Arkansas Gazette July 13, 1887, Toledo, July 11, 1887 -The Central Arkansas Musical convention will meet at the Baptist church in Toledo on Friday before the second Sunday in August. Several counties are embraced in this convention. Many eminent singers are expected to be present. The citizens of Toledo and vicinity extend a cordial invitation to any and all who may desire to attend. Arrangements for the comfort and convenience of visitors will be made in due time. Prof. Clinton Crisp has opened up a very interesting school at the Varnell school-house some two miles south of town. Mr. J.G. May, who is known as the boss penman of Toledo, expects to enter a commercial college at an early day. We noticed last year that several of The Gazette's correspondents referred to some of their most aged citizens, claiming them to be the oldest persons in the state, but we venture the opinion that Cleveland county has the oldest living man in Arkansas. One Jesse Marks, a colored man, who lives with one of his sons-in-law, some three miles east of here, has attained the ripe old age of 118 years. The correctness of this statement of his age is vouched for by one of the members of his old master's family, who know something of his family record. Old Jesse, as he is commonly called, talks and laughs as free as a young man, and gets about quite lively sometimes. he remembers distinctly and talks freely of many incidents of the revolutionary war. The county is doing the old fellow the honor of providing for his support. Mr. J.D. Overton, ex-deputy sheriff, has been sojourning in Hot Springs for several months, a guest at the St. Julien, and we learn will in the future, make that his home, having accepted the position as clerk of that splendid house. many kind wishes follow him from Cleveland county. Prof. George Gray and his amiable lady are fairly installed as teachers in our public school, and we are proud to say are building up and establishing an enviable reputation as highly accomplished and most worthy teachers. The weather has been intensely hot for several days, and our rambling pleasure seekers are constantly resorting to the shady banks and ripling waters of the Saline river, and there amuse themselves by enticing the finny tribe to take the bate to their own destruction. (sic) >From Dr. T.H. Ackerman our resident physician we learn that there is but little sickness in this part of the county. The prospects are against the M.D.'s and but few people regret it. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com