Biographical and historical memoirs of western Arkansas

Front matter

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Chapter I

Geology — Importance of Geologic Study— Area and Climate — Boundaries — Principal Streams of the State — The Mountain Systems — The Great Springs — Diversity of Soils — Caves — The Mines, Their Wonderful Deposits and Formations 9-18

Chapter II

Archaeology — Remains of Flint Arrow and Spear Heads, and Stone and Other Ornaments — Evidences of Prehistoric People along the Mississippi — Mounds, etc., in Other Portions of the State — Local Archaeologists and Their Work — The Indians — Tribal and Race Characteristics — The Arliansas 'Tribes — The Cession Treaties — The Removal of the Cherokees, Creeks and Chootows — An Indian Alarm — Assassinatioa of the Leaders, etc., etc 19-33

Chapter III

Discovery and Settlement — De Soto in Arkansas — Marquette and Joliet — La Salle, Hennepin and Tonti — French and English Schemes of Conquest and Dreams of Power — Louisiana — The " Bubble " of John Law— The Early Viceroys and Governors — Proprietary Change of Louisiana — French and Spanish Settlers in Arkansas — Englisli Settlers — A Few First Settlers in the Counties — The New Madrid Eartliquake — Other Items of Interest 34-34

Chapter IV

Organization — The Viceroys and Governors — The Attitude of the Royal Owners of Louisiana — The District Divided — The Territory of Arkansas Formed from the Territory of Missouri — The Territorial Government — The First Legislature — The Seat of Government — Other Legislative Bodies — The Duello — Arkansas Admitted to Statehood — The Constitutional Conventions — The Memorable Reconstruction Period — Legislative Attitude on the Question of Secession — The War of the Governors, etc., etc 3 1 41

Chapter V

.Advancement of the State — Misconceptions Removed- Effects of Slavery upon Agriculture — Extraordinary Improvements Since the War — Important Suggestions

—Comparative Estimate of Products— Growth of the Manufacturing Interests— Wonderful Showing of Arkansas — Its Desirability as a Place of Residence— State Elevations 45-53

Chapter VI

Politics— Importance of the Subject— The Two Old Schools of Politicians — Triumph of the Jacksouians — Early Prominent State Politicians — The Great Question of Secession— The State Votes to .Join the Confederacy — Horror of the War Period— The Reconstruction Distress —The Baxter-Brooks Embruglio 52-55

Chapter VII

Societies, State Institutions, etc.— The Ku Klux Klan— Independent Order of Odd Fellows— Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons— Grand Army of the Republic— Bureau of Mines— Arkansas Agricultural Associations — State Horticultural Society — The ^VTieel— The State Capital— The Capitol Building— State Libraries— State Medical Society— State Board of Health— Deaf Mute Institute — School for the Blind — Arkansas Lunatic Asj'lum — Arkansas Industrial University — The State Debt 56-64

Chapter VIII

The Bench and Bar — An Analytic View of the Profession of Law — Spanish and Frencli Laws — English Common Law— The Legal Circuit Riders— Territorial Law and Lawyers — The Court Circuits — Early Court OfBcers — The SuprenK\Court — Prominent Members of the State Bench and Bar— The Standard of the Execution of Law in the State 65-73

Chapter IX

The Late Civil War— Analytical View of the Troublous Times — Passage of the Ordinance of Secession — The Call to Arms— The First Troops to lake the Field— Invasion of the State by the Federal Army — Sketch of the Regiments— Names of Officers- Outline of Field Operations— Cleburne and Tell— Extracts from Private Memoranda — Evacuation of the State — Re-occupation —the War of 1813— The Mexican War— Standard of American Generalship 73-Sl

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Chapter X

Public Enterprises— The Real Estate Bauk of Arkansas- State Roads and Other Highways— The Military Roads —Navigation within the State from the Earliest Times to the Present— Decadence of State Navigation— Steamboat Racing— Accidents to Boats— The Rise and Growth of the Railroad Systems— A Sketch of the Diflerent Lines — Other Important Considerations 8^-87

Chapter XI

The Counties of the State— Their Formation and Changes of Boundary Lines, etc.— Their County Seats and Other Items of Interest Concerning them— Defunct Counties —New Counties— Population of all the Counties of the State at every General Census 87-92

Chapter XII

Education — The Mental Type Considered— Territorial Schools, Laws and Funds — Constitutional Provisions for Education— Legislative Provisions— Progress since the War— The State Superintendents — Statistics — Arkansas Literature— The Arkansaw Traveler 93-97

Chapter XIII

The Churches of Arkansas— Appearance of the Missionaries—Church Missions Established in the Wilderness— The Leading Protestant Denominations- Ecclesiastical Statistics— General Outlook from a Religious Standpoint . .' 98-101

Chapter XIV

Names Illustrious in Arkansas History— Prominent Mention of Noted Individuals— Ambrose H. Sevier— William E. Woodruff — John Wilson — .John Hemphill — .Jacob Barkman— Dr. Bowie— Sandy Faulkner— Samuel H. Hempstead— Trent, Williams, Shinn Families, and Others— The Conways— Robert Crittenden- Archibald Yell — .Judge David Walker — Gen. G. D. Royston— .Judge .James W. Bates 102-113

Chapter XV

Yell County — Its Fortunate Situation and Great Natural Advantages— Its Streams— Lands— The Surface of the County — Agricultural Products — Timber — Minerals— The Mountains — Springs— Origin of the Name Dardauelle— The Cherokee Agency— Pioneer Settlers and Their Indian Neighbors— Land Entries Prior to 1845— Early Mills and Cotton-gins— County Organization— The Temporary and Permanent Seat of Justice— Old and Later County Buildings— County Oflleers.lS-lO-OO— Bench and Bar— Congressional and Legislative Representation—The County Press— Yell County in the War —A Record of Death— Yell's Federal Soldiers— Church History— Public and Academic Educational Institutions — Towns — Biographical 113-192

Products and Minerals — Its Political Townships and Their Area — County Organization — The Several Seats of Justice — County Buildings — Pope County's Civil List — .Judges, Clerks, Sheriffs, Coroners, Surveyors — The Pope County Circuit Court, Its Offlcers and Lawyers — Representatives in Senate and Lower House and in Constitutional Conventions — County Politics — The Dwight Mission and the Cherokee Settlement — Beginning and Progress of Settlement — Land Entries in Pope County Prior to 184.5 — Educational History and School Statistics — Railways — Incorporated Towns, Villages and Post-offices — Old Norristown and Other Once Important Points — Churches — The War and Reconstruction Period — The Press 193-271

Chapter XVII

Johnson C'oimty — Its Boundaries, Topography, Lands and Mineral and Agricultural Resources — A Remarkable Coal Region — Land Entries and Early Settlement — Educational Interests — Ecclesiastical History — County Organization — Location of Seat of Justice and Erection of Public Buildings- Political Townships— List of County Ollicers— Senators and Members of the Lower Branch of the Arkansas Legislature Representing This County— The Fifth Judicial Circuit and the Johnson County Bar— Notaries Public— Congressional Representation— Railway History and Prospects- Towns, ^Villages and Post-ofiices- Military History— The Old Militia Organization, the Mexican War and the Struggle of the States— The County Press, Its Editors and Publishers— The Johnson County Pomological Society 272-.?21

Chapter XVIII

Logan County — Location— Area— Lands— Topography— Mountains— Streams— Derivation of Names— Timber —Minerals— Agriculture— Horticulture— Grapes and Native Wines— Paris Nursery— Raising of Live Stock —Transportation Lines— Settlement— Dc Soto's Expedition—Mounds Containing Human Bones- Supposed Fightwith Indians— Early Settlers Mentioned— An Ancient Grave— County Organization— Boundary Lines— First County Seat— Second and Final County Seat— Burning of Court-houses— County Buildings —Change of Name of County from Sarber to Logan- County Officers- Political Aspect— Election Returns —Circuit Court— Logan County Legal Bar— Criminal Executions— Civil War— Haguewood Fight— Attack on Roseville— Towns, Villages and Post-offices— Press— Education— Christianity— Views from Short

CHAPTER XVI.

Pope County, Its Situation, Boundaries, Resources and Prospects-

-Its Timber and Its Streams— Agricultural

Mountain .

.323-.383

Chapter XIX

Scott County— Physical Description— Boundary, Mountain Ranges, Streams, Area, Height of Land— Character of Soil, Etc.— The Great Fourche La Favc Valley—The Poteau and Petit Jean Valley Systems- Value of Lauds— Analysis of Soils— Temperature— The County Coal Fields— Thickness, Quality and

I

Quantity— stone, Gold and Other Minerals — Gas and Oil Prospects— Lumber Resources — Scott County Organized — The County Seat — Fires — Congressional Districts — Townships — County Officers — Judicial Circuits—The Squatters and Pioneers— Wild Game- Wild Fruit — Catalogue of Early Settlers — Educational Facilities and Statistics — School Finances — The Churches and Sunday-schools — List of Post-offices — -\ Sketch of the Towns and Villages — Their Residents, Business and Population — Societies — Railway Prospects — The Local Newspapers — Military Record of Scott County , 3*t-133

CHAPTER XX. Polk County — Location and Boundary — Topography

Streams, Springs and Water'Supply— 'Timber — Soil- Farm Products — PubliciLands — Minerals, Gold, Silver, Manganese, Etc. — Horticulture — Vineyards — Native Wine — Live Stock — U. S. Signal Service — Climate — Proposed Railroads — Taxable Wealth — Wild Animals — Settlement — Pioneer Settlers — First Mills — Pioneer

Cabins — County Organization — County Seat — Public Buildings — County Officers- Election Returns— Population — Circuit Court — Legal Bar — Civil War — Dallas and Other Towns — Dallas High School — Educational Facilities — Religious Denominations 434-46.T