329
- The county officers who served in the first court were: General E. G. Turner, judge; R. G. Harper, clerk; John E. Smith, sheriff; Peter Farrar, treasurer; J. Martin, coroner; J. F. House, surveyor; first legislators to represent the county were E. C. Turner and J. C. C. Moss, who served in the session of 1856-57.
On December 7, 1852, Governor Elias M. Conway signed a bill in the legislature which created Columbia County as the fifty-fifth county for the state of Arkansas. At the first County Court two men, Ananias Godbolt and Andrew J. Thompson were appointed commissioners to locate a site for a permanent county seat. They found a higher elevation nearer the center of the new county. This place, now the public square of Magnolia, was then a favorite deer stand.
During the Civil War, Carlson's Raiders supposedly visited the Frazier plantation in search for gold. A wall safe was ripped from its hiding place but all jewelry and money had been safely hidden. No damage was done to the grounds, and no thefts were reported.
A government controlled brewery operated on this plantation, about one half mile from the house. Brandy, whiskey and wine were made. Many peach seedlings and unfruitful grapevines still grow in profusion on the farm.
From the upper porch the view of the surrounding lands presents a pleasing sight. Nineteen beautiful oaks once stood in the yards of this old plantation. Only nine are standing now. A river pecan, about three feet in diameter, and a tulip tree, which bore some 2000 blossoms this year, are relics of the old days.
* * *
- I love this old, old house of mine!
- Steeped in treasured memory,
- The smiles, the tears of all years
- Return here to intrigue me.
- On this quiet winter evening
- In the soft glow of fire light,
- Departed souls in rendezvous
- Entreat to meet them this night.
- Wealth, poverty, illness and health
Words
Study Questions
Related Sites