USA > Arkansas > Biographical and historical memoirs of western Arkansas : comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 55
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to join the Confederate Army as in many other parts of the State. When the Confederate con- script act was enforced several Union men were forced into the Confederate Army; others fled the country and enlisted in the United States armies at different points, and others, with their families, hid away in the mountains. During the early part of the war, and as long as the territory was wholly within the lines of the Confederate armies, it was overrun by guerrillas and bushwhackers, who preyed upon and severely punished the Union people wher- ever they could be found. After the Union armies advanced, and the territory fell within their lines, it was overrun, to some extent, by marauding parties, guerrillas and scouts from both sides. Re- taliatory measures were resorted to in some in- stances by Union troops, and the families of those favoring and assisting the "Southern cause," be- came the sufferers. In this way-this system of guerrilla warfare-much damage was done, untold and indescribable suffering was caused, and lives were sacrificed.
The action known as the Haguewood Fight took place in September, 1863, at a point one-half mile east of the present town of Paris. On this occa- sion Company H, of the First Arkansas (Federal) Infantry, commanded by Capt. Parker, was escort- ing a wagon train returning from Dardanelle to Fort Smith, from which place it had previously gone to Dardanelle with a load of supplies for the Federal troops at that port. It was attacked by Joe Shelby with his regiment of Confederate Cav- alry. Company H of the First Arkansas was largely composed of men whose homes were in the immediate vicinity of the place where the fight oc- curred, and a number of them had left the camp of the train and escort to visit their homes, and were absent when the fight occurred. Many of the com- pany engaged in the action had previously been prisoners of war in the hands of the Confed- eracy, and, knowing the hardships of prison life, they fought with unusual desperation, secreting themselves behind the wagons as best they could. Although fighting against great odds, they held the enemy at bay for nearly two hours, and then were completely routed. Two Federal soldiers, B. F.
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Wilkins, father of Hon. J. H. Wilkins, now of Paris, whose home was only about four miles from the scene of action, and - - Hawkins, were killed; others, together with a few wounded, were captured, and others escaped. Several Confederates were killed and wounded, their number not now being known. The train of wagons, of course, was captured.
A Federal force was stationed at Roseville to guard that post and landing, and on one occasion, in the fall of 1863, the pickets stationed on the Tittsworth farm below the post, were driven in by Confederate scouts and one Union soldier was killed. The scouts then retired. Some time there- after the post at Roseville was attacked by a force of Confederate cavalry. The latter was repulsed and compelled to retire with considerable loss. It is claimed by persons whose homes have been here since a time before the war, that the territory now embraced within the county, furnished nearly an equal number of soldiers to the contending armies. As soon as the war closed, and the smoke of its clouds cleared away, the soldiers returned from the con- tending armies, buried the hatchet of warfare, re- sumed their avocations of life, have lived in peace, and now entertain kind feelings one for the other. There are at this writing four posts of the G. A. R. within the county, one at Paris, one at Corley, one at Booneville, and one at Ellsworth, and by the time this work reaches the reader there will prob- ably be a camp of S. of V. at Ellsworth. The Con- federate ex soldiers have an organization at Paris.
3 resident ministers, several lawyers, 4 physicians, a lodge each of Masons and K. of P., a post of the G. A. R., an association of ex-Confederate sol- diers, 2 weekly newspapers, etc. Paris is connect- ed with Altus and Fort Smith by daily hack and mail lines. From four to five thousand bales of cotton are handled here annually. Paris was in- corporated February 18, 1879. At this writing its corporate officers are as follows: William M. Green- wood, mayor; C. B. Gray, recorder; T. J. Connel- ley, Jr., treasurer; Z. P. Pillgreen, marshal. There are five aldermen. The town is out of debt and has some money in the treasury.
The Paris Express, an eight-column folio, pub- lished by William M. Greenwood, is now in its eleventh volume. having been established in 1880. The Paris Tribune, a six-column folio, now in its sixth volume, is published by its proprietor, L. B. Gamble, and edited by W. H. H. Harley. Both of these papers are neatly printed and well edited, the former advocating Democratic and the latter Republican principles.
Roseville, an old steamboat landing, and the oldest town in the county, is situated on the Arkansas River, at the ferry on the Altus and Paris mail line road. It contains 2 general stores, 1 drug and 1 grocery store, a grist-mill and cotton- gin, 2 blacksmith shops, and a school house and church combined. Prior to the Civil War, and up to the completion of the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad, Roseville was a place of consid- erable importance, doing a large amount of busi- ness, having the river for its transportation.
The town of Paris had its origin when its site was selected for the seat of justice, in 1874. It Booneville, with a population of about 500, is situated in the southwest part of the county, on the Petit Jean River. It is a good business point, and ships annually from 1,500 to 2,000 bales of cotton. It has 8 general, 4 grocery, 1 drug and 1 millinery store, 1 livery barn, 2 blacksmith shops, a school- house, the Fort Smith District High School, 1 church, 1 grist-mill, planing-mill and cotton-gin combined, the Booneville Enterprise, 5 lawyers and 5 physicians. The Booneville Enterprise was es- tablished in 1878, being the first newspaper pub- lished in the county, by Moore & Co., who still own has all been built since that date, and it has now a population of about 800. It is situated about five miles south of the Arkansas River, and twelve miles by wagon road from Altus, the nearest station on the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad. It has 9 general stores, 4 family groceries, 2 drug and 2 harness stores, 2 furniture and 2 millinery stores, 2 livery stables, 3 blacksmith and wagon shops, 1 meat market, 1 shingle and planing-mill, 1 flour- ing-mill and cotton-gin, 1 corn-mill and cotton-gin, 3 hotels, 3 church edifices-Methodist, Baptist and Catholic-one school-house-Paris Academy- | it. It was suspended from 1880 to 1884, when its
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
publication was renewed. It is edited by J. F. Keith, is a seven-column folio, and labors in the interest of the people and the Democratic party. Booneville is one of the oldest towns in the county.
Magazine, twelve miles southwest of Paris, with a population of about 400, is beautifully situated on a high plateau, just west of the Magazine Mountain, in the center of a fine farming country, and does a large business. It is connected with Paris by telephone and a daily mail line. It has 5 general stores, 2 drug and 1 grocery store, a grist-mill, cotton-gin and woodwork establish- ment combined, 3 blacksmith shops, 1 school- house, 2 churches (Baptist and Methodist) and 5 physicians. The finest residence in the county, that of Mr. E. D. Hooper, merchant and farmer, is at this place.
Chismville, in the western end of the county, sixteen miles from Paris, has two general and two drug stores, a grist-mill and cotton-gin, a blacksmith shop, school-house, and 3 physicians, and does a a considerable amount of business.
Caulksville, eight miles west of Paris, contains two general and three grocery stores, a grist-mill and cotton-gin, blacksmith shop and a school-house, the latter being used also as a church.
Driggs is a small village consisting of two gen- eral stores, a grist-mill and cotton-gin, blacksmith shop, a school-house and two physicians.
National Springs, ten miles west of Paris, is noted for its mineral springs."
Corley (Burnett Springs) on Flattop Mountain, about eight miles southeast of Paris, is a pleasure or summer resort.
Ellsworth, ten miles east of Paris, has one gen- eral store, a blacksmith shop, Masonic hall, a grist- mill and cotton-gin and one church-Methodist.
Prairie View, three miles northeast of Ells- worth, contains three general stores, a drug, gro- cery and milliner store combined, a blacksmith shop, a school-house and Masonic hall and a grist- mill and cotton-gin.
Shoal Creek, situated in the eastern end of the county, has a general store and a grist and saw-mill and cotton-gin.
Morrison's Bluff on the Arkansas River, in
Range 24 west, is an old steamboat landing. It has two general stores, a drug and grocery store, a grist-mill and cotton-gin, blacksmith shop, school -. house and Catholic Church.
Patterson's Bluff is a steamboat landing on the Arkansas River in Range 25 west. It has a general store, a grist-mill and cotton-gin and a school house.
At each of the forogoing places there is a post- office in addition to what is mentioned, and the other post-offices of the county are Blaine, Briar Creek, Carolan, Delaware, Dublin, Flat, Golden City, Hobart, Idell, Money, Patsie, Revilee, Spie- lerville and Sugar Grove. Some of these are ham- lets, consisting of the post-office, a store, black- smith shop, etc.
In regard to the public schools and the work- ing of the free-school system in Logan County, but little more need be said than what was so well said two years ago by the school examiner of the county in his letter to the State superintendent of public instruction accompanying his annual report. The following is a copy of the letter.
"PARIS, ARK., September 20, 1888.
" Hon. W. E. Thompson, State Superintendent,
"DEAR SIR-The figures below are from the reports of directors for the year ending June 30, 1888. The reports are incomplete, nine districts making no annual report and many others only partial ones. The following is as nearly correct as can be made from data so inadequate:
Amount expended for schools. $7,964 90
Amount paid teachers .. $7,741 77
Average wages paid teachers per month, male ... $38 74
Average wages paid teachers per month, female .. $34 89
Number of teachers employed, males. 63
Number of teachers employed, females. 13
Number of teachers employed, total. 76
Number of teachers employed, white.
70
Number of teachers employed, colored.
6
Average term of schools, months.
Number of districts.
86
Number of districts voting tax.
50
Number of districts voting no tax.
27
Number of districts not reporting vote on tax.
9
Average tax voted, mills
$0.00486
Number of school-houses. 93
Value . $17,095
Number of private and denominational schools 11
Number of children not attending public schools 3,747
-
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LOGAN COUNTY.
" The free-school system is gaining in favor with the people, notwithstanding the loss of the local school fund, more than $10,000, by robbery of the county treasury, which greatly crippled the oper- ation of the schools for the year herein reported. "Three prominent defects in our school system are: 1. The employment of untrained and incom- petent teachers because they are cheap. 2. The shortness of terms. 3. Non attendance of pupils.
"In regard to the first, there has been decided improvement in the last few years, due largely to the good results of teachers' institutes. If the office of the county examiner were replaced by that of county superintendent the efficiency of the schools could be doubled. ‘As is the teacher so is the school.' An efficient county superintendency would in a few years develop a corps of trained teachers in every county.
"A second great need is more money. Last year our schools averaged only three and two-thirds months in duration. . The State school tax ought to be at least 5 mills, with another 5 mills at the option of the electors. It is cheaper to educate than to punish. Schools are better protection than courts, school-houses better than jails.
"Lastly, of 7,682 persons of school age, but 3,935 were enrolled in the public schools, and of these the average attendance only 1,926. Thus of 100 scholars only fifty-one are enrolled, and the average attendance is but twenty-five; so that the benefits of our free schools reach effectively only one in four of our school population. A reasonable compulsory attendance is no more oppressive than compulsory taxation. If the one is right for property holders, the other is equally right for parents, and so large a proportion of children growing up in ignorance demands it.
"Respectfully submitted, J. S. SHIBLEY, " County Examiner, Logan County."
The State superintendent's report for the years of 1889 and 1890 has not been published at this writing, but the writer is informed that an increas- ing interest is being taken in educational matters. County and district normal institutes have been held and attended by teachers.
There are two chartered schools in the county
having a collegiate course of instruction -- the Fort Smith District High School, at Booneville, with a building valued at $4,000, and the Paris Academy, at Paris, with buildings valued at $10,000. Both these schools have a good patronage from this and the surrounding counties, and are doing excellent work in the cause of education. Good schools are also maintained for from nine to ten months at Magazine, Ellsworth, Prairie View and other places in the county, and the German Catholics maintain paro. chial schools at Paris, and at St. Benedict's, seven miles east of Paris.
The various religious denominations have churches within easy reach of every neighborhood in the county. The Methodist Episcopal Church South has five circuits in the county, the Method- ist Episcopal Church has two, and the Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian and Christian Churches have a large organization and regular preaching in all parts of the county. The German Catholics have churches and regular services at Paris, Shoal Creek, Morrison's Bluff, and St. Benedict's.
Sunday-schools are maintained in the churches at the towns and villages and the closely settled neighborhoods. The church organizations are doing good work in the cause of Christianity, the people are generally moral and Christian in character, and no home-seeker need fear that he will not find here both church and school facilities, and a kind and hospitable people to live with. The county has voted "no license " for the last eight years.
A splendid view of the county and surrounding territory is obtained from the top of Short Mount- ain. Facing northward the beholder first sees the valley of the Arkansas, the winding of the river and villages thereon. Beyond the river in a direction about eighteen degrees west of north, the town of Ozark, county seat of Franklin County, is plainly visible, and in a direction about seven degrees west of north the college and elevated portion of Altus, in the same county is in plain sight. Looking farther to the right, other towns on the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad can be seen, and as a background to this picture are the Boston Mountains in the dis- tance. Looking eastward the valley of-the Arkan- sas can be seen for many miles, and in a direction
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
about ten degrees south of east, Mount Nebo in Yell County is in plain view. Just to the right of this appear the Blue and Spring Mountain ridges in Logan County. Facing southward the beholder first sees the beautiful valley and its neat little farms at the foot of the mountain, and in a south- east direction, and near by he looks down upon the town of Paris. Just beyond the first valley he sees the extensive Pine Ridge, and from a point due south to southwest he beholds the Petit Jean Mountains beyond the river and valley of the same name. Looking southeastward over and beyond Pine Ridge, Calico to the right and Flattop Mountain to the left, being divided by Short Mount- ain Creek, are plainly seen. Looking south and east of south over and above the mountains just mentioned, the viewer sees the highest and most magnificent mountain of all-the Magazine-its most elevated point being south about thirty de- grees east. To the west the mountains in Sebas- tian County can be seen, and a little north of west the city of Fort Smith shows its steeples and tow- ers. About fifty degrees west of south Pilot Mount- ain in Scott County is plainly seen.
The varied scenes are grand, magnificent, awe- inspiring.
" God hath infinite power, And that ye may see In the fold of the flower, The leaf of the tree,
"In the wave of the ocean, The furrow of land, In the mountain of granite, The atom of sand.
" Ye may turn your face From the sky to the sod; And where can ye gaze That ye see not God?"
J. M. Agnew, merchant and postmaster at Roseville, is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Agnew, of Walker County, Ga. The parents emi-
grated to this State in the fall of 1869, and here the father died in the summer of 1871, when our subject was twenty-one years of age. The latter was reared to the arduous duties of the farm, and on account of the breaking out of the war he re- ceived a rather limited education. After the death of his father he remained with his mother, working the farm, until twenty-eight years of age, and then bought and located upon a tract of land which he cultivated for two years. He then moved to Rose- ville and embarked in the grocery business which he still continues. In 1888 he was appointed post- master at this place, and has since discharged the duties of that office in a creditable and satisfactory manner. Mr. Agnew was born on August 30, 1850, and has been in public life for several years. He has gained for himself a reputation as a solid and reliable tradesman, and one whose energy and enterprise must of necessity materially develop this enterprise. His mother still lives in Clark Township, this county, and although sixty years of age she is strong and hearty. She is the mother of eleven children, eight of whom grew to matu- rity, and she now resides with her youngest son on the homestead. Mr. Agnew is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge at Roseville, and he is also a member of the K. of P. of this place. He has re- mained single. He is a hard worker, is honest and upright in his dealings with the public, and gets a good share of the trade.
John B. Bailey, liveryman, Booneville, Ark. Among the active enterprises of a city like Boone- ville the business of liveryman occupies, necessa- rily, an important place, contributing, as it does, to the pleasure, convenience and actual necessities of the community. Among the most notable establish- ments of this class in the city is that conducted by Mr. John B. Bailey. Though but recently estab- lished, this stable is becoming very popular, and is one of the best in the city. Mr. Bailey was born in Tennessee, May 4, 1847, and is a son of Stephen and Nancy (Jones) Bailey, both natives also of the Big Bend State. The parents were married in Hawkins County of that State, in 1828, and of the eight children born to this union (three sons and five daughters) seven are now living: Louisa Ann
Acknowledgments-The writer and compiler of the history of Logan County has received much assistance and valuable informa- tion from Judge Theodore Potts and other individuals, the county officers, and the Express and Tribune officers, to all of whom proper acknowledgments are due.
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LOGAN COUNTY.
(wife of Cregg Brown), Sarah (wife of Riley Kill- day), Jane (wife of William Minard), Orville, James (deceased), Francis and Eales. The father was justice of the peace for a number of years. The parents both died in Tennessee, the father in 1856 and the mother in 1853. Both were members of the Baptist Church. John B. Bailey attained his growth in Greene County, Tenn., and in 1866 was married to Miss Nannie Murphy, a native of Ten- nessee, and daughter of James and Jane (Crawford) Murphy, the father a Methodist minister. Her parents are both deceased, the father on February 28, 1879, and the mother in 1889. They were the parents of these children: Mahaley, Kate, William, Elber, Andy, Betty, Ike, George, Becky and Chap- lin. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born an interesting family of six children: Thomas G. (mar- ried Miss Minty Gideon, March 17, 1889, and have one child, Gusey), James E., Georgia, Or- ville, Maggie and Lula .M. Mr. Bailey has been a farmer all his life, and is now the owner of 520 acres of land, with 250 acres cultivated. He moved to Booneville in 1890, and in June of the same year he built a livery barn, which business he has since carried on, his main object in moving to town was to educate his children. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South.
Henry Bangs, planter, Booneville, Ark. For a number of years, or since his residence in this county, the reputation which Mr. Bangs enjoys has been not only that of a substantial and progressive agriculturist, but of an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs. He was born in the Old Dominion on January 6, 1828, and is a son of Jacob and Abigail (Lawrence) Bangs, both natives of Virginia. The father was a soldier in the Florida War, in which he was killed by the Indi- ans. The parents were married at Fortress Mon- roe, and to them were born three children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The other two, Benja- min and Stephen, are both farmers, and are living in this township. The mother died about - 1843. Henry Bangs, at the age of thirteen years, joined the Florida troops, and was in service for five
years. He came to Arkansas, and was married in what is now Logan County, in 1850, to Miss Sarah Walton, a native of Kentucky. Of the twelve children born to this union-six sons and six dangh- ters-seven are now living, viz .: George, Emily (wife of John Basinger), Levenia (wife of Andrew Smith), Adelia (wife of A. Starns), Elizabeth (wife of S. Suttles), Franklin and Robert. The mother of these children died in the year 1882. She was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Bangs married his second wife, Mrs. E. C. Barlow, in 1886, she being a widow with five children, viz. : Alonzo, Ida (wife of Joseph Stanfield), Looney (wife of B. Foster), Callie and Asa. Mr. Bangs has 240 acres of good land, has 80 acres of this under cultivation, and raises corn and hogs principally. He is a member of the Christian and his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J. W. Barnett, farmer and ginner, Magazine Ark. Mr. Barnett's parents, J. W. and Elizabeth (Yearout) Barnett, were natives of Tennessee, in which State their nuptials were celebrated, and there they resided until 1869, when they moved to Arkansas. Their son J. W. Barnett, the subject of this sketch, was born in the Big Bend State also, in 1832, and like the average country boy of that day, his educational advantages were limited. He was partly reared in that State, and when twenty- one years of age he began farming on his own ac- count, that having been his principal occupation up to that time. Agricultural pursuits have since continued to be his chosen calling, and his advanced principles and progressive ideas have had much to do with the success that has attended his efforts. Aside from this he is the owner of a good gin valued at about $3,000 and in this occupation he has also been quite successful. He entered the army in 1863, and was for the most part in active service until the close of the war. He was capt- ured at Jenkins' Ferry and was kept a prisoner at Tyler, Tex., for ten months. He had his nose shot in two while in service. Mr. Barnett has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Mary Fitzgerald, who bore him two children: Tennes- see and John. His second marriage, which occurred in 1867, was to Mrs. Permelia Underwood and to
22
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
this union were born six interesting children, all living and in the enjoyment of the best of health. They are named, Candonia, Arrenna, Lillie, Wy- oma, Edna and Ora. Mr. Barnett is a Repub- lican in his political preferences, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Isaiah Beck was born in Lumpkin County, Ga., in December, 1846, and is one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Logan County, Ark. He began life for himself at the age of twenty years, and as he had been reared to farm life, it was but natural, perhaps, that he should choose agricultural pursuits as his occupation in life. He has since closely applied himself to this calling, and with what success, may be inferred from a glace at his present place. In 1869 he was wedded to Miss Lucinda C. Fox, daughter of Henry Fox of Logan County, and they are the parents of eight children: Joseph M., Marion J., Charles P., Leona Etter, Benjamin M., Archie G. and John H. and Maggie (twins). Joseph M. (mar- ried Josephine Brice, daughter of Martin Brice). Mr. Beck owns 100 acres of land and has 80 acres under cultivation. His land is well adapted to the raising of cotton and grain, and he is also in- terested in stock-raising. He and Mrs. Beck have been members of the Christian Church for fourteen years, and are substantial supporters of all worthy movements. They are highly esteemed in the community and have many warm friends. Mr. Beck's parents, Jeffery and Sallie (Sism) Beck, were natives of North Carolina. They were mar- ried in Walker County, Ga., resided there for a great many years and reared a family of eight chil- dren, our subject being next to the youngest. They are named as follows: Andrew, John W., William J., Sarah E., Caroline, Ira, Isaiah and Adaline. The mother died in Georgia, in 1859, and the father then married the Widow Nicholson. In 1862 he removed to Montgomery County, Ark., and there his death occurred in 1870.
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