Des Arc citizen., 1859-07-20
For the Des Arc Citizen reyv
 EARLY HISTORY OF DIES ARC. &c.

MR. EorroR: The writer of this sketch proposes to give your readers a few facts relative to the early history oI DEs ARc. Who was it's foundera And who give il, its appropriate namel What does i, take to constitute person the founder Of ci,yl Romulus was the founder of Rome, and William Penn. was the founder of the s'Quaker city, and il the name of the founder of Des Arc, is to occupy asprominen, place on the pages of history, as that of the founders of Rome and Philadelphia, then it isvery important sha, the question of foundership. be settled at once.
 But, to facts--during the fall of the year. A. D. 1915. the writer formed a partnership with the late James Erwin for the purpose of establishing trading post, on the lower par. of what was then called McNuliy's BluH." We com. menced besinessina log cabin brough, our Dry Goods from Little Rock. Our first cargo of Groceries was landed in a green brier thickel," in the bottom ad. jacenl to the Bluff.
 In our cabin, we carried on very CT tsasirs business; viz: our business em. bracsd all the distinctive features os an infant city. First. our cabin was the Ware House, in which we stored the cot ton crop of that year--which amounted lc the round sum of eight bales. Our cabin was the "Ci,y Hail," where our guests were regaled on venison and Bear meat. We also kept the "Ci.y Exchange in which the natives met frequently to ex- change " Bar taies" with each other, and Bear skins for powder. lead Sc. Again 10 the honor of our cabin, be 1t said tha, IL never stuck at it's masthead the words :" Grocery" or "Cotfee House. and then under these legitimate signs. followed the business of Drunkard -mak- ing; but our motto was !. Touch not, taste not, handle not" And last, bu, nos least ; our cabin, on the Sabbath day. assumed the quiet of the city church. opened it's doors to all who wished to preach, or hear the gospel.
 How did the name Des Arc originate ? The writer is, perhaps, the only man liv- ing that can tell. Alter George c. Wat kins, Esq, bought tue upper part of the Bluff, and Seroggs & Erwin. the lower part; and i. began to be cviden, tha. a town would spring up. ii became necessary 10 give 1t suitable name. Some wished il called "Ranklepilis," after the first set- Her. others wishedit called HratkgsriIls., pr "Seroggsrills," &c.; but. about this Iime the writer received letter from Carr. Lorr. of Jackson port. on business, back ad thus: "DExARK BLuFr, ARK."- This circumstance suggested and fixed he present name. After this all our goods were shipped to !" DEs ARc BLurr.~ P
 After the name was settled sometime, asked Carr. Lorr, what suggested the lame "DrzARK" 10 hims He replied hat he had sent the aforesaid letter, by . stranger down the river. and told him hat our cabin was on the first Bluff, be- ow the mouth of the creek called < Bayou Des Arc" and to assist his memory, he wrote " Dezark Blaff," on the back of the etter. The Captain was, doubtless, not lware that his word Dezark" was a of two French words. applied Q the creek, in order 10 describe its bow 'haped course. from its head to its mouth. So much for he name.
 Bat must close this imperfect sketch. The firm of ScRoees & ERWIN, done business on DEs ARC BLurr," about NO years, built good log store hoase. cotton gin and press, &e. ]
  nd thus brought the place into notice.
 Oa account of bad health the writer sold lis interest in the lower Blatf, to his friend md partner JAMrs ERWIN. for five hun- lred dollars, and moved 10 Missouri.
 Sometime after this. George c. Wat tins. had the present town surveyed. and he streets cleared. Since lha. time, I earn from my friends and the " DEs ARC ,rrlxss," shas 1t has made rapid progress n the right direction.
 Now. Ma. EpsroR, hope this imper- scs outline, of the early history of yoar oarishing town. will not hs unin,eresting !, your numerous readers. 1 am per tcsIy willing that they shall decide the ues,ion. who Is entitled to the honor of aaading ng--wha,. if 1t Is not now, soon will e--DEs ARc CIrr.
 W. L. SCR0GGS. Dade Co, Mo. June l6. 1859.