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Little River Arkansas Genealogy Trails  The Militia Outrages, Dec. 23, 1868 Little River County Mass Meeting, Sept. 13, 1870 Two Arkansas Senators Have War, Mar. 11, 1891 An Arkansas Tragedy, Nov. 25, 1891 A Constable Ambushed, Feb. 21, 1898 The Militia Outrages More Arrivals of Refugees at Little Rock. Date: 1868-12-23 Little
Rock, December 22 – Refugees from various counties afflicted with
the militia continue to flock to this city. They confirm reports
of the horrible outranges committed by vagabond militia.
Information that General Grant has sent Generals Babcock and Porter to
investigate outranges causes rejoicing, as promising relief from State
forces. By the Governor’s proclamation, issued this
morning, Little River county and that part of Lafayette east of Red
River, are turned over to the civil authorities. The respectable
elements of the Radical party denounce the action of the Governor in
declaring martial law. The entire business of some sections of
the state has been entirely broken up. Families have dispersed
– the men being compelled to flee the county to save their
lives. It is generally believed that much is the Governor’s
own ignorance, and that of his advisers, that the executive was not
aware of the differences between calling out militia to enforce civil
law and declaring martial law. The river is on the stand with
four feet water in the channel below and two feet to Fort Smith.
No arrivals or departures.
Source: The Daily Memphis Avalanche, contributed by Debbie Personette. Great Enthusiasm Displayed
Contributed by Debbie Personette Morning Republican, Sept. 13, 1870--Upon
the call of Geo S Scott for a mass meeting, the Republicans of Little
River county assembled at the courthouse, for the purpose of more
thoroughly organizing the Republican party of Little River
county. Upon said day there assembled at the courthouse a large
majority of all the Republican voters of said county; whereupon Geo. S
Scott was called to the chair, and the following proceedings were
had. On motion, it was resolved that the Chairman appoint a
committee of three to draft resolution expressive of the object of the
meeting; whereupon the Chairman appointed John Reed, Daniel Harris and
Claiborne Butler. The Committee having announced a completion of
it’s duties, reported the following: Whereas Organization
is necessary to enable the people to give a free and full expression of
public opinion up on the political --- of the day; therefore, be
it: Resolved, that this meeting select a Central Committee for
the Republican party, for the county of Little River, to consist of
nine members, who shall superintend the interest of the party and call
conventions when necessary. 2. That each township in the county
be, and is hereby requested to select a corresponding Committee, to
consist of at least three members, and report to the Chairman of the
Central Committee of this county. On motion, the report was
unanimously adopted. On motion, Geo S. Scott was unanimously
chosen permanent Chairman of the Little River County Central Committee,
and Daniel Simpson and Samuel L. Anderson Corresponding and Recording
Secretaries, respectively. On motion, the following named persons
were made members of the Central Committee:
Vice-PresidentsJackson Township – Toney P--- and Claiborne Butler Red River Township – Peter Ford and Alfred Brown Franklin Township – Mr. Taylor Johnson Township – Simon Perkins Lock Creek Township – Thomas Mille Little River Township – Mr. Britton On
Motion, the following named persons were elected members to attend the
Nominating Convention when called to nominate candidates to represent
the Fifteenth Senatorial District in the next Legislature:
Jackson Township – --- Patton, John Read, John Layne, Edmon Lewis, Bob PattonRed River Township – Henry Gibson, Thom. Scott, Jack Brown, --- Daniels, Thomas W--- Franklin Township – --- Lewis, Alford Grayham, Winston Green Johnson Township – Simon Perkins, Jack Phillips, Jo Goodlow Lock Creek Township – Nathan Walker, Peter Walker, Ford Breedlove Little River Township – Judge, C. A. Stawn, D. M. Rineheart, Horaco O Day On
motion, the following resolutions were read and unanimously
adopted. Resolved, that our delegate to the Senatorial Convention
be instructed to cast their vote for George S. Scott for Senator, A. M
Merrick and Monroe Hawkins and Representatives in our next
Legislature.
2. That we welcome all persons to the Republican ranks who have returned to their loyal relations with the general government, and --- the cooperation of all others who desire the triumph of Republicanism on the principles announced in the Chicago platform of ----. 3. That we should ignore all selfish considerations in politics and will always earnestly suggest the de--- of sacrificing every personal interest when demanded for the welfare and safety of the Republican party. 4. That we chronicle with satisfaction the speedy return of political tranquility; that we entertain no other desire than that the citizens of this State may obliterate all unhappy memories of the past, and by carrying out the reconstruction ---- and the amendments to the Constitution, entitle themselves to the enjoyment of all political privileges. 5. That we are in favor of free public schools and its full and thorough establishment through the State, to the end that all children, both white and colored, may be provided with the means of a free and thorough education; and further that we are in favor of such amendments in the school law that may more perfectly adapt it to the wants of the people. 6. That we are in favor of such economy in the expenditures of the public money, and such reductions of taxes and abolition of public officers, and may not be inconsistent with the administration of the Government. 7. That we, the Republicans of Little River county, in Convention assembles, tender our sincere thanks to the Excellency Gov. Powell Clayton for his able, judicious and statesman like manner of conducting the Government of this state during the troublous times of the past, when we were hunted down and many of our number assassinated and through his administration we have peace and security for our lives and property, as guaranteed to all by the declaration of our independence. 8. That the Republican papers in the District he requested to publish the proceedings of this Convention. Speeches were made by Thomas Jones, Gus. Paxton, Joseph Ducket, Capt. W. C. Hazeldine, Menchack Peters, Peter Ford, John Road, and Geo. S. Scott On motion, the Convention adjourned.
Geo. S. Scott, Chairman Little River County Central Com. Two Arkansas Senators Have War March 11, 1891 Little Rock, AR.--March 10--A great amount of excitement prevailed in the House of Representatives this afternoon. E. C. Mitchell, of Boone and H. C. Read, of Little River, participating in the fight. The question of calling a constitutional convention was under consideration. Mr. Sevier having introduced a substitute for the senate bill providing that the question should be submitted to a vote of the people instead of the legislature calling a convention, Mitchell spoke in favor of the convention. Read, an independent, said that from the vote cast two years ago in Boone County, 370 for and 1,385 against, the people did not want a constitutional convention. Mitchell said the people of Boone were not like those of Little River County who went about shaking hands with "n-----." The lie was then passed and ink stands, spittoons and other articles were exchanged between the two gentlemen. No one was injured during the fight but several members were well bespattered with ink and tobacco juice. Both combatants afterward apologized to the house. Source: Grand Forks Daily Herald, Mar 11, 1891, contributed by Debbie Personette. An Arkansas Tragedy November 25, 1891 Richmond, Ark., Nov. 24, 1891--Last night Bert Stewart, a saloonkeeper, and Ed. Marney, deputy sheriff of Little River county, had an altercation over a game of cards. Stewart shot Marney through the bowels, which resulted in his death. Source: Dallas Morning News, Nov. 25, 1891, contributed by Debbie Personette. A Constable Ambushed An Arkansas Officer Has His Body Torn to Pieces by Buckshot and Winchester Balls Feb. 21, 1898 Little Rock, Ark.--Feb. 20--E. C. Massey, a constable, of Franklin township, Little River county, was murdered six miles from Ashdown last night by Ned Aiken, his son and two colored men. Massey was shot from ambush. He had previously arrested Charles Johnson, Aiken's son-in-law, and Johnson had escaped. About midnight the constable and Richard Dickens, a deputy, started to Aiken's house to re-arrest Johnson. Arriving near the house, the officers were fired upon from ambush and Massey fell from his horse, his body being town to pieces with buckshot and Winchester balls. At the same instant the colored men rushed from cover and opened fire upon Dickens, but he put spurs to his horse and escaped. Excitement runs high and a lynching is probably if Aiken and Johnson are captured by the dead man's friends. Source: The Sun, Feb. 21, 1898, contributed by Debbie Personette. |
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