News Items from the Dequeen Bee, a weekly newspaper published in DeQueen, Arkansas. The notes were made sometime during the early 1950’s.

Commentary: Levis Lewis Kirk brought his family to Sevier County, Arkansas, in 1859 and lived here until he died. Levi, his wife, several children are buried in the Old Union Cemetery in Lockesburg, Arkansas. Lockesburg is about twenty miles North of DeQueen. When I was a kid, we would frequently drive to DeQueen – it was thirty miles or so from Idabel. Dad liked to drive around town and point out all of the houses where he had lived as a kid. One of the houses was a large frame stone structure that was very attractive. I don’t recall my father ever saying anything about Stephen Kirk’s mercantile ventures, which were fairly short-lived. This might have been what influenced my father to open his own store in Garvin, Oklahoma in the 1920’s. The news items are as follows.

Jan. 8, 1898. Your attention is called to the ad of Kirk Bros. That appears in this issue of the Bee. They were reared in Sevier County, and are known to be careful, courteous businessmen.

Note: The ad in the paper describes Kirk Bros. As being dealers in general merchandise, grain, hay and feedstuff.

Feb 4, 1898. Bruce Kirk of Kirk Bros. Made a flying trip to Cerro Gordo the first of the week.

Oct. 21, 1898. W.A. Kirk has been at the bedside of his father, who is quite sick this week.

Jan 6, 1899. Kirk Bros. Have moved into their new building by the bank. They have an excellent stand for business.

Feb 17, 1899. The old Kirk stand is being overhauled in order that it may be used as a saloon. It will indeed be a pleasant and beautiful place for the thirsty.

Jan 4, 1901. The masons have finished the foundation of the new Kirk building and the brick walls are now going up.

Jan 25, 1901. Allen Kirk, salesman for S.S. Kirk, has been confined to his room with chills.

Jan 25, 1901. Work is being pushed rapidly on S.S. Kirk’s new brick building, and at present rate of progress it will soon be ready for occupancy. In the meantime he is making remarkably low prices on goods in order to reduce his stock before moving.

Feb 1, 1901. On the night of Oct. 1., 1899, all of the business buildings, which were of wood, were burned to the ground. The following losses were covered by insurance-- Kirk Brothers, Loss $6000. Insurance paid $2,100.

Mar 1, 1901. S.S. Kirk has moved his stock of general merchandise into his handsome new brick building north of the public square. He will at once largely increase his stock. Mr. Kirk is one of DeQueen’s most progressive merchants and has built up a trade in this vicinity that anyone might well be proud.

Mar 8, 1901. S.S. Kirk left Thursday for Kansas City to buy spring and summer goods for his store. He may visit St. Louis before his return.

Mar 29, 1901. A millinery department, with Mrs. A. J. Vittitoe in charge, has been added to S. S. Kirk’s store.

Jan 15, 1904. G.K. Crow was over from Lockesburg Friday.

Jan 22, 1904. An ad in the paper.

In retiring from the mercantile business in DeQueen, I wish to thank my friends and patrons for the very liberal patronage they have given me. My business relations with the public have been very pleasant, and it is with reluctance that I have, for a time, at least, decided to discontinue business in DeQueen. Yours very truly, S. S. Kirk

Jan 22, 1904. S. S. Kirk made a trip to Paris, Texas, this week. Mrs S.S. Kirk and children have been visiting with friends at Lockesburg this week. This Big Store Annex has been moved into the building formerly occupied by S. S. Kirk.

Jan 22, 1904. S.S. Kirk has sold his stock of merchandise in this city to Frank Ogden, of Cerro Gordo. Mr. Ogden has traded the goods to W. L. Sheffield, of Westville, I. T. for a flour mill. We understand that Mr. Sheffield will move the stock of goods to that place.

Mr. Kirk has conducted a successful business in DeQueen since the founding of the town, and perhaps has built more buildings here than any other citizen. The Bee regrets to see him go out of business, but is of the opinion that after a short rest he will again be found in the commercial business.

April 1, 1904. S.S. Kirk and family have moved to Cerro Gordo, where we understand Mr. Kirk will engage in business.

May 13, 1904. S. S. Kirk was up from Cerro Gordo last Friday looking after business interests in DeQueen.

Dec 2, 1904. S.S. Kirk, the commercial magnate of Cerro Gordo, was mingling with friends here Monday.

Feb 24, 1905. S.S. Kirk reopened his store in DeQueen.