Early History of Walnut Plains
Arrowheads found in the fields near Walter's Chapel suggest that before
the pioneers arrived, Indians either lived here or that the area was
frequented by tribal hunting parties. Prior to 1859 the name of this
community was "Walnut Plains", probably due to the existence of native
walnut trees. Located at the edge of the woods and adjoining the Grand
Prairie, this area would have been a hunter's paradise. Files located at
the Arkansas History Commission on The Works Project Administration
Federal Writers' Project for Prairie County record that some writers
place Indian villages in Prairie County when DeSoto arrived. On November
10, 1808, a treaty was signed at Ft. Clark, Missouri and the Osage tribe
ceded to the U.S. their lands in the territory obtained by the Louisiana
Purchase made in 1803 and relinquished their land North of the Arkansas
River and West from the Mississippi River. This would have included
"Walnut Plains" the first name for the Walter’s Chapel area.
First Landowners
Between 1830 and 1850 few people lived in the area; however, a
significant number came in the 1850's having obtained land through
military bounty land grants, the re-issue of land given to the State for
railroads, or outright purchase since land was cheap ($2.50 an acre).
William B. Stanton and Elisha Cleveland were the community's earliest
landowners (1822). Together they owned the eastern half of Section 13, 3
North, 7 West which is the geographic location of Walter's Chapel Church
and Cemetery. Elisha Cleveland received his 160 acres through Military
Bounty Land Warrant #17861, Act of 1812.
Early settlers to this area came from the Carolinas, Mississippi,
Kentucky, and Tennessee and moved to the area in groups composed of
family and neighbors, as was the custom of the time. Some of the family
names were Booe, Horton, Nichols and Bogard. After crossing the Father
of Waters, the great Mississippi, they would have followed a few rutted
out "roads". Rains would make these early dirt "roads" impossible to
pass. If traveling by water, they came to the Arkansas River via the
Mississippi River, then probably to the White River to Des Arc or
DeValls Bluff.
Thomas B. Walter's Donation of Land for Church & Cemetery
Initially, Thomas B. Walter was a major landowner in the adjoining
section (Section 18, Range 3 North, 6 West) in what is now Prairie
County. By 1857 he had also purchased much of Section 13, Range 3 North,
7 West, Walter's Chapel's geographic location. He died after selling his
Prairie County properties. Monroe County Probate Records Court dated
4/11/1859 state, "John H. Bulls bought the E l/2 13, 3n7w (320 acres)
except 3 acres in a square near west line NE where a new church is in
process of erection, from Thomas B. Walter during Walter's lifetime and
took title bond…". This log Church would have been one of the first
churches built in what is now Lonoke County. Research indicates that the
Reverend John W. Hudson probably delivered the first sermon at Walter’s
Chapel.
Thomas B. Walter's tombstones now lies broken, flat against the ground
near the large old cedar tree in the front part of the old cemetery.
Thomas B. Walter or his daughter (who is buried next to him) was
probably the first buried at Walter's Chapel (circa 1859). Their
tombstones are the oldest ones in the cemetery. Thomas Walter's
tombstone indicates that he was 57 years old at the time of his death
and that he was a Mason. At the bottom of his tombstone is the notation
"Julie Hyde, Napoleon" (which is probably a reference to Napoleon,
Arkansas which was located at the mouth of the Arkansas River on the
Mississippi).
Thomas H. Walter is also buried at Walter's Chapel (born 09-05-1846,
died 12-11-1870) and may be the "Thomas B.", a son, who was listed with
Sarah A., Walter's wife, in the Monroe County Census of 1860.
Upon Thomas B. Walter's death, the Church was named in his honor. The
name of the community gradually changed from Walnut Plains to Walter's
Chapel.
Pre-Civil War Social Gatherings
Prior to the Civil War Walter's Chapel was an established community with
residents sufficient in number to hold social gatherings. The June 29,
1859 Des Arc Citizen contained an article about free barbecue held at
Walter’s Chapel on Independence Day. Patrons of the Des Arc Citizen and
the Brownsville Echo were invited to attend. The Des Arc Citizen reports
the following in its July 18, 1859 issue: "A large number of people from
various parts of Prairie County attended the assemblage. A. McNeil, Esq.
read the Declaration of Independence, and an address was read by R. S.
Gantt, Esquire. The barbecue was splendidly gotten up and all speak in
the highest praise of the goodly people in the vicinity who prepared the
eatables for the occasion. The ladies were present in large numbers and
the evening was devoted to dancing and other amusements.”
Nearest Trade Center
Early Walnut Plains’ residents went to Des Arc for trade and for
departure via the White River. These horse and wagon trips required
overnight lodging at the Des Arc Hotel. D. D. Ross, Miss M. J. Robinson
and Mr. J. A. Jennings were a few of the names recorded by the Des Arc
Citizen as staying at the Des Arc Hotel during a two month time period
(September 28, 1859 through November 23, 1859).
Walter's Chapel's First Masonic Lodge
The number of persons living in this area prior to the Civil War can
probably best be judged by the size of its community's civil
organizations. Walnut Plains had a Chapter of the Blue Mason (Lodge No.
137) as early as 1859. Charter members were Willie Nichols, Worshipful
Master; T. C. Williamson, S. W.; J. H. Bulls, J. W.; A. G. Cummins,
Treasurer; W. T. Beacham, Secretary; Samuel Kennedy, S. D.; John
Cummins, J. D.; and H. M. Westmoreland, Tyler. Master Masons were listed
as: J. B. Blanton, D. D. Ross, S. J. Kennedy, J. C. Cannon, L. W. Hutson,
B. T. Hill, O.A. Reeves, James M. Williamson, and J. C. Cummins.
Prairie County Agricultural Society Meeting
In 1859 Prairie County Agricultural Society met at the newly erected
Walnut Plains Lodge. Those present included C. A. Skillern, B. M.
Barnes, C. C. Danley, S. R. Brown, Jesse C. Bogard (of the Walter's
Chapel Community), George A. Melver, W. W. Wair, J. E. Gatewood, J. W.
Martin, L. D. Harshaw, Russ Evans and George W. Vaden.
Involvement in the Civil War
While no battles took place at Walter's Chapel, the effects of the War
Between the States were felts nevertheless. Walter's Chapel's men left
their farms and volunteered to fight for the Confederacy. Battles were
fought at Ashley Station and Brownsville. Many of the injured were taken
to Hickory Plains for medical attention. Two soldiers succumbed to
injuries and are buried approximately two miles north of Walter's
Chapel. It is not known how many Civil War veterans are buried at
Walter's Chapel as some gravesites were never marked and others did not
withstand the elements of time.
One interesting story relates to J. L. (Jake) Bogard, who was killed by
bushwhackers on December 8, 1863. His large tombstone is inscribed: "Oh
God, may thy judgment prove severe upon those who murdered the beloved
one that lies here." He was 43 years of age. The story from Bogard
descendants is that J. L. "Jake" Bogard was a confederate who made a
decision to remain home. Confederate troops were passing through on
their way to meet the Federal troops for a prisoner exchange. They
stopped at Bogard's home for a meal. A lavish feast was put before them.
Jake then engaged a prisoner in a conversation that got out of hand.
Jake was so infuriated he spat in the man's face. The prisoner, unable
to defend himself, replied to the insult, "I'll remember you." The
military party eventually moved on. On December 8, 1863 Jake had been to
Brownsville. The prisoner hid himself and his weapon until Jake's
return. Jake was shot and tied to his horse. The horse was then given
the road. The next morning the family was alarmed to see Jake's horse at
the gate. They found Jake shot dead. They had no idea who was
responsible for the deed.
The Home Guards of Prairie County, Arkansas (1861-1862) compiled by
James Logan Morgan notes that a special term of the County Court of
Prairie County met at Brownsville on June 24, 1861, to provide for
companies of “Home Guards” in the townships of Prairie County. At the
same time, A. J. Thomas, William C. Hazen, and B. C. Totten, who were
earlier appointed commissioners for war finances in Prairie County on
April 22, 1861, were authorized to obtain arms and ammunition for the
various companies of home guards. According to the report of A. J.
Thomas, Commissioner, 71 shotguns, 36 rifles, 6 kegs of powder, 20 bags
of buckshot, 99 pounds of lead and 10,000 caps were bought in Memphis by
R. E. Dunlap for the use of the Prairie County home guards in July 1861.
Center Township Home Guards were organized at Walter’s Chapel on July
15, 1861 with the following men: John H. Bulls, Captain, John R.
McNeill, 1st Lieutenant, and Willie Nichols, 2nd Lieutenant. Other
members were M. A. (M. L.) Bogard, Issac D. Booe, John A. Cummins, B. F.
Dinwiddle, Samuel Harrison, A. B. Hudson, Lewis W. Hudson, Julius
Nichols, Samuel Perry, C. J. Shepherd, A. J. (John) Steel, and Ed
Stratton.
A second organization of the Home Guards took place in 1862. The
following were ordered to organize at Walter’s Chapel on May 10, 1862:
A. G. Cummins, John Hardin, Canada Howell, R. C. Hudson, Needham,
Kennedy, and Samuel Kennedy.
Destruction of First Masonic Lodge
The Grand Lodge of Arkansas Masonic Proceedings in November, 1867
(available at the Masonic Temple, Little Rock) relates the following
with regard to Walnut Plains Masonic Lodge, No. 137: "Brother Willie
Nichols, W. M., returns the charter without books, jewels or list of
members. He states that he was Worshipful Master in 1861, since which
time there has been no election; that upon the occupation of the country
by the U.S. troops, during the rebellion, the soldiers destroyed the
hall, clothing, furniture, etc. There not being a sufficient number of
members to reorganize the lodge, they surrender their charter.” The
lodge met above on the second floor of the church. Masonic Lodge
Proceedings after the war record that many lodges were “burned” or
"destroyed". It is possible that the Walter’s Chapel facility was not
totally destroyed. One theory is that most of the structure was
dismantled and used for other purposes. During the War many homes in Des
Arc were dismantled and taken to DeValls Bluff, home of a large Union
encampment.
Walter's Chapel after the War
Considering that the Walter’s Chapel community was not on a railroad or
a body of water, the fact that Walter's Chapel survived in any form
after the War is a tribute to the pioneer stock of its people. Life was
very difficult after the War. Resources were depleted and taxes were
high; however, a living could still be "eked" out of the family farm.
Walter's Chapel was still a place of prominence and a Justice of the
Peace lived in the community. A story from the files of the Works
Projects Administration, Writer's Project for Prairie County, confirms
the existence of a stage house at Walter's Chapel after the War. This
story relates that on a stage ride from DeValls Bluff when an rider
disclosed that he had never taken the "Oath to the United States" the
individual was taken to "Walter's Chapel" to be administered the oath
that very night.
Second Walter’s Chapel Baptist Church
No newsprint in the era after the Civil War can be found to document the
actual construction date of the existing Walter's Chapel Church, which
replaced the first church built shortly after Thomas Walter’s death.
Records at the Masonic Temple in Little Rock verify that this two-story
replacement was in existence by November of 1870. A former resident of
Walter's Chapel gave the following description of the Church circa 1918:
“A two-story structure with windows on the north and south side, two
doors on the front facing west and two doors in the rear.” The church
did not have a porch at this time. Entry to the second floor was gained
through an external staircase on the southwest side of the building. The
second floor had no windows with the exception of an approximate 2’
round circular window on the front side which contained the Masonic
Emblem.”
E. H. English Masonic Lodge (the second Masonic Lodge @Walter's Chapel)
Records at the Masonic Temple in Little Rock indicate that Walter's
Chapel was re-issued another Charter in 1870. Designated as Chapter
#237, the E.H. English Lodge with Jurisdiction at Wattensaw, County of
Lonoke at Walter's Chapel, the Lodge had the following officers: W. H.
Kirksey, Grand Master; David R. Ross, Senior Warden; and R .H. Morehead,
Junior Warden. The charter members included James D. Alexander, Issac D.
Booe, John M. Barrett, Anderson Barrett, James G. Cummins, Samuel M.
Gray, Levi Guess, Lewis W. Hutson, Samuel F. Harrison, Gus W. Hill, John
G. Hammond, Henry Ingram, Jackson J. Jenkins, William Johnson, John W.
Kemp, Joseph D. Miller, Edward R. McPherson, Thomas R. Ray, David S.
Ray, William Ray, Thomas C. Rogers, William W. Smith, Daniel Sparks,
Richard F. Thurman, and J. Welch.
The Prairie County Democrat reports in its August 24, 1872 issue that
the “A. E. English Lodge meets at Walters Chapel with R. H. Morehead,
Worshipful Master and C. A. Richards, R.S.”.
Other Early Civic Organizations which used the Masonic Lodge Hall
The G.A. Dannelly Temperance Reform Council #30 met at the Lodge with
the following members: R. H. Morehead, Henry Nichols, I. D. Booe, J. R.
Moore J. G. Hammond, George Ray, and John W. Woollen as well as their
wives. According to the Lonoke Weekly Democrat, March 10, 1873 a Grange
of the Patrons of Husbandry was organized at Walter's Chapel. Officers
were Mr. Dick, T. B. Ray, I. D. Booe, J. D. Cummins, W. A. Morgan, D. A.
Richards, L.W. Hutson, W. H, Kirksey, J. H. Hackney, Mrs. C. A.
Richards, Mrs. R. H. Morehead, Mrs. T. B. Ray, and Miss N. F. Richards.
The last organization to meet in the Masonic Lodge hall was probably The
Woodman's Lodge. Reverend Pharr, a former minister at the Walter's
Chapel Methodist Church was a member.
Lonoke County Formed
In 1873 Lonoke County was created from portions of Pulaski and the
eastern part of Prairie County including the Walter's Chapel area. The
Prairie County line runs just to the east of the Walter's Chapel
Community.
Walter's Chapel Baptist Church Affiliations
By 1874 the Walter's Chapel Baptist Church was a member of the Caroline
Baptist Association. The church had no pastor, but sent C. C. Boyd, W.
H. Pritchard and J. G. Cummins as delegates to the Association's fall
meeting. Seventy-seven members were reported. At the 1881 Caroline
Baptist Association meeting held at Liberty North in White County
"Walnut Plains" was represented with L. W. Hutson, John Morris, Pastor
and W. R. Richards and reported 36 total members. Minutes of the
Caroline Baptist Association September 5, 1885 meeting with the Lonoke
Association reflect that W. B. Burnett and M. W. Davis represented
Walnut Plains.
The October 1886 Caroline Association meeting found Walnut Plains with
R. F. Routh as pastor and W. B. Burnett. H. L. Hutson, and W. H.
Richards as messengers. In October 1888 J. C. Watkins and M. N. Davis
were listed as ordained Ministers, the Pastor as G. White, O. W. Owens,
and J. T. Smith were listed as messengers and membership was reported as
64. By October of 1889 the Association listed Walnut Plains with a debt
of $3.95, J. King as Pastor, J. T. Smith, Clerk, and 83 members. Walnut
Plains was not represented at the 1890 Association meeting held at
Centre Hill Church, White County; however, the Church reported 37
members. In October 1891 Walnut Plains was represented with Brothers J.
T. Smith, J. D. Watkins, I. W. Hudson, O. U. Owens, and J. T. Smith who
reported the Church membership as 47. The Post Office for Walter's
Chapel Church was listed as Barrettsville.
Newcomers to Walter's Chapel
Mr. Samuel Martin came to the area on a train in November of 1888 and
lived at the Anderson Barrett home near this community. The Anderson
Barrett's settlement became known as Barrettsville. Mr. Barrett had come
before the Civil War from McNary, Tennessee. Three of his sisters also
came and married here. Their married names were Mrs. Mary Guess, Mrs.
Jim Mayfield, and Mrs. Sallie Pirtle. His brother, Kindred, settled at
Farrs Run Creek community of Walter’s Chapel. Anderson Barrett and many
of his relatives are buried at the Walter's Chapel Cemetery.
Baptist Church - Additional Information/Affiliations
In October 1921 the Church voted to ask for admittance into the Lonoke
Association and was accepted. In March of 1925 the Lonoke Association
met at Walter's Chapel. In August 1942 a Sunday school was organized and
the Church began a period of growth. By 1944 the church had 98 members.
After achieving its peak membership in the forties, the Baptist Church
began a steady decline in membership with 78 members in 1950 and 40 in
1951 as families left their small, unprofitable family farms for jobs in
town.
The Walter's Chapel Church (a.k.a. Walnut Plains Church) continued to
hold Sunday morning services and attempted Sunday night services at
least once. In 1962 the Church was accepted into the Grand Prairie
Association. Services continued until the loss of membership finally
caused the closure of the Church in 1972. Pastors not previously
mentioned include: John Morris, R. F. Routh, G. White, J. C. Watkins, M.
N. Davis, John King, Brother Kerr, H. Y. Morris, Brother Richardson,
Clovis Edge, John Ingle, William Cleveland Rowe, William Adolphus
Rochell, Brother Amos Roland Boothe, Brother Verl Johnson, Ursley
Livesay, Joe Johnson, Richard Parris, Richard Griffin, Clifton Keaton,
Roy Matlock, and Brother Edward Moody. Walter's Chapel's last preacher
was Brother Moody.
Stores/Business at Walter's Chapel
Other than the family farm, Walter's Chapel first business was a
gristmill followed by a blacksmith shop. Later, the community was home
to a sawmill, at least one general store and a barbershop. Additionally,
at least one physician and one dentist practiced at or near Walter’s
Chapel. Dr. J. D. Miller (b. July 28, 1823, d. June 17, 1889) and Dr. W.
C. Ray (b. Oct. 23, 1834, d. May 24, 1908) are buried in the Walter's
Chapel Cemetery. A country store of this era could be counted on for
staples such as flour and sugar. After the flour was used the cotton
sacks could be sewn together for articles of clothing. Supplies to the
store were brought from Des Arc and Carlisle in horse drawn wagons.
Walter's Chapel Post Office
Off and on from 1860-1910 the community had a post office although
sometimes the delivery of mail was only a weekly event. The Post Offices
of this era were very small. At least one time the Post Office at
Walter's Chapel closed because the person who carried the mail moved.
The lack of mail service prompted one prominent Walter's Chapel
resident, R. H. Morehead, to move to town as he was Secretary of the
State's Agricultural Wheel and he needed to receive his mail on a
more-timely basis. Mail carriers of this era "subcontracted" their mail
routes from contractors who received government contracts. Ferdinand
Gates and I. D. Booe were two of Walter's Chapel's mail carriers.
For a time the Barrettsville Post Office served Walter's Chapel. Also,
Mr. Onastus Kilpatrick Uzzell operated a post office at Uzzell two miles
east of Walter's Chapel on Red Oak Ranch Road. In keeping with the
custom of the time, Mr. Uzzell had a combination post office/ general
store, which was located on the Lonoke/Prairie line. A row of mailboxes
lined the road beside the Uzzell Store as mail was not delivered door to
door as it is today. In addition to running the post office, Mr. Uzzell
also carried mail by horseback to Hickory Plains. (The writer's father,
Roland "Babe" Felts born in 1925, often recanted the story of how he and
his buddies put a "Model T" on top of the Uzzell general store one
Halloween night. They got into quite a lot of trouble. He never
explained how they got the car down; he only allowed, with a chuckle,
that it was “harder to get down”.
The Sparks Connection
Jonas Sparks’ family moved from Maryland to North Carolina and lived
along the Yadkin River with the Boone family, Squire Boone, father of
Daniel, who had moved there with his family from Pennsylvania in May,
1750. Another prominent family that preceded the Sparkses to the Yadkin
River was that of Morgan Bryan who had moved there from Virginia in
1748. (Daniel Boone, the famous frontiersman, married Rebecca Bryan,
daughter of Morgan Bryan, in 1755).
These three families, the Boones, the Bryans and the Sparkses became
close friends and on September 25, 1773 set out with three other
families to find a new home in the wilderness of what is now Kentucky.
The path followed by this emigration party has become known in American
History as the Wilderness Trail. Their calvacade ended when they were
ambushed by a small group of Indians when they were crossing Powell’s
River on October 10th.
Sometime prior to 1786 Jonas Spark’s first wife died. On September 5,
1786 Jonas obtained married Mary Eakle who had been twice a widow when
she married Jonas Sparks. Her first husband was Capt. Daniel Little
(born in 1731). Jonas’ son David (born about 1768 in Rowan County, North
Carolina) married Mary Eakle Little’s daughter, whose name was also
Mary. They had the following children: Cornelius Sparks, Joseph Sparks,
John Sparks, Jonas Sparks, Daniel Sparks, William Sparks, David Sparks,
Jr., Minus Lafayette Sparks, Elizabeth (or Betsey) Sparks, Mary Sparks
(called Polly), Sarah (or Sallie) Sparks, and Juliana (or Julia) Sparks.
Years later Jonas and Mary Little’s son Daniel became a Methodist
minister. Rev. Daniel Sparks joined three brothers and one sister who
had moved to the Walter’s Chapel area: William Sparks, born about 1801
in Rowan County, North Carolina, David Sparks, Jr., son of David and
Mary (Little) Sparks who was born about 1808 and Minus Lafayette Sparks
who was born about 1811 and Juliana who was probably born about 1814 and
was a widow of a Mr. Birkhead.
Walter’s Chapel Methodist Church
Reverend Daniel Sparks, having relocated to the area and who is buried
in the Walter’s Chapel Cemetery, probably preached a few years in a
rough-hewn Methodist Church at Walter’s Chapel. This primitive Methodist
Church served the community for many until construction of the new
Methodist Church in 1913. For a time both occupied the northwestern part
of the existing intersection, across the road from the existing Baptist
Church location (southeastern part of intersection). George H. and Annie
A. White deeded Land for the Methodist Church to the Walter’s Chapel M.
E. Church, South in 1913. Trustees of the Church as recorded on the
warranty deed were L. Q. Booe, T. A. Ray and T. H. Mayfield.
Reverend Pharr was one of Walter's Chapel's most beloved Methodist
Ministers. He is buried in the Walter’s Chapel Cemetery beside two of
his children: five month old Little Mamie Bane and 25 year old Jeff D.
The Methodist Church (as recorded by Mayme Lois Raborn in her "History
of Zion") was one of five (5) churches on the Hickory Plains Circuit.
The other four (4) churches were Hamilton, Zion, Shiloh, and Roger's
Chapel. These five churches shared the same pastor, usually a preacher
who had yet to be ordained. A May, 1960 tornado completely demolished
the Methodist Church as well as the majority of the large oak trees in
both Church yards as well as those in the old school yard and a few in
the cemetery.
Old One-Room Schoolhouse; "Modern" Three-Room Schoolhouse
A rough-hewn one-room schoolhouse was located on the north side of the
old Methodist Church. Next to it was a place for the children to tie up
their horses while they attended school. Although this was a small
school, the students put on school "plays". This school went to the
sixth grade and had one teacher. If not from the immediate area, the
teacher would board with a family in the community.
By 1920 the State School Board successfully managed to get the Arkansas
Legislature to commit more state dollars to education and thus ushered
in an era in which many new school buildings were built. The Department
of Education hired architects to develop plans for one, two, three and
four room schoolhouses with emphasis on natural lighting, ventilation
and heating. In 1923 two and l/2 acres of land (beginning 70 yards,
North of the SW corner of the North l/2 of the SE l/4, Section 13, T 3N,
7W) were deeded to the Walter's Chapel School District by Annie A.
White, who by this time was a widow. Mr. Nichols, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Booe
and Mr. Hulen were instrumental in getting the school district to build
the community’s “modern” three-room schoolhouse in 1924. Walter’s
Chapel’s schoolhouse deviated from the model three-room schoolhouse
blueprint, which contained bathrooms because there was no indoor
plumbing. Directors of this School District (#14) were T. A. Nichols, C.
C. Jennings, and D. V. Booe.
For a time the school was known as the “Chapel Hill School”. Baseball
was very popular and Walter's Chapel had a team. Also, the school had a
boys’ and girls’ basketball team. They played schools such as Brown
Grove, Woodlawn, and Cross Roads.
Miscellaneous School Notes
A raised stage with a retractable curtain was located in the northeast
corner of the three-room schoolhouse. “Actors” entered from one of two
entrances accessible through a narrow hall on the north and east sides.
Desks accommodated two students; the back of each seat provided a "desk
top" for the seat behind. Children bought their lunches from home. Cold
biscuits and molasses may have been lunch staples. Before automobiles
were commonly available, this three-room schoolhouse could accommodate a
teacher who required boarding.
Last Civic Organizations to Meet at Walter's Chapel
With the dismantling of the second floor above the Baptist Church and
the 1947 consolidation of the Walter's Chapel School with Carlisle,
community events shifted to the schoolhouse. Wired for electricity in
1949 it was the scene of many Saturday Night "Cake Walks" which were
enjoyed by young and old. The Walter's Chapel Home Demonstration Club
and the Walter's Chapel 4-H Club also met in the old schoolhouse. Due to
foundation damage resulting from the May 1960 tornado, the building was
dismantled. The “new portion” of the Walter’s Chapel Cemetery sets on
the ground previously occupied by the three-room schoolhouse. A lone
school pump remains in the new cemetery as testimony to an earlier time
when the schoolhouse yard was filled with playing children.
An Epsworth League and a Chapter of the Eastern Star also met at
Walter's Chapel.
A “Walter's Chapel Wedding”
Recorded in the Federal Writers' Project, Works Progress Administration,
State of Arkansas, History of Lonoke County file was a reference to one
wedding performed at the Walter’s Chapel Church. Former Governor George
W. Donaghey worked for George Hartje at Walter's Chapel in 1875. Here he
met Miss Levenia Wallace who lived a little south of the Walter's Chapel
settlement. Later, he returned and they were married in the old chapel
(the one still standing today). Governor Donaghey was Governor of the
State of Arkansas when the current state capital was built and led
education reform.
Walter's Chapel Cemetery
Walter's Chapel is the final resting place of Morris E. "Lee" Britt and
Virgie L. Oliver Britt, parents of Maurice L. "Footsie" Britt,
Arkansas's first Republican Lieutenant Governor, a college football hero
and a Medal of Honor winner who lost an arm in World War II. He was the
Nation's second most highly decorated World War II soldier next to Audie
Murphy. He served two terms as Lieutenant Governor, headed the Small
Business Administration's state office for 14 years, starred as an
Arkansas Razorback football player and in 1941 played a year of
professional football with the Detroit Lions. He ran for governor in
1986. Footsie Britt (b. 6/29/1919 d. 11/26/1995) is buried at National
Cemetery in Little Rock with wife, Patricia A. (b.4/15/1930 d.
12/1/1993).
Ministers Interred at Walter's Chapel Cemetery
Many ministers are buried at Walter's Chapel including: Rev. Daniel
Sparks, Rev. Wade Pharr, Rev. H. Y. Morris, Rev. William Cleveland Rowe,
Rev. Adolphus Rochell, and Rev. Corbett Mask and Rev. Edward Moody. At a
future date this "History" will have a separate section on the Ministers
of Walter's Chapel.
Interments
In 1939 Walter's Chapel was listed as the largest cemetery in Lonoke
County with an estimated 2,500 burials. The tombstones in the older
section of Walter's Chapel represent only one-third of those estimated
as buried there. This is due to several reasons: 1) iron markers
predating the Civil War may have been stolen for “scrap” as iron was
scarce during the War and consequently it was a valuable commodity, 2)
lacking funds for a tombstone the family marked gravesites with large
stones that were later displaced, 3) the 1960 tornado caused
considerable destruction to tombstones in the center of the cemetery
and, 4) some tombstones succumbed to time and elements.
Annual Decoration Day
An 80 years tradition is observance of the first Sunday in May as
Decoration Day. Research from the Arkansas History Commission's Works
Project Administration (WPA) files for Lonoke and Prairie Counties
prepared in 1939-1940 indicate that as many as 500 people once came to
put flowers on graves, spread a blanket and have “dinner on the ground”.
A special afternoon program at the Church followed. The tradition has
changed somewhat in that it is not limited to Sunday. Now, cars begin
arriving at the cemetery on Friday with a steady stream following
through Saturday. The majority of people still come early Sunday
afternoon the first Sunday in May.
Water's Chapel Baptist Church Modifications Made Prior to 1961
Over the years the outside appearance of the Church has changed
significantly. In 1924 the original two front doors were replaced with
one center double door. A porch with a concrete foundation and gabled
roof was added. A second floor formerly used as a Masonic Lodge was
dismantled circa 1947-48 leaving it as a one-story building
The Church was wired for electricity on August 15, 1949. Lamps were
replaced with eight bare electric light bulbs suspended from the high
ceiling. Another construction project circa 1960 enclosed the outside
staircase, which formerly provided access to the second floor E. H.
English Masonic Lodge Hall. At the same time the supporting structure
for the outside staircase was removed from the southwest corner of the
interior of the Church and a small attic access was made in the
southeast corner of the building. Children (including this writer) took
their Sunday school lessons at a small gray table with matching benches
situated in the little "nook" underneath the supporting staircase
structure.) Inside modifications were chandeliers, ceiling tile,
paneling, and linoleum, circa 1961. As noted previously, the pews and
the pulpit remain in their original condition.
First Service of Trinity Chapel Meeting at Walters Chapel
After a hiatus of 27 years, the old Baptist Church at Walter's Chapel
was revived for Sunday services. A church restoration took place from
August to October 1999. The porch was removed, vinyl siding and a
bathroom were added along with a steeple. Filling the pulpit of this
historic Church on October 3rd was Reverend James (Jim) Byrum, pastor of
Trinity Chapel. His wife, Carolyn, is Church organist. Attendance at the
first service of Trinity Chapel meeting at Walter's Chapel on October 3,
1999 was 44. In January of 2007 the Trinity congregation moved to a new
facility; however, by August of the same year there was enough interest
in the community to begin a new church in the historic chapel. The
Walter’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Evans from Lonoke as
pastor began with 14 members. The new Church is growing and the
membership is looking towards the future with plans to obtain an
additional structure to house Sunday School Classes.
In Remembrance & Appreciation
Uncle "Tuck" Harrison, Mr. Hamp Morris, and Mr. Oscar Cranford of the
Walter's Chapel community and Mr. Lee Waters of Cross Roads tenderly
cared for this cemetery. Their work at the cemetery was truly a labor of
love. All except Mr. Waters are buried at the Walter's Chapel.
Over the years many fine people have served on the Cemetery's Board of
Directors. They receive no compensation for their service or work.
National Register of Historic Places Nomination
My desire is to submit the Walter's Chapel Cemetery for nomination to
the National Register of Historic Places. The date of the first burial
can be documented by Thomas Walters’ tombstone.
DONATIONS
A fund account exists at the Carlisle bank for the up-keep of the
Walter's Chapel Cemetery. Donations may be to the cemetery in care of
Lou Ellen Felts, Treasurer, 581 Walter’s Chapel Rd., Carlisle, AR 72024.
This account pays for the mowing.
A separate account has been set up in the name of the Walter’s Chapel
Cemetery Project. This account exists for projects other than the mowing
of grass, i.e. tombstone repair, projects that the membership may vote
upon, and mailing expenses. Donations to this fund may be mailed to
Walter’s Chapel Cemetery Project, in care of Nancy Felts Dunlap, Event
Coordinator, at 524 Enchanted Valley Lane, North Little Rock, AR 72118.
MAILING LIST
If you are not currently on the Walter’s Chapel mailing list, please
forward your name and address to Nancy Dunlap at the above address so
that you may be notified of the progress of the Church and Cemetery
renovations, meetings, etc.
Post Script
A few tombstones were totally unreadable and many inscriptions on the
older tombstone inscriptions were hard to read so the web site’s
Directory may contain errors. If you do not find your family member in
the Directory their name may have been inadvertently omitted or their
tombstone may be one of those found to be unreadable. If this is the
case, please let me know so that I can add them. Also, if your family
bible or history indicates that a loved one is buried at Walter's Chapel
but they have no marker, please let me know as I would like to include
their name, date of birth and date of death.
Additions or corrections to this history or the Walter's Chapel Web Site
will be gladly accepted.
Please
visit the Walter's Chapel Web Site on the Internet at:
http://www.geocities.com/walterschapel
