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TAMING MISSISSIPPI COUNTY: HARD TIMES IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS is a mix of original songs and narration by Joe Chipman, a native of Mississippi County, Arkansas. Based on the hard life of a cotton farmer in the early to mid-20th century, Chipman has captured the true spirit of that early time in Arkansas history. Songs include: Hard Times, Taming Mississippi County, Grandpa Frank, Mr. Bradford's Daughter, Mother's Love, Every Stinkin'Pound, The House Where We Were Fed, Cotton Pickin' Time In The Delta; Roll On Mississippi, and 80 Rows of Cotton.
$15, includes postage. Send check or money order to: Dru Duncan, P O Box 115, Dell, AR 72426
Dell
Town Council Records, 1918-1945
Suggested Readings About the Delta:
"The History of Dell"
A Book is in Our Future
And You Can Help
"When this area was first inhabited
by the Mound Builders, the land was a sight to behold. The land was low, swampy and the
trees were so dense the sun rarely touched the ground in some places. This unspoiled,
wild, swampy area had not changed a great deal when our forefathers started moving in.
When they discovered those magnificent trees, six feet in diameter, they started setting
up logging camps all over the place. . .Dell, was at that time, surrounded by a dense
forest on an area of about ten or twelve acres. . .located on what was then called
Pemiscot Bayou. . .As fast as they could, they cut, stacked and floated away the trees. .
. they had also discovered that cotton loved this land and climate. They literally covered
the land with this 'white gold' of the South and ran boats up and down the (bayou) to haul
the cotton away. . .Mr. J. B. Richardson was Postmaster during those years and early
mornings he could be found handing out a farm catalog to August Koehler and the hotel mail
to J. M. Riggs. The Petersons, Bradberrys. Southwoods, Sizemores and Hectors were all a
part of the Dell Community at the turn of the century. . ."
(From a program written by Cleo Houston Lewis)
Dell is located in Hector
Township, Mississippi County, Arkansas, on extremely fertile Delta soil. Many have
overlooked the small community and its contribution to Mississippi County history. One
gentleman told me, when asked if he knew any history on Dell, "Nothing ever happened
there!" Determined to prove him wrong, I began to acquire information about Dell from
family and friends. I realized our history would soon be lost if someone didn't preserve
it. The project began over five years ago. The research has been slow and tedious at
times. Patience has been a virtue. Hours and hours of research, interviews, and mind
boggling contradictions later, the puzzle is beginning to fit together. A book will be
published containing the history of not only Dell, but the surrounding communities and
families that also contributed to the town. Beginning with the first settlers ca 1837 and
continuing into the 20th century, this book will tell the Dell community story. More
important, it will document family records, businesses, town council meetings, church
records, school records, and organizations.
I will be adding pages about Dell on
this site as I have the time. My goal is that no one will again say "nothing ever
happened there". My sincere hope is that through this effort " the future
may know our past".
Copies of the
Dell Town Council Records, 1918-1945
compiled and transcribed by
Drucella Duncan
are now available
"3/22 1918
Dell Council met in regular session.
G. A. Bundren mayor in chair.
Rec'd of Dee Radberry $1.35 for 7 pieces 2-4's
Motion made by G. J. Grice and second by L. M. Moody
to allow Mr. Spradley O. B. $13.50 for nails and grading the streets. Motion
carried. Rec'd of G. W. Laury $2.25 collected from Jack Spradley for cold drink
licens.
Motion made by O. B. Spradley and second by L. M.
Moody to order enough lumber to bridge three crossings. Motion carried. and O. B. Spradley
authorized to buy the lumber.
Mtion made by G. J. Grice (second by Dee Radberry)
to employ W. S. Hobson as martial and he is to be allowed 10% of the collections and $2.00
for looking after the street workers, and $3.00 for each arrest and conviction. Motion
carried.
The Council being declared adjourned by the mayor to
meet next Saturday night.
Earl Magers, Recorder
G.A.Bundren, Mayor"
(First entry of the Dell Town Council Records)
The old record book of Dell
Town Council meetings sat on a shelf gathering dust for almost fifty years. While
researching early ordinances at City Hall during the 1990's, H. R. Crawford, Jr., called
my attention to these records. Being a history "pack rat", I made copies of the
more interesting entries, using them as a basis for one of the chapters on Dell history in
the book that I am currently writing.
Over the next few years, I would
return to that source many times. Realizing the old ledger book contained valuable
information about Dell that should be made available to the public, I contacted Mayor
Kenneth Jackson. He enthusiastically allowed me access to the old minutes for
transcription.
For years, little information has
been available about the town of Dell. I hope that these Dell Town Council Records will be
the first in a long line of publications concerning our Delta heritage.
The booklet is 8 1/2" X 11". Soft bound. 69 pages, covering the years from March 1918-August 1945. Seeking a close facsimile to the original, entries have not been edited.
To receive a copy, send $12.95, plus
$3.50 for
shipping and handling to: Dru Duncan
P O Box 115
Dell, Arkansas 72426
dellarkansas.com is now linked to the Mississippi County USGen Web under Miscellaneous Links.