GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES
Contributed by Charlene Holland
FREE MALONE
Free Malone is the very accommodating and gentlemanly host of the Continental Hotel at Waldron, Ark. He was born in Alabama, in 1843, being the fourth of five children born to Nathaniel C. and Martha (Crenshaw) Malone, both of whom were born in Alabama, the former a farmer by occupation. In 1867 he came to Arkansas, and located in Scott County, Ark., where he passed from life on September 5, 1885. His wife was called to her long home in l849. In the State of Alabama Free Malone was reared and educated, and from that State he enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, becoming a member of Company A, Twenty-sixth Mississippi Regiment of Infantry, and took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Perryville, Marfreesboro and Vicksburg, being paroled after the fall of this place. In January, 1864, he went to Virginia, and was in the battle of the Wilderness, Chancellorsville and many others of less importance. He surrendered with Gen. Lee at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, after which he went to Mississippi, and in 1867 came to Arkansas with his father, purchasing a farm of 160 acres near Waldron, which he began to improve. On October 13, 1869, he was married in Sevier County, Ark., to Mrs. Sarah J. Salyers, daughter of William Stone of Tennessee, an early settler of Arkansas, a short history of whom is given in the latter part of this sketch. In 1868 Mr. Malone began merchandising at Waldron, being the third merchant of the place, and there he continued in business, also following farming for a number of years, after which he made quite a large purchase of land, and began farming on a more extensive scale. Upon his arrival here he opened a hotel, and has been engaged in conducting one ever since. In 1878 he erected his present large building, a two-story brick, containing fourteen rooms, all of which are well fitted up, and at all times well prepared for the accommodation of guests. In connection with his hotel he keeps a livery stable, his horses and vehicles being at all times ready for use. He was postmaster of Waldron during 1887, was justice of the peace a number of years, and during 1889 served in the capacity of sheriff of the county. He has built an excellent store building in Waldron, and is also the owner of other valuable town property. His wife, who is a member of the Baptist Church, has borne her husband nine children: Lena (wife of W. A. Johnson, resides in Mansfield), Ione (wife of R. L. Maxwell, lives in Henrietta, Tex.), Ora (wife of J. N. Hamilton, a merchant of Waldron), Cora, Otto and Free, and the following children who are deceased: Onge (who died at the age of eighteen months), Ada (who died when six years of age), and Bennie (who died when two years of age). Mr. Malone is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been an advocate of schools and a member of the school board of Waldron for some time. Besides the property above mentioned he has a residence at Chalybeate Springs, seven miles west of Waldron and forty acres of land in that vicinity. Mrs. Malone's father assisted in removing the Indians to the Indian Territory at an early day, and while in Arkansas became much pleased with the country, and determined to settle, which he accordingly did in 1840, locating at Centre Point. Of a large family of children born to himself and wife, only three are now living: two sons, who are prominent farmers of Howard County, and Mrs. Malone. Mr. Stone opened up a large tract of land on a portion of which Centre Point is now located, and on this land he made his home for seven years. He next moved to the northern part of Pike County, and there erected a large frame mill, the first in that locality, which attracted trade from many adjoining counties. He opened up a large farm here also, and on this made his home until his death in 1859, his widow afterward making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Malone, dying at her home in 1874. Mr. Stone was born in North Carolina, was married to a Miss Huddleston, of Tennessee, and after residing in that State for some time he moved to Kentucky, where he became captain of the company of militia that took the Indians west.