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 79
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Harley & Ward, dealers in dry goods, groceries, etc., and John Q. Carter (old Sin-Duda), dealer in drugs, medicines and fancy goods, are the principal merchants. A chair factory and saw and planing- mill are also located in Bear. The following is a partial list of the "Old Guard," who have stood by the camp in all its trials and tribulations: John Tillman, D. J. Dannelley, Capt. A. L. Hunt, J. O. Bartenschlaeger, H. Moscowitz, N. H. Harley, W. H. Price, Lew Mallaby, W. P. Wilson, Col. C. F. Britsch, J. Q. Carter, Gen. S. B. Sherer, C. C. Woods, Col. E. P. Snow, Orson Hager, Eddie Beam, A. M. Beam, Samuel Aughey, I. E. Arnold, Frank Wise, W. C. King, J. B. Jewell, C. C. Chapin, E. J. Adams, Eldredge & Warner and C. G. Grove.
The surrounding country is reasonably fertile,
and yields good returns in crops of corn, wheat, oats, cotton, Irish and sweet potatoes and vegeta- bles of all kinds. Small fruits of every variety common to the temperate zone, as grapes, pears, plums, apricots, persimmons, etc., grow wild and in abundance in the woods about the town, and are in many instances equal in flavor to the cultivated fruits of the North. The adjoining forests are filled with many varieties of wood valuable for building purposes, the manufacture of furniture, etc.
Prof. A. M. Beam and Samuel Aughey, old pi- oneers of the camp, whose implicit faith in the existence there of gold and silver in paying quan- tities has never wavered or faltered, have toiled on and labored earnestly for the last two years under the most. trying circumstances, endeavoring to ob- tain a solution of the problem of how to save the values in sufficient quantities to invite the attention and investment of capital in the development of the vast mineral resources of Bear Mountain Dis- trict, and their efforts seem about to be crowned with success in the discovery of what is known as the "Beam Electric Process." A plant has been erected at what was formerly known as the Smith smelter, and continued runs for the last month, on the various ores of the district, in quantities rang- ing from 200 to 1,000 pounds have been made, and our information from reliable sources up to the hour of writing this article, is that they have been entirely satisfactory to all interested.
The mineral deposits of this vicinity are new to this age and generation, and when the attention of capitalists is called to them, as it will be if it is once clearly and plainly demonstrated that profits can be secured from the ores by the electric proc- ess, the future of the country will no longer be in doubt, and Bear City will become the emporium of the great mining regions of Arkansas.
Crystal Springs lie at the foot of Crystal Mount- ain, and are equi-distant between Hot Springs and Mount Ida, and some four miles from Bear. A more attractive spot for a home can not be imag- ined, and the pure, health-giving waters that abound here have already acquired a fame equal to those, if not superior, of noted and frequented watering places.
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P. W. Williamson, dealer in dry goods, gro- ceries, etc., is the leading representative of the mercantile interests, and is largely interested in some of the best mining properties of this mineral region.
This is also a mining district, and immense bodies of ore are found here, of which the sand- rock predominates. Here is located Moffett's smelter, erected at an outlay of $30,000, and in the event of its being finally demonstrated that paying values can be obtained from these ores, Oliver Moffett, son of Col. Moffett, and a mining man of large experience at Joplin, Mo., who is now on the ground, will at once erect a large plant.
Crystal has a fine school, and also church-house, and its people are noted for their generous hos- pitality to visitors. Among its prominent citizens may be mentioned Sheriff Peden, Col. E. R. Mof- fett, W. H. Thorp, E. Spiva, G. L. Avarett and Col. C. H. Jacobs, all largely interested in mining property in the district. Many fine farms are lo- cated in this vicinity.
A few miles from Crystal Springs is the famous Crystal Mountain, from whose summit the scene presented to the vision of the tourist is beautiful and grand beyond description. In this region are found crystals of the purest water, without fault or blemish, that are said, by old crystal diggers, to rival those of the crystal fields of the West.
Silver City is eight and one-half miles from Mount Ida and thirty-two miles from Hot Springs, and ten years ago was a mining camp of considerable magnitude, but owing to misdirected efforts and bad management has of late been practically abandoned. The ores of this district consist of galena, gray copper, chlorides, etc., and assay up in the thou- sands. Old miners assert that all the indications point to the fact of rich mineral being deposited in and around Silver City, and the mining that has been done would seem to confirm this. The following are some of the mines it is claimed can be made producers, by the assistance of capital: The Waterloo, Silver King, Montezuma (patented), Mammoth, Walnut, Diamond Jo, and several other properties whose names we have not at hand. State Geologist Branner, in his report upon this
mineral district, pronounces it meritorious and worthy of development. About one mile from Silver City is situated Elnora City, where the famous Elnora mine is located. This mine needs only the assistance of capital, to a limited extent, to put it on a paying basis, and it is believed that the coming fall will see the Elnora resume opera- tions. Dr. J. C. Bates, the physician and surgeon located here, Capt. Frank Pease, Judge J. J. Hayes and J. H. Fisher, of the Diamond Jo Hotel, are largely interested in mining property in Mount Ida Mining District, and capitalists seeking invest- ment or desiring information concerning the camp, should address them at Silver City. This is also a good farming country, and many of Montgomery County's substantial farmers reside in this neigh- borhood.
Mount Ida is about equi-distant from Hot Springs on the east and Dallas on the west, Wal- dron on the north and Arkadelphia on the south. Situated as Prof. Branner says: "Upon the gravel terrace of an ancient river or lake, apparently at the mouth or in the course of a tributary stream from the south," it is, nevertheless, high, level and dry; and overlooking, as it does, the beautiful valley of the South Fork of the Ouachita River, and in sight of splendid farms and beautiful mountain scenery, it is instinctively decided to be a health- ful and delightful hamlet. Within the last two years it has doubled its population and business, and to-day is evincing greater signs of progress than at any time in the past. Being the county site-centrally situated in the county-in the very heart of the mining belt, with the Ouachita River (South Fork), Twin Creeks and Williams' Creek. all with their rich fields and valleys close by, we do not exaggerate when we claim that the next few years will very greatly augment its population. Watkins Bros., and Mrs. G. W. Golden, dealers in dry goods, groceries, etc., and C. A. Abernathy, dealer in lumber, lath and shingles, and also in flour, represent the mercantile interests; Watkins & Witt, attorneys at law, and R. C. Roberts, phy- sician and surgeon, the professional; and N. B. Riffe, general blacksmith and wood-worker. the mechanical. The Mount Ida High School takes
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rank as a first-class educational institution, under the able direction of Prof. W. G. Fail and his ac- complished daughter, Miss Annie. A commodious and elegant church building, erected by the Methodist Episcopal Church South, used alike by the several Christian denominations composing the population of the village and adjacent country, adorns and beautifies the southwestern part of the town.
We venture the assertion there is no town or village in the United States of the same age that can say as much for the health of its citizens. We are told that none of its citizens or business men, while living here, except Sheriff Golden, have shuffled off this mortal coil, although it has been a small town for about fifty years, and many of its citizens have resided here for a long time. The Montgomery County Herald is published here, and has a large and steadily increasing circulation. It is now in its first volume, is a five-column folio, neatly printed and well edited, and is the only newspaper in the county. Col. William Cochran is the editor, and G. Witt, business manager.
Caddo Gap is eighteen miles from Mount Ida and thirty-five miles from Hot Springs and one- quarter of a mile below the famous Gap, west of the river. Splendid farms are to be seen in all directions, the soil and climate being admirably adapted for cereals and cotton. Fruits of all kinds yield prolifically in the Caddo Valley. Above the noted Gap is situated the Caddo Cove, and the picturesque and romantic scenery that is presented to the vision at this point is entrancing; it embraces an area of six miles north and one to three miles east and west, and is said to be one of the most fertile spots in the county. The Caddo is a favorite resort for disciples of Izaak Walton, the choicest varieties of the finny tribe inhabiting its waters. The following are some of the substan- tial farmers of this vicinity: W. A. Hopper, John Welch, J. F. Hopper, W. S. Duling, Mart Hol- den, Vaught Brothers, Bob Peel, J. N. Wasson, W. S. Autrey, Jeff Collier, W. O. Diffie, Judge Vaught and Judge West; J. F. Hopper and S. M. Collier represent the mercantile interest, and Dr. A. S. Logan the professional.
Black Springs is nine miles southwest of Mount Ida on the Hot Springs and Dallas road and near the Caddo River, near the center of the valley of the Caddo, noted for its fertility and heretofore described. The population is about 250 and the surrounding country is well settled up. It is near the survey of the Fort Smith & Gurdon Railway, and bids fair to become a commercial center of some note if the road is built. F. Gross carries one of the largest stocks of general merchandise in the county, and the Rowton Bros. are also wide-awake and enterprising merchants, doing a good business. Its altitude is about 1,000 feet above the sea level, is high, dry and healthy, with good schools and good society. It is about six miles from the State House Mountain, supposed to be rich in manganese.
Buckville is a flourishing little town eighteen miles east of Mount Ida, and twenty two miles north- west of Hot Springs. Many of the solid farmers of the county reside in this locality. Cotton and corn are the principal products. The population is estimated at about 100. In the event of the electric process becoming an assured success this region will become a great mining district, as there are inexhaustible mineral deposits here, sand rock pre- dominating. J. W. Freeman represents the mer- cantile interest, also having a large cattle ranch; J. W. Martin is the mill man.
Cedar Glades has a population of 250, is twenty- two miles east of Mount Ida and twenty miles north- west of Hot Springs, and is surrounded by a good farming country. There is a good school-house here. Speer Brothers, A. J. Cotnam and William Ray represent the mercantile interest, and R. J. Housely is the mill man, and B. F. Carrollton the cabinet workman; Sharp & Boone, general black- smiths and woodworkers.
Chapmondville is a flourishing village in Sul- phur Township, situated ten miles from Mount Ida and forty miles from Hot Springs, on the Danville and Mount Ida road. This is a splendid farming country-the Ouachita River running through the township. The principal products are cotton and corn. Considerable live stock, principally cattle, is raised here. Several churches,
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of almost every denomination, and also a flourish- ing Sunday-school, are in this vicinity. There are also several good public schools. Thomas L. Chapmond is the general merchant at Chapmond- ville. G. W. Maddox has a cotton-gin, saw and grist-mill, and Dr. A. J. Poole, physician and surgeon, is located here.
Hickory Station is thirty-three miles from Hot Springs and twenty-two from Mount Ida. In this locality will be found some of the finest upland in Montgomery County. There is an abundance of fine water, and the country is well timbered. The population of this vicinity is about 500. Good school facilities exist here. G. A. Tackett is the general merchant and mill man, and Assessor George B. Willis resides here. Lucky is a little hamlet of about fifty souls; has a steam saw and grist-mill with cotton-gin attached, owned by Short & Montgomery; has also a post-office and "pin-book " store. It is situated twenty-five miles southwest of Mount Ida, twenty-five miles west of Hot Springs, and is peopled and sur- rounded Ly an industrious people. A correspond- ent writes us that this would be a good location for a general merchandise business. Oden is lo- cated some twelve miles west of Mount Ida, and has a population of about 150. The mercantile interests here are represented by H. S. Goodner, Philpot & Sims and James Allen. The latter car- ries a large stock of general merchandise. This village is situated on the survey of the Fort Smith & Gurdon Railroad.
The first thing found on record pertaining to education in the county was the appointment, in January, 1846, by the county court of three school commissioners, being the following named gentle- men: Isaac Denton, Granville Whittington and John Shipp. There were no free schools, how- ever, supported by taxation until the free school system was inaugurated after the close of the Civil War of 1861-65. Prior thereto a few subscription schools were taught in the settlements having enough children to compose a school. The teach- ers were paid directly by the parents or guardians of the children sent to school, and, consequently, the children whose parents were not able thus to
pay for educational facilities, were deprived of school advantages. The following statistics, taken from the last published report of the State super- intendent of public instruction, it being for the year ending, June 30, 1888, will serve to show the extent of the educational facilities of the county under the present school system: Scholastic pop. ulation, white males, 1,446, females, 1,377; total, 2,823; colored males, 64, females, 79; total 143. Number of pupils taught in public schools: white. males, 792; females, 637; total, 1,429; colored, males, 30; females, 22; total, 52. Number of school districts, 59; number reporting, 31; num- ber of teachers employed, males, 27; females, 2; total, 29; average monthly salaries paid teach- ers, first grade, males, $38.75; females, none em- ployed; second grade, males, $33.20, females. $25; third grade, males, $33.31; females, $24.15.
Revenue received for the support of the com- mon schools:
Amount on hand July 1, 1887 $4,090 81
Common school fund. 2,281 75
District tax 975 60
Poll tax 1,179 90
Other sources. 26 60
$8,554 66
Revenue expended for the support of the com- mon schools:
Teachers' salaries. $3,731 33
Building and repairing. .. 91 38
Treasurer's commission 89 27
Other purposes. 28 85
*Total expended. . $3,980 83
Balance on hand $4,573 83
These statistics make it appear that only about one-half of the white and a little over one-third of the colored scholastic population were taught in the pub- lic schools. But the report is not full and does not give the whole number of children attending school. In submitting his report, in September, 18SS, to the State superintendent of public instruction,
* The official report above referred to, after giving the 'items ex- pended, gives the aggregate at $3,937.83, and the balance on hand at 84,616.83; hence an error exists in the figures, either in the items of aggregates.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Prof. W. G. Fail, county examiner, wrote as fol- lows:
DEAR SIR-I herewith enclose my annual report for the year ending June 30, 1888.
The report is incomplete, and this is due to the fact that the directors do not recognize the importance of making full reports. The people of this county are awakening to their educational interests, and the last few years have developed such an interest in schools as to warrant the assertion that Montgomery will soon be in the front rank in point of schools and education. A ma- jority of the districts vote a 5 mill tax, and the public school system is rapidly growing in favor.
I have no suggestion to make in regard to a change in the school law, unless it be amended so that the districts be made larger, the number of directors be reduced to one, and that one be required to attend more minutely to the duties of the office, and receive compensation for same.
Although Montgomery County can not boast of fine school-houses and numerous church spires towering heavenward, it has schools and church oganizations in every settlement where there is a sufficient population to maintain them. Here and there can be found an unpretentious school-house, erected near a fine spring of living water, the building serving also the purpose of a house of worship for whatever denomination of Christians may congregate there for that purpose. The lead- ing religious sects in the county are the Methodists, largely in the ascendancy, Baptists, both Primitive and Missionary, Christian and Church of God. Only a few church houses have been erected, the location of most of them having been mentioned in connection with the villages. In the early days religious services were held in private houses and in "the leafy grove," and later in the school- houses and church edifices, where they still con- tinne to be held. Although there has long been a church organization at Mount Ida, the county seat, the first edifice-a fine large frame structure-ever erected there was put up in 1888. In all thickly settled places Sunday-schools are taught in connec- tion with the church organizations, and much good is accomplished and the cause of Christianity is advanced.
Martin Stephen Bates is a man whom nature seems to have especially designed to be a planter, for he has met with a more than average degree of success in pursuing that calling, and owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten path and to his adoption of new and improved methods he is now the owner of a good plantation. He was born in Cherokee County, Ga., March 2, 1843, a son of Elder J. R. and Mary Ann (Dobbs) Bates, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Georgia. When a boy Mr. Bates went to Georgia with his parents, there grew to manhood, married and lived until 1870, when he came to Scott County, Ark., having traveled over the county in 1848 and reported it a good one. At the above- mentioned date he and sixty other persons came here, and now 1,000 persons are the offspring of the members of this colony. Mr. Bates lived in Scott County until 1877, then came to near Mt. Ida, and here quietly breathed his last at the age of seventy-six years. He had studied medicine when a young man, and although he practiced his profes- sion for about forty years before coming to this State, he afterward gave his attention to farming. In 1868 he joined the Primitive Baptist Church, was ordained an elder soon after, and preached the gospel until his death. He was a Mason for many years, was a Democrat politically, and while in Georgia and also Scott County, Ark., held the office of justice of the peace. He helped remove the Indians to their reservation west of the Missis- sippi River, being an officer. The Bates family are of Scotch and English descent, the grand- father, Stephen Bates, being a Virginia planter and a son of William Bates, one of the wealthiest men of the Old Dominion. The mother of the subject of this sketch is still living and resides on the old homestead in Arkansas, being now seventy years of age. She has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for twenty five years, and has always been a kind, considerate Christian lady. Of a family of fourteen children she bore her husband, Martin Stephen is their fifth son. In his youth he was given the advantages of the schools of Cherokee County, Ga., but put aside his books in 1861 to join the Confederate Army, be-
odt bosseso
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coming a member of Company G, Twenty-third Georgia Infantry, with which he served four years, taking part in many battles: Siege of Yorktown, Seven Pines, Williamsburg, besides many others, but escaped without receiving a wound or being taken prisoner. At the close of the war he com- menced to farm for himself, but in 1870 left his native State, and for two years was a resident of Scott County, Ark., at the end of which time he came to Montgomery County, settling on the old Willard place on Caddo road, which he has improved with excellent buildings, fences, orchard, etc. On coming here he was without means, but his efforts have been attended with success, and he now owns a good farm, on which he raises excel- lent crops. In 1874 he joined the Primitive Bap- tist Church, was ordained one of its elders eight years since, and has since been engaged in preach- ing the Gospel. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Eliazbeth Brooks, and eight sons and four daughters have been born to their union, seven sons and one daughter now living. Mrs. Bates is also a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and Mr. Bates is a stanch Democrat.
William J. Bowers. In the fertile agricultural region of Montgomery County, Ark., Mr. Bowers has given his attention to tilling the soil, and as be has always been industrious, economical and enter- prising, he has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods and is now in independent circum- stances. He was born in Jackson County, Ala., in 1847, to Adam and Susanna (Darnell) Bowers, the former a Virginian, born in 1802, and the latter in Georgia, in 1804. In 1849 they removed to Ten- nessee, and about 1870 to Woodruff County, Ark., where Mrs. Bowers died in 1876 or 1877, Mr. Bow- ers afterward removing to Texas, where he was called from earth about 1878, he, as well as his wife, being an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He was one of the honest " sons of the soil," and as a law abiding and public-spir- ited citizen became well known in the different localities in which he resided. William J. Bowers is the youngest of the seven children born to these parents, and as he was put to work on the +arm at an early day and kept busily employed,
his school days were limited indeed. After he had attained his majority he began an independent career, and as he had acquired a thorough knowl- edge of farming on his father's farm he has given that calling his undivided attention up to the pres- ent time, and is now the owner of an excellent tract of land of 200 acres four miles south of Mount Ida, all of which property he has acquired by his own industry and good management. He was married in the State of Tennessee in August, 1876, to Miss L. C. Thompson, who died in Van Buren County, Ark., in 1881, leaving Mr. Bowers with a family of four children to care for. His second marriage took place in Texas in 1886 to Miss Fannie D. Goforth, and their union has re- sulted in the birth of two interesting little chil- dren. From 1875 to 1880 Mr. Bowers was a resi- dent of the Lone Star State, but after one year's residence in Van Buren County, Ark., he again removed to Texas, which State was his home up to 1886. The two following years were spent in Pike County, Ark., but since that time he has resided on his present farm, which is one of the neatest and best kept in this section of the county. He is a member of the Methodist Church, of which his first wife was also a member.
Jefferson Collier is one who has long been identified with the farming interests of this sec- tion, but he has also used his interests in further- ing all worthy enterprises, and as a result has the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow-men. He was born on Collier's Creek, in this county, on June 15, 1820, to Martin and Mary Belle (Ander- son) Collier, the former born in Tennessee and the latter in Kentucky, in which State their marriage nuptials were celebrated. About 1812 they came to what is now Montgomery County, and settled on Caddo Creek, about twenty miles from any white settler, but did not remain here long, soon moving to what is now known as Collier's Creek, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying about 1822 and the mother on August 30, 1861, a member of the Baptist Church. For many years their nearest trading point was Little Rock, and their nearest blacksmith's shop twenty-five miles distant." As it was thirty miles to a flouring-mill,
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they often used a mortar instead of making that long (and as there were no roads at that time), tedious journey. There were no schools, so the early education of their children was sadly neg- lected, and as the husband and father died at an early day, his widow was left with ten children to care for in this vast wilderness, three or four miles from any neighbor. She nobly discharged every duty, and her children now "rise up and call her blessed." Jefferson Collier is the youngest of the family, and as he received no advantages in his youth, he often felt the need of it, and after his marriage, began applying himself to his books, and thus obtained a fair education. He was mar- ried in August, 1842, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Thomas and Lydia Markham, natives of Illinois, who came to Arkansas in a very early day and in 1835, to what is now Montgomery County, settling above Caddo Gap and there passing from life prior to the war. Mrs. Collier was born in Randolph County, Ark., in 1825, and has borne her husband fifteen children, four sons and seven daugh- ters now living. When first married he set- tled on his present farm, which was then an old abandoned place, and this farm of 270 acres has been his home for nearly fifty years. He is the oldest native resident of the county, and throughout his long and useful career here, has kept his name un- spotted from the world. Just after the war he was elected to the State Senate, but did not qualify. He served all through the Confederate Army, in a company of Arkansas Cavalry, with Capt. William Carroll, and was one of the brave and intrepid "boys in gray." He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. since 1854, being now a member of New Hope Lodge No. 42. He organized Cedar Glades Lodge, and Mount Ida Lodge, and for some time served as their worshipful master. He and his most worthy wife have been citizens who command the respect of all who know them, and for many years they have been members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church. They have lived a happy wedded life of nearly half a century and are yet in the enjoyment of good health. They have reared a large family of children to honorable manhood and womanhood, and the following are those who are
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