Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas
This old soldier came from Virginia to the Arkansas region in 1817, and was
well located on the Arkansas river when Nuttal passed up in 1819. He acquired
his title as major in the War of 1812, and was one of the most vigorous
citizens of the old Pecannerie region. In a trip to the southwestern part of
the
State lassoing wild horses in 1822 he was killed by the Indians. This is one
report; in another report it was noted tha the escaped, and in still another
that he was killed and scalped by the Indians. I am not able to say which
report is correct, but his prominence was sufficient to give his name to a
township in the county, the thriving town of Morrilton, I believe, being its
center. Major Welborn and General Lewis were firm friends and contributed much
to the respectability and power of this old settlement. It was then a part of
Pulaski County, and the most prominent citizens of the settlement, in 1822,
other than Welborn and Lewis, were Thomas White, John Hibbin, Timothy Harris,
William Frazier, William Lackey, Jacob Slinkard, James Titsworth, Thomas Hibbin,
George Bentley, Adustin Rogers,George Carden, John Belcher, Larkin Womack
and Samuel McCall.
(Editors note: Larkin Womack, above, born abt., 1785 married Frances
Basye. I have been unable to connect him to our Womack lines. Also
Timothy Harris above, I believe is the same Timothy Harris that married Tacy
Elizabeth Womack, daughter of Newton C. Womack, The compiler does not
have this connection either. Could these two be related?. If
anyone has anything on these families, PLEASE let me know. Roger
Womack, Compiler.)
ABNER HAROLD
Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas
Another old pioneer in that part of Pulaski which is now Faulkner was Abner
Harold. He appears to have been Kentucky born and to have entered the territory
in 1820, locating in the neighborhood in which he lived and died. He was a man
of most forceful convictions, of splendid influence among his neighbors and
friends, but without political aspirations. Modest, unassuming, honest and
industrious, Abner Harold made a fine impression on the neighborhood in which
he lived and was in every respect one of the most respectable citizens of
Pulaski County. In February, 1823, a daughter, Betsy, was married to Zechariah
Lorance, very probably Lawrence. Going out the Arch street turnpike toward
Cockmon's sawmill, a citizen of today will pass a little creek called Lorance
creek. This would seem to indicate that the name, Lorance, whether originally
Lawrence or not, still clings to Arkansas as a place name, and would indicate
that the surname Lorance was a part of the earlier territorial history. Very
probably the pioneer Zechariah Lorance lived upon this creek, or, if not, some
of his descendants. Abner Harold must have had sons and grandsons to perpetuate
his name, since in more modern times one of the most distinguished lawyers of
the State carries that name and roots back as to his forbears into this old
Faulkner-Pulaski County settlement. The vigor of the grandfather or great
grandfather, if these be the exact relations, is most aptly shown in the strong
native parts of this illustrious descendant.
COLONEL THOMAS MATHERS
This old soldier was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, that thriving
county of which Carlisle is now the county seat. He won a colonel's commission
in the War of 1812, and located his land warrant in Pulaski County in 1820,
where he built a mill which was known far and wide as Cadron mill. Heat once
became one of the leaders of the settlement, and was considered a good catch,
by all the respectable girls of the neighborhood.
In 1823 he was married at Pecannerie to Mary, daughter of George Bentley.
Colonel Mathers served in the third territorial legislature from 1823 to 1825,
and was clerk of Conway County from 1832 to 1836. He died at his home at
Cadron Mills in 1839. Other old settlers of Pulaski County in the Conway
County
region were Judge W. G. Saffold, David Barber, James Ward, Judge B. B. Ball, J.
I. Simmons, James Kellam, James Barber, Reuben Blunt, John Houston, William
Ellis and E. W. Owen.221
"THE ARKANSAW TRAVELER"
Conway County was named after Henry W. Conway, the second delegate to Congress
from Arkansas territory, and was formed out of Pulaski in October, 1825. It was
originally much larger than its present boundaries indicate. A large part of
the Cherokee Indian purchase was added in 1828, while large subtractions were
made and given to Pope and White in 1853. Besides the ones named, Gregory
township, Griffin, Higgin, Howard,McLaren and Nichols carry the names of other
old settlers of that region. Faulkner County was not created until 1873,and was
named for Colonel Sandford C. Faulkner, a wealthy planter of Chicot County, the
author of the famous colloquy and piece of music entitled "The Arkansaw
Traveler." Edward P. Washburn of Pope County has painted in oil this
famous scene as told him by Colonel Faulkner. The painting was said to be a fine
piece of art, and found place for many years in the parlor of Colonel Faulkner
at Little Rock. I do not know where this historic painting is lodged at
present, but in deference to Colonel Faulkner, and as an honor to Arkansas'
earliest artist it should find place in the archives of the State.
NO INJURY TO STATE.
Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas
It has been said that this literary production of Colonel Faulkner has been an
injury to the State. This is a very shortsighted view of the question. In my
opinion no community canever be permanently or temporarily injured by any mere
work of humor, and as a piece of humor, broad, it is true, "The
ArkansawTraveler" has never been excelled. Instead of injuring Arkansas it
has carried that name to the remotest parts of theearth, and has exploited a
type of easy-going citizens common to all localites the world over. The type
needed excoriation, which Colonel Faulkner gave with a gloved but not a mailed
hand. No living man in any part of the world has extended the range of the type
to include all the citizens of the State, and the idea that it does so has
originated in the mind of those who claim it has injured the State, and not
elsewhere. Colonel Faulkner deserves honor for the fidelity with which he has
delineated the type, and Mr. Washburn an equal honor for perpetuating it inoil.
"The Arkansaw Traveler" has a niche in the temple of fame from which
it can never be dislodged, and is in no sense a reflection upon the energy and
masterly parts of the great mass of the population which has contributed to its
growth and power.222
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