Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Bluff City

I hope everyone survived the wind storms last week without too much damage. Some tree damage was reported in this area and power was off for some residents for almost 24 hours. I understand that a mini-tornado hit behind Jeff and Debbie Phillips' house. We are thankful that it was not any worse than it was. Compared to damage in other parts of the state, we were fortunate.

I understand Jeff Phillips has been sick lately, but got a good report from his doctor. Also Patricia Farr was sick and not able to be in church last Sunday.

Bro. David Nicholas was sick and unable to fulfill his pulpit duties last Sunday. Bro. Harley Sisson, a former minister here, filled in for him.

Congratulations to Bryant Carman on his promotion to the rank of Corporal for the Ouachita County Sheriff's office. Bryant and his wife, Lisa, have three sons, Casey, Tyler and Brady.

I hear that David Green will chalk up another birthday this week. Congratulations.

Two deaths were reported this week that are of interest to this community. Annie Mae Green of Camden was buried at Ebenezer on January 24 and James C. Barksdale of North Little Rock passed away. He was the youngest brother of the late Goldie Meador and an uncle of Linda Carman. Burial was January 25 in the Little Rock National Cemetery. Our sympathy is extended to these families.

For several years, I have jotted down some of the things that happened around Bluff City. Since this column was not in the paper during those years, I thought some of you might like to be reminisced about things of long ago. Following are some of the things I recorded during the month of January over 20 years ago.

January 1973 Bluff city had a new sign that read Bluff City Cafe. We now have two cafes, three churches, a post office, a pool hall, three grocery stores and a blinking traffic light.

January 1978 Many chicken houses in the county are collapsing from the weight of the recent ice storm. The ice has not completely melted for 16 days straight. Kay Nelson is raising hot house tomatoes now and selling her small ones for 25c per pound. Among the deaths this month: Lloyd Cummings (he lived near Caney Creek off Highway 25).

January 1979 International Paper has just opened a wood yard in Bluff City on Highway 24. We also have the JM&T Wood Yard in the center of town. The power has been off in this area for 75 hours due to an ice storm. People are finding out how life was before electricity. Deaths this month: Beulah Starnes (she lived across the highway from the present location of the post office).

Our thought this week is from Helen Rowland: "The softer a man's head, the louder his socks."