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SOCIETY fflC
IJ0URNAL
VOLUME VI, NUMBER 1
GENERAL JOHN THAYER
APRIL 1982
GENERAL JAMES BLUNT
GENERAL CYRUS BUSSEY
GENERAL JOHN McNEIL
GENERAL JOHN EDWARDS
J0URNAL
EDITORS:
Amelia Martin
Carolyn Pollan
CONTENTS
INQUIRIES EDITOR:
Leonna Belle Cotner
ORAL HISTORY EDITOR:
Missy Cole Carroll
GUEST WRITERS:
Rev. Tom Newton
PROOF READERS:
Mary Nell Euper
Rosalie Platt
Donald Peer
Carolyn Peer
PHOTOGRAPHIC STAFF
Gerald Shepard
David King
Bradley Martin
OFFICE MANAGER and INDEXING:
Phil Miller
MAILING:
Thelma Black
Velma Barber
Frank Jedlicka
BOARD AND OFFICERS:
Amelia Martin, Pres.
Thelma Wray, V.P.
Sue McCain, Sec. & Treas.
Leonna Belle Cotner, Cor. Sec.
Carolyn Pollan
Nick Kelly
Arlie Metheny
Jimmie Delle Caldwell
Robert Johnson
Richard Sugg
Mary Nell Euper
Rosalie Platt
Membership in the Fort Smith Historical
Society includes subscription to The
Journal of the Fort Smith Historical
Society, which is published semi-annually.
Year begins Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31.
For membership, send dues with your
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61 South 8th Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
Types of memberships:
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We welcome the loan of Fort Smith
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VOL. VI, NO. 1
APRIL, 1982
Fort Smith Under Union Military Rule,
September 1, 1863 - Fall, 1865
First Baptist Church
2
34
Confederate Veterans Buried by
Fentress Mortuary 1909 - 1934
41
News and Opportunities April - August, 1982
44
Book Notes and Aldridge Family
48
Contents, Past Issues of The Journal
49
1882 News
50
Index
62
COVER:
The five Union Generals, who had the responsibility for the Fort
Smith Post from September 1, 1863 to September 21,1865. Top right,
(clockwise) is General James Blunt (Picture courtesy Arkansas
Historical Association); General John Edwards (Picture courtesy
Arkansas History Commission); General John McNeil (Picture
courtesy Arkansas History Commission); General John Thayer
(Picture courtesy Arkansas Historical Association). Center picture is
General Cyrus Bussey (Picture courtesy Arkansas History
Commission).
©Copyright 1982
By the Fort Smith Historical Society, Inc.
61 South 8th Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Change of Address Cards are free at your post office. If you move,
please fill one out and send it to: Fort Smith Historical Society, 61
South 8th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.
The Fort Smith Historical Society, Inc. is a non-profit organization
under Sec. 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Gifts and
legacies are deductible.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form, except
for brief excerpts for review purposes, without the consent of the
Editors of THE JOURNAL.
1
FORT SMITH UNDER UNION MILITARY RULE
SEPTEMBER 1,1863 • FALL, 1865
by Representative Carolyn Pollan
Prologue from writer:
This has been a very painful story for me to
write. War fought on the grounds one walks on
everyday for reasons that the Great Rebellion was
fought, seems to not only have been useless but so
very ridiculous. I have always, because I was born
and raised in the South, seen myself as a
Confederate heroine (probably with the help of
Gone with the Wind). After doing the research for
this period of history in Fort Smith, Arkansas, I no
longer feel the same about the 'Southern Cause'.
Because I have felt remnants of Civil War bitterness
in certain parts of our society in Arkansas, thisstory
piecing together what we might have felt had we
lived in Fort Smith during Union Military
occupation, has long fascinated me.
However one looks at the history of the Civil War,
one has to come back to the fact that it began under
President Buchanan on December 27, 1860, in
South Carolina and it took many treasonous acts
including the seizure of the Little Rock Arsenal by
Arkansas State troops, February 2, 1861, to the
bombardment and seizure of Fort Sumter on April
14, for President Lincoln to issue the first call to put
down the rebellion in the United States.
And so, a nation was plunged into a dark, cruel
war by those, as General Sherman said "who dared
and badgered us to battle, insulted our flag, seized
our arsenals and forts,
. turned loose their
privateers to plunder unarmed ships, expelled
Union families by the thousands, burned their
houses. . ."
God help any of us, that our history would ever
again record bearing arms against our America
because of blindness to another human's rights!
This story is bringing out an unheralded fact of
history: that Fort Smith had the honor of being the
first city to host a meeting of patriots who wanted to
bring their state back into the United States during
the Civil War.
I want to give special thanks to many who helped
in piecing this story together. First and long
departed, Valentine Dell, the Editor of the Union
paper, The New Era, who with the eyes of an
historian knew we would be interested in what
happened in Fort Smith during the Civil War and
wrote for this paper accordingly. Then to Edwin C.
Bearss, now the National Historian of the National
Park Service. His series of articles in the Arkansas
Historical Quarterly about Fort Smith and the Indian
Territory during the Civil War are treasures for
researchers. To my secretary, Wilma Jameson, who
patiently went through five drafts of this story with
me and my indecipherable handwriting. To the
librarians at the Fort Smith Library, Arkansas
Historical Society and A r k a n s a s History
Commission, my thanks for help when I needed it.
Carolyn Pollan
BLUNT REGROUPS
TO CARRY THE WAR TO
CHOCTAW NATION
xJULY 22, - A U G U S T
SCALE
RIVERS
*=&=^
TOWNS
STREAMS
—
E^&ft&EMENTS
PRINCIPAL ROADS
- - ^ - - - HEAD9UARTtRS
T R O O P MOVEMENTS
CONFEDERATE
Map
Courtesy Edwin C. Bearss and the Arkansas Historical Association.
3
FORT SMITH: CRADLE OF THE FIRST SOUTHERN FREE STATE
Fort Smith was a beacon of light for the freedom
of all men during the dark Civil War years. The city
deserves a place of honor that has heretofore not
been bestowed on it in the history of the United
States of America.
It was in Fort Smith, October 30,1863, that the first
meeting was held in any seceded Confederate state
to attempt to bring that revolting state back to the
union.1
This mass meeting of Union Sympathizers from
twenty Arkansas counties took place after Fort
Smith was recaptured2 by Union troops, September
1, 1863.3
The story of the capture of Fort Smith started
several weeks earlier in August, 1863.
For the Union side with four thousand troops,
Major General James G. Blunt and his Army of the
Frontier had been at Fort Gibson since early June.
In late August, dashing Colonel William Cloud left
Fayetteville with fifteen hundred light artillery
troops and met with Blunt.4
On the Confederate side, General William L.
Cabell had been directed by his superior General
William Steele on August 19th to move Cabell's
8The
Fort Smith New Era, February 27, 1864.
'ibid, November 10,1863. Much of the recorded Information we
have on this period in Fort Smith is from the New Era. When Fort
Smith fell back to the United States, one of the first things that
took place was an attempt to print a newspaper to give the United
States point of view. For two years, the only newspapers allowed
to be printed and circulated in the Fort Smith area, were those
with a Confederate viewpoint. Valentine Dell, a loyal Union man
who had continued to live in Fort Smith under Rebel rule, felt It
was his duty to see that the Union's viewpoint was printed - never mind there was no newsprint available to do so. Mr. Dell
obtained from a 'patriotic friend' copies of Washington's Farewell
Address which had been printed and circulated at the beginning
of the war as a last ditch effort to turn Fort Smith Rebel
sympathizers to the Federal viewpoint. The backs of these
circulars were used to get out the first Issue of The New Era,
Octobers, 1863, so called for "a new era Is Indeed dawning upon
the people." Mr. Dell was a school master not an editor. He used
the printing press that had been used for insurrectury news by
Wheeler's paper, Fort Smith Times and Herald and it was moved
to Mulberry Street (North B) and Washington Street (North 2nd).
2
Scrogg, Jack B., Arkansas in the Secession Crisis The Arkansas
Historical Quarterly Vo. XII, No. 3 Autumn 1953. Woosten, Ralph,
Arkansas Secession Convenf/on.The Arkansas Historical
Quarterly Vol. XIII, No. 2, Summer 1954.
Events In Arkansas leading up to the capture of Fort Smith
Include: a statewide vote February 18,1861, to decide whether to
have a convention to discuss secession. Delegates classified as
Unionists received 23,626 votes and secessionist candidates
received 17,927 votes. The majority of the Unionists candidates
were from the more populous counties in the Northwest and the
majority of the secessionist candidates from the Southern cotton
producing counties. Debate began March 4,1861, In Little Rock.
Unionist Judge David Walhan from Washington County was
elected President of the convention. On the second day of the
convention a resolution was Introduced to bring about "an
troops from the San Bois in Indian Territory to guard
Fort Smith from attack by the Federals. All total
there were approximately nine thousand Confederate troops in the Indian Territory and Fort Smith, led
by Generals Steele, Cabell, Douglas, Cooper and
Stand Watie. 5
As ordered, Cabell moved his troops to the Poteau
nine miles southwest of Fort Smith and began
blocking the roads to the fort. Ordinance stores of
all kinds, along with quartermaster and commissary
supplies were loaded in ox-drawn wagons ready to
be moved from the fort. On the 31st of August,
information led Cabell to abandon the fort. The
retreating supplies were sent down the south road
across the Devil's Backbone towards Waldron. At 9
P.M., the same day the retreat was given by Cabell
and the remaining troops deserted Fort Smith. Upon
fording the Poteau River, early in the morning of
September 1st, General Blunt discovered a great
deal of troop movement by the tracks which were
left by the retreating army. The 2nd Kansas, the 5th
Missouri State Militia Cavalry, and Colonel Cloud's
2nd Kansas "flying column" were sent to try to catch
up with Cabell's troops.6
ordinance of secession of the State of Arkansas from the Federal
Union." Strong opposition prevailed. But after ten days of friction
there was a compromise with a decision to have a statewide vote
In August on secession. The convention adjourned March 21. On
April 12, Confederate forces under General P.G.T. Beauregard
successfully attacked.Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina
and Lincoln called for 780 Union volunteers from Arkansas.
Governor Henry Rector refused Lincoln's request and began
negotiating with Confederate officers without reconvening the
state convention. Governor Rector allowed the Confederacy to
post troops near Helena, Arkansas to hinder Union movement on
the Mississippi. Governor Rector further committed treason
against the United States by sending three hundred militia troops
from Little Rock and one company from Van Buren to capture the
Federal Post of Fort Smith. The small group of Union Cavalry
troops at Fort Smith departed and left the fort In charge of Major
Richard Gatlln shortly before the state militia arrived. On May 6,
1861, the state convention returned to Little Rock. The
convention acting in a self-ordained executive and legislative
capacity bypassed the vote of the people and passed an
ordinance to "declare and ordain the Union now existing
between the State of Arkansas and other states under the name of
the United States of America forever dissolved." The Ordinance
of Secession further declared that the state resume all the power
which had hitherto been delegated to the central government,
and that Arkansas was in full possession and exercise of all the
rights and sovereignty which apply to a free and Independent
state. A final vote of 69-1 left Isaac Murphy of Madison County
alone in his stand against "the untold events that would assuredly
follow In the train of secession."
3
The Fort Smith New Era, November 10, 1863.
4
Bearss, Edwin C., The Federals Capture Fort Smith, 1863 The
Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, Summer, 1969,
156-157.
s
lbld, 171-174
•Ibid, 175-186
BLUNT CAPTURES
FORT SMITH
RIVERS
*=*=*-*
POPULATED TUKKS ™
STREAMS
—-—
f*6A«MENrS
P«HKH»AL ROADS
TROOP
—MOUNTAINS
MOVEMENTS
Map Courtesy Edwin C. Bearss and the Arkansas Historical Association.
5
General Blunt came into Fort Smith and with the
1st Arkansas Union Infantry took the city without a
shot. The stars and stripes were raised in the
Garrison for the first time since April 23, 1861.7
Colonel Cloud's troops raced on toward Waldron
and clashed with General Cabell's troops. There
was a running battle at the foot of the Devil's
Backbone in south Sebastian County. That same
day, Cabell was finally able to get his troops and
supplies across the Devil's Backbone and on to
Waldron. Colonel Cloud came back into FortSmith,
September 2nd, with thirty prisoners. 8
Colonel Cloud was put in charge of the fort as
soon as he returned from the foray as General Blunt
was too ill to command due to a reoccuring fever. 9
Lieutenant Colonel E. J. Searle was name Provost
Marshal.10
There was a great deal of emotion as Fort Smith
Union citizens welcome the soldiers and the return
of "the glorious emblem of Freedom, Humanity and
Confederate General William L. Cabell
Courtesy Arkansas History Commission
7
lbld, 186
•Ibid, 187-189
•Ibid, 189
"The Fort Smith New Era, November 14, 1863. Family History:
Elhanan J. Searle Is the great-great-uncle of George A. Pollan,
the author's husband. Lt. Col. Searle was In the law offices of
Abraham Lincoln while studying for his law degree. He entered
the Union Army as a private In Company H, 10th Illinois Volunteer
Cavalry and rose to rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He took part In
the battle of Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, Fayettevllle, Perryvllle,
Indian Territory, Camden and Jenkins Ferry. Colonel Johnson
asked Searle to help him recruit the first Arkansas Volunteer
Cavalry and he also assisted In recruiting the Arkansas second
and fourth Volunteer Cavalry regiments. Upon discharge August
Confederate General William Steele
Courtesy Arkansas Historical Association
Lt. Col. E. J. Searles
Courtesy Illinois Historical Association
10, 1865, he decided to stay In Fort Smith and entered law
practice. He was commissioned Prosecuting Attorney for the
ninth Judicial Court of Arkansas and United States
Commissioner for the Western District of Arkansas. He was
appointed as Circuit Judge of the ninth Judicial District and In
1868 was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of
Arkansas. Searle served on the State Board of Education and was
a trustee of the University of Arkansas from Its beginning In 18711875 and was Instrumental In putting together the plan of
organization and Instruction for the University. He moved back to
Illinois In 1875 and practiced law and died August 18, 1906, In
Rock Island, Illinois: Mary N. Speakman, Certified Genealogist,
Arlington, Texas; The University of Arkansas Special
Collections: Reynolds, John Hugh and Thomas, David Yancery,
History of the University of Arkansas, 1910, 414-416.
Justice proudly floating from the flagstaff, where
but yesterday was disgraced by the display of the
ensign of foul treason." 11 It was evident the
Confederate flag was despised by the Union
population that had remained in Fort Smith under
occupation.
two years, thousands of Union families of the
border slave states had been driven from their
homes. Friends were murdered and thousands
more were dragged from their homes and were
compelled to fight for a cause they did not agree
with. 17
Union troops were put in encampments in and
around the city of Fort Smith. No officer or soldier
was allowed to be in the town without a written
pass.12
The general populace of Fort Smith was in
shambles. Everyone had dug deep to come up with
supplies that were needed by the Confederate Army
during the proceeding years. Commerce had
essentially stopped and those who were left on the
homeplace and in the stores, were holding things
together by shreds. 13
"Mountain Feds", who were Federal Arkansans
who had fled to the mountains rather than serve in
the Rebel army, came pouring into Fort Smith.
Union men had been forcibly conscripted into the
Confederate Army, deserted that army and came to
the fort. 14
Other events in Arkansas were considerably
improving for the Union cause. Helena, on the
Mississippi river, had fallen into Federal hands
earlier. Union forces led by Major General Frederick
Steele marched into Little Rock September 10,1863.
This left the Confederates with authority only in
effect in an area south of the Arkansas river and west
of the Saline river. 15
As skirmishes were taking place in the captured
areas, a recuperated General James Blunt, began
supporting Northwest Arkansas Union sentiment
for immediate reconstruction of government. In a
speech he promised the protection by Federal
troops to citizens who stopped fighting the United
States and began working for a civil government
reorganization loyal to the Union. The words of
General Blunt gave added steam to the strong
Northwest Arkansas movement of reunion. 16
Following this, the historic "Cradle of the First
Southern Free State" meeting held in Fort Smith
October 30, 1863, was emotionally a very stirring
time for the Unionists from twenty counties. For
Resolutions adopted at the Fort Smith meeting
were: (1) to prosecute any rebels still in arms against
the United States; (2) support the Administration in
all of its past and present efforts to suppress the
existing rebellion; (3) a state convention should be
held in Little Rock to reorganize state government;
(4) all laws establishing or perpetuating the
institution of slavery should be abolished; (5) none
but "Unconditional Union" men be allowed to vote
at any election; (6) cooperation with all
"Unconditional Union" men in establishing law and
order to the State of Arkansas; (7) and that other
counties be invited to cooperate in adopting similar
resolutions. Those present at the meeting
unanimously nominated Colonel James M.
Johnson of Madison County, Commander of the 1st
Arkansas Infantry, as a candidate to represent
Western Arkansas in the United States Congress. 18
"The Fort Smith New Era, September 2, 1865
op. cit.,Bearss, Edwin C., The Federals Capture Fort Smith, 1863,
189
"The Fort Smith New Era, December 12, 1863.
14
Bearss, Edwin C., The Confederate Attempt to Regain Fort Smith,
1863, The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXVIII, No. 4, Winter
12
1969, 345.
15
Cowen, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of Federal Arkansas, The
Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. XVIII, No. 2, Summer 1959, 33-35.
Other meetings in several counties followed the
precedent setting meeting in Fort Smith. Union
representatives for five to ten counties would
gather in one county for a mass meeting and pass
resolutions showing their intent to be reunited with
the United States. 19
Some areas were not as successful as Fort Smith
had been in it's "Cradle of the First Southern Free
State" meeting. Scheming p o l i t i c i a n s and
Confederate sympathizers frequently harassed the
Unionists at the meetings, especially at placesclose
to Arkansas counties still in Confederate hands. 20
In mid-September, General Blunt turned over
command of the Fort Smith post to Colonel James
M. Johnson of the 1st Arkansas Union Infantry.
General Blunt then went to Fort Scott, Kansas for
supplies. 21
While Blunt was away from his command in
Kansas, he had his command taken from him. For
some time, Blunt's superior, General Schofield,
Commander of the Department of Missouri, had
16
lbid, 38-39
The Fort Smith New Era. November 10, 1863.
'"Ibid, November 10, 1863
19
lbid, December-January 1863-1864
20
op. cit. 39
21
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., The Confederate Attempt to
Regain Fort Smith. 1863. 365
17
been alleging that Blunt's staff was guilty of gross
frauds and c o r r u p t i o n along with troop
demoralization. General Schofield finally asked
President Lincoln to relieve Blunt of his duties. 22
The President studied the allegations for several
weeks. General Schofield had no solid proof of
wrong doing and it took considerable prodding
from him before the President relieved General
Blunt of his District of the Frontier command at Fort
Smith. 23
On October 24, Brigadier General John McNeil
was named as Blunt's replacement and he arrived in
GRAND
BALL!
G-EjST'S BLUNT & McNEIL.
L;
NOV.
MONDAY KV
Lieut. Col. BAsSETT,
Major SULLIVAX,
WOODWORTH,
SCIIROELIXG,
WARD,
SMITH.
AXDKRSOX,
CALKIXS,
Lieut. TAPPAX.
AI:ij. Gen. BLUXT.
Brig. Gen. McXEIL.
Col. CLOUD,
ol. BOWEX.
.1. EDWARDS,
.1. WILLIAMS,
apt. WAI. THOLEX,
dipt. H. G. LORIXG,
C:ipt. UASKELL,
?Ji&n-j>5r£2 o?
Dr. BOMFORD,
Col. GRIFFITH,
loth, iso;i.
J. S. BOSTICK,
G. J. LEWIS.
?LOOfl
C;i[,t. KIXTER,
Capt. XE W.MAX,
Lieut. TATUM,
Lieut. WHICHER.
Slipper will be prepared by Dickersou of the Cosmopolitan.
Courtesy Arkansas History Commission
22
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., The Confederate Attempt to Regain
Fort Smith, 1863, 366-368
"Ibid, 368
24
lbid, 369
"Ibid
26
27
28
The Fort Smith New Era, November 14, 1863
lbid, January 16, 1864
As an army runs on it's stomach, so did the army's
transportation. Where modern armies need supplies of gasoline
Fort Smith October 30th. He formally assumed
command of the post on November 2nd after he
took a good look around the post and listened to
reports of the enemy's activities. 24
Naturally, Blunt was upset by all of this and more
than a little angry. He may or may not have
deliberately misconstrued his orders on what to do
next, for it was intended that he go to Fort
Leavenworth. 25 What he did, instead, was to
accompany an immense supply train into Fort Smith
November 13. The train had government supplies,
paymaster trains, Indian and sutler goods. He and
General McNeil were cordial, at least on the surface.
It was reported that his stay would be brief, 26 but it
lingered into January. 27
General Orders #2 from the post came on
November 7th. General McNeil was incensed about
'irregularities' concerning horses. The orders
mandated a permit was needed to buy and sell
horses and there was a strong statement of intent to
treat anyone as a bushwacker who stole forage. 28
General Orders #3, also November 7th, directed
officers to report the exact supply and caliber of
ammunition they had on hand. It appeared that
records were very sketchy and headquarters did not
have a complete roster. Commanding officers were
ordered to have regular Sunday morning
inspections of ammunition and then to have target
practice and record the three best shots in the
company. In addition, they were told to quit
shooting just to be shooting. It was scandalous to
the Commander that ammunition was being
wasted! 29
There had been FortSmith citizenstaken prisoner
as the rebels fled from Fort Smith in late August. In
early November they began making their way back
to town, much to the relief of their families. The
prisoners had been taken to Boggy Depot, one
hundred fifty miles to the Southwest in Indian
Territory. This was on the road to Texas and was a
favorite Rebel gathering place.30
Daily, refugees arrived in Fort Smith from the
surrounding areas were fleeing from bushwackers
who were burning out and robbing Union
sympathizers. Refugees coming into the fort had
the army stationed in Fort Smith during the Civil War had to have
adequate food for it's horses, mules and oxen. With so many
troops near the city, forage units had to be dispatched long
distances. This took a lot of manpower away from soldiering. The
problem that the Union Army encountered from September,
1863, to the end of the war in bringing in supplies, hinged in a
large measure on how much forage was available between Fort
Smith and Fort Scott at any one given time.
29
30
The Fort Smith New Era, November 10, 1863
lbid
their care taken over by the government. 31
General Orders #4, issued November 14th, began
to give instructions for everyday life between Union
forces and the general populace. Churches,
schools, academies, and colleges were not to be
used for hospitals or other military purposes unless
there was an emergency. All such buildings
occupied as barracks, hospitals, or storerooms had
to request a permit. The owners had to pledgefuture
loyalty to the United States and declare that open or
covert treason would not be taught behind its walls.
At the same time, Genera! Orders #5 gave orders for
soldiers not to occupy houses if camp equipment
was available. 32 Soldiers were told they had no right
to question the loyalty of any citizen. Post command
orders #4 came down particularly hard on officers
who let their men straggle away from a detail which
allowed the straggler to do some pillaging on his
own. Officers were told to have rations when they
left the post. 33
These orders were very important for the Union
side to help tear down the stereotyped conception
of the Union Army which had been cultivated by the
Confederates. The Confederates were telling the
populace that the Federals would destroy their
homes and were nothing morethan jayhawkers who
did not regard the rights of citizens and property.
Furthermore, the Union side was faced with the
Confederate side carrying out a better propaganda
campaign declaring that reconstruction meant
subjugation for the South. Subjugation was said to
consist of slavery for all white, inter-marriage
between whites and blacks, and the conscription of
all Southern males into an army for the purpose of
invading Latin America. 34
Lieutenant Colonel Searle left his post as Provost
Marshal to organize the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry at
Dardanelle and Major E. A. Calkins of the 3rd
Wisconsin Cavalry Volunteers, who had been with
General Blunt throughout his campaigns, took
Colonel Searle's place in mid-November. Major
Calkins wasted no time in issuing orders from the
Headquarters of the District of the Frontier, a new
designation for Fort Smith. His orders concerning
trade and property, stated: sale of firearms and
ammunition, except to army officerswas prohibited;
no known Rebel could sell cotton, cattle, horses or
breadstuffs; no payment of gold or silver was
allowed inasectionthatwasstill under insurrection;
31
lbid
"Ibid, November 10, 1863
"Ibid, December 19, 1863
^Smith, Robert F. The Confederate Attempt to Counteract
Reunion Propaganda in Arkansas: 1863-1865, The Arkansas
Historical Quarterly, Vol. XVI, No. 1, Spring 1957, 54-62
35
The Fort Smith New Era. November 21, 1863
only loyal and good faith citizens could trade and
sales had to be reasonable prices with lawful
currency. Any property previously confiscated had
to be reported. 35
Hotel accomodations were not to be found in the
town of Fort Smith and space was desperately
needed for officers and others connected with the
army. Marriages, as might be expected, rapidly took
place between soldiers and town girls. 36
HARD FEELINGS IN FORT SMITH
Hard feelings over past happenings in Fort Smith
during Rebel occupation were evident. The
population continued to talk about two United
States Officers, Captain M. Hart and Lieutenant
Hays. The two Texas Union officers were going
back to Texas for recruits, when they were caught
and hung and buried under the gnarled old oak at
the garrison in January, 1863. The complaint was
that they were treated like felons instead of like the
soldiers they were. 37
Stage lines were running twice a day between Fort
Smith and Van Buren. They left the Fort Smith Post
Office at 9 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. and Bostick Hotel in
Van Buren at 10:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.38
A booming cannon awoke everyone December
7th, 1863, for a celebration. The celebration
commemorated the Battle of PrairieGrovefoughton
December 7, 1862. The Battle of Gettysburg was
also commemorated. As part of the celebration of
the Battle of Prairie Grove, The New Era printed in
full, Lincoln's Address, given at the Battle of
Gettysburg commemoration, which began "Four
score and seven years ago, our fathers established
upon this continent a government subscribed in
liberty and dedicated to the fundamental principles
that all men are created equal by a good God." The
paper labeled the speech a terse and characteristic
one by Lincoln. 39
After seeing nothing but greycoats in parade for
several years, many a tear was shed in watching the
ceremony of blue coats. 40
The Battle of Prairie Grove was still a vivid
memory for those living in Fort Smith. Rebel
General Thomas Hindman ran South to Van Buren
from the Prairie Grove battlefield in the dead of
night. He accomplished this by wrapping blankets
from his soldiers around the wheels of the wagons
36
lbid, November 28, 1863
lbid, December 5, 1863; Sawyer, William E. The Martin Hart
Conspiracy. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXIII,
Summer 1964, 154-165
38
The Fort Smith New Era. December 5, 1863
39
lbid, December 12, 1863
40
lbid
37
to muffle the sound. The blankets were destroyed
and carpets were taken from Fort Smith and Van
Buren homes to replace those blankets. 41
Ten thousand troops around Fort Smith posed no
little problem in furnishing supplies. One thousand
cords of wood and fifty thousand bushels of corn
were among items needed to supply the army in one
order. 43
Staff personal changed fairly often, as different
troops came and went during the Union occupation
of the fort. General Orders #14 said that
commanding officers of brigades could not make
personal escorts out of companies of squadrons
and the term "body guard" could not be used within
the Frontier District because it was "vulgar,
snobbish and unbecoming asoldier." 44
Fort Smith, with it's First Mass Meeting 45 of
Western Arkansas, had led the way in getting
Arkansas back into the Union. In the first part of
December, 1863, an Unconditional Union Mass
Meeting was held at Dardanelle with citizens from
Yell, Pope, Johnson, Scott, Perry and Conway
counties endorsing and adopting the platform and
resolutions of the Fort Smith meeting. Additionally
they asked for a return of state law and order. To
accomplish that, they asked for an appointment of a
Provisional Governor. 46 Another Mass Meeting was
held about the same time at Benton, Saline County,
with representatives from Clark, Sevier, Pike,
Garland, and Montgomery counties present. 47 At a
Mass Meeting held in Fort Smith December 17th, the
need for the appointment of Judge Isaac Murphy
was unanimously echoed. 48
In mid-December, Colonel J. M. Johnson,
candidate for United States Congress in the
Western District, was finally declared winner by
receiving at least 1/1 Oth of the eligible votes that had
been cast in the 1860 Presidential election. This was
the number that President Lincoln had settled on as
sufficient to declare a Congressional member of an
insurgent state back into Congressional graces.
Colonel Johnson obtained a leave of absence from
the 1st Arkansas Infantry, which he had formed, and
traveled to Washington to claim his seat in
Congress. 49 Unfortunately, Congressdidn'tfeelthat
Arkansas was "redeemed" and would not seat
Arkansas' Congressional delegation as President
Lincoln had recommended.50
Post Commander Orders #4 came down hard on
those officers who were allowing soldiers to pillage
and plunder. They were also told they had no
Confederate General Thomas Hindman
Because of bad weather, part of the Prairie Grove
Battle celebration waited to take place'on December
9th. It turned out to be a May-like day. Fort Smith
and Van Buren troops, about ten thousand in all,
were reviewed. Citizen's from near and far were
present for the occasion. The troops were in
encampments all around Fort Smith stretching to
Van Buren. The ceremony took place on the race
track about noon and the troops started their
position just below the Elias Rector mansion. The
review began with the Infantry of the 18th Iowa, 1st
Kansas and 2nd Kansas Colored and 6th Kansas;
Artillery was represented by the 2nd Kansas and 3rd
Kansas Batteries; Cavalry had the 3rd Wisconsin
and 14th Kansas. There was athirteen gun salute for
Major General James Blunt and Brigadier General
John McNeil and their staffs. 4 2
41
lbid
union. By 1864 there were probably a million members all over
the United States who were fierce supporters of the Union of
States. The Fort Smith Council was Arkansas Council #1.
46
lbid, January 4, 1864
47
lbid, January 4, 1864
48
lbid, December 19, 1863
49
op. cit., Cowan, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of Federal
Arkansas. 51
50
The Fort Smith New Era, December 19, 1863
42
lbid, December 12, 1863 , The location was near Grand Ave.
and North O and N. 41st St.
43
lbid, December 19, 1863
44
lbid, December 12, 1863
45
These Mass Meetings were held under the auspices of the
Union League of America. The League was first started by Union
patriots who gathered in caves of the Tennessee mountains
around their countries flag and plotted to regain their state for the
10
authority to question the loyalty of citizens. Orders
said to make sure men had rations when they left
camp so that there would be no excuse to take food
from citizens. 51
Those citizens in the population who had friends
or loved ones in the Confederate Army were able to
get their mail under the Flag of Truce. The mail was
picked up at the Provost Marshal's Office. 52
There were many people still in Fort Smith from
the outlaying areas by the end of 1863, because of
the fears of bushwackers. General Orders finally
went out on December 21, for those who were in
Fort Smith who had homes within the boundariesof
the command, to return to their farms and
workshops. The Army pointed out that ocupation by
the large Federal force meant a ready market for
farm produce and other items. The Army had a large
number of animals which it put on the auction block
to be bid on by civilians to help them get started
living normally again. While the intent of this order
was good, many people who followed the order, at
some point in time within the next six months, were
burned and plundered by bushwacking Rebels
and forced to come back to the protection of the
fort.53
Christmas Day dawned with fighting close by, this
time at Waldron. Rebel Major Gibson, leading a
scouting party of guerrillas, was surprised by
Captain Mentzer of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry, but no
deaths were reported. On the 29th, Major Gibson
was killed three miles from Waldron by the 2nd
Kansas Infantry, nine Rebels were wounded and six
Federals wounded.54
New Year's eve heralded the beginning of snow
that was to stay on the ground for three weeks.55 It
was 12° below zero and scarcely got above zero for
days on end. The damage to fruit trees was
extensive. The Arkansas river was frozen over and
heavily loaded wagons crossed over on the ice from
Fort Smith to Van Buren. Because snow was so
seldom seen in Fort Smith, sleds and sleighs of all
sizes and shapes made their appearance for fun and
work in the snow. 56
JANUARY, 1864
Merchants were beginning to move into Fort
Smith by January, 1864. Ernich and Lender opened
a dry goods store that featured dry goods, grocery,
hardware, saddlery and dealt in gold, silver, demand
notes, government vouchers and checks. They also
bought cotton, hides, beeswax and tallow. 57
Dr. L. T. Watson, who had served as a surgeon in
the 14th Missouri Cavalry, opened a drug store on
Garrison. And for special occasions, Lane's String
Band was available for engagements. Mr. I. B.
Dickerson, proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Saloon,
acted as manager for M. Lane, of the 18th Iowa
Infantry.58
A Union Mass Meeting to gain support for the
Stars and Stripes was held January 5th at Waldron
and there were representatives from Scott, Hemp,
stead, Pike, Polk, Sevier, and Montgomery counties.59
Frozen Arkansas River
Courtesy Arkansas History Commission
"Ibid, January 16, 1864
56
lbid, January 9, 1864
"Ibid, January 2, 1864
58
lbid
59
lbid, January 9, 1864
"Ibid
"Ibid, December 26, 1863
"Ibid
"Ibid, Janaury 2, 1864
11
CONFUSION IN THE GENERAL'S RANK . . .
Fort Smith, 1864
Just as Fort Smith citizens and the Army of the
Frontier was settling into a routine of sorts, news
from Washington upset everyone concerned. On
New Year's Day the War Department assigned Major
General Samuel R. Curtis the command af the
Department of Kansas which included the State of
Kansas, the Territory of Nebraska and Colorado, the
Indian Territory, and the military post of Fort Smith.
Headquarters were to be at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas.60
On January 6, the War Department announced
that Major General Frederick Steele would
command the newly constituted Department of
Arkansas. This Department included all of Arkansas
except the post at Fort Smith.61
This decision which was made in Washington was
obviously made without knowlege of the area
geography and left everyone in command up in the
air on who had control over what. The big question
from both Generals: was the military reservation on
which the garrison was erected, along with Belle
Point and the town of Fort Smith, attached to Curtis'
department or only the garrison itself. The problem
was, troops were camped all around the city with no
soldiers being within the garrison itself for lack of
space. It appeared to all exceptthose in Washington
who had made the decision, that General Curtis'
command of the post of Fort Smith was of no value
to him and greatly hindered command operations
out of Fort Smith to Waldron, Van Buren, Clarksville,
and Dardanelle by it not being under the Arkansas
Command.62
General McNeil was relieved of his duties as
Commander of the Army of the Frontier January 4,
because of the change in department commands.63
been attempting to get him a hearing with President
Lincoln. The request was finally heeded and
General Blunt left January 15 for Washington. The
New Era reported that a Captain Loring remained in
charge of the Recruiting Commission for the 11th U.
S. Colored Troops during the Generals absence.66
General Steele in Little Rock finally decided to
send Brigadier General John M. Thayer to Fort
Smith. He arrived on January 31st and he
immediately began trying to determine whether or
not the town of Fort Smith was in the Department of
Arkansas or Kansas.67
General Curtis arrived in Fort Smith February
10th and began looking around at what he had
inherited from the Department of Missouri. He
began drawing up plans to improve fortifications of
the area and was partial to the area around Van
Buren for his headquarters and for the
improvements rather than Fort Smith.68
McNeil left January 7th for St. Louis putting
Colonel William R. Judson of the 6th Kansas
Cavalry in charge of the District of the Frontier and
Colonel John Edwards 18th Iowa Infantry 64 in
charge of the post of Fort Smith.65
General Blunt, meanwhile, was still staying in Fort
Smith since his November arrival with no specific
further orders. The two Senators from Kansas had
60
Bearss, Edwin C., Federal Generals Squabble Over Fort Smith,
1863-1864, Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXIX, Summer
1970, 119
61
62
lbid
lbid, 120-151
"Ibid, 121
Union General Samuel R. Curtis
"In November, 1864, Edwards was promoted to Brigadier
General United States Volunteers. The Fort Smith New Era,
November 12, 1864
' I b i d . January 9, 1864
"'Ibid, January 16, 1864
67
op. cit. Bearss, Edwin C., Federal Generals Squabble over Fcrt
Smith, 1863, 1864, 127
68
lbid, 129-130
On February 22, General Steele, saying he had
been assured by the War Department that the town
of Fort Smith was included in his department,
directed General Thayer to designate his command
the District of the Frontier. Thayer was told he had
his choice of Fort Smith or Van Buren as the
command post. He chose Fort Smith. This was a
poker player's bluff on Steele's part and eventually
the bluff paid off. 69
Without knowing of the decision by General
Steele, General Curtis ordered General Blunt "to
resume command of as much of the District of the
Frontier as is included within the boundaries of the
Department of Kansas" and by March 9 Blunt was
back in Fort Smith from Washington. 70
What insued was a tug-of-war between two
generals, with Fort Smith being the tug. Finally in
April, headquarters in Washington could no longer
ignore the problem. In a general order from the
President August 17, Fort Smith and the Indian
T e r r i t o r y was f o r m a l l y t r a n s f e r r e d to the
Department of Arkansas under the direction of
General Steele and General Thayer. 71
MANY ANSWER CALL TO UNION SERVICE
Heroes come at all ages in war, and one who
gained attention at sixty-one years of age was David
P. Rupe of Sebastian County. He was a member of
Company E, 1st Arkansas Infantry and he had had
many close escapes under Rebel rule. He came into
Fort Smith early in 1862, took a Rebel wagon, loaded
it with sixty-eight guns, a keg of powder and some
lead and got away with it to a band of Union men in
the mountains who were carrying on guerilla
warfare. He then joined Federal lines. But in early
January, 1864, he really had given his all to the
United States he loved. . . His eleventh son, age
fifteen, joined the Federal troops with his ten other
brothers! 72
General Orders from the District of the Frontier,
early in January, 1864, emphatically declared that
every able-bodied man either had to enter the
service or be gainfully employed. The area was
rapidly becoming a den of iniquity with many idle
people waiting around to be fed and no one was
wanting to go back to the farms to begin work for
spring planting. In addition to the people from
surrounding counties who were coming into the
fort, refugees from Texas with Union sentiment
were arriving daily. 73
At one point, the General Orders were taken too
seriously by soldiers. One old, staunch Union man
was hauled from his walk on Garrison Avenue and
told he had to join the service. As he was protesting,
he was sworn in at the recruiting office before the
proceedings could be stopped. Some recruiters
were accused of enlisting men who were already in
regiments to make their records look good.74
RECONSTRUCTION STATE CONVENTION
JANUARY, 1864
Word finally reached Fort Smith about the Union
Reconstruction State Convention which had
convened in Little Rock January 4, 1864 as a result
of the mass meetings which began in Fort Smith in
October. Because of heavy snow, which didn't
begin melting until the 16th of January, Northwest
Arkansas delegates were not there at the beginning
of the convention. Delegates attending had many
complaints about 'Copperheads.' 75 'Copperheads'
were former rebels who traveled in Union circles,
playing both sides of the fence to benefit themselves
financially or otherwise. Twenty-two of the fiftyseven counties of Arkansas were ultimately
represented at the convention with forty-nine
delegates attending.
Union General Frederick Steele
Courtesy Arkansas Historical Association
69
"Ibid
74
lbid, January 16, 1864
"Ibid, February 13
lbid, 132
°lbid, 132
"Ibid, 132-151
"The Fort Smith New Era, January 9, 1864
7
13
had been presented to Congress Decembers, 1863,
as a model for their own election. According to the
Lincoln plan, full pardon, with special exceptions,
would be granted to all persons voluntarily taking
the oath. 78 The oath said: "I do solemnly swear or
affirm in the presence of Almighty God that I will
hereafter forthrightly defend the Constitution of the
United States and the Union of States thereunder,
and I will in like manner abide by and support all
laws and proclamations which have been made
during the existing rebellion with reference to the
emancipation of slaves, so help me God." 79
One-tenth of the number of citizens in any state
who cast votes in the 1860 presidential election
would be permitted to reorganize their state
government and once again receive the benefits
promised by the United States Constitution. Lincoln
had said in his proclamation that members of
Congress who would be elected by a reconstructed
state, could only be admitted to Congress by a
decision of the two houses of Congress, and this
statement was to become important to Arkansas. 80
A large number of loyal Union farmers and
tradesmen of Fort Smith area had been preparing to
travel north because of what they believed to be no
security and little encouragement from union
authorities to persevere. General Thayers' arrival on
the scene encouraged them to stay. The New Era
touted that a better day was dawning for FortSmith,
The Cradle of the First Southern Free State, and that
all would be fully provided for. 81
The lack of farmers actually attend ing farms in the
District of the Frontier was becoming a major
concern. The food for Fort Smith was dependent on
a good water level on the Arkansas to bring in
supplies by boat, or a wagon trains' ability to find
forage for mules or oxen coming four hundred miles
distance from Kansas. It was important that some
food be grown locally. Many of the larger plantation
owners were Rebels who had left the area. One
problem the Union forces had was of their own
making. Many rail fences of both Union and Rebel
farms had been torn down during the extreme cold
of January. The fences were brought to town and
used as firewood before orders to stop the practice
could be put into effect. But the main reason the
farmland was going untended was the dread of
bushwackers and the bands of lawless thieves
infesting the countryside. There was scarcely a farm
that had not been victimized. 82
Shouts of welcome greeted The Leon as it
steamed into the wharf of Fort Smith on February
The convention drafted a new constitution to be
presented to the voters for ratification on March 14,
1864. It was the old constitution of 1836 with some
minor changes. The preamble declared the act of
secession of 1861 was null and void and there was
an article prohibiting slavery. All action taken by the
secession convention or Confederate state
government, including debts occurred that were
incompatible with Federal laws, were declared
invalid. 76
One of the last acts of the convention was to
establish a provisional government to be in effect
until the voters chose permanent successors. The
convention unanimously elected Isaac Murphy
provisional governor. 77
The convention had used President Lincoln's
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction that
Governor Isaac Murphy
Courtesy Arkansas History Commission
76
79
The Fort Smith New Era. June 3, 1865
op. cit. Cowen, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of Federal
Arkansas. 1862-1865. 40
81
The Fort Smith New Era. February 27, 1864
82
lbid, February 20, 1864
op. cit., Cowen, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of
80
Federal Arkansas. 1862-1865. 44
"Ibid, 45
78
lbid, 41
14
14, 1864. The Leon was the first boat to arrive in
three years carrying the stars and stripes. It carried
seventy tons of commissary supplies that were
sorely needed by the garrison. 83
A story of a band of Rebels in the area was relayed
by thirteen refugees from Texas, when they finally
arrived in Fort Smith February 16. The refugees had
been traveling about twenty miles south of
Sugarloaf Mountain, scattered four hundred yards
apart, when they were attacked by a Rebel force of
Choctaws. The wounded were cruelly butchered
and eight were taken prisoner. Other refugees had
recently reported atrocities by Quantrill's 84 men,
who pulled off an old man's toe nails with bullet
moulds and then blew his head off when he wouldn't
tell where the money was.
On February 21st, General Thayer brought the
detached forcethat had been at Waldron, closerinto
the post at Jenny Lind. Lieutenant Colonel Searle of
the 1st Arkansas Infantry reported back to the
garrison that they were at Jenny Lind, but had been
caught in a hailstorm without tents. He then pulled
all of the nine-hundred strong troops, including
Kansas Cavalry, back to Greenwood to stay in
vacant houses. Searle reported the troops suffering
through sleet and snow with only knapsacks on
their backs. 85
Because of the distances many had to travel, the
polls were open for three days. The final vote count
forthe state was 12,177castfortheConstitution and
12,430 votes for Governor Murphy. This was almost
double the amount of votes required by President
Lincoln's Amnesty plan presented before
Congress. 88
In Fort Smith concern rose among local Radical
Unionists when a young upstart, Lieutenant
Perkins, 13th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry,
who was serving as Provost Marshal of Van Buren
decided to run against the popular Colonel James
M. Johnson for Congress. Lieutenant Perkins had
lived in the state for six months but had married an
Arkansas girl. 89 Johnson defeated Perkins soundly
but the value of the seat won was very much up in
the air. Congress would not legally seat the voterelected Arkansas Representatives and Senators. 90
Local candidates on the county ticket had been
nominated to run at mass meetings but many others
had decided to run for office who had not been
nominated by predominately Union people. No
matter how active a secessionist a man had been, if
he took the oath to uphold the United States
Constitution, he was allowed to vote. 91
As the votes came in and were counted, first in the
precincts, the wards and then the counties, there
was much jubilation among the radical Union men.92
The mass meeting that had been held in Fort Smith
October 30, 1863, had been responsible for starting
the drive to reorganize state government and made
Fort Smith truly The Cradle of the First Southern
Free State.92
The local election returns were as follows:
Charles Milor, State Senate; Sisson and Smott,
State Representatives; Howard, County Judge;
Lewis,, County Clerk; John Wear, Sheriff; Watts,
Coroner; Murphy, Assessor. In the state, Isaac
Murphy was elected Governor; Calvin Bliss,
Lieutenant Governor; Robert J. T. White, Secretary
of State; James R. Berry, Auditor; E. D. Ayers,
Treasurer and Charles T. Jordan, Attorney General.
Colonel Johnson won his seat for Congress. 94
The Union people of Fort Smith felt that poor,
despised "Rackensack" 95 would henceforth have
the honor of being the first of the seceded states to
take her place in the Union of States. 96 The New Era
STATE ELECTION FOR THE UNION
Feverish preparations were taking place for the
state election March 14. The poll books for Fort
Smith were late in arriving and The New Era fumed
that if they did not hurry with the poll books, the
state would lose a lot of good solid Union votes. 86
The preparations for the election went in this order:
Citizens in a county who had taken the amnesty
oath, appointed a county commissioner of election.
The commissioner was authorized to appoint the
necessary election judges. He served as the
enrollment officer for the county or company if it
was a military establishment and he prepared the
enrolling poll book. The poll books were to contain
information for each voter such as acceptance of
the amnesty oath, ratification or rejection of the
constitution and the vote cast for different elective
officers. 87
87
cp. cit. Cowen, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of Federal
Arkansas. 1862-1865. 49
lbid, 49-50
89
The Fort Smith New Era. March 12, 1864
90
op. cit. Cowen, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of Federal
Arkansas 1862-1865. 52-56
91
The Fort Smith New Era. March 19, 1864
92
lbid
93
lbid, March 12, 1864
94
lbid, March 26, 1864
95
An early name for Arkansas, not complimentary
96
The Fort Smith New Era. February 27, 1864
"Ibid, February 13, 1864
88
84
William Clark Quantrill, World Book Encyclopedia. 1977. Vol.
16, 4, William Clarke Quantrill was a leader of a Confederate
guerrilla band. He was mustered into Confederate service but
operated independently. On August 21, 1863 he and his men
burned most of the town of Lawrence, Kansas, killing 150 people.
Frank James, brother of Jesse James rode with him that day.
Quantrill was killed in Kentucky in 1865.
85
The Fort Smith New Era. February 27, 1864
lbid,.March 12, 1864
86
15
boasted "The hydra-headed monster, treason and
rebellion that have preyed upon our vitals with
human slavery have been defeated and the banner
of Freedom, Justice and Truth are borne aloft. A
breach has been made in the ranks of rebels and a
flood of loyalty rushing through gaps will soon
overwhelm the last of the Southern Confederacy." 97
The New Era started early getting support for a
free school system in Arkansas. They argued that if
the state had a free school system the poor man's
child would be on the same level with the rich man's.
This would enable the poor child to press for a
shiney mark of distinction in the battle of life.
Further The New Era said thesluggish machinery of
a slave government would soon be replaced by one
of activity, energy and justice for all.98
The spirit of the community was high around the
fort for a few days. An order from the Provost
Marshal stated no intoxicating liquors were to be
sold outside the limits bounded on the north by
Water Street, east by Mulberry Street, south by Van
Buren Street and west by Garrison.99 There had
obviously been trouble in the River City with
excessive drinking.
THE FRONTIER TROOPS CALLED TO FIGHT
Quite suddenly, though not unexpectedly, the
Frontier troops were ordered southward in what was
hoped would be the last campaign fought in
Arkansas during the hated Civil War.100 The troops
were in fine fighting shape for there had been four
months of steady drill and discipline in camp in Fort
Smith. It was noted by many that the units of black
soldiers and most particularly the 22nd Kansas
Colored "could execute with precision every
movement required of an infantry regiment." The
march southward was part of the Federal generals
vast campaign that was planned to drive up the Red
River, capture Shreveport and carry the war into
east Texas. The plan was for General Frederick
Steele to march from Little Rock and rendezvous
with General Thayerat Arkadelphia whenthetroops
advanced southward. 101
General Thayer, who had been successful at Fort
Donelson, Belmont, Shiloh, Post of Arkansas,
Vicksburg and Jackson was in command of the
Division moving from Fort Smith. The 18th Iowa left
"Ibid, March 12, 1864
"Ibid, March 19, 1864, Water Street - unknown but probably by
the River; Mulberry Street - North B. Street; Van Buren, Street North 17th Street
"Ibid
100
lbid, March 26, 1864
101
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., Federals General Squabble Over
Fort Smith. 140
Fort Smith March 22nd, the 12th Kansas, March
23rd, the 1st Arkansas Infantry, March 24th along
with the 2nd Kansas Colored. 102 Other regiments of
the Frontier District moved in behind them as they
traveled southeastward by way of Booneville, Mt.
Ida, and Caddo Gap because supplies were very
short and cover was available on this route.103
Colonel W. R. Judson of the 6th Kansas Cavalry
was left in command of the District and Lieutenant
Colonel Bishop, 1st Arkansas Cavalry was left with
part of a regiment and became Post Commander. 104
BUSHWACKING STEPPED UP
As expected, bushwacking activities stepped up
with the troops gone from the fort. Small Rebel
bands were all over the countryside. Citizens join ing
these groups were said to be "going to the brush."
Union people who had gone back to their homes in
the outlying districts in early 1864, began leaving
their land for the safety of the fort. Twenty teams of
horses and mules, cattle, sheep and scores of
women and children of Union men came in from
Waldron. 105
With small forces guarding them, the Union posts
at Roseville and Clarksville were under imminent
danger of falling to Confederate forces three times
their size. In one battle that took place at Roseville,
Rebels left six dead and twenty wounded. The
Federals had two dead and eight wounded. There
was no doctor to take care of any of the wounded.
Union Cavalry volunteers dashed to Fort Smith
overnight, and left the next morning with an
assistant surgeon and a twenty-five man escort.
Eleven miles from Roseville the volunteers and
surgeon met up with fourhundred Rebels. Sincethe
Rebels were dressed in blue, the leader of the
Federals thought he might be attacking his own
people. He shouted for the Blue Clads to identify
themselves and the Confederate leader shouted
back "Stand there a moment and we will show you
who we are." Guns started blazing and about half of
the Union boys made it safely in a dash through the
Rebels lines. The next day, the Roseville Union
troops searched for and found their missing
comrades, including the assistant surgeon. They
were all dead, horribly mutilated with knives and
stripped. 106
102
The Fort Smith New Era. March 26, 1864
103
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., Federal Generals Squabble Over
Fort Smith. 143
104
The Fort Smith New Era. March 26, 1864
105
lbid, March 26, 1864; April 9, 1864
106
Bearss, Edwin C., Confederate Action Against Fort Smith Post.
Early 1864. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly Vol. X X I X , No. 3,
Autumn 1970.
Map Courtesy Edwin C. Bearss and the Arkansas Historical Association.
perimeter were not begun until mid-May. 107
A commissary train of seventy-five wagons was
able to come from Little Rock and Dardanelle to Fort
Smith on April 21st.Thetrain had been harrassed by
five hundred to six hundred bushwackers but had
not been attacked. Arkansas River was booming so
that boats were also able to get up river with supplies
the 1st week of May and the soldiers were put on full
rations. The citizens of Fort Smith went on full
rations also because The Carrie Jacobs brought a
load of supplies for town merchants. 108
There was an election May 2 in Fort Smith and F.
Work was progressing on fortifying the land
approaches to Fort Smith. By April 9th, Fort No. 2 on
the Texas Road was almost completed with two
twelve-pounder brass guns in place. A drawbridge
was being worked on for access to the area. Fort No.
3 was coming along near the Catholic Convent. The
rifle pits at that place would be finished within ten
days. Fort No. 4 on the Van Buren Road, the largest
of the fortifications was progressing rapidly but
because it was to be large enough to hold five
hundred men it would be another month before
completion. Supporting batteries inside the
107
"The Fort Smith New Era, May 7, 1864
lbid, 234
17
General Banks in Louisiana and sweep on to the
Gulf of Mexico. It was made a total loss by
Confederate Generals Shelby, Maxey, Fagan,
Dockery, Marmaduke and Cooper and their ten
thousand men who were mostly mounted infantry.
There was an immense amount of physical
suffering. Wagons, clothing, and most weapons
were lost.115
While the losses were heavy for all, they were the
heaviest for the Negro Union troops. As feared, the
enemy showed no mercy tothe Negro wounded and
their white officers. The Negro troops, however,
proved themselves excellent fighters in extreme
circumstances with considerable esprit de corps. 116
From thirty miles out of Pine Bluff, thetroopstook
four days and nights to arrive back into Little Rock.
Everything they had was carried on their backs.
Only one wagon was allowed for each brigade and
that was for returning papers and records. Fatigue
and hunger plagued the troops. On May 13th, the
troops met up with Union boats Ad Mine, Carrie
Jacobs, Des Moines City and Chippeway at
Dardanelle. The boats were loaded with
Quartermaster and ordinance stores on the way to
Fort Smith. As the boats moved slowly along the
river, they protected the troops and arrived with the
soldiers in Fort Smith. 117
The defeated troops, mortified and indigent, were
welcomed by townspeople who were more than
glad to see the return of General Thayer and his
Army of the Frontier rather than the Rebel troops
not too far away threatening in Indian Territory. 118
Taking advantage of the disastrous retreat, the
Rebel's pushed forward to the Arkansas River to
take all the small stations along the stream. There
was a battle at Dardanelle after the Army of the
Frontier had marched through. This established a
blockade of sorts to hamper movement of supplies.
Clarksville was vacated on May 20th by Union
troops. The Rebels wanted to interrupt navigation
and cut off supplies being shipped to Fort Smith
from Little Rock. 119
Hospital wards were filled with wounded. The
general hospital was in six locations across town
and consisted of the St. Charles Hotel, Sutton
Mansion, 120 Rector Mansion, 121 the prison, the
smallpox ward, and the colored ward. The Belle
Grove Seminary also was used at one time as a
hospital. The hospitals were clean but not many iron
H. Wolfe was elected Mayor; J. A. Davis, Constable;
and City Commissioners elected were C. G. Foster,
A. J. Singleton, John Emrich, J. Hammersly and
Peter Nolan.109
That same eventful day the 9th Kansas Cavalry
with one thousand men and a large train of
government and sutler wagons came into Fort
Smith from Kansas. They had been on the road for
twenty-two days. Part of the supplies were for the
commissary and ordinance and part were goods for
businessmen. Two days later the cavalry troops left
for Little Rock to lend help to the Union troops
fighting south of Little Rock. 110
A Mass Union Meeting was held in Little Rock May
6th to elect delegates to the National Union
Convention in Baltimore June 7 to nominate a
Republican Presidential candidate. Local delegates
elected to the convention were Valentine Dell,
Sebastian County and L. C. White of Crawford
County. 111
The air was electric with excitement the week of
May 14th, 1864. Word was received from Union
spies that with the defeat of Union troops in south
Arkansas the Rebels had been given new life. It was
reported that 8,000 troops were on their way to
capture Fort Smith. 112 Military authorities closed
Fort Smith businesses and citizens were ordered to
work on a system of trenchs 113 to encircle the
garrison and city of Fort Smith for the inner
fortifications. The trench digging was a novelty that
was soon to wear thin as blisters popped up on
hands and stores had to re-open to sell buckskin
gloves. The trench system was finished in a week. 114
The Confederate threat failed to materialize before
the Union troops came back to the fort.
UNION TROOPS RETREAT FROM
ARKANSAS CAMPAIGN
SOUTH
The Army of the Frontier, which marched out of
Fort Smith so confidently March 22, arrived back
in retreat, May 16. They were pushed by their
officers to return to Fort Smith as quickly as
possible because of the danger of the Rebels
capturing the city. The soldiers were stripped of
everything but their honor. The object of the
expedition, which linked up Union General Steele
and Brigadiers Thayer, Saloman, Carr and Rice to
form the 7th Army Corp. of fourteen thousand men,
was to take South Arkansas, then join up with Union
'09ibid
116
lbid
lbid
118
lbid
119
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., Confederate Action Against
Fort Smith. Early 1864. 239-240
120
514 North 6th Street, now known as the Clayton House. Part
m
110
lbid
'"Ibid, May 21, 1864
"'op. cit. Bearss, Edwin C., Confederate Action Against
Fort Smith. Early 1864, 237
l13
Johnson, Robert E., Fort Smith and the Civil War.
The Journal, Vol IV, No. 1, April 1980, 9 Map.
1l4
The Fort Smith New Era. May 14, 1864
115
lbid, May 21, 1864
of the Sutton House was incorporated in the Clayton House.
'-Rector Family Diary. The Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2,
December 1977, 58-66; The Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1, April, 1978.
18
beds were available. Many patients slept outsidethe
buildings on tent floors. 122
attacked about seventy miles above Fort Smith and
eventually set on fire. The Union soldiers made it
back to Fort Smith unharmed in what must have
been record overland time. 127
Thayer then sent an excursion by the 2nd Kansas
Colored Regiment and 11th U. S. Colored Infantry
and an artillery unit into Indian Territory. They were
successful in fighting the Indians who had burned
the little steam boat. Thayer than determined that it
was unsafe to ship supplies to Fort Gibson and
within a brief time, General Maxey's Indian Territory
Confederates reoccupied the country west of the
Poteau and south of the Arkansas rivers. 128
Early in June, 1864, Major Reed of the Home
Guards took about twenty-five of his troops and part
of the 9th Kansas Cavalry and searched lower
Sebastian County and Franklin County for
bushwackers. Near a Mr. Pearl's house at Potato
Hill, there was a fight with twenty-five bushwackers
and the popular Chaplain William Wilson of the 6th
Kansas Cavalry, was wounded and his arm was
amputated below the elbow. He died of the wounds
in late summer. 129
REFUGEES FLEE
During the week of May 23, 1864, about one
hundred refugee wagons crossed the river on their
way to Kansas. After Union troops took back control
of the Arkansas, the steamers were finally able to
leave for their return to Little Rock with one hundred
twenty white refugees and three hundred
Negroes.123
The flight was on. Twelve hundred refugees
crossed the river at Fort Smith on their way to Fort
Scott in early June. Most were wives and children of
Union Arkansas 1st Infantry soldiers, and they were
in a very destitute condition. 124
May 31, General Thayer sent out a special letter to
the people in the area. The letter said that it had
come to Thayer's attention that anonymous letters
had been sent to some people living in Fort Smith
warning them to leave and threatening them with
assasination if they did not. Thayer said he
considered this kind of warfare thesameasguerrilla
and bushwacking. He also stated that he was
warring against organized troops according to
recognized principles of civilized warfare and all
other modes of warfare he detested. He reserved the
right, as Military Commander of the District, to tell
anyone to leave. General Thayer made it plain that
he had no use at all for the Rebel cause and that he
would not permit such conduct as the threatening
letters in his District.125
General Thayer also snapped out General Orders
#31 in an effort to settle the troops into camp life. He
ordered all officers to stay in their respective camps
at night and cut down on trips to town in the
daytime. The order stated the grog shop was no
place an officer and the closing line .warned "these
orders had better not fall as dead letters!" 126
General Thayer was very concerned about there
being sufficient supplies stockpiled in Fort Smith
during good boating water on the Arkansas and
sufficient early summer forage on the way to Fort
Scott. Several boats were able to bring supplies by
the second week of June. One boat, the J. R.
Williams, was captured by Confederate Colonel
Stand Watie's Creeks and Seminoles on its way from
Fort Smith to Fort Gibson. The boat was loaded with
commissary stores of mostly flour and bacon along
with some Indian trade goods. The boat was
122
WOMEN VOLUNTEER
Notation was made in the New Era that all overthe
United States, women were volunteering for the
Army and taking the places of clerksat$13a month,
a soldiers pay. They also printed a piece of genuine
Arkansas Poetry from a girl to her lover in the
Confederate Army:
It's hard for you'uns to live in camp
It's hard for you'uns to fight the yanks
It's hard for you'uns and we'uns to part,
For you'uns all know you have got we'uns
heart. 130
NATIONAL UNION CONVENTION
The National Union Convention (Republican) met
in Baltimore June 7th, 1864, at high noon. At the
Convention, Abraham Lincoln was once again
nominated for President of the United States.
Valentine Dell of Fort Smith wasabletocast hisvote
for Father Abraham, 131 as he was popularly called,
through a hard fought credentials fight lead by
Senator James S. Lane 132 of Kansas. This was
accomplished in spite of Arkansas' House and
Senate members not being seated in Congress and
128
The Fort Smith New Era. June 4, 1864
Ibid
130
lbid
13l
lbid, June 11, 1864
132
lbid, July 30, 1864
The Fort Smith New Era, January 30, 1864
129
123
Ibid, May 28, 1864
lbid
125
lbid, June 4, 1864
126
lbid, May 28, 1864
127
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., Confederate Action Against
Fort Smith, Early 1864, 245-250
124
19
Arkansas, knew that nothing was further from the
truth. Dyed-in-the wool Union people of Arkansas
pushed for the Convention of January, 1864, and
asked President Lincoln for guidelines in seeking
re-admittance to the Union. The Convention in
January, 1864, at Little Rock, and the removing of
slavery from the State Constitution by sworn vote in
March came about through the work of
Unconditional Union Arkansas people who believed
secession was treason. 134
June 29, 1864, President Lincoln sent General
Steele in Little Rock a telegram stating that
Congress had passed a bill to guarantee certain
states which had seceded from the Union by
usurption, as Arkansas had without a statewide
vote, a method of coming back into the Union. The
bill had been presented to Lincoln an hour before
Adjournment Sine Die of Congress. Lincoln vetoed
it because he thought the Congress was unfair to
Arkansas and Louisiana (Louisiana having made
the same preparations to come into the Union as
Arkansas). Lincoln said the way he presented the readmittance of seceded states back to the Union in
his Proclamation of 1863 wasn't the only way to
accomplish coming back into the Union but the bill
passed by Congress was unfair to the two states
who had in good faith complied with the
Proclamation. Lincoln believed the two states were
not being allowed to join the Union because
Congress felt it would hamper the chances of the
passage of the abolishment of slavery amendment
to the Constitution of the United States. 135
In another telegram to General Steele on the same
day, President Lincoln stated: "I understand that
Congress declined to admit to seats the persons
sent as Senators and Representatives from
Arkansas. These persons apprehend that in
consequence, you may not militarily support the
new state government there as you otherwise
would. My wish isthatyou give that government and
the people there, the same support and protection
that you would if the member had been admitted
because in no event, nor in any view of the case, can
this do any harm, while it will be the best you can do
towards suppressing the Rebellion." 136
The citizens of Fort Smith met in front of
headquarters early in July and presented Captain C.
O. Judson, District Provost Marshal, who had been
Commander of the District while General Thayer
was on campaign in south Arkansas, a carved
revolver and belt, in their appreciation of him as a
man and officer. Captain Judson played a large part
in the running of the District of the Frontier in
various capacities during the Civil War. 137
the State unrecognized by that body as not having
statehood. It had been a long, arduous route to
Baltimore for Valentine Dell, and Mr. Hicken and Dr.
Bailey who accompanied him. They traveled down
the Arkansas to the White river, where they saw
gunboats patroling, to the Mississippi and the Ohio
and then overland to Baltimore. 133
Gun Boats on White River
Courtesy Arkansas History Commission
One of the things Dell learned on this trip to
Baltimore and then on to Washington where he
interviewed President Lincoln, was that many of the
people in the north thought the re-admittance of
Arkansas into the Union, which had started with the
mass meeting of twenty counties in Fort Smith, had
all been choreographed by President Lincoln and
the military. Valentine Dell, having been in the big
middle of the mass meetings, and having chronicled
the other mass meetings of Union People that had
taken place over a good part of the state of
136
133
lbid, August 13, 1864
'"Ibid, July 9, 1864
lbid, June 18, 1864
lbid, July 23, 1864
135
lbid, July 30, 1864
134
20
FORT SMITH CELEBRATES
FOURTH OF JULY, 1864
Fort Smith'scelebration of the 88th birthday of the
United States was the first birthday of America that
had been celebrated for two years in Fort Smith.
From early morning to evening, the sound of bugle,
fife, and drum kept the airvibrating. The celebration
started at 9:00 A.M. at the southeast of Valentine
Dell's school house. 138 Reverend Francis Springer,
Post Chaplain, implored the blessings of the
Almightly, and this was followed by the National
Anthem. Mayor F. H. Wolfe read the Declaration of
Independence and commented it had never been
put intoeffect until Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation freeing the slaves. Other speakers for
the occasion were Reverend M. A. East, Father
Douglas, Judge Milor, Doctor Swindell, Brigadier
General Thayer, Lieutenant Colonel Searle of the
1st Army Infantry, Lieutenant Hover of the 12th
Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and Captain Duff of the
6th Kansas. The brass band of the 13th Kansas
Volunteer Infantry furnished the music. Resolutions
were passed commenting on the painful
observation that the present policy of incorporating
the Rebels into the Union Army and restoring their
rights had caused a lot of problems. Many who had
been thought to have been rehabilitated from their
previous thinking of secession from the United
States were plotting treasonous acts even though
they had taken the oath.' 39
Pay for the troops was notoriously slow in coming
to the garrison at Fort Smith and it was sorely
needed by soldiers and merchants alike. The last
week of July, the paymasters finally arrived on one
of the four steamers coming from Little Rock, and
they brought six months pay for the troops. The
town's economy was stimulated for a brief time. 140
By this time in the war, the Sugar Loaf Valley area
south of Fort Smith was devastated. Indians and
bushwackers were driving off stock, destroying
property, forcing Union families to leave. Several
older men and young boys were carried off with the
Rebels. Many refugees were still departing from the
area and the State and the Federal government was
sending them by public conveyance at government
expense because of their improverishment. 141
MASSARD PRAIRIE BATTLE
As the sun came up on Massard Prairie, seven
miles south of Fort Smith, July 27th, 1864, there
' 38 There were no public schools in Arkansas. Dell's school was
Fort Smith Male and Female Seminary. The Goodspeed
Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Northwestern Arkansas.
1889, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 756
139
The Fort Smith New Era. July 9, 1864
'40lbid, July 23, 1864
141
lbid, July 2, 1864
Map courtesy of Edwin C. Bearss and
The Arkansas Historical Association
21
were signs of a bloody struggle. About two
thousand Confederate troops led by General Gano
attacked a battalion of the 6th Kansas Cavalry
commanded by Major Mefford. The Union forces
finally retreated toward town, with a number taken
prisoner, including two Fort Smith citizens. Ten
Union men were killed and fifteen wounded. The
s had twelve killed and twenty wounded.
Colonel Judson at the garrison headed a mounted
force out as soon as he heard, but the Rebels had
departed from the area an hour and a half before.
The Rebels were pursued for five miles, then the
Union side halted and sent out their scouts. The
Union scouts came upon the enemies' rear at 3 P.M.
as they were crossing the Poteau River about ten
miles away. Colonel Judson then returned to the
Massard Prairie encampments where he found it
about three-quarters burned, but a large quanity of
Quartermaster stores and transportation were
unharmed. It was painfully noted that most of the
Union men killed were also shot in the head. 142
At noon on the 29th of July, four bushwackers,
whose average age was nineteen, were executed by
Union troops. In the spring of 1863, these
bushwackers, dressed as Federal soldiers, shot
eight Federal soldiers and one citizen in cold blood.
For the execution, the four young men were loaded
into wagons, each sitting on his own coffin.
Chaplains Springer, McAfee and Wilson
accompanied them as they were taken out of town
outside of the rifle entrenchments. As the Judge
Advocate read charges, the prisoners knelt with the
Chaplains, eyes were bandaged and hands tied and
f o r t y - e i g h t muskets ended the four's
bushwacking. 143
The next day, Sunday, July 30, 1864, Rebel forces
once again approached Fort Smith. They appeared
about four miles from town in considerable
numbers and using howitzers they drove in the
Union pickets. Part of the Second Kansas Battery
and 1st Kansas Colored took their position about a
mile in advance of Fort #2 on Texas Road. The
Rebels finally retreated with three wagonloads of
dead and wounded. Skirmishes continued in the
Poteau River bottoms. The Union side had one
picket killed, one wounded and one taken
prisoner. 144
July 31, Colonel Judson was wounded in the leg
by shell fire. Many of the attacking Confederates
were former Fort Smith, people. Union houses
outside of the picket lines were plundered and then
142
burned down. The Rebels then fell back about
twenty miles to Rock Creek. There were estimated
to be eight thousand rebels at this time although
several Union prisoners who later escaped said it
was more like ten thousand. 145
UNION CIVILIANS FLEE FORT SMITH
The exodus of Union citizens from Fort Smith to
other parts of the Union that had begun in early
summer was stepped up. Every steam boat or wagon
train that left was full of refugees. Marcus Boyd who
ran the ferry worked day and night to help teams
cross the crowded levees.146
On August 8, 1864, a refugee wagon train of
fifteen hundred began their exodus from Fort Smith,
leaving the mountains and valleys of Arkansas they
grew up and toiled in. In the words of The Fort Smith
New Era, the exodus was "The results of a war
forced upon the nation by a slave aristocracy." 147
With Fort Smith almost empty of citizenry and
filled with soldiers, routine assignments became
very monotonous. General Orders were posted that
said no liquor, wholesale or retail was to be sold.
There was also a reminder that officers would camp
with their companies. 148
On September 1, 1864, as the pickets were posted
to Texas Road, about three hundred Indians
attacked the pickets and killed one Union man. The
other pickets were driven into Fort Smith and within
one mile of the town, an old man making molasses
was killed. At least three Fort Smith boys were seen
among the guerillas and when the pickets' body was
recovered, it had been stripped and a finger that had
sported a gold ring has been cut off. 149
Orphaned children, products of all wars, were
beginning to be numerous in Fort Smith. Reverend
Springer, Post Chaplain, U. S. A., began pleading
for all citizens of the state to help give funds to set up
a children's orphanage. 150
ARMY CHURCH ESTABLISHED
As more stress was manifested around the fort, an
Army church was instituted September 21. The
regular meeting of the church was held at the
Methodist Episcopal Church, later changed to the
Episcopal Church, Tuesday and Friday evenings at
6:30 P.M. and Sundays at 10:30 A.M. Reverend J. H.
Leard, Chaplain of the 1st Arkansas Infantry led the
services. Those attending services were told
"volunteers in noble service of our country are here
presented with an invitation to volunteer under the
captaincy of the Prince of Peace."151
147
lbid, July 30, 1864, Cox, Steve, The Action on Massard
lbid
lbid,
149
lbid,
150
lbid,
I51
lbid,
148
Prairie. The Journal Vol. IV, No. 1, April 1980, 11-13
143
The Fort Smith New Era. August 6, 1864
'"Ibid
145
146
lbid
lbid, August 13, 1864
22
August 20, 1864
September 3, 1864
September 17, 1864
November 5, 1864
On the Confederate side, there were some
ministers, particularly of the Methodist Episcopal
Church who had been playing major secessionist
roles. Russel Reneau of Grand Prairie, Franklin
County, Minister of Methodist Episcopal Church
•South had been instrumental in leading efforts to
leave the Union. He advocated a war of
extermination and played a double role after the
Federal Army came back into Fort Smith. Rev. G. C.
McWilliams of Ozark Methodist Episcopal finally
"took to the brush" along with Reverend Reneau in
June of 1864.152
SECOND MILITIA ENROLLMENT
On September 24, 1864, General Orders were
issued concerning the enrolled militia. First Class
Militia consisted of those aged 18-45 who were
listed as active, while 2nd class had ages 45-60 and
they were put in the reserves. It was decided that if
an emergency came up, there would be a signal of
six taps given in couplets on the Methodist Church
bell, and then everyone would report to the garrison
immediately. 153
Four days later, a detail of the 14th Kansas
Cavalry was with a forage train gathering corn,
fourteen miles out of Fort Smith on the Little Rock
Road when they were attacked by four or five times
their number. They were overpowered afterfighting
seven hours. When the dead were retrieved, they
were found to have been shot, stabbed and stripped.
Even a crazy old man living near the corn field was
shot and his pantaloons were stolen. 154
In mid-October, 1864, wagon trains of refugees
from Texas arrived in Fort Smith and then departed
hurriedly for Kansas. 155 Most Fort Smith farmers and
mechanical people were gone by this time and the
Fort Smith New Era wondered in print how long it
could continue after it's first anniversary of October
8, 1863, with most of it's subscribers gone. 156 The
New Era was being printed by a newspaperman
turned soldier, Mr. Bigelow of the 12th Kansas
Volunteer Infantry doing double duty. 157
NEGROES IN THE ARMED SERVICES
The Negro troops stationed in Fort Smith 158 were
really something new in army life. The New Era
reported there had not been a single incident of ill
feeling or violence among the troops. 159 Early on in
'"Ibid, June 11, 1864
'"Ibid, September 24, 1864
'"Ibid, October 1, 1864
'"Ibid, October 8, 1864
'"Ibid, October 22, 1864
157
lbld, In late summer, Valentine Dell had taken his family away
from the danger of Fort Smith to St. Louis and then for a long stay
In Leavenworth and Fort Scott. They couldn't stand being away
from Fort Smith, and tried to return. Dell enrolled In the Kansas
Militia while at Fort Scott. New Era. November 12, 1864. They
finally came back to Fort Smith, January 6th after five months
from home. New Era January 21, 1865.
the history of the nation, Blacks served in th^ armed
forces, first in the Patriot armies of 1776 fiqhtino in
the same ranks as the whites, in the War or 18 i
New York raised two regiments of Negroes H had
been but a short two years since Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation that Negroes were
fighting for the United States A r m y and then
months after that before they were fully organized
troops under white officers. Since the war began by
the firing by the Rebels on the Star of the West and
Fort Sumpter, no event had been more damaging to
the Rebels than the proclamation of freedom to the
slaves. That proclamation of freedom had with it the
necessary requirements of arming the Negroes in
the cause of tne nation and the liberation of their
own bondage. 160 The Union Army had had problem?
in recruiting white officers to command the Nepro
troops. Assassination of the white officers by Rebels
was certain if they were captured. The Rebels said
the Negro soldier was a coward, wouldn't fight and
that one white man with a whip inhishand could run
through a dozen blacks armed with a mime
Observers of the regiments of Negro troops in Fort
Smith felt differently and reported that the Negro
troops were as well drilled as any white troops
Negro soldiers in Fort Smith were observed in the
camps with spelling, reading and arithmetic book?
stuck inside their belts. As soon as they were
relieved from duty, they pulled the books ou
started studying. 161 Cowardice had not beerreported even though the black troops had been
attacked by three times their number. If wounded or
captured, the Negro troops and their officers in the
south Arkansas campaign in the spring were treated
horribly by the Confederate troops and south
Arkansas partisans. 162
The history of slavery in Arkansas was rooted in
Arkansas beginnings. The Constitution adopted in
1836 legalized slavery. By 1850, Arkansas had
closed its mind in respect to any inherent evil in
slavery and that year the legislature made it an
offense for anyone to say or write that slavery was
not right. The punishment for the offense was
confinement in the penitentiary. The legislature
passed another law in 1859 that provided that no
free Negro would be permitted to reside in Arkansas
after January 1, I860.163
'"Parts of colored Regiments or entire Regiments at Fort Smith
from 1863 to return to statehood were: 54th Regiment Infantry,
11th Regiment Infantry organized in Fort Smith, December 19
1863, 79th Regiment Infantry, 83rd Regiment Infantry.
'"The Fort Smith New Era, July 8, 1865
""Ibid, July 2, 1864
'"Ibid, July 23, 1864
'"Ibid, November 5, 1864
'"Beatty-Brown, Florence R., Legal Status of Arkansas Negros
Before Emancipation: Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXVI!!,
No. 1, Spring 1969, 6-13
23
The Confederates intense hatred of fighting
against Negroes as soldier to soldier probably
contributed to the Union defeat in south Arkansas
by helping whip the Rebel troops in a frenzy of effort
to defeat those who treated Negroes as equals.
The/Vew Era observed that the prejudice against
the employment of Negroes as soldiers was either
founded on or was associated with that species of
narrow selfishness which sees no value in the
colored man, except as a slave, convertible into
cash at the pleasure of the owner. 164
It wasn't the South alone however, that cherished
their prejudices of the Negro soldiers, for many
professing Union people echoed the same
statements. Many Southern symphathizers who had
taken the Union oath, thought it all well and good to
put the Negro troops in ditchs with spades in their
hands, but to arm them and drill them and thus make
them equal to the white soldier was an outrage. 165
The radical Unionist of the Fort Smith area felt
strongly that since the Negro was a man and
deserved to be free, he was under as much
obligation as other men to perform the duties and
encounter the hazards of the soldier in defense of
his liberation and rights of mankind. 166
It wasn't until late in the Civil War that the
Confederate side realized that they had made a
grave error in not utilizing Negroes as soldiers. The
South had been caught in a quandry for they knew
that they who fight for freedom deserve to be free
men and that their women and children then have to
be free also. If soldiers, the Negroes would have
wanted to enjoy all the civil and political rights
enjoyed by their former masters on the grounds
they have suffered equally all the dangers and
responsibilties of struggle. President Jefferson
Davis of the Confederacy finally understood in
November of 1864, what it had cost the South in not
elevating the Negro to the dignity of a soldier. 167
had been nominated by the Democrat Convention
August 29, 1864, in Chicago, received 32 votes. 169
Arkansas citizens were not allowed to vote as
Congress still had not recognized Arkansas as part
of the union.170
There was an election in Fort Smith on November
19th for State Senator from this area. Senator
Charles Milor had resigned and F. H. Wolfeand H. L.
Holleman were candidates. 171 H. L. Holleman
won. 172
BLUNT RETURNS TO FORT SMITH
General Blunt came into Fort Smith Novembers,
1864, in his usual whirlwind way. He was
accompanied by Major General Herron, Colonel
Sackett, Colonel Burris, Colonel Moonlight and
Colonel Williams. 173
The men had been fighting for twenty-three days,
marching five hundred miles, day and night in rain
and snow in an effort to keep Confederate General
Sterling Price out of Kansas. Five battles had been
fought. By the time the outnumbered Union troops
had pushed the Confederates across the Arkansas
River at Webbers Falls, half of that Rebel Army was
unarmed, and out of the fifteen pieces of cannon
taken to Kansas, only two were left. 174
There was a celebration on the evening of
November 10th. The different Kansas Regiments
and the few Fort Smith citizens left in town, stopped
by the houses the visiting officers were staying in,
called them out along with General's Thayer and
Edwards and had a round of speeches and cheers.175
In late November, three Union soldiers who had
escaped from the Confederate prison in Tyler,
Texas, came walking into Fort Smith. Robert
Henderson, M. F. Parker, and J. J. Jones had
previously been stationed in Fort Smith. They
escaped October 27th and were on the road for
twenty-six days. Rebels recaptured them near
Waldron and robbed them of their clothes. As the
Rebels were taking them back to Tyler, they
escaped again and lived on acorns and corn until
arriving in Fort Smith. The sick but happy soldiers
reported that the Tyler prison, Camp Ford had 2,600
prisoners on six acres of campground. 176
With winter setting in, it was observed that the
troops at Fort Smith were well fixed for the weather
to come. Their cabins were as good as, if not better
than, two-thirds of the houses in Western Arkansas
outside of the towns. 177
For the few of Fort Smith civilian's population left,
though, food costs were exorbitant. A sack of flour
1864 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
When national election day dawned at the fort,
soldiers who were of legal age and were in camp,
cast their votes in polls at their various regiments.
Judges and clerks of the polls were elected by
qualified voters when the polls opened. The
members of the out-of-state regiments voted for
their own state, county, and township officers. 168
The final vote count in the total encampment for
President was 1502 votes for Abraham Lincoln,
Republican, and General George McClellan, who
16
I71
165
)72
"The Fort Smith New Era. November 5, 1864
lbid, July 2, 1864
166
lbid
167
lbid, December 3. 1864
168
lbid. November 5, 1864
169
lbid, November 12. 1864
170
lbid, November 19. 1864
lbid
lbid,
lbid,
174
lbid
175
lbid
' 76 lbid,
177
lbid,
173
24
March 11, 1865
November 12, 1864
November 26, 1864
November 19, 1864
that had come in from Fort Leavenworth, cost $40.
S
28 was for freight, $10 for flour and $2 for
insurance. 178
sent a communication to Little Rock asking for
boats to come immediately and carry off public
property. More importantly, he wanted help in
removing more than one thousand people who
would otherwise be left stranded and destitute.
Because these were families of soldiers of the 1st
and 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiments it was felt
they would face reprisals at the hands of the
Confederates if they were left in the area to fend for
themselves. 183
Five steamers did come from Little Rock and
carried off almost five hundred refugees including
many orphans who eventually made their arduous
way down to Little Rock, to Memphis and Cairo, the
Mississippi and finally the rail road to Decatur. There
were thirteen deaths of this group due to exposure,
due in no small measure to neglect on the part of
some of the railroad people in Illinois. 184
A large part of General Thayer's troops continued
to remain in Fort Smith, as protection for a wagon
train that was due to arrive around New Year's day
from Fort Scott. Some of thetroops werefinally sent
on to Clarksville as the machinery was set in motion
to evaculate. 185
The outcry against Canby's military decision was
finally acted upon by President Lincoln. In a
communication from General Ulyssus S. Grant to
General Reynolds who had replaced General Steele
in Little Rock December 12th, Grant stated that "if
Fort Smith and its dependencies can be supplied by
the Arkansas River, they will continue to be held by
your troops so as to give protection to the people
north of the Arkansas River." 186
Grant didn't wait for a reply however, before he
sent another message January 3rd, which reached
Reynolds on the 10th. It was worded in a positive
manner and in a decidedly stronger way and read,
"should Fort Smith and parts in the vicinity have
been abandoned before receiving this order, they
will be reoccupied as early as the garrison can be
supplied." Reynolds acknowledged that the order
would be carried out at the earliest moment
practicable. 187
In Washington, the Chief of Staff could not figure
out why he had not heard from Little Rock and Fort
Smith by January 10th on what was happening in
Arkansas. He finally wired Colonel Harrison at
Fayetteville to. tell General Thayer that General
Grant wanted the Federals to hang on to Fort Smith.
General Thayer, upon receiving the message wired
General Reynolds at Little Rock for boats to come
up river immediately with commissaries, forage,
FORT SMITH ORDERED ABANDONED
With no previous warning, Fort Smith was ordered
abandoned on December 5th by Major General
Edward Canby, Commander of the Military Division
of the West Mississippi which involved Arkansas
and the Gulf. This word fell like a thunderbolt. The
order followed in the wake of the news that Major
General Frederick Steele, Commander of the
Department of Arkansas was to be relieved by Major
General Joseph Reynolds. 179
Words condemning this decision erupted like
geysers over the Union controlled part of the state.
All-out efforts to stop this military decision were
sent to anyone in Washington who had influence, by
anyone it was felt could influence Washington. The
ex-mayor of Fort Smith C. P. Bertrand, wrote
President Lincoln on December 12 and said he
wanted answers to three loaded questions which
were: Does Canby mean to abandon the state? If so,
would the President allow this? Did the President
know that this meant the abandonment of one entire
Congressional District and almost another and that
two-thirds of the members and perhaps threefourths of the Legislature, now in session in Little
Rock, came from the district of the country to be
abandoned? He further said that such policies came
from replacing officers like General Steele who
knew how to defend the country with men who were
ignorant of the area like Canby!180.
Colonel M. LaRue Harrison who was in charge of
Fayetteville wrote another letter, HI confidence, to a
General who he felt would help'. He stated "In the
name and for the sake of the thousands of families
who will be left to the mercies of assassins and
robbers, in the name of the beautiful country which
will be left a desert, in the name of humanity please
try to do something about General Canby's
directive."181
The next month and a half proved to be like an
unorganized fire drill in the saga of the Civil War at
the post in Fort Smith.
Before General Steele knew of the decision
to abandon, he sent six steamboats to Fort Smith,
loaded with much needed supplies. One steamer
was wrecked and another one grounded. 182
After General Thayer had received word of the
post's abandonment, the river began to rise and he
178
182
lbid, December 17, 1864
lbid,
lbid,
' 84 lbid.
185
lbid,
186
lbid,
1B7
lbid,
183
179
Bearss, Edwin C.. The Federals Struggle to Hold on to Fort
Smith. AR Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXIV. No. 2, Summer 1965,
149
180
lbid, 150
25
151
153
154-157
151-153
162
163
medical stores, and clothing. General Reynolds
sent steamers on their way shortly thereafter. 188
The Rebels in the meantime had been moving
considerable troops around in the affected area. On
January 14th, just after the steamboats from Little
Rock passed Dardanelle, a force of Confederates,
one thousand strong attacked the undermanned
Dardanelle garrison and there ensued four hours of
battle. The Confederates withdrew at dark. 189
News of the attack sent the command in Little
Rock scurrying around to send troops up river by
steamer to hold the post at Dardanelle. It was
known that to let it fall would make it impossible to
supply the Fort Smith garrison. 190
It was a happy evening of January 15th, when four
steamers, the Ad Mine, Chippewa, Lotus and Annie
Jacobs brought their five-hundred tons of
commissionary stores into Fort Smith. The troops
could eat a decent meal again. 191
All of the wagon trains had come from Fort Scott
by January 10th. The order to continue to occupy
Fort Smith came just in the nick of time to keep tons
of public property from being destroyed asthearmy
moved out, as well as all the other problems it would
have caused for the citizenry. 192
The steamboats pulled out on their way back to
Little Rock on the morning of January 17,1865, and
Chippewa led the way, followed by Annie Jacobs
loaded with five hundred people, then Lotus and Ad
Mine. All boats had refugees and officers going
home on furlough. The vessels made it as far as
Roseville, which was eighteen miles above
Clarksville, before the Chippewa was fired on by
Colonel Brooks' Rebel troops who were well hidden
on the south riverbank with their big gun under
brush. The steamer pulled into the south bank and
was captured by the Rebels. The Annie Jacobs
came into view shortly afterwards and was struck by
fifteen shots but made it to the north bank. Lotus
then came around the bend and was hit but made it
to the north bank. Some of the passengers of Annie
Jacobs were killed and a large number wounded. 193
In all of the confusion, Colonel Thomas M.
Bowen, of the 13th Kansas Infantry who was the
ranking officer in the convoy, though he was on
furlough, took charge and sent messengers to
Clarksville to contact Colonel Judson's troops, and
a messenger by the river bank to try to stop Ad Mine
and report the attack to General Thayer. 194
The Confederate cannon had abruptly stopped
firing. It was not known by the Union troops and
refugees, but this was because an axle had snapped
on the Rebel cannon leaving it inoperative. At dark,
the Confederates paroled those who had been in the
Chippewa and took off south of the Arkansas River
into the hills when they heard Union forage wagons
rumbling on the north side of the river. The Rebels
mistook them for an artillery unit. 195
Troops were dispatched from both Fort Smith and
Clarksville to help those stranded. The boats,
except Chippewa which had burned, moved slowly
down stream to Dardanelle on January 22nd. The
Negro troops of the 1st and 2nd Kansas and the 5th
U. S. Colored came from Fort Smith and marched
parallel to the river, and the boats steamed slowly
down the river. On the 25th the boats anchored in
Little Rock with no further trouble. 196
The trek down river had been interesting however.
Most of the refugees, who were white, showed
considerable prejudice and hatred towards the
Negroes who were guarding them from Roseville to
Little Rock. On the trip, all concerned suffered from
exposure to wet and cold, and lack of sufficient
food, clothing and shelter. Both troopsand refugees
were without blankets, many were barefoot and
some almost naked. The hatred changed to respect
for the Negroes, "as soldiers who knew and
performed their duty well" upon the refugees arrival
in Little Rock. 197
The Rebel's attacks around the Arkansas River
during December 1864, and January 1865, proved to
be the last major raid undertaken in the section of
the state held by the Federal Army. 198
The town of Fort Smith in late January, 1865, was
pitiful to see. Fences, fruit trees, and shrubbery had
been destroyed or torn down. Much of the damage
was done by families coming in from thecountry for
protection at the garrison and staying in houses
vacated by owners. 199
Telegraph lines were restored to service in early
February to Fayetteville, Springfield, St. Louis and
the rest of the world capitols. The New Era said,
"Now, Mr. Bushwacker, if you'll only let the lines
stay up till we can have news of the fall of
Charleston, we don't care if they are down again till
about the time Grant, Sherman and Sheridan are
knocking from underthe last peg of the Rebellion . . .
Richmond and Lee's Army inside it!"200
The Arkansas River was rising at the end of
January and steamers Alamo, Ad Mine and Lotus
came in with needed supplies and rations. 201
I98
lbid, 165
lbid, 168-169
lq
°lbid, 169-170
""The Fort Smith New Era. January 21, 1865
I92
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., The Federals Struggle to Hold On to
Fort Smith. 165
'"Ibid, 173-175
w
lbid, 176
195
lbid, 174-176
lbid, 177-178
197
lbid
198
lbid, 179
199
The Fort Smith New Era. January 28, 1865
200
lbid, February 11, 1865
201
lbid
I89
196
26
G E N E R A L BUSSEY REPLACES
G E N E R A L THAYER
On February 6, General Reynolds replaced
General Thayer with General Bussey. General
Thayer had been Commander of the District of the
Frontier headquarted at Fort Smith for over a year.
For quite a while there had been rumblings from
many who complained of serious mistakes in
General Thayer's administration and perhaps worse
problems. 202
The New Era reported that General Thayer's heart
was right but he surrounded himself with men who
had caused problems in General McNeil's
administration in late 1863 and 1864. He was
regarded as a victim ratherthan a leader. Bussey, on
the other hand was a man of unblemished
reputation and sterling integrity. 203
Brigadier General Thayer and his staff left for
FORT
S M I T H AS A UYIOtf T3EPOT
FEBRUARY-APRIL 1865
as
TOWWS
SCAUE
UNHW HELD)
C CONFEDERATE
HEO>)
Maps Courtesy Edwin C. Bearss and the Arkansas Historical Association
202
203
Bearss, Edwin C., General Bussy Takes Over At Fort Smith, AR
Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXIV, No. 3, Autumn 1965, 220-240
27
The Fort Smith New Era, February 18, 1865
Fort Smith in December and January under the
evacuation orders. The muddy, bad state of the
roads caused the delay in the return of the wagons
and supplies. 212
Under General Orders #2 of 1865, a sales tax of
one cent wasordered on all goods and brews to help
pay the cost of the Provost Marshal's office and the
policing of the city such as the dead animals from
the streets. Cows, horses, dogs, hogs, etc. were
laying on streets and in alleyways and werecausing
a health problem. 213
On March 4th a mass meeting was held on the
parade ground of the garrison in honor of Abe
Lincoln's inauguration and the recent magnificent
victories of the National Arms over the enemies of
the country. It was a clear, cloudless day asthe40th
Iowa Infantry, led by Colonel Garrett, marched into
the garrison with flying colors and martial music.
Other regiments and crowds of people from the city
and beyond kept pouring in until thousands were
gathered on the parade ground. It was a day with big
hours of speeches. Brigadier General Cyrus
Bussey, Commander 3rd Division, 7th Army Corps,
led off the speech making by dwelling on the Union
Army's recent victories and how everyone was
trying to end it all and go home to parents, wife,
brother or sister. Brigadier General John Edwards,
Commanding, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division of the 7th
Army Corp, decanted eloquently upon the suicidal
folly of the secession movement. Lieutenant
Colonel E. J. Searle, Commander, 1st. Arkansas
Infantry was called upon to speak last and
discussed briefly exploits of Sherman, Sheridan,
Grant, and other leaders and then of the proposals
of peace and the brighter future in store for
Arkansas. The New Era stated that although Searle
was from Illinois, he would no doubt, settle in
Arkansas when this cruel war is over. 214
The Sir Wm. Wallace, a large stern wheeler, came
up river March 9th with two hundred seventy tonsof
government freight. The Sir Wm. Wallace was
considered a marvel as it drew only 5y2 feet of
water. 215
FARMERS PLANT WHILE MILITARY GUARDS
The plan to establish agricultural communities
began to take hold in most parts of Northwest
Arkansas. Citizens and soldiers alike were repairing
fences and preparing to cultivate the land. The
DuVall Plantation was to be used as gardens by the
soldiers and General Bussey ordered all kinds of
seeds from St. Louis to be used in the planting. 216
Little Rock on February 15, on Virginia Barton. The
same day Brigadier General Cyrus Bussey arrived
on Carrie Jacobs from Little Rock with his family
and staff. 204
President Lincoln was sent a petition from Fort
Smith citizens February 9th. The citizens were very
upset by the governments' seeming inability to send
enough supplies into Fort Smith for the civilians to
purchase in order to eat and be clothed. There were
two thousand destitute people in and around the
fort, 205 along with "five thousand or more loyal
refugee Indians at Fort Gibson who were on the
verge of starvation." 206
The request was responded to in several ways.
General Reynolds in Little Rock authorized General
Bussey in Fort Smith, to raise a company of men
who were farmers. These men would guard the
farmers against guerrillas while farmers were
raising crops. The military authorities were
authorized to sell supplies from military stores to the
people who were farming. 207 Best of all, the river
water was still high and during the week of February
19th, steamers Rose Hambleton, Greene Darbin,
Annie Jacobs, Lotus, and Virginia Barton showed
up208 from Little Rock with supplies.
Many boats docked at the wharfs of Fort Smith
during the years of 1863-1865. The following isa list
of the boats known to have come into Fort Smith
during the Union occupation: The Leon,
Chippeway, Alamo, Ad Mine, Carrie Jacobs, Des
Moines City, The Sunny South, Ben Coursens, The
elegant light draught Rodolph, Mattie Cabler, Kate
Bruner, Convey #2, Argos, Ida King, E. O. Standard
which at 700 tons made it to Fort Smith from St.
Louis in six days and twelve hours in August, 1865,
The Gem, The Iron City, American, Rose
Hambleton, Greene Darbin, Lotus, Virginia Barton,
Annie Jacobs, Sir Wm. Wallace, Ingomar, Silver
Wave, Enterprise, Linnie Drown, Glide #3, D. C.
Morton and Arizonia.209
Twenty-six families pooled their money and sent
$
5,000 to a commissionary house at Little Rock for
the supplies to be shipped up river to Fort Smith
under guard by the military. 210 Many women and
children had no way to pay for supplies however, for
it had been months since the husbands and fathers
in the troops had been paid. 211
On February 25th, a train of nearly two hundred
wagons arrived from Lewisburg on the Arkansas
River. The wagons brought back the
Quartermaster's stores that had been shipped from
204
21
lbid
lbid, February 11, 1865
206
op. cit. Bearss, Edwin C., General Bussey Takes Over Fort
Smith. 227
207
lbid, 229, 230
208
The Fort Smith New Era, February 25, 1865
209
lbid,, October 8, 1863, November 11, 1865
°lbid, March 11, 1865
"op. cit., Bearss, General Bussey Takes Over At Fort Smith. 231
212
The Fort Smith New Era. February 25, 1865
213
lbid
214
lbid, March 4, 1865
215
lbid, March 11, 1865
216
lbid, March 4, 1865
205
2
28
General Orders were given at the post for all men
between the ages of 18-45 to report for an enrolled
militia to guard farmers. By April 15, there were two
hundred eighty-one enrolled and farm colonies
were set up under the direct supervision of the
militia. 217
Colonel Harrison, at Fayetteville, was ahead of
these plans, and had already established colonies at
Fayetteville, Cane Hill, Huntsville and Bentonville.
Two hundred families wanted to colonize near Van
Buren. 218
Confederate General Burrows, who had taken the
garrison at Fort Smith from the United States in 1861
for the Rebels, arrived on a steam boat in mid-March.
He was pale and thin, not the same man who had
taken down the Stars and Stripes of America to
replace it with a flag that waved for slavery. 219
Signs of re-awakening of Fort Smith were being
seen *in the spring of 1865, particularly with the
change in military administration. People were
farming, confident of protection. It was noticed that
citizens were holding up their heads, or at least
those citizens who were still left. There was
probably not one-fourth of the original citizens of
Arkansas left who were in the state in the 1860
census. But in March of 1865 it was as if the citizens
were saying "I feel as though I had some chance
again to live and call my life my own." Bushwackers
were still in the outlying country, still killing, but
there was not much left to plunder. 220
It wasn't long before General Bussey was feeling
weary about his troop situation and the number of
refugees around the fort. He only had onethousand
eight hundred men fit for duty, while the summer
before there had been six thousand troops. The
fortifications had been built for the six thousand
troops. There were several thousand destitute
people colonizing near the posts in Bussey's
command. His great worry was that the Rebel troops
under Confederate General Maxey, Cooper, and
Gano were probably meeting at Doaksville and
Boggy Depot in Indian Territory to attack Fort Smith
because.it was so vulnerable. He decided to reduce
the size of the Fort Smith perimeter if worse came to
worse. 221
The tax assessor began the week of March 26th to
take assessment of property for those who had
some property to assess. The New Era warned there
were not many who could afford to pay anything as
the people were destitute. 222
A cash flow of money in a town is important and it
217
helped the merchants in Fort Smith considerably
when the paymaster brought military pay in early
April amounting to close to one million dollars for
the troops of the District of the Frontier. 223
A number of Fort Smith citizens hearing there was
protection, began coming back into town and many
arrived in April aboard the elegant steamer
Rodolph, as it made its way into the wharf from Little
Rock. 224
THE BEGINNING OF THE REBEL'S END
The troops at the Fort Smith garrison were
electrified by a telegram that arrived April 4, 1865.
The telegram told of the fall of Richmond, Virginia
the day before from Rebel hands. Troops and
citizens alike marched gaily into thegarrison yard to
stand around the speaker's stand in the center of the
parade ground. Reverend Springer, Post Chaplain,
read portions of dispatches on the capture of
Richmond. Several others spoke, and General
Bussey ended with three cheers for Grant and three
cheers for Sherman. 225
Shortly before nightfall April 10, a telegram was
received in Fort Smith telling of the surrender of
General Robert E. Lee and his whole Army. The
National Salute was fired and there were shouts of
rejoicing. At 2:00 p.M. April 11th, crowds gathered at
the garrison to hear a grand salute of two hundred
guns. General Edwards and Bussey then spoke.
Reverend Garrison, Chaplain of the 40th Iowa
praised God "from whom all blessings flow." 226
DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN
Gladness turned to extreme sadness as word of
the death of the beloved President, Abraham
Lincoln, on April 15th, 1865, reached Fort Smith by
telegraph. At 11:30 A.M. the next morning, troops
and town citizens once again gathered, this time on
Garrison Avenue, to begin asolemn march. It began
at 12 Noon and the sounds of muffled drums and the
playing of the funeral march proceeded the
marchers to the garrison parade ground, then to the
speaker's platform. Expressions of sorrow were
given by many speakersforthe late Chief Magistrate
who had led the nation in such troubled times. Many
prayers were offered up.227
The local members of the Arkansas General
Assembly returned the week of April 24th from
meeting in aspecial session at Little Rock beginning
April 3rd. Their principal business was the
ratification of the Constitutional Amendment to the
United States Constitution prohibiting slavery in
lbid, April 1, 1865
218
222
The Fort Smith New Era. March 25, 1865
223
lbid, April 1, 1865
op. cii., Bearss, Edwin C., General Bussey Takes Over Fort
Smith. 238-239
224
219
The Fort Smith New Era. March 18, 1865
225
lbid
220
lbid, March 11, 1865 and April 1, 1865
226
lbid, April 15, 1865
227
lbid, April 22, 1865
221
op. cit., Bearss, Edwin C., General Bussey Takes Over Fort
Smith. 232-233
29
lbid, April 8, 1865
America. There was also bills to give the Negro race
the right to testify in court and legalize their
marriage contracts. For some reason, which totally
mystified Sebastian County residents who thought
they knew him, H. L. Holleman, Senator of
Sebastian and Scott County strenously opposed the
passage of the Constitutional Amendment and only
voted for it when he was outnumbered. The Union
people in Fort Smith were outraged that he would
appear to be against slavery when elected and vote
another way when he was in the Legislature. The
other bills on court testimony and marriage
contracts did not pass the legislatureandthisaction
was undoubtedly instrumental in keeping Arkansas
out of the Union still longer. It was important that
Negroes be able to testify against their masters, who
in some cases were cruel to them and would make
no attempt to free them. 228 Valentine Dell of the New
Era recorded that the people of Arkansas had been
cruelly wronged by the 'Copperheads' in the
Legislature who showed their true selves. 229
The United States Congress was still refusing to
seat the Arkansas Congressional delegation.
Congress believed that President Lincoln's amnesty
oath was too lenient and allowed former "rebels"
such as Senator Fishback to be in a high position in
Arkansas. Congress did accept Arkansas' vote on
the Thirteenth Amendment because votes by rebel
states were essential for the three-fourths vote
necessary for adoption of the amendments. 230
Major General Reynolds and his staff arrived at
the end of April on Annie Jacobs. As the Chief
Commander of the Department of Arkansas, he held
an inspection of the troops, hospital and post. He
was joined by General Bussey and his family in atrip
upriver to Fort Gibson. They seemed to enjoy their
three day trip with it's beautiful scenery on the
Arkansas and Grand River and commented upon
the Indian warriors, squaws and papooses. 231
On May 11, 1865, the United States for the third
year offered amnesty and pardon once again for
certain persons who had directly or by implication
engaged in the Rebel cause. The first time amnesty
was offered was December 8, 1863, and again on
March 28, 1864.232
Much indiscriminate murdering was still going on
in the FortSmith area making thecitizens miserable.
Two bushwackers shot a man at Rogers Cemetery
for no reason. The bushwackers were part of a
group who had committed outrages against Union
families during Rebel occupation and had stayed in
Fort Smith and en listed in the 2nd Kansas Cavalry as
"'Ibid, April 29, 1865
"•Ibid, May 6th, 1965
"°op. clt., Cowan, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of Federal
Arkansas, 1862-65
"The Fort Smith New Era, April 29, 1865
"'Ibid, June 3, 1865
scouts and used these positions to rob and plunder.
In the summer of 1864, the bushwackers left Fort
Smith, moving outside the fortifications with all their
belongings of plunder, taking horses and wagons
and continuing to terrify the citizens. 233
CONFEDERATE PRESIDENT
JEFF DAVIS CAPTURED
Early Sunday morning, May 16, 1865, a telegram
arrived in Fort Smith that brought news that the
Confederate President Jeff Davis had been caught.
The news was kept at the garrison for a short time.
Then a rumor got out that something important was
about to happen and the troops were ordered to get
in readiness. The troops believed it was for a fight.
The morning church services in Fort Smith were
ready to begin. When the parishioners heard the
military music and saw the regiments marching,
they left the churchs and followed the troops to the
parade ground speaker's stand. Reverend Springer
gave a fervant outpouring of thanksgiving for God's
great mercy toward the nation in rescuing her from
the ungodly and prayed for the misguided ones in
the war. General Bussey began to read from
dispatches about the capture of Jeff Davis, but when
he was only partly through, happiness couldn't be
contained and there arose three cheers times three.
Then the rest of the dispatches were read and
another nine cheers erupted. Colonel Harrison
collected $ 677.70 for the Lincoln Memorial in
Washington. Other speakers closed the glad-news
time. A special edition of The New Era was
published for the occasion. 234
The feelings in Fort Smith of gladness for the
victories of the United States were not shared by all
of the state. The ruling class in south Arkansas was
extremely bitter against Union men and the National
government, and all manner of treasonous
propaganda about the Union was spread by people
who had been in authority. The emancipation of the
slaves was a bitter pill to swallow and in many
instances treatment was very cruel if there were not
Federal troops there to defend them and judge
between white and blacks. Generally, citizens in the
southern part of Arkansas did not know the real
state of affairs in the nation as news was almost nonexistant by telegraph or newspaper. 235
SOLDIERS RETURNING HOME
Union prisoners of war were making their way into
the fort in May, 1865, from the Tyler, Texas
Confederate camp. Many were of the 2nd and 6th
"3lbld, May 13, 1865
"'Ibid, May 16, 1865 Extra and May 20, 1865
235
Smlth, Robert F., The Confederate Attempt to Counteract
Reunion Propaganda in Arkansas: 1863-1865, Arkansas
Historical Quarterly, Vol. XVI No. 1, Spring 1957, 54-62
30
cannons, parades and speechs, all of which began
at 8;30 A.M., after the firing of the guns of the 18th
Iowa Infantry. The main oration was given by
General Cyrus Bussey. The celebration lasted all
day, and many took part in the activities. 242
Mail service continued to be very poor in the Fort
Smith area. The letters that did arrive were many
times worse for the wear, having been wet, crushed,
crumpled, twisted, and torn. The 1st Arkansas
Cavalry had been carrying the mail but thesetroops
were being mustered out and it was not known who
would continue the service.243
In mid-July, an important case was before the
Circuit Court of Sebastian County. In 1862, a lady in
town sold property and received Confederate
money. By July of 1865, this Confederate money
was worthless. She wanted the sale of her property
sold three years previously, voided. The New Era
stated that not one single Union person had sold
their property for Rebel money to their knowledge.
The case was finally settled as General Bussey had
originally ruled. The Court said a sale was a sale. 244
A group of merchants met at Mr. Hayman's Store
on the 14th of July to discuss legality of the state's
levying a 1% per centum tax on all goods brought
from other states. The final decision was to pay the
tax and pass it on to the consumer. 245
Troops that had called Fort Smith home f o r a t i m e
were mustering out early in August. Many soldiers
from different states under the command of the
Army of the Frontier went back home, turned
around and came back to Fort Smith to settle down
and become good citizens of the community.
Troops mustering out were 18th Iowa, 2nd Kansas
Battery, 40th Iowa and 22nd Ohio Veteran Infantry
which was made up of men from lowaand Missouri.
The troops of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry had to wait
around for several weeks for their paymaster to
come up from Little Rock. Soldiers taking the
departing troops' places were: 57th U. S. Colored
Infantry, 9th Iowa Cavalry with Brevet Brigadier
General Trunbell making Fort Smith his
headquarters, 54th Illinois Infantry, Brigade of 15th
Army Corps and 3rd Iowa Battery. 246
Judge Caldwell of the United States District Court
arrived in Fort smith August 24. There were
drumbeats among the citizenry to have a United
States District Court established in Fort Smith. 247
Fort Washita which was located one hundred
sixty miles west of Fort Smith, and had for morethan
thirty years been an important military post among
Kansas Cavalry. They had been at that camp since
the disastrous south Arkansas battle a year before,
under very trying circumstances. The returning
prisoners reported that Confederate guards were
allowing prisoners to escape, squads at a time,
believing that if there were no more prisoners they
could also go home. There were almost two
thousand prisoners still at the prison camp. As
several of these Union prisoners were making their
way to Fort Smith, they were stopped south of the
county by a partisan band who declared they were
going to shoot them. A Crawford County man
among the Rebels, William Graham, said he
wouldn't let this happen and escorted the Union
soldiers to within twenty miles of Fort Smith.
Graham then gave the Union soldiers his horse and
told them to see that his wife in Van Buren got it.
After resting in Fort Smith, the Union soldiers took
the horse to Graham's wife and she immediately got
back on the horse, rodeto her husband, and brought
him to Fort Smith. General Bussey allowed the
Graham's to come through the picket lines and said
he hoped more maids and matrons went after their
men so that families might be together again. 236
In the later part of May, mustering out of soldiers
of the Arkansas Regiments began. Soldiers of the
1st Arkansas Infantry were in high glee because
they were told they could keep their arms. A short
while later this was recinded, but in mid-July orders
came from General Butler, that Home Colonies or
Militia organized by the Governor of Arkansas could
keep their arms. 237
Chaplain Francis Springer was working diligently
to put together money for the war orphans of
Arkansas. In May he had forty-one orphans in a
home at the corner of Mulberry and Lafayette 238
Streets and there were many more orphans in
private homes. 239 Money came in from the various
regiments for the orphans when soldiers heard of
the great need. The Chaplain made trips to Chicago
trying to obtain money from different northern
organizations for the orphans. Many of the children
were eventually sent to Illinois to orphan's homes
and private homes. 240
The one-cent sales tax that was being collected
for the Provost Marshal's Office, proved to be a good
investment. Streets were repaired, sewers built, and
sanitary conditions in general improved and
S
1,700.00 remained on hand for other projects. 241
THE NATION'S BIRTHDAY - JULY 4, 1865
July 4, 1865, was celebrated with booming
236
242
237
243
The Fort Smith New Era. May 20, 1865
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""Mulberry . . North B Street; Lafayette . . North 7th St
239
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240
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241
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245
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247
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31
July 8, 1865
July 15, 1865
August 12, 1865
August 26, 1865
the Indians was burned in mid-August by Rebel
Indians. A week later Fort Arbuckle, two hundred
miles west was burned by Rebel Indians also. The
Indians were trying to make sure no Negro
regiments were stationed in Indian Territory. The
Indians had been told the United States was going
to use their lands to colonize Negroes. Many of the
Indians were wealthy slave owners and as President
Lincoln's Emanicapation Proclamation was not
thought to cover the Indian Territory there was
some real conflict with the Indians obeying the
Constitution of the United States. 248
Business was picking up around town. The Union
boys had been paid. They were leaving for their
homes but they were buying presents before they
left. The Provost Marshal's office had a force of
laborers out repairing streets and the steamboat
landing. 249
Many former Fort Smithians who had chosen to
join their futures with the Confederacy had been
returning since June. The New Era editor reported
he did not feel vindictive, but he said that those
returning should have cheerful, not sullen,
obedience to the laws and measures of the
government. 250
In the latter part of September, tempers still flared
over injustices, real or perceived, during the Union
occupation of Fort Smith.
Valentine Dell, TheA/ew Era's editor, appears to
have been a person who was willing to call a spade a
spade and hang the consequences. On April 1,1865,
in The New Era Dell printed "The nameof Blunt, like
Hindman 251 is to the people of Northwest Arkansas,
all that is bad and despicable in human nature."252
May 6, 1865, found General Blunt in Fort Smith
and he left the next day for his new command at Fort
Gibson. 253
Late September, 1865, Blunt was visiting in Fort
Smith from Fort Gibson and met Dell on the street
and accused him of slandering him in print in the
April 1, 1865, issue of the paper. Dell reported that
Blunt then attempted to have one of the disgraceful,
rowdy scenes he was famous for, but he, Dell, would
have none of it and walked away. 254
On the next night, Blunt gathered a group around
him, evidently where many could hear, and
denounced Dell in "language that got the disgust
and indignation of every man there present." 255
Of course, the incident was reported back to Dell
with the jibbing that 'Dell wouldn't dare publish any
expose of General Blunt.' "Friends have warned me
of assassination," Dell said, "but if I fall by the hand
of the mid-night assassin, be he grey or blue or
street ruffian, I die in the line of duty and defense of
truth!" and he proceeded to print the expose. 256
Dell printed a story of how Blunt's Kansas troops
had been allowed to strip the country of clothing,
stock, and valuables of every kind, even pictures.
Immense stores of corn, wheat, and fodder were
recklessly wasted and destroyed and houses
burned as the Rebel guerrilla troops were doing.
Some storekeepers with questionable practices had
been allowed to come into the town under Blunt's
administration and Dell said "volumes could be said
about them" 257
Through the previous years time, Dell had made
several unfavorable references to people within
Blunt's command such as Major E. A. Calkins, 3rd
Wisconsin Cavalry who Blunt entrusted to
important positions in the running of the Fort Smith
post. Calkins had been carried over into General
Thayer's Administration and Dell and others had
warned Thayer that Calkins would be a problem for
him. In fact, it was such a problem, that Dell had
been prevailed upon by the town's citizens the year
before to go back to Washington, after histriptothe
National Union Convention, and see President
Lincoln about the questionable things going on in
Fort Smith under Thayer's rule. Dell said "President
Lincoln said, 'Yes, your friend Blunt, too,has been
swindling the government as much as the present
command at Fort Smith ( Thayer)." Dell said he told
the President that "Blunt is no friends of ours" and
that President Lincoln told Secretary Stanton to
inspect affairs in Arkansas. The result was a new
commander (Bussey) who was not slow in
reforming the crying abuses existing all over the
state. 258
Dell's parting shot in the September 30, 1865,
article was that it was good to have a commander
(like Bussey) who cared for something else besides
cock fighting, fast horses, and fast women (like
Blunt)! 259
THE GRAND INDIAN COUNCIL
CALLED IN FORT SMITH
The Grand Indian Council was called in Fort
Smith on September 1, for all of the Tribes in the
West and Southwest, from Fort Smith to New
Mexico. The meeting followed Indian meetings
which had been held in May and June in Indian
Territory with the object of maintaining that area as
248
254
249
255
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250
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"'Confederate General Thomas C. Hindman
252
The Fort Smith New Era, April 1, 1865
253
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32
1*.
MM* WERK, osua TMOHKWIW, *JUUJMAS, rsx st*e* wwsws «w as**i ataus
Indian Council meets in Fort Smith - September, 1865
From Leslie's Weekly, October 7, 1865
Courtesy Arkansas History Commission
the present and future home of the Indian race.260
Smith in record numbers. Many adjustments had to
be made by those who were coming back to the city
and those who had stayed.263
The fierce patriotic German school teacher,
Valentine Dell, who became the editor of the New
Era, had to give back the printing press he had been
using to print the"Unconditional Union" news since
Octobers, 1863. The editor of the Times and Herald,
J. F. Wheeler, returned from Dixieand reclaimed his
property. Dell obtained a new smaller printing press
and moved to a frame building on Ozark street
across from the St. Charles Hotel.264
Fort Smith was full of strangers from east and
west as Council meetings were held on twelve
separate days, ending with a September 21,
adjournment sine die. With the exception of the
Choctaws and Chickasaws who had to take the
treaty back to their council for approval, a
satisfactory treaty was entered into by all
concerned. An Indian war dance by the Osage was
held in the garrison on September 18th and was well
attended by many Fort Smithians. There were one
hundred forty-nine Indian delegates and the United
States was represented by Judge D. N. Cooley,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Honorable Elizah
Sellers, Superintendent of South West Agency,
Colonel Parker of the six nations, Colonel Dubois,
U. S. A. and Misters Mix, Madgowan, Cook, and
Irvin, clerks of the Indian Bureau.261
Major General H. J. Hunt relieved General Bussey
of his command on September 21. Fort Smith
citizens were sad to see General Bussey go back
home to Iowa. He was very instrumental in getting
the town back to a semblance of
normalcy.
General Hunt had been in Fort Smith in 1853 with
the regular Army and then for a number of years, he
was at Fort Washita with the 2nd U. S. Artillery. 262
The civilian population was returning to Fort
260
RECONSTRUCTION
Reconstruction was beginning. Although the
movement to rejoin the Union began in Fort Smith,
Arkansas, October 5, 1863, it was not until May 13,
1868, that the first attempt to bring a seceded state
back to the embraces of the United States was
successful. 265 With the taking of this step, the reign
of the military ceased, and America was once again
a nation under one banner, but still of two hearts.
Perhaps the most important result of the war in
Fort Smith and the nation was the heritage of hate
that it left on both sides. Southerners were the only
Americans to be defeated in War and to undergo
military occupation. Some Southerners grew bitter
in defeat, and some Northerners revengeful. 266
26
lbid, August 19, 1865, September 2, 16, and 23, 1865
<lbid
op. cit., Cowen, Ruth Caroline, Reorganization of Federal
Arkansas, Page 57
266
The World Book Encyclopedia, Civil War, Vol. 4, 1971, 493
265
261
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262
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3
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33
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
By Rev.I Tom Newton, Associate Pastor
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1982, 1400 North E. Street includes most recent addition.
Photo by Bradley Martin
The first sermon preached by a Baptist minister in
Fort Smith was preached by a Rev. Wallace in the
year of 1847. His text was Proverbs, Chapter 12. He
was the first missionary to the Cherokee Nation.
Only eight persons heard this sermon; among them
was Siley M. Ellis, the first deacon of the church.
A tattered, handwritten deed, listed in Book P,
page 439, at the Sebastian County Courthouse,
records the beginning of a separate house of
worship for the Baptists in this area. It was built on
the original plat of the town made by John Rogers,
and the deed describes the lot as "number ten, in
block thirteen, measuring fifty feet front on Green
Street by one hundred forty feet to the alley." (This
is now Fourth and "D" Streets.) It was sold on
January 14, 1848, to the Baptist Church for the sum
of fifty dollars. Joseph Smedley, William A. Jackson,
and Dr. J. H. T. Main were trustees. John and Mary
Rogers signed the deed which was witnessed by
John Stryker and Sam Edmondson. Along with the
Union Church for the Protestants and Saint
Patrick's Church for the Catholics, it became Fort
Smith's third church building.
The church was built by Peter Harrison and
William Wiley, both slaves. (Harrison was owned by
Captain DuVal and Wiley's owner is unknown.)
They built the church from hewn logs. The white
congregation assigned days for the building to be
used by their slaves and a few free Negroes who
worshipped with them.
Circuit riding preachers filled the pulpit. On the
many Sundays when a preacher was unavailable,
the people came together for Bible reading, prayer
and praise, and this lasted for several years. For
reasons now unknown, the log church was closed.
But this was not the end of the Baptist Church in
Fort Smith, for Elder D. Buckley was to come to
town soon.
At the age of fifteen, Buckley had accepted Jesus
as his Lord and Savior and had been baptized by
Joshua Lester of the Smith Fork Baptist Church in
Tennessee. Immediately, he began leading other
young people to Christ, and at sixteen, his church
had licensed him to preach. After graduation from
the University of Murfreesboro he advanced to the
presidency of C a s t i l l i a n College and was
instrumental in the establishment of Bethel College
in Kentucky. The events of his life brought him, at
age 37, to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Buckley was an
educated and cultured man who had devoted his life
34
to spreading the gospel of Jesus. When he came to
Fort Smith and found no organization of the
denomination which was so dear to him, he
expressed his chagrin to some citizens who felt the
same as he.
So, on Tuesday, December 1,1857, what we know
as First Baptist Church came into being. The
minutes of that meeting read:
"The following brothers and sisters
namely: Wm. H. Byers, Mrs. C. A.
Byers, Mrs. M. A. Singleton, Siley M.
Ellis, Mrs. M. H. Wheeler, and Mrs.
M. E. McKinney, met at the
residence of Wm. H. Byers in Fort
Smith, Arkansas, (North 2nd & "B"
Streets), and after reading a portion
of the scriptures, singing, and
prayer by Elder D. Buckley,
proceeded to organize themselves
into a Baptist Church. D. Buckley
presiding as Moderator.
Wm. H. Byers, Clerk"
There are no recorded minutes of the church
again until March 25, 1860, but it is known that Elder
Buckley (the grandfather of Dr. Perry Webb) was
elected pastor, agreeing to preach monthly, and
that he held that position for at least two years.
On March 25, 1860, Bro. E. L. Compere became
pastor and a movement was begun for building a
house of worship. Their first drive for funds
produced $240.00. A lot was bought on North 4th
and B Streets, and a house erected.
In the spring of 1861, Brother E. L. Compere
baptized twenty-four Negro slaves in the Arkansas
River near where the "Free Bridge" was to stand.
This was the first large baptismal service most of the
town had ever seen. During the Civil War,
Compere's sympathies forced him to move to Texas
and the work of the church practically ceased. The
Presbyterian minister left also. 1
In 1863, after Compere had gone to Texas, the
Union Army stored hay in the church, which they
had taken over for war purposes When it was being
torn down,an appeal was madetoBrigadier General
C. Bussey, the Federal General, to spare it for the
sake of religion. Lumber was hauled back by Negro
troops and the building repaired. It was probably
through the interest of Jerry Harlin (Holland)... that
the church building was preserved. He was
mustered into the U. S. Army at Fayetteville in 1864
and served as a cook, coming to Fort Smith before
the war was over. He stayed here and made his
home next door to the church on Fourth Street.
1
2
3
In 1866, Elder Compere took up the work again.
For awhile the colored and white people owned the
house jointly and worshipped in the same building.
The white members of the church worshipped at
11:00 a.m.; the black members at 3:00 p.m.
In 1866 another movement was started for a new
house of worship, and on April 4, 1868, it was
decided to organize a Sunday School. This gave
impetus for the movement to relocate the church.
The Building Committee, composed of M. S.
Buckley, J. J. Frost, W. N. Ayers, A. W. Mathes and
John W. Cunningham, was appointed to secure
funds for the purchase of a church building. Finally,
in 1869, two lots were purchased for $250.00 at the
corner of Thirteenth Street and Grand Avenue
(present location of the old sanctuary). Dr. James
Madison Barry 2 donated the funds for this
purchase.3 The building built in 1869 was replaced
in 1884, then again after being destroyed by the
tornado in 1898.
In February, 1870, Rev. Compere tendered his
resignation which was not accepted, but Elder E.
Bowman and Elder J. D. Chambers were elected to
assist the pastor. By the end of 1870 there were 55
members on the revised roll of church members.
On September 20, 1871, Bro. F. L. Kregel was
ordained to the ministry and extended a call to the
pastorate, which he accepted. He served as pastor
until the end of May, 1873.
Apparently the church was without a pastor from
this time until the coming of G. W. Reeves in
September, 1878. He served seven months, until
April, 1879.
From that time, until June, 1883, the church was
without a pastor much of the time, but the church
progressed under the leadership of its lay leaders.
Pastors serving a few months each during this time
were E. L. Compere (a former pastor), and Dr. A. S.
Worrell, who was serving as pastor of the Second
Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri, when he was
extended the call to come to Fort Smith. His salary in
Fort Smith was $60.00 per month.
In February, 1882, services were held at Boone's
School House, with a business meeting following
for the purpose of calling Dr. Worrell to the
pastorate.
Upon Dr. Worrell's arrival, the church rented a hall
over the Wirsing Building on Garrison Avenue,
which was used for services until the new building
was completed in 1885.
In February, 1883, the church issued a unanimous
call to W. E. Paxton, D. D., of Warren, Arkansas.
At the close of services on Sunday, May 20, 1883,
History of the First Presbyterian Church, 1846 - 1960 by S. Y. Warner and V. L. Foster, pages 47-48.
Martin, Amelia Whitaker Physicians and Medicine, Biography of Dr. Barry, pages 232-233.
Church Records
35
business.
Bro. Stalcup then presented the report of the
pulpit committee as follows: "We, your committee
on pulpit supply, wish now to submit for your
consideration, and action, the name of Rev. W. P.
Throgmorton 4 , of Louisiana, Missouri, as being a
minister who, in our opinion is peculiarly adapted to
the wants of the field here. We find him to be about
40 years old, well educated, of splendid pulpit
power, deep spiritual piety, a staunch Baptist and in
short, a successful pastor."
Bro. Throgmorton resigned in October, 1895, and
was replaced by Bro. O. L. Hailey, of Memphis,
Tennessee. Bro. N. R. Pittman of Clinton, Missouri,
assumed the pastorate in the spring of 1900.
It is interesting to note the ways the ladies raised
money for their local expenses and for missions and
benevolences. The ladies brought their sewing and
needle work and stayed busy all during their
programs and business meetings. The bazaars
seemed to be the best way of raising money. On
March 18, 1897, they had an avoirdupois social and
charged an admittance fee of twenty cents per
hundred-weight. Since ladies were not so careful
with their waistlines as they are now, it seemed that
they were sure to bring in several dollars.
In January of 1897, "the monthly report of the
Treasurer shows one dollar paid out for fascinator
materials and they were sold for $2.50, thereby
making a good profit. On October 31, 1895, Mrs.
Hightower and Mrs. Merriman were asked to
purchase the following material to be worked up
into articles to be sold at the bazaar: 30 yards of
gingham, $1.85; 5 yards of lawn, 35 cts.; 1 remnant
bundle, 40 cts.; 2^ yards of dress goods, 50 cts.; 10
yards sateen, $1.00; 2 laundry bags, 2 stocking bags
and 2 shoe bags, $3.38."
A committee report on May 20, 1896, mentions
that twelve hitching posts had been set about the
premises as instructed, at a cost of $3.15.
The story of the destruction of the church by the
tornado on January 11,1898, is best told by quoting
a report made by R. A. Clarkson, Superintendent of
Sunday School, at a church business meeting.
"At 11:15 p.m. in the dead of night, a
cyclone crossed our city, from west to
east, laying in ruins one hundred homes
and four churches, among them our own.
Of our membership and congregation
Jimmie Smith and John Adams were
killed, and the injured of our
congregation were very few and their
injuries slight. . . .The home of the church
and of the Sunday School has been swept
"the church congregation repaired to the water at
Garrison Avenue where Bro. Paxton duly
administered the sacred ordinance of baptism to
Sisters Mary Maledon, Annid Hunton, Mamie
Hunton, and Laura Mathes."
Dr. Paxton died on Saturday, June 9, that year,
during a revival. He was beloved and mourned by
the whole church.
The revival closed the next day, and on June 11,
two persons, P. A. Ball and Master Jack Henderson,
were baptized in the river at the foot of Garrison by
Rev. A. F. Randall.
G. W. Reeves, a former pastor, who had moved to
Hope, Arkansas, was recalled as pastor. During his
pastorate, the new church was built. It was
completed and occupied in October or November,
1884. Members of the building committee were W.
N. Ayers, J. C. Stalcup, and J. S. Meek.
Following the resignation of Bro. Reeves, the Rev.
J. B. Wise of Bastrop, Louisiana, came as pastor.
Money for his salary was raised by subscription.
Church officers for the year 1886 were:
Deacons: J. C. Stalcup, John B. Hunton
Supt. Sunday School: J. C. Stalcup
Asst. Supt. S. S.: J. B. McDonough
Secretary: John Ayers
Treasurer: John L. Henderson
Chorister: P. A. Ball
Finance Committee: R. Myrick, G. W. Moss, and R.
D. Seals.
Bro. A. J. Kincaid of Searcy, Arkansas, was called
to pastor the church in September, 1886.
Minutes of December 1, 1886, reflect that "the
young ladies of the church had undertaken to
furnish the church with new and more comfortable
sittings," and a choice was made between pews and
chairs. A report was also made that the Ladies Aid
Society was working to furnish a new organ for the
church.
As the church continued to grow, names of new
members were recorded in church minutes. Not all
minutes are available for 1889 - 1893, but in those
available, we find the names of Bro. Jessie Grace,
who was received into the fellowship of the church
on profession; Miss Ida Cox by letter from Trinidad,
Colorado; W. T. Soard and his wife, Irene R. Soard
by letters from Moody, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. George
T. Williams by letter from the First Baptist Church at
Hiawatha, Kansas; Emma Soard by letter from
Ozark, Arkansas; and (Dr.) Minnie J. Sanders 4 by
letter from the Second Church at St. Louis,
Missouri.
Wednesday, June 1, 1892, at the close of the usual
hour of prayer, the church was called to order for
Dr. Minnie Sanders, the first female physician in Sebastian County, came to Fort Smith on the invitation of her cousin, Mrs. W. P.
Throgmorton. While here, she married Henry Clay Armstrong, and spent the rest of her life in Fort Smith. For biography of br!
Armstrong, see pages 219-21 of Physicians and Medicine by Amelia Whitaker Martin, pub. 1978.
36
away and all our pleasant things laid
waste. We meet here today as sojourners.
This place must serve us temporarily, but
our watchword must be, 'Forward' . . .
Before the storm we talked about
bursting the walls out in order to make
room for ever increasing numbers. Our
God has done this for us. We have now
lots of 'room'. Let us cover it with a
tabernacle which will not only be a
monument of the disaster but an offering
to our God."
An Interesting item not included in the minutes of
the church: T. C. Price remembered that he, as a
little boy, attended a business meeting of the church
the night before the tornado destroyed the building.
They were discussing the need for improvements of
the church, estimated to cost $700.00. Many of the
members insisted that they were not able to spend
such a large sum. One member, whose name was
"Long"stood up in the meeting and said that, having
decided they could not make these improvements
when he believed they could, and should, he
believed God would destroy the church. The next
night the tornado destroyed the church and the
salvage was sold for $75.00.
A Bible, the only item saved from this building,
came to be known as "The Cyclone Bible." Church
records tell that at an enlargement program on
March 9, 1919, pledges in the sum of $25,000.00
were received, and Dr. Ferguson preached from
"The Cyclone Bible."
Until plans for a regular meeting place could be
made, the church and congregation metforworship
on Sunday, January 16, 1898, in the old "Academy
of Music." The next Sunday they met at the First
Presbyterian Church. Then the church contracted
the Turner Hall for $2.50 per Sunday night. The fee
included the use of the hall, lights, fuel and janitor's
services.
Bro. Hailey called attention to the fact that the old
baptistry was available for baptisms by the addition
of a few repairs, and on motion of Bro. Ball the
committee on the house was instructed to have it
put in shape for use.
On October 22, 1899, the first services were held
in the new house of worship. Church minutes
mention that at the close of the evening service on
Sunday, December 16,1900, Misses Florence Green
(Mrs. Florenz Godt) and Florence Price, made
professions of Faith in Jesus, and were accepted for
baptism, and that on December 21, 1902, the pastor
baptized Miss Bertha Gray (Mrs. Cleveland
Holland), and Rose Wilburn.
April 27, 1902, Bro. Pittman tendered his
resignation, for the second time, and urged its
acceptance because he had become the sole owner
of The Baptist Advance, and the interests of the
First Baptist Church 1957
North Thirteenth and D Streets
Built 1899 of White Limestone
Auditorium Completed 1903
paper would require all of his time and energies. The
resignation was accepted and F. F. Gibson of
Malvern, Arkansas, succeeded Bro. Pittman.
During Dr. Gibson' ministry, the communicant
membership rose to 655 members.
Sunday, October 18, 1903, marked the
completion and occupation of the new auditorium.
This was almost the fourth anniversary of the first
occupation of the building, Sunday, October 22,
1899.
Even while rebuilding their own church building
following the tornado, the First Baptist Church
began plans for expansion of its work through the
organization of mission churches.
In February, 1903, for $150.00 the church bought
lot 7, block 70, Fitzgerald Addition, located near the
Catholic Cemetery, for the purpose of establishing a
mission which later became the Lexington Avenue
Baptist Church.
Church minutes dated February 7, 1906, granted
letters of dismission to the following people for the
purpose of entering into the organization of the
Lexington Avenue Baptist Church: Bro. C. C.
Chambers, Bro. W. A. Bryan and wife, T. C. Gee, Mr.
H. G. Morrison and wife, Mrs. Lula M. Peek, and Mrs.
Nora Ulman.
At the close of the morning service on Sunday,
February 10, 1906, business meeting, chaired by Dr.
Wm. R. Brooksher, Sr., was calledforthepurposeof
approving purchase of Lot 3, block 13, of
Fitzgerald's addition. This property, which adjoined
the church on the north, cost $1,750.00 and was
acquired for the proposed purpose of building a
parsonage.
With the surrender of Edith Ayers on January 26,
1908, to the call for foreign mission service, the
interest of the church in foreign missions was
increased. An $805.70 offering was given that
37
morning by the congregation for foreign missions.
Miss Ayers, who later married W. E. Allen, served
many years as a missionary in Brazil.
First Baptist's Fort Smith mission program was
expanded again in 1909, with the organization of
Calvary Baptist Church in the Fishback Addition.
Members granted letters of dismission from First
Baptist to organize this church were: Elder V. C.
Neal, Mrs. Effie Neal, A. C. Neal, Philip A. and
Josephine Ball, Sarah Barnes, Pauline Garlick, Mrs.
A. R. Hershy, Mrs. Mattie A. Hudson, Mrs. L. O.
Ingram, Edith Johnson, Mrs. Nellie and Autry Lane,
Ethel Judd, Georgia Kregel, Pink Patterson, Bessie
Smith, Mrs. Bessie Whittington, Mrs. C. L.Wilson, J.
G. and Mable Wofford, Bessie Younger, Mrs. Dora
Newlon, Misses Ada, Jessie, Lena and Juanita
Newlon, Anice McAteer, and James and Nora B.
Vinton.
For comfort of worshippers, in 1913, a number of
improvements were made on the church
auditorium. A new Kimball pipe organ was installed
and used the first time in public worship on Sunday,
July 27, 1913. Contract price installed was $3,500.
Also a system of indirect lighting and artificial
ventilation were added. Total cost of improvements
cost more than $5,000.00.
Result of the new lighting system was that "the
church was brilliantly lighted, yet there was not a
light in sight."
The artificial ventilation was created by two large
motors forcing a current of cold air into the building
all the time, while the numerous ventilators in the
ceiling were carrying off the foul air, and a number
of ceiling fans were keeping the cool currents in
circulation.
We quote from church minutes: "One of the
results of this system is that the church is at all times
kept cool and invigorating without the opening of
the windows to let in the noise of the street, the dust
and flys, bugs and other insects. Keeping the
windows closed prevents the worshippers from
being disturbed by the two lines of streetcars that
pass the doors of the church."
In January 1916, after 13^ years as pastor, Bro.
Gibson offered his resignation. Reluctantly the
resignation was accepted and the search for a new
pastor began. From twenty-six candidates
considered for the pastorate, a young minister from
Durham, North Carolina, B. V. Ferguson, was
chosen, and he began his duties in Fort smith the
first Sunday in June, 1916. On that day the Sunday
School attendance broke all previous records, and
there were 456 present in the church service.
Dr. Ferguson pastored this church longer than
any other pastor — thirty four years. During this
time, at his request, he was granted a leave of
absence to serve as Chaplain in the armed forces
during World War I. He was a great believer in
sharing with the masses the good news of Christ's
substitutionary death. Dr. Mordecai F. Ham was
brought here for two revival meetings which
revolutionzed Fort Smith. His first meeting was in a
warehouse on South Ninth Street where almost
3,500 persons made spiritual decisions.
During Dr. Ferguson's pastorate, the main
auditorium was enlarged to seat 1200 people; a two
story annex was built on the east side of the church;
a three story Bible study building was erected
immediately north of the church, and anotherthree
story educational building was built east of the
church. In addition to this, three new missions were
established, Riverside, Third Street, and McNeil.
McNeil mission was named for Deacon John McNeil.
EIL
MfSSIW-.
OF THE FIRST
McNeil Baptist Mission
On May 3, 1916, soon after Dr. Ferguson had
assumed the pastorate, the clerk of the church
reported the recent organization of the Bethlehem
Baptist Church at 601 North Third Street, Fort
Smith. A prayer meeting conducted during the noon
hour, beginning in January in a potato cellar, had
resulted in the organization of the church with nine
members, and that its membership had grown to 72
with Pastor Carrol in charge.
First Baptist Church, Fort Smith, like the rest of
the United States, felt the effects of the influenza
epidemic in 1918. Church minutes tell that a revival
service by Dr. J. H. Dew, which began on Sunday,
October 6, 1918, "came to a close on Tuesday,
Octobers, due to quarantine on account of Spanish
influenza."
In 1950, Rev. J. Harold Smith assumed the
pastorate of First Baptist Church. His nine year
ministry is noteworthy for several accomplishments.
Under his direction, the church began its radio
and television ministry, which continues and today
reaches between twelve to fifteen thousand homes
in Northwest Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.
38
Elder D. Buckley
1857 - 1858
Elder F. L. Compere
1860 - 1881
(Served three times in this span)
F. L. Kregel
1871 - 1873
William E. Paxton D. D.
1883
A. J. Kincaid
1886 - 1892
W. P. Throgmorton, D. D.
1892 - 1895
N. R. Pittman
1900 - 1902
Newman McLarry
1959 - 1962
Findley F. Gibson
Sept. 1902 - Feb. 1916
B. V. Ferguson
June, 1916 - 1950
Dan Cameron
1963- 1967
39
A. S. Worrell
1882
O. L. Hailey
1895 - 1899
J. Harold Smith
Dec. 1950 - 1959
Dr. Wm. L. Bennett
1967 - Present
Through the men's Brotherhood, rural
evangelism work was begun. The Brotherhood also
did personal witnessing; helped with local missions;
and assisted in special services for soldiers, both
special Saturday night services conducted by
associate pastor, Rev. Robert Ezell, and at the
Reception center at Fort Chaffee.
Through J. Harold Smith's commitment to
extension growth, Spradling Avenue Baptist
Church was established in December, 1951, and
Riverside, Third Street and McNeil Missions were
strengthened. Third Street snd Riverside Missions
were provided with new facilities. Each of these
three missions were pastored by a young energetic
pastor, Paul Cooke. The communicant membership
reached 2,580 members by 1959.
In 1959, Newman McLarry came to the pastorate,
to be followed by Dan Cameron in 1963. During this
time, a new sanctuary seating 1,450 people was
erected, along with an office suite.
In 1967 the church called Dr. William L. Bennett as
pastor. During his ministry, furtherconstruction has
provided a Fellowship Hall which will seat 600 in
dining capacity, and additional education space,
debt-free. The building committee for the latest
addition was led by Tom Gray.
Under the direction of Dr. Bennett's strong
leadership, the First Baptist Church has had a keen
sense of direction and its work for God continues to
grow. Since 1979, the Bible teaching ministry
(Sunday School) has averaged just under 2,000 on a
weekly basis.
During the 124 years since its founding in 1857,
First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, Arkansas, has
grown from a membership of seven to a
communicant membership of approximately 4000.
A ministerial staff of nine, a number larger than
the total church membership in 1857, ministers to
the 1981 membership. The total salaried church
staff includes ninety people.
Through this 125 years of growth, the work and
prayers of thousands of dedicated Christian men
and women working together for God have
contributed to the tremendous spiritual outreach of
this church. Today, the names of most have been
forgotten, but results of their faithful prayer and
work live on.
PASTORS AND DATES OF SERVICE ARE
D.Buckley ... December 1857 - December 1858
E. L. Compere 5 March 1860-April 1863, June 1866-
1871
F. L. Kregel
September 1871 - May 1873
G. W. Reeves
September 1878 - April 1879
E. L. Compere
May 1880 - December 1881
Dr. A. S. Worrell 6 . . . April 1882 - September 1882
Dr. W. E. Paxton
March 1883 - June 1883
G. W. Reeves
September 1883 - May 1885
J. B. Wise
September 1885 - April 1886
A. J. Kincaid
September 1886 - May 1892
Dr. W. P. Throgmorton June 1892 - November 1895
O. L. Hailey . . . November 1895 - November 1899
N. R. Pittman
March 1900 - July 1902
Dr. Finley F. Gibson . September 1902 - February
1916
Dr. B. V. Ferguson
J. Harold Smith
Newman McLarry
Dan Cameron
Dr. Wm. L. Bennett
June 1916 - June 1950
December 1950 - 1959
1959 - 1962
1963 - 1967
1967 - present
s
Goodspeed History N. W. Ark. page 785 - E. L. Compere, a missionary Baptist preacher, founded Buckner College at Salem
(Witcherville), Arkansas in 1875.
6
Ibid; 1883, new three story building completed at Buckner College. First school in new building opened in 1883 by Dr. A. S.
Worrell, who taught four sessions.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OF ARKANSAS, INC.
The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas has been formed and the first annual meeting was
held in Hot Springs, November 13-14, 1981.
This statewide organization is dedicated to helping local communities save their architectural
heritage. If you are interested in being a member of this group, contact the local board member,
Carolyn Pollan or mail your membership check as follows:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OF ARKANSAS, INC.
P. O. Box 162
Washington, Arkansas 71862
(Please check one):
Contributor
100.00
Student or Senior Citizen
$ 7.50
Affiliate Organization
100.00
Individual
15.00
Business
150.00
Double
25.00
Benefactor
500.00 plus
Sustaining
50.00
(All contributions are tax deductible)
40
CONFEDERATE VETERANS BURIED
BY FENTRESS MORTUARY 1909 - 2934
Turner, Robert N.
Mar. 13, 1914 60 Forest Park
Funkhouser, A.M.
Apr. 28, 1914 64 Oak Cem.
Church, F. O.
May 27, 1914 69 National Cem.
Lucey, J.M.
June 20, 1914 71 Catholic Cem.
McDonald, A. L.
July 15, 1914 81 Poteau, OK
Scoggins, John
July 30, 1914 67 Maple, OK
Cummings, John
July 31, 1914 88 Forest Park
Michael, A.
Aug. 13, 1914 60 Elmwood Cem.
Intres, John R.
Aug. 24, 1914 64 Catholic Cem.
Weaver, J.S.
Sept. 9, 1914 61 White Cem.
Euper, Anton
Sept. 14, 1914 78 Forest Park
Workinger, William
Sept. 29, 1914 62 Oak Cem.
Owens, W. B.
Oct. 17, 1914 70 Elmwood Cem.
Earley, W.W.
Feb. 2, 1915
69 Oak Cem.
Hampton, William
Feb. 7, 1915
69 Dora, AR
Wheeler, W.W.
Feb. 16, 1915 67 Oak Cem.
Page, John
Mar. 23, 1915 73 Elmwood Cem.
Roberts, J. S.
Mar. 24, 1915 76 Oak Cem.
Gardner, Thaddeus
Apr. 19, 1915 79 National Cem.
Cook, W.F.
May 8, 1915
70 Elmwood Cem.
Meaden, Fritz
May 21, 1915 72 Oak Cem.
Modlin, Thomas M.
June 17, 1915 69 Stigler, OK
Havard, S. A.
June 18, 1915 65 National Cem.
Whedon, Milo
July 5, 1915
66 Elgin, IL
Hopkins, Agrippa
July 7, 1915
86 Oak Cem.
Braun, William
July 22, 1915 85 Oak Cem.
Hamilton, M. J.
July 25, 1915 75 Oak Cem.
Ayres, C. C.
Aug. 2, 1915 66 Oak Cem.
Glaze, Henry
Sept. 27, 1915 65 White Cem.
Vandagriff, C. W.
Oct. 4, 1915
65 Taft, AR
Miller, E. B.
Nov. 6, 1915
68 McAlester, OK
Riggs, Wm. S.
Dec. 10, 1915 86 Springfield, MO
Simms, David A.
Dec. 20, 1915 65 Forest Park
Cook, Charles
Dec. 31, 1915 65 Oak Cem.
Dean, Richard
Jan. 17, 1916 83 Leard Cem.
Busby, William L.
Jan. 28, 1916 72 Oak Cem.
Finn, M. H.
Jan. 29, 1916 66 Alix, AR
Callahan,
Jan. 30, 1916 65 Huntington, AR
Adams, Joseph
Feb. 14, 1916 85 Williams, OK
Grable, W. A.
Feb. 28, 1916 73 Leard Cem.
Kelley, J. G.
Apr. 23, 1916 80 Oak Cem.
Weaber, Jesse
Apr. 26, 1916 69 Lavaca, AR
Smith, C. W.
May 20, 1916 65 Oak Cem.
Cox, G. W.
July 23, 1916 74 Oak Cem.
Cyachert, Joseph
July 25, 1916 74 St. Joseph, MO
Day, J. A.
July 27, 1916 76 Eureka Springs, AR
Lyons, A.
Aug. 1, 1916 70 Oak Cem.
Odum, Jeff
Aug. 20, 1916 73 Steep Hill
Bowman, J. H.
Oct. 19, 1916 83 National Cem.
Borrough, John
Nov. 27, 1916 68 Forest Park
Miller, John R. Sr.
Nov. 28, 1916 80 Forest Park
Gardner, W. H.
Dec. 9, 1916
74 Carnell Cem.
Shepherd, William
Jan. 22, 1917 70 Mulberry, AR
Leach, Ivan
Feb. 4, 1917
86 Elmwood Cem.
Wright, J. C.
Feb. 6, 1917
84 Oak Cem.
Nules, Sam
Feb. 8, 1917
85 Elmwood Cem.
Strong, C. H.
Feb. 11, 1917 68 Oak Cem.
Kraner, F. A.
Feb. 11, 1917 63 Forest Park
Schreckengaunt, W. H. Feb. 20, 1917 76 National Cem.
Gibson, Gustave
Feb. 28, 1917 74 Frederick, OK
Powell, J. N.
Mar. 3, 1917
67 Oak Cem.
McGurk, Frank
Mar. 6, 1917
62 Wilburton, OK
Rowell, R. H.
Apr. 12, 1917 90 Batesville, AR
Gross, Stephen
Apr. 14, 1917 64 Forest Park
Oliver, W. F.
May 18, 1917 70 Huntington, AR
Brawner, W. T.
June 8, 1917 83 Oak Cem.
Ritchie, H. C.
June 30, 1917 74 National Cem.
The following list of Confederate Veterans buried
by the Fentress Mortuary of Fort Smith was
compiled by Mrs. Oscar Fentress. It was presented
by her to the Jefferson Davis Chapter, United
Daughters of the Confederacy on January 15, 1935
and is printed here by permission of this chapter.
DEATH DATE
NAME
Dec. 8, 1909
Underbill, Jake
Dec. 25, 1909
Hart, Alex
Jan. 7, 1910
Bolton, Charles
Feb. 2, 1910
Harner, Amos F.
Feb. 17, 1910
Priest, William A.
Feb. 22, 1910
Turley, J. G.
Mar. 8, 1910
Hammer, Peter
Apr. 20, 1910
Williams, Ebenezer E.
Mar. 26, 1910
Shannon, James G.
May 24, 1910
Spradling, Geo. N.
Aug. 9, 1910
Shaw, Knowles
Aug. 25, 1910
Brogan, Edward C.
Oct. 11, 1910
James, F. L.
Nov. 3, 1910
Epple, Christian
Tallman, Henry L.
Dec. 3, 1910
Dec. 24, 1910
McBride, C. E.
Feb. 27, 1911
Wilcox, William G.
Apr. 9, 1911
Dailey, Daniel F.
Apr. 17, 1911
Van Sickle, Charles
Apr. 23, 1911
Leonard, Dennis
July 11, 1911
Fumet, Peter
Akin, Andrew Jackson Aug. 27, 1911
Sept. 9, 1911
Brown, B. S.
Sept. 18, 1911
McKnight, James
Dec. 18, 1911
Michael, Davis
Dec. 27, 1911
Cope, T. S.
July 24, 1912
Hawkins, John W.
July 24, 1912
Marsh, Edwin
Oct. 3, 1912
Carter, Thomas H.
Oct. 3, 1912
Jolly, J. H.
Oct. 25, 1912
Wilcox, George
Nov. 16, 1912
Dorente, J.N.E.
Feb. 5, 1913
Wagner, John W.
Mar. 3, 1913
Fewell, J.B.
Mar. 15, 1913
Griffith, E.
Mar. 29, 1913
McHaney, John C.
May 26, 1913
Martin, Joseph
June 16, 1913
Foster, Isaac
June 22, 1913
Cromwell, Samuel
July 1, 1913
Koegel, Frederick
July 22, 1913
Riley, William J.
Morgan, Vincent (negro) Aug. 7, 1913
July 31, 1913
Elliot, William
Thompson, Charles A. Sept. 11, 1913
Oct. 19, 1913
Fink, Henry
Nov. 2, 1913
Henderson, James C.
Nov. 2, 1913
Hope Huey E.
Nov. 4, 1913
Pantet, Jacques
Nov. 19, 1913
Hogan, Orlanda
Nov. 28, 1913
Meyers, John
Dec. 10, 1913
Sawyer, William
Jan. 14, 1914
Babcock, Frank
Feb. 4, 1914
Morrow, Joseph
Feb. 7, 1914
Clark, S. C.
Feb. 12, 1914
Moore, V. N.
Feb. 27, 1914
Clifton, M. W.
Mar. 12, 1914
McGowan, James
AGE BURIAL
60 Texarkana, AR
65 Elmwood Cem.
65 Elmwood Cem.
68 Tabor, IA
63 Oak Cemetery
68 Elmwood Cem.
73 Catholic Cem.
79 Excelsior, AR
62 Catholic Cem.
69 National Cem.
78 Paola, KS
77 Catholic Cem.
65 Forest Park
72 Catholic Cem.
61 Van Buren, AR
63 Forest Park Cem.
73 Long Island, NY
65 Catholic Cem.
63 Forest Park Cem.
72 Catholic Cem.
81 Oak Cemetery
75 Hackett, AR
60 Catholic Cem.
77 Catholic Cem.
65 Catholic Cem.
67 Oak Cem.
63 Ozark, AR
63 Oak Cem.
86 Beverly
72 Elmwood Cem.
65 Elmwood Cem.
63 Forest Park
71 Catholic Cem.
65 Elmwood Cem.
65 Forest Park
63 Forest Park
63 Catholic Cem.
66 Oak Cem.
76 Oak Cem.
69 Oak Cem.
69 Shiloh Cem.
65 Oak Cem.
65 Elmwood Cem.
60 Forest Park
98 Forest Park
76 Mulberry, AR
63 Camp Creek
90 Gill Cem.
72 National Cem.
62 Forest Park
68 Oak Cem.
73 Forest Park
66 Oak Cem.
77 Bonanza, AR
69 Oak Cem.
61 Forest Park
63 Clear Lake, IA
41
Bird, Isaac
Clay, James H.
Harrison, Robert H.
Long, Levi
Brown, John R.
Markley, George
Cooper, T. H.
Gunter, J. C.
Williams, James T.
Thedford, John T.
Dyer, William
Small, E. D.
Harmon, H. L.
Poulian, Francis
Coffey, S. E.
Robinson, J. P.
Shackleford, Rev.
Bugg, T. W.
Young, John S.
Braden, W. F.
Wood, James E.
Wallace, John W.
Nutler, John A.
Strayhorn, John
Liede, Michael
Nelson, Jake
Haines, W. H.
Collins, J.
Hines, James W.
McMurtrey, W. H.
Mabry, H. P.
Martin, Paddy
Sage, William
Gilley, Tine
Putman, T. A.
Curtis, W. H.
Horton, J. G.
Wills, B. L.
Hurley, Dan
Buckner, Harrison
Snider, Harvey
Bromley, James H.
Phillips, Benjamin
Snider, Fred
Milter, John F.
Towery, Henry M.
Brown, W. W.
Lehman, Henry
Cockrum, J. L.
Reynolds, P.
Smith, W. W.
Shaw, Thomas
Edmunds, J.
Marie, Josiah
Jenkins, William W.
Quante, Frank
Simpson, William
Miller, W. W.
Blakely, Capt. B. C.
Kibler, John
Ferrari, Joseph M.
Packard, R. C.
Waerter, Charles
Rahn, John
Leffler, William
White, W. H.
Hartley, Lewis
Daly, Patrick
Sill, Phillip
Fisher, Alfred
Basham, Jap
Price, George
Owens, W. J.
Van Brocklin, J.
Winchester, T. P.
Harlan, F. S.
Marks, Jeptha A.
July 10, 1917
July 29, 1917
Aug. 20, 1917
Aug. 29, 1917
Sept. 3, 1917
Sept. 18, 1917
Sept. 23, 1917
Oct. 22, 1917
Oct. 28, 1917
Jan. 31, 1918
Feb. 9, 1918
Mar. 4, 1918
Mar. 4, 1918
Mar. 19, 1918
Mar. 10, 1918
Mar. 12, 1918
Mar. 15, 1918
Apr. 14, 1918
Apr. 19, 1918
Apr. 23, 1918
June 15, 1918
May 30, 1918
June 18, 1918
June 18, 1918
June 18, 1918
July 20, 1918
July 25, 1918
July 29, 1918
Aug. 11, 1918
Sept. 5, 1918
Sept. 7, 1918
Sept. 17, 1918
Oct. 27, 1918
Nov. 16, 1918
Nov. 21, 1918
Dec. 11, 1918
Jan. 1, 1919
Jan. 7, 1919
Jan. 14, 1919
Jan. 30, 1919
Feb. 19, 1919
Feb. 22, 1919
Feb. 24, 1919
mar. 21, 1919
Apr. 11, 1919
Apr. 26, 1919
May 30, 1919
July 10, 1919
July 15, 1919
Aug. 29, 1919
Aug. 30, 1919
Sept. 17, 1919
Sept. 18, 1919
Oct. 4, 1919
Oct. 12, 1919
Oct. 18, 1919
Oct. 19, 1919
Oct. 24, 1919
Nov. 16, 1919
Nov. 21, 1919
Nov. 30, 1919
Dec. 4, 1919
Dec. 4, 1919
Dec. 8, 1919
Dec. 9, 1919
Jan. 13, 1920
Jan. 30, 1920
Feb. 27. 1920
Mar. 29, 1920
Apr. 21, 1920
Sept. 21, 1920
Oct. 4, 1920
Nov. 7, 1920
Nov. 18, 1920
Nov. 20, 1920
Nov. 25, 1920
Dec. 5, 1920
69
70
63
68
64
83
68
73
73
66
75
77
69
64
69
82
75
73
73
75
72
77
73
83
80
84
85
81
83
66
86
86
70
70
73
79
87
80
85
74
70
79
75
73
75
81
74
72
77
93
75
72
71
78
81
85
70
86
76
73
70
88
61
87
88
81
77
89
77
79
78
74
67
68
70
84
77
Liberty, KS
Oak Cem.
Sallisaw, OK
Milton, OK
Fairview Cem.
Oak Cem.
Oak Cem.
Oak Cem.
Cleveland
Newlon Springs
Forest Park
Topeka, KS
Oak Cem.
Catholic Cem.
Forest Park
Forest Park
Paw Paw, OK
Barling
Forest Park
Oak Cem.
Mena, AR
Oak Cem.
Oak Cem.
Graphic
Forest Park
Oak Cem.
Bentonville, AR
New Hope Cem.
Forest Park
White Bluff Cem.
Forest Park
Newlon Springs
Elmwood Cem.
Central, AR
Lavaca, AR
Wister, OK
Williams, OK
Huntington, AR
Catholic Cem.
Forest Park
Paw Paw, OK
Oak Cem.
Wanette, OK
National Cem.
Mountain View, AR
Scranton, AR
Oak Cem.
Great Lake, CO
National Cem.
Fort Coffey
National Cem.
Spiro, OK
Forest Park
National Cem.
Braymer, MO
Catholic Cem.
Elmwood Cem.
Gushing, OK
Forest Park
National Cem.
Catholic Cem.
Cameron, MO
Forest Park
Catholic Cem.
National Cem.
Oak Cem.
National Cem.
Catholic Cem.
Mountainburg, AR
Forest Park
Mountainburg, AR
Butler, MO
Oak Cem.
Oak Cem.
Forest Park
Iowa
Huntington, AR
Thomas, Jim
Williams, B. J.
Loomis, Floyd
Brodie, D. W.
Wilkerson, A. J.
Lake, Capt. L. B.
Render, John B.
Hallum, J. C.
Martindale, T. M.
Laverne, J. L.
Mitchell, Zachariah
Bonner, Calvin J.
Mankin, Thomas F.
Harry, Cicero F.
Cherry, Albert G.
Smith, Joseph Y.
Davis, Daniel F.
Franklin, Joe S.
Vann, Reuben
Strassburg, Abraham
Coble, F. A. J.
Birnie, W. S.
Story, John
Dottery, James
Jarnigan, George W.
Green, A. E.
Owens, Charles
Davis, W. H.
Davis, C. L.
Kirk, Henry H.
Beardsley, B.
Bradshaw, John S.
Sutherland, Thomas S.
Johnston, Lafayette
Self, William E.
Bartlett, Jesse H
Mitchell, Millard
Hamilton, Zacarria
Purdom, Alexander
Douglass, Eliza
Reed, Robert
Stokes, Lemuel
Mitchell, Eli E.
Stephenson, Thomas R.
Davidson, F. E.
Martin, Erwin
Reynolds, Thommas H.
Peck, Benjamin A.
Cainan, George W.
Stearl, Joseph
Moses, Robert T.
Grain, William B.
Woods, Nathan R.
Furrow, James A.
Ray, Lawson
Birnie, Henry C.
Walker, J. M.
Schleiff, Frederick
Honea James W.
Ozment, Eli
Patrick, John W.
Huber, Fred W.
Mason, George W.
Callan, Daniel
Weese, Moses W.
Stewart, J. C.
Adams, Zachariah T.
Padgett, Harvey
Hutchinson, Richard
Buckley, Hezekiah
Sherman, Madison
Pannell, Sam
Raub, Wm. N.
Doerr, James
Stephens, Robert W.
Wardell, Elias T.
Strain, Hester C.
42
Dec. 6, 1920 75 Oak Cem.
Dec. 18, 1920 85 Oak Cem.
Feb. 28, 1921 73 Dyer, AR
Jan. 27, 1921 78 Van Buren, AR
78 Mountainburg, AR
Feb. 5, 1921
Mar. 16, 1921 78 Forest Park
Mar. 20, 1921 90 Catholic Cem.
Mar. 22, 1921 71 Oak Cem.
May 8, 1921 76 White Bluff
May 9, 1921 74 Forest Park
May 16, 1921 83 Bentonville, AR
May 21, 1921 76 Oak Cem.
May 30, 1921 73 Forest Park
June 16, 1921 71 Newlon Springs
June 17, 1921 83 Hayes Chapel
July 27, 1921 100 Parkersburg, WV
Aug. 6, 1921 73 Kentucky
Aug. 18, 1921 76 Douglass Cem.
Aug. 19, 1921 87 Cedars
Aug. 30, 1921 73 Jewish Cem.
Sept. 1, 1921 79 Oak Cem.
Sept. 3, 1921 84 Oak Cem.
Sept. 9, 1921 79 Oak Cem.
Sept. 10, 1921 72 Monticello, AR
Sept. 14, 1921 72 Clarksville, AR
Oct. 11, 1921 74 OK.
Nov. 9, 1921
72 Bunch, AR
Nov. 20, 1921 76 National Cem.
Dec. 4, 1921 75 Oak Cem.
Dec. 8, 1921
76 Oak Cem.
Jan. 23, 1922 75 Macedonia Cem.
Feb. 6, 1922
78 Leard
Feb. 14, 1922 86 Oak Cem.
Mar. 13, 1922 70 Fairview Cem.
Mar. 13, 1922 70 Forest Park
Mar. 22, 1922 85 Gutherie, OK
Apr. 13, 1922 71 Oak Cem.
May 10, 1922 75 Oak Cem.
June 23, 1922 70 Forest Park
July 1, 1922
70 Douglass Cem.
July 10, 1922 83 Gutherie, OK
July 11, 1922 70 Forest Park
Aug. 15, 1922 72 Oak Cem.
Sept. 24, 1922 71 Altus, AR
Nov. 5, 1922 82 National Cem.
Dec. 17, 1922 87 National Cem.
Dec. 28, 1922 75 Clarksville, AR
Jan. 5, 1923
90 Forest Park
Jan.11,1923 80 Mena, AR
Jan. 26, 1823 76 Barling, AR
Mar. 2, 1923 75 National Cem.
Mar. 17, 1923 72 Newlon Springs
Mar. 19, 1923 89 Leard Cem.
May 1, 1923
71 Gill Cem.
May 6, 1923
73 Oak Cem.
May 11, 1923 79 Oak Cem.
May 30, 1923 70 Jenny Lind, AR
July 9, 1923
84 Forest Park
Aug. 3, 1923 77 Hansen, OK
Aug. 3, 1923 74 Oak Cem.
Aug. 4, 1923 79 Forest Park
Aug. 6, 1923 75 Forest Park
Aug. 27, 1923 76 Russellville, AR
Sept. 4, 1923 97 Catholic Cem.
Sept. 11, 1923 72 Franklin Co. AR
Oct. 11, 1923 72 Oak Cem.
Oct. 19, 1923 70 Forest Park
Nov. 9, 1923 75 Abbott Cem.
Nov. 15, 1923 70 Steep Hill
Nov. 19, 1923 90 Chicago, IL
Nov. 21, 1923 83 National Cem.
Nov. 23, 1923 74 Paw Paw, OK
Nov. 27, 1923 75 Oak Cem.
Dec. 27, 1923 73 Van Buren, AR
Jan. 12, 1924 75 White Bluff Cem.
Jan. 13, 1924 78 Chester, AR
Jan. 14, 1924 82 Oak Cem.
88 White Bluff Cem.
Feb. 1, 1924
Dukes, Reuben A.
83 Oak Cem.
Feb. 6, 1924
Hughes, Elijah
Feb. 18, 1924 72 Oak Cem.
Russell, Jacob D.
Mar. 5, 1924 73 Oak Cem.
Dunn, William N.
Mar. 15, 1924 88 Rudy, AR
Bryan, Willis O.
Apr. 28, 1924 80 Hackett, AR
Stafford, Isaac
June 3, 1924 79 Wichita, KS
Stough, John
June 6, 1924 75 Mulberry, AR
Wade, John W.
June 23, 1924 79 National Cem.
Ammon, Jacob
June 24, 1924 76 lola, KS
Reed, Wesley
June 25, 1924 86 Forest Park
Kennedy, Milton F.
July 12, 1924 81 Meg, AR
Burcham, Abijah
Herriman, M. C.
July 18, 1924 79 Paw Paw, OK
Aug. 2, 1924 73 Dawson Cem.
Crowe, William
Aug. 17, 1924 84 White Bluff
Barnes, George W.
Sept. 25, 1924 74 Fairview
Rutz, Jacob
Oct. 17, 1924 84 National Cem.
Dyer, William M.
Nov. 1, 1924 75 Alma, AR
Cole, William A.
Nov. 5, 1924 75 Forest Park
Kellogg, Orman
Nov. 21, 1924 80 Cleveland, AR
Timmins, Andrew
Dec. 31, 1924 72 Elmwood
Scott, C. M.
Nov. 29, 1924 73 Forest Park
Kendall, William H.
Jan. 7, 1925
72 Gans, OK
Childers, C. C.
73 Roland, OK
Jan. 7, 1925
Smith, Lafayette
Jan. 21, 1925 74 Forest Park
Watts, Charles J.
Jan. 28, 1925 80 Forest Park
Turner, T.
74 Forest Park
Feb. 3, 1925
Barnes, Moses A.
80 National Cem.
Feb. 5, 1925
Fisher, John H.
Feb. 22, 1925 79 Dora, OK
Wilson, Sam
Mar. 11, 1925 80 Huntington, AR
Bach, Samuel
79 Bassham
May 3, 1925
Cook, Arzetia
June 2, 1925 72 Catholic Cem.
Hoffman, John
June 14, 1925 72 Mansfield, AR
Howell, Samuel G.
Luckenbaugh, James W. June 17, 1925 79 Hickory Ridge, AR
June 20, 1925 73 Mulberry, AR
Heard, Allen C.
June 25, 1925 72 Oak Cem.
Sengle, George
87 Wisconsin
July 8, 1925
Jones, David
73 Sallisaw, OK
McDonald, James A.
July 9, 1925
Oct. 10, 1925 79 Forest Park
Johnston, Moses C.
Oct. 25, 1925 90 Oak Cem.
Foster, John
Nov. 2, 1925
88 Catholic Cem.
O'Connell, Michael
Nov. 8, 1925 77 Girard, KS
McGiffin, James G.
Nov. 23, 1925 79 National Cem.
Perse, George R.
83 Arbaree, AR
Dec. 2, 1925
East, Eliza H.
Dec. 28, 1925 78 National Cem
Hope, William P.
88 Oak Cem
Feb. 5, 1926
Cottrell, William
Feb. 6, 1926 77 Cavanaugh
Beaty, William
Feb. 14, 1926 73 Forest Park
Furr, Paul
Feb. 15, 1926 72 Oak Cem.
Powell, Judge R. T.
Feb. 20, 1926 80 National Cem.
Whitson, Calvin
Feb. 22, 1926 75 Gould OK
Pittman, J. H.
Feb. 28, 1926 72 Leard Cem.
Parker, Eugene
Mar. 13, 1926 78 Oak Cem.
Hobbs, William H.
Mar. 16, 1926 76 Oak Cem.
Norrid, John H.
Mar. 18, 1926 74 Oak Cem'
Wright, Elijah. E.
Apr. 18, 1926 78 White Bluff
McMurtrey, Peter T.
May 11, 1926 71 Oak Cem.
Ong, Harry
June 20, 1926 88 Forest Park
Robinson, Eliza J.
82 National Cem
July 7, 1926
Johnston, George W.
July 17, 1926 79 Forest Park
Cover, Noah
Aug. 13, 1926 79 Chester AR
Smith, Zephra
Sept. 7, 1926 74 Jacksonport, AR
Grant, Andrew J.
Sept. 17, 1926 81 National Cem.
Pipkin, Edward
Sept. 20, 1926 74 Liberty Cem.
Been William J
Oct. 15, 1926 83 Forest Park
Smith, Edward T.
77 Mansfield, AR
Jan. 7, 1927
Smith, Thomas L.
Jan. 8, 1927
72 Forest Park
Edwards, David R.
Jan. 15, 1927 84 Steep Hill
Williams, James D.
Jan. 19, 1927 73 Huntington, AR
Ellinor, John E.
Jan. 23, 1927 89 Searcy, AR
Noble, Owen P.
Jan. 29, 1927 80 Plainfield, MO
Kinnan, Thomas B.
79 Troy, MO
Feb. 5, 1927
Wheeler, Benjamin
Feb. 20, 1927 88 Leard Cem.
Decker, Oliver
Apr. 13, 1927 91 Oak Cem.
Harper, Jesse C.
Apr. 27, 1927 90 National Cem.
McCallum, Hays
May 20, 1927 85 Paw Paw, OK
DeGroat, Fred
June 6, 1927 86 Mt. View, MO
Mahan, Andrew
Bittle, George
Pepper, Timothy
Johnson, Geo. G.
Hoge, Samuel B.
Clayland, James L.
Taylor, Alfred
Hamilton, Benjamin
Howell, David C.
Harrison, John G.
Elwood, William L.
Southard, William F.
Brooks, John C.
Marsh, W. Edward
Warren, Henry
Moore, John C.
Hackler, Rev. John S.
Sutton, Wm. M.
McCann, James
Carrey, C. M.
Mortensen, Hans
Armstrong, Andrew J.
Nichols, Jake
Young, Allen
Landers, Abner
Petty, Enoch B.
Evans, A. C.
Ming, Wm. J.
Tash, Jack
Cottrell, James
Hall, Green H.
Burnett, John J.
Bowling, Frank P.
Holly, James W.
Cohn, M. S.
Franklin, S. B.
Fort, A. O.
Linton, Ben F.
Brown, James D.
Jacobs, Marion J.
Owensby, Marion F.
McGee, W. J.
Weaver, John F.
Keck
- Solomon
Carrico, Leander
Godt
' August
Barton, C. S
S c o t t Perr
'
VA
Garrett, Alexander A.
Mather, Ace
McMmn, Burrel J.
Dunklin, Herbert C.
Lovell, John D.
Phillips, Tom A.
Dawson, Montery M.
Garrett, Anderson
Futral, M. E.
Franklin, Neil S.
Jacobs, Joseph H.
Kirkman, Alfred
Randolph. Robert H.
Reed
' James A.
Tucker, William E.
Overstreet. Thomas G
i
June 22, 1927 87 White Cem.
July 18, 1927 82 Leard Cem.
July 26, 1927 79 Forest Park
Aug. 10, 1927 74 Forest Park
Nov. 5, 1927 78 Oak Cem.
Nov. 14, 1927 90 Oak Cem.
Dec. 2, 1927 82 Oak Cem.
Dec. 22, 1927 79 Forest Park
Jan. 14, 1928 82 National Cem.
Jan. 21, 1928 83 National Cem.
Mar. 28, 1928 80 Oak Cem.
Apr. 6, 1928 83 Dardanelle, AR
Apr. 12, 1928 78 Gilliam
Apr. 26, 1928 77 White Bluff
July 16, 1928 93 Key Port, IL
July 16, 1928 76 Forest Park
July 26, 1928 86 Floyd Cem.
Aug. 17, 1928 115 National Cem.
Dec. 29, 1928 77 Elmwood
July 17, 1929 83 Forest Park
Jan. 12, 1929 78 Forest Park
Jan. 17, 1929 83 Forest Park
Jan. 19, 1929 87 Hayes Chapel
Jan. 27, 1929 79 Leard Cem.
Feb. 13, 1929 82 Steep Hill
Mar. 28, 1929 78 Elmwood
Apr. 4, 1929
86 Oak Cem.
Apr. 21, 1929 76 Oak Cem.
May 1, 1929
77 Dyer, AR
June 13, 1929 86 Barnes Cem.
June 18, 1929 81 Forest Park
Sept. 5, 1929 82 Oak Cem.
Sept. 10, 1929 83 Arkoal
Mar. 30, 1930 81 Jewish Cem.
May 6, 1930
89 National Cem.
June 3, 1930 79 Oak Cem.
Dec. 10, 1930 89 Gracelawn
Mar. 7, 1931 80 Barling, AR
Jan. 1, 1931 80 Okmulgee, OK
June 12, 1931 83 Forest Park
June 23, 1931 86 Barling, AR
Aug. 1, 1931 81 Oak Cem.
Aug. 17, 1931 84 Lincoln, AR
Sept. 18, 1931 85 National Cem.
Nov. 5, 1931 81 Oak Cem.
Jan. 17, 1932 80 Oak Cem.
Feb 24 1
. $32 84 Denver, IL
Feb. 29, 1932 82 Clarksville, AR
Mar. 13, 1932 80 Roselawn Cem.
Mar. 15, 1932 83 Oak Cem.
May 12, 1932 82 Spiro, OK
Nov. 6, 1932 81 Stillwater. OK
Dec. 14, 1932 80 White
Feb. 18, 1933 87 Forest Park
Mar. 4, 1933 82 Shady Grove
Oct. 14, 1933 82 Oak Cem.
Jan. 6, 1934
80 Branch, AR
Mar. 4, 1934 105 Jewish Cem.
Mar. 19, 1934 83 Forest Park
May 23, 1934 96 Hight Cem.
July 20. 1934 87 Oak Cem.
July 21, 1934 81 Mt. Olive
Nov. 20, 1934 85 Short Mountain
Day by day, the past slips away
into oblivion and you and 1 are
responsible for preserving a part
of it for tomorrow.
43
NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
April - August, 1982
ANNUAL MEETING
FORT SMITH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Thursday, April 29, 7:00 p.m.
Community Room, Fort Smith Public Library
61 South 8th Street
LIBRARY — Regularly scheduled/activities:
Every Wednesday, 12:15-1:00 p.m., Free movie —
everyone brings sack lunch, cokes and coffee
are available
2nd Wednesday each month: Book Review
10:30 a.m.
Every Thursday morning : Children's Story Hour,
9:30 a.m.
All members and guests welcome and urged to
attend.
For your convenience, ballot for election of new
board members is on loose sheet in front of this
issue of The Journal.
Club meetings in Community Room:
1st Monday, 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Computer Club
2nd & 4th Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fort
Smith Embroidery Guild
2nd Monday, 6:30 p.m
Professional
Photographers
4th Monday, 7:00 p.m. Camera Club
1st Tuesday, 7:00 p.m
Old Fort Gun Club
4th Tuesday, 7:00 p.m
Frontier Genealogy
Society
1st Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ... National Organization
for Women
2nd Thursday, 7:30 League of Women Voters
3rd Friday, 1:30 p.m
Poets Roundtable of
Fort Smith
1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. in Conference room
on first floor .
Fort Smith Chess Club
May 1-9, 1982, Arkansas will be celebrating the
first of what is hoped to become an annual
celebration of ARKANSAS HERITAGE WEEK.
Purpose of the week is to promote a recognition of
Arkansas' heritage through various local and
statewide events.
For more information concerning state-wide
celebration, contact Tom W. Dillard, Director of
Department of Arkansas Natural and Cultural
Heritage, Telephone 501-371-2761.
Fort Smith's celebration of A R K A N S A S
HERITAGE WEEK will begin with the:
FORT SMITH ART CENTER EXHIBITS
423 North 6th Street:
April 4-25
Main Gallery: Ninth through Twelfth-Grade
Competition (Arts & Crafts)
Bay Window Gallery: Gerald Keith Smith
(Wood Carving)
Gallery One: Sarah McMichaels (Pottery and Batik)
May 2-23
Main Gallery: To Be Anounced
Bay Window Gallery: Tim Andrews (Oil and
Watercolors)
Gallery One: Buck Cheavens (Bronzes)
June 6-27
Main Gallery: Robin Garrett (Various Painting
Media)
Bay Window Gallery: To Be Announced
Gallery One: Sandy Jones (Oils)
July 11-25
Main Gallery: Ed Wong-Ligda (Oils)
Bay Window Gallery: Steve Hathcock
(Photographs)
Belle Fort Smith Tour
May 1-2, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Watch your newspaper for more details of this and
other ARKANSAS HERITAGE WEEK activities
1982 OLD FORT RIVER FESTIVAL
May 14-15-16
Fort Smith City Park
Three days full of fun and food for everyone
Sponsored by the Fort Smith Junior League
ACTIVITIES AT FORT SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY
April 17
Friends of the Library Book
Sale, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April 18-24
National Library Week
Wed., April 21
Open House at Library
3:00-4:30 p.m.
May 1-9
Arkansas Heritage Week exhibits,
displays, and film strip presentation of
Arkansas History.
44
Gallery One: F. Wendel Norton (Oils)
August 1-22
Main Gallery: Drew Kilgore (Photographs)
Bay Window Gallery: Vircy Williams (Oils
and Drawings)
Gallery One: Donna Jones (Oils)
PIONEER-FAMILY ACHIEVEMENT
South Sebastian County, Awards Ceremony
Greenwood United Methodist Church
Sunday, April 18, 1982, 2:00 p.m.
Recipients:
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin P. Hicks
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon McGee
Mr. and Mrs. John Couch
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Elmore
Mrs. John Lassen
WESTARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
Grand at Waldron:
April 13 & 14
"Tin Types," national touring
musical production.
April 16
"Miss Westark Pageant" featuring
Miss America, Miss Arkansas, and
Miss Oklahoma
April 20
Westark Community College
Band Concert
April 25 . . . Outdoor Pops Concert, an afternoon
performance by the Fort Smith
Symphony. Sponsored by Westark
Community College.
July 16 & 17 "Oliver," a theatrical production by
the Westark Community College drama
department.
FORT SMITH CITY DIRECTORIES
The Fort Smith City Library is attempting to
compile a complete collection of Fort Smith City
Directories. Can you help? If you have directories
for the following years that you will share, please
contact the library at 61 South 8th Street, Telephone
783-0229:
1882 thru 1889
1891 thru 1893
1896
1899
1901
1905
1906
1908
1909
1915
1930
1937
1939
1941
1942
1946
1947
1949
1950
1952
1954
1958
1966
FORT SMITH LITTLE THEATER,
3800 North "O" Street:
Season Tickets:
Matinee - $10.00 (2:30 p.m., Sunday)
Regular - $12.50 (8;15 p.m.)
Champagne - $25.00 (7:30 p.m. Thursday)
5 shows are included on the season ticket.
ROMANTIC COMEDY was shown in February. Rest
of schedule for 1982 productions follows:
MORNINGS AT SEVEN
Champagne opening June 17
Matinee June 20
Other performances June 18,19,23,24,25,26
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Champagne opening July 29
Matinee August 1
Other performances July 30 & Aug. 4,5,6,7
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR
Champagne opening September 16
Matinee September 19
Other performances September 17,18,22,23,24,25
BEDROOM FARCE
Champagne opening November 4
Matinee November 7
Other performances November 5,6,10,11,12,13
FSLT also plans an adult drama for each season
which runs for two weeks that is not included in
season ticket. The 1982 adult drama production is:
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWA Y?
April 8,9,10 and 15,16,17
thru 1903
thru 1917
thru 1935
thru 1944
ARKANSAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting
April 15, 16, 17, 1982
Majestic Hotel - Hot Springs, Arkansas
For further information, see Spring issue of
The Arkansas Historical Quarterly,
or write
to Walter L. Brown, Dept. of History, Room 12,
O z a r k Hall, U n i v e r s i t y o f A r k a n s a s ,
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
45
SIGHTSEEING AROUND FORT SMITH
Fort Smith Points of Interest
1. MISS LAURA'S HOUSE: Located at 123 Front Street,
this elegant Victorian Baroque style "Social Club" is
the lone survivor of six that stood on "The Row." This
relic of a once thriving specialized business district
has been restored to its original colors of forest green
with cream trim.
2. KNOBLE BREWERY: This historic brewery at North
3rd and E Street possesses a stone-arched
underground beer cellar. Built in the late 1840's, it
was restored by the Carl Wortz family. It is now open
by appointment only. The brewery houses beermaking artifacts and other historical collections.
3. JAMES SPARKS HOUSE (ca. 1887): Built by the son
of a pioneer family, locally prominent in medical and
financial circles, this Victorian Queen Anne style
residence has an unusual circular front window and
iron flower box. Restored in 1970, theSparks House is
now Taliano's Italian Restaurant. Located at 201
North 14th Street, Taliano's is open Monday through
Saturday from 5:30 p.m. til 10:30 p.m.
4. FORT SMITH ART CENTER (1879): Located at 423
North 6th Street. The saving of this beautiful old
home was the first such effort in what was to become
the Belle Grove Historic District. Hours are Tuesday
through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. til 4:30 p.m., Sunday
from 2 til 4 p.m.
5. ROGERS-TILLES HOUSE: Believed to have been
built by the John Rogers family and purchased by the
Louis Tilles family in 1867. Its architecture and solid
brick construction is a smaller scale replica of the
barracks building of the second fort. Located at 400
North 8th Street, it is now the Patent Model Museum.
It opens from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through
Friday.
LUCAS NANCE HOUSE (ca. 1889 - ) : Located at 601
North 6th, this authentic restoration of the Lucas
Nance residence by C. M. Koenig was built by a Fort
Smith Cotton King.
CHARLES SMART HOUSE, North 8th and D Streets.
BELLE GROVE SCHOOL: This imposing structure
was Fort Smith's first public school. Namesake for the
Historic District, the school began in temporary
quarters in 1865. In 1866, the main part of this present
school was built. It is located at North 6th and F
Streets. Plans are being considered to use it as a City
Hall to house all of Fort Smith city offices.
9. OLD TOWN COURTYARD, Garrison & North 5th.
10. NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, U. S. NATIONAL
CEMETERY; Located at South 6th and Garland
Streets. Judge Isaac C. Parker, the "Hanging" Judge,
was buried here on November 17, 1896. Hours are 8
a.m. til 5 p.m.
11 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, Rogers Avenue and
South 3rd.
BELLE POINT: Thefirst Fort Smith stood atthisspot,
46
12.
13.
14.
15.
built in 1817, overlooking the Arkansas and Poteau
Rivers.
B A R R A C K S , COURTHOUSE AND JAIL: The
barracks of the second fort was rebuilt in 1851. It
became the Courthouse for Judge Isaac C. Parker in
1875, and in 1877 the jail was added. Movie, talks and
guided tours provided by Park staff. Also modest
library and research center. Open 9:00 a.m. til 5 p.m.
daily except Christmas Day. No admission charge.
OLD FORT MUSEUM, 320 Rogers Avenue, adjacent
to the Fort Smith National Historic Site, contains
exhibits from all periods of Fort Smith history. Hours
are 10 a.m. til 5 p.m., September through May, and 9
a.m. til 5 p.m., June, July and August. Open daily.
Admission: Ages 12 and above, $1.00; ages 5-11, 25<P;
below age 5, school groups and members, free.
Special rates for groups of over 10 persons with
advance arrangement. The Museum also welcomes
groups wishing to hold meetings there. During nonopen hours, a fee of $10.00 is charged for use of the
building.
STATE OFFICE BUILDING, 616 Garrison.
FORT SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY, 61 South 8th.
WILLIAM H. CLAYTON HOUSE: A visit to the
restored home of William Henry Harrison Clayton is
like taking a step back in time. It is located at 514
North 6th Street and can be toured daily from 10a.m.
til 5 p.m. and from 1 p.m. til 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Admission charge is $1.00 for adults and 50C for
children.
16. MINCER-KAUFFMAN HOUSE (TOMFOOLERY):
This turn-of-the-century Neo-classical design house
was restored by Steve and Arlene Wilson and Larry
and Margaret Carter and is now Tomfoolery
restaurant. Its pastel colors and simple lines echo the
classic Greek and Italian architecture of its time.
17. MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, 55 South 7th Street.
18. S E B A S T I A N COUNTY COURTHOUSE: This
massive structure at Rogers Avenue between 5th and
6th streets is an impressive sight. It houses many
county offices and is always a hub of activity.
19. WILLIAM O. DARBY RANGER MUSEUM AND
LIBRARY: Located at North 8th and C Streets in the
Belle Grove Historic District. Dedicated to all
Rangers from Colonial times to contemporary
Airborne - Rangers of the 75th Infantry. General
Darby's grave is in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort
Smith.
20. BONNEVILLE HOUSE (ca. 1871): This elegant
Victorian Renaissance style residence was restored
by Mrs. Ralph Speer, Jr. in 1962. The house is now
operated and maintained by the Bonneville House
Association. It is open to tour groups of ten or more
by appointment only. Located at 318 North 7th Street.
For information call 782-7854.
21. CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION:
Located on Thirteenth Street at the end of Garrison
Avenue, this church which was built in 1898, is oneof
the first things seen by persons entering Fort Smith
across the Arkansas River bridge which links Fort
Smith and Oklahoma.
4. A clean-up Campus Award is given each month to the
elementary school with the cleanest, most well-kept
campus. This project is sponsored by Southwestern
Bell Telephone Company, whose employees judge the
campuses, under the direction of Fort Smith Pride.
5. Twenty-five billboards areappearing aroundtown with
the wording, "Fort Smith Is Pretty Neat." This was a
joint effort of Bedell, Inc., Donrey Outdoor advertising,
and Pepsi Cola Bottling Company.
6. Southside High School Commercial Art classes
painted a city sanitation truck with their own design (a
hand pointing to the opening on the truck with the
words, "Put Trash Where It Belongs.") Westark
Community College students plan to paint another
truck in late spring, using their own design also.
7. City litter and clean upordinances are being reviewed
and upgraded where necessary. A brochure
containing these ordinances will be published and
distributed to Fort Smith residents with the mailing of
water bills.
8. Pride also joins forces with other organizations: ie,
Arthritis Foundation's Clean-A-Thon, with the duel
purpose of raising funds for the foundation and making
Fort Smith a cleaner community.
Pride is currently working with the Community
Rescue Mission to create jobs for the unemployed by
using donated funds to pay for clean-up in the
downtown area.
FORT SMITH'S PRIDE
IS SHOWING
Fort Smith Pride was organized about two years ago by
a group of citizens interested in keeping Fort Smith clean
and beautiful. With Carolyn McGowan serving as
coordinator, Pride is attempting to change attitudes with a
positive approach, to generate pride in our community,
and thus make it a cleaner, safer, healthier place in which
to live and work. Mrs. McGowan'soffice is at the Chamber
of Commerce office. Through the efforts of this
organization:
1. Fort Smith is certified in the Clean Community System
and is working toward the goal of "Keep America
Beautiful."
2. 500 Bradford Pear trees have been sold and planted.
This project will be repeated this fall.
3. Orchid awards are given each month in each of four
catagories (residential, commercial, industrial and
other, to those who demonstrate pride in our
c o m m u n i t y by the way they m a i n t a i n their
surroundings.) The recipients are chosen from
nominations from the residents of Fort Smith.
47
BOOK NOTES AND AlDRUffiB FAMILY
By Amelia Martin
predates Stigler and had a school and church there
in 1892, along with the milling works. Mrs. Nathaniel
Madison Aldridge had come with her sons and
families, they had cattle and horses that at times
were allowed to the free range Choctaws allowed.
Then from time to time whites had to remove stock
from Choctaw range. On one of these "round-ups",
Grandma Aldridge suffered a heart attack as she
was on her horse helping with the San Bouy River
Bottom herds. Hers was the first burial in Antioch
cemetery.
Names of families into which the Aldridge boys
took wife include Cheeves, three sons married
sisters, James, Reuben and Jefferson Aldridge
married Lila, Jenny and Annie Cheeves. James and
Jeff remained in the Kinta, Oklahoma area where
their descendants are today. Benny, Rueben and
Frank moved on to establish Ada, Oklahoma, 1902,
then into Seminole County. The milling operations
were a part of their lives, along with farming and a
deep enjoyment of everyday living. They all trained
hunting dogs, bragged about whose was best, kept
lineage records on them, calling them by name to
each other as though family was involved
There are fourteen letters addressed to the
Sebastian County Aldridges, however they reveal
more about Rienzi, Miss.
BIG WAH OF SEMINOLE COUNTY 38 pages,
Illustrated, soft bound. Price $3.60. Available from
the author, Maggie Aldridge Smith, Box411, Siloam
Springs, AR 72761.
This book, full of photographs and family letter's,
is the story of William Isaac Aldridge, affectionately
known as "Big Wah," and the Aldridge families who
came from Rienzi (Alcorn County) Mississippi to
Sebastian County, Arkansas, in 1880 and settled in
the Bloomer area.
They came to relatives who were already in
Sebastian county. Land records in the Greenwood
courthouse show 1874 and 1878 dates for Alfred
Aldridge, 1885 for Rueben, and 1886 for James
Madison and Martin Aldridge. These were sons of
Nathaniel Madison Aldridge who had come by way
of Mobile, Alabama into Mississippi, and on October
5, 1881, he wrote to them from Rienzi, Mississippi,
saying:
"Boys, / want you all to engage me 150 bushels of
corn and rent me about 40 acres of good land if you
can and let me know when you need the money to
pay for it and I will send it. I am on a 'stand' to know
whether to send my wagon through by land or not.
Rite and let me know what you all think about it. I
cannot get off before the first of Dec. I am a going to
ship my gin when I come.
N. M. ALDRIDGE"
Nathaniel Madison Aldridge madethetrip up river
with his gin. By wagon came the mill for grinding
grain and operations for lumber milling. He had six
sons and three daughters that lived into adulthood.
Nathaniel died in 1882 and is buried somewhere in
what is now Fort Chaffee area, though a check of the
cemetery listings do not reveal a stone. The same is
true for the five children of the oldest son of
Nathaniel, Benjamin Azariah Aldridge and his wife,
Margaret Jane Mcllwane.
By the time "Maggie" Jane had birthed ten
children, five of them had died and her father, Dr.
David Mcllwane of Humboldt, Tenn. comforted her
by writing, "HALF OF YOUR BABES ARE GONE,
TRUE! BUT WHAT A POWER OF ATTRACTION IN
HEAVEN FOR YOU!"
Five children were also born in Sebastian County
before the Aldridge boys were invited to move their
mill and gin operations into Choctaw Indian Nation,
which they did and set up on a stream south east of
Stigler. Known as the Antioch community this
A GIFT FROM ALICE by Alice Mikel Duffield.
Paperback, 24 pages. Illustrated by Caroline
Weaver. Available from St. Stephen's Episcopal
Church, P. O. Box 356, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Price - contribution to the church (any amount).
Alice Mikel Duffield, age 85, is sharing verses
written throughout her unusual lifetime. They are
full of the simple things of a bygone day and should
be treasured by all who recall those days and want
to hear more about them.
Mrs. Duffield, a nurse in World War I, is also
completing a book comparing nursing then and
now. She and her husband Hobart live with their
daughter Audrey and son-in-law John (Jim) Henry
at 639 Pennsylvania Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
37830. She also has a son Mike, who lives in
Arkansas, and other relatives in the Fort Smith area,
including her brother, William Mikel, who funded
printing A Gift From Alice as a very special gift to a
very special person, his sister Alice.
48
JOURNAL
CONTENTS OP PAST ISSUES
Limited quantities of past issues of The Journal are available at S5:" per copy at the Fort Smith Public Library.
Copies may be ordered by mail from:
The Fort Smith Historical Society
61 South 8th Street
•
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
For mail orders. Order by Volume and Issue Number, include your complete mailing address and S5° plus75C
mailing charges per copy.
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1 — SEPTEMBER, 1977
Letter from President
Map of Arkansas
Fort Smith Incorporation Papers
Fort Smith City Streets
Fort Smith Early Settlement
Fort Smith Fire Departments
Diary of Corrine Sherlock Southard
Miss Agnes Oglesby
Oral History
Fort Smith Architecture
Fort Smith Presbyterian Church
Poetry and Poets
Eloise Barksdale and Virginia Foster
Fort Smith 1877
Fort Smith United Daughters
of the Confederacy
Book Talk
Inquiries
Fort Smith Historical Society Organization
Fort Smith Historical Society Membership
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2 — DECEMBER, 1977
Telephone Company in Fort Smith
Oral History. Capt. Roy G. Wood
Poetry and Poets, New Year's Calling In 1883
Diary, Kate Rector
Brunoldi and Guler
Old Time Broom Making
The Joys of Genealogy
Fort Smith Architecture
First United Methodist Church
Fort Smith 1877
Book Notes and Books for Research
Inquiries and Bloopers
Correspondence from Readers
Fort Smith Historical Society
Charter Membership
Index
VOLUME II, NUMBER 1 - APRIL 1978
Oral History, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lorenz
Belle Fort Smith Inc. Gift
Texas Road
Leard Cemetery
Bloopers
Bottles, Windows to the Past
St. John's Episcopal Church
Poets and Poetry, Lord Gaines Goolsby
Ancestor Chart, Blakemore Family
Conclusion of Rector Family Diary
Old Folk and Facts
Texas Corner
Summer Afternoon
Fort Smith 1878
Book Talk
Correspondence from Readers
Inquiries
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2 — SEPTEMBER, 1978
Presidents Letter
Migration - Ireland, Ft. Smith and Points West
Tobias Kelly
Poets and Poetry Shrine of St. Anne's, May Gray
Church of the Immaculate Conception &
Catholic Cemetery
Rubbings
Fort Smith, Hub from which the
Western Gold Seekers Went Into The
Wilderness
Diary - Wagon Train Journal
Sparks Family
Fort Smith Wagon Company
Fort Smith Architecture
H. C. Hoffman's Saddlery Shop
Oral History. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Godt
New Theater
Fort Smith 1878
Book Talk
Inquiries
Correspondence
Journal Award from
Arkansas History Association
1978 Membership
Index
VOLUME III, NUMBER 1 — APRIL, 1979
Message from Your Editor
Law Enforcement for Fort Smith 1851-1896
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Quotations, Judge Isaac C. Parker
Judge Isaac Charles Parker
Poets and Poetry, Emily Montague Rollwage
In Search of Acburacy
George Maledon, One Amongst Many
Origin of Name "Marshal" and
Creation of Federal Court System
Marshals for Federal Court with Jurisdiction
Over the Fort Smith Area
Unsung Heroes Deputy Marshals of the
Federal Court f o r t h e W. D. of AR, 1875-1896
A Lawyer's Appraisal of the Parker Court
Furnishing New Federal Jail
Birnie Brothers Funeral Home and
Putman Funeral Home
Judge John Henry Rogers
Oral History, Eleanor Boone Rogers
Fort Smith 1879
Fort Smith Land Records
Book Notes
Inquiries
Index
VOLUME III, NUMBER 2 - SEPTEMBER, 1979
1979 Membership
Streetcars of Fort Smith and
Fort Smith Light and Traction Company
VOLUME IV, NUMBER 1 — APRIL, 1980
Fort Smith and the Civil War
The Action on Massard Prairie
SAHARA
Cousin to the South
Civil War Battle Site Markers
Confederate General Orders
Fort Smith as a Focal Point for Advancing
the Military Frontier 1850-1851
William F. Rowe
Oral History, Edna F. Tustison
Real Daughters of the Confederacy
The Confederate Women
Fort Smith Women During War Between
the States
Poets and Poetry, Margaret Montague
1879 - 1880 Newspapers
Inquiries
Letters from Readers
Book Notes
Editor Receives AASLH Award
1860 Census
Index
49
VOLUME IV, NUMBER 2 - SEPTEMBER, 1980
The War and Fort Smith Militia in 1861
Diary of John Lucey
Paul Krone, A Belle Point Guard
Attention Readers
Early History of Varina Jefferson Davis
Chapter. Daughters of the Confederacy
Flags of the Civil War 1861 - 1865
Oral History,
Brigadier General William B. Cantwell
Edwin P. Hicks
A Civil War Indian Memory
Major General James G. Blunt
Journal Award of Distinction
Inquiries
Book Notes
1880 Newspapers
Arkansas Territorial Restoration Project
1860 Census - Continued
Membership
Index
VOLUME V, NUMBER 1 - APRIL, 1981
Letter from Editor
History of Lutheranism
(Missouri Synod) Seb. Co.
German Letter
Casper Reutzel
Belle Fort Smith Tour
S. A. Williams
Fort Smith Architecture
Fort Smith Public Library,
Pictorial History Project
Industry - Dyke Brothers Lumber Company
Dyke Family
Miller Family
Parke Family
Poets & Poetry Confederate Flags. Melcenia. Cato
Northern Troops In Fort Smith 1863
Civil War Soldiers Buried In
Fort Smith National Cemetery
Inquiries
Contents Past Issues ofTTie Journal
1881 Newspapers
Index
VOLUME V, NO. 2 - SEPTEMBER, 1981
United Confederate Veterans
Col. Benjamin T. DuVal
Poets and Poetry, Prof. D. S. Patrick
Jesse Casey Harper, Confederate Soldier
News and Opportunities
Architecture, P. R. Davis Home
Microfilm Collection, Fort Smith Public
Library
Civil War Soldiers
Buried in Fort Smith National Cemetery (L-Z)
Book Notes, Inquiries and Bloopers
Contents, Past Issues of The Journal
1881 Newspapers - New Era
Membership Roster
Index
1082 NEWS
Articles Taken From The
FORT SMITH WEEKLY NEW ERA
Eloise Barksdale
Wilma Jameson
In the months January through June, 1882, the
editor of the NEW ERA, Valentine Dell, was serving
as United States Marshal of the Western District
having been appointed June 15, 1880. The usual
term of appointment was four years but Dell was
replaced February 20,1882, by Thomas Boles. Dell's
article on March 23,1882, reflects his frustration and
anger with the present political situation and bitter
memories from the Civil War Era. It appears that
f o l l o w i n g President James A. G a r f i e l d ' s
assassination and Chester A. Arthur becoming
President there was quite a lot of political turmoil.
Dell blames Guiteau Republicans for the situation.
Charles Guiteau was the name of the man who
assassinated President Garfield.
During these spring months in 1882, the railroad
bridge between Van Buren and Fort Smith was
being discussed, there was a measles epidemic in
the Indian Territory, the news came of the death of
Jesse James, they were still having a problem with
hogs running loose in the city and there were
reports of smallpox all around the Fort Smith area.
Although vaccine was available, smallpox was still a
feared and dreaded disease as is evident in the
articles. However, only one death was reported in
Fort Smith as a result of the disease. Also during this
period, several prominent citizens died and the fact
that they were close personal friends of the editor is
reflected in the articles reporting their deaths.
For the genealogy researcher, we are including all
the weddings and obituaries that were reported
during this time.
In addition to the Forf Smith Weekly New Era,
another Fort Smith Newspaper called Wheelers
Independent is available for this time period on
microfilm at the Fort Smith Public Library.
A Baptist Sunday School was organized on
Sunday last in Boone's school house on Adams 1
Street with the following officers: J. C. Stalcup,
Superintendent; W. C. Davis, Assistant; Miss Belle
Evans, Secretary; John Ayers, Treasurer; Dr. R. D.
Seals, Choirister. Thirty-one attendants were
enrolled the first day.
MARRIED
WIMBERLY-BONNER - On Wednesday, Dec. 28,
1881, at the residence of the bride's father, Mr. E. B.
Bonner, near this city, by Rev. F. A. Jeffett, Mr.
George W. Wimberly to Miss Alice Bonner, all of this
city.
January 12, 1882
On the evening of the 10th Mr. Ed. Hunt gave a
party to quite a number of his friends in honor of his
49th birthday. A merry company assembled and
enjoyed themselves to the fullest extent. We wish
Mr. Hunt many happy returns of the day.
The Fort Smith Mathesian Society have again
opened their weekly meetings in Boone's school
house, and on last Friday evening at their regular
meeting the following officers were elected for the
ensuing term: Mr. W. M. Ray, President, Chas King,
Vice-President; Miss Laura Mathes, Secretary; and
S. A. Ford Treasurer.
There was an interesting meeting of the
Presbyterian Sunday School teachers, at the
residence of Mr. John Smith P. last Thursday
evening.
An election of the officers for the Sunday School
for the ensuing year was held, which resulted as
follows: Superintendent, Rev. W. A. Sample;
Assistant Superintendent, Mr. R. G. Bulgin,
Secretary, Mr. J. Smith P.; Treasurer, Mr. Geo. T.
Sparks.
January 5, 1882
Dwelling houses are in demand here. We see
parties looking for them every day.
As this is the week of prayer, which is universally
observed over all the Christian world; meetings are
held every morning at 11 O'clock in the Presbyterian
Church.
************
There is to be a grand festival and concert tonight
in the building formerly occupied by Block &
Company, given by the colored Belle Point Brass
Band and those who want to have a good time
should be on hand. Admission 25 cents.
United States Marshal V. Dell left on the 6th for
Detroit with a large number of prisoners and
accompanied by four guards.
SOMETHING NEW
The ladies of the Episcopal Church have a novelty
in preparation for our citizenstomorrow night. They
will serve a good substantial tea from 5 until 10
No. 11th Street
50
o'clock p.m., to all who wish to come. Separate
tables will be furnished for families, if desired.
Fourteen young ladies dressed in costume will
preside over all.
Admission 25 cents, children 10 cents, and no
extra charge for tea. Oysters will be served extra in
every style. This arrangement will obviate the
necessity of cooking supper at home, for those
wishing to attend. There will be good music and the
hall in Dr. Main's new building, in which the
entertainment is to be given, will be brillantly
lighted.
died several weeks since of the same fever which
has proved fatal to his brother. We extend our
sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.
January 19, 1882
The idea of a case of smallpox in Fort smith is
ridiculous, nevertheless it is on all sides of us and
there should be no delay about vaccination. It is a
safeguard and should be attended to at once by
everyone.
Mrs. R. F. Dickens suffered the loss of her son,
Willie, last Sunday at 5 a.m. Willie was in his
fourteenth year and was a great comfort to his
widowed mother. His was a gentle, unobtrusive
nature, docile and confiding.
Mr. John Buscamp is erecting a residence on
Hancock Street.
A new livery and feed stable has been opened up
on Ozark 2 Street, near the depot, by Messrs Haynes
& Long.
A WARNING WHICH SHOULD BE HEEDED
Our city had a narrow escape from a destructive
fire last Tuesday evening. The house occupied by
Mrs. Finnigan, corner of Hancock 3 and Mulberry 4
Streets, took fire about 6 o'clock p.m. Tuesday, but
fortunately the flames were extinguished before
they gained too much headway. It is criminal
negligence on the part of our citizens that we do not
have an organized fire company, and good engines
in good working order.
Sengel Bros, have decided not to keep their
Barber Shop open on Sunday hereafter.
The new brick residence of Dr. E. R. DuVal near
the Lutheran Church is about completed.
Superintendent Hartman, of the L. R. & F. S. Ry.,
has engaged Dr. E. Cross to vaccinate all the
employees of the company, and the doctor will start
over the line on Monday.
DIED
BAIRD - In this city, on the 14th inst. Miss Effie
Baird, daughter of J. Baird, of this city, after a
lingering illness, in her 20th year.
HARPER - Rev. Blaney Harper5, S.E.M.E. Church, of
Pneumonia, January 7th, 1882, at Chocoville,
Sebastian County, Ark.
Bro. H. was born in North Carolina, May 10th,
1815, married in Tennessee, in 1832, wasatthattime
an exhorter in our church, and was preaching ere he
was twenty years of age. He returned to this county
in March 1851, and settled near the place of his
decease, where he reared a large and respectable
family. About the time he came to this State he
suffered the loss of his sight to such an extent as to
forbid his reading, therefore he read his text and
hymns from memory. He was a fair preacher, and an
excellent revivalist, and was the pioneer of our
church in this section after the war. A meeting he
held some twelve years since is known as the "great
revival." During his last illness his submission and
trust were more than ordinary. He was only waiting;
nothing moved him, death had no terrors and the
grave no loneliness for him; he was going to Heaven.
New bedding is being furnished in each cell of the
U. S. Jail. The jail is being renovated and made
comfortable and neat throughout.
The opera chairs to be used in the Presbyterian
Church, in place of pews, have arrived and will be
put in the church this week. They are models of ease
and convenience and will be quite an improvement
on the benches.
Mr. O. D. Weldon has purchased the interest of
Mr. Cad Allard in the ELEVATOR, and that paper will
now be edited by Carnall & Weldon. Mr. W. is a
thorough printer, and has lived here from his school
days up, hence is a well known though not old
citizen. Success to the new firm is our sincere wish.
DIED
BARNES - On Sunday night at 12 o'clock, George
Barnes, aged 19 years of typhoid-malarial fever.
George was a brother of the late Joe Barnes, who
No.
No.
No.
See
1st Street
9th Street
B Street
pages 8-10, Vol V, No. 2, Journal of Fort Smith Historical Society for Story of Harper Family
51
The City Council has drafted a memorial to
congress, praying for an increase of mail service
between here and Little Rock to a double daily mail,
and requesting that the time at present occupied for
the transmission of the mails between these two
places be shortened as much as practicable.
MARRIED
BROGAN-DONAHUE - On Wednesday the 11th
inst. at the Catholic Church, Rev. Father Smythe
officiating, Mr. Ed. Brogan to Miss Maggie
Donahue.
We extend our congratulations and wish them a
long an happy life.
Dr. Thomas Quarrells, of Fayetteville, was in city
this week. The doctor took the contract of
vaccinating the families of the employees of the
'Frisco Road between Plymouth and Van Buren and
accomplished the work in ten days, walking on foot
all the way and vaccinating near 5000 persons.
January 26, 1882
One hundred and three deeds were recorded by
Clerk Stalcup during the past quarter.
The handsome new saloon just fitted up by Mr.
Frank Freer is now doing a land office business.
The c e l e b r a t i o n of the Emancipation
Proclamation by the colored citizens of this city at
Ryle's Chapel, last Saturday evening, was well
attended and proved quite interesting to all. Judge
W. H. H. Clayton, Mayor Brizzolara and others
addressed the meeting. When our colored citizens
go into anything of this nature they never fail to
make it a success.
Mr. Lawrence Lamb, one of the founders of the
DAILY HERALD, now of Memphis, is in the city
visiting friends.
A Baptist protracted meeting is being conducted
in the city by Rev. M. D. Early. A number of new
converts.
Mr. Geo. W. Truschel and Miss Nannie Geren are
booked in the county clerk's office as having applied
for a permit to go into partnership on the life plan.
Rev. Mr. Birnie of St. Paul, Minn., has been
tendered the rectorship of St. John's Episcopal
Church, in this place, and is expected here in a short
time.
The large and magnificent new business house
just erected by Mr. J. K. Barnes is drawing near to
completion. The two mammoth plateglass windows
put in last Saturday measure 7x12feet. The building
is arranged with gas fixtures throughout.
The old motto, "No excellence without labor," has
been rubbed off the blackboard of the Fort Smith
schools and "No education without vaccination"
substituted.
Mr. J. H. Livingston, of Greenville, III, has bought
out the saddle and harness establishment of Mr. S.
M. Hamilton. He will make a success of the
wholesale and retail saddle and harness business if
there is a man in the west, who got his start by
pulling wax ends, who can. He intends putting up a
two story brick business house at an early date - one
that will be a credit to our city.
February 2, 1882
The Fort Smith Street Railway Company has
contracted with the St. Louis Iron and Bolt
Company for material for laying two miles of track,
with necessary switches and turn-tables.
The latest new wrinkle, in the way of the proper
thing to do, is to get up a "pound-party," to which all
comers are expected to bring sixteen ounces,
avoirdupos, of something.
Our public school building needs to be enlarged.
Catholic Grove is being handsomely dotted with
new residences.
All places of business, news and bookstores,
bakeries, candy and cigar stands, and in fact every
branch of business except restaurants and drug
stores, were closed Sunday last by order of Mayor
Brizzolara.
Mr. A. Silberburg, of the Boston Store, left the fore
part of the week for the East, where he goes to lay in
a stock of spring goods.
Mr. T. H. Mali burton takes the place of T. H. Payne,
deceased, as agent at this place of the L. R. & F. S.
Railroad. Glad to know that friend H. is held in such
high esteem by the management of the road, for we
know the appointment will please the citizens of
Fort Smith.
Mr. Frank Smith, who died last week and was
buried by the A.O.U.W., held a $2,000 policy on his
life, which goes to those he leaves behind most dear.
This order has done much, since it's organization, to
alleviate the wants of many who but for it would have
been left almost, if not quite penniless.
52
Mr. Charles Hoffman, who has been in this
country but three months and in Fort Smith two
weeks, made us a pleasant call Tuesday. He has
learned the English language in three months so
that he is able to converse fluently in that tongue. He
is now officing at the Capital Hotel, and proposes
engaging in the sewing machine business.
Repairing sewing machines is his specialty.
Deputy Marshal Marks came in Monday from the
Osage country with two prisoners. Mr. M. is one of
the most daring and fearless men on the force, and it
gives us pleasure to be able to state that he has
almost entirely recovered from the painful wounds
received sometime since, whilst in pursuit of a
criminal, by the falling of his horse down a steep
embankment, the particulars of which appeared in
these columns at the time.
The festival and ball at the residence of Mr. W. B.
Sutton on Friday night, by the ladies of the Jolly
Club, for the benefit of the poor, proved a very
enjoyable affair, even though the night was made
disagreeable by mud, slush and rain. It was a
profitable night for the liverymen as well as the poor
and needy. The supper tables were covered with all
that the most dainty epicurian could wish for, and
the only pity is that there were not more present to
enjoy the feast. There was an ample quantity to feed
five hundred persons, and had the night and
following day been favorable the good ladies who
worked so diligently and long would have had the
pleasure of turning over to Uncle Jerry Kannady, the
pauper commissioner, over $100, instead of $61.50,
the amount cleared. Mrs. Judge Rutherford, Mrs. Dr.
Dunlap and Mrs. Nathan deserves and has not only
the heartfelt thanks of the poor in our midst, but
every citizen who is able to appreciate the kindly
spirit with which those ladies labored so diligently.
Work is being crowded ahead upon the Frisco
Tunnel at Boston Mountain, and it is now stated that
it will be finished by the first of April. The road this
side of the mountain has been graded to within a few
miles of Van Buren and the work is being pushed
ahead with much rapidity. This rather puts a dam per
upon the report that the road would not be finished
because of a large amount of its stock having been
bought up by the great Railroad King. Gould knows
the worth of a through line from St. Louis to this
point and there is no danger of his giving us the go
The reception tendered the Frontier Guards by
Chief Deputy U. S. Marshal Huffington, on
Thursday evening last, was a grand affair. The
guards rigged out in their gay uniform, with the most
charming lot of young ladies present that ever
graced any like occasion, made the interior of the
elegant new residence look much like the grand
receptions had in days gone by, when Fort Smith
was an important military post and old General
Zackariar Taylor. Jeff Davis, Gen. Bonneville, Gen.
Gatlin and others were in their prime. The hostess,
in her pleasant, winning way made all to feel
perfectly at ease. Dancing, music and social chats
were the order of the evening; one room having
been set apart for "tripping the light fantastic" and
other for music and social conversation. It was
indeed a "glorious, grand party."
The confirmation of Boles as Marshal for the
Western District of Arkansas is yet very uncertain.
February 9, 1882
A new and inexperienced bell ringer at the
Methodist Church, Sunday morning, caused a
grand rush for that vicinty by ringing the Sabbath
School bell so fast as that those who heard it
thought it a fire alarm.
INDIAN ITEMS
There are 74 missionaries and 174 church
buildings in the five civilized nations.
Anybody can purchase the walnut and other
timber now being sold by the sheriffs of the different
districts and can ship it out after they have
purchased it, or do whatever else they can see fit to
do with it. The timber is being sold for the benefit of
the Cherokee Nation, having been unlawfully cut
from the public domain of said nation, and which is
considered by the law to be the common property of
the people, and can in no manner, except as
provided by law, become individual property,
especially for speculative purposes. There are
about fifteen thousand logs, aggregating over a
million feet of walnut timber, advertised to be sold,
one lot on the 20th and one on the 22nd of February.
The firm of Bell & Jackson had a little
unpleasantness between themselves, last Saturday
night, which resulted in the former receiving a pretty
severe pummelling. Thecourts will adjustthe matter
as soon as Mr. B. is able to be out.
There are several hundred persons in the city
attending U. S. Court.
A party of surveyors on the 'Frisco' Line are
camping within the walls of the Garrison.
Judge I. C. Parker has purchased lots on Knox
Street and will soon commence the erection of afine
residence.
53
who was killed some time ago in discharge of his
duty.
Since writing the above, we regret to learn, that
the wound is so serious, as to necessiate
amputation in all probability.
February 16, 1882
On account of the terrible condition of the roads
there is very little if any cotton coming in.
Uncle Jerry Kannady celebrated his birthday last
Saturday, and was presented with a silver headed
cane by his friend, Mr. Bleeker Luce.
Mr. and Mrs. E. Czarnikow celebrated their silver
wedding last Friday evening by entertaining their
numerous friends at their residence. An elegant
repast was served, being prepared by Messrs
Correll & Co., and reflected great credit on them as
confectioners. Mr. Czarnikow and wife were the
recipients of many handsome presents from their
friends. We wish them a pleasant journey in the
golden anniversary of their wedding.
Knox6 and Walnut7 Streets are in a fearful
condition, driving being almost impossible on
account of the depth of the mud.
THE U. S. MARSHALSHIP
Little Rock, Ark. February 2, ... A number of
leading Republicans have been in consultation here
today organizing a vigorous opposition to the
confirmation of Boles as Marshal for the Western
District of Arkansas. They say that the nomination
was urged upon the President by Senator Clayton in
opposition to the known wishes of the Republicans
of the state, who contend that Dell, the present
incumbent, should be allowed to hold over until the
meeting of the State Convention in June, where the
choice of the party for the position can be easily and
truthfully determined. It is reported that a telegram
has been sent by the Secretary of the Republican
State Central Committee to the Democratic Senator
from this State, and to leading Republican Senators,
requiring them to oppose the confirmation of Boles
and to allow the Marshalship to stand in status quo
until the meeting of the Republican State
Convention. The Secretary states that the party
recommended by Senator Clayton is distasteful to
the masses of the people; that his appointees Cooper as Revenue Collector, and Edgarton as
Postmaster - are business partners; and the matter
of Federal patronage in his hands looks too much
like a family arrangement.
MARRIED
KUPER-THEURER-At the Catholic Church in this
city, on Tuesday February 14th, 1882, by Rev. L.
Smythe, Mr. Henry Kuper, Jr. to Miss Elizabeth M.
Theurer, all of this city.
The wedding took place at nine o'clock Tuesday
morning, and long before that hour the church was
filled with the numerous friends and acquaintances
of the contracting parties. The bridegroom is a
member of the Frontier Guards, and they were out in
force to attend the wedding. The interesting and
lengthy ceremony was performed by Father
Smythe, and a high mass was sung by thechoir.The
attendants were Miss Katie Emrich and Mr. F.
Voelter, Miss Kuper and Mr. M. J. Theurer. After the
ceremony the bridal party repaired to the residence
of the bride's mother, where an elegant wedding
breakfast awaited them. Mr. and Mrs. Kuper
received a number of beautiful and valuable
wedding presents from friends and relatives. We
offer our congratulations and wish them a long and
happy life.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Association,
is a permanent organization in this city. Meetings
are held the first Tuesday in every month. The next
meeting is in the Presbyterian Church, at 3:30 p.m.
on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 7th. The
W.C.T.U. will be addressed by Rev. Dr. Winfield at
the M. E. Church South, in this city on Thursday
evening the 2nd of March, 1882. This lecture will be
for the benefit of the Union, and there will be fine
music, by a selected choir. Further particulars will
be given next week.
We were visited Tuesday by our genial friend Col.
E. C. Boudinot, who is here attending court. It is a
pleasure to meet and talk with Col. Boudinot, and
his many friends here are always glad to have him
visit them.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT
Deputy U. S. Marshal J. T. Ayers was injured last
Monday by the accidental discharge of his revolver,
while examining it. His wound is quite painful
though not serious, and we hope soon to be able to
chronicle his entire recovery.
Mr. Ayers, who is one of the best Deputies on the
Marshal's force, was just ready to start out on
another trip through the Indian Territory, and had
already sent his posse, wagon, etc. ahead, when the
accident occurred. He is a brother of Willard Ayers,
6
February 23, 1882
Messrs. Wm. Cook and J. D. Martin passed a
creditable examination, and were admitted to the
Bar last Friday.
No. A Street
No. 6th Street
54
by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church will take
place in that building.
The fine little steamer FORT SMITH left last
Friday for Fort Gibson, loaded down with
passengers and freight for that place.
We learn that B. F. Ayers, late U. S. Deputy
Marshal at this place, has been appointed to the
place as guard in the U.S. Treasury held by his
father, Willard Ayers, for many years, the latter
having been promoted to a Lieutenancy on the
Treasury Guard.
The Baptists in the city have determined to build a
church, and have raised about $2,000 for that
purpose. This is a wise proceeding, as the members
of that denomination in this city are numerous
enough to make a church necessary.
Yesterday was Washington's birthday. On
Tuesday the 21st, the pupils at Belle Grove School
celebrated it with appropriate exercises in the
presence of quite a number of friends and
acquaintances. The following was the programme
for the occasion:
General exercises, all the pupils; declamation,
Touby Siberberg; Biographical Sketch of
Washington, Gussie Bulgin; Phillips on
Washington, A. Kennedy; Character of Washington,
Miss Bettie Reed; Jefferson on Washington, Max
Meyer; Washington in Retirement, Miss Carrie
Ayers; Mount Vernon, Harry Clendening; Death of
Washington, Mamie Hamilton; Grave of
Washington, Miss Adelia Dickens; True Nobility,
William Sample.
An organization called the Fort Smith Bar
Association was perfected in this city last Thursday
night, with the following officers for the next term:
Judge R. B. Rutherford, President; Col. G. A. Grace,
Vice-President; James Brizzolara, Secretary; T. P.
Winchester, Treasurer. Board of Finance: M. H.
Sandels, E. F. Tiler and James F. Read. The
meetings of the association will be held on the first
Wednesday of each month.
Mr. Cad Allard left MondayforHotSprings, which
place he intends to make his future home.
Mr. F. W. Boas lost a horse last week by the
carelessness of the driver of his delivery wagon, in
driving too far out into the river, causing the wagon
to sink. The driver swam out and the wagon was
recovered next day.
DEATH OF MR. J. T. AYERS
It is our painful duty to notice the death of Mr. J. T.
Ayers, an attache of the U.S. Marshal's office,
yesterday at 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Ayers was preparing to start out on an
extended trip in the Indian Territory in the discharge
of his duty, but was so unfortunate as to be wounded
by the accidental discharge of his pistol which
necessitated the amputation of his left leg, above
the knee. His prospects for ultimate recovery were
flattering, until Tuesday evening, when achangefor
the worse set in which has resulted in his death. Mr.
Ayers was the youngest of the Ayers' boys, and
commissioned as United States Deputy Marshal
August 2nd, 1881, and was known as one of the
bravest of the force. His last arrests were in the
Kiowa Country where he arrested three parties
charged with murder. His coolness and courage in
making these arrests was complimented by the U. S.
Officers at Fort Sill, Indian Territory.
He was a gentleman and died a brave man, hoping
for a happier life in the world to come, and mourned
by a large circle of friends who tender the most heart
felt sympathy to the family of Mr. C. C. Ayers, at
whose residence he died.
THE 'FRISCO ROAD'
Our people are very much interested just at
present in the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad.
It is to cross the Arkansas River at Van Buren and
from this place go straight to Paris, Texas. The bill
granting the right of way, through the Indian
Territory, now before Congress, will pass, we hope,
and also the one for the privilege of building a bridge
across the Arkansas River at Van Buren. Steps
should be taken by our people to back up our
representatives in Congress with the expressed will
of the people and the necessities of the case.
March 2nd, 1882
March 9, 1882
The large two story brick being erected by Mr. J.
K. Barnes, will be completed next week, and on
Friday night, March 10th, the entertainment given
United States Deputy Marshal T. E. Lacey came
m Tuesday with five prisoners from the Creek
Nation.
The Defiance Hook and Ladder Company, of
Little Rock, had a grand re-union last week, an
account of which was in the Gazette. The Fort Smith
Hook and Ladder Company is an organization
which we may hope to have in our city . . . ten years
hence.
V. Dell is still holding the fort, but is ready to turn it
over to the next in command, whenever he arrives.
55
A party of young folks made a very pleasant trip
up the Arkansas, on the steamer "Jennie May" last
Friday night; and the music, both vocal and
instrumental, made the evening pass very
pleasantly.
Twenty years ago we had a very bad smallpox
epidemic in town, so bad, that the schools were
closed for a time. We went with the present
President of the Board of Health to a house nearthe
city jail, where there were eight persons of various
ages lying with smallpox in all the various stages of
disease. There were no houses burned then. In fact
this is rather heroic treatment of the disease, as taxpayers may think. But if necessary, so mote it be.
Mayor's Office, Fort Smith, Arkansas
March 12, 1882
Dr. E. R. DuVal, President Board
of Health.
Dear Sir - The Board of Health, at its meeting
last night, ordered me to cause all clothing and
bedding to be burnt in the house infected with
smallpox.
I am unable to get any one to handle and
throw out these things so as to be able to burn them
and fumigate the house, owing to its filthy
condition.
Under these circumstances, what course
does the Board of Health desire me to pursue? I am
satisfied that something should be done and at
once.
Very respectfully,
James Brizzolara
Mayor
March 16, 1882
The editor of the NEW ERA is still United States
Marshal of the Western District of Arkansas and will
be till his successor is qualified and until he can turn
the office over to him. This much is certain.
But he is anxious to be relieved and hopes his
successor will make his appearance soon.
The condition of some of our principal streets are
simply horrible. It is high time to abandon the
practice of filling up with stickey clay and making
impassable quagmires of our main through-fares.
DASTARDLY INCENDIARISM
Last Wednesday night some scoundrel attempted
to burn Ault's mill, some three miles south of here.
Combustibles had been placed againstthedoorand
ignited. A faithful watchdog gave the alarm and his
barking aroused the family living about 150 yards
distant. With a can of water left for the dog in the
mill, Mr. Ault put out the fire in the door, and
smothered the fire on the floor inside with meal. The
wretched authors of this outrage may not be as safe
as they think themselves to be from detection and
deserved punishment.
Fort Smith, Ark. March 12, 1882
Hon. James Brizzolara, Mayor City
Fort Smith.
Dear Sir - In reply to your communication of
this date the Board of Health directs me to say that
as its recommendation of last night cannot for
obvious reasons be carried out, that the house
recently occupied by the smallpox patient, together
with all the contents thereof be burned. This plan is
regarded as preeminently necessary, both as a
matter of sanitation, as well as to satisfy the public
mind that all the steps necessary to stay the
progress of the contagion are being rightly and
rigidly directed.
Very respectfully,
E. R. DuVal
President Board of Health
THE SMALLPOX SCARE
"The smallpox is in town," "the smallpox is in
town," was the cry at every corner of the streets last
Saturday and people would look scared or
pretended to be. To hundreds of exclamations of the
kind we would say, "Well, what of it? If you are
vaccinated you're safe by the simple operation of
vaccination." Two things have always struck us as
singular, viz: How easily a panic can be created and
the thoughtlessness of the people to avoid the cause
of a panic. In well regulated communities smallpox
epidemics are unknown, because the authorities
very properly made vaccination compulsory. This
should be done here.
A colored man was reported to have the smallpox
in the house of Mrs. Tilghman Knox, a washer
woman living in the northern part of the town. What
action our authorities took will be seen by the
official communications given below. The house,
said to have been a comfortable cottage well
furnished, was burned about noon on Sunday, with
all its contents, including chickens, ducks, dogs and
the washing of several families. The city will have to
foot the bill, of course.
March 23, 1882
Whatever the readers of the NEW ERA, in
common with the people generally of this state, may
think of our removal from the Marshalship of the
Western District of Arkansas, one thing is certain,
they will find the NEW ERA up to its old standard
again, now that we can devote our whole time and
energy to it. And to tell the truth, although the
Marshal's office is one of good emolument, so
56
needful to one who has been fighting Republican
battles in Arkansas for almost twenty years past, if
we had to choose, we would rather be an editor and
owner of a newspaper as we are, than anything else.
were on hand, and when that was not the case, as
happened often, the Marshal provided the money on
his own credit rather than let witnesses and others
wait here till their expenses ate up their fees.
We have striven hard to give satisfaction and while
we could not please every one, we feel confident
that we have the endorsement of the people. An
office like the Marshal's office of the Western
District of Arkansas has always been the object of
strong competition. We expected to serve out our
four years, but the Guiteaus of Arkansas were too
strong for us hence we have to retire, but will be
heard from again.
The decision of the Supreme Court of this State,
giving Mr. B. F. Hershey one sixths of the lots once
owned by Capt. Rogers, the original owner of Fort
Smith, has created no little stir in this city. Most of
these are very valuable now.
OUT
Last Saturday the editor of this paper turned over
his office of Marshal of the Western District of
Arkansas to his successor Thomas Boles, of
Dardanelle. To say that we did it gladly and joyfully
would be saying what is not true. But it is true, that
we relinquished it without a single pang, for so
intense, bitter and malicious has been the
opposition of the Guiteau Republicans of Arkansas
who seem to be in favor with the present
Administration, that it is rather a relief than other
wise to be done with them all.
We obtained the office upon the expiration of the
term of D. P. Upham without saying one word in
detraction of any opponent, but were endorsed by
every honest Republican of the state, an
endorsement to which we were entitled by our
unremitting labors in behalf of Republican
principles and the Republican Party for twenty
years past, when it was as much as a man's life was
worth to be a Republican or Union man, and when
most of the Guiteau Republicans who oppose us
now were either unknown or in the ranks of the
enemy
In former days, the very name of a U.S. Deputy
Marshal was a byeword of reproach in the Indian
Territory. Now it is respected and the people feel
that they are safe from abuse and arbitrary arrest.
We found the jail a horrible place, the wretched
inmates resting on filthy rags spread on a damp rock
floor. We turned it over to our successor with nice,
clean, new bedsteads, bedding, conveniences of
ablution, etc. etc., so that ladies and gentlemen
could visit the jail, as was done, without being
shocked at the filthiness of the place.
Soon after taking charge the amount of feeding
prisoners was reduced from 40 to 25 cents a day
through the instigation of parties here. The
prisoners have been fed on that allowance, better
than before, though the reduction was nearly forty
per cent. If feeding was worth 40 cents a day in 1880
it should be worth now 75 cents. No prisoners were
robbed, none chained by the neck and inhumanly
treated, no severe punishment of any kind ever
resorted to and none escaped.
Payments were made promptly, whenever funds
8
DEATH OF JESSE JAMES, THE BANDIT
ST. JOSEPH, MO. April 3 -— A great sensation
was created in this city this morning by the
announcement that Jesse James, the notorious
bandit and train robber, had been killed here in St.
Joseph
The body of Jesse James was conveyed to an
undertaker's where it was prepared for burial, and
where a photograph was taken. James' wife has
telegraphed to his mother the news of his death.
A number of men have identified the body, and
there is no question of it being Jesse James.
Fort Smith has three passably good Democratic
newspapers, but if you want a thorough, reliable,
independent, let-in-the-light paper, with all the
news from abroad as well as at home, you must
make an effort to get the NEW ERA, an out and out
Republican paper and one that always endeavors to
mete out justice to all.
Mr. Abel Warren died at his residence in Military
Grove, last Monday afternoon and was buried
Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock in the city cemetery.
Mr. Warren was an old and highly respected citizen
of this place, and left a wife and three children, to
whom friends here and elsewhere extend heartfelt
sympathy in their sorrow.
April 13, 1882
The weather is delightful.
Organ grinders are a nuisance.
Five of our citizens left on Monday for a bear hunt
in the Nation.
Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. M. B. Schramm, of
Waldron, was married to Miss Hopp, at the
residence of H. Wolf.
The old frame houses on Knox 8 St., are being torn
down, preparatory to building an elegant brick
building on the lots, which belong to Miss Julia
Halliwell, of Philadelphia.
No. 6th Street
57
THE APPOINTMENTS
Of the New U. S. Marshal - Republicans
and Union Soldiers Must Go
Charles Burns, Upham's old jailor, took C. C.
Ayers' place. Those who have any knowledge of the
filthy condition of the jail and the nasty grub
dispensed there, when V. Dell took charge, and
appointed Mr. Ayers jailor, can appreciate the
difference.
The first removal was that of George Maledon,
guard. Mr. M. is a staunch Republican, served all
through the war for the Union, and is unable to work
at his trade, that of a carpenter, being cripled in one
shoulder, but makes a fine guard. Some stranger
was put in his place. George Heckler, Volaire
Merchant, turnkeys, were next discharged. Heckler
served in the 1st Ark. Battery (Union) and made an
excellent officer, so did Merchant, an intelligent
colored man. Both are Republicans. The next victim
was Mr. Wiley Bailey a steady and reliable man.
Cassius M. Barnes is chief clerk. He held the same
place under Upham. He first came here under Andy
Johnson's administration, as chief clerk of Revenue
Assessor, and was then a rank Democrat to the
extent of turning a Republican paper, the
STANDARD, temporarily in his charge, into a
Democratic sheet.
We regret to announce the severe illness of Mr. J.
R. Kannady, better known as "Uncle Jerry." He is
confined with an attack of typho-malarial fever,
which we trust will be of short duration.
WEDDING BELLS
Last night the Episcopal Church in this city was
the scene of a brilliant wedding. Miss Nellie C.
Hamilton was married to Mr. J. Frank Tibbetts, of
Oak Lodge, C. M., Rev. J. L. Birnie officiating. The
attendants were Miss Josie Hamilton and Mr. Joe
Baker; Miss Lillie Birnie and Mr. H. P. Mayers. Asthe
wedding party entered the church, the Fort Smith
Musical Society, of which the bride was a member;
accompanied by a full orchestra, sang a beautiful
chorus, "Come Deck With Flowers;" after which the
beautiful and impressive marriage ceremony of the
Episcopal Church was preformed by the Rev. Mr.
Birnie. The church was handsomely decorated with
flowers and evergreens, bytheyoung ladyfriendsof
the bride, for the occasion. As the bridal cortege left
the church a second beautiful chorus, "Hail to the
Happy Bridal Morn" was sung by the society.
APRIL 20, 1882
U. S. COURT IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY
Last Friday the senate committee on territories
discussed the bill to establish a court in the Indian
Territory and finally recommitted it to a subcommittee to be amended so as to provide that the
Indians may serve on a jury when an Indian is on
trial. The committee also agreed to report Senator
Butler's bill to create a territorial government in
Alaska, the governor, judge and other officers, to
constitute a legislative council.
The skating rink is well patronized by our young
folks, and some of them are getting to be proficient
in the art of ... falling down.
The following U. S. Deputy Marshals were sworn
in: Bass Reeves, J. C. Wilkerson, Addison Beck,
John Williams, J. W. Searle, C. T. Heffington, G. W.
Pounds.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
At Greenwood
Incendiarism
On Wednesday morning about 2 o'clock,
Greenwood was visited by a fire which destroyed
property to the amount of $15,000. The fire
originated in a building occupied as temporary
court house, where the circuit court records were
filed, and they were completely destroyed. The fire
was the work of incendiarism, and the citizens are
using every effort to find the perpetrator of the
dastardly deed.
APRIL 6, 1882
Rev. J. L. Birnie, the new Episcopal minister,
arrived Friday evening last.
Rev. A. S. Worrel, pastor of the First Baptist
Church, will hold services every Sabbath in Wirsing
Hall.
***********
John Knox, oldest son of Kate Knox died last
Tuesday at the smallpox camp. It has been
ascertained that this dreaded disease first
originated from the wearing by Cravens of some
clothes bought from Fayetteville by Knox.
MARRIED
TRIESCH - SCHULTE - At the Lutheran church in
this city, on Wednesday evening, April 19th, by Rev.
P. F. German, Mr. Conrad Triesch to Miss Alvena
Schulte, of this city.
After the ceremony the bridal party preceeded to
Barnes' Hall, where a reception was held, which was
attended by the numerous friends of the happy
The members of the Methodist Sabbath school,
together with friends of other denominations, joined
in an excursion up the river on the steamer "Jennie
May." The day was pleasantly spent by all, the
weather being beautiful, and no accident happening
to mar the full enjoyment of the occasion.
58
couple. We wish them a happy journey through life
and that while traveling down the stream of time
they may safely weather all the squalls, and should
they ever meet any obstructions we trust they they
may be little ones.
earthly of Jeremiah R. Kannady - Uncle Jerry known by this endearing name all over the state . . . .
In every community one sees men that stand out
prominently, not because of official position or
political influence, but from their private character.
Such a man was Uncle Jerry. Though often in
official position as Chief Magistrate of thistown and
many other stations of trust conferred by the
people, no one thought more of him for that-he was
still Uncle Jerry, kind, genial and affable to
everybody. He was no straightlaced, stiff and
sanctimonious confessor, but if Christ was walking
upon the earth to-day he would often have been
found in his company . . .
But Uncle Jerry's life story could not be told
without mentioning his life partner - Aunt Sophy.
Never married couple presented a lovliersight. They
were one indeed, in soul and purpose . . .
Col. J. R. Kannady was born in Beaver County,
Pennsylvania, in 1817. His family soon afterwards
moved to Ohio and from thence he came to Fort
Smith in 1836, when this country was little more
than a wilderness. Uncle once told us of his trip
down the Ohio and Mississippi and up the Arkansas
rivers. It was romantic enough and took several
months, and some day we may give a description of
it and his struggles. In 1847 he was married to Miss
Sophia Barling, a member of a prominent family of
this county living about eight miles from town. Their
union was not blessed by any children of their own,
but the blessing of hundreds of little ones
nevertheless will follow their name.
The remains of Col. Kannady are to be interred
this morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. W. A. Sample, of the
Presbyterian Church, officiating.
HINCH - BOHEN - Wednesday at 6 a.m., at the
Catholic church in this city, by Rev. L. Smythe, Mr.
Henry Hinch to Miss M. F. Bohen, all of this city.
We offer our congratulations to the young couple,
and wish them a long and happy life.
APRIL 27, 1882
THAT RIGHT OF WAY
The U. S. Senate has passed the bill granting the
right of way to the St. Louis and San Francisco road
through the Indian Territory. This result is a very
decisive one, upsetting, as it does, the claim of the
Indians to have a voice in the matter.
The Choctaw council last fall, did pass a bill to
grant this right of way, but other parties claimed that
the bill was fraudulent and worked upon Congress
to defeat the consent of the latter. In this the
opponents of the bill were unsuccessful, and the
United States claim exclusive jurisdiction, consent
or no consent. The chief credit of the result, so
important to Western Arkansas must be given to
Senators Garland and Vest.
Strawberries are 35 cents a quart.
Mr. J. P. Leake will not attempt to resume the
publication of his paper, the WORLD, at
Greenwood, as his office was destroyed by the
recent fire.
THE FORT SMITH OIL WORKS
AND COMPRESS
Election of Officers - A Merry Party of Visitors
Last Thursday a special train brought to the
Frontier City the following gentlemen: Messrs Zeb
Ward, E. Urquhart, J. A. Miller, and J. W. Cochrane,
leading stockholders in the Oil Mills and
Compresses at Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
City, Camden and Fort Smith. These gentlemen
were accompanied, upon special invitation, by the
following prominent individuals: N. M. Jones, of
Brown, Jones & Co., Memphis, Tenn. the leading
coal men of the Union, also one of the most
prominent bankers of Memphis; S. J. Camp, of the
Memphis Oil Company, a partner in the firm of
Bryant & Camp, exclusive furniture men of
Memphis, and from Little Rock, Mayor Fred Kramer
and Alderman Phil Pfeifer, Nick Kuprerls, Charles F.
Kidder, Robert McKay, F. M. Chrisman and Chas. F.
Penzel Esq., the leading merchant of this state; also
A. W. Poole, Esq. of Ozark, the proprietor of Poole
At the skating rink last Saturday night, Mr. H. P.
Mayers received the prize for being the best skater,
while DuVal Porter was awarded the silver cup for
being the most inexperienced.
Major Jere Hackett, of Marion Township, was in
town Tuesday and called upon us. A resident of this
county since 1835, Major Hackett is a finespecimen
of the old "Arkansas gentleman, close to the
Choctaw line." A Major in the Union army during the
late unpleasantness, as behooved the scion of a
revolutionary stock, he preserves all his youthful
vim and vigor to this day. He was shocked to learn of
the death of his old time friend, Colonel Kannady,
who stood up with him as his best man, more than
forty years ago, at his wedding with Miss McMurry.
Long may he live.
DEAD
To-day is a sad day in the history of our city. Today will be consigned to mother earth all that is
59
Euper. The bride was attired in an exquisite costume
of white alpaca and satin, with the veil and orange
blossoms. The bridegroom looked radiant in the
regulation suit of black. The decorations were
simply beautiful. The wedding bell was about two
feet high made of cedar and white flowers, with an
immense magnolia bud for a clapper, and was made
by Mrs. Sophia Kannady. The monograms,
horsehoes, wreaths and bouquets made by
admiring friends of the beautiful bride, were all in
perfect taste. After the ceremony the guests
proceeded to the dining room to partake of an
elegant repast . . .
Springs which are bound to bring great profit to
himself as well as the surrounding country if
properly improved.
In connection with the above we would say, that
among the gentlemen named are men of large
means and public spirit. This growing town needs
such men to set on foot enterprises of public
necessity, such as gas works, waterworks, a system
of sewerage, cotton factories, etc. etc. Lets keep our
eyes upon those men. We will want them before
long. Remember their names.
Changed Hands
The HERALD, of this city, has again changed
hands, Mr. J. D. Martin retiring. The new partner of
Mr. Saunders is Col. D. M. Wisdom, of Jackson,
Tennessee, who with his family arrived here last
week and contemplates making Fort Smith his
future home. Col. Wisdom is a newspaper man of
some experience and will doubtless make his mark.
EXCURSION TO WILSON'S ROCK
The excursion last Monday to Wilson's Rock,
Indian Territory, was a very successful affair. The
steamer left this place at 10 a.m. and reached its
destination about 3:30 p.m. Orations were delivered
on the picnic ground by Messrs Brutton and Wilson
of the Territory; Prof. Turnham, of Salem, this
county and Mr. B. H. Tabor, of Fort Smith. Miss
Daugherty was crowned as "Queen of the May,"
after which ceremony she addressed hersubjects in
a neat speech. Dancing was kept up during the day.
MARRIED
POWERS - CAIN - On Monday afternoon, April
24th, at 5 p.m. by Rev. W. A. Sample, Mr. T. L. Powers
of Little Rock, to Miss Ann L. Cain, daughter of Mr.
John Cain, of this city.
The ceremony was performed at the residence of
the bride's parents, with but few intimate friends
present. Miss Josie Hamilton and Mr. P. Hur being
the attendants. No invitations were issued, but the
friends and acquaintances of the young couple
called during the evening and several hours were
spent in dancing and social converse. We wish them
much happiness through life.
MAY 11, 1882
Last Saturday twenty-one years ago, Arkansas
passed the ordinance of Secession. Most peoplefelt
like their death warrant had been signed on that day.
Fort Smith was illuminated - feebly it is true and the
event created no enthusiasm, but very much the
contrary, which feeling was entirely correct, as the
result showed.
RETURNED
Dr. J. Gilbert Eberle has returned to Fort Smith,
and resumed the practice of medicine. Office, on
Knox Street, near Griffin's store.
MAY 4, 1882
Hon. John Rogers, late judge of the 12th Judicial
Circuit, has resigned his position and has become a
candidate for Congress from this district. Judge
Rogers will be a formidable opponent and we
should not be surprised if he were successful.
A baseball club has been organized by a number
of our young men, and after a few days practice will
go to Van Buren to play a match game.
Fort Smith needs stockyards. Who will take the
matter in hand?
MARRIED
We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Theo
Griffith, who died yesterday at his residence on
Mazzard prairie. Mr. Griffith was a well known
resident of the town and county for nearly thirty
years and a brother of Col. S. L. Griffith, of Little
Rock.
THEURER-JOHNSTON - On Tuesday evening,
May 2nd, at the residence of Mr. C. F. Bocquin, Mr.
Martin J. Theurerto Miss Alta Johnston, Judge R. B.
Rutherford performing the ceremony. The
attendants were Miss Annie DuVal and Mr. Ed
Botefuhr, and Miss Kate Emrich and Mr. Henry
The U. S. snagboat WICHITA, Capt. Joe Evins
commanding, came down from Gibson yesterday
and will return probably today and resume work as
soon as the river subsides somewhat. Capt. Evins
thinks that the Arkansas River between this place
Dr. E. R. DuVal has been appointed Health
Commissioner for the State, by the Governor.
60
shocked this community, for he was seen all day at
his drugstore in excellent health and spirits, till half
past nine o'clock at night, when he went home. Dr.
Nathan was an Englishman by birth and came here
some sixteen years ago. He married soon
afterwards Mrs. Emma Ray, of this city, nee Miller, a
sister of Louis, Joseph and Henry Miller, Mrs.
Fishback and Mrs. Hightower and leaves a
disconsolate widow and two children.
Dr. Nathan was a good citizen, quiet, jovial and of
liberal views. His sudden demise has enlisted warm
sympathy for his family.
and Arkansas City, can eventually be made
navigable. Capt. Evins possesses more experience
in the work entrusted to him, than any other men we
know of.
THE HOG QUESTION
This town needs a hog law. Hogs have become so
numerous and are such a nuisance, that something
must be done to abate it. They attack everything
eatable about stores, lie in piles upon sidewalks,
root up fences, make nasty wallows all over town
and are a positive danger to little children. We
believe there is an ordinance regulating this evil. If
not, there oughttobeand itshould be enforced, too.
We know of a merchant who was so annoyed by a
pig last week, that he had to kill it and paid the owner
for it rather than stand the nuisance any longer.
NEW STEAM FERRY
There is a fine new steam ferry now plying
between the northern and southern shore of the
Arkansas River at this place, all within thestate. The
boat leaves the wharf at this city and lands just
below the state line on the other side. This does
away with the unwieldy old flats and settles all
wranglings about the ferry privilege. Baird brothers
are the owners.
OSAGES DYING RAPIDLY
Maj. L. J. Miles, Indian Agent for the Osages,
writes to Capt. L. W. Marks, U. S. Deputy Marshal,
that the measles are very fatal among the tribe. At
the agency there are forty down with it, threeorfour
dying daily. Instead of letting the disease take its
usual course the "Medicine men" of the tribe resort
to heroic treatment to combat the disease. The
patient, when the fever comes on, is either steamed
on hot stones in an almost airtight tepee or taken to
a creek and soused in cold water. Eithertreatment is
successful - sending the patient to the happy
hunting grounds.
MAY 25, 1882
The town of Rogers in Benton County celebrated
its first birthday a few days ago. One year ago the
site of the town was in the woods. Today it contains
1226 inhabitants.
A SAD AND FATAL ACCIDENT
Last Thursday afternoon about four o'clock,
Monroe Cushman, employed in McLoud and
Johnston's livery stable met with an accident that
speedily terminated his earthly career. He was
hitching up a team for Dr. Leo Bennett and Will
Mellette, a young lawyer, who were about to take a
trip into the Indian Territory, when the latter's large
revolver went off as he was getting into a chair in
front of the office on the sidewalk, the hammer
coming in contact of the chair. The bullet struck the
stone pavement and, glancing upward, struck the
unfortunate man near the knee, shattering the latter
and cutting the artery.
The poor man was carried into the office where
Drs. DuVal, Johnson and Bennett at once attended
him. Amputation was at once determined upon as
the only means of saving the man's life; but the
shock to his system and the great loss of blood
made the operation impracticable at the time. He
was then taken to Mrs. High's boarding house
across the street, where he lingered till three o'clock
next morning when hedied. He wasquiet, sober and
industrious man and leaves a wife and babe near
Caddo, I. T. Mr. Mellette, the innocent cause of the
sad affair, was overwhelmed with sorrow and none
regretted it more keenly.
MAY 18, 1882
The Fort Smith Cotton Press is running and doing
business at the rate of 40 bales an hour. There are
only about 2,000 bales on hand, however. So the
work will have to stop again soon. But the capacity
of the press has been fully tested, and it will have
ample opportunity next Fall to do full work.
ANOTHER LANDMARK GONE
Death doth rapidly gather in his sheaves. Within a
very few weeks a number of our oldest citizens have
been laid to rest.
It pains us to chronicle the decease of another.
Last night at eleven o'clock the soul of F. X.
Coinson took its departure for the shore beyond,
after an illness of only five days. Mr. Coinson
reached the ripe age of nearly 78 years, but, owing
to a fine constitution and a most temperate life, he
hardly ever knew what sickness was up to the day of
his death almost.
IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEATH
Dr. Henry Nathan died suddenly of apoplexy at
his residence in this city at eleven o'clock p.m. last
Thursday night. The intelligence of the sad fact
61
JUNE 8, 1882
The "Chinese question" has invaded this remote
locality, a descendant of the Flowery Kingdom
having opened a laundry on the Avenue.
RIVER NEWS
The late high water has subsided and the bars
once more come up out of the water.
The little steamer RED BLUFF, Capt. Conrad in
command, came up from Little Rock on Thursday
night last with a good load and returned again next
morning.
JUNE 15, 1882
Quite a crowd was drawn to the Reservation on
Saturday afternoon to witness the baseball match
between the young colored gents of this city and
Van Buren, in which the latter came off the victors.
Will Hayman of Van Buren is engineer of the
"Oasis" steam ferry here.
The U. S. Signal station has been discontinued at
Fort Gibson, IT. and established in this city.
JUNE 22, 1882
Deputy Marshall Bass Reeves came in on Monday
from the Indian Territory, with eight prisoners
charged with various crimes.
GRIER-MILEY - On Tuesday, May 23rd, 1882, at
seven o'clock a.m. at the Catholic church in this city,
Mr. Stephen Grier to Miss Jennie Miley; Rev. M.
Smythe officiating.
We wish "Steve" ari'd his bride a long and happy
life.
On Tuesday night at the residence of Mr.
Hightower, Mr. Paul, of Mexico, Mo. was married to
Miss Hereford, of this place.
INDEX
il - some sort of graphic is used, other than a portrait,
por - a portrait of the person(s) named is on page indicated.
(---) - for such as spouse, title, marital status, degree, etc.
"—" - nickname.
Banks, -—Gen., 18
Baptist Church
The Baptist Advance, a periodical, 37
Baptists raise money to build church, 55
First Church, 34
First sermon preached, 34
A preacher at age 16, 34
Slaves build first church, 34
see also First Baptist Church
Barksdale, Eloise, 50
Barnes, Cassius M., 58
Barnes, George, 51
Barnes, George W., 43
Barnes, J. K. builds commercial facility, 52, 55
Barnes, Joe, 51
Barnes, Moses A., 43
Barnes, Sarah, 38
Barry, James M. Dr., 35
Bartlett, Jesse H., 42
Barton, C. S., 43
Baseball, 60, 62
Basham, Jap, 42
Bassett, — LCol., 8
Beardsley, B., 42
Bearss, Edwin C., 2-33
Beaty, William, 43
Beatty-Brown, Florence R., 23
Beauregard, P.G.T., Gen., 4
Beck, Addison, 58
Bedell, Inc., 47
Been, William J.. 43
Bell & Jackson, business partners have a "falling out," 53
Belle Fort Smith Tour, 44
Belle Grove School, 46. 55
Belle Point Brass Band, 50
Bennett, Leo, Dr., 61
Bennett, Wm. L. (DD), 39 por, 40
Berry, James R., 15
Bertrand. C. P., 25
Bethlehem Baptist Church, 38
Big Wah of Semmole County. Smith, Maggie Aldridge, 48
Bigelow, —, 23
Bird, Isaac, 42
Birnie, ---, Rev., assumes rectorship of St. John's Episcopal Church, 52
Birnie, Henry C., 42
Birnie, J. L., 58
Birnie, Lillie, 58
Birnie, W. S., 42
Bishop, — LCol.. 16
Bittle, George, 43
Adams, John, 36
Adams, Joseph, 41
Adams, Zachariah T, 42
Akin, Andrew Jackson, 41
Aldridge, Benjamin A. (Margaret J), 48
Aldridge, Benny, 48
Aldridge, Frank, 48
Aldridge, James (Lila), 48
Aldridge, Jefferson (Annie), 48
Aldridge, Nathaniel Madison, 48
Aldridge, Reuben (Jenny), 48
Allard, Cad, 51, 55
Allen, W. E. (Edith), 38
Ammon, Jacob, 43
Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW), is praised, 52
Anderson, —- Maj., 8
Andrews, Tim, 44
The Antioch Community, now Stigler, OK., 48
Architectural heritage preservation of, 40
Arkansas Heritage Week, 44
Arkansas Historical Association, Annual Meeting, (1982) information, 45
Arkansas Natural and Cultural Heritage, Dept. of, 44
Arkansas River, 60-2
Armstrong, Andrew J., 43
Armstrong, Dr., 36
Armstrong, Henry Clay, 36
Arson, 56-8
Arthritis Foundation, Clean-A-Thon, 47
Arthur, Chester A. Pres. of the U. S., 50
Ayers, B. F., 55
Ayers, C. C., 41, 55
Ayers, Carrie, 55
Ayers, E. D., 15
Ayers, Edith, 37-8
Ayers, J. T., 54-5
Ayers, John, 36, 50
Ayers, W. N., 35-6
Ayers, Williard, 54-5
Babcock, Frank, 41
Bach, Samuel, 43
Bailey, -— Dr., 20
Bailey, Wiley, 58
Baird, Effie, 51
Baird, J., 51
Baker, Joe, 58
Ball, Philip A. (Josephine), 36, 38
62
Black, Thelma, 1
Blakely, B. C. Cpt., 42
Bliss, Calvin, 15
Block, & Co., 50
Blue Laws, 52
Blunt, James G. Gen., Cover, por; 3-8, 10, 13, 24, 32
Boas, F. W., 55
Bocquin, C. F., 60
Bohen, M. F. (Miss), 59
Boles, Thomas, 50
Bolton, Charles, 41
Bomford, —- Dr., 8
Bonner, Alice, 50
Bonner, Calvin J., 42
Bonner, E. B., 50
Bonneville House, 47
Book Reviews, 48
Borrough, John, 41
Bostick, J. S., 8
Botefur, Ed., 60
Boudinot, E. C. Col., 54
Bowen, Thomas M., Col., 8, 26
Bowling, Frank P., 43
Bowman, E., 35
Bowman, J. H., 41
Boyd, Marcus, 22
Braden, W. F., 42
Bradshaw, John S., 42
Braun, William, 41
Brawner, W. T., 41
Brizzolara, James (Mayor), 52, 55-6
Brodie, D. W., 42
Brogan, Ed (Maggie), 52
Brogan, Edward C., 41
Bromley, James H., 42
Brooks, ---, Col., 26
Brooks, John C., 43
Brooksher, Wm. R. Dr., 37
Brown, B. S., 41
Brown, James D., 43
Brown, John R., 42
Brown, W. W., 42
Brown, Walter L., 45
Bryan, W. A., 37
Bryan, Willis O., 43
Buckley, D. 34-5, 39 por, 40
Buckley, Hezekiah, 42
Buckley, M. S., 35
Buckner College, 40
Buckner, Harrison, 42
Bugg, T. W., 42
Bulgin, Gussie, 55
Bulgin, R. S., 50
Burcham, Abijah, 43
Burnett, John J., 43
Burns, Charles, 58
Burrows, --- Gen., 29
Busby, William L., 41
Buscamp, John, 51
Bussey, Cyrus, Gen., Cover, por; 27-33, 35
Butler, — Gen., 31
Butler, — (Senator), 58
Byers, C. A., (Mrs.), 35
Byers, Wm. H., 35
Cabell, William L. Gen., 4, 6 por
Cain, Ann L., 60
Cain, John, 60
Cainan, George W., 42
Caldwell, --- (Judge), 31
Caldwell. Jimmie Delle, 1
Calkins, E. A., Maj., 8-9, 32
Callahan. ---, 41
Callan, Daniel, 42
Calvary Baptist Church, 38
Cameron, Dan, Rev., 39 por, 40
Camp, S. J., 59
Canby, Edward, Gen., 25
Carnall & Weldon, editors, 51
Carr, ---. Gen., 18
Carrey. C. M., 43
Carrico, Leander, 43
Carroll. Missy Cole, 1
Carter. Larry (Margaret), 47
Carter, Thomas H., 41
Celebrations, 52
Cemeteries, 41-3
Chambers, C. C., 37
Chambers, J. D., 35
Charles Smart House, 46
Cheavens, Buck, 44
Cheeves, Annie, 48
Cheeves, Jenny, 48
Cheeves. Lila, 48
Cherokee Nation, 53
Cherry, Alberg G., 42
Childers, C. C., 43
Chinese laundry opens in Fort Smith, 62
Choctaw Nation, 48
Chrisman, F. M., 59
Church, F. O., 41
Churches, missions for the Indians, 53
City Directories, Fort Smith, list of needed by Fort Smith Public Library, 45
Civil War, 35
Amnesty, 14, 30
Area Indians call council in Fort Smith, 1SEP1865, 32
Arkansas General Assembly ratifies constitutional amendment
prohibiting slavery, 29-30
Arkansas readmitted to the Union, 33
Arkansas River iced over, 11 il
Arkansas sends representative to claim seat in Congress, DEC1863,10
Assassination of white officers who commanded Negro troops, 23
Atrocities, 15-6
Battle of Gettsburg, 9
Battle of Massard Prairie, 21-2
Battle of Prairie Grove, 9
Bushwackers, 8, 11, 14, 16-7, 19, 22, 26, 29-30
Camp life, 19, 22
Celebrations, 9-10, 21, 24, 28-9, 31
Chaplaincy, 19, 22, 31
Chickasaw Indians, 33
Choctaw Indians, 33
Churches and clergy, 9, 22, 23, 30
Civilian population returns to Fort Smith in record numbers, 33
Civilians taken prisoner, 8
Command, change of, 8, 12-3, 27, 30, 32-3
Congress of the U. S., 20
Refuses to seat the Arkansas congressional
delegation, 10, 30
Conventions, 4, 13-4, 18-9, 32
"Copperheads," 13, 30
Cosmopolitan Saloon, 11
County officials elected, 15
"Cradle of the First Southern Free State," a term applied to Fort Smith
as a meeting held to prepare for the end of Arkansas's secession,7,15
Crime and criminals, 8, 30, 32
Davis, Jefferson, Pres. CSA, captured, 23
Demobilization, 30
Devil's Backbone, action at, 4, 6
Dual Plantation, 28-9
Elections, 10, 14-5, 18, 24
Eleventh U. S. Colored Troops, 12, 19
Ernich & Lender, merchants, 11
Espionage, 18
Family life, 31
Farming, 13-4, 28-9
First Arkansas Union Infantry captures Fort Smith, 6
Food supply, 8, 10-1, 13-4, 24-6, 28
Fort Smith,
Attached by State militia - ordered by Governor Rector, 4
Citizens, hope that Arkansas may be the first seceded state to
return to the Union, 15
Petition Pres. Lincoln for adequate supplies for themselves and
for the loyal refugee Indians at Fort Gibson, 28
Re-awaken in Spring of 1865, 29
City of, elections, 18
Defenses build up, 17
In shambles as result of decision to abandon the City in
winter of 1864/5, 26
Meets to consider return to the Union, 4
Fort Washita and Fort Arbuckle burned by rebel Indians, 31-2
General Blunt and newspaper publisher "have words," 32
General Lee surrenders, celebrations follow, 29
Grand Indian Council, 1-21SEP1865, 32-3M
Guerilla warfare, 15, 22
Gun boats, 20M
Horses, 8
Indian Territory action, 4, 19
Indian troop activity, 15, 19
Indians,
Convene to insure that their lands remain for their sole use, 33
Worry over threat of Negro influx to the Indian Territory, 32
Justice and law, 23
Lane's String Band, 11
Legislation passed to allow re-entry to Union for states who seceded
without statewide vote, 20
Legislative activity. Federal and State, 10, 20, 29-30
Little Rock falls to Union forces, SEP1863, 7
Local men travel to Wash., DC, to discuss re-entry to the Union, 20
Local troops called to fight south of Fort Smith, 16
Louisiana seeks re-entry to Union, 20
Lynching, 9
Many destitute in area, Spring of 1865, 29
Maps.
Battle of Massard Prairie, 21
Blunt captures Fort Smith, 5
Choctaw Nation activity, 3
Fort Smith as a Union depot, 27
Military operations. Spring, 1864, 17
63
Medical care, shortage of, 16
Meetings, town and county, 2, 4, 7, 10-1, 13
Methodist Episcopal Church, 22-3
Military,
Activity in Texas and Louisiana, 16
Guards farmers and supply trains, 28-9
Jurisdiction in state of confusion, 12-3
Pay, 21, 28
Units, Arkansas, 6, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22
Units, out of state, by state,
Illinois, 6
Iowa, 11, 16
Kansas, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18-9, 21-3
Missouri, 4
Wisconsin, 9-10
Money, 9, 29, 31
Morale, 8
"Mountain Feds," 7
National Union Convention (Republican), 18-9
Negro troops, 18, 23-4, 26, 32
New Arkansas Constitution is drafted, 14
Newspapers, 2-33
Northwest Arkansas moves toward "reunion," 7
Orders to abandon Fort Smith, 1DEC1864, rescinded by Gen. Grant,
12DEC1864 and again, 3JAN1865, 25
Orphan population increases, 31
Orphanage, funds requested for, 22
Osage Indians, 33
Plunder, booty, etc., 11, 30
Poetry, 19
Postal service, 11, 30
President Lincoln,
Acts on premature abandonment of Fort Smith, 25
Assassinated, 29
Promises Arkansas military support, 20
Proclamation of Amesty and Reconstruction, 14
Propaganda, 9, 19, 30
Provisional Governor (Arkansas) elected, 14
Public health and sanitation, 28
Quartering of troops, 9, 11, 24
"Rackensack," 15
Real estate transactions confused by use of Confederate money, 31
Reconstruction, 13-4, 33-4
Recruiting, 6, 13, 23, 29
Referendum as regards secession, 4
Refugees, 8, 13, 15, 19, 21-3, 25
Released prisoners of war harassed on return home, 31
Richmond falls, end of war in sight, 29
River steamers supporting Fort Smith, listed, 28
River traffic, 15, 17-20, 25-8
Schools not to be used for hospitals or other military uses, 9
Schools, public, 16
Secession, 4
Slavery-Race, 9, 20, 23, 29-30
Stageline activity, 9
Supply and logistics, 4, 7-8, 10, 17-8, 25-6
Surrender, 29
Surrounding counties meet to discuss reunion, 11
Swindling by military is charged, 32
Taxation, 28-9, 31
Temperance, 16
Trade, 8, 11, 24-5, 32
Treason is charged, 7
Troop count for Fort Smith area, Aug. 1863, 4
Troops from out of state settle in Fort Smith, 31
Troops welcomed, feted, etc., 6, 8il, 20
Union League of America, 10
Union sympathizers meet, 4
Adopt resolutions in support of return to the Union, 7
Union troops retreat, 18-9
Union victory joy not shared by all Arkansans, 30
Union viewpoint described in local newspaper, 4
Wagons cross frozen Arkansas River, 11 il
Wagontrains, 28
Weather, 11
Women volunteer for non-combat duties, 19
Clarks, S. C., 41
Clarkson, R. A., 36
Clay, James H., 42
Clayland, James L., 43
Clayton, -— (Senator), 54
Clayton, William H. H. (Judge), 52
Clendening, Harry, 55
Clifton, M. W., 41
Cloud, William, Col., 4, 6, 8
Clubs - Societies, 41, 44, 50, 52-3
Coble, F. A. J., 42
Cochrane, J. W., 59
Cockrum, J. L., 42
Coffey, S. E., 42
^
Cohn, M. S., 43
Coinson, F. X., 61
Cole, William A., 43
Collins, J., 42
Community pride, 47
54
Compere, E. L. Rev., 35, 39 por, 40
Confederate veterans buried locally, 41-3
Cook, —, 33
Cook, Arzetia, 43
Cook, Charles, 41
Cook, W. F., 41
Cook, William passes bar examination, 54
Cooke, Paul, Rev. 40
Cooley, D. N. (Judge), 33
Cooper, —, 54
Cooper, — Gen., 18, 29
Cooper, T. H., 42
Cope, T. S., 41
Correll & Co., confectioners, 54
Cosmopolitan Saloon, 8, 11
Cotner, Leonna Belle, 1
Cottage, with pets, plus domestic animals burned since property was
suspect in the Smallpox scare, 56
Cotton, 54, 61
Cottrell, James, 43
Cottrell, William, 43
Cover, Noah, 43
Cowen, Ruth Caroline, 7, 30
Cox, G. W., 41
Cox, Ida, 36
Cox, Steve, 22
Crain, William B., 42
Crime and criminals, 50, 55, 57
Cromwell, Samuel, 41
Cross, E., Dr., 51
Crowe, William, 43
Cummings, John, 41
Cunningham, John W., 35
Curtis, Samuel R. Gen., 12 por
Curtis, W. H., 42
Cushman, Monroe, 61
Cyachert, Joseph, 41
Czarnikow, E., 54
Dailey, Daniel F., 41
Daly, Patrick, 42
Dancing, 53
Darby, William O. Gen., 47
Dawson, Montery M., 43
Davidson, F. E., 42
Davis, C. L., 42
Davis, Daniel F., 42
Davis, J. A., 18
Davis, Jefferson, Pres. of the CSA, 24, 30
Davis, W. C., 50
Davis, W. H., 42
Day, J. A., 41
Dean, Richard, 41
Decker, Oliver, 43
Dell, Valentine, 2, 4, 18-20, 30, 32-3, 50, 54-6, 58
Dew, J. H. (DD), 38
Dickens, Adelia, 55
Dickens, R. F., 51
Dickens, Willie, 51
Dickerson, I. B., 11
Dillard, Tom W., 44
Diseases, 38, 50, 56, 61
Dockery, —, Gen., 18
Doerr, James, 42
Donahue, Maggie, 52
Don rey Advertising Co., 47
Dorente, J. N. E., 41
Dottery, James, 42
Douglas, —, Rev., 21
Douglass, Eliza, 42
Dubois, —, Col., 33
Duff, —, Cpt., 21
Dukes, Reuben A., 43
Dunklin, Herbert C., 43
Dunlap, —, Dr. (Mrs.), 53
Dunn, Wiliam N., 43
DuVal, —, Cpt., 34
DuVal, Annie, 60
DuVal, E. R. Dr., 51, 56, 60
Dyer, William, 42
Dyer, William M., 43
Early churches, 34
Early, M. D. Rev., 52
Early, W. W., 41
East, Eliza H., 43
East, M. A. Rev., 21
Eberle, J. Gilbert, Dr., 60
Edgarton, —, 54
Edmondson, Sam., 34
Edmunds, J., 42
Edwards, —, Col., 8 ,
Edwards, David R., 43
Edwards, John, Gen., cover, por; 12, 24, 28
Elliott, William, 41
Ellis, Siley M., 34-5
Elinor, John E., 43
Elwood, William L, 43
Emancipation Proclamation anniversary celebration, held by colored
citizens, 52
Emrich, Katie, 54, 60
Emrich, John, 18
Epidemics, 61
Episcopal Church ladies serve a "good substantial tea," 50
Epple, Christian, 41
Euper, Anton, 41
Euper, Henry, 60
Euper, Mary Nell, 1
Evans, A. C., 43
Evans, Belle, 50
Evins, Joe, Cpt., 60
Ezell, Robert, Rev., 40
Pagan, —, Gen., 18
Fentress, Oscar (Mrs.), 41
Ferguson, B. W. Rev., 38-9 por, 40
Ferrari, Joseph M., 42
Festivals, 50, 53
Fewell, J. B., 41
Fink, Henry, 41
Finn, M. H., 41
Fire protection, lack of, is protested, 51
Fires, 55, 58
First Baptist Church 34il, 35-40
Academy of Music used as a meeting place, 37
Air cooling and indirect lighting, ca 1913, 38
An "Avoirdupois Social," 36
Barry, James M. Dr., donates funds for purchase of land, 35
Bazaar held in 1895, 36
Boone's School House used as a church, 1882, 35
The Brotherhood, 40
Church officers, 1886, 36
Comes into being, 1DEC1857, 35
Construction activity prior to 1900, 35-6
Construction under Dr. Ferguson's pastorate, 38
"The Cyclone Bible," 37
Early revival held, 36
Fellowship Hall is added, 40
First meeting of record, 35
First Presbyterian Church used as a meeting place, 37
First Sunday School, 35
Foreign mission activity, 37-8
Furnishings provided by 'the young ladies," 36
Growth cited, 36
Illustrations, 34, 37
Joint worship, white and negro, 35
Land purchase for parsonage, 37-8
Membership totals, 35, 37, 40
Ministerial and salaried staff, 1981, 40
Mission Church activity, 37-8, 40
New Construction, 1899, the Church standing at North 13th and
D Sts., 37 il
New organ installed, 38
Pastors, in portrait, 39
Pastors, roster of, 40
Pastor's salary, 1883, 35
Purchases land, 35
Radio and television ministry, 38-40
Razing of first church building is stopped, 35
Revival held in warehouse, 38
Riverside Mission, 40
Sanctuary seating increases, 40
Slaves baptized, 35
Sunday School activity, 38, 40, 50
Third Street Mission, 40
Tornado destroys church, 35-7
Tornado, 1898, is foretold, 37
Turner Hall used as a meeting place, 37
Union Army stores hay in church bldg., 35
Wirsing Bldg. used as a church, 1882-1885 (est), 35
Fishback, —, (Mrs.), 61
Fisher, Alfred, 42
Fisher, John H., 43
Ford, S. A., 50
Fort, A. O., 43
Fort Smith Art Center, 44-6
Fort Smith Bar Association perfects organization and elects its
first slate of officers, 55
Fort Smith Chess Club, 44
Fort Smith, City of, Council asks for increase in mail service
between Little Rock and Fort Smith, 52
Fort Smith computer Club, 44
Fort Smith Cotton Press, 61
Fort Smith Embroidery Guild, 44
Fort Smith Junior League, 44
Fort Smith Little Theatre, 1982 season and ticket information, 45
Fort Smith, making it a cleaner, safer, healthier place to live, 47
Fort Smith Mathesian Society, 50
Fort Smith Musical Society, 58
Fort Smith points of interest, described, 46
"Fort Smith Pride," a civic group, 47
65
Fort Smith Public Library activities, 44, 47
"Fort Smith," river steamer, 55
Fort Smith Street Railway Co., contracts for two miles of track, 52
Fort Smith Weekly New Era, newspaper, 2-33, 50-62
Foster, C. G., 18
Foster, Isaac, 41
Foster, John, 43
Foster, V. L., 35
Franklin, Joe S., 42
Franklin, Neil S., 43
Franklin, S. B., 43
Freer, Frank, opens a new saloon, 52
Frontier Genealogy Society, 44
Frontier Guards feted by Chief Deputy U. S. Mashal Huffington, 53
Frost, J. J., 35
Fumet, Peter, 41
Funkhouser, A. M., 41
Furr, Paul, 43
Furrow, James A., 42
Futral, M. E., 43
Gano, —, Gen., 22, 29
Gardner, Thaddeus, 41
Gardner, W. H., 41
Garfield, James A., Pres. of the U. S., 50
Garlick, Pauline, 38
Garrett, Alexander A., 43
Garrett, Anderson, 43
Garrett, Robin, 44
Garrison, —, Rev., 29
Gatlin, Richard, Maj., 4
Gee, T. S., 37
German, P. F. Rev., 58
Gibson, —, Maj., 11
Gibson, Findley F., Rev., 37, 39 por, 40
Gibson, Gustave, 41
A Gift from Alice. Duffield, Alice Mikel, 48
Gilley, Tine, 42
Glaze, Henry, 41
Godt, August, 43
Godt, Florenz, 37
Gould, Jay, 53
Grable, W. A., 41
Grace, G. A. Col., 55
Grace, Jessie, 36
Graham, William, 31
Grant, Andrew J., 43
Grant, Ulysses S., Gen., 25
Gray, Bertha, 37
Gray, Tom, 40
Green, A. E., 42
Green, Florence, 37
Green, Nannie, 52
Greenwood United Methodist Church, 45
Grier, Stephen (Jennie), 62
Griffith, —, Col., 8
Griffith, E., 41
Griffith, S. L. Col., 60
Griffith, Theo., 60
Gross, Stephen, 41
Guiteau Republicans, 50, 57
Gunter, J. C., 42
Hackett, Jere, Maj., 59
Hackler, John S. Rev., 43
Hailey, O. L., Rev., 36-7, 39 por, 40
Haines, W. H., 42
Haliburton, T. H., replaces T. H. Payne as agent for the Little Rock
and Fort Smith Railway, 52
Hall, Green H., 43
Halliwell, Julia, 57
Hallum, J. C., 42
Ham, Mordecai F., (DD), 38
Hamilton, Benjamin, 43
Hamilton, Josie, 58, 60
Hamilton, M. J., 41
Hamilton, Mamie, 55
Hamilton, Nellie C., 58
Hamilton, S. M. Sells saddle and harness business to
J. H. Livingston, 52
Hamilton, Zacarna, 42
Hammer, Peter, 41
Hammersly, J., 18
Hampton, William, 41
Harlan, F. S., 42
Harlin (Holland), Jerry, 35
Harmon, H. L., 42
Harner, Amos F., 41
Harper, Blaney, Rev., 51
Harper, Jesse C., 43
Harrison, John G., 43
Harrison, M. LaRue, Col., 25, 29-30
Harrison, Peter, 34
Harrison, Robert H., 42
Harry, Cicero F., 42
Hart, Alex. 41
Hart, M. Cpt., 9
Hartley, Lewis, 42
Haskell, —, Cpt., 8
Hathcock, Steve, 44
Havard, S. A., 41
Hawkins, John W., 41
Hayman, Will, 62
Haynes & Long, livery and feed stable, 51
Hays, —, Lt., 9
Heard, Allen C., 43
Heckler, George, 58
Heffington, C. T., 58
Henderson, Jack, 36
Henderson, James C., 41
Henderson, John L., 36
Henderson, Robert, 24
Herald, newspaper changes hands, 60
Hereford, ---, (Miss), 62
Herriman, M. C., 43
Herron, -—, Gen., 24
Hershey, B. F. Receives one sixth of the lots once owned by
Capt. Rogers, original owner of Fort Smith, 57
Hershy. A. R. (Mrs.), 38
Hicken. —. 20
Hightower, —, 36, 61-2
Hinch, Henry, (M.F.), 59
Hindman, Thomas, Gen., 9-10 por, 32
Hines, James W., 42
Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, Inc., 40
Hobbs, William H., 43
Hoffman, Charles, 53
Hoffman, John, 43
Hog laws needed, 61
Hogan, Orlanda, 41
Hoge, Samuel B., 43
Holland. Cleveland (Mrs.), 37
Holleman, H. L., 24, 30
Holly, James W., 43
Honea, James W., 42
Hope, Huey E.. 41
Hope, William P., 43
Hopkins, Agrippa, 41
Horton, J. G., 42
Housing shortages, 50
Hover, —, Lt., 21
Howard, —, 15
Howell, David C., 43
Howell, Samuel G., 43
Huber, Fred W., 42
Hudson, Mattie A., 38
Huffington, ---, 53
Hughes, Elijah, 43
Hunt. Ed., 50
Hunt, H. J. Gen., 33
Hunton, Annid. 36
Hunton. John B., 36
Hunton, Mamie, 36
Hur, P.. 60
Hurley, Dan. 42
Hutchinson. Richard, 42
Immaculate Conception Church, 47
Indians, 53. 61
Influenza, 38
Ingram, L. O. (Mrs.), 38
Intres, John R., 41
Irvin, —. 33
Jackson. William A., 34
Jacobs. Joseph H., 43
Jacobs, Marion J., 43
James, F. L., 41
James. Frank. 15
James. Jesse, 15. 50
Dies at St. Joseph. MO., 57
James Sparks House, 46
Jameson, Wilma. 2, 50
Jarnigan, George W., 42
Jedlicka. Frank, 1
Jefferson Davis Chapter. UDC, 41
Jeffett, F. A., Rev., 50
Jenkins. William W., 42
"Jennie May," river steamer, 56
Johnson, George G.. 43
Johnson, James M. Col., 6-7, 10, 15
Johnson, Robert, 1
Johnson, Robert E., 18
Johnston, Alta, 60
Johnston, George W., 43
Johnston, Lafayette, 42
Johnston. Moses C., 43
Jolly Club holds benefit festival and ball for aid to the poor, 53
Jolly, J. H., 41
Jones, David, 43
Jones, J. J., 24
Jones, N. M.. 59
66
Jones, Sandy, 44
THE JOURNAL, contents of past issues listed, 49
Judd, Ethel, 38
Judson, C. O. Cpt., 20
Judson, William R. Col., 12, 16, 22, 26
Kannady, Jeremiah R. Col., "Uncle Jerry," (Sophia), 53-4, 58-60
Keck, Solomon, 43
Kelley, J. G., 41
Kellogg, Orman, 43
Kelly, Nick, 1
Kendall, William H., 43
Kennedy, A., 55
Kennedy, Milton F., 43
Kibler, John, 42
Kidder, Charles F., 59
Kilgore, Drew, 45
Kincaid, A. J. Rev., 36, 39 por, 40
King. Chas., 50
King, David, 1
Kinnan, Thomas B., 43
Kinter, —, Cpt., 8
Kirk, Henry H., 42
Kirkman, Alfred, 43
Knoble Brewery, 46
Knox, John, 58
Knox, Kate, 58
Knox, Tilghman, (Mrs.), 56
Koegel. Frederick, 41
Koenig, C. M., 46
Kramer, Fred, 59
Kraner, F. A., 41
Kregel, F. L., Rev., 35, 39 por, 40
Kregel, Georgia, 38
Kuper, Henry. (Elizabeth M), 54
Kuperis, Nick. 59
Lacey, T. E., 55
*
Lake, L. B. Cpt., 42
Lamb, Lawrence, 52
Landers, Abner, 43
Lane, Autry, 38
Lane, James S. (Senator), 19
Lane, M.. 11
Lane. Nellie, 38
Laverne, J. L., 42
Lawson, Ray.. 42
Lawyers, 54
Leach, Ivan, 41
League of Women Voters, 44
Leake, J. P.. 59
Leard, J. H. Rev.. 22
Lee. Robert E. Gen., 29
Leffler. William, 42
Lehman. Henry, 42
Leonard, Dennis, 41
Lester, Joshua, 34
Lewis. G. J., 8
Lexington Ave. Baptist Church, 37
Liede. Michael, 42
Lincoln. Abraham. Pres. of U. S.. 8-9. 14. 19. 25. 29
Linton. Ben F.. 43
Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway, 51
Livingston. J. H., 52
Loomis. Floyd, 42
Long. Levi. 42
Loring. H. G. Cpt.. 8. 12
Lovell. John D.. 43
Lucas Nance House. 46
Luce. Sleeker. 54
Lucey. J. M.. 41
Luckenbaugh. James W.. 43
Lumber and lumbering. 53
Lyons. A.. 41
McAfee. --- Rev.. 22
McAteer. Anice. 38
McBride. C. E.. 41
McCain. Sue. 1
McCallum. Hayes. 43
McCann. James. 43
McDonald. A. L.. 41
McDonald. James A.. 43
McDonough. J. B.. 36
McGee. W. J. 43
McGiffin. James G.. 43
McGowan. James. 41
McGurk. Frank. 41
McHaney. John C.. 41
Mcllwane. David. Dr.. 48
Mcllwane. Margaret Jane. 48
McKay. Robert. 59
McKinney. M. E.. 35
McKnight. James. 41
McLarry. Newman. Rev.. 39 por. 40
McLoud & Johnston's Livery Stable. 61
McMichaels. Sarah. 44
McMinn, Burrell J., 43
McMurtrey, Peter T., 43
McMurtrey, W. H., 42
McNeil Baptist Mission, 38 il
McNeil. John, 38
McNeil. John, Gen., cover, por; 8, 10, 27
McWilliams, G. C. Rev., 23
Mabry, H. P.. 42
Madgowen. ---. 33
Mahan. Andrew, 43
Main, J. H. T. (MD), 34
Maledon. George, 58
Malodon, Mary, 36
Mankin, Thomas F., 42
Marie, Josiah, 42
Markley, George, 42
Marks. ---, 3
Marks, Jeptha A.. 42
Marmaduke, ---, Gen., 18
Marriages, 51-2
Marsh, Edwin, 41
Marsh, W. Edward, 43
Marshals - U. S., 50, 53-6, 58, 62
Marshalship of the Western District turned
over to Thomas Boles of Dardanelle, 57
Martin, Amelia Whitaker, 1, 35, 48
Martin, Bradley, 1- 34
Martin, Erwin, 42
Martin, J. D., 54, 60
Martin, Joseph, 41
Martin, Paddy, 42
Martindale, T. M., 42
Mason, George W., 42
Mather, Ace, 43
Mathes, A. W., 35
Mathes, Laura, 50
Maxey, —, Gen., 18-9, 29
Mayers, H. P., 58-9
Mayor Brizzolara closes on Sundays, all
businesses except restaurants & drug stores,52
Meaden, Fritz, 41
Meek, J. S., 36
Mefford, —, Maj., 22
Mellett, Will, 61
Mentzer, ---, Cpt., 11
Merchant, Volaire, 58
Merriman, --- (Mrs.), 36
Metheny, Arlie, 1
Methodist Sabbath School, 58
Meyer, Max, 55
Meyers, John, 41
Michael, A., 41
Michael, David, 41
Miles, L. J., Maj., 61
Miley, Jennie, 62
Miller, E. B., 41
Miller, Henry, 61
Miller, J. A., 59
Miller, Joseph, 61
Miller, John R. Sr., 41
Miller, Louis, 61
Miller, Phil, 1
Miller, W. W., 42
Milling operations, 48
Milor, —. (Judge), 21
Milor, Charles, 15, 24
Milter. John F., 42
Mincer-Kauffman House, 46
Ming. Wm. J., 43
Miss Laura's House, 46
Mitchell. Eli E.. 42
Mitchell. Millard. 42
Mitchell. Zachariah. 42
Mix. ---. 33
Modlin, Thomas M.. 41
Moonlight. --- Col., 24
Moore. John C.. 43
Moore. V. N.. 41
Morgan. Vincent. 41
Morrison. H. G.. 37
Morrow. Joseph. 41
Mortensen. Hans., 43
Moses. Robert R.. 42
Moss. G. W.. 36
Mrs. High's Boarding House, 61
Municipal Auditorium. 47
Murphy. ---. 15
Murphy. Isaac. (Judge) (Governor). 15 por. 15
Music. 50. 58
Myrick. R.. 36
Nathan. ---. (Mrs.). 54
Nathan. Henry. Dr.. (Emma), 61
National Historic Site, including: Barracks,
courthouse and jail; Belle Point, Judge
Parker's Court, and U. S. National
Cemetery, 46-7
National Organization for Women (NOW), 44
Neal, A. C., 38
Neal, V. C., 38
Nelson, Jake, 42
New Era see Fort Smith Weekly New Era
Newlon, Ada, 38
Newlon, Dora, 38
Newlon, Juanita, 38
Newlon, Lena, 38
Newman, —-, Cpt., 8
Newspapers, 50-62
Newton, Tom, Rev., 1
Nichols, Jake, 43
Noble, Owen P., 43
Nolan, Peter, 18
Norrid, John H., 43
Norton, F. Wendel, 45
Nules, Sam.. 41
Nutler, John A., 42
"Oasis," steam ferry, 62
O Connell, Michael, 43
Odum, Jeff, 41
Old Fort Gun Club, 44
Old Fort Museum, 47
Old Fort River Festival, 44
Old Town Courtyard, 46
Oliver, W. F., 41
Ong, Harry, 43
Osage Indians, 61
Overstreet, Thomas G., 43
Owens, Charles, 42
Owens, W. B., 41
Owens, W. J., 42
Owensby, Marion F., 43
Ozment, Eli, 42
Packard, R. C., 42
Padgett, Harvey, 42
Page, John, 41
Pannell, Sam., 42
Pantet, Jacques, 41
Parker, ---, Col., 33
Parker, Eugene, 43
Parker, Isaac C. (Judge), 46-7, 53
Parker, M. F., 24
Patent Model Museum, 46
Patrick, John W., 42
Patterson, Pink, 38
Paul, —, 62
Paxton, William E. (DD), 35-6, 39 por, 40
Payne, T. H., 52
Peck, Benjamin A., 42
Peek, Lula M., 37
Peer, Carolyn, 1
Peer, Donald, 1
Pender, John B., 42
Penzel. Chas. F., 59
Pepper, Timothy, 43
Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., 47
Perkins, —, Lt., 15
Perse, George R.. 43
Petty. Enoch B., 43
Pfeifer, Phil. 59
Phillips. Benjamin, 42
Phillips. Tom A., 43
Pipkin. Edward, 43
Pittman. J. H.. 43
Pittman. N. R.. Rev.. 36, 39 por. 40
Platt. Rosalie. 1
Poets Roundtable of Fort Smith, 44
Points of interest, Fort Smith, listed, 46
Political Parties. 50. 54. 57
Pollan. Carolyn, 1-2
Poole. A. W.. 59
Poor road conditions slowing down
cotton trade. 54
Porter. DuVal. 59
Postal service. 52
Poulian. Francis, 42
Pounds. G. W., 58
Powell. J. N., 41
Powell, R. T. (Judge), 43
Powers. T. L. (Ann L.). 60
Presbyterian Church installs opera chairs,
in place of pews, 51
Presbyterian Sunday School teachers meet. 50
Price. Florence. 37
Price. George. 42
67
Price, Sterling, Gen., 24
Priest, William S., 41
Prisons, reform of, 51
Public Health, 51-2, 56, 61
Purdom, Alexander, 42
Putman, T. A., 42
Quante, Frank, 42
Quantrill, William Clark, 15
Quarrells, Thomas, Dr., 52
"Rackensack," 15
Rahn, John, 42
Railroads, 51-3, 55, 59
Randall, A. F. Rev., 36
Randolph, Robert H., 43
Raub, Wm. N., 42
Ray, Emma, 61
Ray, W. M., 50
Read, James F., 55
Recreation, 59-60
Rector, Elias, 10
Rector, Henry (Governor), 4
"Red Bluff," river steamer, 62
Reed, —, Maj., 19
Reed, Bettie, 55
Reed, James A., 43
Reed, Robert, 42
Reed, Wesley, 43
Reeves, Bass, 58, 62
Reeves, G. W. Rev., 35-6, 40
Reneau, Russell Rev., 23
Republican Party. 54, 57
Republicans oppose appointment of Boles as
U. S. Marshal for the Western District, 54
Retail and wholesale trade, 52-4
Reynolds, John Hugh, 6
Reynolds, Joseph, Gen., 25-6, 28, 30
Reynolds, P., 42
Reynolds, Thomas H., 42
Rice, ---, Gen., 18
Riggs, William S., 41
Riley, William J., 41
Ritchie, H. C., 41
River traffic, 55-6, 60-2
Roberts, J. S., 41
Robinson, Eliza J., 43
Robinson, J. P., 42
Rogers, John, 34, 46, 60
Rogers, Mary, 34
Rogers-Titles House. 46
Rowell. R. H., 41
Rupe, David P., 13
Russell, Jacob D., 43
Rutherford, ---, (Mrs.), 53
Rutherford, R. B. (Judge), 55
Rutz, Jacob, 43
Sackett, —, Col., 24
Sage, William, 42
St. John's Episcopal Church, 52
St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad,
Builds tunnel into Boston Mountains, 53
Is granted right-of-way through Indian
Territory. 59
Surveyors are in town, 53
Will cross the Arkansas River and go
to Paris. TX. 55
St. Patrick s Church, 34
Salem. AR sc.'e Witcherville, AR
Saloman. ---. Gen.. 18
Sample. W. A. Rev., 50, 59-60
Sample, William, 55
Sandels. M. H.. 55
Sanders, Minnie J., Dr., 36
Sawyer. William, 41
Sawyer. William E., 9
Schleiff, Frederick, 42
Schofield. ---, Gen., 7-8
Schools, public. 46
Schramm. M B.. marries Miss Hopp. 57
Schreckengaunt, W. H.. 41
Schroeling. ---, Maj., 8
Schulte. Alvena, 58
Scoggins. John. 41
Scott, C. M.. 43
Scott. Perry A., 43
Scrogg, Jack B., 4
Seals. R. D.. 36. 50
Searle. Elhanan J. LCol. 6 por. 9, 15, 21, 28
Searle. J. W.. 58
Sebastian County Courthouse. 47
Self. William E.. 42
Sellers. Elizah. 33
Sengel Bros., barbers, 51
Sengle, George, 43
Shackleford, ---, Rev., 42
Shannon, James G.. 41
Shaw. Knowles, 41
Shaw, Thomas, 42
Shelby, ---, Gen., 18
Shepard, Gerald, 1
Shepherd, William, 41
Sherman, Madison, 42
Siberberg, Touby, 55
Sightseeing, Fort Smith, map, 46
Silberburg, A., goes on buying trip for
the Boston Store, 52
Sill, Phillip, 42
Simms, David A., 41
Simpson, William, 42
Singleton, A. J., 18
Singleton. M. A., 35
Sisson, ---, 15
Small, Ed., 42
Smallpox, 50, 56
Vaccinations urged, 51
Smedley. Joseph, 34
Smith, ---, Maj., 8
Smith, Bessie, 38
Smith, C. W., 41
Smith, Edward T., 43
Smith Fork Baptist Church of Tenn., 34
Smith. Frank, 52
Smith, Gerald Keith, 44
Smith, J. Harold, Rev., 38-9 por, 40
Smith, Jimmie, 36
Smith, John P., 50
Smith, Joseph Y., 42
Smith, Lafayette, 43
Smith, Maggie Aldridge, 48
Smith, Robert F., 9, 30
Smith, Thomas L., 43
Smith, W. W., 42
Smith, Zephra, 43
Smott, —, 15
Smythe, L. Rev., 52, 54, 59
Snider, Fred, 42
Snyder, Harvey, 42
Soard, Emma, 36
Soard, W. T. (Irene R.), 36
South Sebastian County Awards Ceremony,
pioneer family achievement, 45
Southard, William F., 43
Southside High School Commercial Art
Classes paint a city sanitation truck, 47
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., 47
Sparks, Geo T., 50
Speakman, Mary N., 6
Speer, Ralph Jr. (Mrs.), 47
Spradling Avenue Baptist Church, 40
Spradling, Geo N., 41
Springer, Frances, Rev., 21-2, 29-31
Stafford, Isaac, 43
Stalcup, J. C., 36, 50
The Standard, newspaper, 58
State Office Building, 47
Steam ferry begins service across the
Arkansas River, 61
Stearl, Joseph, 42
Steele, Frederick, Gen., 7, 12-3 por,
16, 18, 20, 25
Steele, William, Gen., 4, 6 por, 13, 20
Stephens, Robert W., 42
Stephenson, Thomas R., 42
Stewart, J. C., 42
Stockyards needed in Fort Smith, 60
Stokes, Lemuel, 42
Story, John, 42
Stough, John, 43
Strain, Hester C., 42
Strassburg, Abraham, 42
Strayhorn, John, 42
Street Railroads, 52
Streets, 51, 54, 56
Strong, C. H., 41
Stryker, John, 34
Sugg, Rihard, 1
Sullivan, —, Maj., 8
Sutherland, Thomas S., 42
Sutton, W. B., 52
Sutton, William M., 43
Swindell, —, Dr., 21
Tabor, B. H., 60
Taliano s Italian Restaurant, 46
Tallman, Henry L., 41
Tapan. ---. Lt.. 8
Tash, Jack. 43
Tatum, ---. Lt.. 8
Taylor, Alfred, 43
Thayer, John, Gen., cover, por: 12-6.
18-9, 21, 24-7, 32
Thedford, John T., 42
Theurer. Elizabeth M., 54
Theurer. Martin J. (Alta). 54, 60
Tholen, Wm.. Cpt., 8
Thomas. David Yancey, 6
Thomas, Jim, 42
Thompson, Charles A., 41
Throgmorton. W. P. (DD), 36, 39 por, 40
Tibbetts, J. Frank (Nellie C.), 58
Tiler, E. F., 55
Tilles, Louis, 46
Timber, unlawful cut in Cherokee Nation,
being sold for Indian benefit, 53
Timmins, Andrew, 43
Tomfoolery, restaurant, 47
Towery, Henry M., 42
Transportation, 51-3, 55, 59-61
Transportation, see a/so railroads, river
traffic, steam ferries
Triesch, Conrad, (Alvena), 58
Trunbell, ---, Gen., 31
Truschel. Geo. W., 52
Tucker, William E.. 43
Turner, Robert N., 41
Turner, T., 43
Typhoid-malarial fever takes lives, 51
Ulman. Nora, 7
Underbill, Jake, 41
Union Church, 34
United Daughters of the Confederacy
(UDC), 41
U. S. Court, to be established
in the Indian Territory, is discussed
in the U. S. Senate, 58
U. S. Signal Station is established
in Fort Smith, 62
Upham, D. P., 57
Urquhart, E., 59
Van Brocklin, J., 42
Van Sickle, Charles, 41
Vandagriff, C. W., 41
Vann, Reuben, 42
Veterans, 41-3
Vinton, James (Nora B.), 38
Voelter, F., 54
Wade, John W., 43
Waerter, Charles, 42
Wagner, John W., 41
Walhan, David (Judge), 4
Walker, J. M., 42
Wallace, ---, Rev., 34
Wallace, John W., 42
Ward, —, Maj., 8
Ward, Zeb., 59
Wardell, Elias T., 42
Warner, S. Y., 35
Warren, Abel, 57
Warren, Henry, 43
Watie, Stand, Gen., 4, 19
Watts, —, 15
Watts, Charles J., 43
Watson, L. T. Dr., 11
Weaber, Jesse, 41
Wear, John, 15
Weaver, J. S , 41
Weaver, John F., 43
Webb, Perry, Dr., 35
Weese, Moses W., 42
Weldon, O. D., purchases the interest of
Cad Allard in the Elevator. 51
Westark Community College,
special events, 45
Whedon, Milo, 41
Wheeler, Benjamin, 43
Wheeler, J. F., 33
Wheeler, M. H., (Mrs.), 35
Wheeler, W. W., 41
Wheelers Independent, newspaper, 50
Whicker, —, Lt., 8
68
White. J. T.. 15
White. L. C.. 18
White. W. H.. 42
Whitson. Calvin. 43
Whittington. Bessie, 38
Wilcox, George, 41
Wilcox. William G.. 41
Wiley. William. 34
Wilkerson. A. J.. 42
Wilkerson. J. C., 58
William H. H. Clayton House. 47
William O. Darby Ranger Museum and
Library, 47
Williams. ---. Col.. 8, 24
Williams. B. J.. 42
Williams. Ebenezer. E., 41
Williams, George T., 36
Williams, James D.. 43
Williams, James T., 42
Williams, John. 58
Williams. Vircy, 45
Wills. B. L., 42
Wilson. ---, Rev.. 22
Wilson. C. L. (Mrs.). 38
Wilson, Sam, 43
Wilson. Steve (Arlene). 47
Wilson. William. Rev., 19
Wimberly. George W. (Alice), 50
Winchester. T. P.. 42, 55
Winfield. --- (DD), 54
Wisdom, D. M. Col.. 60
Wise. J. B. Rev., 36
Witcherville, AR.. 40
Wofford, J. G.. (Mable), 38
Wolf, H.. 57
Wolfe, F. H.. 18. 21, 24
Womens Christian Temperance Association
active in Fort Smith, 54
Wong-Ligda, Ed., 44
Wood, James E., 42
Woods, Nathan R., 42
Woodworth, ---. Maj., 8
Woosten, Ralph, 4
Workinger, William, 41
Wo/Id, newspaper, 59
Worrell, A. S. (DD), 35, 39 por, 40, 58
Wortz, Carl, 46
Wray, Thelma, 1
Wright, Elijah E., 43
Wright, J. C., 41
Young, Allen, 43
Young, John S., 42
Younger, Bessie, 38