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It’s a Small
World Written by Wayne
Cotnam
During our recent
National Reunion I had a very memorable
experience. While standing out front of the hotel,
I saw by the name tag one of our SCV compatriots
and wanting to be a good host, I introduced myself
and learned his name was Lynn Simpson. Next I
asked where you from and he said Waco, Texas
(actually Mexia, Texas). I asked if this was his
first trip to Hot Springs and he told me yes and
some of his by ancestors were from Hot
Springs.
Then he asked me if
I knew where Tally Cemetery was. Now this was
getting really getting interesting because this
cemetery is located “out in the sticks”, near the
community of Beaudry, known as Dark
Corner. This is the area our family lived before
the turn of the century and during the war of
Southern Independence. Dark Corner is located on
middle fork of Saline River, north side of Hot
Springs Village. You need someone to lead you to
Tally Cemetery. Then came the most incredible part
of this story, when I asked his family name and he
replied “Akin”. It was hard to believe what I was
hearing. So I told him an Akin had shot and killed
our grandfather and his brother. (Allegedly). This
event happened on April 19, 1904. Lynn already
knew the story and I think was amazed as
I.
Then I introduced
Lynn to my brother, Tommy. I told Tommy, “this is
one of the Akin gang, you got a gun”?
Ha
The next morning
Tommy and I had breakfast with Lynn and drove to
Tally cemetery. We took photos and Lynn set his
GPS device for grave sites. (now others can
find Tally cemetery) We then stopped by
Newkirk Cemetery where our grandfather, his
brother and other members of our family are
buried.
A day or so later I
drove Lynn to Garland County Historical Society
for some research and to Jesseville to meet Jimmy
Johnson, pastor of Marble Baptist Church. Jimmy is
also an Akin descendent. They exchanged personal
and family information. Note: We have
nothing to document any information except
newspaper copy I received from Arkansas History
Commission. Story has been told, in years past a
Cotnam had murdered an Akin. A long family
feud?
Enos Akin served in
Co. A, 2nd Arkansas Infantry is 2GGrandfather of
Lynn Simpson
George W. Cotnam served in Co.
B, 15th NW Arkansas Infantry is Wayne Cotnam’s
GGrandfather.
George Cotnam shot
and killed is a son to George W., the CSA
veteran. | 
