Osceola

Mississippi County, Arkansas

Court House

Historical Osceola
1833 - 1919

In fourteen short years Osceola will be celebrating the centennial of her organization as a judicial center. Mississippi county was created by act of the territorial legislature of 1833 and Osceola designated as the county site.

The oldest inhabitant has no traditional story to tell of the first settler. The village was delightfully situated on the west bank of the great river which gives the name to the county, and which brought the commerce of the world to her door in the palmy days of steamboating. Her citizens have never known the swamped life and deprivations suffered by the pioneers of the interior sections. The water trout of the town has never changed by caving, and the same blue mud bank which attracted the sagacious wanderer to pitch his tent at his point serves as a base for the great levee which now protects the valley from foods.

In 1882, the United States government in the interest of a deeper channel during low water stages cut the town off from the river by building dykes which caused an island to form and ultimately forced the town away from the river. Before the St. Francis levee was built, protecting the whole valley, a small local levee protected Osceola from overflows, which at highest flood stages would not have been more than from 8 to 12 inches over the land at this point.

In November 1875, the town of Osceola was incorporated, and an election ordered; resulting in electing Leon Roussan, Mayor; John O. Blackwood, Recorder; Alex Goodrich, Berry Henwood, Daniel Matthews, Dr. F.M. Pettey, and B.F. Jones, Alderman.

Mississippi county had no public building till 1882, when a two-story frame courthouse was built, which was quite pretentious for that time. This was done under the administration of Capt. S.S. Semmes as county judge. In 1913, the handsome building shown on this page was erected as the legal home for Mississippi county, under the administration of Judge S.L. Gladis.

An outstanding feature of the life of Osceola and Mississippi County is the Osceola Timers, founded in 1870 by Jas. B. Best, circuit court clerk; Jno. O. Blackwood, attorney, and Leon Roussan, editor and practical printer. Other publications of worth to the town have come and gone, but the Times is now rounding out its half century, Mrs. Adah L. Roussan, publisher.

The men behind the upbuilding of Osceola.

Bank of Osceola, one of the oldest and strongest banking institutions in this part of the state. Organized in 1891, with W.P. Hale, Sr., president. At the last directors meeting, J.L. Williams was elected president, and E.E. Driver, cashier. Capital stock, $50,000; loans and deposits, $760,000. The bank shows a 300 per cent increase in business in the past six years. It is the policy of the bank to assist in developing farm lands in all parts of the county.

The Osceola Lumber Company, is justly rated as one of the substantial business interests of the city. Was established March 1915, under the management of Thomas Henderson. Mr. Henderson located here because he had faith in Osceola and Mississippi County. The company occupies in excess of a city block and carries a stock of rough and dressed lumber large enough to supply the demands of the big building movement that is now on in Osceola and the surrounding territory.

Gladish & Taylor, attorneys, have been associated in business the past ten years. They are aggressive and capable. S.L. Gladish has served as county judge and is now mayor of the city. D.F. Taylor was postmaster twelve years, but has recently given much attention to titles in connection with the United State Land Office.

Brickey & Stancil, druggists, engaged in business in Osceola in 1896. They carry a big stock of drugs as well as a choice line of fancy toilet articles, books, and magazines. They have a nice building and attractive and modern fixtures, and hold their trade by service. The firm also operates an extensive bottling plant.

A. Knobeloch, of Bellville, Ill, capitalist, became interested in Osceola and Mississippi county in 1910, since which time he has bought, developed, and sold several large holdings, finding it profitable enough to justify occupying much of his time.

Citizens Bank of Osceola
Organized September 1901
Building erected 1919.
Captial, Stock, Undivided Profits, $60,000
A Banking Institution for the People
J.W. Rhodes, President
C.L. Moore, Jr., Cashier
Directors: R.C. Rose, J.W. Rhodes, S.H. Mulkey
S.L. Gladish, W.J. Driver, D.F. Taylor, C.L. Moore, Jr.

G.L. Waddell, real estate, the man who keeps in line with all that can be bought or sold, and is busy inviting immigration of the right kind to Mississippi county every day. If you are seeking information about the St. Francis Valley, write to him.

Driver Gin Co., organized 1917 by E.E. Driver, capitalist; J.T. McGarrity, manager. The gin, a 100 -bale-per-day capacity, is located on the Frisco, and has railroad scales and every facility for the quick handling of an enormous quantity of cotton and seed. The gins and the entire equipment of machinery and handling is the last word in cotton gin efficiency. Mr. McGarrity, one of the best known gin men in this section, as well as one of the most successful buyers, as he gives the farmer the limit of profits possible to the market.

W.P. Hale, Sr., planter, capitalist, and for twenty-five years president of the Bank of Osceola, is one of the sturdy pioneers, coming here in 1855, and has had a leading part in agricultural development of this section.

Pride & Fairley, civil engineers, formed a working partnership in 1910. J.P. Pride was division and afterward chief engineer for the St. Francis Levee District, and O.M. Fairley was assistant drainage engineer, United States Department of Agriculture. They do a general private and consulting engineering business, specializingin drainage and flood control, highways and streets. Some of the large projects they now have under way are Drainage District No. 17 in Mississippi County $2,225,000; Drainage District No. 7 in Poinsett County, costing approximately $3,600,000 and the north-south highway in Mississippi County, estimated cost of !,500,000.

Guy F. Bryant is a conspicuous example of what opportunities are here for men who want to apply business methods to business. When quite a young man, in 1909, Mr. Bryant with very small capital engaged in the family grocery business. At the end of ten years, he is handling a business of more than $100,000. He buys in car lots and knows the advantage of discounting his bills. Holding his customers by good service.

The Auto Sales Co. is a new enterprise, opening business here under that name January 1. The firm is composed of C.L. Moore Jr., J.L. Ward, and H.E. Fisher, with Mr. Fisher as active manager. The Auto Sales Co. handle the Nash, the Overland, and the Dodge cars; they also carry a full line of parts and accessories, which with quick service insured them from the first a phenomenal business.

Walton Gro. Co. is one of the big business institutions of the county with large warehouses at Blytheville and Osceola. The branch house at Osceola was opened in 1914 with R.T. Cambron, manager. The increase in business is phenomenal at this point and the force required to handle it is frequently increased. At a recent meeting, the board of directors expressed themselves as well pleased with their investment.

J.H. Reynolds, the man who feeds the people. Mr. Reynolds has for years run a high class cafe at the Frisco station and has built up a most profitable business. He is now projecting a modern moving picture theater which will also supply a need of the community.

I. Harward, merchant tailor and men's outfitter, has been one of the solid institutions of the city for twenty-five years. Mr. Harwarg found his opportunity for a competence in Osceola, and by giving close attention to his trade has built up an enviable reputation among those seeking quality in dress.

R.C. Rose, planter and stockman, came to Osceola in 1901 as the purchaser of a local rundown telephone property, practically in the discard. At the end of ten years, he had gone into this new country, where roads were practically impassable for vehicles six months of the year, had put in more than 1,000 phones, established six exchanges and had two hundred miles of long distance connections, when the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. found it desirable to pay him more than $100,000 for his property in 1911.

Osceola Hardward Co., organized in 1902, incorporated in 1916, with G.B. Segrave, a trained hardware dealer, as manager. In addition to a full general line of hardware and mill supplies, this firm handles a complete line of improved farm implements. Owing to the rapid development acreage in cultivation, the Osceola Hardware Co. had over 200 per cent increase in sales last year.

Ike Miller handles dry goods exclusively. He began in a very small way fifteen years ago. He now owns his store and carries a choice line that would be creditable to a much larger trading center. Mr. Miller has made opportunity for himself by initiative and industry, and has every reason to be proud of his success.

H. Laughlin, he is the "Land Man." He buys and sells land early and late, and is well informed on land values. Talk to him if you want to know just what Mississippi County lands will produce.

Gay Coal & Ice Company. They are the people who keep Osceola warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The plant is owned by B.F. Gay and managed by J. Standley. They have the best modern equipment for making ice, and trackage for their coal, insuring lowest prices on both necessities.

J.T. Coston is one of the men who by his knowledge of the law has helped to make the bar of Osceola known throughout the state for its ability. Judge Coston is a graduate of Vangerbilt, and an orator of exceptional gifts. Intricate questions of civil law appeal to him especially.

G.R. Brickey Mere, Co., established in 1904, and incorporated in 1909, is one of the oldest and largest business concerns of this section. G.R. Brickey, the head of the firm, has been in business here since 1875, and as he felt the need for relief from the heavy demands of his business the present company was formed. Brickey Mere, Co. carries every department in general merchandise and make a specialty of handling improved farm implements.

Judge W.J. Driver is a native of Osceola, and one of the best known judges in the state, serving the second judicial district for eight years, and won for himself a more honorable record for law enforcement and careful administration of the duties of this responsible position. He is a tireless worker for the community betterment.

Mississippi County