Scott County - part one

Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas

Ye pioneers, it is to you The debt of gratitude is due;

Ye builded wiser than ye knew

The broad foundation On which our superstructures stands

Your stroug, right arm and willing hand,

Your earnest efforts still command Our veneration.–Pearre.

John Young, a highly respected citizen and a prosperous farmer, was born in Marion County, Tenn., in 1828. Of the eight children—three sons and five daughters–born to his parents, he is the only one living in Arkansas. His father, James Young, was a native of Virginia, but removed to Tennessee when quite small. There he was reared and married to Miss Sarah Young, a native also of the Old Dominion, but who passed her girlhood in Tennessee. They are now residents of that State. John Young attained his growth in the Big Bend State, and then went to Alabama, where he remained three years actively engaged in farming. While there he met and married Miss Emaline Simmes, and later went to Georgia, where he farmed for about twenty years. In 1871 he removed to Logan County, Ark., and is the owner of 166 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation. His marriage was blessed by the birth of nine children: Sarah (wife of Joseph Noah), Julia (wife of D. T. Williams), Margaret, Rebecca, Jane (married John Howard), Savanah, John T., Martha (married C. Donaldson and died in 1889, leaving her husband and three children), and Malissa (married John Seth, and resides in Clark County). Mr. Young's first wife died in February, 1880, and the following year he was married to Miss Prudy Rainey, who bore him five children—four sons and one daughter–Henry, George, Alvin E., James E. and Melvin, all small and at home. Mr. Young is a minister of the gospel in the Baptist Church, and has been preaching the Word of God since 1862. He is one of the county's most esteemed and honored citizens. He contributes liberally to all laudable enterprises, and he allows no worthy movement to fall through for want of support.

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THIS is one of the largest of the counties of Western Arkansas. It is a true mountain and inter-mountain country, its territory being in the main within the Fourche and Poteau ranges, the ridge of the first forming its southern boundary and the latter in part traversing its northern tier of townships, and in part forming its extreme northern boundary; and again, it is traversed centrally by a range known locally as Ross Mountain; the axis of the three being parallel, and the trend from east to west. In all the Trans-Mississippi country, nothing presents itself which, in its fertility, healthfulness, water, fruit, loveliness and extent, is more truly the type of the great Shenandoah and Luray Valleys of Virginia. The general contour is suggested in the fact that its territory is made up in the main of two valley systems, that of the Fourche La Fave and the Poteau, and partially by a third valley system, that of the Petit Jean, the course of which, from south to north, is at right angles to the others. The area of the county is about 1,000 square miles. Of the whole, 306,520 acres consist of low grounds and second bottoms, and 311, 720 valley slopes, terraces and mountain lands. The area of the Fourche La Fave Valley is 315,400 acres, divided into 134,510 acres, low grounds and second bottoms, and 180,890 acres slopes, terraces and uplands. The Petit Jean Valley is 84,480 acres in extent; 35,480 low grounds and second bottoms, and 49,000 inclines, terraces and uplands. The area of Dutch Creek, a tributary of [p.385] the Petit Jean, is 30,720 acres; 7,680 low grounds and 23,060 uplands. The area of the Poteau Valley system is as follows: Main stem of Poteau, 35,645 acres low grounds and second bottoms, and 9,600 acres uplands. East fork of Poteau, 48,030 acres low grounds and second bottoms, and 38,000 acres uplands. Jones' Fork of Poteau, 7,680 acres low grounds and second bottoms, 7,680 acres uplands. Black Fork of Poteau, 9,600 low grounds, 22,400 acres uplands. Total area of the Poteau Valley system, 178,640 acres; low grounds and second bottoms, 100,955 acres; valley slopes, terraces and uplands, 77,640 acres. The timbered area of the county is estimated at about 500,000 acres. There are large tracts of Government lands subject to homestead and to entry, at $1.25 per acre.

The Fourche La Fave Valley, the greatest of the three divisions of the county, lacks only 65,000 acres of having as great an area as any one of nine-tenths the counties of this State. Collectively there is nothing like it in amplitude of area in Southern and Western Arkansas; nor in the State exclusive of the lower White and lower Arkansas Valley. The length of the valley is, approximately, fifty miles, of which twenty miles have a water-shed area of 300 square miles. The upper division of the valley has a water-shed area of 210 square miles. The width of the lower division of the valley, from ridge to ridge of the flanking mountains, is fifteen miles, of which a width of six miles is the average of the low grounds. The average width of the upper division from ridge to ridge is seven miles, of which three and one-half miles are the average width of the low grounds. The second greatest division is that of the Poteau Valley system, 174,640 acres in extent. The main stem of the valley has a length of fifteen miles, a general width of five miles, with a width to the low grounds and second bottoms of four miles. The length of the east fork of Poteau is twelve miles; the low grounds seven miles wide; Jones' Fork of Poteau is twelve miles long, general width two miles; width of bottoms one mile. As in the case of the Fourche La Fave and Poteau, within the county is located the fountain head of the Petit Jean. The ramifications of the Petit Jean system, situated in this county, are so many and the valleys in such close proximity that, rather than in detail, the sum of the whole area is given–115,200 acres, of which it is estimated that 43,160 are low grounds. The prices of land are as follows: In the Fourche La Fave Valley–Improved low grounds, $10 to $20 per acre; unimproved, $5 to $10 per acre. Improved uplands and second bottom, $5 to $10 per acre; unimproved, $1.25 to $5 per acre. Poteau Valley–Improved low grounds, $10 to $25 per acre; unimproved, $5 to $10 per acre. Improved second bottom, $5 to $10 per acre; uplands, $4 to $10 per acre; unimproved, $1.25 to $5 per acre. Petit Jean Valley–Improved bottom farms, $12 to $25 per acre; unimproved, $5 to $12 per acre. Improved second bottoms and uplands, $5 to $10 per acre; unimproved, $2 to $5 per acre. Coal lands from $10 to $20 per acre. Timberlands from $1.25 to $5 per acre. Its soil is the county's greatest permanent resource. It is generally a light yellow, known as "mulatto" soil, but in many sections it is a light red. It will ordinarily produce with good cultivation an average of three-fourths of a bale of cotton, twenty five to thirty-five bushels of corn, ten to fifteen bushels of wheat, twenty to forty bushels of oa****s, and two to three tons of millet hay to the acre. This, it is to be understood, is the general upland soil of the county, not including creek or river bottoms; and there is a great similarity in it all, the woodlands and prairies not differing greatly in quality of soil, and the level, undulating and hilly soil being much the same–the hilly having rock intermixed. The river bottom lands are among the best in the world, and will produce, with good cultivation, from three-fourths of a bale to a bale and a half of cotton, seventy-five to one hundred bushels of corn, thirty to forty bushels of wheat and three to five tons millet per acre, and the creek bottoms will average a mean between the uplands and river bottoms. A peculiar feature of the upland soil is the remarkable retentive quality of its fertility. This is owing to the sub-soil of clay, which retains the fertilizing qualities and at the same time prevents the lands from washing.

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[p.386] The following analysis of the low ground and upland soil is taken from Prof. Owen's geological report of Arkansas: Low grounds–Organic and volatile matter, 7.678; alumina, 3.385; oxide of iron, 3.590; carbonate of lime, 1.015; magnesia, .359; brown oxide of manganese, .345; phosphoric acid, .163; sulphuric acid, .075; potash, .241; soda, .037; sand and insoluble silicates, 83.540; total, 100.440. Uplands–Organic and volcatile matter, 4.763; alumina, 4.085; oxide of iron, 3.065; carbonate of lime, .190; magnesia, .315; brown oxide of manganese, .145; phosphoric acid, .261; sulphuric acid, .050; potash, .193; soda, .037; sand and insoluble silicates, 83.340; total, 100.445. Moisture expelled from these soils at 400° Fahrenheit–Low ground, 3.950; upland, 3.225. The climate is delightful. A mean temperature of 65°, the prevailing semi-tropical breezes from the gulf; the neutralizing influence of the mountains on the northerly winter storms; mild, open, short winters, with only slight and transient snowfall, and whole weeks of soft sunny weather, that recalls the glory of the northern Indian summer; long, friendly and golden summers with delightfully cool, restful and refreshing nights; freedom from epidemic diseases, an abundance of pure water and superior natural drainage, are "all and singular," elements of a climate, scarcely less enjoyable than that of Southern California or the south of France–a climate that gives the highest average of health known to any good agricultural region in America. Here is the equable mean between the rigors of the higher north and the depressing humidity of the lower south country. Naturally enough, too, here is the equable mean of animal and vegetable and mental temperament, largely the result of climate, and the visitor is not at all surprised to find in this genial, life-inspiring influence the impress of normal health upon men, animals and plants. So kindly indeed are the climatic influences, that two crops of many of the field and garden products are matured on the same ground in a single season.

The coal found in the county partakes of the general excellence characterizing the southern division of the Spadra system. The common thickness is the same as prevails throughout the coal field of Sebastian County, which it adjoins on the south and southeast–forty-two inches–and the maximum from four to seven feet. There is, however, to a certain extent, a difference in the kind of coal. While, say, fifty per cent is a semi-anthracite of the best quality, the remainder consists of the only bituminous coal found in this State. The latter is not invariably bit****minous; according to commercial rating there being a proportion that is semi-bituminous, and on the other hand a proportion sufficiently rich to pass as a cannel coal. Accordingly, it is probable that one-half of the fifty per cent is a bituminous coal, strictly speaking. The body of the whole is situated in that part of the county comprising Townships 4 and 5 north, Ranges 29 and 30 west; forty-eight sections constituting the two northern tiers of Township 3 north, Ranges 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 west, and Township 4 north, Range 28 west. The superficial area is 130,360 acres, of which it is practically accepted that 95,000 acres carry a good coal in quantities. The main body is situated in Townships 4 and 5, Ranges 29 and 30, and north and east of Potean Mountain. That situated in forty-eight sections named as the two tiers of Township 3 north, Ranges 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 west, includes the area of Poteau Mountain, to its summit line, and a strip of country in general conformed to the sinuous line of the mountain on the south side. South of the latter area, for a mile, fragmentary bodies probably occur, but it is evident, according to an out cropping of subcarboniferous limestone, fifteen miles south, and the erosion throughout the intermediate area, that it is the extreme southern limit in this State of the coal measures of the Spadra system. Under the head of mineral resources, it should be added that, beyond a carbonate form of ore, it is not probable that discoveries of limonite or hematite, in quantities, will take place short of the Fourche Mountain, which at its summit divides Scott from Polk County. The region excepted is also the general locality where up to date the best grade of carbonate ore, with a probability of being in quantity, has been found.

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The subcarboniferous limestone outcropping of [p.387] this county is the well-known exposure pronounced by Prof. Owens to be one of few examples of the kind occurring south of the Arkansas River. It crops out in Sections 35 and 36, Township 2 north, Range 29 west, and again two miles southwest, where it is exposed throughout a length of four miles. Notwithstanding a proportion having a brecciated character in general, it is a massive, close-textured gray rock, producing a very fine white lime.

Gold has also been discovered in the county. That which has been seen, while a low grade ore near the surface, improves as the shaft sinks deeper. In one instance there has been a yield of $5 in gold at five feet, $7 at seven feet, and $10 at ten feet. In addition, discoveries of lead, copper, and larger bodies of fire-clay have been made in the county.

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Early in 1887 prospectors discovered a sandbearing rock at the top of the Black Fork Mountains, in this county, so highly impregnated with petroleum as to give forth a strong petroleum odor, and on throwing portions of the rock on a fire it was found that as soon as it became hot the oil would burn with a fierce flame until consumed, leaving a white sandstone. Pieces of the rock submitted to the State geologist were pronounced by him to be petroleum-bearing sandstone. An expert, who has been in the oil business since the discovery of petroleum in Pennsylvania, over a quarter of a century ago, said that he had visited all of the known oil fields in the United States, and that upon comparison he considered the oil field of Scott County superior to any of them outside of Pennsylvania, adding that it might surpass that great petroleum-producing field. Another expert, pronounced by the Pittsburgh Manufacturer "the best authority in gas and oil" with whom the editor was acquainted, and of whom the Age of Steel says that "his practical scientific knowledge makes his services very valuable as a gas and oil expert, and very much sought after," reported after a few days examination: "The Scott County field is so large and so interesting that to do it justice would require at least two weeks' careful examination. I find a well-defined sandstone corresponding precisely to the Devonian, of Western Pennsylvania; also a stratum at of light-colored slate that is almost universally found accompanying similar strata of sandstone in Western Pennsylvania. There are also indications of another stratum that corresponds with what is known as ‘second sand’ in the Pennsylvania oil field, and that there are large deposits of oil and gas throughout an extensive area of Scott County, I have not the slightest doubt. There are also indications of valuable metals, and it is a most inviting field to the capitalist as well as the scientist." A well has been sunk to a depth of 985 feet in search of oil, and oil-gas was struck. The tools became fast in the well, and the enterprise was abandoned for the want of money, perhaps leaving untold wealth undeveloped. Scott County certainly possesses vast hidden resources, and is an inviting field for the investment of speculative capital, holding out an excellent prospect of sure and large returns. The timber of the county is of many varieties. Pine, oak, cedar, gum, ash, shell-bark and hickory abound, and there is much walnut, post oak and "cork" pine. The total amount of pine is 1,726,774,000 feet, board measure; of hardwoods 939,086,000 feet, board measure; total of pine and hardwoods 2,665,860,000 feet, board measure. Four streams and their tributaries cross the county. The Petit Jean River flows in an easterly course close to its northern boundary. Dutch Creek traverses for twelve miles its eastern part, flowing northeast. Poteau River flows thirty miles through the center of the county in a westerly direction. The Fourche La Fave River, which rises in the extreme southwestern corner of the county, flows for fifty miles through it on its way to the Arkansas River, bordered by rich valleys, with as good and productive land as in this or any other State. The average elevation of the county is about 700 feet in the valleys, and the highest mountain point is about 2,000 feet above the sea level. Water is abundant for all purposes, including manufacturing, and can be had by sinking wells from twelve to fifteen feet, and there are many mineral springs equal to any in this State except Hot Springs. Many large orchards and vineyards in the county give evidence [p.388] of the productiveness of fruit here, and as the native grapes are almost as fine in size and as delicious in flavor as cultivated grapes, it is evident the county is the natural home of the grape. Small fruit and berries yield largely. The roads of the county run generally east and west, on account of the contour of the country. One of the main roads runs north and south, and is called the Line road, on account of its close proximity to the line of the Indian Territory, boing the principal route for travel from the Arkansas River to Texas. The county is well supplied with cotton-gins, saw-mills, grist-mills and planing-mills.

Scott County was erected by act of the Territorial Legislature November 5, 1833. Its boundaries were defined October 24, 1835. The boundary between Scott and Crawford Counties was defined December 16, 1838. A part of Sebastian County was attached to Scott June 1, 1861. The county formerly embraced all the territory it has now, and the townships of Cauthorn, Boone, Reveille, Sugar Creek and Petit Jean, which were cut off and made part of the new county of Sarber, now Logan, in 1870. The line between Scott and Logan Counties was changed May 21, 1873. The county's present boundaries, fixed in 1881, are as follows: North by Sebastian and Logan Counties, east by Yell County, south by Montgomery and Polk Counties, and west by the Indian Territory. The county seat was originally located at Booneville, twenty-five miles northeast of Waldron. The county offices being too far from the center of the county the seat of justice was afterward removed to Winfield, about three miles northeast of Waldron, where it remained until about 1845, when William G. Featherston donated ten acres of land, a part of the south west quarter of the southwest quartor of Section 21, Township 3 north, Range 29 west, to the commissioners appointed by the county court, in consideration of the location of the county site on said land. This was the beginning of Waldron. Some time afterward a court-house was built, which was burned during the war with all the public records. About 1870 a new and substantial framed court-house was erected on the public square of the town, where the public business was transacted until the spring of 1882, when it also was burned, together with the county records. The last fire was undoubtedly the work of incendiaries. No successful movement to rebuild the court-house has been inaugurated. The courts are held in rooms over John F. Forrester's store, and the county offices are accommodated elsewhere in Waldron. The county has a substantial jail. The Fourth Congressional District is composed of Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Scott, Logan, Pulaski, Yell, Perry, Saline, Garland and Montgomery Counties, and at present represented by Hon. J. H. Rogers, of Fort Smith. This county is in the Twelfth Judicial District, comprising the counties of Scott, Sebastian, Crawford and Logan, and in the Twenty-eighth State Senatorial District, composed of Scott and Sebastian Counties. The several political townships of Scott County are named as follows: Barber, Tomlinson, Lewis, Cauthron, La Fayette, Brawley, Black Fork, Blansett, Johnson, Mountain, Mill Creek, Park, Cedar, La Fave, Hunt, James, Tate and Hickman.

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The following named county officers have served, beginning at the dates mentioned:

Judge–1833, Elijah Baker; 1835, James Logan; 1838, Gilbert Marshall; 1842, Levi Bradley; 1844, William Kenner; 1846, Elijah Arnold; 1848, M. H. Blue; 1850, J. H. Thompson; 1852, J. R. Raymond; 1854, W. E. Elkins; 1856, J. H. Forbet; 1858, H. Hine; 1860, J. H. Smith; 1862, William Oliver; 1864, J. T. Harrison; July, 1865, N. Ellington; April, 1871, M. M. Tate; 1872-74,

board of supervisors; 1874, L. D. Pendery; 1876, S. Harrell; 1878, J. H. Payne; 1880, J. H. Brown; 1886, Roland Chiles; 1888, Daniel Hon. Clerk–1833, S. B. Walker; 1835, G. Marshall; 1838, W. Kenner; 1840, S. H. Chism; 1842, E. H. Featherston; 1844, John Baxter; 1846, William Kenner; 1848, J. B. Garrett; 1850, William Kenner; 1854, E. H. Featherston; 1856, J. C. Gibson; 1860, S. Graves; 1862, L. D. Gilbreath; 1864, F. M. Scott; July, 1865, C. H. Oliver; 1866, L. D. Gilbreath; 1872, W. B. Turman; 1874, J. C. Gilbreath; 1887, T. M. Duncan. Sheriff–1833, James Riley; 1835, Charles Humphrey; 1840, William Garner; T. P. Sadler until formation of Yell County; 1842, J. B. [p.389] Garrett; 1844, A. Harland; 1846, J. B. Garrett; 1848, J. R. Baxter; 1852, R. C. Reed; 1856, William Gibson; 1862, C. C. Lewis; 1864, G. Kincannon; July, 1865, J. W. Barnett; 1868, N. A. Floyd; 1874, F. C. Gaines; 1878, Samuel Leming; August, 1879, A. P. Walker; 1880, John Rawlings; 1882, C. M. Vise; 1888, W. T. Brown; 1888, Free Malone; 1889, C. M.

Vise. Treasurer–1836, W. Cauthron; 1840, Jesse Perkins; 1844, G. W. Read; 1848, J. M. Swinney; 1854, T. I. Gates; 1856, J. C. Moles; 1862, J. W. Evatt; 1872, M. Johnson; 1874, W. D. Looper; 1878, E. McCray; 1880, A. D. Peace; 1884, T. M. Evatt; 1888, F. M. Bottoms.

Coroner–1833, J. R. Choate; 1835, W. Cauthron; 1836, G. C. Walker; 1838, J. R. Choate; 1840, H. A. Patterson; 1842, George Carroll; 1844, James Stewart; 1848, W. Hodge; 1850, W. B. Carr; 1852, A. Kuykendall; 1854, Drew Choate; 1856, John Pace; 1858, J. E. Moore; 1860, A. Ross; 1862, R. H. Halley;

1864, C. L. J. Hough; 1866, W. D. Riley; 1872, William Chitwood; 1874, G. W. Smith; 1876, G. W. Rea; 1878, T. F. Smith; 1882, C. H. Bell; 1884, J. L. Baker; 1886, F. G. Thomas; 1888, W. L. Tolleson.

Surveyor–1836, T. J. Garner; 1842, W. Wheat; 1844, J. Anthony; 1848, Charles Cauthron; 1850, E. H. Featherston; 1852, S. H. Prowell; 1854, W. T. Dallins; 1858, J. H. Johnson; 1862, C. L. Hough; 1866, J. Bethel; 1868, D. P. Davis; December, 1870, C. A. Bird; 1872, C. L. Hough; 1878, G. W. Blair; 1882, W. T. Brown; 1886, W. J. King. Assessor–1868, C. Malone; 1872, T. Suddith; 1874, W. H. Highfill; 1876, C. M. Vise; 1880, P. H. Young; 1886, E. B. Young; 1888, E. N. McRay.

The county officers elected in September, 1890, are as follows: James M. Harvey, judge;

T. M. Duncan, clerk; L. P. Fuller, sheriff;

D. A. Edwards, treasurer;

T. H. Johnson, coroner;

E. N. McRay, assessor.

The clerk is circuit clerk and ex-officio clerk of the county and probate courts and recorder.

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Scott County has been represented in the State Senate as follows: With Crawford County, 1836-38, by R. C. S. Brown; with Crawford, 1840, by J. A. Scott; with Crawford, 1842-43, by J. A. Scott; with Franklin, 1844-45, by J. F. Gaines, with Franklin, 1846, by J. F. Gaines; with Franklin, 1848-49, by S. H. Chism; with Franklin, 1850-51, by S. H. Chism; with Franklin, 1852-53, by Jesse Miller; with Franklin, 1854-55, by Jesse Miller; with Sebastian, 1856-57, by Green J. Clark; with Sebastian, 1858-59, by Green J. Clark; with Sebastian, 1860-62, by Green J. Clark; with Sebastian, 1862, by Green J. Clark; with Sebastian, 1864-65, by Charles Milor; with Sebastian, 1866-67, by H. C. Holleman, who was unseated and succeeded by T. H. Scott; with Polk, Montgomery and Hot Springs, 1868-69, by D. P. Beldin; with Polk, Montgomery and Hot Spring, by D. P. Beldin; with Polk, Montgomery and Hot Springs, 1873, by D. P. Beldin; with Polk, Montgomery and Hot Springs, 1874, by D. P. Beldin; with Sebastian, 1874-75, by J. H. Scott; with Sebastian, 1877, by R. T. Kerr; with Sebastian, 1879, by R. T. Kerr; with Sebastian, 1881, by J. P. Hall; with Sebastian, 1883, by J. P. Hall; with Sebastian, 1885, by R. H. McConnell; with Sebastian, 1887, by R. H. McConnell; with Sebastian, last session, by A. G. Washburn, who is also the senator-elect. In the Lower House of the State Legislature the county has been thus represented. In 1836-38 by James Logan; in 1838, by G. Marshall; in 1840, by T. M. Scott and S. Humphrey; in 1842-43, by J. F. Gaines and A. Thompson; in 1844-45 (no record); in 1846, by Edward A. Featherston; in 1848-49, by Milton Gilbreath; in 1850-51, by Charles Cauthron; in 1852-53, by Milton Gilbreath; in 1854-55, by James Logan; in 1856-57, by J. F. Lee; in 1858-59, by John H. Forbet; in 1860-62, by James F. Lee; in 1862, by Elijah Leming; in 1864-65, by Thomas Canthron; in the Confederate Legislature, 1864, by Elijah Leming; in 1866-67, Elijah Leming; in 1868-69, with Polk, Montgomery and Hot Spring, by J. V. Harrison and J. H. Demby; in 1871, with Hot Spring, Montgomery, Polk and Grant, by J. F. Lane, J. J. Sumpter, and James M. Bethel, admitted in place of C. K. Kymes, P. B. Allen and N. Ellington; in 1873, with Polk, Montgomery, Hot Spring and Grant, by L. D. Gilbreath, J. J. Sumpter and George G. Latta; in 1874, with Polk, Montgomery and Hot Spring, by H. H. Barton [p.390] and J. J. Sumpter; in 1874-75, by I. Frank Fuller; in 1877, by James H. Smith; in 1879, by A. G. Washburn; in 1881, by F. C. Gaines; in 1883, by G. E. James; in 1885, by A. G. Washburn; in 1887, by A. G. Washburn; in last session by W. A. Houck. J. W. McNutt is representative-elect.

The judicial circuits of the State have been frequently changed. In some instances the number of the judicial districts has been completely transferred to others and new numbers adopted for the original. The State in 1873 was divided into sixteen circuits, but only for a term, when the number was reduced, as has been stated; this county is in the Twelfth. In giving the list of judges the Twelfth Circuit is referred to through to the present, regardless of changes that may have taken place in its composition. The judges of this circuit have been commissioned as follows: P. C. Dooley, April 26, 1873; J. H. Rogers, April 20, 1877; R. B. Rutherford, October 2, 1882; John S. Little, October 30, 1886; T. C. Humphry, spring of 1890. The prosecuting attorneys have been: D. D. Leach, April 26, 1873; John S. Little (three terms), April 2, 1877; A. C. Lewers (two terms), September 20, 1884; J. B. McDonough, October 30, 1888. Courts are held on the second Monday in February and August. The resident attorneys are named as follows: Daniel Hon, A. G. Leming, S. Wilson, B. F. Wolf, A. G. Washburn, T. N. Sanford, O. M. Harwell, C. H. Hawthorne and M. M. Beavers. The county has been thus represented in Constitutional Conventions: By Gilbert Marshall in 1836; by E. T. Walker in 1861; by Charles H. Oliver in 1868; and by

J. W. Sorrells in 1874.

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At an early day there were adventuresome hunters and prospecters who penetrated the new, wild country within the limits of the present county of Scott. Such can hardly be called home-seekers, for they were of the class that moves on before advancing civilization; but some of them, charmed by the wild beauty of their surroundings, remained and became permanent settlers. The advancement of the present day was surely not foreshadowed in their time, and then men were not attracted by that certainty of gain and worldly prosperity which has influenced men to make their abiding place here during the past few decades. They had no neighbors at first, but Indians–savages and natural enemies–and still more savage beasts. Did space permit, some highly interesting narratives of the pioneer period might be told, but it is with the period of development that this sketch has most to do. This period was ushered in by another class of men. They were home-seekers pure and simple–men of family, who sought here, where Nature outstretched to them a helping hand so willingly, that material reward for honest toil which was to be achieved, but grudgingly, in older communities. Many a time has the story of the pioneer been told. It is old, but ever new, because dear to the present generation like the old songs their mothers sang. From the first it was a stern battle with scarcity and adversity. Every gain was hardly won. The simplest achievement cost the most arduous labor. The most that could be procured and accomplished was very little indeed. There were no luxuries and there was a dearth of necessaries. Hard work was the common lot of all–the men, women and the children. Self-denial and mutual assistance were the rule. The labor which kept the wolf figurative from the pioneer's door failed to secure it from the attacks of the wolves that lurked in the forest. The red man was a constant menace, and there were other dangers. There was no absolute security. Even Nature, when in her unkindly moods, seemed terrific in those unbroken woods. No pioneer ever lived to forget the birth of the first child in his neighborhood; none forgot the first marriage; none but could point out, long years after it was made, the first grave, or speak except in quavering voice of that day when, under the gloomy trees, the earth first opened to receive one of their number. Perhaps it was a funeral without a clergyman; but it could not have been a funeral without a prayer. God was with them in the wilderness. As far back as 1820 a few buffaloes and elks remained in this part of the country, and bears, wolves, panthers, wild cats, deer, the smaller animals, wild turkeys, wild geese, ducks, prairie chickens and other small fowls were numerous. [p.391] The buffalo and elk have become extinct, the bears nearly so, while other animals and fowls remain in sufficient quantities in some localities to make it interesting, and sometimes profitable for hunters. Raccoon and opossums are very common now. The wild turkey and quail furnish ample sport on the wing, while squirrels and rabbits are also plentiful. In the fall and spring wild geese and ducks are abundant. Deer hunts are not uncommon, and the hunter seldom returns empty handed. The timber wolf is not unfrequently a visitor to the sheep pens. The pioneers lived to a great extept upon wild game, which was so easily obtained that rifle shots from their cabin doors brought it down, within convenient distance.

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Wild fruits in their season have abounded from the first–strawberry, blackberry and huekleberry, the wild plum of different varieties, wild grapes, a summer sort about the size of the Delaware, and equally as finely flavored, a smaller grape that ripens after the frost, then a grape called Muscatine, about as large as the Concord, usually growing singly, but sometimes in clusters, with a thick skin, and excellent for sauce when cooked. All these natural provisions the early settlers availed themselves of. It was not child's play to live in Scott County forty to sixty years ago. The pioneers were isolated to a distressing degree from civilization, and it required an unusual amount of grit, patience, perseverance and longsuffering. They were quick to lend a helping hand to each other. They educated their children under adverse circumstances. They organized schools and churches with only a small following. They built not for themselves but for those who should come after them. Year after year prospects have brightened, the country has gradually improved, and today no section of the new Southwest is developing more rapidly than Scott County. It would be difficult to find a more energetic class of business men than take the lead in this portion of the State. For their former hardships they have been repaid. They have acquired, in many instances, a liberal competency. They have brought their families up in respectability. The sons of many of these same pioneers have adorned the halls of the State and National Legislature, while others have held important positions in local and State affairs, with honor to themselves and to their constitnency. Among the earlier settlers of the county were the following: Along the Poteau and its branches–Father Hickman, Richard Edens, Zachariah Hemby, Josiah Barnett, Reuben C. Reed, William Kenner, George W. Reed, William Doyle, John Gable, Jesse A. Reed, David Reed and the father of David and the other Reeds mentioned, William Anthony, Henry Frazier, Jackson Hon, John F. McAnally, Jesse Anthony, Finis E. Anthony, John Anthony, Dennis Boultinghouse, Daniel Boultinghouse, James Boultinghouse, Thomas Crenshaw, Finis Farmer, David Yandall, Jesse Yandall, Samuel Yandall, William Yandall, Thompson Bailey, Harrison Huie, Dodson Huie, Massie McRay, William McRay. John H. Johnson. Allen Starrett, Dr. James H. Smith, James H. McCord, the Whitmeyers, Isaiah Hickman, Nathaniel Hickman, William Vails, Willian T. Dollens, Alexander Sehorn, William Sehorn, the Duprees, John Pool, Thomas Pool, Austin Bethel, James M. Bethel; on the Poteau–Henry Wolf, Tobias Wolf, Andrew J. Ross. Leonard J. Denton, Thomas Brown, Thomas M. Brown, John Brown, Frank Brown; along Ross' Creek–the Brawley family, Spencer Bates, Thompson G. Bates, Frank Bates, Sanford Bates, Zachariah Allison, Maj. Joel Denton, W. W. Denton, R. P. Denton, A. B. Denton, Cooper Hayes, Davis Tolbert, William Tucker, John Anthony, Jesse, John, Alexander, G. W., Solomon, Thomas and C. C. Jones and two James Joneses; along Brawley (later Jones') Creek–Elias Hays, Hiram Hays, Archibald Hays, Bayless E. Brasher, Allen Brasher, Henry Brasher, Jacob Brasher, John L. Summers, Vineyard Crawford, C. A. Crawford, Robert Finley, the Kendricks, Elijah Grey, David Burcham, John Barnett; along Haw Creek–William G. Featherston, Edward E. Featherston, Micajah Thompson, Dr. Sorrells, the Reed family, Landy Turman, Wiley B. Glass, Caleb Baker, Jacob C. Moles, James M. Swinney, Dr. Vance, James H. Thompson, Counsellor Bunn, Thomas Ferguson, Mills the miller, Judge Raymond, Allen Marshall, "Kern" Titsworth, John [p.392] W. Perkins, John Rawlings, James R. Baxter; in the Waldron vicinity–Joy Estep, David Jones, Silas Pinion, Milton Larimore, William Price and brother, Jasper Foster, Newton Foster and others on Black Fork; along the Fourche La Fave–John Kilburn, James Kilburn, John Stewart, Robert Richmond, Luke Harrison, Benton Jones, William Jones, L. D. Gilbreath, Bailey Allen, Beverly Allen, Michael Wilson, James Gibson, Richard Burriss, James F. Gaines, G. G. Gaines, Thomas Gaines, James Caviness, John Caviness, James Henson, Marion Henson, Lewis Henson, the Daileys, Thomas Gist, Neil Gist, Peter Whisenhunt, James Whisenhunt, James P. Blancett, John Caughran, Lewis Caughran; long the Petit Jean–James Sorrells, S. B. Sorrells, Dr. Warren Sorrells, Dr. Royston Sorrells, Stephen Graves, Thomas Graves, Michael Awalt, Thomas Baxter, Shadrach Chitwood, J. J. Tomlinson, Wiley A. Tomlinson (formerly spelled Tumlinson), James Graves, Dr. E.T. Walker, Andrew J. Tomlinson, Samuel S. French, Elisha Williams, John, Thomas and Barry Hunt, William Henley, George W. Rupe, the Cantrells, Gen. Taylor, Allen Sorrells, W. W. Sorrells, McKinney Curry, Alfred Bethel, Samuel Duncan, William Duncan, R. P. Claiborn, the Witt family, George Abbott, C. C. Lewis, John E. Carnett, George Barnard. All of these were early residents of the county. Some were the heads of families who came here, others the sons of pioneers. Their names have been given by Dr. Smith (the oldest physician in the county) and other old citizens. It is not attempted to supply all initials. The aim has been, rather, to mention these pioneer citizens in such a familiar way as to recall those who have passed away to the memory of all of the living who once knew them. In view of the fact that the earlier county records are no longer in existence, the compiler feels like congratulating his readers that his earnest efforts have been so well recorded and rewarded.

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Those of the present rising generation who are accustomed to excellent school advantages of today can hardly realize the meagerness of such opportunities in their fathers' boyhood. Even reading, writing and the merest rudiments of arithmetic were considered a luxury that the poor could not possess. So it was that many otherwise intelligent men and women grew up unable to read and write. The simply well-to-do people secured an itinerant teacher to stop in the neighborhood and hold a subscription school at some one's house for a short time. There were probably few of these before about 1840. It was in this manner that the earliest teachers began who taught in various parts of this region. This kind of schooling continued down until about the time when the public-school system was introduced. One has but to glance at these figures, giving the number of teachers employed in the State of Arkansas in successive years, to gain a fair idea of the growth of popular education in any part of the State: In 1869 there were 1,335; in 1870, 2,302; in 1871, 2,128; in 1872, 2,035; in 1873, 1,481; in 1874-75, no reports; in 1876, 461; in 1877-78, no reports; in 1879, 1,458; in 1880, 1,872; in 1881, 2,169; in 1882, 2,501; in 1883, 2,462; in 1884, 2,899; in 1885, 3,582; in 1886, 3,691; in 1887, 4,167; in 1888, 4,664. It will readily be seen that the greatest care and activity have been shown in the years of the present decade, and the most firm and permanent improvement in the last few years. Academies did not take permanent root here as they did in older and wealthier counties, and the need of education felt by fathers and mothers, who had grown up without much of any themselves, made them better prepared to receive the new system favorably than many counties that had been well supplied with advanced private schools. The progress of the public schools in the county has been constant, especially during the present decade, and has been proportionately equal to other parts of the State. The following statistics from the report of the State superintendent of public instruction for the year ending June 30, 1888, will tend to show in part how the public schools of the county are prospering: Statement of the public school fund of Scott County–Amount received: Balance on hand June 30, 1887, $2,345.26; from common school fund (State), $3,950.45; poll tax, $1,857.07; total, $8,152.78. Amount expended: For teachers' salaries, $6,093; buildings and repairing, $500; purchasing apparatus, etc., $100; treasurer's commissions, [p.393] $116.15; other purposes, $25; total, $6,834.15. Balance in county treasury unexpended: Of common school fund, $1,173.71; district fund, $144.92; total, $1,318.63. Summary of county examiner's report: Enumeration, white, 4,890; colored, 16; total, 4,906. Enrollment, white, 2,523; colored, none; total, 2,523. Number of districts, 75; number of districts reporting enrollment, 52; number of districts voting tax, 19; number of teachers employed, 47; number of school-houses, 36; value of school-houses, $4,875; number of institutes held, 1; number of teachers attending, 48. One of the best literary schools in the State is located at Waldron. The main building of the house is 34x70 feet, two stories, with vestibules. There is a wing forty feet in length on the east side of the building, which is also two stories, making four large rooms. The building is new and well furnished throughout, is well seated and has modern fixtures and apparatus. Messrs. Henderson and Goddard, the principals of the school, are trained and thorough educators. Many students come from remote parts of this county and from adjoining counties, and there is no reason to doubt that the school will grow and prosper as it has never done before, for every facility is offered here that can be obtained elsewhere for giving children either a primary or an advanced course. Board can be obtained at low rates, and the morals of the town are of an exceptional character. At Cauthron is an efficient school known as the Cauthron High School. This institution has about 200 pupils, and stands high in public esteem. Gipsonville, Boles and Park also have good schools. The following reference to early schools in Scott County is extracted from a modern newspaper: "No colleges adorned the country then, and educational facilities were meager. The young fellow who had a desire to obtain an education attended school two or three months in the winter, not unfrequently walking, morning and evening, two or three miles for that privilege. The accommodations then were not so good as now. Instead of the elaborate furniture of the present day, the boy of twenty and thirty years ago was compelled to sit on the slick side of an unusually hard bench made of a slab or fencerail rail and placed at an uncomfortable distance from the dirt-and-stick fireplace, which, with its prodigious jambs, yawned like the cavern of the infernal region; while in the corner near the teacher's desk stood the birch as straight and long as the moral law, and woe betide the youth who would dare to intrude upon the rules of the school. This mode of teaching was good enough in its time. Better and more efficient means have been adopted." H. N. Smith is county examiner of public schools.

The church and the school have gone hand in hand here as elsewhere. Early religious meetings were held by traveling preachers in the log cabins of the pioneers, and from an early day, in many localities, the same building has accommodated the school during the week, and the church people of the district on Sunday. At this time houses of worship are to be found in all parts of the county, and nearly all religious denominations common to this part of the country are represented. In some parts of the county, notably in Waldron, are expensive and sightly churches, which are being improved and beautified with each passing year. Church membership is increasing, and popular interest in Sunday-school work is extending. As the church membership gains in education, numerical strength and material wealth, its demands on the pastors are more exacting. This is evidenced in the wider learning and greater ability of the preachers of to-day than were attainable in the clergy of an early period. The church has done its share in the grand work of development and enlightenment, and it is coming to be supported with a popular liberality.

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There are in this county post-offices named as follows: Barber, Belva, Black Fork, Blansett, Blue Ball, Boles, Boothe, Brawley, Buck, Knob, Cauthron, Cedar Creek, Crow, Echo, Farmer, Fuller, Gate, Gipson, Green Ridge, Nebraska, Olio, Parks, Poteau, Tomlinson, Waldron, Winfield and Zelkirk. Being an exclusively agricultural region, the sales market of which was at Fort Smith, distant forty-eight miles, the county is notably without its proportion of cross-road towns and villages, characteristic of our American country in general. Instead, the exception [p.394] ception is in its favor that wherever the aggregation of population admitted such a step, rather than country grocery store, and evidence of a former groggery, it is apparent that the interest has concentrated upon well-built school-houses. And therefore, it is to be discovered, notwithstanding the remoteness of the county, that in general the morals and nuderstanding of its young people have been trained to excellent standards. This is true of Cauthron, Gipsonville, Boles and Park, which, without their fine schools, would only have a postal name. Cauthron is situated in the Poteau Valley, west and a little north of Waldron. In addition to several stores, a saw-mill, a blacksmith shop and a woodworking shop, it is the seat of the Cauthron High School, elsewhere referred to. Tomlinson is situated in the Petit Jean Valley, near the celebrated mountain pass of that name. Boles is situated in the Fourche Valley on the line of the proposed Missouri Pacific extension from Fort Smith to Gurdon. Park is situated in the Fourche Valley, on the line of both the Texarkana and Northern, and the proposed ‘Frisco extension through the Fourche Valley to Little Rock. Gipsonville is in the Poteau Valley, near the line of the Indian Territory. The other post-offices mentioned are located conveniently for residents of various parts of the county, but none of them are trade centers of importance, except Waldron, the seat of justice. To its excellent school facilities Waldron adds the prestige of a good country trade, maintained against the great disadvantage of long distance from markets. It is situated on the south bank of the Poteau, at a point commanding the resources of the whole valley, and at the same time commanding every feasible entrance through the monntain boundaries of the county, and is unavoidably in the line of the Missouri Pacific and Texarkana & Fort Smith extensions through this county, the preliminary survey of both having been made to this place, and considerable preparatory construction work having been done on one of them. In the midst of a fine agricultural district, commanding trade from a long distance in all directions, the town is substantially built, the business portion being of handsome brick blocks. Of the numerous stores not a stock of merchandise is carried in a frame building, and really there are no frame business bouses in the central portion of the town. The residence portion is fairly well built. Quite a number of pleasant and cozy homes adorn the town, while a good two-story school building and new church buildings add largely to its appearance of thrift and enterprise. Located 20 miles east of the line of the Indian Territory, 50 miles southeast of Fort Smith, 140 miles west of Little Rock, 95 miles northwest of Hot Springs and 150 miles north of Texarkana, in the midst of the Fourche La Fave, Petit Jean and Poteau Valley, the town is admirably well situated for railroad facilities, and will doubtless become a rail road center of no small magnitude, with two great systems–the ‘Frisco and the Missouri Pacific– pointing this way, one or both of them likely to build lines into the county at no distant day. Waldron was incorporated November 5, 1875. Its mayor is W. P. Forrester.

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Away back, years prior to the "late unpleasantness," William G. Featherston, who had, even at that early date, acquired some ability as a real-estate speculator, proposed to the proper authorities that if they would remove the seat of justice from Winfield, and locate the conrt-house on his land and build a town, he would donate for that purpose ten acres. The proposition was accepted. Owning the balance of the land around the town, it soon became necessary for him to lay out some additions, and it was not long until the new county seat began to forge ahead; but Waldron never advanced much in point of substantial improvements until the political troubles dating from about 1874 to 1879, arose. The town then consisted of wooden buildings, and most of the business houses were rough-box concerns, very unprepossessing in appearance, and almost worthless, save as temporary shelters. Some nefarious individuals, and there were many of them here at that time, conceived the idea that they could get even with their adversaries by burning out the town, which they proceeded to do. What seemed to be a calamity, at the time, proved, in the end, to be a blessing. Enterprising merchants began to erect substantial [p.395] brick buildings, and the good work has been going on until now there are twenty of them, each from 20 to 30 feet wide and from 50 to 100 feet long, and most of them two stories high. There are numerous smaller buildings, such as are found in surrounding country towns. In point of good buildings and substantial growth, there is no town between Fort Smith and Texarkana that compares with Waldron. It is universally conceded that it has more solid business men than any other town in the State with the same number of merchants doing the same volume of business. The trade coming here during the past year is estimated at $350,000, and that amount may be taken as a low figure.

The population is about 800. The religious interests of the town are watched over by several religious denominations, most of which have good church buildings. The secret societies are represented by the Masonic and I. O. O. F. orders and the G. A. R. The town and county can boast of two good newspapers. The general business interests comprise 8 general merchandise stores, 5 grocery stores, 3 drug stores, 2 millinery stores, 1 hardware store, 1 saddlery and harness shop, 1 shoe shop, 3 blacksmiths, 2 hotels, 2 livery stables, 2 grist mills and cotton-gins, 1 planing-mill, 6 doctors and several real estate agencies. Real estate in Waldron is held at fair prices, business lots ranging at from $300 to $500, residence lots from $50 to $100.

The cotton shipment each year amounts to 8,000 or 10,000 bales, and with a railroad the amount would be more than doubled, while the shipment of stock, grain and lumber would increase the tonnage immeasurably. In the matter of merchandise, there is quite a quarter of a million of dollars worth of goods, at the present rate of cartage, brought to the town by its numerous merchants. The development of the coal and mineral deposits, and the opening up of the vast pineries and hardwood districts, and the location of saw-mills, offer more than usual inducements to railroad companies to build into Waldron's rich tributary country. Here all the social and financial elements of successful and enlivening citizenship find a common center and hearty support. Surrounded by a fine farming and fruitgrowing region, with a belt of timber on the south of great commercial value, and located in one of the best coal regions known to the South, Waldron possesses in a large degree those elements of prosperity which attract capital and manufacturing and commercial industry. Aside from the promises that have risen in the probability of the town's becoming an important railroad junction, and with its timber resources the site of mills and wagon factories, it is to be seen that the place is not to remain stationary once the railroad passes the barrier of Potean Monntain. The men who are here have the will, energy and money to give their town and county an upward impetus, and if in a year's time after the introduction of railroad communication, Waldron is not one of the best known and wide-awake towns in the State, it will have followed from nothing left undone, wherein good business sense and well directed energy can prevail.

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As has been intimated, there are as yet no railroads in the county, but the Jenson and Mansfield branch of the ‘Frisco department of the Santa Fe system, reaches to Mansfield, in Sebastian County, near the Scott County line, and there is daily stage connection between Mansfield and Waldron. An extension of this line is projected from Mansfield to Little Rock, via Waldron. The line of the proposed Choctaw Railroad (now called the "Kali Ali") is surveyed along the entire length of the county from east to west, partially through the Fourche La Fave Valley. This railroad, now under construction from McAllister, Ind. T., to Little Rock via Waldron, has been completed and is in operation to a point forty miles west of the latter place. The Missouri Pacific Company has a line in operation from Fort Smith to Greenwood, in Sebastian County, a few miles north of the Scott County boundary. The aim is to extend this road via Tomlinson, Waldron and Buck Knob to Gurdon, in Clark County, there to form a connection with the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad and lines south from that point which are built or to be built, and considerable work has [p.396] been done on the road-bed. Other railway projects not so well defined as these are talked of, and it would seem that the time is not far in the future when Scott County will be traversed by a sufficient number of railways to fully develop its resources, and Waldron will be a railroad center of no mean importance, while other thriving towns will grow up within the county limits.

The oldest paper in Scott County is the Waldron Reporter, edited and published by M. M. Beavers, who in his issue of October 3, 1890, gave the following account of the enterprise: "The Reporter closes its eleventh volume with this issue. It has been here eleven years and hopes to remain. The paper was established in 1879 by Mr. S. H. Farley, who continued with it as proprietor until November, 1883, when he disposed of his interest to the present proprietor and J. M. Harvey. Judge Harvey retired a few months afterward. The present management has had control for seven years past, and has been in precarious situations more than once. To offset these adverse conditions, however, the paper has at other times been prosperous. We have endeavored to assist in building up the material prosperity of Scott County, and to advocate Democratic doctrine. Believing as we do that the hope of the country is the Democratic party, we shall continue to advocate its teachings, and to urge the people to vote for the men named by the party organizations for the different offices. It is only through organized effort that good results can be accomplished in a political campaign. People who go outside of primaries and conventions to vote for fficers are either knaves or imbeciles. The Reporter has made a good many friends during its career, and some enemies. Its friends, and particularly those who pay up, will, we hope, have a pleasant journey through life, and a rich reward in heaven. Its enemies should repent while they are still on praying ground." The Reporter is a seven-column, four-page sheet.

The Scott County Citizen was first issued October 24, 1887, with P. C. Stone as editor and proprietor. It announced itself as Republican in politics, and set forth some of its aims thus: "To cooperate with the various interests of the people throughout the country by trying to develop the country's valuable resources by means of advocating internal improvements and encouraging all branches of agricultural, commercial, manufacturing and other industrial pursuits, whereby our forests of most excellent timber, extensive coal beds, and the untold wealth of other resources which have so long lain dormant and unproductive among us, will be utilized and yield a large profit to the owners." September 28, 1888, A. G. Leming became editor, and Mr. Stone business manager of the Citizen. February 28, 1890, the paper was sold to M. Keener & Co., Mr. Leming retaining an interest and editorial charge. The Citizen is a four-column, eight-page paper. These journals have done their part toward the work of general development. They are both well edited and exceptionally bright and able local newspapers. Previous attempts to establisb papers in Scott County were not permanently successful.

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The period of the Civil War is ofter referred to as "a time that tried men's souls." If it was trying to the people of the North and still more so to portions of the South remote from the scenes of conflict, it was still more intensely and peculiarly so to the people of the border States; and Arkansas, especially this part of Arkansas, was in such a state of anarchy and constant danger as was no other part of the country in which great battles were not fought; and even in such localities the cloudy trouble came, poured out its wrath and passed away, while here, during the four years of the war, and for years afterward, the sun did not rise on a household untroubled with apprehension as to what the day would bring forth, nor set upon a home over which the night did not cast shadows of vague and awful terror. To many, the period of "reconstruction" was more terrible than that of the actual war. It was not the wish of a majority of the volers of Scott County to disrupt the union of the States. The people at first voted against secession and sent Union delegates to represent them in the State convention held to consider Federal relations. The history of the issue of those deliberations and of what followed is well known. [p.397] Even later it was not so much a question of one portion of the nation against another, as of the defense of home and family, and the sacred claims of nativity and friendship. When the war was begun the people of Scott County, with few exceptions, naturally sympathized with the Southern cause, and a large percentage of the male population joined the Confederate Army, though it was as State troops that they, many of them, enlisted and saw their first service. There were, first and last, several companies raised in this county. The earliest in the field was that of captain, afterward known familiarly as Maj. George W. Featherston, which disbanded after the battle of Oak Hill, though Maj. Featherston was later in the service, as will be seen. Another of the Scott County commanders was Capt. William Gibson, later Maj. Gibson. No regular engagement between the contending forces took place within the county, but it was overrun to some extent by scouting parties, guerrillas andmarauders, and a considerable amount of property was destroyed or carried away, and a few individuals were killed. In October, 1863, Maj. Featherston and Capt. Isaac Bagwell were in command of a small guard at Waldron, which was surprised and captured by a larger Federal force. Maj. Featherston was shot down, so seriously wounded as to keep him long thereafter under medical treatment. From that time until February, 1864, the Federals kept a garrison at Waldron, consisting in part at least, of portions of Col. James Johnson's First Arkansas Infantry, and of Col. Cloud's regiment, under command of Lieut.-Col. Owen A. Bassett. At times the post was commanded by Lieut.-Col. Searl, of Johnson's regiment. The Federal headquarters during most, if not all, of this period of occupation, was at the residence of William G. Featherston. The Unionists abandoned the post at the date last mentioned, putting the torch to every house in town but the Featherston residence just referred to, and the residence of Dr. Elijah Leming; and these two buildings thus spared were burned later by ushwhackers, on account of the alleged Union sympathies of their owners. Near the close of the war, and after the territory fell into the Union lines, some troops were raised in it for the Federal Army. It is said that some of these were deserters from the Confederate Army, and some returned Union refugees. They, for the most part, united with the Second Kansas Cavalry, the Sixth Iowa Infantry and the Fourth Arkansas Regiment, which was afterward merged into the Second. When asked about the reconstruction period, one old and bonored citizen of the county replied: "It was harder than the war." Yet, while some lives were sacrificed, the people of Scott County did not suffer during those years as did the people of some other parts of the State.

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The war is with the past, and so, too, have passed away the unsetted conditions succeeding it. Men of southern birth and proclivities dwell here, side by side, in mutual friendship and mutual helpfulness, with men of northern birth and proclivities. There is no question now of section against section. There is nothing political for neighbors to seriously disagree about, and if there were the people of Scott County are too intent upon their home interests and upon the work of general development, to give it a moment's unfriendly consideration. Much space has been given to consideration of this county's mineral and railway possibilities and promise. That they are flattering, can not be doubted. But if never a pound of coal should be mined–if never a rod of rail should be laid–this would yet be a land of promise and a land of plenty. If there is any part of God's footstool and man's workshop where soils, seasons, grains, grasses, fruits, vegetables, plants,–everything–are under tribute to the provident and thrifty and enterprising farmer, it is in Scott County, between its green mountain ranges. Genial skies are overhead, generous soils are under foot; clear swift sunny waters flow down the valleys, sparkling fountains feed the brooklets; prairie and woodland, interval and valley are decked with the richest herbage; wild fruits grow in profusion in the woods and by the way-side; a soft blue haze–the dreamy influence of the semi-tropics–hallows this golden and glorious land from January to December, and it is "God's country," for His beneficent smile is on everything from the water-lines to the crown of the highest hills. [p.398] Class prejudices and sectional feeling have long been eliminated. A brave, cordial, genial, hospitable and generous mixed people are here to give genuine western welcome to all worthy new-comers. They never ask after your antecedents here, but measure you, if you are á new comer, by what you are and what you can do. The hospitality of this people, is as strong as brave, and magnanimous men and gentle women can cultivate; as warm and genial as the climate, and as broad as the boundless southwest. They are lovers of law and order, and lovers of fair play, have profound reverence for woman and home, and take care of their personal credit as if it were their only stock in trade.

Carr Allen, a native of Montgomery County, Ark., and now a resident of Park Township, Scott County, this State, is one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of the same. His opportunities for an education were poor, and when seventeen years of age he entered the army, serving nine months. At the cessation of hostilities he returned home and rented land for one year. He then homesteaded a tract, and made many improvements on the same, but later sold out and bought where he now resides. This was in 1873. He is now the owner of 390 acres of excellent bottom land, and has 100 acres under cultivation. His house, barns, outbuildings, etc., indicate that an experienced hand is at the head of everything, and that he has been successful is self-evident. He raises annually good crops of corn and cotton, and is prosperous and happy. He was born on October 5, 1849, and was married in March, 1863, to Miss Mary Berry, a native of this county. The fruits of this union were seven children–two daughters and five sons. The eldest son and also the eldest daughter are married, and reside near the parents. Mr. Allen is a member of the Farmers Alliance, and he and wife are worthy members of the Free. Will Baptist Church, of which he is deacon.

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William Arrington, farmer, Cedar Creek, Ark. William Arrington is the son of Charles and Narcissa Ann Arrington, and was born in Cherokee County, Ala., on March 12, 1835. The father was a farmer, and owned considerable land in Cherokee County. The mother died in 1840, and the father received his final summons when our subject was fifteen years of age. The latter's opportunities for an education were limited, and after his father's death he hired out to work on a farm, which occupation he continued until the opening of the war. In 1857 he went to Montgomery County, Ark., and there in September, 1861, he was married to Miss Jane Salliers, who died but little over a year afterward, childless. Mr. Arrington enlisted in Company A, Tappan's regiment of Arkansas Infantry, and was in service four years. During the most of this time he was wagon-master, and had charge of the transportation train. In 1866 he was married to Mrs. Jane Lawrence, widow of Joseph P. Lawrence, who was killed in the battle of Franklin, Tenn. Mrs. Arrington's maiden name was Miss Jane Morgan, daughter of Thomas P. and Fanny Morgan, of South Carolina. Soon after marriage Mr. Arrington moved from Montgomery County, where he had lived since the war, to this county, and in 1871 he homesteaded the place where he now lives, buying out the claims of others until be had 240 acres. When he first came here he had, in money and stock, about $500. He began improving the place by erecting a good hewn-log house, cleared and fenced the land, and from that time to this he and family have never been off the place but one year, and then for the purpose of giving the children better opportunities for an education. Mr. Arrington, now has 100 acres under cultivation, a good, comfortable house, 34x46 feet, substantial stables, and all his land fenced. His principal crops are oats, corn, cotton and potatoes. His crops are good, oats yielding about fifty bushels to the acre, and cotton is yielding three-fourths of a bale to the acre this year (1890), although he has cotton that yields more than a bale to the acre. He is the owner of some fine timber, consisting of oak, pine, elm, ash and walnut. His land lies along Cedar Creek, and is very fertile. Mr. Arrington is quite extensively engaged in the raising [p.399] of stock, having some fine cattle and hogs, as well as horses and mules. He has five living children–four sons and one daughter: Narcissa Ann, James A., William R., Charles and Thomas P. James is married and lives in the western part of the county. His wife, Margaret, is the daughter of John and Nancy Jane. Robertson, of Cauthron, this county, and his union was blessed by two children, a girl, named Zella Ann, and a son, John William. Mr. Arrington and family are devout church members, and take an active part in the promotion of church and school interests. Mr. Arrington is a self-made man in every sense of the word, and has never had any help from outside sources. He is a Democrat in politics.

Philip J. Bird is a farmer, blacksmith and woodworkman, of Hickman Township, and was born in Blount County, of East Tennessee, in 1842, being a son of John and Elizabeth (Shields) Bird, who were born in East Tennessee in 1818 and 1826, respectively, their marriage ceremony having been celebrated in that State also. About 1846 they moved to Northern Georgia, but Mrs. Bird died soon after, and Mr. Bird was married again, and spent the rest of his life in that State, his death occurring in 1882, at which time he was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a well-to-do farmer by occupation. His father, Jacob Bird, was of Irish descent, and a farmer of Northern Georgia. Robert Shields, the maternal grand-father of the subject of this sketch, devoted his attention to blacksmithing throughout life, was a soldier in the War of 1812, being with Jackson at New Orleans, was also of Irish lineage, and spent his declining years in the State of Georgia. Philip J. Bird is one of four children born to his parents, and as he was compelled to labor hard in his youth he received only about three months' schooling in all. In June, 1861, he joined Company C, Fourth Georgia Battalion, afterward the Sixtieth Georgia Infantry, Army of Virginia, and was with Stonewall Jackson in nearly all the leading engagements in which that army participated, besides many others. At the expiration of his first enlistment he joined the navy, with which he served until the close of the war, or nearly one year. A few days before Lee surrendered, he was captured at Drury's Bluff, was paroled at Washington City and returned home. He was married in 1865 to Martha Ann, the daughter of John and Jane (Ellington) Smith, they being born in Virginia, and moving first to North Carolina, and later to Georgia, where Mr. Smith died, his widow crossing the river of Death in Scott County Ark. Mrs. Bird was born in the Old North State, and has borne her husband four children. In 1870 Mr. Bird came to Scott County, and for nineteen years has been a prosperous farmer of this region. He first settled in the woods, but now has 70 of his 120-acre farm cleared. Although the greater part of his life has been given to farming, he has also been engaged in blacksmithing for the past six years. He belongs to Waldron Lodge No. 132, of the A. F. & A. M., and he and his entire family are Methodists.

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Samuel C. Brown is a merchant and postmaster at Blansett, Scott County, Ark., but was born in Blount County, Tenn., October 4, 1837, a son of Benjamin and Martha (Cusick) Brown, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Tennessee. The father was taken to Tennessee by his parents when a boy, and in that State he attained manhood and was married, making his home there until he moved to Walker County, Ga., in 1860. After a residence of nine years in that State he came to Scott County, Ark., and here he passed to his long home in August, 1889, when in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was an honest tiller of the soil and was a man who had the confidence of all who knew him. His first wife, the mother of Samuel C., died in Tennessee in 1854, after which he married Elizabeth Holcomb, who died in this State and county. He was a member and officer of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years and at all times was an earnest Christian. In his political views he was a stanch Democrat. Samuel C. Brown was the third of ten children, five now living, and his youth was spent and his schooling received in Sevier County, Tenn. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then began teaching school and farmed until the war broke out. In October, 1862, he [p.400] joined Company K, Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, with which he served eighteen months, being then transferred to the First Tennessee Cavalry, his company acting as escort to Gen. —. He was taken prisoner at Knoxville, Tenn., after entering the Federal lines under a flag of truce, and was refained at that place until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Resacca and in the Georgia campaign around Atlanta. At the close of the war he turned his attention to farming in Blount County, Tenn., but in 1866 went to Walker County, Ga., where he made his home until 1869, then came to Scott County, Ark., and here in connection with farming followed the occupation of teaching until 1877. He then began selling dry goods in Waldron, Henry Coker being his business partner. In 1881 Mr. Brown came to Blansett and opened a general store, which he has since successfully conducted. In 1883 he was appointed postmaster of the town and is still holding the office. He commenced operating a saw-mill and cotton-gin in 1888; and in both has done well. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and socially belongs to Blansett Lodge No. 469, of the A. F. & A. M., and politically is a Democrat.

Judge Roland Chiles, Owing to the fertility of the soil of Scott County, Ark., and by energy, industry and economy Mr. Chiles has become one of the well-to-do farmers of this section. He was born in Tennessee in 1827, the youngest in a family of nine children born to his parents, Paul and Lucinda (Kersey) Chiles, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Roland Chiles, was born in England and came to America during colonial times, making his home in Virginia and afterward participating in the Revolutionary War. He afterward became a pioneer of East Tennessee and in that State passed from life. The maternal grandfather, Thomas Kersey, was born in Ireland and also came to America prior to the Revolution, in which he was a soldier, but made his home in South Carolina, afterward moving to Tennessee, where he died. Paul Chiles was an agriculturist and spent his life in Tennessee, dying in the western part of the State in 1883 at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, his wife having been called to her long home in 1867. On the old homestead in Tennessee Roland Chiles grew to manhood, learning the details of farm work of his father. He was married in West Tennessee in 1852 to Miss Margaret M. Blair, a native of South Carolina, but reared in Tennessee, and in time a family of five children gathered about their hearthstone: James P., John H., Frances E. (wife of Frank Holland), Maud Della and Hayward L. In 1863 Mr. Chiles joined the Confederate Army, and after taking part in the battle of Oxford Miss., he left the army on account of physical disability and once more turned his attention to farming in Tennessee, in which State he remained until 1871, when he came to Arkansas, purchasing 240 acres of good farming land near Waldron and entering 120 acres more. He set energetically to work to improve his land, and now has 125 acres under cultivation, the most of which had to be cleared from timber. He ran a sawmill for some years and besides his home farm has enough land to make him 500 acres. In 1886 he purchased nine acres in the town of Waldron, on which he has erected a residence and in which he has since resided. In 1884 he was elected county judge, and during his term in office reduced the county debt about $14,000. Although a Whig before the War he is now a Democrat in politics, and socially belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. In 1874 he moved to Fayetteville to give his eldest three children the advantages of the schools of that place, and there resided for two years.

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James P. Chiles. No name is more properly placed in the history of Scott County than that of Mr. Chiles, who is not only one of the most enterprising farmers of this section, but is of such a social, genial nature that he has made many friends. He was born in Tennessee to Roland and Margaret N. (Blair) Chiles, for a history of whom see sketch of Roland Chiles. Until he attained his fifteenth year James P. was a resident of his native State, but since 1870 he has been a resident of Arkansas, and was given a good education in [p.401] the University of the State, at Fayetteville. On July 3, 1887, he was married to Miss Emma Roland, a native of Scott County, and a daughter of Elijah Roland, who was one of the early settlers of this State. In 1884 he purchased his present farm of 315 acres, and by hard work has put fifty acres under cultivation, the rest being covered with timber of an excellent and valuable quality. In October, 1886, he bought his present cotton-gin, grist and saw-mill, all of which he is operating with success, his saw-mill averaging about 5,000 feet of lumber per day. Besides this property he is the owner of a good dwelling-house and three tenement houses, and in addition to his other duties he is somewhat interested in stock-raising and speculating, in fact, is wide-awake and enterprising in all matters pertaining to his calling. He and his family are members of the Christian Church; he purchased all the materials for erecting a church and school-house, deeding the property for the site. He has at all times tried to further the cause of education, and for years has faithfully discharged the duties of school director of his district. He is a warm Republican in politics, and is an active worker in that party.

Thomas C. Climer, farmer, Cedar Creek, Ark. Mr. Climer is a successful young farmer of Scott County, Ark., and it is not to be wondered at, perhaps, that he should devote himself to agricultural pursuits, for, in looking back over the career of his ancestors, we find that the majority of them were honest tillers of the soil. He is a native of Maury County, Tenn., born February 14, 1851, and his youth was spent in that State, where his early scholastic advantages were also enjoyed. He began for himself as a farmer at the age of eighteen years, rented land for several years in Tennessee, and in 1880 moved to Arkansas, settling near Waldron in this county. There he remained for two years on a farm of 120 acres, which he had bought and he then sold this, moving to his present residence in Cedar Creek Township. He now has 160 acres of good land, sixty-five acres under cultivation, has a good frame house, farm under fence and has a good orchard (apple and peach). His crops are oats, corn and cotton, of which he annually has a good yield, and he also takes considerable interest in stock-raising, being the owner of some fine cattle. He has gained what he has through his own exertions, and is counted a "hustler" by his acquaintances. He has raised cotton that would yield a bale to the acre. Mr. Climer was married in 1869 to Miss Josie Black, of Tennessee, and they have four children, all boys, who are named as follows: William M., Hannibal B., Joseph W. and Samuel. All are at home with their parents. Mr. Climer is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and is treasurer of the same. He is strictly Democratic in his political views.

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John Crutchfield is a farmer of Scott County, Ark., and as a man and citizen is highly respected by all who know him. He was born in Orange County, N. C., about 1835, to Henry and Polly (O'Daniel) Crutchfield, they being also born in North Carolina, in which State the mother died, Mr. Crutchfield afterward marrying a Mrs. Walker, and with her removing to Tennessee, his death occurring in Franklin County since the Rebellion. He was a blacksmith and farmer, and was an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His father, William Crutchfield, died in North Carolina, the mother's father, John O'Daniel, also dying there, a farmer. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was the sixth of eight children, and was reared on a farm, receiving but little schooling. At the age of nineteen years he was married to Mary, daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth T. Tripp, of North Carolina, where Mrs. Crutchfield was born in 1860. She and her husband removed to Lincoln County, Tenn., two years after to Franklin County, and in 1871 came to Scott County, Ark., settling on their present farm, which was then heavily covered with timber. His estate comprises 300 acres of land, of which 150 acres are cleared, which

desirable state of affairs has been brought about by his own efforts. His land is the best in his eighborhood, which fact is in a great measure owing to the time and work he has expeuded on it. In 1867 he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, and the following year he was united in marriage to Mrs. Jane Amick, whose native birthplace is the State of Tennessee, she [p.402] being a daughter of Caleb and Sophronia Call, the former of whom was born in North Carolina, and the latter in Tennessee. Mr. Call went to Tennessee when a boy, where he lived many years, then came to Scott County, where he spent his declining years. His father, Daniel Call, was born in North Carolina, and died in Tennessee. Mrs. Crutchfield was born in Coffee County, Tenn., in 1842, and was married in that county to A. J. Amick, who died while serving in the Confederate Army during the Rebellion. Mr. Crutchfield had five children by his first wife, one son and two daughters living, his last wife also bearing him five children of whom two sons and one daughter survive.

R. P. Dickens is a gentleman of substantial worth, residing in Scott County, Ark., and all his farming operations have been carried on according to the most advanced and progressive ideas, and have resulted to his own good, and to the benefit of those with whom he has come in contact. He was born in Tennessee May 7, 1839, and, at the age of eight years came to Arkansas with his parents, Richard and Mary Jane, Dickens, and having been brought up to a farm life, he determined to make that his calling through life, and accordingly, at the age of twenty-one years, purchased some land in Faulkner County, of this State, and began immediately to put it in good farming condition. After remaining on this farm for twenty years, he sold it and came to Scott County, Ark., purchasing his present farm of 140 acres, 85 acres of which are in a good state of cultivation, and nicely improved with good farm buildings of all kinds. Although his orchard is small, his trees are well selected, and bear well. His land yields an average amount of cotton, corn and oats, and in 1889 he established the first and only tannery in the western part of the State, which he has worked very successfully, finding a ready sale for all the leather he can produce. His intention is to enlarge the business at no distant day, and then will give the greater part of his attention to that work. He was married at the age of twenty-three years, but after a wedded life of seven years his wife died, leaving him with four children, the eldest three of whom are married. He was again married, but his second wife lived only about fifteen months, and he next espoused Miss Mary Douglas, their union resulting in the birth of three children. The family attend the Christian Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Dickens are members, and he is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the A. F. & A. M. fraternities. Mr. Dickens keeps fully apace with the progress of agriculture, and his place is one of the neat, comfortable homesteads for which this county is famous.

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H. W. Dixon. Prominent among the many esteemed and respected farmers and cotton-ginners of Scott County, Ark., stands the name of Mr. Dixon, who was born in Polk County of this State, in 1841, being a son of William H. and Middie (Short) Dixon, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Mississippi. They were married in the latter State about 1835, but removed from there to Polk County, Ark., in 1837, and here reared their children: Nancy E. (wife of Joseph B. Dixon), James G. (deceased), H. W., Priscilla (wife of G. W. Fry), Edward N. (deceased), Susan A. (wife of John McLaughlin), Mary J. (wife of J. W. Harper, deceased), Sophie E. (wife of A. P. Walker), and George R. The mother of these children died in Polk County, in 1859, after which Mr. Dixon was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Lackey. He then removed to Scott County, Ark., where he passed from life in December, 1887, a worthy Christian gentleman and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was deputy sheriff of Polk County for four years, and otherwise took an interest in the welfare of this section. H. W. Dixon, enlisted in the United States Army, September 1, 1862, becoming a member of Company I, First Arkansas Cavalry, and was in the fight at Springfield, Mo., and at Fayetteville, Ark. He served throughout the remainder of the war and was discharged at Fayetteville, Ark., in 1865, after which he returned home and engaged in farming. He was married in 1870, to Miss Amanda Landon, a daughter of Allen and Nancy (Roberts) Landon. Seven children have blessed their union: Charles H., Cora B., Alberta, Atella, Nancy Lula, James B. and an infant that [p.403] died unnamed. Mr. Dixon has been industrious and enterprising and as a result, has a fine farm of 540 acres, of which 250 are under cultivation, devoted principally to the culture of corn and cotton. His cotton-gin has a capacity of nine bales per day, and has been in running order for the past twenty years. Mr. Dixon is a member of the G. A. R., and at one time was captain of a company of Home Guards. He has resided in Scott County for the past twenty-three years, and is one of the most highly esteemed residents of this section. He has been successful in his business venttures and gives liberally, at all times, to enterprises which he considers worthy.

Thomas F. Dollens. Few farmers and stockraisers of Hickman Township have been more universally successful than the subject of this sketch, who was born in Audrian County, Mo., in 1837, being a son of William T. and Mary Ann Dollens, the former born in Albemarle County, Va., in 1808, and the latter near Crab Orchard, Ky., in 1813, their marriage being celebrated in the last named State, from which they removed to Missouri about 1832, in 1846 to Texas, and in 1848 to Scott County, Ark., locating on a farm about four and one-half miles southwest of Waldron, where both passed from life, the father dying in December, 1856, and the mother in 1880. They were among the pioneers of this section and became well to do in worldly goods. At the time of Mr. Dollens' death he was filling the office of county surveyor, a position he had held four years. His father, Richard Dollens, was a Virginian who moved to Kentucky, then to Missouri, and passed to his long home in Audrian County, having been a faithful soldier in the Revolutionary War, entering the colonial service at the age of eighteen. He was a farmer and of English descent. The subject of this sketch is the second of three sons and three daughters, he and two sisters being the only surviving members of the family. Thomas F. received little schooling, but was thoroughly drilled in the details of farm work. Since about eleven years of age he has resided in Scott County, Ark., and from here, on May 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, First Arkansas Cavalry, Confederate States Army. He was soon after taken sick, but upon recovering he joined another command and operated in Arkansas and Missouri, taking part in a number of skirmishes. He was married in 1869 to Miss Tabitha Ellen, daughter of Bayliss B. and Nancy Brashear, who came to Scott County, Ark., from Alabama, at an early day, Mr. Brashear dying here some years ago, his widow surviving him, a resident of Sebastian County. Mrs. Dollens was born in Alabama, and has become the mother of nine children. Mr. Dollens has resided on his present farm since before the war, and is now the owner of 640 acres of land, about 200 of which are cleared. He was justice of the peace for some years, is a member of Waldron Lodge No. 132 of the A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Farmers' Alliance.

Thomas M. Duncan, the circuit clerk of Scott County, Ark., is a gentleman of wide experience, who has been actively interested in politics from his youth up. He was born at Fort Smith, Ark., in 1864, being the eldest of five children born to Samuel K. and Isabella (Gilbreath) Duncan, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in Arkansas. During the Rebellion Samuel K. Duncan came to Arkansas and located at Fort Smith, but after a very short residence there, came to Scott County, and has since been a resident of Waldron, near which place he has been engaged in wagon-making. Thomas M. Duncan was reared in this county and until he was fifteen years of age he was a regular attendant at school. At that age he entered the office of the circuit court clerk, and until 1887, served as deputy, being then appointed by the Governor to fill the office left vacant by the death of Clerk J. C. Gilbreath. At the special election he was elected to the position, re-electedin the fall of 1888, and again in 1890, which fact speaks louder than words can do as to his ability as an official. He is a consistent Democrat, has always been an active worker for that party, and has always been deeply interested in the current issues of the day. Socially he belongs to Waldron Lodge No. 132 of the A. F. & A. M. He is bound to rise in the world, for he is industrious, intellectual and honest, and of strictly moral habits.

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[p.404] Charles A. Finley is a merchant of the town of Waldron, Ark., being a member of the firm of Finley & Hendricks, and by birth is a Tennesseean, born in Carroll County, in 1865, to Smith P. and Minerva (Bennett) Finley, they being also Tennesseeans, the father being a farmer and mechanic by occupation. They were married in their native State, and to their union eight children were born, seven of whom are now living: Mattie (wife of J. B. Thomas), C. A. (the subject of this sketch), John W., Sindey W., Ada (wife of T. B. Dinwiddie), Robert A., Norma G., Dollie, and one that died unnamed. The father and mother of these children are still living, in Tennessee, and both are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the former being a member of the Masonic order of Macedonia. Charles A. Finley came to Arkansas in 1886, and settled in Crawford County, where he was engaged in the dry goods business until January 1887, but moved the same year to Fort Smith. After traveling for Dyke Bros, until June, 1889, he became a salesman for the Holmes Dry Goods Company, acting as their traveling salesman a part of the time, about nine months out of the year being spent as salesman in their store. He has been a resident of Waldron, and soon after coming here formed a partnership with a Mr. Hendricks, and here has since been in the grocery business, and is, deservedly, doing well. He is an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and, socially, belongs to the K. of P. He is a young man of exemplary habits, and as he is industrious and pushing, he is bound to make his mark in the world.

Hon. Lorenzo D. Gilbreath. No name is justly entitled to a more enviable place in the history of Scott County, Ark., than the one which heads this sketch, for it is borne by a man who has been usefully and honorably identified with the interests of this county, and with its advancement in every worthy particular. He owes his nativity to Johnson County, Ark., where he was born on October 30, 1827, being the eighth of twelve children born to Hugh and Rachel (McKinzie) Gilbreath, both of whom were born in Illinois, and came to Arkansas about 1825, locating on a large tract of land in Johnson County, where the father died after about twenty years. He was a large land owner, made many improvements on his property, but a short time prior to his death he moved across Spadra Creek and there on a farm, passed from life. The subject of this sketch was reared to a farm life, but received but few educational advantages in his youth. In 1848 he was married to Miss Catherine James, a native of Arkansas, and daughter of Joseph James, a pioneer of this region from Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Gilbreath moved to the Fourche River in Scott County, and entered 120 acres of land on which he lived for eight years, making, in the meantime, many valuable improvements. After serving as justice of the peace for some time he was, in 1858, elected county clerk and moved to Waldron to take charge of the office, being continuously re-elected there-****after until 1874, when he resigned. During the war he took the county books and record to Sedalia, Mo., for safety, returning after the war and serving until the above mentioned date. He was nominated by acclamation by both parties for representative, was elected in the fall of 1873 and served with faithfulness and ability for two sessions. He has served with distinction in other capacities, but for some time has been living in retirement. In 1873 he was admitted to the Polk County bar, while on a visit to that county, and was actively engaged in the practice of law for many years, but is now doing only a small business in the probate court of the county. After his return from the Legislature in 1874 he was elected attorney of Scott County, and during his four years' service in this capacity he was instrumental in the advancement of the value of county scrip. In 1887 he erected a pleasant cottage, three-quarters of a mile south of Waldron, it being on a valuable tract of land comprising 1,000 acres of which he is the owner. In 1884 he joined the Church of Christ, and soon after began preaching in that church. In 1888 he erected a church in Waldron, at a cost of $1,000, and paid $110 for a good bell. He has always been a progressive, public-spirited citizen, and would give life to any community in which he might settle. In addition to the other responsible offices he has filled, he was elected mayor of Waldron in 1885, being the first one of the place.

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[p.405] J. M. Glass is a thoroughly posted and intelligent man on public matters, and as a tiller of the soil is progressive and enterprising. He is a Georgian, born on February 3, 1827, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Bearden) Glass, they being also born in that State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and to his union with Miss Bearden, whom he married in Clark County, Ga., seven children were born, four of which family are now living: Thomas N., C. C., W. J. and J. M.; Dicey A., Jane and an infant are deceased. Both parents died in Georgia, members of the Christian Church, the birth of the former occurring in 1795, and the latter in 1810. In the State of Georgia, J. M. Glass was married in 1847 to Miss Lucy A. Rucker, who was born in Wilkes County, Ga., in 1828, and of a family of five sons and seven daughters born to them, nine children are still living: C., J. M., William N., Almeda V. (wife of James Fleming), Louisa (wife of A. B. Black), Narcissa (wife of Pierce Jones), Lon E. (wife of L. King), Millie and B. L. J. M. Glass emigrated with his family from Georgia to the State of Arkansas in 1870, and settled in Sebastian County, where he lived some eighteen months, after which he came to Scott County, where he is now residing. He has been successful in his operations, and is the owner of 400 acres of fine land, of which 150 acres are under cultivation. On this land is a good horse-power cotton-gin, which has a capacity of three bales per day. Mr. Glass is a worthy and upright citizen, and his wife is an earnest and consistent member of the Christian Church. Mr. Glass formerly owned what was called Glass' Mills, consisting of water, merchant and saw mills on the Chickamauga River, where the famous battle was fought. He owned 326 acres of land on that river, and this is being surveyed and will lie in the United States Park, now being established on the Chickamauga battle-field.

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Prof. Samuel F. Goddard of Scott County, Ark., is a son of C. E. and N. T. (Smedley) Goddard, both of whom were born in this State, the former being reared in Washington County on a farm. At the age of eighteen years he went to California and after remaining in that State for several years he returned to Arkansas, and settled in Sebastian County. His wife was a daughter of Joseph R. Smedley, a native of England, who was sent as a missionary to this county by the Missionary Baptist Church, his fiold of labor being principally in the Indian Territory. The immediate subject of this sketch is the second son in a family of eight children born to his parents, and although his opportunities for acquiring an education, up to the age of eighteen years, were very limited, he, at that time entered a very good school at Hartford, in which he took an academic course. He supplemented this by an attendance at Buckner College, where he remained for three years, at the end of which time he started out for himself as a schoolteacher, to which calling he has since given his attention. He became an instructor in the graded school of Waldron in September, 1890, with the end in view of bringing the school to a higher state of perfection, and preparing the students for college work, and has, in conjunction with Prof. Henderson, established a normal class, which he hopes will be well patronized, and profitable to the school and an honor to the county. He was born in Sebastian County, Ark., September 23, 1864, and was married October 8, 1890, to Miss Johnnie Tankersley, a daughter of Dr. O. D. and M. E. Tankersley, of Clarksville, Johnson County, Ark. She was given the advantages of the Clarksville school, and is a well-educated lady. She has three sisters, one of whom is the wife of Dr. C. E. Frost, of Salem, Ark., the other two being at home attending school. Her father has been a practicing physician for many years, but is now retired. Mr. Goddard met his wife while taking a three years' course in Hendricks College, at Atlus, which is one of the leading educational institutions of the State. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which they have been members since they were fifteen and twelve years of age respeotively. Mr. Goddard is a licensed minister of the church, and socially is a member of Mausfield Lodge of the A. F. & A. M. He [p.406] is highly esteemed by the people of Waldron and vicinity, and has the reputation of being one of the leading educators of the western part of the State.

Hon. James P. Hall is one of the well-known farmers of this region, in connection with which work he operates a good cotton-gin, of which he is the owner. He was born in Tennessee on November 11, 1839, a son of Alex F. and Sarah S. (Foster) Hall, who were also born in Tennessee. Although his opportunities for acquiring an education were poor, James P., by self-application, became a well-informed young man and in the conduct and management of his farm has always shown the best of judgment. After starting out in life for himself at the age of eighteen years, he worked for wages for four years, then enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, and for four years served in the Confederate Army. He took an active part in the battles of Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap, Chickamauga, the campaign through Georgia, Jonesboro and at Pulaski, Tenn., where he was taken prisoner and finally discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio in May, 1865. He then returned to his home in Arkansas, where he moved in 1859, and during a short residence in Booneville, Logan County, Ark., he was engaged in the mercantile business. At the end of five years he sold out and moved to this township, where he engaged in farming, $200 in debt, as his business venture in Booneville had proven a failure. He began improving the land, for which he went in debt, and now has an excellent tract of land comprising 300 acres, on which is a good house and barn, an excellent cotton-gin, considerable stock and a good orchard. He and his wife, whom he married in February, 1867, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward and trustee. His wife, formerly Miss Louisa P. Bailey was born in Georgia, and has borne her husband seven children—two sons and five daughters. Mr. Hall is a Mason and a liberal supporter of public enterprises. In September, 1880, he was elected to the State Senate, serving four years, and he has also been justice of the peace for several years. He is a highly-esteemed resident of this county, and is in every respect a model citizen.

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James C. Hall, Jr., farmer, Boles, Ark. All his life Mr. Hall has followed, with substantial success, the occupation to which he was reared, and in which he is now engaged—farming. The owner of a landed estate of 480 acres, he is also one of the township's leading agriculturists, and as a man, no less than as a citizen, he is highly esteemed. He was originally from Alabama, was reared on a farm, and, owing to the breaking out of the war, his education was rather limited. His father, James C. Hall, Sr., was a cripple for many years, and as a result our subject was compelled, at an early age, to take charge of the farm, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. He served three years in the army, and on this account he never obtained the education he wished, nor that his father desired him to have. His mother, Jane (Oliver) Hall, was a native of North Carolina, while his father was from South Carolina. The latter was killed by bushwhackers, during the war, although a cripple and unable to take an active part in the service. James C. Hall, Jr., enlisted in Company H, Nineteenth Arkansas Regiment, under Capt. G. W. Featherston, and was in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Arkansas Post, Chickamauga, Tunnel Hill, Marietta, Franklin, Nashville and Bentonville, N.C. At Arkansas Post he was taken prisoner, and conveyed to Camp Douglas, where he was held for three months. After being exchanged he returned to his command.

At Marietta, Ga., he was wounded in the right hip, and was off duty for six months. He was discharged at Greensboro, N. C. Previous to the war, in the fall of 1860, his father, with his family, had moved to Arkansas, and bought a farm near Waldron, in Scott County. Returning to Waldron after the war, he remained and assisted his mother on the farm for four years, and during that time he was married (1868) to Miss Sarah Hayes; of Waldron, who died in 1878, leaving two children—a son and a daughter, the former named Robert M., and the latter Elizabeth J.; both were married; the daughter in December, 1887. The son resides at Boles. After his marriage Mr. Hall bought a tract of land and moved to this township. This farm contained 160 acres, and to this he has added from time to time until he now [p.407] has 480 acres of good farming land, about 200 acres being under cultivation. He has a good house, all necessary farm buildings, and the place is well fenced. His principal crops are corn and cotton. He has good orchards of apples, peaches and pears, which are doing well. Mr. Hall was born January 5, 1843, and was married in January, 1880, to Miss Margaret Hollis, of this county. They have four children—three sons and one daughter: James F., Dora R., Thomas J. and Oscar L. Mr. Hall is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

Benjamin F. Hanes, is another prominent and successful farmer of Lewis Township, Scott County, whose name is synonymous with the farming interests of the county. He was born in Tennessee, November 7, 1829, to Jonathan and Harriet (Lewis) Hanes, the former born in North Carolina, and the latter in Tennessee, their marriage taking place in Wayne County of the last named State in 1823, and resulted in the birth of this family: John L. (born November 25, 1824, died April 1, 1864), James W. (born July 17, 1827, died November 26, 1855), Elizabeth B. (born February 24, 1832, died July 16, 1884), Claiburn P. (born June 19, 1835, died May 8, 1868), William H. (born May 12, 1838, died April 20, 1889). The parents removed from Tennessee to Washington County, Ark., in 1832, but from there came to Scott County, in 1847, and here the father resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1876, at the home of his son, Benjamin F. The mother passed from life in Montgomery County, Ark., in 1855. The immediate subject of this biography is the only one of his father's family now living. He was married in 1853, to Miss Nancy D. McMullen, a daughter of Joel and Eliza McMullen, and by her became the father of two children: John F. (born March 3, 1857), Mary V. (born March 15, 1859). The mother died in 1861, on the place where Mr. Hanes now lives, she being a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at the time of her death. Two years later Mr. Hanes was married to Miss Martha J. Belshey, by whom he had one child, Carroll D. (born January 1, 1867). This wife, who was a member of the Baptist Church, died in January, 1868, after which Mr. Hanes married his third and present wife in December of the same year, her maiden name being Lucinda J. Fish, daughter of John and Cynthia (Hicks) Fish. This wife has borne him six children: Sierra N. (born December 13, 1871), Joel C. (born January 25, 1875), Charlie G. (born January 23, 1879), Louie C. (born May 31, 1882), Cyntha A. (born July 23, 1886), Carrie B. (born October 4, 1889), all living. Mr. Hanes was conscripted into the Confederate Army, in 1862, but on account of disability was discharged at the end of four months, and in 1864, removed to Fayette County, Ill., where he remained until 1869, when he returned to his home in Scott County, where he is still living. He owns 160 acres of land, with 40 acres under cultivation, and his principal crops are corn, oats, wheat and some cotton. Socially Mr. Hanes is a member of Reed Lodge No. 163, of the A. & F. A. M., at Mansfield, and in his political views is an enthusiastic Republican, and is one of Scott County's first settlers, and most highly respected citizens. He is a liberal contributor to schools, churches and all laudable public enterprises, and is especially liberal in giving to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a worthy member.

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William C. Hawkins, farmer, Boles, Ark. The subject of this sketch is a native of Indiana, born February 14, 1833, and is the son of Raleigh and Harriet Hawkins. He passed his boyhood and youth on a farm in Tennessee, whither his parents had moved when he was quite small, and a few years later they located in De Kalb County, Ala. There William C. remained until he was twenty-three years of age, when he left home and went to Mississippi. He there purchased a tract of land and remained on the same for about three years. In 1860 he came to Arkansas, settled in this county, and bought 160 acres of land, which he improved for two years. He then enlisted and entered the Federal Army, Second Kansas Cavalry, was stationed at Van Buren, where he remained until transferred to Little Rock. At the close of the war he returned to his farm, but soon after sold [p.408] the place and bought his present property, which then consisted of 200 acres of land. To this he has added 220 acres and now has one of the finest farms in this township, about 200 acres being under cultivation. His principal crops are corn and cotton. He has this year seventy-five acres in cotton, which are yielding three-fourths of a bale to the acre, and seventy acres in corn, with a yield of sixty-five bushels to the acre. Everything about his place indicates a thrifty and progressive owner. Mr. Hawkins was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah M. Blanchard of Alabama, and they had two children, both sons. Mrs. Hawkins died about six years after her marriage. One of the sons died in youth, and the other, A. D. Hawkins, is married and resides near his father. In 1867 Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage to Mrs. Martha Scott, daughter of M. Scott, of Texas. They have four living children—three sons and a daughter: William C. (married to Miss Elizabeth Duly and resides in this township), George B., Raleigh and Kansas M. The last three named are at home with their parents. Mrs. Hawkins is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a lady of culture and refinement. Mr. Hawkins is a stanch Republican in his political views, and is a member of Landmark Lodge No. 464, A. F. & A. M.

George W. Helms is an agriculturist by calling, and the success which attends his efforts is well merited, for no one is more thoroughly interested in his calling, or gives it greater attention. He was born in Franklin County, Ark., in 1849, and by his father was reared to farm life, his opportunities for an education being quite limited on account of the opening of the Rebellion. In 1869 he began doing for himself, working on rented land in his native county, but the fall following his marriage, which occurred in August, 1869, he took a piece of Government land as a homestead, on which he settled and began improving. He immediately put up a good log house and other buildings, and here made his home until 1881, when he sold the place and came to Scott County, and immediately purchased the farm on which he is now making his home. It contains 160 acres of land, 60 of which are in a good state of cultivation, and on this valuable land he has a good frame residence, tenant houses, stables, sheds, etc., His orchard, although young, is in a good bearing condition, and furnishes the family with an abundance of fine fruit. His farm is well cultivated, the principal crops being cotton, corn and oats, the yield of all being good, his last year's profit being over $700. His wife, who was formerly Miss Mary Ann Pledger, was born in Georgia, but was reared in Franklin County, Ark. She has borne her husband three sons and five daughters: James, John, Acie Jane, Rosella F., Mattie, Georgie, Myrtle and Manie. James and Acie Jane are married and live near their parents. The other members of the family live at home and are attending a good district school in the vicinity. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mr. Helms is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and is a Democrat, politically. He is liberal in his support of worthy movements and has the reputation among his neighbors of being a pushing, enterprising gentleman and a successful farmer.

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Prof. Calvin Henderson has been wonderfully successful as an instructor of the young, and as principal of the high school of Waldron he has won the praise and commendation of friend and foe alike. He was born in North Carolina November 19, 1859, to William and Lydia (Gwilliams) Henderson, the former a worthy and fairly successful tiller of the soil. Calvin's early educational advantages were very poor, but at the age of eighteen years he determined to remedy this defect, and accordingly entered an academy in which he remained for about one year, fitting himself to enter college, which he did in 1878 at Dahlonega, Ga. This institution was the North Georgia Agricultural College, and from it he was graduated in 1882, after leaving which he took up the study of law at Dallas, Ga., and was admitted to the bar in 1885. Preferring school work to the practice of his profession, he, in 1886, came to Yell County, Ark., and after being engaged in teaching in that county for about three years he went to Hartford, in the schools of which place he acted as principal. He then came to Waldron, and here he [p.409] and Prof. S. E. Goddard have established a high school, with normal, commercial and musical dopartments, which are well attended and in a prosperous condition. It is the design of the teachers and board of directors to make the high school of Waldron second to none in the western part of the State, and to say that they have already succeeded would be but a simple statement of the facts. The school has already a good reputation abroad, and is liberally patrouized by those at a distance. The course of study, while not complete, is very thorough, and on finishing a course in this institution the students are well fitted to make their own way in the world. Prof. Henderson is an active member of the Baptist Church and an efficient teacher in the Sunday-school. He is a member of the Kappa Chapter of the Sigma Nu fraternity, Dahlonega, Ga.

Judge Daniel Hon. In these days of moneymaking, when life is a constant struggle between right and wrong, it is a pleasure to lay before an intelligent reader the unsullied record of an honorable man. To the youthful it will be an incentive to honest industry, and will teach them a useful lesson. Mr. Hon was born in this county, in 1860, being the eldest of three children born to Jackson and Lucy (Huie) Hon. Prior to marrying Miss Huie, Mr. Hon had been married twice, and became the father of thirteen children, four of whom are now living. He was born in Illinois, as was his third wife, Miss Huie, but was one of the first settlers of Scott County, Ark., coming here about 1836, and being one of the founders of Waldron. He was a farmer and stock-raiser, and was the owner of 1,500 acres of fine farming land on the Poteau, but the war left him sadly impoverished, and before he could fully retrieve his losses, he died, his death occurring in 1872. His wife died in 1868. Peter Hon, a half-brother of the subject of this sketch, died while serving in the Confederate Army. Daniel Hon was reared in Scott County, and until he was sixteen years of age he worked on the farm and attended the schools in the neighborhood. He then entered the State University at Fayetteville, and being a faithful and earnest student, he graduated from this institution in 1882. In 1883 he began the study of law, and after teaching school until January, 1885, in order to obtain means with which to defray his expenses, he entered the well-known law school at Lebanon, Tenn., from which he graduated the same year. After being admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Arkansas, he came to Waldron, and opened a law office, where it was not long before his ability and knowledge of his profession began to be seen and recognized. In 1886 he was elected to the position of county and probate judge being re-elected in 1888. In September of the following year he formed a partuership with A. G. Leming, and together they have practiced in all the courts of this judicial district. Judge Hon owns a fine tract of farming land, comprising 500 acres, it being situated on Poteau Creek, 100 acres of which are under cultivation. On this finely improved place 1,000 pounds of seed cotton are raised to the acre, corn and the small grains being also raised in abundance. The land is about five miles from Waldron, and is very valuable. Mr. Hon was married in October, 1888, to Miss Maggie Gaines, a native of this county, daughter of F. C. Gaines, who was born in Scott County also, he being a son of James F. Gaines, a pioneer of this region from Virginia. Mrs. Hon, who is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, has borne her husband one child, Lucy. F. C. Gaines, Mrs. Hon's father, was sheriff of Scott County for a number of years, and also represented the county in the State Legislature. His father, James F., was a pioneer merchant and farmer, represented this county in the State Legislature also, became the owner of a large body of land on the Fourche River, and during his day and time, was the most prominent man of the county. Mrs. Hon's maternal grandfather, Judge J. H. Torbett, was county and probate judge of Scott County in an early day, and died while a member of the State Legislature, a widely known and highly honored citizen.

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C. L. Hough, one of the earlest settlers and prominent farmers of this county, was born in the Palmetto State on March 26, 1818, and his parents, Greenberry and Hettie Hough, were also [p.410] natives of that State. His early educational advantages were very poor, and when seven years of age, he moved with his parents to Alabama, where he made his home for thirty-three years. At the age of sixteen years his parents gave him his time, providing that he should use the money thus earned during the year to attend school. This he did, and when seventeen years of age, he entered a good school in Lauderdale County, Ala., where he remained ten months, and where he had such good opportunities, that at the age of eighteen years he began teaching. This profession he followed until twenty-seven years of age, attending school during the vacations, and while thus employed, he studied surveying. When twenty-six he was employed by a contractor in the Government employ, to survey the Government lands of the State. The Government land office having been burned, with the surveyor's records, this resurvey was rendered necessary. This occurred in 1844, and this business Mr. Hough continued at intervals for fifty years. He was appointed county surveyor for his county in Alabama, and held this position in a satisfactory and creditable manner for seven years. At the age of thirty-five years (in 1852), he was married to Miss Emily Thresher of Lauderdale County, Ala., but she died at the end of one year. Two years later he was again married to Miss Martha P. A. Bourland, daughter of Prof. Joseph P. Bourland of Lauderdale County. Mr. Hough also held the office of justice of the peace, in that county, for forty years. In the years of his surveying, Mr. Hough had entered different tracts of land until he had over 1,000 acres. He settled upon and improved a portion of this land and made it his home for about five years. He then started for Texas, with his family, by wagons, and while passing through Tennessee, Mrs. Hough was taken sick. This caused them to stop in Hardin County, of that State, where they remained about three years, Mr. Hough teaching school during that time. They again started for Texas, but while passing through this part of Arkansas, and having chanced upon the La Fourche Valley, and seeing the richness of the soil, its natural advantages, etc., Mr. Hough decided to make this his future home. He bought the place where he now lives, and is now satisfied that he could not have done better, in any part of the United States. He still owns his land in Alabama. His land here consists of 260 acres, with 90 acres improved, and he has a good house and other necessary farm buildings. He has a good apple and peach orchard and a small vineyard which yields well. Since he arrived in this county, he has devoted most of his time to farming, but has held the position of county surveyor for a number of years. He also, for some years, taught occasional terms of school. At the breaking out of the war, he being about forty-five years of age and not subject to conscript, was taken into a company called the Home Reserve, whose duties were to obtain supplies for the army, and assist generally in the care of the portion of the people left at home. During this time his family was in Texas. Returning to his home in the Fourche Valley, after the war, he was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he served for about two years, when he was disfranchised by the Government and not allowed to hold office for the following seven years. He was then elected county surveyor and held that position until a few years ago. At the time of his arrival in this county, schools and churches were scarce, but he has lived to see the county develop, and become one of the finest and most productive in the State. By his marriage to his present wife, which occurred on July 24, 1856, there were born four children—three sons and one daughter: William P. (married Miss Ida Tate of this county and they have two children, named Myrtle and Lena). John Morgan (married Miss Eva Kelly of this county), Hettie (married Thomas W. Stone and resides in Waldron, and they have three children, all daughters, named Estell, Ula and Mattie) and Calvin T. (is at home with his parents and attending the public schools). The second son is a teacher of the county and very successful in his work. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hough has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for forty-six years, and is now an honorary member. He is liberal in his support of churches, schools and all public enterprises and is active in the church work, having [p.411] been Sunday-school superintendent for many years.

Dr. A. C. James, physician and farmer, Crow, Ark. In any worthy history of Arkansas mention should be made of the prominent citizens, among whom is to be found the name of Dr. A. C. James. This gentleman was born in Arkausas in 1842, and is a son of John and Sabrina (Hayes) James, both natives of the Palmetto State. The parents moved to Tennessee at an early day, and from there to Yell County, Ark., in 1838. The father was a carpenter by trade and built the first houses in Dardanelle and Danville. Both parents died in Yell County, Ark., in 1853. Dr. A. C. James was reared principally in his native State, and as his educational facilities were not of the best he has gained the most of his schooling by self study. At the early age of eleven years he was thrown on his own resources, and as he had been early trained to the

duties of the farm it was but natural that he should adopt this as his chosen calling. However he did not care to be wholly dependent upon this, and as a consequence began the study of medicine. About this time the war broke out, and he enlisted in 1862, remaining in service until the spring of 1865. In 1870 Dr. James resumed his medical studies, and in 1872 went to North Carolina, came back two years after to Arkansas, where in 1875 he began the practice of medicine under Dr. John R. Blake, of Tennessee, and has had a good practice ever since. One year later he commenced the practice of his profession and is a popular and very successful practitioner. In 1867 he was wedded to Miss Jane Wicker, a native of

North Carolina, and the daughter of Charles and Sarah (McKiver) Wicker, natives also of the old Tar State. Of the four children born to this union only one, John E., is now living. Those deceased were named Charles D., Arthur C. and George C. The mother of these children died in 1880, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1881 Dr. James was married to Miss Mattie P. Carroll, a native of Arkansas, who bore him two children: Catherine and T. B., the last named dying in 1884. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. James died two years

later, and the Doctor took for his third wife Miss Ella A. Gilliam, their marriage occurring in 1887. She was born in Indiana in 1856. One child, Rosie A., is the result of this union. Dr. James is a Democrat in politics, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South for the past twenty years. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. He is a self-made man and a very popular one.

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John H. Johnson's life, from his earliest recollection, has been passed on a farm, his early days being spent in assisting his father, who, in addition to being a successful tiller of the soil, was a well-****known educator. The subject of this sketch was born in Johnson County of this State in 1849, his parents, John H., Sr., and Mary (Sweeden) Johnson, being born in the State of Tennessee. About 1833 or 1834 they came to Arkansas, where for some time Mr. Johnson followed the eccupation of school teaching. In 1853 he moved to Scott County, and settled on a large woodland farm in the Fourche Valley, in which section he taught school in addition to clearing up his farm, also serving for several years, before the Rebellion, as county surveyor. He was a strong Union man in sentiment during the war, but did not serve on either side. He died in 1866, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his widow dying in 1884, a member of that church also. The subject of this sketch spent the greater part of his youth in this county, near Waldron, and on a farm near his present place of abode. Although his early advantages were limited, he is a well-informed man, and has proven himself a good financier. He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary E. Tate, a native of Alabama, and a daughter of William Tate, after which family Tate Township, in this county, was named. Mr. Johnson settled on his present farm in 1868, and now has a good farm of fifty acres under cultivation, on which he erected an excellent and substantial residence in 1883. He began working at blacksmithing and woodwork in 1872, and, although he is perfectly capable of putting up a good wagon, he mostly does repairing. From 1882 until 1889 he was postmaster at Green Ridge, at the end of which time he resigned. His family consists of the following children: Francis Joseph, John William, [p.412] Sarah Ann (wife of William Londus), Floy, Benjamin, Thomas Scott and Mahala (who died at the age of eighteen months). Mr. Johnson and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and socially he is a Mason. His sons assist him in the shop, and John William is about to start a shop of his own, eighteen miles east of Waldron.

Miles Keener is the efficient postmaster of Waldron, Ark., and is recognized as one of the best citizens of Scott County, Ark. He first saw the light of day in Lincoln County, N. C., in 1832, being the second of seven children born to Moses and Elizabeth (Drum) Keener, both of whom were also born in the Old North State. The great-grandparents were citizens of that State and county, and both great-grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The paternal grandfather, John Keener, lived near Rancour's Mills, where Gen. Cornwallis destroyed his supplies during Morgan's retreat from the battle of Cowpens. Moses Keener was a tiller of the soil, and first moved from his native State to Texas, in 1851, where he bought 320 acres of land, and there made his home until 1871, when he came to Scott County, Ark., and here passed from life in 1887 at the age of eighty years. He was a strong adherent to the Union cause during the Rebellion. His wife was called to her long home in 1886, a member of the Baptist Church. Miles Keener acquired a good education in a high school of his native State, which institution he attended two years, at the end of which time he removed to Texas with his parents. He entered the Federal Army in 1863 at Fort Smith, Ark., becoming a member of Company I, Second Arkansas Cavalry, and was clerk in the provost's office at Berryville, Mo., for some six months. He was then promoted to sergeant-major of his regiment, and did service in Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, but was disabled so that he could not do duty in the field. He was discharged at Memphis, Tenn., on April 20, 1865, after which he returned to his home in Texas and there continued to reside, where he was engaged in merchandising and stock-dealing until 1868, when he moved to Kansas, where he made his home for one year. In February, 1870, he came to Scott County, Ark., purchased a farm of eighty acres and entered 160 acres more, ten miles southeast of Waldron. Besides his residence and town property in Waldron, he is the owner of 200 acres of land. For a number of years he was engaged in running a cotton-gin, saw and grist-mill in partnership with his father, but in 1882 bought property in Waldron, and soon after made this place his permanent residence. In August, 1889, he took charge of the Waldron post-office, and has had the management of this office up to the present time. His union with his first wife resulted in the birth of six children: Thomas J., Ulysses Grant, Lizzie L., Fannie (wife of A. Hawkins), Sarah and Donia. Mr. Keener's second marriage took place in 1885, and was to Miss Sallie Frazier, a native of Arkansas. They have a family of three children: Moses Marmaduke, Chester Arthur and Susie. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are quite active in church work, Mr. Keener being deeply interested in the progress of the public schools. He had the first saw-mill in Park Township, and sawed much of the lumber that is in the buildings of that section.

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J. A. Kennon was born in Tennessee June 12, 1855, to James H. and Martha A. (Standefer) Kennon, both of whom were also born in that State, the former September 13, 1835, and the latter January 12, 1835, their marriage being ce****ebrated there on August 31, 1854. To them four children have been born: John A., Nancy E. (born February 3, 1857, wife of L. L. Standefer), Sarah J. (born December 20, 1858, wife of A. P. Ewton), and James H. (born October 2, 1862). James H. Kennon was a farmer during the greater part of his life, but at the opening of the Rebellion was engaged in blacksmithing, a calling he continued for about one year, after which he entered the Confederate service as a private in the Sixteenth Alabama Regiment in Bragg's army, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, a member of the Baptist Church. His widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. A. P. Ewton. At the age of eighteen years J. A. Kennon started out to make his own way in the world, and has made farming his chief occupation. In 1876 he removed from Tennessee [p.413] to Alabama, where he remained four years, then came to Scott County, Ark., in 1880, and homesteaded 160 acres of land, afterward purchasing 40 acres adjoining on the east, and of this farm he has cleared about 50 acres, and put the same in a good agricultural condition. On this land corn averages thirty bushels to the acre, cotton one-half bale, and wheat and oats are also raised. His buildings and fences are all good, and he has an excellent young orchard of four acres. He was married on August 5, 1875, to Miss Sarah J. Smith, who was born in Tennessee November 9, 1858, a daughter of John and Ann E. (Williams) Smith, but he was called upon to mourn her death March 3, 1884, she leaving him with three sons and one daughter to care for: Alpha S. (born April 25, 1876), Oliver A. (born October 25, 1877, died two days after birth), Cora Ann (born October 18, 1879), Delta Lee (born October 2, 1881), and James M. (born January 28, 1884). On December 25, 1884, Mr. Kennon married Miss Mary V. Ritter, who was born in Mississippi on August 30, 1855, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Nancy C. (Joiner) Ritter, to which union four children have been born: Beta E. (born November 14, 1885), Hattie L. (born January 17, 1887), Martha G. (born December 24, 1888), and Ninnie M. (born January 28, 1890). From 1886 to 1888 Mr. Kennon served as constable of his township, and is a member of Big Coon Lodge No. 75, of the I. O. O. F., having joined this order in 1878. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Kennon's grandfather, Standefer, was a son of James and Martha (Standefer) Standefer, and a member of Congress from East Tennessee for about sixteen years. He was on his way to Congress when he died suddenly at the table, supposed to have been poisoned