Cale

This article appeared in the July 14, 1906 issue of The Nevada News.  See Map I for the location
of Cale.  This community still exists. 

     In the northeast corner of Caney Township on the broad ridge between Little and Big
Caney Creeks is situated the interesting post office of Cale.  Surrounding this little burg live some
of the best people in Nevada County and they are fast building up a most prosperous community. 
There are at present supporting two first class mercantile establishments-that of Jno. H. McDaniel
and Westmoreland Bros.  Both carry first class stock and do a heavy business.  Westmoreland
Bros. also operate a sawmill with a capacity of 10,000 ft/day.  The mill supplies all the local
demand and considerable lumber is hauled to a point on the Lester and Ouachita Valley railroad
and shipped to distant places.  There is considerable timber in the community and besides owning
quite a body themselves, the proprietors of the plant pay good prices for logs delivered to the mill. 

     Cale is the center of a rich agricultural district and like most all portions of the county,
everything can be raised.  The soil is a mixture of sand and dirt and produces well.  Crops this
year are especially fine.  Cale rejoices with everyone over the prospects. 

     The school advantages are splendid.  District No. 21 always votes a full tax and has from
six to seven months of school each year.  Miss Rosa Wicker of Willisville will teach the coming
session. 

     Near Cale is Mt. Zion, one of the oldest church structures in the county.  It is Missionary
Baptist with services held at stated intervals by Eld. J. W. Dorman of Bodcaw. 

     Cale is at the terminous of the east end of the Prescott and Cale mail route.  Bailey
Westmoreland has a contract for carrying the mail, which also supplies Weaver and Morris.  An
effort was made recently to have rural free delivery from Rosston to cover Cale and abolish the
post office, but there were objections and the route failed. 

     One of the important enterprises of the community is the Prescott and Cale Telephone Co.
owned and operated by local people.  The system now has over thirty boxes and gets a number of
supplied requests.  Lines extend over four townships and has connections with Prescott, thus
bringing in closer touch the two communites, for every citizen of Prescott who has a phone in his
home in speaking to the good people of Cale eighteen miles away.  

     Stock raising is engaging considerable attention among the farmers and the fine range in
the bottoms makes it quite profitable.

     The natural conditions about the place render it very healthful and there is no physician at
Cale.  However, should one be needed, it is less than a six mile ride from either Rosston, Hatley's
Store, Theo, or Morris, at all of which places splendid physicians reside. 

     The society around Cale is the very best.  Probably one of the most prominent men in this
section is R. O. Westmoreland, the popular postmaster, justice of the peace, sawmill man,
merchant, and one of the proprietors of the telephone system.  There are people who would like
to see him as county judge and the interests of the county would not suffer should their hopes at
some future date be realized. 

     Cale is also the home of W. S. McDaniel, father of our esteemed townsman, Owen R.
McDaniel.  "Uncle Billy", as he is familiarly known by closest friends, moved into the community
in 1869, having previously located near Falcon in 1851.  He was the first treasurer of Nevada
County elected by the people after the county was formed in 1871.  He held the position for four
years and has never since aspired to office.  "Uncle Billy", while somewhat feeble, still gets
around remarkably well for someone his age and comes to the store every day for a few minutes
to chat with any passing acquaintance whom he might chance to meet there.  He has been a useful
and honorable citizen during his long residence in the community and everybody is his friend. 

     Among other prominent people living near Cale might be mentioned the Ridlings, the
Steeds, the Mathis'es, and the Honea's.

     The greater majority of the people are white citizens, although a small sprinkling of
Negroes lives south of Cale. 

Pictures included in the article: 

1. Westmoreland Bros. Sawmill
2. Bailey Westmoreland delivering mail