___________________________________________________________________________
I want air, and sunshine, and blue sky,
The feeling of the breeze upon my face,
The feeling of the turf beneath my feet,
And no walls but the far-off mountain tops.
Longfellow
___________________________________________________________________________
Geologic Formation
Pike County in its northern part is composed of tolerably high ranges of
sandstone, and shales of the millstone grit, which extend south nearly to
Murfreesboro. South of this the Little Missouri winds through the
cretaceous formation.
At the Plaster Bluff, on the Little Missouri, on Sections 29 and 30,
Township 8 south, Range 25 west, are valuable beds of gypsum. This
plaster-bed must become of some practical importance, from the fine quality
of the plaster-stone that may be obtained here, and from the associate
limestone, both highly useful to the agriculturist as mineral fertilizers.
Royston's chalybeate spring is situated on the east half of the southwest
quarter of Section 33, Township 7 south, Range 25 west. It is a saline
chalybeate, and possesses good medicinal properties. The hard shell
limestone of the cretaceous formation shows itself frequently in the
vicinity of Murfreesboro but it is mostly covered by a quaternary gravel.
There is also cretaceous limestone on the north side of Prairie Creek,
bearing south of west, which extends two or three miles, and is then
succeeded by sandstone and slate. No limestone was observed from the mouth
of Prairie Creek, on the Little Missouri, to the extreme southeastern limit
of this county.
___________________________________________________________________________
Sources of Revenue - Products Advantages for Residents
Along the valleys of Pike County are found some of the most fertile farming
lands in Southern Arkansas, narrow bottoms between the hills, on which the
farmers have no trouble to raise a bail of cotton every year. The bottom
lands along the Little Missouri River are of considerable extent, covering
much of the southern and southwestern parts of the country. Not more than a
sixth of these magnificent lands is under cultivation, while the extensive
tracts yet awaiting occupation are ample to support a population equaling
all the inhabitants of the county now. Pike County may justly be called a
good farming country, though the northern portions are hilly, broken and
rough; the other parts have a good sandy soil, running into a sandy loam,
with clay subsoil, with large tracts of the celebrated red lands, which are
the most productive of all uplands soils. All these lands are very easily
cultivated, not requiring more than a third of the labor which the planters
of the Mississippi River bottoms are compelled to bestow on theirs to make
crops; for this reason, the farmer in the uplands of Pike County realizes
as much, ion proportion to the labor expended, as the planter in more
fertile localities. This fact, coupled with the more favorable conditions
of health and good water, show the advantages of Pike County as a place of
permanent residence. Cotton is the principle crop, and an average yield for
bottom lands is 1,400 pounds, and the uplands 800 pounds per acre. The
people of this county also raise almost everything that is needed for home
consumption in the way of vegetables and fruits, and nearly all their meat,
which shows the independent position of the people here. With the
introduction of fertilization, and a more careful, and possibly a more
scientific method of farming, Pike County would at once show what her
productive capacities are. Fruit here may be depended on to yield abundant
crops every year, and some sorts, as the peach and plum, reach a degree of
perfection that few other localities can show. With railroad communication
to the north, all kinds of berries might be raised and placed on the early
markets at a high price, which would insure a large profit to the grower.
No county is better adapted for extensive engagement in this industry. The
timber districts of the county embrace all its territory, except those
portions under cultivation and may be estimated at three quarters of its
entire area. On this many square miles of primitive forest lands are found
some of the finest timber of which Arkansas can boast. There is a belt that
crosses the county about ten miles north of the county seat that is
absolutely unsurpassed, and on the advent of a railroad through the county
would at once figure as a great wealth producing source. The most valuable
timber trees are short leaf pine, of which there is an immense quantity,
oak of several varieties, hickory, walnut, ash, maple, sycamore, and red
gum. Very little timber has ever been cut and sold from this county, none
except what was rafted down the Little Missouri River, and that industry
was discontinued many years ago.
Gypsum, or plaster stone, is found in this county in quantities so large
that it may be said to be inexhaustible. A ledge of this rock rises from
the river two miles below Murfreesboro. It is in a wonderful state of
purity, and only needs transportation to be placed on the markets of the
world. Kaolin, or porcelain clay, is found in wonderful abundance in
several places, but principally in a locality eight miles east of
Murfreesboro. This is in a degree of purity rarely seen, and from the
extent of the deposit will become a valuable source of revenue to the
county when it can be placed on the market.
___________________________________________________________________________
Healthfullness
Pike ranks with other counties in Southern Arkansas in the favorable
conditions of the people's general health. Children are particularly free
from fatal diseases, and among this class there are few deaths. Statistics
from physicians reveal an annual death rate of about thirteen to the
thousand inhabitants of the county, a lower rate than will be found in
almost any other part of the country.
___________________________________________________________________________
Situation
Pike County is situated in the southwestern part of Arkansas, between the
thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth degrees of north latitude, and ninety-third
and ninety-fourth degrees of west longitude.
___________________________________________________________________________
How Bounded
It is bounded on the north by Montgomery, on the east by Clark, on the
south by Nevada and Hempstead, and on the west by Hempstead and Howard
Counties. It has an area of 620 miles.
___________________________________________________________________________
Surface Construction
The topography of this county is much varied. The northern and central
portions are quite mountainous, some of the highest hills rising to an
elevation of 300 feet above the Little Missouri. These ranges of hills have
a general trend of northwest and southeast, and amid them are many
beautiful valleys noted for their fertility. The southern part of the
county is much more regular in surface, and abounds in broader valleys,
along the larger streams. There is much bottom land in this section, a
great deal of which equals the Arkansas River Valley in fertility and
productiveness, and is much more easily cultivated.
___________________________________________________________________________
Streams
The county is thickly traversed by many streams, of which the Little
Missouri River is the largest and most important. This stream rises in Polk
County, enters Pike in the extreme northwestern corner, flows southeast,
and after forming a portion of the southern boundary line leaves the county
at its southeastern corner. The bottoms lands along the valley of this
beautiful river are very fertile, and will rank in productiveness with any
in the State. Antoine Creek is formed by the union of three small streams
in the northeastern part of the county, and flows south, forming a portion
of the county's eastern boundary, and empties in the Little Missouri River,
at the extreme southeastern part of the county. Saline Creek rises near the
central part of the county, flows south about fifteen miles and empties in
the Little Missouri. Wolf Creek rises near the central part of the county,
flows southeast and empties in the Antoine Creek. Rock Creek rises in the
northern part of the county, flows southeast and empties in the Caddo.
Caddo River flows for a short distance through the northeastern part of the
county. The Muddy Fork of the Little Missouri River rises in Howard County,
flowing east into the Clear Fork of the Little Missouri, near Murfreesboro.
Woodall Creek rises near the center of the county, flows northeast and
empties into Antoine Creek.
___________________________________________________________________________
Some Old Settlers
The early land entry books were destroyed by fire, so it is (difficult) to
ascertain who were positively the first settlers here. The following list,
though incomplete, is of some who were living here prior to 1830: Jeremiah
Davis, Joseph Davis, ... John Hughes, James Hughes, Oliver Brewer Sr.,
Henry Brewer, ... David Dickson, ... John Blocker, ... the Kelleys -
Elijah and William, Isaac White. None of these men are now living, but
descendants of nearly all are to be found here enjoying health and
happiness, and nearly all prosperity.
___________________________________________________________________________
Familiar Names
A list, also incomplete, of some living here prior to 1840: Asa Thompson,
the McDonald family, John White, George Hensley, Jesse Jenkins, William
Bizzell, David Huddleston, James H. Kirkham, William Stone and Pleasant
White. To continue the list of later arrivals in full, would make such a
long report that a few names are selected of those who were found to be
prominent in the county's early history, and who arrived here prior to
1860: Henry Merrill, John Matlock, Taylor Polk, Edwin Owens, William
Cooley, John R. Rodgers, H.H. Meredith, James Scott, Thomas McClure, Jordan
Reese, Sloman Reese, Levi Davis, Hiram Stell and family, the Wingfields,
the Eppersons, John Gillam, the Foresters, Ewing Alford, William Orrick,
Abner Henderson Sr., Josiah Corbell, Dr. Thomas Conway, Henry Lynn, Henry
Carter, the Huddlestons. Many of these men are still living, and enjoying
the repose of a well-spent life, after the cares and fatigues of pioneer
settlement.
___________________________________________________________________________
School Interests
From the report of County Examiner Charles E. Stelle, made to the State
superintendent of public instruction in 1888, the following copy is taken,
referring to the condition of schools here: "Enumeration - White, 3,020;
colored, 156. During the year ending June 30, 1888, there was expended: For
schools, $4,788.79; for teacher's salaries, $4,775.29; the average monthly
salary paid teachers, $31.48; number of teachers, 48; number of colored
teachers, 2; average term of schools, 3 months; number of districts, 39;
number voting tax, 15; average tax voted, 4 2/5 mills; number of
school-houses, 12; value of school-houses, $1,240."
"A majority of the schools were taught in houses used also for churches,
and that are not the property of the district, and hence are not reported
as public school houses."
___________________________________________________________________________
A Good Showing
"That the public schools are increasing in popularity and usefulness is
undoubted. My first appointment as examiner of this county was in January,
1878, and during that year I licensed six teachers. Every district was in
debt, and hostility to public schools was universal and outspoken. Last
year I issued thirty-nine certificates to teachers, and this year have
issued forty-five. The districts are all out of debt, and men who, a few
years ago, worked against school tax, now vote and work for it. There are
no denominational schools in the county, and not many private schools are
taught." It will be seen from the above that the public schools of Pike
County are rapidly improving, and from the almost universal desire of the
people to still advance the grade and standard, we may soon expect to see a
much greater and more favorable change. There are several excellent schools
in the county, and the school at Murfreesboro, especially, shows most
favorably. There are taught besides the required branches, Latin, algebra,
analysis and physiology. This school is in charge of J.B. Thomasson, and
has an enumeration of eighty-seven. After the free session of four months
expires, he conducts a private term of six months.
___________________________________________________________________________
Officials of the County
Among the county and other officers called upon to occupy positions of
usefulness are the following:
County Judges - Washington Sorrels, 1834-1835; William Kelley, 1835-1840;
David Huddleston, 1840-1844; William Kelley, 1844-1848; James Scott,
1848-1850; Isaac White, 1850-1852; J. McDowel, 1852-1854; David Huddleston,
1854-1864; Elijah Kelley, 1865-1868; Robert A. Cox, 1868-1872; David
Huddleston, 1874-1880; J.C. McKetchan, 1880-1882; T.J. Tolleson, 1882-1884;
Thomas B. Stephans, 1884-1886; Isaac Cooley, 1886-1888; W.N. McClure,
1888-1890.
County Clerks - David S. Dickson, 1834-1848; William H. Preston, 1848-1850;
Thomas K. Dossey, 1850-1852; John S. Owens, 1852-1854; W.R. McFarlin,
1854-1856; William J. Kelley, 1856-1862; James H. Howard, 1862-1864;
William J. Kelley, 1865-1866; James H. Howard, 1866-1868; H.P. Howard,
1868-1874; William J. White, 1874-1875; M.W. Hill, 1875-1878; W.B.
Thomasson, 1878-1884; J.O.A. Bush, 1884-1890.
Sheriffs - John Hughes, 1834-1835; Isaac White, 1835-1840; Henry Brewer,
1840-1842; Lewis Huddleston, 1842-1854; William Gilmer, 1854-1862; John M.
Davis, 1862-1866; Benjamin S. Davis, 1866-1872; William J. Reed, 1872-1874;
A.F. Wilson, 1874-1876; J.P. Copeland, 1876-1880; W.N. McClure, 1880-1886;
J.P. Gosnell, 1886-1888; A.W. Parker, 1888-1890.
Treasurers - John Hughes, 1838-1840; Hiram Kizzia, 1840-1842; Rice
Stringer, 1842-1852; David Huddleston, 1854-1856; John D. Brewer,
1856-1860; J.B.P. Elzy, 1860-1864; Thomas W. McClure, 1864-1866; John
Wagner, 1866-1872; Thomas J. Strawn, 1872-1874; William J. Jackson,
1874-1876; William J. Smedley, 1876-1878; J.A. Holland, 1878-1882; John W.
Covington, 1882-1884; H.F. Fagan, 1884-1886; William M. Kizzia, 1886-1890.
Coroners - John M. Dickson, 1834-1835; James H. Kirkham, 1835-1836; Henry
Brewer, 1836-1840; William H. Atkins, 1840-1842; B. Scott, 1842-1844; Isaac
Hay, 1844-1846; William B. Speer, 1846-1848; Thomas J. Conway, 1848-1850;
S.S. Thompson, 1850-1852; W. Huddleston, 1852-1854; Thomas J. Conway,
1854-1856; C.M. Crawford, 1856-1858; Benjamin Bryant, 1858-1860; William J.
Thompson, 1860-1862; W. Huddleston, 1862-1864; David Womack, 1864-1866;
Thomas J. Strawn, 1866-1868; George W. Logan, 1868-1872; Granville W.
Tarpley, 1872-1874; C.N. Westerman, 1874-1876; John Gorham, 1876-1882; C.N.
Westerman, 1882-1886; D.L. Bowen, 1886-1888; Jackson J. Wingfield,
1888-1890.
Surveyors - E.K. Williams, 1835-1836; James H. Kirkham, 1836-1838; William
Johnston, 1840-1842; T. Scott, 1842-1844; James H. Kirkham, 1846-1848;
William Johnston, 1850-1852; W.R. McFarlin, 1852-1854; James Scott,
1854-1856; Cyrus Hubble, 1856-1858; W.R. McFarlin, 1858-1860; Cyrus Hubble,
1860-1862; F.J. McFarlin, 1862-1864; W.R. Smedley, 1864-1866; J.M.
Southerland, 1866-1868; C.S. Cox, 1868-1872; J.S. Corbell, 1872-1880; R.S.
Burke, 1880-1882; J.S. Thomasson, 1882-1890.
Assessors - John Wagner, 1868-1872; W.N. McClure, 1872-1874; George W.
Logan, 1874-1882; J.P. Gosnell, 1882-1886; W.N.McFarland, 1886-1888; B.F.
Bryant, 1888-1890.
Pike County has been represented in the General Assembly by the following
members: Asa Thompson, 1836-1838; John Wilson, 1840; William Bizzell,
1842-1843; Elijah Kelley, 1846; William Gilmer, 1848-1851; Samuel Kelley,
1852-1853; William B. Gould, 1854-1855; Elijah Kelley, 1856-1857; Gideon
Mason, 1858-1859; Willis Jones, 1860-1862; William B. Gould, 1862; M.
Stennette, 1864-1865; William B. Gould, 1865; J.A. McCollum, 1866-1867;
J.R. Bush, 1868-1869; John Wagner, 1871; Booker D. Brock, 1877; Henry W.
Carter, 1879; J.A. Davis, 1881-1885; J.P. Copeland, 1885; J.P. Dunn,
1887-1890.
In the Senate of the State are found the following members from this
county: James H. Howard, 1871-1873; O.D. East, 1874-1877; J.P. Copeland,
1887-1890.
Mr. James H. Howard was prosecuting attorney of this, the Eighth Judical
District, in 1873-1875.
The member to the Constitutional Convention of 1836 was Elijah Kelley; in
1874, Henry W. Carter.
___________________________________________________________________________
During War Times
The military operations in Pike County consisted in supplying the
Confederate army with two full companies, raised and dispatched to the
front in 1861, and many recruits, both volunteers and conscripts, at later
periods in the strife. A large number of men, estimated by some as many as
200 left the county, presumed to join the Federal army; many of these,
however, went North, and engaged in civil pursuits till the fighting was
over, when they returned, and many are living here at the present time.
___________________________________________________________________________
Troops For Service
The first company for the Confederate army was recruited in the summer of
1861. At its organization Mr. Frank Black was elected captain, William B.
Gould, first, J.N. McCollum, second, and Henry C. Polk, third lieutenant.
This company left Murfreesboro in July of 1861, and marched to Van Buren,
where they were organized into the Fourth Arkansas Regiment Infantry, and
dispatched to Southwestern Missouri; from that State fell back to
Northwestern Arkansas, and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge. They
were then sent east of the Mississippi River, where they were attached to
the army of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, under whom they served until his
surrender in North Carolina, in 1865.
Capt. Black died at Cross Hollow, Ark., in 1862, and Lieut. Gould was
promoted to the vacant office; he resigned soon after, on account of ill
health, when Sergt. Booker D. Brock was elected to the command, and led the
company in many closely contested battles, till the surrender. Lieut.
McCollum resigned some time in 1862, and soon after joined the Federal
army, with whom he fought till the end of the strife. Less than a dozen
veterans of this company are living in Pike County now, among whom are Dr.
William D. Alford, Rev. George W. Brock, Moses K. Brock, Eri Webb and Cyrus
McRae.
Later in 1861, another company was recruited, by William J. Kelley. At the
organization, Mr. Kelley was elected captain, and William M. Gilmer, first,
Grandison D. Preston, second, and Dr. Beverly R. Dickson, third lieutenant.
This company was organized in the Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry. After the
battle of Pea Ridge, in which they were engaged, they proceeded across the
Mississippi River. After several engagements they were with the army at the
defense of Port Hudson, and sustained the noted siege of that place; at its
fall, they were paroled, and very few ever joined the army again.
Capt. Kelley had resigned, on account of bad health, soon after the troops
reached the front; he returned home, and lived in Pike County till his
death in 1872.
___________________________________________________________________________
Financial Showing
Pike County has but a small indebtedness, and that is being rapidly paid
off; were it not for a constitutional provision, limiting the amount per
cent of the tax levy, the people would be glad to liquidate the total sum
in a few years. The debt stood $10,000 at the beginning of 1889, and during
that year it was reduced to $2,000. At the close of the war the county debt
was very small, but during reconstruction days it was considerably
increased. The erection of a new jail in 1884 added some $6,000, to the
amount, but it may be safely predicted that during the next four or five
years this will all be obliterated.
The highest rate of taxation was in 1878, when there was a levy of 12 mills
for county and State purposes. From 1868 to 1874 county scrip fell in value
to, in many cases, no more than 10 cents on the dollar, but now it has a
cash value of about 50 cents. The assessed value of county property, both
real and personal, was, in 1889, $756,177. In 1874 the total assessment was
$342,379; an increase, it will be seen, in fifteen years, of $422,798. This
healthy growth is simply the increased value of farm property, and may be
counted on to increase, in even a more rapid proportion, in the future, as
much land is being reduced to a state of cultivation by both the native
citizens and immigrants, and of the home seekers in Arkansas, Pike County
is receiving quite a liberal share.
The former system of the farmers placing their growing and prospective
crops under mortgage, to run them till harvest time, is becoming much less
prevalent every year. But little real estate is under mortgage, and the
rich agricultural resources of the county are bringing independence to the
people.
___________________________________________________________________________
Matters of Legal Importance
Pike comprises one of the seven counties of the Eight Judicial District,
over which Judge Rufus D. Hearn now presides, with W.M. Greene prosecuting
attorney. Its legal talent in early days was mostly supplied by lawyers
from the Hempstead County bar, so we do not find a very strong showing in
point of numbers among its lawyers, though several names from this county
became prominent in later years.
Hon. A.B. Williams, at present a member of the Utah Commission, was born in
Hempstead County, and settled at Murfreesboro, Pike County, where he was
admitted to the bar, and became the first resident attorney. He lived and
practiced here for many years, and was known as one of the most brilliant
lawyers of the State. During and since the war William J. Kelley practiced
at this bar. Among others was J. H. Lathrop. J.H. Howard, a citizen of the
county, held office of country clerk and State Senator, and was admitted to
the bar here in 1870; this gentleman now resides in Oklahoma. Hon. L.S.
Corbell was admitted to the bar here in 1873; he has mainly resided in this
and Hempstead County, and is at present the only resident attorney in the
county.
___________________________________________________________________________
Judicial Affairs
There has been but one legal execution in the county, and this was the
hanging of Tyre O'Neal for horse stealing in 1837.
John M. Dickson, a constable, while attempting to seize a horse belonging
to E.K. Williams, against whom he held an execution for debt, was shot
and killed on the spot by the latter. Williams, whose true name was
afterward discovered to be E.W. Kerr, escaped, and was never apprehended.
This happened in 1836.
A.M. Lester was hanged during the war by a posse of men termed "independent
soldiers." Mr. Lester had become obnoxious to these people, with whom he
had had repeated difficulties. He had been warned to leave the county, but
had been promised protection by the governor. He was, notwithstanding,
taken by force one day, while in Murfreesboro, and hanged to a tree near
the bank of the Little Missouri River.
James Kimbrough and Henry Jenkins, two boys, each about sixteen years of
age, had a quarrel which resulted in a fight, in 1862. Kimbrough seized a
stone, with which he struck Jenkins on the head, inflicting fatal injuries.
Kimbrough was indicted, and tried at the next term of court, but was
acquitted.
In the fall of 1869, William Brewer, while in a drunken altercation with
John D. Hancock, in a store in Murfreesboro, stabbed him in the throat,
inflicting a wound from which he died at once. Brewer was indicted, and the
case was continued in the circuit court for several years, but he died a
natural death before he was brought to trail.
One day, in 1873, Mr. W.W. Creecy was plowing in his field, he was shot and
killed by George Lee. Lee was arrested and indicted, but soon made his
escape.
The Rev. John Alford, a highly respected citizen of this county, was shot
and killed while standing in the doorway of his home in Murfreesboro, on
April 30, 1874. Positive proofs as to who did this deed were lacking; yet
suspicion pointed W.R. Hall and A.H. White. Hall was arrested first, and
after preliminary examination, was placed in jail, from which he was
promptly released by his friends. He left the county, and has never
returned. White was afterward arrested on indictment and placed in jail,
but was permitted to go out under guard. He had been privately furnished
with a revolver, and one day he made an assault on the guard and succeeded
in making his escape. A reward of $1,000 was offered for his capture, but
for over a year he roamed at large. In July, 1875, two of his friends, J.J
Cox and H.D. Cox, concluded to hand him over to the authorities for the
reward, but in attempting to secure his capture they killed him.
In the fall of 1875 Riley Thomas killed W.W. Kitchens, by knocking him on
the head with a shovel. Thomas made his escape, and was never brought to
justice.
In 1885 W.M. Wallace killed George Douglas, shooting him from the window of
a house, as he passed along the road. Wallace was at once arrested and
bound over by the examing court, but was not indicted by the grand jury,
who looked upon it as justifiable homicide, from the fact that Douglas had
repeatedly made threats to take Wallace's life.
In 1886 Art Miller was shot by unknown parties. John Brooks was arrested,
indicted and tried for the crime, but acquitted, as the State could produce
no evidence of his guilt.
The murder of Frank Ward in Howard County, and the burning of his murderers
in the Murfreesboro jail are well remembered. On April 5, 1884, Frank Ward
was murdered in Howard County, by Henry Polk, Sylvester Polk and Monroe
Kuykendall. The facts of the killing and the incidents of the arrest of the
murderers, were as follows: Ward was a peddler, who was on a trip through
Howard County. He was gone so long that his brother, a resident of
Prescott, Nevada County, started to follow him up. He was easily traced to
the home of the Polks, but from that place the trail was lost. The men,
Henry Polk, Sylvester Polk and Monroe Kuykendall, were soon arrested on
suspicion, and searching parties began a vigorous search for the body, for
which a reward of $50 had been offered. No trace of it was discovered until
one of the prisoners voluntarily suggested that they look in a heap of
ashes in the woods. This was done, and examination revealed ample proof
that the body had been consumed by fire, and from time to time, as much was
admitted by the prisoners. These three men were promptly indicted, but a
change of venue was taken from Howard to Pike County, and the prisoners
were brought to Murfreesboro. The jail at this place being very insecure,
the prisoners were taken to Little Rock, and placed in the penitentiary for
safe keeping, and while there Monroe Kuykendall died. At the April term of
(the) circuit court in 1885, the other two, Henry Polk and Sylvester Polk,
were placed on trial separately, both were convicted, Sylvester Polk was
sentenced to be hung, and Henry Polk to twenty-one years' imprisonment in
the penitentiary. From a technical error in the proceedings of this court
the prisoners were granted a new trial. This proceeding, which promised the
possible defeat of justice, and the escape from well-merited punishment of
the perpetrators of a heinous crime, must have outraged the feelings of
some of the people, for after two unsuccessful attempts had been made by
armed mobs to take the prisoners from the jail, a third was made on the
night of September 5, 1885, when, as they could not be taken from the iron
cell, a fire was started, which partially consumed the jail, and burned the
two prisoners confined within to death.
After this tragedy, there was a mass-meeting held at Murfreesboro, which
was largely attended by the citizens, who strongly condemned the action of
mob law, and all acts of violence, that might place the county under an
unenviable stigma. Public opinion and the hostility of the people at once
became so pronounced aganist the perpetrators of such diabolical deeds,
that it is thought most of those concerned have moved away. At least, to
the credit of Pike County, may be said that few lawless acts, of even the
most trivial nature, have since occurred. The law is rigidly enforced and
quietly obeyed, and the citizens of all sections are earnest in their
efforts to show the world that no once can condemn mob violence, and its
attendant evils, more vigorously than they. The governor offered a reward
of $250 each for the arrest of every person concerned in this affair, but
no evidence was ever secured to justify the apprehension of any one.
Dennis Brooks was murdered in 1885, at Langley, in the northern part of
this county, by Sylvester Churchill, his nephew, who shot him in the back
with a Winchester rifle, as he was riding away on a horse. There had been
no recent difficulty between the parties, but it was supposed to be in
revenge for fancied wrongs inflicted on Churchill when a boy. After the
shooting, Churchill mounted his horse and rode off toward his home in Scott
County. He was immediately pursued by several parties, and soon captured by
Constable James Epperson, who brought him back to this county and confined
him in the old jail at Murfreesboro. On the night of October 20, 1885, the
jail was burned by unknown incendiaries, and Churchill perished in the
flames. A reward of $500 was offered by Gov. Hughes for the apprehension of
any person concerned in this crime, but no arrests were ever made.
With the exception of these two cases of mob violence, Pike County can show
a wonderfully clear record of criminal cases; in proof of this, it is
proper to state that the grand jury's report at the January term of the
circuit court of 1890, reveals but five indictments, and these for but very
paltry offenses against the law.
___________________________________________________________________________
Organization
Pike County was organized by an act of the Territorial Legislature,
November 1, 1833, and Elijah Kelley, Rice Stringer and John Dickson were
elected as commissioners to locate the seat of justice.
___________________________________________________________________________
Judicial Center
At that time but three settlements had been made within the county limits,
Wolf Creek, east, and the Brewer settlement on Muddy Fork, west, and a few
families at the point of the place selected for the county seat. A log
court-house, and a small frame building for the clerk's office, were at
once erected. Mr. Asa Thompson lived in the immediate vicinity where he
secured a post office at his house with the name of Zebulon. Now that it
became the county seat of the new county, the people, who were mostly
natives of Tennessee, wishing to perpetuate some memory of their native
State, selected the name of Murfreesboro. The county boundaries have been
somewhat changed, but its area is about the same as it was at first.
In the spring of 1855 the clerk's office was burned, destroying all the
county records up to that date. In 1856, the county needing more commodious
quarters for both county offices and court purposes, the county court
ordered the erection of a new court-house. The contract was given to Brock
Bros. - Moses Brock and Jackson Brock. This building is still in use, and
in very good repair. It is a large two-story frame, surmonted by a cupola,
the upper story being devoted to the use of the circuit court, while on the
lower floor are the office for the county officers, and the jury-rooms. The
first jail was erected (in the 1830's) and used till 1884. It was badly
ventilated and at the complaint of the physicians of the county, was
condemned by the grand jury, whereupon the county court ordered a new one
to be erected. The contract for the brick work was given to Wright &
Buckston, of Nashville, and the iron and cell work to P.J. Pauley & Bro.,
of St. Louis. It was finished in 1884, and was complete, with all modern
improvements, accepted for the county by the county court, and cost $6,150.
This jail was partially destroyed by a mob, on the night of September 5,
1885.
The old log jail was destroyed in the same manner, and as elsewhere stated,
one prisoner burned within it. The present jail occupies the site of the
one that was partially destroyed in 1885. The brick work was repaired by
the original contractors, Wright & Buckston, the cell was but slightly
injured, and was soon made as good as new. It is well ventilated,
commodious and secure, and recently was the only unoccupied building in
Murfreesboro.
___________________________________________________________________________
Church and Lodge History
Mount Tabor Methodist Methodist Protestant Church
Organized in 1878 by Rev. L.S. Nabors, some of the original members were:
Mrs. Nancy Stewart, Mrs. Mary Hunt, Mr. A. Sandford and wife, Mr. Joseph M.
Scott and family, Davis Hutson and family, and several others, about twenty
in all. This church, situated in the eastern part of Brewer Township, is a
good frame building 30 x 15 feet. The present pastor is R.M. Sanford.
Mount Zion Methodist Protestant Church
Situated in North Brewer Township and organized in 1868 by Rev. William
Alford, some of the original members were: Thomas McClure and wife, Joseph
Scott, John Tallant and wife, John Sharp, wife and three daughters, Mrs.
Ruthie Denham, Mrs. John Lingo, and John Carroll, some twenty in all. The
present membership is about thirty, and the pastor, Rev. Robert Sanford.
The membership of this church has reached 104. The organization of other
churches has drawn from and reduced its present numerical strength.
Muddy Fork Methodist Episcopal Church, South
This church, held at Central Academy near the center of Muddy Fork Township
was organized in 1888 by Rev. Amariah Biggs. Among the early members were
Henry W. Carter and wife, George Porterfield and wife, William Porterfield
and wife, C.W. Phillips and wife, John McBay and wife, Miss Malinda Jones,
and others, about fifteen in all. This church has a present membership of
seventy-six members. Rev. E. Rushing presided here in 1889, and Rev. Riley
is the present pastor.
Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church
Situated in the southwestern part of Muddy Fork Township, this church was
organized about 1881 by Rev. E. Merrill, assisted by Rev. John Cornish. The
first members were H.G. York and wife, John Canady, Mrs. Cornish. They have
a present membership of eighteen, and worship in a good frame building
30 x 50 feet. The present pastor is H.G. York. In connection with the
church is a flourishing Sabbath-school.
Oak Hill Methodist Episcopal Church
Organized in 1889 by Rev. G.H. Gideon, with a membership of the following
twelve: W.N. McClure and wife, Mrs. Strawn, William Hurdie and wife, T.P.D.
Stevens and wife, and Mrs. B.S. Flaharity. They have a very good box house
30 x 40, and a present membership of twenty-one. The present pastor is O.P.
Noble. This church is situated in the southeastern part of Thompson
Township.
The Missionary Baptist Church of Missouri Township
This church was organized in 1850 by Rev. Samuel Kelley who was also its
first pastor. I.F. Welch is the present pastor.
Wolf Creek Baptist Church
Organized in 1872 by James P. Copeland who was also the first pastor, it
had but five members originally, who were Moses Brock, Amanda Brock, W.P.
Henderson and wife, and John H. Brock. Now their membership is sixty-five.
Murfreesboro Methodist Episcopal Church
Organized in 1841 by the Revs. Jesse Jenkins and Madison E. Alford with
Rev. Benedict as first pastor, some of the earliest members were Rev.
Madison E. Alford and family, Rev. Jesse Jenkins and wife, Mrs. Lucinda
Davis, William Orrick and wife, and William Kizzia and wife. This society
held services in the old log court-house for several years. After the
erection of the Academy in 1869, they worshipped there till 1888, when they
completed their present commodious church edifice, erected at an expense of
$800. The present pastor is J.W. Davis. A large and strong membership
composes this organization.
Hickory Plains Methodist Episcopal Church South
Located in the northeastern part of Thompson Township, this church was
organized in April, 1882, by Rev. George W. Logan. Some of the first
members were C.B. Willett and wife, J.T. Goulding and wife, T.T.L. House
and wife, F.P. Hughes and wife, William Greene and wife, and others, about
twelve in all. The present membership is fourteen, presided over by Rev.
W.L. Davis.
___________________________________________________________________________
Pike Lodge No. 91, A.F. & A.M.
Pike Lodge No. 91, A.F. & A.M., was organized at Murfreesboro, November 8,
1855, with the following station officers: A.B. Williams, master; James M.
Evans, senior warden; George R. Mauney, junior warden. This lodge soon
acquired a large membership, many of whom were bright and highly learned in
Masonic lore. In 1869 they erected a two-story lodge building, the lower
floor of which they dontated to the Murfreesboro school district for an
academy, and it is still used for that purpose.
The officers elected for 1890 were: William D. Alford, master, John F.
Davis, senior warden; W.N. McClure, junior warden; Owen B. Owens,
secretary; John Branch, treasurer; C.P. McGraw, senior deacon; J.A. Alford,
junior deacon; George W. Brock, chaplain, and Mike Branch, tyler. The
membership at this time is twenty-four.
___________________________________________________________________________
Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, the county seat of Pike County, has a beautiful situation on
a slightly elevated plateau, in the southern part of the county near the
Little Missouri River. It occupies the northeast quarter of Section 17,
Township 8 south, Range 25 west, and is the largest and the most important
town in the county. It is in the center of a large scope of very fertile
river bottom country, and from this thickly settled region, draws an
extensive trade. The proposed line of the Texas extension of the Little
Rock Railway goes through the place, and on the probable completion of that
road in the near future must, from the wealth of its surrounding resources,
at once become an important point. Its early settlement extends back to the
teens. Mr. Asa Thompson settled near here in September 1833 and with the
spirit of enterprise bought a small stock of goods and started a store and
and became an early merchant of Pike County. He secured a post office which
was named Zebulon and was member of the General Assembly of the Arkansas
Territorial Legislature in 1833 from Clark County and introduced the bill
to erect the new county of Pike. When the new county was organized and on
the formation of the differenct townships, one was named in his honor. On
selection of this locality for the seat of justice for Pike County, it was
named Murfreesboro.
Mr. Edwin Owens settled in Pike County and soon after located at
Murfreesboro and erected a hotel. This was the first and only hotel
Murfreesboro has ever had and is still in excellent repair and is now being
well conducted by Mr. Joel H. Conway. Mr. Owens soon after erected a store
house, and for some time did an extensive trade. After him, in business,
came William Preston, and in a year or so, Henry Preston, Mr. McDonald, and
John Wagner. These men were all selling goods here prior 1850. At the
outbreak of the war, Evans and Preston, Wagner and Preston, were all doing
a good business, but very promptly closed their doors to trade, and no
business was done here again till after the declaration of peace. John
Wagner was the first to resume; he was soon followed by Haslip & Hoover,
and these firms continued in business for many years. The other important
business houses here have been Haslip & Co., Owens & Conway, J.H. Holland,
etc.; those all did a good trade during their time. The business
interests at the present day are: Davis & Stevens, Charles E. Stelle,
Kelley Bros., Dean & Alford (general stores), McGraw & Covington (grocers),
John Branch and Scameron & Mitchell (blacksmiths and wagon-makers), Stevens
& Stroope, and Kelley Bros. (steam cotton-gins and mills), W.D. Alford and
N.T. Thomasson (physicians), Joel H. Conway (hotel), Lee Giles (editor of
Pike County Courier), John H. Stevens (justice), and C.P. McGraw
(postmaster). The population is 200. A good church (Methodist Episcopal,
South) and an academy or free school, and a Masonic lodge also flourish.
The public buildings are the court-house and jail.
___________________________________________________________________________
Royston
Royston, or the old cotton-mill, is a place of interest. In 1856 Henry
Merrell built a cotton and wool-carding factory, at a point on the Little
Missouri River two and one-half miles north of Murfreesboro; here there was
an excellant water power, where there had been an old grist-mill for many
years prior. He did a small business in the way of spinning thread and
carding wool till about 1860, when it was sold to John Matlock. During the
war he moved the mill to Texas, and ran it in that State in the interest of
the Confederate government. After the war he returned and reengaged in
business at the old site. This was the only grist-mill in this locality at
that time, and people came from long distances to mill and to buy cotton
yarn, with which nearly all the clothing of that time was made; he also had
a store and did the largest commercial trade in the county then. Soon after
he put in looms, and began to manufacture cloth. In 1879 he erected a large
new mill, equipped it well with all needful machinery, and Royston soon
took on the dignity of a village of some 200 people, but Mr. Matlock became
finanicially involved and committed suicide in 1886. The other owners of
the mill, composing the Arkansas Manufacturing Company, removed the plant
to Arkadelphia in 1889.
The place is now deserted; a single tenant occupies the fine old mansion
erected by Mr. Matlock, and all the other houses of this once busy village
are rapidly falling into ruin and decay. Part of the old factory and dam
have washed away, but the waters of the Little Missouri sweep and whirl
over the rapids, and show the visitor the same advantages and power - now
going to waste - that attracted these old mill men years ago.
___________________________________________________________________________
Other Towns
Stellville
Stellville (post office Wolf Creek) is in the central part of Missouri
Township; it is a pleasant little village of about thirty-five inhabitants.
Dudley J. Oldham is the merchant and physician; Andrew A. Stell, hotel
proprietor and planter; Pleasant J. Dickson, blacksmith; Samuel B. Wall,
physician; Samuel B. Stell, postmaster. The first postmaster was J.B. Cast.
The first merchant was Abner H. Kelley.
Nathan Village
Nathan Village, in the western part of Muddy Fork Township, has a
population of about fifty. The business interests are mainly controlled by
William J. White, who conducts a general store, saw and grist-mill and
cotton-gin. Mr. White is also postmaster. The first postmaster was James H.
Gunn.
Bills
Bills, a post-office situated in the southern part of Missouri Township,
was established in 1889, with John W. Gilleylen postmaster. Mr. Gilleylen
still retains this office, and does quite an extensive mercantile business
as well.
Rock Creek
Rock Creek is the only village in Clark Township, in the northeastern part
of Pike County. Its first business was started in 1874 by R.C. McMillin;
the second store by Stephen P. Baker. To the latter business Mr. Baker's
sons, H.P. Baker & Co., have succeeded. A.A. Palmer bought the stock, etc.,
of R.C. McMillian in 1880, and is one of the merchants here now, also C.H.
Palmer; shoe shop, by M.F. White; wood shop, W.D. White; blacksmiths,
Hubbard & Black; steam cotton-gin and grist-mill owned by Hubbard &
Hollysfield. There is a Farmers' Alliance lodge, known as the Rock Creek
Lodge No. 912, also two churches, Methodist Episcopal, South, and
Missionary Baptist. The postoffice was established in 1869, with Stephen P.
Baker, postmaster, The present postmaster is C.H. Palmer.
Gentry
Gentry post-office is situated near the center of Self Creek Township. It
was established in 1889, with Jeff O'Neal, postmaster. Mrs. Churbry Meeks
is the present postmistress, mail being received once per week from Star of
the West.
New Hope
The first store in New Hope (post-office and village) was opened in 1876,
by a Mr. Copley, who did a small business for two years. Forester & Killian
opened a large business in 1878; they disolved in a short time, and went
into business separately. At present there are two stores: Frank Lee and
W.S. Baker. The post-office was established in 1878, with Levi L. Forester
postmaster, The present postmistress is Mrs. Mansfield. A Baptist Church
and school-house are also here. The blacksmith shop is run by George Hill,
and a saw and grist-mill and cotton-gin by James Huey.
Star of the West
The first mill and dwelling in Star of the West was erected by Moses Hill,
in 1852, and the first business house by W.M. Hayes & McGuire, in 1862. The
business of the place has been much varied and conducted by numerous
individuals. At present there are two general stores, owned by L.R.
Sullivan & Bro., and Bean & Talbott; the latter firm also owns a fine mill,
gin and carding factory, which is run by a very excellent water-power,
having a natural rock dam four feet in height. A blacksmith shop by
William Johnson is well supported. The public buildings are a
school-house, Knights of Labor and Masonic halls. The Masonic hall at this
place was built in 1876. The first Masonic organization here was in
1866-1867, the first worshipful master of the lodge being John Latty. The
present master is John Mitchell. The membership is now about thirty
individuals, in good standing. A post office was established here in 1856,
with Willis Jones postmaster. The present postmaster is George T. Epperson.
___________________________________________________________________________
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas, Pike County,
1890, pp. 305-314. Revised-corrected by David Kelley.
___________________________________________________________________________
David Kelley 1997