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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
The Russellville & Dardanelle Railroad is four miles long, extending from the south bank of the Arkansas River to Russellville.
The Southwestern, Arkansas & Indian Terri- tory Railroad indicates that there is nothing in a name, as this road is but twenty-seven miles long,
87
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
running from Southland to Okolona on the west, and also extending east from the main line.
A line is being surveyed and steps actively taken to build a road from Kansas City to Little Rock, which is to cross the Boston Mountains near the head waters of White River.
Several other important lines are at this time
making preparations to build in the near future. Charters for nearly 100 routes in the State have been secured since 1885. There is not only plenty of room, but a great necessity for yet hundreds of miles of new roads here. They will greatly facili- tate the development of the immense resources of this favored locality.
-
CHAPTER XI.
THE COUNTIES OF THE STATE-THEIR FORMATION AND CHANGES OF BOUNDARY LINES, ETC .- THEIR COUNTY SEATS AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST CONCERNING THEM-DEFUNCT COUNTIES-NEW COUNTIES-POPULATION OF ALL THE COUNTIES OF THE STATE AT EVERY GENERAL CENSUS.
Not chaos-like, together crush'd and bruised; But as the world, harmoniously confused: Where order iu variety we see, And where, though all things differ, they agree .- Pope.
ERHAPS to many, no more interesting subject in the history of the State can be presented than that refer- ring to the name, organiza- tion, etc., of each county within its limits. Careful research has brought forth the fol- lowing facts presented in a concise, but accurate manner:
Arkansas County was formed December 13, 1813. As the first municipal formation within the boundary of the State, in Lower Mis- souri Territory, it was first a parish under Spanish rule and then under French. October 23, 1821, a part of Phillips County was added to it; the line be- tween Pulaski and Arkansas was changed October 30, 1823; Quapaw Purchase divided between Ar-
kansas and Pulaski October 13, 1827; line between Arkansas and Phillips defined November 21, 1829; boundaries defined November 7, 1836. County seat, De Witt; first county seat, Arkansas-oppo- site Arkansas Post.
Ashley, formed November 30, 1848, named for Hon. Chester Ashley, who died a United States Senator; line between Chicot changed January 19, 1861. County seat, Hamburg.
Baxter, March 24, 1873; line between Izard and Fulton defined October 16, 1875; line between Marion changed March 9, 1881. County seat, Mountain Home.
Benton, September 30, 1836, named in honor of Hon. Thomas H. Benton. County seat, Ben- tonville.
Boone, April 9, 1869; named for Daniel Boone; line between Marion defined December 9, 1875. Harrison, county seat.
Bradley, December 18, 1840; part of Calhoun
88
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
attached October 19, 1862; part restored to Ashley County January 1, 1859. Warren, county seat.
Calhoun, December 6, 1850; named for John C. Calhoun; part added to Union and Bradley November 19, 1862. County seat, Hampton.
Carroll, November 1, 1833; named in honor of the signer of the declaration; boundary defined December 14, 1838; line between Madison defined January, 11, 1843, and again January 20, 1843; line between Marion defined December 18, 1846; line between Madison defined December 29, 1854, and again January 16, 1857; part of Madison attached April 8, 1869. Berryville, county seat.
Chicot, October 25, 1823; boundary defined November 2, 1835; part attached to Drew Decem- ber 21, 1846; line between Ashley changed January 19, 1861; line between Drew changed November 30, 1875; line changed between Desha February 10, 1879. Lake Village, county seat.
Clark, December 15, 1818, while Lower Mis- souri Territory; named in honor of Gov. Clark, of Missouri; the line between Pulaski and Clark, changed October 30, 1823; divided November 2, 1829; line between Hot Springs and Dallas changed April 3, 1868; line between Pike defined April 22, 1873; line between Montgomery changed April 24, 1873; line between Pike changed March 8, 1887. Arkadelphia, county seat.
Clay, March 24, 1873; named for Henry Clay. This county, formed as Clayton County, was changed to Clay on December 6, 1875. The act of March 24, 1873, changed the boundaries of a large num- ber of counties. Boydsville and Corning, county seats.
Cleburne, formed February 20, 1883; named in honor of Gen. Patrick A. Cleburne. Heber is the county seat.
Cleveland, formed in 1885; named for President Cleveland; was formed as Dorsey County. Toledo, county seat.
Columbia, December 17, 1852; part of Union County added December 21, 1858; line between Nevada defined April 19, 1873. Magnolia, county seat.
Conway, December 7, 1825; named after the noted Conways; the northeast boundary defined
October 27, 1827; line between Pulaski and Con- way defined October 20, 1828; part of Indian pur- chase added October 22, 1828; line between Con- way, Pulaski and Independence defined November 5, 1831; part added to Pope January 6, 1853; part added to White January 11, 1853; act of March, 1873; line between Pope defined May 28, 1874. County seat, Morrillton.
Craighead, formed February 19, 1850. Jones- boro, county seat.
Crawford, October 18, 1820; boundary was changed October 30, 1823; divided and county of Lovely established October 13, 1827; part of the Cherokee Country attached to, October 22, 1828; boundary defined December 18, 1837; line between Scott defined; line between Washington defined November. 24, 1846; line between Frank- lin defined March 4, 1875; line changed between Washington March 9, 1881. Van Buren, county seat.
Crittenden, October 22, 1825; named for Rob- ert Crittenden; St. Francis River declared to be the line between St. Francis and Crittenden Coun- ties November, 1831; portion attached to Missis- sippi County January, 1861; act, March, 1873. Marion, county seat.
Cross, November 15, 1862, 1866, 1873. Witts- burg, the county seat.
Dallas, January 1, 1845; line between Hot Springs and Clark changed April 3, 1869. Prince- ton the county seat.
Desha, December 12, 1838; named for Hon. Ben Desha; portion attached to Drew January 21, . 1861; part of Chicot attached February 10, 1879; also of Lincoln, March 10, 1879. Arkansas City, county seat.
Drew, November 26, 1846; part Chicot attached December 21, 1846; part of Desha attached Jan- uary 21, 1861; March, 1873; line between Chicot changed November 30, 1875. Monticello, county seat.
Faulkner, April 12, 1873; line defined Decem- 7, 1875. Conway, county seat.
Franklin, December 19, 1837; line between Johnson defined December 14, 1833; line between Crawford defined March 4, 1875. Ozark, county seat.
89
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Fulton, December 21, 1842; part attached to Marion County January 18, 1855; part of Law- rence attached January 18, 1855, March, 1873; line between Baxter and Izard defined February 16, 1875. County seat, Salem.
Garland, April 5, 1873; named after Gov. A. H. Garland. Hot Springs, county seat.
Grant, February 4, 1869. Sheridan, county seat.
Greene, November 5, 1833; act March, 1873. Paragould, county seat.
Hempstead, December 15, 1818, when this was Lower Missouri Territory; Lafayette County carved out of this territory October 15, 1827; line between Pike defined December 14, 1838. Wash- ington, county seat.
Hot Spring, November 2, 1829; certain lands attached to March 2, 1838; Montgomery taken out of December 9, 1842; line between Saline defined December 23, 1846; line between Montgomery changed December 27, 1848; line between Saline changed February 19, 1859, and changed again January 10, 1861; line between Clark and Dallas changed April 3, 1869; March, 1873. Malvern, county seat.
Howard, April 17, 1873. County seat, Centre Point.
Independence, October 20, 1820; part of east- ern boundary defined October 30, 1823; Izard County formed of October 27, 1825; part of Inde- pendence added October 22, 1828; line between Independence and Izard defined November 5, 1831; line between Independence and Conway, November 5, 1831; between Independence and Jackson, No- vember 8, 1836; between Izard February 21, 1838; December 14, 1840; Lawrence changed December 26, 1840; March, 1873; Sharp County defined Feb- ruary 11, 1875. Batesville, county seat.
Izard, October 27, 1825; western boundary line extended October 13, 1827; part of the Indian purchase added October 22, 1828; between Inde- pendence and Izard defined November 5, 1831; between Conway and Izard, November 5, 1831; southern boundary established November 11, 1833; line between Independence defined February 21, 1838, and December 14, 1838, and December 21, 6
1840; western boundary line defined December 24, 1840, March, 1873; between Baxter and Fulton defined February 16, 1875; between Sharp changed March 9, 1877. Melbourne, county seat.
Jackson, November 5, 1829; line between In- dependence defined November 8, 1836; part of St. Francis attached January 10, 1851. Jackson- port, county seat.
Jefferson, November 2, 1829; boundaries de- fined November 3, 1831, and again October 29, 1836; line changed between Lincoln and Desha March 20, 1879. Pine Bluff, county seat.
Johnson, November 16, 1833; southern line defined November 3, 1835; east line defined Octo- ber 5, 1836; line between Franklin defined Decem- ber 14, 1838, 1848; between Pope February 19, 1859, again March 27, 1871; line between Pope re-established on March 6, 1875; between Pope changed March 9, 1877. Clarksville, county seat.
Lafayette, October 15. 1827; the line between Union defined November 26, 1846. Lewisville, county seat.
Lawrence, on January 15, 1815, while Lower Missouri Territory; east line defined October 30, 1823; between Independence changed December 20, 1840; part attached to Fulton January 18, 1855; part attached to Randolph January 18, 1861; nearly half the county cut off the west side to form Sharp County, 1868. Powhatan, county seat.
Lee, April 17, 1873. Marianna, county seat.
Lincoln, March 28, 1871; part transferred to Desha County, March 10, 1879. Star City, county seat.
Little River, March 5, 1867. Richmond is the county seat.
Logan, originally Sarber County, March 22, 1871; amended, February 27, 1873; changed to Logan, December 14, 1875; line between Scott changed, March 21, 1881. Paris, county seat.
Lonoke, April 16, 1873; named for the lone oak tree, by simply spelling phonetically-the suggestion of the chief engineer of the Cairo & Fulton Railroad. Line between Prairie defined November 30, 1875, and again, December 7, 1875. Lonoke, county seat.
90
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Lovely, October 13, 1827; abolished October 17, 1828.
Madison, September 30, 1836; west boundary changed on November 26, 1838; between Carroll defined January 11, 1843, and again January 20, 1843, 1846; between Newton, December 21, 1848; between Carroll, April 8, 1869. Huntsville, county seat.
Marion, September 25, 1836; originally Searcy County; changed to Marion, September 29, 1836 (Searcy County created out of December 13, 1838); west boundary defined November 18, 1837; between Carroll defined December 18, 1846; part of Fulton attached January 18, 1855; between Van Buren and Searcy defined January 20, 1855, and March, 1873; line between Boone defined December 9, 1875; line between Baxter changed March 9, 1881. Yellville, county seat.
Miller, April 1, 1820; the greater portions fell within the limits of Texas; county abolished there- fore, 1836; re-established, December 22, 1874, and eastern boundary extended. Texarkana, county seat.
Mississippi, November 1, 1833, 1859; portion of Crittenden attached, January 18, 1861. Osceola, county seat.
Monroe, November 2, 1829; boundaries defined December 25, 1840; line between Prairie changed December 7, 1850; line changed April 12, 1869, March, 1873, April, 1873, and May 27, 1874. Clarendon, county seat.
Montgomery, December 9, 1842; line between Yell defined January 2, 1845; between Perry, December 23, 1846; between Perry re-established December 21, 1848; between Hot Spring changed December 27, 1848; between Polk changed Feb- ruary 7,1859, March, 1873; between Clark changed April 24, 1873; line between Pike defined Decem- ber 16, 1874. Mount Ida, county seat.
Nevada, March 20, 1871; line between Colum- bia defined April 10, 1873. Prescott, county seat.
Newton, December 14, 1842; line between Madison defined December 21,1848; between Pope January 10, 1853. Jasper, county seat.
Ouachita, November 29, 1842; line between Union changed January 6, 1853. Camden, county seat.
Perry, December 18, 1840; line between Pul- aski, Saline and Montgomery defined December 23, 1846; old line between Montgomery re-estab- lished December 21,1848. Perryville, county seat.
Phillips, May 1, 1820; part attached to Arkan- sas County October 23, 1881; west boundary defined October 30, 1823; act to divide and create Crittenden County October 22, 1825; divided and St. Francis County created October 13, 1827; line between Arkansas County defined November 21, 1828, 1840, March, 1873. Helena, county seat.
Pike, November 1, 1833; line between Sevier defined November 15,1833; between Hempstead, December 14, 1838; between Clark, April 22, 1873; between Montgomery, December 16, 1874; between Clark defined March 8, 1877. Murfrees- boro, county seat.
Poinsett, February 28, 1838, 1859. Harris- burg, county seat.
Polk, November 30, 1844; line between Mont- gomery changed February 7, 1859; part of Sebas- tian County added by ordinance of convention, June 1, 1861. Dallas, county seat.
Pope, November 2, 1829; part added to Yell January 5, 1853; part of Conway attached Janu- ary 6, 1853; line between Newton, January 10, 1853; part of Van Buren attached January 12, 1853; between Van Buren defined February 17, 1859; between Johnson, October 19, 1859, March, 27, 1871; between Conway, May 28, 1874; between Johnson re-established March 6, 1875; between Johnson changed March 9, 1877. Dover, county seat.
Prairie, October 25, 1846; between Pulaski changed December 30, 1848; between Monroe changed December 7, 1850; line changed April 12, 1869; between White defined April 17, 1873; line changed April 26, 1873, May 27, 1874; between Lonoke changed November 30, 1875; separated into two districts, 1885. Devall's Bluff, county seat.
Pulaski, December 15, 1818, while a part of Lower Missouri Territory; line between Arkansas and Pulaski October 30, 1823; between Clark changed October 30, 1823; divided October 20, 1825; Quapaw Purchase divided-Arkansas and
r
91
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Pulaski, October 13, 1827; northwest boundary defined October 23, 1827; between Pulaski and Conway, October 20, 1828; line between Saline defined February 25, 1838, December 14, 1838; between White changed February 3,1843; between Saline defined December 21, 1846; between Perry defined December 23, 1846; between Prairie changed December 30, 1848; between Saline de- fined April 12, 1873; again, December 7, 1875. Little Rock, county seat.
Randolph, October 29, 1835; part of Lawrence attached January 18, 1864, March, 1873. Poca- hontas, county seat.
Saline, November 2, 1835; boundaries defined November 5, 1836; between Pulaski, February 25, 1838, December 14, 1838, December 21, 1846; be- tween Hot Spring, December 23, 1846, February 19, 1859, January 19,1861; between Pulaski, April 12, 1873, December 17, 1875. Benton, county seat. .
Scott, November 5, 1833; boundaries defined October 24, 1835; between Crawford, December 16, 1838; part of Sebastian attached by conven- tion June 1, 1861; line between Logan changed March 21, 1873. Waldron, county seat.
Searcy, November 5, 1835; boundaries defined September 26, 1836; name changed to Marion September 29, 1836; county created out of Marion December 13, 1838; between Van Buren defined October 2, 1853; between Van Buren and Marion defined October 20, 1855, March, 1873. Marshall, county seat.
Sebastian, January 6, 1851; part attached to Scott and Polk by the convention June 1, 1861. Fort Smith and Greenwood, county seats.
Sevier, October 17, 1828; boundaries defined November 8, 1833; between Pike, November 15, 1833; southeast boundary defined October 29. 1836. Lockesburg, county seat.
Sharp, July 18, 1868; act March 3, 1873; be- tween Independence defined February 11, 1875;
line between Izard changed March 9, 1877, 1883. Evening Shade, county seat.
St. Francis, October 13, 1827; St. Francis River declared boundary line between Crittenden November 3, 1831; part attached to Jackson Jan- uary 1, 1851, March, 1873. Forrest City, county seat.
Stone, April 21, 1873. Mountain View, county seat.
Union, November 2, 1829; boundaries defined November 5, 1836; line between Lafayette, November 26, 1846; line between Ouachita changed January 6, 1853; part added to Columbia, Decem- ber 21, 1851; part of Calhoun attached October 19, 1862. El Dorado, county seat.
Van Buren, November 11, 1833; boundaries defined November 4, 1836; part attached to Pope January 12, 1853; between Searcy and Marion defined January 20, 1855; between Pope defined February 17, 1859. Clinton, county seat.
Washington, October 17, 1828; certain lands declared to be in Washington County October 26, 1831; line between Crawford defined November 24, 1846; line changed between Crawford March 8, 1883. Fayetteville. county seat.
White, October 23. 1835; line between Pulaski changed February 3, 1843; part of Conway at- tached January 11, 1853; line between Prairie defined April 17, 1873. Searcy, county seat.
Woodruff, November 26, 1862; but vote, in pursuance to ordinance of conventions 1861, 1866, 1869; line changed April 26, 1873. Augusta, county seat.
Yell, December 5, 1840; northern boundary, December 21, 1840; line between Montgomery, January 2, 1845; part Pope attached January 6, 1853. Danville and Dardanelle, county seats.
The following table will prove valuable for comparison in noting the growth in population of the counties throughout the State in the various decades from their organization:
1
G
92
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
AGGREGATE POPULATION BY COUNTIES.
Counties in
1880
1870
1860
1850
1840
1830
1820
1810
1880
1870
1860
1850
1840
1830
1820
1810
the State.
802,525
484,471
435,450 209,897 97,574 30,388: 14,255
1,062
Arkansas
8,038
Ashley
10,156
8,238 8,042
8,884 8,590
3,245 2,058
1,346
1,426 1,260
1,062
Lee
13,288
Lincoln.
9,255
Little River
6,405
3,246
Logan ...
14,885
Lonoke
12,146
Madison
11,455
8,231 3,979
7,740 6,192
4,823 2,308
1,325
Carroll
13,337
5,780
9,383
4,617
2,844
Chicot.
7,214
9,234
5,115
3,806
1,165
Clark
11,953
9,735
4,070
2,300
1,369
1,040
Monroe.
9,574
8,336
5,657
2,049
1,410 936
461
Montgomery.
5,729
2,984
3,633
1,958
Nevada.
12,959
Newtou
6,120
4,374
3,393
1,758
9,591
Perry
3,872
2,685
2,465
978
Phillips
21,262
15,372
14,877
6,935 1,861
3,547
1,152
1,197
Pike
6,345
3,788
Poinsett.
2,192
1,720
3,621
2,308
1,320
Polk
5,857
3,376
4,262
1,263
Dorsey
8,370
Pope.
14,322
8,386
7,883
4,710
2,850
1,483
Prairie
8.435
5,604
8,854
2,097
Faulkner
12,786
Pulaski
32,616
32,066
11,699
5,657
5,350
Franklin
14,951
9,627
7,298
3,972
2,665
Randolph
11,724
7,466
6,261
3,275
2,196
Fulton
6,720
4,843
4,024
1,819
9,023
Saline ..
8,953
3,911
6,540
3,903
2,061
Scott
9,174
7,483
5,142
3,083
1,694
Greene
7,480
7,573
5,843
2,593
1,586
Searcy
7,278
5 613
5,271
1,979
936
19,560
12,940
Sevier
6,192
4,492
10,516
4,240
2,810
634
Sharp.
9,047
5,400
5,089
Union
13,419
10,571
12,288
10,298
2,889
640
Jackson ..
10,877
7,268
10,493
3,086
1,540
333
2,566
772
Washington.
23,884
17,266
14,673
9,970
7,148
5,182
Johnson.
11,565
9,152
5,227
3,433
White ..
17,794
10,347
8,316
2,619
920
Lafayette ..
5,730
9,139
8,464
5,220
2,280
748
Woodruff ...
8,646
6,981
Lawrence ..
8,782
5,981
9,372
5,274
2,835
2,806
5,592
Yell.
13,852
8,048
6,333
3,341
1
AGGREGATE POPULATION BY COUNTIES.
$
Counties in
the State.
892,525 484,471 435,450 209,897 97,574
30,388 14,255
1,062
Baxter
6,004
Benton
20,327
9,306
3,710
2,228
Boone ..
12,146
Bradley
6,285
8,646
8,388
3,829
Calhoun
5,671
3,853
4,103
Marion
7,907
Miller
9,919
Mississippi ..
7,142
3,633
3,895
2,368
Clay ...
7,213
Columbia
14,090
11,397
12,459
3,583
2,892
982
Craighead.
7,037
4,577
3,066
Crawford
14,740
7,850
7,960 2,648
4,266
2,440
Crittenden
9,415
Cross.
5,050
3,915
Dallas.
6,505
5,707
8,283
6,877
6,125
6,459
2,911
1,598
Drew
12,231
9,960
9,087
3,276
5,635
3,609
1,907
458
Howard
9,917
Independence ..
18,086
14,566
14,307 7,215
7,767
3,669
2,031
Izard.
10,857
6,806
3,212
2,240
1,266
Van Buren
9,565
5,107
5,357
2,864
1,518
Jefferson
22,386
15,733
14,971 7,612
7,672
4,921
2,512
2,246
Hot Spring ..
7,775
13,768 5,877
13,989
Sebastian
8,389
6,714
8,672
4,457
2,499
1,505
Garland.
Grant.
6,185
3,943
Hempstead
19,015
Conway.
12,755
8,112
6,697
8,957 3,831
4,920
1,561
1,272
Ouachita
11,758
12,975
12,936
4,025
969
Desha.
8,873
2,395
1,921
St. Francis.
Stone ..
5,834
13,831 7,032
2,775
10,117 15,771
93
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
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.
Delightful task! to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot; To pour the fresh instructions o'er the mind, To breathe th' enlivening spirit, and to fix The generous purpose in the glowing breast .- Thomson.
ERE is one subject at least in the economic institutions of our country where men do not divide on political lines. To the historian it is a restful and refreshing oasis in the arid desert. From the Canadas to the Gulf commun- ities and States earnestly vie with each other in the establishment of the best public schools. The pres- ent generation has nearly supplant- ed the former great universities with the free public high schools. A generation ago the South sent its boys to the North to school; the North sent its boys to the old universities of Europe. Oxford and Heidelburg received the sons of ambi- tious, wealthy Americans of the North, while Yale, Harvard and Jefferson Colleges were each the alma mater of many of the youths of the South. The rivalry in the schools between the two sections at that time was not intense, but the educated young men of the South met in sharpest rivalry in the halls of Congress the typical Northern man. As the highest types of the North and the South in
active political life may be placed Thomas Jeffer- son and Daniel Webster .. In peace or in war the differences in the intellectual advancement of the two sections were more imaginary than real. The disadvantage the South met was the natural ten- dency to produce an aristocratic class in the com- munity. Cotton and the negro were impediments in the Southern States that clogged the way to the advancement of the masses. They retarded the building of great institutions of learning as well as the erection of large manufactories. This applied far more to collegiate education than to the com- mon or public school system. The Southern man who was able to send his children away from his State to school realized that he gave them two ad- vantages over keeping them at home; he aided them in avoiding negro contact and association, and provided the advantage of a better knowledge of different peoples in different sections.
Arkansas may have lagged somewhat in the cause of education in the past, but to-day, though young as a State, it is far in advance of many older communities who are disposed to boast greatly of their achievements in this direction.
When still a Territory the subject of education received wise and considerate attention. March 2, 1827, Congress gave the State seventy-two
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sections of land for the purpose of establishing "a seminary of learning." A supplemental act was passed by Congress, June 23, 1836, one week after it became a State, offering certain propo- sitions for acceptance or rejection: 1. The six- teenth section of every township for school pur- poses. 2. The seventy-two sections known as the saline lands. By article 9, section 4, State con- stitution of 1869, these lands were given to the free schools. 3. The seventy-two sections, known as the seminary lands, given to the Territory in 1827, were vested and confirmed in the State of Arkansas for the use of said seminary. October 18, 1836, the State accepted the propositions entire; and the legislature passed the act known as "the ordinance of acceptance and compact." December 18, 1844, the general assembly asked Congress for a modi- fication of the seminary grant, so as to authorize the legislature to appropriate these seventy-two sections of land for common school purposes. Congress assented to this on July 29, 1846, and the lands were added to the free school fund. These congressional land grants formed the basis of the State's free school system.
The first State constitution of 1836 recognized the importance of popular education, and made it the duty of the general assembly to provide by law for the improvement of such lands as are, or may be, granted by the United States for the use of schools, and to pass such laws as "shall be cal- culated to encourage intellectual, scientific and agricultural improvement."
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