Showing posts with label Turner History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Turner History. Show all posts
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Whitley Township
This is the township wherein Turner community is located. The township was established between 1880 and 1890. It consists of a land area of 27 square miles and a population of 1109. Churches in Whitley Township are Revis Hill Assembly of God and Ozark Chapel. The reservoir is Donnahue Lake with creeks being those of Rock Creek, Sherman Creeks and the Little Mulberry Creek. People have been voting at the Graphic Community Building for years but the new polling place is at the Sheriff's Youth Ranch 2.5 miles southeast of the Graphic Store.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
"Rememberin"
Remember...
when no shoes for the summer time.
when walking to town 5 miles to see a picture show.
when playing thumbs up at parties.
when Annie Over was a game.
when ice cream was made with fresh milk and raw eggs.
when kids tried to suck eggs.
when persimmon sticks sharpened and persimmons were a weapon.
losing hide from above sport.
to get around was 2 legs, horse or a friend's jalopy.
when we knew everyone in the community and the names of their dogs.
when cap guns and dolls and clothes were Christmas.
coming to Turner Community for the pie supper and then the Christmas tree.
riding on Idus Watkins and Roland Pettengill buses.
eating wild cherries and mulberries.
how much fun we had growing up.
all the friends you have.
Remember.
when no shoes for the summer time.
when walking to town 5 miles to see a picture show.
when playing thumbs up at parties.
when Annie Over was a game.
when ice cream was made with fresh milk and raw eggs.
when kids tried to suck eggs.
when persimmon sticks sharpened and persimmons were a weapon.
losing hide from above sport.
to get around was 2 legs, horse or a friend's jalopy.
when we knew everyone in the community and the names of their dogs.
when cap guns and dolls and clothes were Christmas.
coming to Turner Community for the pie supper and then the Christmas tree.
riding on Idus Watkins and Roland Pettengill buses.
eating wild cherries and mulberries.
how much fun we had growing up.
all the friends you have.
Remember.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Rememberin
A man being raised down by Rock Creek was thinking back about what he could remember growing up. Some of his memories was Mag and Roe Escue, grandparents, sure did like them. Eartha Morse's sorghum cookies as a favorite food item and she took care to see I had some of these cookies.
I went to school at Mulberry and Mountainburg and had 4 brothers and 3 sisters.
Going to the cotton patch was a job and as a young boy along with his brothers worked hard and at night my momma would soak our hands in alcohol, so we would be able to hit the field the next morning. When I was 12 years old I went to work for Wilson Brewer working at his sawmill.
At the age of 17 I went to work at the canner. Retired at some 35 years, some time skipped by retied as a night shift manager. Purty good for an ole Turner boy. Huh?
I'm having some heart problems and the thing I miss doing the most is coon hunting. Oh, to hear the dogs treed and your heart races as you hurry to the tree and try to get the old coon out of the tree and see if the coon can whip the dogs and walk away. Fun! Fun! Fun!
The most scariest time in my life was grand-daughter was ran over by a 3/4 ton pickup. Granddaughter was taken to Children's and come out just fine. Someone was watching out for her I know.
I guess my most embarrassing time was as a youngster, people talked about how good the home brew at Olen Brooks' was, so I was determined to get me some out of the shop and sure nuff I got caught.
I can say one thing about me living here in our area. I enjoy the simple life, like sittin' on the front porch with my good friend Archie Reynolds and watch the world go by.
I am Laymon Parker.
I went to school at Mulberry and Mountainburg and had 4 brothers and 3 sisters.
Going to the cotton patch was a job and as a young boy along with his brothers worked hard and at night my momma would soak our hands in alcohol, so we would be able to hit the field the next morning. When I was 12 years old I went to work for Wilson Brewer working at his sawmill.
At the age of 17 I went to work at the canner. Retired at some 35 years, some time skipped by retied as a night shift manager. Purty good for an ole Turner boy. Huh?
I'm having some heart problems and the thing I miss doing the most is coon hunting. Oh, to hear the dogs treed and your heart races as you hurry to the tree and try to get the old coon out of the tree and see if the coon can whip the dogs and walk away. Fun! Fun! Fun!
The most scariest time in my life was grand-daughter was ran over by a 3/4 ton pickup. Granddaughter was taken to Children's and come out just fine. Someone was watching out for her I know.
I guess my most embarrassing time was as a youngster, people talked about how good the home brew at Olen Brooks' was, so I was determined to get me some out of the shop and sure nuff I got caught.
I can say one thing about me living here in our area. I enjoy the simple life, like sittin' on the front porch with my good friend Archie Reynolds and watch the world go by.
I am Laymon Parker.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Young Love by Amber Watkins
Young Love - this article was written by Amber Watkins for her College English class.
Argil and Virginia Watkins have what it takes to endure all the difficulties that arise during marriage. Marriage at the age of fourteen is very uncommon in our society, but somehow this man and this woman grew together to persevere through the struggles of life. My grandparents are very proud of their history together and are overjoyed to be able to share their story.
It was only by chance that my grandparents actually met. Argil was the driver of one of Virginia’s dates. Neither can recall why he ended up driving Virginia and her date to the movies that night. They met again one Saturday night at the Mulberry movie theater. No one expects to fall in love at fourteen; however, Virginia is living proof that love can and does happen quickly. She was a freshman in high school and Argil was a nineteen-year old boy. They dated for almost a complete year before deciding to elope.
Argil and Virginia had to overcome many adversities even before they were married. On February 4, 1957, Virginia prepared for school as usual, however, she did not actually go. Argil picked her up in Mulberry, along with another couple, to make the sixty mile road trip to Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Their plan was delayed when they had to come back to Fort Smith to have a blood test taken before they could be married. The courthouse had already closed by the time all the blood tests were complete. Argil and Virginia knew that her parents would have the police looking for the two of them, however, they decided to spend the night in Sallisaw.
Early the next morning, they hid-out on an old dirt road until the courthouse opened to avoid the cops. On the morning of February 5, 1957, Argil and Virginia were married in the living room of a local preacher. Next came the most difficult part: going home to face the families.
Before driving home, Virginia called home and found out her father, Amond, was at the Van Buren Police Station filing a report. She called the police station and they persuaded Argil and Virginia to come in. Once they arrived at the sheriff’s office, Argil was thrown in jail for taking a minor across the state line! Luckily, they rehearsed their answers the night before. Virginia told the sheriff, “I voluntarily walked across the bridge.” At this point, Amond took Virginia home, where she received a good whipping.
Argil was in jail for three hours before the sheriff finally released him. Amond was determined to have the marriage annulled since she was simply too young for marriage. The following evening, Argil came to see Virginia and Amond decided to let them “try” married life.
Married life was more than either of them expected. They were both young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Virginia adjusted easily to the physical duties of a wife as she had been cooking and cleaning for several years. However, Argil and Virginia quickly realized they were unprepared for the financial issues of life. Nothing came easy for the two, but they always made the best of what was available. Now, forty-six years, five children and six grandchildren later, they are able to look back on their life together and know they achieved the impossible.
They would never advise others to follow in their footsteps, however it will always be the appropriate decision for them. Argil and Virginia Watkins are firm believer in the motto, “Love conquers all.”
At the conclusion of my interview, I realized the only “secret” to marriage is a lifelong commitment of eternal love.
Argil and Virginia Watkins have what it takes to endure all the difficulties that arise during marriage. Marriage at the age of fourteen is very uncommon in our society, but somehow this man and this woman grew together to persevere through the struggles of life. My grandparents are very proud of their history together and are overjoyed to be able to share their story.
It was only by chance that my grandparents actually met. Argil was the driver of one of Virginia’s dates. Neither can recall why he ended up driving Virginia and her date to the movies that night. They met again one Saturday night at the Mulberry movie theater. No one expects to fall in love at fourteen; however, Virginia is living proof that love can and does happen quickly. She was a freshman in high school and Argil was a nineteen-year old boy. They dated for almost a complete year before deciding to elope.
Argil and Virginia had to overcome many adversities even before they were married. On February 4, 1957, Virginia prepared for school as usual, however, she did not actually go. Argil picked her up in Mulberry, along with another couple, to make the sixty mile road trip to Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Their plan was delayed when they had to come back to Fort Smith to have a blood test taken before they could be married. The courthouse had already closed by the time all the blood tests were complete. Argil and Virginia knew that her parents would have the police looking for the two of them, however, they decided to spend the night in Sallisaw.
Early the next morning, they hid-out on an old dirt road until the courthouse opened to avoid the cops. On the morning of February 5, 1957, Argil and Virginia were married in the living room of a local preacher. Next came the most difficult part: going home to face the families.
Before driving home, Virginia called home and found out her father, Amond, was at the Van Buren Police Station filing a report. She called the police station and they persuaded Argil and Virginia to come in. Once they arrived at the sheriff’s office, Argil was thrown in jail for taking a minor across the state line! Luckily, they rehearsed their answers the night before. Virginia told the sheriff, “I voluntarily walked across the bridge.” At this point, Amond took Virginia home, where she received a good whipping.
Argil was in jail for three hours before the sheriff finally released him. Amond was determined to have the marriage annulled since she was simply too young for marriage. The following evening, Argil came to see Virginia and Amond decided to let them “try” married life.
Married life was more than either of them expected. They were both young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Virginia adjusted easily to the physical duties of a wife as she had been cooking and cleaning for several years. However, Argil and Virginia quickly realized they were unprepared for the financial issues of life. Nothing came easy for the two, but they always made the best of what was available. Now, forty-six years, five children and six grandchildren later, they are able to look back on their life together and know they achieved the impossible.
They would never advise others to follow in their footsteps, however it will always be the appropriate decision for them. Argil and Virginia Watkins are firm believer in the motto, “Love conquers all.”
At the conclusion of my interview, I realized the only “secret” to marriage is a lifelong commitment of eternal love.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Remembering Daddy by Paul Easley
LIFE IN ARKANSAS 1966-1992 By Paul Easley
Daddy’s desire to live and minister in the Ozarks begin on Georgia Ridge near Dyer. One day he was carrying water from the spring and it dawned on him that this is what he had so long wanted--to live and raise his family in the country, to minister among the hill people and carry water from a spring. Then the scripture came to mind, “A man’s heart deviseth his way but the Lord directed his steps.” Proverbs 16:9. He was happy in his ministry.
(We have wondered why he had such a burning desire to live in the Ozarks. His granddad was born in the Ozarks and who knows what stories Granddad Easley might have told his little grandson Gordon of those hills and hollows in the Ozarks.)
As the door closed on Georgia Ridge, another one opened in the Turner Community. For many years we held services in the Old Turner School house. Then property was purchased and more years passed until the chapel of Daddy’s vision was finally built and dedicated!! Upon his retirement, he left an established church congregation, chapel and fellowship hall built and all debt-free.
Daddy’s love was unconditional, his passion for God and his word was complete and his sacrifice was total. He never seemed discouraged and he never complained about having to work to fulfill his ministry.
Daddy was faithful to God, his family and to others. God was faithful to Daddy as well. There were many years of financial sacrifices but God was still faithful.
Some of us call him Daddy, some call him Granddaddy while others call him Brother Easley but God calls him, “My good and faithful servant.”
Daddy is home now. He went to Heaven!
We want to follow him but we have an enemy, a roaring lion-the devil.
As God was faithful to daddy to help him, He will help us to be faithful too.
Brother Easley was a great man among men.
Daddy’s desire to live and minister in the Ozarks begin on Georgia Ridge near Dyer. One day he was carrying water from the spring and it dawned on him that this is what he had so long wanted--to live and raise his family in the country, to minister among the hill people and carry water from a spring. Then the scripture came to mind, “A man’s heart deviseth his way but the Lord directed his steps.” Proverbs 16:9. He was happy in his ministry.
(We have wondered why he had such a burning desire to live in the Ozarks. His granddad was born in the Ozarks and who knows what stories Granddad Easley might have told his little grandson Gordon of those hills and hollows in the Ozarks.)
As the door closed on Georgia Ridge, another one opened in the Turner Community. For many years we held services in the Old Turner School house. Then property was purchased and more years passed until the chapel of Daddy’s vision was finally built and dedicated!! Upon his retirement, he left an established church congregation, chapel and fellowship hall built and all debt-free.
Daddy’s love was unconditional, his passion for God and his word was complete and his sacrifice was total. He never seemed discouraged and he never complained about having to work to fulfill his ministry.
Daddy was faithful to God, his family and to others. God was faithful to Daddy as well. There were many years of financial sacrifices but God was still faithful.
Some of us call him Daddy, some call him Granddaddy while others call him Brother Easley but God calls him, “My good and faithful servant.”
Daddy is home now. He went to Heaven!
We want to follow him but we have an enemy, a roaring lion-the devil.
As God was faithful to daddy to help him, He will help us to be faithful too.
Brother Easley was a great man among men.
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