Conway Co, AR - Goodspeed's History ------------------------------------------------------------------ Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Email: 23 Jun 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. Conway County was organized by an act of the Territorial Legislature in October, 1825, and derives its name from members of the celebrated Conway family. At that time it embraced an area of some 2500 square miles, and included most of the territory of the present Counties of Faulkner, Van Buren, Pope, Perry and a part of Yell. This large territory-as large nearly as some of the smaller States-has been divided and carved from time to time, till the present area of Conway County is but 640 square miles or 408,060 acres. It has a situation centrally located in the State, forty miles west of Little Rock, and stretches east and west on both sides of the Arkansas river. It is bounded on the north by Van Buren, on the east by Van Buren and Faulkner, on the south by Perry, and on the west by Yell and Pope Counties. The earliest records of the County have been destroyed so we can only copy from the State statutes. The first act of the Territorial Legislature of 1825, was to divide the County of Pulaski, and section 1 of that act reads as follows: "Be it enacted, etc., etc. That all that portion of the County of Pulaski commencing on the south bank of Little Red River, between ranges 8 and 9, thence in a straight line to the northwest quarter of section 6, of township 5 north in 11 west, and thence with said line to the first waters of the Palarm Bayou, thence down said waters to its mouth, thence up the Arkansas River to where the township line of 3 north in range 14 west crosses said river, thence a southwest course to the southern boundary of Pulaski County, be erected into a separate and distinct county, to be known and called Conway County. By the same act the second Monday in January, 1826, was fixed as the time for the election of three commissioners to locate the county seat. The three commissioners to be elected were to act with James Lemmons and Thomas White, appointed by the creating act. By the same act Cadron was made the county seat until the commissioners had made the permanent selection. This act was approved October 20, 1825. In 1827 a supplemental act was passed to permanently locate the county seat. An election was held on first Monday in January in 1828. Elisha Welborn and Wm. G. Saffold were appointed to act with the commissioners to be elected. The commissioners were authorized to solicit donations to build court-house and jail, and if enough was not raised $200 was to be appropriated out of the county treasury; if land was donated to lay same off in town lots. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ By October, 1829 another act to permanently locate county seat. The legal voters were authorized to meet at Stephen Harris' house in Welborn township the first Monday in December, 1829, and after being apprised by some suitable person of the places proposed, voters were to select judges and clerk, and were to proceed to vote until a selection was made, dropping lowest place after each ballot. The house of Stephen Harris was by this act made temporary county seat. In this election all parties who had been in the county three months, and declared their intention to become citizens, were allowed to vote. William Ellis, Elisha Welborn and Thomas Burris were appointed commissioners to receive donations to build court-house and jail, and should they fail to get enough $250 was appropriated out of the county funds. A supplemental act was passed by the same Legislature, making all writs, etc., returnable to Harrisburg, binding, if the location was changed. The November term of Circuit Court was to be held at Harrisburg (Stephen Harris' residence in Welborn township). The Clerk was to remove records to the new county seat, or within four miles of same, as soon as located. In 1831 another act was passed to remove and permanently locate county seat of Conway County. Padford Ellis, Sr., and Thomas Mathers were appointed commissioners to select two acres of ground in north half of fractional section 30, 6 north, 16 west, north of Arkansas river belonging to Nimrod Menifee, upon which to locate court-house and jail, and take deed from Menifee for same. They were also to take bond from Menifee that he would build as good a court-house and jail as the one in Harrisburg, in a reasonable time, not to exceed twelve months. Then the county seat should be located permanently, and the place should be known as Lewisburg. We see from a perusal of the preceding acts of the General Assembly that the first location of the seat of justice was at Cadron. This place also came within one vote of becoming the capital of the State. In 1827 the supplemental act changed its location to Harrisburg. In 1829 the matter was again brought before the Legislature; an election was ordered, which resulted in its retention at Harrisburg, and the erection of a court-house and jail at that place. In 1831 the matter was again brought before the assembly, and we judge from the text that Dr. Menifee had donated land and agreed to erect buildings at Lewisburg, which therefore became the third county seat in that year. The earliest records of the county have been destroyed, so we only copy from the State statutes. This was a most appropriate selection, as the travel at that time was almost wholly by the Arkansas river, that great highway of the pioneers, and Lewisburg was comparatively near the geographical center of the county. The court-house erected at Lewisburg by Dr. Menifee was a log building of small dimensions and rude construction; this served till 1850, when the county seat was moved away. A portion of the territory of Conway County was cut off in 1829 to form Pope, and in 1840 much more was stricken off to make a separate county of Perry. By these changes Conway lost all of its territory south of the river and its county seat was thrown into a location far from the center, so we find that agitation to change its location soon became vigorous and strong. Reference to the records of the County Court during the forties reveal much discussion of this subject, but no action was taken until 1848, when a petition was presented by Philip W. Roberts and signed by a majority of the taxable inhabitants of the county, for the removal of the county seat. The court, after hearing the argument of counsel, ordered an election to be held the first Monday in April of 1848 for the election of commissioners to select the site. The election was held and resulted in the selection of Anthony Hinkle and Blake Thompson. The county then comprised most of Faulkner County east, and Mr. Hinkle wished to locate it on or near the North Cadron, as, in justice to all, it would be the most central and convenient. This board, however, failed to make a selection, and their term of office expiring, another set of commissioners were selected, whose complete report entered upon the county records we copy in full: "To the Honorable County Court of Conway County: -------------------------------------------------------------- page 13 -------------------------------------------------------------- "We, Robert B. Gordon, John W. Gilbert and John H. Fryer, commissioners elected and appointed to locate the seat of justice for Conway County, in the State of Arkansas, beg leave respectfully to report to your honorable body: That after being commissioned and qualified on the 31st day of July, 1849, we did advertise, as the law directs, to meet at Lewisburg, the present county seat, fifteen days thereafter, and did meet accordingly, and proceeded from thence to select a suitable site to locate upon; and after different attempts to locate, did finally agree, on the 29th day of June, 1850, to locate upon section 11, township 7, range 15, it being near the center of the territory of said county as it now stands. The land on which we locate was donated to the county by L. W. Porter, E. W. Adams and others, to the amount of twenty-three acres, which land we have had subsequently surveyed into 112 town lots, and after duly advertising to sell said lots, we did, accordingly sell, on the 21st and 22d of October, 1850, fifty-nine lots for $778.871/2 which sum is well secured by notes with approved security. We would further state that we have a comfortable court-house 16x18 feet, well sealed with plank and floor laid, with a Clerk's office attached, 16x8 feet, and would respectfully invite the honorable court of Conway County to said county seat, which we have called Spring-field. "All of which is respectfully submitted this 4th day of November, 1850. [Signed], "R. B. GORDON, "JOHN H. FRYER, "JOHN W. GILBERT." That the above was satisfactory to the County Court the following entry will show: "It is therefore ordered by the court that this court and all other courts held in this county shall hereafter be held at the courthouse prepared by said commissioners in the Town of Springfield, the seat of justice of Conway County; and that the Clerk of Conway County is hereby ordered to remove the books, papers, seals and furniture belonging to the Clerk's office of said Conway County to Town of Springfield, as required by law; and that all processes hereafter be returned to said seat of justice; and it is further ordered by the court that the title deeds of the land taken by the commissioners, when said seat of justice is located, be filed in the Recorder's office of Conway County, and recorded as required by law." So we find that as early as 1850 the county seat of this county seated in four different localities. An injunction prevented the removal for a few years. Springfield was looked upon as particularly suitable from its healthful situation, but at the time of its selection it was in the timber, the nearest settlement being the farm of T. W. Vennable, a half-mile away; but the town was given its start and it soon grew into a pleasant and thriving village. The original court-house was retained and used till April 12, 1858, when a tornado wholly destroyed it, together with about one-half the town. The loss of the court-house did not cause the people much sorrow, as a larger and more commodious one was badly needed, but the private loss to many people in the town was great. The next year-1859-the County Court ordered the erection of a new court house, and a neat, substantial and tasty frame building of two stories was soon completed at an expense of about $10,000. The day of usefulness of this building was, however, short, for in 1863-during the war-it was destroyed by fire; County Clerk Joshua Moses, saved many of the books, having, it is believed, taken the precaution to have removed them to his home previously. In 1869 a new court house was erected on the site of the old one, the same general plan and design being followed, and it was constructed at about the same cost. Springfield was not destined to long continue the seat of justice thereafter, and in 1873 it was again returned to Lewisburg by an act of the Legislature. The last County Court was held at Springfield in April, 1873, and adjourned to meet at Lewisburg for the next term. An act of the General Assembly about this time abolished the County, and created the Supervisor's Court instead, and this body held its first meeting in Lewisburg in June, 1873, and so the seat of justice of Conway County was again established at that place. Prior to the selection of the county seat, and during the contest of the various localities for that honor, Lewisburg had promised to donate $5000 with which to erect as good a court house as the old one at Springfield, and so to secure this to the county, the court on October 10, 1873, appointed W. H. Burrow, W. P. Eagan and D. B. Russell, commissioners to let the contract, supervise the work, and receive the building on completion. All the conditions and provisions were carried out, and the building completed and accepted by the county, and it answered the purpose to the satisfaction of all, till the county seat was again taken from Lewisburg in 1883, and now, we trust, permanently established at Morrilton. During this time a substantial stone jail was also erected at Lewisburg at an expense of some $10,000. The county seat was not secured by Morrilton, however, without a strong contest; for although it was conceded that it must be removed from Lewisburg, as Lewisburg had already moved itself, a number of other places in the county thought they were as well entitled to the honor as Morrilton, and in an election held to decide on a location, Solgohachia, Springfield and Plummerville divided the vote with Morrilton. The latter place received by far the largest, vote, yet, not as the law required, a majority of all; it was, therefore, necessary to have another election; Plummerville and Springfield now withdrew, and the result of the election was the selection of Morrilton by some 500 majority. -------------------------------------------------------------- page 14 -------------------------------------------------------------- Morrilton had pledged itself to erect a good and suitable court house free of expense to the county, so the County Court on September 24, appointed W. A. C. Sayle, Jefferson Wright and D. H. Thomas, commissioners, for, as entered on the records, "whose duty it is hereby made under the order and direction of this court, and in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas to superintend and contract for, and in the name of Conway County, the erection of all needful buildings in said new location necessary for the use of the Circuit Court, and all other courts that are required by law to be held at the county seat, preparatory to the actual removal and change from Lewisburg to Morrilton. Morrilton then appointed a building subscription committee, consisting of the three commissioners appointed by the County Court, and S. F. Speer and W. M. Clifton. These gentlemen raised the necessary funds, and at once began the erection of the court house on lots 7, 8 and 9, in block 8, of the plat of Morrilton, or on the corner of Moose and Church streets. The land (a quarter of a block) was purchased from J. T. Hannaford and William Irving. Of the care and pains of this building committee, too much praise can scarcely be given; the completed building tells the story of their economy and close attention to details better than can be done by the pen, and the citizens of the county may take satisfaction in the thought that theirs is one of the most complete and best arranged court houses in the State. The final report of the commissioners was made April 8, 1884, and as it conveys some interesting facts, and tells the story well, we copy it in full; "Now, on this day comes W. A. C. Sayle, D. H. Thomas and Jeff Wright, and file their report as commissioners as follows: To the Honorable County Court of Conway County, Greeting: We, your commissioners appointed by this honorable court, as Court House Commissioners, for the purpose of contracting for, and the erection of a court house on lots 7, 8 and 9, in block 8, Morrilton, Ark., and to make such suggestions as we might think proper to the court, beg leave to make the following report: That immediately after being qualified as your commissioners, we proceeded to confer with the citizens' bondsmen and their committee, who had so liberally in the summer of 1883 filed a bond to erect a court house in Morrilton, equal to, and not less in size than the one at Lewisburg, in case the electors of Conway County, designated by their vote, this place as their choice for 'county site.' We found them in all respects ready to fulfill their obligations, and we have the honor, as your commissioners, to make this final report. That the citizens of Morrilton and vicinity, by their liberal subscription, have erected a much better court house than they promised, and one that cost $5,197.75, and in seating capacity and room, about one-third greater than the old house at Lewisburg. We are proud to report that Conway County, as a county, has not expended one cent towards the erection of the same, and that her good citizens cannot complain of being taxed for building it. We would further state that when said building was completed, we, as your commissioners, received the same for the county, and released the noble and generous bondsmen who had come forward so liberally, and it now stands a monument to the subscribers who erected it, and as the property of Conway County." "The commissioners made a number of suggestions for further improvements, as the erection of an iron fence around the lot and planting the yard with grass and shade trees, etc., and concludes with, "having performed all the duties laid out for us, we would now respectfully ask to be discharged, and that this report be filed and made part of the records of the court. [Signed], "W. A. C. SAYLE, "JEFF WRIGHT, "D. H. THOMAS. "Commissioners." The court-house of Conway County, as it now stands, was erected in 1883-4, as the preceding reports show. It is a two-story brick structure with a hipped and decked roof. The plan was the modified ideas of the commissioners, and the completed building is a model of convenient arrangement and architectural beauty. The lower floor is devoted to offices for the various county officials, and the upper story to the Circuit Court and jury room. The furnishing is appropriate, and in all things convenient, while the decorations are neat and artistic. The court-room has a seating capacity of over 200, the benches for this purpose arranged with an inclination upward towards the rear. The walk around the lot is paved with flagstones, and the lot itself enclosed with an ornamental iron fence. The suggestion of the commissioners to seed and plant the yard has been fully carried out, and the visitor at Morrilton now sees a green, grassy lawn, and growing shade trees, all making a most harmonious effect. -------------------------------------------------------------- page 15 -------------------------------------------------------------- Conway County is now divided into fifteen municipal townships; Petit Jean, Cedar Falls, Higgins and Bentley lying south of the Arkansas River. The balance, Howard, Welborn, River, Point Remove, Washington, Gregory, McLaren, Union, Lick Mountain, Nichols and Griffin forming the bulk of the area lying north. All of these which have proper names were named in honor of some of the active and influential of a time long since gone by. Further mention of many of them will be given in the following pages, but it is regretted that only meagre accounts of most can be obtained. Upon the approach of the civil war, 1861-65, there was a strong sentiment of loyalty to the Federal government among the people of Conway County, and when Mr. S. J. Stallings was elected delegate to the State Convention to be held in March, 1861, he was chosen with the understanding that he should vote against the secession of the State. But after the war had actually begun, and President Lincoln had issued his proclamation, calling upon Arkansas for her quota of troops to assist in bringing the seceded States back into the Union, the sentiment changed, and the great majority of the people referred to cast their lot with the proposed Southern Confederacy, and did all in their power to help establish it. The excitement of the times extended to Conway County, and early in the spring of 1861 a call to organize a company for the Confederate cause was liberally responded to. The credit of recruiting this company is mainly due to Robert W. Harper. The ladies of Lewisburg, inspired by the example of Mrs. Anderson Gordon, Mrs. James Moose, and others, did much to assist the cause and made the clothing for most of the men. Early in May, 1861, this company left Lewisburg with R. W. Harper, captain, and George S. Laswell, R. B. Griffin and Dr. William J. Gibson, lieutenants. They went to Fort Smith, and were there organized into the First Arkansas Regiment as Company J., Mounted Riflemen. Capt. Harper was here elected major of the regiment, with Thomas J. Churchill, colonel. The officers of the company elected now were Geo. S. Laswell, captain, and R. R. Gibson, Dr. Wm. J. Gibson and Lee Thomspon, lieutenants. The company was sent to Missouri and participated in the battle of Oak Hill, then to Elkhorn (Pea Ridge). Arkansas, after which they were sent east of the Mississippi River. At Corinth, Miss., the regiment was again reorganized, and Major Harper was elected colonel. The company was officered with the same captain, and Abraham Fryer, Dr. J. B. Hardwick and W. T. Hamilton, lieutenants. The company was in the battle of Farmington, Miss., Richmond and Lawrenceburg. Ky., Murfreesboro, Tenn., and in all the battles after the fall of Vicksburg, towards Jackson, Miss. At Chickamauga, where the company lost heavily, and where Col. Harper was killed at the head of a brigade, then to Dalton, Resaca and New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, and an almost daily engagement till the fall of Atlanta. Then went north into Tennessee with Gen. Hood, and was in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., from thence to North Carolina, where the command surrendered under Gen. Johnston, near Greensboro. This company was recruited from time to time and numbered in all 123 men. Of these it is estimated by Mr. W. M. Clifton that seventy-eight were killed, and no more than twenty ever returned to Conway County, and every one of these had been wounded, an ample proof of the many hot encounters through which this company had passed. Of the members of this company known to be living now are W. M. Clifton, for a time orderly sergeant, who carries the scars of seven bullet wounds. James M. Evans, who lost an arm at New Hope Church, and who had thirty-two bullets shot through his clothing at Chickamauga; John D. McReynolds, of Yell County, Dr. J. B. Hendricks, of Alabama; N. E. Hawkins, W. H. Haynes, Eli Roberts, the last three of Morrilton, Ark. About the end of May, 1861, an attempt was made to raise another company at Lewisburg, by Dr. Davis and William Dowdle. They raised a detachment of about seventy men, who proceeded to Fayetteville, and as there was no place for them in the First Regiment, they were disbanded. Some of the men went home but many joined other companies already in the field. The feeling of excitement was prevalent at and around Springfield, and in June of 1861, there was active organization among the citizens of the county seat, where a company was being raised by Dr. William S. Hanna and S. S. Ford. At the company organization, Mr. Ford was elected captain, but was almost immediately promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Arkansas Infantry. The company was then officered as follows: William S. Hanna, captain; L. T. Ragsdale, S. M. Shelton and J. C. Barns, lieutenants. The company was organized into the Tenth Arkansas Regiment, as Company K. in June, 1861, and was soon sent east of the Mississippi River. At Bowling Green, Ky., where they were encamped for some time, Capt. Hanna became ill, and resigned. Lieut. S. M. Shelton was elected captain in his place. This company saw much hard fighting. They were in the battle of Shiloh, and many other engagements in Mississippi. Was in Port Hudson at the time of its memorable siege, where the entire company was captured. The officers were sent to Johnson's Island, and the soldiers paroled. The company lost its identity from that time and was never reorganized. Another company was raised at Springfield at the same time as the preceding, recruited mostly by J. M. Duncan, who became captain. The lieutenants were Z. A. P. Venable, Jefferson Mallett and William Russell. This company was organized into the Tenth Arkansas Infantry as Company I, and met with the same vicissitudes of fortune as Company K. Capt. Duncan was captured at Helena, and Venable became captain. Mr. Duncan is now a prominent lawyer, and resides at Conway. Mr. Venable is an estimable and worthy citizen of this county, residing near Springfield, and is the present Representative of Conway County. The next company was raised in the spring of 1862, by Anderson Gordon, who was elected its captain, with Leander Sleeper and John Frazier as lieutenants. The company went to Fort Smith, where it was organized into what was known as Carroll's Regiment of Cavalry, named after C. A. Carroll, a citizen of Conway County. From Fort Smith, the regiment with this company went to Northwest Arkansas, and on a campaign to the Indian Territory and southwest Missouri; spent the winter of 1862-3 in this locality, and was in the battle of Prairie Grove. During the winter Col. Carroll resigned, and was succeeded by Lee L. Thompson. At this time the regiment became part of Cabell's Brigade, which spent the summer in the valley of the Arkansas River. The next winter (that of 1863-4), was spent in the Red River campaign under Gen. Kirby Smith, and after the retreat of Gen. Banks came back to Arkansas and participated in the battles of Poison Spring and Marks' Mill. They later joined Gen. Price, and under the immediate command of Gen. Fagan, participated in most of the hard-fought battles of that celebrated campaign. During the retreat from Kansas City it retired into and through Kansas, where, at Turkey Creek, the brigade officers were captured. From this point the regiment proceeded by detached squads to Texas, where the company from this county surrendered at Corsicana, Navarro County, in the spring of 1865. Of this company of perhaps 120 men, about thirty or forty possibly returned to Conway County, and of these very few are now living here. Col. Gordon resides in Little Rock, Capt. Sleeper is in Colorado, Carroll Armstrong is a lawyer prominent in his profession at Morrilton; A. C. Wells, retired merchant and planter; George Griffin, John Frazier, Andy Moore, N. S. Williams, Dr. C. M. Green and J. Maratta. Capt. Hanna, who had resigned from his company at Bowling Green, Ky., on account of illness and returned home, soon recovered, and at once began to recruit another company, which was organized at Springfield in 1862, and was attached to what became known later as the First Trans-Mississippi Regiment, commanded by Col. Dandtidge McRae. A vacancy as major occurring in this regiment, Capt. Hanna was elected to fill that office. From Springfield they went on the campaign to northwest Arkansas, where they were in the battle of Prairie Grove on December 7, 1862, where David Hendrickson was killed and several wounded. Later in the month they went to Little Rock and participated in several engagements about that place, and retreated south before the Federal invasion in the season of 1863. They then joined Gen. Smith in Louisiana and were in all the battles of the Red River campaign, and remained in that vicinity till the surrender. These five regularly-organized companies, which were largely recruited by volunteers from the county later, and the fragment of a company raised by Dr. Davis, must have represented at least 700 men. To this it will be safe to add 200 more as recruits to other companies, making a total of 900 in all that entered the Confederate army from Conway County. No more than 200 ever returned, the others dying on the battle field, of camp sickness or in Northern prisons, leaving vacant places by the hearths at home, where sorrow for the soldiers' fate was, however, slightly alleviated by the knowledge of the patriotic cause for which he gave his life. Two companies, raised by Capt. Anthony Hinkle and Capt. L. S. Dunscomb, and recruited mainly in Conway County, joined the Third Arkansas United States Cavalry. They were mostly stationed in this vicinity, at Lewisburg and other points; saw but little fighting, and, after the surrender, returned to their homes. Many are living in Conway County now. It would be difficult to find a body of land in any State of an equal area with Conway County, that can boast of a more beautiful and abundant supply of running streams. These streams not only water the county, and afford an excellent drainage, but have formed along their course thousands of acres of deep, rich bottom land, from which are produced the largest crops of corn and cotton. The principal water course is the Arkansas River, which flowing east divides the county into two unequal parts, leaving four townships in the south, and the large bulk of the county on the north; it also forms the southern boundary line for about one-third of the county's width. This river was the great highway of the pioneers, and along its banks the first settlements of Conway County were made. To the Arkansas, either from the south or north, all the streams of the county flow, and along that magnificent river are some of the finest cotton lands in the world. No locality need be excepted, for the Arkansas River cotton is famous for its long staple and fine texture, while the soil which produces it is famous for its wonderful richness and fertility. There are thousands of acres of this land in cultivation all along the river's course, and no finer plantations can be found in all the South than many in Conway County. The Petit Jean River has its source in the Indian Territory; it forms the western boundary of that part of the county south of the river for sixteen miles along the borders of Yell County, flows to the northeast and empties into the Arkansas. It is noted for its superb bottom lands and magnificent timber. This stream is navigable for over 100 miles. Point Remove Creek heads in Van Buren County, and enters the northern part of this county through Nichols Township; flows, in general, in a southern direction, but with a very winding course, and empties into the Arkansas 11/2 miles above the City of Morrilton. Although there is much land under cultivation along the valley of this beautiful stream, there are thousands of acres yet a waiting occupation. The Cadron Creek has its sources in Van Buren and Faulkner Counties, and for twenty miles forms the eastern boundary of the county. Along its course and near its mouth were made some of the earliest settlements of this section. Cypress Creek heads in Lick Mountain Township, flows southeast and empties into the Cadron. Cedar Falls Creek, a stream about nine miles in length, which has its source among the never-failing springs on the summit, and near the eastern brow of the Petit Jean Mountain. It drains a plateau on the mountain's summit of 13,000 acres. It flows through a beautiful valley, which in places expands in undulating plains, and then rushing through narrow gorges, forming the most beautiful mountain scenery in Arkansas. There are many features of natural beauty along the course of this romantic stream, the most conspicuous of which are the Cedar Falls, where the entire volume of the stream pours over a precipice seventy feet high, forming a magnificent and sublime cascade. It resembles the falls of Minnehaha in many of its features, and surely no more picturesque waterfall can be found between the Rocky Mountains and Niagara. The so-called "Rock House" is a cavern situated at the edge of the canyon, just above the falls, and is quite a wonder. It consists of one large circular chamber 120 feet in diameter, and thirty-five feet ceiling. It is a romantic spot, and will well repay a visit. All these streams receive many tributary feeders, whose smaller branches can be traced to never failing springs beneath the hills, so that in all respects few better-watered localities could be found. The topography of Conway County is greatly varied, from the rich alluvial bottoms along the Arkansas, to the bold headlands of the Petit Jean Mountain, which rises to the elevation of 1365 feet, and is situated in Cedar Falls and Petit Jean Townships south of the river. It is a beautiful, picturesque and romantic region, possessing many features of interest, the principal of which are the Cedar Falls and the Rock House. Its top forms an irregular shaped plateau on which gush forth forty-five chaly-beate and freestone springs, and across which the beautiful Cedar Falls Creek flows to the west. "Its scenery surpasses anything in the Arkansas Valley," and must soon win recognition as a delightful spot for the establishment of a summer resort. Its elevation will insure cool weather on the hottest summer days; its pleasant walks and drives, its sublime scenery, its romantic nooks and basky dells, caverns, waterfalls and gushing springs, are desirable features that few localities can show. In the spring of 1889 Mr. M. Brown began the erection of a hotel on this mountain, one wing of which he completed and opened for guests in July of that year. The design is to erect a large mountain hotel of sixty-five rooms. Its grand situation cannot help but make it popular. A summer residence was completed and occupied in 1889 by Dr. William Scarborough. Mr. Nelson is about ready to begin the erection of a handsome cottage, and many more contemplate building soon. The temperature on the mountain ranges from 7º to 10º lower than in the valley at all times, and it is absolutely free from malaria, while many of the springs possess valuable medicinal properties. This locality would doubtless long since have achieved a reputation, had not the roads to it been almost impassable; the new road now being built will enable people to make the trip from Morrilton with ease. A view from the summit of this mountain reveals the Arkansas river sweeping by its base, and winding in majestic bends for miles among green and level fields of corn and cotton. The City of Morrilton across the river some ten miles away, shows white houses nearly concealed among the trees and glistening in the sun, and church spires rising in the sky. The remote distance shows us undulating swells of land, softened by the hazy air of June, over which the light and shadows, cast by swiftly moving clouds, reveals a landscape whose background is where the bending sky sweeps down to kiss the hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------ In McLaren township is an elevated region culminating in the Pigeon Roost Mountains, which rise in a circular plateau some 700 feet in height. Bull and Skipper Mountains are both peaks of this system, and have each an elevation of 900 feet. These hills, or mountains, are composed of thin-bedded sandstones underlaid by reddish siliceous and dark argillaceous shales. In the level portions of the county the latter shaly members underlie the fine tracts of grass land, which affords excellent pasturage. In the northern part of the county the dark shales under the mill-stone grit are fractured, distorted and traversed by veins of quartz, associated with talc and other allied magnesian minerals. The minerals of this, like most counties of the State, are as yet undeveloped, yet croppings of coal, copper, lead, iron and manganese are found in many portions of the county. The richest, and as yet the only marketable deposit of coal discovered, is found in the Petit Jean Mountain. The formation here is very peculiar, and is found in six well-defined horizontal veins or sheets, which extend under the entire mountain system. The first vein is about eighty feet above the surface of the Arkansas river, and has a thickness of eighteen inches. The others in order are 4, 10, 6, 4, and the last one, lying just below the cap rock, two inches thick. This last stratun, is peculiar from the fact that it is over and underlaid with sandstone rock. In several locations in Petit Jean township there are also indications of valuable iron ore and manganese. The Little Rock and Fort Smith railway was completed through Conway County in 1872. It enters the county from the east in section 32, township 6, range 14. Its general direction is northwest, and passes the stations and towns of Menifee, Plummerville, Morrilton, Ward's Switch, Germantown and Blackville, passing out of the county on the west in section 19, township 7, range 17, and has twenty-four miles of track in the county. The following official list includes the names of all those who have occupied positions of responsibility within the county since its organization, with date of term of service annexed. County Judges.-H. G. Saffold, 1830 to 1832; B. B. Ball, 1834 to 1835; Robert McCall, 1835 to 1836; W. T. Gamble, 1836 to 1838; J. W. Comstock, 1838 to 1842; W. G. Gamble, 1842 to 1844; John Quindley, 1844 to 1846; R. R. Gordon, 1846 to 1848; H. H. Higgins, 1848 to 1850; James Campbell, 1850 to 1854; Robert Stell, 1854 to 1856; J. T. Hamilton, 1856 to 1858; J. M. Venable, 1858 to 1860; U. A. Nixon, 1860 to 1862; Henry McFearson, 1862 to 1864; W. J. Vance, 1866 to 1868; A. B. Gaylor, 1868 to 1872; A. F. Woodward, 1874 to 1876; Joshua Moses, 1876 to 1878; M. W. Steele, 1878 to 1882; John W. Todd, 1882 to 1884; William Blankenship, 1884 to 1886; G. H. Taylor, 1886 to 1888; J. R. Hamm, 1888 to 1890. Clerks.-David Barber, 1826 to 1829; James Ward, 1830 to 1832; Thomas Mathers, 1832 to 1834; J. I. Simmons, 1834 to 1842; H. H. Higgins, 1842 to 1846; E. Morrill, 1846 to 1852; Joshua Moses, 1852 to 1856; J. R. Bill, 1856 to 1858; Joshua Moses, 1858 to 1864, and 1866 to 1868; W. R. Hinkle, 1864 to 1866, and 1868 to -; D. H. Thomas, to 1872; William Kearney, 1872 to 1874; H. A. Nations, 1876 to 1880; W. F. Conlee, 1880, died in February, and F. J. Willis elected to fill vacancy; also, re-elected 1880 to 1882; M. L. Ashbury, 1882 to 1884; C. E. Hawkins, 1886 to 1888; Jeff. Wright, present incumbent, elected in 1888. Sheriffs.-Kinkead, resigned, July, 1827, was succeeded by James Kellam, who served out the term; was re-elected in 1830 to 1833; James Barber, 1827 to 1829; B. F. Howard, 1833 to 1835; T. S. Haynes, 1835 to 1842; John Murray, 1842 to 1846; John Quindley, 1846 to 1852; W. G. Harrison, 1852 to 1854; R. S. Cargill, 1854 to 1860; A. A. Livingston, 1860 to 1864; R. T Markham, 1866 to 1868; N. W. Moore, 1868 to 1872; T. B. Stout, 1872 to 1874; W. E. Dickinson, 1874 to 1876; W. M. Clifton, 1876. to 1878; D. B. Russell, 1878 to 1880; G. W. Griffin, 1880 to 1882; L. Sleeper, 1882 to 1884; R. H. Speer, 1884 to 1886; J. H. Coblentz, 1886 to 1888; M. D. Shelby, present incumbent, elected in 1888. Treasurers-D. D. Mason, 1836 to 1840; B. H. Thompson, 1840 to 1842; H. H. Berry, 1842 to 1844; J. G. Musser, 1844 to 1846; L. Stockston, 1846 to 1848; Peter Clingman, 1848 to 1850; H. C. Watson, 1850 to 1860; J. W. Willbanks, 1860 to 1864; J. W. Scroggins. 1866 to 1868, and 1872 to 1878; Jesse Schumake, 1868 to 1872; John Wells, 1878 to 1882; W. T. Gordon, 1882 to 1884; Z. T. Kindred, 1886 to 1888; R. N. Vail, present incumbent, elected in 1888. Coroners.-Reuben Blunt, 1826 to 1827; John Houston, 1830 to 1832; William Ellis, 1832 to 1833; William Ellis, Jr., 1834 to 1835; W. H. Robertson, 1835 to 1836; George Fletcher, 1836 to 1838; James Darling, 1838 to 1840; W. H. Robertson, 1840 to 1846; Thomas Weston, 1846 to 1848; J. C. Webster, 1848 to 1850; H. Gregory, 1850 to 1852; John Buwie, 1852 to 1854; John Wells, 1854 to 1858; William Hibbin, 1858 to 1860; J. A. Westerfield, 1860 to 1862; M. Porter, 1862 to 1864; Uriah Dickens, 1866 to 1868; J. Lyon, 1868 to 1872; R. T. Harrison, 1872 to 1874; John Houston, 1874 to 1876; Lafayette Moize, 1876 to 1878; C. E. Francis, 1878 to 1880; F. W. Morrow, 1880 to 1882; J. A. D. Hale, 1882 to 1884; E. K. Turner, 1886 to 1888; Alvis Hugg, present incumbent, elected in 1888. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Surveyors.-E. W. Owen, 1830 to 1832; James Ward, 1833 to 1834; L. C. Griffin, 1835 to 1836; D Harrison, 1836 to 1838; C. M. Robert, 1840 to 1842; Harrison, 1842 to 1854; L. Rankin, 1854 to 58; William Dungan, 1858 to 1862; W. L. Harwood, 1862 to 1864; A. B. Henry, 1866 to 1872; W. C. Watkins, 1872 to 1874; J. Maratta, 1874 to 1876; G. W. Howard, 1876 to 1878; J. G. Bennett, 1878 to 1880; N. Dixon, 1880 to 1884; M. Brown, 1884 to 1886; T. J. Holbrook, 1886 to 1888; John Beck, present incumbent, elected in 1888. Assessors.-P. B. Norwood, 1868 to 1872; W. G. Gray, 1872 to 1874; J. R. K. Hobbs, 1874 to 1876; J. W. Harrison, 1876 to 1878; G. W. Griffin, 1878 to 1880; A. B. Simmons, 1880 to 1884; William Taylor, 1884 to 1886; H. L. Kennamere, 1886 to 1888; J. H. Littlejohn, present incumbent, elected in 1888. Delegates in Constitutional Conventions.- From January 4th to 13, 1836, Nimrod Menifee; from March 4 to 21st, and May 6 to June 3, 1861, S. J. Stallings; from January 7 to February 18, 1868, Anthony Hinkle; from July 14 to October 31, 1874, William S. Hanna. Members of Council and House of Representatives in Territorial Legislatures.-A. Kuykendall and R. J. Blount were the only members of the Council from the formation of the county in 1825 until the admission of the State in 1836. The members of the House were Conway and Pulaski Counties, A. H. Sevier in 1827 and 1828; N. Menifee in 1831, and J. C. Roberts in 1833. Senators in the State Legislature.-Conway and VanBuren Counties: A. Kuykendall, 1836 to 1840. Conway and Pope Counties, J. Williamson, 1840 to 1844. Conway and Perry Counties, D. Q. Steel, 1844 to 1846 Conway, Johnson and White Counties, D. Maxwell, 1848 to 1849. Conway, Jackson and White Counties, F. DeShough, 1850 to 1853; W. L. Keith, 1854 to 1855. Conway, Perry and Yell Counties, J. J. Sterman, 1856 to 1859; G. W. Lemoyne, 1860 to 1862; F. M. Stratton, 1864 to 1865; same counties, S. Forrest, 1866 to 1867. Conway, Searcy and Pope Counties, A. D. Thomas, 1871 to 1873; same counties, J. R. H. Scott, 1874. Conway, VanBuren and Searcy Counties, John Campbell, 1874 to 1877; same counties, W. S. Hanna, 1878 to 1882; same counties, Z. B. Jennings, 1882 to 1886; same counties, W. S. Hanna, 1886 to 1890, during which time Mr. Hanna was President of the Senate. Representatives.-John Linton, 1836 to 1838; N. Menifee, 1838 to 1840; J. Stephenson and D. Q. Stell, 1840 to 1842. Conway and Perry Counties, T. S. Haynes and G. W Lemoyne, 1842 to 1843; J. J. Simmons and John Hardin, 1844 to 1845; Richard Griffin and A. Kuykendall, 1846; J. Gordon and H. H Higgins, 1848 to 1849; E. W. Adams and J. Gordon, 1850 to 1851; A. Hayes and J. Quindley, 1852 to 1853; A. Gordon and J. J. Jones, 1854 to 1855; James P. Venable, 1856 to 1857; W. W. Edwards, 1858 to 1859; Robert. N. Harper, 1860 to 1862; Russell Welborn, 1862 to 1863; G. W. Galloway, 1864 to 1865. Conway, Searoy and Pope Counties, W. W. Bradshear, J. R. Hall and H. W. Hodges, 1868 to 1870; same counties, T. D. Hawkins, B. F. Taylor and N. C. Cleland, 1871 to 1872; same counties, Benton Turner, Y. B. Shephard and J. F. Stephenson, January 6th, to April 25, 1873; same counties, L. W. Davis and J. P. Venable, 1874 to 1875. Conway alone, F. P. Hervey, 1877; Lewis Miller, 1879; E. B. Henry, 1880 to 1881; W. S. Hanna, 1883; Hiram Dacus, 1885; G. E. Trower, 1887; Z. O. A. Venable. The first paper of which we have any record in the county was the Wide Awake, established at Lewisburg in January, 1872, Charles E. Isham, editor and publisher, and H. P. Barry. proprietor, who continued its publication about two years. About the first of May, 1872, C. C. Reid, Jr., commenced the publication of a paper at the same place called the Western Empire. Subsequently it passed into the hands of Sam T. Watson and B. F. Kerney, who continued its publication until May, 1874, when Eugene B. Henry became editor and proprietor. Mr. Henry continued its publication but one month, discontinuing it in June, same year. On the 8th of April, 1 74, the Weekly State was ushered into life at Lewisburg by the Rev. W. C. Stout. With the issue of the third volume, Mr. Stout transferred the paper to Edward H. Feltus, who became the publisher, with James J. Stout as editor. In 1878 or 1879 Mr. Feltus moved his office to the new town of Morrilton. In February, 1882, Mr. F. sold the plant to Robert W. Leigh, and by him the name of the paper was changed to the Headlight. In 1884, after selling the old material, Mr. Leigh put in an entire new outfit of type, with engine, steam press, etc., making it one of the best equipped country offices in Arkansas. In February, 1888, Mr. Leigh sold the paper and part of the material to Thomas J. Hicks, who, on May 1st, took in Mr. J. O. Blakeney as partner, and on July 3d Mr. Blakeney purchased the entire office, and by him the Headlight is being conducted now as one of the staunch Democratic journals of the State. The paper is a five-column quarto, neat and artistic in its make- up and press work, moral and elevating in its tone and tenor, and doing good work to encourage the development of Conway County's resources. The Morrilton Dollar was established in 1878 by Harry Warner, and edited by Dr. Frank Gordon. This paper was printed at Conway, and had an existence of but a few months. In 1881 the Morrilton Messenger was established by the Morrilton Printing Co., with the Rev. John W. Boswell as editor, while the company was composed of some of the substantial business men of Morrilton. This paper was semi-religious and secular; it had an existence till 1883, when it was transferred to Stamps and Penn. In 1883 Mr. Boswell established the Arkansas Methodist, which he published in Morrilton but a short time, when he removed the office to Little Rock. The Messenger was at the time merged into the Methodist. The Morrilton Printing Co. was also running a child's paper, which was suspended at the time of the removal of the Methodist. In 1884 the Republican was established here by J. T. Garland, and edited by Frank Connelly. Its existence covered the campaign of 1884, when it was suspended, and the material purchased by parties who established the Clinton Democrat, at Clinton, Arkansas. In 1886 A. Livingston established the Morrilton Star, a republican paper; it was conducted by Mr. L. till his death in March, 1888, and by his widow for a few months thereafter. She sold it to a Mr. Haynes, who conducted it through the next political campaign, when it was suspended. About January 1, 1885, the Arkansas Evangel was moved to Morrilton from Russellville. It was published here about six months, when it was removed to Little Rock, and the name changed to the Arkansas Baptist. By this change Morrilton furnished Little Rock with two papers, the Methodist and the Baptist, both excellent papers of their denomination, and of which the people of the entire State may take pride. On August 1, 1889, the Pilot Printing Co. was organized at Morrilton, by Edward O. Hamon, president: W. N. Hamon, vice-president; Mrs. Nina W. Leigh, secretary and treasurer, and Miss Annie Lannon, with a capital stock of $5000. Robert W. Leigh was elected manager August 15th, and a complete newspaper and job printing office outfit was at once purchased. On September 6th the first number of the Pilot was issued. It is the largest paper published in Arkansas, being twelve pages, with seventy-two columns, and strictly democratic in its political faith. Mr. Leigh, its manager and editor, has been identified with Morrilton since 1882, and during that time has, in the main, been actively engaged in newspaper life. During this time having become familiar with the wants of both the town of Morrilton and the county at large, he uses the columns of the Pilot to enhance the good of both. W. J. Jordan (colored), commenced the publication of the Clarion, a weekly paper devoted to the interests of the colored people of Conway County, in February, 1888. It suspended in September of the same year, but was revived May 9, 1890. The first settlement in the territory of Conway County was made early in the present century. It runs back a long ways in the past, but to whom belongs the honor of being the first settler, or in what part of the county he staked his claim, is now unknown. The first explorers and temporary occupants were hunters and trappers. They conveyed information of its many beauties to the posts and older settlements, and so in later years the permanent settlement began. Most of the earliest settlement was along the Arkansas River and in the valley of Cadron Creek. When Conway County was organized it included the present territory of several counties, and some of the following names settled in what is now other counties. They have been collected from promiscuous sources, and dates and localities were hard to secure. These pioneers were, in the main, men of energetic character and worth, as such characteristics are an imperative noncomitant to the nature of a pioneer. Their work was in a wilderness where they were often compelled to combat savage beasts, and sometimes fiercer men, so bravery is what they must have necessarily possessed. Some made but a brief tarry perhaps, and then pushed on into a newer field, leaving no descendants, and the memory of a name almost forgotten now. The majority, however, have left a record in the county's history, serving it as county officials, or members in the General Assembly, while at home we hear of a conscientious rectitude in their course of daily life. Many reared large families, whose descendants may look backward now and contemplate with pride the skill bestowed by their ancestors in laying the foundation upon which the superstructure of modern Conway County stands today. Some were lawless men, as is always the case in frontier settlements. In 1778 John Standlee and others explored the country along the Arkansas River, and Mr. Standlee then selected the spot of ground on which he wished to make his future home. In 1814 he returned with his family to Arkansas, and settled upon the identical spot that he had selected thirty-six years before, and lived there till his death in August, 1820. The tract of land chosen-by this old pioneer was near the mouth of the Cadron. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 21 ------------------------------------------------------------------ In the Spring of 1818 John C. Benedict and his family, consisting of himself and wife and five children, set out to find a home in the Arkansas country, near where Mr. Standlee had located. They were accompanied by two Scotchmen named Anderson and Frazier. On their overland journey, after crossing Little Red River, they found but one house till they arrived at the mouth of the Cadron on the 18th of April. Upon the arrival of the Benedict family at the mouth of the Cadron, they found there a block house which had been erected by settlers preceding them as a place of safety from the hostile Indians. The preceding settlers, then located about this block house, were John McElmurry and several sons; the McFarlands and the Newells then lived just below the Cadron Bluff. Going down the Arkansas a few miles Mr. Benedict found the settlement of Adam Kuykendall with his sons, Amos, Peter and Adam, Jr. Amos later held office in the Territorial Council, in the State Legislature, and in Conventions on several occasions. He was an uneducated man, and the following anecdote is told of him: During a session of the Legislature, the hall was visited by some strangers; Member K. was pointed out to them as a curiosity who, they were told, could not spell "Baker." The strangers offered to wager that surely he could spell so simple a word as that, and to prove it, the member was called up to the test. When asked if he could spell the word, he replied: "Dod rabbit my soul, my son, if I can't," and thereupon proceeded to spell "b-a-k-u-r." ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 22 ------------------------------------------------------------------ The following people settled at various times and places: Judge Saffold, David and James Barber; James Killam settled below the Cadron; Reuben Blunt settled on Point Remove, and was an early lawyer; James Ward; John Houston, who came as early as 1820; E. W. Owen, Judge B. B. Ball, J. J. Summers, County Clerk from 1834 to 1842 and an active worker in the M. E. Church, was Superintendent of a Sunday School in Lewisburg in 1838; T. S. Haynes, Sheriff from 1835 to 1843; B. F. Howard came in 1828 and settled on the Arkansas River above the mouth of the Cadron; Howard Township bears its name in his memory. Wm. Ellis, Judge Robert McCall, L. C. Griffin, Judge W. T. Gamble, D. D. Mason, an early merchant at Lewisburg; George Fletcher built the first bridge in the county at the military road crossing Point Remove Creek; James Henry settled on and gave Henry Lake its name; John L. Moose came in 1838 and settled a short distance east of the present site of Morrilton; in a few years he moved to Pulaski County and from thence to Union County, and went to California in 1849; returned and died at the house of his son, J M. Moose, who now resides at Morrilton Dr. A. Hinkle came from Kentucky in 1842, January 1; settled near the Cadron, and was later, with his son, a prominent merchant at Springfield; he is still living near the site of his first settlement in (now) Faulkner County. Jonathan Hardin was living here in 1830. Thomas Sublett came from Illinois prior to 1840. Dr. Nimrod Menifee, the first physician in the county, came about 1820. He acted as second, friend, and surgeon for Judge Andrew Scott in his duel with Judge Selden in 1821 or 1822. Seldon was killed, Dr. Menifee subsequently was killed in a desperate encounter, a short distance below Lewisburg, with one Phillips, who also died fifteen years later from the effect of wounds received at that time. William and Ashley Roberts, the Gills, the Venables, Thomas, Sr., and his two sons, James and Z. A. P.; Louis Cargill, Sheriff; Andrew Livingston, Tom Mathers, Emzy Wilson, the wealthiest man of his day; the Callaways, the Simpsons. Harry and John Watson came in 1840 and 1842. Harry is still living, in vigorous old age, and has a good memory for events that occurred fifty years ago. He was Treasurer from 1850 to 1860 Louis Stockton and family came in 1837 and settled at the eastern end of the present site of Morrilton. He built a house over fifty years ago on the site of the one now occupied by the pleasant home of Mr. J. M. Moose, who also married one of Mr. Stockton's daughters. E. Morrill, an early merchant at Lewisburg and County Clerk from 1846 to 1852. Dr. E. W. Adams came from Tennessee in 1844-5. He was the third physician in the county and was in constant practice here till the outbreak of the war; was Representative of the county in 1851-2, moved to Clarksville in 1878, where he died in 1880. L. O. Breeden came to Lewisburg in 1846. Creed Taylor, with father and two brothers, settled at the mouth of Point Remove in 1817; in 1819 moved down the river and settled at what is now known as Ball's Hill. In 1820 they moved away, as a soldier's warrant had been laid upon their land. Leroy P. Evans settled about four miles east of the present site of Morrilton in 1822. Samuel Plummer came to the county prior to 1840; he kept a hotel and stage stand on the "Wire road" for many years, and died in 1882; the Town of Plummerville is built upon his land. G. W. Carroll came in 1858 and made an extensive land purchase at and about the mouth of Point Remove, Mr. Harris came in 1825 and settled on the river about four miles above the Cadron; his settlement gave the name of Harrisburg to that place, which became the county seat in 1829; he was an extensive farmer, and in 1840 was the largest farmer in the county. E. J. Morrill settled at Lewisburg in 1843; he was a native of Massachusetts and had spent ten years in Missouri prior to his permanent location in Conway County. His old home at Lewisburg is still occupied, and is the oldest house in the county; his memory is indelibly perpetuated in the name of Morrilton. A. Wiley settled on the black fork of the Cadron, among the Indians. Jesse Mallett, Henry Pate, Tom and Harry Sledge, T. W. Hervey, Dr. Marion Davis and others came down from Prairie County about 1857. Dr., W. A. C. Sayle graduated in medicine at Louisville in the spring of 1859 and immediately came to Lewisburg and has been in constant practice since; he now resides in Morrilton. Stephen D. Lewis was the founder of Lewisburg. He made the first settlement in about 1825 at the mouth of Point Remove, where he carried on a small trading post; he later moved down to the present site of Lewisburg and gave his name to that town. J. Maratta came from Kentucky in 1855. Rev. Amos Greer and Judge Robert Stell settled three miles southwest of the present site of Springfield in 1835. Rev. Travis Owen, a Methodist preacher, came to this section in an early day; he preached in this and Pope County, and other counties in Eastern Arkansas. The settlement of the territory now comprising this county may popularly be said to have commenced about the year 1820, although previously, and near the commencement of the present century some came in, a small proportion only of whom remained. These first venturesome comers were principally trappers and hunters. At that time the country was inhabited by the original occupants, the Indians, and was absolutely an unbroken wilderness. Besides the hunters referred to, a considerable sprinkling of refugees from justice might have been found here-men who had crossed the Mississippi to evade prosecution in the courts of some State further east, some of whom, perchance, hoped to live down, among new associations, the remembrance of their unfortunate crimes. These were followed by many farmers from the States of North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, who settled here and there on the public lands and opened and cultivated small farms, spending not a little time in the restful occupation of killing game which, up to thirty or forty years ago, continued to be abundant. As years advanced, these evaders of justice, urged on by a guilty conscience, or chafing under the stings of a disproving memory, sought out other homes or were made to leave, and the trappers and hunters disappeared with the game. The present population, especially in the rural districts, is largely made up of the descendants of the better class of permanent pioneer residents of the county. Never were there truer, more honest, or more hospitable individuals than these same first settlers, who broke the forests, and began to open a way for advancing civilization. While such a life as theirs might not suit the present generation, they were suited to it, and, it is safe to say, enjoyed life to its fullest extent. Were some of the refined and cultured people of today suddenly taken back to the log-cabin of their forefathers, what a contrast would be presented Open-hearted, generous hospitality, instead of formality and suspicious welcome, then prevailed. Personal inconvenience was not thought of; a desire to assist, rather than selfishness, characterized the average individual, and to the thoughtful mind, it is a serious question whether or not, with all boasted advance and progress, persons of the present are superior to their ancestors in those nobler elements of courage, deference and consideration of the wants of others. The life of these pioneers was anything but dull, though not one in ten as a rule saw a news-paper more than once a year, and the only news which reached them from the east, was by the last new-comer, or from some traveler through the country, or perhaps by letter, that only arrived about three weeks after it had crossed the Mississippi River. Notwithstanding such deprivations, their very surroundings and the life they lived, furnished excitement that exactly fitted them, and if any people well filled the place assigned them in social life, the founders of Conway County did. One of the delightful customs of early settlers was a cabin-raising affair, when neighbors living anywhere from four to ten miles apart, met and helped construct the new log house. Mills were primitive arrangements, and even as late as in the 40's, one little tub-wheel-mill, grinding away at the rate of ten bushels a day, turned out all the corn necessary for families within a radius of fifteen miles. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------ It has been said that the original settlements were made, and improvements commenced, on parts of the public land. It may not be out of place to state, that but little attention was paid to surveys. If two or three happened to locate near one another, it was agreed that a certain brook or ridge should be the dividing line regardless of governmental surveys. Strange that it was hardly deemed procure titles to lands even, indeed, if the thought occurred, but the interested founder of a home built a cabin and cleared as much land as desired, living upon it for years before taking any steps to procure title; and in hundreds of cases the "squatter" sold his improvements to a later arrival, moved to some other spot, and made a new start. In this way some of these places changed hands many times before the proper ownership had been determined by title. The greatest offense a man could commit at that early day was to "enter his neighbor out," an injury so grievous as to be considered worthy of death without the formality of judge, jury or sheriff. An anecdote of an old squatter in an adjoining county who, while living on government land, was approached one day by a stranger. The latter engaged in conversation, and among other things remarked, "You have a nice place here, and I suppose you have a title to it. "The squatter not liking the appearance of the stranger, and suspecting him to be a land hunter, said "Yes, if you will step in I will show you my deeds." Leading the visitor into the cabin, and pointing to a rifle in the rack over the door, the resident remarked: "There is my evidence of title, stranger." The evidence was satisfactory, and no more inquiry was made. Years ago the life-work of most of these of whom we write was finished; their descendants are the representative citizens of the county now, but few of those who came here prior to 1840, and none who were here when Arkansas became a State are living now. Some passed long ago into the dreamless sleep, laying down their burden of life when seemingly but half begun. Others labored along life's highway beyond the noon, and then laid down by the wayside, closing their eyelids forever on this world's work. A very few climbed the heights to the crest, and feebly looked upon the lonely shadow, cast by the dawning of a brighter day, to where life ends and eternity begins. One of the most eminent of American statesmen is recorded as having said that no community can attain to permanent moral success without religious culture and development. As this is closely allied to educational progress and growth, it is eminently proper that the ecclesiastical and scholastic facilities afforded in Conway County be given prominent mention in this sketch of its history, as indicating the real nature and true worth of the community, as a center of refinement, intellectual advancement and permanent growth. In nearly all settlements west of the Mississippi the Methodist and the Baptist denominations were the pioneer Christian workers, but in the district now embraced in Conway County, they were accompanied by the Presbyterians. The population being small, but few churches were organized before the civil war. Mrs. Morrill, the worthy relict of E. J. Morrill, remembers that in 1843 there were organized societies of the Methodists, Presbyterians and Primitive Baptists, at Lewisburg. They held their services in the old court house, and Rev. Bolsh, a Presbyterian, and Revs. Briston and Nash were Baptists preachers, are recalled by her now; she speaks of them as being sturdy and emphatic, and inclined to make the effort. of preaching a very hard task. There was a Union church erected at Lewisburg sometime early in the '50's, in which Sunday school also was conducted. This building was sold to Dr. Stallings for some cause unknown, and by him moved away from the place. Mr. J. M. Moose, who arrived at Lewisburg in 1838 remembers that there was an organized society of Methodists there at that time and that they held their services in an old log school house. This was undoubtedly the first church of any denomination in Conway County, and it may have been organized for several years. If this be true it was this church that became the nucleus around which all the churches of this denomination have since grown. There was an organized Sunday school here also, of which John J. Simmons was superintendent. Lewis Stockton was class leader in the church, which was served once a month by the Rev. John Harris, whose circuit extended from Argenta to Galla Rock. About 1843 this church and class was removed to Sardis Camp Grounds, then located at what is now the north end of St. Joseph Street, in Morrilton. The organization continued here till 1858, when the camp-ground was removed five miles east, and this change resulted in the obliteration of the society. It is believed that the Methodist Church had itinerants here as early as 1825, and the first church was organized at Lewisburg prior to 1838. From the earliest membership this region has been in the Arkansas Conference. The first circuit rider may have been John Harris, previously mentioned. From that time on the growth was continuous, and in the great separation of 1847, all of Conway County were of the southern branch. There are in the county now twenty churches of the M. E. South, divided into two circuits, one station, and two other circuits, which are partly in other counties. The Morrilton Circuit, which has nine appointments is served by Rev. Samuel Whetsom, and has a membership of about 360. The Springfield Circuit, Rev. A. H. Williams, pastor, has 320 members, and four appointments. Oppelo and Cadron Circuits are only partly in this county; they have together a membership of about 300 and six appointments. The total valuation of church property belonging to the M. E. Church, South, in this county is $14.570. The Lewisburg Methodist Church, South, was organized at Lewisburg in 1869, with Rev. Abel C. Ray as circuit rider. Some of the original members were Mrs. Mary E. Bentley and daughters. Addie L. and Jennie; Mr. J. M. Moose and wife, Mrs. Mary T. McClung, Mrs. Mary E. Umphlet. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 24 ------------------------------------------------------------------ In the same year Rev. I. L. Burrow located at Lewisburg, as teacher in the academy, and in August he held a series of revival meetings, which resulted in the conversion of some fifty people, forty-five of whom at once joined the recently organized church. This society erected a church edifice in Lewisburg, which was dedicated in 1872. It was a very good building, 38x60 feet in dimensions, and cost completed about $2500. This church was used till 1880, when the new town of Morrilton having absorbed Lewisburg, the building was removed to the former town, and re-erected on the same general plan and design; its name was then changed to the M. E. Church, South, of Morrilton. In 1888 the old building was torn down, and the present elegant brick church erected in its place at an expense of $10,000. The dimensions are 60x65 feet, gothic style of architecture, surmounted by a graceful spire 115 feet in height, all finished and furnished internally in a most complete and tasty manner. The pastors of this church have been (in order) Abel C. Ray, I. L. Burrow, T. F. Brewer, R. M. Tydings, Jerome Haralson, B. Williams, J. Loving, John W. Boswell, B. H. Greathouse, V. V. Harlan, and present officiating pastor, G. W. Hill. The membership of this church (275) is being added to rapidly, the accessions since January I having been 22. There has been a Sunday school in connection with this church since this organization, which has an enrollment now of 225. The pastor, Rev. G. W. Hill, is a native of South Carolina; was mainly educated at the Southern University, at Greensboro, Ala. He began his ministerial work at Fayetteville, this State, in 1880, and came to Conway County as Presiding Elder of the Morrilton District in 1885; in 1889 was placed in charge of the church at Morrilton The M. E. Church, South, at Center Ridge was established about 1883, with Rev. J. M. Floyd, pastor. Others pastors in this church have been M. Sutton, Graham and Rev. Charles Culpepper. Membership. 22. The Missionary Baptist Church of Lewisburg was organized at Lewisburg in 1860, with about 15 members, by Elder Wm. M. Lee and Rev. B. H. Bearden. Some of the original members were Dr. W. A. C Sayle, Jonathan Wells, E. F. Wills (son John and daughter Jennie), Fred and Annie Welborn. This was but a faint organization; they had no pastor prior to, and became nearly defunct during the war. In about 1868 this society was reorganized by the Rev. Mr. Bledsoe, who held services once a month in the school house. All the old members who were living, and quite a number more, about 20 in all, constituted the roll at that time. This church was removed to Morrilton in about 1878, where they at once began the erection of their present church edifice, which, however, was not completed for a year or two, but cost when finished about $2500. It is 26x60 feet in dimensions, built of brick and surmounted with a handsome spire. The pastors who have served this church have been the Rev. Crawford, O. M. Lucas, W. T. Box, M. D. Early, J. M. Hart, S. W. Taylor, and the present pastor, W. T. Box, who began ministry here for the second time in May of 1890. He began the necessary studies for a ministerial life in 1865, and was ordained in 1867. The personal traits of Mr. Box's character are most affable and pleasant, always winning friends for the church as well as himself; mentally strong and forcible, defining in a clear and lucid manner all complex constructions in his text. The membership of this church is 120. In connection with the church is a most studious and enthusiastic Sabbath school, in which teachers and officers unite to make it profitable and pleasant for the scholars, and to make strangers feel at home. The choir can hardly be commended too highly. The individual voices show training and practice, as well as a high order of ability. Their music adds much to one's interest in this homelike and pleasant church. Other churches of this denomination in the county are Lonoke in Washington Township, with a membership of 42, and Mt. Pleasant Church in Union Township with a membership of about 45, presided over by Rev. ?. W. Melton. Mr. Melton also preaches once a month at Lone Grove Church in McLaren Township, where there is a membership of 38. Pleasant Spring Church in Union Township has about 60 members, and is served by Rev. B. M. Stephens. Clear Creek in same township, and same pastor, has nearly 100 members. Cleveland Church, Rev. Kirkland, has a membership of about 30. Many of these churches have Sabbath schools in connection. The Baptist Church at Center Ridge was organized about 1888, with Rev. J Mayall first pastor. The present pastor is Dr. B. M. Stephens. Membership, 30. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Morrilton, was organized at Lewisburg in 1869 by the Rev. I. W. Talkington, with the following members: D. B. Russell, P. O. Breeden Moses Baker, Mrs. Adda L. Russell, Mrs. M. J. Breeden. They erected a church in 1871 at an expense of about $2000. In 1879 or '80, this edifice was removed to Morrilton, and recreated on the same general style and design. This reconstructed building was dedicated February 29. 1880, by the Rev. S. H. Buchanan. The membership of this church is rapidly increasing, and its church edifice stands among the others as an ornament to the town. The pastors have been the Revs. J. D. Boone, J. E. Martin, M. M. Morphis. W. H. Robinson. The present pastor is J. H. Wafford. This church has a membership of 87, and a flourishing Sunday school is conducted in connection with it. There are other churches of this denomination in the county from all of whom good reports are heard. This has always been a pioneer church, and we hear of early organizations of this denomination in Conway County. The Episcopalian Church of Morrilton was organized in the court house at that place, July 17, 1885, by the Rev. Mr. Turner, with the following members: Mrs. Mary E. Stout, Mrs. J. B. Nixon, Mrs. J. H. and Miss Mary Coblentz, Mrs. E. J. Stallings, Mrs. W. N. Sandlin, Mrs. W. M. Scarborough, Mrs. Lavina Morrill, Mrs. J. H. Edgerly, Mr. J. H. Coblentz, Dr. W. M. Scarborough, J. H. Edgerly, Rev. W. C. Stout. Rev. Stout was in the habit of holding services when his health would permit, prior to the date of actual organization. In 1888, the present church edifice of this denomination was erected at a cost of $1300. The officiating rectors have been Rev. W. W. Estabrooke, Rev. Dr. James, and the present rector D. S. C. M. Potter. This is the only church of this denomination in Conway County. The Presbyterian Church (O. S.) of Morrilton was organized on June 21, 1883, in the depot at Morrilton, by Rev. J. S. Willbanks, an evangelist. This society worshipped for some time in the court house and in various churches in the town, until their present highly ornamental church was completed in 1885 at an expense of $2200. At that time they had but 21 members on whom the expenses of its erection mostly fell. The pastors have been, Rev. F. Patton and R. S. Burwell. The members who joined at the meeting in the depot were J. T. Hannaford, R. A Irving, A. H. VanPelp, W. G. Beers, and Mrs. A. E. Irving, Mrs. S. E. Sanders. Mrs. W. W. Burns, Mrs. A. W. Hill, Mrs. S. W. Irving and Mrs. John Erwin. The present membership is 40. The Christian Church at Center Ridge has a membership of 25. The Rev. F. O. Stobaugh has been its pastor since its organization about five years ago. There are four Catholic Churches in Conway County. The first one was built at the monastery, in 1878; the next in the convent at Morrilton, in 1880; the next at St. Vincent, later in the same year. The other is near Ada on the south side of the river. Christadelphian Church. In about the year 1882. Professor Wm. L. Speer, preached to a small congregation in Damascus Church, near Solgohachia, at which place services have been held ever since, although somewhat irregularly. The services held by Prof. Speer were, perhaps the first proceedings of that order ever held in Conway County The order is yet in its infancy, and their membership is small. Wm. T. Roberts of Union Township, is the pastor. The public schools of Arkansas are a post bellum organization. Prior to that epoch in our history the educational facilities of Conway were very limited and primitive. The scarcity of population rendered permanent schools impracticable, and a small log cabin 18x20 feet in dimensions would accommodate all the children within a radius of from six to ten miles, and a man who could "read, write and cipher," possessed all the requisites necessary to impart information. The school house served also as a place of public worship, and it was here that the people for miles around assembled once a month to hear some local preacher utter gospel truths. During pioneer times in this county there was a small class of individuals who with propriety might have been called itinerant or traveling school masters- master being the term then used, instead of teacher. One of these individuals would find a settlement where enough children existed within reasonable proximity to constitute a small school. Visiting the parents and guardians, he would organize a " subscription school," usually agreeing to teach a term of three months' duration for a stipulated price per pupil. After having obtained enough subscribers to support a small school, consisting of from fifteen to thirty pupils, this traveling educator would begin his school, board round with the patrons, teach for the time agreed upon, and then pass on and find another settlement where he would in like manner organize and teach another school, and thus keep himself almost continually employed. An old surviving pioneer says though they were all strangers, they were usually honest and gave satisfaction as teachers. As they kept constantly on the move, it was seldom that one of these teachers was employed twice in the same place. By the time the settlers could afford a second term of school the first teacher had passed out of their reach, and his place would be filled by another stranger. The country had to depend upon subscription schools entirely, until the present free school system was established since the close of the civil war. Some of the citizens sent their children away for educational advantages, while others, as G. W. Carroll, brought teachers with them. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 26 ------------------------------------------------------------------ It cannot now be discovered who was the first teacher in the county, or where he taught. A Mr. Gasy taught on the Point Remove. The first school house and church was built at Lewisburg prior to 1836. and William Watson kept" school there at that time. Wiley P. Owens taught on the Point Remove in 1847, and at Sardis Camp Ground there was a school for many years. During the war period very little teaching was indulged in Conway County. Soon after the war the citizens were anxious to found a school of a higher grade, and inducements were made to the Rev. I. L. Burrow, of Tennessee, to come to Lewisburg and become its principal. He accepted, and for four years the Male and Female Academy of Lewisburg throve and prospered under his direction. Mr. Burrow then went to Clarksville, where he taught until 1876, and was also pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church there. He then went to Altus and founded a school, which is now the Hendrix College, at Conway. He went to Oklahoma in 1889, and at Guthrie organized the first church in that territory. Conway County has made great advancement in educational facilities since that day, and her public schools are in a most healthy and flourishing condition. New districts have been added almost every year, until they are now seventy-six in number, two new ones having been erected at the last (April, 1890) term of the County Court. In 1889, 1870, voted tax, nearly all for the full levy of five mills. During that year there were $27,295.96 paid in to the county treasury for school purposes, and $17,739-40 paid out in teachers' salaries, leaving the abundant sum of nearly $10,000 still on hand. New school houses are being built in all parts of the county, and an almost unanimous desire is manifested by the citizens to build up and protect this bulwark of the people's intellectual advancement-the public free school. This county has a county directors organization, consisting of all the directors of all the districts in the county, who meet twice a year. In 1889 a uniform series of text books was adopted by all the districts for use in their respective schools. The books are the Standard Speller, Reader and Arithmetic; Reed & Kellogg's Grammar, Harper's Geography, and Barnes' United States History. The public school at Morrilton was erected in 1881; it is a large two-story brick structure. It has in the main been well and ably conducted, but from 1885 to 1889, under the superintendency of Prof. T. L. Cox, it achieved a most favorable reputation. There is also a growing feeling among the people here to found and build up schools of a higher grade. At Springfield, Center Ridge and Cleveland are chartered institutions of learning, all of which are doing good work and winning favorable names. A large Catholic Convent, of the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph, was established at Morrilton in 1880. They have an attendance usually of about 100 female pupils, and afford to them a finished education. They have erected a large brick building, which is one of the ornaments of Morrilton. Their school is well patronized, has secured an excellent reputation, and has grown into a permanent success. The pride of Conway County will in the future, rest in the Morrilton Male and Female College, now in course of erection at Morrilton. It is the purpose of the citizens of that beautiful city to erect a college building, and endow it with such support that it may not only be their pride, but will also reflect credit on the State at large. The idea of establishing a college at Morrilton was conceived in the spring of 1889, when a number of citizens having faith in the future growth of the town, and realizing the advantages of having a higher institution of learning, began their plans for the object which has since reached such a happy consummation. The citizens of Morrilton stamped the organization with the seal of approval, and at once subscribed $15,000 to aid the enterprise. While arrangements were being made for the selection of a site, the probability of the removal of Hendrix College to Morrilton was brought before the people. This offered such positive assurance of success attended with such brilliant promise, that the project of the independent college was at once abandoned, to concentrate all necessary forces to help source the other. Morrilton subscribed liberally, but failed to secure Hendrix College. The former idea was then at once revived, and a stock company, with a capital of $50,000 organized; a board of trustees consisting of the following gentlemen were elected, with full power to select a site, erect the necessary buildings and carry out the full purpose of the organization; Dr. W. A. C. Sayle, president; Dr. G. L. Cunningham, vice- president; H. V. Crozier, secretary; T. M. Neal, treasurer; Dr. R. J. Adams, G. W. Hardin, B. A. Mayo, T. L. Cox, J. T. Hannaford. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 27 ------------------------------------------------------------------ The college has a most conspicuous location in the eastern part of town, has a most graceful and symmetrical appearance, and adds greatly to the beauty of Morrilton. It is a two and a half story and basement building, surmounted by a tower, with a pinnacle rising ninety-one feet above the foundation walls. The foundation is stone, and the walls are brick with stone trimmings. The basement floor consists of the boiler and two recreation rooms, one each for the male and female pupils. The first floor is divided into five rooms, with a broad hall through the building east and west, and an intersecting hall from the north to the main hall. The rooms are the president's office, two class and two school rooms. The second floor has four rooms, consisting of a large assembly hall and three class rooms. The dormer story has three music rooms, a chemical laboratory and a society hall. The building is furnished with all needed appliances and apparatus, is heated with steam, surrounded by pleasant grounds, and taken for all in all, the advantages of moral surroundings and healthful situation, no better location is afforded in the State, while the completed building stands as a monument to the pride and credit of Morrilton. In March, 1890, the Board of Trustees elected W. B. Toon and Thomas P. Murrey (two gentlemen who had for some time been conducting a most excellent school at Springfield) joint presidents, with full control of the course of study, direction and management. The college will open its first session Tuesday, September 1st, 1890, and the course of study will embrace the studies necessary to secure entrance in Vanderbilt University, or any other first-class college, and will require Latin, Greek, the sciences, full course in mathematics, commercial course, music, art and elocution. The traveler entering the city from the east, or passing through from the west, will see this beautiful building standing on an eminence in the eastern end of town, and may often prophetically gauge the intellectual calibre of her citizens by their impression of her college, which may be justly and aptly styled the pride of Morrilton. Besides the facilities mentioned, Morrilton has always had one or more private schools, which have usually been well conducted and deserving. There are two such here now, conducted respectively by Mrs. Barnett and Mrs. Beers; both ladies are well qualified and their schools deservedly popular. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 28 ------------------------------------------------------------------ In the summer of 1878 Father Strub, a priest of the Order of the Holy Ghost, came through this section to examine and select lands for the location of a colony. He found suitable conditions of cheap and fertile lands in Conway, Faulkner and Pope Counties. He prepared a descriptive pamphlet of the advantages of this locality, which was almost immediately answered by a large immigration of Germans, French, and a few Italians. In 1879-80 large accessions to the population were made direct from Germany. The most of these are prosperous and well-to-do now. Manyof them had nothing on their arrival here, and now have good and comfortable homes. The Fathers of the Holy Ghost established a monastery two miles north of Morrilton in 1878, with about fifteen lay brothers They erected suitable buildings, consisting of chapel and home and out-buildings, began the cultivation of a large farm and planted orchards and vineyards, which now have a healthy growth. For a long time prior and ever since that time, there has been a constant stream of home-seekers from other States, as well as from other counties in this State, which has added greatly to the wealth and general prosperity of all parts of the county. New towns are growing up in communities where a dozen years ago the solitude was unbroken by the presence of man. All parts of the county are now settled, and schools and churches are built up everywhere. The increase in the population has been gradual, yet comparatively regular every year, and must now approximate about 16,000 people. Notwithstanding this, many magnificent acres remain unoccupied, to which the attention of all who wish to settle in a fertile land, a genial climate and a moral community is directed, and a cordial invitation is extended from the citizens here for all who wish to come and occupy these lands. The noblest ambition which should animate the breast of every man is to acquire a home-that sacred refuge of peace and happiness to which the memory may ever fondly return. This furnishes a key to the unhappiness and impoverishment of so many families in the over-crowded districts of the Eastern States. There is for them no prospect of a home, let them labor ever so hard and every member economize ever so much. It is a continuous living from hand to mouth. Many times they must have thought how different would all this be had they followed the advice of some good friend in years gone by, and traveled out to the South or West, where many of their former neighbors are situated in prosperity if not wealth, and what is worth still more-a home. This is what Conway County offers in an especial manner-homes, homes to all whose industry and integrity will perpetuate them among their descendants. There is room for 5000 families, and a home for every one of them. Small farmers are just what is considered by all classes to be the one thing needed to bring forth the hidden wealth of the county. Were the population of Conway County quadrupled, and small farms dotted thickly over it, the hitherto waste places would be utilized, schools and churches more liberally sustained, and all conditions of society improved. The land lying adjacent to these water courses is rich alluvial soil and generally level, susceptible of easy cultivation, and of unexceptional fertility. The greater portion is elevated upland, which varies in productiveness, some of it being the richest of this variety in the State, as is illustrated by the marvelous natural growth of shumac, hickory and other timbers, the surest indications of a superior quality of land. Wherever artificial methods and man's devices, since the devastations of war, have been able to introduce improved machinery and adopt more modern modes of cultivation, the yield has been commensurate with the outlay, and the many evidences of comfort and affluence, as seen in the humble cottage or the more pretentious home with beautiful surroundings, is proof sufficient that here sure returns can be depended upon for the investment made. The average production of the bottom lands is from one bale to one and a half per acre of cotton, and forty-five to seventy bushels of corn, while on the uplands the yield is from one-half to three-quarters of a bale per acre, and twenty-five to forty bushels of corn. In exceptional seasons these figures have been exceeded. A remarkable fact is observed in the productive durability of some of the firming land, a portion of which has been under cultivation for a number of years, above forty, without any perceptible decrease in yield or a sign of exhaustion in luxuriance. This may be due to some extent to the annual accretions or "washings" which come from the adjoining high lands. Though the entire State of Arkansas is recognized as a fruit-growing district, no pat of it is superior in its adaptation to general fruit culture to Conway County. Apples, pears, peaches and plums thrive splendidly where they have been introduced, and certain it is that this industry must become an important source of income, when a proper appreciation of its value and profit as a market crop is realized. Many specimens seen here are almost perfect in beauty and flavor, and the only wonder is that nature's rare contribution has not-long since been applied and made to serve the necessities of man. Progress in this direction, however, is being made, and will tell in years to come. The grape is also a native of this county, and in the profusion of its growth and wonderful productiveness, added to its luscious flavor, equals many varieties of greater renown. Berries of different kinds are found growing in abundance. None of the fruits adapted to this latitude fail of success in the locality where proper cultivation is followed. Indeed, every owner of a lot of ground might, with a small outlay of capital and labor, secure such an amount as would be required for home consumption, from the strawberry and early cherry to the latekeeping apple, and thousands of acres could, with reasonable fostering, be converted into fine vineyards and orchards. The capacity of this county to produce fruit for market and utilize transportation facilities, is not one whit inferior to any other section in the State. In a word, there is no question as to the profit of raising fruit for market, if a proper location is selected, good varieties planted and reasonable care bestowed on the trees and fruit after it is gathered. Vegetables of all kinds grow with but slight cultivation, and mature from a month to six weeks earlier than in that section of country lying north of the Ozark Mountains. Though it looks an absurdity to people of Arkansas to refer to the safety of their State, it might be expected from us to allude to the matter. Greece and Rome are said to have attained their exceptional prominence in history, not because they possessed braver men and nobler women and greater numbers of them than other contemporary nations, but by reason of their good fortune in having a greater number of fluent historians. The Southern States, since the close of the late was, are indebted to much the same cause for their unenviable place in the sensational annals of the times-with this material exception, that our historians have deemed it a bounded duty to decry us in the eyes of the world, instead of setting forth our good qualities. For the ten years following the war the condition of Arkansas was most critical. During that period the eyes of the rest of the Union were intently gazing upon its various phases of life and action, while passing through a most trying social and political ordeal. Hearsay evidence was often employed and political capital manufactured by the press out of the most ordinary occurrences of civil life. Anarchists in Pennsylvania or Illinois might murder citizens by the dozens, in defiance of State authorities; railroad employes in Ohio might band together and obstruct general travel, to the danger of the lives of thousands of people; mobs might gather in New York and Massachusetts, demanding bread or work in menacing tones; anything else of a like nature and worse character might transpire in any Northern city without attracting special attention from news agents; but the momenany trivial offense of the law happened in Arkansas, the whole country must be aroused from peaceful slumber to gaze upon a more than Bulgarian atrocity. Whatever hopes or fears may have been the secret of this unfortunate condition of affairs, they no longer exist. Both political parties are united in condemning, with the full might of their power, any attempt at repetition. The Republican and Democratic parties of this State are no longer otherwise opposed than the general welfare requires political parties to be-a spur and a check upon each other. Political action and expression are as free here as in any State in the Union. Following is an extract upon the subject of taxation taken from "Facts Concerning Arkansas," published recently by the State Bureau of Immigration: "The utmost limit of taxation (except to pay debts outstanding in towns, cities and counties prior to October 31, 1874, nearly all which are now paid) is two and one-half per cent, and that upon an assessment which does not exceed one- third of the true value of the property; so that if the full taxing power under the Constitution of the State were put in force, the total tax on true values would only be three-quarters of one per cent. "This taxing power is limited by the Constitution as follows: "For all State purposes, one per cent. "For all county purposes, half of one per cent. "For all city purposes, half of one per cent. "For all special school tax, half of one per cent. "The latter tax can only be levied in the several school districts in which a majority of the electors vote for it at the annual school elections held in the month of May, at a time when there is no political election held. At the present time the State tax is only half of one per cent, two-fifths of which is for school purposes. It will be seen that outside of cities and towns (except in case of the existence of old indebtedness before stated) the taxes amount to only one and one-half per cent. From this it will be seen that the taxes in the country districts (presuming that all the school districts vote for the special school tax, and as a rule they do) are on real values forty-five one hundredths of one per cent. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 30 ------------------------------------------------------------------ "Arkansas, however, can go still further in the statement regarding taxation. This is not only the rule now, but so it must remain as long as the present Constitution of the State remains in force, for it is provided in the Constitution that no town, city or county can loan its credit, or issue any interest-bearing evidence of debt. This provision prevents the counties, towns and cities from loading themselves down with debt, which the immigrant would have to contribute to pay off." The Common Pleas Court was created for the counties being formed in Missouri Territory, in 1818, and the act specified that the Governor should appoint three judges to compose the court of each county. This was a court created by the laws of Missouri Territory, and it had jurisdiction over all the county and probate business, as well as over a good deal of business which now belongs exclusively to the Circuit Court. The Legislature of Arkansas Territory, by an act approved October 24, 1821, provided that the Territory should be divided into two judicial districts, and that a judge should be appointed in each one, to preside over the Circuit Court thereof as established by the same act. The Second District was made to contain the counties of CrawÍord, Pulaski, Clark, Hempstead and Miller. The act provided that this court should have jurisdiction of "all civil cases of $100 and upwards, and in all criminal cases, excepting the punishment of which was capital, and in all other cases then exercised by the Common Pleas Court, and concurrent jurisdiction in chancery cases and appellate jurisdiction from decisions of the justices of the peace." And by further provision of the act the Court of Common Pleas was abolished. This left the county with only one court which was to exercise jurisdiction over all business in general, with only the exception above mentioned, until the County Court was established by an act of the territorial Legislature, approved November 13, 1829, by Gov. John Pope. This act established a County Court in every county in the Territory, and gave it jurisdiction over all county and probate business in general. The court was composed of one judge only, and it was provided that the first judge should be elected by the electors of the county on the first Monday in January, 1830, to hold his office for a term of two years. It was also provided that on business relating to roads and revenues, one justice of the peace from each civil township in the county should be entitled to sit on the bench with the Judge, but on no other business. It was further provided that the Clerk of the Circuit Court should also be Clerk of the County Court, and that the terms of the court should commence on the first Mondays of January, April, July and October of each year. A subsequent act of the Legislature, approved November 7, 1831, provided for the establishment of County Courts, to be composed by the justices of the peace of the county, and for the repeal of the act of 1829. Following this, another act of the Legislature, approved November 16, 1833, repealed the act approved November 7, 1831, and restored the act of 1829, by which the County Court was first established with one judge only. After the State of Arkansas was admitted into the Union, the Legislature thereof, by an act approved November 7, 1836, provided that the County Court should be composed of the several justices of the peace of the county, who should elect one of their number as presiding Judge thereof, to hold his office for two years, and to be Judge also of the Probate Court. The act also provided that the Judge and two justices of the peace, or of three of the latter in the absence of the Judge, should constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and that the terms should be held on the first Mondays of January, April, July and October of each year. Some subsequent changes have been made in the formation of the County Court. It is now, and for many years has been composed of a single Judge elected by the people. The proceedings pertaining to probate business since the State was admitted into the Union have been kept on separate records from the county business proper, and the Probate Court is separate from the County Court, but it is presided over by the same Judge. The regular session of the County Court begins on the first Mondays of January, April, July and October of each year, and of the Probate Court on the second Mondays of the same months. The first act of the Legislature of the State of Arkansas pertaining to Circuit Courts, was approved November 7, 1836. It provided for the division of the State into judicial circuits, the appointment and election of judges, defining their duties, the jurisdiction of the court, etc. The law pertaining to this court has frequently been changed, and the State has frequently been redistricted into judicial circuits. Conway County now belongs to the Fifth, composed of the counties of Conway, Pope, Johnson and Yell. Hon. Jordan E. Cravens is the present Judge of the district. His term expires October 30, 1890. H. S. Carter is the Prosecuting Attorney, and his term expires at the same date. In the early days of this county its legal talent was supplied by lawyers from abroad, mainly from Little Rock, and many of these men had illustrious reputations and their names and deeds are indelibly woven in the woof of Arkansas' history. By an act of the territorial Legislature in 1829, four judicial circuits were created. Conway County was placed in the Second and Benjamin Johnson, of the Superior Court, assigned the duty of Judge. The first resident lawyer of which we can secure any account was G. W. Lemoyne, a man of considerable ability. Benjamin Price settled at Springfield, though he remained there but a short time. A Mr. Smith from Ohio, W. W. Edwards, S. S. Ford, who assisted in the organizing of a regiment of Confederate troops, of whom he became Colonel. He is spoken of as being an orator of great power and force. He came to Springfield in 1857, from Mississippi; he was a graduate from Oxford. He practiced after his return from the war till his death, May 12, 1872. J. W. Duncan. W. S. Hanna, admitted to the bar at Springfield in 1869, and has practiced in this county since. He has served several terms in the State Legislature, and in 1887 was elected President of the State Senate. A. F. Woodward came from Little Rock about 1870; was elected County Judge in 1873, when he moved to Lewisburg, where he made his home till death-about 1878. He is spoken of as having been a good lawyer. C. C. Reid came to this county about 1869, soon engaged in the practice of law, and by his ability became known as one of the most brilliant attorneys of the Conway County bar; he enjoyed a large practice and died about 1879. His son, C. C. Reid, Jr., is now one of the rising young attorneys of the State. S. H. Whitthorne came about 1871. T. F. Rice at about the same time. John Hinkle was admitted at Springfield in 1871. W. D. Allnutt. The personnel of the Conway County bar at the present time includes some of the names already mentioned, and many of them are brilliant and able expounders of knotty legal problems. Taken as a whole, few counties in Arkansas can present an attorneys' roll, with members who rank higher, both as lawyers and gentlemen, than Conway. W. S. Hanna, John Hinkle, E. B. Henry, Carroll Armstrong, B. C. Coblentz, W. S. Moose, C. C. Reid, A. F. Vandeventer, C. R. Biewer, Peter Evans. A. G. Gipson. In the pioneer period, or when Conway County was on the frontier, many lawless acts were committed and many deeds of violence are reported. During the war and subsequent to the reconstruction epoch of Arkansas' history, Conway County suffered in common with other counties the affliction of martial law. Since the differences of those times and the cessation of hostilities the passing years have swept away whatever feeling of enmity may have been engendered, and peace and prosperity now reign, where fratricidal discord and animosity once held sway. Prosperity is here and unity and harmony characterize all class of citizens. The first ferry at Lewisburg was run by one McKnabb, and was established about 1848. This was quite an important crossing, and though we are informed that the service was rude in the way of a ferryboat, it was probably satisfactory. Mr. McKnabb was followed by John Willis, then Grary & Hines, who sold to Thomas S. Haynes. In 1866 it fell into the possession of A. C. Wells, who controlled it for a long time and put the first steamboat in this service in 1882. In 1888 it was bought by R. D. Morgan, who built a strong and suitable boat-side wheel boat, 63 feet in length and 18 feet beam, and which he named the "R. D. M." Early in 1890 it was purchased with the ferry privilege by W. P. Wells and John Ward, by whom it is conducted now. The timber area of Conway County embraces all its territory, except those portions now under cultivation. It is well wooded in every township. Those of Higgins and Petit Jean are mostly pine on the mountain, and white burr, red and overcup oak, and sweet gum in the valleys. In Bentley Township, oak, gum and cottonwood predominate. In Point Remove are large quantities of overcup and white oak, hickory and ash. In Gregory, McLaren Lick Mountain and Washington Townships, post, red and black oak are the prevailing timbers, with some sweet gum. In Griffin and Nichols Townships oak predominates, with areas however, in which pine is abundant. In Union and Howard Townships are large quantities of white and overcup oak, suitable for staves and railroad timber. This belt of valuable oak timber extends along the course of the Cadron for twenty miles, with a width of from one to four miles; also, in Howard Township, near the Arkansas River, is much valuable cypress, with cottonwood, sweet gum, hackberry, white ash and hickory. This timber has as yet hardly been touched for market purposes, and is standing now with a promise to bring many million dollars to the county, when facilities for its manufacture are introduced, or means to put it on the market, made available. The estimated aggregate in board measure is 1,270683 feet, a quantity which only presents a bewimering row of figures to the eye, but which the human mind will always fail to grasp. The soil of Conway County is unexcelled in the variety and abundance of its natural grasses, which supply adequate grazing for horses, cattle and sheep. The cane that thrives in the lowlands grants bountiful and nutritious food, both summer and winter, for stock purposes. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 32 ------------------------------------------------------------------ This being practically a new country and especially one so impoverished by the war, its people have had a hard struggle to pay for their lands and obtain a comfortable living; consequently but little attention has been paid to the improvement of stock, either cattle, horses, hogs and sheep, but as greater prosperity dawns, and the outlook in every respect becomes more favorable, it is only reasonable to expect a decided and beneficial correction in the condition of native stock, by the introduction of Durhams, Holsteins, and other noted and highly-graded animals. Grass is generally sufficiently high in February and March to sustain stock, and cattle do not have to be fed until in December and January. Such a feature is a revelation to the farmers of the north and northwest, who are often obliged to feed six months in the year. Good ordinary work horses and mules are bred here. Berkshire and Poland China hogs have been introduced to some extent, and the few scattered flocks of sheep to be seen show that the Merino cross is best adapted to this range Every other advantage being equal, climatic conditions will, in all cases, tend greatly to influence the emigrant in his choice in a location for a home. It is, indeed, one of the most essential elements to be considered, as it concerns not only the individual himself, but the health and comfort of his family, and hence demands important and serious reflection. The winters in this county are generally confined to the month of January, though cold weather occasionally prevails for brief periods in December and February. The Spring season commences in February and lasts until May, being followed by summer months of the most pleasant weather. A carefully kept record of temperature for eight years shows the average mean temperature to be 65º, rarely falling below 42º in winter, or rising above 88º in summer. There are no local causes for sickness, and the advanced years reached by many individuals in all parts of the county, as well as the large families of children, robust and hardy, show conclusively that, as far as health is concerned. Conway County will not suffer in comparison with any locality. An examination of the Assessor's books reveal the following interesting statistics: Whole number of acres of land taxed. 358,806 Total value of land with structures thereon $1,394,445 Total value of town and city prop'ty 234,449 Total value of railroad property 193,388 Total value of real and personal property 2,797,399 Persons liable to pay poll tax 4,141 Horses 2,790 Mules 2609 Neat Cattle 17,126 Sheep 3,951 Hogs 20,500 Pleasures Carriages 1,883 Watches 627 Piano-fortes 112 In 1874 there were 62 carriages, 103 watches and 12 pianos in the county. Lewisburg Lodge, No. 105. A. F. and A. M., was organized at Lewisburg November 5, 4857. Dr. E. W. Adams was the first Master, J. M. Moose was the Senior Warden and J. F. Porter, Junior Warden. This lodge was removed to Morrilton and held their first meeting in the lodge room in the Sayle block, a room 20x80 feet in dimensions, which they have occupied since December 4, 1880. The present officers are W. S. Hanna, Master; W. A. C. Sayle, Senior Warden; W. F. Toombs, Junior Warden; J. Maratta, Treasurer; C. C. Straughan, Secretary; T. W. Batson, Senior Deacon; W. H. Haynes, Junior Deacon; Wm. Moore and R. S. Powers, Stewards; L. Moize, Tyler. This lodge has always included among its members many bright and active Masons. Their present membership is about 35. Lewisburg Chapter, No. 56, Royal Arch Masons, was organized at Lewisburg, July, 1870, with S. S. Ford, High Priest; M. W. Steele, King; W. D. Adams, Scribe. This Chapter was moved to Morrilton in 1880, and occupy the Masonic Hall there for their lodge room. The present officers are G. L. Cunningham, High Priest; L. Moize, King; J. Maratta, Scribe; W. S. Hanna, C. of H.; G. W. Burton, R. A. C.; A. C. Wells, M. of 1st V.; W. M. Clifton, M. of 2d V.; John Hinkle, M. of 3d V.; Wihiam Moore, Guard. Center Ridge Lodge, No. 475, A. F. and A. M., was established in 1889. The first Master was R. K. Thompson, second and present, Asa Robinson. W. F. Williams, Secretary. The charter members were Jesse Powell, W. L. Wolverton, Asa Robinson, J. T. Holbrook; N. H. Powell, W. P. Milton, W. J. Sims, Dr. G. C. T. Chamness, R. K. Thompson. The lodge has a present membership of 18. Howard Masonic Lodge, No. 253, at Plummerville, was organized about 1868 at Portland with M. W. Stecle as Master; and the following charter members: W. M. Clifton. G. W. Howard (for whom the lodge was named), Job Stone and John Rowell. In about 1876 the lodge was removed to Plummerville, where they now have a comfortable hall, 26x36 feet, and a membership of about 25. Dr. C. Cullens is W. M., and Wiley Parker, Secretary. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 33 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Hermion Lodge, No. 28, Knights of Pythias at Morrilton, was chartered January 15, 1886. The charter members were: G. L. Meyers, D. H. Thomas, W. N. Sandlin, G. M. Burrow, H. M. Barglebaugh, M. D. Shelby, Robert W. Leigh, W. W. Mayo, Wm. Kaufan, W. M. Scarborough, John A. Wilson, J. B. Nixon, H. B. Gay, W. F. Toombs, J. T. Hannaford, J. H. Coblentz, R. L. Armstrong, Carroll Armstrong, E. B. Henry, R. J. Adams, Jeff Wright, W. M. Clifton and J. H. Jones. The present officers are; P. C., G. M. Burrow; C. C., G. L. Meyers; V. C., J. W. Smith; P., G. M. Head; K. of R. and S., J. O. Blakeney; M. at A., S. P. Davis; M. of E., W. J. Stowers; M. of F., J. H. McClung; I. G., O. O. Scroggins; O. G., J. T. Pankey. This lodge has a membership of about 65, and reckons among its members many active and enthusiastic Knights. They have an Endowment Rank, with W. M. Scarborough, Secretary. Uniform Rank, with W. P. Wells, Captain; J. P. Stout, 1st Lieutenant; Samuel Davis, Recorder; M. A. Metzgar, Herald. Napier Post, G. A. R., No. 72, was established at Center Ridge March, 1890, with G. W. Small as Commander, A. G. Gipson, Adjutant; Joseph Watson, Chaplain; T. J. Halbrook. Senior Vice-Commander; D. B. Norwood, Q. M. and F. O. Stobaugh, Officer of the Day. They have a membership of 50. Mason Camp, Sons of Veterans, No. 14, was organized at Center Ridge, March, 1890, with J. H. Mason, Captain; M. F. Moore, 1st Lieutenant; George W. Owens, 2d Lieutenant and E. H. Newberry, Chaplain. Morrilton, the seat of justice and metropolis of Conway County, owes its existence to the construction of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway through Conway County in 1872. A station was established nearly one mile east of the present site in 1873, but nothing grew around it, and in 1874 it was moved up to its present location, but was shortly moved back to its former place again, and was only located permanently at the present site in 1875. Capt. J. W. Boot was the first station agent, and by him the place was named Morrilton, in honor of Mr. E. H. Morrill. The property on which the town is built belonged originally to Mr. Morrill and Mr. J. M. Moose. Division street of the city is the dividing line between what was formerly their farms. On the west side was Mr. Morrill's estate, and on the east side it belonged to Mr. Moose. During 1876 three people, R. A. Irving Dr. Earle and J. W. Gill began the erection of business houses at this place, but it is believed that Mr. Irving was the first to open his doors for trade; the others soon followed, Mr. Earle opening a drug store, and Capt. Gill, in partnership with Mr. Adams, opened a general store. All these places were on a very small scale. Mr. Irving's store, a frame 20x60 feet in dimensions and one story, was the largest. The first residents of the place were Mr. and Mrs. George Morrill, who moved in a house that had been erected some time before by a Mr. Mason, but he had abandoned it. It belonged to Henry Morrill, and had been repaired by him the preceding summer. These people were the parents of the first child born in the place, Julia, now an interesting and intelligent young lady. During the next few years there was quite an active immigration to Morrilton. Many people coming from abroad and seeing the advantages it possessed, located, and have since thrived and prospered here. Miller & Hannaford started a general store on quite & large scale, and nearly every merchant kept constantly enlarging and extending his quarters. In 1878-80 the Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph erected a large brick convent, and in 1879 Dr. Sayle erected a brick block, consisting of three large two-story buildings. In 1880 J. T. Hannaford and W. M. Clifton each erected large brick storehouses. Other brick business houses were erected every year nearly. In 1887 Mr. Hannaford erected the large brick known as the Bank Building, and fitted up the upper story for an opera- house. Besides the bank the building is occupied by the Pilot Printing office, the stationery and book store of T. L. Cox and the law office of Moose & Reid. Besides the people who come from abroad, Lewisburg was drawn upon to supply her commercial men, and early in 1880 that town was obliterated to supply the business material for this. All who came with business qualifications proved a success, and many have established businesses that rank with the solid and substantial firms of the State. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 34 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Morrilton has always advanced at a rapid gait, but in 1889 there were seventeen brick business houses erected in the place, five by Mr. H. V. Crozier, on the corner of Railroad avenue and Division street; ten, in two blocks, on Railroad avenue, and which now contain stores that rank in the quantity of stock carried, and the taste and beauty displaced in their arrangement, with those of many larger cities, then on Moose street, erected by Dr. Williamson and Mr. Truitt. While these many improvements were going on in the business portion of the city its citizens were taking equal pride in adorning it with beautiful and handsome houses; indeed, it might with truth be called a city of beautiful homes, for every street is adorned with a class of residences which would be a credit to a city of ten times its population. These homes, surrounded with neatly kept yards, further beautified with shrubbery and flowers, must impress all visitors with their elegance and beauty. Morrilton is also a city of churches and of the six houses of worship of the various denominations, it exhibits specimens of most beautiful and ornamental church architecture. The public school building, a large two-story brick edifice, was erected in 1881; school has usually been conducted in a creditable manner, but private schools have always further educational advantages. In a scholastic sense the pride of Morrilton will in the future rest in the beautiful college (see description on another page). Morrilton has never had a "boom," so-called. Its growth has been strong and vigorous from the start, each year showing a large gain in its population and its trade. Its business men are as a class, people who were trained for years in mercantile pursuits, and to their sagacity the future of the city may be safely trusted. Many of them, perhaps, the majority, are young men who have served an apprenticeship for many years as clerk, and were then taken in as a member of the firm, or withdrew and started in business for themselves. They have married here and built their homes, and are prosperous and happy. Morrilton dominates a most magnificent surrounding country. The Arkansas River bottoms for miles on both banks are tributary to its trade, while the interior country to the north for miles is supplied from Morrilton, where the people bring their cotton and do most of their trading in exchange. From these surrounding advantages it requires no prophet to look even a few years into the future and see a busy and beautiful city of 5000 or more people standing on the foundation which the people of today have laid so well. An act of the General Assembly has legislated against the sale of liquor within five miles of the town. Morrilton was made the seat of justice in 1883 and the next year the court- house was erected by the citizens. (See full description on another page.) The organized associations are the Morrilton Building and Loan Association, co- operative in character, organized March 1, 1888. The officers are W. M. Riddick, president; G. L. Meyers, vice-president; J. O. Blakeney, secretary; S. C. Wilkerson, treasurer; W. L. Moose, attorney. This organization has been the means of helping many to secure a home. A branch of the Arkansas Building and Loan Association was organized about the 1st of April, 1890. The officers are H. V. Crozier, president; T. L. Cox, secretary and treasurer; A. F. Vandeventer, attorney. Lodges of the Masonic fraternity, both Blue Lodge and Chapter, Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor. The Bank of Morrilton was organized in 1887 with an authorized capital of $100,000, $30,000 of which is paid up. The first officers were Wm. Irving, president; T. N. Doyle, vice-president; W. J. Strowers, cashier; S. F. Speer, W. M. Riddick, B. A. Mayo, G. L. Cunning ham, R. A. Dowdle and W. A. C. Sayle, directors. There has been but slight changes in the board since. Mr. G. L. Cunningham is now vice-president and H. B. Henley is an additional director. Morrilton was incorporated by an act of the County Court, January 16, 1880, and the first officers elected soon after were Dr. R. J. Adams, Mayor, and J. C. Holcomb, S. F. Speer, W. G. Beers, E. H. Morrill and J. W. Gill, Aldermen; J. H. McClung, Recorder; W. A. Batson was appointed Marshal; Col. E. B. Henry, Attorney, and J. T. Hannaford, Treasurer. The other Mayors of the city have been in order, H. A. Nations, Robert W. Leigh, C. E. Francis, John Hinkle, W. D. Allnut, W. S. Hanna, John Hinkle and H. V. Crozier, presen incumbent. The other city officials are Joe P. Jones, Recorder; E. O. Hamon, Treasurer, and A. C. Wells, S. C. Wilkerson, J. A. Van Pelt, W. L. Wood and J. E. Frear, Aldermen; W. T. Price, Marshal. A directory of the business interests of Morrilton in June, 1890 reveals the following firms: General Stores. J. H. Baker, Bolton & Hardin, Cazort, Peebles Co., R. A. Dowdle & Son, Earle & Rainwater, Gordon & Garland, R. Glenn, L. Gordon, Holcombe, Burrow & Co., W. P. Howard, Irving Bros., S. Jacobson, Massey, White & Co., Neal Mitchell & Henry, Peitz & Snyder, R. M. Ray, W. N. Sandlin, J. A. Thompson, Turner & Black, Wells Bros., H. B. Henly, J. A. Wilson, H. V. Crozier, W. M. Riddick. Grocers.-Alston & Co., Thomas Davis, Dorsey Bros., W. V. Higgins, James Nally, J. P. Noland, W. T. Orrell, F. E. Seaman, W. L. Wood & Co. Drug Stores.-Earle & Dashiell; W. M, Scarborough; L. C. Wilkerson; Sayle, Metzgar & Co. Hardware.-J. H. Jones & Co., J. A. Vanpelt. Bakery.-Ed Drews. Harness and Saddlery.-H. C. Hallett. Barbers.-J. W. Andrews, Joe Pilgreen. Jeweler.-J. E. Ketchem. Gunsmith and Machinist.-A. A. Lachowsky. Steam Mill and Cotton Gin.-J. L. Lucus Meat Market.-Peter Miller. Furs and Hides.-Carl Myers. Marble Yard.-S. H. Tobey. Dentist.-B. F. Wilson. Coal Oil Dealer.-James A. Williams. Shoemakers.-J. Armbruster, B. Drilling, H. H. Thompson. Blacksmith and Wagon Makers.-Beverly L. Clark, Elliott & Pendergrass, Wm. Odell. Tinwork and Roofing.-J. H. Edgerly. Horses and Mules.-Earl & Buford. Merchant Tailor.-Charles W. Francis. Livery and Feed Stables.-H. D. Jobe, Mayo Bros. Photographers.-Walker & Walker. Lumber Yard.-Wheeler & Dille. Furniture and Undertaker.-W. Vandervert, R. E. Echols, Vandervert & Rapier. Commission Merchant and Broker.-S. M. Dixon. Books and Stationery.-T. L. Cox. Hotels.-Speer's Hotel, T. F. Speer, prop.; Fitzhenry House, J. M. Fitzhenry; Morrilton House, James Nally; Ragsdale House, Mrs. Emma Clark; Johnson House, Mrs. M. F. Johnson. Upholstering.-J. M. Rapier. Contractors and Builders.-R. S. Truitt, J. LaRue, J. S. McLain, Wm. F. Murlock, Pendergrass & Moody, John Parbeck, R. S. Powers, Reuter & Cornes. Brickmakers and Masons.-Wm. F. Marlock, R. S. Truitt. Dressmakers and Millinery.-Mrs. Arma Merritt, Ritter & Wood, Mrs. S. A. Seaman. Painters and Paperhangers.-Mayers & Penland, Jesse Winborn. Sewing Machines.-Poindexter & Seaman. Newspapers.-The Headlight, J. O. Blakeney, publisher; The Pilot, Robert W. Leigh, manager. Notaries Public and Justices.-R. A. Baird, W. A. Batson, S. P. Davis, Joe J. Jones, J. W. Massey, E. E. Mitchell, R. L. Pearl, O O. Scroggins, C. C. Straughan. The medical and legal professions are represented by the following gentlemen: Physicians.-R. J. Adams, W. A. Jones, W. A. C. Sayle, W. F. Toombs, S. H. Cowden, C. M. Green, G. W. Bennett, D. Bennett, G. L. Cunningham, M. Y. Crandall, L. J. Dorsey, V. S. Dyer, M. M. Nichols, W. A. Ried. Lawyers.-Hanna & Hinkle, Henry & Brewer, Moose & Reid, Carroll Armstrong, A. F. Vandeventer, B. C. Coblentz, P. H. Evans. Morrilton has ample reason to be proud of her business men. The enterprise of the Morrilton citizens has become proverbial over the State. No finer body of wide-awake, enterprising, thorough going men can be found in the South. It takes men to make cities, and right here permit us to remark that Morrilton has that kind of men. The people of Morrilton are noted for their push and energy. They never permit an opportunity to slip by which a new enterprise may be gained for the city. Strangers coming to the city are cordially and heartily received, and if they "mean business" they can always find some opening by which they can make an honest living and provide themselves with a home. The people of Morrilton appreciate both labor and capital, and extend a hearty welcome to all energetic and enterprising people who may wish to make a home in a busy Southern city. Morrilton is no "mushroom city." The natural causes that build all cities are at work, and as surely as night follows the day Morrilton will soon stand forth as one of the great commercial centers of Arkansas. There is strong probability of an oil mill being established here in the near future. Several of the most enterprising business men have the matter in hand, and there is $15,000 worth of stock already subscribed. This enterprise will be of great value to Morrilton, and it is likely that before this book is printed it will be an established fact. The first trading post in the present area of Conway County was probably that of Stephen D. Lewis, who had early made a settlement at the mouth of Point Remove Creek, and had opened a small store to trade with the Indians. About 1830, or perhaps prior to that date, he removed down the Arkansas River, to the site of the future Town of Lewisburg and gave his name to the settlement that later grew up around him. It is not thought that he ever resumed business at this place, nor can the name of the first merchant be ascertained; in 1840 the firm of Mason & Morrill was established; it was conducted till 1844, when Mr. Morrill bough this partner's interest and built up a thriving trade with the interior settlements. Mr. Dudley Mason was the first hotel keeper, having opened a hotel at about the time he started in commercial business. Mr. Morrill also kept a hotel, and continued both, hotel and store, till all trade was suspended by the call to arms, which followed the inauguration of the civil war. The town site was laid out and platted by Mr. Thompson and Dr. Nimrod Menifee, to whom it was sold by the original settler, Stephen Lewis. The town was incorporated at the April term of the County Court in 1844, on the presentation of a petition, signed, as the records show, by over two-thirds of the taxable inhabitants of the town, praying for the privilege of incorporation. Copying from the record we find " * * * be, and the same is hereby ordered to be incorporated, and that the inhabitants within said bounds (incorporation), be, and are hereby, constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of Aldermen and Town Council of Lewisburg. And it is further ordered and declared by the court that E. Morrill be, and is hereby, appointed Alderman of the said corporation of Lewisburg, and that Edward I. Morrill, George W. Lemoyne, Henry Hamilton, Benedict Beyer and Harrison H Higgins be, and are hereby, appointed members of the Council of the corporation of Lewisburg." By 1850 Lewisburg had grown into a most thriving town, and during the decade between 1850 and 1860, was one of the best business points in the State. It derived its trade from remote interior settlements, and was the shipping and receiving point, via the Arkansas River, for all the produce shipped and supplies received for a large region of territory. The people in business here in 1850 were A. Gordon, L. O. Breeden, E. J. Morrill, M. Whistler, E. W. Adams, Levi Mitchell, William Balls, Dudley Mason, Stagman & Ward. Dr. E. W. Adams and Ragsdell. In 1855 A. C. Wells entered business here, and laid the foundation of the business still conducted by his sons at Morrilton. A Mr. Buckston came to the place among the first and started a saloon. He also engaged in what he hoped would be a much more profitable enterprise-making counterfeit money. His prosecution of this branch of industry became known to the authorities, but before he could be arrested he made his escape. In 1853, as his old building was being recovered by George Morrill and William Sleeper, they found a package of this money, some $500, all in five dollar bills, on the Canton Bank of Ohio. They were a splendid imitation, and are pronounced to have been well executed. About this time Lewisburg was visited by John Robinson's circus, and many boys presented these bogus notes for tickets, for which silver change was readily given. The circus people were soon told of the deception, but they said that money was good enough for them, and took all that was offered. Lewisburg in that day and time had, with all frontier towns in their early history, many lawless and discordant spirits. A humorous incident is told by the old settlers, which may interest some one now. On a certain occasion the town was filled with strangers, who, with many citizens, as well, perhaps, had from excessive drinking instituted a general fight. A traveler passing through came upon the scene at an exciting moment, and seeing so much amusement on hand, wished to join in the melee. He was told he could do so for a quart of whisky. He purchased that, and as it was being drank by the crowd-who stopped the fight to share the stranger's treat-he took off his coat and shouted, "in Dugan," whereupon he was promptly knocked down. His desire to fight seemed very much to have abated now, and as he arose he asked how much it would cost him to get out. He was told it would require two quarts to retire; he quickly ordered that amount of whisky, and as it was being dispatched by the crowd, he put on his coat and exclaiming, "out Dugan," mounted his horse and rode away. In the spring of 1861 many extensive firms were engaged in business here, all of whom were compelled to close their doors within the next year on account of the war. Some of these were Thomas Henry, L. O. Breeden & Dowdle, A. C. Wells, J. M. Gordon, Anderson Gordon, Griffey & Alton, Joseph Rodgers, Sayle & Morrill. These large stores were closed on the arrival of the Federal troops, which made the town a barracks. Some business was conducted by the Federal camp suttlers. The town experienced several years of the excitement of war, but with the declaration of peace we find its former citizens returning from the war, and resuming their previous occupations of farming or trade and traffic. The first firms to open for business were Howard & Wells, Burrow, Rankin & Co., James Gordon, Anderson Gordon, and W. P. Eagan; of the later merchants the most extensive were Kaufman & Black, D. W. Mason, Thomas & Russell. Lewisburg was the county seat of Conway County from 1831 till 1850, when it was removed to Springfield. In 1873 it was again returned to Lewisburg, where it remained till 1884, when it was removed to Morrilton, where it is now permanently located. The first county buildings were of rude construction, and made of logs. When the county seat was returned in 1873, a good frame two-story court house and a substantial stone jail were erected. The jail still stands, dismantled and disused, and is the only landmark left to show that Lewisburg was once the county seat. On the completion of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway, it passed through Conway County one mile north of Lewisburg. The station of Morrilton was soon established, and about this time the town began to grow. Lewisburg from this time lost its trade, and began rapidly to decline. One after another of its merchants moved away, till it was at length deserted by Col. Gordon, who was the last to retire from business there. The place is now literally a deserted village, with the pleasant and handsome residences of Col. Burrow and Col. Eagan alone remaining to show the chance visitor that it must have been a town of pleasant homes in other days. A steam ferry crossing the Arkansas River, conducted by Ward & Wells, is the only business of the place now. A number of dilapidated buildings, showing a condition of rapid decay, stand and mark the place where once were busy streets. These landmarks and the old stone jail are all that suggests to the visitor, that here, for many years, was where Conway County held her courts and administered her laws. Springfield-Few towns possessed a more beautiful situation for a town site than Springfield. It is situated a little east of the center of Union Township, and dates it origin as a village back to 1850, when it was selected for the county seat. The site was an unclaimed forest at that time, but Mr. T. W. Venable had made a settlement about one-half mile away as early as 1839. The Venable family are therefore the pioneers in this beautiful locality, cut the first timber, made the first clearing, but had little thought of the county seat ever being located so near as one-half mile away. The first house of this village was erected by Daniel Willis, small in size, and constructed of logs, but was used as the first hotel. Mr. Willis was soon appointed the first Postmaster. J. W. Willbanks was the first merchant, and in 1855 he erected a commodious two-story frame building, used both as a hotel and residence, Mr. Willbanks sold his entire interest, store and hotel, to Anthony Hinkle in 1859. The firm of Hinkle & Son was then established, and did an extensive trade till the outbreak of the war. The Venables, John and James, were early merchants. In 1856 J. D. & John Morgan began and continued until closed by the war. During that period of strife all trade was suspended. Of the firms prior to this time Hinkle & Son did the most extensive trade; their business extended to remote interior settlements, and assumed considerable magnitude for that early period. The senior member of this firm, Mr. Anthony Hinkle, was a physician, and during the time he was in business at Springfield, he was doing an extensive practice in that profession too. This old gentleman is still living near the place of his original settlement, near the Cadron Creek, in (now) Faulkner County, and his son, John Hinkle, from whom the writer mainly secured these facts, is a lawyer at Morrilton. Springfield was incorporated in 1858 with S S. Ford Mayor; he soon resigned and then Anthony Hinkle was elected. Mr. H. served till he closed his business and moved back to his farm on account of the war. The place then lost its charter, which has never since been recovered. This town was visited with a signal disaster on April 12, 1858, when a tornado swept the place, leveling nearly one-half of the village to the ground. Strong buildings were unroofed or actually blown away. The original court-house, a small but substantial log building, was totally destroyed. Much injury was done to farm houses in the vicinity as well, but in all this storm no person was seriously injured. The destruction of the old court house made the erection of a new one a necessity, so we learn from the records that during the next year, 1859, a neat and substantial two-story frame was erected for that purpose; this, however, was destroyed by fire during the war. After the war, the first firms to resume business were Hawkins & Co., Cargile & Moses, and N. W. Moore. Mr. Moore also erected a good hotel in 1867, which was the leading hotel till the removal of the county seat. W. W. Martin soon became associated with Mr. Vaughan under the firm name of Martin & Vaughan. Mr. Martin started with but the smallest capital, and during the location of his business here, made a fortune. This firm was the first to start the credit business, which for a long time after seemed to be the only way that business could be transacted. J. W. Bolton, who, starting with a small capital, soon laid the foundation of a large business. In 1869 the county erected a new court-house on the same site and on the same general plan and style as the one previously burned. In 1873 the county seat was removed to Lewisburg, but this building continued in the possession of the county till 1887, when the people of Springfield, wishing to establish a college in their town, purchased the old court-house for their college building. It was internally improved and fitted up, and is now admirably adapted for that purpose. Its incorporation by legislative act was secured in 1887, under the name of the "Springfield Male and Female Collegiate Institute." The college has been most successfully conducted since by Messrs. Toon and Murray, who demonstrated by their commendable success that the school was appreciated and approved. An act of the Legislature also prohibited the sale of liquor, and now, Springfield, with good society, prohibitory liquor laws, and an excellent college, offers many attractions for settlement to the best class of citizens. This locality is also noted for its healthfulness and the value of its chalybeate springs, of which there are many in the vicinity, and to which, doubtless, the town owes its beautiful name. It is surrounded by a good and highly productive country, upland country, and dominates a large area of the Cadron Creek bottoms which stretch north and south on the east only three miles away. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 38 ------------------------------------------------------------------ The present business interests are six general stores, conducted by the following firms: Spires, Westerfield & Allen; Bolden & Millen; Willbanks & Stell; Willbanks & Son; Bird & Snyder; M. F. Moore; one drug store, C. C. Stell; one grocery, W. E. Burns. Blacksmiths and wagon makers: W. E. Burns, S. D. Dancer. Physicians; John H. Westerfield, J. C. Amis, J. J. Stephens. W. F. Moore, Postmaster. There are two churches, one each of the M. E. South, and Baptist; one Masonic lodge, two hotels-the Springfield House, W. S. Cantrell, proprietor, and the other by Mrs. Hannah H. Cargile. The population is about 350. This is one of the flourishing interior towns of Conway County. Cleveland is one of the new and rapidly growing towns of this county. It is located near the northern county line in Griffin Township, and its birth as a town dates back only to 1883, when Todd & Hannaford started a general store at that place. Its rapid growth from that time proves that it was the needed place for a town site, and from the way that its vicinity is being improved and settled, it may be safely predicted that its future will be more brilliant than its past. Although the northern part of Conway County is the seat of quite early settlement, its improvement was very slow. The extreme remoteness from market facilities rendered its citizens careless about making extensive improvements, and so for years this community showed but little advancement. In 1871 Mr. J. J. Massey settled near the present site of Cleveland, and in 1873 he was instrumental in securing the establishment of a postoffice, which was held in his home and named Rondo. The nearest store at that time was many miles away, and the township but thinly settled. After a time John W. Todd bought land in the vicinity, and in 1883 started the first store, in partnership with J. T. Hannaford, as previously stated. The postoffice was retained at Rondo till 1886, when it was removed to Cleveland, Mr. Massey remaining Postmaster till 1889. Other business firms soon started, Howser & Son being the second; Taylor & Stephens started a drug store, then Bradford & Norman Straughan & Taylor, and others. The town was incorporated by the County Court in the spring of 1890, and includes an area of one square mile. At an election held in May, Judge Todd was elected Mayor. In 1888 the citizens with commendable ambition to establish and sustain a good school, erected a good and suitable building for that purpose. The services of Prof. S. I. Kennamer were secured as principal, and under his control the school at once sprang into popular favor, and now ranks among the best of any in interior towns in the State. It not only receives a cordial local support, but derives patronage from people at considerable distance. The religious denominations are all represented, and the Baptists and Advents have churches, while the M. E., South, has a neat edifice in course of erection. One and one-half miles away is the old Upchurch campmeeting grounds, which have been a popular resort of annual revivals among the old pioneers for years past. At the time Judge Todd located here in 1877, very little land was under cultivation; now fine farms are presented to the visitor's eye on every side. Every year since has witnessed the arrival of many new families, whose settlement has enabled the establishment of schools and churches, improved the society and given to the county a class of industrious and moral citizens. Good land is still cheap and abundant in this locality, and good settlers will receive a cordial welcome from the citizens. The soil ranges from good, ordinary upland, to rich and fertile creek bottoms. The whole section, except those portions under cultivation, is covered with valuable timber, a small portion of which has only been used, although several mills are kept busy sawing to supply the local demand, while a quantity of the excess is sold on the markets at Morrilton and Atkins. The country is well watered, beautiful streams being crossed every mile or so. Cleveland is now well supplied with six general stores, conducted by Todd & Hannaford, H. M. Howser & Co., Straughan Bros., Foster & Character, Norman & Bradford and G. H. Taylor. One hotel by A. W. Stewart; steam saw, planing and grist mill, and cotton gin, A. W. Stewart. Physicians, J. T. M. Tate, S. K. McBride and W. H. Parker. G. W. Taylor, Postmaster. Population, 400. The town has a number of handsome residences for so new a place, which gives it an appearance of elegance and taste, and which, with the attractive surroundings of a picturesque situation at the foot of quite elevated hills which stretch northward in gradual ascent forming the Boston Mountain, and insuring a climate of great healthfulness, gives abundant reason for its past rapid growth and a prophetic forecast for its future. Center Ridge, a prosperous village of about 250 inhabitants, is situated a little south of center in Lick Mountain Township, in the northern part of the county. It has a most admirable location on a slightly elevated ridge and from this fact derives its name. It dominates many fertile valleys, where are found many pleasant and prosperous homes. The topography of this township is rolling, somewhat broken, and abounding in broad and productive valleys. The conspicuous scenic feature is the mountain from which it derives its name, now more generally known as Wolverton's Mountain. It is located 21/2 miles north of Centre Ridge, and has an altitude of about 500 feet above the surrounding country. The area of its summit is about six square miles, and it is most admirably adapted for fruit culture. The plateau is generally level, with a most gradual descent northward. There are numerous springs of both chalybeate and freestone water on its sides. The first permanent settlement was made about 1866 by George Halbrook. In 1871, Wm. L. Wolverton located here, erected a pleasant residence, and made extensive improvements. About twenty families are living on the mountain now and are generally well pleased with the situation. The plateau is six miles in length and two in width. The postoffice at Centre Ridge was established about 1872, and Joseph E. Holbrook was its first Postmaster, and he kept the office at his residence five miles north of the present village. It was discontinued after two years, and re-established in 1879 on the present site of Centre Ridge, with Dr. R. H. Johnson Postmaster, who served till May, 1880. He was followed by L. D. Jones till 1885; G.W. Combs till 1887; R. M. Newberry for a time, when L. D. Jones, the present incumbent, was again appointed. The village is situated in section 35, township 9 south, range 15 west. The first merchant, L. D. Jones, commenced business in 1880. The second, Kissire & Bowling, the third A. J. Dean. The present business interests are four general stores conducted by L. D. Jones, A. J. Dean, Luther & Son, and J. T. Halbrook; J. A. Lockhart, drugs; Reed & White and F. O. Stobaugh, blacksmiths and wagon makers; mill and cotton gin by W. B. Cleveland. Mr. F. O. Stobaugh was the first settler, on December 10, 1878, when the nearest neighbor was a mile away. The physicians are J. C. T. Chamness, and E. D. Stein; J. M. McMahon, shoemaker. There are organizations of the M. E., South, Missionary Baptist and Christian Churches. A Masonic lodge, a G. A. R. Post and a Camp of the Sons of Veterans. There is a public school and the Centre Ridge Christian College, which was chartered in 1886. The board of trustees, a number of the leading citizens of the vicinity, erected an appropriate school building 30×60 feet dimensions, one and one-half stories, in 1888, at an expense, including furniture, of $800. The people here are determined to establish a good school, and from their activity in the matter, it may be said that the foundation has been wisely laid. This is a healthy and beautiful location, just the place for a school of the higher grade. Solgohachia is a thrifty and growing village in Washington Township, nine miles north of Morrilton. The leading spirit in its development has been Mr. M. Crowell, who started the first store there about eleven years ago. It now has three general stores conducted by M. Crowell, A. B. Simmons and W. F. Kirkland; one drug store by Walsh & Presley; Walker & Nabors, backsmiths and woodworkers. Three physician.-W. L. Presley, W. T. Morrow and Z. T. Kindred. W. L. Presley, Postmaster. Ada is a pretty little village situated three miles south of the Arkansas River, and at the foot of Petit Jean Mountain in Higgins Township. It has a very good tributary country, and its several merchants all do a fair trade. Its business interests are: General stores, R. J. Ellis (also Postmaster), Rev. J. C. Hendrickson, I. N. Sharp; Rev. J. E. Baker, drugs; blacksmiths and wagon- makers, S. V. Castleburg, J. W. Marshall and J. M. Hatcher; physician, Jos. Deuran; A. H. Teel, Deputy Sheriff; D. M. Allen, Justice. The public buildings are a good school house and the M. E. Church, South, Rev. Jesse Williams, pastor. The Christian, Rev. J. E. Baker, and the Baptist, Rev. J. C. Hendrickson, have organized societies and worship in the school building. Oppelo is a postoffice in Bentley Township, three miles south of the Arkansas River. George Moyzes, general store; Dr. Karl Fluchs, general store, drugs and Postmaster. Divide, a postoffice near the center of Petit Jean Township, at Johnson's Mill, was established in 1889, with R. H. Johnson, who also has a store and steam grist, saw and planing mill, and cotton gin (Postmaster.) He started a gin about 1878. and his store in 1889. Menifee is a station on the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad, near the eastern line of the county. It derives its name from Dr. Menifee, who made a settlement in that section years age. A postoffice was established in 1880, with J. A. Mattingly, Postmaster; he was also a merchant at that place. Business is conducted there now by a colored man, who is also Postmaster. Plummerville-Named by the railroad company for Samuel Plummer, who lived and owned the land where the town is. It was named in 1874, and the first business of any kind was a saloon, opened in 1872, and run for several years by L. M. McClure. The first year there were F. P. Hervey and J. R. K. Hobbs, of the firm of Hervey & Hobbs, which began business in 1874, and continued about four years, when they sold to W. B. Hervey. Other firms were Hervey & Dickson, Hobbs & Bro., etc., and the present general merchants are Henry James, A. D. Malone, Wiley Parker, Vance & Overstreet, Bowdre & Nesbitt. Saloons-J. M. Sims, L. J. Orrell, J. D. Rainwater, J. A. Austin, W. J. Jordan (c.) Blacksmith-W. C. Palmer. Barbers-John Walsh, Will Black (c.) Railroad Agent-Frank Ellis. Hotel-Mrs. J. M. Sims. School-One public school about six months each year. Physicians-Drs. B. F. Jones, Clarence Cullens, Solomon E. Allgood, A. R. Bradley, J. N. Mitchell. ------------------------------------------------------------------ page 40 ------------------------------------------------------------------ One gin and corn mill, by Vance & Overstreet. One church, Methodist Episcopal, South. Samuel A. Durham, Postmaster. Masonic Lodge. Plummerville Methodist Episcopal Church, South, organized about 1876, with about thirty members. Soon after organizing built a comfortable frame house, which was burned about two years after, and soon another frame structure was built at a cost of about $700; that was also burned a few years after, and now another is in process of erection to cost about $700. The present membership is about twenty. A. H. Williams, pastor. The postoffice was established in 1873 or 1874, with J. L. Lucas as Postmaster, followed by J. S. Guinn, Daniel Patterson, W. T. Hobbs and S. A. Durham. There had formerly been a postoffice at Portland, at different periods, but had been suspended some time before the one was established at Plummerville. We have now traced from the remote past down to the present day, the facts of the settlement and development of Conway County. Such topics as seem of most value to the citizens and would best explain to the prospective settler the many advantages of this county as a place of permanent residence, have been the ones to which we have devoted the greatest space. All the matter was submitted to various people before it was sent to the press, so we are convinced that it is as free from errors as it is reasonable to expect a work of this character to be. As the memory (at best a deceptive faculty) of the few now living among the earliest generations here had to be called upon for anecdote and tradition of earlier times, and the settlement of that period, may have been in some minor way defective, we trust all omissions will be overlooked, when it is seen that much valuable material that would soon have been forever lost has been collected and preserved. To Mr. J. M. Moose, Col. Wells, Col. H. W. Burrow, Mr. J. Maratta, Hon. W. S. Hanna, Carroll Armstrong, Mr. John Hinkle; to the Reverends G W. Hill and W. T. Box; to Mr. Robert Leigh, of "The Pilot," and Mr. J. O. Blakeney of "The Headlight," and to Dr. Sayle, Dr. Adams, T. L. Cox, Mrs, E. H. Morrill, and to many others, or we might say, to nearly all on whom we called, we are under obligations for data furnished and personal courtesies extended. To the prospective settler we can state from personal observation that Conway County is filled with a royal good class of citizens, who will cordially welcome such new comers as seek their fertile fields to develop and improve; who come with passports of sterling character from former homes, and whose purpose in settling here is to become worthy and respected citizens. Conway County needs immigrants, and she needs them badly, but an invitation and a welcome will be extended to them only who come with an honest purpose to diligently pursue the paths of industry, morality and peace. She has so much to offer in exchange, that her citizens claim the privilege of demanding this. And where are greater inducements offered for the industrious home-seeker than here, where fertile land is cheap and abundant, and where great profit follows all well-directed efforts? A genial climate, mild winters, and summers' heat always tempered by a cooling and refreshing breeze; springs of the sweetest water gushing from almost every hill. Topographically, a succession of undulating hills, rising in some localities to quite formidable elevations, and from whose summits are secured views of the richest pastoral beauty, while through the valleys the meandering streams have spread broad acres of the richest bottom land; with this and villages growing up in almost every township, where commercial activity tells of profitable trade and traffic, and where the citizens have erected schools and churches, and in almost every case have legislated the sale of liquor from their midst. The schools are well attended, and a large majority of the people hold church membership. Nothing further could be added, and little more it seems tous could be required, Cheap and fertile lands, schools, churches and society, with moral and religious views; a healthy and equable climate where nature responds with prodigal profusion to all agricultural demands. This, with a cordial welcome and a friendly greeting from the citizens is what the new home-seeker will find on his arrival here.