Early Ozark Territory

For a quick reference to the Ozark’s beginning boundaries, this is one of the best maps that will begin to explain a lot.

Run your computer mouse over the map and double click to enlarge this picture.

Source:
The Ozark Plateau. Map. Point Lookout, Missouri: School of the Ozarks Press, 1970.
Annotation: Map located inside of front cover of book entitled: Indians of the Ozark Plateau by Elmo Ingenthron. Full plate title: Map of the Ozark Plateau Showing Principle Streams, Indian Territorial Areas, Treaty-Fixed Boundaries, Migration Routes, Early Roads and Settlements. Color enhancements added by Vincent S. Anderson.

The Bleaching of History’s Tapestry

Contrary to today’s popular & media understanding, history is not always “politically correct.” I believe political correctness is birthed many times out of cowardice & selfish ambition of one’s reputation in order to cover perceived flaws. Simply put…many love to rewrite history or neglect it… hoping it will fade away.

Nevertheless, history is not always pretty; yet, it weaves a beautiful tapestry. As beautiful or ugly as it may seem, it is our entire story.

Looking back in history may be part of the cure of repeating past mistakes. Though some may revel in our mistakes in order that they may have something to gossip about or publish again. For those who wish to hide their head in the sand, read no further.

A little over a 100 years ago, on July 17th, 1908, The Baxter Bulletin ran a front page story that was amazing for its’ time. When I was writing Looking Back in History articles for The Baxter Bulletin, they choose to delete this article due to racial sensitivity. I believe it was to their loss. In order for it not to be lost for us, I give the small article omitted that was once proudly placed on the front page of The Baxter Bulletin as follows.

White Ladies Prepare “Old Mammy” in Grave.

The only negro family in Baxter County is that of Sam Mason, who lives in Cotter. The family consists of Sam Mason, his wife Alice and one child, Charlie, 18 years old. On Friday, Alice Mason, after eating a hearty breakfast, was washing dishes when she dropped dead from heart failure. There being no negro people in town, the white ladies went in prepared the body for burial. There was no hesitancy on the part of the white ladies, several prominent too, in doing all they could do in rendering assistance. Sam Mason and his wife were born in slavery in Izard County and were well known. Alice Mason was about 53 years old. All the children were her pets and they all loved her.

My Historical Respective
Again, this article was on the front page of an 8 page newspaper. All other obituaries were on following pages. However, Mary "Alice" Mason was on the front page. I believe this is a historical milestone that has been over looked for that time in the Ozarks.

Was there segregation? Yes.

Was there prejudice in that era? Yes.

As a society, we do not the use of the term of “Old Mammy” today. Yet, in this 1908 article, it was used as a term of endearment and not a racial slur. Furthermore, this was a hallmark of benevolence that transcended racial & cultural norms. We find people here in Baxter County, crossing cultural norms and expressing genuine affection and sympathy.

According to 1900 U. S. Census, Sam Mason was born June, 1852, in Georgia, Alice Mason was born July, 1856, in Tennessee. Both were taken as young children to Izard County, Arkansas, as slaves. During this time period, Baxter County did not exist, and this area was known as Izard County and then Marion County. Their son George was born February, 1890, in Arkansas. After Alice's death, Sam and Charlie moved to Oklahoma.

Today, there is a tombstone at the Cotter Cemetery that bears her name; it too should make headlines. To my knowledge, she is the only former slave buried in the Cotter Cemetery. At the time of her burial, it was a white only cemetery. Thanks to the Arkansas Gravestones Project, her grave stone can be seen here at Mary "Alice" Mason.

After her death, it was an integrated cemetery. Furthermore, we see death as the great equalizer of us all, from the elite to the pauper.

After 1908, racial lines were blurred at death of a former slave in Baxter County, Arkansas.

History was embraced through the compassion displayed by the people living in Baxter County. May their noble deeds inspire us to accept their acts as well as their inadequacies.

Unfortunately, there are those today who would rather blur our true history…looking backward.

Source:
Shiras, Tom “White Ladies Prepare 'Old Mammy' in Grave.” The Baxter Bulletin 17 July 1908, Volume 7, Number 27 ed.: 1A1-1.

The Waylands & McNeils: Family Roots in Baxter County, Arkansas

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Above is a picture of my great, great grandfather & grandmother:
Thompson "Henderson" Wayland & Louisa W. Snow


This is a small documentation of some of my family roots in the Ozarks. Hopefully, this will help answer questions for family and friends alike.

My great, great, grandfather & mother:

Thompson Henderson Wayland & Louisa W. Snow

Thompson Henderson Wayland was born on September 16, 1836 in Lawrence County, Arkansas. He died on November 14, 1913 in, Baxter County, Arkansas, and was buried in Norfork Cemetery, Baxter County, Arkansas. A picture is also posted of Henderson Wayland in the Mountain Home City Hall lobby stating he was the Mayor of Mountain Home, Arkansas in 1901.

Henderson married Louisa W. Snow on May 7, 1856, in Lawrence County, Arkansas. Thompson Henderson Wayland, "Henderson" as he was known, was a member of J.R. Shaler's regiment and Capt. R.C. Matthews' Company during the Civil War. He applied for a pension at age 72 and proof of service given.

They had the following children:

1. Susan Hester Wayland was born on June 26, 1860 in Iuka, Izard County, Arkansas. She died on November 16, 1905, and was buried in Trimble Flats Cemetery, Baxter County, Arkansas. Susan married James Franklin McNeill on June 11, 1877.
2. Caroline Wayland was born on 10 Feb 1862 in Iuka, Izard Co., Arkansas.
3. Cynthia "Syntha" Ann Wayland
4. James Harrison Wayland was born on 1 Oct 1867 in Iuka, Izard Co., Arkansas.
5. Benjamin F. Wayland
6. Mary Belsoria Wayland

Henderson & Louisa's Obituaries -Both are buried at Norfork Cemetery, Baxter County, Arkansas.

Baxter Bulletin newspaper September 20, 1912.

Mrs. T. H. Wayland and Mrs. Sarah Cunningham of Norfork, both old and respected citizens of Baxter County died last week. They leave many relatives and a host of friends to mourn for them.

Baxter Bulletin newspaper November 21, 1913

Uncle Henderson Wayland Dead.
Henderson Wayland an old settler in the seventies, for years a justice of peace at Norfork passed away Saturday and was buried Sunday at Norfork. The Waylands were among the first settlers in the west part of Baxter County. Mr. Wayland is survived by a brother, S. J. Wayland of Mountain Home and a married sister who lives in the south part of the state. His wife died about a year ago.

Next, my great, great grandfather & mother:

James Franklin McNeil IV & Susan Hester Wayland

James Franklin McNeil, IV was born on May 8, 1858, in Iuka, Izard County, Arkansas, and died on an unknown date. He married Susan Hester Wayland was born on June 26, 1860 in Iuka, Izard County, Arkansas. She died on November 16, 1905, and was buried in Trimble Flats Cemetery, Baxter County, Arkansas. Susan married James Franklin McNeil IV on June 11, 1877.

They had the following children:

1. William Frank McNeil was born on July 7, 1879 in Iuka, Izard County, Arkansas and died on June 9, 1948 in Amos, Baxter County, Arkansas.
2. John H. McNeil was born on Dec. 15, 1877 in Iuka, Izard County, Arkansas and died in May 1920 in Hulbert, Cherokee County, Oklahoma.
3. Mary (Molly) J. McNeil was born on Nov. 11, 1883 and died on Apr. 19, 1969.
4. Jesse Hogan McNeil was born on Oct. 25, 1881 and di ed in 1913.
5. Benjamin A. McNeil was born on Nov. 19, 1887 and died on Feb. 1, 1965.
6. James Monroe McNeil was born on Nov. 7, 1885 and died on Jul. 2, 1959.
7. Joseph Henry McNeil was born on May 1, 1890 and died in M ay 1944.
8. Hester B. McNeil was born on Apr. 1, 1894 and died on Aug. 16, 1894.
9. Charles W. McNeil was born on Apr. 11, 1892 and died on an unknown date.
10. Louisa Etta McNeil was born on Jan. 31, 1895 and died in 1915.
11. Eva “May” McNeil was born  on May 23, 1903 and died on June1, 1997.
12. Stephen E. McNeil was born on Feb. 7, 1899 and died on Aug. 31, 1972.

Next, my great grandfather & mother:

William Frank McNeil & Mary "Mollie" Girkin

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Picture taken in Flippin, Arkansas, about 1944

Mary "Mollie" Girkin 1900 
Picture taken at Carr Studios in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

                       

                                           Mary "Mollie" Girkin McNeil circa 1957

-->William Frank McNeil was born on July 7, 1879 in Iuka, Izard County, Arkansas and died on June 9, 1948 in Amos, Baxter County, Arkansas. He married Mary "Mollie" Girkin. She was the daughter of Burton Gerkin and Sarah Martin and was born on July 14, 1875 in East Nelson, Moultrie County, Illinois and died on October 3, 1958 in Theodosia, Ozark County, Missouri. Both are buried at the Trimble Flats / Amos Cemetery in Baxter County, Arkansas.

They had the following children:

1. Eunice McNeil was born on February 23, 1906 and died on September 30, 1990.
2. James Bert McNeil died on an unknown date.
3. Hogan McNeil died on an unknown date.
4. Lurkie McNeil died on an unknown date.
5. Susan Geneva McNeil was born on May 10, 1904 and died on Aug. 2, 1904.
6. Ralph Herman McNeil died in March 1916.

Picture of Uncle Bert & Uncle Hogan McNeil taken in Baxter County, Arkansas, circa 1918.

Next, my grandfather & grandmother:

Mack Anderson & Eunice McNeil

Mack Anderson was born on Feb. 24, 1890 in Mammoth, Ozark County, Missouri and died on May 5, 1962, in Mammoth, Ozark County, Missouri. He married Eunice McNeil. Eunice, daughter of William Frank McNeil and Mollie Mary Gerkin, Eunice McNeil was born on February 23, 1906,in Amos, Baxter County, Arkansas and died on September 30, 1990, in Bull Shoals, Marion County, Arkansas.

Grannie Anderson's house in Mammoth, Missouri, as I

remember it in the fall time of the year.

This picture was taken in November of 1989.

This is a current picture of the old home place taken in June of 2008.

Mack & Eunice Anderson are buried in the Mammoth Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri.

A Sweet Proposal by H. S. Tanner

How would a person find the Ozarks in 1830? A map, of course.

One of the most gifted men to put the Ozarks on the map was a man named H. S. Tanner. Henry Schenck Tanner(1786-1858), cartographer and statistical geographer, was born in New York. He established his well-known publishing company in Philadelphia. Trained as an engraver, he was endowed the the combination of scientific and artistic ability that spells a true cartographer. Tanner is best known for his New American Atlas, published in five parts from 1818 to 1823, with a last edition published in 1839. He died in New York in 1858.

To finance this endeavor, he was willing to make a deal and have people invest in his abilities before a map was ever produced. Hence, a proposal was made. Place a subscription for $10.00 and a map will be mailed sometime in the future. Tanner first made the announcement in Philadelphia, PA, July 10, 1818 through 1823.

This is one of the advertisments placed in the Missouri Republican out of St. Louis, Missouri, on Wednesday, January 01, 1823, Page 5. I have the trancribed the text below.

Map of North America Constructed from the most original and Authentic Documents BY H. S. TANNER AUTHOR OF A NEW AMERICAN ATLAS, &c.

During the execution of the Maps, which compose the NEW AMERICAN ATLAS, constructed and now published by the author of the proposed Map, all recent and very important additions to the stock of knowledge on the geography of North America, have been sought and most often obtained; which together with the numerous and valuable materials previously on hand for the Map, are now offered for public patronage. In compiling this Map, the only one in the entire continent of North America, hitherto projected and published in this country on an extensive a scale, the author has availed himself of the labors of Major Long, whose manuscript maps were politely furnished by him; these, in connection with the works of Humboldt, Pike, Lewis and Clark, on the geography of the south and western regions, and those of Ross, Perry, governor Cass, Harmon and others in the north, give an entirely new aspect to this portion of the continent. The errors in existing Maps, with respects to points of the Upper Mississippi, and others near Oregon, or Rocky Mountains, have been carefully adjusted according to the observations made by the American exploring party, commanded by Major Long. By these observations, the sources of the Arkansas, Platte, and other streams, were found to be, as lain down in all public maps, nearly three degrees too far to the west, an error which prevails to a greater or less extent in t he western region generally, but has been corrected in the present Map. In locating towns and other important points, the greatest possible care has been observed, that every position be conformable to the latest astronomical observations, or in the absence of these, to the result of the best itineraries and other authentic documents. Equal care has been exerted by the compiler, not to insert obscure villages, nor places whose positions were doubtful, choosing rather to leave a vacant space on his Map, than to draw from suspicious sources. Table lands , chains of mountains, and other features belonging to the natural geography of this continent, are indicated in a manner, as far as practicable, to show their differences of elevation and relative importance, by which works on natural and civil history will be readily understood. In those parts of the Map which exhibit national and local boundaries, especial care has been bestowed, that they should be in strict accordance with the legal documents relating to this subject; the northern boundaries of the United States being traced, as fixed by the commissioners appointed under the treaty of Ghent, and by the British treaty of 1818, which makes this line terminates at Oregon Mountains, and not on the coast of the Pacific, as most maps erroneously represent it.

In constructing the first map of this vast continent, many parts of which being from the original manuscripts, the author has had to contend with more than the usual inconvenience incident to works of this nature. The surveys and explorations of minor districts, used in its formation, were made in detached parts, by different individuals. The courses of line are generally run by the needle without ascertaining or paying due regard to the variation, which differs at different times and places. The distances are frequently measured without proper care and accuracy. Plans of these detached surveys, though in many instances correct, and in most, perhaps, exhibiting precisely the relative proportion to the tract surveyed, yet seldom agree with the plans of adjoining places. To these who are experimentally acquainted with their difficulties attending the formation of a good general Map from materials so exceedingly discordant in their nature, no apology need be made for incurious from which the author is unwilling to indulge the hope that this Map is wholly exempt. To render it worthy the patronage of an enlightened public, nothing being omitted by the author that would make the present Map, what he earnestly desires, one of lasting utility and convenient reference the great care in collecting the materials for its construction, the accuracy and perspicuity with which the author has endeavored to execute it, and its convenient size, will, it is hoped, ensure the accomplishment of both these objects.

CONDITIONS
I. The size of the Map, when mounted, is five feet long by three feet nine inches wide, is engraved in a neat and distinct manner, and will be colored in appropriate style.

II. The Map now being engraved, it will be delivered to subscribers, in the order of subscription as soon as their mounting &c. will admit.

III. The price of each map, mounted on rollers, or in a portable form, will be ten dollars, payable on delivery.

IV. Persons collecting subscribers for seven copies of the map and becoming responsible for the payment, will be entitled to an eighth gratis.

Subscriptions received by H. S. TANNER, No S, Sanson-street, Philadelphia, where specimens of the work may be seen.

Sept 23

References:

New American Atlas. Advertisement. Missouri Republican, St. Louis, Missouri 1 Jan. 1823: 5.

Malone, Dumas. ed. Dictionary of American Biography. New York, NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1964. Vol. IX, Sewell-Throwbridge.

Early Baxter County Transportation

Below are newspaper ads for different modes of transporation in 1905 in Baxter County. The ads were taken from the Cotter Courier in Cotter, Arkansas.

Click on the ads to see a larger picture.

Baxter County had at least 19 working ferries.





Rent a good horse & rig.









Baxter County Map from 1919 showing Wagon Trails, Rivers, and Creeks.
Baxter County Railroad

Transportation to and from Baxter County via Railroad:

Missouri Pacific Railway

White River Railroad

St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad

References:

Baxter County Arkansas. Map. Little Rock, AR: F. L. Blaisdell, 1919.
Featuring Wagon Roads and Trails

Mining in Baxter County 1900-1910

Mining in Baxter County was a spin off from the progress of mining and prospecting in the neighboring county of Marion. In contrast, to the chagrin of the professional mining companies, local citizens were purchasing cases of dynamite and starting their own mining ventures. Not all of the miners in Baxter County were mining via shafts and tunnels; but, they were also strip-mining on cedar glades, rock outcroppings, creek bottoms, middle of fields, or blasting off portions of sheared bluffs. There were reports of small creeks and fords being blocked due to avalanches due to the process of blasting.

Advertisements can be found in the local paper, The Baxter Bulletin, in 1901 -1908, in which they were urging people to purchase 30-40 acres of land to insure their good fortune of either doing their own mining or sell to an established mining company. Steam drilling came to the Pigeon Creek area in Baxter County by the Kimberly Mining & Milling Company of Chicago, Illinois, on January, 1902, when the company purchased 600 acres in the area.

Advertisements were also in local papers lauding the ease of traveling from St. Louis, Missouri, to Mountain Home, Arkansas, in a record time of 22 hours via train and then stagecoach. By 1901, Baxter County had 158 mines registered within its’ borders in 10 districts.

The following are districts and mines registered in Baxter County as of December 1, 1901.

UPPER NORTH FORK DISTRICT: 9 Mines

Honest Ben, Dan Jones, Cranfill, Bratton, Little Bear, Hargrave, Little Gem, Last Chance Knickerbocker

PIGEON CREEK DISTRICT: 31 Mines

Gambetta, Blazing Star, Foster, Wellington, Hopeful, Rob Roy, Bald Dave, Randall, Tilden, Vester, Dover, Taylor, Tennessee, Major Smith, Brown-Mayfield, Priestly, Lone Star, Flatrock, Billym Gold Coin, Jack Pot, O. K., Twentieth Century, Watson, Brixey, Luck, Bonanza, Skaggs, Big Jack, Kansas, Fox Creek

FALL CREEK DISTRICT: 10 Mines

Klondike, Biggers, Smoky Knob, Wabash, State Bank, Grand Glaze, Eureka, Lady Pearl, Iron Peak, Jeff Davis

THREE BROTHERS DISTRICT: 10 Mines

Bangor, Long Mountain, Union, Jim Johnson, Spring Hollow, Eureka, Old Glory, Amethyst, Frank Jenkins, Zinc King, Howard Ridge, White Hawk Placer, Sand Hill, Mary Swinny

BRUCE CREEK DISTRICT: 19 Mines

McCracken, Hawkeye No. 2, Cedar Gap, Rocky Hill, Richmond, Stratton, Old Spanish, Bruce, Wild Cat, Mooney King, Evening Star, Stafford, Sorrell, Big Ike, Bullion Beck, Bruce Creek, Killinger, Big John

JENKINS CREEK DISTRICT: 9 Mines

Cincinnati, Allen, Flote, Matthews, Major Hilton, Rex, Cowan, Racket, Coventon

BUFFALO DISTRICT: 25 Mines

Silver Cloud, Bluff Placer, Widow Wood, Brewer, Perry, Alexander, Kentucky, Riley, Martha Washington, Malecek, Golden Eagle, Black Bear, Zinc Hill, Buena Vista, Anna May, Weldon, Cantrell, Red Bird, Silver Mountain, Cedar Hill, Santa Claus, McGinty, Fair View, Hulsey Gulch, Mail Path

SISTER CREEK DISTRICT: 14 Mines

Olive, Holy Moses, Arkansas, Lady Majors, Sewel, Lola, Bucher, Big Buck, Ware, Hazel, Silver Bell, Faris, Lady Baxter, Dixie

SPRING CREEK DISTRICT: 17 Mines

McChristian, W. J. Brian, Corsicana, Alamo, Divide, Avis, Black Cloud, Cyclone, Big Pour Off, Forrest, Kruger, Merriman, Bee Branch, Crippled Turkey, Barndollar, Lena, Top Cap

MARBLE DISTRICT: 10 Mines

Irene, Marble Bluff, Pioneer, Chicago, St. Louis, Bluff Hollow, Helena, Big Red, Mink Maid, North Star

Total: 158

Major Companies Operating in Baxter County (Total: 20)

The following named mining companies own property in Baxter County:

American Mines Development Co.

Baxter Mineral Co.

Blue Rapids Mining Co.

Big Buck Mining Co.

Bucher Churchill Mining Co.

Gehr-Morgan Mining Co.

Hawkeye Mining Co.

Holy Moses Mining Co.

Illinois Marble Mining Co.

Kan-Ark Mining Co.

Kansas Arkansas Mining Co.

Kimberly Mining Co.

Kirkwood Mining Co.

Lone Star Mining Co.

Rex Mining Co.

Rowden Mining Co.

St. Louis Mining Co.

Skull Crest Mining Co.

White River Mining & Development

White River Mining & Milling Co.

Ore on the Dump.

The following is a careful conservative estimate of ore on the dump in various mining districts in Baxter County at this time (Dec. 1, 1901).

BUFFALO DISTRICT 900 Tons

JENKINS CREEK DISTRICT 360 Tons

BRUCE CREEK DISTRICT 1,500 Tons

UPPER NORTH FORK DISTRICT 2,000 Tons

PIGEON CREEK DISTRICT 630 Tons

FALL CREEK DISTRICT 365 Tons

TOTAL 5,755 Tons.

How To Reach The Mines. The Baxter Bulletin, Dec 20, 1901

The best way to reach this country is by Frisco Railroad to West Plains, Mo.; thence by stage to Mountain Home, Ark., where good rigs can be obtained to go to any point desired. Daily fast stages ply between West Plains and Mountain Home, making it possible to reach Mountain Home from St. Louis or Kansas City in twenty hours. All prominent mines of North Arkansas are within twenty-five miles of Mountain Home, thus saving from ten to twenty miles over other points.

References:

Messick, Mary A. Baxter County History: Centennial Edition 1873-1973. Mountain Home, AR: Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, 1973. Lithographed by International Graphics, Inc. Little Rock, AR.

Shiras-McClelland, Francis H. History of Baxter: From the Beginnings to 1939. Mountain Home, AR: J. W.
Daniel and Shiras Bros. Print Shop, 1940.

Shiras, Tom. “Mining in Baxter County.” The Baxter Bulletin 01 Dec. 1901 I ed.: A1-2.