The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1902-04-26
Arkansas Federation OF Women's
Clubs, In Session at Fort Smith,
Choose Officers.

Choose Officers.
Friday was the the third and last day
Of the fifth annual session OF the Arkap-
sss Federation Of Women's Clubs at
Fort Smith. The principal business
was the election Of officers and directors
for the ensuing year, resulting as fol-
| lows
President, Mrs. William NJ. Neal Of
Helena re-elected) first vice president,
Mrs. Philip D. Scott of Van Barren;
second vice president, Mrs. j. W.
Crawford Of Pine Bluff recording sec
Rotary, Mrs. ). s. Semmes Of Osceola !;
corresponding secretary, Mrs. Il. Stone
OF Fort Smith treasurer, Mrs. W. h.
f. Cravens OF Fayetteville; auditor,
Mrs. j. W. Curry Of Charlottesville !;
directors, Mesdsmes Fred Hanger,
Helen NJ. Norton, J. N. Prewitt, W.
r. Wisdom.
Each club pledged IS to provide a
women's club room in the Arkansas
state building at the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition at st. Louis. A committee
was appointed TO superintend this work.
| Mrs. A. II Carter OF Fort Smith ex'
tended in happy address most cor
dial welcome to the Federation and its
friends to the city.
Mrs. P. d. Scott Of Van Buren,, who
was selected by the Federation to re-
spond to the welcome did so as follows,
which we copy from the Fort Smith
Times
Members Of the City Federation, and Citizens Of
Fort smith:
From the depths Of the heart the mouth Of
each member OF the Arkansas Federation OF
women's Gibbs spesketh through me 10 words
Of sincerest thanks for this gracious and cordial
welcome to your Border City.
For whole year We have looked forward to
this visit and have lived In anticipation OF the
many joys and pleasures In store for US, prepared
by our capable and enthusiastic sister club
women. They have planned by day and
dreamed by night for our comfort and enter
tsinment aud now open the gates Of their city
and the doors Of their homes and bid US take
possession o. both and enjoy ourselves 70 the
ulterm0s., which we will be delighted 10 do for
few days.
Fort Smith has always been renowned for Its
|
Albert Pike wrote OF the Zine Old Arkansas
Gentleman Close 10 the Choctaw Line" he only
selected one OF the many hne old gentlemen OF
Fort smith who made oil strangers welcome
and by taking them within their homes aud
giving them seat by their aresides made them
no longer strangers but loving and lifetime
friends
There are few II any OF these pioneers left to
extend welcoming hand 10 US today. bat their
descendants are here by the score with just the
same true Southern good cheer In their voices
aud warm grasps Of the hand that has been In.
stlcd into them for generations and which
makes each one OF us feel a. II we were espc.
cially welcome.
And added to these are many true noble men
and women from our neighboring states Of the
South Mississippi, Tennessee. Kentucky, Wiz.
ginia aud Others. and from many Of the North.
ern states also, who Ioin their voices In one
| every part Of Arkansas. which thrills our whole
| being with pleasure al the sound.
Fort Smith Is one Of the most noted historical
points 10 our state, and many distinguished aud
honored men In our nations history have been
identified with It, The military post at Fort
Smith was established In 1917 by Major william
Bradford aud named Fort Smith after Brigadier
General Thomas A. Smith Of the United States
army. Some OF the officers who afterwsrd com
mAndci the post were General Arbuckle Of the
Seventh Infantry, Lieutenant Cochran who Wal
killed at the battle OF Ressca do Ia Palma at The
beginning OF the Mexican war. Lleutenan
Richard Garnctt who was aiterward Q genera
In the Confederate army and was killed In vir
| ginia. Captain Edward johnson, who becam'
major general In the Confederate army and wa
killed at the battle Of the wilderness. Captaii
| s,urgis was IN command OF the post when !
was captured by the Arkansas troops April q
| 1891.
General Zachary Taylor our twelfth prcsi
dent commanded this military department un
N no was ordered 10 take charge Of the North
cru army then about " invade Mexico ia tn
war OF 1914 II has been said that our believes
president Of the Confederacy, Jefferson DAvi,
was one Of the young officers under Genera
| Taylor while he WAS stationed In Fort Smith
and . very romantic story Ia told Of hls cour
ship with General Taylors daughter, but I d
not v0uch for the CORRECTNESS OF twill simpl
tell II ~ II has been told 10 mo, Jefferson Davi
was then u young Lieutenant and fell In Low
with Gen, ruyors daughter, The general woul
not consent 10 their marriage, and Llcutenaf
Davis stole his lady love ont OF the window ,
her room, her home being situated whore III
convent now stands and ran or with her mn
married her, General Taylor never forgay
him until during the battle OF Duena Visit
while Jefferson Davis lay wounded on the ncl
General Taylor took him by the handand sal
To him that his daughter was better Judge I
men than he was, The success Of this battl
IN accredited TO the courage aud yalor Of lir,