Dell, Arkansas (2)

Everett-Short Log Home 2010

Be Sure and Return Often! More to come! This is just the beginning. . .

For More Photos of the Original Structure CLICK HERE!

. . . . .History of the Everett-Payton-Short Family

UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Here's a sneak peak. . .

The Francis Monroe Everett Family: (l-r: front) Louis Cole Everett, Martha Alice Hipp Everett, Carl E. Everett, Francis Monroe Everett, Edna Everett, John Everett; (bk) Albert Everett, Orphah Everett, George Everett, Mary Everett.

On Everett Ridge, close to the town of Prim, Arkansas, sits a 125+ year old log home, showing some signs of its age. When Shirley Short's grandfather homesteaded the land in 1907, the log house was one of two located on the property. The story goes that he and his family chose the better one. Several other structures already existed that were used by the Everett family--the "potato" house (for drying), a well, a storm cellar, and others.

Francis Monroe Everett was the tenth child of James (1809-1871) and Sarah Millener Everett (1822-1889). He was born in Hartville, Missouri on November 16, 1859. His grandfather was John Everett who came to the United States from Germany.

The family moved to Arkansas during the Civil War. They owned slaves , which was unlawful in Missouri. When the war was over, the Everetts decided to make Arkansas their home.

On October 1888 in Shiloh, Arkansas, Francis Everett married Martha Alice Hipp (1871-1948). To them were born ten children. In 1907, Francis and Martha Alice homesteaded the farm on Everett Ridge where the two log homes sat. The previous owner had lost his entire family to a fever and was anxious to leave. For a set of oxen and a wagon, the property and structures became the Everett's.

Francis and Martha Alice's fifth child, Orpha (1899-__) married Clarence Payton, son of Raymond Payton of Kentucky, on December 1919. When Francis died in 1921, Orpha and Clarence rented the Everett farm from Martha Alice, who lived with them in the log house. Eleven children were born to the Payton family.

Rosa Ann Richardson & Raymond Rector Payton

The oldest child of Orpha and Clarence Payton, Raymond Rector Payton (1920-1994), bought the Everett homeplace from "Granny" Everett when he returned from World War II ca. 1946 and married Rosa Ann Richardson (1924-1986).

Rosa and Raymond quickly settled into family life. Raymond farmed cattle and was an electrician by trade. They had one child, Shirley, who spent her first year of life in the old log house. A new home was built for the Payton family ca 1949 that was closer to the road. The old log house was turned into a barn for the livestock.

Shirley grew up on Everett Ridge surrounded by a rich family heritage.

On November 19, 1977, Shirley Payton and David Short married.

Dave Short was raised in Mississippi County, Arkansas and attended the Dell School for a time. He met Shirley when he joined his brother in the trucking business, close to Prim. After he and Shirley married, they settled into the Payton house on Everett Ridge. Soon their daughter, Amber, was born.

Shirley, Amber, and Dave Short

Tradition and heritage were always important to Amber, too. So much so that when she accepted Brian Ashlock's proposal of marriage, she knew exactly what type of wedding she wanted--an old fashioned one that would honor her ancestors and family.

The old Everett Church stands close to the Short home. Bail Everett, brother of Francis, had long ago donated the property for a church and cemetery. Although the church no longer holds services, it has been well cared for over the years. It was the perfect setting for a wedding.

The Brian Ashlock Family: Brian, Haven, Amber, Victoria, Lexie and Lacey

The Logs Are Taken Down and Loaded

According to Shirley and Dave, one local gentleman who lived to be over 100 years old, stated that the structure was present as long as he could remember. This was at least 20 years ago. The log home is estimated by the Short family to have been built on or before 1875.

When the article concerning the Widner-Magers Farm was published in Rural Arkansas Magazine in July 2009, the Shorts decided to offer the old log home to the historic district north of Dell, Arkansas, so that others might enjoy it.

Feb 1, 2010-The log home may be older than we first thought! John took samples of the original chinking to be analyzed by the chemistry department at Black River Techical College in Pocahontas, AR. Dr. Linda Moss has done extensive research and analysis on the Rice-Upshaw Log House and the Looney Tavern in Randolph County. These two structures date back to ca. 1829. After comparing notes and photos of the Everette-Short Log House, it appears to have been built along the same time. The chinking looks identical, but more will be known after chemical analysis.

Early Friday, April 16, 2010, volunteers made their way to the Dave and Shirley Short Farm in Prim, Arkansas, to help in the disassembling of the dog trot log home where so many of Shirley's family had lived, including Shirley herself for the first year of her life.

Each log had been numbered previously in December 2009 and was ready for loading. The Short's friend and minister, Dennis Knapp, provided his son's (Bryan Knapp) boom crane to help facilitate the disassembly. He also donated his time to run it!

The 125+ year old logs were gradually loaded onto Dave's truck throughout the day. It took almost ten hours as Dave, "Tad", Malcolm, and John guided the hand-hewn timbers onto the truck for the big haul to the Widner-Magers Farm the next day. Shirley provided lunch and drinks for the workers, which was greatly appreciated by all. Her daughter Amber, her grandchildren, and Dennis's wife Pam, all watched the event as it took place. It was a long, but exciting day, for everyone.

Many, many thanks for all the hard work to: Dave and Shirley Short, Brian "Tad" and Amber Ashlock, and Dennis and Pam Knapp, all of Prim, AR; and to Malcolm Griffin of Mountain Home, AR. Also thanks to Bryce Knapp, owner of the boom crane. Each and every one was a blessing.

The Boom Crane is ready to go!

Dave and Malcolm start loading. . .

"Tad" joins in. . .

The crew begins disassembling the second pen. . .Stones from the fireplace can be seen on the right. . .

Shirley, Amber, and Pam look on, holding their breath at times. . .

Loaded and ready to roll. . .

The Logs Arrive at the Farm

For Dave and Shirley, it was another early morning on Saturday, April 17, 2010, as they made the four hour drive to the Widner-Magers Farm. Preparing for the unloading, Tommy Dilldine donated the use of his fork-lift, which was delivered to the farm by Billy Overton. Everyone assembled around 11:30, hoping the day would be an easier one. Billy proved to be an expert with the fork-lift. Within two hours, the logs were neatly stacked and ready for assembly at a later date. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Good conversation and a lunch of local barbeque from the Kream Kastle gave us all time to relax and reflect. A job well done!

To Tommy Dilldine and Billy Overton a big thanks. We certainly appreciated the help and the use of the machinery. And, again thanks to Dave and Shirley for their donation of the log home, as well as the donation of their time and the delivery of the logs. And, thanks to Malcolm Griffin, who traveled more than three hours to be a part of the day. We love you all!