As the digital pages of the Wynne Progress continue to weave stories of our community, we’ve been touched by the letters and notes from current and former residents, each carrying with them memories and sentiments. Among these, the below email stands out—a reflection of the enduring bond shared by those who have called Wynne home. From the heart of a former resident, this letter reminisces about days gone by and serves as a connection in our digital landscape. Today, we’re privileged to share with you the words and memories of Richard Farr, as he reflects on his time in Wynne and his connection to our community:
I give thanks for the blessing of having been born and raised in Wynne.
Richard Farr
I have a fond memory of the Rotary Club. On the occasion of my becoming an Eagle Scout – the youngest ever in Troop 18 to attain that accomplishment – the Wynne Rotary Club published a front-page article in the Star Progress entitled “Richard Farr Night at the Rotary Club.” No, it was not headed by a full-page banner headline, but it was a very complimentary piece of journalism. My parents clipped the article and kept it for many years. I believe I was as proud of the article as I was to attain that award from the Boy Scouts of America. I remember the evening vividly as I do the article. Hence, my special memory of the Wynne Rotary Club. I wonder: Why not the Lion’s Club also? Oh, well.
Here is another compelling memory. During my youth in Wynne, the Caldwell families enjoyed prominence throughout all of Cross County. Another “Caldwell” – a town – is also meaningful to me. In the 1930s and 1940s, the economy of the section of Arkansas along Crowley’s Ridge was dominated by orchards of Alberta peaches. During peach harvest season, there was constant activity at various packing sheds. When I was about twelve or thirteen years old, I began working at these sheds. I would ride my bicycle from Wynne to Forrest City to work in the peach packing shed there. The hourly pay rate there was ten cents more per hour than was paid by the shed at Simmons Orchard on the eastern edge of Wynne. For 10 cents more per hour, that daily roundtrip was worth the effort. I remember well that when I came to the town of Caldwell, along Highway # 1 between Colt and the northern outskirts of Forrest City. I got my second wind and knew that I did not have much further to go to get to work. I still picture the long, sweeping curve in the highway that ran through Caldwell. Highway #1 had been paved during the mid-1930s by work crews financed by funds from the WPA and the PWA. This paved highway significantly enhanced the economy of both Cross County and St. Francis County. Thus, my memories of your namesake town of Caldwell.
The Kernodle Funeral Home has been an institution in Arkansas for over a hundred years. The Kernodle family was a pillar of life in Wynne during my youth, as it may continue to be today with Jere’s family. Billy was one of my best friends during our early lives. I remember trying very diligently to emulate his wonderful smile, but never quite succeeded. The Kernodle home had one of the few paved sidewalks in town. That made it the perfect place to play hopscotch. Playing marbles was also a happy pastime. At that time, the opening day for Marble Season was March 15th. By then, the ground was sufficiently thawed so that we could shoot marbles without freezing our knuckles. I wonder – do kids still shoot marbles? Jere, do you remember how angry you made Billy when you messed up his partially completed jigsaw puzzles, a part of an effort of his and mine that we carefully put together on your family’s porch? I continue to have a relationship with the Kernodle Funeral Home that began in the late 1930s. The military draft that began shortly before the advent of World War II was in effect. My parents scraped together a few dollars from my mother’s grocery money to purchase a burial policy for me, the premium being about $3.00 annually. I still carry that policy. I remember that one year my mother was unable to pay the premium. She discussed this problem with Mrs. Wilkes, who owned the Wilkes Grocery store on South Front Street. Mrs. Wilkes was kind enough to add that amount to our grocery bill so that the premium could be paid. I will always remember her generosity, of which there were numerous other examples. Practices of that nature were, and probably still are, hallmarks of Wynne that no doubt have continued for the past century.
This is becoming too long, so I will conclude with one final memory. Some thirty or so years ago, I was invited to come back to Wynne to deliver an address for the Wynne High School’s Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner. On the occasion of that visit to Wynne, Bob Ford asked me to join a small group that met informally and periodically at the First National Bank for conversation. It was at that time that I first met Leroy Dangeau personally. I had known of his valuable leadership in Wynne, Cross County, and Arkansas by reading the Wynne Progress weekly. I remember commenting at that time that he was one of only three persons I could name who offered so much time, energy, and talent in leadership capacities. The other two were Harold N. Falls and Bob Ford. Thus, Leroy, I have always admired you from a distance for your various leadership responsibilities. Additionally, I had the good fortune to have known your dear Betty Ann probably for longer than you knew her. Her death came much too early. I have kept in touch with Mary Helen for most of her lifetime, and I have wonderful memories of the Jethro Harrell family I was saddened to learn of the destruction of your home when that terrible storm hit your section of Wynne. At the other extreme, I was glad to read in the Progress of your recent honor of being named a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Central Arkansas. Congratulations!
