomas Mathers, 1832 to 1834; J. I. Simmons, 1834 to 1842; H. H. Higgins, 1842 to 1846; E. Morrill, 1846 to 1852; Joshua Moses, 1852 to 1856; J. R. Bill, 1856 to 1858; Joshua Moses, 1858 to 1864, and 1866 to 1868; W. R. Hinkle, 1864 to 1866, and 1868 to —; D. H. Thomas, to 1872; William Kearney, 1872 to 1874; H. A. Nations, 1876 to 1880; W. F. Conlee, 1880, died in February, and F. J. Willis elected to fill vacancy; also, re-elected 1880 to 1882; M. L. Ashbury, 1882 to 1884; C. E. Hawkins, 1886 to 1888; Jeff. Wright, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Sheriffs. —Kinkead, resigned, July, 1827, was succeeded by James Kellam, who served out the term; was re-elected in 1830 to 1833; James Barber, 1827 to 1829; B. F. Howard, 1833 to 1835; T. S. Haynes, 1835 to 1842; John Murray, 1842 to 1846; John Quindley, 1846 to 1852; W. G. Harrison, 1852 to 1854; R. S. Cargill, 1854 to 1860; A. A. Livingston, 1860 to 1864; R. T Markham, 1866 to 1868; N. W. Moore, 1868 to 1872; T. B. Stout, 1872 to 1874; W. E. Dickinson, 1874 to 1876; W. M. Clifton, 1876 to 1878; D. B. Russell, 1878 to 1880; G. W. Griffin, 1880 to 1882; L. Sleeper, 1882 to 1884; R. H. Speer, 1884 to 1886; J. H. Coblentz, 1886 to 1888; M. D. Shelby, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Treasurers. —D. D. Mason, 1836 to 1840; B. H. Thompson, 1840 to 1842; H. H. Berry, 1842 to 1844; J. G. Musser, 1844 to 1846; L. Stockston, 1846 to 1848; Peter Clingman, 1848 to 1850; H. C. Watson, 1850 to 1860; J. W. Willbanks, 1860 to 1864; J. W. Scroggins. 1866 to 1868, and 1872 to 1878; Jesse Schumake, 1868 to 1872; John

Wells, 1878 to 1882; W. T. Gordon, 1882 to 1884; Z. T. Kindred, 1886 to 1888; R. N. Vail, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Coroners. —Reuben Blunt, 1826 to 1827; John Houston, 1830 to 1832; William Ellis, 1832 to 1833; William Ellis, Jr., 1834 to 1835; W. H. Robertson, 1835 to 1836; George Fletcher, 1836 to 1838; James Darling, 1838 to 1840; W. H. Robertson, 1840 to 1846; Thomas Weston, 1846 to 1848; J. C. Webster, 1848 to 1850; H. Gregory, 1850 to 1852;

John Buwie, 1852 to 1854; John Wells, 1854 to 1858; William Hibbin, 1858 to 1860; J. A. Westerfield, 1860 to 1862; M. Porter, 1862 to 1864; Uriah Dickens, 1866 to 1868; J. Lyon, 1868 to 1872; R. T. Harrison, 1872 to 1874; John Houston, 1874 to 1876; Lafayette Moize, 1876 to 1878; C. E. Francis, 1878 to 1880; F. W. Morrow, 1880 to 1882; J. A. D. Hale, 1882 to 1884; E. K. Turner, 1886 to 1888; Alvis Hugg, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Surveyors. — E. W. Owen, 1830 to 1832; James Ward, 1833 to 1834; L. C. Griffin, 1835 to 1836; D Harrison, 1836 to 1838; C. M. Robert, 1840 to 1842; Harrison, 1842 to 1854; L. Rankin, 1854 to 58; William Dungan, 1858 to 1862; W. L. Harwood, 1862 to 1864; A. B. Henry, 1866 to 1872; W. C. Watkins, 1872 to 1874; J. Maratta, 1874 to 1876; G. W. Howard, 1876 to 1878; J. G. Bennett, 1878 to 1880; N. Dixon, 1880 to 1884; M. Brown, 1884 to 1886; T. J. Holbrook, 1886 to 1888; John Beck, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Assessors. - P. B. Norwood, 1868 to 1872; W. G. Gray, 1872 to 1874; J. R. K. Hobbs, 1874 to 1876; J. W. Harrison, 1876 to 1878; G. W. Griffin, 1878 to 1880; A. B. Simmons, 1880 to 1884; William Taylor, 1884 to 1886; H. L. Kennamere, 1886 to 1888; J. H. Littlejohn, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Delegates in Constitutional Conventions. — From January 4th to 13, 1836, Nimrod Menifee; from March 4 to 21st, and May 6 to June 3, 1861, S. J. Stallings; from January 7 to February 18, 1868, Anthony Hinkle; from July 14 to October 31, 1874, William S. Hanna.

Members of Council and House of Representatives in Territorial Legislatures. —A. Kuykendall and R. J. Blount were the only members of the Council from the formation of the county in 1825 until the admission of the State in 1836. The members of the House were Conway and Pulaski Counties, A. H. Sevier in 1827 and 1828; N. Menifee in 1831, and J. C. Roberts in 1833.

Senators in the State Legislature. — Conway and VanBuren Counties: A. Kuykendall, 1836 to 1840. Conway and Pope Counties, J. Williamson, 1840 to 1844. Conway and Perry Counties, D. Q. Steel, 1844 to 1846 Conway, Johnson and White Counties, D. Maxwell, 1848 to 1849. Conway, Jackson and White Counties, F. DeShough, 1850 to 1853; W. L. Keith, 1854 to 1855. Conway, Perry and Yell Counties, J. J. Sterman, 1856 to 1859; G. W. Lemoyne, 1860 to 1862; F. M. Stratton, 1864 to 1865; same counties, S. Forrest, 1866 to 1867. Conway, Searcy and Pope Counties, A. D. Thomas, 1871 to 1873; same counties, J. R. H. Scott, 1874. Conway, VanBuren and Searcy Counties, John Campbell, 1874 to 1877; same counties, W. S. Hanna, 1878 to 1882; same counties, Z. B. Jennings, 1882 to 1886; same counties, W. S. Hanna, 1886 to 1890, during which time Mr. Hanna was President of the Senate.

Representatives. — John Linton, 1836 to 1838; N. Menifee, 1838 to 1840; J. Stephenson and D. Q. Stell, 1840 to 1842. Conway and Perry Counties, T. S. Haynes and G. W Lemoyne, 1842 to 1843; J. J. Simmons and John Hardin, 1844 to 1845; Richard Griffin and A. Kuykendall, 1846; J. Gordon and H. H Higgins, 1848 to 1849; E. W. Adams and J. Gordon, 1850 to 1851; A. Hayes and J. Quindley, 1852 to 1853; A. Gordon and J. J. Jones, 1854 to 1855; James P. Venable, 1856 to 1857; W. W. Edwards, 1858 to 1859; Robert. N. Harper, 1860 to 1862; Russell Welborn, 1862 to 1863; G. W. Galloway, 1864 to 1865. Conway, Searoy and Pope Counties, W. W. Bradshear, J. R. Hall and H.

W. Hodges, 1868 to 1870; same counties, T. D. Hawkins, B. F. Taylor and N. C. Cleland, 1871 to 1872; same counties, Benton Turner, Y. B. Shephard and J. F. Stephenson, January 6th, to April 25, 1873; same counties, L. W. Davis and J. P. Venable, 1874 to 1875. Conway alone, F. P. Hervey, 1877; Lewis Miller, 1879; E. B. Henry, 1880 to 1881; W. S. Hanna, 1883; Hiram Dacus, 1885; G. E. Trower, 1887; Z. A. P. Venable.

2005 ELECTED CONWAY COUNTY OFFICIALS

Jimmy Hart - County Judge; Terry Alvey - Justice Of The Peace; Kathy Cooper - Justice of the Peace; Billy Deaver - Justice of the Peace; Michael Hammons - Justice Of The Peace; Phillip Hoyt - Justice Of The Peace; Wayde Prince - Justice Of The Peace; Gary Sams - Justice Of The Peace; Robert Stobaugh - Justice Of The Peace; John Trafford - Justice of the Peace; Lawrance Williams - Justice Of The Peace; Lyle Wilson - Justice of the Peace; Richard Neal County - Coroner; Mark Flowers - County Sheriff; Wayne DeSalvo - County Treasurer; Helen Noll - County Assessor; Catherine Bradshaw -County Collector; Debbie Hartman County Clerk; Carolyn Gadberry - County Circuit Clerk.

As of the 2000 federal census, there are 20,336 people, 7,967 households, and 5,736 families residing in Conway County.

BLACKWELL COMMUNITY

By Everlean Bea Garrett Webb

Blackwell was a large community where most of the landowners and residents were black.

The first post office was owned by a black man named William Black and the town was named for him. The second postmaster was Archie Hill.

There was a railroad station across from the post office operated by Bill Tate. A cotton gin was owned and operated by two black men, Edd and Sam Sanders. Later, owners of the gin were Earl Howard, Jim Cheek, Guy Smirl and Carl Peters. Fee Anderson worked at the gin. There was a saw mill owned and operated by Buster Collins, which furnished jobs for a lot of people in Blackwell.

At one time, there were four stores in the community, and the merchants were Henry Alford, Gus Peters, Sam Swain and Allen Bryles. In addition to owning a grocery store, Bryles was an undertaker and sold coffins. He also had a barber shop in his building and Walter Ackerson was the barber.

Blackwell once had four cafes, two of the owners were Cletis Thurman and Forest Bryles.

Mrs. Lucinder Franklin operated a taxi cab service and rented rooms to people passing through. She also ran a ballpark and a dance hall. Another ballpark and dance hall was run by Allen Bryles. Blackwell had a real nice band which played there. Forest Bryles, Rosevelt, Wilmer Bland, and other men were in the band. They were all black. Also, there was a skating rink that was owned by Sam Swain and people came from all over the county to dance and skate there.

There was also a theater in Blackwell where W.B. Kelley showed motion pictures which everyone really enjoyed.

Our people were active and industrious. The first black train foreman in Blackwell was Allen Bryles and Mamon Woody was the first black porter. W.M. Jessie was a deputy sheriff, as was John Neely. Philip Bailey raised tobacco and Josh Robinson made molasses for the whole county.

Most of the early settlers and the first families in the Blackwell area came from South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia, while the white families came from Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.

I remember we had a high school and the kids from Morrilton came up to Blackwell to school. We had a home demonstration agent who would come to the school and teach us how to can with steam pressure canners and how to make mattresses. Her name was Josephine Hudlow.

There were several large farms growing cotton owned by Emit Carter, Lonnie Carter, Jack Fields, and Bill Embry. My father, Josh Robinson, had a blacksmith shop. He shoed lots of horses and made wagon Wheels.

The community has not grown in size, but we are proud to say that there is now a body shop (automobile) owned by Harold Black, a fire station, two liquor stores, and a trailer place.

I am having a time trying to get a store. We have to go to Morrilton or Atkins to get milk and bread.

CAMPGROUND CEMETERY THE STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE

By jarrell Rainwater

They say that every picture is worth a thousand words. There is not that many words behind this picture, but there is a powerful, sad and tender story behind this one.

Let’s begin with the tallest monument. It is in the second row from the front, then there are a number of tiny stones, barely above ground level-just beyond, leading toward the lake. This is a story of love, compassion and sacrifice.

Campground Cemetery with Lake Overcup beyond the tree showing a twister that recently went through in spring 2004.

The tall monument is for Burr, a young man who never married and never really had a girlfriend. A teen-age girl, Janey, lived across from the girl who dated Burr’s younger cousin. Burr was a shy boy, the youngest child in his family. Jeff, his cousin, finally persuaded Burr to have a few tentative dates - more like walk along the road or attend church. They would accompany Jeff and his future bride, Maggie Parker.

Soon, Fred appeared on the scene and swept Janey off her feet. They and Jeff and Maggie were soon tied in matrimony. This left Burr alone, again. His brothers and sisters were all married. His mom had been dead almost 10 years. He and his dad who was in his mid-70s lived alone together in the old two-room cabin that his father and mother had built after homesteading in 1870. Burr was not born until almost 1900.

Burr had a sister, Arkie, who was married to Henry. Henry had fought in World War I and had been poisoned-gassed. Henry and Arkie had two little boys. Both Henry and the baby died in 1923. Arkie and little Henry then moved in with her father and Burr. She cooked and cleaned for them to earn her keep.

At this time, Burr was in his mid-20s, but he began running around with boys in their teens. In the spring of 1927, Arkansas and the mid-south experienced the worst floods of the century.

The boys talked Burr into going onto the sunken lands where overflow and backwater had covered area. They were wading in the shallows and Burr stepped off a hidden bluff and plunged 10-20 feet at once under water. He couldn’t swim.

The boys ran to find someone to help. They found Fred and Janey’s cousin. Fred was a great swimmer and after an hour or two, he found Burr by sinking himself and using his feet to search for the body.

The water was so high that they were unable to get the body to town. They had to use wagon and mules to go into town to purchase a coffin and bring it to the body. We lived near the flooded area and the cemetery. They brought his body to our front porch and laid it out; using our porch as a temporary slab. They were unable to get to the cemetery, as all roads were covered by high water.

Finally, after a couple of days had passed, they put the coffin in the mule-drawn wagon and went through the cornfield and pasture. They cut a gap through the fence right across from the cemetery.

All of this was just too much for Burr’s dad. About four weeks later he and Arkie sat down to Sunday dinner after church, he collapsed and died at the table.

Now, Arkie is left alone with little Henry, age 4. They moved in with Fred and Janey and Janey’s mom, who owned the house they all lived in. Little Henry, always in poor health, died three months later in August 1927.

Arkie was now truly alone, but she was a survivor. She lived longer than any of her siblings or their spouses. She never remarried. She devoted the rest of her life to her nieces and nephews and to God.

In World War II, she read how a Bible with a steel cover saved lives when a soldier carried it in his left shirt pocket. She mailed one to me and one to my cousin, Jack. Jack became a Baptist minister. His grandson is a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Little Rock. Arkie died a week before Christmas in 1976. Jack died in the spring of 1978.

Fred and Janey had several children die at young ages. They are buried next to Burr. When Fred died, Janey had him placed near Burr, with space for herself. She, too, along with her entire family is gone now.

So, now, you have the story of row two. Arkie, Henry, Little Henry and the baby. There are Burr’s parents, Burr, Fred, Janey and all of their children lying peacefully beside the still waters. I can’t say for any-one else, but, their little story of love, caring and sacrifice restores my soul. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow them all of their days and ours. We shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.

P.S. It is now May 2004. This story began in World War I. I am the only survivor. Burr’s body was brought to the house where I lived in April 1927. I was born in that house in September 1926. Burr was my uncle, Arkie was my aunt, brother and sister of my father. Henry was my mother’s first cousin.

I still have Arkie’s steel-plated Bible. In engraved letters on the front, it says, May God Bless You. On the inside first page, it says from Aunt Arkie. God has blessed me by giving me caring, loving people throughout my life.

In front row of the picture are my mom and dad and Sharon, our only little girl, our daughter. She died with cancer at age 41.

CENTER RIDGE

Center Ridge at the turn of the century circa 1905. This was, what is now, Arkansas State Highway 9. A busy shopping day, probably Saturday. At that time, Morrilton was a hard day’s journey (one-way) and not much larger than Center Ridge. The boy, leaving the road and walking toward the photographer with a lettered sign above his head, in the background was George Richardson, father of Millard Richardson, former longtime circuit clerk of Conway County. George’s older brother Jake was a former Center Ridge post office rural carrier during this period. According to legend, one of the two rural carriers was murdered on his route (not Jake). The man who did the killing was apprehended, and according to the story I was told, he was the last person that was hanged at the Conway County Courthouse. After this executions were carried out at the state penitentiary. Submitted by Jarrell Rainwater, nephew of George Richardson.

CLEVELAND

Old Store Buildings, 1956, Downtown Cleveland, Arkansas, on SH 95 in north Conway County. The building on the left was a general store, post office and residence with a Masonic Hall on the second floor. Next is an automobile repair garage. On the right is Frazier’s general store and just beyond it is Bost’s general store.

Cleveland Grocery, 1978. The old store building in Cleveland, AR, a few years before it was torn down to be replaced by a more modern structure.

Men in Post Office, 1965, Doyle O’Neal, rural route carrier, is on the left, and Lyonell Halbrook, postmaster, is on the right in this photo of the interior of the Cleveland Post Office in the Halbrook Grocery store.

Group in Early Automobile about 1916. Luther Maxwell and friends were out for a Sunday afternoon walk and came upon this automobile stopped in the road for a flat repair. Note that the rear tire is flat. They decided to have their photograph taken in the car. Luther is in the driver’s seat and the photographer’s shadow is included. The car may be a 1916 Dodge.

Three Men about 1946. From left to right, brothers Lyonell, Clyde and Opie Halbrook on the front porch of their parents’ home in Cleveland, Arkansas.

HATTIEVILLE

Jump Ball community basketball ca. 1920. I remember that my grandfather, Luther A. Maxwell, told me that this photo was taken in Hattieville.

LEWISBURG

Home built by W.P. and Kate Egan at Lewisburg.

MORRILTON

The Depot in Morrilton - 1930s.

Main Street Morrilton.

Morrilton Cotton Warehouse Co. - Jan. 21, 1914. Percival Norman Totten was manager (front row, 5th from right).

Morrilton Cotton Warehouse Co. - Jan. 21, 1914.

Morrilton Cotton Warehouse Co. - Jan. 21, 1914.

Morrilton, AR -1915, "This car won 1st prize. Mother, Gladys Totten, decorated our T-model with cotton. Daddy, Percy Totten, was manager of the cotton compress and had small bales of cotton compressed for the event. Daddy, with derby hat, was driving the car.

DOWN MEMORY LAND...

by Jarrell Rainwater

If you don’t think Mother and Grandmother are not masters of efficiency experts - attempt to be on time with a couple of teens in the house and only one bathroom.

Back in 1930s many homes in Overcup had only one or two bedrooms with the living room doing double duty as a sleeping room. Large families were the rule. It was not unusual for five girls and five boys plus mother and father in two bedrooms and no bathroom. So came the old maxim - a room and a path.

The few automobiles and pickups were used almost exclusively for work, seldom used for ordinary errands. Children always walked to school and walked home in the afternoon. No rushing little Susie to school because she overslept. A child was entirely responsible for his ownself. If he was late or tardy, he suffered the consequences. Seldom if ever, do I remember a child not being on time.

Almost every child had chores - both before and after school and during the summer vacation. A child beginning at age 10-12, sometimes earlier, spent 10-hour days working hand labor in the fields.

There would be cows to milk, hogs to slop, cotton to chop and pick, strawberries, potatoes to set out, cultivate and pick or dig. Almost every farm grew most of their own food and if the kids didn’t help there would be a serious food shortage.

To us, school and church were our recreation as well as our education and religious faith. Compared to our demanding labor, they were anxiously awaited by us. At school, as at home, there were no electric lights, no bathrooms, no running water. At school we had the familiar outdoor facilities.

There was no janitor - children were delegated for school jobs. Someone had to draw water from the well across the playground and tote and fill up the water container in the school daily. Someone had to get to school early in cold weather to start up a fire in the big wood heater. Someone had to sweep and empty the waste basket daily. Children did all of these tasks along with walking to school and chores at home

We had one teacher, Mrs. Alice Carroll, for grades 1-6. The first three grades were on one side of the room; the other three on the other side of the room. The center of the room was open and contained the stove.

This was where Mrs. Alice sat in a wooden folding chair. She called classes for recitation. We would get up from our desks and stand in a row by the teacher. After our class, we would sit down and she would call another.

We were motivated by the fact that adults and family needed us, depended on us, and trusted us. We wouldn’t have let them down for the world. We learned early that education was the key to try to better our life and our country.

We had lots of good times with playing in the swimming holes, Friday night play parties, playing checkers at the store, hanging out at the cotton gin seed house.

Every Christmas, Overcup Methodist Church had a play: readings, Christmas carols and an old-fashioned cedar Christmas tree that went all the way to the ceiling. Santa Claus came at the end of the program with a gift for every child.

On Christmas Day there was an old-fashioned turkey shooting contest. Our frontier skills were tested against one another.

During the ‘30s, a CCC camp was built out the WPA road east of Highway 9 between Overcup and Solgohachia. Young men were taught forestry conservation and construction skills. They were given barracks-style living, a uniform, all they could eat, and $21 per month. Another CCC camp was located atop Petit Jean Mountain. They built much of our state park system.

OVERCUP

Overcup children circa 1936, Easter Sunday, third and fourth grades to seventh and eighth grades, ages 9-13 approximately. From left, front row, lying on ground: Orville Denham, Bud Charton, Audrey Bostian (partially hidden) and Clayton Charton; sitting (partially hidden) Irple Bostian, Howard Charton, Doris Woodard, Lavene Poteete, Lorraine Bostian, Aileen Wilkinson, and Dorothy Holder; kneeling, Jarrell Rainwater, Afton Underwood, Quincy Stockindale, Arlona Underwood, Geraldine Bostian, Bernice Laster, Loretta Yocum, Athalene Bostian, and Muriel Holder, standing in rear, Elsie Williams, J.R. Crowder, Ione Yocum, Helen Yocum, Lorene Underwood, Edith Mae Adams, Ruthie Muriel Faulkner, Katherine Bostian, daughter of Gene Bostian.

Overcup group of young people, 1916-17, almost all of the boys went into the Army in 1917 for WWI. Back row, standing: Velma Underwood Yocum and Arkie Rainwater Tiner at end of row. The two boys and the 2nd and 3rd girl are unknown. Bottom row, sitting: 3rd boy is Monroe Rainwater (brother of Arkie) and last boy is David Henry Bostian. Emil Mourot and Andy Underwood are also in picture.

For a real treat we got to go to Morrilton about once a month on Saturday for a 5-cent hamburger, Pepsi Cola or RC Cola, and a double feature cowboy western serial and cartoon at the Rialto or Petit Jean Theatre for 10 cents.

As you might imagine with hand milking, drinking raw milk and using untested well water and no refrigeration, the third world diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and stomach and bowel diseases were commonplace. Typhoid fever had just been conquered a few years previously, so with the health department shots that was no longer a problem. I lived near Campground Cemetery and I went to many funerals; many of them just babies and children.

Our teacher, Mrs. Alice Carroll, had one son, James Berry. He and two other teen-age boys were killed in an auto accident one Friday night. On Saturday my Dad took me to the funeral home to see them. They had been cleaned up and placed on stretchers but had not been placed in coffins.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, when we heard the Pearl Harbor attack news, many of us young people gathered at the little Methodist church. We talked in hushed tones, we sang and prayed. I don’t think there was a preacher there that night. Our ‘30s Overcup experiences had taught us life’s lessons well.

A preacher and a teacher could inspire and enlighten us, but ultimately only our faith in God and in ourselves could carry us through to victory over the enemies of our country and the enemies of our spirit. We would build a great America.

PLUMERVILLE

About 1833, Samuel Plummer, a young orphan from Boston, migrated to present day Conway County where he purchased 160 acres of land with a one-room log cabin. He added another room to his cabin and began a saddlery business. The Fort Smith and Little Rock Stage Coach route passed in front of Plummer’s residence and the cabin soon became known as Plummer’s Station and became a regular stage stop. Other settlers moved to the area and Plummer’s Station continued to grow. The railroad obtained right-of-way through that area in 1870. The first business in Plumerville was a saloon, opened in 1872, by L.M. McClure. The Simms Hotel, the most known of all hotels, was built in 1880. The Peel Hotel was built a short time later. On October 4, 1880, Plummerville was incorporated as a town. Dr. G.W. Smith was the first mayor of Plummerville. He opened a drug store in the town in 1883.

At its peak, from 1910 to 1930, Plummerville boasted about 50 businesses, a telephone exchange, wagon yard, livery stables, at least five hotels, several rooming houses, three theaters, two drug stores and a goodly number of warehouses and at least three cotton gins. A number of years ago the post office dropped the second m from Plummerville and today it is spelled both ways.

At present the town has 12 businesses, a day care center, Arch Ford Educational Co-Op, a police department and court, and a volunteer fire department. Plumerville is the only town in Conway County that experienced growth between the census years of 1990 and 2000. Interstate 40, located on the north side of the city, was opened to traffic in 1970.

In 2004, Plumerville has Plummerville United Methodist Church, organized in 1884; the First Baptist Church, organized in 1891; the Portland Baptist Church, originally located in the Portland area; the Church of Christ; Mount Carmel Baptist Church, and Shady Grove Baptist Church.

In 1999, William C. Bill Plummer, great-great grandson of Samuel Plummer, took office as Mayor. During his first term as mayor he was instrumental in obtaining funding to renovate the old agricultural school building into a modern, up-to day facility for a Senior Citizen Center and Community Building. A new post office facility was opened to the public in 2000.

CCC CAMP

Letter to David Tilley from his cousin Ginny

Dear David,

Back in 1937 during the great depression, most of the families in Lost Corner and Cleveland were having a hard time keeping a roof over their heads and food for their children.

Marlin Hawkins, who later became the high sheriff of Conway County and for years ran a political operation that practically ran the state of Arkansas, was working for the Welfare Office, now called Human Services. Marlin was from a poor family himself and he knew the hardships the families in Conway County were suffering. So, when President Roosevelt set up the Civilian Conservation Corps to help poor families during the depression, Marlin took advantage of it. He went over the county notifying families that had young men aged 18-22 years to sign up for the program. It paid $30.00 per month, which, at the time was nothing to sneeze at. Marlin signed up your daddy, Paul Tilley, your uncle Arlie Watkins and their friend, Leon Brents. The three of them were sent to Pierce, Idaho to work in the Clear Water National Forest. They stayed there for six months, cutting trees, fighting forest fires and blasting stumps for roadways. The camps, were set up like army camps and they wore uniforms and followed certain rules and regulations. The boys spent from April to September of 1937 in Idaho. (Leon Brents gave me a lot of this information. Daddy couldn’t remember all the details when I talked to him.) The program was a really good idea and it meant that grandpa Sam and grandma Maga got $180.00 that year to live on from Daddy. That was about the profit of a cotton crop off that sorry farm grandpa was renting. I’m sure that your daddy’s family also appreciated the money from his work.

Grandpa Sam worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). He walked 5 miles each day from his farm to Wonderview, Arkansas where they were building a new school house. They paid him 50 cents a day for his work. Daddy said Grandpa carried his lunch in a tin pail and most of the time his lunch was cornbread and molasses or cornbread and turnip greens.

CCC Camp in Pierce, Idaho "Clear Water National Forest." Arlie Watkins in front row on left side. Paul Tilley far right side in back. April thru September 1937. They made $30 per month.

Grandpa Sam helped build the Wonderview School and also the school here in Plumerville where I live. Times were really hard around here and didn’t get better until after World War II.

Daddy married Momma in December of 1937 right after he got back from the CCC Camp. Your daddy didn’t marry Aunt Ola until 1939 after her first husband died of Typhoid Fever. I suppose he met her because he and daddy were friends.

Daddy said his time in the CCC Camp was OK. He said he only got into one fight. It was at night and daddy had worked hard all day and wanted to go to sleep. Some other boy wanted the lights on and refused to turn them off when everyone got ready to go to bed. Daddy beat the tar out of him. His only injury was when a bed spring broke and pierced his thumb and made it bleed. Anyway the result was everyone slept in the dark that night. (Ha) I don’t remember him saying if your daddy had any adventures. Being a young frisky boy, I’m sure he did.

I’ve got a picture of the boys taken in front of their barracks. Daddy is on the front row on the left side. Your daddy (I think) is on the other end on the right of the picture. He has a cigarette in his mouth. Some of the boys were acting tough and put cigarettes in their mouth for the picture. I gave Pat a good copy. I don’t know what she did with it. She said I would have to tell you all about everything because she couldn’t remember it. (reckon she is getting old?)

This brings back memories. I sure wish I could talk with daddy and momma again. I miss them so.

I hope you and your family are well and happy. Pat tells me about you sometimes, when she can remember to do so. (Ha)

I am doing pretty good. I have reached my five year mark on my breast cancer and have not had any sign of its return. I’m so grateful.

My husband, Jimmy, is still farming in the Plumerville bottoms.’ I don’t work. (just stay home and watch grandkids. I have four, three girls and one boy.

Lynn, my youngest brother, is the only immediate family I have left. Buddy and Narvin have both gone on to be with Momma and Daddy. Lynn lost his only son, Gary, this year. It sure has been hard for him and his wife.

I guess you know that Aunt Clara died a couple of months ago. She had a grand funeral and so many beautiful flowers. They buried her at the lower end of the cemetery in the newer part of the cemetery. She is across from Daddy. Uncle Willie who is almost 90 years old seems to be doing OK. Burl has remarried (his first wife, Lois, died of breast cancer); his second wife has done him a world of good. He goes clean and well kept now and seems to be happier than he has been in years. They still live at Lost Corner on Uncle Willie’s land. Most of the, other children live at Lost Corner or near Cleveland. Buck, Louise, Betty and Sonny all still live in Little Rock. We seldom see them. Pat is the only one of the cousins that I have contact with, I sure do love her. She seems more a sister than a cousin.

Well, I guess I will stop. I hope this helps you. I know the older we get, the more we appreciate our family. I can think of so many things I wish I had talked with Daddy about.

Pat said you were going to Japan? If so, Please take care of yourself

Love, your Arkie cousin, Ginny.

Holiness Church - Morrilton, Arkansas

CONWAY COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

In September 1969, the Conway County Communications Club, a group of citizen band radio buffs, also known as 4-C’ers, started one of the first countywide fire departments in the nation. The department answered calls from all parts of the county excluding the cities of Morrilton and Plummerville.

The Conway County Fire Department’s first truck was a 1941 model pumper that had been replaced by the Morrilton Fire Department and donated to the county at the request of then County Judge Tom Scott. It was housed in a rented metal building adjacent to Morrilton Motors on Railroad Avenue. The station also housed a mobile communications van, equipped and operated by the 4-C’ers, to be used at night and in remote parts of the county.

Serving as officers were Chief David Brewer, Assistant Chiefs Johnny Williams and R.E. Grooms, and Captain/Station Master Robert Swope. Other members included B.L. Hurley, George Reidmueller, Keith Dotson, Roy Coffman, Raymond Hardin, A.W. Wyllia, Clarence Bridgman, Lindell Roberts, W.B. Stracner, L.W. Ruff, Oran Oates, J.D. Huddleston, V.O. Conley, Ira Sanders, Jerry Eubanks and Harvey Roberts.

After a few years the department started to grow as many communities expressed interest in forming their own local stations. The first station outside Morrilton was formed at Hattieville. Jerusalem and Birdtown soon followed. Over time some stations were closed and others formed. There are now 13 stations in the county with Sardis, formed in 1989, being the most recent.

In 1973, Petit Jean resident Win Paul Rockefeller gave the fire department a much-needed boost when he donated three emergency vehicles and a modern radio system.

On September 6, 1977, County Ordinance 77-15 was passed by the Quorum Court to formally establish the Conway County Fire Department as an agency of the county and establish a five-member board. The five member is appointed by the county judge to formulate policies and procedures for the fire department as required by state law. On September 18, 1991, County Ordinance 91-29 was passed by the Quorum Court to establish an Advisory Board to furnish advise, gather information and make recommendations to the Administrative Board. County Ordinance 97-26, passed October 20, 1997, adopted the by-laws which define the organization of and set requirements for membership into the Conway County Fire Department.

In 2000 voters of Conway County passed 1/4 cent sale tax, which has been used to greatly increase the level of service provided to the public. These monies have also made possible the computerization of records, upgrading of the radio system, building of new stations, and provided additional funds to purchase much needed training materials to be made available to members.

Conway County Fire Department

Today there are 260 volunteer members staffing 13 stations in communities around the county. The districts are Springfield, Jerusalem, Birdtown, St. Vincent, Petit Jean, Cleveland, Center Ridge, Hillcreek, Menifee, Blackwell/Kenwood, Overcup, Sardis and Ada Valley. Each district consists of a chief, assistant chief, captains, and between 10 and 25 members. Submitted by Steve Beavers.

Sardis Volunteer Fire Department (Conway County Fire Dept. District 12)

On April 3, 1989 the newly formed Sardis Volunteer Fire Department held its first meeting. This department was formed to serve the area of Conway County between Morrilton and Plumerville and from Interstate 40 to Oppelo. Charter members of this department were Dennis McCoy-Chief, Carroll Atkinson, Jr.-Secretary/Treasurer, David Speights, John Trafford, Greg Mourot, Doug Hunter, Randy Gilley, Gary Gilley, Ronnie Mourot, Donnie Hervey, Steve Atkinson, Phil Thomas, Harold McCoy, Gene Young, George Wade, Bill Craig, Chester Speights and Mark Atkinson-reserve.

Since its inception the Sardis Volunteer Fire Department has served the community by responding to fires, auto accidents, train accidents, and medical emergencies. They have also responded to areas outside of their district and even outside of the county to help other fire departments when they were needed.

Current members are: Tim Bengston-Chief, Steve Beavers-Assistant Chief, Bobby Beavers-Captain, Steve Trafford-Captain, Marcus Canady-Captain, Jimmy Brown-Captain, John Trafford, Johnathan Trafford, Mark Trafford, David Speights, Rachel Beavers, Luke Berry, Matthew Speights, Sam McCallie, Shawn Lentz, Brandon Hunter and Jason McCoy.

In the 16 years since the department was formed they have strived to serve the community to the best of their ability and the members of the department look forward to serving the community for many more years to come. Submitted by Steve and Rachel Beavers.

CENTER RIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

The history of Center Ridge Volunteer Fire Department began in the late 1970s when several area residents got together to form the original group of firefighters. This group included Drew Kissire, Sue West, Bernard Dusher, Rick and Norma Bryant (who were the first EMTS), James and Andrea Polk, Robert Birch, Bud Flowers, Randall Dixon, Bobby Bryant, Rick West, Allen Powell and several others.

Money was raised through many fund raising events - turkey shoots, a spook house, drawings for donated prized and some very successful fish fries. Sue West, the first secretary/treasurer went door-to-door soliciting donations to help buy protective gear and build the firehouse. She also convinced merchants in Morrilton and other communities to donate prizes for raffles, food items for fish fries, turkeys for the turkey shoot and other items used to raise money. Because of the combined efforts of Sue, Drew, Bernard and the others, and the generosity of the community at large, over $20,000 was raised initially. The land where the fire department sits was donated and the Wootens performed much of the labor to build the building. The members of the fire department performed most of the labor, donating their time and effort.

During this time Drew was elected the first chief. Bernard Dusher was captain and Sue was elected as secretary/treasurer.

The members underwent training on safety procedures, firefighting techniques, equipment operation and even arson investigation. One memorable and frightening training session took place in Russellville, where they learned how to fight a propane tank fire. It was hot and dangerous.

The first piece of equipment was a donated brush truck from the forestry department, who by the way was indispensable in the early days. They donated equipment protective gear and assistance. Their expertise in fighting brush fires was invaluable as the fire department was getting on its feet.

One important goal was realized when the firefighters ‘were certified. This led to the reclassification of the fire rating for insurance purposes. Most area residents received a reduction in their insurance premiums.

Being a volunteer fireman had to be a labor of love. They are unpaid; give up their time for training and equipment maintenance. They are called out in the middle of the night, the heat of the day, and in the dead of winter when it is so cold the pumps have to be started in the firehouse and the hoses routed through the water tanks. If the water wasn’t kept circulating it would freeze on the way to the fire. They would be cold, wet, and tired. After the fire was out they had to clean, maintain and prepare the equipment for use before going home. But they continue to do it day after day, year after year.

As well as being exhausting, dirty work, firefighting is also dangerous. Injury was always a possibility when caught up in the excitement and confusion of a fire scene.

Bernard Dusher injured his hand while on a brush fire and had to go the hospital to have it repaired. Many firefighters suffered burns, cuts, bruises and sprains while on duty. Randall Dixon continued to serve while battling with terminal cancer.

One of the more serious injuries was suffered by Sue West, the treasurer, when she fell off of the back of the brush truck in 1980 while fighting a grass fire. She was busted up pretty badly and had to spend five days in the hospital.

Another time the fire dept was mobilized when the missile exploded in Damascus. Thankfully all that was required was to alert residents and point out escape routes. Most people gained a few extra gray hairs over that incident. Especially when we were alerted that the cloud of fuel vapors was heading our way. Mercifully the wind dissipated it.

After Drew resigned as chief, Bobby Bryant replaced him. Bobby served as chief until his untimely death in 2004. His casket was carried to the cemetery on the back of a fire truck, and there were fire trucks from several local departments in the procession. He was a credit to the department and will be sorely missed.

A few of the first volunteers are still active in the department. Norma Bryant received her 25 year service pin as a testament to her service. Norma not only continues as an EMT, but teaches classes on the subject.

Captain Bob Ike Rieske, Cleveland Fire Dept., in front of the first fire station built in 1976. He stands beside the first pumper, a 1941 Ford Hale 500 GPM pumper.

Cleveland’s latest addition, a 1995 Freightliner, 1250 GPM pumper, bought in November 2004.

Cleveland Dist. #6, new station that houses all the trucks.

This group of dedicated volunteers is responsible for saving many homes, barns and other buildings, as well as fighting brush fires, many of which threaten property, houses and even lives. Because of this brave group, the area residents and their property are much safer.

Current members are Rick Beck, Chris Bryant, Lynn Bryant, Norma Bryant (treasurer), Peggy Bryant (secretary), Joseph Conner, Curtis Conner (asst. chief), Terry Davidson (1st captain), Ed Hart, John Hart, Sherry Hart, Michelle Keith, Dennis Maxwell, Kenneth Meyer, Eddie Phillips, Becky Shipp, Tommy Stanley (chief), Charles Wilson (2nd captain), Darlena Wilson. Submitted by Rick West.

CLEVELAND FIRE DEPARTMENT DISTRICT #6

On September 3, 1976 the people of the Cleveland community met at the Methodist Church to discuss forming a fire department for the community. All were in agreement that this would be an added benefit for Cleveland. At this meeting the decision was made to organize the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department. At this time donations were taken to start the building of a station to house two fire trucks. Bob Ike and Betty Rieske leased enough land between their home place and the Cleveland Community building to erect the first fire department building.

The two bay 30’x35’ wooden station was built on a concrete slab. This station housed a 1941 Ford 500 gpm pumper and a 1967 Jeep brush truck. In 1981 the community, through donations and fund raisers, bought a 1956 International 750 gpm pumper for $8,000 from Long Green, Maryland. A third bay door was added to the station.

The following is a list of firemen that originally started when the department was organized: Chief Louis McNew, Captain Charlie Parham and Firemen: Tony Hofherr, A.O. Thompson, L.L. Halbrook, Ronnie Hendrick, Clell Stobaugh and Bob Ike Rieske.

At this time if someone had a fire and it was between 7 A.M. to 5 P.M., they would call the Cleveland Grocery to report it. A few years later some of the men in the department installed a siren that could be sounded from the store and this helped with the response time. After 5 P.M. one of the firemen was notified of a fire and his wife was responsible to call the other firemen.

After the 911 system was put into service all firemen received a pager or radio and got the call at the same time, making response time much quicker.

Back in the first days of the department when you had a bad battery or the truck was broken down someone had to go see the county judge to see if they had any spare batteries or parts at the county barn. Each department in the county was faced with this problem while trying to operate with old equipment.

Several years later the county had a survey taken and all fire districts were told they would have to have three water tankers and two pumpers per district. Cleveland started buying or getting tankers from the Arkansas Forestry Department. This caused a need for more housing for the added trucks. The department leased land from the Cleveland Baptist Church south of the old station to build an additional station. In 1992 and 1993 a 2 bay 40’x4O’ metal station was built to house the three additional trucks.

In December of 1996 the department received a $15,000 state matching grant and was able to purchase a 1974 International pumper. The 1941 Ford pumper was taken out of service at this time.

On August 22, 2000 the people of Conway passed a 1/4 cent sales tax for the rural fire departments. With this much needed money we have been able to make many improvements in our station and fire fighting equipment.

Knowing our old station was to small and beginning to deteriorate the department agreed to ask Betty Rieske if the old station was tom down if she would lease extra footage to build a larger building. She graciously did that for the department. In 2003 the old original station was torn down and a 4 bay 70’x40’ metal building was erected. This building was tied to the 40’x40’ giving us a total building of 110’x40’. Thanks to the Conway County voters.

One of the greatest benefits from the 1/4 cent sales tax, was that it enabled the department to buy a 1995 Freightliner 1250 gpm pumper.

As the new year of 2005 begins the department is working on lowering ISO ratings so that the community can reap the benefits of lower insurance premiums. The department now has 18 active firefighters with nine being first responders. The following is a list of the volunteer fire fighters and first responders for the Cleveland Community: Chief Ronny Campbell, Asst. Chief Harles Hoyle and Firefighters: Debbie Hoyle, Bob Beavers, Jimmy O’Neal, Rick Emerson, Tommy Nelson, Angela Bennett, Jimmy Jones, Lynn Bennett, William Bennet, David Hull, Vicki Hull, Alex Campbell, Bob Carr, Rusty Deckard, Wesley O’Neal, Karman O’Neal and Cindy O’Neal.

The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department now proudly houses seven trucks in our six bay station. They are as follows: 1990 Chevrolet Kopiak tanker, 1989 GMC