April 7 Edition

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." --- Roman 5:10

Birthdays this week: Tommy Green - April 10, Melinda Huddleston & Dustin Briant - April 12, Sheila Currier - April 13, Blake Spears and Bobbie Moseley - April 14.

Spring has sprung, and the pollen is fallin'. Weekly rains are keeping the ground soft and the loggers idle.  More heavy rains are expected here later this week.

Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church will hold its revival April 11 and 12 at 7pm and Sunday April 13 at 11am. The evangelist will be Bro. Todd West and the pastor is Bro. Dwane Ashcraft. Everyone is invited.

A hunter education course will be given at the New Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department on April 19 from 8am to 7pm. For more information, call James Gill at 352-8527.

I spent most of Saturday afternoon riding around with my old NEHS classmate and friend David "Andy" Farmer.  We had a great time looking around and remembering friends past and present. Andy and I started together in Miss Joann's 1st Grade class in 1974 and finished up together at KHS in 1986... I can't say that about too many of my classmates... but I can testify that, other than being taller, he has not changed one single bit... same ol' Andy.

Some local history about the First Baptist Church courtesy of The Eagle Democrat,  Wednesday, October 25, 1967:  "The First Baptist Church of New Edinburg has a distinction of having been built and located in three counties without moving more than 100 yards and without ever crossing a county line.
At the time of the erection of the church, the town of New Edinburg was in Bradley County. Some years later, a new county was formed from parts of adjoining counties and New Edinburg and the Baptist Church found themselves in Dorsey County. Still later, the name of the county was changed, honoring President Grover Cleveland.
The church was organized almost 100 years ago in 1868 with Elders Solomon Gardner and John T. Craig consitituting the Presbytery. The church was in the Judson Baptist Association. After 1901, the church agreed that it could no longer see eye to eye on ecclesiastical matters with its present larger connection and joined the General Association, the American Baptist Association, and later the North American Baptist Association.
The first building was completed in September of 1869, after which the church adopted a resolution to the Methodist of the community expressing appreciation for being allowed to use the Methodist house of worship for its services for a season.
In early years, at almost every monthly conference, some-Brother or Sister was excluded from worship for some kind of unbecoming conduct: the men usually for imbibing too freely of alcoholic beverages and the women for "tipping light fantastic toe..." [Note: that's archaic language for dancing...]
In those days, revivals were popular, and one mighty one was conducted under the persuasive preaching of Rev. W. E. Penn in 1890. Results, fifty church additions and 122 professions of faith.
A new church was erected in 1936 and it was dedicated in 1937. The building, at the time of completion, consisted of an auditorium and six Sabbath School rooms. The Sunday School is first mentioned in church records of 1883. The church has had three buildings, the current one replacing one that was put up in 1890. This one replaced the orginal church structure. The middle building had an 84-foot steeple."
If you have items of interest for this column, please get them to me before Monday of each week.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

March 31st Edition

"Psalm 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods." (Psa 95:1-3 KJV)

Birthdays this week include: Sawyer Hemphill (March 28), Jerry Warner (March 29), Robert Boney (April 1), Mark Weeks (April 2), Ben Splawn (March 3), Brian Chancellor (April 6), Mildred Brown (April 7).

Happy anniversary to: Tammy & Don Pennington (April 4) and Judy & Delbert Moring (April 6).

Mrs. Lou Ella Thompson passed away last Thursday at Chapel Woods Nursing Home in Warren.  Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church will hold its revival April 11 and 12 at 7pm and Sunday April 13 at 11am. The evangelist will be Bro. Todd West and the pastor is Bro. Dwane Ashcraft. Everyone is invited.

A hunter education course will be given at the New Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department on April 19 from 8am to 7pm. For more information, call James Gill at 352-8527.

If you have items you'd like to see here, feel free to share. Go Eagles.

March 24 Edition

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." --- Lamentations 3:22-23

Birthdays this week: D. L. Broughton - March 22, Lila Benson - March 25, and Major McClellan - March 28.

Welcome back, true believers.

D. L. Broughton celebrated his birthday Saturday surrounded by family and friends.

We're still hitting the back and forth weather so typical of this time of the year. Hopefully things will settle down by next month.

I was told this weekend that an old rumor has resurfaced... that being the Highway Department plans to widen the road running through town. This story popped up about three years ago with some residents upset that their property will be eaten up by an expanded right of way. Back then, I took the initiative to call the Highway Department and ask the man who is directly over planning for such improvements. His direct words were "New Edinburg has a large historical district, and it would literally take an act of Congress to widen that section, so... no, it will never happen." So fear not. This round was probably prompted by the marker stakes stretching from the park down to the county line. I don't directly know what those stakes are for, but I suspect the Highway department is planning to resurface the road with the new ashpalt/rubber mix they laid a few years ago from the park to Fordyce. Again, I don't know that, and your friendly County Judge could probably tell you whether or not that's the case.

Speaking of the road through town, this is from the Eagle Democrat in 1939: "Since State Highway No. 8 between Warren and Fordyce has been constructed those who motor that way are usually impressed with two things at New Edinburg - the old tree which stands in the middle of the road in front of Attwood’s Store, and the number of comfortable homes which are covered with corrugated tin roofing. We have a tendency to “cuss” the presence of the tree when the traffic is heavy, but when we think of those ten roofs topping those comfortable homes, there arises that boyish feeling, “Gee, wouldn’t it be great to go to sleep on an old fashioned feather bed while hearing the musical rain drops on that roof.”

For our purpose here, the tree and the tin-tops explain the character and sturdiness of the present New Edinburg.  While modern highways have led other rural villages to fold up and pass away, this unusually progressive community has kept pace with the present, and continually moves forward.  The tree represents a sentimental connection with a great ancestry, the tin-roofs, the permanency with which the place was built."

Remember: there are 7 billion people on the planet... don't allow any single one to ruin your day.

Please feel free to share with this column what you would like to see. Go Eagles.

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." --- Lamentations 3:22-23

Birthdays this week: Sue Sanders (March 15), Jason Hall (March 20), Christine Thompson and David Harper (March 21)

Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family of David McManus. David passed away Saturday at the age of 81.

Spring has sprung, but the weather is still back and forth. We start this work week with a light snow Sunday night.

The last part of James L. Boney's "Battle of Marks' Mills": "In the meantime, Colonel Gunter’s battalion had closed in on a log cabin that stood on the left of the road. Here they captured 17 more Federal soldiers. Gunter reformed his men and moved in the direction of the log house. Upon his arrival, he found that the fighting had ceased in that area. The Confederates had taken the second Union position. A profound silence now fell upon the battlefield. Then from the west came the sounds of marching feet and the rattle of battle gear. The 77^th Ohio was marching to the scene of the action.  When they reached the battle area, they found the road blocked by Dockery’s small brigade. Not to be taken prisoner without a fight, they move forward and the battle began again.

General Cabell, hearing the sounds of battle to his west, began to reform his brigade. Placing two mounted regiments of Shelby’s that had just arrived on his right and the footsoldiers on his left, he moved to the assistance of General Dockery who was slowly being forced back toward the crest of the hill by the fierce attack of the 77^th Ohio. The firing once again became heavy and continuous along the entire length of Cabell’s line. Earlier, General Fagan had pulled Colonel John Harrell’s battalion out of the line and placed them in the woods north of the road. From their vantage point they could see the 77^th Ohio as they moved along the road. Harrell’s battalion moved forward and attacked the Federals on their left flank. At the same time Cabell and Dockery’s commands struck them from the front. After an hour of hard fighting, seeing that their position was hopeless, most of the 77^th surrendered. 

The third and final position had been taken by the victorious Confederates. The time: 1 p.m., April 25^th 1864.

The Battle of Marks’ Mill was over. Bugles were heard singing over the nearly two mile-wide battlefront calling the Confederate commands together. But some of the men would not rejoin their command until dark. They had gone into the woods after the few Federals who had managed to escape. 

For the Confederates, the battle was a complete victory. For the Federals, a complete disaster. The battle, which lasted for five hours, was both bloody and costly. In comparison to the numbers engaged, the casualties were high on both sides. The Union forces had engaged 1600 men. Of these 100 were killed, 250 wounded, and 1000 captured. Only 250 managed to make good their escape. The Confederates had engaged 2500 men. They suffered 110 killed, 228 wounded, and 40 missing.

The Union dead were buried on the Marks’ plantation and the wounded were carried to the home of John Harvie Marks. The Confederate dead were buried at the Warren Crane place. The wounded were carried into the homes of Watt Smith, Bill Davis, and Warren Crane.

In addition to capturing most of Drake’s command, the Confederates captured six cannon, hundreds of small-arms, four flags and a mail wagon containing $175,000 in greenbacks. That night the Confederates were treated to a sumptuous meal prepared of food taken from the captured wagons."

Please feel free to share items of interest for this column before Monday.  This will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

“Know therefore that the Lord they God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” --- Deuteronomy 7:9
Birthdays this week: Mike Mosley - March 8, Walter DalSanto, Dorothy Shepherd and Memory Sanders – March 11, James McIntyre Jr. - March 12, Joye Splawn – March 13, Sue Sanders – March 14, Jarrod Langford, James Herring and Jackie  Harton – March 15.
Welcome back Jarrod Langford.
We Eagles are saddened at the passing of Mrs. Alene Thompson Erwin last week. She was 93.
Melody Spears reports the BBQ and auction of two weekends ago netter $5,100 that will go toward paying the NECC's building debt of $23,000.
Congratulations to Justin Wagnon who has accepted the pastorship of New Friendship Baptist Church in Kingsland.

The Battle of Marks' Mills by James L. Boney, part 3: "To silence the two Federal guns on the hill, General Cabell sent for his artillery. The cannoneers of Hughey’s battery were standing by their guns, listening to the sounds of the battle when an officer came along the line and ordered them to the front. They went down a long hill, across a creek and out into an opening. Here they were in full view of the Union battery on the hill some four hundred yards in their front. The guns quickly went into battery, powder charges were rammed home, and fuses were cut. At the word from Hughey, the four guns roared into action sending round after round of case-shot into the Federal line. Through the smoke and dust of this man-made hell, the cannoneers could see that their artillery was doing terrible and deadly work. The Federal battle line was weaving to and fro and showing signs of giving way. The soldiers were falling fast. Most of the battery’s horses along with a number of the men were killed. 

The Confederates also suffered heavy casualties from the grapeshot and shell of the enemy cannon. It was here that the South lost many of its best officers and men. The area around the road junction was covered with dead and wounded men. The noise of the battle was terrible. The roar of the cannon could be heard for fifteen miles. The people in the next township could hear the roar and knew a terrible battle was in progress.

At this time, General Thomas Dockery’s small brigade arrived on the field and joined the action on Cabell’s left. Supported by the 7^th Arkansas cavalry, Dockery’s command swept around Cabell’s command and reached the Camden road west of the Union position. About the same time, a scout informed Colonel Drake that a large force of Confederate cavalry was approaching from the east. This would be Shelby’s command that consisted of his own Missouri brigade and Colonel John Wright’s 2^nd Arkansas brigade. The Federals were now surrounded on three sides. Colonel Drake now called upon the five remaining companies of the 36^th Iowa to meet the attack from the east.

At this time, Colonel Drake decided to try to make contact with Major Mark McCauley who was to bring the 77^th Ohio to the front. This regiment was at the rear of the train. While enroute to McCauley’s command post, Drake was severely wounded in the left hip by a minie ball fired from the Confederate line. Before passing out, Drake told Captain McGill to turn command over to Major Spellman.  The time: 10:30 a.m., April 25^th 1864.

When they reached the battle area, General Shelby told Captain Richard Collins to fire his two cannon. This would let General Fagan know that they were on the Federal left flank. He then gave the order to charge. The troopers charged into the right battalion of the 36^th Iowa forcing them back into the already tangled mass of fighting around the guns and buildings. At the same time, Cabell’s command rose to their feet and converged on Lieutenant Peetz’ two guns.

After an hour of this almost hand-to-hand combat, the Federals with their ammunition almost gone began to fall back. Leaving the two guns, a large number of Federal soldiers move to their left and took refuse in and around a large log house which stood about 150 yards north by east of their original position. General Cabell’s command now found themselves in possession of over 200 prisoners, two cannon and a large number of wagons. The first Union position had been taken. The 1^st and 2^nd Arkansas now moved forward toward the house. After several volleys had been exchanged, they captured about 100 Federals. These soldiers were placed under guard and sent to the rear as prisoners of war. "

Please feel free to share items of interest for this column before Monday.  This will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

^"6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: ⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." -- Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Birthdays this week include: Angela Wagnon (March 4), Sylvester Wright (March 7), Meta Wright (March 9) and Casey Cargile (March 11).

Happy anniversary to Odus and Mabel Clary (March 3).

March is here, with Spring right around the corner. It's really cold and windy out there and, for you out-of-towner Eagles, we got some snow this Monday morning..

The change to daylight savings time is this weekend, so be sure to set your clocks forward.

I haven't yet heard the total raised in this weekend's BBQ and Auction fundraiser at the community center, but there were a lot of people present, so it was probably pretty good.

Part 2 of the Battle of Marks' Mills by James L. Boney: "Before daylight, Fagan learned from his scouts that the supply train was camped on Moro Creek. He was delighted by this information. They had overtaken the train and he now made plans to attack it at Marks’ Mills.  At this place the roads went out in every direction: to Camden, to Mount Elba and Pine Bluff, to Princeton, to More Landing, and to Warren and Long View.

General Fagan’s soldiers were also determined to capture this supply train since many of them lived on or near the road the enemy was traveling. It was known by all that the Federal soldiers were robbing every house and barn they passed. They were desperate for food. Not only did they take food, but robbed every house of its silverware, jewelry, bedding and fine clothes, in fact every article of family stores of any value including every horse and mule in sight. 

At dawn on the morning of the 25^th, Drake started the train on the road to Marks’ Mills. Earlier he had ordered the 43^rd Indiana forward to the junction of the Warren and Pine Bluff roads. Colonel Drake was two miles west of the junction when a courier brought him word that Shelby’s entire force had been sighted about three miles down the Warren road. He immediately sent orderlies to the road to bring up his other two regiments. In the meantime the 43^rd Indiana, 300 men strong, was forming a battle line covering the road junction with a line of skirmishers well out in front.  The time: 8 a.m., April 25 1864.

By daylight that morning, Fagan’s horsemen were in motion along the road that would taken them to Marks’ Mills. When they were about one and a half miles form the battlefield, Fagan’s escort was fired into by the 75-man Union cavalry patrol sent down the Warren road. General Fagan halted is column and ordered General Shelby to turn right toward the east. This command, guided by William Marks, would wind their way over the neighborhood roads and come upon the Pine Bluff road five miles east of Marks’ Mills. He then ordered General William Cabell to form a line of battle with his brigade parallel to the Pine Bluff road. Colonel Monroe’s 1^st Arkansas cavalry, which was marching directly behind the escort, was dismounted and formed on the right of the Warren road with two companies sent forward as skirmishers. When about 80 yards from their horses, they became engaged with the Union skirmishers and drove them back to the main force. 

In the meantime, General Cabell had formed the rest of his brigade. Colonel Thomas Gunter’s command, composed of his battalion and Colonel Allen Pettus’ battalion of State troops, were placed on Colonel Monroe’s right. Colonel Morgan’s 2^nd Arkansas Cavalry was placed on the left of the road. Captain William Hughey’s four-gun battery of artillery was posted in the Warren road with Colonel Gordon’s 4^th Arkansas as support.

General Cabell then sent an aide to General Fagan informing him of his position that was then across two roads leading into the road on which the train was moving. General Cabell received orders to move forward and attack the train. At the command from Cabell, the whole line of skirmishers and all except two companies of skirmishers under Colonel Monroe moved forward under a tremendous fire from the enemy and attacked the train. 

On the right or east flank, Colonel Gunter’s command engaged a part of the enemy that was trying to escape in the direction of the Mill or Pine Bluff. Here they were successful in capturing the train and in killing four men.

On the left or west flank, Colonel Morgan’s 2^nd Arkansas also met with little resistance as they advanced. After traveling about a mile, they came upon the train and, under heavy fire, they assisted in killing a number of horses and mules. The center regiment, Monroe’s 1^st, had advanced down the Warren road. After covering about 80 yards, they came into contact with the 43^rd Indiana Infantry who were covering the road junction. Suddenly the 43^rd launched a counter-attack that caused the 1^st Arkansas to fall back. 

When Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Drake arrived at the scene of action, he found the 43^rd Indiana engaged with Monroe’s 1^st Cavalry on the ridge known as the Red Lands. What he saw made his blood run cold. All of the 43^rd Indiana was slowly falling back with the exception of three companies that Major Norris had been holding back as reserves. With these three companies, Drake decided to make a counterattack. While he was forming his line, the 36^th Iowa arrived and was placed in line with the 43^rd. Behind this line he placed Lieutenant Peetz’ two 12-pounder James rifles. While Major Hamilton was forming the 36^th Iowa, the Confederates on the left and right had changed fronts and were now converging on the 43^rd. 

The left and right regiments, after breaking through the train, realized that the center had not advanced. They could hear heavy firing in their rear. They immediately retraced their line of advance and came upon a line with the 1^st Arkansas. As fast as each regiment came into position, it became engaged with the enemy.

After Morgan’s and Gunter’s regiments had been re-aligned with Monroe’s 1^st, they moved forward. The Confederates, after advancing some three hundred yards, spotted the Union battle line. The Federal soldiers were posted in the open woods along the ridge with a section of artillery in position. The time: 9 a.m., April 25^th 1864. 

As the Confederates slowly made their way toward the hill, Colonel Drake calmly waited until they had closed to within 75 yards. He then ordered Peetz to fire his artillery. The two James rifles shot forth their smoke and flame sending a storm of grapeshot into the advancing Confederates. At the same time, the 36^th Iowa and 43^rd Indiana began to fire volley after volley of minie balls into the Confederate ranks. The flag went down only to be raised again. The battle line staggered and fell back only to surge forward again. For the next one and one-half hours the battle raged with a savage fury. Cabell’s Arkansas cavalry, the 43^rd Indiana, and the 36^th Iowa fired thousands of rounds of ammunition. "

Please feel free to share items of interest for this column before Monday.  This will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." -- 1st Peter 3:15

Happy Birthday to: Hayden Cathey - Feb. 22,  Matt Cathey and Barbara Reaves - Feb. 25
Happy anniversary to Michael and Christi Russell (March 1).

With a lack of news in this area for the moment, I'll populate this column by printing my father's old article about the Battle of Marks' Mills.  This article appeared in the Herald and other local papers sometime back in the 1980s. I thought it appropriate since 2014 is the 150th anniversary of that battle.  Here is part 1:

"The Battle of Marks’ Mills was fought on April 25^th 1864 around the junction of the Camden-to-Pine Bluff and Warren-to-Princeton roads. The mills from which the battle takes its name were located in the vicinity of the road junction. These mills were owned and operated by John Harvie Marks who had moved from Alabama to this area in 1834 and settled on what is now known as the Red land Ridge.

This battle was the fourth in a series of engagements fought in South Arkansas in the spring of 1864. These battles are known in the Official Records as the Camden Expedition. The expedition started in late March when the Union Army in Little Rock moved south on its ill-fated journey towards Camden and ended the following May with the retreat of the Union Army across the Saline River at Jenkins’ Ferry and back to Little Rock. 

By the 15^th of April, the Union Army, commanded by Major-General Frederick Steele, had reached and occupied Camden. Although his army was inside the well-fortified city of Camden, he was still in a critical situation. His main concern was where to find supplies for his army of 12,000 men and 12,000 horses and mules. Earlier, Steele had sent several dispatches to his superiors suggesting that his army by supplied by boat on the Ouachita River. For some reason this suggestion was not carried out. Steele was now left with the choice of either securing his supplies from the countryside or by wagon train from Pine Bluff. 

The capture of one of his supply trains on the 18^th of April at the Battle of Poison Springs left Steele in a more critical situation than before. But just when it seemed his state of affairs was at its worst, he received an answer from his earlier dispatches sent to Pine Bluff. This came in the form of a large wagon train loaded with five days rations for his army. Somehow this train of 150 wagons had managed to slip past the Confederate scouts and travel 80 miles through enemy-held territory. As soon as it reached Camden on the 20^th, it was unloaded and made ready to return to Pine Bluff for additional supplies. 

On the 17^th of April, Lieutenant-General E. Kirby Smith, the Commanding General for the Trans-Mississippi Department, reached Woodlawn, which was west of Camden. Upon his arrival, he ordered General Sterling Price, the Commanding General for the Arkansas forces, to follow through with a plan he had suggested earlier. This called for a cavalry force to be placed east of the Ouachita River. Their mission would be to interrupt the Union supply line that covered the 80 miles from Camden to Pine Bluff. ⁴

General Price immediately organized a large cavalry force that was to be commanded by Brigadier-General James Fagan. On the 22^nd, Fagan’s Arkansas cavalry moved out from their headquarters at Woodlawn and marched to El Dorado Landing on the Ouachita River. Here they would be joined by Brigadier-General Joe Shelby’s command of Missouri cavalry. This would be the cavalry force to operate east of the Ouachita.

During the afternoon of the 22^nd, Shelby’s scouts had learned that a large wagon train was making ready to leave Camden. This information was reported to their commander. When Fagan learned of this train, he began making preparations to capture or destroy it.

The Union supply train that left Camden on the morning of the 23^rd was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Drake of the 36^th Iowa Infantry. The train consisted of 240 government wagons, a number of sutler’s wagons and other private wagons along with cotton buyers and Arkansas refugees. Drake’s escort consisted of: 300 men from the 43^rd Indiana Infantry, 500 men from the 36^th Iowa Infantry, 400 men from the 77^th Ohio Infantry, 240 cavalry and four pieces of artillery from the famous Second Missouri Light Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Charles Peetz, a total of 1440 men. ⁵ The train reached the western edge of the Moro Bottom without much difficulty where they camped on the night of the 24^th. 

After crossing the Ouachita River, Fagan with his force of 4,000 cavalry and eight pieces of artillery traveled rapidly to intercept the train that they knew was one day ahead of them. After they had traveled 45 long and hard miles, Fagan halted his column for a much-needed rest. It was only 8 miles to Marks’ Mills. The time was midnight April 24^th."

Please feel free to share items of interest for this column: birthdays, anniversaries, events, historical items of note, pictures, or whatever you feel moved to send.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." --- 1 John 4:11-12

Prayer list this week includes: the family of Mrs. Willie B. Rainey.

Birthdays this week include: Allison Jones Dallen, Justin Childress, and Diane Howard Langford - Feb. 18, Kay Moseley Simmons - Feb. 20. Happy belated birthday to Retha Jackson - Feb. 12.

Prayers go out to the family of Mrs. Willie B. Rainey of New Edinburg who passed February 10.

Mrs. Retha Jackson celebrated her birthday with family and friends last Saturday at the home of her daughter Marilyn.

New Edinburg Fire Department responded to a grass fire on the Mt. Elba Cut-Off Road Sunday afternoon.

Coming soon: New Edinburg Community Center will hold an auction and BBQ on March 1st. If you have auction items to donate, please do so.  All donation proceeds go to paying off the $23,000 left on the building note. Contact Melody Spears at 870-510-6388. Also, Melody reports that bookings for the center are heavy for February and March with most weekends in June and July already taken, so if you're interested in renting the place, get with her soon.

Please feel free to share items of interest for this column: birthdays, anniversaries, events, historical items of note, pictures, or whatever you feel moved to send.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.

Latest and Greatest...

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” --- Psalm 3:5-6

Birthdays this week include: Kim Dunn - Feb. 10, Rachel Jones and Floyd Leaks - Feb. 11, Jamie Russell - Feb. 12.

Happy Anniversary to: Jerry and Frances Langford - Feb. 12 and Tully and Norma McCoy - Feb. 13.

For you out-of-towners: we received about an inch of snow here Friday night, and more snow is predicted for this week as of this writing.

Coming soon: New Edinburg Community Center will hold an auction and BBQ on March 1st. If you have auction items to donate, please do so.  All donation proceeds go to paying off the $23,000 left on the building note. Contact Melody Spears at 870-510-6388. Also, Melody reports that bookings for the center are heavy for February and March with most weekends in June and July already taken, so if you're interested in renting the place, get with her soon.

Please feel free to share items of interest for this column: birthdays, anniversaries, events, historical items of note, pictures, or whatever you feel moved to send.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.

Feb. 3 Edition

"I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." --- Psalm 18:1-2 KJV

Birthdays this week include: Hannah Moring - Feb. 3, Paul Miller - Feb. 5, Chuck Brown - Feb. 8.

Happy anniversary to Keith and Becky (Morgan) Cheney - Feb. 4 and Floyd and Faye Leaks - Feb. 5.

Typical Arkansas weather patterns have kept us guessing this last week... warm one day, cold the next. As of posting this column, we're under a burn ban despite an excellent rain Sunday.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH (as opposed to similar farm animals): yes, the New Edinburg Museum closed as of the end of January. Reason: assorted reasons; ask me if you're really interested, not others, because no one else ran it besides me. There is an excellent chance it will re-open elsewhere in the future.

I have been asked about any Civil War re-enactment activity this year at Marks' Mills... this being the 150th anniversary of that battle.  I've contacted two re-enactors from two separate groups, and the answer from both is: both were waiting for the other group to make the first move.  So, the answer seems to be no. That's too bad.

Go Eagles.

January 28 Edition

"I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." --- Psalm 18:1-2 KJV

Birthdays this week: none that I know of.

The most eventful thing of the past week was the memorial service for former Eagle George Noble last Saturday at the First Methodist Church. By the way, that building is older than most people in this town, being built in 1936, and is still in great condition.  This proves most things can stand the passage of time if taken care of.

The memorial: I went thinking it would be just a few family and friends, and was shocked when people continued to pile in, and pile in, and pile in...  I wound up sitting in the far back corner with Clyde and Bobbie Moseley and couldn't see much, but it was a wonderful service filled with life testimonies from family who were greatly influenced by George over the years.  The sermon was delivered by Bro. Robert Cossey of Pine Bluff, who is Sue Noble's pastor.

As the service went on, I noted that, even at 45, I was one of the younger people there... just a few grandchildren of the deceased were younger than me.  Then I started wondering: when I pass on, how many people will attend MY funeral?  Well, that's a sobering moment, and as I pondered it, I decided A LOT of people would be there. Half the crowd at my funeral will be there to mourn my passing, and the other half will come to poke me to make sure I'm finally dead.  But the laugh will be on that latter half; I'll probably follow George's lead and get cremated.

So if you want to poke me, do it now.

Go Eagles.

January 21st Edition

“A great fear swept the crowd, and they exclaimed with praises to God, “A mighty prophet has arisen among us,” and “we have seen the hand of God at work today!” - Luke 7:16 Living Bible

Birthdays this week include: Jim Reaves and Drew Talley -  Jan. 20, Martha Cook, Andrew Briant and Angie Clements - Jan. 21, Stacy Thompson – Jan. 23, and Carol Ault – Jan. 26.

Hello again, my gentle readers, fans, critics and admirers.  I hope everyone is making it through this reasonably nice winter so far. January is almost over, leaving us February to go before Spring arrives.

We Eagles are saddened to hear that George Noble passed away last week. His memorial service will be this Saturday, Jan. 25, at 1pm at the New Edinburg Methodist Church.  Keep his family in your prayers.

A small history blast, and an example that my once sharp memory is getting fuzzy as time passes: looking through some packed away books, I found a children's story book from my childhood titled "The Little Red Hen." The inscription on the inside cover reads "To James Boney from Mrs. Word, 12-25-75" which means it was a Christmas gift to me when I was 6 years old. I vaguely remember this book, but as to who Mrs. Word might be... it could have been Inez Word, Ione Word, Hazel Word, or perhaps Edra Word... all women who were important in my life then.  I went to church with Miss Ione and Misss Inez, Miss Hazel was my Dad's former teacher and a great friend, and Miss Edra along with her husband Orie were some of the best friends a person could have.  Who was the wonderful lady who gifted me with this treasure? Since they're all long passed, I'll probably never know.

Big deal, you might sarcastically say? Well, a lot of small deals get lost because things don't get written down, and life is comprised of small deals. Don't let yourself be forgotten.

Go Eagles.

January 16 Edition

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." --- Psalm 100:4

Happy birthday to: Coy Ray Martin - Jan. 13, Debbie Briant - Jan. 14, Dustin Briant - Jan. 15, Kirstin Ann Briant - Jan. 17, Dylan Cathey - Jan. 18, Chrissy Dyer and Sandra Parham Turner- Jan 19.

Happy anniversary to: Francis and Buddy Parker - Jan. 18.

With typical back and forth weather, we've gone from EXTREMELY cold temps last week to Spring weather this week. Gotta love Arkansas.

I resigned from the board of the West Saline Community Center effective Jan. 8.

We Eagles are saddened by the deaths of Mack McCallister, Donnie Norris and Jackie Huddleston this month. Keep their families in your prayers.

From Goodspeed's History of Southern Arkansas, another story about a founding father: "James Edgar Martin is a stock-dealer and merchant of Now Edinburg, Ark., and was born in Bradley County, Ark., on May 27, 1852, being a son of Dr. John W. and Mary E. (Franklin) Martin, who were born in Virginia and Arkansas, respectively. Both are residents of Warren, Bradley County, Ark., and Dr. Martin is now seventy-one years of age.

When a young man, in 1845 he removed from Virginia to Arkansas, and has ever since been a resident of Bradley County. He studied medicine in Virginia, and on coming to Arkansas entered actively upon the practice of this profession, but of late years his practice has been confined to a few of his oldest and most intimate friends.

After the close of the Rebellion he opened a general mercantile establishment at Warren, and has become well and favorably known to many, not only professionally and socially, but as a man of business also. He has since the late war between the States been a Democrat is politics and although often solicited by his numerous friends to run for official position, he has at all times refused.

His wife was born in Bradley County in 1830, and has lived here all her life. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a deacon, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. A family of twelve children was born to himself and wife, eight of whom are now living, James Edgar being the second child.

In his youth he attended the Warren High School, and is 1873 left his home to embark in the mercantile business, first as salesman at Collins Station, in his uncle's employ, then for the firm of Martin & Goodwin, of Warren. In 1816 he came to New Edinburg, and became an associate of Martin & Goodwin in the firm of T. M. Goodwin & Co., but in 1883 he became sole proprietor and has since been successfully engaged in business alone.

In connection ,with managing his store he also deals extensively in stock, and is the owner of some very fine registered Holstein and Jersey cattle. He has been grading his stock for four years past, and now has one of the finest herds in the county. He is also the owner of 1,500 acres of land in Bradley and Cleveland Counties, a goodly portion of which is under cultivation, and is accounted not only a successful merchant, but an exceptionally successful farmer and stockman also.

Like his father, he is a Mason and a Democrat, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Word, and whom he married on March 5, 1884, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a daughter of James Word of New Edinburg. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have two children, Anna May and John Ernest."

Go Eagles.

New Year's Edition

" Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." --- Lamentations 3:22-23

Birthdays since we let met: Chris Rawls - Dec. 25, Tommy Broughton - Dec. 25, Renee Smith and George Abshere - Dec. 28, Norma McCoy, Betty Grace, Michelle Weaver, James Gill and Alexis Whitlock - Dec. 30, Mateo Martindale - Jan. 1, Aletha Broughton - Jan. 2, Martha Welker - Jan. 3, Charlotte Abshere & Xavier Henderson - Jan. 4, Delbert Moring - Jan. 5, Billy Wilson - Jan. 6, Deborah Huddleston and Doris Kee - Jan. 8, Ricky Sanders - Jan. 9

Christmas has come and gone. Happy 2014.
Changes at the West Saline Community Center: with the advent of a new regime, all building locks have been changed after the alleged theft of some $45 in new locks from the office... a room for which only two officers had the padlock key.  Currently, until the outside locks have been changed, all outside doors are chained.  Room renters who need access to their storage rooms should contact President Nikki Warner at 870-884-0664 or Secretary/Treasurer LaVetrice Gill at 352-8527 between 7am and 6pm. A meeting last Sunday afternoon left it undetermined if storage renters will be issued new passkeys. Sorry folks.

Some other changes probably coming down the pipe: people reserving the WSCC for events will probably have to pay a cleaning deposit up front to be refunded after the event should the meeting space be deemed properly cleaned. More on that after the next board meeting, which is Jan. 12 at 2pm.

Written by Belinda Brown, a well-known Cleveland County historian and posted online at: http://argenweb.net/cleveland/index.html  concerning Hebron Methodist Church:
"The Methodist of this community began meeting in the 1860's in the Gravestown School building, which was located about one mile east of the present location of Hebron Methodist Church.
In 1884, Amanda Urquhart and Mrs. Kate Fraser gave land for the church and cemetery. Mrs. Urquart died in 1887, Mrs. Fraser in 1908. 
No one knows where the name "Hebron" originated.  It is imagined that the founding fathers of the church selected the name from the Bible.  There is no record of the community being called "Hebron" before the organization of the church.
The first Hebron methodist Church was built in 1884. The original church building bruned in May 1917. While the church building was being rebuilt, the congregation met in a brush arbor constructed in front of where the church now stands.
After crops were layed by that summer of 1917, 3 men of the church got up at 3 a.m. and made a trip by wagon to Warren. Southern Lumber Co. gave them 3 big loads of lumber to rebuild the church. The men were Fred Childress, Robert Merrill and Evan Marks.  During the summer months, the men of the community met and built the new church, with the ladies bringing food to serve. The new building was near enough completed by cold weather that fall to begin having services in it.
The first church had two front doors, with three rows of seats, two isles. The new building has double front doors with one isle in the center of the church. The present church has had additions of 3 Sunday School rooms, then a fellowship room with a kitchen and 2 bathrooms. later a metal building was purchased and put behind the fellowship room for more class rooms.  A concrete porch, with cover has also been added. Siding has been put on the outside of the church. Inside, paneling has been added over the beaded ceiling on the walls. 
A very inspirational tent meeting was remembers as being held around 1920. A large tent was set up on the grounds of the church, with a large crowd of people coming on horseback and by wagon.
Hebron was originally part of the New Edinburg Circuit. Later was taken into the Kingsland Circuit. L.C. Gatlin was pastor of the church when it burned. Some of the other pastors that were remembered were: Hugh Revely, H.A. F. Ault, John Simpson, W.T. Bone, W.D. Golden, C.R. Andrews, Harold Scott, Richard Poss, W.C. Almstead, James Beck, Edgar Outlaw, L.C. Wax, Robert Johnson, Elam Turner, William Paul Woolley. The last two each served 10 years.
Some of the first members of Hebron Methodist Church remembered were: Mrs. Kate Fraser, Mrs. Amanda Marks Urquhart, Sampson Rogers, John Jones Mitchell, J.L. Mitchell, Frank Owens, Ellen Jane Mitchell, Will Owens, Helen Rogers, Sarah Graves, J.E. Davis, Anna Lee Marks, Amelia Marks, Melissa Marrill, Kathryn Tolfree Marks, William Wolf, John W. Lavillian, Susan Carson Morgan, Jackson Hamaker, Fannie Marks, H.S. Harris, Arkansas Rogers, S.M. Owens, Maggie Graves and L.A. Childress."
And so the wheel of time turns. Go Eagles.