Early Settlers Personal History

1. Clara B. Eno

2. 422 So. 6th  St. (Van Buren?)

3. Historical Work

4. Teacher for 20 years (public schools)

5. Feb. 14, 1854

6. Van Buren, Ark.

7. Single

8. Not immigrant

9. 75 years (7 yrs. in New Field, Conn.) 4 years in Morristown, New Jersey

10. Native

11. Born in Arkansas

12. Stone, brick and frame houses, most of chimneys were stone & brick. Some of the houses were built with closed halls and some with open halls

13. Candles, kerosene, few bear oil lamps with the wick in the center

14. Early part of 1900

15. Wood in western parts of Arkansas

16. Beans, potatoes, corn, hogs, beef, game & fish for most supply. Game was plentiful rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, deer, bear, quail

17. Jean, linsey made on looms in the home

18. Charivaris pronounced ‘shivaree’

19. In old times they bought in large quantity because they had to depend on the boat to bring supplies in the Arkansas river

20. One neighbor would take potatoes, another meat to a neighbor that didn’t have it

21. Oats, corn, wheat, sorghum, early fifties when tomatoes was taken from the  flower garden to the vegetables

22. Wagons, yes, orders from the larger cities and delivered by boat

23. Merchandising, cotton factory, spinning, carving, weaving, wool carving place

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26. Buckets for buildings, brush for forest fires

27. In 1831, two men one a Mr. Thompson (Democrat) and Mr. Drennen put a name each in a hat, Mr. Thompson selecting the name Martin Van Buren and Mr. Drennen selecting the name of a prominent Whig, name unknown. Name of Martin Van Buren was drawn from the hat thus naming the town Van Buren. Before 1831 the town of Van Buren was known as Philips Landing. However the post office was named Van Buren post office when the town was known as Philips Landing

28. Here in Van Buren there was a hotel on the river, frame bldg. Kept by Mr. Peter Hanger, later part of 1830 and later kept by Mr. Jack Gross 1840 also used as stage stand, Harem Brodie had hotel in early seventies. Bostich Hotel 1850 on Fayetteville Street, one block north on Fayetteville Street from Frisco Depot - Before the war, there was a stage stand on Washington Street, Mr. Thomas Walden, owner & agent.

29. Later part of thirties & early forties on Washington St., Dillian? Private school (50 pupils) Daniel McMar 1842 taught until 45  Chaplin in Fort Dickson, Okla. In 1850 had school in Union Church, Washington St. Mr. Wallace left 10,000 in early fifties, Crawford Institute school for young men, along where Nanny Rea College building is now. In 1859 young ladies seminary, tore it down between 1881 and 1884. Broadway school was built in 1884 completed in 1885. Mr. Leavenworth, Mr. Smith and Miss. Manda Buchana.

30. --

31. Mr. Leavenworth, Mr. Smith> principal of young ladies school

Broadway School L. Cox was principal & Miss Clara B. Eno was his assistant 1885-1886 Miss Hattie Pemot and Miss Bessie Quisenburg were teachers

32. Tuition in private schools

33. In private schools, earlier books used were McGuffey Reader, Rea’s Arithmetic, Wilkerson Reader, in early public schools they used Pinneo's Grammar

34. Newspaper 1842 to 1859 here in county early days Arkansas Intelligencer published in Van Buren. Frontier Whig along 1844 to 1845 Van Buren Press printed July 1859 until 1916, then bought by Van Buren Argus the first edition December 25, 1875. J. S. Dunham, Press 1859, Granville Wilcox editor Argus 1875 combined in 1916. Van Buren Graphic J. J. Warren publisher and owner early 1880.

35. During the war between the states 1861-1865 came in telegraph station

36. Trolley cars first of 1912, bridge dedicated 1912 buses during the nineteen thirties sometime

37. In Van Buren 1910 or 1911. First one in town.

38. Layed train track June 1876, later part of July 1876. Corner house on Vine St. in the afternoon the yard was full to see them lay the track

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40. The first trolley car came into Van Buren early 1912 after completion of bridge across Arkansas river

41. Local people in early days, after war between state, stock companies, Helen Norton Co.

42. One in 1877 at Court House when burned. Completion 1878 barbecue picnic had speaking

43. Albert Pike, H. Garland running for campaign governor of Arkansas 1874, spoke at Van Buren Fair ground back of 15^th St.

44. Duel fought between Albert Pike and John Selven Roane, fought on sand bar between here and Ft. Smith

45. --

46. In Fairview Cemetery is a marker to the memory of James Phillips, a Revolutionary Soldier; also an old grave that tradition says in one of De Soto’s men, was there when the cemetery was donated to the city. Many outstanding citizens are buried there. Grave of Brigadier General N. B. Burrow is in the Alma Cemetery. Marked by the Alma United Daughters of the Confederacy

47. --

48. Dec. 28, 1862 Blunt's Army came in Van Buren stayed several days & left. A little later Federal troops returned to Van Buren 1863. Daughters of the South met at Court House and several made hospital supplies. Scraped old linen to make link? for the wounded soldiers

49-51. --

52. Was present when the stone of the Methodist Church was laid early eighties, also dedication of the Confederate Monument Fairview Cemetery in 1899

53. Early part of 1890 Young Men Organization belonged to Militant? Co.

54. No mounds- Lee Creeks bluff there was a counterfeit cave. Rural places makes baskets out of honey sucker (suckle) runners, oak strips, hickory.

55. Site of the first county seat  in the present Crawford County is in the eastern part of the county at what was Whitsontown near Mulberry, now covered by the Beneux Farm, marked with a wooden marker by me. Home site of Captain Thomas Marlar, a Confederate soldier, at Pleasant Hill. This is also the site of Crittenden the second county seat. The grave of the Mormon, Parley Peter Pratt is in an old graveyard opposite the Fine Springs Community House. The killing of Pratt is supposed to have caused the Mountain Meadow Massacre. Home of Colonel John Drennen one of the founders of Van Buren, located on hill above the river at Van Buren. Oldest house in Van Buren and very historic. Albert Pike was a frequent visitor in this home and a painting of him hangs in the parlor. This home is 103 years old and is now owned by Miss Caroline Scott, a descendent of the builder, and is open to visitors ...? First courthouse in Van Buren, completed in 1841, same walls were used when rebuilding in 1878. It's log & frame house, having been built in 1829. Was located eight miles from Van Buren in the Dripping Springs community. Mr. Bourne is buried in family burying ground on the place. Still owned by a descendent. Before and during the war between the states a stage coach stand was located there. The old Swearingen Home, an old stage stand between Fayetteville and Van Buren located on the Old Wire Road near Cove City. The Butterfield Stage route from St. Louis to San Francisco traversed the Old Wire Road through Washington and Crawford County and across the Arkansas River at Van Buren. Marker placed on bridge by viaduct by Mary Fuller Percival Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution of Van Buren. Location of the old hotel and stage stand near the river, known as Hanger Hotel, then the Gross and later Brodie Hotel. Albert Pike museum on Hwy. 71 not the original location where he taught school. Marked by Ft. Smith Masonic Lodge and Centennial Commission. The museum contains a large collection of glassware. Location of the home of Rev. John Harrell, a missionary to the Indians, just off Hwy. 45-59 in City Heights. Now owned by Marvin Davenport. Birthplace of Dr. Cyrus Adler is on Main street, Block No. 8, Lot 7, original town of Van Buren.

Half of Devil’s Den State Park is in the north central part of Crawford County. May be reached via Winslow or Cove City.

56-58. Don’t have any

59. Compiler historic places in Arkansas. Wrote history of Arkansas Federation of Women Clubs with collateral with Mrs. Hanger. Article wrote on old & new capitol buildings. Skets (Sketches), Four Territorial Governors, articles for home paper, Press Argus. Churches, people, newspaper, number of short historical articles.

Transcribed by Alisha Carey, GHS Class of 2007