GOODSPEEDS' - MADISON COUNTY, ARKANSAS (file 2 of 2)

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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed
Publishing Co., 1889.
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HINDSVILLE.

Location.-Hindsville is situated on Section 16 of Township 17 north,
Range 27 west, on a small branch of Brush Creek and in the fertile and
beautiful Vaughan's Valley, ten miles west of Huntsville, on the
Fayetteville road, at its intersection with the road from Wesley to
Eureka Springs.

Founding and Growth.-John Hinds, from Warren County, Tenn., one of the
earliest settlers of the valley, was the original owner of the site of
the town. No regular survey into streets and lots was ever made. In
1868 F. G. Berry bought ground at the cross roads and opened store in
partnership with S. W. Peel. This was virtually the beginning, there
being but two houses at that time, owned by John Hind and S. F.
Hayden. After Mr. Hind's death the property came into control of L. W.
Routh and Robert Smyer, by whom lots were sold to various persons.
Joseph D. Beavers, Anderson Sanders, Southerland & Youngman (now Mark
Youngman), successively engaged in business. Berry & Peel have been
succeeded by Berry & Lane, and Joseph D. Beavers retired some years
ago. There are two drug stores, of which Drs. Henry Southerland and
Simon Ellis are the respective proprietors. Dunaway & Dutton and W. A.
Dudley are the local blacksmiths. In 1875 the first steam mill in the
valley was built by Zimri Vaughan and J. G. M. Seitz, two miles west
of Hindsville. It is now operated by Whitner & Smyer, successors to
John Kennan. In 1883 the steam mill at Hindsville was built by John
Keeney, Tolbert Lane, Albert Smyer and F. G. Berry; the present
proprietors are James Harris and Thomas Lane. The town has a
population of about 100.

page 459
Little Spring Lodge No. 230, F. & A. M., was organized in 1868, and
chartered November 3, 1869, with C. S. Fritts, W. M.; D. R. Johnson,
S. W.; L. C. Denney, J. W.; F. G. Berry, S., [p.459] and eleven other
members. Present membership, forty-six. The society has erected a
substantial hall.

Hindsville Chapter No. 81, R. A. M., was organized in 1881, with ten
members, of whom J. C. Keeney was first H. P. There are twenty-four
members at present.

Spring Vale Chapter, O. E. S., No. 28, was chartered in 1884, and has
a membership of sixty.

ST. PAUL.

Old St. Paul was founded by John C. Sumner, cousin to Charles Sumner,
the great orator and statesman. He was a native of Vermont, removed
thence to Texas, and from there to Arkansas, about 1837. A man of
natural shrewdness and political capacity, and a Democrat of the most
pronounced type, he used to influence the councils of his party, and
represented the county in the Legislature. He was postmaster at St.
Paul until the Civil War. For a time there was one mail a week from
Fayetteville, and afterward St. Paul became a station on the line from
Ozark to Huntsville. Old St. Paul never made any great pretensions to
village honors, and now comprises a store, blacksmith shop and several
houses.

Solomon Lodge No. 293, F. & A. M., at St. Paul, is one of the oldest
in the county. Among the charter members were S. N. Welton, William
Tucker, R. Stanford, A. L. Thompson, H. G. Brashears, W. R. Brashears,
D. M. Cluck and others. The hall, a substantial frame, two-story
building, was rebuilt in 1885, having burned October 6, of that year,
mainly through the efforts of A. L. Thompson, H. G. Brashears, William
Tucker and W. R. Brashears. The membership is about forty.

page 460
The New St. Paul is situated upon Sections 4 and 5, Township 13 north,
Range 26 west, originally entered by Fielding Salyer and William Ake.
The former came from Floyd County, Ky., in 1849. Ake subsequently
removed to Texas, and at the time when the town was first thought of
J. P. Salyer was sole owner of the site. In the spring of 1887, when
it was decided to extend the Fayetteville branch of the St. Louis &
San Francisco Railway, this farm was noticed with favor by the
projectors of the road as its terminus. The river at this point
pursues its course [p.460] at the base of the hills on the south, thus
leaving a wide and sloping area, well situated for the purpose. In
March, 1887, the town was surveyed by George W. Chase. The streets are
uniformly sixty feet wide, numbered from First to Eleventh in order,
from the river north, and from A to G, east and west, Madison Avenue
being between B and C. H. F. McDanield and the railway company each
received a one-third interest in the town in consideration of their
services in laying it out, and in May, 1887, at St. Louis, a division
of the property under this arrangement was effected. The railroad was
opened to the town from Powell, eight miles distant, July 15, 1887. At
that time the house of Mr. Salyer was the only dwelling in the place.
A. B. Lewis built a box shanty in June, 1887, and opened the first
store. The first house was built by Charles Fierce, in the same month,
and was also occupied as a store building. July 20, 1887, J. P. Salyer
began business, and G. H. Davis a little earlier. The first year of
its history finds St. Paul provided with more than a dozen places of
business, as follows: J. P. Salyer, groceries and hardware; Price &
Barrow, Coleman, Ogden Bros., general merchandise; William R.
Brashears, groceries and dry goods; Lowry & Knight, drugs and dry
goods; W. N. Russell & Co., N. F. Gilliland, R. S. Cardin, Guter &
Tweedy, J. H. Davis, groceries; D. C. Pritchard, Charlesworth &
Harrigan, feed; R. A. Hazlett, livery; Sweitzer & Samuel, wagon
manufacturers; F. P. Sunday, W. L. Gilmore, blacksmiths; George
Rivercomb, Glendale Hotel; M. E. Geater, Riverside Hotel; William
Dixon, City Hotel; Miller & Shanklin, lumber and grist-mill. The
population is about 300. The prospect of steady improvement is most
encouraging.

The St. Paul Republican was first issued under that name July 22,
1887, by the original founder and present proprietor, Augustus Lowe.
The removal of the plant from Huntsville to St. Paul was made July 16,
1887. Mr. Lowe established the paper at the former place in 1885,
issuing the first number July 18, under the name of the War Eagle
Republican. The politics of the paper is sufficiently indicated by the
title. It is one of the few Republican papers in Northwestern Arkansas
and of the most aggressive in the State.

[p.461] SMALLER TOWNS.

Wesley, situated upon Section 26, Township 16, Range 28, in the
fertile valley of Richland and Lamar Townships, bears the surname of
its first postmaster. Ten lots, constituting the site of the town,
were surveyed April 1, 1872, but there had been some village
indications previous to that date. The Wesley Joint Stock Company has
a large general store. The most important feature of the town is the
substantial two-story brick building recently erected by the Masonic
order and school district.

Mate Trammel Lodge No. 93, F. & A. M., was instituted November 6,
1867, with the following members: Hezekiah Caldwell, W. M.; Daniel
Boone, S. J.; William P. Clark, J. W.; W. R. Lawson, John Clark, G. T.
Trammel, Levi Phillips, W. M. Phillips, N. R. Shofner, B. B. Davis,
Martin Counts, James Malloy, James Stewart, Elisha Dodson, Frederick
King, James Churchwell, C. S. Fritts.

Drake's Creek is named from the family of that name; it is situated at
the mouth of Drake Creek, on Section 29, Township 26, and Range 27.
The leading business enterprise of the county is the general store of
Johnson & Kennan at this place. During the year ending May 16, 1887,
$20,000 worth of fruit, eggs and produce was shipped through this firm
from Huntsville, Marble, Kingston and other points in the county. The
regular business of the firm amounts to $40,000 a year. Johnson,
Kennan & Co.'s mill for the manufacture of felloes, wagon bows, etc.,
at Drake Creek, employs eight men. David Dickey is engaged in the
business of saddlery; J. C. Calico is postmaster; John Sisemore and
James M. Counts, justices of the peace. The Grand Army of the Republic
and Masonic orders are represented. The latter, Johnsonville Lodge,
No. 427, was instituted November 25, 1885. Charter members: J. S. P.
Johnson, W. M.; R. W. Young, S. W.; G. N. Powell, J. W.; H. C.
Johnson, J. C. Johnson, B. F. Johnson, D. M. Dickey, J. V. Roberts,
John G. Cobb.

page 462
Aurora, on War Eagle Creek, in Bowen Township, comprises ten houses;
the general stores of W. J. McElhaney & Co., Sisemore & Son, the drug
store of John Williams, M. D., two blacksmith [p.462] and two wood
shops. John W. Upton was the first merchant, and his business was
established in 1874. Johnson Bros. followed shortly afterward. J. R.
Robinson, the first blacksmith, located here in 1875.

Infanta Lodge No. 437, was organized November 23, 1886, and has
sixteen members. The charter members were J. B. Morris, W. C. Cluck,
H. A. Reynolds, J. B. Scott, R. M. Wood, J. B. Guinn, J. W. Rawlins,
S. B. Smith, H. C. Ledbetter and William Easterling.

The Independent Order Knights of the Horse was organized in 1884 by
Charles W. Dennis, G. W. C. The grand president of the order is G. B.
Scott, of Aurora. There are several other local organizations in the
county.

Marble, in the township of that name, is situated upon Section 7,
Township 17, and Range 24. A post-office of this name was established
during pioneer times by Jacob Owens, at his store a short distance
above the present location of the village. The first predecessor of
Mr. Owens was Gabriel Hudson, who kept the office at his house. The
village has been built since the war. Its first merchant was William
Wilson. Owens & Williams, Sanders & Wann, -- Owens, Owen Boydston,
Boydston & Wall and E. O. Wall have successively been engaged in
business, Howard Bros. & Co., Walter Schubert & Co. and H. F. Schubert
being the genealogy of the rival establishment since 1885. W. N.
Rutledge, postmaster, carries a line of hardware. The local blacksmith
is W. S. Ross. A building used for school, church and society purposes
was built in 1876. The lodges that meet here are as follows:

Madison Lodge No. 335, F. & A. M., instituted in 1876, with a
membership of eleven, among whom were R. J. Taylor, W. A. Gage, Jacob
Owens, R. I. Marshall, Hosea Paiher, Henry Ray, Dallas Coker, J. P.
Boatright and Riley Williams.

Marble Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F., instituted in October, 1885, with
six members and officers, viz.: N. L. Sanders, N. G.; W. G. Holland,
V. G.; D. M. Boydston, Secretary; W. R. Hedgpeth, B. J. Disney and
James Curnell.

page 463
Delaney.-Twenty-five miles from Fayetteville, on the railroad leading
to St. Paul, is a lumber shipping point of some [p.463] importance. In
February, 1887, William N. Jones opened the first store in a tent.
Three stores, Jones & Thompson, Cartner & Reed, and J. S. Stuart, now
divide the trade for which one was then sufficient. Dr. W. P. Dapney
is the proprietor of a drug store, and J. H. Smith is the local
blacksmith. There are a number of steam saw-mills on Davney and
Delaney Creeks, in the immediate vicinity.

Combs' Station is so named in honor of Capt. H. Combs, the postmaster,
and former owner of the site of the village. The business of Elliott &
Thompson, now Jones & Thompson; of Pickens & Hiller, and of Allen &
Cartner, respectively, general merchants, has been established since
the opening of the railroad in 1887. Hurst & Hansburg are engaged in
the drug business. There are two steam saw-mills here.

Powell, during the short time that it was the terminus of the
railroad, enjoyed a "boom," and although its former prestige cannot be
restored, enjoys comparative prosperity. There are several stores.

Clifty is the trading point for a large section of country north of
Huntsville and Hindsville, and is situated in California Township.
There are the usual features of a diminutive country village.

Whitner, in Prairie Township, near Hindsville, is the location of a
mill and several stores.

Mill Branch Medical Springs, a prospective health resort on a branch
of Kings's River, was laid out in July, 1887. Gilbert Hudson is the
projector.


MILITARY RECORD

[p.464]
The Mexican War.-Adjt.-Gen. A. Wood, of the Arkansas State Militia,
and a resident of this county, organized a company in 1847 for service
in the Mexican War. It numbered more than 100 men, of whom only about
thirty returned at the close of the campaign. The company was
originally enlisted for service as cavalry, but, having been detailed
as part of Gen. Scott's command, it served as infantry. Many died of
fever at Vera Cruz, and many more were sacrificed in the severe
battles that ensued before Scott's triumphant entry into the capital.
Very few of these veterans still survive.

[p.464] THE CIVIL WAR.

The Opening Developments of the Civil War-the secession of South
Carolina and the firing upon Fort Sumter-divided public sentiment in
Northwestern Arkansas but little different from its effects elsewhere
throughout the country. While Democracy throughout the State was
overwhelmingly of the Breckinridge type, the supporters of Douglas
were numerous in the Northwest, and in Madison County their leader was
Isaac Murphy. A resident of the State since 1834, he was elected to
the lower house of the State Legislature in 1846 and re-elected in
1848. Here he became known as a man of sterling integrity, and rapidly
acquired political influence. After a residence of six years in
California he settled in Huntsville in 1854, and in 1856 was elected
to the State Senate from Madison and Benton Counties. The Legislature
of 1860-61 passed an act for the election of delegates to a State
convention to take into consideration the advisability of secession.
February 18, 1861, was fixed upon as the date of election. On the 11th
day of February Mr. Murphy was prevailed upon by citizens of
Huntsville to announce himself as a candidate from that county. Two
others were in the field, one of whom was avowedly in favor of
secession. Isaac Murphy and H. H. Bolinger, the Union candidates, were
elected by a large majority, the former receiving all the votes in a
poll of several thousand, except 144. This expression of public
opinion is the most conclusive evidence of the loyalty of the people
of Madison County. The convention assembled. An ordinance of secession
was voted down by a majority of five. May 6, 1861, after a brief
period of adjournment, it reassembled upon the call of President David
Walker. The ordinance of secession was resubmitted, and adopted with
but five dissenting votes on the first ballot. Four of those who had
voted in the negative successively changed their votes, but Mr. Murphy
steadfastly refused to do so, amid a storm of abuse and
notwithstanding the persuasions of former friends. He returned to his
home at Huntsville; and while, in the rapid revulsion of feeling which
at once resulted, his course was not generally approved, the sterling
character of the man did not fail to be appreciated.

page 465
Home Guards.-Two companies were recruited in Madison County in the
spring of 1861, to repel the threatened invasion of the State, one by
Patrick Sanders, at Huntsville, and another by Larkin Bunch, at
Kingston. They rendezvoused at Huntsville, and became part of Col. D.
W. Carroll's regiment, of Pierce's brigade. In the battle of Wilson's
Creek, August 10, 1861, the regiment suffered considerable loss, and
the companies returned home with greatly depleted numbers.

Regular Confederate Troops.-Five companies of regular Confederate
troops were organized in the county in the summer of 1862. That from
Huntsville was commanded by John W. Moody; from Bowen Township, by
John Parks; from St. Paul, by Hiram Combs; from Hindsville, by Samuel
Phillips; from Kingston, by H. M. Moore. They rendezvoused at Elm
Spring, Benton County, and, with five other companies from this
section of the State, were organized as the Third Arkansas Infantry,
of which S. W. Peel was elected colonel, T. D. Berry
lieutenantcolonel. For some unexplained reason Peel was removed and
followed successively by Cols. Fitz Williams and Adams. The latter was
very unpopular. He led the regiment in the battle of Prairie Grove,
December 7, 1862; this battle was disastrous to the Confederates, and
resulted in the complete demoralization of their forces. Many
survivors of the Third Arkansas deserted to enlist in the Federal
service. The five companies furnished by Madison County were
reorganized in different regiments, and from this time it is
impossible to trace their history. It may be stated in a general way,
however, that many of them continued in the field until the close of
the war, and were principally engaged in the campaigns in the southern
part of the State.

page 466
In the summer of 1864 John Carroll, recruiting officer, Confederate
States Army, organized a company in Madison County, of which he was
himself elected captain; J. T. Holt, first lieutenant; William Roark,
second lieutenant; W. A. Gage, orderly sergeant. This, with two other
companies formed in Benton County, was constituted Maj. James Cooper's
battalion, which was assigned to duty in Texas. Capt. Carroll's
company was detailed individually as body guard to Gen. Stanwatie, a
Cherokee chief in command of a large force of Indians and whites, at
[p.466] Shawneetown, Choctaw Nation. The company returned in a body in
the summer of 1865. This was a cavalry company.

Regular Federal Troops.-The following historical sketch of the First
Regiment, Arkansas Infantry Volunteers, is from the report of the
adjutant general of the State:

"In November, 1862, authority was given by Maj.-Gen. Schofield, then
commanding the Army of the Frontier, to Dr. James M. Johnston, of
Huntsville, Madison Co., Ark., to raise infantry troops from the
State. This authority was general, one regiment to be completed,
however, before another was undertaken, and such a course was to be
pursued until a different policy should be determined upon.

"Early in the war Dr. Johnson's Union sentiments were avowed, and in
April, 1862, being able no longer to remain at home in safety, he left
Huntsville with Isaac Murphy, now (1867) governor of the State, and
his brother, F. M. Johnson, afterward major First Arkansas Infantry.
Arriving at an outpost of the old 'Army of the Southwest,' at
Keitsville, Mo., he promptly reported to Gen. Curtis, then in command
of this army, and was placed upon his staff as a volunteer aid.
Subsequently he rendered valuable services to Gens. Schofield, Totten
and Herron, and accompanied the 'Army of the Frontier' on its first
march into Northwestern Arkansas, in October, 1862, under the command
of Gen. Schofield. Returning with this army to Elkhorn Tavern, he
received the authority alluded to, and marched with the army in the
campaign that terminated in the battle of Prairie Grove, and, on the
establishment of Fayetteville as a post, opened a recruiting office at
that place for the First Arkansas Infantry Volunteers. Recruiting
proceeded with rapidity, and on the 25th day of March, 1863, the
regiment was raised, and Dr. Johnson was mustered into the service as
its colonel. The following communication from Maj. F. M. Johnson, then
in command, gives some accounts of the subsequent services of the
regiment:

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARKANSAS INFANTRY, ttt

FORT SMITH, ARK., JUNE 26, 1865.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report: 'At the time
of the muster in of J. M. Johnson as colonel of this regiment it
numbered thirty-six commissioned officers and 810 enlisted men,
recruited in the previous [p.467] sixty days in Madison, Washington,
Newton, Benton, Searcy and Crawford Counties. It participated in the
battle of Fayetteville, under the immediate command of Lieut.-Col. E.
J. Searle and Maj. E. D. Ham, on the 18th day of April, 1863, and
marched for Springfield, Mo., on the 25th day of that month. On the
6th day of July it was ordered to Cassville, Mo., where it shortly
afterward arrived, and on the 17th day of August joined the Army of
the Frontier, under the command of Maj. Gen. Blount, at Fort Gibson,
Cherokee Nation, pursued the rebels under Cooper and Stanwatie, to
Perryville, in the Choctaw Nation, and returning to Fort Smith, was
the first regiment to enter the garrison, on the first day of
September, 1863. Shortly afterward, by order of Brig.Gen. McNeil, the
regiment proceeded to Waldron, and remained there until February,
1864, when it was again ordered to report at Fort Smith, to take part
in the movement southward, under Brig.-Gen. Thayer; left Fort Smith
with the frontier division on the 24th day of March 1864, forming part
of the first brigade, under Col. John Edwards; participated in the
battle of Moscow, losing three men killed and several wounded; entered
Camden on the 16th day of April, 1864, and was engaged in a
reconnaissance of the enemy after the battle of Poisoned Springs; left
Camden on the 26th of April, and, as part of the right wing of the
Union army, was engaged with the enemy at the battle of Saline River,
where it repulsed a strong flanking party with considerable loss to
the enemy, and losing no men itself. On the first day of May, 1864,
the regiment arrived at Little Rock, and proceeded thence to Fort
Smith, where it arrived on the 17th day of the same month, since which
time it has been engaged in escort and guard duty on the frontier. The
greatest aggregate was in November, 1863, 979 officers and men; the
lowest in March, 1865, 774; present aggregate, 788, thirty-one
commissioned officers and 757 enlisted men.'

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


(Signed)
F. M. JOHNSON,

Major, Commanding Regiment.



A. W. BISHOP,

Adjutant General, Arkansas.

"Aside from the operations of the regiment embraced in this brief
resume, detachments were frequently sent out to succor Union men, a
duty which, from their familiarity with the country, they were
particularly well qualified to discharge. In September, 1863, it
became known at Fort Smith that several hundred men of this class had
gathered together from the surrounding country, upon and near Magazine
Mountain, whither they had been compelled to flee for security, and
though generally having arms of their own, were much in need of
ammunition. To relieve them, Capt. William C. Parker, of the First
Arkansas Infantry, was directed to proceed with sixty men to their
rendezvous, which he did, accomplishing the object for which he was
sent. On his return, while crossing Haguewood Prairie in Franklin
County, he was suddenly confronted by the rebel general Shelby's
command, then moving northward on his well-known [p.468] raiding
expedition into Missouri. A stubborn fight ensued, Capt. Parker slowly
falling back until he reached the timber, where the unequal contest
was still carried on until, finding himself nearly surrounded, he
directed his men to escape as best they could. In this encounter he
lost twenty-two men, killed and taken prisoners, but killing and
wounding nearly the same number of the enemy. Capt. Parker himself
succeeded, with the rest of his men, in arriving safely at Fort Smith,
when, instant measures being taken by Col. Johnson to advise Col.
Harrison, then commanding at Fayetteville, of Shelby's march
northward, the intelligence was quickly circulated through
Southwestern Missouri, and Shelby's movement was in a great measure
frustrated.

"As early as the summer of 1862 bands of Union men similar to that
relieved by Capt. Parker had, in various portions of Western Arkansas,
consorted together, and, though compelled by oppression and violence
to leave their homes, were accustomed to take refuge among the hills
and in the woods, and no extent of persecution succeeded in driving
them from the State. Commonly known as 'Mountain Feds,' they were true
to the Union under the most discouraging circumstances, and from time
to time gave valuable assistance to the organized forces operating in
various portions of the State. To those in command at Fayetteville,
Fort Smith, Van Buren, Clarksville and Dardanelle they were especially
serviceable, and though it would be difficult, if not impossible, now
to recount their exploits, they will long be remembered in Arkansas as
men whose loyalty was put to the severest tests, shining out
conspicuously when the Federal arm was not outstretched for their
relief. Many of them entered various Arkansas regiments, the First
Infantry among the number, as the Union army advanced; but not until
the rebellion was suppressed did some of them cease their irregular
though necessary warfare. * * * *

"In November, 1863, while this regiment was stationed at Fort Smith,
about 300 of its men were vaccinated with spurious vaccine matter, a
large number of whom were permanently disabled; and many others, whose
disability unfitted them for duty, it became necessary to discharge.

"On the 30th of October, 1863, while this regiment was on duty at Fort
Smith, a mass-meeting of Union men was held at that place for the
purpose of inaugurating measures that should lead to the restoration
of civil government in the State, at which Col. Johnson was
unanimously nominated to represent the people of Western Arkansas in
the Congress of the United States. In November he was elected, and
again in October, 1865, for the Third Congressional District. Though
thus a member-elect of the Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth Congresses,
and necessarily called away from his regiment in his efforts to secure
the recognition of the State government by Congress, he served with
the regiment when not thus occupied, and with it was mustered out at
Fort Smith on the 10th day of August, 1865."

Following is the official roster of the First Arkansas Infantry, in
which several Madison County names appear: James M. Johnson, colonel;
Elhanon J. Searle, lieutenant-colonel; Elijah D. Ham, Francis M.
Johnson, majors; William B. Waterman, surgeon; Thomas B. Drake, Harvey
H. Bolinger, Robert B. Campfield, assistant surgeons; Francis
Springer, chaplain; John M. Leard, chaplain; Francis M. Sams,
adjutant; William Patterson, adjutant; Crittenden C. Wells, Jonathan
H. Hewes, regimental quartermasters. Companies B and G were recruited
entirely in Madison County. Their respective officers were as follows:
Company B, Elitle Haynes, captain; Francis M. Johnson, first
lieutenant; Albert K. Berry, second lieutenant. Upon the resignation
of Capt. Haynes in 1863, and the promotion of Lieut. Johnson in 1864,
Thomas H. Scott and Felix G. Eubanks succeeded to their respective
positions. Company G, George W. R. Smith, captain; John Johnson, first
lieutenant; Simon P. Smith, second lieutenant. The county was also
represented largely in Company A, and in the First Regiment Arkansas
Cavalry.

page 470
In the autumn of 1863, in accordance with orders from Maj.-Gen.
Schofield, then commanding the Department of the Missouri, several
companies of Union men were organized in Northwestern Arkansas, the
general government issuing arms and ammunition, and when on active
service furnishing them with subsistence. A company of this character
was organized in Madison County by Capt. John W. Bivens. It was in
active [p.470] service more than a year, and participated in frequent
raids upon the enemy and in skirmishes without number. After the
unsuccessful attack upon Fayetteville, and the subsequent order for
the withdrawal of Federal forces from Arkansas, arrangements were made
for the organization of companies of militia; commissions for Madison
County were granted to John M. Bivens, March 27, 1865; George W.
Seamans, April 18, 1865; Elitle Haynes, April 18, 1865; John
Wilkinson, April 18, 1865; Bethel Counts, April 20, 1865; all of whom
had the rank of captain, but the conclusion of hostilities rendered
the organization of companies unnecessary.

page 471
Operations in the County.-There were no military movements of
importance in Madison County. In December, 1862, Herron's command
(Federals) passed through the county after the battle of Prairie
Grove, and encamped several days at Huntsville. This was the first
appearance of a large body of armed troops in the county. Skirmishes,
impossible to enumerate, were of such frequent occurrence as to excite
but little notice at the time. In the autumn of 1863 Col. Brooks, with
a force of 600 or 700 Confederates, was met near Marble by Gen.
O'Neall with about 1,000 Federals and a number of mounted howitzers.
Brooks was en route northward, but was repulsed with severe loss, and
pursued to the Arkansas River. Capt. Bivens' company and several
others from the Federal post at Fayetteville, to which they were
attached, were stationed at Huntsville nearly a year at the close of
the war. Bushwhackers were numerous. November 16, 1862, a party of
twenty-five men was detailed from Elkhorn Tavern to escort the
daughters of Isaac Murphy to their home near Huntsville. On the
following day they were attacked by a superior force, within two miles
of Huntsville, and put to flight. On the 17th inst. Maj. Johnson was
dispatched with a detachment of 200 men, with orders to penetrate as
far as Huntsville, and ascertain the strength of the enemy. When
within ten miles of the town he was met by accredited loyal citizens,
who confirmed the reports of the survivors of the previous expedition.
His scouts reported that Huntsville was garrisoned by not less than a
brigade, and that cannons were planted in the streets. The major at
once retreated, and with such precipitation that several horses were
drowned in crossing White River. The [p.471] sequel would seem to
indicate that even a reconnoitering party may be deceived. It
transpired that the escort was attacked by a small band of Missourians
under Jackman, who had moved northward immediately.


SCHOOLS.

Early Schools.-The earliest educational efforts of the county resulted
in the erection of a school and church house in every thickly settled
community. One of the earliest of these first school-houses was built
a short distance northeast of Huntsville; another in the Alabama
settlement, on the site of Alabama Church; another in Bowen Township,
a mile from Aurora; another at the old Cumberland Presbyterian camp-
meeting ground, near Kingston; another within two miles of Hindsville,
Prairie Township; another near old St. Paul, in the southern part of
the county. These buildings varied but little in appearance,
construction and appointments. They were usually constructed of logs,
with puncheon floors, slab seats, without glass windows. As enlarged
and repaired, several of these early temples of learning do service in
a similar capacity to this day.

Teachers.-Among the early school-masters were John F. King, a
Cumberland Presbyterian minister, who taught near Kingston; Thomas
McCuistion, county surveyor, from 1836 to 1848; John Wilson, Arkansas
Wilson, - Carlton and Isaac Murphy, at Huntsville. Schools were
supported entirely by voluntary subscription. J. R. Berry relates that
in 1846 he taught a three months' term for $15 and board, from which
the rate of pay may be inferred. No great amount of learning was
required in the teacher; and when two or more applicants appeared for
the same school the one who gave the best evidence of muscular
development was invariably employed, other things being equal.

Text Books.-Webster's "blue-back" spelling-book, Smiley & Pike's
arithmetic, Kirkham & Smith's grammar, were among the first text
books. The Bible was used as a reader, and in some schools English
history was a branch of study. The course in mathematics terminated
with the "rule of three." Writing books consisted of foolscap, with a
copy "set" by the teacher.

page 472
Public Schools.-The public school system of the State was established
under the constitution of 1868. The county is [p.472] divided into a
number of school districts, as the topography of the country and
general convenience of the people require. The erection of districts,
apportionment of funds, and levying of special taxes, is under the
supervision of the county court. Previous to the war the distribution
of sixteenth-section funds, seminary and saline (State) land funds,
were distributed under the direction of a county commissioner, elected
by popular vote. D. L. Saunders and P. W. Newton filled this position.
The office of circuit superintendent was created with the common-
school system; its incumbents were W. H. H. Clayton and A. S. Prather,
the term of the latter expiring in 1874. Since that date, under the
present State constitution, the local executive authority in county
school matters is vested in a county examiner, appointed by the county
court for a term of two years. This office has been held by the
following named persons: O. S. Ragland, 1874-76; D. W. C. Bolinger,
1876-78; Frank Nantes, 1878; N. J. Carlock, 1878-82; R. S. Andrews,
1882-84; J. H. Bohlen, 1884-88.

Statistics.-The first school district in the county, Huntsville, No.
1, with ten others, was erected Thursday, November 13, 1868. The
number was increased to fourteen December, 11, 1868; to twenty-one
January 4, 1869; to thirty-four January 25, 1869. There were ninety-
two districts in 1881, with an enrollment of 4,299. The State fund was
$3,124.97 State scrip, and $1,553.11 in cash. The districts numbered
ninety-four in 1882. In 1883 the State fund was $3,199.59 in cash,
$1,903.28, scrip. In 1884, $5,612.10 in cash, and $1,458.81 State
scrip, was apportioned among eighty-four districts. The same number of
districts, in 1885, received $5,548.68, cash; $448.32, scrip. The
following financial exhibits are from the report of C. C. Sanders,
county treasurer:

STATEMENT OF THE PUBLIC-SCHOOL FUNDS OF MADISON COUNTY, FOR THE YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 1885.

Amount Received.: Balance on hand June 30, 1884
Total.: $3,605 75

Amount Received.: From common-school fund, State
Total.: 5,083 81

Amount Received.: From district tax
Total.: 790 91

Amount Received.: From poll tax
Total.: 2,007 63

Amount Received.: From sale or lease of sixteenth sections
Total.: 431 86

Amount Received.: From sale or lease of houses or sites
Total.: 10 00

Amount Received.: From all sources
Total.: 412 44

page 473
Amount Received.: Total
Total.: $12,342 40

Amount Expended.: For teachers' salaries
Total.: $6,767 43

Amount Expended.: For building and repairing
Total.: 148 59

Amount Expended.: For treasurer's commissions
Total.: 167 26

Amount Expended.: For other purposes
Total.: 431 86

Amount Expended.: Total
Total.: $7,515 14

Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Of common-school fund
Total.: $4,268 07

Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Of district fund
Total.: 510 91


Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Of funds from all other
sources
Total.: 48 28

Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Total
Total.: $4,827 26

YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1866.

Amount Received.: Balance on hand June 30, 1885
Total.: $4,827 26

Amount Received.: From common-school fund (State)
Total.: 4,036 03

Amount Received.: From district tax
Total.: 926 37

Amount Received.: From poll tax
Total.: 2,141 05

Amount Received.: Other sources
Total.: 39 10

Amount Received.: Total
Total.: $11,969 81

Amount Expended.: For teachers' salaries
Total.: $7,470 24


Amount Expended.: For building and repairing
Total.: 430 69

Amount Expended.: For treasurer's commissions
Total.: 142 85

Amount Expended.: Total
Total.: $8,043 78

Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Of common-school fund
Total.: $3,430 35

Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Of district fund
Total.: 495 68

Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Of funds from all other
sources

Balance in County Treasury Unexpended.: Total
Total.: $3,926 03


SUMMARY OF COUNTY EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR 1885.

   Enumeration, white   5,664

   Enumeration, colored   20

   Total   5,684

   Enrollment, white   3,172

   Enrollment, colored   8

   Total   3,180

   Number of districts   58

   Number of districts reporting enrollment   57

   Number of districts voting tax   21

   Number of teachers employed   65

   Number of school-houses   78

   Value of school-houses   $5,620 00


   Number of institutes held   No report.

page 474
   Number of teachers attending   No report. [p.474]


FOR 1886.

   Enumeration, white   6,019

   Enumeration, colored   14

   Total   6,033

   Enrollment, white   3,219

   Enrollment, colored

   Total   3,219

   Number of districts   100


   Number of districts reporting enrollment   58

   Number of districts voting tax   30

   Number of teachers employed   59

   Number of school-houses   90

   Value of school-houses   $8,000 00

   Number of institutes held   2

   Number of teachers attending   105


The enrollment by districts, apportionment of State fund and special
tax levy, for the year 1888, where assessed, are shown in the
following table:

No.: 1
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 90
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 90
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 180
Apportionment State Fund.: $ 195.08
Special Tax Rate.: 3

No.: 2
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 47
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 89
Apportionment State Fund.: 96.45


No.: 4
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 43
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 59
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 102
Apportionment State Fund.: 110.54

No.: 5
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 63
Apportionment State Fund.: 68.27

No.: 6
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 45
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 34
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 79
Apportionment State Fund.: 85.64

No.: 7
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 36
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 62
Apportionment State Fund.: 67.19

No.: 8
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 16
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 14
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 30
Apportionment State Fund.: 32.52
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 9
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 60
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 52
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 112
Apportionment State Fund.: 121.38

No.: 10
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 39
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 69
Apportionment State Fund.: 74.78

No.: 11
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 46
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 35
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 81
Apportionment State Fund.: 87.78

No.: 12
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 11
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 21
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 32
Apportionment State Fund.: 34.68

No.: 13
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 41
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 34
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 75
Apportionment State Fund.: 81.28


No.: 14
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 40
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 82
Apportionment State Fund.: 88.87

No.: 15
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 54
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 48
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 102
Apportionment State Fund.: 110.54

No.: 16
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 65
Apportionment State Fund.: 70.44

No.: 17
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 57
Apportionment State Fund.: 61.77

No.: 18
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 73
Apportionment State Fund.: 79.12

No.: 19
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 45
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 44
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 89
Apportionment State Fund.: 96.45
Special Tax Rate.: 1/2

No.: 20
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 41
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 73
Apportionment State Fund.: 79.12

No.: 21
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 45
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 55
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 100
Apportionment State Fund.: 108.37

No.: 22
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 60
Apportionment State Fund.: 65.03

No.: 23
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 56
Apportionment State Fund.: 60.69


No.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 57
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 20
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 77
Apportionment State Fund.: 83.45
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 25
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 64
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 73
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 137
Apportionment State Fund.: 148.47
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 35
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 22
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 57
Apportionment State Fund.: 61.77

No.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 40
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 39
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 79
Apportionment State Fund.: 85.64
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 28
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 23
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 50
Apportionment State Fund.: 54.18

No.: 29
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 20
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 51
Apportionment State Fund.: 55.27
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 49
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 67
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 116
Apportionment State Fund.: 125.72
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 70
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 112
Apportionment State Fund.: 121.38
Special Tax Rate.: 3

No.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 25
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 51
Apportionment State Fund.: 55.27
Special Tax Rate.: 21/2

No.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 28
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 16
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 44
Apportionment State Fund.: 47.68


No.: 34
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 45
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 40
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 85
Apportionment State Fund.: 92.12

No.: 35
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 41
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 65
Apportionment State Fund.: 70.44

page 475
No.: 36
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 44
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 39
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 83
Apportionment State Fund.: $ 89.93

No.: 37
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 29
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 60
Apportionment State Fund.: 65.02
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 38
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 28
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 55
Apportionment State Fund.: 59.60
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 39
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 47
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 89
Apportionment State Fund.: 96.45
Special Tax Rate.: 1

No.: 40
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 52
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 43
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 95
Apportionment State Fund.: 102.95

No.: 41
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 35
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 41
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 76
Apportionment State Fund.: 82.36
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 21
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 51
Apportionment State Fund.: 55.27

No.: 43
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 60
Apportionment State Fund.: 65.02


No.: 44
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 35
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 66
Apportionment State Fund.: 71.52

No.: 45
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 12
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 23
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 35
Apportionment State Fund.: 37.93
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 46
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 66
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 67
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 133
Apportionment State Fund.: 144.14
Special Tax Rate.: 4

No.: 47
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 13
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 6
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 19
Apportionment State Fund.: 20.59

No.: 48
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 79
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 69
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 148
Apportionment State Fund.: 160.40

No.: 49
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 60
Apportionment State Fund.: 65.03

No.: 50
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 46
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 48
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 94
Apportionment State Fund.: 101.89
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 52
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 12
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 15
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 27
Apportionment State Fund.: 29.26

No.: 53
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 36
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 66
Apportionment State Fund.: 71.52

No.: 54
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 142
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 126
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 268
Apportionment State Fund.: 290.45
Special Tax Rate.: 5


No.: 55
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 61
Apportionment State Fund.: 66.12
Special Tax Rate.: 3


No.: 56
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 36
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 56
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 92
Apportionment State Fund.: 99.70
Special Tax Rate.: 2

No.: 57
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 50
Apportionment State Fund.: 54.19
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 58
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 19
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 7
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 26
Apportionment State Fund.: 28.18

No.: 59
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 19
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 23
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 42
Apportionment State Fund.: 45.52
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 60
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 40
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 72
Apportionment State Fund.: 78.03
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 61
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 44
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 38
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 82
Apportionment State Fund.: 88.87

No.: 62
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 39
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 71
Apportionment State Fund.: 76.95

No.: 63
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 21
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 47
Apportionment State Fund.: 50.93

No.: 64
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 28
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 61
Apportionment State Fund.: 66.10


No.: 65
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 25
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 52
Apportionment State Fund.: 56.35
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 66
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 22
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 46
Apportionment State Fund.: 49.85
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 67
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 11
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 8
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 19
Apportionment State Fund.: 20.59
Special Tax Rate.: 3

No.: 68
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 34
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 58
Apportionment State Fund.: 62.85

No.: 69
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 19
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 45
Apportionment State Fund.: 48.77

No.: 70
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 57
Apportionment State Fund.: 61.77
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 71
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 36
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 62
Apportionment State Fund.: 67.19

No.: 72
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 25
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 21
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 46
Apportionment State Fund.: 49.85
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 73
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 53
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 50
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 103
Apportionment State Fund.: 111.64
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 74
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 26
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 22
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 48
Apportionment State Fund.: 52.04


No.: 75
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 51
Apportionment State Fund.: 55.27



SCHOOLS.

No.: 76
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 49
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 58
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 107
Apportionment State Fund.: 115.96

No.: 78
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 40
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 73
Apportionment State Fund.: 79.12

No.: 79
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 60
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 49
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 109
Apportionment State Fund.: 118.13

No.: 80
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 41
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 74
Apportionment State Fund.: 80.20

No.: 81
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 21
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 48
Apportionment State Fund.: 52.04

No.: 83
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 22
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 52
Apportionment State Fund.: 56.36

No.: 84
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 38
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 14
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 52
Apportionment State Fund.: 56.35

No.: 85
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 74
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 53
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 127
Apportionment State Fund.: 137.63

No.: 87
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 17
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 20
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 37
Apportionment State Fund.: 40.10


No.: 88
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 62
Apportionment State Fund.: 67.19

No.: 89
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 35
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 68
Apportionment State Fund.: 73.69
Special Tax Rate.: 21/2

No.: 90
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 34
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 66
Apportionment State Fund.: 71.53
Special Tax Rate.: 2

No.: 91
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 43
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 25
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 68
Apportionment State Fund.: 73.70

No.: 92
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 39
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 30
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 69
Apportionment State Fund.: 74.78

No.: 93
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 38
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 27
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 65
Apportionment State Fund.: 70.44

No.: 95
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 36
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 25
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 61
Apportionment State Fund.: 66.11
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 96
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 32
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 24
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 56
Apportionment State Fund.: 60.69

No.: 97
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 33
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 75
Apportionment State Fund.: 81.28
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 98
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 43
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 23
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 66
Apportionment State Fund.: 71.52
Special Tax Rate.: 5


No.: 99
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 31
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 40
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 71
Apportionment State Fund.: 76.94
Special Tax Rate.: 5

No.: 100
ENROLLMENT. Male.: 42
ENROLLMENT. Female.: 38
ENROLLMENT. Total.: 80
Apportionment State Fund.: 86.70


page 476
Huntsville Academy.-About the year 1857 a female seminary building was
erected about one-fourth of a mile south of Huntsville, upon land
donated for the purpose by John Sanders, who, with Dr. V. L. Sanders,
was the principal mover in the enterprise. The Misses Pearson, of
Washington County, conducted the school until compelled to suspend by
the war, during which the building was burned.

The present academy building, a frame structure two stories high,
61×36 feet in dimensions, was erected in 1881 at a cost of $4,000. The
active supporters of this work were Dr. M. Knight, by whom the
subscriptions were obtained, W. S. Laurey and W. A. Gage, under whose
supervision the building was constructed. The first board of directors
consisted of W. J. Sams, A. A. Brodie, Dr. J. E. Plummer, W. A. Gage
and J. M. Caldwell. Dr. M. Knight, W. A. Marrs and W. S. Laurey were
added in 1884, and, Mr. Caldwell having retired, the present board
numbers seven. J. T. Walker, E. D. Tingle, John Sullivan, G. W.
Stuckey and W. C. Adair have served as principals in the order of
their names.


CHURCHES.

Cumberland Presbyterian.-King's River congregation is the oldest in
the county. At the date of the first settlement of that valley a camp
ground was established near Kingston, an arbor and other conveniences
provided, and here Revs. Buchanan and John F. King preached. The
latter was succeeded by Revs. E. Brown, J. G. Henry, A. G. Kendall and
J. C. Long, present incumbent. Elders J. G. Brown, John Wiggins, J. D.
McCracken, Samuel King and G. D. Neill constitute the present session.

Alabama Church was founded before the war, and has as its pastors,
Revs. John F. King, Henry Ray and E. Brown. This was also a place for
camp meetings. Since the war Revs. Silas Suttle, A. G. Kendall, W. D.
Rudolph, E. Brown, J. J. Henry and J. C. Long have successively
officiated as pastors. A reorganization was effected in 1878.

page 477
Marble Church was organized by Rev. Henry Ray, before the war. The
membership has increased from fifteen four years ago to forty-eight at
present, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. C. [p.477] Long. The
session is constituted as follows: Elders, Posey Parker, Louis Parker,
James Hammond, Bradfield Horrell, James Quall; deacons, Jacob Davis,
Nicholas Hudson.

Huntsville Church was a strong organization at an early period in the
history of that town, when Abner Adams, H. C. Berry and William
Boatright were elders. The Presbyterian element seems to have been
weak at the close of the war, and not until December 25, 1881, was a
reorganization effected. Revs. John F. King, John and Andrew Buchanan
preached before the war; J. C. Long is in charge at present. The
elders are F. M. Sams, L. R. Parks and W. R. Phillips; deacon, Noel
Stringfield. A handsome and substantial brick church edifice, 50×34
feet in dimensions, was dedicated January 1, 1888.

Hindsville Church was organized about the year 1876 by Rev. A. G.
Kendall, its first and present pastor, W. D. Rudolph having served in
that capacity several years. Present elders: James Harris, A. W.
Walker, W. D. L. Keefer, Lafayette Banks.

Harmony Church, in War Eagle Township, was organized by Revs. A. G.
Kendall and J. C. Long, the latter continuing as pastor. D. W.
Sanders, D. W. Phillips and John Boatright were the first elders.

Spring Hill Church, in Prairie Township, Rev. J. C. Long, pastor; A.
I. Berry, Thomas Fullerton, Phillip Smith, Frank Place, elders; Frank
Lehmaster, deacon, has recently enjoyed a very successful revival. It
was organized since the war by Rev. A. G. Kendall, who was the first
pastor.

Pleasant Grove Church, in War Eagle Township, James Cain, J. M.
Hawkins, D. W. Phillips, elders; M. I. Phillips, deacon, was organized
in 1886 by Rev. J. C. Long, the present pastor.

Kingston Church is the most recent addition to the number, having been
organized in 1887, with about twenty members, of whom J. R. Combs,
James Arms and -- Combs were elected elders, and James Sanders,
deacon. Rev. J. C. Long is pastor.

Wesley Church, Lamar Township, was organized before the war by Rev.
Luther Bell; a reorganization has recently been effected by Rev.
William Washbourne, pastor at present.

page 478
All these churches are embraced in the geographical limits of
Washington Presbytery.

Methodist Episcopal Church, South.-Huntsville Circuit includes a
number of appointments throughout the central part of the county. The
preachers upon this circuit since the war have been as follows: Revs.
Collins, Brice, Stockton, Fair, Summers, Myatt, Johnson, H. C. Jolly,
B. C. McCurry. O. H. Tucker, J. P. Calloway, H. Cummins, J. N.
Villines, T. A. Martin and W. H. Corley, present incumbent. The
territory was reorganized immediately after the war by Rev. Jacob
Shook.

A church was built at Huntsville before the war, and since 1876 the
society has been invested with the title to a half interest in the
Masonic Hall. The present membership is eighty-five. The stewards are
F. C. McCurry and W. A. Marrs. McConnell Chapel, formerly known as
Hopewell, is a property owned exclusively by the church and built
principally by Abraham McConnell. Membership, forty-six; stewards,
Thomas Keeling, John Withrow. Arbor Church, in Bowen Township, near
Aurora, has forty-seven members. Stewards, L. E. Parker. The Withrow
Church, four miles east of Huntsville, has but a small membership.
Samuel Withrow is steward. Alabama Church is one of the oldest
organizations in the county, and camp meetings of more than local
influence were frequently held here. J. B. Presley and Wiley Burns are
the stewards. Pleasant Home Church was organized in 1886 by T. C.
McCreery, and a neat house of worship has been erected. Stewards, T.
Epperson, William Bailey. Membership, forty. The church on Bohannan
Mountain, of which Eli Yarbrough is steward, was organized many years
ago, and has a membership of twenty-three.

Hindsville Church forms part of Goshen Circuit, on which Rev. John H.
Sturdy is pastor.

page 479
Kingston Mission has had the following named pastors in recent years:
Revs. Young, Grant, Brice, King, Bradford, Dernick, Jenkins, Sewell,
Burns, Frost, Matthis and Pierce Merrill, at present in charge.
Little's Chapel, on Sweden Creek, was built on Government land, and
the title is unfortunately unsecured. There are thirty-four members
here, and the steward is James Smelley. Bluff Spring Church, in King's
River Township, [p.479] J. F. Bell, steward, has a membership of
twenty-three. The class at this place was organized more than forty
years ago. About 1843 James Doak gave five acres for a camp-meeting
ground; tents and a large stand for public speaking were erected,
which were burned during the war, and the meetings have been
discontinued. An arbor was built at Bluff Spring in 1880. Pleasant
Hill was organized in 1888 with eleven members.

Clifty Mission, Rev. Robert Hardcastle, pastor, includes a number of
small organizations in the northern part of the county.

White River Circuit, principally in Washington County, embraces
several appointments in Valley and Hilburn Townships. About 1840 Henry
Raynor bought three acres of land from John C. Sumner, at old St.
Paul, and John Bivens built thereon, under contract, a shed 60×40
feet. Camp meetings were held here for a number of years. Jacob Sexton
was one of the first preachers.

Methodist Episcopal.-St. Paul Circuit, Rev. J. B. Orwig, pastor,
comprises three organizations, St. Paul, Bollinger's and The Cove.
There is a membership of forty at St. Paul, and services are held at a
school-house known as White River Chapel. A church building is in
course of erection. The membership at Bollinger's is forty-three and
at The Cove twenty-seven.

Aurora and King's River, with other points throughout the central part
of the county, constitute a circuit under the care of Rev. Wren.

Protestant Methodist.-A church was organized in 1872 in Lamar Township
by Rev. Clark Mason; his successors have been Coleman, Smalley,
William S. Bartholomew and A. S. Wood. B. B. Davis, Henry N. Sanders
and Lawson Pitts were among the first members. The present numerical
strength is thirty, and Pleasant N. Gipson is steward.

page 480
Christian.-Fairview Church, in Lamar Township, was organized about
1853. Robert Graham, now a professor of theology at Lexington, Ky.,
was one of the first preachers, and after him Wesley W. Lucas, until
his death in 1874. Elders Smith, Baxter and Gage were among the first
members. In 1884 this church and the Whitehouse Church in Washington
County were consolidated under the name of Wesley Church, with a
membership [p.480] of eighty, by elders D. W. Lucas and Daniel Boone.
Rev. T. J. Giddings was pastor for a time, but since his withdrawal a
vacancy has existed. Rev. Walker Moore has been called.

War Eagle Church was organized in 1859 by Elder Royal, disbanded in
1861, reorganized in 1867 by S. Bell, and has about fifty members.

Lollar's Creek Church was organized in 186- by Elder Joel Roberts,
Joseph Thomas, James Sisemore and C. S. Hawkins being among the first
members. Preachers, John Posey, Daniel Cluck, William Johnson, Daniel
Boone and David W. Lucas. The church building was erected in 1870.

Whorton's Creek Church was constituted in 1870 by Elder Wiley
McElhaney. Present membership, forty.

Mill Creek Church, Hilburn Township, was organized in 1866 by Elders
Joel Roberts and Wiley McElhaney, with about twenty members, since
increased to 125, under the care of Elder D. M. Cluck. Robert Graham,
of Fayetteville, organized a church here as early as 1840, but it
disbanded during the war.

Hickory Grove Church, Elder Robinson, preacher, was organized by him
in 1885, and has a membership of 100.

Primitive Baptist.-New Hope Church at Kingston was constituted
February 12, 1832, by Elders S. Wheet, William Poston and Berty
Hachel, with ten members: Isaac Counts, Martha Counts, Elizabeth
McElhaney, Joseph Bush, William Gage, Clara Gage, Joshua Whorton,
Neely Whorton, and two others whose names are unknown. The church
building was erected in 1886 and 1887, and is owned exclusively by
this organization. Elders S. G. and Albert Grigg are in charge. The
membership is sixty-five.

page 481
Richland Church was organized at the residence of John Titsworth about
1833, and continued to meet there about ten years. Among the first
members were John Titsworth and wife, Martin Johnson and wife, Jacob
Gray and wife, Elijah Drake and wife. There have been a number of
preachers, among them Revs. S. Wheet, L. Bishop, David Gage, Young
Lamar, Graham Jackson, James Mayfield, Stephen Strickland, Job Hob,
George Mainard, Thomas Willis, Clark Johnson, Thomas Dotson, A. P. F.
Crawford, F. G. Eubanks, John G. Taylor, Gabriel H. Loving. [p.481] A
log church house was built about 1843, and the present place of
worship in 1855.

Concord Church, in Prairie Township, G. H. Loving, pastor since 1878,
has fifty members.

Rock Spring Church, in Valley Township, Daniel Blevens, pastor for
many years, has a membership of sixty-one.

Drake's Creek Church was constituted in 1874 or 1875 by Thomas Dotson
and John Clement. Benjamin Drake and Jasper Duncan are in charge at
present, and the number of members is eighty-one.

Mount Pleasant Church, in Richland Township, was constituted in 1878
by Thomas Dotson and F. G. Eubanks, the present pastor. Hartford
Church was constituted in 1885 by J. R. Loving, Benjamin Drake and
Jasper Duncan.

Washington Association, organized in 1839, embraces all these
churches.

Free-Will Baptist.-The first Free-Will Baptist Church west of the
Mississippi River was constituted in 1832 by Samuel Whiteley, at the
house of David Pickett, on War Eagle, with seven members: Ann and
Sallie Whiteley, Polly Pickett, Malinda Combs, John Clarke, Ann
Perrott, and one other whose name has not been ascertained. This is
now extinct.

Big Fork Church, near Aurora, is an old organization, constituted by
Isaac or Samuel Whiteley in 1833. F. W. Blackburn and Robert Lee were
also among the early preachers, Jesse Guinn being the present
incumbent.

Mount Pleasant Church was constituted in 1880.

Center Point Church was constituted in 1875 by Isaac Whiteley and
James Curnutt, with J. M. Green and George Brown as its first deacons.

King's River Church at Marble is an early organization. Harvey
McCammich and Gilbert Hudson were among the first members. James
Curnurt is the present pastor.

Mount Zion Church, in King's River Township, is under the care of Rev.
John Bowen.

Missionary Baptist.-Antioch Church was constituted in June, 1888, with
six members. C. J. Lester is pastor. There are others in different
parts of the county.