The Old Dillard Settlement

Feb, 2001

I was glad to give a program to the Pre-school and a 2^nd grade class in Flippin, Friday. Becky and Kent Coffey were a great help with a little 'picking and singing' along with stories. Thinks for inviting me over to share some of the, "Once upon a time," stories and songs with your classes.

Another event taking place Saturday evening was the 4-H Banquet. I am sure there will be an account of the activities and awards, given to the Echo soon. In the mean while, I want to express many thanks to the Extension Office for the invitation to attend. I enjoyed every minute of I, and I would like to recall some of the times in the past, as usual.

The special quest at the banquet Saturday evening was Mrs. Leona Bailey, who has been a 4-H leader for around 50 years. She had her 95gh birthday Saturday and Extension had a lovely birthday cake for her and other award gifts. She declared, "This is the best birthday I have ever had."

Mrs. Bailey deserves each award, the best wishes for her future (which she is looking forward to) and every positive expression we can say about her.

She was a leader for so many years in the Oakland Community. Having the lake between us didn't effect her attendance to the 4-H activities in Yellville. She saw that all children had transportation for the many miles they had to come. She made no difference in each child. They were all equal in her sight, just as they should be to us all. After Frank, her son, had finished his 4-H training in College, and finished to become a lawyer, (and is still a contributor to this organization,) she did not stop her leadership with the children.

She was responsible for several children going to the Audubon Summer Camps, District and State Orama, and had many workshops at her home in Oakland.

Several times when the Club would meet at her place, she prepared a meal for them. This had a teaching lesson for them also. She taught them how conduct themselves in etiquette, and introduced them to wonderful tasty foods.

Once upon a time, she had a workshop on Indian Artifacts and an exhibit of many different species of rock from several area and countries. This was a thrill to me and I was happy to give a talk and show some of my artifacts, besides I just love rocks-that's a good thing since we live among them.

At lunchtime, we had a picnic in her yard. This was such a special occasion, so beautiful. The setting was in sight of the lake, and on either side of a forest was observed. She had a special interest in birds and flowers. This was evident, because she maintained many flowerbeds and her whole yard was an invitation to the birds. The reminds me of a portion of song I am fond of, "Give us not famine nor yet feast, but bread to share with man and beast." She is a person who has practiced this phrase of song.

I happened across some notes I had written down in 1995 when I went to visit Aunt Ho (Saffron Davenport. She told where her family lived when she was growing up, which was on Cedar Creek. She told of the location of Clabber Creek and how Silver Hollow was just across Buffalo River, and very close to Cedar Creek. She said there was a settlement down in that area, and this is where she went to school. Of course this is all National land now, but the memories were still there. She said, "Once upon a time, when a neighbor was in need of a house to live in, her dad and other neighbors would all 'pitch' in and build them one.

That was what neighbors did for each other. After all the work was done and the family was moved into the new home, they would have a square dance party and dad would play the fiddle." I can imagine there being a bunch to celebrate, since the mining town of Rush was not far up the river.

The old Dillard Ridge, as it is referred to, on Clabber Creek, was close, and I wonder if any of them went to the house breaking party. If they did, maybe my great grandmother or Aunt Jule could have played a little tune or two since they were fiddle players too.

I have heard that the fiddle was known as a devil instrument once upon a time, but I don't think so now, do you?

Iris also mentioned that she met her husband, Darrell Watson at the CCC Camp, but they did not marry until he was in the Army during WWII. They have lived in the Flippin area for fifty years. They have three daughters, who all live in Arkansas. Patricia and Mickey Griffin, Rita and Larry Hurst and Marilyn and Robert McNair. They also have a son who lives in California and eight grandchildren.

Iris said that she remembers about all of the Arkansawyers living out here and I write about. She also said she has picture from her High School Home Economics class at Yellville-Summit and it is a really good picture of my sister, Jimmie Ruth, but she cannot find it. I hope she locates the picture. I would love to send it to Jimmie Ruth's daughters and grandchildren.

I received a call from Anna Morrow BENTON who lives in the Cowan Barrens or the Ralph area south of Yellville. She is the daughter of the late Howard and Opal CAMP MORROW and a niece to Harry MORROW and Nellie BAKER.

Ana married Ray BENTON of Lead Hill, who passed away in 1992. She went to Yellville-Summit School along with Peggy MEARS, Dwayne RORIE, Mary Lou DILLARD, Sammie Lane SMITH, J.F. and Betty DAVENPORT Bogle and Sylvia FLIPPIN. She graduated from YSHS in 1954.

At one time, she used to drive the bus for Senior citizens from Lead Hill to the Center in Yellville. She remembers her passengers. Daisy ROARK, Pearl WHITLEY and Agnes TURNER and others.

Anna read in this column about he death of Velda JACKSON, who lives in Yakima. She learned that Velda's daughter Iva married Gene DOSHIER, who is a cousin to Anna. She wanted his phone number and address. I believe she said that Gene's father, Eldon DOSHIER, was a brother to her father Howard. Anyway, the two will have an opportunity to get reacquainted again.