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Helen Pennington Special to the Times-News
This Saturday at 10:00, the
Desha County Historical Soci- ety and the County of Desha will co-sponsor a commemo- ration of the county’s 175th anniversary on the courthouse grounds in Arkansas City. County Judge Roy Rogers will serve as Master of Cer- emonies. Robert Moore, for- mer Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and current Highway Commis- sioner along with Carolyne Blissett, Mayor of Arkansas City will welcome guests which will include Mayor of McGehee, Jack May; May- or of Dumas, James Berry; Mayor of Watson, Fred Be- atty; Mayor of Mitchellville, Bobbie Norman, and Mayor of Reed, Tommy Smith. Other politicians and dignitaries are also expected. The founding of Desha County will be sum- marized by members of the historical society, Helen Pen- nington and Judge Gibbs Fer- guson.
Arkansas had only been a
state two years when an outcry from residents along the south end of the Arkansas River and east of the White River petitioned the Second Arkan- sas General Assembly for a new county. At the time, the area that would become De- sha County was primarily in Arkansas County. The county seat was located at Arkansas Post located on the north side of the Arkansas River about 15 miles from the old mouth of the Arkansas River where the port City of Napoleon
Desha County Courthouse
Dignitaries and county leaders gathered in Arkansas City Satur- day to celebrate the 175th anniver- sary of Desha County. Despite the cold, wintry weather, Saturday morning’s planned events went ahead as scheduled. County Judge Roy Rodgers served as mas- ter of ceremonies and featured speakers included local historian and District Judge Gibbs Ferguson who provided an oral history of the county and its beginnings as well as president of the Desha County Historical Society Helen Penning- ton.
Former Speaker of the Arkansas
House of Representatives, now a Highway Commissioner, Robert Moore, Jr. also addressed Satur- day’s crowd. The Arkansas City native spoke on the importance of preserving local history and its im- pact on future generations. Boy Scout Troop 42 from McGe-
The Desha County Courthouse Annex grounds will be the site for the county’s 175th anniversary cel- ebration this Saturday.
Desha County celebrates 175 years For County Lines
McGehee Dermont Times-News
hee served as color guard for Sat- urday’s event and McGehee High School alum and UAM Homecom- ing Queen Kiara Newhouse per- formed for the crowd. For more information on the county’s history, Desha County Historical Society publications are available at the Desha County Museum and Ferguson Law offi ce, or visit
deshacountyhistorical.org. The Historical Society has pub- lished a special edition honoring the county’s 175th anniversary.
Dignitaries and county leaders gathered in Arkansas City Dec. 7 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Desha County. Despite the cold and wintry weather the state experienced in
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION. 2 NEWS. 3 VIEWPOINT. 4
Ben Desha (Photo courtesy Arkansas History Commission)
once prospered along the Mis- sissippi River. Roads at the time were probably little more than Indian trails across the swampy wilderness, bridges across the many creeks and bayous were non-existent and
there were only a few, unreli- able ferryboats. To conduct county business, one must go by steamboat and then by smaller boat when the river was low from Napoleon and other settlements along the
Desha County celebrated its 175th birthday with a ceremony and birthday cake Saturday.
OBITS & SOCIETY. 5 RELIGION. 6
WEEKLY NEWSLINE
Santa Train, parades roll into town next Saturday
December’s most popular
man, Santa Claus, will make his way to McGehee and Dermott soon.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will roll
into town on the Arkansas Mid- land Railroad’s Santa Train next Saturday, December 14th. The visit will make the eighth year Santa has come to town on the train. The Santa Train will make its
fi rst stop in Dermott at 2:00p.m. downtown on Iowa Street. The Dermott Chamber of Com- merce Christmas Parade will held prior to the train’s arrival at 11:00a.m. The theme for this year’s Dermott Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will be “Rebuilding Our Com- munity in the Christmas Spirit.” The Santa Train will then make its way to the McGehee Rail- road Depot at 3:00p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will distribute toys to local boys and girls at their stops. First National Bank and Mc-
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION. 2 NEWS. 3 VIEWPOINT. 4
residents along the south end of the Arkansas River and east of the White River petitioned the Second Arkansas General Assembly for a new county. At the time, the area that would become Desha County was primarily in Arkansas County. Te county seat was located at Arkansas Post located on the north side of the Arkansas River about 15 miles from the old mouth of the Arkansas River where the port City of Napoleon once prospered along the Missis- sippi River. Roads at the time were probably little more than In- dian trails across the swampy wilderness, bridges across the many creeks and bayous were non-existent and there were only a few, unreliable ferryboats. To conduct county business, one had to go by steamboat and then by smaller boat when the river was low from Napoleon and other settlements along the Mississippi River to reach Arkansas Post. Tis was burdensome. Te petitioners also objected to the area’s lawlessness and isola- tion. Te new county would be called “Desha” in honor of Captain
Gehee Bank will hold prize drawings in McGehee begin- ning around 4:00 and refresh- ments will be provided by local sponsors. Prizes will include two 8-inch Nextbook tablets from First National, and ride toys and bicycles from McGe- hee Bank. Arkansas Midland will hold a drawing for an elec- tric train set at 3:30. The afternoon of activities
will culminate with the annual McGehee Chamber of Com- merce Christmas Parade in downtown McGehee begin-
on the Santa Train or to donate funds, toys, or time, please con- tact Stephanie Johnson with Arkansas Midland Railroad at 501-844-4444. For more in- formation on the McGehee pa- rade, contact Michelle Shinn at 870-222-8360. For more infor- mation on the Dermott Parade, contact the Tomeka Boatner- Cheeter at 870-300-9391.
OBITS & SOCIETY. 5 RELIGION. 6
WEEKLY NEWSLINE
CLASSIFIEDS & LEGALS. 7 NEWS. 8
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early December planned events went ahead as scheduled for Desha County’s 175th birthday celebration. County Judge Roy Rodgers served as master of ceremonies and featured speakers included lo- cal historian and District Judge Gibbs Ferguson who provided an oral history of the county and its beginnings as well as president of the Desha County Historical Society Helen Pennington. Former Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, now a Highway Commissioner, Robert Moore, Jr. also addressed the crowd. Te Arkansas City native spoke on the importance of preserving local history and its impact on future generations. Boy Scout Troop 42 from McGehee served as color guard for
Saturday’s event and McGehee High School alum and UAM Homecoming Queen Kiara Newhouse performed for the crowd. For more information on the county’s history, Desha County His- torical Society publications are available at the Desha County Mu- seum and Ferguson Law office, or visit
deshacountyhistorical.org. Te start of a new county Arkansas had only been a state two years when an outcry from
ning at 5:30 that evening. The theme for this year’s parade will be “McGehee’s Snowball Ex- press.” For additional information
Desha County’s original borders are pictured above in solid lines. Its current border in broken lines.
Mississippi River to reach Arkansas Post. This was bur- densome. The petitioners also objected to the area’s lawless- ness and isolation. The new county would be called “Desha” in honor of
Bob Lucky (right), owner of Lucky Chevrolet of McGehee, recently presented a 2008 Chevrolet Tra- verse to the UAM College of Technology-McGehee to be used by the school’s automotive technology program. Lucky is a member of the automotive technology advisory board. Also pictured (from left) are Kenneth Curtsinger, instructor of automotive technology, Sharon Cantrell, assistant vice chancellor, and Bob Ware, vice chancellor of the McGehee campus.
Weekend Weather
Fri., 80% rain/freezing rain. High 37, Low 24. Sat., 30% PM wintry mix. High 34, Low 29. Sun., 60% mix. High 36, Low 27.
the area and the timber company has agreed never to disturb the area around the gravestones in the future.
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COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2014
Benjamin Desha who was appointed in 1822 by President Monroe to be “the keeper of public money” in the new Arkansas Terri- tory. Steven Van Ryan, a very prominent merchant and warehouse owner at Napoleon, was elected to the Second General Assembly. He and others pushing for the creation of the county were obvi- ously shrewd and influential for they managed to carve all the area bordering the Mississippi River from Arkansas County. Te shape of the first Desha County looked differently than in 1838, due to two boundary changes over the years. Te southern and eastern boundary stopped near Napoleon and extended almost due west to several miles west of the current town of Star City Te area east of the White River which is Mississippi Township had already established several river landings and William Montgomery had a very prosperous warehouse and trade center at the mouth of the White River. Rivers were the superhighways at the time and all vessels going up the Arkansas River went through the mouth of the Arkansas River at Napoleon or the White River Landing. (After the McClellan Kerr Navigation System with its locks and dams was completed, all Arkansas River traffic begins near what was once White River Landing.) Te new act established that the new Desha County would meet the second Monday in March 1839 at the home of William Sex- ton at Wellington Plantation or Wellington Landing to elect the first county officers. New officers were elected, but court was never held at this location which was recently re-discovered by brothers Oscar and Gary Peppers of the Watson Hunting Club. Tey ac- cidently discovered a small corner of William Sexton’s monument while squirrel hunting near the Arkansas River. Approximately 50 years ago the timber company that owned the land on the “river side of the levee” had harvested the hardwood timber. Te monu- ment and gravestones were all pushed together with equipment and buried in the debris. A hackberry tree was growing atop the mound of gravestones. Oscar and Gary Peppers were curious that a chunk of marble would be in the wilderness and dug out the monument. Dr. John House of the Arkansas Archeology Survey has surveyed
Captain Benjamin Desha who was appointed in 1822 by President Monroe to be “the keeper of public money” in the new Arkansas Territory. Ste- ven Van Ryan, a very promi- nent merchant and warehouse owner at Napoleon, was elect- ed to the Second General As- sembly. He and others pushing for the creation of the county were obviously shrewd and infl uential for they managed to carve all the area bordering the Mississippi River from Ar- kansas County. The shape of the fi rst Desha County looked differently than in 1838, due to two boundary changes over the years. The southern and eastern boundary stopped near Napoleon and extended almost due west to several miles west of the current town of Star City The area east of the White River which is Mis- sissippi Township had already established several river land- ings and William Montgom- ery had a very prosperous warehouse and trade center at the mouth of the White River. Rivers were the superhigh- ways at the time and all ves- sels going up the Arkansas River went through the mouth of the Arkansas River at Na- poleon or the White River Landing. (After the McClellan Kerr Navigation System with its locks and dams was com- pleted, all Arkansas River traf- fi c begins near what was once White River Landing.) The new act established that
the new Desha County would meet the second Monday in March 1839 at the home of William Sexton at Welling- ton Plantation or Wellington Landing to elect the fi rst coun-
CLASSIFIEDS & LEGALS. 7 NEWS. 8
ty offi cers. New offi cers were elected, but court was never held at this location which was recently re-discovered by brothers Oscar and Gary Pep- pers of the Watson Hunting Club. They accidently discov- ered a small corner William Sexton’s monument while squirrel hunting near the Ar- kansas River. Approximately fi fty years ago the timber company that owned the land on the “river side of the levee” had harvested the hardwood timber. The monument and gravestones were all pushed together with equipment and buried in the debris. A hack- berry tree was growing atop the mound of gravestones. Oscar and Gary Peppers were curious that a chunk of marble would be in the wilderness and dug out the monument. Dr. John House of the Arkan- sas Archeology Survey has surveyed the area and the tim- ber company has agreed never to disturb the area around the gravestones in the future. Since 1974, the Desha County Historical Society has been recording the county’s history in their publications. Their goal has been to gather recollections before they’re forever lost, as have been most of the gravesites of early Desha County settlers. Their available publications will be for sale at the 175th Anniver- sary Commemoration. All are invited to the 175th Anniver- sary Commemoration of these early settlers and all those that came after them. Refresh- ments will be served. In the event of rain, ceremonies will be moved inside the Desha County Courthouse Annex.
cil held a special meeting recently. Councilor Charles Hargraves made a motion for city employees and elected offi cials to receive a one-time raise of $1,000 plus taxes. Mayor Gray stated there are several factors when consid- ering raises, including con- sidering that there are cur-
Weekend Weather
Fri., showers. High 47, Low 41. Sat., showers. High 52, Low 31. Sun., partly cloudy. High 44, Low 28.
County anniversary set for Saturday
AAC F A M I L Y & F R I E N D S » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » Desha celebrates 175th birthday
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McGehee city workers were busy decorating downtown last week in preparation for this Saturday’s annual Christmas Parade and Santa Train. After the Dermott Parade at 11:00, the train will make a stop in Dermott at 2:00, then roll into McGehee at 3:00p.m. An afternoon of refreshments and prize drawings will begin once Santa arrives. The McGehee Parade will kick off at 5:30 and will feature the Arkansas National Guard horseback color guard, UAM Homecoming Queen Kiara Newhouse as Grand Marshall, and a number of fl oats.
The Desha County Se-
nior Center, located in Mc- Gehee, received a check for $5,263.16 from the State of Arkansas 2013 General Im- provement fund. The check was presented by area legis- lators yesterday in Lake Vil- lage. General improvement funds are designated for ex- penses related to the operation of a senior center where other funding is not available. The Area Agency on Ag-
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As an extra incentive, Lucky Chevrolet will donate a smoked chicken to the fi rst 50 donors. Lucky Chevrolet will also do- nate 50 frozen whole chickens to the McGehee Food Pantry to be distributed to local families in need during the holiday season.
According to the American Red Cross, blood supplies are
fragile during the holiday season. To donate blood, you must be 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be in gen- eral good health and not have taken aspirin within 48 hours.
Senior Center receives grant funds
ing of Southeast Arkansas is a non-profi t agency that pro- vides programs and services to assist the needs of the com- munity. The Senior Center is one of these services. Mon- day through Friday many se- niors from the area gather at the local center to enjoy a day full of fun, food and activities. A person’s health and social life are tied intimately to what
SEE SENIOR CENTER PAGE 3
Dermott approves employee raise
Tammy Culverhouse Times-News Staff
The Dermott City Coun-
rently 23 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees, a potential lawsuit against the city, and the cost of rebuild- ing the fi re department. City Accountant Mark Ply advised the fi nancials through October show losses that will not sus- tain the proposed amount. Previous one-time raises,
the fact that there have been no employee raises for three
SEE DERMOTT PAGE 3
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