The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1922-06-09
How Mountaineer Inspired
Faulkner's Fl m e d Tune,
"The Arkansaw Traveller"

Colonel sandy Faulkner the orlgl-
nal "Arkansaw Traveller" was born in
Georgetown, Scott county, KY, March
3 1903. He came to Arkansas in 1873
ami. settled in Chic0t county on the
Mississippi river as a cotton planter.
In 1889 Col. Faulkner with his father
the late Nicholas Faulkner a Eirginian
by birth. took up his residence in Lit
tie Rock where he died August 4. 1874.
at the age OF II years.
1t is well known throughout the
southwest that Colonel Faulkner was
the original personator OF the "Arkan-
sas Traveller" it was his pridetto be
known as such. The story, 1t is said,
was founded on little incident which
occurred in the campaign of lS4O,when
ne made the tour OF the state in COM
pany with Hon. A. II. SEWER Cover
nor, Fulton, Chester Ashley and Gov
ernor Yell. One day in the Boston
mountain the party approached
squatter for information of the route,
and Colonel SANDY" was made spokes
man for the company, and 1t was up
on his witty responses the tune and
story were founded. On the return TO
Little Rock grand banquet was Civ
en- in the famous bar ROOM" which
used to stand near the Anthony house,
and Colonel SANDY" was called upon
10 play the tune and tell the story. At
terward it grew in popularity. When
ne subsequently went to New orleans,
the fame OF the Arkansas Traveller"
had gone ahead Of him, and at ban
quet, amid blinking glasses and spark
ling toasts, he was handed violin BY
the then governor of Louisiana and
requested to favor them with the fa-
vorite Arkansas tune. AT the old st.
Charles hotel special room was de-
voted to his use, bearing in gilt letters
over the door:
"Arkansaw Traveller"
Traveler-Hallo, stranger.
Squatter-Hallo, yourself,
T.--Can l get to stay all night with
you?
S.--No sir you can't get to-
T.-Have you any spirits here?
Slots ovem Sal saw one last
night by that ar old holler gum, and
it nearly skeered her to death.
T.-You mistake my meaning. Have
you any liquor2
S.--Had some yesterday; but Ole
Bose he got in and Tapped all uf it
out'n the pot.
T.-You don't understand. l don't
mean pot liquor. I'm wet and cold and
want some whiskey. Have you got
any?
Sob yes; / drank the last this
morning.
Tim hungry; haven't had a thing
since morning; can't you give me
something to eat. ri
S.-Hain't burned thing In the
house. Not a mouthful Nv meat nor
dust of meal here. 1
T.-Well, can't. you give my horse
something.
Scot nothin' to feed him on.
T.-How far is 1t to the next house?
S.-Stranger, l don't know; I've new
er been thar. x
T.-well. do you know who lives
here?
ST. do.
T.-As am so bold, then, what
might your name be?
Sit might be Dick, and it might be
Tom; but it lacks right smart NV it.
T.ASir, will you tell me where this
road runs to?
SITS never been anywhar since
I've lived here; it's always thar when
get up in the mornin.
T.-Well, how far is it to where it
forks?
Silt don't fork at all, but it splits
up like the devil.
T.-As | am not likely to get to any
other house tonight can't you let me
sleep in yours and III tie my horse to
a tree and do without anything to eat
or drink?
S.-Aly house leaks. Thar's only one
dry spot in it, and me and Sal sleeps
on it, And that thar tree is the ole
woman's persimmon; you can't tie to
1t, cause she don't want EN- shuk off. I
She lows to make beer out'n 'um.
T.-Why don't you finish covering
your house and stop the leaks?
S.--lfs been raining all day.
T.-Well, why don't you do it in dry
weather?
SIT don't leak then.
T.-As there seems to be nothing /
alive about your place but children.
how do you do, anyhow?
S.-Purty well, l thank you; how do
you do yourself?
ST. mean what do you do for a .
living?
S.-Keep tavern and sell whiskey.
T.-Well, told you wanted some
whiskey.
'S.--Stranger, / bought a bari more'n
4 week ago. You see, me and Sal went
shares. After we got it here we only 4
mad bit between us, and Sal she l
didn't want to use hern fust nor me
mine. You see, had spiggin in one
end, and she in t'other So she takes
A drink out'n my end, and pays me the
Dit for IL; then I'd take un outn hern,
and give her the bit. Well, ives get
ling along fust rate till Dick. durn
skulkink skunk he burn a hole on the
bottom to suck at, and the next time
went buy drink thar wurnt none
thar.
Tim sorry your whiskey's all
gone, but my friend, why don't you
play the balance of that tune?
SITS got no balance to 1t.
Tt mean why you don't play the
whole of it.
s.-strahger can you play the fld-
lul?
T.--Yes, a little. sometimes.