USA > Arkansas > Faulkner County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Garland County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Grant County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Hot Spring County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Jefferson County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Lonoke County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Perry County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Pulaski County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
USA > Arkansas > Saline County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the statebiographies of distinguished citizens...[etc.] > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02293 5677
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/biographicalhistpjlf00good
BIOGRAPHICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
MEMOIRS
00 OF 00
Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas,
COMPRISING
A Condensed History of the State, a Number of Biographies of Distinguished Citizens of the same, a Brief Descriptive History of each of the Counties above named, and numerous Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Citizens.
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO, NASHVILLE AND ST. LOUIS: THE GOODSPEED PUBLISHING CO. 1889.
PRESS OF JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, CHICAGO.
W. B. CONKEY, BINDER,
REHACER
GOO
1217074
HIS beautiful volume has been prepared in response to the popular demand for the preservation of local history and biography. The method of prep- aration followed is the most successful and the most satisfactory yet devised -the most successful in the enormous number of volumes circulated, and the most satisfactory in the general preservation of personal biography and family record, conjointly with local history. The number of volumes now being distributed seems fabulous. Careful estimates place the number circulated in Ohio at 50,000 volumes: Pennsylvania, 60,000; New York, 75,000; Indiana, 40,000; Illinois, 40,000; Iowa, 30,000; Missouri, 25,000; Kansas, 20,000; Tennessee, 20,000; Kentucky, 25,000; Georgia, 20,000; Alabama, 20,000, and all the other States at the same proportionate rate. The entire State of Arkansas has as yet scarcely been touched by the historian, but is now being rapidly written.
The design of the present extensive biographical and historical research is to gather and preserve in attractive form, while fresh with the evidence of truth, the enormous fund of perishing occurrence. In gathering the matter for the historical sketches of the counties, it was thought wisest, owing to the limited space, to collate and condense only the most valuable items, by reason of which such sketches are a credit to the book, and of permanent worth.
In the preparation of this volume the Publishers have met with nothing but courtesy and assistance from the public. Nothing promised is omitted, and much not promised is given. About fifty pages of State history were guaranteed; over twice that number are given. Special care was employed and great expense incurred to render the volume accurate. In all cases the personal sketches were submitted by mail, and in most instances were corrected and returned by the subjects themselves. Coming as they do from the most illustrious families of the State -all worthy citizens from the upper, middle and lower classes-they form in themselves the most complete account of the Northeast Counties ever written, and their great value to future generations will be warmly acknowledged by all thoughtful people. With many thanks to their friends for the success of such a difficult enterprise, the Publishers respectfully tender this fine volume to their patrons.
THE PUBLISHERS.
December, 1889.
G
CHAPTER I.
Geology-Importance of Geologie Study-Area and Cli- mate-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.
Archeology-Remains of Flint Arrow and Spear Heads, and Stone and Other Ornaments-Evidences of Prehis- toric People along the Mississippi-Mounds, etc., in Other Portions of the State-Local Archivologists and Their Work-The Indians-Tribal and Race Character- isties -The Arkansas Tribes-The Cession Treaties- The Removal of the Cherokees, Creeks and Choctaws- An Indian Alarm-Assassination of the Leaders, etc .. etc .. 19-23
CHAPTER III.
Discovery and Settlement - De Soto in Arkansas - Mar- quette 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 Arkan- sas - English Settlers -A Few First Settlers in the Counties-The New Madrid Earthquake-Other Hems of Interest. 24 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 Legisla- tive Bodies-The Duello-Arkansas Admitted to State- hood-The Constitutional Conventions -The Memor- able Reconstruction Period - Legislative Attitude on the Question of Secession-The War of the Governors, etc., ete. .34 44
CHAPTER V.
Advancement of the State - Misconceptions Removed- Effeets of Slavery upon Agriculture- Extraordinary Improvements Since the War-Important Suggestions
-Comparative Estimate of Products-Growth of the Manufacturing Interests-Wonderful Showing of Ar- kansas-Its Desirability as a Place of Residence-State Elevations 45-52
CHAPTER VI.
Politics-Importance of the Subject-The Two Old Schools of Politicians-Triumph of the Jacksonians-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 Embroglio. .52-55
CHAPTER VII.
Societies, State Institutions, etc .- The Ku Klux Klan- Independent Order of Odd Fellows-Ancient, Free und Accepted Masons-Grand Army of the Republic-Bu- reau of Mines-Arkansas Agricultural Associations- State Horticultural Society-The Wheel-The State Capital-The Capitol Building-State Libraries-State Medical Society-State Board of Health-Deaf Mute Institute-School for the Blind-Arkansas Lunatic Asylum-Arkansas Industrial University-The State Debt. 56-64
CHAPTER VIII.
The Bench and Bar-An Analytic View of the Profession of Law-Spanish and French Laws-English Common Law-The Legal Circuit Riders-Territorial Law and Lawyers-The Court Circuits-Early Court Officers- The Supreme Court-Prominent Members of the State Beneh 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 take the Field-In- vasion of the State by the Federal Army-Sketch of the Regiments-Names of Officers-Outline of Field Oper- ations-Cleburne and Yell-Extracts from Private Memoranda-Evacnation of the State-Re-occupation -The War of 1812-The Mexican War-Standard of American Generalship .73-81
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
Public Enterprises-The Real Estate Bank of Arkansas- State Roads and other Highways-The Military Roads -Navigatiou within the State from the Earliest Times to the Present-Decadence of State Navigation-Steam- boat Racing-Accidents to Boats-The Rise and Growth of the Railroad Systems-A Sketch of the Different Lines-Other Important Considerations . . . 82-87
CHAPTER XI.
The Counties of the State-Their Formation and Changes of Bonudary 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 Mission- aries-Church Missions Established in the Wilderness- The Leading Protestant Denominations-Ecclesiasti- val Statistics-General Outlook from a Religious Standpoint 98-10I
CHAPTER XIV.
Names Illustrious in Arkansas Ilistory-Prominent Men- tion of Noted Individuals-Ambrose II. Sevier-Will- iam E. Woodruff-John Wilson-John Hemphill- Jacob Barkman-Dr. Bowie-Sandy Faulkner-Samuel Il. Hempstead-Trent, Williams, Shinn Families, and Others-The Conways-Robert Crittenden-Archibald Yell-Judge David Walker-Gen. G. D. Royston- Judge James W. Baies 102-112
CHAPTER XV.
Legal Affairs of the Second Judicial District-The Pioneer Bar-Early Inconveniences and Experiences-Lawyers of Fifty Years Ago-Original Territory of the Second District-Litigation-IIon. Samuel C. Roane-Other Prominent Practitioners-John Selden Roane-James Yell - Martin W. Dorris -JJudge Euclid Johnson- Judge Isaac W. Baker-Hon. William H. Sutton- Hon. Chester Ashley-Frederick W. Trapnell-Robert W. Johnson-Gen. Albert Pike-Retrospective. .. . . . 113-124
CHAPTER XVI.
Jefferson County-Pre-Historie Inhabitants-Removal of the Indians-Sarrasin-First White Settlement-Land Entries-County Formation-Seat of Justice-Change of Boundaries-Physical Description-Drainage-Vari- ety of Soil-Forests-Desirability as a Place of Resi- dence-Statistical Estimates-Public Buildings and Seat of Justice-Transportation-County Societies- Population and Finances-Political Outlook-Judicial Affairs-Cities, Towns, Ete .- War Experiences-Scho- lastic and Church Matters-Official Directory-Selected Family Sketches. 124-230
CHAPTER XVII.
Saline County-Original Boundary-County Seat-Publie Buildings-Judiciary-Early Court Transactions -- Crim- inal Calendar-Beginning of Settlement-Pioneer Rem- iniscences-Early Comers-Local Colonies-List of Officers-The County in the Civil War-Commercial Centers-Journalistic Enterprises-Secret Social Or- ganizations-Moral and Spiritual Affairs-Financial Representation-Location-Descriptive Analysis-Nat- ure of Soil, Surface, Products, etc .- Resources-Ad- vantages Offered-Biographical. 231-318
CHAPTER XVIII.
Hot Spring County-Location and Boundary-Area- Division into Townships-Natural Drainage-Streams and Water Power-Diversity of Soil-Adaptability to Cultivation - Timber - Productions - Fruit Growing Properties-Crops-Lumber-Stock Interests-Climate -First Occupancy -- Early Permanent Settlers-Pioneer Life-Title to Lands-Act of Organization-County Seat-Directory of Officials-Advance in Population- Courts of the County-Political Prospects-Civil War History -Free School System-Spiritual Welfare- Municipalities-County Buildings-General Resources -Local Personal Memoirs .319-360
CHAPTER XIX.
History of Pulaski County - Location, Topography and Geology-Soil Deposits-Natural Wealth-Census Re- turns-Agricultural Resources and Prosperity-Fruit Culture-Assessment and Taxation- Railroad Facili- ties-Statistics of Population - Period of Permanent Habitation-First Settlers Named-Land Entries-Pio- neer Recollections-Era of Construction-Creative Act -County Seat- Municipal Divisions-Public Edifices- List of County Dignitaries -Judicial Ilistory-Legal Practitioners - Matters Politie - Pulaski's Civil War Record-Sketch of Little Rock-Its Varied Interests- United States Arsenal-Newspaper Press -The Code Duello - Other Business Centers - Educational Ad- vancement - Public and Private Schools - Religious Condition-Biography .361-524
CHAPTER XX.
Garland County - Area -Topography and Boundary - Springs and Streams-Physical Geography-Organiza- tion of the County-Public Buildings-The Townships -Real and Personal Property-Valuation and Taxa- tion-County Officers-Population-Politics-Courts- The Civil War-Its Effects -The Hot Springs-The Reservation - The City of Hot Springs - Advice to Health Seekers-Educational matters-The Churches -Miscellaneous Statistics-Personal Record, etc .. 525-571
CHAPTER XXI.
Lonoke County-Religions and Educational Advantages- Organization-County Seat and Buildings-Municipal Townships-Real and Personal Property-Era of Settle- ment-Hunting Reminiscences-Officers-Population -Political Status-Legal Matters-Physical Features- Streams-Timber-Kind of Soil-Railroad-Resources -Agricultural Products - Stock Interests - Military Affairs-Municipalities-Selected Family Records.573-658
1
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXII.
Perry County-Resources-Stock Interests-County Of- ficers, with Term of Service-Politics and Population- Location, Boundary, Geology, etc .- Physical Formula -Streams-Natural Products-The Era of Settlement -County Organization-Division-Townships -Taxa- tion- Stock-The War-Public Schools-Church Or- ganizations-Courts and Practitioners-Official Delib- erations -The Towns and Villages - Personal Mem- oranda 659-702
CHAPTER XXIII.
Faulkner County-Seat of Justice-Structures for Public Use-Change in Boundary-Ministers of Public Service -Election Statistics -Population Returns- Real and Personal Property and Taxation-Location -Surface Formation and Area - Diversity of Strata - Natural Characteristics-Sources of Revenue-Products-Live Stock-Time of Original Occupancy-Highways-Ju- dicial Affairs and Bar-During the War Period-Bnsi- ness Points and Centers -Schools and Churches- General Condition-Personal Memoirs. 703-745
CHAPTER XXIV.
Grant County-Its Ercetion-Name-Township Formation -- Early Courts and Buildings-Record of Public Serv- ants- Societies -Taxable Wealth-Highways-Recol- lections of Long Ago -Time of Settlement - First Things-The People in War-Bench and Bar-School History-Churches-Towns, Villages and Postoffices- Topography, Geology, etc .- Territorial Area and Pop- ulation - Surface Presentation - Physical Features- Products-Biographical. 747-793
CHAPTER XXV.
Prominent Colored Citizens of Central Arkansas-Prof. J. T. Bailey-Ilon. M. W. Gibbs - Ferd Havis - Frank Jackson-Wiley Jones-William Laporte-A. M. Mid- dlebrooks -A. S. Moon -William Peters - Major P. Pointer-Simon R. Rawls-W. A. Rector-A. L. Rich- mond-Calvin Sanders-Dr. J. II. Smith-Pleasant Tate -George W. Walker-Solomon Winfrey 795-808
PORY
Gov. James P. Eagle. between 60- 61
Judge Joseph W. Bocage.
125-126
Col. M. L. Bell
153-154
Joseph Merrill 195-196
Col. MeH. Williams 225-226
Jesse W. Pitts (deceased). 267-268
S. Geisreiter. 308-309
P. D. English 363-364
Maj. John D. Adams.
413-414
Dr. Roderick L. Dodge 441-442
Roscoe Greene Jennings, M. D. 469-470
View of Thomas Cotton Press Works 507-508
Hiram A. Whittington 569-570
J. M. W. Murphy 653-654
Thomas F. Sorrells 605-696
W. P. Grace 737-738
Wiley Jones 799-800
A -
مسـ
+
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6
ISTORY . OF RKANSAS.
CHAPTER !.
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.
Such blessings Nature pours, O'erstocked mankind enjoys but half her stores .- Young.
HE matter of first impor- tance for every civilized peo- ple to know is the economic geology of the country they inhabit. The rocks and the climate are the solution in the end of all problems of life, as they are the prime sources from which all that human beings can possess comes. The measure of each and every civilization that has adorned the world is in exact de- gree with the people's knowledge of the natural laws and the envi- ronments about them.
The foundation of civilization rests upon the agriculturists, and nothing can be of more importance to this class than some knowledge of what materials plants are composed, and the source from whence they de- rive existence; the food upon which plants live and grow; how they are nourished or destroyed; what plant food is appropriated by vegetation itself, without man's aid or intervention, through the natural operations in constant action. The
schools will some day teach the children these use- ful and fundamental lessons, and then, beyond all peradventure, they will answer very completely the lately propounded question: "Are the public schools a failure?" The knowledge of the ele- mentary principles of the geology of this country is now the demand of the age, made upon all na- tions, in all climes.
The character of vegetation, as well as the qualities of the waters and their action upon vege- table and animal life, is primarily determined by the subjacent rocks on which the soil rests. Earth and air are but the combinations of the original gases, forming the solids, liquids and the atmosphere surrounding the globe. The soil is but the decomposed rocks-their ashes, in other words, and hence is seen the imperative necessity of the agriculturist understanding something of the rocks which lie beneath the land he would success- fully cultivate. He who is educated in the simple fundamental principles of geology-a thing easier to learn than is the difference in the oaks and pines of the forest-to him there is a clear comprehension of the life-giving qualities stored in the surface rocks, as well as a knowledge of the minerals to be
-
r
10
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
found in their company. A youth so educated possesses incomparable advantages over his school companion in the start of life, who has concentrated his energies on the classics or on metaphysical sub- jects, whether they enter the struggle for life as farmers, stock raisers, miners or craftsmen. It is as much easier to learn to analyze a rock, min- eral or soil, than to learn a Greek verb, as the one is more valuable to know than the other. All true knowledge is the acquirement of that which may aid in the race of life, an education that is so prac- tical that it is always helpful and useful.
.
The geology of Arkansas, therefore, so far as given in this chapter, is in fact but the outline of the physical geography of one of the most interest- ing localities of the continent, and is written wholly for the lay reader, and attempted in a manner that will reach his understanding.
Within the boundary lines of the State are 53, - 045 square miles, or 33,948,800 acres. It has 3,868,800 more acres of land than the State of New York, and multiplies many times the com- bined natural resources of all the New England States. It has 2, 756 miles of navigable rivers.
It had a population in 1880, as shown by the census, of 802,525. Of these there were 10,350 foreigners and 210,666 colored. In 1820 the Ter- ritory had a population of 14,255; in 1830, of 30, - 338; in 1840, of 97,554; in 1850, of 209,897; in 1860, of 435,450; in 1870, of 481,471. (This was the Civil War decade.) In 1885 the popula- tion had advanced about 200,000 over the year 1880, or was near 1,000,000. In 1887 it reached the figures of 1,260,000, or an increase of more than a quarter of a million in two years, and there is reason to believe this increased ratio will pass beyond the two million mark in the next census. At least, an increase of one hundred per cent in the ten years is indicated. Keeping in mind that there are no great populous cities in the State, it will be known that this has been that healthy in- crease of population which gives glowing promises for the future of the State. Here the agricultural districts, and the towns and cities, have kept even pace, while in some of the leading States of the Mississippi Valley the great cities have grown
while the rural population has markedly decreased. These are serious problems to reflective minds in those States where the cities are overgrowing and the country is declining. Happily, Arkansas is troubled with no such indications of the disturbed natural distribution of its people. The State, since it emerged from the dark and evil days of civil war and reconstruction, has not only not been advertised in regard to its natural resources, but has been persistently slandered. The outside world, more than a generation ago, were plausibly led to believe the energy of its citizens was justly typified in the old senseless ballad, "The Arkan- saw Traveler," and the culture and refinement of its best people are supposed to be told in the witty account of Judge Halliburton's "First Piano in Arkansas." The ruined hopes, the bankrupted fortunes and the broken hearts that are the most recent history of the Western deserts, form some of the measure the poor people are paying for the de- ceptions in this regard that have been practiced upon them. These silly but amusing things have had their effect, but they were pleasant and harm- less, compared to the latest phase of pretexts for persistent publications of the cruelest falsehoods ever heaped upon the heads of innocent men. But, in the end, even this will do good; it is to be seen now among the people. It will put the people of the State upon their mettle, resulting, if that is not already the fact, in giving it the most orderly, law abiding, peaceful and moral people of any equal district of the Union.
The State is in the central southern portion of the great Mississippi Valley, and in climate, soil, rocks, minerals and water may well be designated as the capital of this "garden and granary of the world," with resources beneath the surface that are not, taken all together, surpassed on the globe. Its eastern line is the channel of the Mississippi River "beginning at the parallel 36° of north lati- tude, thence west with said parallel to the middle of the main channel of the St. Francois (Francis) River; thence up the main channel of said last men- tioned river to the parallel of 36° 30' of north lati- tude; thence west with the last mentioned parallel, or along the southern line of the State of Missouri,
11
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to the southwest corner of said State; thence to be bounded on the west to the north bank of Red River, as designated by act of Congress and treat- ies, existing January 1, 1837, defining the western limits of the Territory of Arkansaw, and to be bounded west across and south of Red River by the boundary line of the State of Texas as far as the northwest corner of the State of Louisiana; thence easterly with the northern boundary line of said last named State to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River; thence up the middle of the main channel of said last mentioned river, including an island in said river known as Belle Point Island, and all other land as originally surveyed and included as a part of the Territory, or State of Arkansas, to the 36° of north latitude, to the place of beginning."*
The State includes between its north and south boundary lines the country lying between parallel of latitude 33º north, and parallel of latitude 36° 30' north, and between its east to west lines the country between 'longitude 90° and a little west of longitude 94° 30'. Its geographical position on the continent assures the best conditions of tem- perature, salubrity and rainfall, this being shown by the absence of the intense heat and the cold storms of the higher latitudes and the drouths of the west.
From the meteorological reports it is learned that the average rainfall in the State during June, July and August is sixteen inches, except a narrow belt in the center of the State, where it is eighteen
* The above descriptive boundary lines are in the an- thoritative language of the State Constitutional Conven- tion. To understand the south and west lines necessitates a reference to the treaties and acts of Congress. The fol- lowing would simplify the descriptive part of the west and south lines: Beginning at the southwest corner of Missouri, or in the center of Section 19, Township 21, Range 34 west of the fifth principal meridian line, thence in a straight line south, bearing a little east to strike the east line of Section 4, Township 8 north, Range 32 west; thence in a straight line south, bearing a little west to where the line strikes Red River in Section 14, Township 13 south, Range 33 west; thence along said river to the southwest corner of Section 7, Township 14 south, Range 28 west; thence south to the northwest corner of the north- east quarter of Section 18, Township 20 south, Range 28 west; thence east along the 33º of latitude to the middle of the channel of the Mississippi River; thence up said river to the place of beginning. The State lines run with the lines of latitude and the meridional lines, and not with the government survey lines.
inches, and a strip on the western portion of the State, where it is from eight to fourteen inches. Accurate observations covering fifteen years give an average of seventy-five rainy days in the year.
Of twenty-three States where are reported 13+ destructive tornadoes, four were in Arkansas.
The annual mean temperature of Los Angeles, Cal., is about 1° less than that of Little Rock.
The watershed of the State runs from the north of west to the southeast, from the divide of the Ozark Mountain range, except a few streams on the east side of the State, which flow nearly parallel with the Mississippi River, which runs a little west of south along the line of the State. North of the Ozark divide the streams bear to a northerly direction.
Of the navigable rivers within its borders the Arkansas is navigable 505 miles; Bartholomew Bayon, 68 miles; Black River, 147 miles; Current River, 63 miles; Fourche La Favre River, 73 miles; Little Missouri River, 74 miles; Little Red River, 48 miles; Little River, 98 miles; Missis- sippi River, 424 miles; Ouachita River, 134 miles; Petit Jean River, 105 miles; Red River, 92 miles; Saline River, 125 miles; St. Francis River, 180 miles; White River, 619 miles.
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