A New County?
Submitted by Donnie PickardClinton Banner, July 27, 1882
The question of establishing a new county out of portions of Van Buren, White and Independence, is being considerable agitated by citizens in the eastern portion of this county. It is true that they live at a great distance from, and are put to much inconvenience in attending to business at Clinton, and they deserve a new county whenever the population and wealth of the county will justify its establishment. If a new county is ever established, a large portion of the territory of which it is to be composed must be taken from the counties of White and Independence. We are not informed as to the sentiments of the people of White County in giving off a portion of their territory for this purpose; but we are satisfied it will be a hard struggle to obtain any part of the territory from Independence. In speaking of this new county business, the Batesville Guard has this to say: "This county is in better financial condition than any county in the state. Our county taxes are less by far than in any other county in the state. Our county is out of debt; has been out of debt all the time, and now has several thousand dollars of interest bearing state scrip in the treasury, hence it would be the worst of folly, especially in a financial way, for any portion of our territory to be cut off and attached to any other county, particularly in a new county."