About Searcy's Old Searcy Arkansas

The White County Historical Society of White County has put out their third or fourth cookbook. It is fun to look through and has some great old pictures of White County. While looking through it, I read this story about Fried Fish and Turtle Meat by Walter Wisdom, now deceased. It's on pages 221 and 222 of the cookbook.

One beautiful morning a large crowd of us had gathered at the Wait's Place on Cypress Creek. We had all scattered out fishing. Father was getting a little old but he would go along with me with a sack for me to put my fish in. He also carried a turtle hook he had made from an iron rod.

I was working around a large cypress tree that had some roots with holes in them and was catching some good fish. Thee was a large hole in the tree about waist high.

I found out there was an opening under water that went into the hollow tree so decided I would get inside.

I was catching fish about as fast as I could sack them when all of a sudden my head began to swim, or so I thought. I was on the back of the largest turtle I had ever encountered.

I had to call some of the fishermen for help. Someone using the hook located the head and, after some time, got the hook in the turtle's mouth.

With a lot of help they pulled the head into the hole in the tree far enough to chop it off with an axe. The head was as large as an average man's head. Then we had a lot of work getting the rest of the turtle out of the tree and to camp.

Cutting a turtle's head off won't kill it. This turtle lived several hours without a head and would walk around the camp with as many as three kids standing on its back. The shell was about 24x28 inches long. I don't remember how they finally killed it but some of the men who loved turtle meat dressed it out and divided it.

What a story! And what a tragedy! That turtle must have been eons old. And what a sad thing to think of it being ridden headless by kids! But people needed to eat back then and anything was game. On page 223 the book tells how to cook a turtle in case you catch one.

I'm borrowing this turtle picture from Charles Buell's blog because it must be similar to the deceased turtle from this story.

This picture brings back so many memories, doesn't it?

Remember when as a child you really wanted something for Christmas that might just materialize under the tree on Christmas morning and you knew your parents had sacrificed to get it for you and you loved it all year long?

Remember when you could play outside without worrying about someone kidnapping you?

Remember wearing little hats? Most hats covered the ears. These girls must be dressed up! Remember when your mom would insist that you wear your coat outside so you wouldn't catch cold?

Remember when you lived in town but the houses were still far apart with big yards like this one in the background?

Remember the simplicity of a baby stroller that would look like this doll buggy? Remember no car seats to lug around? Your arm was the protection for the child as you drove and the child was standing in the front seat?

Personally, I remember this house in the background. A few years ago, the estate sold it and I was chosen as the listing agent. I was estatic! I'd always wanted to go in the sturdy old brick house that had so much charm!

That house worked me to death! EVERYONE in Searcy Arkansas and White County wanted to see that house also. I had to show it and show it and show it. Most were not interested in buying it; they just wanted to see it! We finally sold it to a person who loved old houses and he has put houses around it but kept the original look of the house. I'm pleased about that.

If anyone knows the identity of these two lovely little girls, speak up!

This is one mysterious photo that says it is a Searcy AR eat shop and Tourist Court but I have never heard of it. I'm posting this for my Searcy readers to identify it and tell me where it was. The car's age may help to identify the time frame. Notice the flat roofed construction which was not a popular thing. And it appears that the tourist court had covered parking for the cars?

This old photo post card of Bill's Grill in Searcy AR on Race Street is sure to bring back a lot of memories to people who grew up in Searcy. What was then that little two-lane highway in front is now a 4 and 5 lane street that you avoid ever trying to turn left on.

The cars in this picture are fun. The parking lot was full most of the time throughout the years because they had great food and a wonderful hostess named Earnestine. She made the most wonderful chocolate cake with ice cream and whipped cream topping! She became famous for it.

My question to the ones who know, Anita, Don, Harold, etc, is this. It Bill's grill the same as Noble's Motel?

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This group of young people in Searcy Arkansas took their music lessons seriously! Look at all the evening dresses and the few guys are all dressed up also. I assume this was a recital probably in the 50's in our town. If I have posted this photo before, it's worthy of being shown again. Our favorite Anita is in the middle with the violin. The man she eventually married is on the right just behind the smaller child.

You have to agree, it's a priceless picture!