Ben F. Wirt

Narrative:

     Ben F. Wirt was born on 23 Jan 1873 in Alabama.^7,8,9 It appears that his full name was Benjamin Franklin Wirt. However as an adult his name appears on records only as Ben or Ben F., and the latter was carved on his tombstone.^14,3
     Ben served in the Spanish-American War, in Company L, 2nd Regiment, Arkansas Volunteer Infantry. He served as 5th sergeant in the Company, which was also known as Frazier Rifles. He enlisted 13 May 1898.^15,16 With the declaration of war on Spain the Department of War requested that the Governor of Arkansas provide two regiments of National Guard troops, approximately 2,000 soldiers. The state had only two functional companies, so 20 companies of volunteers were organized from across the state. The 2nd Regiment was mustered into federal service 25 May 1898, at a makeshift training camp at College Ave. and 17th St., in Little Rock. The camp was named Camp Dodge in honor of the family that donated the land for it.¹⁷
     The Regiment arrived at Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga, Georgia, by the end of the month for basic training before its expected assignment to Cuba. The camp had just been established in part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the country's first National Military Park. Conditions were primitive, described by one student of the camp as follows: Tents were "in short supply, and the men crowded 7 to 9 men in a tent measured 7 by 9 feet. The tents had no floors, there were no cots or beds, and the men had a single blanket each. There were no regular cooks or mess halls. Cooking was done over open fires and the soldiers had to find and cook their own meals. They then had to wash their own dishes, often without water, which was quite scarce at that time. Due to lack of sanitation, disease was rampant."^18,19
     The war in Cuba ended before the regiment was ready for combat. But during the four months the Regiment was at Camp George H. Thomas16 men were lost to disease.¹⁷ In Sep 1898 the Regiment was reassigned to Camp Shipp, Anniston, Alabama, where living conditions were somewhat better. However some members were involved in a race riot there, and were jailed by local officials for intoxication.¹⁷
     Ben was discharged with the rest of the unit 24 Feb 1899, in Anniston, Alabama. By that time the Regiment has lost one officer and 27 infantrymen to disease.^20,21
     Ben married Irene Mims, daughter of Davis R. Mims and Catherine Wilks, on 15 Jun 1905 in Yell Co., Arkansas, with Rev. G. W. Hunnicutt officiating.^1,10,11
     He and Irene appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Dardanelle, Yell Co., Arkansas, in the household of his parents, George L. Wirt and Anna Elizabeth [surname unknown]. Their children, Selwyn, Anna and George were listed as living with them.⁴
     Ben registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at Dardanelle, Arkansas, reporting he was employed as a credit man with Kaufman Merchandise Co. in Dardanelle.¹⁴
     Ben and Irene appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Dardanelle, Yell Co., Arkansas, at 303 Third St., enumerated 10 Jan 1920, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their children Anna, George and Kittie were listed as living with them, as was his mother.²
     Ben was elected mayor of Dardanelle by the city council in May 1920 to fill the term Mayor George F. Upton who had resigned.²² His term was short-lived however. He and all the alderman resigned in Oct 1920 because "of the financial embarrassment of the treasury" which was said to be absolutely empty. The situation seems to have been caused by the operation of the waterworks and power plant which had been sold four years before incurring a large loss. The expense of filling cave-ins around the sewer mains contributed to the problem.²³
     Ben applied for a pension based on his service in the Spanish-American War on 28 Feb 1923. His pension was subsequently granted.¹⁵
     Ben and Irene moved to Pope Co. before 1930. They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Russellville, Pope Co., Arkansas, at 112 East 5th St., enumerated 12 Apr 1930, reporting they were renting their home, apparently part of a two-family building, for $25 per month. Their children George and Kittie were listed as living with them, as was his mother.⁶
     Ben and Irene returned to Yell Co. between 1935 and 1940. They appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Ola, Yell Co., Arkansas, on Fourch St., enumerated 10 Apr 1940, reporting they were renting their home, for $15 per month and had lived in Pope Co. in 1935. His mother was listed as living with them.²⁴
     He was a farmer in 1910, but by 1920 was a life insurance salesman.^25,26,27 He was a helper in a funeral home by 1940. That year he reported he had worked 20 hours the last week of March, and had worked 52 weeks the prior year, earning $800.²⁴
     Ben died in 1961.¹² He was buried in Brearley Cemetery, Dardanelle, Yell Co., Arkansas, next to his wife.¹³