The Van Buren press., 1876-07-11

soils. Gilbreaths, Merideths, Millions.
Huggins, McLaugpns' Lanes and Others
The Bourlands fobwing few years la
Ter, On Mulberryhe Beans, Quesenbu
rvs. Russells, Endersons, Maxeys.
Moores. Jesse Millr, Simpsons, Snod.
pr,ss Reeves. Mocs, Williams and 9th
crs.
On Frog BayoIthe Corders, Larri
mores. Smoots, Sets, McPhails, Prices,
Trammclls, Howal Bashams, Orricks,
Moneys, Bells, .phards, Johnsons,
Peters and others.
On Lees Cree the Moores, Peve-
houses, Harrells,f oWlls, Forresters,
Dodges, Blacks, S.ft}s. Payns, Smiths
Mobleys. swarenger hannons, Harts'
.sutherldhds, Bryantsy ssens, Ba' kers,
n,;xers and.otlers.
~AMong the earI Ot''.t-S.u
County may also ,e mentioned David
Thompson, John fennen, John Henry,
Edward Cunninghn, the Hindses, Pier-
ces, Whitfield Boul. and others
The settlers on 9 north side of the
river we're very liar in character to
those who had seted on the south eide,
being in fact, in soc instances the same
persons, and in Tiers, recruits from
Lovely County, W, had been compelled
to abandon that centy upon its cesslon
to the Cherokee 1,ians.
While the boundaes of the county were
undergoing rcpead changes from the
frequent formatio,ofnew counties out OF
its territory the SIT Of Justice was far
from being statioary After its tempo.
ry location. it walocated about the year
1923 near the preent residence OF Mrs.
John D. Arbuckl, but was afterwards
at Fort Smith, Mains Bottom NOW
Roseville) Crawfcd Old C. H., Whitson-
town on Big Mlberry, Crittendon on
Little Mulberry, ad finally at Van Buren,
where the Courts have been held since
1888
would here 'bserve that our people
from their first erly settlements south
of the river have been an orderly and
law abiding people. In early times q
few reckless and desperate adventurers
as in most new countries, have found
their way into OR infant settlement, but
if so they did not sojourn in the country
long. A Wholesome public sentimen
and an efficielt administration OF th'
criminal law, speedily relieved the coun
try from the plesence of such unwelcom'
visitors. Spapely scattered over q via
extent of country these early settler
could not enjoy all the advantages ant
conveniences Of an older and more dense
ly populated country, and yet they di'
not neglect schools nor the moral train
ing of the people. The Cumberlan'
Plesbytcrians, Methodists and Baptists
aRsf 's ZIG Fl the4 svs
into this country with he first settlers
and their labors bore abundant fruits
molding, elevating and giving tone to til
moral sentiments of our people. At th'
early day Buffalo, Deer, Bear. Turke
and Other game was abundant in Crav
ford County, and although our pioneer
were agriculturists and relied mainly G
the cultivation of the soil for livin;
yet for while they were to consider
BILE extent dependent on game for SUI
port Their tastes were simple and the
wants few. Mai Bradford of the Unite
States army who had in 1917 eslablishe
military post at Fort Smith. was SUI
piled by them plentifully with buffa
meat, and he in turn supplied the settle
with luxures to which they had Ion
been strangers, particularly the artic
of -four. and they for the first time If
years enjoyed the supreme felicity OF ca
ing biscuit shortened with bears oI
While the limited supply of corn laste
to use the expressive language OF Mf
John Billingsley, "they had pound cal
every day" The meaning Of which VI
that the corn was pounded and reduced
meal in a mortar, and baked into ve
palatable bread which was facetious
called "pound cake" This primti
style of mill for manufacturing meal W
very soon succeeded by the steel mill al
the horse mill. I would here obser
that while these early settlers were subjt
ed to some Of the hardships and incon'
nienccs of frontier life, they were also
empt from some of the burdens and We
ations which moro advanced stage
society has entailed upon their desce
dants. They were comparative strange
, to taxations for the support of govel
mcnt. A small tax Of one fourth or
half per cent for county purposes "
all they were called upon to pay, the OF
= er expenses of the Territorial Cover
! ment being paid by the United o.a5' y,
: What a contrast betty en that day ana "a
- wvii,nr I rr ~ ssfSdA eoun
in 1881 l found tho people prospero
contentcd and happy, and abundant
supplied with the nccessaries and ev
luxuries Of life.
The Courts were being regularly hel
and Justice administered fairly and il