Clay County Courier Narratives 1900 - 1931

Submitted by Danny Moore

1900
Rev. Cunningham baptized seven converts of the Baptist Church last Sunday afternoon (February) at the lake in the South part of town. Nearly every inhabitant of Corning was present and witnessed the Baptizing.
Wm. M. Selph has opened his candy works next door to his office. 
There is only one case of Smallpox in Corning. All reports to the contrary not withstanding.
Wesley Lovins, baker at Harbs bakery got outside of a jag last Sunday, and started to paint the town when he ran against a "bad man from Bitter Creek" who welded a hammer with the telling effect on Lovin's; cranium. 
If there is a society in Corning that has anything to do with objects of charity, an extreme case can be found in the St. James Hotel, in the person of a woman (pauper) helplessly ill with consumption, who needs charitable attention. Mr. Matthews says he has done all he can and others should help a little. The woman has been in bed there for several weeks.
On account of smallpox at Moark. it has. been decided by the Election Commissioners that the voting place for Cleveland township be changed from Moark to H. H. Williams' store for the primary on April 7.
Mr. and Mrs. E. V. Sheeks are receiving the congratulations of their numerous friends upon the arrival of a fine boy who made his appearance at the Sheeks home in this city. Wednesday morning.
The municipal election passed off quietly in this city last Tuesday, and as there was only one ticket in the field. a very light vote was polled. E. L. Black who was unanimously nominated, was elected in the same way, as were also the other gentlemen on the ticket, not a dissenting vote among the 49 votes being cast. The officers being elected are: E. L. Black, mayor; S. P. Lindsey. recorder and J. N. Martin, W. R. Brown, E. A. Kelley, U. S. Wells and J. G. Rinker. aldermen.
Rev. J. R. Catt of near Thurman reports a Quaker revival progressing at the Richwoods church west of town. The meeting, which began a week, ago, is a very successful revival and is being conducted by Revs. Rush and Lewis, noted Quaker ministers of Northeast Indiana assisted by Rev. Catt and others.
H. L. Harmon and family of Olney, Ill., arrived in Corning the first part of this week and will make their home here. Mr. Harmon was in Corning some time since and traded for a section of land about five miles southeast of Corning where he will begin farming. He and his family will reside in this city
Ode Smith, a barber, employed at Reno's Shop, became violently insane for a short time this afternoon and was taken to jail. Smith became overheated while working at the fire up town this afternoon and while in that condition took some whiskey, when he became crazed and attempted to shoot himself in the head with a pistol, the bullet look some hair, but doing no damage. Then he rushed out of the barbershop with a pistol and two razors and created wild consternation from Reno's Shop to Harb Brothers store where he was forcibly disarmed and arrested. Fortunately the pistol contained but two cartridges, the second one was discharged in Vandover's Saloon.
At a meeting held in the Bank of Corning last Saturday, that institution was incorporated, with a capitol of $30,000 with the following officers: G.. B. Oliver, president; D. Hopson, vice president; W. D. Polk, cashier: J.W. Harb, E. V. Sheeks, Dr. N. J. Latimer and R. Whitaker, directors. This bank was established about five years ago and conducted up to this time as a private institution by Mr. Polk as proprietor and cashier. It has from the beginning, been a safe and reliable bank. Now with an increased number of such competent and conservative businessmen, bids fair to make more rapid progress as one of the foremost banking institutions in Northeast Arkansas
At the City Council meeting last Friday night, William Fisher was appointed city marshal. He was the successful applicant over many others for that position.
The new court house, which has just been completed in Corning, was received by the commissioners last Saturday.
C. Hans who was in jail at this place, awaiting the action of the Grand Jury charged with the murder of his brother-in-law a few days ago at Knobel. escaped from the jail Wednesday by walking out the door of the iron cage and crawling through a hole in the brick outer wall.
Staley Drug Store is headquarters for chess players in this section. T. B. Staley, E. V. Sheeks, Drs. McKinney and Latimer, Lee Brown, Dan Schandi and G. B. Johnson (Newport) are among the number of local players and several of them have solved some very difficult chess problems lately.
At the school election last Saturday J.W. Harb was elected school director, and the proposition to build a new school house, not to cost over $10,000.00 and the 50 mill tax. for building funds, also carried.
During the month of March, Black and Walk's sawmill turned out 30 cars of lumber amounting to $5,216.68; in April 28 cars and in May 36 cars.
The ladies of the Christian Church will give a lawn social at the Courthouse Square next Saturday night June 16, at which Ice Cream, Cake Lemonade and sodawater will be served. Music will be furnished during the evening by the Corning Band. The proceeds will go toward the debt of the Church.
The Courier, with this issue, completes its 15th year of existence .
E. V Sheeks left the first of this week for Little Rock to buy machinery for a new gin, which we understand, he will locate near his flour mill and electric plant he also attended the State Democratic Convention in Little Rock, and the Congressional Convention in Newport of this week
The ticket nominated at the National Democratic Convention at Kansas City today: William J Bryan of Nebraska for President and Adalai E Stevenson of Illinois for vice president.
Dr Simpson spent the 4th in St Louis where he bought a railroad cycle which he may travel with, by virtue of his being railroad surgeon for Corning and other nearby railroad towns.
The Baptist Church building has lately been greatly improved by repapering the interior and adding electric lights.
The barroom is a bank. You deposit your money. and loose it; your time, and loose it: your strength and loose it: your independence and loose it; your wife's happiness and lose it: your own soul. and loose it. Does it Pay?
Joseph Dudgeon is having Z.T. Daniel move the old court square to the Corner lot South of the Dudgeon House. When the old structure is out of the square its absence will greatly enhance the beauty of the Court Square. and the large building will add much to the appearance of the corner where the little old building stood.
Valentine Nading, an old German about 60 years of age, attempted to end his life by cutting his throat last Friday with a dull pocket knife at his home in the Heelstring settlement. He plunged the blade through his throat from side to side and his life had been despaired by one of the at attending physicians, Dr. F. Hill. Until yesterday when his condition became much better and he may recover. It seems. he was jealous of his young wife and had threatened to kill her and their seven months old daughter and then commit suicide, but Mrs. Nading called on Constable W.G. Smith in time to prevent a wholesale killing.
In case of unusual interest. especially to the people of Clay County, has been pending for some time before Judge Royall at Piggott and was finally disposed of on last Saturday. The style of the case has J.M. Talkington and others. plaintiffs. vs. W.A. Vandover and others, defendants. The suit was the outcome of a hot temperance battle brought on by the prohibition folk of Corning to create a local option district. Corning is a 'wet' town the county of Clay having voted. For' license' at the last general election. 
Recently a religious revival was held at Corning and the normal reform element. believing that pupil's sentiment was ripe for a crusade against the saloons, proceeded to circulate petitions asking the county judge to issue an order prohibiting the sale of intoxicants within three miles of Corning. On Saturday June 30th the case came up on its first hearing before Judge Royall.
The defense admitted that the petitioners constituted a majority of the adults within the prohibited district, and they asked that the Court in making its order exempt from its provisions the saloons already in operation under the license that do not expire until the first of January, 1901. The plaintiffs contended for an hour with out any modifications. The court was inclined to grant the order sought by the plaintiffs and so that indicated his decision, but at the request of attorneys for the defense consented to a further hearing on last Saturday, when the Court after considering the case further on the argument of council and the presentations of authorities, granted the modified order asked for by the defense. From this decision the plaintiffs appealed to the Circuit Court and the case will be heard by Judge Taylor at the August term of the Clay County Circuit
Two train loads of soldiers and two trains of horses of this U.S. Calvary passed through Corning Tuesday and Wednesday, enroute to China to fight the heathen.
A great many of Corning's citizens are making strong kicks on account of the stock ordinance lately reenacted into a law by the City Council. The law prohibits horses, mules, jacks, and jennies from running anywhere within the incorporate limits of Corning.
Everybody and his neighbors came to Corning Wednesday in holiday attire and despite the heat and dust the large crowds thronged the streets, of business
houses and the picnlc ground near the school house. The band boys had a number of fat hogs sheep barbecued and plenty of well-cooked meats and other vegetables were served on long tables on the grounds. The candidates for Governor, Davis and Remmel were scheduled to speak here at 11 a.m., but on account of important business at his office, the filling of several S5.000.00 suits against the ice companies of Little Rock under the antitrust law, Attorney General Davis did not arrive until 1:15 p.m. The speakers then toasted each other from 2:30 until 5 o'clock.
Freight train Number 73, Southbound, broke in two early yesterday morning just North of the water tank at Moark. ditching several cars loaded with merchandise, a number of the cars being completely demolished.
I. H. Cantwell and Henry Collins killed 62 squirrels Saturday afternoon in a few hours and would have killed more had they not ran out of ammunition about the time they began to find them most plentiful.
Professor J,K. Browning is taking the school census for this school district, No, 8. and has completed the census in Corning. The number of pupils in Corning West of the railroad is 380. and the number East of Corning is 83.
Large numbers of wolves are said to inhabit the jungle North of Palatka. The large timber on both sides of the Arkansas Missouri state line near Palatka has been cut and the underbrush and dead treetops make a first class place for wolves to rear their young. Citizens living near that section report hearing large droves of wolves howling most every night.
An unknown man was picked by Constable Ed Richardson downtown Wednesday afternoon. apparently, very drunk. but upon examination the unknown was found to unconscious and afflicted with congestion of the brain or unconscious by the effect of some drug. The doctors are unable to determine the cause of illness.
He was carried to Pete Miller's restaurant where he has lain ever since in an unconscious condition and has been hourly expected to die. No one knows when or how the stranger came to Corning or where he came from. He appears to be about 50 years old, and is of medium stature. He had 28 cents in his pockets and had a new hat and shirt.
The Methodists of this place have decided to erect a new church house, and for this purpose they have started a subscription for funds headed with S500 by G.B. Oliver, which is a liberal contribution for Mr. Oliver. The old church house was built many years ago when Corning was quite a small place, when the church was weak numerically and financially; but now since the church and town have grown strong. and the old building is in a dilapidated condition. we need and deserve a comfortable up to date building worthy the advanced state of our town and the intelligence and liberality of our people.
Some time ago the official reports from Washington, published broadcast in the newspapers, giving the census of the various towns of Arkansas as well as of other towns and states, gave the census of Corning at 784. The census of 1890 was 584. This showed the increase of only about 34 percent. Hon. C.R. Beloate, knowing that our town has made a steady growth for the past decade, was dissatisfied with the figures and wrote his grievances to the Director of the Census at Washington. He was informed that the population of the town of Corning is 1041 and that if the township outside of the town is 784, and that the figures will so appear in the final report.
Chas. E. Rhea is the large new deputy marshal. He is big enough and we'll bet he'll be a good one.
The ladies of the Christian church gave a big Thanksgiving dinner at the Harb Bros. vacant store room yesterday. Turkey, cranberry sauce, roast pork and numerous other meats and choice brands were served at 25 cents for a meal. A large sum of money was raised for the church.

1901
The new plank walk being built, in installments, in Court Square is a good thing. It has been long needed to enable people to get to the Court House without having to wade in soft mud and water, or using a boat or flying machine.
A meeting of the citizens and business men of Corning was held in one of the downtown offices last Wednesday for the purpose of discussing, with the Prosecuting Attorney and the presiding Circuit Judge, as to ways and means of enforcing the liquor laws in Corning. About 40 to 50 representative business men were in attendance. Dr. J.G. Dickson was made chairman of the meeting.
The largest financial crash that ever took place in Corning, if fact the largest in Northeast Arkansas, occurred Tuesday when the Corning Mercantile CO., by its proprietor, Dr. Jas. G. Dickson, made an assignment of property including three stocks of merchandise, two cotton gins and all other property, two stores and one gin being located in this city, and the other store and gin being located at and near Reyno for benefit of creditors, mostly in St. Louis and Memphis. In the assignment papers, filed in the Chancery Clerk's office here Tuesday, the liabilities are put at $36,000.
As will be observed to our Professional Card Column, J.L. Taylor and
J.N. Moore, two of Corning's most brilliant and wide-awake young lawyers, have formed a partnership.
The store building owned by J.W. Harb, and lately occupied by Harb Bros., is now being filled with a stock of general merchandise by J.M. Hawks, the Reyno merchant, who has done a large mercantile and cotton business in Reyno for several years. Mr. Hawks has been a resident of Corning the past years or two, having bought a fine home for himself and his family in the Matthews Addition. We understand he will discontinue his store at Reyno and open up a large scale business in Corning. He also managed cotton plantations near Corning.
The business men and citizens of Corning secured the services of Ex-Representative C.R. Beloate, who left Wednesday night to go before the General Assembly, now in session at Little Rock to help procure the passage of a bill to make Corning a regular stopping point for the fast mail trains and a flag station for the night cannon ball trains.
At a meeting of members of the M.E. Church, South, on Sunday, February 10, 1901, the following was adopted: "That the newspapers of the city be requested to publish the law against selling goods on Sunday, and that we request all keepers of stores, shops and other places where goods, wares or merchandise are sold, to obey the law, and that if voluntary compliance is not given to this request, then we demand that our officers see that the law is enforced.
We also request of our Mayor and Justices of the Peace that they issue a proclamation declaring their intention to enforce the law against all violations of the law. J.M. Talkington, Pastor. 
The members of the Corning Baptist Church, in conference, Wednesday night, February 13, 1901, adopted the above resolution. S. Bishop, Church Clerk.
On information filed by the City Attorney Hopson, L. Boshears and W.A. Vandover were tried this week for alleged violations of the "blind tiger" laws. Boshears' trial was by jury Tuesday afternoon at the court house before Mayor E.L. Black. The jury returned a verdict of guilty and assessed the fine at $100.00 and costs.
The defendant has had the case appealed to circuit court. W.A. Vandover's case came up in the Mayor's court yesterday afternoon, but was dismissed or noile prossed by the city attorney after several witnesses had been examined by the jury. insufficient evidence was obtained to secure a conviction, hence, the city attorney's action as above stated.
Corning Public School's first commencement. The Baccalaureate sermon will be delivered at Court house, by Rev. Frank Barrett, Sunday, March 24, at 11 a.m.
Graduating class, 1901: Estella Black, Opal Burnes, Eugene Hill, Gussie Reed, Bessie Barnhill, Myrtle Hettle, John W. Crabtree, Mazie Barnhill, R.C. Stewart, Janie Tinsley, Maude Oliver, F.H. Dickson, Clarence E. Beloate, Effie Crabtree, Wm. K. Spillman.
S.B. Neal desires The Courier to state that in withdrawing his candidacy for Mayor, he did not withdraw in favor of G.B. Oliver, but in favor of J.L. Taylor. Mr. Taylor was not a candidate at that time, hence, The Courier's natural conclusion that Mr. Neal withdrew in favor of Mr. Oliver, the latter being the only other candidate in the field. Since then we have understood that Mr. Taylor has withdrawn and that the only two candidates now are G. B. Oliver and R. M. Pickens.
R.P. Morrison, an architect from Newport, is in Corning today, figuring with the board of education for the erection of a $7,000 brick school building in Corning.
Dr. Latimer's spirited team of bays ran away with him and his buggy yesterday, overturning the vehicle and throwing him out at the corner of Second and Main Streets. Dr. Latimer sustained a few slight bruises and a sprained ankle.
D. Hobson, G.B. Oliver and W.R. Brown have erected a windmill on the back end of Mr. Hopson's residence lots on Second Street and are arranging to supply their residences with water from a 60 barrel tank 30 feet from the ground in the mill tower. The tower is 60 feet high and power is supplied by a 10 foot wheel.
This will be a great convenience as well as protection in case of fire. We understand that W.D. Polk will erect a similar outfit immediately.
According to the private opinion publicly expressed of some of Corning's pessimistic croakers, the town is going to the demnition bow-wows at a hand gallop. According to them the new railroad leaving us out has killed the town dead, and no need for an autopsy. Two or three of the beaneries are going to quit, and owing to the present, past and future unfriendliness the Iron Mountain Railway company is seriously considering all sorts of retaliatory antics, all business will be stagnated, et cetera ad nauseam. It is confidently believed by a few, however, that we will continue to receive the sun, wind and rains of heaven in the future as in the past.
Miss Spears, the biggest little girl in the world, was in this city, today with her mother. They reside in the country near Paragould. She is now eight years old and weighs nearly 200 pounds.
Postmaster John A. Dudgeon with his assistants, Tuesday evening, moved the Corning postoffice from the Arnold building where it had been located the past three years, to the Dr. Simpson building on the Southeast corner of Second and Olive Streets. There is more room in the new location and it is about a block nearer the center of the town.
Corning is to have a fine school building, in fact, the property will be worth more than $10,000 when it is finished. The exact cost of the building is to be $9,484.
According to official reports from Washington. issued by President Roosevelt last Tuesday, the postoffice at Corning Ark. will on and after January 1. 1902, be a presidential postoffice. The salary of the postmaster is fixed at $1100 per year. Who says Corning is not growing?
Peter Polk of Poplar Bluff, an old time darky. 75 years of age, who was a slave belonging to Harvey Polk, father of W.D. Polk, visited the latter of last I week. The good old colored man was brought to the Western District from Tennessee by his master, Harvey Polk, in 1857. 
Dr. N.J. Latimer assumed charge of the J.P. Potter drug store last Saturday. Mr. Potter having sold it. Dr. Latimer and Pharmacist R.E.L. Brown will continue to conduct the former's drug store in the Potter building.
Stockholders of the Bank of Corning held a meeting one day last week in the rooms of the Bankbuilding. G.B. Oliver was re-elected president, E.V. Sheeks, vice president; W.D. Polk and S.P. Lindsey were elected cashier and assistant cashier, respectively. The bank of Corning now has about $55000 deposits.

1902
A farmer wishing to surprise his wife, decided while going home that he would appear before her dressed in a new suit of clothes just purchased. Stopping at a bridge he peeled off his old suit and had thrown it in the creek before he discovered that the bundle containing his new clothes had jarred out of the wagon. Although it was a cold night it was also a dark one, for which he was thankful. Upon reaching home the surprise to his wife was even more complete than he had arranged for.
It is being told around town that there is a suit pending in the courts to take from the town the land purchased some years ago for cemetery purposes. An inspection of the records will show that there is not now, nor has there ever been, any suit, of any kind, calling in question the title of the town to this property.
To do good work in the Corning Public schools the coming year, there should be not less than six teachers. Five were employed during the past year.
It has been suggested and the plan considered best, that each patron of the school donate a stated amount, payable at different times, so that six teachers can be employed for nine months, permitting all pupils to attend the entire time.
The school funds apportioned for the district now afford only six months term and five teachers.
Chas. L. Bailey the timer and his father, Geo. A. Bailey, are moving the tinshop and store from the Barnes building, on Second Street, to the Reyno building on First Street. They will occupy the Pat Martin dwelling up town, as their place of residence.
Out of the cesspools. A cowardly political trick that should make Satan blush. On eve of the primary, some anonymous enemy of C.R. Beloate issues a libelous charge. Thirty years of manhood against five minutes of calumny-Beloate denies and neighbors and friends exonerate him. A midnight stab that failed.
The old Green saloon building is being torn down by orders of L. Rosemblum. The removal of that dilapidated old fire trap is a move in the right direction.
The ordinance of Baptism, according to the Christian church creed. was administered by Rev. Mobley to the following named persons last Sunday afternoon at the lake just South of town: Nellie Sisk. Lillie Lett. Jessie and Sallie Langdon and Whitney and Harper Harb.
Another baptizing for the same church took place Monday afternoon, when Mrs. W.T. Stephens Birdie Lett, Lucy Robinson. Denzil Barnhill and Bert
Harb were immersed.
Harry Harmon and Milo Black are preparing to open an ice cream parlor in the Barnes building on Second Street.
We are authorized to announce that $25 will be paid by the citizens of Corning for evidence sufficient to convict anyone of illegal sale of liquor or intoxicating bitters, or the soliciting of orders for intoxicants, within the town of Corning.
A dog supposed to have had hydrophobia. created some excitement last Saturday. It bit John Dell's youngest son. a boy about 14 years old. Dr. McKinney cauterized the wounds which were on the boy's thighs.
He was taken to a madstone at Palatka last Sunday and it is reported the stone stuck to the wounds for a half hour or more. The dog was followed up the road two miles northeast of Corning where he was shot and killed by Charles Robinson.
Star coffee at E.L. Black's, only ten cents per pound.
Dr. R.J. Robinson with his medicine show, arrived from North last Sunday night. The large tent, on the vacant lots North of the Bank, has been filled with pleased spectators every night this week, and will remain here for a week or two.
Oliver and Company will give a premium, a ten dollar suit of clothes to the farmer bringing the biggest wagon load of seed cotton to this market during the month of November, 1902.
Oliver and Company have discontinued their store at Stillwater, O.T., and removed to Corning, bringing their immense stock of new dry goods from that place to their store in Corning.

1903
J. Steinberg, formerly of Neelyville, but now of Poplar Bluff was in Corning a day or two this week, with a view of locating here, and made arrangements to open a dry goods store in the large East room of the first floor of the St. James Hotel building. We understand he will open his store here on or about the 22nd and will move his family here.
Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Martin's eldest little son and daughter, Lantie and Lelia, gave their friends a tacky party at the Martin home last evening. It was a farewell party, as Mr. Martin and family will leave in a few days to Albuquerque N.M.
A little grandson of Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Nance died last Saturday about 24 hours of the most horrible agony. The little boy, about one and one-half years of age, just learning to toddle around, took a large tin cup of scalding tea from the hearth and drank and spilled a quantity of it before anyone about the house was aware of the awful accident having occurred .
Joe Steinberg, wife and five sons, and Mrs. Steinberg's sister, Miss Hammerschlach of Europe, arrived Wednesday from Poplar Bluff with their household goods and now occupy Frank Harris' residence property, lately vacated by J.N. Martin and family on the Northeast corner of Third and Vine streets. Mr. Steinberg also has a carload of dry goods and store fixtures, which he moved from his recent place of business in Poplar Bluff.
The Beehive is the new name George Barnhill has given his store, on First Street.
Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Boulton and family living in the Western part of Corning, certainly deserve and have the sympathy of their large number of friends and neighbors. The family seems to be in the midst of an almost unparalleled series of sad misfortunes, in that they have lost their infant son, and all the balance of their children, two more sons and a daughter are dangerously ill with malignant fever, their sons Herman and Hardy being considered beyond hope of recovery. Their daughter Sallie, has slight chances and may recover. Herman is now dying. The youngest, Fred, died about a month ago.
E.A. Kelley and W.R. Wynn bought out L. Rosenblum, one of Corning's oldest and most successful merchants, last Saturday .
C.L. Daniel, while splitting kindling at his home down town Wednesday morning, got his axe caught by a wire and almost cut off his right foot.
Mayor Oliver is ridding the town of bad characters. Two of three families, including several women, girls and few men, all toughs of the worst order, were given two or three days in which to leave the town. These persons have "pulled their freight."
Fred Phipps seems to be in luck these days. He just received a large graphophone
with which regales his many friends and customers with the finest music. He, last Tuesday, won a good young horse in raffle, the ticket costing 49c.
Citizens Bank a new financial institution established in Corning last Friday. According to the articles of incorporation recorded at the court house, the new bank is capitalized at $20,000 in 800 shares, all subscribed for and ten percent paid in as follows: F.G. Taylor. 20; J.A. Dudgeon, 12, J.M. Hawks, 40; Dr. A.R. Simpson. 12; Wm. Felsberg, 20; W.E. Talley, 680; Dr. George Beeeher, 12; I,.D. Oaks. 4. The organization was effected at a meeting held last Friday night at the law office of Taylor and Taylor in the Barker Brick.
J.M. Hawks is president of the bank. Since the organization, the Barker two-story brick was bought from W.D. Polk for $1,600 cash. and the following shareholder subscribed for the number of shares opposite their name, out of W.E. Talley's 680 shares: W.R. Welch, 8; Mrs. Ida M. Beloate, 4; C.V. Beloate, 8; W.W. Bee, 8; and Mrs. Joe Spence. 4. The Barker Brick is to be fitted up and the new bank opened for business April 1st.
Last Sunday morning one eyed George Duncan accidentally shot the two
middle fingers of his left hand to pieces and that evening he came to town and had Drs. McKinney and Simpson amputate the torn parts and sew up the stub ends. Duncan displayed considerable nerve in not taking chloroform during the painful and tedious operation .
The school directors of this district met last Monday and employed the principal and assistant teachers to teach the Corning public free school for the 1903 and 04 term. The following named are reemployed: principal B..T. Stephens and assistants Mrs. Prichard, Misses Mazie Barnhill.
Geo. Booser of Mentone. Ind.. has been here a few days. with a view of locating a large factory for the manufacture of slack barrels. He is said to be very impressed favorably with Corning and especially the timber in this vicinity. and Corning stands a good chance of getting the new enterprise located just South of Black and Arnold's sawmill.
One of the Iron Mountain's heaviest engines in switching some heavily loaded cars on Berguson and Wheeler's spur near the main track yesterday spread the rails and derailed three cars. Rotten crossties allowed the track to spread. Section Foreman Underwood and crew got them back on the rails that night.
Captain Huff intends to build a steamboat here this Summer. He says that it will be the finest thing on Black River when completed .
Frank Jones and Cole Younger, the once famous outlaws, whose hands are red with human gore, were the center of attraction alike in Pocahontas last week to both young and old, rich and poor. Everyone wanted a square look at these men.
The F.H. Smith Lumber Company of St. Louis is establishing large lumber yards in East Corning along Ferguson and Wheeler's spur and along the East side of the Iron Mountain tracks. About 1200 feet along these tracks have been secured for lumber stacks. The Corning branch of this lumber company is in charge of J.S. Gaunt.
Captain Beloate attained the ripe age of 70 years yesterday. Captain and Mrs. Beloate's, sons C.V. and W.E. and a number of grandchildren met with them at their home and held a reunion. Capt.. Beloate was born in Tennessee and came with his family to Pocahontas about 30 years ago and soon after settled in Corning where he reared his family. He is one of our most influential citizens despite his age, which he bears remarkably well, being stout and hale. He owns and conducts two drug stores, one which he has run here for about 25 years and the other which he opened in Knobel, to which latter place he goes every week day on the 9:30 a.m. train and returns on the 1 p.m. train to his home and business in Corning. He has served two or three terms as postmaster of Corning and one term as representative in the Arkansas legislature.
Mrs. Angeline Mullen. one of Corning's oldest residents. had the bones
of her two dead sons, Henry and Reece, exhumed last Monday by Undertaker Brown, and shipped to Pentwater, Mich., her former home, to which she will soon return. Her sons died and were buried about fourteen years ago. Mrs. Mullen lately came into possession of about $500 back pension money and will receive $8 per month the balance of her life.
The Board of Education and patrons of Corning public schools at a recent meeting decided to employ a principal and reopen the high school department of the school on Monday, October 26.
Mrs. Ida Prichard is Principal of Corning public school since Professor Richardson resigned last Friday evening.
Wednesday afternoon, at about 16 minutes past one o'clock during the last of two severe earthquake shocks, the contents of George A. Booser's larger dry Kiln, just south of the new slack barrel plant, at this place, pitched sideways against the wall loose from the building about three feet, tearing down the brick foundation timbers, truck supports and steam pipes beneath the immense weight of about 12 carloads of green barrel heading timber, which had been rolled into the kiln.
Rev. A. E. Holloway will move from Black River to Corning and take charge of the Methodist Church.

1904
H.W. Lasater, J.M. Hawk W.R. Brown, I.M. Reed, Ferd Phipps and R.O. Cummins were quail hunting first of last week over in Randolph county, west of here, and bagged 282 birds. They were guests of Dr. Horace E. Ruff and wife, near whose place at Pitman, they did their hunting.
At an early hour yesterday morning supposedly professional cracksmen used nitro glycerine and blew the doors off the iron safe in the postoffice. securing about $400 in money and stamps belonging to the office and $480 belonging to Postmaster Dudgeon. The safe blowers broke open the iron doors with a crowbar. They overlooked a package of over $100 which was in a desk above the safe, and also left the registered mail on hand, which was in the safe.
H. W. Conger is the new cashier of the Citizens Bank. succeeding W.A. Stapleton who has resigned and will leave here.
Marion Clark. while skating on Staley Lake this morning, fell Into and open place. went under, floated his hat and lost it, was completely drenched and had hair and clothes frozen before he got home.
Following are officials figures compiled by Dr. McKinney of births and deaths in Corning for the year ending December 31, 1903.
Total births, 60; Deaths. 9.8 to the thousand. The death rate is computed on the basis of the school census of last July.
Ordinance No. 133. An ordinance to regulate privies.
Be it ordained by the council of the Incorporated Town of Corning Arkansas: Section 1.
That hereafter, it shall be unlawful for any person within limits of the incorporated town of Corning to erect or use a privy except as provided in this ordinance.
The Citizens bank through its resident J. M. Hawks, closed a deal with J. W. Harb, Wednesday, buying from Mr. Harb, a plot of ground 40 by 142 feet, between the Green Hotel and Hawk's store, adjoining the latter and fronting on First Street, and will have erected within the next 60 days a pressed brick building 40 x 60 feet.
The moving picture show at the court house last evening was attended by a house full of people. The Culture Club under whose auspices it was given received about $9 for the Corning school.
The Republicans of Corning held a big pow-wow at the court house Monday night, at which speeches were made by George Barnhill, W.R. Barringer, C.T Bloodworth and others.
Rev. P. Steyer of Lafe, pastor of the GermanLutheran Church three miles North of town, arrived Monday and opened a school in the church in that neighborhood. teaching the German language.
The Roosevelt Republican League Club of Corning has about completed all arrangements to give absolutely free a big barbecue of fresh meats, bread. pickles etc.. in the grove East of the Staley residence, on East side of town, Friday. July 8. Everybody is invited and urged to attend this barbecue which will be free. It will be the best and biggest picnic given here for many years past, and will be no fake. Dinner will be prepared for 2000 people, but if 5000 attend all will be fed. H.H. Myers and other able speakers will entertain the audience during intermission from eating and other enjoyments. Don't fail to come and bring your wife and babies.
Announcement - The First National Bank of Corning, Arkansas, operating under charter from the Treasury Department of the United States, is now open for business in its new quarters on First Street, just North of the Hotel Green. A share of the business of the citizens of Corning and vicinity is solicited.
H. R. Kline, beginning with this issue, takes editorial and business control of' The Courier plant., which had leased from C. C. Estes on account of recent and present ill health from the past 12 years steady grind, is forced to make a change to outside work and will represent the Courier as agent or solicitor and will call on people of this and adjoining counties, soliciting subscriptions, advertising job printing and also collecting accounts.
A. Risk of Success was here Saturday and gave us the particulars of one of the most peculiar accidents we ever heard of. A mare belonging to a farmer wandered to the track of the R.M. and A. railroad and becoming entangled in a culvert, train No. 66 came along and struck the animal, knocking her into the ditch tearing her open and instantly killing her. The train men were amazed to see a mule colt crawl from the wreck of the mother and stagger to its feet. The train was stopped and the crew went back to view the phenomena. There was the mare Lying dead and torn all to pieces. There was the colt unharmed and looking as innocent as a candidate for office.
Corning has more than six miles of sidewalks. Where is the city of 1500 inhabitants that can beat us for length and good substantial sidewalks? A city that invites capital and those look for good homes to locate in the best town and County in Northeast Arkansas. Besides having the best sidewalks in this part of the country we also have
the best schools. Our city also has a number of good church buildings. The people are energetic law abiding and thrifty and we are living under an antilicense administration, and to the satisfaction of a large majority of our county voters.
Burgulars " yeggemen" or cracksmen broke into the postoffice here last night and blew the doors off of Postmaster Dudgeon's new safe with nitroglycerin. probably obtaining a considerable amount of postage stamps. A number of persons in the south part of town say they heard as many as four explosions reports about 12:30 or 1 o' clock this morning.
The burglars failed to get into E.A. Kelly and Company safe. The charge of the explosive tore a hole in the bottom of the outside door and knocked a leg and roller off one of the front corners, allowing the safe to fall over on the face. which prevented further operations on account of the heavy weight of the safe.
Every town the size and importance of Corning ought to have a night Marshal
watchman or detective.
George A. Booser of the Booser Slack Barrel Manufactory, and by the way one of the enterprises of which Corning is proud, is feeling mighty good these dusty days, especially since the election. Booser is now putting in an electric dynamo which will furnish electric lights throughout his entire establishment. The lights will be used during the afternoon and all night, and an extra force of men will be put to work as soon as the new improvement is installed. He now has at his manufactury between 25 and 30 regular employed men and in the future that number will be greatly increased.
Rev. A.E. Hollaway and family left the first of the week to attend Methodist conference at Augustus. Mr. Holloway carried a most satisfactory report to make for Corning M.E. Church for the past year.

It shows that 57 members have been added to this church. that the pastor's salary $600. has been overpaid by $200 and a surplus left on hand that all benevolent collections asked for have been paid, that the Sunday school collections for the year amounted to over $201, that $350 have been raised and expended on church and parsonage improvements, that the Ladies Aid Society raised and expended about $300. Total for all church purposes, over $1700. and $ 250 more than for the year previous.
Do you know that I have got the only fresh candy in Corning. It is made fresh each day. Sugar retails at seven cents per pound. Pure candy is made from sugar. " H. Holtzmen, Vandover building.

1905
The municipal election held here Tuesday was a very orderly one, not much interest being manifested. A.W Roberts was defeated by T.J Crowder by a vote of 82 to 28 and R.E.L. Brown for Recorder and Dr. Simpson, J.F. Arnold, W.M Letbetter, S.B. Neal and W.H Henning for Aldermen went in without opposition.
Attorney J.N. Moore broke ground yesterday in his South lot on Second Street for the erection of a two story concrete building. He purposes to make the first floor for up to date offices and store rooms and the second for a splendidly planned lodge and convention room.
W.F. Barnes began moving his old store building to the rear end of his lot on Second Street yesterday, and will erect a commodious and fine double store building in its place. He will have the new structure built of concrete blocks.
The Bank of Corning reports business increasing. On last Monday deposits were being made in this bank to the amount of more than ten thousand dollars and Mr. Polk says the deposits average about $6000 daily at the present time. The bank is the oldest bank in Clay County and deserves the patronage of the Public appreciates this institution.
The world renowned Carrie Nation of Kansas hatchet fame, was one of the attractions at the Paragould chautauqua last week. Carrie missed her train at Knobel and rather than remain in that burg 18 hours, she hired a conveyance and was driven to Paragould. G.W. Roundtree was the gentleman in charge of the conveyance and the trip was not made with precision and care, for before they reached their destination the buggy struck a stump. while going at a rapid speed, throwing Mr. Rountree and Mrs. Nation over the dash board upon the muddy ground. Rountree suffered a broken wrist while the strenuous but fortunate Carrie landed on top of him and escaped injury.
Newt Wells and Edgar Stephens came very near being killed Monday night, beside the railroad track near the section house. They were going up the track, like many others, to see a small wreck that happened near the public road crossing that evening when the local engine, carrying an extra long switch tie across the pilot, was moving up the track at the same time. The boys stepped to one side thinking they were safe, but in the inky darkness failed to see the projecting piece of timber which struck their heads, knocking them senseless. Wells, the worse hurt, had to have several stitches taken on the right side of his face and head.
Stephen M. Long's barn, the largest one in or near Corning, caught fire from some unknown cause last Wednesday night about ten o'clock and burned completely, the fire having gained such headway that the interior was a roaring mass of flames before scarcely anyone knew there was a fire in town. This is the third barn burned in Corning within the past year. Willis Heaton's about a year ago and W.D. Polk's last Summer.

1906
Colonel J.M. Hawks, the big merchant on First Street. now carries the belt as being the champion quail shot and hunter in this part of the state. Last Thursday Mr. Hawks, accompanied by his fine bird dog, went over to the Richwoods community in quest of the numerous quail reported in that neighborhood. Mr. Hawks was not disappointed and he had the best of luck. returning home late in the evening with 65 quail.
Esq. I.M. Reed and H.W. Lasater went over to Success last week where they were joined by George Vannada and Joe McCracken. Jr. in a three day quail hunt. During the hunt 172 quail were bagged.
The Courier has neglected to mention the new law firm of Jordan and Brown, lawyers, which was recently created by Judge J.S. Jordan and A.L. Brown, for the purpose of practicing law.
The holiness meeting. which had been conducted during the past two weeks in the S.M. Long vacant corner building on First Street. by Elder J.H. Ball, closed Wednesday night. This denomination formed an organization here and expect to hold regular services and Sunday school weekly.
George Washington Kelley is dead. The news of his death, probably the oldest man in Northeast Arkansas, will cause a gloom of sorrow to his host of friends throughout Clay County and Northeast Arkansas. He passed away very quietly at his residence in this city Saturday evening. His death was not unexpected, for he fell on the icy sidewalk about two years ago, breaking two of his ribs which caused an absess. He was born in St. Louis County, Missouri in 1813. He was a playmate and companion of U.S. Grant who was also reared in St. Louis County. Mr Kelley came to Clay County, Arkansas in the year 1874 and has been a constant resident here since. The remains of the one grand old man were laid to rest in the Corning Cemetery.
George W. Wright, in sealing some fruit cans for his wife at their home north of town, one of the cans smashed while he was gripping it and terribly lacerated his hands, cutting one thumb almost to shreds.
Pastor Holloway has postponed the corner stone laying ceremonies which were to be held today at the site of the new Methodist Church on account of an unavoidable delay.
I.M. Lindsey, I.M. Reed, R.H. Cantwell and James Luttrell with their young negro man cook and a fine big camping outfit, deer hounds, etc.., left here about ten days ago for the most famous hunting grounds in Northeast Arkansas, somewhere near Marked Tree. D.W. Vickery and L.L. Wood joined them the first of this week and H. W. Lasater and Larry Boshears and a few other expect to go down soon.
Fire losses from he recent fire: J.O. Langdon, restaurant, stock, fixtures, clothing, household goods, rooming house furniture, etc.., total loss about $3,000 no insurance; D. Hopson two story building. occupied by Langdon's restaurant and rooming house, loss $1,000, no insurance; Langdon and Harris. ten pin alley and fixtures, loss $800, insurance $400; Dudgeon and Lindsey general merchandise stock and fixtures, loss $4,000, insurance $1,000; J.A. Dudgeon postoffice and store building, loss $1,000, insurance $750; American Telephone and Telegraph Co. booth and apparatus, $250. insured; W.R. Hurst. photo tent. apparatus, supplies. etc., $250; George Barnhill. damage to residence and damage on account of moving furniture. etc., $50: J. N. Moore, glass front. about $40: W.F. Barnes. glass front, $100: C.R. Beloate. glass fronts, $75; Mrs.Estes. glass fronts, $30.
Largest property loss ever caused by fire in Corning. Heart of the business section. The burned district will be rebuilt with brick.

1907
Corning Marble and Granite Works is the firm name of a new business association just formed here.
A negro barbecue held at Biggers, on Saturday, wound up to be a fight in which pistols were freely used and five negroes were shot. Will Bird and Sam Ivy quarreled and finally got into a fight which culminated in the shooting. Two mules were also struck by stray bullets. Bird and Ivy were not hurt.
The building committee of Corning IOOF Lodge, No. 110, C.V. Beloate, President, Judge D. Hopson, Vice President, W.W. Henry, Secretary, J.F. Arnold treasurer and W. F. Varnes. 
R.E.L. Brown and J.M. Williams yesterday let the contract for the new IOOF building to Contractor J.W. Abbott of Biggers who executes bond to build the splendid two story 48x100 brick building and have it completed by some time next December. To be built at corner of Vine and Second Streets and to cost $10,600.
Francis N. Jones, the aged man who was burned about the head and shoulders, in the St. James hotel fire last Friday night, died from the effect of his injuries last Tuesday afternoon. His remains were interred in Corning Cemetery.
Tony Berg, the popular and efficient young bookkeeper at W.R. Alexander's mill, while helping carry away furniture from the St. James Hotel fire last Friday night, was struck on the nose by the iron end-hook of a bedrail thrown from an upstairs window, his nose was torn off and he fell to the sidewalk unconscious. Friends carried him to Dr. Simpson who sewed his nose on before he became conscious again.
Over $10,000 fire. St. James Hotel, West's bakers, Mrs. Sullivan's Residence and G.L. West Residence. Worst ever known in Corning. Fire broke out about ten o'clock this Friday night in G.L. West's bakery, rapidly spreading to the St. James Hotel and Mrs. Sullivan's cottage consuming those buildings and contents. The wind by that time blew the flames across the street South to G.L. West's home and it was soon burned, but the household goods were saved from it.
There were no fatalities in the buildings, but Newton F. Jones, an aged boarder in the St. James was taken off the front veranda with the back of his head, shoulders and hands so seriously burned from fire which caught in his clothing and hair that there is no chance for his recovery. The Bank of Corning big brick, across on West Side of the Street was not in much danger, as the wind was blowing south, but every precaution was taken, and iron roofing placed in front of the windows and saved them.
The furnishings for the new Methodist Church are now all here, the pews having arrived yesterday, and that splendid new house of worship is being put in order under the supervision of Pastor Hollaway, the building committee and others in authority, for use immediately, but the formal opening will not take place until the 28th, the last Sunday in April when Rev. Clarence Burton of Poplar Bluff will be here and deliver the opening sermon.
The striking section men, of whom there are 77 crew on the main line of the Iron Mountain, returned to work Wednesday for an advance to $1.40 per day. Their wages had recently been advanced from $1.25 to $1.35. They expected to $1.50 but as much as a majority returned to work for $1.40. all went to work and declared the strike off.
Following is the arrangement of players in Corning's new brass band, which starts out with promises for a successful fixture as a first class musical organization: Tubas, Dick Bowe, A.A. Brown; Baritone, Newt Wells; Slide Trombones, Will Grayson, Lucien Street, Chas. Street, Landon Gilliland; Altos, Roy Walk, Henry Gilbert, John Gallegly, Ewell Vandover, Chas. Black, Fred Peterson; Coronets, Ed Hall, Edgar Stephens, Ferd Phipps, Curtis Black, Paul Oliver, Tiffany Hawks, James Hawks, Earl Taylor, Chas. Gage, Geo. Boyd, Has. Bryant; Clarinets. Henry Coleman. Lanie Black, John Crabtree, Andy Bollenbacher, C.E. Hughes, Goldie Oliver; Flutes; Tony Berg, A.G. Vantreese; Piccolo, Sam Smith, Snare Drum, Sam Hall; Bass Drum, Arthur Gallegly. C.E. Hughes director
Rev. Jas. G. Miller was about, if not, the first pastor at Corning. He was appointed here in '75 or '76. He was followed by Rev. Samuel L. Bayless. His term of service is not definitely known to your contributor. In 1880 Rev. W.M. Watson, an honored member of the conference, was pastor. He, assisted by Rev. F. Jernigan who was stationed at Boydsville and Oak Bluff, held the first revival of any note in Corning.
The meeting was held in the old school house that stood out west of town. It was indeed a great meeting for those days, about 54 conversions. Methodist in Corning began to grow and the increase has steadily moved on until now there is to be seen a handsome brick church. with a good membership and an annual conference being royally entertained. 
Only a few of the old guards are now on duty, either as to church work or citizenship. Among them are C.V. Beloate, Capt. and Mrs. Beloate, Mrs. M.E. Green, Mrs., Eliza West, Mrs. D.N. Thomas.
Among the citizens are E.V. Sheeks, Mrs. Ella See, Jacob Brobst, C. Woodall and others.

1908
The Corning Orchestra has opened an all electric motion picture show in the Opera House.
Some dirty baseball,-ball game almost ends in lynching. Woman starts Riot, enraged fans threatened to swing to a limb Poplar Bluff players on diamond at Corning. 50 persons surround Pitcher McCullough. Air filled with cries of "Lynch Them" but team gets away without harm. Poplar Bluff won the fame.
The Public school term began Monday with the following teachers: J.L. McClurkin, Supt.; Vergie Redwine, assistant; Wm. Caton, Sixth grade; Mrs. D.B. Renfro, fifth; Mrs. J.F. Fowlkes, fourth; Miss Rhea Crutchfield, third; Miss Mazie Barnhill, second; Mrs. Estelle Westbrook, first.
The Iron Mountain has opened the new brick depot at Poplar Bluff. The construction costs, $35.000.
Faust is set for showing at the opera house, Saturday, April 11. This huge attraction will jump from Pine Bluff to DeSoto, Mo., with Corning the only other showing. Tickets at an advanced price of 35c, 50c and 75c due to the cost of this attraction. On sale at Welch's Bakers.
Heart disease claims E.V. Sheeks while in buggy from trip in the country.
The Dr. Harb home north of D. Hopson's house has been sold to W.D. Long for $2500.
The Steve Long farm of 240 acres near S.W. Corning has been sold to G.A. Hoffman for $4,400.
Contract for dredging the Cypress Creek ditch has been let.
The baseball fans of Corning are building a grandstand and fenced enclosure in NW Corning for the coming season.
The drainage contract for Sub Ark. No. 1, Black Creek ditch, has been awarded for $75,000 for digging over 31 miles of the ditch.
C.L. Bailey has moved his tinshop from the Barnes Building on Second Street to the former Long Meat market site on First. The Long building has been fireproofed by a cover of sheet iron.
Up to date showing of moving pictures and beautiful illustrated song slides every week day night at 8:15 at Opera House. Admissions 5 and 10 cents.
Trolley Railway under consideration---The best citizens are interested in a trolley railroad to run from Corning west to a point midway between Datto and Success on the Frisco Ry. J.E. Matthews advocates the extension of the line to Success, Datto, Reyno, Biggers and Maynard.
George A. Booser was in St. Louis purchasing machinery for an ice plant. The plant will begin operating on May 1st.
Some local citizens are concerned about the earth passing thru the tail of Halley's Comet April 8th. The Comet is visible in the western sky with glasses.
The ladies of Corning have organized a cemetery association to beautify the local burying site. President; Mrs. Willie B. Sheeks, Treasurer; Mrs. G.B. Oliver; Secretary; Mrs. A.R. Simpson. A vice president will be appointed from each church congregation at the next meeting. The association plans to observe Decoration Day with appropriate services.
The city council met for the first session with G.B. Oliver, Mayor. Dick Brown resigned and condemned the C.H. Robinson livery stable as a nuisance. Razing to begin within :30 days. S.P. Lindsey is recorder J. M. Rhea, Wm Letbetter, R.E. Hawks, W.A. Vandover, W.D. Bennett are aldermen for the next year.
The big stick of candy in the show window of T. Toalson's Bon-Ton Bakery weighed 69 pounds. Winners in the weight guessing contest were J.H. Carter, Irma Ray, Dr. Simpson, Goldie Oliver, Sol Steinberg, Elias White and H. Masterson. Guesses ranged from four to 1,000 pounds.
J.M. Hawks is moving from First Street to the Oddfellow brick on Second Street and is having a stock reducing sale beginning January 20th for 30 days.
The Corning Electric Light Co. has been sold by E.V. Sheeks to George A. Booser. The plant will be moved from the flour mill site at Elm and East First to the Booser Stave Factory.
Mr. Sheeks will move his store from the square to Elm and First and the old Sheeks Stephens Store, a landmark since 1880, will be razed. The Phoenix Gin will he moved from Market and Fourth to a site east of the depot on Main 
J. M. Hawks has announced opening day for February 29, 1908! His statement to the public," "Hoping to see you all with your wife, babies, young ladies and their sweethearts."
The third annual 4th of July picnic was held on the club house grounds on Corning Lake.
Roy Dunigan, local aeronaut treated the visitors with his daring balloon ascension of 3,000 feet and parachute jump at 11:52 a.m. Corning Military Band furnished music between the speeches of candidates.
Games in the afternoon. square dancing, shooting by the Gun Club and the fireworks from the lake at 8p.m. finished a grand celebration. The T.C. Hicks family won the prize for the largest family on the grounds, for the third time...
The Methodist ladies will hold their annual bazaar and turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day in the Beloate building on Second Street. Dinner and supper will be served for 25 cents. Come in, have a good meal and buy items from the Bazaar.
Claude Skinner, who has been in the army in the Phillipine Islands several years, has arrived home.

1909
Corning will enjoy excellent electric light service again this summer. G.A. Booser announces that day service will begin again June 1st and will extend until the last of October, or as long as warm weather continues to make electric fan needed.
The Corning baseball club with T. Toalson. manager, promises a better team than ever for the Corning fans.
Sunday School is well attended in Corning. Last Sunday, the attendance was: Methodist. 191: Baptist. 38; Christian 54: Holiness, 47. Total 320.
The IFF, composed of some young girls of Corning, met in the home of Miss Ethel Black Saturday afternoon and a pleasant time was spent. Games were played. prizes awarded and refreshments served. IFF means In For Fun. The next meeting will be with Anne Bryant.
Pupils of Corning Public School have purchased a 350 pound school bell costing $26.00. A belfry will be erected on the roof of the school house. The bell can be heard for two miles. J. L. McClurkin, Superintendent has directed the money raising program . The pupils next project is a flag pole with old glory flying on the school grounds. Hurrah for the boys and girls of our school.
The Gang-A society of young girls, was organized at the home of Jenie Oliver on Saturday afternoon. Members of the club are Jenie Oliver, Fay Champion, Laurena Oliver, Ethel Estes, Eunice Piland, Nesa Barnhill, Ruth McKinney and Marie Black. The Gang meets with Miss Nesa next Saturday afternoon.
The Corning Orchestra has been rated as one of the best musical groups in the state of Arkansas. The musician practice Sunday afternoons at the Opera House and provide music for the stage shows. Members are: W.W. Henry director and violin,. Mrs. W.W Henry, piano: Dr. V. H. Tate Clarinet; Ed Hall, Coronet: Charley Gage, Trombone: George Richards, French horn and Sam Hall, trap drums.
The baseball park in NW Corning has been put in fine condition and Manager Toalson is rounding up the team of players for the team.
The Clionian Literary Society of C.H.S. has raised $14 to buy a basketball and equipment for a girls basketball team. Miss Virginia Redwine, Principal, will coach the girls and chaperon the team when it plays out of town.
Don't forget Mack Ward's new Starlight show house, corner of First and Vine (Vandover Building). Elevated seats. Illustrated song slides. cooled by Electric fans. Big shows every week day and night, 5 and 10 cents.
D. Hopson has begun clearing site for a 100 x 80 size brick by moving
the two frame residences North of Brown's Drug Store. The new brick will have four business rooms. a concrete walk will replace the wooden walk from Second Street to First, known as Hop Alley.
W. D. Polk will put up two brick buildings north of the two story brick that is occupied by the Corning Furniture Co.
Reverend Arthur Connor, who lives three miles North of Palatka, was visiting in Corning this week. The grand old citizen is still hale and healthy in his 97th year.
The city election vote is as follows: For Mayor, I.M. Reed 59, G.B. Oliver 1; For Recorder, W.W. Henry 56, Lee Brown 1, Wm. Matthews 1; For Aldermen, Larry Boshears 57, W. D. Hopson 55, W.D. Polk 41, W.M. Letbetter 59, W.D, Bennett 4, J.H. Dew 14 and J.M. Oliver 1.
Clay County will have compulsory school attendance of children eight to 16 years of age. Our county is one out of 30 that is included in the recent act of the Arkansas Legislature.
The Fourth annual picnic on he large ground drew crowds estimated at 2,500 to 3,000 people. Roy Dunigan, our home grown aeronaut, thrilled with his balloon ascension, and parachute drop. Candidates interspread oratory with music by the Corning Military Band. Square dancing began on Friday night and lasted until dawn Sunday. Fireworks from the Corning Lake barge were most spectacular.
W.R. Wynn has bought the Larry Boshears frame just south of The Courier office on First Street and will begin the erection of a brick business 50 by 70 feet. The Wynn's will enter general merchandise with W.R.'s son, Tom, as manager.
Since the electric lights system went under the control of Geo. A. Booser, Corning has had service not enjoyed by many towns of our size or excelled by few larger ones. Last summer a day current was run which was of great convenience to many of our business firms, and Mr. Booser scarcely realized the expense. This year, however, the day service will, it is hoped, receive a good support and will open for business June I and continue until the latter part of October.
The Corning Telephone Company is fortunate in having in its employ Miss Edith Barnhill who answers calls promptly and is accommodating at all times.
Last Sunday morning was all one could desire who wished to attend Sunday schools or church services, and we presume the attendance was up to the average. The attendance was: Methodist 191; Baptists 38; Christian 54; Holiness 47. Total 320.
The alarm of a fire sounded Tuesday evening at Seven o'clock and the warehouse containing hay and salt back of Bowen and Boyd's grocery and general merchandise store was found to be on fire. Heroic work was done by our citizens, but to no avail and in a few moments the Bowen and Boyd building was on fire beyond our control.
Quite a number of our influential and substantial business men at the opera house Tuesday evening for the purpose of learning the sentiment of our citizens in regard to the building of an electric car line from Corning to Maynard. a distance of 18 miles.
Motion was made and carried that Dr. A. B. McKinney act as Chairman of the meeting and S. P. Lindsey secretary. A motion was made and carried that a committee of five be appointed by the chairman to solicit stock. But a substitute was made, that we inform the promoters that we want the road and that we will assist in procuring right of way, take some stock and ask for an expression as to what the promoters desire of the citizens of Corning.
For several days past, the citizens living between Knobel and Boydsville have noticed a negro acting somewhat strangely at different times in that community. The officers were notified of the negro's actions and last Saturday he was captured on the Ball farm near Knobel and brought and placed into the Corning jail by Deputy Sheriff C.B. Cox of Knobel. The negro gave his name as Will Smith. He is the first negro ever placed in either of the Clay County jails and it is very doubtful where jailer D.L. Wall would let him go under any authority as he would make a good attraction for the picture shows of Clay County. There are no colored people in Corning, or Clay County for that matter, and Will is being given the very best attention.
Corning is the only town of it size in the state that can boast of the all day and night electric service without the electric cars attached. There are 40 electric fans, 13 electric motors, ranging from a 15 horse power down, and 1,500 electric lights in residences and street lights on all the principal corners in the business and residence districts.
Another fact was brought to notice last Saturday that goes to show conclusively, that it pays to raise hogs in Clay County. R. H. Cantwell, who lives just across Black River, east of Corning, brought a fine hog to town, Saturday that weighed 370 pounds and was purchased by J. T. Frazier the meat market man, at seven cents a pound.
From general appearance it seems that we are now on the verge of another great building boom in Corning, not only in the business sections, but in the residence districts as well.
W. R. Wynn, the merchant on First Street, will erect a large brick building where now stands the building occupied by Sullin's Restaurant and the tailor shop.
J.M. Oliver will place a large concrete building where now stands his store building.
R.E. Hawks has purchased the property. and lots on the southeast corner of Vine and Second Streets from Mrs. M.E. Bishop, the consideration being $3,500. The property is now occupied by J.T. Frazier's meat market and John Rhea's harness shop.
John Rhea, one of Corning's substantial business men, is having erected a handsome residence on his property on northern First Street. It is a two-story structure built in front of his old house and the old department, will be used as a kitchen and addition to his new home.
One evening last week, while sitting on the bench at the east end of Hop Alley with his legs crossed and after the command of Harry Lasater to move over, William Matthews, the restaurant man fell from the bench and dislocated his right elbow.
Two bright little boys and four pretty, sweet little girls acted as pages during the recent conference held in this city, and they received much praise from the officers and delegates for their promptness in answering every call and want. They were: John Crutchfield and Willie Oliver and the little Misses Eddie Tinsley, Wilma Barringer, Mary Thomas and Bessie Prichard.
Rev. A. Conner, who resided three miles north of Palatka, in Clay County, celebrated his 97th birth anniversary last Saturday. May 22nd. His many friends and neighbors have been gathering annually to help him celebrate the occasion of his birthday, but at this time the crowd exceeded like gatherings in the past and it is estimated that between three and fur hundred were present to participate in the celebration. Rev. Conner is the oldest man in Clay County and probably the oldest Missionary Baptist Preacher in the United States. Bro. Conner was pastor of many of the old-time Baptist Churchmen when, after church services the congregation would indulge in a big dance. Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Reynolds of Reyno were the first persons ever baptized by Rev. Conner and this was immediately following the Civil War:
The Courier last week called attention of the necessity of our citizens raising sum of money in order to secure a manufacturing industry that desired to locate in our town for the purpose of operating a band sawmill and box factory. The land cost $3,500 and the sum has been fully subscribed by the citizens of our town and it is now assured that Corning will have the largest band sawmill and box factory in this section of the country, constantly giving employment to 150 to 200 men. The company will be incorporated under the title of the Luehrmann Lumber Company and W.A. Krimminger will be the local manager. A $3,500 bonus was given by our citizens which will be paid to the trustee as follows: One half due when said sawmill is erected and in operation and the balance when said railroad has been constructed to Black River, provided the said trustee shall hold such money until the said road is completed said distance, with a bridge or transfer across Black River, it is being understood that said road, when so completed said distance a common carrier and be independent of the Iron Mountain end Southern railway. 
The Company's site is located east of the city cemetery and east of the Iron Mountain railroad, and they will construct a railroad to their timbered lands east of Black River several miles.
Miss Maud Dudgeon, daughter of Postmaster Dudgeon end our popular clerk et Uncle Sam's establishment, was absent from duty lest week on account of sickness end her place was filled by her sister, Miss Ida May.
As the spring advances the rumors of e substantial end rapid growth of Corning takes on tangible shape than ever before. As soon as the weather will permit, the two residences north of Brown's Drug Store on Second Street, will be moved to other parts of the city end used as homes. The property belongs to Judge D. Hopson, who intends to put up a find brick building 100x80 feet. The new building will contain four store rooms, and be one story high at present, although the foundation will be built strong enough for a four story building.
The stairways will also be left for an additional story is the future. The low places on this property, which at the present time is a pond of stagnant water, will be seweraged and thoroughly drained and leveled up immediately. A concrete walk will be built through Hop Alley. It is said that W.D. Polk will also build two large brick buildings on Second Street, north of the Corning Furniture Company.
A number of representatives citizen of Corning met at the opera house Monday night to confer with John Pickrell, one of the promoters of the proposed electric car line from the Corning to Maynard. Pickrell desired that the citizens of Corning take $60,000 worth of stock in the energy enterprise and give a bonus of $20,000 making a total for Corning's end of the line. $80,000. Many of our citizens are of the opinion that this amount is too large and can never be raised but another meeting will be held in the near future, when our business men will make known what amount of stock will be taken and how much bonus they will give.
Wolves in great packs are making nightly ravages upon livestock in the vicinity of Neelyville and many farmers have had animals slain by the hungry wolves. In one community alone it is reported that 100 hogs and ten head of cattle were killed in one week by wolves.
R.E. Hawks has bought the two-story frame Bishop at Vine and Second. The building will be moved and replaced next year by a two room brick,
H.S. Mobley, printer and pastor of the Christian Church, has moved to Fayetteville and the Morleys are now living in an Ozark cave near the city.
The Hopson Brick on Second Street, North of Hop Alley, will be the First National Rank, W.A. Schnable boots and shoes, Sam Cantwell harness and hardware, Webb Bros. pool room. Tenants along Hop Alley, west to cast, T.J. Crowder law office, Mrs. Daniels and Sprague Millinery shop, G.H. Champion restaurant and confectionery, - Dr. A. B. McKinney office. Upstairs over the bank, Oscar M. Williams, contractor, V.H. Tate, DDS and the Corning Telephone Company.
Heroic work of citizens saves town from total destruction. The fire whistle at 7 p.m. summoned fire fighters to the warehouse of Boyd end Brown in the rear of their store on First Street. The hay in the warehouse spread the flames and First Street was razed by the blaze from Elm to the brick that housed the First National Bank. Business burned were A.C. Beilus restaurant, the B.H. Champion restaurant and confectionery, Bower and Bower in building occupied until 1907 by J.M. Hawks, Clagg Brothers barber shop and J.W. Harb, successor to E.V. Sheeks who died in December, 1908.

1910
Prof. J.O. Porter, who was a school teacher in this locality about four years ago and afterwards read law in the office of one of our Corning Attorneys was arrested last week on the charge of whipping one his his pupils at Grubbs. It is alleged that the child was beaten severely with a piece of window faceing.
For some time past a woman by the name of Ollie James from Walnut Ridge, bas been coming to Corning on the 11:35 o'clock train at night and returning on the four o'clock train in morning coming here for immoral purposes. Last Friday night the officers were on the lookout for the woman and sure enough she arrived on time and was taken to Hotel DeWall (jail) where she occupied a cell for until the mayor's court opened the next morning. She was fined $20.15 and told that if she ever visited Corning again she would be given the full extent of the law with a jail sentence thrown in for good measure.
Great interest is being manifested in the meeting conducted by Evangelist John B. Andrews at the Methodist church in this city and the interest seems to be growing with each service and probably between 50 and 60 souls have been won for the Lord.
It is true that Corning has several cases of Smallpox at the present time but there are very few towns in the state the size of ours that have not been affected with this disease during the Fall or Winter.
Poor George Blunk has given up to the inevitable that must and will come to every person, death. He died at his home early Sunday morning from the bursting of an enlarged artery. He was 40 years old.
One man in Clay County buried $600 under a doorstep and another man dug it up. A woman in the same county saved $250 from selling butter and eggs and a purse snatcher got that. The best place for money that is not working is in a bank vault.
According to information given out by the Iron Mountain railroad the management has determined to build a "hog tight" fence from St. Louis to Texarkana a distance of 494 miles, and the work will be start in the very near future.
Steps have been taken to construct an iron bridge over Black River near Bennett's ferry, two miles east of Corning.
A destructive fire ited Corning last Saturday morning, destroying an old residence owned by Mrs. D.W. Vickery, J. H. Carter's hotel and restaurant, McCollum's shoe shop and a small residence, the two latter owned by G. B. Clagg, all situated east of the railroad near the depot.
Valentine Tapley, owner of the longest beard in the world, died Saturday at his home in Spenceburg, Pike County, Mo. He was 80 years old. It is said that when Lincoln 22 was a candidate for the presidency Tapley, who was a democrat, made a vow that if Lincoln were elected he would never cut his beard. The length of his beard was 12 and one-half feet for several years. He took great pride in his whiskers and wore them wrapped in silk and wound about his body..
Just 50 years ago Tuesday, J. M. Hawks came into this world, being born in a log cabin near Warren, this state. From a poor boy, J. M. Hawks has wended his way to that of one of the most successful, in financial circles, to be found in the state.
While in town Saturday afternoon, Chris Bauschlicher received by express four quarts of fine whiskey, which was sent to him by some friend in the North. Chris placed the whiskey in his wagon, back of Oliver and Co. store, and went about town doing his trading. He had not much more that gotten out of sight of the wagon when two young men, Dan and Lem Keller, were noticed making away with Bauschilicher's four quarts of bug juice. Marshal Crutchfield was notified and overtook the fugitives just outside of the city limits. The $ 25 fine was paid and the one hour in jail remitted, but Bauschlicher received only one of his bottles back.,
The Standard Oil Co., through its representatives R.A. McCutcheon and F. Murray, have closed a deal which gives them a lease on 15,000 acres of land Northeast of Corning for the purpose of experimenting for oil. This company also has options on land South, West and Northeast of town.
Wm T. Tant, 18 years of age, bad a thrilling experience Saturday afternoon when be successfully made an ascension in a balloon, but was unable to cut loose from it with his parachute. The balloon swooped down at a rapid rate, alighting between the housetop and a tree in a yard of Mrs. Ernest Floto. Tant's cries for help could be heard for blocks and those who heard them were badly frightened. Mrs. Robinson, who lives in the Floto home fainted, when she saw the young man's predicament.
The ascension was pronounced the best ever given in Corning and was witnessed by probably 2,500 people. Tant was unhurt.
The old fiddlers contest, pulled off at the Corning opera house last Friday night, was a grand success and those who attended spent a pleasant time and received their money's worth. While the old fiddler was decided in favor of Ed Patterson; second, W.G. Gage; best two playing together, John F. and Ed Patterson; best boy fiddler, Sherman Hays; best singer, John Hays; homeliest fiddler, Sherman Hays; tallest fiddler; Ed Patterson, fattest fiddler; W . B . Gage, largest fiddler; Dr. Geo. Gray, Fiddler with biggest feet; W.C. Honeycutt, fiddler with the longest whiskers.
An indebtedness of about $500 on the Baptist Church of this city, which had been standing against that institution for some time in the past, has virtually been paid, according to Rev. I.W. Russell, pastor.
Unbleached muslin, 6c a yard; Ladies fine dress skirts; $1.89; Ladies fine taylor-made suits in all colors, $8.98; The Chicago Store, opposite the depot. B. Levit proprietor.
As Thomas Lincoln was walking the railroad track to Moark Sunday morning to ring the bell for Sunday school, he found a dead man lying on the track about one half mile North of the town. A jury was enpanelled and the verdict was the death of the unknown man was caused by being struck by an engine on the Iron Mountain Railroad. He was buried on the railroad right-of-way Sunday afternoon.

1911
Among the many law suits that have been on the docket of the Western District of Clay County, there is none that had gained such whispered notoriety and acted with such magnetic power in drawing a large audience to the courthouse as has the one ended Friday evening, which occupied the attention of the court since the previous Tuesday morning, consuming practically four days. The courthouse was packed since its beginning with men, women, and children. At the previous term of court, last August, Charles McCollum, by his attorneys, Moore and Bloodworth, filed a lawsuit against J. M. Hawks and others for alleged desecration, mutilation and defacing the graves of his children, and therefore asking damages to the amount of $10,000. By reason of an overcrowded docked the case was continued until recent term. The case grew out of an effort on the part of the citizens of Corning to clear off. beautify and establish driveways over the long neglected grounds of the Corning cemetery and for such purpose an organization known as the Corning Cemetery Association was formed, principally of ladies of the different churches of the city, empowered with authority to solicit funds for the furtherance of their work. It was during the discharge of these duties that the defendants were stopped by the plaintiff and action begun by citing them to trial. After retirement and deliberation for a few minutes the jury brought in a verdict in favor of the defendants.
Harry W. Lasater and George Richard of this city and Col. C. R. McCracken of Success were busy several days this week appraising the goods of the bankrupt stocks of J. M. Hawks at this place, Peach Orchard, Reyno, Success and Neelyville.
The Sunday Lid which had been the source of more comment and jokes than anything in Corning the past year, was thrown wide open last Sunday to the great benefit of many restaurants and peanut stands in the city. 
The new city officers were sworn in last Friday night and the first official act done was to grant the pool room license and that place is now open and you can play pool as long as you want to, just so you have got the price. The pool room. license had been revoked by the former mayor, Hon. G. B. Oliver. Robert Motsinger is the city marshal.
Tom Wynn, junior member of the firm of Wynn and Son, First Street merchants, has been walking on crutches the past week. His many friends thought he had been running around too late at night, but Tom says it is just "plain old rheumatism."
At ten o'clock last Saturday night occurred one of, if not the most atrocious murders ever committed in this county, when Henry G. Wilson a nursery agent and ex-preacher, after a few days of drunkenness, brutally shot his wife Jane Wilson, age about 45, and his stepson, Allen Maynard, age 22, at their home in northeast Corning with a .38 caliber Iver Johnson pistol. Wilson had been drunk and quarreling at his wife for some time and when he renewed the quarrel early Saturday, scalding her with coffee, she went to the mayor's office and procured a warrant of arrest which was acted on by Marshal Motsinger, immediately taking Wilson before acting Mayor C. R. Black. Wilson demanded a trial which was set for three o'clock that afternoon; the prisoner furnished bond for his appearance and was liberated. All except young Maynard knew that the couple had been having domestic troubles at their home for a day or two previous to the tragedy. The step son, who had been laboring for the past year or two in the country near here, had not been to his mother's home for two weeks until just a few minutes before the shooting. Sheriff J. E. Matthews, to prevent any possibility of mob violence, of which they were slight indications during the afternoon, took Wilson south on the local freight just before noon and he and his prisoner boarded a northbound Frisco train at Hoxie and went to Pocahontas where Wilson was placed in jail that evening. Drs. A. R. Simpson, J. C. Black, George D. Gray, J. W. Bowers and others rendered surgical aid. Mrs. Wilson was buried in the Corning Cemetery, Sunday afternoon.
About 30 feet width and ten feet in height of brickwork, the central part of the second story front wall of Phipps and Arnold's new brick business house on Second Street collapsed on Friday afternoon. The work was under supervision of contractor, O. M. Williams who was sick in bed at the time it fell, and the brick masons were completing their work on the two story building having the walls all up except the fire walls.

1912
Most everyone can be an editor. All an editor has to do is to sit at his desk six days a week, four weeks of the month and 12 months a year and "edit" such stuff as this: 
Mrs. Jones of Lost Creek let a can opener slip last week and cut herself in the pantry. A mischievous lad of Matherton threw a stone and struck a companion in the alley last Tuesday. Joe Doe climbed on the roof of his house last week looking for a leak and fell striking himself on the back porch. Irish Trimmer was playing with a cat Friday when it scratched him on the verandah. Mr. Jones, while harnessing a bronco last Saturday was kicked south of the corn crib.
Dr. A. R. Simpson and son, Perry, and Dr. J. M. Oliver and J. W. Crabtree received their two automobiles and unloaded some here Wednesday and Thursday. W. D. Bennett. who owns the first automobile brought to this city, assisted them in unloading and putting the machines in operation. The machines are of Ford make and are good machines.
George A. Booser, proprietor of the Booser stave and heading factory of this city, has recently purchased the largest steamboat that ever plied the waters of Black River in this vicinity.
The Northern Construction Co. has recently completed the levee from Murphy Lake for a distance of seven miles up the stream and the big dredge boat has plowed its way to the lake bridge in the south end of town. It has cut a ditch of 35 feet wide and thrown a high levee between the ditch and the lake.
Carpenter contractor Evans and brick contractor Johnson are pushing the work of reconstruction the residence of Dr. A. R. Simpson on south Second Street. The building will virtually be a new one from basement to garret when completed. The building is being made square and a large addition is being put on the east end which will be used as a kitchen, pantry and bath room. When completed the doctor's residence will contain 12 large rooms.
Miss Birdie Sullins, the accomplished daughter of Esquire and Mrs. Otto Sullins, has attended graduation exercises at Paragould's Business School and was awarded her diploma as a stenographer. Miss Birdie was a graduate of C.H.S. in 1912.
Tom Wynn, John Gallegley, Sam Hall, Ewell Vandover and John Hardesty spent last Sunday in Piggott in Tom's new automobile. They report the roads in good condition. 
No picnic, so it was a quiet day the 4th of July.
The result of the great fight between Jack Johnson and Jim Flynn received round by round over Western Union. The decision was given the Negro claiming foul tactics used by Flynn.
The store room in the Hopson brick, north of Sam Cantwell's Harness and Hardware, has been donated by the owner, D. Hopson, as quarters of the Wilson for President Club.
The big drainage ditch near completion. The big boat is now in the John Dudgeon field in south Corning. Northern Construction has cut a lateral to Corning Lake for water to float the huge vessel.
W. D. Bennett, Clyde Lasater and Torn Wynn went to Campbell, Mo., the latter part of last week to bring through the country Bennett and Son's new Ford automobile which they bought from an agent at that place. They arrived home Friday afternoon, coming back by way of Piggott, Rector and Paragould. Chas. Tweedle, son of the man from whom the auto was bought came with them, showing the mechanical parts of the car. Bennett and Son will use the car in connection with their livery stable, making long drives. 
Last Tuesday morning, shortly after 10, a phone message came over from the Ring neighborhood beyond Black River, about ten miles northeast of Corning summoning Sheriff Matthews and Drs. McKinney and Latimer to the old Renchler place in that neighborhood where a sanguinary battle with firearms had been fought between Mrs. Mary Renchler and Dave Kelley, a young man formerly of here, on one side and Wm. Kidd on the other. Sheriff Matthews and his deputy, Sam Sims, arrived there about noon and placed all the combatants under arrest. The doctors quickly dressed the wounds of the injured woman and man. It seems that Mrs. Renchler and Kidd, her tenant, had been having some trouble over a share crop contract. 
One of Bennett and Son's teams with a heavy load of coal, driven by Bill Magee, stuck in a mud hole in front of this office Wednesday morning, the front wheels of the wagons going down to the hubs. The driver, with the assistance of another team, succeeded in pulling out without unloading his coal. Marshal Bailus arrived on the scene in a few minutes and had some cinders hauled and put in the hole and now the teams are driving over the former bad place.
The Corning Library will be open in the room above the First National Bank every Wednesday afternoon from now on. Get a good book to read in your home.
Patrons at the post office Wednesday morning were surprised to find a new office with golden oak fixtures, lock boxes and three service windows. Postmaster Dudgeon says the new postmaster will be appointed before the new year comes in.
The lawsuit against the improvers of The Corning Cemetery for $10,000 has been decided in their favor. The organization had been charged with willfully destroying the grave of a child by putting a driveway across it.
George Booser has begun building a three mile tram road from his stave mill on Corning Lake to Kelley Hole on Black River, a distance of three miles. Pile drivers are driving piling for the trestle across the north end of Corning Lake.
Corning's oldest and greatest mercantile store, Oliver and Co., is operating in its new brick. The store began business as C. O. Watts and Co. in 1884 in the abandoned 1873-1877 courthouse at First and Main. Dr. Oliver married into the family in 1891 and the title became Oliver and Co. 1884 to 1911 makes a total of 27 years for Mrs. Mary L. Oliver in business on the corner.
In the municipal election Rev. G. A. Hoffman was a victor by a big majority. W. A. Vandover 59: G. A. Hoffman, 133.
The public school graduating exercises of Corning High School at the Opera House featured a girls only class for four sweet girl graduates. The baccalaureate sermon was delivered by Rev. C. M. Reeves, the class address by Dr. C. H. Baugh. Miss Laurena Oliver delivered the salutatory indeed a literary gem. Miss Ethel Black, in a clear voice, delivered a splendid essay and rendered a vocal solo. Miss Naomi Curry, in her graceful and winning way, gave the class history and prophecy. Miss Ruth McKinney delivered the valedictory and impressed everyone with her charming mariners and eloquence. The graduates were overwhelmed with gifts and bouquets.
Tom Wynn, junior member of W. R. Wynn and Son, last Saturday received his brand new automobile, sold by the Piggott agent of Studebaker who came over and showed Tom how to drive the horseless carriage. The machine is a Flanders 20 and any day now you can see Tom behind the wheel and hear his "honk, honk."

1913
Pursuant to a call by Mayor Chas. R. Black, a large mass meeting of citizens was held at the courthouse last Friday night and nominees for city candidates were chosen for the municipal election, April 1st. The ticket, for mayor, Chas. R. Black; for recorder, Arthur B. Gallegly; aldermen, F. A. Harold, W. M. Fowler, B. C. Smith, J. R. Rhyne and Wm. Caton.
Mrs. M. E. Bishop has recently had platted several lots in the Bishop addition in the West part of town. Mrs. Bishop has several more lots near her home which she will put on her market in a short time. She has disposed of all of her lots so far at a good price ranging from $175 to $225.
Grand free barbecues at Corning Lake grounds on July 4th. The biggest picnic ever pulled off in Corning. The merchants will offer a big free street parade and an elegant display of floats. The Corning Bank will furnish music for the parade and throughout the day. There will be amusement for all, such as merry go rounds, dancing floors, doll racks, boat races, etc. The feature amusements of the day will be the celebrated high dive from an 80 foot ladder into the lake, and the hazardous slide for life. Come everybody and bring well filled baskets and be sure to come prepared to stay and see the gorgeous display of fireworks at night.
The most heart-rending accident, and the only accident to mar the festivities of the Independence Day celebration here last Friday, was the drowning of J. M. Rumford in Corning Lake just West of Booser's factory, about 3 p.m.
On Sunday, August 31st, Rev. R. L. Russell of Poplar Bluff will dedicate the Methodist church in Corning at 11 a.m. Rev. A. E. Holloway of Blytheville will preach at night of the same day.
Jos. A. Bowen, is seriously wounded in one side of his lung by several number six shot and R. W. Canfield is slightly wounded in the back and one arm by similar shot, fired from one or more persons about ten o'clock last Tuesday night, the trouble having taken place at the Kelley hole just Southeast of here on Black River. Ode Smith was charged with taking part in the affray and is under bond to appear in a preliminary trial next Wednesday.
Bankrupt Sale. We have purchased the Alper and Tucker stocks of merchandise at 52 cents on the dollar from the receivers and will put this stock on sale commencing next Wednesday, October 15, continuing for 30 days, at prices never heard of in Corning.
We regret to note that Dr. G. D. Gray, while handling the tray of a trunk in which he kept a revolver, accidentally dropped the tray and discharged the weapon, slightly wounding himself in one of his feet last Saturday.
S. P. Lindsey has moved to his new home on his farm adjoining town. The farm has been given a name and will be known as Linwood.
Rob. L. Reeves, aged 35, for several years a citizen of Ring neighborhood nine miles East of Corning, while here, wandering about the streets and alleys and presumed to be intoxicated, just before midnight last Tuesday, was shot in the right lung with a shotgun loaded with small shot. When the fatal shot was fired he was alleged to be attempting to open a window on the alley side of Milo Gwatney, who shot him from within, the charge passing through a window pane and wire screen. Reeves staggered across the street and went a few steps, falling across W. R. Barringer's front fence where Gwatney and Marshal Bailus rescued and took him to a room in the calaboose, where surgical aid was summoned, but to no avail, and death came just before noon Wednesday. His burial was here Wednesday. Esq. Sullins impaneled a coroner's jury at his office Wednesday, and after the unusual inquiry, a verdict that the deceased came to his death from the effects of a gunshot wound at the hands of Milo Gwatney.
The Gazette of last Tuesday contained the news of the recommendation to congress, by Representative Caraway, of Dr. A. B. McKinnney for the appointment of postmaster of this place, to succeed the present incumbent C. T. Bloodworth, who resigned on the 12th of last month. The Corning post office is among the best paying offices in the First Congressional District, with a salary of $1,800 annually.

1914
Harry Vandover, younger son of W. A. Vandover, was painfully burned last Saturday while trying to rekindle the fire in a heating stove with gasoline at R. McKinney's tailor shop on Second Street.
Master Brooks Sheeks entertained a number of his young friends Saturday afternoon, the occasion being the 12th birthday. Following is a list of those present: Edith Brown, Marie Hopson, Lillie Mae Crowder, Vana Arnold, Ruth Brown, Blanche Lindsey, Mary Polk, Katherine Black, Wynona Hawks, Mabel Neill, Carl Haley, Harry Isaacs, Everett Baranger, Frank McKinney, Jim Lasater, William Estes, Harry Hettel, Bill Oliver, Paul Lindsey, Earle and Farris Latimer.
Earl Mizell, lately switchman in the Iron Mountain railroad yards at McGhee, who was a few days ago run over by a locomotive and had both arms cut off, one foot crushed and received other injuries, sends information to his brother W. H. Mizell, here at that he expects to leave St. Vincent's Hospital, first of next week.
Last Tuesday morning, about 7:30, C. T. Bloodworth and School Supt. H. Haley fought near the post office on Second Street. The alteration started by Bloodworth striking the first blow, and both men's fists worked effectively and furiously for a few seconds, when Bloodworth, changing from that method, grabbed a garden rake in front of the Corning hardware store and broke the rake over Haley's head. At this time juncture the latter also adopted more strenuous methods, choosing a cant-hook and pursuing his opponent, but before any serious injury resulted, bystanders interfered.
The balloon ascension, scheduled for last Saturday afternoon was postponed until Monday on account of high wind and bad weather. The ascension took place about 1:30 Monday afternoon, made by Ira Perren, of the Dunigan Balloon Company. The balloon went very high and young Perren rode to a good height before cutting loose. His parachute carried him safely down to an open field on Staley Ridge just east of town.
C.H.S. graduating class: Guy Barnes, Ethel Estes, Glenna Olive, Golden E. Neely and Lynn S. Polk of the high school and Wendell Phillips, Elmer Motsinger, Perry Hettel, Ada Burgess and Geneva Larkins of grammar school.
One day last week, while J. M. Oliver was out in his automobile, he discovered that he needed some lubricating oil for his engine. He drove up to a farm house where a small boy was playing and told the boy to ask his mother if she had any lubricating oil, or castor oil will do. Soon the boy returned and said, Ma ain't got no castor oil or nothing, but she said if you would wait a few minutes she would fix you a dose of salts.
What is generally termed almost a calamity for Corning vicinity, was the big fire that destroyed George A. Booser's slack cooperage plant and electric light plant last Thursday morning, throwing many workmen here and elsewhere out of employment and putting Corning's electric lights and motors out of commission. The fire was discovered in debris in the north end of the big factory by a night watchmen about 2 a.m. and spread through the plant in all directions with such rapidity that it was soon beyond control, burning fiercely until after sunrise and making a complete wreck of the large plant. Booser's loss is estimated at $65,000.
C. L. Schindler, an experienced 5 to 25 cent store merchant and his family, lately of Moberly, Mo., have moved to Corning and will open a store of the above mentioned kind in the south room of the Phipps and Arnold new brick on Second Street.
The Holiness Church people held another of their regular weekly baptizing in Corning Lake last Sunday afternoon, baptizing six converts on that day. The Holiness people are now building a church house on a vacant lot in northwest Corning which they recently bought of O. A. Rider.
Esq. Thomas W. Ratcliffe, of Peach Orchard, newly appointed deputy county clerk was here Monday on business.

1915
The best news we know of this week is the fact that George A. Booser's big new slack cooperage plant starts the new year by resuming operations, giving employment to a good force of workmen, after a few weeks shutdown. And still more good news that the Greenwood wagon-stock and saw mill is again running full blast and will probably move from Black River to a site here, adjoining Booser's factory, increase facilities and employ additional men.
This Corning light and power franchise proposition has aroused much interest and it's friends and foes are making a strong fight for and against it. Read the proposition and form your own opinion. An ordinance of the incorporated town of Corning, Arkansas, granting to George A. Booser, his heirs and assigns, the right to erect, operate and maintain an electric light and power plant in said town for a term of 25 years, under certain conditions and limitations.
John Osborne, who made an attempt to hold up Leo Sellmeyer, assistant cashier of the Bank of Knobel, last Wednesday, and was arrested in Paragould, was brought to Corning on Friday and placed in jail.
Corning business people suffered heavy losses by another disastrous fire, the worst here in several years, last Sunday morning, originating in the kitchen of the Model Hotel about 1:30. The flames rapidly consumed that hostelry owned by Mrs. Mc. C. Green and the furnishings of W. R. Loyd and spread to and destroyed the adjacent building, the sample room and barn on the hotel lots and H. W. Lasater's iron covered ware room and contents and barn south, and the brick building formerly used by the First National Bank including the Webb Pool Hall and stables north. Hard work by the crowds saved Lasater's brick store and Fowler and Bros. concrete grocery at each end of the burned area, but those buildings owned by Judge Hopson and Webb Bros. are badly damaged.
The annual municipal election for Corning officers passed quickly last Tuesday and as there was only one ticket in the field, a light vote was polled, the following good nominees being elected: mayor, James R. Rhyne; recorder Perry Simpson; aldermen, James Blunk, Larry Boshears, M. G. Hoffman, W. M. Letbetter and Sam B. Neill.
G. Graber of St. Louis arrived in Corning last week and is opening a dry goods store in the R. E. Hawks corner brick building on Second Street formerly occupied by the store ahead.
The raising of the immense and tall, about 100 feet high, twin smoke stacks over the new boilers at the George A. Booser new electric light plant, last Monday, drew large crowds of sightseers. Mr. Booser's locomotive and railroad track were used in connection with blocks and ropes.
It is with regret that we chronicle the fact that James E. Matthews and his estimable family moved to the capital city of Little Rock yesterday, where they will occupy their handsome new home. The main reason that Mr. Matthews goes to Little Rock is for the purpose of educating his daughter, Miss Lena, in the colleges and conservatories of that city. Anyone who is acquainted with Corning knows that Jim Matthews came to Corning in 1879. Those who lived in Corning at that time and the present day are very few and are as follows: C. V. Beloate, W. D. Polk, W. S. Matthews, C. C. Estes, John Brobst, D. N. Thomas and wife, W. R. Welch, Chas. McCollum and Grandma C. R. Beloate, Mrs. J. Brobst, Mrs. Ella See, Mrs. C. A. Hettel and Mmes Mary E. Bishop, Eliza West, G. B. Oliver, Angie Barnhill, C. L. Daniel and probably others. Some who lived in the country near Corning at the time when Jim Matthews came here, are as follows: E. A. Kelley, Jasper B. Smith, C. W. Woodall and wife, Mrs. M. C. Green and John Tisdial, Jr.
Rev. N. E. Skinner and wife, recently of Kennett, arrived in Corning Tuesday and will make this place their future home. Rev. Skinner has been in the Methodist ministry for 40 years or more and is now on the superannuated list.

1916
The election of officers for the ensuing year took place at the Baptist Sunday School last Sunday morning and resulted in the following: C. R. Black, superintendent; F. E. Givens, assistant superintendent: Mrs. Monroe Hoffman, secretary: Charles Matthews, treasurer and Mrs. Amy Barnett, organist.
Master William (Buck) Estes has contracted a touch of booster fever and has opened a bicycle repair shop, first door north of The Courier office. Buck is the busiest little fellow in town before and after school hours everyday.
A disastrous fire visited Corning Saturday night shortly after eight o'clock, destroying the residence of Dr. A. B. McKinney and S. P. Lindsey, the latter being occupied by T. W. Ratcliffe and family, and the Methodist Church. The Methodist parsonage, just north of the church, occupied by the pastor, Rev. A. F. Skinner and family, was slightly damaged, the damage probably being from $200 to $300. The McKinney and Ratcliffe homes were soon destroyed, and a heroic effort to save the handsome Methodist church building was lost and the house of worship went up in smoke. The piano, seats and other church belongings were moved from the building and saved. The Methodist church cost $12,000 and was insured for $4,000. In a minute after the alarm was given, Ward's theatre was as empty as a country church. Mrs. J. S. Jordan was among the first to arrive to assist the firefighters with two big buckets of water which she had carried from her home almost two blocks away.
Since the destruction of the Methodist church by fire last Saturday night, church services will be held for the present as follows: Baptist Church 11 a.m., Christian church 7 p.m., Methodist Sunday School will be held at the public school building at 9:30 a.m.
Great interest was manifested in the city election last Tuesday, there being about 215 votes cast. C. R. Black was elected mayor over M. Caton by seven votes. The entire Citizen's Ticket was elected with the exception of Guy Latham. who was defeated by Fred Harold for alderman.
In making a quick turn at the second railroad crossing south of the depot Sunday afternoon, H. W. Lasater's little Ford tried to ascend a telegraph pole and almost went to the top before it was checked and landed on the ground.
A county bridge over Black River east of Corning is what we need and is what The Courier has contended for many years.
The Methodist revival meeting will commence in Corning on Sunday, June 4th, and will be held at Ward's Skating Rink. Evangelist Swope of Charleston, Mo., assisted by the local pastor, Rev. A. F. Skinner, will do the preaching.
Four boys and five girls were awarded diplomas at the high school graduation exercises last Friday evening. They are Earl Polk, William Oliver, Ezra Ator, Harry Steinberg, Misses Edith Beard, Mary Thomas, Bessie Belford and Mona and Ethel Lindsey. Those graduates from the eighth grade of the Corning school are, Harry Vandover, Dewey Ousnamer, Simon Steinberg, Carl Haley, Carl Toalson, Arvil Richard, Paul Lindsey, Earl Latimer, Brooks Sheeks and Miss Edith Brown.
A great many people don't understand the Ford prices. We sell Ford 5-passenger tour cars at $464.75 each, delivered at Corning; 2-passenger runabout for $50 less. These cars are equipped with electric headlights and horn. The operation is from current of magneto which means no battery expense. W. D. Bennett Garage, East Side, Corning.
The Corning orchestra congregation will continue the practicing. The Methodist Church will continue services at the skating rink every Sunday morning and evening during the summer months. The Sunday School will continue at the public school building, for a time at least, every Sunday morning. We will continue to worship with our Baptist people in the Wednesday night prayer service.
When it comes to automobile travel Chas. S. Cox of this city is some goer. Last Saturday, driving his Dort machine, he made 11 trips to Reyno and return, carrying passengers to and from the picnic at that place. The distance to Reyno and Corning is 15 miles, making 30 miles for one trip. His 11 trips made him cover a distance of 330 miles during the day and evening. The fuel used in making these trips was only 13 gallons of gasoline and three quarts of machine oil. This is a splendid record considering the dustiness of the roads and the question, now in order is, who can beat it?
Dr. F. L. Nelson, while cranking his auto, last Monday about noon, suffered a fracture of his right arm just above the wrist, when the engine backfired.
At a meeting of the Methodist Church Board last Friday night, the contract was let for the new Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at this place, to Tomlinson and Hale of Heber Springs, for $9,026.89. The bid is for building the church proper, without finishing some of the small Sunday School class rooms. The contract for this latter work will not be let for some time. The total cost of the new office, when completed, will be $10,643.24 and Corning will have one of the finest churches in this part of the state. A large quantity of the brick, saved from the old building will be used, and will be a great saving for the church board. Work on the new structure will commence at once, and it is to be completed within 100 days after the work begins.
More goats, pigs, chickens, and cows on Clay County farms would help to solve the problem of the high cost of living.
An interesting case was tried in Esq. Otto Sullins' court Monday afternoon wherein Mrs. William Felsberg was defendant and the state of Arkansas plaintiff. The charge against Mrs. Felsberg was racing and fast automobile driving on Second Street one evening last week, the other person in the case being Arthur Johnson. The case was tried by jury and resulted in the acquittal of the defendant. Attorney C. T. Bloodworth represented Mrs. Felsberg, while T. J. Crowder prosecuting the case. Corning has no ordinance regulating the speed of automobiles within the incorporate limits of the town.
The cornerstone of the new Methodist Church will be laid next Sunday morning at the 11 o'clock hour, instead of preaching at the skating rink.

1917
One of the late marriages of the past year was the wedding last Sunday of Orla Harold of the First National Bank of Corning and Miss Mollie McNabb, a pretty and popular young lady of Maynard. The happy event being solemnized at the home of the bride.
An Iron Mountain railway company carpenter foreman, C. P. Walker, and force of workmen of Piedmont, Mo., began work here at the railway station last Monday and will soon complete the cinder platform extension from the south end of the old platform to Elm Street.
Those who imagine the war will soon end by reason of Germany's shortage of men are due to receive a jolt in an estimate of German casualties recently made public in London.
According to this report, Germany has lost in killed since the beginning of the war, in round numbers, 1,500,000 men. Add to these 500,000 taken prisoners and an equal number of disabled by wounds, and we have a total of German casualty list of 2,500,000.
The popular and accommodating bookkeeper at the First National Bank of Corning, Miss Birdie Wray Sullins, left Sunday night for her annual fall vacation. She will be absent from the city two or three weeks, and will visit relatives and friends at Little Rock, Texarkana and in Shreveport, La, before returning home. 
The newest industrial plant of Corning and the most perfectly appointed plant of its kind in northeast Arkansas, is the R. L. Sigler Machine Shop in the Wynn Building adjacent to The Courier office on west First Street. R. L. Sigler, its proprietor, is probably the oldest master craftsman of his calling in the state, with 23 years of active service since he graduated from the Iron Mountain shops at De Soto and Poplar Bluff as a master machinist.

1918
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Pine and Third, has completed the new church which replaces the one lost in the February fire of 1916 and will begin services on the corner again at West Pine and Third. Workmen have been delayed by the shortage of material and the Sunday School rooms will be finished as money and material become available. The sanctuary will be heated with two coal stoves, pending the purchase of a central heating system. Pews and altar furnishings from the burned church have been installed and Grandma West raised the $25 needed for the church bell in the steeple. Listen for the Methodist bell again next Sunday morning as it joins with the Baptist and Christian church bells to call Corningites to worship.
The winter of 1917-18 will be one for us to remember. The Thanksgiving snowfall in 1917 was followed by mild weather until Christmas when we awakened with snow on the ground. Since then the snow has piled up under succeeding storms. The roof of the Ward Skating Rink fell in under the weight of snow and sleet in February and store awnings around town have collapsed. Owners shoveled snow off the flat roofs and the snow drifts on either side of Second Street would do credit to Alaska. The regular February thaw was not on the 1918 almanac and the groundhog was so cold he snoozed through a shiny February 2nd. The ground appeared again at the end of March and spring has arrived. The soldier boys at Camp Pike agree that Valley Forge could not have been much worse.
Draft calls, interrupted by the arctic winter of 1918, have been resumed and the second call to Army service will entrain Wednesday, April 6, for Camp Pike. The Third Regiment has moved out, and the camp is now a replacement camp. Soldiers will arrive every 30 days and be sent overseas after a month of training. Contingents will follow in May, June and every month thereafter.
Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Gage have been informed by the Adj. General that their son, Bishop L. Gage, is missing in action. Bishop enlisted in the service on May 7, 1918, and after a month of training was shipped overseas in June. He was missing in action after he was sent to the front to stem the German thrust to Paris. The community joins with the Gage family in prayers for Bishop's safety.
The Fourth Liberty Loan Drive and Clay County has again gone over the top and oversubscribed her quota. Under the leadership of attorney C. L. Daniel, the citizens have rationed food and more flour has been turned in for our boys than from any other county in the state.
The home of G. B. Oliver burned yesterday morning. The fire was discovered in the kitchen by G. B. Oliver, Jr. Fortunately the kitchen is connected to the main structure by a passageway which retarded the flames until the furniture and clothing was carried out by volunteer fire fighters. The Olivers have moved into the Pritchard building at Second and Pine. The Olivers had no fire insurance but will rebuild as soon as possible. The Oliver home has been a landmark on the southeast corner of Pine and Third since 1892.
The Spanish Flu has become epidemic in Arkansas and the bodies of several soldier boys have been returned from Camp Pike for burial in the local cemeteries. The disease is epidemic among the civilian population, and the few able bodied men we have left at home are kept busy tending the sick and burying the dead. 
Young men are disappearing from the Corning streets as the calls to service continue. The young ladies are doing their part, and many of the Corning girls are working in the defense factories in Rockford, Illinois. Corning is now largely composed of children and middle-aged adults with the usual mixture of old timers.
Corning celebrated the Armistice. The ringing of church bells, the blowing of factory whistles on November 11th featured a celebration that stirred every citizen, young or old. The war is over, and our gallant soldiers have won us a peace that should last until eternity. The world will beat its swords into plow shares, and a new era of peace and prosperity lies ahead.
The flu epidemic of October has developed a backlash in December. The new epidemic is not proving as fatal as the earlier one. The boys are coming home from the camps, and we are cheered by that to endure this second onslaught of the flu bug.
Miss Iris Boyd is the only graduate of Corning High School this year. Because of war restrictions, no graduating exercises will be held, and Miss Boyd will be awarded her diploma on the last day of the term by Superintendent W. W. Henry. The class of 1910 with two graduates, C. Q. Kelley and Miss Jane Oliver, is the next smallest class to graduate since the high school began with the class of 1904.
The cold winter has been followed by a hot dry summer. Rainfall has been short since May, and the drought will reduce the crop of cotton and corn sharply.

1919
The new bridge across Black River has been accepted and is now property of Clay County. Saturday commissioners, Judge R. L. Lewis, F. B. Sprague and E. A. Kelley made a careful inspection of the structure and found it fully met the requirements specified in the contract.
Saturday night fire destroyed the W. R. Brown dredge boat operating on the drainage ditch northeast of Corning.
The Indians who were camped east of town have moved on. Their coming did not raise the price of soap, but their going indicated activity in the movement of real estate.
The headless remains of an unidentified white man was found in Black River near Brookings last Saturday and a searching party discovered where the man had been chopped to pieces by unknown persons in a lonely forest on the river bank near that place. The head was recovered Sunday, with tongs, by officers Ruff and Bailus.
Marion Clarkton, age about 80 years, and was one of Clay County's most highly respected and valuable farmer citizens, died after a short illness of paralysis at his home a few miles east of Corning last Saturday morning. He is Survived by his widow and three or four grown sons and a number of married daughters among them whom are Mrs. Chas. Vines and Mrs. John McCabe of near Knobel. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Church, Masonic brotherhood and fought in an Arkansas regiment of the Confederate Army.
Two aviators of the Memphis Aerial Co., were here for the past two and one-half days, carrying many of our town and country folks in ten minutes flights. G. B. Oliver, Jr. was the first local man up and Miss Maud Smith the first girl in this end of Clay County making airplane flights. Other girls flying were Misses Ethel and Mattie Lindsey.

1920
The business and professional women of Corning will be organized next Monday evening, at the office of T. W. Wynn, Hopson Arcade, by Mrs. Louise Patient-Oliver, President.
The citizens of Corning held an enthusiastic meeting in the K. of P. [Knights of Pythias] rooms Thursday evening to discuss the erection of a city hospital for Corning. Chairman T. W. Wynn, secretary George A. Booser, C. T. Bloodworth chairman of the finance and soliciting committee and several other prominent citizens made talks on the great benefits such an institution would be to Corning. Within ten minutes it was appointed to select a site, employ an architect and attend to other important preliminaries. This committee will also begin work soliciting stock subscriptions with good prospects of raising $50,000 or more.
Ground was broken and operations commenced first of this week, for the erection of three brick and concrete buildings here-the Corning Bank and Trust Co. brick in the center of town; W. D. Bennett's big concrete garage on the east side and; the Wisconsin Button Co.'s large concrete button factory in south Corning.
At the end of the first month of school it was found that some pupils made an average of more than 90 per cent in each subject studied. These students, as well as their parents, are to be congratulated: first grade, John Tharp, Nellie Burns, Anneta Phipps, Ralph Skinner; second grade, Arthur Harb, Charles Rufus Black, Jr.; third grade, Clarsy Hays, Helen Bloodworth, Thelma Saunders, Irene Saunders, Veletha Rice, Mary Oliver Black; fourth grade, Elsie Garland, Louise Crabtree, Earl Harbison, Milicent Webster, Mart Caldwell, Cora Cooper, Hensley Winters, Winfred Polk, Haywood Golden, Willis Summins, Eula Bennett, Beulah Bennett, Marguerite Langdon, Richard Reed, Mabel Winters; fifth grade, Mary D. Eller, Floyd Dudgeon.
A sad accident happened here Thursday evening, which was fatal to Enos Hays, the 12 year old son of Gilbert Hays, who had come up town from his father's and grandparents' home and was in the thickest of the crowd on Second Street just after the Republican celebration and, in starting across Second Street near Graber's store, was run over by Wm. Stanley, driver of one of the Corning Flour Mill Co.'s auto trucks at 7 p.m. The boy was hurried to Dr. Latimer's office nearby, but the physician quickly saw that life was fast ebbing.

1921
Corning boys attending C.M.T.C. throughout the month of August, at Camp Pike, are Haskell Bloodworth, Fred and Orbra Arnold, Goldsmith McCollum, Harold Nance, Julian Hoffar, Elton Glockengieser, Gailor Wisner and Oral Weddle.
Some weeks ago the Baptist Church at Corning called for the ordination of one of their members, Bro. John L. Jordan, and it was arranged that the ordination should take place last Sunday. The presbytery consisted of Secretary L. E. Barton, Pastor H. E. Van Camp and the editor of the Baptist Advance. Pastor Van Camp of the Corning church came to us a few months ago from the Methodists. He is rendering fine service at Corning and there is good evidence that the cause is building.
Miss Irene Kirskey gave a picnic for her Sunday School class last Monday afternoon from four until six in the court square and the little ones enjoyed themselves in games. Refreshments of ices and cake were served.
Back to prewar prices, shave 15c, haircut 35c and other work at former low rates. Bowers Bros., Props., Palace Barber shop just north of the post office. Second Street.
Oliver and Co. have rebuilt their wagon yard and feed sheds and extended some to cover all the vacant lots west of their store.
J. H. Magee, whose old established large mercantile store burned in Palatka a few months ago, entailing a heavy loss, is preparing to reopen at the same place soon with a big stock of general merchandise which he bought in Little Rock first of this week.
Ferd Phipps and family moved the latter part of last week from Miss Sibyl West's cottage on Third Street, to their new home in west Corning.

1922
The abstract of the tax books for Clay County, completed by County Clerk Wm. B. Burton, shows that the assessed valuation of the property decreased $51,230 in April 1921. Of this amount $651,415 was on the personal property, and $35,815 on the real property. This assessment shows that farm land values decreased $39,955, while the city lots increased in value $31,655. The substracts shows there is carried on the tax books 410,706 acres of land at a valuation of $3,404,770; city and town lots at $930,670; railroad assessment $1,951,855; personal assessment $1,688,380, making a total assessment of the county at $7,975,675. There is a decrease of 86 poll tax assessments. Following is the number of horses, mules, cattle, sheep, dogs, etc. as compared with the preceding year: dogs in 1920, 2,282; 1921, 2,184: horses in 1920, 6,169; and 1921, 5,798: cattle 1920, 21,283; 1921, 19,788: mules 1920, 5,973; 1921, 3,361: sheep 1920, 3,043; 1921, 3,309: hogs 1920, 24,224; 1921, 22,089: automobiles 1920, 632; 1921, 791.
The dollar in your bank is the only dollar you can bank on. Have you got it here? First National Bank, organized, capitalized and supervised under The National Banking Laws of the United States, under National Bank Protection. Capital, Surplus and Shareholders Liabilities, $143,000.
I am giving away a large new phonograph, two rockers, a carpet sweeper, wash stand, dress form, center table, bed, springs, and mattress. If you want any of these articles see me. For Sale-31 drop head sewing machines, must be sold regardless of price or value, as I will leave Corning early in June, I hope. S. R. Beloate, the sewing machine man.
Gilt Edge Flour, $1.50 per hundred or $3.00 per barrel. This flour is unfit for foodstuff but is good feed for hogs, cattle, etc. Get some of this flour, mix with other feed and see the results. Ferd Phipps, Grocery & Variety, Phone 92, Corning. Free delivery.
On account of humiliation to their mothers we will withhold the names of the two young men were arraigned before Justice Powell, Monday, and on a plea of guilty to disturbing the peace, were each fined $1 and costs.
City Marshal A. C. Bailus seems to have declared vengeance on white mule as he had five "mule riders" before Mayor Pete Monday morning.
A deal has been closed by which the Corning Bargain Store will be known in the near future as the H. Saidiner Bargain Store and will be an incorporated concern. Mr. Saidiner, who has been running the business for the past year, has taken in, as partners, his brother, Max Saidiner of St. Louis and Sidney Garfinkle of Poplar Bluff.
Condensed official statement of the First National Bank of Corning, Arkansas, at the close of business March 10, 1922, as per call of the Comptroller of Currency of the United States; resources-loans and discounts $372,221.82; total resources, $454,605.11.

1923
The people of Corning were shocked and saddened Tuesday morning on learning that Raymond, age 17, a son of Mrs. Dora Tucker of east Corning, had drowned in the east end of Staley Lake, a few hundred feet south of his home when he attempted to skate on thin ice.
Corning businessmen are having lumber placed on Judge F. G. Taylor's land near Taylor Lake, about two miles northeast of here and next Monday will start the erection of a commodious clubhouse, to be known as Taylor Lake Fishing and Hunting Club. Those in on the deal are Judge Taylor, Wm. Stephens, W. E. Redwine, J. M. Barnett, H. W. Lasater, P. L. Oliver, A. G. Nance, Nat Steinberg, H. W. Vandover, J. J. Gallegly, O. J. Harold, J. F. Bailey, T. G. Bridges and Joe Rapert.
The dedication service begins at 11 a.m. Dr. H. Ashton, editor of The Oklahoma Methodist, Tulsa, will preach the sermon. One part of the service will consist in burning certain papers that have been embarrassing to the Methodists. At 3 p.m. there will be a service in which Rev. N. E. Skinner will recount to us the history of this church from 1886 to the present. The presiding elder, Dr. J. A. Anderson, will preach Sunday evening at 7:45.
W. D. Bennett, local Overland and Ford dealer, reports sales of cars recently to the following persons: B. H. Bowers, R. Erwin, D. Ousnamer, H. Sparkman, H. Goode, E. Bassinger, Dud Baker, Perry Baker, J. R. Reed, Mark Miller, D. P. Day, Harvey Rhea, H. P. Nesler, C. Bradney and a Case tractor to Wm. Kamerman.
Corning was thrown into sorrow when the news was given out that Ferd Phipps, age 38, had passed away after about 15 days of illness, suffering from pneumonia. He was one of our most entertaining young merchants, always liberal in all movements for the welfare of the community. He was a member of Woodman of the World, Odd Fellows and other orders and the Methodist Church of Corning. 
A young man, whose identity was unknown here, met death by drowning in the lake a few yards east of Black's old mill site in south Corning, late last Tuesday afternoon, when the stranger attempted to swim across the lake. About 40 minutes after he sank in the middle of the lake, his body was found by boatmen. The stranger is alleged to have passed several forged checks in Peach Orchard and Corning and was arrested a short distance east of here Tuesday afternoon by City Marshal Bailus and Deputy Constable J. H. Williams, who had taken him to Oliver and Oliver law office. They were sitting and waiting for a warrant from a nearby justice, when the youth jumped from his chair, seized it and struck Marshal Bailus with it, making a bad gash in his left forehead, breaking two upper left jaw teeth and felling the officer, unconscious, to the floor. The youth ran from the scene toward the lake with officer Williams and a crowd of men in pursuit. Undertaker Wm. Felsberg took charge of the remains, interred them Wednesday in Corning Cemetery.
Mrs. M. G. Hoffman and Miss Birdie Sullins, enterprising leaders, and other wide awake members of the local Baptist congregation, first of this week, had installed in that church here a large radio receiving set, and crowds have since been listening nightly to concerts, lectures, etc. from broadcasting stations.
At the Tison sawmill settlement, east of Corning, last Tuesday morning, the two children of Van Zandt, aged two years and 14 months, respectively, were burned to ashes when their home was destroyed. Their father was working in the forest a mile from the home and the mother was at a neighbor's about 100 yards away, for a bucket of water, when their home caught fire.

1924
Rural route mail carriers H. W. Smelser, J. H. Williams and John Townsend of Corning and Carl Brady of Peach Orchard motored to Piggott February 22 and attended the annual session of Clay County Letter Carriers' Association. Smelser was elected president of the association for the ensuing year.
The Supreme Court today granted the appellant one week in which to file a brief for rehearing in the celebrated Knobel lipstick case which was decided recently by the court. The case is styled "Pearl Pugleys vs. F. J. Sellmeyer's. It is from the Clay Circuit Court and involves the right of school girls to use paint and powder on their faces in violation of rules. J. N. Moore and C. O. Raley are attorneys for appellant and M. P. Huddleston represents appellee.
A large illicit distilling outfit was captured at five o'clock Tuesday afternoon two and one half miles southeast of Corning on Black River, as it was being located on the houseboat, Big Jim. Apparently the operator of the outfit had been tipped off that the officers were approaching, for nobody was with the boat when it was taken, but there were evidences that the work of loading the outfit on the boat was underway only recently, and immediately abandoned. The houseboat is said to have been especially constructed to transfer the still. The still is believed to be the largest ever captured in Arkansas and was captured at a cost of several thousand dollars. The of