I don't know if I should call Dick Whittington my friend, as we had only known each other for a short time. However, Dick was truly a friend to all mankind, so I will.
Being interested in Montgomery County history, I had heard Dick's name mentioned most everywhere I went, but I had not had the pleasure of meeting him.
One day while visiting Debbie Baldwin in Mt. Ida, Dick dropped by. I happened to have with me the "memory book" I had put together on Caddo Valley Academy and the kids who had passed through there during the years I was there. Dick wanted to see it, and became really excited that I might make a copy or place the original in the new museum to be built in Mt. Ida.
That was also my first knowledge of the museum and, of course, it held great interest to me. And although I didn't promise Dick I would place the book there, I do intend to see that some memorial to Caddo Valley Academy is placed at the museum.
That day was also the day I learned of the many wonderful personal interview tapes that Dick had made over the years. I have since printed the story fro one of those tapes. (Miss Zena Alexander and Miss Anna Mae Duke, The Mountain Signal, March 2000.)
Dick allowed me use of the tapes at any time and gave me permission to print the stories in The Mountain Signal. It is to him that saving much of the history of Montgomery County is accredited.
Each of those tapes, about 300, holds a little of Dick's story as well. One which I had planned to print in the future was of how the wonderful old soda fountain now located at the City Drug Store (now Pizza Shack) in Mt. Ida was purchased and transported from Hot Springs by Dick's father.
Richard Rudell "Dick" Whittington was born in Mt. Ida on January 16, 1919. He was the son of William George "W.G." Whittington and Maudie Hester Ambers Whittington. He had one sister, Mary Virginia, who was two years younger than himself.
The Whittingtons established a drugstore in Mt. Ida in 1910 It was first located in what is known as the Bean Building, (now Steve Standidge Insurance), but was later moved to where the City Drugstore was (now Pizza Shack) on the town square.
At the time the drugstore was established the building also housed the post office for Mt. Ida and Mr. Whittington was the postmaster, as well as pharmacist. He also served as a veterinarian and physician for the local inhabitants.
After the store moved to its new location, Dick became the "soda jerk" and spent may hours behind the old fountain. The family lived in the back of the drugstore and for a while Mannine Ambers, Dick's grandmother, lived with them. She had a profound influence on Dick's life.
The Dick Whittington I knew was a quiet, mild-mannered, unassuming man. He seemed to be embarrassed to be the center of attention and would give credit to others rather than take it himself. He couldn't praise the work Debbie Baldwin and the Montgomery County Historical Society was doing enough.
He was also rather shy about talking about his part in the founding and organization for the new museum. Although, if it were not for him there most likely wouldn't be a museum. He donated some of the Whittington family land on the corner of Highway 27 and Luzerne Street. He even sold his farm in Pine Ridge and donated the money to the construction of the building for the museum.
Dick's dream was to have a place to safely house his large collection of family memorabilia and they many tapes he had made concerning history in the Ouachita Mountains, and to accept other donated items concerning local history.
He was fortunate to live long enough to see that dream become a reality. I spoke with Dick at the dedication of the Heritage house Museum on March 18, 2000. He was feeling very poorly that day and had to balance himself against the wall in order to stand for the short ceremony. He refused to sit, saying it was easier for him to stand.
I talked to him about writing his story for publication in The Mountain Signal. He declined at first, not wanting to be in the spotlight. He seemed to find that uncomfortable. However, I convinced him that he held things in his head that no one else had knowledge of and when he was gone that would all be lost. He finally consented, but asked me to wait until he was feeling better. Again, I insisted, saying that if I waited there might not be a chance. Again, he agreed. However, I was out of contact with him over the next few months as I became involved with my own personal life and by the time I heard about Dick again, it was to learn of the announcement of his death.
I'm extremely sorry that I didn't follow through immediately, for now that loss is a reality. But due to Dick's generosity and foresightedness, Montgomery County and all of Arkansas can be proud that much of our history has been saved to be enjoyed for many generations to come.
This modest gentleman is gone, but his legacy will live long in Montgomery County.
Dick's tapes are housed in the Heritage House Museum in Mt. Ida. They sell copies of the tapes for $10 each.
This story was first published in The Mountain Signal.