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 37
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 37
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 37
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 37
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 37
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 37
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 37
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 37
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 37
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Sheriffs: V. Brazil, 1835-36; Samuel Collins, 1836-38; E. M. Owen, 1838-42; G. W. Ruther- ford, 1842-44; Thomas Pack, 1844-48; J. M. Mills, 1848-50; Thomas Pack, 1850-52; William Craw- ford, 1852-54; W. A. Crawford, 1854-58; M. S. Miller, 1858-62; Thomas Pack, 1862-68; W. M.
Pack, 1868-72 (L. G. Williams was sheriff from July to October, 1868); W. W. Thompson, 1872- SO; J. F. Shoppach, 1880-90.
Treasurers: J. Y. Lindsey, 1836-40; N. Davis, 1840-44; A. B. Bates, 1844-46; M. M. Cloud, 1846-48; D. E. Steel, 1848-50; James Carter, 1850-60; William T. Poe, 1860-62: J. F. White, 1862-66; C. F. Moore, 1866-68: R. M. Thomp- son, 1868-72; G. W. Hunnicutt, 1872-76; M. W. House, 1876-78: J. Kirkpatrick. 1878-84; John A. Wilkerson, 1884-86; J. A. Wilkerson, 1886-90.
Coroners: C. Lindsey, 1835-36; J. J. Joiner. 1836-38; George McDaniel, 1838-40; E. Hooper, 1840-44: W. G. W. Erwin, 1844-46: J. Brooks, 1846-48; J. B. Lane, 1848-50; W. H. Keltner, 1850-52; J. T. Walker, 1852-54; M. R. Thomp- son, 1854-56; Wiley Lewis, 1856-58; E. Leech, 1858-62; J. G. Glidewell, 1862-68: J. A. Halbert, 1868-72; W. W. Jordan, 1872-74; W. Leech, 1874-76; William Leech, 1876-78; William Brent, 1878-80; T. Lewis, 1880-82; H. Holland, 1882- 84; W. S. Winchester, 1884-88; D. F. Dobbins, 1888-90.
Surveyors: A. Carrick, 1835-36; J. R. Con- way, 1836-38; C. P. Lyle, 1838-42: F. Leech, 1842-46; J. H. Nisewander, 1846-48; F. Leech, 1848-52; George J. Cloud, 1852-56; J. H. Martin, 1856-60; J. W. Smith, 1860-62; A. J. MeAlister, 1862-66; W. A. Wilson, 1866-68; W. R. Gregory, 1868 to March, 1871 (then W. L. Lee, till 1872): J. W. Hammond, 1872-74; W. S. Lee, 1874-80: J. W. Hammond, 1880-86; J. F. Wright, 1886-90.
Assessors: The sheriff's were ex officio assessors from 1835 to 1868; E. H. Vance, Jr., 1868-70; followed by R. Thompson, until 1872; J. Cooper, 1872-76; J. M. Cooper, 1876-78; J. L. Crabtree, 1878-86; D. A. Cameron, 1886-90.
Representatives: Charles Caldwell, 1836-38; W. S. Lockert, 1838-40; R. Brazil and David Dodd, 1840-42; Robert Calvert and R. Brazil, 1842-43; Charles Caldwell, 1844-45: Green B. Hughes, 1846-47; W. M. Scott and William Hen- slee, 1848-49; J. M. Wills and D. Dodd, 1851- 52; James F. Fagan, 1852-53: A. R. Hocker- smith, 1854-55; L. H. Bean. 1856-57; William A. Crawford, 1858 59: Robert Murphy, 1861-61,
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also 1862-63. Saline County had no representa- tive in the Fifteenth legislature, 1864-65; B. S. Medlock, 1866-67. The Seventeenth legislature elected the members by districts, and Saline was represented together with Dallas and Perry by G. H. Kyle and J. G. Gibbon, 1868-69; Grant, Perry, Dallas and Saline represented by W. R. Harley and J. H. Scales, 1869-71, and by J. W. Gossett and W. R. Harley, 1872-73: Dallas, Perry and Saline represented by M. M. Duffie and J. W. Gossett at extra session, May, 1874; Alexander Russell, 1874-75; Isaac Harrison, 1877; same, 1879; J. W. Adams, 1881-82; S. W. Adams, 1883- 84; J. A. P. Bingham, 1885-86; P. M. Trammel, 1887-88; V. D. Lafferty, 1888-90.
On some accounts it might perhaps be well to overlook the part which Saline County took in the late internecine strife, not that it is unworthy of mention, but to avoid the recollection of what is now being rapidly forgotten. The following facts, however, will serve to show that as a whole loyalty to those interests felt to be right was maintained, and the county emerged from the strife satisfied to go forward and repair the devastation wrought by the ruthless hand of war.
Saline furnished not far from 1,300 men for the Confederate service, about twenty per cent of whom returned; the remainder bravely laid down their lives in demand to the call made upon them. Heroes they were, and the memory of their de- votion will live on forever. The companies raised for the war were as follows: Company E, Capt. James F. Fagan (later general); First Arkansas Infantry, Capt. M. J. Henderson, a full company for the Third Arkansas Cavalry; Capt. J. W. Adams, a full company for the Twenty-fifth Ar- kansas Infantry.
The Eleventh Arkansas had from Saline County full companies made up by Capts. John Douglas, Mooney, Vance, Smith and Waters, in 1861; Capts. Walter Watkins, Mark Miller and Capt. Brown each raised companies, which were transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Artillery; Capts. Threlkill, Gregory and Brown recruited companies in 1862, and in the same year Capts. Isaac Harrison, A. A. Crawford, and A. C. Hock-
ersmith raised recruiting companies. There were no battles fought within the county's limits, but the people suffered a full share from the hands of the Federal troops, as well as from marauding parties and unprincipled men belonging to neither army.
One martyr, David O. Dodd, a son of Andrew Dodd, a youth of eighteen, was sent by the Con- federate commander, as a spy, to ascertain the strength and position of the Union army at Little Rock, in December, 1864. His actions aroused suspicion, and led to his arrest. The papers found on his person showed that he had performed his work well. He had complete drawings of the Union strong-holds and weak points, and plans that indicated others were with him. The young man was tried and sentenced to be hanged as a spy. On account of his youth Gen. Steele, the officer in command, disliked to execute the sentence, and offered to pardon young Dodd if he would give the names of the others that were with him, but the brave boy replied that he preferred to die, rather than to betray his friends, and was accordingly hanged January 12, 1865.
Two companies were made up for the Federal army in Saline County, one by Capt. Patrick Dodd, and another by Capt. Sol. Miller, in 1862- 63. During the winter of 1863-64 a portion of Gen. Steele's army were camped at Benton. They built a fort on the military road in North Ben- ton, which is still well defined, also constructing an embankment across the same road, in the south part of the town. Neither of the fortifications, however, were ever used.
It is a fact apparent to every close observer, that centers of commercial importance in any com- munity seem to indicate the real condition of the agricultural region surrounding them. The towns and villages of Saline County, while not noted as large cities, are especially important in their re- lation to the county as a whole.
Benton was not the first town laid out in Saline County, but it was a place of business as early as 1834. In that year Joshua Smith kept a store in his house, and as the country around began to settle up, others came and engaged in mercantile
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business, each for a short time. In 1837 Joshua Smith and William Calvert formed a partnership and built a large storehouse, putting in a large stock of goods. Smith died just as the new firm was about to begin business, which was subse- quently carried on by Calvert.
About the same time A. R. Hockersmith and Thomas Pack each erected buildings and entered into merchandising, and later on James Moore and George A. McDonald built a hotel on the present site of Pack's Hotel. After this the town grew rapidly for several years.
An order of incorporation was granted at the April term of court in 1839. Rezin Davis was appointed mayor, and Jacob Hoover, James Cox, Presley L. Smith, William Calvert and Robert Gregory, councilmen, Judge Halsey Prudden mak . ing the appointments.
Originally there were but eighty acres laid off for the town of Benton, and that land was deeded to the commissioners by Rezin Davis for a con- sideration of $33. Prior to the war twenty acres were added on the north called North Benton. In 1853 Allen's addition of twenty acres to the south- ern part was made, followed in 1870 by Field's addition of 160 acres on the west. These addi- tions, together with the original eighty acres, com- prise the present area of Benton. It is a growing town, at this time numbering about 900 inhabit- ants, and includes among its interests the follow- ing three churches, Baptist, Methodist, and Presby- terian; two good school buildings, in which five teachers are employed; ten general stores, three drug stores, two groceries, a butcher, two barbers, three hotels and two boarding houses, one livery, four blacksmiths, seven resident preachers, five lawyers, four physicians, one saddle and harness shop and two shoemakers. The leading industry is the man- ufacture of pottery, there being seven large plants in and near the town. Two gin and grist-mills, besides a planing mill and a tannery lend additional strength to the business of the place. Most fortun- ately there are no saloons here, and, as might be expected, the moral atmosphere of the town is elevating. Being centrally located in the county, twenty-three miles south of Little Rock on the
main line of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Rail- road, Benton's prospects for future prosperity are most encouraging, and there is every reason to ex- pect a permanent, substantial growth, not in the distant future, but now.
Traskwood, the only town in the township of the same name, is situated in the southern part of the county, on the main line of the Iron Mountain Railroad. It was commenced as early as 1873, but only existed as a flag station until IS82, at which time several new houses were erected, and the place entered upon a successful growth. It now comprises a railroad depot, four general stores, one hotel, a lumber yard and one gin and grist mill, be- sides sundry interests. The Traskwood public and private school at this point was established in 1886 by Prof. W. P. Johnson, with the assistance of other leading citizens of Traskwood. It is one of the best institutions in the county, and an important factor in the development of educational affairs.
Collegeville, the oldest town in the county, and on this account a place of prominence, was settled in 1824 by Ezra M. Owen, who laid off forty acres of land in town lots, and made other preparations for a large center. As elsewhere stated, he planned a school, that was intended to become the State College, and gave his town the name of College- ville. Quite a "boom" was created in this pio- neer village by its enterprising founder, and Col- legeville came very near being the capital of the State, in 1836, only losing that distinction by a few votes. While not having met the expectation of its originator, it is now a brisk little hamlet containing six families, two stores, one church and a good private school.
Bryant, started in 1873, is a live little village on the Iron Mountain Railroad, in Bryant Town- ship. It is situated on the highest point between Little Rock and Texarkana, on that road, and has a railroad depot, four stores, a blacksmith shop, two churches and a Masonic hall.
Woodson is a thriving town in Perkins Town- ship, on the Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas Railroad, located in the best farming section of the county. Its population is forty.
Hensley, also in Perkins Township, is a com-
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paratively new town started in 1881 by Mr. W. B. Hensley. Its enterprise and prominence as a place of local commercial importance have gathered within its limits about 400 people.
Journalistic efforts have combined in all ages to wield immense influence in the channels to which their attention has been directed. The first paper published in Saline County was the Saline County Digest, founded by W. A. Webber, in of many readers. 1876. This was a seven-column folio, published weekly, and of Democratic tendencies politically. The Digest enjoyed a good patronage, and had a circulation of 1,000. In November, 1882, the paper became the property of B. B. Beavers, who called his publication the Saline County Review. It was edited and published by him till November, 1883, when Col. S. H. Whitthorne bought Beavers' interest and gave to the Review the name of Saline Courier, increasing the size of the paper, and making it a nine-column folio.
The Saline Courier (same name as the above) was established by Col. S. H. Whitthorne, in Sep- tember, 1882, and was ably conducted by him, as its editor and proprietor, until August, 1883, when the office was sold to Jim Tom Story, the latter moving the same to Malvern. The Courier had been from its first issue the rival of the Digest, notwithstanding both were Democratic in politics. In November, 1883, Col. S. H. Whitthorne, com- plying with the request of a large number of the citizens of Benton and Saline County to resume the newspaper business, purchased the Review outfit, and again entered upon the publication of the Saline Courier. The Courier office, with all its contents, was distroyed by fire in December, 1883, but was replaced by an entirely new equip- ment, fifteen days later. This journal afterward changed hands a number of times, being bought by T. K. Whitthorne in April, 1885, who sold in November, 1885, to H. D. Laymond. Its founder, Col. S. H. Whitthorne, once more assumed control in August, 1886, and decidedly improved it, increasing its size to that of a nine-column folio, and greatly enlarging its circulation. In Octo- ber, 1887, Col. Whitthorne sold out to A. F. Gardner, who ran the paper without change till
October 10, 1888, when he sold to Col. T. C. Mays, under whose able management it now goes forth weekly, as a five-column quarto, Democratic politically. It is doing a great service toward the development of the resources of Saline County. In changing the form of the paper, its present editor, also changed the name to the Benton Courier, under which title it enters the homes
In the matter of secret societies Saline County | is well represented, the inducements offered by these various organizations being substantially appreciated by the residents of this locality.
The first Masonic lodge in the county was Ben. ton Lodge No. 34, which was organized January 14, 1850, under dispensation from E. H. English, G. W. M. of the supreme lodge. Those named in the dispensation as officers were C. Scott, W. M .; Isaac T. Cole, S. W., and Henry T. Cole, J. W. Among those present were Jacob Leach, Joseph Dirgan, Abijah Davis and David Dodd, who joined in the petition to the grand lodge for organization. Thomas Pack and Robert Garrett were subsequent- ly initiated at the first meeting of the lodge.
Other societies of this order organized later in the county are Ionic No. 377, of Union Township; Paran No. 309, of Jefferson Township; Bryant No. 441, Bryant Township; Iron Springs No. 342, Ban- ner Township, and Adoniram Lodge, Hurricane Township, and Fair Play Lodge in Fair Play Township. All have good halls, and are in a flour- ishing condition.
Saline Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., located at Benton, was organized September 20, 1852, Capt. J. A. P. Bingham, Simon Mora, A. Oswald, David F. Leach and C. L. Davis being among the charter members. This society has a pleasant lodge room over the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and includes a membership of fourteen at the present time. S. M. Sweeten is noble grand, and Dr. C. Hays, secretary.
Corona Lodge No. 7,(Rebekah Degree), I. O. O. F., was instituted October 24, 1884. Its member- ship numbers sixteen. Eva Torrey is noble grand, Dr. C. Hays also being secretary of this body.
Benton Lodge No. 26, I. O. G. T. was organ-
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ized September 22, 1875, by Col. S. H. Whit- thorne, G. W. L., by whom also it was reorganized Nov. 12, 1880. A convenient lodge room is in the Odd Fellows' hall. This society has the best interests of the community at heart.
Saline Lodge No. 1319, which was organized January 8, 1879, with twenty-seven members, has paid six benefits, and has a membership of fifty-' eight at present. Their room is in the Odd Fel- lows' hall.
It is very important that special attention should be directed to the educational development of a locality as indicating the true tone of its advance- ment and culture. As may perhaps be supposed, there were very few public schools in Saline before the war, owing to the lack of popular favor mani- fested toward the free school system, but good se- lect schools have been numerous since 1836. Prom- inent among the pioneer "wielders of the birch " hereabouts were J. L. Yaney, William Jones, Rev. Finis Leach, Mrs. J. C. Moore, W. S. Lee, Rich- ard Hammond, and a Mr. Thorington, who taught subscription schools, and many of the substantial citizens of this county were their pupils. Of the teachers named only one, Rev. F. Leach, is at pres- ent living. Public schools became more popular about 1872, and in that year buildings were erected in every township, fifteen in number. The following summary shows the actual condition of the schools in 1889: White children, 3,996; colored, 683; ag- gregate, 4,679; number enrolled, 4,446. Number of teachers, sixty-two; amount paid to teachers, $2,018.33; number of schools taught, fifty; num- ber of houses erected during the year, six. The receipts for the year aggregated $13,881.41, while the expenditures amounted to $13,032.59. Two institutes have been held during the year, attended by nearly every teacher, and proving of much good and encouragement in the direction of youthful in- struction. The school-houses are generally well furnished, and the schools are in a prosperous condition. Several good private schools are also maintained in the county.
As the earliest forerunners of religious denomi- nations in Saline's present territory the Methodists deserve prominent mention, having been the first
to establish churches, and hold services here. Until 1836 Arkansas belonged to Missouri Confer- ence. As early as 1817 Revs. William Stevenson and John Harris were appointed to Hot Springs district, and were probably the pioneer Methodist ministers in this part of the State. Mr. Steven- son, the more distinguished of the two, was made presiding elder of Hot Springs district, and served four years in that capacity. Some time in 1817 Rev. Stevenson held religious services at the resi- dence of William Lockert, probably the first in the county. At that time there were only six families in what is now called Saline County, and for several years after meetings were held in neighbors' houses and in groves.
Benton Methodist Episcopal Church was found- ed about 1836, and the present building erected in 1853. This was the first church in Benton, and was built by all denominations, the Odd Fellows aiding by their assistance in completing the upper part of the house for their hall.
Saline Church, organized perhaps as early as 1840, is the site of Saline camp ground. It is in Saline Township and was founded by Rev. Patrick Scott. Mount Zion and New Bethel, in Saline Township; Pleasant Hill, in Union Township (founded in 1870); Wesley's Chapel (now Bryant), at Bryant; Oak Grove (organized in 1856); Mount Carmel (1889), in Saline Township; Hunter's Chapel (organized in 1886 and dedicated by Rev. E. N. Watson, P. E.); McNeleand's Chapel (1889); Pleasant Hill, Shaw Township (1858); Sardis, Hurricane Township (1858), the site of Centen- ary camp grounds; Saline Hill, Banner Town- ship (1857, originally Old Saline); Collegeville, Owen Township (1856); Paran, Jefferson Town- ship: Liberty, Liberty Township (1870); Hickory Grove (1859), Fair Play Township; Traskwood (1889), are all flourishing societies, and nearly all have good Sabbath-schools connected with them. Saline camp ground referred to above, and one of the most noted in the State, was started in 1867, under the leadership of Rev. Patrick Scott. It is located six miles northwest of Benton, and has, in addition to a commodious tabernacle over 100 booths. Centenary camp ground was commenced
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and improved by Sardis Church. A camp ground in Hurricane Township, twelve miles east of Ben- ton, was laid out in 1884 by Rev. Harvey Watson. the leading spirit; a good tabernacle and twenty- four booths are here.
The Baptists, like the Methodist brethren, be- gan religious work at a very early date. The first minister of this denomination, of whom anything can be learned, was Rev. Jesse Bland, who is mentioned as early as 1825. Later are found the names of Revs. Samnel Henderson, Silas Dodd, Aaron Bolt and Allen Samuels.
Union Baptist Church was the first Baptist or- ganization in the county, having started in 1830, with eight members at the house of Rev. Jesse Bland. Services were held in groves and private houses until 1835, when a round log church build- ing was erected. Jesse Bland and Silas Dodd were the most prominent among the original mem- bers. The church continued without a pastor till 1834, when Rev. Samuel Henderson was called to serve them, remaining till 1840. He was followed by Rev. Aaron Bolt up to 1845, and since that time a number of others have occupied the pulpit. They now have a good building near the site of the original church, and a membership of 106. Rev. J. T. Henderson is pastor.
Spring Creek (Benton) Baptist Church was the second organized in this county, the meeting being held in the house of David Dodd, on the first Sunday in April, 1836. Rev. Samuel Hen- derson preached the sermon, Revs. Allen Samu- els, Silas Dodd and Moses Bland being instru- mental in the formation. The charter members were David Webb, Elizabeth Webb, Samuel Hen- derson, Aaron Bolt, David Dodd and Sarah Dodd. Rev. Samuel Henderson was moderator.
Spring Creek Church continued to grow and prosper, and in 1878 changed the name to the First Baptist Church of Benton, worshipping in the Union Church until 1881, when the present substantial edifice was erected. They now have a membership of 150, and a flourishing Sabbath- school, of which D. M. Cloud is superintendent. Rev. B. F. Milam is pastor of the church.
Salem Church was organized, in 1836, by Rev.
Allen Samuels, who was its first pastor. It is situated in Jefferson Township, and is now under the spiritual guidance of Rev. H. A. Goodwin.
North Fork Church was organized in Holland Township, in 1837, by Samuel Henderson, who was pastor up to 1841.
Kentucky Church, situated in Kentucky Town- ship, six miles northwest of Benton was organized by John Y. Lindsey, in 1837, and services were held in groves and private houses until 1840. A house was then built in the grove where the church was organized. Rev. Lindsey was pastor of this church from 1837 till his death, in 1865. Rev. F. Moore served until 1869, and Rev. J. T. Hender- son from 1869 to 1874. The present membership is 169.
There are a number of other churches of this denomination in the county, twenty-two in all. Every township has at least one. Spring Creek Church was the body with which the First Baptist Association met that convened south of the Arkan- sas River in Arkansas. This was in October, 1836, delegates being in attendance from Louisi- ana and Southern Arkansas, some of whom trav- eled over 200 miles in ox wagons. Rev. Samuel Henderson was moderator.
The Presbyterians began church work in Saline County in 1838, and in that year founded an organization four miles south of Benton. Rev. William Harland was pastor, and Robert Calvert, Thomas Keesee, Jr., and Gideon Keesee, ruling elders. The society was called "Saline Congre- gation," and for a time flourished, but finally went down. It was reorganized at Benton, in 1851, by Rev. John F. King, pastor, and F. Leach, Robert Calvert and John Lindsey, ruling elders. Up to 1884 worship was held in the Methodist Episco- pal Church building at Benton, but at that time a good frame house (the present one), in Benton, was constructed and utilized. The present mem- bership numbers eighty; Rev. J. P. Lemon is pas- tor. A good Sabbath-school is an encouraging branch of the church work. Rev. Finis Leach, one of the original members, and who joined at the first organization, still survives.
Financial affairs always occupy a prominent
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place in the proceedings of courts, and Saline is no exception to the general rule. The amount of taxes collected for the year 1837 was $546.62}; 1838, $1,241.01; for 1839, $2,349.33. A gradual increase was subsequently observed in the tax sys- tem, and the methods of collecting delinquent taxes were much improved. In 1882 Saline County's indebtedness was $24,000, and, in 1889, $3,339.64, the indebtedness having been reduced to its present limit since the closing of the saloons. Prior to that time a decided annual increase ob- tained. The delinquent tax is now small, and the county will be entirely free from debt in two years. A spirit of improvement is manifested throughout the entire community. A $5,000 iron bridge over the Saline River, on the military road, was ordered at the October term of court, 1889, and other im- provements of decided benefit are assured. The total rate of taxation is 15 mills, apportioned as follows: County, 4 mills; bridge, 1 mill; special school tax, 5 mills; State, 5 mills.
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Having in these pages given a sketch of the material affairs of Saline County, it may be of in- terest to note its natural advantages of production and growth, so abundantly supplemented by man's wisdom and enterprise. The county's location is a most favorable one. Situated in the central part of the State, it is bounded north by Perry, east and northeast by Pulaski, south by Grant and Hot Spring, and west by Garland and Perry Counties, in a section peculiarly fertile. From its eastern extremity on the Arkansas River, in Township 2, south, to its most western point in Township 2, north, is fifty-four miles, and its greatest width on the line between Ranges 15 and 16, west, is thirty miles. This territory is divided into nineteen municipal townships, included in which are twenty postoffices.
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