The following image was forwarded to Denise Parkinson, author of the recently published Daughter of the White River, by Patricia Gunn in response to a note she had written related to the legendary story of Helen Spence, the subject of her work. Gunn's great-great aunt Vickie "Vicie" Russell is pictured on porch of their house boat at Preston Ferry near Casscoe, Arkansas, just a few miles upstream from Crockett's Bluff. The family of Helen Spence, who shot her father's killer in a DeWitt, AR courtroom in 1931, sprang directly from the river culture of the communities of White River inhabitants of houseboats such as the one pictured here in the 1920s and '30s
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| Vickie (Vicie) Russell, great-great aunt of Patricia Gunn , Preston Ferry, Casscot, AR |
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| From the back of the above image. |
Much can be learned from images of such houseboats. Would that the above image, a scan of a photograph apparently, was an original clear copy. At first glance, however, it strikes the eye as a very well maintained structure, not on logs, it would appear, but on a constructed wooden hull; and the somewhat larger than usual boat moored along side, complete with a chair and curtains of a sort, fairly fancy, I'd say. And a harsh and thick mostly willow grove along the bank.
We would welcome images of other houseboats and the stories that accompany them that are lying unacknowledged in who knows how many personal memories and albums across the country. Just forward them as email attachments from scans. Photos will be unharmed and gladly returned.
Patricia Gunn riverentpg@gmail.com
Dale Woodiel dpwoodiel@gmail.com
