[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF MARSHALL'S SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

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                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the town of 
Marshall in Searcy County, Arkansas, which will celebrate its 150th 
anniversary this year. This is a significant milestone for the 
community and for all who helped shape the town's history.
  Marshall was established in 1856, after Native Americans roamed the 
land for centuries. The Osage tribe used the land for hunting and 
gathering in the 18th century and then sold their claim to the United 
States government. Nine years later, the government set aside the land 
as a reservation for the Cherokee Indians.
  By the mid-1800's, the Cherokees traveled west and Littleton Baker, 
J.W. Gray, and Jack Marshall were appointed to select a site for the 
new county seat of Searcy County. They originally named this location 
Burrowsville in honor of N.B. Burrow, a local citizen, but 11 years 
later changed the name to Marshall in honor of the former U.S. Supreme 
Court Chief Justice John Marshall. The town was eventually incorporated 
on January 13, 1884.
  Marshall played an important role during the War Between the States, 
becoming a hub of activity for both Confederate and Northern forces 
after Arkansas seceded from the Union on May 6, 1861. Both Confederate 
and Union companies organized in the area, participating in the battles 
of Shiloh, Pea Ridge, Pine Bluff, and Devil's Backbone.
  The town worked hard to recover and rebuild in the decades following 
the war. Marshall established its first school district, constructed 
the Marshall Academy in 1888, and built a new courthouse in 1889. 
Agriculture production dominated the economy in Searcy County, with 
cotton and corn ranking as the primary agricultural products. The 
community even established the Mountain Wave newspaper in 1890 which 
continues to inform residents on the latest local and national news.
  The town enjoyed great prosperity during these early years. The 
Marshall Bank was established in 1901 and the town's first telephone 
system was constructed in 1902. The town's first flour mill came around 
the turn of the century, quickly followed by its first stave mill in 
1909. The community built a new school building known as ``Old Main'' 
in 1910 and completed the first all-weather road between Marshall and 
Harriet in 1916.
  Although the first few decades of the 20th century were a time of 
growth for Marshall, the combination of World War I, the Great 
Depression, and serious flooding led to difficult times for the 
community's residents. The population began to decline and those living 
off the land struggled to maintain a decent livelihood. Fortunately, 
many of Searcy County's residents joined the Civilian Conservation 
Corps, CCC, and the National Youth Administration, NYA, where they 
could earn a decent wage. One of the NYA's projects was to construct a 
gymnasium in Marshall in 1936.
  Marshall and its surrounding communities pulled together during these 
challenging times, emerging stronger than before. Families in Marshall 
made victory gardens during WWII, saved tin cans for reprocessing, and 
even purchased war bonds. Farmers also began to clear land for cattle 
production and timber harvesting. These two industries now contribute 
heavily to Marshall's local economy.
  Marshall has always been a town of citizens who pull together during 
tough times to improve its schools, help businesses grow, and attract 
new development to the region. The town now boasts a population of 
1,313 citizens and is home to the Ozark National Forest and the Buffalo 
National River. Known for its beauty, tourists visit the mountainous 
region year-round to participate in a variety of popular recreational 
activities.
  On June 3, 2006, friends and residents of Marshall will gather to 
celebrate 150 years of history. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Marshall, Arkansas on this significant milestone. We 
send our appreciation to the town's citizens for years of hard work and 
dedication to their community, and wish Marshall many more years as a 
wonderful place to live and raise a family.

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