Believe a new roof has been added since this photo was taken. Be sure to visit the Log Hall Community Building on your next trip to Newton County, Arkansas

From the Newton County Times Newspaper comes an article about the
old school bell,July 27, 1989
The Log Hall School bell went back home Saturday morning and will soon ring once again over the Big Creek Valley where it first was hung in the 1800s
It will ring, that is, if residents of this little central Newton County community and former school mates all over the country can raise enough money to build a bell tower or a structure on top of the building to hold it.The bell was originally hauled to Log Hall in the 1800s on an ox-drawn wagon.
It was one of the biggest school bells in the area, weighing an estimated 500 pounds.
Young men of the community, older residents recall, would test their prowness by trying to lift the bell and there were three or four
who could do it.

In the 1950s when Log Hall School consolidated with Mt. Judea, the bell was, according to the recollection of some in the area, sold to GOULD JONES for scrap iron, reportedly for a price of $3.00. The bell ended up in the possession of Gould's sister, the late ANNA SMITH, and when her estate was sold last Saturday morning, a group of former Log Hall students purchased the bell.
They paid considerably more than the last purchaser, a total of $725.00,but they had already agreed among themselves that they would pay as much as $1,000.00 to have their bell back.

Hi Evelyn,
From Jan Scott Davidson (daughter of Bill and Lu Hamilton Scott)
This is the story of the purchase and dedication of the Log Hall Bell as told to me (Jan Scott Davidson) by my mother Lu (Hamilton) Scott.
My mother and her sister (Lorene Hamilton Smith) had a small second hand store on the Jasper square called 'Sisters Bargain Corner'. An elderly lady ( ANNA JONES who had married a Smith) who lived in Jasper would come in to mom's store almost every day. One day she came by and she and mom were talking, when the subject of mom having gone to school at Log Hall came up. This woman said that her brother put a bell that he had purchased for $3.00 at a salvage yard, in her yard. It had been in her yard at that time for several years. At this point mom realizes that the bell she is referring to is the Log Hall bell! Mom told her that she was so glad to hear it and asked this lady if she would be interested in selling it to her. The lady told her that she couldn't because her late brother had given it to her and because of that she didn't want to part with it. So mom told her that she hoped in that case, that it would never leave Jasper.
Not long after this, the woman passed away. Mom had heard that there was going to be an auction of Mrs. Smiths estate, to include the bell. At that point Mom called Arthur Pierce thinking maybe he could help and somehow they could get the bell back to Log Hall. Arthur was reluctant fearing that the bell would go for more than what would be affordable. Mom told him that it shouldn't be too much seeing as they had originally sold the bell for scrap. Mom threw out some suggestions to Arthur such as possibly running an ad in the Newton County newspaper,knowing that many people who now lived in California and neighboring states, who had grown up in Newton County, received the paper and might be interested in seeing the bell returned.
Arthur agreed that this was a good idea, and Mom suggested that they needed a committee to organize purchasing the bell. Mom also recommended at that point that they hold a meeting to see about the possibility of getting donations. Mom told Arthur that my dad (being an Auctioneer himself) was very familiar with auctions and might be the best one to bid on the bell at the upcoming auction.
So they held the meeting at Log Hall and mom said �a bunch� of people attended and after explanation of the auction, were very interested and excited at the prospect of the bell being possibly purchased and returned to Log Hall. During the meeting mom said, wouldn't it be nice if we could collect enough money to install the bell back on top of the building and have a belfry to put it in.
At the meeting, the prospect of my dad being the person to bid at the auction was discussed and agreed upon and at that point they mentioned that no one else should bid on it at the same time so that it would not run up the bid.
The day of the auction arrived, and my dad started bidding on the bell. One other man in the crowd vigorously bid as well! (mom said his name was Campbell) Of course this ran the price up, and dad finally won the bid at over $700. At this point mom said she could have kicked Mr. Campbell's shins! LOL As it turns out, he wasn't aware that dad was trying to buy it to return to the school, and he himself was trying to buy it for the same reason! Anyway, dad won the bid and the bell was purchased, and everyone of course was excited and relieved.

Mom told Arthur, �oh if we could just get it put back up it would be wonderful� So they placed an ad in the Newton County Times encouraging anyone who went to school at Log Hall, or would be interested to help by donating toward getting the bell put back in a belfry. Mom said you wouldn't believe the money that started pouring in, it meant so much to so many people, from as far away as California. Mom said it cost $3,200.00 to get the bell up in the belfry.
Glen and Ed Smith both donated their time to build the belfry.
Arkansas Power and Light company placed the bell with their equipment.
I engraved the names in the sidewalk, and other improvements were done as well.
Everyone was so excited, and then they rang the bell....the sound was something like �thud�.... it had a crack in it that had been opened by the sandblasting done in preparation for the placement in the belfry.
Arkansas Power and Light Company had to come back out to take it down and take it to Harrison where the welder had to order a special soldering material that came from Canada, that would solder iron.
Mom said my dad was distributing the funds for the bills, and Arthur and his wife Wanda were keeping up with the donations and expenditures.
After it was welded, once again Arkansas Power and Light had came back out, and put it up into the belfry again, and at that point the bell rang loud and clear.
The discussion then began about who should be the one to ring the bell at its dedication. It was decided that the oldest living person who attended school at Log Hall should do the honors, and that of course, was ANNIE MAE DAVIS.

"Nobody Knows How Happy I am" was the remark that 95-year-old Anna May Davis said as she pulled the rope for the first ringing of the old Log Hall School bell at the reunion and dedication of the bell Sunday afternoon.Anna May was the oldest alumni of the school present for the ceremony "I never thought I'd get to ring that bell again," she commented.

As you could see by the pictures I sent you previously, there were so many people who attended.
Somewhere I have a videotape of the dedication itself and watched it not too long ago.

**With the remainder of what was left from the donations, they purchased maple trees for needed shade around the fence line at the Vendor Cemetery. Sadly, complaints began to be made by some people in the community that the trees would grow up and eventually limbs would fall out of them breaking headstones in the cemetery, so they were removed.
Jan Scott Davidson

The group was formed hurriedly over the telephone last week for the purpose of purchasing "the bell". Now they hope to form into a Log Hall Historical Restoration Society and make a place to hang the bell and provide for other repairs and maintenance of the old school building.
They will meet Thursday, July 27,at 7:30 P.M. at the Log Hall School and everyone interested is welcome. They hope to make the old school building a center for community meetings and family reunions. They also would like to hear from former students, teachers and residents of the area who have any information about the history of Log Hall School

The late ARTHUR PIERCE was working on the history of the building and the old bell.Pierce was also the secretary for the new organization and donations to help with the restoration could be sent to him or can be sent directly to Newton County Bank. Checks could be made to "The Log Hall Historical Restoration Society".
The following is Arthur Pierce's research which was first published in December 1986:

Log Hall got its name from the fact that the original building was made of logs, was also two stories high and doubled as a school,
church, and Masonic Hall.
Sometime around the beginning of the century, a new building was made of lumber and the old Log Hall was dismantled.
The new building also had two floors. The upper floor was usually used for grades five through eight and the first floor had all other
grades.

On the East end on top of the tin roof was located a little tower inside which the iron bell had been hung.
According to the late HOYLE FLOOD,this bell had been ordered from an eastern city, shipped to Clarksville by train, and brought to
Log Hall by a team of oxen and an iron-tired wagon.
This particular bell had two clappers, one of which gave the bell a more subdued tone. This clapper would strike the bell only once with the pull of the rope. When someone in the community died it was customary to place the death bell clapper in position and ring as a signal to let the people know that someone had died and it was time to get a pick and shovel and head for the cemetery to dig a grave. There were no funeral homes then. Each family and friends took care of the departed as best they could, usually within 24 hours or less.
I especially remember when the bell rang for the death of one of our oldest and last Civil War Veterans, GEORGE W. FLOOD (bell rang
27 January 1935 with burial in Smith Cemetery

I recall the death of JANE BOLIN (MARY JANE EDDINGS BOLIN,wife of William"Bill" Bolin) who died on 27 August 1932 and is buried in
Carver Cemetery.

The building constructed around 1900 was torn down and replaced in 1937-38. For some reason, the iron bell was not put inside or on top of the new structure, but was left outside on the school yard near the south end of the building. The bell was rung by tapping on it with a plow blade to summon the kids back into the classroom, but sometime near the period when Log Hall became a part of Mt. Judea School, the bell disappeared.
For years, no trace was found, but now it seems the bell is in Jasper. It may have been sold as junk iron..only a guess.

Before the days of modern communication, the bell was our message carrier. We were summoned to school, church and funerals. Sometimes it was a happy bell and at times a sad one. Some of us would like very much to have the bell back on top of the Log Hall Building for nostalgic and sentimental reasons, then we will know again "for whom the bell tolls". It would toll for us.

"I am involved in mankind and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee," said John Donne.
Go to the website below and read this interesting poem:
Meditation XVII Meditation XVII by John Donne
In my English Ia Delta College Class, chose to study the life of this early English poet.
Ernest Hemingway grabbed this as a title for one of his best known novels "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Edgar Allen Poe wrote a poem several years before Hemmingway's time titled "The Bells" in which he describes many different kinds of bells,some for different seasons and moods. From his description of the iron bell, my thoughts began to creep back to the old Log Hall School House,on top of which was once a large iron bell.

The five hundred pound bell was originally brought from Clarksville by ox-drawn wagon. After the school closed it was sold for scrap iron, but this year Log Hall residents were able to raise the money to buy it back at an auction. They brought the bell home, built a new belfry on the building and refurbished the old school for a community building.

A large crowd attended the first reunion. Among them was WANDA RICKETTS HARRISON, who at four years old was one of the youngest students to ever attend the school.

The bell was to be rung at 3:00 and 6:00 P.M. and those around the area who were not attending the reunion, were asked to step outside at that time and listen for the bell. The reunion committee wanted to know how far the bell could be heard. Those outside the immediate area of the old school who heard the bell, were asked to notify someone on the committee or call the Newton County Times Newspaper.

The old Log Hall school building was restored to be used as a community center for the Log Hall community. A new belfry was built atop the doorway arch to house the old bell. Concrete sidewalks have been poured and names of contributors of the restoration project have been written on them. The old well house has been restored and the grounds have been groomed for all to enjoy.

"The Bell" now rests in the belfry.
Thanks to the many who took part in this "happening".
See what working together can do for a community.How proud you must be.

Reunions, weddings and church functions are now held in this remarkable building.

Jan Scott Davidson, daughter of BILL Scott gave me a list of the
minutes of the Log Hall Bell Restoration Committee

Meeting opened at 1930 Thursday(date?)
Arthur reported we are $55.00 above cost of Bell $725.00.
Official name of org. is "The log Hall Historical Restoration Society". ED SMITH owns land according to him. Ed will sign paper stating Bell will never be sold or transferred with property.Ed Smith says improvements to property ok.Discussion about where to put the bell. Vote taken. Majority wants it in arch above door.Charles Flood and Connard see about erecting Bell(get base built of steel

Many people contributed to THE BELL FUND and names are listed
Many of these folks have since died , but their loved ones can remember them each time they hear THE BELL ringing.

Bill & Lu Scott $25.00	Donald & Sue Moore $25.00	Warden & Imogene Davis $50.00
Columbus & Lucille Smith $25.00	Opal Ewing $25.00	Earlene & Eugene Davis $25.00
Kenneth & Lorene Smith $25.00	Charles & Dot Flood $25.00	Connie Smith $25.00
Connard & Ina Middleton $25.00	Kurt & Amy Sexton $25.00	Clay Flood $50.00
Arthur & Wanda Pierce $25.00	Otto & Wilma Middleton $25.00	Bruce & Pat Jones $25.00
Delmar & Vesal Middleton $25.00	Charles & Joy Burdine $25.00	Guy & Gladys Burdine $15.00
Loyce & Betty Campbell $25.00	Johnny Campbell $20.00	Pauline Flood $25.00
Clint Owens $40.00	Edith Smith $25.00	Ava & Curgus O'Neal $30.00
Gladys Flood $25.00	Lucy Norton $20.00	Carl & Wardena Smith $15.00
Denver & Joe Smith $15.00	Edward & Iris Smith $30.00	Glen & Vivian Smith $30.00
Rex & Mary Middleton $20.00	Ford & Drena Ewing $10.00	Caroline Price $20.00
Herman & Oleta Haddock $25.00	Garland & Nancy Smith $25.00	Lynn & Joyce Middleton $30.00
Luell,Linda & Stephany Smith $50.00	Ken & Kathy Middleton $50.00	Betty K Smith $10.00
Eddie & Jane Campbell $25.00	Viola Smith $25.00	Eugene & Ineva Burdine $25.00
Danny Criner $25.00	Newton County Bank $25.00	Goldie Burdine $50.00
Imogene Madewell $25.00	Arvilla Smith $25.00	Clara & Bill Bielecki $25.00
Lloyd & Viola Ricketts $20.00	Ruth Norton $20.00	Velma & Gerald Norton $20.00
Orpha Kilgore $1.00	Lora McClellen $25.00	Clyde Atkinson $25.00
Walta Smith $20.00	Lillie Smith $20.00	Kelce & Betty Ewing $25.00
Louise & Gus Kilgore $25.00	Kathryn Wheeler $25.00	Dessie & Ralph Wallin $20.00
Imo Reddell $20.00	Joyce O'Neal $20.00	Helen Flood $5.00
Lilly Bell Burdine $10.00	Betty Martin Waldon $100.00	Ruth Smith $20.00
Jerry & Barbara Smith $20.00	Vianzi Smith Frye $5.00	Edith Smith Britnell $10.00
Oshia Middleton $20.00	Achie Burdine Farmer $20.00	Walter Farmer $5.00
Geneva Farmer Freeman $10.00	Grover Sutton/Keltner $25.00	Buster & Donna Smith $100.00
Dave & Addie Smith $20.00	William Farmer $20.00	Curgus & Ava O'Neal $20.00
Sanford & Gail Smith $25.00	Lawton & Betty Burdine $25.00	Charlie & Sis Smith $50.00
W.H.& Gretchen Flood $20.00	Wilbur (Hoot)Sutton $20.00	James & Juanita Nichols $25.00
J C & Louise Bowers $50.00	Eddie & Carolyn Criner $20.00	Eathel & Charlene Middleton $40.00
Sue & Lee Johnson $5.00	Mack & Shirley Ewing $10.00	W.H. & Katherine Smith $20.00
Delmer & Vivian Flud $10.00	Valerie Gilmore Bronen $10.00	Pleas & Eugie Hallum $10.00
Ethel Collins $10.00	Wayne & Edna Holt $20.00	Bertha Brown $10.00
Bill & Juanita Farmer $10.00	Stanley & Sharon Price $10.00	Hobart & Nellie Dotson $20.00
Virgil & Louise Spears $20.00	Howard & Edith Thompson $10.00	Ralph & Bessie Coonts $10.00
Eddean Pierce Hearn $10.00	Norene Gilmore $10.00	Thelma Smith $15.00
Elmer & Gladys Owens $10.00	Carrol & Esther Atkinson $20.00	Tom & Glenda Niswonger $25.00
Hazel & Vernon Cooper $25.00	Maxine Edgmon $20.00	Joe & Shirley Pierce $25.00
Grant & Glenna Flood $20.00	Hubert & Laura Campbell $25.00	Dale & Mildred Smith $20.00
Gary & Kellie Smith $20.00	Gary & Larry Moore $20.00	Sylvia & Rheba Maxville $20.00
William Farmer $20.00	L.J.(NY)Campbell $10.00	Doyle & Joanner Campbell $20.00
Ellis & Loy Stewart $20.00	Marvin & Bernice Blevins $10.00	Arlis & Glenna Eddings/Virgil & Evon Flud $25.00
Sis Smith $10.00	Eldon Smith $5.00	George & Virgie O'Neal $20.00
Porter & Edna Smith $20.00	Clinton & Dossie Tennison $10.00	Arch Smith $10.00

All names were enscribed by JAN SCOTT DAVIDSON in the cement walk that leads to the log hall building
Total Amount collected...$2,841.00 (5/25/1990)Total($3,091.00)
Expenses.................$2,560.09 (5/25/1990)
Expenses Bob Turner (cement) $20.80
Building material............$15.60
Welding Bell............... $279.84 (Ruff Machine Shop)(5/21/1990)
weighing bell.............. $ 3.00 (5/21/1990)
Materials.................. 33.48 (Columbus)(5/22/1990)
Carpentry.................. $180.00 Edward Smith(5/25/1990)
Glen Smith................. $120.00 (2/26/1990)

Evelyn wants to give a big thanks to JANE HARRELL who showed her how to do TABLES (cause Evelyn was "rusty" on doing FTP and HML's)