[FAYETTEVILLE,
ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN
January 6, 1860
– March 15, 1861
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 1, masthead
Terms of
Publication.
The "Arkansian"
is Published Every
Friday Morning
At Two Dollars a
Year, Payable in Advance;
or
Three Dollars at
the expiration of the Year.
Job Work,
(Every Facility
Being Most Excellent,)
Executed well and
at very reasonable Prices;
Invariably paid
for when delivered.
J. R. Pettigrew
& E. C. Boudinot:
[The
Constitutional Rights of the South.]
Editors and
Proprietors.
Vol. 1, No. 45
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 1, c. 1
Carrier's Address
to the Patrons of
the
"Arkansian."
Eighteen hundred and fifty-nine
Was very remarkable—very—
For most exorbitant prices of swine,
And the rumpus at Harper's Ferry;
For a Summer intolerably hot
To him wanting a shelter
o'erhead,
To fat men and women whose lot
Was to sleep close together in bed;
For a long and merciless drouth
That made the waters go dry.—
Made farmers low down in the mouth,
And corn correspondingly high;
Above these all,--
O, hear ye all—
Hear, O, England,--hear O, France!—
Hear, each nation
In creation,--
Naked,--half-clad—wearing pants—
Hear it—know it—
O, winds, blow it
That the act far in advance
Of the present time or Age, is—
Two bold Arkansas sages,
Philanthropic in their feelings,
Just and liberal in their dealings,
Modest both in dress and features,
Dearly loving those sweet creatures
That make Fayetteville a glory,
Started—now to end the story—
The Arkansian—this newspaper—
A bright torch mid gloomy vapor.
-------
Let me see,
In this fast city—
Place where men
Are wise and witty,
And the ladies
Awful pretty,
What past things
Should swell my ditty:--
-------
Two new churches large and high
Near the square have been erected,
And two citizens thereby
Are by knowing ones suspected,
To have snapped old Satan's fetter—
Changed from doing bad to better,--
They are,--no no, it would shame them
Here to print them,--can you name them?
-------
Last autumn we had a grand Fair
Where every fine gelding, and mare,
Mule, donkey, hog, heifer, and cow,
Fine wagon, fine axe-helve, and plow,
Fine paintings, fine linseys and wide,
And thousands of fine things beside,
Were shown, three days, on the ground
Prepared by the liberal bounty
Of the generous citizens found
In the limits of Washington county;
Each owner was sure of a prize
And the gaze of envious eyes:
And some got red rags
And were glad,
Some got blue ones,
Some got mad,--
Some got drunk
On strychnine whiskey
Grew morose,
Or capered frisky.
Ran their horses,
Broke all rules,
"Ripped and hollered"
Just like fools.
-------
A very eloquent relater
Should describe the great Theatre
That arose with stately form
And took Fayetteville by storm;
Proudly did old Huntley walk,
And funnily Mulholland talk,--
Sweetly did Frank Pierson do
And Miss Boulden drest in blue;
And we shouted every one
Like furious Frank and fiery Hun
At the discordant, ugly, Dunn
Singing his "Whole hog or none."
_______
And then came Hindman full of wrath
Fighting all hands that crossed his path
(A path so crooked that his fate
Must be to cross it who walks straight;)
Onward he went in furious drive
To where the exulting "Thirty-five"
Had whisky,--fat beeves, several head,
Roasted and savory, ready spread:--
Much they enjoyed the doings great,
Much Hindman spoke, and much they ate;
Yet notwithstanding the great speech,
The whiskey drank, and the roast bee eaten
The Clerkship was beyond their reach—
Their candidate was badly beaten!
-------
Long enough has been my song—
Perhaps 'twere better shorter;--
Sir, you do exceeding wrong
To withhold my quarter.
Jim
F. Smith,
Carrier.
Fayetteville, Arks.;
}
New Year's Day, 1860.
}
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 1,
c. 5
Southern Factories.—In an article on this subject the New Orleans Picayune
shows that the Southern States have accomplished far more than they have
received credit for in the way of manufacturing their own cotton and woolen
goods, while a steady progress is making in this direction.
It says:
In South Carolina, as far back as 1850, there were eighteen cotton
factories, which were worked with credit.
In Georgia thirty-five cotton factories then were in full operation, with
a capital of $1,736,156, producing 7,269,291 yards of sheeting and 4,198,351
pounds of yarn. Three woolen
factories were also in full tide of successful experiment, manufacturing 340,560
yards of cloth.
In Alabama were found thirteen cotton factories, with a capital of
$581,900, and three woolen factories, which returned handsome annual profits.
In Louisiana a beginning had been made, two cotton factories having
commenced operations.
Kentucky and Tennessee had embarked more largely in this species of
industry, the former contained eight cotton and twenty-seven woolen factories,
the latter thirty-three cotton and four woolen factories.
These facts, true in 1850, did not present the condition of Southern
manufacturing companies in 1859. We
have made progress in this department of industry really creditable, and the
influence of the success of such undertaking upon public sentiment will
undoubtedly render our home wants a noticeable point of the next census.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 1,
c. 5
A little plant is found upon the prairies of Texas, called the
"compass flower," which under all circumstances of climate, changes of
weather, rain, frost or sunshine, invariably turns its leaves and flowers
towards the North, thus affording an unerring guide to the traveler, who,
unaided by the needle, seeks to explore those vast plains alone.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 2, c. 1
For President:
Jacob Thompson,
of Mississippi.
Subject to the decision of the National Democratic
Convention to be held in Charleston, S. C. in June next.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 2, c. 1
The Cherokee Neutral Land
The last Fort Scott Democrat, which honors us but seldom with a call, has
again made its appearance on our table; and our attention is called to a nice
little article on the Cherokee Neutral Land.
That paper encourages the intruders on that tract to remain, and by the
tenor of its views invites others to intrude.
The dishonesty of its course towards all parties, the intruders, Indians,
and the Government, entitles the Editor of the Fort Scott Democrat, and his
counsellors to the execration of all honest men.
He is encouraging men to violate the laws and treaties of the United
States, induces them to expend their labor, and waste their means in settling on
a tract of land that does not belong to them, or to the Government; and whom the
Government will surely, as it is bound to do, remove, to the loss of their
improvements and time. On the other
hand, he invites the aggression upon this tract, because it belongs to the Indians,
trusting that when it becomes settled they will be forced to sell; and towards
the Government their course is equally dishonest, mendacious and sordid; not
satisfied with the bounty of a pre-emption right on the New York lands, and with
the favors of the Government towards them, already derived, this clique of land
speculators of which the Fort Scott Democrat is the organ, expect to force the
Government to open another field for their speculations.
At this very time while the Fort Scott Editor is encouraging the
intruders to believe that they will be protected in their lawlessness, orders
are posted through this tract requiring these very intruders to leave at the
peril of military coercion.
As to the influential democratic members of Congress who will force the
Government to buy this land, the editor builds too high expectations. These democratic members are known to be "land
speculators" also, and their influence will become very much weakened,
when their patriotic designs are understood, in full as they are now in part.
There is a democratic Secretary of the Interior, also a
"democratic" Commissioner of Indian affairs who have special charge of
these subjects, and whose high and honorable position, and reputation are such
guarantees against this scheme of spoliation.
There are also democratic members of the Indian Committees who will have
a special eye to the contemplated squatter philanthropy; and these
"democratic" gentlemen are as good and influential democrats as the
free soil, quasi-"democratic" members referred to by the Editor of the
Fort Scott paper.
The assurance of the editor, of the protection that Arkansas will receive
from the "Third Party" of Southern Kansas, is as ridiculous as
gratuitous. The law loving
character of Southern Kansas, can well be imagined, when we read in one number
of their own paper, of two lawless acts unequaled by any that ever occurred in
Arkansas. The editor informs us
through his columns, that a mob of armed men, lawlessly seized and carried off
the poll books at one of the precincts in Southern Kansas; and that on another
occasion a mob rescued a prisoner from the United States Marshal.
These are the institutions, which he proposes to extend to our
border; and that is the composition of the "Third Party,"
which is to rule the destinies of Southern Kansas.
This condition of society may be, and no doubt, since he seems so well
pleased with it, is good enough for the Editor of the Fort Scott Democrat,
but we do not covet such neighbors. If
negro stealing has stopped in Kansas, it must be because there is no more of
that kind of property to prey upon; that land stealing is not yet extinct in
that region, we may conclude from the lustful itching of the editor to get a
hold on the Cherokee Neutral Land.
We have one suggestion to make in behalf of the intruders on the Cherokee
Neutral tract; it is this: as the
Fort Scott Editor regards the intrusion such a safe transaction, so profitable
and advantageous to the settler, and as he is so much interested in its
settlement, it would be very proper. honest and candid, for him to settle on
that land, and expend his capital and labor in the investment, and not hold
aloof, while he pushes others to the risk.
We have thus shown the real motives of those who are most clamorous for
the Government to buy this land; the lever on the side of the Indians is of a
like avaricious and speculative character; strenuous efforts have been made for
the last ten years, by the spendthrift chief of the Cherokees to dispose of this
land; his gluttonous drains on the treasury, his extravagantly liberal wages to
murderers, and his own miserable and dishonest pretensions for loans has emptied
the National Treasury and had forced him to invent some speedy [tear] method of
"making a rise;" [most of rest of paragraph torn off] assassination of the best man of the Nation, for acquiescing
in a forced sale of land, and who smacked their lips as the bloody spectacle of
old men shot upon the high way and of husbands and fathers dragged from the side
of their wives, and inhumanly butchered upon their own hearthstones, now,
recommend, and exert all their influence to accomplish the very policy which
they once denounced as traitorous and unpatriotic. Now, invite, with unflushing effrontery, and daring
impudence that very visitation, which was so unmeritably and unjustly awarded
those who braved the hypocritical and bloody Chief by opposing his schemes of
spoliation and self-aggrandizement. John
Ross, the selfish and avaricious Chief of the Cherokee Nation, has become more
notorious than ever by the exposure of his dastardly schemes we have made; the
Louisville Journal, and the Memphis papers with other influential and leading
journals of the United States, have been attracted by our exposition of the
designs, and character of the wicked ruler who presides over the Cherokee
Nation, and their comments and animadversions, without the pretense, even of a
vindication by the villain Chief, will have their effect.
The Government of the United States will perceive not only this base
subterfuge of the Fort Scott Democrat, but will be able to penetrate the
sordid designs of John Ross and his faction.
The Gov. will see, that this miserable Chief, impoverished by expenditure
and exhorbitant living, ruined by lavish and prodigal wages, paid a set of
cut-throats and assassins, has at last come to the dangerous necessity of
proposing and supporting the very measure he has ever before been so active in
opposing.
The Neutral Land will not be sold, because the mass of the Cherokees are
unwilling to part with it, and because, the very delegates appointed to
negotiate a sale, will fear the popular indignation, too much to press a sale.
Wm. P. Ross, we understand, will not go as one of the delegation; we are
glad of this, for we have always regarded this individual as unworthy of his
family, and worthy of a better association; but we hope, and confidently
expect that Mr. John Ross, who has, for his own mercenary advantage, set this
ball in motion, will not at this dark hour, shirk the responsibility of his act,
but boldly take the lead and dare the vengeance of his people; for Wm. P. Ross
there is an excuse; for John Ross there is none; he, at least is bound to
lead this dangerous experiment.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 2,
c. 3-4
Bentonville, Ark.
}
Dec. 27, 1859.
}
My Young Friends.—I received a letter from Bentonville informing me
that Zeke and Dinny were cussing me and Uncle Bolan and Tommy, and
said we got them into scrapes and then deserted them when we had no further use
for them. So I concluded to come
down here once more.
I went to the stable and consulted Skewbal.
I asked him what he thought of taking a cold ride for the sake of Zeke
and Dinny; his long ears fell like two collard leaves.
I saw that was no go. Won't
you for our old friends Hugh and Creg, Woolstock and Duke,
who used to keep you in a nice stable and let you lick salt out of one of Dinny's
kettles; and this time they will give you some corn and fodder.
I know you got very gaunt during the last trip, but think of your
importance in Bentonville. Skewbal still flopped his ears and answered neigh.
I then told him that his particular and congenial friends Big Alek
and Tallowfat were in trouble and he must help them out; at this, he sort
o' tucked up his ears and looked interested, but when I named the Osage
Miller and reminded him of the shorts and bran at the mill,
his ears stood straight up. I then
piled it upon him, and said: you
know Skewbal, you and he are from the same stock on your father's side, although
there is a smart difference in the size of your ears; for the sake of your
common ancestor go to his help. He
then snorted and nodded his head up and down.
After breakfast my distinguished companion and myself left Steep
Hollow.—When I arrived here, I found our friends in a peck of trouble about
the infernal "One of the 35." You
know I claimed the authorship and thought the matter settled.—Now, I tell you
confidentially, and you are to let no one know it but the readers of the
Arkansian. We had all adjourned
over to the Osage Mill; there was Doctor Smooth, Osage Miller, Philosopher
Ben, Hugh, Dinny, Zeke, Big Aleck and Tallowfat.
Tommy furnished me with the first copy.
I gave it to Tallowfat to put it into his handwriting; and he was
to claim the authorship. We had a hearty laugh over the idea of Tallowfat
becoming an author, but the good soul did not now the difference between a good
composition and a bad one, and never dreamed that his neighbors who had seen
hundreds of his letters, would detect the cheat. Poor fellow, after six hours of hard writing he finished his
job, but it was so badly spelled, it had to be written over again; then the Osage
Miller dotted the i's, Philosopher Ben crossed the t's,
and I scratched out the extra letters.
The next thing that called our attention was the responsibility
part. I tried to get Doctor
Smooth as he was the decentest man in the crowd, to assume it, but he
refused, because it would implicate him as a democrat.
Then as the Osage Miller had said so much about it and was so active
in getting the letter out, I thought he ought to father it, but he refused, with
a long rigmarole about the fights he liked to had in Utah.
He said he resigned from the army to avoid difficulties in Utah,
and lost a Brigadiership thereby; and of course he would not be so imprudent
now. Finally I removed all their
fears; by saying that we had convinced a great many people that Boudinot was a
refugee Indian; and as the first law of chivalry permitted a white man to
slander an Indian without being responsible we could act with impunity.
If Boudinot should demand satisfaction, the author could refuse to fight
on that ground. Upon this Tallowfat
came forward and stood god-father to the bantling, especially, he said, as it
had such a doubtful reputation, being the offspring of so many reputed fathers.
To mystify the matter and give color for mistakes, Hugh was to
write another and sign in figures "1 of the 35" and Big Alek
was to be called the father, but when called upon he was to say that he did not
write that one; and so we could dodge along.
Now, the trouble is, Boudinot would not be caught in our trap, and gave
the lie to Peck and Big Alek so as to make no mistake.
Whereupon Osage Miller wrote two cards for Tallowfat; one
had the name spelled right and that he sent to the Herald of
Disorganization in Fort Smith; the other had the name spelled wrong, and
that they sent to the Arkansian. They
were both written in the Osage Millers best english.
It was arranged that when Boudinot called upon Tallowfat for a
retraction, he was to deny that it was his name, as he wrote it differently; and
if Boudinot pushed the matter and demanded satisfaction he was to refuse to
fight an Indian. But some of our friends were so leaky as to talk about our
plan; Boudinot heard of it and instead of writing to Tallowfat he
denounced him as an ill mannered ignoramus and a wilful liar.
This plagues Tallowfat very much; and the worst of it is, we are
afraid that Boudinot can prove all he says.
We understand that he has been collecting Tallowfat's letters.
We have been begging Osage Miller to step in and do the thing in a
military style; we expect he will as he has talked so much about it and is so
much hurt. One thing he
agreed to do, and did it. That is,
go to Fort Smith and give the disorganizing editors of the Herald a sack of
flour and a bag of meal to let him edit their paper one week.
He knew they were very low down and would sell out for one week, dog
cheap. He is to say that
"we are informed by a respectable (?) gentleman (?) that Tallowfat
is an intelligent man." I
urged him to say he was an educated one, but he refused, saying everybody
would know that he was the very respectable individual who indorsed Tallowfat,
and he could not be responsible for such a roorback.
He explained the difference between an intelligent and an educated man in
this manner. "A horse, a dog,
particularly a newfoundland dog might be intelligent and yet not know a letter
in the book; but to say one is an educated gentleman, would be to intimate that
he had received a liberal education, and the presumption would be that such an
accomplished individual could spell his words correctly, punctuate and arrange
his sentences according to the rules of syntax.
We had an excessive laugh at the Osage Miller puffing himself in
the newspapers, as a "respectable gentleman," and how his neighbors
would take such a paragraph. The Osage
Miller is regarded by his neighbors something like the Frenchman's flea; but
he is respectable for all that, I will swear to it.
Puffing is common among Tommy's friends now.
We have fixed up a nice thing that will knock Wilson into fits.
Tommy is to write it in Washington and send it to Peck.
It is all about rascality and corruption; a great many persons will
believe it, and it will help to call off attention from Tommy's Viator letters
and the lies that he and Martin and Calhoon and Peck have told about it.
Look out for it pretty soon in the Old Liner.
We have the advantage of our adversaries; and say what we please; there
is "35" of our crowd and we can dodge and push the responsibility from
one to another; and besides our leaders are not only artful dodgers but such
villainous blackguards that we won't be sued for slander, as nothing we say can
be proved to be injurious to any one's reputation.
I have half a notion to send Skewbal to Fayetteville to consult
with Tommy's friends there. What
say you? do you think he will be
treated with proper respect?—Let me hear from you; I expect to remain here
until spring.
Ringtail.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 3, c. 1
Land Steamer.
We saw, in the streets the other day, a Locomotive.
No we didn't see that, but we did see a wagon with a stove in it, with
the smoke streaming out from the pipe a la locomotive.—We commenced
speculating, could not learn from what part this strange vessel hailed; but that
its destination was Texas; and concluded that it must be the precursor of the
Railroad that is to pass this way enroute for the far off Pacific.
This is an age of progress. Think
of it a wagon with a stove in it.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 3, c. 2
Fayetteville Schools.
At no period of the history of this place have its institutions of
learning been in a more prosperous condition than at present.
The buildings of the Female Seminary have been greatly enlarged, new ones
constructed, and the naturally beautiful grounds, rendered doubly so by the good
taste and management of the management of the Principal, Mrs. L. Foster Smith.
The inside of the school, we have no doubt, fully meets the expectations
formed from appearances without. All
the departments of learning usually taught in a Female Seminary are presided
over by experienced and competent instructors.
The Female Institute under the Superintendence of Prof. T. B. Van Horne
has recently received an addition in its corps of teachers.
The place of Miss Pauline Jones has been supplied by Miss M. A. Howland,
late teacher in the Phipps Union Female Seminary, Albion, New York.
She is, from reputation, and from the exhibition of her talents,
eminently qualified to teach painting in oil and water colors, pistil painting,
drawing in pencil and crayon, pellis [sic?] work, and all kinds of needle work;
she executes herself in the highest style of art.
The College, under the supervision of President Baxter, the poet, scholar
and orator, sustains the high reputation it enjoyed under the direction of
President Graham.
The primary school of Walker & Feemster keeps pace with the progress
of the rest of the schools.
Fayetteville is bound to maintain her supremacy in this respect, and, we
would advise the Editor of the Old Line Democrat to make it a visit before he
again sneeringly alludes to it as a place "somewhere in the Northwest."
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 3, c. 2
Notice!
All white men, citizens of the United States and their families, who are
now on the Cherokee Neutral Land, are hereby notified to leave immediately and
any one not complying with this notice by the 1st day of April next,
will be removed by the military force of the United States.
The United States Government is bound by treaty stipulations to protect
the interest of the Cherokees in the aforesaid land, and further leniency will
not under any circumstances be shown to such intruders as are now, or may be
hereafter found on said land.
All white men citizens of the United States who have permits to stay on
the Neutral Land are included in the above notice, and their permits will be
void and of no avail on and after the first day of April 1860.
George Butler.
U. S. Indian Agent.
Cherokee Agency, December 28, 1859.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 4, c. 4
C. S. Hauptman,
House Sign & Ornamental Painter.
Paper hanging, Glazing, Varnishing and Polishing done with neatness and
dispatch. Paints of all kinds,
always on hand. Fayetteville, March
5, 1859.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 4, c. 5
Tobacco
Factory!
Fayetteville, Arks
C. Jackson &
Bro.
Have constantly on hand, an assortment of all the various
qualities of Chewing Tobacco, manufactured by them, which they will sell at
prices warranted to give satisfaction. Their
Tobacco is put up in 50 pound boxes: 7 ounce plugs: which
is a very convenient size for retailing, at home or abroad.
Those who are dealing in the article, are invited to call and examine
their stock on hand. They are desirous of introducing their manufacture of Tobacco
into the trade of Northwest Arkansas; and therefore will offer it at such prices
as WILL DEFY competition, and at the same time, keep the money expended for that
commodity, in circulation at home.
They wish to purchase all the
Leaf Tobacco
that the farmers can raise; for which they will pay good
prices.
Aug. 12, 1859.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 4, c. 6
Steam
Wool-Carding
Machine;
Fayetteville—Arkansas.
We cheerfully announce to the people of North-west Arkansas and South-west Missouri, that we are better prepared than ever, to accommodate them with carding. Having attached another sett of Cards, and
A Steam Engine!
for propelling the entire machinery, we feel satisfied that no other Mill in the country can turn out work wit so little delay; thereby obviating weeks or months of anxious [illegible].
The Machinery is all New;
in good condition, and is attended exclusively by us.
From our long experience in business, we feel assured that we can render
ample satisfaction to all who patronize us.
Terms: Six and a fourth
cents per pound cash, or the fifth pound of wool.
May 14, 1859.
A. & J. D. Crouch.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 6, 1860, p. 4, c. 6
Shaving Saloon!
Joseph Zillier
Presents his compliments to the citizens of Fayetteville
and all persons visiting the city, and informs them that he is prepared to
accommodate them with shaving and hair-dressing to their ample satisfaction, at
reasonable rates and good style. Call
at the "Striped Pole," west of the Court Square, and if you do not
find "a [illegible] stock full of Candy," you will find plenty of
Razors and Scissors sharp and keen,
With many Napkins white and clean.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 1, c. 1
Adorning Homes.
Dear Editors.—If you please, I would like very much to speak to the
Pioneers of Arkansas, through your columns.
My brother Pioneers, when we first came west to Arkansas, our
Architecture was neither Doric, Ionic, nor Corinthian, but was what we called
squatter cabbins [sic], ten or fifteen feet long, with a single door, and
chimney built up as high as the mantle piece, which supplied the place of
smokehouse, corn crib, kitchen, parlor and bed room.
After years of hard labor we built a second house, twenty feet long, with
two doors, and the chimney built up above the roof, we could then invite the
circuit preacher to hold meeting at our house, notwithstanding we failed to get
a Solomon on the circuit, yet, we were always glad to meet the preacher, it was
like cold water to thirsty souls to hear him speak of a better Country, for we
had indeed a hard time in this country. My
friends, you bare those hardships with patience, which was a virtue to you then;
virtuous patience is now an evil, and a disgrace to your characters.
From a change of circumstances, I say down with your squatter cabins, and
build yourself a neat cottage, with half a dozen doors and windows, and set out
a few fine native trees and flowers, in the front yard at least, and you will
then taste some of the delights and pleasures of a civilized life. Now, if you will not follow the progressive movements of the
age and country in which you live, sell out at once, to make room for a better
class of people, invest your capital in emigrant waggons [sic] and teams, and
pursue the squatter race to the end of the world.
I would say to the farmers of Washington County, we are once more locked
up in the chilling embrace of winter, but the soft air and balmy showers, fitful
gleams of sunshine will ere long bring life and animation to the millions of
embryo leaves and blossoms that now lie quietly folded up in the bud, and sleep
the sleep of winter. A few vernal
showers and bright sunny days will show you a coat of verdure bright as emerald.
Let us follow nature in her mineral laws, and now be preparing ourselves
for action when spring shall open upon us.
The seeds of knowledge may be sown even in the winter, the farmer can
cultivate his mind when his soil is bound in frozen fetters.
The farmer should take time to read some of the best books, at least
those on Agriculture and Horticulture. Horticulture
is one of the most pleasing employments in life, the rural scenes which it
affords are instructive lessons, tending to moral and social virtue, teaching us
to look through nature up to nature's God.
Horticulture, and its kindred arts tend strongly to fix the habits,
elevate the character of our whole population; but look at the condition of our
western emigrants, with their long covered wagons, which are the Noahs ark of
their preservation, they emigrate, they squat, they locate; but before it can be
fairly said that they have a fixed home, they sell out to some less adventurous
Pioneer, and taking the wagon of the wilderness, migrate westward once more;
their migratory habits will not suffer them to remain long in one place.
The most of my life has been spent among the Pioneers.
The English language does not furnish words of sufficient force to
express my utter contempt for such a life; I would rather live a hermit on the
summit of the Alps than follow the Pioneers.
I am even at this time, twelve miles from your pleasant city of
Fayetteville, with but little sympathy among my neighbors in my favorite
pursuits; in your rural and pleasant city, I have the sympathy and friendship of
the best citizens; I have not language to express my gratitude to them for
books, trees, flowers and other courtesies shown to me by them.
Should I ever become a great historical writer, I will write their names
in letters of gold, and hold them up to all future generations as my
benefactors. Yet the fields and
woods are full of instruction, and many pleasant hours are spent in the study of
Botany and Geology, there are numbers of lessons here for the Botanist and
Geologist, many rare and curious flowers bloom amid the depths of these woods
and forests, many of them wave on the mountain crag unseen, and untouched, but
they are not less beautiful for being wild flowers.
"Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness
on the desert air." Could I
but have a few congenial friends with me to kindle a flame of social sunshine
around me, I would be happy even in this wilderness of woods and forests.
But alas, my heart pains me when I look around and see so many things
that are so uncongenial to my feelings.—Now do not understand me to say
natural things, for I have the best natural scenery in the world, nature has
been so lavish of her gifts here, that it now only requires the finishing
touches of the rural artist to make the landscape exceedingly beautiful and
lovely; and that soul would be dull indeed that would not swell with emotion and
rise with admiration to behold the beautiful and varied scenery with which I am
surrounded. I would advise all
ladies who have husbands, to surround themselves with trees and flowers, for I
will inform them, should they be ignorant of this fact, that a man in some
respects at least, is precisely like any other animal; give him a pretty place
to stay in, and treat him kindly, and he will not leave you, but if he has to
live in a disagreeable house and be treated unkindly, he will be sure to seek
the smiles of other ladies; and those too of questionable character, he is
almost sure to take to the use of tobacco, or some other stupifying drug from
this to the intoxicating cup, gambling room, the prison, and the gallows.
Thousands have gone this road, in part at least, all for the want of a
pleasant home. You may go to the
midnight revel, among the debauchees, and mark the inmates, follow them to their
respective places of abode, and not one in a thousand will return to a beautiful
and pleasant home; order, neatness, taste, and beauty, are strangers there; no
beautiful Maples, nor graceful Elms, adorn their homes.
No climbing plants hang in graceful festoons from their trees and houses,
but you will there find old houses looking forlorn and dejected, as if there was
not even a latent spark of the love of the beautiful in the souls of their
inmates, when the affections are so dull, and the domestic virtues so blunt,
that men do not care how their homes look; they are not only graceless looking
about their homes, but care very little for fulfilling any moral obligations
whatever. Such men depend upon
their throats for all their exquisite sensations.
We trust that at no very distant day, the last such specimen will leave
our country.
Farmers of Washington County, I have a question of very great importance
for you to answer. Why are so many
of your dwellings still unprotected from the burning heat of summer, and the
pelting of the pitiless storms and tempests of winter.
I would suggest to you, that it is ignorance, or the love of money. You are too much occupied with making a great amount of
money, to understand how to enjoy a little, well; you exhaust both mind and
body, in making more money, and thereby rob yourselves of more than
three-fourths of the delights, and pleasures of life.
I think every man's home is a perfect index to his character.
The Phrenologist, would perhaps look at the organs of the head, to find
out character, but I would much rather look at a man's home.
I know that some of you will object to this test of character; you would
prefer any other test whatever, for your home would give you an unenviable
character, but one as true as the best mirror could give of your physiognomy.
Then adorn your dwellings, school houses, and places of worship.
Why should we stand still, when progress is the great law of our being?
but think for a moment of the rapid progress made in the arts and
sciences.
See a Fulton experimenting with a small steam-boat, on the Hudson; and
then think of the vast, the world-wide improvement, which has since been made in
steam navigation. See a
Franklin on the Philadelphia commons, bringing the lightning from the
nether heaven, on the string of a kite, and then think of the glorious
achievements of a Morse, in making the lightning do his bidding on the
Telegraph. The lightning, which
once flashed only to terrify and alarm mankind, is now by scientific discovery,
made to execute beautiful embellishments in the shop of the artizan, or is tamed
and housed up, and employed to carry our news across the Continent.
However strange and wonderful the improvements that have been made by our
fathers, they fail to satisfy the people of this progressive age, who are
inventing ships for navigating the air, perhaps, propelled by steam or gas and
adopted to carrying merchandise and passengers from one Continent to another.
Whoever lives to see the end of the next cycle of our race, will behold
in the great valleys, and prairies of the west, the garden of the world; the
stores, and resources of nature, are boundless as infinity; who can tell, what
things are in store for the world in the future.
There is perhaps, in the very stones, and earth upon which we walk dayly
[sic], dormant, and latent elements, that ere long, will revolutionize the world
and bring about a state of things never anticipated by man since his creation.
I love to think of this world purified, renovated, exalted in
intelligence and virtue, as it will in future time be.
M. S. G.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 2, c. 6
Cherokee Lands.
Messrs. Editors:--Since my last letter to you I have seen, in the columns
of your paper, that Geo. Butler Esq., Cherokee Agent, has advertised a
"notice" to all squatters and interlopers who have thrust themselves
upon Cherokee soil, that they must "vacate" by the 1st of
April next—ominous day—or be therefrom ejected by the U. S. Military.
This is a good but late step. It
ought long ago to have been taken, and the Military now be employed in removing
those lawless, speculating land-lovers. Too
much importance cannot be put upon this innovation, invasion, of Cherokee and
Slave rights. Not satisfied with
acquiring Kansas, these freedom-shrieking land-stealers are bent on gaining the
lands of the Cherokees, Creeks and Choctaws, where slavery has long been
peacefully established. The longer
these land-invaders are suffered to remain the more claim will they set up to
the ownership of the land, the more will they cry out that Government should buy
the land they have invaded for the benefit of these Abolition, meddling,
land-speculating, "third party" squatters. These may obey the injunction of Butler's "notice;"
these may leave before, and after the 1st of April next; but I
don't believe they will. They may
stay away after their forcible ejection by the U. S. Military; I don't believe
that either. They have got a taste
of Cherokee land, have got their teeth in for a good bite, and they will,
therefore, be loath to let go. They
know full-well that the Indian Territory west of Arkansas is far superior to
Kansas, and they hanker after it, as well as for the niggers within.
They will not quit their hold quietly, and consequently something else
must be done besides advertising notices of Military coercion, should they not
leave the land they have lawlessly seized.
It becomes the welfare of the Cherokees, as well as the citizens of the
border counties of this State, to enquire what is this something else?
What will stem and throw back this wave of
Abolition immigration now threatening Cherokee territory; which has
already settled upon Cherokee lands not only within the limits of the
"Neutral Land," but deep down within the Cherokee country proper?
The Cherokee soil must be preserved, unless broken in its integrity; the
door then must not be opened to immigration rashly and NEVER to Northern
immigration. It should be eternally
shut out. The faith of Treaties
ought to remain inviolate, but what if Northern immigration cannot be checked?
what if the faith of Treaties cannot be maintained?
what if the integrity of Cherokee soil cannot be preserved?
What if the Cherokees cannot continue to occupy their present political
status? These are grave questions. They
require serious, studying reflection and grave answers.
I can think of but one remedy. That,
the interests of Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and the slave state of Arkansas
demand shall be put in virtual force ere the land be over-run by hordes from the
North. This is the remedy.
This Territory must be preserved to slavery.
Any step is legitimate and right that will secure this end.
This territory belongs to the South; and if a dissolution of the Union
should occur this territory will be claimed by the South, and, in all
probability, become the last great battle field where shall be fought the last
fight against Slavery—for I believe, in the nature of things, that Slavery is
to be ultimate victor in all its contests.
In order, therefore, to preserve this territory to slavery and to its
present owners, the Cherokees, Creeks, and Choctaws should have their lands
surveyed, and a sufficient portion set off to each family of each tribe; the
residue of each tribe to be held as the domain of each, to be by them and to
slave-holding immigrants, men from the South with whom each tribe has long been
friendly, commercial and social interaction.
This is the only way whereby the Cherokees, Creeks, and Choctaws can
maintain possession of their respective territories.—They cannot remain much
longer as they now are. Their land
is too well known and too tempting. Their
own safety demands a change above indicated.
If they do not soon take some such step, with the aid of Government,
their lands will be inundated with a flood of Black Republican immigration, and
the names, rights and privileges of Cherokees, Creeks, and Choctaws be swallowed
up for ever. Rather than such
should be the event, I will exhort the South to rush in and take possession of
this land ere it be too late to snatch it from the jaws of Abolition.
These fears of Northern immigration into the Indian Territory west of
Arkansas may be, by some, regarded as idle and unworthy of thought. To all such I have only to say:
Look at Kansas. Ten years
ago it was an unheard of wilderness more wild than the wildest part of the
territory west of us, and less known. How
long did it take Northern immigrants to possess Kansas? How long will it take it to occupy Cherokee lands?
Ten years hence will not witness less great wonders and ravages than ten
years since. A word to the wise
etc."
Your friend,
Be Ready.
Beattie's Prairie, Jan. 8th, 1860.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 2,
c. 6
Clarkesville Arks.
}
Dec. 21st, 1859.
}
Messrs. Editors:--We are all on the qui vive for the good time
coming, Christmas, the time when all is mirth and enjoyment, is nearly here and
we young folks are anticipating a vast deal of fun. But while this is the case rumors of a far different
character are float. It has been
ascertained that the negroes of this and several adjoining counties intend to
start for Kansas or leave as soon as the arms, which were promised them, should
arrive from Cincinnati. Three white
men of Dardanelle are implicated in the plot whose names have been divulged by
the negroes at that place. We are
wide awake and prepared for any emergency.
Patrols are out every night in town and throughout the County.
The Harper's Ferry affair and these rumors of an intended stampede of the
negroes have prompted our citizens to get up and organize a Military company, of
which O. Basham was elected Captain, E. T. Adams 1st., C. B.
Gillespie, 2nd., and J. T. Stone 3rd Lieutenants.
In consequence of more exciting topics of conversation I hear very little
about politics. . . .
Truly yours,
Aristides.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 3, c. 1
The Concert.
Mr. Alf. Howard, the celebrated violinist and guitarist performed in this
place to small audiences on Monday and Wednesday night last.
Mr. Howard is everything he is represented to be; on the violin he
probably has no superior in the United States, and on the guitar he excels any
one we have ever heard; it is exquisitely delicious to hear the "fairy like
music" he produces; his voice is rich, full, and melodious.
The inclemency of the weather accounts for the small houses he had on
Monday and Wednesday; on Thursday—his last night here—he had quite a large
and appreciative house. Mr. Howard
goes from this place to Van Buren and Fort Smith, and we heartily commend him to
the kind consideration and patronage of the citizens of those places, and any
others he may visit.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 3,
c. 1
Van Buren, Ark.
}
Dec. 31st, 1859.
}
Messrs. Editors.—Writing the date of this letter puts solemn thoughts
into my head and sad feelings in to my heart.
The last day of old '59! When
and where will another such a year dawn upon us.—The multitude of events,
crowded into this year are only equalled [sic] by—what?
nothing under the shining sun. Those
golden rays shot from the blazing forrest [sic] of light never illumined the
world during a more momentous year, for America at least, than the one which
silently dies this night.—The moral, social and political firmaments have been
exhibiting, throughout the year, signs portentous to us as a great
nat6ion.—Startling phenomena have been displayed, which fill the heart with
gloomy forbodings of for the future. That
these may not be forerunners of ill to America, is the only wish which should
now fill the bosom of all true patriots. The self-created vicigerents [sic] of Christ on earth, in the
crime smitten regions of the North, have by their conduct brought shame upon
religion and have mocked at charity. They
have steeped the priestly robes in the political cesspool until they are reeking
with filth of earth, instead of shining in the beauty and purity of heaven.
The pulpit has been, by them, changed into an oracle of politics and
blasphemy. From it they have
denounced vengeance upon their brethren forgetting that He whom they so
flagrantly insult hath said "vengeance is mine."—They have
not hesitated to exalt the infamous thief to an equality with the holy Stephen,
and even with Christ himself.—Who is the god of such ministry?
At their doors likes the blame for the traitorous war which has been
lately initiated against the South. The
men of the North who wish to deport themselves well towards the South, who is ruler,
of the "Cotton King," cry out that the abolitionists are only a small
faction classing itself with the Republican party in order to avoid the stigma
of Abolitionism. Strange indeed, if
true. Why do they send such men as
Sherman to Congress? A man who
hesitates not to avow his endorsement of a pamphlet treasonous in its-self and
published by a branded thief. Why
do they tolerate the traitorous doctrine preached from degraded pulpits, which
is listened to by thousands, in the churches of Beecher, Cheevy, etc.?
Those doctrines are as much treason against the State of New York,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, as they are against Georgia or South Carolina.
If they are not all either abolitionists or conniers [sic?] at their
destructive hands, why do they not take some steps to stop this eternal flow of
treason. A reliance upon the
conservatism of the North will prove a dependence upon a broken wheel. Let the South stand to her rights and repel the invader of
them with fire and sword.
Our own State is not behind in political events of importance.
One man has already allowed his ambition to overleap itself, and in his
fall has dragged many after him. He
can attribute his misfortune to none but himself.
He alone has been the cause of all.
He began a bitter and relentless warfare upon men; and has proved
unjust to the task of overthrowing them. He
has "burnt his ships and broken his bridges," and cannot make a
military and orderly retreat. Who
can he blame, who can his friends blame? Not
content with speaking himself to death, he must now hasten the denoument
[sic] by writing himself high in the pictures, that his fall might be
further and surer.
I have no news of importance to communicate.
The work upon the Railroad from this place to Ozark will be commenced on
or about the 1st of February, and continued until completion.
All who feel an interest in the road, hold their heads high now, in
anticipation of the full realization of their hopes.
No news yet from the Hindman & Johnson fracas.
Some begin to think the Col. wo'nt [sic] "put," others say he
will certain. Biscoe's special
pleading has set many of H's friends against him.
They don't like the idea of their "pet" holding himself out for
a fighting man, and then dodging the issue because Johnson, in his (H's)
fatherinlaw's [sic] imagination has been practicing with "a particular
weapon." They think Thomas
ought to be up to the scratch with any weapon, and ought to put in no
plea but the general issue, and put himself "upon the country."
Time will disclose the result.
Pittman who escaped from jail in Sebastian County is still at large.
I believe no attempts have yet been made to arrest him.
No other items of importance.
Yours, etc.,
Pacific.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 3, c. 2
Attention Military.
A meeting will be held in the Court House, in Fayetteville,
at 1 o'clock, P. M. on Saturday 21st inst., for the purpose of
organizing a company of Cavalry or Mounted Rifles. Persons desirous of joining will please attend.
W. R. Cunningham.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 3, c. 2
Madame Jaussen
Will teach an evening class in French, at the Seminary,
commencing on Thursday February 2, at 7 o'clock, p.m. Ladies or gentlemen wishing to avail themselves of her
tuition, will please make early application.
Terms.—Ten Dollars for Forty Lessons.
Fayetteville, Jan. 13, 1860.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 13, 1860, p. 3, c. 6
Ossawattamie Brown is Hung,
But I may be found at the old Ware Room of James Sutton,
ready and prepared at all times, to exchange Flour, (38 pounds superfine) for
one bushel good wheat. flour, Meal
and "Hominey" on hand, and for sale low for cash.
J. T. Sutton.
Dec. 15, 1859.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 1,
c. 3
Marriage.—is to a woman at once the happiest and the saddest event of
her life; it is the promise of future bliss, raised on the death of all present
enjoyment. She quits her home, her
parents, her companions, her occupations, her amusements, everything on which
she has hitherto depended for comfort, for affection, for kindness, for
pleasure.
The parents by whose advice she has been guided, the sister to whom she
has dared impart every embryo feeling and thought, the brother who has played
with her, by turns the counsellor and the counselled, and the younger children
to whom she has hitherto been the mother and the playmate, all are to be
forsaken at one fell stroke; every former tie is loosened, the spring of every
hope and action is to be changed, and yet she flies with joy into the untrodden
path before her; buoyed up by the confidence of requited love, she bids a fond
and grateful adieu to the life that is past, and turns with excited hopes and
joyous anticipations of the happiness to come.
Then woe to the man who can blight such fair hope—who can treacherously
lure such a heart from its peaceful enjoyment, and coward-like, break the
illusions that have won her, and destroy the confidence that love had inspired.
Woe to him who has too early withdrawn the tender plant from the props
and stays of moral discipline in which she has been nurtured, and yet make no
effort to supply their place for on him be the responsibility of her errors—on
him who has first taught her, by his example, to grow careless of her duty, and
then exposed her, with a weakening spirit and unsatisfied heart, to the wild
storm and wily temptations of a sinful world.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 1,
c. 5
The White Republicans.—The last Talladega (Alabama) papers publish the
basis of a new association just organized in that quarter, calling themselves
the White Republicans, the object being to make the South independent of the
North by measures of self-reliance and non-intercourse.
Their platform is as follows:
Section 1. Every one of us
binds himself to do everything in his power, individually, to build up the
prosperity of the South, and withdraw his patronage from the North, dispensing
entirely with articles of Northern manufacture and trade as far as he can, and
by exercising a rigid economy in the purchase and use of all such articles as he
cannot dispense with for the present.
Sec. 2. Every one of us
binds himself not to travel to the North, not to support for any office, nor to
sustain in any business or profession, any man in the South that does, unless it
be bona fide as a merchant or trader, or for health by the advice of a
physician, or on account of some strong tie of nature.
Sec. 3. Every one of us
binds himself not to send any child there to be educated, nor any young man to
take a course of study in law or medicine, nor to sustain any one among us that
does or that is educated there, except those that will graduate in the year
1860, or previously.
Sec. 4. Every one of us
binds himself not to take after this time any paper or periodical published
there, nor to sustain any man among us that does, except it be an editor or
publisher who may receive an exchange for his own publication.
Sec. 5. Every one of us
binds himself not to purchase any article of ready made clothing from the North
brought on after this time, except socks, suspenders, or other under clothing,
and not these, if he can reasonably avoid it, nor to sustain any man among us
who does.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 1,
c. 5
Down on the Tennesseans.—There is said to be an old farmer living in
Red River county, Texas, well-to-do in the world and hospitable, but who has a
most inconceivable prejudice against Tennessee and Tennesseans, insomuch that he
will not entertain a man from that State. His
mode of ascertaining a Tennessean is something like pro-slavery men of Kansas in
determining a Yankee, by the pronunciation of the word "cow;"
the Yankee calling it "keow."
His word is calico, which he says the Tennesseans informally pronounce
"caliker." A
stranger rides up, and probably asks the privilege of spending the night at his
house. The old planter, before
answering definitely, pulls out a singular piece of calico from his vest pocket,
and showing it to the stranger, asks him what he thinks of it.
Why that's caliker, ain't it?" he naturally
replies.—"Hang me, sir!" shouts the old planter, "you're from
Tennessee! Sir!
you can't stop here, sir! you
must ride on!"
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 2, c. 2
The New Christian Church.
This building constructed by the Christian denomination of this county,
is so far finished as to be open for service.
The first sermon was preached in it, on Sunday last, by President Baxter;
the subject was, the peculiarities of the Christian persuasion, and the
differences that existed between it, and others which assume distinctive names.
The subject was eloquently, plainly, and tersely treated.
In the evening a discourse was also held, and announcement made that
there would be services in the church every night of the present week.
All that we have heard, have been characteristic of that sincerity and
truth, force and reasoning which ought to attend the elucidation of divine
truth.
The building is a model for a church; the appearance outside is neat and
well proportioned; while the chapel is by far the handsomest room for a
"country church" that we have ever seen. The pulpit was planned by Mr. White of this place, built by
Mr. G. D. Baker, and ornamented by Mr. C. S. Hauptman; it is neat, plain, and
perfectly beautiful.
The ladies deserve the credit for the arrangements in the room; with the
refined taste and better judgment of that class of humanity, it may be taken for
granted that everything which they controlled or directed is just as pretty as
it could be.
A new—for this place—regimen has been proposed and partially adopted
with regard to seats in church; heretofore it has been customary for the ladies
and gentlemen to separate at the church door and take seats on different sides
of the house; but the plan is much better, we think, to dispense with
this singular formality; many an ugly pond of tobacco juice will be saved
the floor, if the ladies and gentlemen would sit together.
We are no old fogy, and are in for this, as well as all other internal
improvements.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 2, c. 2
Picture of Fort Smith.
A week or two since we were presented with a beautiful lithograph of Fort
Smith. The drawing was executed by
the Artist of Arkansas, Ed. P. Washbourne.
It is a beautiful picture, and a perfect likeness.
We have seen many pictures of scenes and place that we were compelled
through courtesy to admit as being attempts at portraiture; but in the picture
before us, there is house for house, tree for tree, feature for feature, in
every particular.
We have ordered a first quality frame for ours, and we shall value it as
the finest ornament of our sanctum. We
hope to see shortly a representation of the Athens of Arkansas, and hope further
that it may be as highly appreciated and as widely spread as the engraving of
the Queen of the River Valley.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 27, 1860, p. 2, c. 1-2
Arkansas Prospects.
Something like the following conversation occurred in _______, in
Missouri, between a citizen of Fayetteville and a gathering of men in the
village tavern, who had learned from the tavern register that our friend was an
Arkansian.
"Stranger, are you from Arkansas?"
"I have the pleasure to be one of her citizens; I'm an "Arkansaw
Traveller."
"What part of the State do you hail from?"
"The Northwest part, from the town of Fayetteville, county of
Washington."
"Stranger, how do you like your country?"
"First rate; there's no better anywhere.
Come and see for yourselves."
"How long have you lived there?"
"All my life."
"Do you know much of the State?"
"Well, I know a great part of it; most of it from actual
observation; and all the remainder from the best and safest testimony.
I know that Arkansas is a great country."
"What part do you prefer?"
"Of course, living in the North-west part, I prefer it. But other sections of the State possess equal, and to some
superior, attractions. It is
according to the tastes and means a man has as to what part he likes best.
He can chose [sic] from variety and find [what] suits.
If a man is wealthy, owns many negroes, he had better raise cotton, and
should choose lands either in the Arkansas, Red or White river vallies [sic] or
those of some of their affluents. If
I desired to cultivate cotton, to produce it, I should select land in the
Arkansas valley, as good cotton district as there is in the world.
I live just beyond the cotton land line proper, it being only a day's
ride from Fayetteville. But
Arkansas is a large State, the southern boundary being distant 250 miles from
the northern; so that we have more than one climate and unite within our country
the grain and grazing lands to the cotton.
The eastern half, bounded by the Mississippi, is sheltered by a broad
belt of timber and differs from the west part bordering on the Great
Prairies."
"Is there much cotton land yet unoccupied and what is it
worth?—are your negroes healthy?"
"Thousands and thousands of acres are yet virgin, worth from $1.25
to $10 per acre. Improved cotton
lands can be bought for $10 to $75 per acre.
Our negroes are as healthy as they can bee—they don't die as often as
your mules. If you Missourians
dislike and dread the pressure of free-soilism, which we from Arkansas can see
is pressing you, I know of no country that would please you better than
Arkansas.—Such of you as own slaves could not make a better investment than in
buying cotton lands there. There
are planters in our State who make from $2,500 to $80,000 per annum; and the
cotton bears a premium in market."
"How are you off as to transportation of cotton?"
"The Arkansas, Red and White rivers, with some of their tributaries,
besides the Mississippi, wash our State. The
first two afford navigation from five to seven months annually; while White
river, so far as the cotton lands extend, is equal to the Mississippi for
boating. Above the cotton lands the
river, with a comparatively small outlay, could be made perpetually navigable
into the heart of the grain country, even unto the limits of Washington
county."
"Is there any free-soil feeling in your midst?"
"None whatever; unless it is locked in the breasts of some who dare
not even mention the word. We are
as free from all Abolition effects as yet as if their vile sentiments had never
been bruited all over the North; that is, we are utterly free from any practical
effect. Like all the South,
however, we perceive the threatening approaches of Black Republicanism, and that
at any time we may be exposed. We
do not ignore the fact that Arkansas also, as well as Missouri, has Kansas on
her frontier. But our people are
organizing military companies for self-protection in case we should be aggrieved
by Abolition; and also, when needs be, to drive from the Indian lands west of us
all Abolitionists who may invade or settle upon these lands."
"What is the health of your State, both in the cotton and grain
regions? What kind and how much
water have you?"
"The climate of Arkansas is a delicious medium between the severe
winter and the hot, short summer of northern latitudes.
Our winters are generally mild, varied, in order to contrast its
blessings, some years with "cold snaps." Our proximity to the Great Prairies gives us something like
the coolings of the sea, the breezes from the [tear in paper] Plains blowing
over us much abating [tear in paper] of summer.
The cotton [corner torn out] their waters running between or over beds of
limestone, flint, chert or sandstone. The
advantages for mills, especially in Benton the county north of Washington, are
numberless and unequalled; and there are very many mills of the first class.
The climate and health of my country are not surpassed by any portion of
the Great Mississippi Valley. the
diseases, peculiar to a new country, are easily subdued, while throughout almost
the entire State we are fortunately exempt from epidemics and contagions
prevalent in portions of this Valley. Some
summers, latterly, we have been vexed with droughts which injured our grains,
grasses and cotton; while in few instances the frost has injured cotton."
"What is the quality of lands in your and contiguous counties?—and
at what rate are they held?"
"There are to be found in Washington, Benton, Madison, Carroll,
Crawford and other adjacent counties, as fertile land as ever 'crow flew over;'
the rich black loam, the rich 'mulatto' land, the strong yielding 'hickory
upland' and the equally productive prairie land are all excellent and tempting.
West of us, however, is a country the finest, in my opinion, in the
Mississippi Valley.—Washington and other counties are only the
"breaks" of this good land.
It now belongs to the civilized Indian tribes; but it is to be hoped that
they will open their surplus territory to the settlement of honest, Southern
white men. Then that country will be the garden of the West, or rather
the centre. Lands may be bought in
the counties named above at 75 cents to $1.25 an acre. Improved lands sell at $5.00 to $20.00."
"What are the staple products of your own section, and your
conveniences for market?"
"Grain is our staple at present.
The finest of wheat is raised by our farmers, the yield being from 12 to
30 bushels to the acre. The best of
flour is manufactured therefrom. Corn,
oats, rye, barley, and all the grasses grow hugely with us.
Bluegrass, timothy and clover will do and does do as well as in Kentucky
or Tennessee. Tobacco, so far as it
has been cultivated, proves an excellent crop.
It is beginning to attract attention.
Horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs need no better country.
They thrive well, require no great feeding extra in winter; and as my
county gets older, they will be first of their kind.
No better apples can be raised on earth than in my region.
We have all the varieties. It
is a natural apple country. Pears,
plums, peaches, grapes and all the berries flourish exceedingly.
Garden "truck" is plenteous and second only to
California.—Fine openings for sheep raising, especially in Washington and the
hillier counties, offer. Men can
purchase even in the near vicinity of Fayetteville,
where they may enjoy all the advantages a man may wish for, the best of land for
sheep. There are great inducements
for sheep raisers, as it is in our county as yet almost an untried field,
sufficiently tested, however, to prove its great capability.
Wool sheared from blooded sheep in my region may be found as fine as any,
equal, indeed, to the best Spanish Merino or Saxony.
Our climate is so perfectly adapted to sheep, that those who should raise
sheep and shear wool could excel the sheep raisers of colder and severer
latitudes. Not near so much food
would be required, and the staple would be improved by the geniality of our
climate. As to our facilities for
market, have already mentioned
them. Time will so perfect them
that in the whole United States they will not be excelled.
In the morning, as it is now getting late, I will take great pleasure in
detailing to you more of the advantages of the fine and great State of
Arkansas."
[To be continued.]
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 2,
c. 4
Ozark Institute,
}
29th December, 1859.
}
T. C. Peek, Esq:--
. . . Unable to be out, I have no news to tell you.
On the 16th inst., I fell on the ice, crippled my ancle [sic]
and am on my crutches. I have heard
of many pleasant parties around us; and happy festivities in our schools, where
teachers, pupils and patrons with bright eyes and pleasant smiles met around the
Christmas tree, and spent the evening in the interchange of good feelings and
christmas presents.
Of our schools I would like to say a word, but cannot now.
I hope you may soon double the number of your subscribers.
Respectfully,
Robt. W. Mecklin.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 3, c. 2
Mounted Rifles.
A Mounted Rifle company was organized by the citizens of this county, on
last Saturday, by the election of the following officers:
Captain—J. M. Tuttle; 1st Lieu, P. P. Vanhoose;
2d Lieut, w. R. cunningham; 3d Lieut, J. R. Pettigrew.
Another meeting of the company will be held at the Court House, on
Saturday the 4th prox. for the purpose of completing the
organization. We understand that on that day the non-commissioned officers
will be elected and other necessary arrangements will be made; a full attendance
is required.
It seems that the desire among our citizens to join a mounted company is
prevalent; and the rapid increase of members of the company bids fair to swell
it to an unusual size. We would
suggest that another mounted company be organized.
We do not think that a company ought to number over 80 rank and file.
Were there a call for active service, we have no doubt that Washington
county would turn out 500 men.
In connection with this subject, we beg leave to remind our
contemporaries that our Senior has been promoted to a Lieutenant in this
company; he no longer occupies that respectable position of a "high
private;" and hereafter he will wield the sword as well as the pen, if the
editorials of the Arkansian lose their milky character and assume one
more sanguinary, we hope our readers will attribute the fact to this new
position of our Senior.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 3, c. 3
Abolitionism at Home!
Messrs. Editors.—I beg leave to suggest that until we pull the beam out
of our own eye, we had better leave the moat in our neighbor's alone. All your comments, though meant for a good purpose, against
Abolitionists in the free States, are like so much chaff before the wind, if the
people of Fayetteville harbor Abolitionists in their midst.
If Abolitionists can be tolerated at home, our mouths should be closed
towards those in the free States. If
we can take by the hand here in a State where slavery exists; the "free
Soiler" the "free State man" and the "negro
equality"—individual, why should we clamor against the people of the free
States for tolerating this freedom of opinion?
Messrs. Editors, let us "put our own house in order" and no
longer suffer Fayetteville to be the reproach of our neighbors; let us no longer
be regarded as harborers of Abolitionists.
It is said we have in our midst some of the filthiest Abolitionists, both
men and women. One single instance,
the report of which is current among us, is sufficient to turn the stomach of
all decent white men; viz: that a
certain white "lady" entertained at her house, until dark, a
mulatto slave, and as the latter started to go home, she requested her dusky
guest to wait a few minutes, when she would send for her cousin to escort
her home.
A correspondent in the last Van Buren Press alludes to other
cases, equally disgusting. It is
time that our citizens should take this matter in hand, give it due
investigation, and all guilty persons should be expelled from the limits of the
city.—If some such course is not adopted the character of our city will
suffer; and our schools will go down. Who
of our friends abroad, will send their children to Fayetteville for educational
purposes, when the present condition of society here is known?
Jeemes.
[FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.] THE ARKANSIAN, January 20, 1860, p. 3,
c. 3
&n