Newton County, Arkansas Times Newspaper
Jasper, Arkansas
October 2, 2003

By Donna Dodson

Have you every wondered about Newton County's past?
Who settled here and why?
Was your family a part of the history here?

Now is the time for Newton Countians to realize that the Newton County
Historical Society maintains this type of historical information on
the shelves of their library at the Bradley House museum, located at
403 West Clark Street, in Jasper.

On file are: federal census records from Newton County's first census
in 1850, up to and including the early 1900s; marriage records from
1864 to 1910; cemetery listings and known burials in Newton County;
two volumes of Newton County Family History books;(some of the above
books are also available for sale); Family Group Sheets and Family
Histories compiled by family historians; and several census and other
records pertaining to the surrounding counties of: Boone, Carroll,
Johnson, Madison, Marion, Pope and Searcy.

The Museum's Photo Album Collection might even hold a picture of a
long-lost ancestor. For those who can't visit Newton County in person
to do research, members are available to do the research for a nominal
fee.

The preservation of Newton County history presently depends upon a
small handful of people who have an interest in the subject.
Try as they might, that handful of people cannot raise enough money
or volunteer enough time to make any one project a success.
In the past, projects were funded by donations and grants. Etc.
Now, with the economy as it is, the Society is dependent upon public
support, private donations and sales for funding.
Anyone who has never visited the museum or donated time is invited to
drop by and help support the Society's efforts.
There is no admission price to visit the museum, but a donation of any
size is welcomed to help maintain the museum as it is Newton County's
only Historical Museum.

Please visit the Society's latest project, a newly created website at:
Newton County Historical Society
http://www.newtoncountyar.com

This site lists research materials and books on Newton County available
for sale. As it is a work in progress, from time to time information
will be either added or deleted. Links on the site take the visitor
to forms to fill out and print for membership dues and/or book orders.

Soon to appear on the website is a list of cemetery caretakers, so that
anyone wanting to donate to a family or community cemetery will have a
contact. If you are a caretaker of a cemetery and would like it added
to the list please contact the Society.

The Society's future plans include: Restoration of Dr. Bradley's office in
the front room of the museum; a diorama depicting an inhabited rock
shelter; and continuing the restoration of the Chaney Log Cabin.

The Society is seeking loans or donations of equipment to furnish
Dr. Bradley's office the way it would have been equipped in the early
1900s.
Items needed include but are not limited to: an old stethoscope and
reflector, miscellaneous tools, a roll top desk, and a pot bellied
stove.

If anyone has a story about being treated by Dr. Bradley as a youngster,
the Society would like for the person to share it. Preserving these
old stories allows future generations to glimpse some of what
great-grandpa and grandma did as they walked on this earth, though they
may have been dead for many years.

When permission to publish is offered, the Society also will, at no
charge, type a family member's reminisces when a written or taped copy
is either mailed or delivered to the Museum.

After Society members transcribe the contents, the notebook (or cassette
tape or video tape: will be returned, along with a copy of the typed
and edited transcribed version. As space is available, these stories
will be printed in the Newton County Historical Society Newsletter,
printed quarterly and free to its members.

During the months of April through October the Mueum is open Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.and Tuesdays only during
November and December.

The Newton County Historical Society and Bradley House Museum can be
reached by phone at:
(870) 446-6247 or by mail at P.O. Box 360, Jasper Arkansas 72641.

P.S. An excellent way to help is to join the SOCIETY.
Your membership will help them carry on with their plans
Dues are $20.00(I believe) per year and you receive four quarterly bulletins. WRITE THEM FOR DUES.
If your kinfolks were in this area, you will find lots of information
and queries from other people who may answer that question you have
been seeking.
Please visit their website for details