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Investigation Coming Soon.History by Kay
One hundred years ago in 1885, the James H. Srygley and some 60 to 70 other
families migrated from Northwest Alabama to Coal Hill, Arkansas.
families migrated from Northwest Alabama to Coal Hill, Arkansas.
The names of "the other" families are not available because no records
were made of them. The ones that we do know, handed down from one
generation to the next, and from personal recollection are as follows:
two other Srygley families, two Coats, five or six Flake, three Sams, two
Sandlin, three Wallis, one Morgan, three Quillin, one Kimbrough, one
Mayhall, one Miller, one Linsey, one Oden, two Blankenships, four Hill,
and one Sexton.
were made of them. The ones that we do know, handed down from one
generation to the next, and from personal recollection are as follows:
two other Srygley families, two Coats, five or six Flake, three Sams, two
Sandlin, three Wallis, one Morgan, three Quillin, one Kimbrough, one
Mayhall, one Miller, one Linsey, one Oden, two Blankenships, four Hill,
and one Sexton.
The communities from which these families came are Rock Creek, Barton,
Cherokee, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and others from Northwest Alabama. The
one person responsible for this movement was F. G. "Bud" Srygley. He
was the land agent for the Iron Mountain Railroad. His job was to see
about the right-of-way for the railroad and all the sixteenth sections
that the U. S. Government gave to the railroad. It was the policy to
give a railroad all the sixteenth sections from a strip of land 5 miles
on each side of the right-of-way.
Cherokee, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and others from Northwest Alabama. The
one person responsible for this movement was F. G. "Bud" Srygley. He
was the land agent for the Iron Mountain Railroad. His job was to see
about the right-of-way for the railroad and all the sixteenth sections
that the U. S. Government gave to the railroad. It was the policy to
give a railroad all the sixteenth sections from a strip of land 5 miles
on each side of the right-of-way.
When Mr. Srygley got to Coal Hill, he thought it was the place he had
been looking for. He and his father-in-law, Mr. Oden, formed a land
company and bought all the east end of Coal Hill and a strip of land
running north to the north boundary of section 16.
been looking for. He and his father-in-law, Mr. Oden, formed a land
company and bought all the east end of Coal Hill and a strip of land
running north to the north boundary of section 16.
He returned to Alabama and persuaded all his father's family and as many
of the relatives and some others to come to this new found "promised
land."
of the relatives and some others to come to this new found "promised
land."
The first thing this group of people did when they settled in, was to
look for a place to worship. They made arrangements with the school
board of the "Old Prospect" district for use of the school building for
a meeting place. This went well for a while but some of the natives
became unhappy because they did not want this bunch of "Campbellities"
from Alabama using their school house.
look for a place to worship. They made arrangements with the school
board of the "Old Prospect" district for use of the school building for
a meeting place. This went well for a while but some of the natives
became unhappy because they did not want this bunch of "Campbellities"
from Alabama using their school house.
That caused the newcomers, most of which were members of the Church of
Christ to decide to build a building for church purposes. Again, Mr. Bud
Srygley came to the front and donated a plot of land just north of where
Johnny Muldoon recently built a new home. This piece of ground is
approximately 100 yards north of the Troy and Onella Flake home and on
the east side of the road that at one time went up the hill.
Christ to decide to build a building for church purposes. Again, Mr. Bud
Srygley came to the front and donated a plot of land just north of where
Johnny Muldoon recently built a new home. This piece of ground is
approximately 100 yards north of the Troy and Onella Flake home and on
the east side of the road that at one time went up the hill.
If you refer to the picture section you will find a picture of this
building. It is the number one building. It was built in 1887. It served
as the place of worship until about 1905 when it was struck by lightning
and burned to the ground.
building. It is the number one building. It was built in 1887. It served
as the place of worship until about 1905 when it was struck by lightning
and burned to the ground.
The congregation arranged to meet wherever they could until a new
building was constructed. It was located about where the Arch Moore home
is just across the highway from the Joe Brasel home. You will notice that
it is building number two in the picture section.
building was constructed. It was located about where the Arch Moore home
is just across the highway from the Joe Brasel home. You will notice that
it is building number two in the picture section.
In 1923 a rare and peculiar circumstance developed. A wind storm from
the south moved this building about four feet to the north, a few months
later another wind storm came and moved it back to the south.
the south moved this building about four feet to the north, a few months
later another wind storm came and moved it back to the south.
For fear the building might collapse it was propped up with four logs on
each side of the building. The building was considered unsafe so plans
were immediately made to build a new building. A new location was
selected. A site closer to the business part of town was selected. The
present building number three is pictured. It stands on the site of a
livery barn. This building was completed and services were started in
1924. As you can see it is a very sturdy and well-built building. A
carpenter, H. C. Earp, and a brick mason, Mr. Moore, were engaged to do
most of the work. Many of the members donated their labor under the
supervision of these two hired workers. It might be mentioned here that
the pulpit was built by John Wallis who was a carpenter, blacksmith and a
craftsman. This pulpit was moved from building number two. Mr. Wallis was
also a good singer and was the first song leader for the congregation.
each side of the building. The building was considered unsafe so plans
were immediately made to build a new building. A new location was
selected. A site closer to the business part of town was selected. The
present building number three is pictured. It stands on the site of a
livery barn. This building was completed and services were started in
1924. As you can see it is a very sturdy and well-built building. A
carpenter, H. C. Earp, and a brick mason, Mr. Moore, were engaged to do
most of the work. Many of the members donated their labor under the
supervision of these two hired workers. It might be mentioned here that
the pulpit was built by John Wallis who was a carpenter, blacksmith and a
craftsman. This pulpit was moved from building number two. Mr. Wallis was
also a good singer and was the first song leader for the congregation.
Other song leaders are named on a different sheet along with all the
preachers whose names we could find. One preacher that I want to mention
is Francis Carson, a black man. He held a brush arbor meeting down
towards the city park. It is said that he never opened his Bible. He
would quote some passage of scripture then ask Brother Riley West to read
it from his Bible just to show everyone that his quote was just the same
as found in the "Book."
preachers whose names we could find. One preacher that I want to mention
is Francis Carson, a black man. He held a brush arbor meeting down
towards the city park. It is said that he never opened his Bible. He
would quote some passage of scripture then ask Brother Riley West to read
it from his Bible just to show everyone that his quote was just the same
as found in the "Book."
According to information that I have received there are five Church of
Christ preachers who could quote the Bible from Genesis to Revelation
from memory. They are Francis Carson, Joe Warlick, F. B. Srygley, F. D.
Srygley and Joe Blue.
Christ preachers who could quote the Bible from Genesis to Revelation
from memory. They are Francis Carson, Joe Warlick, F. B. Srygley, F. D.
Srygley and Joe Blue.
Most of the people who came from Alabama were good singers. There were
enough singers that each of the four parts, soprano, alto, tenor and bass
could have several voices. Singing conventions were held quite often and
the Church of Christ group was quite often chosen as the best singers
there. Since there were no radio and TV in those days the church would
have a singing session to practice the old songs and learn new ones. One
thing that always fascinated me was for the group to sing only the notes
but not the words. In order to keep new singers coming on to replace
those who passed on or moved out of the community, singing schools were
held quite often. The picture section has a picture of a singing school
led by W. W. Slater in 1912. Other singing schools were held later by
Norman Jones, a great grandson of John Wallis, the first song leader.
Another singing school was conducted by Elmer Fielder, a cousin to
Brother Paul Hogan. There were others but we do not have any records to
show when.
enough singers that each of the four parts, soprano, alto, tenor and bass
could have several voices. Singing conventions were held quite often and
the Church of Christ group was quite often chosen as the best singers
there. Since there were no radio and TV in those days the church would
have a singing session to practice the old songs and learn new ones. One
thing that always fascinated me was for the group to sing only the notes
but not the words. In order to keep new singers coming on to replace
those who passed on or moved out of the community, singing schools were
held quite often. The picture section has a picture of a singing school
led by W. W. Slater in 1912. Other singing schools were held later by
Norman Jones, a great grandson of John Wallis, the first song leader.
Another singing school was conducted by Elmer Fielder, a cousin to
Brother Paul Hogan. There were others but we do not have any records to
show when.
Among the families who were real good singers are: The Flakes, the
Sandlins, the Sams, the Wallis, the Srygleys, the Coats, the Hills, the
Quillins, the Lindseys and Millers.
Sandlins, the Sams, the Wallis, the Srygleys, the Coats, the Hills, the
Quillins, the Lindseys and Millers.
Another feature of the physical plant is the bell. In the early days
before radio, TV, telephones that worked, there were some families who
did not have a clock. Those without a clock depended on the sun for
telling time. So, in light of these conditions, each church had a bell
which would tell the members that it was time to attend services. The
bell was also used to toll the death of a member. It was a custom to
toll the bell one time for each year of the decedent's age.
before radio, TV, telephones that worked, there were some families who
did not have a clock. Those without a clock depended on the sun for
telling time. So, in light of these conditions, each church had a bell
which would tell the members that it was time to attend services. The
bell was also used to toll the death of a member. It was a custom to
toll the bell one time for each year of the decedent's age.
The bell is mounted atop of the little structure in the back of the
church building. It was bought from a foundry in Birmingham through
Brother T. B. Larimore who was an agent for the foundry. This bell
weights 1800 lbs. It was used regularly and there were times when it
could be heard 10 or 12 miles away.
church building. It was bought from a foundry in Birmingham through
Brother T. B. Larimore who was an agent for the foundry. This bell
weights 1800 lbs. It was used regularly and there were times when it
could be heard 10 or 12 miles away.
The present congregation, although 100 years old, does not show its age.
The congregation is very active. Preaching services are held every Sunday
with Brother Paul Hogan bring the lesson, both morning and evening.
Brother “Creepy" Hodges comes from Clarksville to help with the midweek
services.
The congregation is very active. Preaching services are held every Sunday
with Brother Paul Hogan bring the lesson, both morning and evening.
Brother “Creepy" Hodges comes from Clarksville to help with the midweek
services.
The Coal Hill Church is a consistent and regular contributor to the
Southern Christian Children's Home. A year or so ago it joined with
others to send aid to the persecuted and hungry Christians in Poland.
More recently a contribution was sent to relieve the suffering and
hunger in Africa. Anytime there is a local need this congregation is
always ready to do whatever is needed to solve the problem.
Southern Christian Children's Home. A year or so ago it joined with
others to send aid to the persecuted and hungry Christians in Poland.
More recently a contribution was sent to relieve the suffering and
hunger in Africa. Anytime there is a local need this congregation is
always ready to do whatever is needed to solve the problem.
The leadership is excellent. The elders are Roy Morris, Vernon Jones and
Junior Kinney. The deacons are Jimmy Stiles, Dean Morrow and Gary Jones.
Last year a directory of the members was compiled for the first time in
the history of the church. It will be revised periodically to keep it up
to date.
Junior Kinney. The deacons are Jimmy Stiles, Dean Morrow and Gary Jones.
Last year a directory of the members was compiled for the first time in
the history of the church. It will be revised periodically to keep it up
to date.
It is hoped that a system of record keeping will be set up. Church
records are very useful at times in this life.
records are very useful at times in this life.
It is hoped that whoever has the responsibility of putting together the
history of the second hundred years will have access to more records
than were available for this story of the first hundred years.
history of the second hundred years will have access to more records
than were available for this story of the first hundred years.
It is our prayer that this congregation will continue in the Lord's work
for several more one hundred year spans.
for several more one hundred year spans.
Amen
Some Years Ago, This Building Was Moved Off Its Foundation A Few Feet
When A Storm Came Through Coal Hill. Some Years Later Another Storm Came
Through And Moved The Building Back To Its Original Location.
This Was Reported By Leroy Douglas.
Hi,
My mother's family from Coal HIll where, Crabtree (AJ was the sheriff and a marshal for Judge Parker) Evans, Roughley, Patterson and many others. I also, know many of our family where Cherokee, and Choctaw. I have heard so many stories of ghost. A rumor has it that Pretty Boy Floyd hung out in the area...and would dress up like the headless horseman. There is a cemetary near Dirty Creek I think it is called Possum, where a bus of children are buried. I could show you guys a lot of areas of interest in Johnson county.
I suppose at some point I should get with you and tell you all the areas around here as well.
Tammy
Coal Hill Cemetery
People that are bury at Coal Hill Cemetery.
Deanna Wilson Brasel
Norman Conway Sr.
Alice Marie Hirtler Crabtree
Andy Crabtree
John Davis
Galela Smith Edgin
Earline Fry Franklin
Mildred O'Neal Harger
Herschel Hill Jr.
Carl Holloway
Christina Mary Sullivan Holloway
Jewell Williams Holloway
* Mary Pearl Ferrell Huff
Edyth Lanora Roberds Jackson
Mabelle Kurtz
Orilla Reeves Langston
Lorene King Laster
Thelma Swafford Linton
Lena Alberta Valliant Magee
Floy Elizabeth Hard Martin
Lewis Wayne Martin
Paulie Mayfield
Joe Eddie Miller Sr.
Arnold Moore "A.P. Moore"
Price Oliphant
Lyle Payne
Olga Miller Quisenberry
Lucille Smith Rhine
Connie Gean Bramlett Roberson
Verna Fry Shrigley
Laura Gelene Williams Sisk
Mary Alice Miller Sullivan Stewart
James Herman Taylor
Carl Terherst
Jasper Luther Thompson
Joe Underwood
Frankie Lyvonne Walker
Hugh Wall Jr.
Michael Kevin Wano Jr.
Edith Weathers Weathers
Dixie Bryant Whitfield
Charles Whittle "Tiny Whittle"
Joyce Marie Jaynes Wilson
Janet Hallie Holmsley Wright
Huell Edwin Yandell
Billy Earl Young
William Earl Walker Young "Walker Young"
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