From the WPA Federal Writers Project - answers to Questionnaire - Arkansas HRS Form J

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Early Settlers Personal History

1.  Anna E . Boles
2.  612 South Glenwood St.
3.  Retired
4.  Housewife
5.  September 27, 1861
6.  Gadsden, Tenn.
7.  C. M. Williamson, December 18, 1881, Russellville, Ark.
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10. 64 years
11. We came to Arkansas by wagon from Gadsden, Tenn. on our way to locate in Yell Co., Arkansas, and the nearest route was through Memphis, Tenn., but we couldn’t go through there as had a big yellow fever epidemic.  So we came through southeast Missouri and crossed the Mississippi River by boat at Della Plains.  I was 18 years old at that time.  We came on by wagon to Pope County and then on to Yell County to locate but decided to locate in Russellville, Pope Co., Ark.
12. We came to Arkansas to seek prosperity and have lived here ever since.
13. Our early home was built of logs, had three rooms and a hall between in middle of house. The chimney was built of rock, and we had a large well at the side.
14. We used candles poured at home, later we used oil.
15. Never used electricity in our community.
16. Wood
17. We had hog meat, had fish, and game was plentiful but was not depended on for meat supply – Also had ducks and rabbits.
18. The clothes worn in early days were home spun, made from cotton and wool.  I  made my own rolls to spin thread and wove and made all my own clothes.
19. “Shivaree” was frequent in our community.
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21. We would kill beef and hogs and pass it around.  The neighbors would do the same in time of need.
22.The early cultivated crops were cotton, corn, wheat and oates.  The domesticated animals were horses, cows and hogs.
23.The early farm implements were turning plough, harrow, bull tongue and Georgia Stock.  The stocks were home made.
24.The Early industries were Farming and Strawberry growing.
25.We used poke salad, sassafras root and some paw-paws.  For dying purposes, we used sumac berries, walnut, hickory and elm bark.
26.We had log rolling and quilting bees the same day and had all kinds of good food to eat. We also had brush arbor meetings and play parties, snap, cross questions and crooked answers.
27. We combated forest fires with wet sacks, and for building fires, we had bucket brigade.
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29. We crossed river on steam ferry and boat landing was at Della Plains.  We also had boat landing at Dardanelle on the Arkansas River and crossed there on a flat boat.
30. My first school was known as Emerson School House.  It was a log house.  The school grew so, they enlarged it, was weather board, and at the end of the log building, there was a large fire place made of brick.
31.The location of the school was in the country near Gadston, Tenn.
32. My teacher was Mrs. Bob Sewell.
33. The funds were provided by tuition.  My father paid $1.50 per mo.
34. The school books used were: Blue Back Speller, McGuffy’s Reader and Dictionary.
35. We had few magazines but always took Commercial Appeal, Memphis paper, oldest in the South.
36.The first telegraph station was at Bell’s Station 4 miles from Gadston, Tenn.
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38.The first auto I ever saw was a home made one built here in Russellville by a Mr. Saverman.  This was about 1906.
39.The first train I ever saw was in West Tennessee, between Gadston and Bell’s Station about 1869.  It was painted blue, and we placed pins on the track before it approached.
40. The first airplane was seen in Russellville, Ark. About 1919.
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49.I had two uncles in Civil War, one on the North and the other on the South.  Both were killed during the war.  My grandfather was killed by a Federal officer, because he was trying to keep one of his sons from going to war, as he was not old enough to enter.  My father was conscripted into the Army.
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52.The Ku Klux Klan came to our home and inquired about some people.  They were on big grey horses, with fancy bridles.  They wore white robes and were always excited.  They passed our house real often.
53. Have belonged to Cumberland Presbyterian Church all my life, also Ladies’ Aid Society and Missionary Society.
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57. The total number of descendants is twenty-six.
58. Sons and Daughters are: Dalton Williamson, Chicago, Ill., Bob Williamson, California, Floyd Williamson, Florida, Roger Williamson, Kentucky, Wood and Clyde Williamson of Russellville.  Mrs. Everette Smith, Plainview, Ark., Mrs. Garland Nickles, Ozark, Ark., Mrs. J. H. A. Baker, Russellville, Ark.
59. Grandchildren:  Paul Williamson, Texarkana, Ark., Mrs. Jack Graham, Paris, Ark., Little Miss Norma Ann Williamson, Pensocola, Fla., Margret Ann Williamson, Covina, California.  Great Grandchild: Kenneth Graham

Transcribed by Dustin Roten, Class of 2012