by Turah Allen
June 15, 1977
- In 1894 a few miles south of McNeil, (Columbia County) Arkansas, a group of people met together and decided to build a brush Arbor, which was floored with sawdust, covered with brush, and the seats were rough plank benches with no backs.
- People by the name of Hall, Burris, Couch, Runyan, Yarbrough, Weaver, Wilson Milner and many others I do not recall (as I was only four years old) foresaw the need of people meeting and exchanging their view points on religion. There were many religious debates from all denominations held there. Preachers from other States came to these debates. The only preachers I recall were a Brother Stewart and a Brother Hall.
- The houses were small rooms built together in an "L" shape, sorta like a Motel today. There was a door to each apartment and cooking was done at the rear of the apartment on the outside and we ate outside.
- Upon a hill not far from these houses was a Hotel. The proprietors name was Mr. and Mrs. Duke. They had a daughter named Tina. They had a piano built on legs similar to our Grand Piano now. The children could crawl around under the piano. I remember the piano had large legs. Miss Tina would play.the piano and sing and
- entertain the children for hours at a time. The children always felt welcome to go there at this Hotel.
- There were many springs in this area, but the ones the people used for drinking water were enclosed in a concrete wall several feet high. The water from one spring was more plentiful than the others. This was the best spring for drinking water. Some of the other springs were like taking a laxative.
- Many people came and camped during the summer months while the debates were being conducted. People visited, enjoyed fiddle music played by Mr. Everett, and good fellowship among everyone was experienced. I remember one day during the meeting, I wandered away from the Arbor and got lost in the woods. A man by the name of Dr. Milner found me and carried me in his arms back to the Arbor. Here he stood me up on the platform where the singers and preachers were for some one to claim me. My Grandmother Hall came for me.
- The family next door to us were Beasleys. They had a 22-year old daughter just the height I was and we played together.
- I returned to this place a few years ago. The springs were there, but no trace of the houses and Arbor could I find. This place holds precious memories to the few people who are still living that once visited there.
