Yell Debt
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Posted: 5:33 AM Apr 21, 2006
Yell Debt
Descendants of Arkansan pay off 170 year old debt
It took them nearly 170 years, but two men have paid off their great-great-great uncle's debt. Their ancestor, Archibald Yell, told leaders of Shawneetown, Arkansas, that he would give them 50 dollars if they named the town after them.
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It took them nearly 170 years, but two men have paid off their great-great-great uncle's debt.

Their ancestor, Archibald Yell, told leaders of Shawneetown, Arkansas, that he would give them 50 dollars if they named the town after them.

They did, and Shawneetown became Yellville.

But Yell never paid.

Descendants David Yell of Lapeer, Michigan, and William Yell of Monticello, Georgia, were researching their family history when they found out.

So the Yell cousins traveled to Yellville yesterday to settle the debt.

The mayor of Yellville was kind enough to waive interest on the debt, or the Yells would have owed $803,000.

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