The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1916-02-29
CONWAY AS IT WAS
IN THE EARLY DAYS
Continued from Page One.)

lie give promise of his later fame.
But with a ready wit, a rather facile
pen, love for books, especially for
Shakespeare, it is said, he formed
one OF the interesting characters of
the early days of Conway. In one of
his books "Emmet Bonlore,' written
years after he left Conway, he define
atcd several of the early characters
Of the town.
The Conway Log Cabin was found
ed in 1879 by A. F. Livingston and
has continued publication up to this
time. Its present owner, Frank Rob-
ms, has brought continued success
and popularity to the paper.
The first lawyer in the town of
Conway was Col G. W. Bruce, fol-
lowed three months later by P. H.
Prince. The earliest physicians were
Harrison, Calfee, Brown and A. C.
Hoss.
1t must not be forgotten that be-
fore even the county was formed, the
Methodist circuit rider and the Bap-
fist missionary traversed the wilds of
this region and carried the gospel
to the widely scattered people.
In 1871 the Methodists built the
first church in Conway, on land do
mated by Gus Tyler, on what is now
Front street, about four blocks north
of the business part of town. Later
Col. Robinson donated ground for a
new Methodist church and also for a
Baptist church, Catholic church, a
colored church, and the first public
school building He also gave eight
acres of ground upon which Central
Baptist College is located. By his
early settlement in the county, his
clear insight into the future of the
town, his public spirit and his great
iberality, Col. Robinson may we'll be
called the father of Conway. But
from the time of it's incorporation,
there were many good and noble souls
among its inhabitants.
There was not much amusement in
those days as people nowadays count
amusement-no picture shows, no au-
tomobiles, no clubs, though there was
a good literary society, to which both
men and women of culture, education
md refinement belonged, and there
were church suppers and strawberry
festivals and picnics and barbecues.
As far back as 1878 all the people
went to church, and at Sunday school,
which not only women and children
attended but almost every man IN
the town, when the roll was called
beautiful custom was for each per
son to arise and repeat a verse of
scripture.
In 1880 the population of the
town was 1925. From that time un
til 1890 the increase was small. Then
it's citizens awoke to the fact that
this would he fine educational CEN
ter, threw itself into the contest for
Hendrix College, Methodist church
school for young men, and by making
a guaranteed offer of $50 600 and
arge campus, carried off the prize,
much to the surprise of the rest of
the state.
1t was not long until the Baptists
aroused the enthusiasm of the citi-
zens, and as a result $35 900 and a
campus were given for the location
of Central Baptist College for women.
Several years later, by a gift OF
$65,000 and a campus of so acres,
Conway secured the State Normal.
Then followed the erection of a $780,
600 public school building. But not
alone in schools has it grown. Hand
some churches, beautiful homes, wat
erworks, light plant, a fine passen-
ger station, graded and paved streets,
many miles of concrete sidewalks.
three banks, cotton compress and
cottonseed oil mill. are some of the
things that Conway's public spirit
has made possible.
Now, with a population of 1000
strong, she is marching on with
steady tread, and on her banner, un-
furled to the breeze, is written,
Watch Conway Grow"