The  Quarterly   is  published  four  times  a  year  by  the  Ouachita   County  Historical  Society,  a   nonprofit  corporation  chartered   in  Camden,  Arkansas,  in  accord   with  the  laws  of  the United States  and  the  State  of  Arkansas.

NOTE: The Elliott-Meek-Nunnally home on Washington St. was built prior to the Civil War and remained in the Elliott family until it was sold in 1916 to a bright young Camden attorney, Albert N. Meek, son of Dr. John Walter Meek.

"After the frequent and earnest solicitation of my beloved wife, I begin to write down a short sketch of my life...

My father, whose name was James Madison Meek, was born in Laurens District, South Carolina...His ancestors came from Virginia...

Before reaching the years of maturity, my father, with the rest of the family moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala. ... until the year 1840 when he removed to Union Co. Ark...

My father brought to that neighborhood about six grown negro slaves..the first slaves brought to that neighborhood...

My mother was Julia Frances Frazer...She was in those times a most accomplished and attractive young lady...

My father and mother were married sometime in 1841 or 42...I was born January 16, 1850...

After this year's schooling, I began the study of medicine in April, 1868...

I remained in New Orleans...and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine and received my diploma on...March 15, 1870...

I was married in May, 1873 to Miss Fannie Hampton...Nov. 1881 my wife Fannie died of typhoid fever...she was as pure and noble a character as ever came from the hand of the Creator...

On Dec. 19, 1883 I again married..Miss Annie Winfrey of Camden, Ark. and she has been a true loyal and devoted wife to this day and now brightens my path...

In Feb. 1885, Albert Meek was born and in Dec. 1890 Harry came to enliven our lives."

Excerpts from "Autobiography of Dr. John Walter Meek, Camden, Arkansas"

Winter 2007   Features

"Christmas at the McCollum-Chidester House Museum" is described by Clara Freeland as "simply beautiful." It was the 'year of the Christmas trees' decorated with naturals like dried fruit, fresh berries, homemade cranberry garlands,and dried hydrangeas which adorned most of the rooms. There was a wonderful turnout for the reception for OCHS members on Thursday evening and open house for the public on Friday and Saturday night. These very elegant evenings were captured in pictures for all our readers to enjoy.

Katsy McAlister, daughter of Dewey Lee Cannnefax, who was on the carpenter crew, tells the "History of the Orlando Hotel."  Named for Camden businessman, Orlando Louis Lide, the hotel was built in 1923.

"Thanks for The Memories", Part II, of "The Marino's of Camden" recalls fond memories by Camille Marino of places, events, and family members. Among those she has chosen to share are memories of their concession stand at Carnes Park and how she was able to help after she got her driver's license, the big fire that burned down several downtown Camden stores, going to cowboy movies on the weekends, J.C. Penney with no cash registers on the main floor, going to Patrick's Drug Store for a frosted malt, shucking corn during the winter, the big flood, the monkey at the Fire Station, the airplane crash, great football games on Friday nights, taking Castor Oil every six months, building soap box cars, and their special family suppers.

The "Autobiography of Dr. John Walter Meek, Camden, Arkansas" begins by the author telling of his family background. He proceeds to tell of his birth in 1850, his school days, his work on the farm, hunting a variety of game as a young boy, memories of the Civil War,and his early romantic interests, as well as his growing interest in studying medicine. He attended classes in New Orleans and graduated in 1870 as a Doctor of Medicine. His marriages to Fannie Hampton, who died in 1881, and, later, to Annie Winfrey produced a number of children. Dr. Meek also writes about several contributions he feels he made to medical advancement.

 

"From 1951 until the consolidation of the Camden and Fairview School districts in 1992, a serious cross-town sports rivalry flourished in Ouachita County...when it came to football...Many students could be heard shouting in the hallways of both schools 'get a Redbird' and 'stomp the Panthers.'  Major pep rallies were held in the auditoriums on both campuses.  This game was just more important and personal...

Camden started the cross-town rivalry with Coach Sam W. Coleman, a seasoned veteran and near living legend, with 26 years of experience...and his Camden Panthers had tied for the state championship in 1930 and won in 1931. Coach Coleman is remembered by his players as a fair man who earned respect and taught life lessons along the way...Several Panther squad members earned honors...

In 1947 the Cardinal team had a young David Dale Wood as the new head coach ...a WWII veteran...had gained the respect and love of his players... wasn't above checking out his competition...Cardinal players thrived under his leadership.  1952 honors went to Cardinals..."

From the very beginning this game was a sharp cross-town rivalry and serious business. Gridiron players from both teams remember  a fair game...During the 1951 contest Fairview was up against a much stronger and larger team...Fairview lost to the stronger Panther team in that first football game...Step back in time with Al Rose as he gives as a seat on the 50-yard line...

    

Excerpts from "Camden vs. Fairview
                           Let the Fun Begin"

Fall 2007 Features

"Camden vs. Fairview, Let the Fun Begin" recounts a special rivalry of a bygone era. This serious cross-town sports rivalry between Camden Panthers and Fairview Cardinals, which began in 1951 and ended in 1991 with the consolidation of the Camden and Fairview school districts, was just more important and more personal than when playing other teams.   Both teams had well-respected and successful coaches; Sam W. Coleman was head coach of the Camden Panthers, and Dale Wood was head coach of the Fairview Cardinals, and team members under both coaches earned honors. The article continues with a play by play recount of the first game between the rivals as told by Al Rose as "Fairview Scores First But Camden Tallies in Last 3 Quarters to Win."   Wonderful pictures of the teams and their rosters, the Camden Band and majorettes, and the 26 year record of Sam Coleman are assured to bring back fond memories to those of you who knew them.

"Thanks for the Memories" Part 1 to "The Marino's of Camden" is written by Camille Marino, the daughter of Charles and Lena. The Marinos moved from Bastrop, Louisiana in 1932 to settle in Camden, Arkansas when he was transferred by International Paper Company.  Camille recalls childhood memories of the family's peanut selling days during WWII, and, later, the opening of a small cafe which offered spaghetti and meat balls, good ole southern meals, and her favorite was hot dogs, which cost a quarter at that time! After a couple of years the cafe was closed, but the family opened a snow cone stand in front of their home. Marino's Frozen Delight was a favorite gathering place for many years to come.

"During the Boom, A Teenager's Life" is an interesting account of the life of the Snider family as remembered by Roy Snider, whose father, Clide Snider, had moved to Louann, Arkansas, in 1925 to work in the newly discovered oil field.  When he first moved his family to Louann, they, like most of the oil workers there, lived in a  large tent for a time while houses were being built for the other workers first. Being chief engineer, Clide Snider felt like he should be one of the last to get a house. The article focuses on the values instilled in the family, such as working hard and keeping busy with meaningful activities, the importance of getting the best education possible, playing sports, and always coming to his Dad with any kind of problem or concern.

Danny Biggers presents a most interesting and detailed explanation of "The Meaning of the 13 Folds of the U.S. Flag."    Danny, who served four years in the United States Air Force, is a Vietnam veteran, and has taken an official part in various Memorial Day observances, has developed a deeper understanding and respect for the American flag, which he wishes to share with our readers.   Each of the 13 folds of the American flag symbolizes the religious principles on which the United States was originally founded.

A portion of this article printed in a local newspaper on the occasion of the death and funeral of "James S. Holmes",  presents the loss of the entire commmunity of "its best citizen."  His lifetime interest was in the printing business. In 1871 he began publication of the Camden Beacon, with himself as editor and proprietor. Previously, during the Civil War, he had served as a Confederate soldier as Captain of a company in Gunter's Regiment of Fagan's Brigade.

The "City of Camden Deals with a Difficult Issue" as reported in the May 7, 1935 issue of The Camden News.   It seems that the issue of concern was fish and frogs!
Property owners in the Greening and Clifton street areas were protesting to request that the city do something about the "special noise effects" of the Saxon fish pond in their area.

"My grandfather, Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite-Bobby to me, has never considered himself a hero.  He and the other men of General Jimmy Doolittle's crew were just doing what needed to be done at that time...

On April 18, 1942-sixteen-five member crews...fly a daring air assault of land based B-25 bombers off the deck of the Navy Carrier U.S.S. Hornet. After being discovered by an enemy fishing boat, all sixteen planes had to take off earlier than planned.  Then each crew proceeded to Japan...headed for China...for Russia.  The early launch...caused the planes to ... forcing crews to bailout of their aircraft. Bob Hite, the co-pilot...parachuting out into a rice field...captured by the Japanese...Three...executed by a Japanese firing squad...The remaining four were tortured, starved, and placed in solitary confinement...

After retiring from the armed services Bob Hite has lived in Camden twice...an active citizen in our community...

Bobby,...your constant visits will be missed...

Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite, you are a hero...you are my grandfather."

 

Excerpts from "Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite Camden's Own American Hero"

Summer 2007 Features

"Al's   Alfalfa" by Al Rose focuses on "Memories-South Adams in the Early 1900's" published in the Camden News and is submitted by Teresa Harris.

Christi Landers Glaze writes of her grandfather," Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite", whom she affectionately calls Bobby.  For over 32 years Mr. Hite has been an active citizen of the Camden community. His granddaughter shares about his role as part of Jimmy Doolittle's crew following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Clara Freeland and all of "Camden Salutes Farewell To Our Local Hero, Bob Hite." On May 31, 2007 the City of Camden had the opportunity to honor a good citizen and World War II hero, one of the famed Doolittle Raiders. This ceremony, attended by more than 700 people who gathered at Riverfront Park for an open air dinner and party honoring Bob and his family, was given as a special farewell for the Hites who were moving to Tennessee.  Letters and certificates of appreciation were presented to Mr. Hite by several well known local and state politicians. At the conclusion of the ceremony several fly-overs by a B-25 bomber gave a special salute to the hero.

"CHS Class of 1947 Celebrates 60th Class Reunion" and some fifty people, including spouses and some guests  attended this year's reunion April 20-21.  Sites of the reunion included The Camden Country Club on Friday night and on Saturday, the Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover and then, later, dinner at the Country Club. Kathryn Shaddock, writer of this aticle, includes many reminiscences about this class through kindergarten, grade school special events, and, finally as wartime students beginning in 1941 in grade seven. Then, on May 30, 1947 friends reached another level together as they walked across the platform.

Worth Camp of El Dorado, Arkansas submitted this article about Henry Merrell, whose manuscript was discovered by a relative who edited it and had it published as "The Autobiography of Henry Merrell, Industrial Missionary to the South." This book tells the story of Henry Merrell pioneering the textile and mercantile industry in Georgia, then in southwest Arkansas in a town that came to be known as Royston. Born in New York, he lived in Arkansas during the Civil War and his  textile mill was important to the South during the war for the goods it could provide the Confederacy.

"Do you Remember Hadacol?" by Tom Beasley recalls the Hadacol Team in 1950 and the product for which it was named. Hadacol was a product of Louisiana State Senator, Dudley J. LeBlanc who told Jimmy Smith he wanted the best dressed team in the league, and the team was just that...all donned out in silky blue and gold uniforms. Several recollections of the good ole times at Carnes Park in Camden are retold here.

J. E. Lide tells a portion of the history of "The Eleventh Arkansas Regiment" during the Civil War.  He begins with his unit, the 2nd Company of Camden Knights, later known as Company G which left Camden for Little Rock on July 10th. There was a gradual movement from there northward into Missouri and eventually to Chicago, where their surrender took place. His notes of their duties and events and encounters along the way were read by Lucia Lide before the Grinstead Chapter U.D.C. Wednesday afternoon, September 6, 1905.

Another article of interest to Civil War or Confederacy buffs tells of the donation of numerous "Confederate Relics" to the Arkansas room in the Confederate Museum at Richmond, Va.  by Camden residents during that era.

"Camden 15 Years Ago" by Eben Eason, June, 13, 1941, taken from the files of The Camden News, covers a variety of news items and social events, such as plans of the Arkansas Highway Commission, a Camden Country Club party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Meek, election of new officers by the Bearden Chamber of Commerce, as well as several trips of Camden residents or their guests for a brief stay, such as the T. E. Watts family who motored to Little Rock for a couple of days.

Jerry McKelvy, editor of the Sandyland Chronicle,  writes about "Mrs. Rose Garnett", whom he never met, who lived in Camden for about 40 years in the area known as Lester Hills.  Mrs. Garnett ended up with the land holdings of the Camden Coal and Clay Co., founded by her father-in-law, Dr. Algernon S. Garnett, which included thousands of acres of timberland.  She cared deeply for these hills and enjoyed the wildlife and plants.  She sold much of her lands to International Paper Co., but reserved more that 72 acres which she later gave to Ouachita County as a wildlife sanctuary. With the deed to the county, she gave explicit instructions regarding her burial on those grounds, as well as the use of the grounds. She died on November 18, 1979and was buried according to her wishes.

These previously published snippets from March 14, 1929 were published in the final edition of the "Bearden Examiner", May 25, 1962. Among them you will find numerous social and business events and visits to this town.

On August 2, 1942 over 6500 people attended the "Harrell Field Dedication" where they viewed the building and equipment for the training of flying cadets to be combat pilots for their country in WWII.  Harrell Field was named for Camden resident, Don Harrell, who served as Mayor of Camden during WWII and was one of the primary proponents of building a training field in the area. Robert Dodson tells about the construction and importance of this facility to Camden and the nation during the war.  When the field was officially closed on April 22, 1944, ownership was returned to the City of Camden, and the site was later renamed the Camden Municipal Airport. On September 11, 2006 a plaque was dedicated to the memory of Mayor Don Harrell at the Camden Municipal Airport where several members of the family were present.