, 1872-10-25
ARKANSAS,
Its History Under the Union---
Debate Over It's Ad-
nission.-
Explorations, Politics, and Crime---
Roster Of Events in the
Bear State.
It's Social Civilization and Ad-
vance---Pub1ic Biog-
raphy.

IApuy.
From Our 01un Correspondert
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 1872.
In my -hrst letter. upon the history Of ths
state OF Arkansas, showed that, while no bool
had been publHhe d upon the State and its ca
reer, it bad still romantic early history.
RESUME.
Desoto was baff1ed within it's borders. and
after residence Of above two years there, died
near the mouth Of the Arkansas. Moscoso. his
successor, wandered anew through Arkansas, and
from its margin launched the fleet to descend the
river to the Sea- After 8 hundred and thirty
years, Marquette repeated DeSoto's visit to the
State; and, still eight years LATER La Sale land
ed upon it's soil. Six years after La Sale, q few
Frenchmen, preferring savage life and Indian
women to society, settled hear the old Post Of
Arkansas, and left permanent posterity Of
half-breeds behind them. About 1870, French
Tort was built here, and removed subsequently
higher up the river. The Arkansas settlement
was acquired by John Law, the Scotch financier.
about IT'S, and he proceeded to people his grant
with Germans from Provence, and Parieia1ls.
male and female, from the houses of correction.
Somewhat earlier, Bernard de Ia Harpe estab-
Ashed post in Southwestern Arkansas. border-
ing on the Red River. The State fell into the
hands OF the Spanish in 1863, and in 1903 was
sold to the United States, with Louisiana. Lieu
tenant Montgomery Pike soon despatched boat
party down the Arkansas from the subsequent
Indian Territory, and they passed safely throueh
the whole breadth of the State.
Arkansas was delivered to the Union as 8 part
OF Loulslana; and, while the population of the
whole province was about 4o,500, the portion
comprised in the future State Of Arkansas did
not contain 500 Christian souls.
FIRST AMERICAN EVENTS.
Very soon, the territory comprising the pres-
ent States Of Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa yas
made the District OF Louisiana, and annexed to
Indiana Territory, under Governor Harrison.
In 1865, this Territory was made separate Ter
1ltory of the second class, without legislative
rights, but directed by the Governor and Judges,
General Wilkinson, OF Maryland, Commafder-
In-Chlef Of the regular army, WAS the Governor,
4 system Of roads, leading to the Mississippi;
from the Potomac and from Georgia, was now
provided for by Congress. In the same year,
Aaron Burr descended the Mississippi in an
of6cer's barge, passing Arkansas, and, in 1908,
be bought an interest in claim within the
limits Of the present State for 940,000.-tha
Baron de Bastrop's Spanish grant, On the Upper
Washlta. Burr intended, it Tas thought to usa
this possession to acquire residence, and rs
base OF operations for conquest or revolution.
Burr attempted also to sednce the commander Of
the new military post Of Chickasaw Bluffs {Iem-
Phis), the key to Arkansas, where Andrew Jack
son had large tract Of land.
In 18l2, when Louisiana had been admitted a.
State, Arkansas IVES made part Of Missouri
Territory.
THE FIRST NlsUGRAIIoN.
In 1910, the Arkansas settlements Of Louiei-
ana Territory numbered 874 settlers, inclusive OF
LOT slaves. The Hopefe1d and St. Francis set
Elements, west Of the subsequent City OF Mem
phis, numbered 1873, inclusive OF % slaves.
By 1876, fair share of immigration had been
directed up the Arkansas and Washita Rivers.
end, the resort of visitors already to the Hot
Springs led current publication to remark:
% It the farmers who have settled on the Usage
lands must be remoyedby Government, wretched
indeed must be the fate OF the numerous inYa-
lids who repair there"
ADMITTED As 4 TERRITORY
The bill to organize the Territory OF Arkansas
led to determined effort on the part Of James
Iallmadge, Jr., and John ". Taylor,-both OF
New York,-to eaye freedom west OF the Missis-
sippi. A. clause was at one time adopted, giving
freedom to slave children there at the age OF Is.
Next day, this WAS struck out, when Taylor at
once introduced proViso that the line Of 80 de-
srees 80 ninutes.the Northern boundary of
Arkansas should be the perpetual boundary OF !
slavery northward. In this debate, one Colston, !
# Berkeley County, Va.,-the county, Of John |
Browns conquest, forty years afterwards, who |
had been Sheriff, used the phrase on Liver |
more, OF New Hampshire, that he ttdeserved |
hanging, like Arbuthnot and Arnbrister." Tali-
nadge made speech on this bill, which, in tile |
light OF events, was prophecy Arkansas Ter
7tory, nevertheless, was organized without de-
~. Nearly at the same time, the Cherokee In
fa7,uT ryfrr r,ofr s. IL. |
II the present State of Arkansas.
Thus Arkansas took outline as domain not
occurred from slavery, and temporarily the realm
# eavages.
F11ST's RESIDENCE IN ARKANSAS.
Timothy Flint, in 1918, was for some time
eeident at Arkansas Post: He says:
was at Arkansas at the setting up OF the
'erritoria1 Government, and it exhibited
Gene sufficiently painful and disgusting" The
Blue Laws, and "then followed the usual voca-
ion OF gambling, weekday and Sunday" East
m politicians sent their superfuous and errant
elatiyes to Arkansas to hold Office. The peo-
lie we're more rough and untamed than those Of
tissouri, but were perhaps too we'll abused.
he ague Tas eo common that nobody was jus
flied in complaining of having it. Preaching
t the Post took place at the Court House, and,
ae fssy cams es n tRa1 Badresses 5eped ae
rent from worship directly to dancing. A bill
,Id-room WAS within hearing, and people
ropped in between games, listened to Flint
reaching for few minutes, and then returned
, their fuvolity.
Mr. Flints wife was oyertaken with child
lrth as he went up the river,
nd was delivered Of her baby ashero. |
10 gives this idea Of the populace at the time
arthest up the Arkansas, on Sig Bull River (near
1e Indian Territory, was d French mission
ext below, descending the Arkansas, was the | I
tulberry settlement; forty miles above Arkan-
as Post, Was the BardstoTn settlement and
ome cultivated cotton-ields; on the table,
md between the Red and Arkansas Rivers, was
ae settlement Of Mount Prairie the Arkansas I
ost itself Tas On low blun, ten feet above
upon stone1ese, 1eve1 soil, COW ]
red with short oaks and persimmon trees. with !
10 Court House 800 yards from the river, q
Tanp near by in the rear, and q prairie to the {
eat ct the town; fifteen miles below the Post ]
ere some huta and clearings at occasional in {
ervals, which continued to the rivers mouth
n the Aiesissippi, below the Arkansas, was I
7ttlement called Chico; and there Was q set I
ement on the White River, and one on the St. {
rancis. Mr. Flint computes the whole popula- +
~ $1,-~ H.. ~ =