Volume 6, Number 5 - Fall 1977
Taney County Democrat
It covers Taney County, $1.00 a Year, Circulation this Week, 2,000.
A. Humble, Editor and Publisher, Taneyville, Taney Co., Mo. May 17, 1900. Volume Ill. No. 42. New Series.
Kirbyville is 8 miles south west of the county seat of Taney Co. and 12 miles north of the Arkansas line.
The town is almost in the center of a body of land that White River marks off in horse shoe shape. The river is about 4 miles west, 6 miles north and 6 miles east of the town. The land south and west of town is as good as there is in Taney County, but near town to the east and north are some "Barren Knobs." Barren with the exception that they are capable of producing great quantities of rock. The land on which is the town site is somewhat broken; however it is a picturesque place for a town. By going a few hundred yards from the postoffice a view that is very enchanting can be had for many miles surrounding the town.
The first post office was established about 1870 and was known as Warnersville. This office was located about 1/2 mile south east of where it now is. One Thomas Warner located where Andrew Brown now lives and opened a blacksmith shop. Later William Townsend came in and he established the postoffice. It was kept there only a short time however, as Thomas Cox became possessor of the land now owned by Mr. Andrew Brown and he would not sell lots for business purposes. When Wm. Kirby moved into the neighborhood and after selling goods at Warnersville for a short time, he built the old house now occupied by Mr. Campbell and moved his stock of goods into it, and with it went the postoffice which has since been known as Kirbyville. This was in 1872 and since this time Kirbyville has had a steady growth.
Among the business men there that was in business many years ago is W. J. Middleton who resigned as P.M. in 1880 and his son, J.H., was appointed. He served for about 3 years when he resigned and Tom Vanzandt was appointed, who was succeeded by John Bedford, he by Martin Waltmon who served 4 years, when Geo. W. Vanzandt was appointed. He was succeeded by Geo. Meranda, and on Jan. 1st, 1896, W. J. Middleton who was postmaster in 1880 was appointed and is Kirbyville’s postmaster at present, as well as one of the leading merchants. Mr. Middleton was raised at Kirbyville and when 17 years of age he launched into the mercantile business alone, however having the counsel of his father who had many years experience, at command to consult, if necessary. Nevertheless he has built up a business for himself through diligence and close attention that is a credit to his name. He handles a general line of merchandise and strives to please the public.
G.W. Vanzandt is another young man of sterling worth. He started as clerk in stores and for 5 years he worked for John Kintrea, merchant, and at end of that time Mr. Kintrea took Vanzandt into partnership and they continued for quite a while in business at Cedar Creek and a few years ago they sold Out at Cedar Creek to W. Coble & Co., after which Mr. Kintrea opened a stock at Kirbyville, and about 2 years ago Mr. Vanzandt bought the stock, and at present he carries a fine stock of goods, employing two good, hustling clerks all the time, and Mr. Vanzandt devotes every hour of the day to the care of his stock of goods.
Then there is another good general store in Kirbyville, that of James M. Parnell whose store room is 24 x 76 with a ware-room of 10 x 50. Mr. Parnell located in Kirbyville, January 1896, coming from Boone Co., Arkansas, where he was for 6 years in the mercantile business. Last year Mr. Parnell bought a well improved farm only 1 1/4 miles south east of town, and moved his family out there. He carries a stock including almost everything that can be called for. Dry Goods, Groceries, Clothing, Shoes, Farm Implements, Millinery, etc., etc., and is assisted in the store by his sons. Mr. Parnell also superintends the work on his farm. He is a good democrat and is well pleased with Taney County. He states he is enjoying a good trade.
Kirbyville’s grist mill and cotton gin is owned by Ben L. Cummings who is foreman of the Puller Mills in the pineries. The mill was built by D.R. Stiles about 20 years ago and it finally got into possession of A. Headley of Springfield who sold it two months ago to the present owner. The mill is now undergoing needful repairs under the management of C. W. Johnson who has charge of the mill. When we first met Mr. Johnson at
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work in the mill he was working very hard trying to adjust a pulley which was not exact. We could not understand why he was so pleasant under such a trying ordeal but learned that he was married only the day before to Mrs. Alsup, and the boys gave him a "pleasant" charivari the night following his wedding. Mr. Johnson says they have all the custom work in the mill that they can attend to.
E. L. Vanzandt succeeded Dr. Burdett Oct., 1898, in the drug business. Mr. V. was formerly a farmer and through Dr. Burdett and Dr. Drury he has gained a fair knowledge of drugs, having had one of the practicing physicians in the Drug Store with him ever since he engaged in the business. He is now quite competent to fill prescriptions with accuracy. Mr. V. is one of the eight sons of Cap’t James R. Vanzandt and a brother to Forsyth’s gentlemanly tonsorialist known as "Tom."
The first physician we met was Dr. H. N. Drury. The doctor located in Kirbyville about one year ago, having been a short time in Harrison, Ark., before coming here. Dr. Drury is a graduate of the Medical Department of the North Western University. He practiced for a number of years in Effingham county, Illinois. Besides the general practice of Medicine and Surgery he makes a special study and practice of treatments of the eye. The Doctor is well pleased with Taney County, although not exactly his ideal of a money making country from the fact it is "too healthy" for the accumulation of wealth, in the practice of his profession.
Among the pioneer physicians we mention Dr. E. T. Anderson who graduated at Pope College, St. Louis, in 1857. He served with distinction in the Confederate army as Surgeon, and was in the battles of Vicksburg, Lexington, Wilson Creek, Prairie Grove, etc. At the close of the unpleasantness the doctor came to Taney County and commenced the practice of medicine and has continued here ever since. He now has more practice than he is physically able to attend to. He is a Bryan Democrat and a subscriber to the DEMOCRAT. The doctor is greatly interested in developing mineral industries in this county. At his residence we were shown some very interesting specimens of relics, curiosities, and souvenirs gathered from the battle fields and natives of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Philippine Islands, etc. Among them are several strings of costly beads as worn by natives, composed of alligator teeth, agates, and curious stones, also handiwork of sheals, beads, marble, etc. Many articles sent him from relatives in the war, are very rare.
Dr. G. W. Gloyd has lived near Kirbyville for 17 years. His home is about 2 miles north of town. The Dr. has about 100 acres of land in cultivation this season. He has been practicing medicine for 32 years. Although the Doctor is a republican and a G.A.R. veteran he expressed himself as being disgusted at the ticket as nominated by his party at their last primary and stated that a part of the ticket was very corrupt.
Kirbyville has a millinery store that is unsurpassed in the county. The proprietors, Mrs. E. T. Anderson and Mrs. R. E. Fulkerson are untiring in their efforts to please the ladies. They have been engaged in the enterprise for 2 years and their trade is rapidly increasing.
Kirbyville has a photograph gallery. A Kentuckian, R. E. Fulkerson located there eleven years ago, not, however, as a photographer at that time. For quite a while he followed the barber trade but about 3 years ago he saw the need of a photograph gallery in that thriving little town. He equipped himself with all necessary paraphernalia and from that time he has been quite successful as a photographer, being kept busy all the time and commanding custom for many miles around. Mr. Fulkerson is a "dyed-in-the-wool" democrat and subscriber to the DEMOCRAT.
Arthur Eversole, cabinet maker, manufactures all kinds of furniture to order, also doors, sash, blinds, etc. Mr. Eversole opened up his establishment last November and reports plenty of work in his line.
G. W. Anderson moved from Edgar county, Illinois to Taney county in 1892 and located on a farm 2 miles south west of town where he resided until August 1899, when he purchased the blacksmith shop of James Vanzandt and one month later he bought the City Hotel of M. F. Jackson and moved to town. Mr. Anderson is now proprietor of the only feed stable in Kirbyville, and combining the Hotel, Stable and Blacksmith shop he is kept quite busy. He is well pleased with Kirbyville from a business standpoint.
Although Kirbyville has no church organization, services are held frequently by Rev. Matthews, Methodist; Elder B. Rose, Christian; Parson Currens, Missionary Baptist and Uncle Johnie Speers, General Baptist.
The last term of school was taught by Miss Mattie Brazeal who gave entire satisfaction, she
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had about 50 pupils enrolled. The school directors are: Andrew Brown, G. W. Vanzandt, Clarence McClary.
Kirbyville also has a Masonic Lodge in a prosperous condition.
Kirbyville is a distributing point for the U.S. mail south of the river. The mail arrives daily, except Sunday from Forsyth at 10:30 a.m., departs 12 noon; from Branson at 10:30 a.m., departs 11 a.m.; from Cedar Valley 11 a.m., departs 12 noon; from Lead Hill, Ark., on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8 a.m., departs at 5p.m.
Among the unique farmers we met was T.J. Stallcup who lives 2 miles west and has lived here since 1843. Uncle Tom came here when this was only a wilderness. He has 240 acres of good ridge land under fence. He is a good old democrat, he enjoys a pun with the republicans and can amuse a crowd with his witty sayings and hearty laughs.
J. S. McGill, who has "migrated" several times but is again a resident of Taney County came here first in 1855 and located about 12 miles south east of Kirbyville on Bee Creek. It is quite interesting to hear Mr. McGill relate his experiences in the killing of bear, deer, panther, and other game in the pioneer days. During one winter he killed and hauled eleven bear to Springfield, he has had many narrow escapes from bodily injury from wild beasts.
Among the last we will name, is one of the best, that is Andrew Brown, worthy chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee who came to Taney County in 1865. Mr. Brown was postmaster at Forsyth for 4 years, and later moved to a farm between Forsyth and Kirbyville. About 3 years ago he bought his present beautiful home, which is situated only one half-mile south east of this P.O. His farm joins the corporate limits of the town. Mr. Brown has an office in town, and transacts a real estate business, is also a Notary Public. He is genial and sociable to all whom he comes in contact with.
Copied from Taney County Democrat
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