Jim Waldrip, Oldtimer
Submitted by Donnie PickardVan Buren County Democrat, August 16, 1940
Old Timer of County Renews Subscription to Democrat
Uncle Jim Waldrip of the Pine Thicket community made his annual visit to the Democrat Tuesday for the purpose of renewing his subscription for another year, an unbroken record for more than twenty-five years. Uncle Jim, a Mississippian by birth, is now in his 84th year and has been a resident of this county for more than 50 years.
When he and his good wife came from Mississippi they made the trip in an ox-drawn wagon, settling on Red Hill, 10 miles north of Clinton on U. S. Highway No. 65. Here they continued to make their home until a short time since when they moved to their present home just west of Dennard. Mr. and Mrs. Waldrip are the parents of eight children, six of whom survive.
Uncle Jim says that when he and his good wife homesteaded on Red Hill settlements were few and far between, the late John Newland and Mrs. Newland being their nearest neighbors. Mrs. Newland still makes her home in that community she and Uncle Jim being somewhere near the same age.