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Newspaper
Mena Star
Location
Mena, Arkansas, United States of America
Date
Jun 29, 1898
Page
4
The county seat contest showed unity for Mena and pride in its growth. Voters outside Mena favored prosperity and valued the railroad for wealth and market access, supporting fair freight rates and broad friendship across Polk County. The Star pledges mutual good will with railroad officials to sustain this era of good feeling and local prosperity.
The essay notes that Dallas, Polk county’s longtime seat, faced an unprecedented vote on moving the county seat to Mena. It cites a 70 to 13 majority in favor, reflecting a swift shift after two years of Mena’s town growth, contrasting memories of Dallas’s courthouse, conventions, and social life with this decisive change.
The county seat canvass shows that a just cause, once recognized as unchallengeable, warrants early advocacy and sustained persistence. It had been known for at least two weeks that with few exceptions the effort would gain traction.
The sentiment favored removal, but farmers faced a busy season. Despite this, the vote shows patriotic participation as people paused corn, cotton, and harvest to cast ballots, indicating strong public interest.
Citizens across Polk County benefited from relocating the county seat to Mena and Dallas backed the move with a near unanimous vote, showing broad support and no detriment from the change.
The street commissioner praises ongoing repairs on Sherwood Avenue between Mena and De Queen streets and urges continued work toward the roundhouse, followed by attention to the roads entering town.
The article notes that while selling United States bonds at post offices remains common, a more effective approach would have been to establish a postal savings bank system to borrow the needed funds.
The city urges improving roadways from all directions to secure regional trade. Authorities emphasize better transportation for residents and travelers to drive into Mena, supporting economic activity and access.
A census of political sentiment shows Democrats populists and Republicans joining on a unified pro position prompting strong voter turnout as base supporters respond to a rare cross party appeal across the state.
Mena nearly reached full vote on Saturday though several eligible voters did not cast ballots. Officials say a proper effort could have pushed turnout to at least 750 votes.
The people of Dallas voted almost solidly for relocating the county seat to Mena and, in effect, dismissed opposition from other parts of the county. The sentiment shows broad support with little organized objection.
The chairman declares the motion to make Mena the county seat unanimous after no objections. The exchange records the formal completion of the decision as an official action.
Polk county secured the contract for a new courthouse site and received $5,000 from the company, signaling strong local recognition of a favorable offer and community support for the project.
The good natured flag contest organized by the patriotic ladies of Mena drew many votes and heightened interest in the campaign, reflecting local civic spirit and community participation.
The soldier boys showed civic duty by voting to relocate the county seat before departing for the front, reflecting commitment to country and county.
Business men must prepare to affix a revenue stamp to all manners and kinds of papers after July 1. The notice warns that compliance is required and standards will be enforced.
County cliticians unite to advance Mena and Polk county interests. Since Saturday's election they pledge loyalty to Mena as the county seat. The colored brother also voted and had his vote counted last Saturday.
The Star reports on efforts to relocate the county seat to Mena in coordination with the college. Community leaders discuss implications for governance and local services as plans progress.
W H Miller of Cummings told a Graphic reporter there are twenty two small pox cases in J M Gracie's convict camp near Mud Lake. One death was reported. The note also mentions a recent city visit and remarks about a great victory.
Ira D. Barren was killed in a mine on Missouri Lead and Zinc company land when timber fell strikes him in the head and drops him 110 feet to the shaft bottom. He becomes the sixtieth fatality in the district this year, averaging one death every three days. In Jal, Kan, Justice Moe Clintock denied bond for John Collins after a preliminary hearing, finding strong evidence of guilt.
A dispatch from Fiume reports an Austrian vessel is sailing toward the Philippine Islands carrying 500 torpedoes intended for the Spanish fleet. The report places the voyage in the context of Austria-Hungary aiding Spain during heightened tensions.
A troubled 23 year old Miss Anna Forester of 67 Hamm Street set a barn on fire at Oakdale, then lay in the flames praying for death. Her charred body was found among the ruins. poor health is suspected to have driven the act though no lover trouble is reported. In Jefferson City Attorney General Crow will seek a writ of mandamus in the Missouri supreme court to compel street railway firms to provide facts for tax assessment by the state board of equalization.
CuevoNnE Wyoming June 28 Governor Prichards states ten percent of Wyoming’s military age population is in the army. The state has furnished three times the required quota, a best showing among states.
Navy department reports Admiral Dewey as the supreme authority at Manila. Troops marines or sailors landing there from any neutral warship require his permission.
The president issued a proclamation extending the blockade of the southern coast of Cuba from Cape Frances to Cape Cruzz inclusive and also blockading San Juan Porto Rico. In Paris Brisson forms a cabinet after several failed attempts by Ribot Sarrien and Peytral to replace Meline's ministry.
Gen Calixto Garcia arrives with about 3000 Cuban insurgents west of Santiago de Cuba. They are landed at Kingston aboard American transports. About 5000 insurgents in the southern Santiago province concentrate near Juraeus for ensuing operations.
At today's Federation of Women's clubs session officers were elected led by President Mrs. William B. Lowe of Georgia. Other officers include Vice President Mrs. Sarah Platt of Denver, Corresponding Secretary Mrs. M. W. Kendrick of Pennsylvania, Recording Secretary Mrs. Charles E. Fox of Michigan, and Treasurer Mr. Philip Moore of Missouri.
Prouto DL reports on June 28 that the Great Western distillery will be rebuilt to surpass the capacity of two major distilleries, aiming for 05,000 gallons per day at a cost exceeding $500,000. The project marks a major expansion in industrial scale for the company.
Describes American advance on Santiago de Cuba from Rio Guama on June 28. Artillery, cavalry, and Gatling guns move up while Cuban forces perform guard duties. Spains uses brass incendiary bullets causing severe wounds. observers foresee heavy siege artillery and entrenched rifle pits before any assault.
A Honolulu dispatch reports the United States holds Marcus of Weeks, an unclaimed Pacific island 2,700 miles west of Honolulu, suitable for coaling or a naval station. Capt. Foster’s vessel crew claimed it with Blaine’s approval and Britain France and others sanction the flag. Chicago Population Up to 1,892,000 per new city directory, up 65,000.
Current events brief notes Yale finishes second in the annual New London boat race as Cornell crushes the Elis. Public sentiment largely favors annexing the Philippines and other Spanish possessions, with about twenty five in favor to one opposed. John Henry Collins, accused of murdering his father for life insurance, remains held without bail after a preliminary exam, with a letter alleged to show hire of a black to commit the crime. Senate factions against Hawaiian annexation persist, while world naval arms races accelerate, and a submarine claim offers dramatic promises if funded. Internal revenue stamps loom as common as postage, covering many financial instruments and contracts, with the burden on the people and telegraph senders.
The Daily Reporter notes the first peaches of the season arriving in Waterton today, invoiced from Mene, Arkansas, per June 12 report.
Wm Kelly killed his brother Rat som Kelly with a ball bat near Celter Point last Wednesday after a crops dispute. He was jailed and then hanged himself, ending the brothers’ feud over their working shares.
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