Van Buren Press (Crawford County, Arkansas) March 23, 1889 A CONDUCTOR IN TROUBLE Mr. M. C. Wallace is responsible for the following: "Some weeks ago Conductor Bill Woolum, who is as popular a railroad man as runs into Fort Smith, was up in the territory and met an Indian who had in his possession an immense bald headed eagle. The Indian wanted to sell his bird and told the conductor that the bird of freedom was a fine singer and was given to warbling national airs after he became familiar with his surroundings. The railroad man recognized that an American Eagle that could discount a mocking bird was a great bird, and made a purchase at once, and bore the bird home to his wife in triumph and informed her that it would be a fine singer as soon as he became acquainted with her. He had a cage made to order, and the bird placed in it, and then he went his way rejoicing. Returning home in a few days his wife complained that the bird refused to sing and confined his energies to catching and devouring chickens that came too near his coop. The owner said he would fix him, and called out his fine setter and turn him in the cage to teach the feather chicken eater some sense. In about two seconds the dog came out minus an eye and part of his tail, and now Mr. Woolum swears that if that bird doesn't sing pretty quick he will give him a dose of dynamite and then hunt up that Choctaw who sold it to him and give him a licking- if he can. -Fort Smith Times. Mr. M. C. Wallace died very suddenly Wednesday morning and "Conductor Bill Woolum, with "all aboard", pulled his train out for "no man's land" where the American Eagle screecheth not. Fran Alverson Warren

Are there any extant newspapers for either Craighead or Crittenden County? If so, for what years and how may I access them? Thanks for any information. Fred fpowellsr@starpower.net