Eddyville, Long Time Inland Trading Point, Still Carries On

High among the summits of Little Egypt’s Ozarks is sited the long time established village of Eddyville in Pope County. No. folks never just “drop” into Eddyville if you please. From her lofty habitation she “looks down” on about all her neighboring towns, villages, and cities. Some of the outstanding things about this village may boast follow: Lofty location, splendid citizenry, excellent waters, good health, high morality and industry. This fine table-land site is blessed with perfect drainage, as waters falling upon same find a hasty retreat in most all directions, via Hayes Creek and the Bay Creek toward the west and southwest, and the Lusk Creek east and southeast, and all waters finding their way to the big Ohio at Bay City and Golconda. This old village is in the northern part of Pope County in Township number 12, range 6 and surrounded with a beautiful array of natural scenery, splendid farms and modern residence.

There’s easy access to this village via well-ordered public highways leading in to same from north, east, south and west. Eddyville is thereby the hub of a large territory which makes it a first rate trade center. It also has direct outlet to the county seat of Golconda ten miles to the southeast by gravel road which connects with hard road route 34 a few miles north of the latter city. It has for years had outlet to railroad points at Ozark (west) and to Stonefort (north).

One may wonder why the place is called “Eddyville.” Well, we propose to tell how it came about. The growing population of the vicinity simply needed plenty of corn dodgers and such could now well be had without meal, so, out of this necessity, old Eddy Fulghum set up a grist mill which was run by horse power and which was in about 1860. After a short while a first store was established and operated by one Starling Holloway. It all being on the Eddy Fulghum farm and he the first man to start a business, it was soon quite properly called “Eddyville.” Mr. Fulghum was an industrious and hard working man not only doing farm work, running his horse grist mil, but a gunsmith and general craftsman. He lived for many years and passed away honored by a wide circle of kindred and friends. Mr. Holloway maintained his store for a log tenure of years. He carried a fine line of wares, was accommodating, and thus held his patronage admirable.

The second store was opened but a few months later and was owned by Drew Rose. The building was a large and one built of hewed logs, and in which was kept dry-goods, notions and groceries. He later occupied a frame building and added a restaurant to thi other lines and continued in business at this stand until his death. Mr. Rose was the father of the noted James A. (Zan) Rose who served as Secretary of State of Illinois three terms or more. The third store was of frame and consisted of a large general stock of goods and was operated by Frank S. Barger and Sons, Dan, Sam, and David. This building was a good one and had the Odd Fellows’ lodge above it. The Bargers, after several years, sold out to John and Joe Howell at Old Grantsburg. This same building was used as a store by John W. Davidson, followed by Alexander Robbs, and later by F. A. King each of whom did splendid business for several years. Mr. King removed to another store room and wrecked this one and upon its site he erected a fine modern residence.
The next store erected was a fine frame with a Masonic hall above. This building was erected by Thomas Boulden and son, John H. The Bouldens did a good business a number of years. This building is still in use and is in splendid condition. The stock is that of a company or line store, being managed by Mr. King. The Masons still occupy the upper story of this building. Some other parties have operated business at this stand.

The First State Bank of Eddyville was organized in this building with W. S. Barger being a leader in same and was the first cashier. The Bank was later removed to the new brick building erected for banking business.

Another store building was erected by Jake Bryson and is at this time occupied by Mrs. Burton Rumsey and son. They are doing a good business. T. J. Palmer (deceased) erected a large frame building with the new Odd Fellows’ Hall above which is the lodge home. The first floor was used as his family dwelling and a part set off for Undertaking stock. He was one of the oldest and most successful undertakers in all Pope county. He made caskets for years and did other mechanical work, also, did extensive contracting and building of residences, farm barns, etc. All in all Mr. Palmer did undertaking for full fifty years. His son, Burton, is continuing in the business where his father laid it down. John Maynor has been running a very lucrative undertaking business for several years and is a fine carpenter and contractor. There have been many other businesses in the village of minor nature which space will not permit a mention.

The earliest family physician for the place was Dr. David Bozarth, who practiced during the earlier years. He was followed by Dr. Richard Fulcherson, and others in and about the following order: Drs. George Boulden, W. P. Sutherland, John Ford, Samuel Hart, James Hart, E. S. Barger, Alonzo Glass (now of Creal Springs), Joseph Lightner (of the Lightner Hospital in Harrisburg), F. F. Davidson, A. L. Jackson, Pease and Brown, who is the present village physician.

Eddyville was noted for many years as headquarters for the breeding of high grade horses and mules. Two large breeding barns, one operated by H. N. Robbs and the other by Will Stone, and thus was built up and kept up the splendid quality of good blooded stock which has characterized that vicinity for a long number of years.

The town has two good churches. The Methodist church originated from a brush arbor meeting held by Rev. Dew and old uncle Burton Holloway. The organization being effected in 1868. Their first house was an old fashioned shed, which was followed with a good frame. After a few years this second building was burned to the ground. Another fine frame was erected, but in due time, it became so dilapidated that it was replaced with the present splendid edifice. This church has had a long list of devoted pastors with the Rev. W. L. Cummins in charge at the present time. The present membership is about sixty. The Missionary Baptist church was organized in 1836 and at this time (1934) is in possession of a substantial church building. Elder Clarence Barger is now the pastor and has a membership of 33. Sunday schools are maintained most evergreen. No end to the great good these religious organizations have done and are doing for the community.

In the southeastern rim of the village is one of the nicest more modern school buildings in the county of Pope and has a fine array of boys and girls endeavoring to acquire their sense of knowledge and with all the splendid facilities afforded them it seems they ought to come up to about the top on day of testing. A wide awake, well-fitted, progressive man heads the school force in the person of Prof. Clarence Reams, and who is to be congratulated upon his splendid effort and success. What a long list, too lengthy to mention each by name, of men and women who have gone out from these churches and the school to do their “bit” in making the world better as ministers, teachers, doctors, law-makers, housekeepers, etc.
The Old Fellows organized here in 1875 and now have 43 members. The Masons organized probably the same year and now have 30 members.
At present, business line up follows: Company store, F. A. King; Store by Mrs. Burt Rumsey and Son; a General Store and Restaurant, Burt Palmer; General Store, Mrs. Bell Basden; Lunch Room, Coy King; State Bank, L. Ragan, cashier with Cressie Ragan, assistant cashier; Two undertaking establishments, one by Mrs. T. J. Palmer, the other by John N. Maynor; Garage, Clyde Ragan; Mills and Feed Store, Charles Peters.

There’s been a post office at this place since about 1865 or ’63. It was first called “Book.” Jasper N. Maynor was the first postmaster. Its first home was in an old fashioned log house. Its name was changed to “Eddyville” about 1878 with Elijah Grisham as postmaster. The office has had a continued history to the present and has at this date Rastus Barger who is reported to be a really genial master indeed. For a long term of years Eddyville had its only once a week “dailies” as the mail was brought to the place by horseback rider from Golconda one day in seven. It was more or less exciting to all interested parties in the mails when it was reported “the mails in.” Pshaw! These away back in Pope count inlanders are just as much “on the front seat” if you please, these late days as folks on the big cities’ Broadways when it comes to readin’ the morning papers. Here’s the way it all works out: First, there’s the Eddyville-Stonefort Star route; second, an every second day rural carrier connecting with the Golconda Route at Raum; and third, an every day Rural Route man from Simpson. You see these mountaineers are up to date on Orphan Annie, Ben Webster, Barney Google, and the Gumps, as just anybody, see?

One of the many of President Roosevelt’s well ordered Conservation Camps is located just north of Elmer Randolph’s home and on the farm belonging to Loren Reid, all on the northern rim of the village. There’s some 225 stalwart young men populating this splendidly disciplined camp and are to do their “stuff” in line with their calling. You can’t set down a big crowd of able-bodied men like these fellows near Eddyville without stimulating the commercial life of the town, to be sure, and that’s just what they’re telling us. No wonder there merchants are “picking up.” Of all the nice classes represented in camp, there’s one, a young candidate for the ministry, and he preached in the First Baptist church the other evening. Socially, commercially and morally, the nearby bivouac of “huskies” means much to the village life.

It should not be overlooked that Eddyville’s chances to be in the very midst of that area which is included in the much published Shawnee National Forest Unit and will thus be in line for whatever of interest and benefit which may be rightly expected accruing from the source.

Eddyville became an organized village in 1895. The present board is as follows: President, J. N. Maynor; Clerk, Cressie Ragan; Trustees, Lindsey Miller, Clyde Ragan, Will Jackson, Albert Belcher, Dr. Brown and Stephen Maynor. The reasons calling for the establishing of this old town in the beginning still calls for its continuance. Brave men charted and sturdy men carry on. Here’s wishing for future success to these wide awake people.

This faded typewritten history was written in 1934 by an unidentified citizen of the Eddyville community. Linda Barger Killingsworth saved it in her files after it got into her possession. Retyped December 29, 2004 by Faye Morris Bowman.