The log cabin Democrat., 1915-11-18
1902 CONVENTION
 HELD AT CONWAY OVER 700 ENTERTAINED
AFTER 13 YEARS BAPTISTS WILL SEE MANY CHANGES IN CON-
 MENTION CITY.

Among the 800 or more Baptists who will attend the annual Arkansas State Baptist Convention, which meets here Thursday, there will doubtless be several who will be pay ing their first visit to Conway since the same body was assembled here r. years ago, November II, 1902. These delegates will doubtless see many changes and improvements, which though they do not appear remarka ble to the citizens who have resided l here during those years, will be al most astonishing to the visitors who 1 have not see Conway in this cmpara- lively short term of years.
 The Baptist convention met in the "old" Baptist church on Caldwell and Faulkner streets, now the Pres byterian house of worship, which had just been remodeled and enlarged for the occasion and was then the pride of the congregation. But in only two or three years the need of larger quarters began to be felt and in 1909, under the pastorate of Dr. John Jeter Hurt, the cornerstone of the magnificent edifce which will house the convention of 1915 was laid, and the first services in it were held in December, 1910.
 In 1902 the Methodist congregation were also proud of $1O,0OO church building, then completed only four years. 1t is a remarkable evidence of the religious growth of Conway that this church building has been out grown, and a splendid and commod- ious new $60,0Oo structure, in which the first services were held only last Sunday, has been required to meet the needs of the congregation here.
 While the progress and growth of other denominations has not been. so rapid, yet several of them have com fortable and we'll furnished homes.
 Along with the religious progress, equally great strides have been taken by Conway in educational matters. They may be briefly summarized as
 
 follows:
 The Arkansas State Normal School I-Iocated at Conway in consideration of natural advantages and bonus o1 S6O, ,OOO;- now attended by more than 800 students each year and rapidly growing.
 Central College-Enrollment treb- led, faculty greatly enlarged and strengthened, building enlarged to ac- commodate 50 additional boarders and entire interior provided with most modern equipment.
 Hendrix College-Debts paid anc an endowment of over S3OO,O0O pro vided; faculty larger and stronger student body more than doubled modern equipment installed; S2O,0Ol presidents home erected on campus.
 Public Schools-Frame structure supplanted by S75,000 modern build ing and plant; enrolment increased from about 400 to over 1000; teach ing force enlarged accordingly.
 Among the civic improvements tn' following may be noted:
 Complete waterworks system, oper ated by electric power, giving watel and fire protection to nearly Z,oo' acres of buildings and homes, owned by the city.
 Sewer system, covering practlcall. same area as water system, installe' at a cost of about S60, 900.
 From a mile or two of scattere' Tagging stone walks in 1902, fully 8 miles of concrete sidewalks have beel built
 Five miles of concrete street pay ing, the largest amount possessed O any other city of the same or doubl' the population of Conway
 Municipal electric lighting an' mower system. worth S5O,000, out O debt and furnishing the best systen of street lighting in the state.
 Splendid and rapidly growing tele phone system.
 New and convenient railroad sta tion and grounds.
 The progress made m conway oui ing the 13 years along other lines i' too varied and extensive to be enum erated here, but will be apparent t' all who have not visited the city with in that time.
 The convention of 1902 in Conway marked the beginning of new era for the Baptists of Arkansas. It was the most largely attended and the most successful ever held up to that time. According to the files of the Log Cabin Democrat, more than FOG delegates and visitors were entertain ed, and at that time Conway's popu- lation was not more than half what it is today. The Log Cabin Democrat of November 20, 1902, says: "The wis itors were loud in their praise of the