All’s Well in Yellville

William Yell, retired and living in Jasper County since 1997, and his cousin, David Yell from Michigan, were researching their family history when they found out their great-great-great Uncle Archibald Yell still owed the city of Yellville, Arkansas, $50 for naming the town after him.

About 170 years ago, their ancestor told the leaders of the town he would give them $50 to name the town after him. They did, and the town of Shawneetown became Yellville. But he never paid them.

So the cousins, determined to make their uncle’s promise good, traveled to Yellville on Tuesday, April 18, after contacting the mayor.

The mayor of Yellville announced they were coming to pay the long overdue bill of their uncle Archibald, and when they arrived she presented them with the bill.

It came to $803,000 with the compounded interest, however, she was gracious enough to waive the interest and all was well in Yellville.