1931 Cleveland County Obituaries ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Belinda Winston winstonb58@yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Files may be printed or copied for Personal use only. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cleveland County Herald, Cleveland County Arkansas -------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 7, 1931 OSCAR RHODES KILLED BY FREIGHT TRAIN SUN. Oscar Rhodes, aged 24 years, was struck and instantly killed about 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon by a fast Cotton Belt freight train near Faith, 15 miles north of here. According to reports, the young man was sitting on the track and apparently was not aware that the approaching train was so near him and failed to get off the track before he was struck. Funeral services were conducted at the Black cemetery in Grant county Monday afternoon by the Rev. O.E. Sharpe of Grapevine. Burial was in the family lot. He is survived by his widow and three children; his mother, Mrs. J.J. Rhodes of the Staves community and several brothers and sisters. Young Rhodes was born and reared in the Staves community 10 miles northwest of Rison and was well known here. MRS. FLORENCE RAULS Herbine-Mrs. Florence Rauls, beloved woman of this community was called away to the Great Beyond Friday January 2. She was 48 years old and has spent the greater part of her life near this place. She will ever be remembered by her many friends for her kindness and willing hand, always ready to help some needy one. The many friends who were ever by her bedside are a short expression of the friendship and love given her by the people of her community. Surviving her are one son Pleas Rauls and one sister Mrs. John Martin Ashcraft and several nieces and nephews. She was laid to rest in Prosperity cemetery Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, the Rev. O.A. Ashcraft conducting the funeral service. April 1, 1931 MRS. ASA B. GIBSON, 75 OF RYE DIED SATURDAY Mrs. Asa Breathweaite Gibson, aged 75 years, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.J. Thomason near Rye, Saturday, March 28, after a long illness. Mrs. Gibson, who was the daughter of the late Richard Breathwaite, was born at Mobile, Alabama, November 13, 1855 and came to Arkansas with her parents he following year to Cleveland County where she has lived since. She was married in 1887 to the late Samuel B. Gibson. There were born to them five children, three of whom survive her. When a young girl, she united with the Presbyterian church through a profession of faith and has lived a devout Christian life. She had many friends and was loved by all who knew her, which fact was attested by the large crowd of people who gathered to pay their last respects and by the beautiful flowers which covered the grave. Surviving her are one son, Pat c. Gibson of Rye; two daughters, Mrs. Thomasson of Rye and Mrs. Carl Gibson of Warren; three sisters, Mrs. Rebecca Winters (a twin sister), Mrs. J.W. Scales both of Pine Bluff and Mrs. Chas. Leali of Kingsland; 35 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at Union church by the Rev. G.P. Fikes. Her remains were laid to rest in the family lot at Union cemetery. Seven grandsons acted as pall bearers. They were Lester and Maurice Nichols, Paul and Dick Thomasson, Charles, George Thomas and John Will Gibson. BERNICE LOUISE RAWLS Rye--Funeral Services for Bernice Louise Rawls, the two year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Rawls of near Macedonia, were held at Union church Monday afternoon, March 30, by Rev. Charlie Carter, Pastor of Chappel Hill Baptist Church. The body was laid to rest in Union Cemetery. MRS. MARY THRILLKILD Mrs. Mary Thrillkild, aged 50, wife of J.M. Thrillkild of this community died Thursday after an illness of six weeks. Besides her husband, she is survived by four sons, Claude, Jimmie, Virgil and Fred Thrillkild; two daughters Mrs. Will St. John and Mrs. Willie Neale, both of Pine Bluff; two sisters Mrs. Gray Crain and Mrs. John Haynie both of this place. The deceased was a member of the Cross Roads Methodist church. The remains were laid to rest in the family cemetery. The service was read by Rev. B.f. Scott. A.B. TRAMMEL Macedonia (Lee Township)-A.B. Trammel, aged 65 years, died at his home March 26 following an illness of several months. Mr. Trammel was a member of the Free Will Baptist church of this place. He is survived by his wife and eight children. The four younger ones at home and Bobbie and Jessie Trammel of this place, Mrs. Andrew Doss of Rye and Mrs. Auss Castleberry of Warren. The body was laid to rest in the Mosley cemetery, Rev. O.A. Ashcraft conducting the funeral services. June 24, 1931 JOHN A. MARTIN, 57, OF GLENDALE IS DEAD John A Martin, aged 57 years, well known farmer of Glendale, died at Pine Bluff Wednesday night after a brief illness. Death came at a hospital where he was carried only a few hours before. He was one of the most prominent men of his section and had many friends here, having lived in this county practically all his life, making Rison his trading point. He was born in the Glendale community and spent his entire life there. He was a member of the Shady Grove Methodist Church near Glendale. Surviving him are his widow, four sons, Will, Richard, Voy and Jack Martin all of Glendale and one daughter, Mrs. Donnie Moore of Star City. Funeral services were held at Shady Grove cemetery Thursday afternoon. Burial was in the family lot there. W.H. POWERS, 68, CLAIMED BY DEATH City Marshall Succumbs Here Saturday Morning After Months Illness William Harvey powers, aged 68 years, died at his home here at 9 o'clock Saturday morning, following an illness of a month. Death was due to a complication of infirmities following an infection in his left foot from a bunion several months ago. Two weeks ago, physicians amputated his limb in an effort to check the spread of the infection and for a few days he appeared to be improving, but for a week before his death little hopes were held for his recovery. Mr. Powers was born on May 19, 1863 near Joplin, Missouri and in his young days moved to the plains of Western Texas and new Mexico where he became a cattle man, growing up and spending his young manhood as a "cow-boy," later engaging in the stock business for himself in that country. He never tired of relating his experiences as a cow man in the 80's at which time was necessary to drive cattle hundreds of miles overland to market points as the cow country of the West had few railroads. He came to Arkansas in 1907 and engaged in the cattle and meat business here and has made his home here since. During his residence at Rison he served nearly eight years as city marshal of Rison in different terms and had been marshal for the past three years at the time of his death. He has also served as a member of the town council several terms. In January 1909 he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Quinn Morgan, who survives him. Four years ago he suffered a severe attack of Typhoid fever and had never regained his normal strength and vigor. Mr. Powers was acquainted with practically every citizen of the county and had a large circle of friends in this section of the state. He left an enviable record as a peace office and was loyal to his official duties to the last. During his term as an officer he has figured in many man hunts and arrests of statewide importance. He was a member of the Rison Methodist Church and Culpepper Lodge F. & A.M. and also the I.O.O.F. while there was a lodge here. He had served as a member of the board of stewards of his church. In addition to his widow he is survived by three daughters, Misses Willie and Elizabeth Powers and Mrs. B.W. Thomasson all of Rison, two sons, Ari Powers of this city and Roy Powers of Pine Bluff; one sister Mrs. H.H. Thompson of Weiser, Idaho, and a stepson, Reeves Morgan of Longview, Texas. Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church here Sunday afternoon by the Rev. A.W. Hamilton, his pastor and the Rev. B.F. Musser of Grady, a former pastor of the deceased. Burial was in the family lot at Greenwood cemetery in charge of the Masonic lodge. Pallbearers were: Honorary- I.E. Moore, J.L. Sadler, J.M. McMurtrey, J.B. Searcy, F.W. Culpepper, C.R. Morrison, W.A. Fore, L.F. Williams, J.H. Atkins, H.N. Robertson, C.L. Garner, R.C. Carmical, Rufus Smith, J.W. Calaway, Geo. F. Brown, J.M. Strait, M.L. Wilson, Bert England, Dr. A.H. Hamilton, B.F. Garner, Victor Moore, R.C. Searcy, E.M. Hillyard, Victor Boggs, Horace Thomasson, J.M. May, Dr. F.J. Robertson, W.H. Glover. Active- Searcy Elrod, Craig Sadler, Sid Glover, Edgar McKinney, V.O. Thomasson, G.W. Turner, Roy Haskins, and J.L. Reid. Funeral arrangements were in charge of I.E. Moore's undertaking department. July 15, 1931 KINGSLAND NIGHT MARSHAL AND ROBBER SHOT TO DEATH SECOND YEGGMAN MAKES GET-AWAY Shooting Begins When Pair Is Discovered Robbing Gas Station Kingsland, July 15.-(Special)-Henry DeGarmo, night marshal of Kingsland, and a robber who gave his name as Smith, are dead as a result of a pistol duel between the officer and two men whom he discovered robbing a gasoline filling pump at E.R. Buster's store in Kingsland about 12:30 this (Wednesday) morning. In an attempt to save the officer and the burglar, they were rushed to a Pine Bluff hospital, but DeGarmo died enroute to that city and Smith died this morning. Smith's companion succeeded in making his escape and has not been captured. DeGarmo, who was able to tell of the affair after other officers arrived on the scene, said that he was attracted by a noise at the store and went to make an investigation. They began shooting, he stated, when he approached their car, a new model Ford sedan. Both robbers were out of their car and perhaps 15 or 20 shots were exchanged. Smith and DeGarmo engaged in a hand-to-hand combat, during which the other jumped to his car and escaped. The marshal succeeded in knocking Smith to the ground and held him until assistance arrived. Both were shot through the body in several places. A Quantity of pistol cartridges were found in Smith's pockets, but nothing which would serve as a clue to his identity. Officers doubt that he gave his real name as he refused to make any statement concerning himself or his people when advised that he had a chance to live. He was apparently about 55 years of age, had a red face and was heavy set, weighed about 180 pounds and was bald. Sheriff C.R. Morrison and Deputy W.A. Fore went to Kingsland and accompanied them to Pine Bluff. DeGarmo, who was about 35 years old, was married and has one small son. They have been at Kingsland for the past three years. He was as automobile mechanic and operated a garage there. Efforts to apprehend the escaped robber has been fruitless. He is said to have passed through other towns south of Kingsland, driving rapidly. ETTA DEANNE OVERSTREET: A MEMORIAL We, her classmates, wish to pay our tribute of love to our dear fellow student, Etta Deanne Overstreet. Her friendly smile was an instant clasp on any heart and its presence will haunt us in the following days as we remember her before her untimely call of death. A person, with the qualities of Deanne, is an honor to any school or activity and Rison High suffers from her absence. Her co-operation and leadership was outstanding in her school work, and in her sports, she was a clean, Rison High Booster. In any enterprise for the betterment of the church or school, Deanne was always found with a willing hand. She was a popular student, whose sunny disposition has created a lasting spot of devotion in our hearts. To her bereaved relatives, we extend our sympathy. The Junior Class '31 September 9, 1931 J.W. HOPE, FORMER CITIZEN OF COUNTY DEAD J.W. Hope, for many years prominent farmer and merchant of Randall, Whiteville township, died at his home in Pine Bluff Monday night after a long illness. Mr. Hope was born in the state of Mississippi December 31, 1868 and moved to Arkansas when a young man. For several years he lived in Pine Bluff, but later came to this county and engaged in the mercantile business at Randall. He was one of the most popular men of that section of the country and had a wide circle of friends all over this county. He was a deacon of Friendship Baptist Church in Whiteville township and was also a member of the W.O.W. fraternity. He is survived by his widow, two daughters, Mrs. J.S. Stone and Mrs. J.L. Woods of Pine Bluff; six sons, Lee W. Hope of Woodlawn, W.M. Hope of St. Louis, Ernest, Veo, Voy and Chester Hope of Pine Bluff, two brothers, L.N. and D. Hope of Pine Bluff and seven grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Friendship church Tuesday afternoon.. (unreadable).. Burial was at Friendship Cemetery. J.L. RIGGINS DIES FROM PROSTRATION Jas. L. Riggins, aged 74 years, died at his home in the Macedonia community, Saturday afternoon, supposedly from exhaustion and heat prostration. Mr. Riggins went to an out-house on his place during the morning to prepare if for hay storage and discovered a wasp nest in the building. In an attempt to burn the nest, the building caught fire and he is thought to have collapsed from efforts to save the house from burning. He was found about an hour before he died but never regained consciousness and died about 3 o'clock. Mr. Riggins spent his entire life in this section and had many friends in the county. He is survived by two sons, four daughters, two brothers and one sister. Funeral services were held Sunday at Macedonia church of which he had been a member for many years. The service was conducted by the Rev. W.A. Winston.