Goodspeeds, 1889
As was common throughout Arkansas in early days, the pioneer schools of Greene County were 'few and far between,' and of the most inferior nature. A few of the pioneer settlers employed such teachers as could be obtained for what might be considered ordinary laborers' wages, and thus afforded some meager facilities for the education of their children. Though the state had a school system, there were practically no free schools prior to the inauguration of the present (1889) school system, which has taken place since the Civil War. Owing to the inadequate facilities for education, many of the citizens of the county reached their manhood without ever attending school. The children of this generation have great advantages over those of their parents. Seven years ago, as shown by reports of the State superintendent of public instruction,there were thirty-nine school districts organized in Greene County, with only seven wood school-houses, to accommodate a scholastic population of 2,191. The following statistics, taken from the superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1888, will show the improvements since made within the territory:

The white school children number 4,387; colored, 14; total, 4,401. The number taught in the public schools is: White, 2.219; colored, none; number of school districts, 59; number of teachers employed, males, 37; females, 14; total, 51;average monthly wages paid teachers of the first grade, males, $42.50; females,$37.50; second grade, males, $40; females, $35; third grade, males, $32.50; females,$30; frame and log school-houses reported, 28, valued at $4,338.75; revenue raised for the support of common schools, $18,957.09; amount expended, $9,690.58; amountunexpended, $9,266.51. These figures show a great increase over those of seven years ago. The schools are increasing in number and quality–the wages paid being sufficient to secure teachers of good ability. The figures show also that of the scholastic population of the county only a little over one-half were taught in the public schools, which is conclusive that the people do not as yet fully sustain and patronize the free school system. However, the outlook for popular education is encouraging. A. Knox is the present county examiner.

Religious meetings were held, and preaching was had in Greene County soon after it was organized, and from the best information obtainable societies of the Methodist and Baptist denominations were probably formed during the 40's. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has now at least seventeen organizations within the county.

The Paragould circuit consists of the following: Mount Carmel, Pleasant Grove, New Bethel, Wood's Chapel, a congregation four miles west of Paragould, and Greensboro and Pine Log, in Craighead County, with Rev. W. W. Anderson, pastor in charge.

Lorado circuit consists of Pleasant Hill, Shady Grove, Warren's and Owen's Chapels. Old Bethel and Salem, with Rev. T. B. Williamson, pastor in charge.

Gainesville circuit includes Friendship, Hurricane, Harvey's Chapel, Starue's Chapel, Scatter Creek, Beech Grove and Strong's Chapel, with Rev. N. W. Farrar, pastor in charge.

Another congregation in the eastern part of the county, belongs to an outside circuit. Rev. W. W. Watson is pastor of the charge composed of Gainesville and Oak Grove, and Rev. J. C. Ritter is pastor of the charge at Paragould.

The Baptist Church has at least fourteen organizations within the county, one of which is the colored church at Paragould. The others are named New Providence, Friendship, Liberty, Epsaby, Fairview, Unity, New Hope, Rock Hill, Pleasant Grove, Cedar Hill, Mount Zion, Paragould, and another, name not learned. New Providence, Friendship, Fairview, New Hope, and perhaps others, were organized long before the Civil War. All of these organizations have an average membership of about fifty, and the Methodist denomination is about equal in strength. Elders David Thorn, Lively, W. C. Jackson, Faulkner, J. T. Edmonds, and Halcomb are the ministers now officiating at these several churches, all of which are designated as Missionary Baptists.

The several organizations of the Christian Church within the county are known as Paragould, Pine Knot, Sugar Creek, Gainesville and Liberty, with a combined membership of nearly 400. Pine Knot was organized in a very early day, long before the Civil War, and has had a very large membership. Liberty, which was organized in 1879, was composed mostly from the membership of Pine Knot. The Christian Church in Paragould was organized in 1885.

The organizations of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church within Greene County are known as Gainesville, Friendship and Paragould, the latter having been organized in 1884. The one at or near Gainesville was organized early in the 80's. In point of numbers this is probably the weakest denomination in the county. There are no Roman Catholic organizations here, but this sect is preparing to build a church edifice in Paragould.

Nearly all of the church organizations named have houses of their own in which to worship, and all, except a few not supplied with pastors, have regular preaching, and are doing good work. In the summer season, Sunday Schools are connected with them, but only a few in the more populous districts continue throughout the year.

The people of Greene County are almost without exception moral, law-abiding, kind, generous and hospitable, and welcome and protect all deserving immigrants that come among them. Here the opportunities for securing a home in a comparatively new country, where the climate is mild, the railroad facilities good, churches and schools numerous, all without the inconveniences of frontier life, are unexcelled.