Ione, Arkansas Baptist Church Minutes

SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS
A HISTORY OF THE IONE, ARKANSAS BAPTIST CHURCH
Contributed by Shirley Denney & Clyde H. Denney

On October 17, 1873 a group of Baptized Believers met in the schoolhouse in the Carolan Community, near where the Long Ridge Baptist Church now stands, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church.

The first minutes of the new organization is dated November 16, 1873, but the name of the church is not shown. Brother Aaron Fitzgerald was pastor, Brother Campbell was presbyter, and Brother Milton Cooper was Deacon.

Some of the early members were shown as:
Tom & Minerva Sikes
James & Melinda Moody
Phoebe Vester
F.C. Milton
Milton Cooper
P.M. Ward
Mr. Campbell

Sister Susan Milton was the first member received into the church.

At their first meeting the church drew up a covenant which was read at the next meeting, but it was not written into the minutes. The "RULES OF DECORUM" were written into the minutes and were as follows:

"RULES OF DECORUM"

1. THE CHURCH SHALL CHOOSE A NEW PASTOR EACH YEAR.
2. THE PASTOR SHALL BE THE MODERATOR AT ALL MEETINGS, IF PRESENT.
3. OTHER BRETHERN SHALL BE INVITED TO SIT WITH US.
4. THE DOOR OF THE CHURCH SHALL BE OPEN FOR THE RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS AT EVERY MEETING.
5. A CALL FOR REFERENCE (This referred to information on members.)
6. A CALL FOR PEACE AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH.
7. A CALL FOR MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
8. THE CHURCH AND THE PASTOR SHALL, IN TRANSACTION OF CHURCH BUSINESS, CONDUCT THEIR MEETINGS ACCORDING TO COMMON PARLIMENTARY RULES OF ORDER.

The business conferences of the church adhered strictly to these rules for a number of years until 1916. Item Number 5 usually took up most of the meeting, for that was when the body discussed the unchristian conduct of members, and excluded some of them at nearly every meeting. The reasons for these exclusions were usually for such things as dancing, swearing, drinking, fighting, and disorderly conduct. One member was excluded because he went to the Indian Territory without telling the Church. A committee was appointed to investigate charges about errant members. Often the errant member came to the church and confessed his sins and was restored. At nearly every meeting the records show that a member or two were restored to fellowship. If they did not confess they were excluded from fellowship. At one point a man was excluded for making his wife chop all of the firewood.

The church had its business meeting on Saturday before the third Sabbath of each month. They "SET IN CONFERTENCE" on Saturday afternoon, attended preaching Saturday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday night. The early records did not show Sunday School or other church organizations.

From November 16, 1873 until May 17, 1874 the minutes were either not recorded or were lost, as that is the next record logged in the old book. That day Susan Ward was received for Baptism. (Could this be the Susan Milton referred to in the November 1873 minutes?) The moderator announced that the Sacrament of foot washing would be observed at the Sunday meeting.

At the meeting of July 19, 1874 the church voted to withdraw form the Landmark Baptists, but stated: "WE BELIEVE THAT FOOT-WASHING IS AS MUCH OF ONE OF GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AS THE SACRAMNENT OF COMMUNION AND THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO OBSERVE THIS ORDINANCE". I. S. Moody was then church clerk.

The next recorded minutes were dated January 1875, with Thomas Sykes as clerk. He headed the minutes "THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT SHILOH." At that meeting Brother Holland gave his experience and told of his call to preach. He was examined by the brethren and found to be sound in the faith. The church then licensed him to preach the gospel.

In November of 1876 the church was reorganized and Elder W.V. McNeely submitted the articles of faith which read as follows:

1. We believe that there is only one living and true God, Jehova, and that in the unity of the God-head there are three persons: THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST.
2. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired word of God, constituting the only and all-sufficient standard of faith, doctrine, and practice.
3. We believe that the election is the sovereign exercise of that eternal love, by which God has, according to his infinite wisdom, chosen his people to Christ, before the world was, and has pre-destined them, unto the adoption of children, through the santification of the spirit and belief of the true God, and doth keep them, by his power, through faith, unto salvation.
4. We believe that man was created Holy, but by the wilfull violation of the laws of his maker, he fell into a state of sinfulness and brought death upon his race, who being of natural decent in the unholy image of Adam, are children of wrath by nature, without redemption.
5. We believe that we have been led by the Spirit of uod to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and on the profession of our faith, having been baptised in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, do now in the presence of God and his assembly, most solomnly and joyfully enter into the covenant of this love with as one body in Christ.
6. We engage, therfore, by the aid of the holy spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the covenant of this church of knowledge, holiness, and comfort, to promote the prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of its ministry; the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and the speaad of the gospel to all nations.
7. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to religiously educate our children, and to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances, to walk circumspectfully in the world, to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, exemplary in our deportment, to avoid all tattling, back-biting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Saviour.
8. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each one in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress, to cultivate Christian sympathy and courtesy in speech, to be slow to offence, but always ready for reconciliations, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to serve the church without delay.
9. We moreover, engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with another church of like faith and order, wherein we can carry out the spirit of this covenant to the principles of God's word.

The Church adopted the "ARTICLES OF FAITH" and called W.V. McNeeely as pastor. He served the church in this position until July 1877. During his pastorage the church was known as the MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AT SHILOH.

B.C. Owen followed W.V. McNeely as pastor and served until August 1878. During this time R.J. Mason was the church clerk and his excellent penmanship was a pleasure to read.

At the August 1878 meeting messengers were appointed to the Concord Association. E.H. McDonald was the church clerk at this time and also had excellent penmanship.

In September 1880 the church elected F.H. Holland as pastor.

In January or February of 1881 the church meeting house at Shiloh burned and in March the church voted to move its place of worship into the Union Church House at French Prairie, which was near the present French Prairie Cemetery northwest of Ione.

The April meeting was held at the new facility and the minutes were headed; THE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST. At that meeting the members discussed plans for building a new house. The building committee reported: "THE DIMENSIONS OF SAID HOUSE TO BE FRAME, 24 X 36 FEET, AND 15 FEET UP BETWEEN FLORES (FLOORS.) The plan was adopted and subscriptions Were taken. F.M. Holland donated 1000 feet of plank, John Johnson 1000 boards, James A. Dickerson 1000 feet of plank, J. Wann $10.00 in cash, A. Hampton $5.00 in cash.

There was much discussion about where to build the Church house. The minutes read: "BROTHER WANN'S PLACE WAS THE CHOISE OF THE CHURCH IN LOGAN COUNTY, A COMITY WAS PINTED (appointed) TO SELECT A SITE."

A special meeting was called on August 30, 1881, the building committee reported: "WE HAVE DESIGNATED A SPOT OF LAND ON FOUR ACRES NEAR WHERE N.B. MARTIN LIVES ON BROTHER SIETER BINNING'S PIACE." J.L. Reynolds and S.C. Binning were appointed to take subscriptions and prosecute the work as fast as possible.

At the regular meeting in August 1881 S.C. Binning was appointed church clerk and served for many years. T.N. Pennington was guest preacher and was called as pastor where he served for eight years. This was a long meeting and the minutes reported that it "ENDED BY CANDLELIGHT."

Nothing more was reported in the minutes of the building until December 1882 which read: "THE CHURCH AGREES TO BUILD A HOUSE OF WORSHIP NEAR BELVA, ON A TRACT OF LAND GIVEN FOR THIS PURPOSE BY S. L. TAYLOR." It was then moved and seconded that the deed be made to the deacons of the Shiloh Church and their successors in office. The building committee was instructed to move forward as fast as possible in the construction of the house.

Some of the early settlers at Ione remember that the house was built and that it was later made into a residence after the house at Ione was constructed.

Others remember that in 1882 there was a small general store and post office just north of the present site of Ione called Belva, in Scott County. (At first I thought this was a mistake, but reading on in the minutes it says that this area was later changed to Logan County.) The store was owned by R. L. Duncan, who was also the postmaster. Later W. T. Holland and his son W.D. operated the store.

Some of the customers whose names appeared on the ledgers were C.A. Fox, T.W. Harwell, John Brownfield, Andrew and W.E. Smith, J.N. Pennington, Daniel Farmer, S.B. McElroy, Wm. Lassiter, R.N. Ward, George Abbott, Marshall Taylor, S.C. Benning, Thomas J. Wiley, Mrs. Hannay Walker, Berry Sanford, and Alex Kelly. It appeared that H. Harwell and J.J. Lucas also had some interest in the store.

As another side note it is interesting to look at some of the items these customers had charged, such as:
12 1/2 pounds coffee $2.00
1 pair ladies shoes 1.20
10 yards calico 0.80
1 wash board 0.43
4 dozen eggs 0.25
1 pair pantaloons 1.00
1 pound horseshoe nails 0.20
2 pair suspenders 0.55
1 Barlow knife 0.25
4 pounds butter 0.64
1/2 yard cotton cks 0.18
46 pounds beef 2.30
2 tucking combs 0.20
1 pair plowlines 0.25
4 coffin screws 0.15
1 bottle worm sirip 0.25
1 set knitting needles 0.05
1 box wagon dope 0.10

Also during this time period Mrs. W.D. Scott helped to carry a petition to make that section of Scott County a part of Logan County. This petition was effective as this area is now a part of Logan County. (This would indicate that women had some political influence in the 1880's.)

In the minutes of July 1882 there was "A CONFERENCE CALLED FOR REFERENCE TO FOOT-WASHING. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION IT WAS ENDORSED AS A DUTY, BUT NOT A TEST OF CHURCH FELLOWSHIP," so the practice continued.

The march 1883 minutes were headed "SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST." This heading was continued until 1896.

The minutes of September 1888 read: "THE MOTION PREVAILED TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO DRAFT A CONTRACT WITH THE METHODIST BRETHERN IN REGARD TO THE BUIILDING AND DIVISION OF TIME FOR A CHURCH HOUSE." It would appear that the Methodists were also using this building as a house of worship.

The April 1883 minutes relate that the church invited sister churches at Cedar Grove, Hopewell, Union Hope, and Whiteoak to visit with them sometime in May. Elder (A title used in all of the early minutes ... whether it meant deacon or layman is not known) S.J. Fuller of the Hopewell church assisted J.N. Pennington in the service. Also these minutes were the first time the word "communion" was used instead of "sacrament." Later, in May, the third Sabbath the minutes read: "THE LORD'S SUPPER WAS PERFORMED WITH SOLOMITY AND CANDOR. THE SUPPER BEING ENDED, WE SANG A SONG AND WENT OUT."

In July 1883 the church conducted a week-long series of services at noon and in the evening by candle light. The preachers were Elder Pennington, B.C. Owen, J.M. Lindsey, and "Father" (in respect to his age) S.J. Fuller. The minutes state that a number were received into the church.

In September the church was saddened by the death of B.C. Owen. "A FITTING TRIBUTE WAS PAID TO HIS FAMILY AND TO THE CONCORD ASSOCIATION," read the minutes.

In November the church had as its speaker Elder Compere (E.L.) from the Southern Baptist Convention. This is the first time that the Southern Baptist Convention has been mentioned. Also at this meeting, J.M. Lindsey was appointed by the church to represent Shiloh Baptist Church at the Sunday Sdhool Convention at Dayton, Arkansas. This is the first time that Sunday School has been mentioned. At this meeting messengers were appointed to the Concord Associational Meeting and to the General Convention of Arkansas and the Indian Territory.

At the September 1884 meeting, "THE PRESBYTERY WAS CALLED ON TO ORDAIN BROTHERS J.M. LINDSEY, M.W. WANN, TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. BROTHERS PENNINGTON, CLABORN, MASON, AND J.R. YORK PERFORMED THE ORDINATION."

Brother Reynolds brought up the matter of legality of the ordination, saying that he did not see the laying on of hands on the heads of the candidates. A motion was made to review the complaint, but the minutes do not show the outcome.

In August of 1885 the church held a "GLORIOUS REVIVAL" in which fourteen souls were saved.

At the December meeting, Elder Lindsey reported that the church still owed $8.00 on last year's pledge to the association (Concord), and $1.00 on this year's. An offering was taken and only a nickle was received ... from Brother William Slaughter.

Brother Rhodes was the special speaker at the May 1886 meeting. He was the Sunday School secretary of the Arkansas - Indian Territory Convention. (This was probably Rounds instead of Rhodes.)

At the July meeting charges were brought against a member for "PARTISIPATIN IN THE WHIPPING OF A MAN AND OTHER UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT." Another member was excluded for using profane language. Brother John Wilson was ordained at the September meeting.

The fall meeting of 1886 and the spring meeting of 1887 were so poorly attended that there was nothing to report read the minutes. Brother Wilson preached at both of these meetings.

At the September 1887 meeting, the first mention of Woman's Baptist Missionary Organization was made. The church appointed Hannah Walker, Chairman; Dora Slaughter, Secretary; Josey Kelly, Treasurer. The Woman's Baptist Missionary Society was an organization of the American Baptist Convention. (The Southern Baptist's "Woman's Missionary Union" was not organized until 1888.)

At the July 1888 meeting high tribute was paid to Sister Josephine Kelly, who had drowned in the Petit Jean River on July ninth. She had been a member of the Shiloh Church since July 1883 and was a zealous worker in the cause of missions. She was the daughter of John Wells and the wife of J.A. Kelly. A copy of the resolution was sent to the family and to the "Waldron Reporter" and "Scott County Citizen" for publication. Sister Gorham was appointed to fill her position as Treasurer of the Missionary Society.

Following the July meeting three sisters were baptized that afternoon in Fletcher Creek (near the S.T. Carolan Store.) They were Hester Wann, Ellen Frasier and Martha Myers.

The church met by candle light on the first Saturday in September 1888 to begin a protracted meeting. Many sinners were saved and baptized in the Petit Jean River at the Lucas Ford. Those saved were: J.B. Corbitt, J.K. Binning, William Higgins, Albert Dickerson, Daniel Lassiter, John Methvine, Thomas Well, W.W. Scroggins, Nancy Corbitt, Mattie Binning, Elizabeth Higgins, Mary B. Melroy, Annie Pilgram, Luvena Dickerson,.Ruth Hampton, Sarah Higgins, Sarah Lassiter, Cintha Lassiter, Pardee Corbitt, and Mary Higgins. Sarah E. Graham was baptized later. B.C. Lassiter was received by letter.

The minutes read: "THE LORD ABUNDANTLY BLESSED THE CHURCH, CONVERTED SINNERS, AND ENLARGED THE BORDERS OF ZION."

Brother Pennington resigned as pastor at the August 1889 meeting. A long resolution of respect was drawn up by the church and a copy was sent to the "American Baptist Publication" and to the "Arkansas Baptist" for publication. D.M. Bryan was elected to replace him as pastor.

B.C. Lassiter was elected church clerk in January of 1890. In June another building committee was appointed. In August they reported: "WE HAVE AGREED TO LOCATE ON A SITE TO BUILD A HOUSE OF WORSHIP AT THE FORKS OF THE WALDRON AND MANSFIELD ROADS ON BROTHER AND SISTER BINNING'S PLACE."

D.M. Bryan was elected pastor at the August 1891 meeting, and Ranson Godwin as church clerk. Mrs. S.C. Binning died on August 10 and at the September meeting the church passed a resolution of respect for Sister Elizabeth Binning.

At the November 1891 meeting the Reverend B.F. Haddock of Missouri was the guest speaker. His daughter, Rachel, had married Johnnie Moore of the Lucas Community and was living there and he had come to visit her. He stayed in the area for some time (two years or more) and was often a guest speaker at the church. His son, Silas Haddock, moved his family to Ione in 1923 and was postmaster there from 1927 until 1932.

At the December meeting of 1891, Brother R.P. Claborne, Missionary of the Buckner Baptist Association, was guest speaker at the church. An offering was taken and $2.70 was received for associational missions. After that year the Shiloh Baptist Church affiliated with the Buckner Association.

When the church met in conference in April 1892, Brother D.M. Bryan made his annual report to the church, which showed that he had received $24.75 for his services for the year. There was no May meeting on account of high water.

Brother J.N. Pennington was elected pastor in the August meeting of 1892. However, he was ill most of the time and Brother Haddock or Brother Lindsey usually filled the pulpit. In September the church called Brother R.P. Claborne as pastor. He said that he would take the job for $50.00 per year. The church accepted his offer and he preached at the November meeting.

Over the past years the church had often excluded members because they had joined other "societies." The church refused to call them churches although they ranged from Methodists to Cambellites. Since this was the practice, in August 1893, the church appointed a committee of S.C. Binning, R. Godwin, and A.J. Pennington to draw up scriptural reasons why the church excluded members for "heresy." The report was presented at the June meeting and read in part: "WE BELIEVE THAT THE BAPTIST CHURCH IS THE TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. SEE EPHESIANS 4:3-4 AND JOHN 2:19." So the practice continued.

At the April meeting of 1895 the matter of foot-washing came up again, and was sustained as an ordinance by the vote of the church. The ordinance was observed at the May meeting.

J.M. Lindsey became pastor in September of 1895 and served until 1896. S.C. Binning was again named as the church clerk.

A special meeting was called on October 10, 1896 for the purpose of perfecting the arrangements for the consolidation of the Freeman Baptist Church, which was located on Price Jones Place west of Ione. The meeting opened with prayer by George W. Wiley (Father of E.A. or "Ed" Wiley), who represented the Freeman Church. His brother, Thomas, was the father of three Baptist Preachers in the Indian Territory.

The two churches agreed to consolidate and build a house of worship on a parcel of land near S.S. Slawson's Place in the community of Ione. The meeting adjourned and agreed to meet again in November to select a name for the church. When they met they selected the name of "GOOD HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH" of Ione, Arkansas in Scott County. W.P. Hall was named pastor and S.S. Slawson clerk.

Ione was a community started by the Slawson's, S.S. and his wife, along with their two sons, Dick and Sim. They had built a sawmill and a cotton gin there about a year earlier. In 1897 a school house was constructed and Frank Smith was named as the teacher. The place was named by Uncle Dick Hurt for a place called Ione in California.

At the January meeting, a committee was named to plan for a church building. The committee was composed of George Hawthorne, Boon Smith, and Ira Miller.

Evidently, the building was started, for at the February meeting, the church asked the committee to contract with a carpenter to cover the enclosed building. Someone remembered that the church had been meeting in the school house during construction of the new building. The building was again discussed at the March and April meetings and was probably completed that summer. At the May meeting the church observed the ordinance of foot- washing. T.J. Padgett was then the church clerk.

At the August 1898 meeting, J.N. Pennington and Elowize Pennington were received into the Good Hope Baptist Church by letter from the Shiloh Baptist Church at Belva, which would indicate that the original church was still functioning.

During the summer months, there was no mention of the building in the minutes, but some remember that the foundation was laid in July.

During the August revival, the minutes stated that the brethren would work until church time, stop and attend the meetings (probably at noon), then return to work on the building. By the end of the revival, they were holding services in the partially completed building.

R.P. Hall conducted this revival, and the following were received by baptism: Sallie Brownfield, Ellen Wooten, and Willie Lasiter. W. J. Jones was received by letter. By September the church was meeting in the new building, but there was no mention of a "dedication" such as we would have today.

In October 1898, the Good Hope Baptist Church was host to the Buckner Baptist Association. Brothers J.W. Lindsay, J.M. Pennington, W.J. Pennington, S.C. Binning, and S.T. Jones were named on a committee to secure homes for the visiting messengers. One report showed that the fall days were rainy and cold, and that the church had no stove. Those attending the Associational meeting would build a fire outside and go out occasionally to get warm. They would then return to the cold building and continue the business of the Association. In spite of the discomfort from the cold, the Associational meetings were well attended.

In the fall of 1898 W.P. Hall was elected pastor and J.L. Reynolds became church clerk, replacing T.J. Padgett, who was released by letter. Also the Rowlett family was released by letter.

Not much is written about the church in 1899. In September, Brother L.E. Finney conducted a revival and several were saved. Among those baptized at Lucas Ford in the afternoon on the first Sunday in October were: John Warner, Mattie and Nellie Pennington, May and Susan Browning, Elizabeth Cabe, and Dollie Slaughter.

The only minutes written in 1900 covered the November meeting, with S.C. Binning again the church clerk. The church had no pastor and Ransom Godwin acted as moderator. The church voted to call G.W. Evans as pastor, but evidently he did not come, for in January 1901, a committee was appointed to find a pastor. At the February meeting the committee reported that Brother Evans had accepted. He served until September of 1901. At the March 1901 meeting they voted to send a letter of respect to the family of Hannah Walker, who had died on February 6, 1901. Ransom Godwin was the church clerk.

At the September meeting a committee was appointed to check with W.P. Hall and G.W. Evans to see what reason they had for leaving the pastorate, and to see if the church owed them any money. The Minutes never did report the outcome of this committee's actions. J.F. Stevens was then elected Pastor.

During the revival in August 1901, the following were baptized on the third Sunday in the Petit Jean River: John M. Hurt, Mary Ellen Lacy, Myrtle Walker, Myrtle Smith. Sister Susie Williams was received by Letter from the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, which the minutes read, "Had gone down." Later others were baptized. They were: E.Q. Lantrip, Oscar Amos, James Pennington, Rosey Watson, Maggie Godwin, and Minnie Pennington.

At the January 1902 meeting, the church paid its respect to the family of Sister Elvira McElroy, who had died on December 26, 1901, and to Brother J.W. Houston, who died on January 3, 1902, and to Brother J.W. Cabe, who died on January 20, 1902. Brother Cabe had been a member of the church since 1897.

A committee was appointed at the June 1902 meeting to "SUPERINTEND THE COMPLETION OF OUR BUILDING." This committee was composed of: J.M. Brownfield, Ransom Godwin, A.J. Pennington, A.F. Smith, and J.A. Kelly. (This makes one wonder if the building which had been started in 1898 was still not complete, or if they were constructing an addition to the original building.)

S.C. Binning, the church clerk, and a member since 1881, died on July 13, 1902.

At a called meeting in October 1902 a report was heard from brother Stevens on his reasons for resigning as pastor. His reason was that he had been promised $75.00 for his services and that he had only received $31.00. Brothers J.N. Pennington and B.F. Haddock were guest preachers at the meeting.

At the November meeting, Brother John N. Byers was called as pastor and was well received. He served until 1903 and was followed by C.L. Barnes. In 1903 the Sunday School was organized and George W. Wiley was named as Superintendent and Ransom Godwin as Assistant Superintendent. Mattie Pennington was elected as Secretary.

On July 13, 1903 the church lost another long time member and deacon, James Wann. He had been a church member since 1881. A letter of respect was read to the church and sent to his family.

At the January 1904 meeting, a committee was selected to pay off the church debt. This committee was composed of: George Wiley, A.F. Smith, and A.J. Pennington. The Ladies Aid Society raised $33.50 to help pay the debt.

In May 1904 the church observed the Lord's Supper, but there was no mention of foot-washing.

On July 2, 1904 Elder W.S. Wiley, nephew of George Wiley, and a missionary to the Indian Territory, began a revival at the church which resulted in a number of conversions. On the fourth Sabbath of July the following were baptized: E.A. Wiley (son of George), Pirl Slawson, Ora Mae Jones, Helen Cabe, W.W. Hornsby, Cari Allen, and Gertrude Binning.

At the August meeting the church voted to call C.L. Barnes on a half-time basis and to pay him $200.00 per year. He had been paid $70.00 the previous year. However, at a called meeting in October the church rescinded the action and Brother Barnes was asked to serve on a quarter time basis. George Wiley resigned as Sunday School Superintendent in November and A.F. Smith was elected to take his place.

The church lost two more of its faithful members in those years: Sister Sarah Jones died on December 3, 1903 and Brother J.L. Reynolds died on April 21, 1904 Brother Barnes resigned as pastor of the church in April 1905 and W.F. Lynch took his place in May 1905.

Sometime during these years the Presbyterians had built a church house at Ione and a number of the well known families attended services there. Some of these families were Dr. LaRue and his family, Dr. Turner and his family, the Moores, and the Mullens. The Presbyterians had built a two story house and the second floor was used as a masonic hall.

Also during this period W.J. Pennington opened a general store at Ione to go with the sawmill, cotton gin, lumber yard and school. Mrs. Ellen Binning had opened a millinery shop. (She was formerly Ellen Wooten.)

J.K. Binning, church, clerk, was ordained as a deacon in March 1906. Sister Peck resigned as Sunday School Secretary, and Sister Mattie Pennington was elected to take her place. In April Brother Ransom Godwin was elected as a deacon. In June brother G. E. Fuller and his wife were received into the church by letter. In July, Brother A.F. Smith (the schoolteacher) and his wife were granted letters of dismissal, as they were leaving Ione.

In July Brother Otto Whittington, Missionary of the Buckner Baptist Association, held a two week revival. The minutes read: "THE LORD WAS WITH US, AND HIS GUIDING HAND LED 51 PERSONS TO MAKE PROFESSIONS OF FAITH." Of that number there were 29 received by baptism, two by restoration, and one by statement. The following were baptized: Alonzo Wann, C.C. Carbitt, Ellie Hurt, Leeann Ward, Pearl Wann, Ocy and Deller Hurt, Leona Scrimpture, Mary and Sarah Amos, Austin Fuller, Rosey Binning, Rosey Lacy, C.F. Cochran, Mary Jane Cochran, P.C. Wooten, Rufus Wann, Archie Slaughter, Lucy Rowlett, Leonora Rowlett, Rosey and Ruth Pennington, Cora Slaughter, Jesse Lacy, Henry Peck, Vertie Evans, Ethly Jones, Henry Lynch, and Nathan Marshall. All of these were baptized on the fifth Sunday of July, 1906 starting at 4:00 P.M. at Lucas Ford of the Petit Jean River. J.M. Hughletter and Thomas Wann were received by restoration and Jesse Amos by statement.

That fall, Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Irby came to Ione to teach school. Mr. Irby and his family of six joined the Good Hope Baptist Church.

On October 6, 1906 a Post Office was established at Ione, with James A. Farmer as the Postmaster. The office had been moved from Belva.

In 1913 a rural route was established out of Ione to run to the Tate and Henscratch communities, and J.L. Partain was named as the rural carrier. A Star Route was established from Ione to Booth and Girard with Uncle Bill Gipson and James Farmer as carriers. The Postmasters at Ione after James Farmer were: W.E. Smith from 1913 until 1927, Silas B. Haddock from 1927 until 1932, Paul Smith from 1932 until 1937, and Mrs. Ruth Smith from 1937 until the postoffice was closed during World War II and a rural route was established out of Booneville.

W.F. Lynch resigned as pastor of the Good Hope Baptist Church of Christ in February 1907. At that meeting several members were "LETTERED OUT" for the purpose of organizing a baptist church at Mountain View. These members consisted of the Amos, Rowlett, Ryles, Simmons, and Sloan families.

In March 1907, J.N. Pennington again accepted the pastorate of the church on the condition that the church would pay him $100.00 per year for quarter-time preaching. The church agreed to these terms. He was to moderate the church conference on Saturday afternoon before the third Sunday, preach Saturday night and again on Sunday Morning and Sunday Night.

At the April meeting the pastor "PREACHED ON MISSIONS," to quote the minutes and an offering of $5.50 was given for home and foreign missions.

At the May meeting A.J. Pennington was elected as church janitor at $1.50 per month, but he resigned after the first month. The pastor appointed a committee to find another janitor, but if they ever did, his name was not shown. (The women probably continued to clean up the curch house as they had in the past.)

At the June meeting something new was added, the preacher held a service on Sunday afternoon and preached to the children.

Seldom a summer went by without a "PROTRACTED MEETING." In July of 1907 Brother Richardson of Booneville conducted a revival that resulted in 26 professions of faith and 17 additions to the church by baptism. Those baptized on the fourth Sunday afternoon of July were: Rufus Slaughter, Nolan Irby, Eva Irby, Ider Green, Dora Fuller, Manda Fuller, Ester Wann, Omar Wann, Ora Kelly, William Fuller, Will Cheek, Mintie Lee Brownfield, Myrtle Wooten, Lucy Williams, Cary Williams, and Oscar Pennington. The church gave Brother Richardson $7.42 in cash and $5.00 in pledges.

At the August meeting of 1907 the church voted to change its name to the "IONE BAPTIST CHURCH." At the December meeting the church granted letters of dismissal to C.E. Fuller, his wife, his son Austin, and to Effie Irby.

In 1908 the Irbys resigned as teachers of the Ione school and were granted letters dismissal. C.C. Ellis and Gertrude Binning were the new teachers and served until 1910. Miss Binning was a member of the church.

R.L. Slaughter was licensed to preach at the April meeting of 1908. No worship service was held in May, as the preacher conducted the commencement service for the school and all of the people attended.

In July W.S. Wiley, a missionary from Muskogee, Indian Territory, returned to Ione for a revival. He held a great revival and the following were baptized at the end of the meeting: Sister Tangsley (or Langsley), Mattie Davis, Rosey Wiley, Icey Kelly, Netty Kelly, Josephine Mott, Luley Hanes (or Ranes), Nora Irby, Cleo Vandermark, Etter Jones, Brother Britton Dickerson, and Henry Lasiter. (The spelling of these names are as they are shown in the minutes). Later Brother Tangsley and Rose Williams were received for baptism, and Brother Walker and wife and Arthur and Ellen Bird by letter.

In 1905 the church lost some faithful members. The Irbys, George W. Wiley and wife, Will, Dora and Mandy Fuller, Lucy Ward, and Pearl Owens. D.M. Bryant was elected pastor at $100.00 per year and J.K. Binning was the church clerk.

Brother Binning wrote the minutes for January 1909, but no other minutes were recorded until November and December. During this period J.W. Lindsey had become the pastor and Ransom Godwin the church clerk. W.L.Slaugher had been elected Sunday School Superintendent and P.C. Wooten was the church treasurer.

In December the pulpit committee reported that there was only $80.00 in the treasury to pay the pastor. Brother Lindsey agreed to accept that amount as full payment for the services he had rendered. That meeting also granted letters of dismissal to A.J., Rose, Sarah, and Oscar Pennington. A letter of dismissal was also granted to Maggie Carpenter.

The first minutes of any service in 1910 was recorded in May, when the service was held at the cemetary for decoration day. At the August meeting new officers were elected as follows: J.W. Lindsey, pastor; P.C. Wooten, church clerk; W.L. Slawson, treasurer; A.F. Smith, Sunday School Superintendent, Cora Slaughter Sunday School Secretary.

In August an eleven day revival was held and Lula Fuller was the only one listed that was to be baptized. Ethel Johnson and Ida Slawson were received at the September meeting "BY EXPERIENCE." At that September meeting the minutes recorded "that some of the members were not at peace with each other." A committee was appointed to investigate the matter. This committee was composed of W.L. Slaughter, P.C. Wooten, W.J. Pennington, T. Wann, and R. Godwin. (This committee reported back to the church at the January 11, 1911 meeting on the unchristian conduct of the members investigated and the matter was dismissed.) At the September meeting a letter of dismissal was granted to John Hurt, and in December J.K., Mattie, Gertrude, and Rose Binning, along with Nellie Parker, J.M. Pennington and his wife were granted letters of dismissal.

Frank Smith and Ruth Pennington were elected school teacher for Ione in 1910 and they were both active in the church.

There did not seem to be much activity in the church in 1911, however, A.J. Pennington, his wife, and his daughter Rose returned to the church.

Following the annual protracted meeting in August, Ed Fuller and Nettie Smith were baptized on September 11, 1911. Those who came to the church by letter were: W.E. and Mollie Smith, Robert, Daisy, and Herbert Slaughter. A.F. Smith resigned as Sunday School Superintendent and P.C. Wooten was elected to take his place. Mr. Wooten declined to serve and W.E. Smith was elected and served for many years.

Apparently, the members were not at peace with each other again, as the church lost several members by letter. They were Sister Anderson, Mandy Browning, S.J. Jones John Amos and his wife, O.D. Amos and his wife, Rose Godwin, W.F. Huggins and his wife and daughters, Ludy and Flora.

In 1912 Mr. Forrest and Ruth Pennington were the school teachers. P.C. Wooten reported that the church had 105 members with 90 enrolled in Sunday School.

In August W.F. Hall was pastor of the church and there is no mention of the usual long meeting and revival, but the records show that the following were received into the church by baptism: Eunice and Eva Smith, Conny Lantrip, Pearl and Rose Wooten, Emma Smith, and Ethel Vandermark. Also received by letter in August were: F.R. and Sarah Arnold, Pearl Sanders, and Josie Strickland.

The church lost five members in 1912. R.L. Slaughter, J.M. and Sallie Brownfield, and E.B. Jones were lost by letter and Mollie Smith, the wife of W.E., died that year. The minutes did not show the long letter of respect for the deceased as it had in earlier years.

At the December meeting W.E. Smith, Ransom Godwin, and F.R. Arnold were elected Deacons. Ransom Godwin and F.R. Arnold were ordained in January of 1913.

In 1913 the church lost three of its members. In April Henry and Mattie Peck moved to Oklahoma, and Gramma Kelly, a long time member, died. W.P. Hall resigned as pastor in June, and Brother Pharrow and J.W. Pickens took his place. In November J.L. Partain, an ordained minister, joined the church by letter from the Baptist Church in Cisco, Texas.

There were no church minutes written in 1914 until May (this was the last entry in the book marked 1913.) During this time G.R. Stephens had become pastor.

The church voted at this May meeting to send the pastor and a deacon to Mountain View Church for the purpose of ordaining J.W. Pickens as a minister of the gospel. In August of 1914 J.W. Pickens was elected pastor of the Ione Baptist Church.

At the June meeting of 1914 a committee was appointed (W.J. Pennington, W.E. Smith, P.C. Wooten, and E.A. Wiley) to solicit funds to cover the church house. No further mention was made of this matter so evidently it was done.

According to the records the church only received two members by baptism in 1914. They were Lora Fuller and Nettie McElroy. J.M. and Sallie Brownfield returned to the church by letter in September. (No mention had been made of their leaving in previous minutes.)

In 1914 the church lost Ora Kelly, F.R. and Sarah Arnold, May Browning, and A.J. Pennington by letter and Minnie Turner joined another denomination.

Mr. and Mrs. Norman were the school teachers in Ione for the 1914 school year but their names do not appear on the church roll.

The August 1915 records show that Dr. J. Pendergraf was the guest speaker and that W.L. Slaughter and E.A. Wiley were ordained as deacons, with J.L. Sikes, J.L. Partain, and B.B. Taylor assisting in the ordination. On the same day the church began their annual revival with Erma Lacy and Samantha Cheek being received into the church as candidates for baptism. The new pastor, S.W. Lindsey joned the church by letter. J.L. Partain was elected as Sunday School Superintendent in August of 1915.

The church again lost more members than it gained as C.F. Cochran, Elizabeth Cheek, R.W.E. Slaughter and his wifed Daisy were lost by letter. Ora Kelly, Warnne and Rose Stanley joined another denomination (probably the local Presbyterian church.)

In 1916 P.C. Wooten reported that the average attendance in church and sunday school was 30. However, things were looking better as the church added J.V. Pennington and wife Dicey by baptism. The church also added Carrie Slaughter, W.C. Littlefield and wife Pearl (they were the new school teachers), W.M. Gipson, Dora Wann and Mattie Pickens by letter.

In 1916 the church lost four members: Leo Godwin, Ethel Hodges, Ida Gipson and Mattie Loyd.

In 1916 Houston Grayson was called as pastor and J.V, Pennington became church clerk. J.L. Partain was elected Sunday School Superintendent with W.C. Littlefield as assistant. E.A. Wiley, J.V. Pennington, Thomas Wann and W. C. Littlefield were elected messengers to the Buckner Baptist Association and were instructed to invite the association to meet with the Ione church next year (1917.)

For some reason J.V. Pennington did not serve as church clerk and Arch Slaughter took his place. He changed the format of the minutes and the eight "RULES OF DECORUM" that were established in 1873 were not included in the minutes. Mr. Slaughter served as church clerk until May of 1917 when P.C. Wooten was elected as church clerk. He served for a number of years and kept all of the old minutes books from which this history was taken.

Ione did not host the Buckner Association in 1917 as it was held in Booth. Ione Baptist Church sent as messengers Ransom Godwin, P.C. Wooten, Sallie Brownfield and Ellen Pennington.

The year of 1917 was a dark one for Ione as well as the rest of the world. World War I had come and Ione gave many fine young men to the service. Those that I can remember from Ione were Hubert Smith, Arlie Brownfield and Elzie Pennington, but no doubt there were others.

Mrs. Hackett and Elizabeth Dunbar were the school teachers that year. There was not much church news to report that year evidently, as the books did not show anything in the minutes.

In 1918 the church minutes were brief. In March Houston Grayson and his wife Caroline were received into the church as members. The minutes showed an average attendance around thirty to thirty-six.

The annual revival was held in July this year instead of August as it had been in the past. A.A. Dulaney did the preaching and Claude Hunt led the singing. The revival led to three coming into the church by baptism: Vivian Smith, Emma Wann and Elva Beshears and Sister Andrews was received by letter. Later in the year others were added by baptism: Joanna Cox, Bryan Jones, Mollie Partain, Mabel Slaughter, and Jessie Smith. Etna Horn and Charlie Franks were received by letter. Letters were granted to Etna Horn and Myrtle Wooten.

1918 also brought new school teachers, as Bob and Arch Slaughter were the school teachers that year.

In 1919 only two minutes were recorded one in April and one in May. Houston Grayson was the pastor and P.C. Wooten was the church clerk. If anyone joined or left the church in 1919 it was not recorded.

1919 was the year World War I ended and the entire country was besieged by the terrible Spanish Influenza epidemic, which could account for the lack of minutes if the meetings were even held.

1919 also brought new school teachers to the community as Mr. and Mrs. Dan Manus were the teachers that year. They taught until the 1920 school year when John Hampton and Carrie Slaughter (later Mrs. John Hampton) became the teachers. They stayed through the 1922 school year.

There were no minutes in the book for 1920 and the first meeting of 1921 was recorded in August. At that meeting a committee was appointed to find a new pastor as Houston Grayson had left earlier that year. This record also showed that P.C. Wooten was the church clerk and John Hampton was the Sunday School Superintendent. Another committee was appointed at this meeting to look into buying an organ for the church.

Going over the church roll for the years 1920 and 1921 the only new members shown were: Mabel Kelly, baptism, 1920; Mattie Kelly, letter, 1921; Myrtle Brownfield, baptism, 1921; Archie Partain, baptism, 1921; Bonnie Slaughter, baptism, 1921; Bess Springer, baptism, 1921. (Bess Springer was a new teacher added that year.)

The first meeting recorded in 1922 was in June when W.A. Bishop was called as pastor. Rufus Wann was granted a letter of dismissal.

In the September meeting P.C. Wooten was named as church clerk and Sallie Brownfield as church treasurer. W.E. Smith was elected as the Sunday School Superintendent.

In 1922 the church added Jess Cabe, Vivian Carpenter, and Mintie Lee Godwin by baptism, and lost Mr. and Mrs. John Hampton and Mabel Slaughter Perry through letters of dismissal.

That year the school again had three teachers: Omar Hairston, principal; Bess Springer and Dot Pennington. At the March 1923 meeting George L. Hays was the guest preacher and W. A. Bishop was still pastor. In July, W L. Thomas of Hackett and W. L. Bishop held the annual revival at Ione. This was a great meeting as the records show that the church had seven additions by baptism. These seven were: Albert Sills, Beatrice Partain, Oneta Fuller, Lorene Wooten, Jess Bryant, A. C. Goodwin, and Lottie Greenwood.

The records also show that Jim Sills and A. W. Smith were received by letter at this revival. The church gave W. L. Thomas an offering of $67.50.

In August W.A. Bishop was elected pastor again and P.C. Wooten was elected church clerk. W.E. Smith was elected as Sunday School superintendent and Bettye Wooten was elected as church secretary.

In the fall of 1923 Omar (Duck) Hairston was principal of the school with Billie Rice and Bettye Wooten the elementary school teachers. Later in the fall Mrs. S.E. Partain came into the church by baptism and Mrs. S.E. Smith by letter. The church also granted a letter of dismissal to Mrs. Connie McElroy as she was joining another denomination and a letter was granted to Mattie Binning.

There were no minutes written in November or December, but it was about this time that L. P. Thomas became pastor.

Another addition to the Ione community in the fall of 1923 was Silas B. Haddock, his wife Eliza, his four daughters; Alta, Louise, Willie, and Selma, and his son Paul, who died there on September 9, 1923.

The first meeting of the church recorded in 1924 was in March when L.P. Thomas resigned as pastor. P.C. Wooten resigned as church clerk and Archie Partain was elected to take his place. In April of 1934 George L. Hays became pastor of the church.

At the May meeting, Brother King of Little Rock showed a moving picture of the work of the Baptist Hospital in Little Rock for the Sunday evening meeting. At the Saturday conference in May the church discussed the matter of establishing a church budget, and a committee was set up to look into a plan.

This committee consisted of J.L. Partain, P. C. Wooten, We. E. Smith, E.A. Wiley, Mrs Sallie Brownfield, and Mrs. Ellen Pennington.

At the August election of church officers the only change made was that Sallie Brownfield was elected church treasurer. In December she resigned and Mrs. E.A. (Dollie Slaughter) Wiley took her place.

At that meeting Miss Bonnie Slaughter was granted a letter of dismissal as she was going away to school.

1924 saw the following people baptized: Fern Pennington, Fay Johnson, Bercue Edwards, Hubert Eppler, and Willie Horn. The following became members by letter: Lora Jones, Mrs. J.J. Organ, Mrs. Eliza Haddock, Willie Haddock, Louise Haddock, and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Crockett.

During the past year or so many of the young people had left Ione to go to high school at Booneville, Magazine, or Mansfield so the school and reverted back to two teachers. In the fall of 1924 the teachers were Bettye Wooten and Billie Rice with each teaching four grades.

In 1925, March and April meetings were recorded but nothing of importance was shown. The annual revival was held in August and lasted two weeks with George Hays as the preacher.

The August minutes said, "THE MEETING WAS A GREAT UPLIFTING FOR OUR COMMUNITY!" On August 16, 1925, as a result of this revival, fifteen people were baptized in Fletcher Creek near Carolan. They were: Thelma Lasiter, Dewey Wooten, Beryl Wooten, Alta Haddock, Van Pennington, Mintie Lee Godwin, Oma Wann, Grace Wann, Vivian Carpenter, J.J. Organ, Fleta Oliver, Grace Oliver, Jim Kelly, Henry Jones, and Minnie Jones. Lois Jones and Dot Farmington joined by letter and Bonnie Slaughter returned by letter.

The following members were granted letters of dismissal during the year: Netta Kelly, Mrs. Emma Wooten, Mrs. Joanna Cox, Mrs. Bess Cheek, and Mrs. S.E. Smith.

This year, 1925 Ione had two new school teachers. Mr. L.E. Floyd taught grades five through eight upstairs and Miss Louis Haddock taught grades one through four downstairs.

For a number of years the church had appointed messengers to the Buckner Baptist Association meeting in the fall, but in 1925, messengers were also appointed to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

The messengers to the State Convention were Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Smith, P.C. Wooten, and Ed Fuller. The location of the convention is not shown in the minutes, but it was probably in Little Rock.

At the January 17, 1926 meeting, the church licensed Archie Partain, the church clerk, to preach. He was attending the Oklahoma Baptist University at Shawnee, Oklahoma so he resigned his position as church clerk. Mrs. Dollie Wiley was elected to take his place.

In the August election G.L. Hays was re-elected as pastor, P.C.Wooten was elected treasurer, W.E Smith was Sunday School Superintendent, and Mintie Lee Godwin was the church secretary.

If any new members came into the church in 1926 their names were not recorded, but letters were granted to the following: Mr. and Mrs. Buff Stills, Helen Low, and Mintie Brownfield Stauss. Lorena Wooten and I went to Russellville for summer normal, and if a revival was held in August the minutes did not report it. Mr. Floyd and Miss Haddock were back as school teachers for the 1926-1927 school term.

In 1927 no church minutes were recorded until the September meeting, when messengers were appointed to the Buckner Baptist Association meeting at Poteau. At the October meeting the messengers gave a report of the meeting and recommended that Brother Rufus Hale be invited to the church. The church members agreed and he was the guest preacher in November.

No new members were recorded in 1927, but letters were granted to Miss Lorena Wooten, who was attending the University of Oklahoma at Norman; and to Miss Bercue Edwards and Miss Vivian Smith.

In the fall of 1927 Ione had two new teachers. They were Miss Nell Hornsby and Mrs. Cornie Williams and they were both active in the church.

At a Called meeting in February 1928, Archie Partain was called as a pastor for the remainder of the year. (Evidently sometime during the last few months, George Hays had resigned.) Archie Partain preached at the regular meeting on February 19, and T.R. Boydston was received by letter. He was the only member recorded that year.

At the September 1928 meeting, a committee was appointed to find a pastor as Archie Partain had gone back to school. The church was host to the Buckner Baptist Association that year.

Over the years the church meeting had changed. There was not always the church conference on Saturday preceding the Saturday night and Sunday preaching services. Now business meetings were brief and seldom recorded. In 1929 the minutes of only two meetings were recorded and in 1930 only one meeting was recorded.

Many things happened in those years, however, as Archie Partain brought young people from Oklahoma Baptist University to conduct Daily Vacation Bible School, which was something new for the church. In fact, many young people had left Ione to go to college, bringing back many new ideas, which kept the church active.

On April 29, 1929 Brother Tom Finney filled the pulpit of the church and in a business meeting following, he was unanimously called as pastor. At this meeting a discussion was held to discuss raising funds to pay off the church debts and to pay the pastor.

The only new members recorded in 1929 were Otha Looper, Mazel Pennington, Robert Piece, Arvel Wann, and Virgie Wann. All of the new members were received by baptism.

Cullen C. Wooten, Bettye Wooten, and Fern Pennington were the school teachers for the 1929-1930 school year. Since there were three teachers again, we must assume that either there were more students in the lower grades or that Ione was again offering twelve years of school.

The 1930's were the years of the great depression but the church had a good year in 1930, with many additions. In 1930 the church set a budget of $15.00 per month, but ended up with an average offering of $17.50 per month.

A committee was appointed to promote a membership drive and to interest the church in the Cooperative Program, a financing plan of the Southern Baptist Convention. (This plan had been in effect since 1925 but apparently it was just now reaching some of the smaller, outlying churches.) In fact not very much had been reported on the church's role in the southern Baptist Convention and it would be interesting to know when it began and what part, if any, it played in the church's growth.

In July the church held its annual revival with Archie Partain as the preacher. Those received into the church by baptism were Ella Godwin, Inez Godwin, Frances Boerman, Annette Durham, Herman Halford, Harry Halford, Selma Haddock, T.D. Jackson, Sylvia Jackson, Agatha Lampkin, Lois Lantrip, Eula Lindsay, Omar and Mrs. Mott, Leonard Partain, Grace Partain, Rowena Smith, Opal Tucker, Belle Woody, Ailene Fuller, and Mollie Fuller. The church received the following by letter: Audrey Halford, Ed Halford, Mrs. Mollie Halford, Pauline Fouts, R.D. Williams, and Cornie Williams. Letters were granted to Louise Haddock and Mazel Pennington.

1930 also brought sadness to the church as Ransom Godwin, a longtime member, died that year. His wife Sussana had died in 1926.

In September 1931 the church elected new officers. They were: Archie Partain, paster (Salary #12.00 per month); Mrs. Dollie Wiley, Church Clerk; E.A. Wiley, Church Treasurer; W.E. Smith, Sunday School Superintendent; Selma Haddock, Sunday School Secretary. Zelmer E. Gardner, who had just moved to Ione, was named president of the B.Y.P.U. and Fern Pennington was named leader of the Junior B.Y.P.U.

In November a committee of three (Fern Pennington, Selma Haddock, and Inez Godwin) were appointed to raise funds for the repair of the church building. These young people must have raised the money, for at the September meeting, there was a lot of discussion on the type of roof to put on the building. They finally settled on shingles.

Things were really looking up for Ione. They had just completed the construction of a new brick school house in 1930, hired three new teachers (John H. Rowland as principal, Fern Pennington and Viola Hicks. The new school was constructed by Hubert J. Hall with P.C. Wooten and J.J.Organ doing most of the work.

The first meeting recorded in 1932 was in April when plans were made for a Vacation Bible School and revival in July. Students from Oklahoma Baptist University came and helped Archie with the Bible school which was followed by a revival in which many were saved. Those that came into the church by baptism after the revival were: Zelmer Gardner and his wife Muriel, Mr. and Mrs. Irl Kelly, Era Kelly, Irene Lawson, Fay Moore, Forest Mullins, Penn Smith, Paul Smith, Vernon Turner, Clyde Wiley, Cullen Wooten, Lester French, Tea Fuller, and Mr. and Mrs. Omar Eppler.

At the September meeting the church officers elected were; Archie Partain, Pastor; Clyde Wiley, Church Clerk; E.A. Wiley, Treasurer; Zelmer Gardner, Sunday School Superintendent; Selma Haddock, Sunday School Secretary; Cullen Wooten, Baptist Young People's Union President and Mrs. Mollie Partain Jr. BYPU Leader.

The new church officers began work with a new record book in which Clyde Wiley, who had married Willie Haddock, kept records of all that went on in the church.

At the first meeting that year there was much discussion about having a preacher half-time instead of quarter-time as had been the practice for years. A committee composed of E.A. Wiley, Van Pennington, Omar Eppler and Zelmer Gardner were appointed to check into the feasibility of doing this. Later, the committee recommended that the church pay off its debts before going an with this plan.

The church then attempted to raise funds to put its finances back into shape and named a committee to set up an "HONOR STANDARD," whereby each member would be asked to contribute $1.50 per month toward the church budget.

That year the church lost two of its long-time members, Mrs. Maggie and Miss Lottie Greenwood, who had moved to Wister, Oklahoma.

At the first quarterly conference in 1933 the church voted to retain its program of once-a-month preaching services (Sunday School and BYPU were held each Sunday - but there has been no mention of the Women's Missionary Society for years), and to increase the preacher's (Archie Partain) salary.

Clyde Wiley, his wife Willie, and young son Edgar left Ione that year for Clyde to attend Oklahoma Baptist University at Shawnee, Oklahoma, so Vernon Turner was elected Church Clerk.

That fall the new church officers were E.A. Wiley, Church Treasurer; Zelmer R. Gardner, Sunday School Superintendent; Mrs. Howard Barnett, Sunday School Secretary; Howard Barnett, BYPU President; Mrs. J.L. Partain, Intermediate BYPU Leader; and Miss Bettye Wooten, Junior BYPU Leader.

Howard Barnett, who had come to Ione to teach school that year, married Oneta Fuller and had united with the church through baptism. The other two teachers that year were Inez Gardner and Mrs. Cornie Williams.

Late in 1933 the J.L Partain family, including Autrey and Ina Grace, left Ione and the church. Archie was still at OBU, but returned each month to preach.

In March of 1934 Bettye Wooten became the Church Clerk and resumed the practice of writing the minutes monthly, rather than quarterly. Also, in March, Archie Partain resigned as Pastor and Houston Grayson was elected to finish out the year.

In September Melvin Walker was called as pastor. The other new officers for the year were: Mrs. Inez Moore (Inez Godwin, who had married Fay Moore), Church Clerk; W.E. Smith, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent; Marguerite Fuller, Sunday School Secretary; Fern Pennington and Oneta Barnett, BYPU Leaders.

The new members listed in 1934 were Lois Godwin and Marie Brownfield by baptism, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen C. Wooten (she was formerly Ella Godwin) by letter. Members dismissed by letter were Dot Pennington, Kenneth and Nell Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Wann, Mr. and Mrs. Arvel Wann, Mrs. Otha Looper, Mrs. Cora McCutcheon, Archie and Leonard Partain, Mr. and Mrs. Omar Eppler, Mrs. Jim Beshears, Bryan Jones, Mrs. Eliza Haddock, Alta Haddock, Selma Haddock, and Lois Partain.

The minutes for 1935 reflect many plans for the year, but do not indicate how very many were carried our. At the January meeting the church planned a Vacation Bible School, in February the discussion centered around a revival in April with Brother Gant, the Associational Missionary, conducting. Also there was talk about planting a cotton patch for the church to provide funds to repair the building. Plans were also made to ask Brother Gant to come and help the women organize a Missionary Society.

At the annual meeting on September 7, 1935 the church called brother Swanson as pastor. Clyde Wiley was elected as Sunday School Superintendent. (He and his family had returned from OBU). Cornie Williams was elected Church Clerk, and Mrs. E.A. (Dollie) Wiley was elected Director of Prayer Meeting. Other church leaders were also elected but their names were not recorded.

Cullen Wooten had become pricipal of the Ione School with Mrs. Green and Mrs. Williams as the teachers. New members in 1935 were Blanche Fouts, Hal Smith, and John Neta Woody by baptism. A letter of dismissal was granted to J.W. Methvine.

In 1936 the Partains returned to Ione and Archie was again called as pastor. Other new officers elected were: Mrs. Ellen Pennington, Church Treasurer; Mrs. Jessie Smith, Church Clerk; Ina Grace Partain, Pianist (I wonder when they purchased this .... years ago they had talked about buying an organ); John Neta Woody, Song Leader; Van Pennington, Sunday School Superintendent; E.A. Wiley, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent; Onata Wiley, Sunday School Secretary. P.C. Wooten was the Baptist Training Union (BTU) President. This had been changed from BYPU in 1934.

New members in 1936 were Louise Godwin, Bonnie Halford, Manual Walker, and Mabel Walker by baptism. W.E. Green was added to the church roll by letter. Letters were granted to W.P.J. Jones, Mrs. Glen (Icey) Cauthron, and Adriam McElroy.

Clyde Wiley and Mrs. Cornie Williams were the Ione school teachers in 1937. Clyde also became the church clerk early in 1937 and J.E. Williams, a new member, was elected Sunday School Superintendent. In October the church bought new song books and voted to raise money to buy Aladin Lamps for the church.

New members in 1937 were Raymond Lantrip, Arline Brownfield, and Nell Wilson by baptism. Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Wilson, Donald Wilson, Holly Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Scroggins, Marie Scroggins, and Helen Scroggins united with the church by letter. Members dismissed that year were the Partain family, Mr. and Mrs. Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. Fay Moore, Rowena Smith, and Mrs. Oma Smith.

Charlie Ray, Cornie Williams, and Viola Hicks were the school teachers at Ione from 1937 until 1939.

In January 1938 the church appointed a "MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE" of E.A. Wiley, Van Pennington, Mrs. J.A. Kelley and Onata Wiley, to study the needs of the church. The church also adopted the "Standard of Excellence" for Sunday School.

The membership committee recommended: "THAT WE ENTER INTO A THREE MONTH PERIOD OF EARNEST ENDEAVOR TO MAGNIFY OUR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP, AND THAT DURING THAT PERIOD, WE SHALL VISIT AND, BY EVERY WAY POSSIBLE, TRY TO WIN THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME INACTIVE. FURTHER, THAT THE COMMITTEE BE KEPT FOR THREE MONTHS AND TO MAKE MONTHLY REPORTS TO THE CHURCH." The report was accepted and Onato Wiley was asked to keep a record of the work. In February the report read as follows:
43 church members attended church during the past three months.
31 was the average church attendance for the preaching services - Both morning and evening.
21 was the average attendance in Sunday School
14 was the average attendance in BTU
25 Attended the Saturday night preaching service.

In November the church accepted a debt of $30.03 for repairs to the building. J.J. Organ presented the bills for the repairs that he had done, and the Church Treasurer was instructed to pay all that the present funds allowed and to defer the balance until more funds were received.

New members received in 1938 by baptism were: Lee Daily, Dorthy Daily, Wanda Epper, Arnold Epper, Royston Goolsby, Leon Godwin, Carl Halford, Ruby Halford, Mack Halford, Earl Halford, Eugene Lothian, Marcetious Partain, Haskell Scroggins, Walker Scraggins, and Anna Nelle Wilson. The following were received by letter: Mr. and Mrs. Omar Eppler, Winton Mizell, and Mrs. Powell. Onata Wiley, Dewey Wooten, Beryl Wooten, Belle Woody, Bob Williams, Cornie Williams, Eula Lindsey, and Mr. and Mrs. Zelmer Gardener were dismissed by letter.

1938 was a good year for the Ione Baptist Church, but it was saddened by the death of W.E. Smith, a long-time faithful member who died in November.

1939 brought an end to the turbulent thirties and the church had a new pastor, Winton Mizell. Clyde Wiley had moved to Fort Smith and Bonnie Halford was named the church clerk.

A budget was adopted to cover the months from February until September. It consisted of the following items:
Cooperative Program of the S.B.C. $10.75
Missions - Associational 0.75
Lights for church house 1.50
Literature 3.00
Pastor's Salary 15.00

The pastor asked that the other items of the budget take precedence over his salary. At that February meeting, the new pastor appointed a committee of Mrs. E.A. Wiley, Mrs. Omar Eppler, and Donald Wilson to secure pledges to meet the church budget.

That fall Mr. Mizell left the church to go to Arkadelphia and Murl Walker was called as pastor. E.A. Wiley was the church treasurer and Bonnie Halford was the church clerk. Paul Smith was elected Sunday School Superintendent to take the place of his father, W.E. Smith, who had served for many years. J.J. Organ was director of BTU. The pastor had appointed a nominating committee to secure church officers and to bring them before the church for approval.

Mr. and Mrs. L.S. Ham, L.S. Ham, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald, and Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Arnold joined the church by letter in 1939 and Winifred Owens, Alta Fay Ham, and Patsy Brownfield joined the church through baptism. Mercedes Partain, Van Pennington, Winton Mizell, Mrs. Myrtle Pennington, Mrs. Frances Boersman, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Barnett were dismissed from the church by letter.

In 1940 the church was host to a BTU rally in February that was led by Brother Burroughs. Bonnie Halford, church clerk, married Donald Wilson and left town. Marguerite Fuller Walker (Mrs. Tillman) acted as church clerk until she left Ione, and Miss Rowena Smith was then elected as church clerk.

The revival, that was held in July, was led by Vernon Yarborough and resulted in a number of new baptisms. They were: O'Donnel Elmore, Troy Cartwright, Mrs. Paul Smith, Edith Melba Harwell, Charlie Elmore, Wanda Organ, Mrs. Florence Lothian, J.P. Davis, Lula Belle Hall, R.C. Lothian, and Carl Tucker. Mrs. Aubrey Elmore, Mrs. J.D. Blair, Emeric Blair, Flossie Hall, C.W. Elmore, and Lee Elmore were received by letter. Mrs. Cecil Elmore was received by statement.

Dismissed by letter that year were: Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Wilson, Annelle Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wilson, Carl Tucker, and Vernon Tucker.

New officers elected in August were: Murl Walker, pastor; Mrs. E. A. Wiley, church treasurer; Rowena Smith, church clerk; Paul Smith, Sunday School Superintendent; Mrs. E.A. Wiley, BTU Director. The year ended with a singing school in November, where fifty new song books were used, called "SONGS OF VICTORY."

Murl Walker resigned as pastor in April 1941, and in June the church called Irvin Moshier, from Booneville, as pastor. They also voted to continue with the half-time service (when had this begun?) and to pay the pastor $30.00 per month. They also voted to renew the practice of having prayer meeting every Wednesday night.

The new officers elected in August were: Irvin Moshier, pastor; Thomas H. Ward, treasurer; Rowena Smith, church clerk; Paul Smith, Sunday School Superintendent; Alene Bates, Sunday School Secretary; and Mrs. Scroggins BTU Director. Irvin Moshier resigned in September and the church record ended before a new pastor was named.

New members in 1941 were Mrs. Maybelle Lacy, Alene Bates, Charles Organ, and Aaerl Mott by Baptism. Mrs. Anna French joined the church by statement and Mr. and Mrs. Odus Kelly, and Reverend Moshier joined by letter.

Members that left in 1941 were; Mr. and Mrs. Omar Eppler, Wanda Eppler, Arnold Eppler, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Wiley, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen C. Wooten, Georgia Andrews, A.J. Kelley, Annie Kelley, and Irvin Moshier.

Three members were removed from the church roll by death. They were Mrs. Florence Lantrip in 1933, Mrs. Thelma Lassiter in 1935, and Mrs. Florence Wann in 1940.

So ends the record as shown in the old minutes retained by P.C. Wooten and now in the hands of Lorena Wooten Bush of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The minutes from 1942 until the present have been retained by others and were not available to include in this record.