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 52
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ladies were : Mrs. Maria Watkins, the widow of Major Isaac Watkins, and who afterwards married Rev. W. W. Steven- son, Pastor of the Christian Church ; Mrs. Magdalen Hooper, Mrs. Jane E. Woodruff, Mrs. Letitia Neill, Mrs. Martha Peyeatt. Mrs. Elizabeth Keysacher and Mrs. Sarah Caldwell.
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
At the organization of the church, Isaiah and Catharine Palmer, Mary Wilson, Eli Fletcher and Christian Cobb were added.
This church house, usually called "The Baptist Meeting House," was a mere log house, and stood on Third street,
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it
743
FROM 1819 TO 1890.
between Main and Scott streets, south side. For a long time it was the only building in the town, being anything like a hall ; hence, was often used for public assemblies, the Legis- lature and the Superior Court being held in it. It was super- ceded about 1842 by an unpretentious frame house on Fourth street, near Broadway, which was used until 1884, when the
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
congregation having divided into the First and Second Baptist Churches by number, those of the first church built a modest building on Louisiana, near Ninth street, but during 1889 and 1890 built the elegant edifice they now occupy at the corner of Louisiana and Twelfth streets.
744
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The Baptist denomination also occupied a frame structure at the corner of Eighth and Louisiana streets, but which was removed, and the handsome building which now occupies the spot was erected, about 1884 or 1885, upon the formation of what is now the Second Baptist Church. Rev. A. B. Miller assumed charge of this church January Ist, 1885, the old organization going in with the new.
The organization of the Christian Church in Little Rock sprung out of that of the Baptist organization, as has just been noted, but their church edifice was not erected until 1845. At that date a square, brick church was erected on Scott street, between Third and Fourth, west side, to which a square tower was added about 1858. This tower had in it a clock, the first public clock used in the town. Rev. W. W. Steven- son took charge of the church in 1832, and officiated until 1849, at which date he left a congregation of ninety persons.
This church edifice stood until 1886, when it having been determined to build a church elsewhere in the city, lots were purchased at the southeast corner of Louisiana and Tenth streets, and the old church was pulled down. In 1887 the present handsome structure was erected on the new lots, and in the front of the building was placed the original sandstone slab which marked the date of the building of the first church, with the words added "Rebuilt 1887." The interior of the church is most cheerful and comfortable, and is attractively fitted up. Rev. T. J. Shelton, an eloquent Minister, is in charge, and the congregation is large and zealous.
In the early part of 1890 a second church was established, purchasing from the First Baptist Church their former church house on Louisiana street.
The next church house in Little Rock was a Methodist church, built in 1833. Prior to that, from a very early date, they had used a frame house, built by Joseph Thornhill, near the "point of rocks." Their house was built on Second street, west of Main, and is still standing, used for doctors'
745
FROM 1819 TO 1890.
offices. Reverend Andrew Hunter was in charge of this church from 1834 to 1836, and Reverend William P. Rat- cliffe from 1836 to 1838. The pulpit has been filled from time to time by the Reverends Mckenzie, Bump, R. M. Hunter, H. B. Frazer, Hearn, Watson, Godden, Horace Jewell, and A. R. Winfield, who officiated in 1853. Mrs. J. E. J. Langtree has been a faithful worker in this church since 1840.
This church edifice was used until 1879, when the congre- gation determined to build a new church. A lot was pur- chased from Judge E. H. English, at the corner of Eighth and Centre streets, and a handsome church erected there. It was large and commodious, but still the congregation found it desirable to add to it, and accordingly a chapel, in keeping with the beauty and finish of the church, was erected in 1887. The church is a tasteful and attractive building, and a comfort and satisfaction to the congregation occupying it.
The spread of the city making it necessary to establish a second church to accommodate those who lived far away from the large church, another one was established, a frame church, at the corner of Spring and Twelfth streets, called the Spring Street Methodist Church, about the year 1883. Dr. Win- field was in charge of this church in the years 1883, 1884, 1885 and 1886. In 1887 the congregation decided to move from this church and build another. Accordingly a neat brick church was erected on Fifteenth street, near Centre street, which is now in charge of Rev. F. R. Jenkins. In 1888 a beautiful addition was made to the main building, to the memory of Rev. Dr. A. R. Winfield, and called the Winfield Memorial Chapel-a fit tribute to the memory of so good and great a man.
This is the division known as the Southern Methodist church, or Methodist Episcopal Church South. Another branch of the Methodists established themselves as a separate congregation in Little Rock, about 1870, and built a large
SECOND BAPTIST AND METHODIST CHURCHES, LITTLE ROCK.
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FROM 1819 TO 1890.
church on Main street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, east side. After a time the building was remodelled, and made into two stories, with stores in the lower story and the church portion in the upper story, and thus they are at present com- fortably situated, with all that is necessary and ample for church uses, and with other portions yielding a revenue. Their congregation is large and zealous, and their church af- fairs in good shape. The church is now in charge of Rev. C. B. Besse, a highly acceptable Pastor, who took charge in 1888, coming from Maine.
One of the glories of the Methodist church in Arkansas has been the ministration of Rev. Dr. Augustus R. Winfield. He was one of the most eloquent Divines who ever adorned the pulpit in any country. As an earnest, fervid exhorter, his equal was rarely to be found. His method of speaking was entirely extemporaneous, yet it was as logically stated, and as happily phrased, as if he had bestowed the utmost care upon it beforehand. His delivery was rapid and emphatic ; he was never at any time at a loss for a word or an idea, and in the most vehement torrent of speech there was never a word in the wrong place, nor an idea clumsily presented. Speaking was his peculiar forte, and he was singularly gifted in the way of moving assemblies by his utterances. He was born in Sussex county, Virginia, in 1822, but at an early age moved with his father to Tennessee, and settled near LaGrange. Here he studied law, and, receiving his license, began the practice of the profession. In a short while, how- ever, he experienced a change of heart, and, abandoning the law, turned his attention to the ministry. He was received at a conference in Memphis, in 1845. In 1849 he was assigned to the Batesville Circuit, his first charge in Arkansas.
His preaching created a great sensation there, and was the cause of many being added to the church. He was next at Princeton, in 1831, where his eloquence drew large numbers to him, and the church greatly increased. He was next at
748
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Little Rock, in 1853 to 1855, where the same degree of in- fluence was wielded by him, and many were converted. From that time he was in many parts of the State, with great success attending his efforts. His ministry extended over a period of over forty years. In 1879 to 1883 he was Presi- dent of the Arkansas Female College. In 1884 he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and traveled extensively in Europe. In 1885 he became Editor of the "Western Meth- odist," which position he was filling at the date of his death, December 26th, 1887, at the age of sixty-five years. He was buried on the afternoon of December 28th, from the Eighth Street Church. All ministers in the city, and many from neighboring cities and towns, were in attendance, and took part in the ceremony, and the general attendance of citizens made one of the largest gatherings that was ever present at a funeral in Little Rock. Rev. Andrew Hunter delivered the funeral discourse, an admirable disquisition on the life and character of the deceased Divine, who had been his friend from early manhood, and who was the last one left of the comrades of the Ministry of his earlier days.
Commenting upon this circumstance, the reverend and venerable gentleman, then in his 68th year, turning to the group of his brethren assembled on the platform, said, in a voice broken with emotion :
"Of all of you whom I see here to-day, I ought to be chief mourner. He was the last one left to me out of those who went out with me in the strength of youth, nearly a half cen- tury ago, to labor in the harvests of the Lord. I alone am left like a lonely tree standing desolate, when all its fellows are fallen, and I, too, shall speedily follow him. Until then, my brother, farewell."
Concerning him, the committee appointed for the building of the Winfield Memorial Chapel, in appealing to the public for aid in the erection of the edifice, well and truly say :
749
FROM 1819 TO 1890.
"The church is named in honor of the late Dr. A. R. Win- field, so widely known and deeply lamented, whose eloquent tongue and pen for forty years was ever ready to defend and uphold the State and people he loved so well. His strong in- dividuality and aggressive force have left their mark for all time to come upon the citizenship of our State, and we feel that we are honoring justly such a man in thus keeping his memory green through the generations yet to come, by means of a house to be used in the advancement of the Christian religion, which was dearer to him than life itself."
Dr. Winfield was married at Princeton, in 1852, to Miss Susan Norment, who survives him, as does also a daughter, Mrs. T. C. Powell, and a son, Rev. Edward Winfield, who is himself a Minister in the Methodist church.
The Presbyterian Church in Little Rock dates from 1834. In the latter part of that year, or early in 1835, a frame church, with a wooden tower, was built on Main street, near Second, east side. In 1848 the first Presbyterian Synod held in Arkansas-the district embracing all of Arkansas, North Mississippi, Western Tennessee, and the Indian Territory- was held in the church October 24th, Rev. Dr. Bryington being Moderator. In 1853 this church was pulled down, and a commodious brick church, with square wooden tower, was erected on lower Markham street, between Rock and Cumberland, south side. A prominent Minister of this pul- pit was Rev. Joshua F. Green, from November, 1847. In 1868 this church was destroyed by fire, and the present edifice, called the First Presbyterian Church, was commenced at the northwest corner of Scott and Fifth streets, and was. com- pleted about 1870. Rev. Thomas R. Welch occupied the pulpit in both of these churches for a period of twenty-five years, from December, 1859, to 1885, when ill health compelled him to retire. He was appointed United States Consul to Hamilton, Ontario, and died there March 25th, 1886. He was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, September 15th, 1825, and came to Arkansas in 1831, settling at Helena,
,
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The pulpit of this church is filled by the Rev. T. C. Barrett, an eloquent and impressive Divine, much beloved of his people.
Dr. J. W. Beidelman has been the organist of this church for over twenty years.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
The congregation of this denomination having greatly increased, and the spread of the city making it necessary to provide facilities for church attendance to those living in dis- tant parts of the city, a second church edifice was erected,
751
FROM 1819 TO 1890.
1880 to 1882, at the corner of Fourth and State streets; a handsome and comfortable building, having a large congrega- tion resorting to it.
The Catholic church in Little Rock dates from 1840. On the eighteenth day of May of that year the corner stone of a church edifice was laid, and a brick structure was erected during the year. It stood in the grounds now occupied by the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, on Louisiana and Centre, Sixth and Seventh streets, and was under charge of Father Joseph Richard Bole, a distinguished and devout Frenchman. The foundation and part of the walls are still there, and were incorporated into the convent building when it was remod- eled in 1885. This church building was used as a house of worship until 1845, when the frame building at the corner of Centre and Second streets was erected. This was used for church purposes until 1881, at which date the cathedral, at the corner of Louisiana and Seventh streets, was completed and occupied ; and shortly afterwards a residence for the Bishop was erected adjacent thereto. The dedication of the cathedral took place November 30th, 1881, by the name of St. Andrew's Cathedral. It is a noble edifice, built of native granite, with a lofty and commanding spire, a notable object from all points of view. It was begun in 1878, and was completed, all but the spire, in 1881, the spire was added in 1887. The interior of the cathedral is handsomely and imposingly fitted up, and contains an altar of great beauty, made entirely or chiefly of marble.
In 1851 the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy was established, they using the original church building with additions, and it has been in successful operation ever since.
In 1884 a church for German Catholics, a frame structure, called St. Edward's, was built in the eastern part of the city, on Ninth Street, opposite the grounds of the United States Garrison,
CATHOLIC CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
753
FROM 1819 TO 1890.
Rt. Rev. Andrew Byrne was Bishop from March, 1844, the date of his consecration, to June, 1862, the date of his death. He died at Helena, and was buried there, but his remains were afterwards brought to Little Rock, and interred in St. Andrew's Cathedral, where they now lie.
Rt. Rev. Edward Fitzgerald was consecrated Bishop of Little Rock February 3d, 1867, and is still in the discharge of that sacred office.
The first mass said in Little Rock was in the rear of Dugan's store, in the year 1830. The store occupied the ground which is now covered by the rear end of Stift's jewelry store. The services were conducted by Father Donnelly. Among the Little Rock people now living who attended the mass are Mrs. Dempsey and Miss Betsey Bruder. Little Rock, at that time, was under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of St. Louis.
The First Episcopal Church built in the place was in 1840, a brick church, with square wooden tower, standing on the spot now occupied by the Rectory, just south of the large church and contiguous thereto. It was completed in 1842. Rev. Dr. Yeager was the first Minister in charge. He remained until 1848, when he was succeeded by Rev. Andrew Freeman, son of Rt. Rev. George W. Freeman, the Bishop of the Diocese, Rev. Andrew Freeman remaining until 1858 or 1859, when he was succeeded by Rev. John Thomas Wheat. Dr. Wheat, who was a dearly beloved Pastor, remained until 1862, doing much good. He died at Saulsbury, North Carolina, February 2d, 1888, in the 87th year of his age. He was born at the Navy Yard, in Washington, D. C., No- vember 15th, 1801. After he left Little Rock the pulpit was filled by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry C. Lay, during the remainder of the time of the war. As the church building was for much of the time used as an Army Hospital, church services were held at private houses. For this pur- 48
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
pose the residence of Judge Ringo, corner Fourth and Com- merce streets, was frequently used. The next Minister to take charge was Rev. P. G. Robert, who came from Virginia in 1866, and remained until 1869 or 1870. To him fell the
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
difficult task of re-organizing the parish, scattered and dis- persed by the war, and with devoted zeal he succeeded in building it up to life and activity. He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Hobart Morrell in 1870, who, however, left be-
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FROM 1819 TO 1890.
fore a great while, and Rev. Thomas Booth Lee, of Oxford, England, became the Rector, remaining until 1875. During his ministration the church building was destroyed by fire, September 1873. In the spring of 1874 work was com- menced on a new church, but it got no farther than the foun- dation for a number of years. In 1875 Rev. Tullius C. Tupper was called to the charge, and remained eleven years. He was one of the most popular and dearly beloved Pastors whom that church ever had. During his ministration, work was carried on from time to time on the church until it was finished, and was occupied by the congregation for the first time Easter Sunday, 1886, thirteen years from the time it was commenced. When completed, it was one of the most ele- gant structures of the kind in the city. Mr. Tupper was succeeded in September, 1885, by Rev. Wallace Carnahan.
In 1884, mainly through the efforts of the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Henry N. Pierce, an Episcopal Church, called Trinity Cathedral, was built at Spring and Eighteenth streets. An extension was made in 1888, adding greatly to the area of the building.
The First German Evangelical Lutheran Church, corner of Rock and Eighth streets, is an elegant church, a model one in every respect. It was completed and occupied for the first time April 8th, 1888. In 1868 influential Germans of the city resolved to establish a Lutheran Church. In the spring of 1869 an organization was effected, with about twenty-five persons. The congregation called Rev. J. H. Nieman, of St. Louis, to be their Pastor. He has now a large congregation, over 2,000 souls, in Cleveland, Ohio. The lots where the church now stands were purchased, and a church edifice erected thereon. It was a frame building, and cost about $3,500. The corner stone of it was laid October 31st, 1869. As the congregation grew, the necessity for a larger and better church was felt. Accordingly, in the latter part of 1886, the old church was torn down and a new church
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
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FROM 1819 TO 1890.
of pressed brick, with stone facings, a tall and stately tower, and all the beauties of church decoration in the way of stained glass windows, chancel, altar, font, and chandeliers, which taste could dictate, was erected on its site. The cost of the building was about $23,000. The Rev. J. H. Nie- man, who had been its first Pastor, came from Cleveland to perform the dedication ceremonies. He had begun with a congregation of 25, and now its fold embraced over 400.
The Jewish Synagogue dates from about the year 1870. Before that, from about 1866 or 1867, the congregation had used rented halls, one of which was in a frame building corner of Main and Water streets, northeast corner; then a hall in the building near the corner of Markham and Rock streets. In that year, 1870, the congregation organized with the view of erecting a house of worship, and built the house where the present one stands. In time the building proved to be inadequate for the needs of the people, and it was enlarged and remodeled in the year 1887 to its present aspect. It is a commodious structure, finished inside with neatness and comfort, and a satisfaction to the congregation. Rabbi Block was the first Rabbi in charge. He was suc- ceeded by Rabbi Benson, he by Dr. Joseph Stolz, and he by Dr. Schreiber.
About the year 1886 a division of the congregation took place, they separating into two branches, called Reformed Jews and Orthodox Jews. The Reformed Jews are those which worship at the synagogue. The Orthodox Jews have no house of worship, but use rented halls.
The building of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Little Rock, dates from 1871. At that date a neat frame church house was built at the corner of Seventh and Arch streets, and Rev. Dr. S. H. Buchanan, a Pastor beloved for many good deeds, was placed in charge. In 1885 the con- gregation determined to move to another locality. Accord- ingly, a handsome brick structure was erected at the corner
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of Louisiana and Sixth streets, its present locality. The church is tastily and comfortably fitted up inside, and among its memorial windows, contains one in memory of Rev. John P. Carnahan, a Pastor of this denomination, who preached the first Protestant sermon ever preached in Arkansas. It was delivered at Arkansas Post, in the year 1811. Attached to the church was a comfortable frame residence, for the Pastor's residence. In 1887 the house took fire and was burned, but the congregation immediately devised means to restore the building, and this time built it of brick.
The Congregational Church began in the early part of 1884, by meetings held in the Opera House by a Rev. Mr. Anderson. After these had continued some three or four months, Mr. Anderson left, and on the Ist of May, 1884, the church was formally organized with the following church officers :
Rev. Geo. M. Sanborne, Pastor ; Judge Liberty Bartlett, E. J. French, A. E. Beadle, Deacons; E. W. Leland, A. W. Upton, Lucien W. Coy, George W. Clark, Capt. H. S. Taber, A. S. Fowler, John Cross, Trustees ; Dr. L. W. Mil- lett, Clerk; Mrs. M. A. Leland, Treasurer ; Capt. H. S. Taber, Sunday School Superintendent.
Rev. Mr. Sanborne remained in charge until about the year 1888, when he resigned to accept a call in St. Louis, and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Robert H. Read, a learned Minister, and one of extraordinary eloquence and power. Although upwards of seventy-four years of age, Dr. Read filled his charge with as much vigor and activity as many men of not half that age would have done. He gave from his pulpit on Sabbath evenings a series of lectures on the birds, and animals mentioned in the Scriptures, such as the dove, the raven, the eagle, the horse, etc. Few who heard his lecture on the foxes, taken from the text, "Take me the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for my vines bear tender grapes," delivered on the night of Sunday, November 11th,
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1888, will ever forget the wonderful amount of learning, of eloquence and instruction which he imparted to the subject, and his ingenious handling of the novel theme.
Dr. Read resigned May Ist, 1889, and began a series of public services, which he conducted with success. He died in Paris, Texas, in March, 1890, aged 77 years.
BETHEL COLORED CHURCH, LITTLE ROCK.
The members of the Congregational Church erected a neat chapel building, at the corner of Main and Eleventh streets, which they use for church purposes, their design being to erect a large church on adjacent ground.
The first church for colored people was a frame church, built in 1840, on a lot donated for the purpose by Roswell
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FROM 1819 TO 1890.
Beebe, at the northwest corner of Ninth streets and Broadway, opposite where the Bethel Church stands now. The old church is still standing, having now been moved back and added to.
There are now several handsome brick churches, and a number of frame churches used by the colored race in the city, of the various denominations.
And thus from the days of its humble beginning with Moses Austin's cabin, "partly made of cypress slabs, set up endways," Little Rock has grown to be a beautiful and vig- orous city, with a population estimated at 40,000 ; and rejoic- ing in all the attributes of a city's splendor.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND PERSONAL HISTORIES OF CITIZENS OF LITTLE ROCK, OF EITHER PAST OR PRESENT TIME.
IN the month of February, 1820, Dr. Matthew Cunning- ham came from Philadelphia, and settled at Little Rock. He was many times elected Mayor and Trustee of the town, and served in many other positions. His son, Chester A. Cunningham, born 1822, was the first white child born in Little Rock. His family residence stood on the west side of Main street, at the southwest corner of Third street, and was then in the suburbs of the town. The house stood until 1883, when it was pulled down, to make way for the brick structure which now occupies the spot. Dr. Cunningham was born in Philadelphia, July 5th, 1782, and died June 15th, 1854. He married Mrs. Bertrand, the mother of Charles P. Bertrand. His children were: a son, Chester A., and two daughters, Henrietta, who was first Mrs. Hill, and afterwards Mrs. Dr. Savage, and Matilda J., who was the first Mrs. Peter Hanger.
In 1820 Chester Ashley settled in Little Rock. He was a native of Massachusetts, where he was born in 1791. In 1819 he went to St. Louis, and engaged in the practice of law, but remained there only about a year. From there he came to Little Rock, where he entered upon a prosperous career in law and land matters, and eventually became known as one of the leading men in public affairs in the State. He was everywhere noted for his urbanity and hospitality. He built
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