The electric grid did not come to Newton County until 1940. The Arkansas Gazette reported 2 Mar 1940 that right of way was to be cleared between Snowball in Searcy County and Lurton for an REA project by Carroll Electric Cooperative. The article said they predicted it to take two months, and then a connection would be made at Western Grove with Arkansas Power and Light lines.
From there the current would be carried to Jasper and then on to Lurton and other places in Newton County. On Sept. 23, 1940, the Gazette reported that the energizing of the first electric lines in Newton County was celebrated at Diamond Cave.
Barbara LeRoy is the author of “Which Side Were They On?,” a new 302 page book listing biographical sketches of the Newton Countians who were involved in the Civil War, available for sale either in the Bradley House Museum or by purchasing online at www.newtoncountyar.com. The book sells for $33.
