Front Street, Corning, AR.  (Clay County Courier).

Victory Loan Day, 1919.  Front Street at Main, Corning, AR.  (Clay County Courier).

Patriotic scene, Corning, AR.  (Clay County Courier).

Street Scene, Corning, AR.  “Street Scene- Corning, ARK”  Bobbye Harmon identified 2-21-05 as Front Street house left to right, Beloate, Harmon, Gallegy; corner of West First and Pine Streets.  (Daniel E. Moore).

Street Scene, Corning, AR, 1912
By. J. M. Oliver, Jr.

"This 1912 era photograph presents the just completed (a scoop picture...  note ladder still in position to the front sidewalk porch) establishment named in the title.  The view is to the east (boxcars in the distance) down Vine street [sic] from the NW corner of Fourth.  The sign proclaims Clay County (should be limited to Western District thereof) as the Garden Spot of the Southwest.  The place for a poor man (no paupers need apply--we didn't want them that poor) to secure a home.  The price per acre follows.  Unfortunately the price per acre has been erased -- one wonders if the price had gone up or down since the sign had been placed there.  Note the modifying words AND UP.  C. B. Clements knew a sucker when he got one.  He wasn't in Real Estate [sic] for his health.

"In the 1912 era, undertaking was largely a do it yourself home job.  Mr. Felsberg would bring the cooling board to the home of the late departed and supervise the preparation of the remains.  He also provided an elegant glass enclosed hearse, and supplied the wooden grave marker until the family had time to contact a tombstone maker for a lasting marble memorial.  Since this younger generation has no idea what a hearse is, let me explain that the vehicle was a horse drawn primitive ambulance, used exclusively for the departed loved ones.  White horses and a white coffin were used for a child's funeral and for a dollar more the horses would be dolled up in black mesh palls.  Final touch of elegance was a black topper for the driver who sat on an elevated seat on top of the vehicle.  Since heads come in assorted sizes, the hat had to be large enough to fit the head of the greatest circumference.  A small headed driver had to do considerable padding and pray for a non windy [sic] day when he took the driver's assignment.

"The undertaking shop on Vine street detoured lots of after dark pedestrian traffic to the north to Elm and south to Pine.  It took a brave lad to walk by the Felsberg establishment.  If one just had to go by, he got into high gear at the corner and flashed by at fast mail speed.  When Mr. Felsberg suspended operation, the shop became a ghoulish-looking place, open to the weather with several coffins that lacked selling appeal scattered thither and yon.  The coffins meandered on Hallowe'en night and youngsters of the 1930 era got many a prolific crop of goose bumps while they toted the empty containers to the front door of some easily irritated elderly citizen."

Submitted by Danny Moore