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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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 16
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The Tennessee Conference, 1831, sent eight preachers to Arkansas, namely: Andrew D. Smyth, John Harrell, Henry G. Joplin, William A. Boyce. William G. Duke, John N. Hammill, Alvin Baird and Allen M. Scott.
A custom of those old time preachers now passed away is worth preserving. When possi- ble to do so they went over the circuit together, two and two. One might preach the regular ser- mon, when the other would "exhort." Under these conditions young Rev. Smyth was accompanying the regular circuit rider. He was at first diffi- dent, and "exhorted" simply by giving his hearers " Daniel in the lion's den." As the two started around the circuit the second time, on reaching a night appointment, before entering the house, and as they were returning from secret prayer in the brush, the preacher said: "Say, Andy, I'm going to preach, and when I'm done you give 'em Daniel and the lions again." Evidently Andy and his lions were a terror to the natives. But the young exhorter soon went up head, and became a noted divine.
The Missouri Conference, 1832, made two dis- tricts of Arkansas. Rev. A. D. Smyth had charge of Little Rock district, which extended over all the country west, including the Cherokee and Creek Nations.
The formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, occurred in 1844. This is a well known part of the history of our country. In Ar- kansas the church amid all its trials and vicissi- tudes has grown and flourished. The State now has fifteen districts, with 200 pastoral charges, and, it is estimated, nearly 1,000 congregations.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has a com- fortable church in Little Rock, and several good sized congregations in different portions of the State. This church and the Methodist Episcopal
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Church, South, are separate and wholly distinct in their organization.
The Baptists are naturally a pioneer and fron- tier church people. They are earnest and sincere proselyters to the faith, and reach very effectively people in general. The Baptist Church in Ben- ton celebrated, July 4, 1889, its fifty-third anni- versary. Originally called Spring Church, it was built about two miles from the town. The organi- zation took place under the sheltering branches of an old oak tree. One of the first churches of this order was the Mount Bethel Church, about six miles west of Arkadelphia, in Clark County. This was one of the oldest settled points by English speaking people in the State. The church has grown with the increase of population.
Rev. James M. Moore organized in Little Rock, in 1828, the first Presbyterian Church in Arkan- sas. He was from Pennsylvania, eminent for his ability, zeal and piety. For some time he was the representative of his church in a wide portion of the country south and west. He was succeeded by Rev. A. R. Banks, from the theological sem- inary of Columbia, S. C., who settled in Hempstead County in 1835-36 and organized and built Spring Hill Church, besides another at Washington. The next minister in order of arrival was Rev. John M. Erwin. He located at Jackson, near the old town of Elizabeth, but his life was not spared long after coming. He assisted Revs Moore and Banks in organizing the first presbytery in Arkansas.
In 1839 Rev. J. M. Moore, mentioned above, removed to what is now Lonoke County, and or- ganized a congregation and built Sylvania Church. His successor at Little Rock was Rev. Henderson, in 1840. The death of Rev. Henderson left no quorum, and the Arkansas presbytery became func- tus officio.
Rev. Aaron Williams, from Bethel presbytery. South Carolina, came to Arkansas in 1842, and settled in Hempstead County, taking charge of a large new academy at that place, which had been built by the wealthy people of the locality. He at once re-organized the church at Washington, which had been some time vacant. Arkansas then be- longed to the synod of Mississippi. In 1842, in
company with Rev. A. R. Banks, he traveled over the swamps and through the forests 400 miles to attend the Mississippi synod at Port Royal. Their mission was to ask the synod to allow Revs. Williams, Moore, Banks and Shaw to organize the Arkansas presbytery. They obtained the permis- sion, and meeting in Little Rock the first Sunday in January, 1843, organized the Arkansas presby- tery. The Rev. Balch had settled in Dardanelle, and he joined the new presbytery. In the next few years Revs. Byington and Kingsbury, Con- gregational ministers, who had been missionaries to the Indians since 1S18. also joined the Arkansas presbytery. The syuod of Memphis was subse- quently formed, of which Arkansas was a part. There were now three presbyteries west of Mem- phis: Arkansas, Ouachita and Indian. In 1836 Arkansas was composed of four presbyteries-two Arkansas and two Ouachita.
Rev. Aaron Williams assumed charge at Little Rock in 1843, where he remained until January, 1845. There was then a vacancy for some years in that church, when the Rev. Joshua F. Green ministered to the flock. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Fraser, who continued until 1859. All these had been supplies, and in 1859 Little Rock was made a pastorate, and Rev. Thomas R. Welch was installed as first pastor. He filled the position the next twenty-five years, and in 1885 resigned on account of ill health, and was sent as counsel to Canada, where he died. About the close of his pastorate, the Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock was organized, and their house built, the Rev. A. R. Kennedy, pastor. He resigned in September, 18SS, being succeeded by James R. Howerton. After the resignation of Dr. Welch of the First Church, Dr. J. C. Barrett was given charge.
Rev. Aaron Williams, after leaving the synod, became a synodical evangelist, and traveled over the State, preaching wherever he found small col- lections of people, and organizing churches. He formed the church at Fort Smith and the one in Jackson County.
A synodical college is at Batesville, and is highly prosperous.
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CHAPTER XIV.
NAMES ILLUSTRIOUS IN ARKANSAS HISTORY-PROMINENT MENTION OF NOTED INDIVIDUALS-AMBROSE H. SEVIER-WILLIAM E. WOODRUFF-JOHN WILSON-JOIIN HEMPHILL-JACOB BARKMAN-DR. BOWIE-SANDY FAULKNER-SAMUEL H. HEMPSTEAD-TRENT, WILLIAMS, SIIINN FAMILIES, AND OTHERS-THE CONWAYS-ROBERT CRITTENDEN-ARCHIBALD YELL-JUDGE DAVID WALKER-GEN. G. D. ROYSTON-JUDGE JAMES W. BATES.
The gen'ral voice Sounds him, for courtesy, behaviour, language And ev'ry fair demeanor, an example; Titles of honour add not to his worth, Who is himself an honour to his title .- Ford.
O history of Arkansas, worthy of the name, could fail to refer to the lives of a num- ber of its distinguished citizens, whose relation to great public events has made them a part of the true history of their State. The following sketches of repre- sentative men will be of no little interest to each and every reader of the present volume.
Ambrose H. Sevier, was one of the foremost of the prominent men of his day, and deserves especial mention. The recent removal of the remains of Gen. John Sevier from Alabama to Knoxville, Tenn. (June 19, 1889), has awakened a wide-spread inter- est in this historic family name. The re-interment of the illustrious ashes of the first governor, found- er and Congressman of Tennessee, by the State he had made, was but an act of long deferred justice to one of the most illustrious and picturesque char- acters in American history. He founded two States
and was the first governor of each of them; one of these States, Tennessee, he had, in the spirit of dis- interested patriotism, erected on the romantic ruins of the other-the mountain State of "Franklin." A distinguished Revolutionary soldier, he was the hero of King's Mountain, where he and four broth- ers fought. He was first governor of the State of "Franklin," six times governor of Tennessee, three times a member of Congress, and in no in- stance did he ever have an opponent to contest for an office. He was in thirty-five hard fought battles; had faced in bitter contest the State of North Carolina, which secretly arrested and ab- ducted him from the new State he had carved out of North Carolina territory; was rescued in open court by two friends, and on his return to his ad- herents as easily defeated the schemes of North Carolina as he had defeated, in many battles, the Cherokee Indians. No man ever voted against "Nolichucky Jack," as he was familiarly called- no enemy ever successfully stood before him in battle. A great general, statesman, and patriot, he was the creator and builder of commonwealths west of the Alleghanies, and he guided as greatly and wisely as did Washington and Jefferson the
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new States and Territories he formed in the paths of democratic freedom; and now, after he has slept in an obscure grave for three-quarters of a century, the fact is beginning to dawn upon the nation that Gov. John Sevier made Washington, and all that great name implies, a possibility.
The name, illustrious as it is ancient, numer- ons and wide-spread, is from the French Pyrenees, Xavier, where it may be traced to remote times. St. Francis Xavier was of this family. and yet the American branch were exiles from the old world because of their revolt against papal tyranny. Sturdy and heroic as they were in the faith, their blood was far more virile, indeed stalwart, in de- fense of human rights and liberty, wherever or by whomsoever assailed.
In France, England and in nearly every West- ern and Southern State of the Union are branches of the Xaviers, always prominent and often emi- . nent in their day and time. But it was reserved to the founder of the American branch of the Seviers to be the supreme head of the illustrious line. He builded two commonwealths and was im- pelled to this great work in defense of the people, and in resistance to the encroachments of the cen- tral powers of the paternal government.
In Arkansas the Seviers, Conways and Rectors were united by ties of blood as well as by the ever stronger ties of the sons of liberty, independence and patriotism. Here were three of the most powerful families the State has ever had, and in public affairs they were as one. The political friend and worthy model of Gov. John Sevier was Thomas Jefferson. Indeed, Gen. Sevier was the fitting and immortal companion-piece to Jefferson in those days of the young and struggling repub- lic. The Seviers of Arkansas and Missouri were naturally the admirers of Andrew Jackson- cham- pions of the people's rights, watchdogs of liberty.
Ambrose H. Sevier, was the son of John, who was the son of Valentine and Ann Conway Sevier, of Greene County, Tenn. Ann Conway was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Rector Conway. Thus this family furnished six of the governors of Arkansas.
In 1821, soon after Mr. Sevier's coming to Ar-
!
kansas, he was elected clerk of the Territorial house of representatives. In 1823 he was elected from Pulaski County to the legislature, and con- tinued a member and was elected speaker in 1827. He was elected to Congress in August, 1828, to succeed his uncle, Henry W. Conway, who had been killed in a duel with Crittenden. He was three times elected to Congress. When the State came into the Union, Sevier and William S. Fulton were elected first senators in Congress. Sevier resigned his seat in the Senate in 1848, to accept the mission of minister plenipotentiary to Mexico, and, in connection with Judge Clifford, negotiated the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. This was the last as well as crowning act of his life. He died shortly after returning from his mission. The State has erected a suitable monument to his mem- ory in Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, where sleeps his immortal dust.
How curiously fitting it was that the Sevier of Arkansas should follow so closely in the foot- steps of the great governor of Tennessee, his lineal ancestor, and be the instrument of adding so im- mensely to the territory out of which have grown such vast and rich commonwealths. As builders of commonwealths there is no name in American history which approaches that of Sevier. A part of the neglect-the ingratitude, possibly-of republics, is shown in the fact that none of the States of which they gave the Union so many bear their family name.
William E. Woodruff was in more than one sense a pioneer to Arkansas. He was among the distinguished men who first hastened here when the Territory was formed, and brought with him the pioneer newspaper press, and established the Arkansas Gazette. This is now a flourishing daily and weekly newspaper at the State capital, and one of the oldest papers in the country. Of himself alone there was that in the character and life of Mr. Woodruff which would have made him one of the historical pioneers to cross the Missis- sippi River, and cast his fortune and future in this new world. But he was a worthy disciple and follower of Ben. Franklin, who combined with the art preservative of arts, the genius that lays found-
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ations for empires in government, and the yet far greater empires in the fields of intellectual life.
He was a native of Long Island, Suffolk Coun- ty, N. Y. Leaving his home in 1818, upon the completion of his apprenticeship as printer, with the sparse proceeds of his earnings as apprentice he turned his face westward. Reaching Wheel- ing, Va., he embarked in a canoe for the falls of the Ohio, now Louisville, where he stopped and worked at his trade. Finding no sufficient open- ing to permanently locate in this place, he started on foot, by way of Russellville, to Nashville, Tenn., and for a time worked at his trade in that place and at Franklin. Still looking for a possible future home further west, he heard of the Act of Congress creating the Territory of Arkansas, to take effect July 4, 1819. He at once purchased a small outfit for a newspaper office and started to the newly formed Territory, determined if possible to be first on the ground. He shipped by keel-boat down the Cumberland river, the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers to Montgomery's Point, at the mouth of White River; thence overland to Arkansas Post, the first Territorial capital. Montgomery Point was then, and for some years after, the main shipping point for the interior points of the Arkansas Territory. From this place to the capi- tal, he found nothing but a bridle-path. He therefore secured a pirogue, and with the services of two boatmen, passed through the cut-off to Arkansas River and then up this to Arkansas Post, reaching his point of destination October 31, 1819. So insignificant was the Post that the only way he could get a house was to build one, which he did, and November 20, 1819, issued the first paper -- the Arkansas Gazette. He was the entire force of the office -- mechanical, clerical and editorial. To- day his own work is his fitting and perpetual monument -- linking his name indissolubly with that of Arkansas and immortality.
His genius was in the direct energy and the impelling forces which drove it with the sure cer- tainty of fate over every opposing obstacle. Broad, strong and great in all those qualities which characterize men pre-eminent in the varied walks of life; a true nation founder and builder, his
useful life was long spared to the State, which will shed luster to itself and its name by honoring the memory of one of its first and most illustrious pioneers-William E. Woodruff.
Reference having been made to John Wilson in a previous chapter, in connection with his un- fortunate encounter with J. J. Anthony, on the floor of the hall of the legislature, it is but an act of justice that the circumstances be properly ex- plained, together with some account of the man- ner of man he really was.
John Wilson came from Kentucky to Arkansas in the early Territorial times, 1820. His wife was a Hardin, of the noted family of that State-a sis- ter of Joseph Hardin, of Lawrence County, Ark., who was speaker of the first house of representa- tives of the Territorial legislature. The Wilsons and Hardins were prominent and highly respecta- ble people.
When a very young man, John Wilson was elected to the Territorial legislature, where he was made speaker and for a number of terms filled that office. He was a member of the first State legis- lature and again was elected speaker. He was the first president of the Real Estate Bank of Arkan- sas. Physically he was about an average-sized man, very quiet in his manner and retiring, of dark complexion, eyes and hair, lithe and sinewy in form, and in his daily walk as gentle as a woman. He was devoted to his friends, and except for politics, all who knew him loved him well. There was not the shadow of a shade of the bully or des- perado about him. He was a man of the highest sense of personal honor, with an iron will, and even when aroused or stung by injustice or an attack upon his integrity his whole nature inclined to peace and good will. He was a great admirer of General Jackson-there was everything in the natures of the two men where the "fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind."
The difficulty spoken of occurred in 1836. Wil- son was a leader in the Jackson party. Anthony aspired to the lead in the Whig party. At that time politics among the active of each faction meant personality. It was but little else than open war, and the frontier men of those days generally went
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armed, the favorite weapon being the bowie knife -a necessary part of a hunter's equipment. Unfriendly feelings existed between Wilson and Anthony.
Upon the morning of the homicide (in words the substance of the account given by the late Gen. G. D. Royston, who was an eye witness) Mr. Wilson came into the hall a little late, evi- dently disturbed in mind, and undoubtedly ruf- fled by reason of something he had been told that Mr. Anthony had previously said about him in dis- cussing a bill concerning wolf scalps. A serio- comic amendment had been offered to the bill to make scalps a legal tender, and asking the presi- dent of the Real Estate Bank to certify to the genuineness of the same. Anthony had the floor. When Wilson took the speaker's chair he com- manded Anthony to take his seat. The latter brusquely declined to do so. Wilson left the chair and approached his opponent, who stood in the aisle. The manner of the parties indicated a per- sonal encounter. As Wilson walked down the aisle he was seen to put his hand in the bosom of his vest. Anthony drew his knife. Gen. Royston said that when he saw this, hoping to check the two men he raised his chair and held it between them, and the men fought across or over the chair. They struck at each other inflicting great wounds, which were hacking blows. Wilson's left hand was nearly cut off in warding a blow from Anthony's knife. Wilson was physically a smaller man than Anthony. Royston held the chair with all his strength be- tween the two now desperate individuals. So far Anthony's longer arm had enabled him to give the greatest wounds, when Wilson with his shoulder raised the chair and plunged his knife into his antagonist, who sank to the floor and died immedi- ately. It was a duel with bowie-knives, without any of the preliminaries of such encounters.
after the close of the late war. Mrs. A. J. Gentry. his daughter, now resides in Clark County, Ark. The Hardins, living in Clark County, are of the same family as was Mrs. Wilson.
John Hemphill, a South Carolinian, was born a short distance above Augusta, Ga. He immi- grated west and reached (now) Clark County, Ark., in 1811, bringing with him a large family and a number of slaves, proceeding overland to Bayou Sara, La., and from that point by barges to near where is Arkadelphia, then a settlement at a place called Blakeleytown, which was a year old at the time of Mr. Hemphill's location. He found living there on his arrival Adam Blakeley, Zack Davis, Samnel Parker, Abner Highnight and a few others.
Mr. Hemphill was attracted by the salt waters of the vicinity, and after giving the subject intel- ligent investigation, in 1814 built his salt works. Going to New Orleans, he procured a barge and purchased a lot of sugar kettles, and with these completed his preparations for making salt. His experiment was a success from the start and he carried on his extensive manufactory until his death, about 1825. The works were continued by his descendants, with few intermissions, until 1851. Jonathan O. Callaway, his son in-law, was, until that year, manager and proprietor.
There is a coincidence in the lives of the two men who were the founders of commerce and man- nfacturing in Arkansas, Hemphill and Barkman, in that by chance they became traveling compan- ions on their way to the new country.
Two brothers, Jacob and John Barkman, came to Arkansas in 1811. They worked their passage in the barge of John Hemphill, from Bayou Sara, La., to Blakeleytown, near Arkadelphia. They were a couple of young Kentuckians, full of cour- age, hope, and strong sense, seeking homes in the wilderness. Their coming antedated that of the first steamboat on western waters, and the history of the river commerce of this State with New Or- leans will properly credit Jacob Barkman with izing what such men as Jacob Barkman did, one is constrained to the belief that among the first
Wilson was carried to his bed, where for a long time he was confined. The house expelled him the next day. The civilized world of course was shocked, so bloody and ferocious had been the i being its founder. Considering the times and real- engagement.
Wilson removed to Texas about 1842, locating at Cedar Grove, near Dallas, where he died soon , settlers of Arkansas were men of enterprise, fore-
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sight and daring in commerce that have certainly not been surpassed by their successors.
On a previous page the methods of this pioneer merchant in the conduct of his business have been noted. His miscellaneous cargo of bear oil, skins, pelts, tallow, etc., found a ready market in New Orleans, which place he reached by river, return- ing some six months later well laden with commod- ities best suited to the needs of the people. In- deed his "store " grew to be an important institu- tion. He really carried on trade from New Orleans to Arkadelphia. In 1820 he purchased of the gov- ernment about 1,200 acres of land on the Caddo, four miles from Arkadelphia, and farmed exten- sively and had many cattle and horses, constantly adding to the number of his slaves. Having filled the field where he was he sought wider op- portunities, and in 1840, in company with J. G. Pratt, opened an extensive cotton commission busi- ness in New Orleans, building large warehouses and stores. Mr. Barkman next purchased the steamboat "Dime," a side-wheeler, finely built and carrying 400 bales of cotton. He ran this in the interest of the New Orleans commission house; owned his crews, and loaded the boat with cot- ton from his own plantation. In 1844 his boat proudly brought up at New Orleans, well laden with cotton. The owner was on board and full of hope and anticipated joy at his trip, and also to meet his newly married wife (the second), when these hopes were rudely dashed by the appearance of an officer who seized the boat, cargo and slaves, every- thing-and arrested Mr. Barkman and placed him in jail under an attachment for debts incurred by the commission house. His partner in his absence had wrecked the honse.
To so arrange matters that he might get out of jail and return to his old home on the Caddo, with little left of this world's goods, was the best the poor man could do. He finally saved from the wreck- age his fine farm and a few negroes, and, nothing daunted, again went to work to rebuild his fortune. He erected a cotton factory on the Caddo River, and expended some $30,000 on the plant, having it about ready to commence operating when the water came dashing down the mountain streams in
a sudden and unusual rise, and swept it all away. This brave pioneer spent no hour of his life in idle griefs at his extraordinary losses. Though unscru- pulous arts of business sharks and dire visitations of the elements combined to make worthless his superb foresight and business energy, he overcame all obstacles, and died about 1852, a wealthy man for that time.
When Arkansas was yet a Territory, among its early pioneers was Dr. William Bowie, whose name has become familiar to the civilized world, though not in the way that most men are emulous of im- mortality. Dr. Bowie had located, or was a frequent visitor, in Helena, Ark., and was a typical man of his times-jolly, careless and social, and very fond of hunting and fishing.
Among the first settlers in Little Rock was a blacksmith, named Black. He possessed skill in working in iron and steel, and soon gained a wide reputation for the superior hunting knives he made. When nearly every man hunted more or less, and as a good knife was a necessity, it will be seen that Black was filling a general want. The material he worked into knives consisted of old files.
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