Arkansas
OPINION | Curtis Varnell: Sam Houston was influential not just in Texas, but Arkansas Territory too | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
The life of Sam Houston is usually associated with that of Texas but, even before that time period, he was an influential resident of the Arkansas Territory.
Houston, born in Virginia, spent most of his early life in Tennessee. As a rebellious teenager, he ran away from home and spent almost three years of his life with John Jolly’s band of Cherokee people. During this time, he adopted the dress of the tribe, learned to speak the language fluently, and was given the name of “the Raven.”
After returning home, Houston fought in the War of 1812 as a part of General Andrew Jackson’s forces. His association with Jackson greatly influenced the rest of his life. Because of his familiarity and friendship with the Cherokee, he was hired as an Indian sub-agent to assist in relocating the Cherokee people into Arkansas and Oklahoma.
His friend, Chief Jolly, chose land at Spadra, near present day Clarksville. The roll call of individuals in attendance at the Spadra trading post list the Raven as present.
Returning to Tennessee, Houston rode Jackson’s coattails and served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1823-27. He then ran and was elected governor of Tennessee and was planning to run again when his marriage to Eliza Allen mysteriously fell apart. Devastated, he departed to Cherokee Territory to be with his adopted family.
Cherokee territory at that time included most of the Arkansas River Valley and west to about Tulsa, Okla. He arrived in Little Rock on May, 8, 1829, surrounded by rumors that Jackson was using him to either control Arkansas politics or to create trouble in Texas.
Houston’s letter back to Jackson is not clear as to intention, “Your suggestion on the subject of my location in Arkansas has received my serious attention, and I have concluded, that it would not be best for me to adopt the course. In that Territory there is no field for distinction.”
During this time, he moved into the home of Chief John Jolly and married Tiana, (Talihinia) a niece of the chief, in an Indian ceremony. Chief Jolly lived on the west side of Spadra Creek, a mile distant from what is now Clarksville, Ark. At that time, Houston spent much of his time travelling to Washington as a delegate for the Cherokee tribe, as well as drinking himself into the nickname, the Big Drunk. The 1830 Arkansas Gazette published five letters written by Houston defending the rights of Native Americans.
Eventually, Houston and his family moved into Oklahoma Territory near Webbers Falls, where he continued to work with various Indian groups. It is of note that in 1832, he made his first foray into Texas as an Indian delegate. When Tiana supposedly refused to accompany him, he gave her the home, land, two enslaved people and “divorced” her. During the summer 0f 1833, he returned for a short time and then spent several days recuperating from an old injury by soaking in the waters at Hot Springs.
Most of the rest of the story we know from history books. He returned to Texas, became the commanding general of the Texas army that defeated Santa Anna, served as Texas President for two terms, as U.S. Senator, and was governor when the Civil War began. Houston was opposed to the war and refused to take an oath to the confederacy stating, “in the name of my own conscience and my own manhood…I refuse to take this oath.” He was removed from office.
It is also worthy of note that Houston had been a lifetime slave owner. The Emancipation Proclamation was passed in 1862 but was not accepted in Texas. Houston called all the slaves in and freed them in the last months of 1862 and they lived as de facto freeman from 1862 until the war ended.
Joshua and Margaret Houston, two former slaves, remained in Huntsville, Texas. Joshua worked for many years as a blacksmith and served as county commissioner, started a school, and became an influential citizen in the region. At Joshua Houston’s request, he was buried near Sam Houston in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas.
(Courtesy Photo)
Sam Houston was commanding general of the Texas army that defeated Santa Anna, served as Texas President for two terms, and as U.S. Senator, and was governor when the Civil War began. But he was also influential to Arkansas Territory.
(Courtesy Photo)
Houston, as a rebellious teenager, ran away from home and spent almost three years of his life with John Jolly’s band of Cherokee people. During this time, he adopted the dress of the tribe, learned to speak the language fluently, and was given the name of “the Raven.”
After a cool/chilly morning that started in the 40s and 50s, Tuesday will warm to the upper 70s and low 80s with nothing but sunshine all day long.
There will be a weak front passing through Arkansas on Wednesday. There will briefly be a few clouds along the time the front actually passes through. But once the front clears, it will once again become sunny.
Starting Friday and lasting through the weekend and into next week a strong south wind will set up. That will warm Arkansas into the mid and upper 80s and introduce a higher level of humidity. It will feel a little like Summer this weekend. Rain chances will return to Central Arkansas starting on Sunday.
With a big upper-level system and cold front approaching early next week, the rain and thunderstorm chance will go up Monday, Monday night and Tuesday. Some strong to severe storms may occur Monday evening. The front will become stationary on Tuesday which will prolong the rainy period and overall help the drought situation Arkansas is facing.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Purple is the color of the month in Arkansas, and Lupus Awareness Month is bringing a busy stretch of events, including a mayoral proclamation and a smooth jazz concert featuring acclaimed saxophonist Merlon Devine.
A proclamation for Lupus Awareness Month is set for 6 p.m. in North Little Rock, with Mayor Hardwick expected to present it. Organizers encouraged lupus warriors and supporters to come out.
Anita Boone, President of the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc. and a former lupus warrior, described the day-to-day reality of living with the disease: “One minute you’re feeling amazing, the next minute your body is saying we can’t do this.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, described during the interview as a condition where the immune system attacks the body “inside out.” It can affect organs throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Boone also shared personal impacts, saying, “I am losing, actually, ear from hearing, just because of lupus.”
The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas is also inviting the community to a Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert this Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 at The Space with Grace event venue, 2005 Main St., North Little Rock.
Gale Davis, committee chair for the Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert shared details about the concert.
Davis said guests are encouraged to “dress to impress,” though formalwear isn’t required. The event will include a photo backdrop, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and sponsored tables aimed at networking. It’s also a chance for people to meet other lupus warriors, learn more about the foundation’s work, and watch a video presentation highlighting events from the past year.
The featured artist, Merlon Devine, was described as an acclaimed saxophonist known for a soulful, smooth jazz sound, with a career spanning more than two decades and performances across the country and around the world. He’s also an Arkansas native who attended Little Rock Central High School. He now lives in Southern Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.
Davis said Devine’s connection to lupus is personal. She said his father had lupus and has since died, though he didn’t die from lupus. They also said Divine had a sister who died from lupus in 1981 and that he currently has two sisters living with lupus.
She also shared that, according to his doctors, Devine was born with acute asthma and underdeveloped lungs. His latest single, released last year, is called “Mercy.”
Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. They’re available online by clicking on the flyer. Prices are $40 for individual tickets, or $400 for a table of nine, with an option to sponsor a table.
Organizers also noted another proclamation is planned for the Little Rock side with Mayor Frank Scott tomorrow, and encouraged people to follow the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas on social media for updates.
The concert will take place this Sunday at the Space With Grace Venue in North Little Rock.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Arkansas man died after crashing a dirt bike on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, crashed into a tree while riding a dirt bike on private property in Ashland Township near Grant on Sunday before 2:30 p.m., according to Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers.
Emergency responders tried to save his life but he died at the scene.
Troopers are still investigating but do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash.
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MSP did not initially release any additional information.
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