The Springdale news. [volume], May 25, 1917, Image 1

About The Springdale news. [volume] (Springdale, Ark.) 1887-1990

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B IUIDULL » PLIJZS
Volume 31—No. 4
Springdale, \Ya*hington County, Arkansas,
Friday, May 25, 1917.
j.
Six Pages
WALTER PRUNER
COMMITS SUICIDE
Walter Pruner Commits Suicide head j
Well Wno^n Parmer Kills Self Sun-,
day Morning—111 Health Cause
of Act
“111 health is the cause of this,
it seems I can’t live. No ill will
to anyone. Good bye to all, and
Cod bless you all.”
With the above as his last words to
relatives on th.s earth, Walter Prun- |
or, one of tht best known farmers and
stockmen in this section, placed a
single barrel shotgun to his forehead.,
and using a crooked stick to pull the |
trigger, fired the shot that took away
almost the entire top of his head. The
deed was committed Sunday morning
between nine thirty and eleven tnirty,
while he was alone, and death must
have been instantaneous.
Walter Pruner had been'making his
home for some time with his brother,
John, near Spring Valley. For the
past two weeks he had been acting
strang’e, but being- afflicted with uber
culosis, his brother did not anticipate
any such rash act, and consequently
was not expecting him to commit
such a deed, as to take his own life.
Sunday morning, the deceased arose
as usual, ate a very hearty breakfast,
and was around the house about as
usual.
About half past nine, John Pruner.
the brother, and his wife left for Sun- i
day School, and as they were driving
away from the house saw Walter just
* ntering the yard carrying a small
stick. This was the last time he was
seen alive, and it is supposed that the
>'tvk he was carrying was the one he
so carefully whittled out, so that the
crook v,• uld just fit over the trigger.
They thought nothing of the matter
and returned home about naif after
eleven. The door to the room of the
deceased was closed, and the window
blind lowered, but this was nothing
unusual, as he was in the habit of
lying down, and writing in h.s room
t»n Sunday. No attempt was made to
disturb h m until dinner was ready,
and Mrs. Pruner went to the door of
his room, call r.g tw ice and he iid not
answer, started into the r< m. The
door was opened 1 !y t art ay, when
she noticed blood on the fl< or, and the;
feet f the d< ased
from btnnv! the ha f i-. a d or. She
called her husba> 1. a h no found the
body in a half reclining p< s t:on,
fixed in such a v ay :s to b almost
hidden '.. hen the doi r should open
ed, but the shot had struck almost
squarelj between the ey« s, tearing al
most the i itirt top from his head.
The sti k was found st.ll e’ut.hod ,n
the dead man’s hand.
Funeral services were held Monday
afternoon at three o\ lock at Spring
Valley, conducted by Re* . L. John
son, and the remains inttr-vd la the
i cmct< rv at 'hat rda e
l?eceas( i - sure i.y t.. » broth
ers, ohi Sj H.
1’., at Anadarko, Okia.. a: i a sister,
Mrs. M. A. ( .. dwell, < f ' ;»•>. this
state. All were };resent ex. it H. P..
who was unable to rouen bpringda.e j
in time for the funeral.
Waiter Pruner v as one of the best
l..smess men in th.s sect.->a cf the
Hiatt*. He was successful -i'. i ms af
fairs at the time c h s death re m
almost perfect condition. In the let
ter written just before h;s death, he
Ifives instructi ns t • his brother to
some business affairs, about property
interests he had in ■ olorado, and
about some tht-r affairs- I he letter
was wr tten in it clear, steady, legible
hand, in no way appearing to have
been written by a man living under
undue excitement or worry.
For the past three wee res la has
hardly been able to get around, al
though he had in extensive crops on
the Putnam and Butler farms on
White R.ver, and was interested in a
bunch of cattle at the Harp farm.
Since the act has beer committed rela
tives and friends i#n see by his ac
tions that he evidently planned the
deed for some time before the culmi
ation. His wife has been dead some
tim . He was at one time associated
with Allen Sanders in the mercantile
business at Spring Valley, and the
firm cf Sanders & Pruner was well
known through this section.
Washington county, and especially
Spring Valley has lost .. good c t.xen
in the passing of Walter Prune-; he
enjoyed the confidence and trust of
his friends and neighbors.
Harrison’s chautauqua
will be held June 23-27.
this year
ARKANSAS PRESS PAYS
>prin<;dale \ VISE!
The two special coaches carrying
the members of the Arkansas Press
i Association arrived n Springdale
Thursday morning of last wek short -
| !y before nine o’clock. They came
i here from Fayeteville, and were met
| at the station by a reception commit
tee headed by Mayor Smith, the local
; band, and a large delegation of citi
I sens, with seventy-five automobiles
i waiting to take the visitors on a hur
I r;ed trip through the apple and peach
j orchards of this section.
The automobiles were arranged in
neat order on each side of Emma Av
enue, and in order to facilitate mat
ters, half of the cars were to make
one route, previously arranged by the
committee, and the other half to go
| to Tontitown and Elm Springs.
Mayor Smith delivered a short wel
come address after the visitors were
seated in the waiting automob les, and
immediately the cars started. One
crowd went south on Holcomb street.
Out through that section, and to Ton
titown and Elm Springs, and return.
No Stop was made at Tontitown on
account of the shortage of time. The
other cars went north on Mill street,
and east through the Moore and
Brogdon orchards, then back through
the east part of Springdale and to
Hewitt Springs, then back through
the Graham orchards, then through
the south part of town to the Marks
orchard, and through that to the Ton
titown road by way of the peach or
chards of that section, north by the
Kirk & Hill farm, then back to
Springdale hv way of the H.gh school.
\\ hen the party arrived at the Aud
itorium Park, refreshments consis
ting of strawberries ami whipped
cream war served, and a button hole
souvenir of small green apples was
given each visitor.
A train to take the coaches and
party to Rogers was soon at hand, an l
the visitors went on their way. after
traveling through the Springdale
fru t district. One feature of the tr p
here was the fact that the drive was
directly through the various orchards
and not along the mainly traveled
reads. The roads were ip almost per
fect condition, anti the dust was the
n’y feature of the trip that was not
a« if it had “been made to order.’’
-•
TH AT l’. ( . T. MINSTREL
Large posters ..re being displayed
in Springdale calling atention to the
Unique United Colored Commercial
Troubadours Travelers, who will
"pull off a stunt” at Fayetteville on
Fr day afternoon and evening of this
week, when they give their minstrel
performance. A big free, g. ttering,
gorgeous, gigantic, grand street pa
rade and pageant will yrevade the
pr rental streets of the county seat
town at high no< n on the day of the
show, and from the list of celebriti* s,
including some of well known local
fame, the parade and show will be
worth traveling miles to «ee. Th ■
grand minstrel “menu” contains tht
“traveling pass word” of ’he fi Haw
ing well known local men; (especially
well known in police court.)
Pet’ 1\]ulford—Peanuts. Popcorn and
Chewing Gum.
Bill Griffith Horse-'hoes, Horse
shoe Nails. Anvils. A Keen cutter.
Orville W. ds- The Ftwhwha -er,
sells Barrel covers, Bird Seed and
Yeast Foam
John W oe ruff W : a • d l all:
11 ,1. Hawks—The rdi- uit <h ■ 'er.
Jim Wod- -Polly Wants a < '■
er and the Kandy Kid.
Lonnie Slaughter- R died Oats and
Fruit Jars.
Kov Joyce- 1 he mi Kouer.
The "affair” will he staged at the
Ozark Theatre, providing the seating
a comodation- are sufficyeut. other
wise it \v.!l be held at the county 'air
grounds. No arrangem nts have been
made to transport the "tr ipe” over
the state, for other engagements in
the interests of the “low cost of high
living,” nor in the ‘‘prepare to teed
yourself campaign,” _ but the matter
s being seriously considered by Major
General Pershing, and it is pos-ble
that the entire contingent will be
moved to France, either during or im
mediately following the jerformimce
Anyway, a ..umber of Springdale
folks are doing without beef-steak and
biscuits to save funds to attend. It
seems that the ‘‘free 1 st" has been
entirely suspended for the attraction;
carriages may be ordered for 1 a. rn.,
the ambulance will be in attendance
all during the performance, so do not
fear sickness.
-•
COUNTRY CLUB
The regular meet.ng of the Country
Club will be he'd with Mws Baiiey,
Friday, June 1. Mrs. Morgan has
received a letter from the Red Cross
giving information with reference to
the work to Be done by the local club.
This letter will be read and considere 1
at the meeting on Friday, June 1, and
| all members are urged to be present.
t
Previously reported _1- cars
May 18 _2 ”
May 17_2 ”
May 19 __ 3 ”
May 21 __— - 3 ”
May 22_*._2 ”
May 23_2 ”
May 24 (Probable) _ 2 ”
Of the twenty-six cars already ship
ped the Springdale Berry Growers
Association have sent out 14, tht
Shippers Union 12. The present sea
son has been one of the most peculiar
ever experienced in this section. It
has practically been impossible to es
timate fron one day to the next the
shipments, and on this account the
management of the two shipping sheds
have betn handicapped this year.
It is est mated by both organiza
tions that the total car lot shipments
this year will not be over 40 cars.
Shipping in car lots will continue the
rest of this week, and as far into next
week as the berries will justify, prob
ably all week.
Pr.ces the past week dropped as low
as $2.35, but the average price was
$2.50 to $2.75, with a few cases of
Aromas offered Monday bringing j
$3.00.
r rom over VVashington county 1J<
cars had been shipped up to Wednes- j
day night, and it is expected that the
coming six days will see the bulk of '
the berries moved, and 59 more cars j
is the probable out put. Johnson has I
shipped 19 cars up to Wednesday
night; Mount Comfort 12 cars, Steele
1C cars. Elm Springs 2 cars. Quite a '
numb* r of cases from the Elm Springs
district are be.ng shipped through
Springdale. Tontitown has shipped
8 cars, Farmington 25 cars and Lit
teral 1G cars, Fayetteville 10. Anti
e pu led shipments for the rest of the i
season: Tontitown 7 cars. Farming
ten 12. Litteral 6, Fayetteville -5.
Johnson G, Mount CVrafort 4, Stee * d.
Elm Springs 1.
The car lot shipments from Wash
ington county have amounted to ap
proximately $150,000. The rop will
be about half of last season, but the
average pr ce will be considerably bet
ter. The average last year was ap
proximately $1 50: this year it w".l not
go 'nelow $2.50. and may be higher.
The \r imas in this section arc just
coming in, starting fore part f this
•..•**• it, and this berry has nearly al
.vays ■ -m man Jed a better price than
the K’omiyke; the berry that nta up
the early part o’ the season’s ship
ments. It is not anticipated that the
movement f the 1 erry cr . p in M *'du
r;. which starts this week, will have
any effect on the local market. The
ra n and cold snap fore part 4’ the'
week, while being a detriment to the
already ripened berries, has i a used
the berries to be a little backward
about ripening, but it will bring out
terries that would not have matured
had the dry weather continued.
For, the first time the present sea
son. local t rocerymen, are offering
bt—ries at 10 c< ; ts per <|iiart; th*
of 2 for 25 cents having pr- .. lei
since early in the season.
VOTE Tt.N Mil I. TAX
Drs. Crutcher and Christian Selected
A s Director of '•’pringdate Schools
The annual school election was held
at the Gr.tmmar hrool build ir-v Sat-!
urday.
A total of 87 votes were cast, and a !
ten mil school tax voted, with Drs. |
W. E. Crutcher and D. Christian se
lected as directors.
'The vote was d'viJed as follows:
For dire tor—W. E. Crutcher 84,
D. Christian 79, W. F. Sanders 2, .1 j
M. Hewitt 2. Mrs. ,1. \Y. House 1.
For ten nr 11 tax hi. for 7 mill tax
12. for twelve mill tax 8, for 8 mill'
tax 1, against tax 1.
L. Marks and E. B, Cummings are1
the retiring directors and neither was1
a candidate for re-election.
White the voting of thf* ten mill tax
will not provide sufficient funds to
completely handle the school situa
tion in Springdale, it will assist very ,
greatly, and with the raising of the
assessment which is highly probable j
under the new tax law, and the rais
ing of the number of rniils, as voted,
it is thought, probable that Springdale
will have a free high school within the
next three years, with a probab 1 ity
of lowering the present tuition each
year from this time on. Beginning,
with next year the bonds for the new
building will be of the $1,000 denomi- j
nation instead of $500 as formerly.
FIRE BOYS
WILL RESIGN
Members of Local Fire Department to
Resign Unless Some Action In
Purchasing Motor Truck
Some time ago a movement was
started in Springdale to purchase a
motor truck for the chemical engine
of the Springdale Volunteer Fire De
partment. A public subscription was
taken amounting to over $200, and j
th'S fund was short quite a sum of
the necessary amount. The fund was
turned over to the City Council, who
offered to advance the remainder.
A committee was apponted by the
Council to confer w ith a like comm tte
from the fire department with ref
erence to the purchase of a truck; and
that is the extent of the movement at
the present time.
At the regular weekly meeting of
the fire department held last
Wednesday night, the purchase of the
truck was discussed, and the mem
bers of the department seem to be
(fissatisfied with the prospects of a
new truck, and unanimously voted to
resign in a body, unless something
was done in the very near future.
It is understood that the entire mem
bership will resign at the next meet
ing.
The members of the fire depart
ment need not be criticised for tak
ing such drastic action. They are vol
unteers pure and simple, and the only
pay they receive for the valient ser
vices they render is the non-payment
of street tax. A number of the mem
bers of the company have already
expressed themselves as prefering to
pay their street tax, as they feel
that the amount used on the roads
will be of more benefit than their ser
vices as members of the fire depart
ment when working under the pres
e f:t conditions.
It is i radically impossible for the
fire department to get to a fire with
the chemical engine in time to be of
any service, under th* present method
of transportation. The town has
grown too big, and the territory the
department endeavors to cover s too
gfeat, for the department to respond
in the least possible time.
In order to reach a fire at the pres
ent tin.*. almost every member of
the department is needed to pull tiie
chemical • ngine, the bucket wagon,
and other supplies, and by the time
the fire is rea- hed the boys are >o
worn out w tli their efforts that they
are aim* s.t powerless to do anything.
A small truck, just large enough
to handle the chemical engine, would
be great assistance at this time, ami
there is not a citizen in Springdale
but who would regret the disbanding
of the present department. The boy
nave been faithful workers at the nu
merous fires of the past, and it :s im
possible to give an idea of th* amount
of i.rorerty that has been saved by
their work.
Having been a member of the fire
department at one t me, the writer i
can j.pnre* iate their present position, |
. . ! ran or.lv agree with them in i
tneir rresent contention—-resign un- i
It-s provided with better transporta
tion facilities.
WHAT BRADY SMI)
\ number of our citizens have asked
as to the repression made on the edi
tors when they visited Springdale,
and below we give “what Brady said”
about Springdale, and the. short vis
it here. The words are from the ar
ticle by L. Brady, of tin T mes
Record, of Fort Smith, who made the
special excursion trip:
"Our next stop was at Springdale
where a strawberry luncheon was
served. Springdale does not make
much pretension as a summer resort.
But it does have the best and most
prosperous farming community we
saw on our trip. The immense or
chards, the large belds of growing
crops delighted all of us.
The most pleasant feature of the
Springdale trip was the trip to Ton
titown. The trip was through m
mense orchards and along well oiled
roads Tontitown is the great Ital
ian colony founded by the late Peter
Bandini and it has been one of the
most remarkable successes n the way
of colonists this country has seen.
For more than thirty years the col
ony has prospered.
On coining back to town we were
served with strawberries .in the beau
tiful city park ”
-•—
Siloam Springs voted a twelve mill
schpol tax Saturday by a vote of 125
to 80.
I i \\ AS SOME THU*
To write of the special ex<*u m
of the members of the Arkansas Press
Association through northwest Ark
ansas, s only to take the readers >:
The News through territory with
which they are all acquainted, even
the writer. It was through grand old
northwest Arkansas, the garden spot
of the world, anti a lasting impres
sion was made on each and every
member of the excursion who were
strangers in our midst.
The special left Fort Smith early
Wednesday morning, reaching Wins
low shortly after noon. After a walk
up the mountain, a most delightful,
old-fashioned country dinner was ser
ved. By old-fashioned, we mean they
had chicken cooked in the several dif
ferent ways, and served on platters
heaping full. The many other things
that go to make up a feast of this
kind was also ready in abundance.
A short program was given by the
pupils of the Helen Dunlap Memorial
school, a pageant giving the history
of Winslow and Arkansas from the
discovery by De Soto to the present
time. Addresses of welcome were
made by the mayor of the city, and
the varied and sundried attractions
of Winslow were related to a consi
derable extent by B. F. Harper, a
citizen of Winslow. The addresses
were responded to by Earle W. Hodges
and Kay (Jill of the Association.
At Fayetteville an automobile tour
was made of the principal points of
interest, and a banquet and dance at
the University featured the evening.
From the members of the Association
Fayetteville did “herself proud,” and
will doubtlessly be the unamious meet
ing place for 1919. u
At Rogers a reception was tender
ed the visitors at the Mutual Aid
building, after which an auto drive
was made to Monte Ne, where “Coin*’
Harvey welcomed the visitors, and a
delightful lunch was enjoyed. Re
turning to Rogers, the new K!k club
rooms were thrown open, and a bnef
rest hour enioyed. Leaving Regers
>n automobiles, the party was t (ken
to Bella \ista, destined to be the
“play spot” of northwest Arkansas.
Here the visitors.were treated + > ev
ery courtesy by the manager. I.ou
Smith, and his able wife. Suppei
was served here, and the visitors were
allowed to visit the various points oj
interest. If there is anything in
words of praise, Bella Vista will lust
nothing by the splendid * manner n
which the editors were cared for, as
already several of them are planning
a trip there during the hot summer
months.
At Bentonville the party was civt;
a recept on at the Massey Hotel by the
Ladies Auxiliary of the Community
Club, followed by a dance at the Mo
il a o x Club rooms.
Arriving At Gravette Friday morn
ing. a short program of welcome was
given at the Opera House, mus c by
the Gravette band, and an automobile
trip taken to Sulphur Springs. At
Sulphur Springs refreshments were
serve I. and the auto drive resumed to
Gentry through Decatur.
At Gentry dinner was served to the
large crowd at the local hotel, and
’he drive continued to Si loam Springs.
A ret option was tendered the ladies
of the party at the home of Mrs. Con
nelley Harrington, in Siioam Springs
in the afternoon, while the male mem
bers of the party visited the munici
pal light and water plant, of which
the citizens are justly proud, and ’he
. ty hall.
a banquet was given the visitors at
the Masonic Hall in Siloam Springs
Friday night, tendered by the 1 ve Ad
Club of thiit place. The return trip
was made to Rogers Saturday morn
I ing on the K C. At M., leaving Rogers
On Frisco train No. 5, the party was
taken to Fort Smith. From there to
Hartford to visit the coal mines, and
to Booneville to visit the sanitarium,
and other points of interest. Most
of the members reached home, in var
uus s. -tions of the state Sunday ev
ening, after a week of pleasure.
This article is not intended as a
“write-up" of the points visited, the
readers of The News are familiar
with all these sections, they know
that this portion of Arkansas is far
superior to any other section of the
state, and we do not feel that we could
add anything that could in the least
raise the splendid opinion we all have
of our own portion of Arkansas.
We had a “bully good” time.
-•
THE EAGLE’S WINGS”
A thundering drama with a pow
erful message. A timely prepared
ness and patriotic picturization of
our nation’s military condition.
Many border scenes including the
raid on Columbus, New Mexico
Will be presented at the Majestic
Theatre, June 1st and 2nd.
Bentonville voted a twelve mill i
school tax Saturday and elected W.
O. Young. W. A. Dickson and E. T. ;
Keck directors.
RECRUITS FOR
A
SpUndd Number of Recruits Coming
i Irom Madison county—Regis
ters Cannot Join Guards
The enlisting of recruits for Com
pany A, during the past two weeks
has been confined almost wholly to
Madison county, almost wholly to
Huntsville in that county, and the
crowd of new recruits are almost
wholly the recruiting work of Pvt.
Hugh Rainey, of the local company,
who resides at Huntsville.
'1 he past few days the following
new names have been added to the
local muster roll.
Willis A. Paddis
Jno. T. Steele
•Jas. M. Ham
Claud M. Jones
Oscar Miller
Ellis J. Faubus
Jim Nicks
James D. Dennis
Vol McElhaney
Roy Dudgeon
Jno. E. Dennis
Edward McElhaney
Jno. L. Carter, all of Huntsville.
Two other recruits have been re
ceived since last report, one from Elm
Springs, Isom R Pace; and one from
Prairie Grove, Charlie Brunk.
enlistments in the local company ot.
guards is expected to increase as the
date of registration. Jiite 5, draws
nearer. There seems to be some n
understanding among those within the
age limit, and some ^anticipate that
they can take any service desired af
ter registration. This is a mistake,
after you have registered and are sub
ject to draft, you cannot join the
guards or any other branch of the ser
vice, except that designated by the
authorities, and in whatever capacity
they ’•equire. Members of the guard
are to register, but will of course be
exempt from draft.
Captain Brogdon announced this
week that he expected to place one or
two members of the local company
in uniform at each of the registration
booths n Springdale, and in the town
ships in this section of the county, on
the day of registration, and conduct
a campaign for new recruits from
among those who are eligible to regi
ster.
-«
f lower M ssion Day Program
The tallowing program will he giv
en at tin M E. Church, Monday af
ternoon. May 28th. at 2:30 o’clock, in
o':-' r. .• e < t the Flower Mission Day
of the \V. C. T. U.
Song- “Work For the Night is
Coming.”
Scripture reading—Luke G; 31:39
—Mrs Williamson.
Prayer—Mrs. Wayt.
Song- “Jesue Savior Pilot Me.”
Responsive reading—Led by Presi
dent.
Story of .Jennie Cassaday—Mrs
Wentworth.
Piano solo—Mrs. Barrett.
: exorc.se- Lillian House',
I ilank'ns, Josephine Baxter,
F o; B.i-eltr. Ktllum Woodruff.
S : a - “Some Glad Day.”
Paper “What the Flower Mission
Should Mean to the W. C. T. U.”—
Mrs. Piper.
Solo- Mrs. Bon Rovers.
Pat • r- “Frances Bennett Calla
way'’- Mrs (ialbraith.
Ta?K What this Department can
(in to Help National Prohibition”—
Mrs. Scheidenherger.
Paper—"The Flower Mission Trin
! ity”—Mr< Means.
Re; • rt ot Sure rintendent of Flow
er Miss.on Department—Mrs. Morri
j son.
Song.
Benetietion.
—--•
) isse Herndon Kearns Players
1 iso Herndon Kearns Players
an » :ce Cark-ton Somnes, with
tht r company will appear on the Uni
versity campus at Fayetteville, with
tht r repertoire of Shakesperian,
Classical and Out-of-Doors plays on
Friday and Saturday of this week.
Ft lay night they present Shakes
peare'' ‘The Winter’s Tale.”
Saturday afternoon, matinee, Mol
iere’s “The Blue Stockings,” (Les
femmes Savantes.)
Saturdaj evening, the 15th century
Morality play, “Everyman.”
Prices as announced are 50, 75 and
$1.00, with general season tickets for
the three performances at $1.25, $1.75
anti $2.00.
Weather permitting the perfor
mance will be given on the campus
otherwise in the University chapel.