Early days in Garland County, AR, are recalled in this spiral-bound booklet, comprised of excerpts from Goodspeed's Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas (1886) , and from Arkansas, A Guide to the State, a 1941 WPA publication. The 60-page booklet is printed on quality paper. A vinyl sheet has been added to protect the front cover.
The first part of the booklet contains a brief history of the county: Location; Physical features, including mountains and medicinal sprangs; Agriculture (or lack thereof); formation out of Saline, Hot Spring and Montgomery counties; Discovery of the Hot Springs by DeSoto; Early settlers -- John Purcival, A.N. Sabin, Ludivicus Beldin, Phil Physic, William Chase, John C. Hale and others; Civil War period; Hot Springs Reservation; Free Bath House for the poor; Bath House Row; the City of Hot Springs; Hotels, banks, railroad depots, and other businesses; Schools and Churches; and other items of interest.
Besides the names mentioned in the first part of the booklet, there are biographies of many county residents of yesteryear. Most are fairly lengthy, and often include ancestors, previous residences, children, in-laws, affiliations, war records, and business activities. In the course of this they often shed light on the early businesses, professions and institutions in the county. The biographies include: B.F. Ballard, Albert L. Barnes, Dr. William H. Barry, George Belding, W.P. Blake, Augustine W. Borland, John H. Crawford, Dr. J.T. Fairchild, William Farr, Dr. Sidney W. Franklin, Capt. C.W. Fry, Major William H. Gaines, Dr. John H. Gaines, Rev. P.H. Garahty, John Gillen, Peter E. Greene, James Higdon, Edward Hogaboom, John R. Holcomb, Dr. J.C. Holiman, James P. Howard, Daniel James, Michael Jodd, Rev. Joseph H. Jones, Dr. James M. Keller, Dr. Arthur H. Keller, John D. Kimbell, Dr. G.W. Lawrence, Capt. N.N. Lester, L.M. Little, William J. Little, F.M. Mahan, Dr. Philip D. McCullough, Andrew J. McDanial, Dr. R.H. Moore, W.H. Moyston, R. Murray, Dr. Joseph B. Payne, Judge James E. Prichard, Job E. Prichard, Dr. J.H. Putnam, Dr. Charles S. Reid, Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe, Dr. Joseph W. Shaw, Dr. Elijah A. Shippey, J.W. Skief, S.H. Stitt, John J. Sumpter, Frank M. Thompson, Dr. M.G. Thompson, Francis A. Thornton, Hiram A. Whittington (pix), Robert L. Williams, W.J. Willoughby, and Judge James B. Wood.
The WPA section has a special section on Hot Springs with a map and 11 points of interest, as well as a small map of the area.
Wouldn't this make a unique gift?
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