The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1908-09-03
SOME OLD CONWAY PAPERS
Early Examples of Journalism at
This Place.

Old Copies of Arkansaw Traveller Pinnacle
Ledger and Log Cabin in Collec-
tion of M. E. Mitchell.
Highly priced in a collection Of
keep-sakes belonging to NJ. E.
Mitchell are some copies of early
Conway newspapers, which he
showed US a day or two ago. In
the collection are two copies OF the
once-famous Arkansaw Traveller,
published by H. c. Warner & Co..
the Co" being composed of
Opie Read, the we'll known novel
ist, whose first experience in
writing for the public was in this
town. Another paper is the Pin
nacle Ledger, mention OF which
will remind many of our older cit
liens, that Pinnacle Springs, now
absolutely deserted, was at one
time a hourishing resort, with a
big hotel, several stores and saloons
as we'll as newspaper.
A copy of the Log Cabin of Feb
ruary IA, 1884, is also in the col
lection, and, as the early files of
this paper have long since been
destroyed by fire, Mr.. Mitchell
made us present of this copy.
The Log Cabin was then in its
fifth year and was edited by its
founder, A. F. Livingston. 1t was
a diminutive affair of four pages
about 9 by II inches il size. The
paper contains an account of
fire which destroyed the stores of
Walker & Fowler, Looper & Chlsm
and M. McNeal. From its direc-
tory we learn that M. R. Sewer
was postmaster, H. G. Chase may
or and J. T. Witt marshal of the
town. E. M. Merriman was coun-
ty Judge, J. V. Mitchell clerk, A.
J. Witt sheriff, G. T. Clifton treas
urer, J. V. Price assessor, A. J.
Phillips coroner and J. w. Thomp-
son surveyor. The only churches
named in the directory are the
Methodist, of which Rev. J. F.
Hall was pastor, and the Catholic,
of which Rev. Charles Steurer
was the priest. A local mentions
that the Catholic church was near
ing completion.
Another interesting paper is the
Arkansas Traveller of Nov. S,I877.
The motto of the paper was when
You Have to Walk Start Out in
Time" 1t has very prosperous
appearance and apparently supplied
the local newspaper field of Nor
rilton, Atkins and Russellville, in
addition to Conway. Among the
local advertisements and profes-
sional cards are those of Duncan
& Wright, G. w. Bruce, Louis G..
Lincoln, Caldwell & Livingston
and P. H. Prince. attorneys; Con-
way Hotel, w. A. Clifton, propri-
etor; J. R. Janney, jeweler; f. M.
Merriman, Touring mill and cotton
gin; +. c. Dunlap, Billiard Sa-
loom" Max Frauenthal, Van Ron
kel's and J. E. Martin & Co., gen
eral merchants; 7. J. Hilliard, fur
niture and coffins. Among the
locals are the following
The license of both saloons eX-
pired the 9th and 9TH inst, one
has renewed, the other has not. "
Max Frauenthal has sold 4o,-
900 pounds of meat in the last six
months. -
Our efficient marshal Witt is
making arrests almost every day.
Our city treasurer pockets must
be filled with the golden shekels. "
The other issue of the Traveller
er is dated Dec. 3, 1873, and con-
tains the returns of the election
Just held in the county. The fight
between the Democrats and Re-
publicans seems to have been a
hard one, but the Democrats were
successful. There were 1856
votes cast in the county.
Mr.. Mitchell's copy of the Pin
nacle Ledger is dated Dec. 20,
1881, and is the eighth issue of
the paper. 1t was published by
Martin & Jameson, Volney Jane
son being the editor. The paper
was then being printed at Con
way, but announced that the next
issue would be printed at Pima
Gle Springs.
Each of the papers mentioned
contained accounts of several fights
here showing that in this respect
that Conway was more lively some
thirty years ago than today.