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Submitted: 9/27/22 • Approved: 9/27/22 • Last Updated: 9/30/22 • R1451388-G1451387-S3
William
Confederate States Army
Civil War Confederate
September 8, 1847 - April 14, 1931
The death of "Uncle" Harry Poynter which took place at Dover April 14 removes from the walks of life the last confederate veteran of this county who took an active part in the Pope county militia war that raged with fury around Dover back in 1872 and 1873. His funeral held Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church in Dover was one of the most largely attended ever held in the county. Dover was ravaged by Carpet-bagger forces, suffered the loss of the county seat, and was twice reduced to ruins by fire but the passing of W. H. Poynter known as "Uncle" Harry, to his friends, will go down in the history of Dover as the darkest and saddest hours of the all.
Closely associated with Mr. Poynter and other loyal citizens of Dover who were ready to spill their life blood in defense of their county in freeing it from carpet-bag rule were a number of pioneer Atkins citizens. A letter was recently found here in a collection left by the late John C. Darr received by him while living at Hot Springs from his brother, J. F. Darr, who lived near Atkins. The letter was dated Sept. 8, 1872 and mailed at Lyman Ark, a post office located west of town near what is now Robinson crossing on the Missouri Pacific railroad. In part of the letter is as follows: Mr. J. C. Darr, Dear Brother: "I am sorry you did not come up last week as you would not have been in danger of your person or your horse. I would have answered your letter sooner but waited to see what would be done. Up to this date I have no reliable news to write. Yesterday was the date set to take Dover but I have not heard what was done. The citizens of Dover have moved everything of value out of town that could be moved expecting the place to be burned by the militia. Harry Poynter was arrested by some of his friends but would not give up his arms. He says he will give them up with his life and make those who take it pay a dear price for it. I am sorry for Poynter for I know him to be a kind hearted boy when people treat him as they ought to but he will not be run over by anyone. I think Poynter and all the rest of the boys about Dover will leave and not let the militia get hold of them. If they get Poynter, they will kill him with out a doubt."
"If Poynter stays in Dover until the militia get in town you will hear of a fight for his friends all say the militia shall not take him. Some of the women are armed and say they will fight for Poynter till the last. If they do there will be women on both sides for Old Fenton's wife is with the militia. She was about to go for Bob Talley out at Lyman for saying the militia would catch H--- at Dover.
Come up as soon as you get this. I don't think there will be any danger. They have not taken any horses or anything yet that I have heard of but if they were doing the like when you come, you could fall back in good order. Write soon if you don't come up. Your Brother, J. F. Darr.
Mandosia
July 12, 1855 - November 21, 1910
Mrs. W. H. Poynter died at her home at Dover last night, about one o'clock. Mrs. Poynter had been in bad health for several months. She was about sixty years of age and leaves a husband and seven children, four boys and three girls to mourn her death. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon and she will be laid to rest in the new cemetery south of Dover at 2:30 o'clock.
Contributed on 9/27/22 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1451388