The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1915-12-09

but at the risk of crowding out other
matter, it is republished in full be-
low:
CONWAY AND THE METHODIST
CHURCH.
Twenty-siX years ago Conway was
an ordinary county seat with 1,300
people. It's possibilities for anything
but fair commercial center were un-
suspected. Indeed, not many years
before saloons held sway and many
evil influences prevailed. But there
were many noble spirits in the strag-
Cling village. Rev. f. A. Tabor, a
young lawyer who had recently en-
tered the conference, had been sta
toned there. Optimistic, magnetic,
idealistic, he introduced new ele
ment into the community life, secured
the overthrow of the saloons, and the
establishment of a local Y. M. c. A.,
which became a center of moral in
f1uence. He discovered in Capt. W..
w. Martin the elements of real great
ness and aroused to a realization OF
the value of money invested in intel
lectual and spiritual things. Other
choice spirits were discovered and
prepared for team work. When, in
1889, the three conferences of Arkan-
SITS Methodsm authorized the trustees
of Hendrix College 10 consider the
question of relocating the college, then
at Altus, different towns began to be-
stir themselves and make ready to Sc
cure the prize. Few persons dreamed
that Conway, the village of "The Ar
kansas Traveller with small, un-
slightly school building and an insig-
nificant church, would win. But Ia
Dor, with the genius of Napoleon,
saw the opportunity and organized
for the victory. Centrality and prox-
unity to the capital and metropolis
were immense strategic advantages,
but lack of past achievement and ap-
parent Indifference to civic improve
ments were hapdicaps. Captai Mar
tin offered 1000, and D. 0. Hartor,
|J. C. Gist and J. E. Martin subscrib-
ed $4,000 each. With such leadership
enthusiasm was aroused to a high
pitch, and $4,000 in guaranteed sub
scriptions and a campus were tender
ed the trustees. In a contest that ex-
cited the whole state, Conway bore
away the prize. Immediately there
were dire predictions of failure, but
pluck and faith and cooperation ov-
ercame all difficulties and the college
was established on its present beautl-
full site. The dormitories and Tabor
Hall were first erected and the latter
fused for recitations, while the nam
building was rising under the super
vision of George w. Donaghey, who
built so we'll that it made him one OF
the south's greatest contractors and
later governor of our state. Soon the
Baptists realized the strategic loca-
ton of Conway and the spirit of It's
citizens, and in consideration OF bo-
nus of $4,000 and campus located
their Central College for women IN
the south end of the town. Years
later. when Conway's fame as an ed
ucational center had spread ABROAD,
the state established it's great Normal
School for teachers in the southwest
ern suburbs, Conway donating So3,-
600 for building and improvements
and an S0-acre campus. Meanwhile
interest in the public school waXed
strong, buildings were enlarged,
new site was secured and a better
building erected, and more recently
the present splendid modern hign
school was erected and equipped and
then enlarged at total cost of some
$4,000. Hendrix College struggled
for wears, but finally, under the pres
idencv of DR.. Stonewall Anderson and
the leadership of DR.. James Thomas,
backed by Captain Martin and KIN