(transcriber believes this story to have been written some time in the 1960's)

By: Carl Stuckey & daughter Nellie Stucky Nobles
From the book: Bloomburg U. S. A. in Cullen Baker Country

Olive Branch is located approximately three miles east of the present tow of
Bloomburg.

This particular area, east of the Arkansas line up to the Junction of Sulphur
and red Rivers, was really the stomping ground of the earliest settlers of
this entire area. It was before the Civil War, 1860, that Olive Branch
Methodist Church and Olive Branch Masonic Lodge # 136 F & AM were organized.

The land was donated and deeded by Henry M. G. Larey, and John M. Larey, of
whom the present Bert Larey, Attorney-at-law, of Texarkana is a descendent.
The church was called "The Olive Branch Methodist Episcopal Church, South".
The deed read: "for the sum of one dollar in species".

We feel sure the name Olive Branch was chosen because the Olive Branch is
considered a symbol of Light and Peace. According to Biblical reference, the
oil from the fruit of one olive tree could supply the needs of one family for
a long time.

Nathan P. Stuckey gave the land for the Royal Chapter, Woodman of the World,
Odd Fellows, and the Eastern Star Chapter.

The Masonic Lodge was founded in 1860. It was operated under the
Jurisdiction of a lodge in Alabama. The principal officers were: James
Marvin Patterson II, the great grandfather of this writer, John M. Stuckey,
Sr., Miss Nola Stuckey, and Nellie Stuckey Nobles (contributors of this
information) and the last officer was a Mr. E. R. Dodd.

The original building, a two story log structure, housed the Church and
School on the first floor. Split log benches were used for both church pews
and seats for the school children. The second floor housed the Masonic
Lodge. It was later moved to Bright Star, Arkansas, it's present site.

The Charter from the Most Excellent Royal Arch of Arkansas was granted to
them November 13, 1868. Signers of the petition were: M. T. Embree, Phillip
S. Lively, C. T. Fields, E. R. Dodd, S. E. Mays, F. M. Porter, Nelson
Portefield, I. A. Murph, and M. C. Lively.

There is a large community cemetery with the Olive Branch Church being used by
both white and colored people. It is said that the colored cemetery began
in the early days with land owners burying their slaved there, near their
white masters. Later, in 1870, the Elizabeth Baptist Church (colored) was
given a deed for their own cemetery.

After the original log structure, which was used for all community
activities, came a new frame school building constructed just north of the
old site. A new church building went upon the West side of the road across
from the old site and joining the old cemetery.

In 1954, the present attractive brick structure was built and a new cemetery
was plotted and fenced. The only graves in this new addition are: Fred D.
Patterson, Max Cauthorn, and John Lee.