Earle Enterprise Obituaries Misc Loose Sheets

Obituaries from

The EARLE ENTERPRISE

(and other various articles)

From Miscellaneous Loose Sheets

Compiled by Debbie Yates

August-September 2003

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Earle Enterprise, Earle, Arkansas

C. I. Phelps, Editor

Ruth Phelps, Associate Editor

Mrs. Wrenn Phelps, Society

Published every Friday by Phelps Printing Company at Earle, Ark

December 29, 1933

EARLE FARMER DIES FROM BULLET WOUNDS

NELSON BURNETT, Deaf, Fails To Understand Command of Highwaymen

Shot through the abdomen by highwaymen whose commands he had failed to heed by reason of his deafness, Nelson Burnett, 32-year old farmer living near Earle, died at 9:30 o’clock Monday morning at Baptist hospital in Memphis.

His body was returned to Earle Monday afternoon. Funeral services were held Tuesday.

Burnett was accosted shortly before midnight Saturday by two youths as he was walking along the highway and failing to understand their commands was shot. He was found lying in the road 40 minutes later by James Rod and taken into Earle.

NEWS FROM THE 1907 EDITION

(The following obituary from March 1907 was brought to the Earle Enterprise office by Mrs. Tom Cloar Sr., daughter of Edgar Fullwood. The newspaper had been kept by her aunt, Mrs. Annie Blythe. The article was reprinted in the November 10, 1961 edition of the Earle Enterprise. It was signed, “A Friend”)

“One by one our friends pass away in the arms of the death angel. On the 7^th inst. At 10 o’clock A.M. death entered the home of ED FULLWOOD and took from its midst the husband and father. Ed was 33 years old and leaves his wife and two small children, two sisters, and a brother, and last but not least, a fond and loving mother and a host of friends. He died within two miles of where he was reared and was a good citizen full of energy. He was building a home, for himself and family, with the hope of enjoying it in after years with his wife and little ones, but alas – death came and fond hopes blighted. Weeping friends and tender hands laid his remains to rest in the church-yard at Gibson Bayou. He is gone but not forgotten.”

EVENING TIMES, WEST MEMPHIS, ARK.

Monday, May 4, 1987

MRS. HYACINTH HOOD

Mrs. HYACINTH BORTON HOOD of Earle died Friday at Crittenden Memorial Hospital.

Services will be at 1 p. m. today Earle Baptist Church. Burial will be in Crittenden Memorial Park with Citizens Funeral Home in charge.

Mrs. Hood, 82, widow of Clarence Hood and a long-time Earle resident, was born in Earle, Okla. She was a member of Earle Baptist Church.

She leaves six daughters, Mrs. Dora Jane Dupstaff of Ethel, Mrs. Harriett Bonds of Memphis, Mrs. Imogene Hawly of Sherwood, Mrs. Ginger Young of Vicksburg, Miss., and Mrs. Barbara Zapata of Portland, Ore.; three sons, Clarence R. Hood Jr. and Paul E. Hood, both of Earle, and Ronald Hood of Clarkedale, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family requests that any memorials be sent to the Earle Baptist Church.

Friday, January 2, 1942

PERSONALS

Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Holt were called to McKenzie, Tenn., this past week-end on account of the death of Mrs. Holt’s brother, Mr. CHARLIE MANLEY.

February 6, 1931

S. R. MONTCALM

FORMER EARLE MAN MEETS TRAGIC DEATH

S. R Montcalm, of Bonita, La., Struck by Train, Burial Gibson Bayou Cemetery

S. R. Montcalm, 85, of Bonita, La., met a tragic death last Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 3, when he was struck by a fast moving passenger train. Death was instantaneous.

Mr. Montcalm, whose hearing was impaired, had just left his home to walk up town, and as was his custom, he walked down the railroad right-of-way. He had just crossed a cattle guard when the train, traveling at a great speed, approached him from the rear, and despite the warning cries from his wife and several other witnesses he failed to hear the train in time to get out of its path.

Mr. Montcalm, who was of French parentage, was born at sea. He moved to Earle 40 years ago when this territory was almost a virgin forest, and lived here continually for 30 years, operating a blacksmith and wood working shop. He was a very successful business man, and through his kindness, fair dealings and cheerful disposition made hundreds of staunch friends in this community who were both shocked and grieved at his untimely passing. He was a Christian man, his faith being manifested by a wholesome respect for religious institutions and a profound reverence for his Lord.

Mr. Montcalm had been living in Bonita, La., for the past ten years and when he heard of the murder his friend and co-worker of former years, Mr. E. L. Byrn, which sad event occurred several weeks ago, he requested that he be buried beside him at Gibson Bayou Cemetery in this city when his days on earth were ended. The request is being granted and interment will be at Gibson Bayou.

Funeral services are incomplete as we go to press, awaiting the arrival of his eldest son, Rector, who is on his way here from New Jersey. The Enterprise joins a host of friends in offering heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

(Publication and Date Unknown, From Wilma Cloar scrapbook)

WALDRON SPEED MOORE

Waldron Speed Moore, 37, died in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Memphis, at 7 o’clock Friday evening, February 9. Waldron or “Dinty,” as he was better known to his friends, was a former Earle resident and attended Earle High School. He married Lillian Ingram of this city.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Memphis, and burial was in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis. At the time of his death, the deceased was in the real estate business.

‘DINTY’ MOORE, BUILDER, DIES

(most likely Memphis Press Scimitar)

STRICKEN WITH HEART ATTACK AFTER PNEUMONIA

With $10 in his pocket, W. S. Moore, known to hundreds of Memphians as “Dinty,” started in the real estate business. His sincerity, his reliability, his pluck, brought him success.

Pluckily, too, he fought the flu about a month ago, returned to work as head of W. S. Moore & Co., real estate firm, then contracted pneumonia. He was in St. Joseph’s Hospital and got well enough to return to his home on Novarese Wednesday.

At 6:30 p.m. yesterday he was stricken with a heart attack at his home. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

NATIVE TEXAN

Mr. Moore was 37. He was born in Houston, Texas, coming to Memphis as a boy. He graduated in 1921 from Christian Brothers College, where he held the tri-State lightweight boxing championship.

In 1931, when his father died, Mr. Moore “dug in” and worked hard to support his mother and sister. Finally, his business began to build up, and at his death was one of the best known dealers in the city.

Mr. Moore’s building business was mainly in small houses – and these he built soundly – in both the parts that show and the parts that don’t.

He was planning to build 24 houses this spring, with a large group of them to cost less than $3000. In the Press-Scimitar building page Tuesday were to be shown drawings by Polk Agee, architect, of two houses to built by Mr. Moore.

COUNTED FRIENDS FIRST

Mr. Moore was known as a man who counted his friends first and he would go to any amount of time and trouble to help any friend.

He was a leader in civic work. He was president of the Berclair Civic Club and the Young Democrats Club of his community at his death. He was to have been a registrar in his precinct for the coming congressional election. He was active in the Red Cross and traffic safety work.

He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, was a Catholic and a former National Guardsman. Interested in aviation, he was planning to buy an airplane this year.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Lillian Moore; his sister, Ruth Marie Moore, Memphis. Cosmopolitan Funeral Home has charge.

Funeral cortege will leave Cosmopolitan Funeral Home Monday morning at 9 o’clock for Blessed Sacrament Church, 2568 Hale, where mass will be said at 9:30 o’clock. Friends are invited. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery.

(Date not included, but most likely January 1936)

A TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARTHA R. MOSBY

EDITOR EARLE ENTERPRISE: Recently my attention was called to accounts in Memphis papers of the passing of MRS. MARTHA R. MOSBY of 1671 Poplar St., Memphis, and I deem it a privilege to be able to say a word in behalf of this most estimable woman, who was a daughter of one of the oldest pioneer families in Crittenden County.

I am sure that very few of our citizens knew of the fine old Kentucky gentleman, Benjamin F. Richards, who left his native state in 1838 and came with his family to Arkansas. He did not at first settle in Crittenden County, but resided for a while in Jacksonport. He then moved to Memphis where he lived a few years and from there he moved to a place on the Military road, west of Memphis.

He owned a farm where the old Bethel Church and cemetery is located near Crawfordsville. He moved to Earle in the 1840’s and owned and lived on the land where New Earle, or Novell is situated. His residence was the double log house which Mr. Bailor owned and had weatherboarded. It is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Matthews.

Mr. Richards’ family consisted of a wife, Sylbesta Fort Richards, and three daughters; Laura M., Louisa Burrows and Martha. Mr. Richards had to send his daughters away to school as educational advantages were very limited here at that time. Laura and Louisa attended Miss Young’s School for Girls in Memphis, and Martha was sent to Miss Sanders’ School for Girls on Crowley’s Ridge, near where Vanndale now is.

Just before the war between the States, a young doctor from Lynchburg, connected with the best families of Virginia and a graduate of Louisville Medical College, came to this country. He was Dr. William F. Norvell. War was soon declared and the Doctor joined Capt. Dedderick’s [Deadrick] company. After serving with Captain Dedderick [Deadrick] for awhile, he was sent home because there was no doctor to take his place. He afterwards married Mr. Richards’ daughter, Laura, and they owned and lived on a place near Mr. Richards.

The Norvells had five children, of whom only two are living. They are Mrs. W. B. Hazzard of Memphis, and Will Norvell, a citizen of Earle.

Miss Louisa Richards married Major Josiah F. Earle. They had two children, Louisa and Benjamin, and lived on their plantation in the southern part of the county. Martha married James Dixon Mosby. They had two daughters, Elizabeth Richards and Maria Loise, and a son, John Lewis Mosby, who now lives in Memphis. Mrs. Mosby was born April 17, 1848. All who knew her admired her excellent character and pleasing personality.

(signed) A Friend

Note: This article was included in the records of Mrs. Beulah Norvell. The date was not included, but it was noted that the article was written prior to the death of Will Norvell, September 13, 1937. Martha Richards Mosby died in Shelby County, TN on January 25, 1936. She was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.

June, 1908

Norvell – At residence, No. 2075 Union Avenue, Saturday morning, June 20, 1908, at 10:45 o’clock, Mrs. LAURA RICHARDS NORVELL, aged 67 years, mother of Miss Beulah, Gaston O., Ben R., and William R. Novell.

Remains will be taken to Crawfordsville, Ark., this (Sunday) morning via. 9:15 o’clock Iron Mountain train, for interment.

From records of Beulah Norvell (publication and date unknown)

It was noted in the records that Ben Richard, Sr. died in Little Rock, March 8, 1914

May 12, 1911

G. O. NORVELL

G. O. NORVELL, one of the oldest and best known citizens in this community, died at his home in New Earle sometime last Sunday or Monday morning. His death was sudden and unexpected, and was supposed to have been caused from inhaling too much chloroform. The deceased had been a sufferer from asthma for a number of years, and lately had become accustomed to the use of chloroform to find relief.

Monday morning he was found kneeling by his bedside with his face buried in his hands which contained a handkerchief that had been saturated with the drug. There is no doubt but what his death was purely accidental.

The deceased leaves two brothers, Ben and Will Norvell of this city, and a sister, Miss Beulah Norvell of Memphis, to mourn his death. The remains were interred at the burying ground near Crawfordsville Tuesday and were accompanied from this city by a large number of friends.

FOUND DEAD IN ROOM (From records of Beulah Norvell)

OTIE NORVELL PROBABLY VICTIM OF ATTACK OF ASTHMA

Earle, Ark., May 8, 1911

The friends of OTIE NORVELL were shocked this morning when it was reported that he was found dead in his room at an early hour today. A Negro servant as usual went to the Novell home this morning, about 5:30 o’clock and discovered the above facts and reported them to neighbors.

Mr. Norvell had been suffering for several years with attacks of asthma and it is thought that the took one of those attacks early in the night, which proved fatal.

Mr. Norvell was a member of one of the oldest families of the county. He leaves two brothers and a sister, Will, Ben and Miss Beulah. His brothers have been living with him in Earle and his sister lives in Memphis.

The remains will be buried near Crawfordsville tomorrow morning at Bethel Cemetery.

September 17, 1937 (From records of Beulah Norvell)

PIONEER LOSES FIGHT AGAINST GRIM REAPER

WILL NORVELL, DESCENDANT OF TWO PIONEER EAST ARKANSAS FAMILIES, BURIED TUESDAY

Mr. WILL NORVELL, one of Earle’s old citizens, and a descendant of two of the pioneer families of Arkansas, passed away Monday, September 13, at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis after a lingering illness of several months.

His maternal grandfather, Benjamin Richards, came to this county in the early 50’s. He owned a plantation on and around the site of New Earle or Norvell. His father, Dr. Novell, came from Virginia and located here at the beginning of the Civil War. Will had no enemies and his friends regret his passing.

He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Ethel Norvell, and one sister, Mrs. W. B. Hazard, or Memphis.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Holt’s Funeral Home and was conducted by Rev. G. C. Johnson. Burial was in Crawfordsville.

Friday, May 16, 1919

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE TO PAY DEBTS OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, as administrator of the estate of J. B. PRIBBLE, deceased, will be on the 19^thday of May, 1919, at the front door of the Court House in the town of Marion, Crittenden County, Arkansas, offer for sale at public auction to the highest bidder, upon a credit of six months, the following lands belonging to said estate, being and lying in the county of Cross and state of Arkansas, to-wit; The east half (1/2) of the northeast quarter (1/4) of Section Thirty- Six (36), Township Eight north, Range Five eat, containing eighty acres, more of less, for the purpose of paying the debts of said estate.

Purchaser at said sale will be required to give note with approved security for purchase price of said land. Dated this 23^rd day of April, 1919. H. BLAIR, Administrator

February 11, 1938

SHOTGUN IS USED AS SUICIDE WEAPON

(From Wilma Cloar Scrapbook, Ferdinand C. Seboly died Tuesday, February 8, 1938, Crittenden County, AR)

BECAUSE OF ILLNESS FERDINAND SEBOLY ENDS LIFE AT HIS HOME NEAR EARLE

FERDINAND SEBOLY, JR., 24, who lived with his parents north of Earle, ended his life Tuesday, using a shotgun to almost completely blow his head away. The deceased had been in ill health for more than a year, suffering intense agony at times, which prompted his self destruction.

Funeral services were conducted in the Holt Funeral Home here by Rev. Hughey, pastor of the Earle Methodist church. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Memphis, Wednesday, with Holt and Son, local undertakers in charge of arrangements.

November 6, 1925

AN OLD PIONEER CITIZEN PASSES OVER THE RIVER

The death of DR. JAMES CHAMBERLAIN THROGMORTON, which sad event occurred last Sunday evening about 7:30 o’clock, marks the passing away of one of Crittenden County’s oldest, most respected and loved citizens. Besides the friends, whose number in Eastern Arkansas are legion, he left the following members of his immediate family to mourn his loss: Mary Elizabeth Throgmorton, his wife; three daughters, Mrs. C. M. Patterson, Mrs. C. E. Matthews, Mrs. B. R. Novell; three sons, Clifford, W. E. and C. S. Throgmorton.

Dr. Throgmorton was born in Clifton, Tenn., August 30, 1841 and died at the age of 84 years. In 1873 he married Miss Elizabeth Pickett.

Owing to the lapse of years and the modesty of Dr. Throgmorton, the facts pertaining to his early life are meager. It is known however that he received a diploma at a medical college in the state of Illinois, that he served as a soldier with distinction for three years in the Civil War.

We have before us an article written by the Doctor for the Historical Record of Crittenden County in 1919 from which we take the following:

“But even now at my present age, which is 78 years, many events long past and gone are yet fresh in the fading folds of my memory. Forty-seven years on the upper deck of an Arkansas pony, armed with a pill bag, battling not only against disease, but buffalo gnats and mosquitoes, trudging through mud and slush both day and night, often plunging my horse through dense forest, swimming rivers and lakes to alleviate suffering humanity, has given me an advantage of observing many things that I couldn’t otherwise have seen. This was so discouraging to me that had it not been for the unbounded hospitalities of the Tyronza people, I no double would have abandoned my outfit and struck for parts unknown.”

The doctor engaged in the practice of medicine until the last few years.

Dr. Throgmorton was known far and wide for his unselfishness, for his devotion to his family, his loyalty to his friends and love for his fellow-man, his interest in humanity and the improvement of society. He was a man of large vision, a keen insight, of broad and liberal views; he was a man of large intellectual powers, sound judgment, a close observer, and original thinker, and possessed an unusual faculty of getting at the heart of any subject in which he became interested.

In Freemasonry, the Doctor was a great and shining light. It is our understanding that he was a charger member of the Masonic Lodges at Wynne, Crawfordsville and Earle. He had a sublime faith in teachings of the fraternity and succeeded as few men do in living up to its high and noble tenets of Freemasonry.

After a brief service at the Throgmorton home Tuesday evening the remains were taken in charge by the Masonic Lodge. The interment was at the Gibson Bayou Cemetery.

Many prominent Masons from Marion, Crawfordsville and Wynne attended the funeral and assisted in the burial ceremony.

This Earle Enterprise article was included in the records of Mrs. Beulah Norvell. Dr. Throgmorton died November 1, 1925, and was buried November 3, 1925 (There is no marker at Gibson Bayou)

April 21, 1939 (From Wilma Cloar scrapbook; Died April 20, 1939 Crittenden County)

EARLE MAN ELECTROCUTED WORKING ON POWER LINE

The many friends of RAYMOND HENRY VERNON, 27, were shocked to hear of his accidental death at Marion yesterday afternoon at 2:40 o’clock. He was a service for the Arkansas Power and Light Co., at Marion, and was electrocuted while repairing a service line at the Fogleman gin at that city.

According to reports, Mrs. Vernon was standing on the roof of a tin shed of the gin disconnecting the wires when he accidentally touched a live wire. He was taken in a Citizens Funeral Home ambulance to Baptist Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

T. O. Fletcher, manager of the Marion Division of the power company, was on the ground near the gin when the accident occurred, but did not see it. Company officials said they did not understand how Mr. Vernon caught the wire. They said the line carried 6900 volts.

Raymond was a former student of Earle High School and a member of the Earle Baptist Church. He formerly worked for the light company here and was held in high esteem by friends throughout the county. Funeral arrangements were not complete last night.

Mr. Vernon leaves his wife, Mrs. Ailene Vernon, a daughter, Ramona, and a son, Raymond Derrill, his parents, Mr. And Mrs. H. I. Vernon; two brothers, Boone and Sam Vernon, and two sisters, Miss Rheba Vernon and Miss Joyce Vernon, all of Earle.

July 31, 1959

SERVICES FOR DR. H. S. WATSON HELD FRIDAY

(contributed by Mrs. Mamie Girdner Watson)

Services for DR. HERBERT SHIRLEY WATSON were held Friday morning, July 31^st, at National Funeral Home in Memphis with Rev. Harold Wilson, pastor of the Earle Methodist Church officiating. He was 67.

Dr. Watson, veteran and Captain of World War I, died Wednesday, July 29^th at Kennedy Hospital. He had been ill for several months. He was born in Choctaw County, Miss., where he spent his early childhood. He chose the field of medicine for his career and graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine and did intern work at the Baptist Hospital at Memphis.

He came to Earle in 1916 and opened his office in the rear of the old Crittenden Drug Store, which was owned and operated by Charley Phelps and his brother, the late Wrenn Phelps, Sr. Some years later he became associated with the late Dr. W. P. Hicks of Earle and they opened a clinic and hospital in the Enterprise building.

Dr. Watson was a skilled surgeon and physician and the late Dr. Eugene Johnson a prominent surgeon of Memphis said of him, “he was one of the most promising young surgeons of the South.” After 30 years of practicing medicine he retired to farming and cotton gin interests in which he was engaged at the time of his death.

Dr. Watson was a member of the Arkansas Medical Society, the Crittenden County Medical Society and the Association of American Railway Surgeons. He was also a 32^nd degree Mason, and a member of the Baptist Church. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Mamie Girdner Watson, and two sons, Herbert and George of Earle; his mother, Mrs. G. W. Watson of Weir, Miss.; two brothers, A. B. Watson, of Weir, and B. K. Watson of Marion, La., and a sister, Mrs. T. T. Hinson of Weir.

Pallbearers were, Hassell McCain, Bob Harris, Percy Magness, Lewis Walker, Tommy Thomason, Joe Wilson, Reg Wallin and Bill Hodge. [Note: Burial in Crittenden Memorial Park, Section 2]

December 1, 1943

(8:30 a.m. Billy Rogers, Eye Witness – Article donated by James Terry of Earle)

TWO ARMY FLIERS KILLED IN PLANE CRASH NEAR HERE

Many Earle Citizens viewed their first airplane tragedy Tuesday morning when a small Army training plane crashed on the farm of L. L. Barham, about a half mile west of the high school building, killing two Army fliers.

The crash was witnessed by a number of high school students and also by several cotton pickers in nearby fields.

According to reports, the plane had flown over Earle for about five minutes at a very low altitude with apparent engine trouble, when suddenly it went into a nose dive. The plane was badly wrecked but did not burn. The fliers were from the Newport Air Field, 60 miles away.

The Newport Air School public relations department listed the victims as PLEASANTS WHITE, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elcon O. White of Scottsville, Va., and KEITH E. WILLIS, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Freaman A. Willis, Detroit.

Residents of Earle who watched the plane as it soared over the city first thought the fliers were stunting as their ship rose and dived erratically. It crashed in a nose dive.

Martin Klindworth, who owns a farm adjoining the Barham farm, also witnessed the crash, and telephoned Army Air Force officials at Memphis, who dispatched a detachment of Military Police officers to take charge of the wreckage.

November 10, 1961

NEWS FROM THE 1907 EDITION

A publication of the Earle newspaper dated [March] 1907 was brought to the Enterprise office by Mrs. Tom Cloar Sr. The paper had been kept by her aunt, Mrs. Annie Blythe. The following was reprinted from the 54 year old issue.

Among the names listed in the Muster Roll of Company H, First Regiment Arkansas State Guard, organized in Crawfordsville Jan. 1907 were, Capt. PIERRE SWEPSTON, First Lt. DANIEL BOONE; Privates, DICK HUXTABLE, GEORGE DONNAHOE, F. C. DONNAHOE, ROLLO MILLER, J. P. MILAM, W. A. RICHARDS, G. T. COTHAM and J. L. DONNAHOE.

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