The above photo is that of a baptising in Elevenpoint River at the Old Stubblefield Ford. The ministers were Johnnie Yarbrough and
George Miller, well known old time preachers. The occasion was in the summer of 1915. The baptising followed a revival at Old New Home United Baptist Church near the Arkansas-Missouri state line, on the east side of the river.
There are 39 candidates and the two ministers in the group, standing in the water. Rev. Miller was standing at the left end; Rev. Yarbrough is at the right. Reading from left, those in the photo are Rev. Miller, Betty Nettles, Arizona Hogan, Rachel Hogan, Mrs. John Booser, Elsie Redus, Dealie Brewer, Virgie Youck, Myrtle Cotton, Bertha Smith, Lillie Sisk, Mattie Smith, Martha Hinkle, Maud Nettles, Nora Gaither, Dell Cotton, Lola Shipman, Verda Cole, Vernon Reed, Lottie Youck, Parilee Redus, Martha Ingram, Boyd Ingram, Roy Sisk, Ben Linn, Jessie Best, Pink Shipman, Willie Bartley, Fee Stubblefield, Charlie Redus, Verner Reed, Alfred Saddler, Arthur Randolph, Floyd Ingram, John Booser, unknown, Albert King, Amon Yarbrough, Willie Hunter, George Grace and Rev. Yarbrough. Such occasions were common during the days of the circuit rider and the brush arbor - a far cry from the shiny pews and the heated inside baptistry of the present day. The photo was furnished by Mrs. Martha Holt of Warm Springs, who is a daughter of Rev. Yarbrough.
Historical Photos Page