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 44
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In the following autumn, another foul murder was commit- ted in the assassination of General Thomas C. Hindman, but which was not referable to this organization. He was sitting by his fireside, at his home in Helena, on the night of Septem- ber 27th, 1868, when some one fired a charge of buck-shot through his window, taking effect in his head and neck, kill- ing him instantly. He was taking part in a political canvass of unusual heat and intensity, in behalf of Charles S. Cameron, Democratic Candidate for Congress in the First District, and it was in the midst of this canvass that the foul deed was committed. A reward was offered by the Governor for the apprehension of the murderer or murderers, but they were never discovered or brought to justice.
The year 1868 was the year of a Presidential election, which gave rise to an earnest and exciting canvass. The candidates
611
FROM 1868 TO 1873.
of the Republican party were U. S. Grant, of Illinois, and Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana. Those of the Democrats were Horatio Seymour, of New York, and General Frank P. Blair, of Missouri. In the election November 3d, Grant and Col- fax were chosen. The electoral vote was 217 against 77. The vote of Arkansas was one of the States given for them.
In this election a number of counties did not participate for the reason that on the 6th of October, 1868, Governor Clay- ton issued a proclamation, setting aside the registration in the counties of Ashley, Bradley, Columbia, Hot Spring, Lafay- ette, Mississippi, Woodruff, Sharp, Craighead, Sevier and Greene, and on November Ist, Randolph.
The total registered vote in these counties, which were thus excluded from voting, was about 13,750. In the vote on the Constitution, beginning March 13th, 1868, this vote had been cast as follows :
COUNTY.
FOR CONSTITUTION.
AGAINST CONSTITUTION.
REGISTERED VOTE.
MAJORITY FOR CONSTITUTION.
MAJORITY AGAINST CONSTITUTION.
Ashley,
424
626
1418
202
Bradley,
256
546
1274
290
Columbia,
591
977
2200
386
Hot Spring,
214
474
920
260
Lafayette,
466
423
1683
43
Mississippi,
94
I33
510
39
Woodruff,
19I
597
1264
406
Sharp,*
57
223
IO13
I 66
Craighead,
182
226
620
44
Sevier,
305
40I
917
96
Greene,
IO
5.97
946
587
Randolph,
II4
5º3
985
389
Totals,
2904
5726
13750
43
2865
At this election also an election for Congressmen in the sev- eral districts was held. The candidates were: In the First
(*) Sharp county was formed out of Lawrence county after the vote on the Constitution, and before the vote at this election, was had. Its relative proportion of vote is estimated in the above table as being one-half of Lawrence.
612
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
District, Logan H. Roots, Republican; Charles S. Cameron, of Cross county, Democrat. Second District, A. A. C. Rog- ers and James Thomas Elliott. Third 'District, Thomas Boles, Republican ; L. B. Nash, Democrat.
On the 5th of December the Governor issued his proclama- tion declaring the following persons elected as members of the Forty-first Congress : First District, Logan H. Roots ; Sec- - ond District, A. A. C. Rogers; Third District, Thomas Boles.
On the 4th of November, the day following the election, Governor Clayton issued a proclamation declaring martial law to exist in the counties of Ashley, Bradley, Columbia, Lafayette, Mississippi, Woodruff, Craighead, Greene, Sevier and Little River, reciting that "life and property were inse- cure" in said counties and that the civil officers were "unable to preserve the peace" there, and calling for volunteers to serve in the militia. Similar proclamations were made with reference to the counties of Fulton, November 7th; Drew, November 10th; Conway, December 8th; and Crittenden, Dec. 28th, fourteen counties. On the 7th of November the Governor issued his proclamation, declaring that "for the pur- pose of perfecting the organization of the militia and carrying into effect the Governor's proclamation of martial law in several counties of this State, the following military districts are hereby established :
District of the Southwest. Consisting of the counties of Se- bastian, Scott, Yell, Perry, Pulaski, Polk, Montgomery, Hot Spring, Saline, Sevier, Pike, Clark, Dallas, Little River, Hempstead, Ouachita, Calhoun, Lafayette, Columbia, and Union commanded by Brigadier-General Robt. F. Catterson.
District of the Northwest. Composed of the counties of Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Conway, Van Buren, Searcy, Newton, Madison, Washington, Benton, Carroll and Marion ; the Commander to be announced.
613
FROM 1868 TO 1873.
District of the Northeast. Composed of the counties of Ful- ton, Lawrence, Sharp, Randolph, Greene, Izard, Independ- ence, Jackson, Craighead, Poinsett, Mississippi, White, Wood- ruff, Cross, St. Francis, Crittenden, Prairie, Monroe, Phil- lips and Desha, north of White river; commanded by Brigadier-General Daniel P. Upham.
District of the Southeast. Composed of the counties of Arkansas, Ashley, Jefferson, Bradley, Drew, Chicot and Desha south of White river; commanded by Colonel Sam. Mallory.
In pursuance of these proclamations, several of these coun- ties were visited by bodies of militia. They were given orders to forage off of the country, and to give receipts for whatever was taken by them, to be paid for "on proof of loyalty." To the inhabitants of those counties where the State troops were, it was a veritable reign of terror, as it was made by the militia the occasion of indiscriminate plundering of the people, and much that was taken or destroyed was never paid for. Many citizens were killed, houses were burned, and other crimes committed. The civil law was superseded in those counties by courts martial, and the citi- zens for the time being were placed under military sway. Altogether, it was one of the darkest periods in the State's entire history.
In Sevier county, in a collision between the State troops and citizens at Center Point, five of the latter were killed and three were afterwards put to death, and several on both sides were wounded. Stores in the town were entered by the State troops and rifled of their contents, and things not needed for use were destroyed.
In Woodruff county nine persons were killed and a number were imprisoned.
In Conway county, Thomas Hooper was killed at Plum- mersville, by a squad of militia, December 7th. His legs were
614
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tied under a mule, and he was shot in the back. At Lewis- burg, Joseph Jackson, Thomas Beachfield and Casey were killed, and a large part of the town of Lewisburg was burned.
In other counties, also, similar spoliation and killing of citizens took place. In general, it is estimated that as many as fifty persons were killed in the several counties.
At the session of the Legislature of 1869, an Act was passed absolving all persons who had served in the militia from accountability for any act done in such service. This Act was tantamount to acquitting, in advance of legal proceedings, any person who, while so engaged, might have committed any unlawful act, however great.
Proclamations revoking martial law in these counties, were made at the following dates :
December 2d, 1868, Sevier county ; December 14th, 1868, Fulton county ; December 19th, 1868, Little River and Lafa- yette counties, east of Red river ; December 24th, 1868, Con- way county ; January 9th, 1869, Columbia and Lafayette counties, west of Red river ; January 19th, 1869, Woodruff county; February 3d, 1869, Ashley county; February 3d, 1869, Bradley county ; February 3d, 1869, Drew county ; February 13th, 1869, Mississippi county; February 17th, 1869, Craighead county; February 17th, 1869, Greene county ; March 2Ist, 1869, Crittenden county.
There being no appropriation for the purpose of arming the militia, Governor Clayton negotiated with Messrs. James L. Hodges and George R. Weeks for the necessary funds for the purchase of arms; and they advanced the money upon Governor Clayton becoming responsible for it, the amount to be repaid by the State. Mr. Hodges was appointed Agent of the State to go North and purchase arms. He did so, and purchased 4,000 muskets, which were shipped on their destination, and came as far as Memphis.
On the 12th of October, 1868, Governor Clayton chartered the Steamer "Hesper," in command of Captain Sam. Hous-
615
FROM 1868 TO 1873.
ton, to go to Memphis and transport the arms to Little Rock, where they were to be distributed. The boat proceeded to Memphis and took the boxes of guns on board, and started. on her return journey to Little Rock, October 15th. When she had reached about twenty miles below Memphis, the "Hesper" was overhauled by the steam-tug "Nettie Jones," when a party of masked men came from the latter boat aboard of the "Hes- per." They speedily broke open the boxes containing the guns, and pitched the entire 4,000 muskets into the Mississippi river, and returning to the "Nettie Jones," soon steamed away out of sight.
In the session of the Legislature from November 17th, 1868, to April 10th, 1869, the following were the Acts of chief im- portance :
Creating the counties of Grant and Boone ; making an ap- propriation of $75,000 to pay the expenses of the militia ; $205,000 in all was ultimately appropriated by other Legis- latures ; authorizing the issue of interest-bearing certificates ; providing for the making and repairing of public levees; for maintaining the public peace; and for the funding of the pub- lic debt of the State, on account of her bonds issued to the State Bank and to the Real Estate Bank, including the disputed Holford bonds, by the issue of new bonds; and as- senting to an amendment to the Constitution of the United States proposed by Congress, and called the Fifteenth Amend- ment, which was in these words :
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of serv- itude."
And the Act before mentioned, absolving persons who had served in the militia from any accountability on account of acts done while in said service.
In the autumn of 1870 occurred an election for Congress- men. O. P. Snyder was elected in the First District ; John
616
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Edwards was returned in the Second District, but his seat was contested by Thomas Boles, his opponent, who was awarded the seat. James M. Hanks was elected for the Third Dis- trict. This was for the Forty-second Congress-from 1871 to 1873.
In the Government census of 1870 the population of Arkan- sas is given at 484,471, of which 362, 115 were white persons, and 122,169 of the colored race, an increase of 49,021 over the census of 1860.
The eighteenth session of the Arkansas Legislature met at Little Rock, January 2d, 1871, and remained in session until March 25th. Lieutenant-Governor James M. Johnson was President of the Senate, and R. L. Archer, Secretary. Chas. W. Tankersley was elected Speaker of the House, and Joseph R. Richards, Clerk.
The Acts of general importance were to create the counties of Nevada, Sarber and Lincoln; to issue bonds for the State debt ; to provide for the making of a digest of the State laws ; to provide for the collection of the school fund; for the build- ing and repairing of public levees ; for the issue of interest-bear- ing certificates on bank-note paper; establishing criminal courts ; authorizing counties to issue bonds for the building of court-houses and jails ; and providing an amendment to the Constitution, which, when adopted, should be known as Ar- ticle VIII, and be substituted for the prior section, which pro- vided such extensive disfranchisement of citizens.
Under the Act of March 27th, 1871, for the establishment of the Arkansas Industrial University, subscriptions were in- vited from the counties and towns of the State for its loca- tion. The county of Washington subscribed $100,000, and the city of Fayetteville subscribed $30,000, which being the best offered, the location of the university was made at that place. These subscriptions were in 30 year bonds, bearing eight per cent. interest, and are now running to their matur- ity. In the latter part of the year 1871 the buildings were
617
FROM 1868 TO 1873.
erected, and the university was open for the reception of pupils January 22d, 1872.
Early in the year 1871 a change was made in the compo- sition of the Supreme Court. Thomas M. Bowen resigned, and John E. Bennett, of Helena, was appointed by the Gov- ernor as his successor, February 13th. Chief Justice Wilshire resigned, and John McClure was appointed Chief Justice, February 16th, and at the same date Elhanah J. Searle was appointed Associate Justice, to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Judge McClure.
Upon the Legislature of 1871 was devolved the duty of electing a United States Senator to succeed Alexander Mc- Donald, whose term would expire March 4th, 1871. Gover- nor Powell Clayton was desired for the position by the Republicans of the Body, who were in the majority, and he was elected to the position January 10th. A difficulty, how- ever, arose for his party as to his accepting the office, for the reason that the extreme or radical wing, had grown distrust- ful of James M. Johnson, the Lieutenant-Governor, under the belief that should he succeed to the office, his policy in public matters would not prove satisfactory to them. Governor Clayton expressed it that Johnson, at the head of a few Republicans, had formed "a coalition with the entire con- servative element of both Houses," and that his course would be "adverse to the wishes of a large majority of the Repub- lican party." To prevent his accession, therefore, Governor Clayton declined the office of Senator, to which he had been elected. An effort had previously been made to get Johnson out of the line of succession by removing him from office. A writ of quo warranto was issued against him out of the Supreme Court, requiring him .to show cause why his office should not be declared vacant, by reason of his having failed to qualify, as required by law. Upon the hearing of the case, the record disclosing the fact that he had qualified in all re- spects as required by law, the writ of quo warranto was dis-
O. A. HADLEY. Acting Governor.
619
FROM 1868 TO 1873.
missed. The next move was an effort to present articles of impeachment against him, but this was voted down in the House.
But the party managers accomplished by arrangement what they had not been able to accomplish through the courts or the Legislature. On the 14th of March, Robert J. T. White resigned the office of Secretary of State, James M. Johnson then resigned the Lieutenant-Governorship, which carried with it the Presidency of the Senate, and was ap- pointed Secretary of State. A vacancy thus existing in the Presidency of the Senate, Ozro A. Hadley, Senator for the Pulaski District, was on the same day elected President of the Senate. All obstacles being now removed, Governor Clayton was a second time elected Senator, and resigning the Governorship, March 14th, 1871, was at that date succeeded by Hadley, as acting Governor.
O. A. Hadley was born at Cherry Creek, Chatauqua county, New York, June 30th, 1826, and lived there until he was 29 years of age. At that date, 1855, he emigrated to Minnesota, where he farmed until 1859. In 1865 he moved south, and settled at Little Rock, engaging in mercantile business. After his term of office as Governor closed, he be- came, in 1875, Register of the United States Land Office at Little Rock, and in 1878 was Postmaster at Little Rock till 1882, or the close of 1881, after, which date he moved to Colorado.
On the 17th of February, 1849, he married Miss Mary C. Kil- bourn, at Chatauqua. By this marriage there were two daughters, Mrs. Louis Tetard and Mrs. W. H. Hallett.
In this year two matters of public disturbance are to be noted. One was in Mississippi county, where a riotous mob of armed negroes rode into Osceola, threatening to burn the town, kill the inhabitants, etc. For a time everything looked like a conflict of a terrible nature was about to ensue, when Hon. H. M. McVeigh addressed the crowd inducing them to
620
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
disperse. A month or so later a similar crowd appeared, and were dispersed by force by Captain Charles Bowen, with a squad of men. This condition of things created great alarm in the county for the time being, and it was only through coolness and caution on the part of the people at large that greater violence was prevented.
The other incidents took place in Pope county, and were known as the Pope County War, in which several lives were lost. Bad feeling had existed between certain residents of that county, which was probably augmented by the heat of political differences, until it resulted in several collisions. Sheriff Dodson and Captain J. B. Hecox were killed. The matter was brought before the Legislature, and a committee was oppointed to investigate affairs. There was both a ma- jority and a minority report. The majority report set out that the killings were for political reasons, and recommending that martial law should be declared by the Governor. The minority report, which was by Alex Caraloff, Democratic member of the committee, set forth that the difficulties were matters of mere private or personal concern, and had no political bearing, and recommending that the matters be left to the regulation of the county officials. The majority report was adopted by the Legislature. Talk of declaring martial law, and of sending militia to the county to keep the peace, was freely indulged in; but Governor Hadley refrained from doing so. Instead, he sent a Commissioner to the county to examine into the state of affairs, and make report. On his report no official action was taken by the State officers, but the matter was left for the disposal of the county officials solely.
The session of the Legislature in which these proceedings took place, was one which was filled with intense political bitterness. The Democrats had a small, but firm and able representation in the Body, which, uniting with the Conserv- ative or Liberal Republican members, while not constituting a majority, made a sufficient opposition to the radical or extreme
de
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a a
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m 01 pa do
b th
621
FROM 1868 TO 1873.
Republicans to defeat many of their measures, and constitute unto themselves a balance of power. It was a session of much excitement. The very air was filled with impeachment; and ousters and contests for seats in the Body were the order of the day. George Thornburgh, Democrat, the sitting mem- ber of the House, from Lawrence county, was ousted in favor of Dr. W. B. Janes, claiming the seat. J. F. Lane, John J. Sumpter, Democrat, and James M. Bethel, were admitted in the place of C. K. Kymes, P. B. Allen and N. Ellington, and in the Senate, Joseph Brooks, Liberal Republican, was admitted to the seat claimed by Dr. Riley, from the Pulaski and White District. The whole session was one of turmoil and strife, rarely equaled in the sessions of any Legislature.
The year 1872 was the occasion of remarkable political contests, in both National and State affairs. A considerable division or split had occurred in the Republican party, by which there were two distinct parties in that organization. The larger party were the supporters of the Administration, but a portion of some strength separated from them, and took the name of Conservative Republicans, Liberal Republicans, or Reform Republicans. Their party held a National con- vention in Cincinnati, May Ist, and nominated for President, Horace Greeley, of New York, and for Vice-President, B. Gratz Brown, of Missouri.
The National Republican Convention met at Philadelphia, June 5th, and nominated President Grant for a second term, and Hon. Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, for Vice-Presi- dent.
The National Democratic Convention was held in Balti- more, July 6th, and voted to make no nominations of their own, but to adopt the platform of the Liberal Republican party, as expressed in their convention of May Ist, and en- dorse the candidacy of Greeley and Brown.
In the election, which occurred November 5th, Grant and Wilson were elected, receiving 286 electoral, and 3,592,984
622
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
popular votes, against 2,833,847 popular votes, equal to 74 electoral votes, for Greeley and Brown. Mr. Greeley died between the time of holding the election and the time at which the electoral vote was cast. Hence, several votes which would have been cast for him, if living, were given to Grant, and other votes were cast as complimentary votes for persons who were not in nomination.
In our State affairs a similar condition of things existed. The Conservative or Liberal Republican element had centered around Joseph Brooks as their leader, and had become dis- tinctly antagonistic to the State Government as administered by Clayton and Hadley. Their doctrine was stated to be one of reform, from which they were called Reform Republicans. Active leaders in this organization were : Senator Benjamin F. Rice, Milton L. Rice, James L. Hodges, Dr. John Kirk- wood, Judge John A. Williams and others. In the month of May, 1872, this party held a State Convention, and made nominations of a full ticket for State officers, headed by Joseph Brooks, for Governor.
On the 2d of June, 1872, the Democratic State Convention was held. After a lengthy discussion of the situation, the convention, acting on the same idea as that which controlled the National Convention, resolved not to make any nomina- tions of their own for State officers, but recommended to the Democratic voters throughout the State that they support the candidacy of Mr. Brooks.
A State Central Committee, of which Colonel Gordon N. Peay was Chairman, was appointed with full power to do whatever might be considered needful for success in the pro- gress of the canvass.
The regular Republican or Radical party held their State Convention in July, and placed in nomination a full State ticket, headed by Judge Elisha Baxter, of Batesville, as their nominee for Governor.
623
FROM 1868 TO 1873.
The Democratic State Central Committee and the Reform State Central Committee soon united in a joint Central Committee, for the purposes of the campaign, calling it a Campaign Committee. B. F. Rice was made Chairman, and Gordon N. Peay and other Democrats being members for their party, uniting with M. L. Rice, Dr. John Kirkwood, James L. Hodges, John T. Fleming and other Reform Re- publicans for their party. A fusion ticket was agreed upon between the two committees, which was headed by Joseph Brooks, as the nominee for Governor, and on which the Dem- ocrats had representation in candidates for Supreme Judge, Attorney-General and other places.
The canvass which ensued was a spirited one, and public speaking was conducted between the candidates at many points in the State. On his part, Judge Baxter, in his speeches and public utterances, promised that if elected he would administer the Government in a fair and impartial manner, as the Governor of the whole State, and not of one party only, and that he would use his efforts to have the dis- franchising features of the State Constitution done away with. These principles were, in fact, enunciated as a part of the plat- form on which his candidacy rested.
The candidacy of Mr. Brooks was not universally accept- able to the Democratic voters of the State, and inasmuch as the convention had not bound them to it, but had simply recommended it, a portion of the party dissented from the convention's action. Accordingly, a ticket for State officers, consisting of Democrats only, was made up, headed by the name of Rev. Andrew Hunter, for Governor, and was an- nounced to the people through the columns of the "Gazette," which placed the new ticket at its masthead, and invited for it general Democratic support. Dr. Hunter at once declined to be a candidate, the use of his name having been made without his knowledge or consent. One by one the other gentlemen named for positions declined to run, until the en- tire ticket fell to pieces and was withdrawn, and the race was made as between the two candidates-Brooks and Baxter.
·
624
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
In the election which took place November 5th, the Demo- cratic vote was generally given for Mr. Brooks, but as he had been very bitter against them in former times, there were many who declined to vote at all, and some who voted for Baxter.
The result of the vote, as declared by the Legislature, at the opening of the returns, January 3d, 1873, was as follows : Total vote cast, 80,720; number of votes for Elisha Baxter, 41,834 ; number of votes for Joseph Brooks, 38,886; major- ity for Baxter, 2,948.
Governor Baxter was inaugurated before the General As- sembly, January 6th, 1873, and at the same time the follow- ing State officers were inducted into office, to wit: V. V. Smith, Lieutenant-Governor; James M. Johnson, Secretary of State; Stephen Wheeler, Auditor; Henry Page, Treas- urer; T. D. W. Yonley, Attorney-General ; M. L. Stephen- son, of Helena, and E. J. Searle, Justices of the Supreme Court.
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