If Rocks Could Talk........

 All these pictures were taken at Falling Water, AR, Pope County.  Larry's Mom and Grandmother were born within a rocks throw of this spot.  Also, his Grandfather and father were born here.  I love to visit it but there is not a lot there.  It is merely a rock falls, where the water runs down stream quickly and then the falls is only a trickle.

The road across this Falls leads to Great Grandfather's homestead.   His Great Grandson still owns it today.  He has a "horse camp" there.  I think you can make reservations and go on trail rides.  The area is not much changed in the last 100 years.  Old Howard had stills in the mountains behind the Falls.  There was only one way in and he kept Feist dogs who barked when anyone approached.  The only way to find his still and catch him was hiking in.  Most of the times he was caught was due to a snitch.  They were paid if their story panned out into an arrest.  Howard was good at his craft and was not "caught" often, but I have found records in the district court at Ft. Smith of his being convicted several times. Later in life the district bounderies changed and he was convicted in the Little Rock.  I recall Grandma telling of him being away from home serving his sentences.  The shine was his "money crop" and he continued to pursue it until he was too old and feeble.  His son (my sweet Syble's Dad) continued as the skill was passed from father to son.  I found Syble's Dad's name on the Leavenworth rolls and asked her about it.  She recalled that Aunt Nancy was pregnant with Taft when he was there 6 months.  I thought it must have been horrible, but Syble did not remember it as such.  Aunt Nancy had faith that it would all work out and it did.  Uncle Joe actually enjoyed his time there and learned new things and made new friends.  We can not understand why things occur as they do but we trudge on having faith that our Lord is steadfast and will hold our hands.