USA > Arkansas > A pictorial history of Arkansas, from earliest times to the year 1890. A full and complete account, embracing the Indian tribes occupying the country; the early French and Spanish explorers and governors; the colonial period; the Louisiana purchase; the periods of the territory, the state, the civil war, and the subsequent period. Also, an extended history of each county in the order of formation, and of the principal cities and towns; together with biographical notices of distinguished and prominent citizens > Part 18
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In February of 1833, work begun was being actively pros- ecuted on a road from Memphis to Little Rock, for which
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Congress, in the previous year, appropriated $20,000.00, to be expended under the direction of the Governor. Lieut. R. D. C. Collins, of the Engineer Corps of the United States Army, was detailed to superintend the work, in which he was assisted by William Strong, Samuel M. Rutherford and Sampson Gray, Road Overseer of Pulaski county. The road began on the north side of the Arkansas river, opposite Lit- tle Rock, and ran by the most direct practicable route in the direction of Memphis. Lieut. Collins was most zealous and efficient in the discharge of this duty, and gave the work his careful and unremitting attention. In the latter part of this month Col. Sevier secured a farther appropriation by Con- gress, of $100,000.00, to improve so much of the road as lay between the Mississippi and St. Francis rivers. A fair road was made of it, and, as a consequence, the Post Office Depart- ment established, in May, a semi-weekly mail from Little Rock to Memphis by stage, the first regular stage line to be opened in the Territory.
On the 8th of May a great debate in politics was held in Little Rock, between the rival candidates for Congress. The time of election was August, and the campaign was now fairly opened. Robert Crittenden, the chief of the party in the Territory, was the Whig candidate, and A. H. Sevier that of the Democrats. It was a combat of the leaders, and was proportionally exciting. Both of the men were at their best, and both young. In fact, it was the practice in the Territory to put forward the young men. Col. Sevier was first elected to Congress when he was twenty-six, and now, having been three times previously elected, was only 32. Mr. Crittenden was but 22 when he served as Secretary and acting Governor, and was now only 35. Richard Searcy was only 30 when he first ran for the office, and was 32 when Judge. Henry W. Conway was 30 when first elected Delegate. Judge Ben- jamin Johnson was 36 when appointed Judge. And many
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FROM 1831 TO 1834.
similar instances might be shown. The debate on this oc- casion drew a large crowd. Both men were good speakers. Mr. Crittenden was pronounced at all times an eloquent man, and Col. Sevier was a strong logical speaker. Mr. Critten- den opened with a speech of three hours' length, and was followed by one from Col. Sevier of one hour. Mr. Critten- den responded in a speech of an hour and a half, and Col. Sevier closed in a reply of fifteen minutes. In narrating the occurrence, in its next issue the "Gazette" jocularly put it, that, "Mr. Crittenden's cause must either be a very bad one or a very desperate one, to require a speech of three hours to de- fend it."
The election, which took place August 5th, resulted in an overwhelming defeat for Mr. Crittenden, the vote standing 4,476 to 2,520.
In the same paper which contained the Governor's official announcement of the election of Sevier, there was published a challenge to him to fight a duel, sent by one of the opposition, who had considerately waited until the election was over to do so. After stating the cause of grievance, the challenge proceeded :
"It therefore becomes my duty to inform you that I shall call on you in the next thirty days for that justice and satisfac- tion which all honorable men are ever ready to give. The pendency of the election has induced me to procrastinate thus long. Numerous professional engagements, involving duties to others, make it necessary that a delay of one month should yet take place."
And in pursuance of this due notification, the challenge was promptly on hand according to promise, with the direct re- quest for the privilege of making a target of the elected dele- gate in the following note :
A. H. SEVIER :
"LITTLE ROCK, Sept. 7th, 1833.
Sir :- In compliance with the notice contained in my note to you of the 9th ultimo . I now demand of
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you an interview, for the purpose of settling and adjusting the differences between us referred to in my note. This will be handed to you by my friend, who is fully authorized to make any arrangements that may be deemed necessary."
Col. Sevier had the good sense to decline the proffered in- vitation to battle, in the following letter :
"LITTLE ROCK, Sept. 9th, 1833.
Sir :- On the 10th of last month-five days subsequent to our late election-I received a written communication from you, dated the day previous bearing your signa- ture. In that communication I was informed that within thirty days from that date I should be called upon to render you personal satisfaction, and, lest I should be ignorant of them, you have taken the trouble of specifying the reasons for your proclamation of war. Your alleged grounds of com- plaint are the sentiments expressed by me in a speech de- livered by me on the floor of Congress, some seven or eight months ago, and my recent publications elicited from me by your repeated calls through a public paper. These are your assigned reasons for the course you have taken, and it will be for the public to judge if these are your true and only reasons. In your notice I was further informed that you would have to ask a month's delay in sending your challenge on account of 'numerous professional engagements, involving duties to others.' The time being about to expire, I was hon- ored on Saturday last with your call, or challenge, and when I read it I informed your friend that it should be attended to, but how, or when, I did not apprise him. I have now to in- form you that the interview you seek cannot be granted. 'Numerous professional engagements, involving duties to others,' composing the citizens of the whole Territory, ren- ders such an interview inadmissible. When the engagements into which I have entered with my constituents shall have been discharged, and the pledge I have made to them upon
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such subjects shall have been redeemed, should it then be your pleasure to renew your call, I shall then occupy different grounds, and be left to act according to the then state of the case.
Very truly,
A. H. SEVIER."
Nothing farther ever came of the affair.
The month of May, 1833, was a season of almost inces- sant rain. Thousands of acres of corn and other crops, to- gether with the dwellings, barns, stables and fences of citi- zens living in the vicinity of the rivers, were swept away. Many plantations were ruined by the caving in of the river banks, and by the water making deep channels through lands never known to have been overflowed before. The loss of life from the flood was frequent, and the destruction of cattle from the rapid rise of the waters was something unprece- dented. Indeed, the entire freshet was one not equaled in the history of the land as far back as any one could remember, and which has not been equaled since.
Mr. Featherstonhaugh, Principal Geologist of the United States, said in his Geological Report, as to Arkansas, that on this occasion the river rose thirty feet, and that the water stood fifteen feet high on trees in the bottoms.
In June, an official census of the Territory was published for 1833. The total population was shown to be 40,026, an increase of 9,638 since the enumeration of 1830.
In July, 1833, a newspaper was established at Helena, Phillips county, called "The Helena Herald," John Steele, editor, and C. S. Smith and James Lindsay, printers. It was the third newspaper established in the Territory, and the only one, to that date, on the banks of the Mississippi.
The eighth session of the Territorial Legislature met at Little Rock, October 7th, 1833, and remained in session until November 16th. Owing to the dilapidated condition of the house formerly used for the purpose, they were compelled to
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rent two rooms of Charles Caldwell in a long frame row, on what is now Second street, for their sitting. The session was largely devoted to the formation of new counties. Mississippi county was formed out of Crittenden ; Carroll county out of Izard, and Pike county out of Hempstead and Clark, No- vember Ist; Green county out of Lawrence, and Scott county out of Crawford and Pope, November 5th ; Van Buren county out of Conway, Izard and Independence, November 1Ith ; and Johnson county out of Pope, November 16th.
On the morning of Wednesday, the 13th of November, 1833, a curious astronomical phenomenon was witnessed throughout the United States, known as the "falling of the stars." Commencing between 12 and I o'clock at night, a clear, cold, frosty night, with the thermometer at this place at two degrees below freezing point, the sky was filled with meteors. They continued falling incessantly until day-break, and produced consternation and dismay wherever seen. They could be seen in every quarter of the sky and flying in every direction, but generally towards the southwest, producing a grand illumination of the heavens, and making so much light that persons were able to read the finest print by the light of them. No unusual atmospheric conditions followed the oc- currence.
CHAPTER X.
FROM 1834 TO 1836.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR WILLIAM S. FULTON .- ARKANSAS ADMITTED INTO THE UNION.
THE rapidly increasing population of the Territory, and the enlarged demands for facilities of travel, naturally gave great prominence to the question of roads and improved navigation.
With the opening of the year 1834, the tide of Indian emi- gration was renewed, and thousands out of various tribes passed through in search of homes beyond the embarrass- ments of civilization. The wonderful resources of the coun- try were attracting travelers and settlers from older States.
The vigorous prosecution of the work of improving the navigation of her streams was urged in Congress by Col. Sevier. A former Congress had appropriated $15,000.00 for this object, and now the faithful champion of the Territory's interests secured large additional appropriations. For the Ar- kansas river, $40,000.00 ; for the Red river, $50,000.00; for the road from Memphis to St. Francis river, $106,000.00 ; for a road from Jackson to Red river, $20,000.00; and $10,000 for a road from Little Rock to Columbia. Besides these ap- propriations there was secured from Congress $3,000.00 to be expended in providing a "Digest of the Territorial Laws."
The work of internal improvement was pressed with much wisdom and energy. Capt. H. M. Shreve, the inventor of "Snag-Boats," entered the Arkansas in August of 1834, with a squadron of his boats, and, in conjunction with other
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officials, carried forward the work with such faithfulness and success, as won for him the highest esteem, and distinguished citizens of the Territory publicly applauded his services in a complimentary banquet, at the capital; such gentlemen as Wm. Field, Daniel Ringo, James B. Keats, Wm. Cum- mins, Wm. E. Woodruff, John Fisher and Samson Gray being conspicuously present and cordial in their appreciation of the captain's work.
In February, 1834, there occurred a disastrous overflow of Red river. The rise was sudden and terrific, it sprang up 15 feet in a single day, and swept in unexpected, overwhelming floods over fields and homes. The entire valley was inun- dated ; fences, corn, bales of cotton, cattle and horses were car- ried away. Many houses were torn from their foundations, and precious lives were lost. Multitudes, who found refuge in trees, were rescued by passing steamboats, and carried to places of safety. The date lives in the memories of old men as the most disastrous in the history of the Red river country.
A matter of interest, and of excitement even, arising during the year, was the arrangement made by the Governor for the publication of a Digest of the Laws. Congress had provided that the compiling and printing of the Digest of the Territorial Laws be made under the direction and superintendency of the Governor. Without asking for bids from any other person, Governor Pope, in August, gave the job, by a contract, to John Steele, editor of the "Intelligencer." Mr. Steele, besides be- ing editor, had once been a lawyer of eight years' practice in Missouri. He was a new-comer in the Territory, having pub- lished his paper, the "Herald," but a short time at Helena, and had been a resident of Little Rock scarcely a month, editing the "Intelligencer." His contract was to do the com- piling of the laws for nothing, and was to print for the Terri- tory six hundred copies, with the right to sell copies of the book individually in excess of this. When this arrangement came to be known, it produced a violent rupture between
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FROM 1834 TO 1836.
Governor Pope and the "Gazette." The paper published some exceedingly sharp editorials, claiming that the Governor had passed over the claims of many older lawyers of the Territory, and given the matter of compiling into the hands of a man who could reasonably have little or no knowlege of the territorial enactments; and that as to printing, the rate at which pay was to be made for the 600 copies, was much greater than should have been paid. To this Mr. Steele answered, that he had made arrangements to associate with- himself in the compilation of the laws, James McCampbell, of Jackson county, a lawyer who had practiced forty years in Virginia, and who, since his residence in the Territory, had devoted himself to the compilation of a digest, and in point of fact, had one on hand ready made, which, ever since 1832, he had been endeavoring to bring out by subscription. There was much controversy about the matter. The popu- larity of Governor Pope suffered no little, the general result being to estrange from him many of those with whom he had previously acted in close concert. The Digest was finished and delivered to the Governor, February 10th, 1835, and is the first digest of Arkansas laws ever published.
In 1831 the question of going into the Union as a State had been agitated, and the general driftof publicsentiment was against it, as being premature. The Territory was not at that time able to stand the increased expense, nor had it the necessary popu- lation ; but in the lapse of four years, changes had occurred in both of these particulars. Accordingly, on the 13th of December, 1833, Col. Sevier, on his own motion, seeing a necessity and fit time to present the matter, offered a resolu- tion in Congress, which was referred to the Committee on Ter- ritories, that that Committee inquire and report as to the ex- pediency of admitting the Territory of Arkansas into the Union as a State, upon an equal footing with her sister States. A Bill for the purpose was reported from the Committee, and presented to the House, June 3d, 1834 ; but it contained a
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
provision for the admission of Michigan also. Considerable discussion arose in Congress as to the expediency of the pro- ceeding, and the result was that, on the 22d of July, the Bill was laid over. An animated discussion arose in the news- papers of the Territory upon the advisability of the step, and while there was some opposition, the general sentiment was in favor of the measure. And so while the matter slept in Congress, it was ripening in the minds of the people.
During the next year activity on the subject became very great. The people were fairly ablaze with excitement. Pub- lic meetings were held all over the State, at which speeches were made and resolutions adopted favoring a State govern- ment. The first one was a large meeting held at Litchfield, Jackson county, April 25th, at which a series of ringing resolu- tions favoring the movement were adopted, almost without opposition. This was followed by one at Hot Springs in May, at which Dr. Ira N. Sabin was Chairman, and H. A. Whit- tington, Secretary, endorsing and adopting the Litchfield resolu- tions ; then by one at Little Rock, June 13th, with Samuel S. Hall, Chairman, and Peter T. Crutchfield, Secretary. The general sentiment had became so strongly in favor of the movement, that upon the question being submitted to the peo- ple in an election held September 29th, 1835, the proposi- tion carried by a majority of 1,034. The vote was for ad- mission, 1,942; against admission, 908.
One valiant servant of the Territory, whose heart was in this matter, was cut down before its achievment.
On the 18th of December, 1834, Robert Crittenden died at Vicksburg, Mississippi. By the death of Robert Critten- den there passed away one who had perhaps been more promin- ently identified with the history of the Territory than any person then living in it, by his having served as Secretary for ten years, from 1819 to 1829; by his organization of the Ter- ritory, by his service as acting Governor from time to time, and by his prominence in politics and law matters, since he
---
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AmMinton
ROBERT CRITTENDEN. First Secretary and first acting Governor of Arkansas Territory.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
had passed out of office. He was a man of fine appearance ; in oratory was eloquent and impressive, and as an advocate was prominent and successful. His name is inseparably linked with the early history of the Territory. In 1813, when he was but 16 years old, young Crittenden entered the Army of the United States as an Ensign in the war with Great Britain, and proceeded to Malden, in Upper Canada, where he was ordered on duty in the company of Capt. Ben. Desha. Attracted by his youth, Capt. Desha became much attached to him, and acted towards him more as a kinsman than as a superior officer. He served in Canada until peace was made, and the two remained fast friends. Years after they were together again in Arkansas, and the former friend- ship was continued even closer, if possible, than before. He had but few advantages in early life, and was indebted to his elder brothers for his education. His father was an enlisted man in the Revolutionary War. He studied law in the office of his brother, John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky.
In 1887 a splendid portrait of Mr. Crittenden, executed by Mrs. L. P. Yandell, of Louisville, was placed in the Secre- tary of State's office. The original portrait, of which this is an exact copy, was painted in 1821 by Jouett, at that time one of the most celebrated portrait painters in the United States ; Mr. Crittenden was then 24 years of age. Judge Jesse Turner, of VanBuren, writing in 1888, said of him, in connection with this portrait :
"When I first saw him, in December, 1831, he was ten years older than when the original portrait was taken, yet I had no difficulty in recognizing the likeness of Crittenden. The eyes, mouth, chin and contour of face are his."
And speaking of him generally, said : ,
"Mr. Crittenden was a man of brilliant and powerful mind, and as a lawyer and advocate stood in the front ranks of his profession. As an orator he had no rival in the Territory, and, in the judgment of the writer, has had no equal here
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FROM 1834 TO 1836.
since his day. His speeches at the bar and on the rostrum were models of true eloquence. The style always chaste and elegant, but sometimes impassioned, and when aroused by the importance of the occasion, carrying away jury and audience by the power and splendor of his eloquence.
"He was a man of handsome person, of fine physical pro- portions, of pleasing and attractive manners, and his magnet- ism was almost irresistible. In temper and disposition he was kind, generous, magnanimous and noble. Although in the minority politically, he had hosts of friends, and no man ever had more devoted friends than Robert Crittenden."
In the fall of 1822 Mr. Crittenden married Miss Ann J. Morris, of Woodford county, Kentucky, who died at Frank- fort, Kentucky, April 7th, 1888, aged 82 years. Many years after Mr. Crittenden's death she married Rev. Dr. John Ed- gar, an eminent Presbyterian divine, of Nashville, Tennes- see. Mr. Crittenden also left two daughters and a son to honor his memory.
The census taken this year showed that on the Ist day of January, 1835, the population of the Territory of Arkansas was 51,809, an increase of 11, 149 over that of 1833, when it was 40,660. Of these 41,971 were white, and 9,838 colored.
Four new steamboats made their appearance in the navi- gation of the Arkansas river during this season, the "Neosho," Capt. Pennywit; the "Ottawa," Capt. Page; the "William Parsons," Capt. Tunstall; and the "Eagle," Capt. J. Bige- low-making nine steamers which were now regularly en- gaged in the traffic.
On the 23d of February, 1835, President Jackson appointed William S. Fulton, former Secretary, to be Governor of the Territory, and Lewis Randolph, a grandson of Thomas Jef- ferson, Secretary. Mr. Randolph arrived May 12th, and as- sumed the duties of his office.
On the 3d of March, 1835, Archibald Yell was appointed by the President, Judge of the Superior Court, in place of
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Judge Eskridge, whose term had expired, and at the same date Major Elias Rector was re-appointed United States Marshal.
On the 16th day of July, Bernard Smith, Register of the Land Office, died at Little Rock, aged 59 years. He was appointed Register in 1821 by President Monroe, and held the office up to the date of his death.
Later in the year Ben. Desha died at his residence in Ar- kansas county, aged 45 years. In 1824 he was appointed by President Monroe, Receiver of Public Moneys of the Little Rock Land District, and came to Arkansas in October of that year, which office he held until January, 1832, when he was superseded by Archibald Yell. The date of his death was November 21st, 1835.
In December of the year Thomas P. Eskridge died. He was a native of Staunton, Virginia, and came to Arkansas in 1821, and in 1828 was a Judge of the Superior Court, suc- ceeding Andrew Scott, and was afterwards Territorial Circuit Judge.
In August the Congressional election for Delegates took place. This time Col. Sevier, who was now a resident of Chicot county, had no opposition. He received 5,764 votes. This was the fifth time he had been elected to the office.
At this time the revolution in Texas was assuming large proportions, and the public mind was becoming excited over its incidents. Commencing with the previous autumn, num- bers of persons had from time to time gone out of Arkansas, and joined the Texans. From Little Rock a party of young men had been made up on two occasions, and gone to the aid of the pa- triot army. Our close proximity to the scene of hostilities cre- ated a feverish state of feeling among the people, which made it difficult to preserve equanimity. On the 12th of November the distinguished David Crockett was in Little Rock, on his way to Texas. He was given a complimentary supper at Jeffrie's
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FROM 1834 TO 1836.
Hotel, which was attended by a number of citizens. The next day he, with his party, mounted and heavily armed, set out for their destination. One month later the tardy mail of those times brought the news of the storming of San Antonio, and the death of Benjamin R. Milam, formerly of Lost Prairie, in Arkansas ; and five months later, Jesse B. Badgett, one of the party who had gone from Little Rock in the previous autumn, returning home, brought the news of the fall of the Alamo, with the death of Crockett, Travis, Bowie, and the whole devoted garrison.
On the 5th day of October, 1835, the ninth and last Ter- ritorial Legislature met at the capital, and were convened in the Baptist Meeting-House. Charles Caldwell, of Pulaski county, was chosen President, and Simon T. Sanders, of Hempstead county, Secretary. The House of Representa- tives elected John Wilson, of Clark county, Speaker, and L. B. Tully, Clerk.
The most important measure of the session of 1835 was the passage of a Bill calling a convention to frame a Constitu- tion, as the basis of admission into the Union, and to pray of Congress admission accordingly. The Act recited that the number of inhabitants in the Territory exceeded 47,700, and directed an election to be held for Delegates. In pursuance of the Act, elections were held in all the counties then formed, and Delegates chosen.
The convention thus provided for met in Little Rock, January 4th, 1836, and assembled in the Baptist Meeting- House, the customary place at the capital for the holding of legal assemblies, there being no hall obtainable. It organ- ized by the election of John Wilson, of Clark, President, and Charles P. Bertrand, Secretary.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The following is the list of Delegates :
Arkansas County, Bushrod W. Lee.
Arkansas and Jefferson, Terence Far- relly.
Carroll, John F. King.
Clark, John Wilson.
Chicot, John Clarke, Anthony H. Da- vies.
Conway, Nimrod Menefee.
Crawford, James Woodson Bates, John Drennen, Richard C. S. Brown.
Crittenden, J. D. Calvert, W. W. El- liott,* Wm. D. Ferguson .*
Greene, G. L. Martin.
Hempstead, Grandison D. Royston, J. H. Walker.
Hot Springs, James S. Conway.
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