Fourche Dumas Creek and the "Settlement of Fourche De Thomas"

Fourche Dumas Creek and the "Settlement of Fourche De Thomas"Author(s): Lawrence DaltonSource: The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. 4, No. 4 (Winter, 1945), pp. 353-362Published by: Arkansas Historical AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40018369 .

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FOURCHE DUMAS CREEK AND THE "SETTLEMENT OF FOURCHE DE THOMAS"

By Lawrence Dalton

Pocahontas, Arkansas

Probably there is not a more historic stream in Ark- ansas than the Fourche Dumas which flows out of Ripley County, Missouri, into Randolph County, Arkansas. Some of the first white men of the entire Mississippi Valley settled along its banks.

The name of the stream is of French origin. Originally known in the early days as "Fourche De Maux" - or Du Mas - presumably after an early French trader and trapper. De Tonti left ten Frenchmen in Arkansas and it is possible that it was one of them who named the stream. The name was changed about 1815 to "Fourche de Thomas" or Thomas Fork; possibly an early settler by the name of Thomas caused this change. A corruption of the first name however is the one that is recognized today. This noted stream has its beginning high in the hills of Ripley County, Missouri, about fifty miles north of Pocahontas, the county seat of Randolph County, Arkansas.

One fork of this creek, generally known locally as the "North Fork", flows down by the village of Ponder, Mis- souri, to join with the South Fork at the Sugar Tree Grove Schoolhouse, just over the line in Missouri. On this "North Fork" settled the Sherrills, Pattersons, Ponders, Shirleys, Myatts, Burnleys, Daltons and others, during the time when this section was in the Territory of Missouri, the New Madrid Territory and later the Territory of Arkansas, before the boundary line between the two states was permanently established. The last survey which permanently settled the question was run by surveyors on Sunday, June



354 ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

8, 1845, over that part between Ripley and Randolph Counties.

This fork of the stream rises in the pine country, known in the early days as the "Irish Wilderness". As there was no pine in Randolph County, the early settlers made trips up that way to obtain lumber with which to build their homes. Almost every good house built in the county prior to 1900 was built from lumber hauled from the "Wilderness". The great grandfather of this writer, one David Dalton, together with his brothers John P. and Elijah, and possibly others settled on Fourche Dumas Creek two miles southeast of the village of Ponder, just over the line in Missouri sometime before 1820. There they lived and died. Tradition has it that this David Dalton is the man featured by Robert L. Ripley in his "Believe it or Not" some time ago as being the man who started the fire in the mountain cabin in the Smoky Mountains near Saluda, North Carolina, which is still burning today. It is a con- tinuation of the original fire which was supposed to have been started during the Revolution. At last accounts it was being attended by his aged great-grandson, William Morris. The Dalton family of Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri has produced a number of noted citizens. James L. Dalton, a grandson of one of the original settlers named above was the inventor of the Dalton Adding and Calculating Machine. His son, Grover, is the State Chairman of the Republican Party of Missouri at the present, however he and his father were the only Daltons in this section who were Republicans. Four or five have been officials in Ripley County and an equal number in Randolph County. The County Clerk in Ripley County at present is Rufus Dalton and the County Treasurer of Randolph County at present is the writer of this article. The old homestead where the first Daltons, David, John P. and Elijah, mentioned above, settled is still owned by the grandchildren of Elijah. Throughout a century and a quar- ter the ownership of the farm has never been out of the family.



FOURCHE DUMAS CREEK 355

The south fork of Fourche Dumas has its beginning in the southeast corner of Ripley County, on the east side of the Ozark divide which diverts the rainfall between this stream and the Elevenpoint River. Along this stream settled the Pulliams, Hydes, Youngs, Tuckers, Uptons, Kings and others soon after the dawn of the nineteenth century. Just south of this stream is the tributary - Dry Creek - which runs parellel with the south fork for several miles. Along this creek settled the Holts, Phillips, Baileys, Rices, Bakers, and others. A small battle was fought at the "Tom Pulliam Spring" in the early days of the War Between the States. On the South Fork was located the old "Keel Mill" and a little farther down the stream the "Old Dalton Mill". These odd water mills ground the grain for the settlers before the days of the steam and gasoline engines. The ruins of the old dams can be seen today. The Pulliam and Capps family settled along the stream and the noted Robinson and Johnston families of Tennesseeans also lived here.

The Eldridge Family located below the union of the two forks of the streams possibly as early as 1800. The "Eldridge Ford" on Fourche near the state line is one of the first fords mentioned in the early records of north Arkansas. Marriage records of 1836 show that Jonathan Eldridge, a son of Stephen, married Miss Vernetta Plott of Columbia township on July 4, 1836. Danile Plott, John Boran and John Gullett were appointed by the first court of Randolph County, to mark out a road from Stephen Eldridges on the Missouri line "to run in the most practical direction toward the new town of P'ocahontas, until it comes to the old road (Southwest Trail) running from Dr. Pittman's to Davidsonville".

Next down the stream comes the old Cross and Ator farms which were near the old post of Dry Springs which boasted a postoffice during Territorial days. Here the Murrells, Davis, Grissom and other families settled at an early date. Next we reach the site of old Cedarville, which was located about one mile north of the present town of




Middlebrook. This was a trading point in the early fifties. Next we come to the old crossing of the Warm Springs and Corning road. This route from east to west was used in the early days by the inhabitants in travelling from the hills of western Randolph County to the lowlands of eastern Arkansas. One mile west of this crossing is the old "Hall Place" which is reputed to be the site of the first or one of the very first Masonic halls in Arkansas. A short distance west of here on Mud Creek another tributary of Fourche Dumas, lived John Shaver who became the father of the large Shaver family of this section. He must have settled here very soon after 1800 as the census of 1830 gives his age as eighty. Matthias Mock settled near here in 181 5. His first wife was a daughter of John Shaver. Mock married Margaret Mansker on June 24, 1828. His first wife, Leah Shaver, had already borne him four children and died. The Mock and Shaver families were very early settlers of Arkansas.

This brings us to the old Military Crossing which has been known by several different names down through the years. The first name for the place appears in the very first records of Lawrence County as the "Settlement of Fourche De Thomas", although the French name as referred to above, which was really the first name applied to the stream, was "Fourche de Maux". The historian who should record this as being the first settlement in Arkansas, excepting Arkansas Post would have much good evidence to support his claim. While Davidsonville gets the credit of being the first settlement of old Lawrence County when it included Randolph County and many others, there is evidence to prove that several hardy pioneers had already pushed into the "Settlement of Fourche de Thomas". William Clark, Governor of the Territory of Missouri, appointed William Russell as Justice of the Peace for the "Settlement of Fourche de Thomas" on January 28. 181 5, and William Harris for the same place on March 1 the same year. Edward McDonald of this community represented Lawrence County in the first Territorial Legislature




of Arkansas at Arkansas Post in 1820. McDonald married Milly Drenold at the home of Jarrett Robinson in this community. McDonald bought lots 13 and 14 in the town of Davidsonville, on February 6, 181 7, from William Drope, a cotton merchant of New Orleans, who had a busi- ness at Arkansas Post, but who owned several real estate claims in this section.

That Fourche de Thomas was an important place can be attested by the location of the first roads. Of the first roads ordered opened by the first county court, practically every one of them led to this town. Here they intersected the old Military or National Road.

The first marriage recorded in Lawrence County was performed at Fourche de Thomas, May 19, 1821, by Peyton R. Pitman, a Justice of the Peace. Pitman was later elected as the first County Judge of Randolph County. He was postmaster at Fourche de Thomas in 18 19.

The country around this ancient town was included in Columbia township and had a population of 520 in 1820. Judge Pitman was the second owner of Pitman's Ferry where the Military Road crosses Current River, first known as Hix's Ferry. This ferry was seven miles northeast of Fourche and was the first river ferry opened in Arkansas. This old road was the gateway to the great southwest. It is said that over half of the original settlers of Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma passed over this old trail. James Woodson Bates, the father of Batesville came down this old road, as also did Robert Crittenden. Over this road came Stephen Austin, the "Father of Texas", Davy Crock- ett, Sam Houston and many other nationally known men.

Fourche de Thomas was the first home in Arkansas of the noted Fletcher and Lindsey families. While here they intermarried with the Davis, Mock, Shaver and other early families. Besides there were the Harris, Jarrett, Foster, Morris, Russell, Martin and other families which are identified with the affairs of the state from that time until the present. William Jarrett, who died in Little Rock in 1944 contended that his grandfather, Dr. William




Jarrett bought land from Richard Fletcher at Fourche de Thomas in 1801. This Richard Fletcher was the father of John Gould Fletcher who settled here in 181 5. Miss Mary Fletcher of Little Rock, a descendant of John Gould Fletcher, states that Richard Fletcher did not make his home in Arkansas. She says that he was one of the original patentees of land on the Watauga River in Tennessee in 1775, before the state was formed. There seems to be a possibility that he at one time came to Arkansas and bought land or entered a claim on some, and went back home to Tennessee and spent the rest of his life but his son John Gould moved here to stay. John Gould Fletcher died in 1825. Some of the other members of his family removed to Saline County, now in Pulaski, and various members of the family have figured prominently in the affairs of the county ever since.

The Lindsey family which was much intermarried with the Fletchers, located in this community at about the same time. A part of their family also removed to Pulaski County. The first Lindseys to come here were James, Eli and Caleb who came from Christian County, Kentucky.

The records show that Caleb was administrator of the will of Martin Miller which was dated November 22, 1819. In this will Miller stated that he had already given his older children their share, among which was a pre-emption claim "on the waters of Fourche de Thomas" which he bequeath- ed to his daughter Hannah, who was the wife of Dr. William Jarrett and also the widow of a man named Severs.

Caleb Lindsey is reputed to have taught the first school in Arkansas in a cave in the western part of Randolph County in 181 7 while living at this place. He died in Pulaski County in 1826; Eli Lindsey was the first Meth- odist preacher in Arkansas. He preached on a circuit on Strawberry River in 1815. There is an account of Eli Lindsey preaching in 18 16 at the house of a Mr. Reed where Batesville now stands. At this service the dogs jumped a bear and the Reverend Lindsey dismissed the congregation long enough for the men to kill the bear.




After the animal was disposed of the services were resumed and the Reverend Lindsey stated that he "thanked God for men who could shoot and women that could pray".

Schoolcraft visited the village of Fourche de Thomas in May, 1818. He called it Fourche a Thomas and joked about the corrupt use of the French name. In his visit which was made across the country from the southwest he stated that he was amazed at the many improved farms along the way in this section. On July 4, 1821, the settlers around Fourche de Thomas celebrated Independence Day with a big barbecue. This forty-fifth anniversary of the day was royally celebrated according to information handed down to us. A liberty pole, which was taller than the trees, was erected. This pole stood for many years and became a noted landmark. A military parade was staged with Jacob Shaver as a grand marshall. He was mounted on a fine Kentucky stallion and he put the menfolks through a series of marches. Daniel Plott read the Declaration of

Independence with great fervor. Matthias Mock presided over the feast and was ably assisted by Dr. Peyton Pitman and William Jarrett.

When the county of Randolph was organized and the time came to select a site for the seat of Justice, Fourche de Thogias, (although it was known as Columbia by then) was a strong contender for the place. The proposition was left to a vote of the people of the county as a whole. The

story goes that Ranson S. Bettis and his son-in-law Thomas S. Drew (later Governor of Arkansas) owned the land on which the town of Pocahontas is located and on election

day they advertised a free picnic and barbecue where eats were plentiful and liquor flowed freely. At that time a citizen could vote anywhere in the county he desired. With a majority of the voters in attendance at the picnic and with

spirits running high as a result of the free drinks the

majority voted in favor of Pocahontas. If this is true, this is why the county seat is at Pocahontas instead of Columbia. An old settler of Columbia was once asked why the town of Pocahontas was thus named. He replied that it was




supposed to have been named for the Indian princess who saved the life of Captain John Smith, but that he had a different story. He said that the unfair tactics used against Columbia to land the county seat at Pocahontas justified naming it Poke-it-on-to-us instead of the regular way of spelling it.

The first court of Randolph County after its formation was held at the "house of James G. Russell". This house was on the Warm Springs-Pocahontas road about one and a half miles southwest of the old Fourche de Thomas crossing. This house is still standing.

Many persons who once lived in this community have become famous in the history of Arkansas and other states. As stated above, the first name of this community was Fourche De Maux after an early Frenchman. Then came the name Fourch de Thomas. After that, during the early days of statehood it was known as Columbia. The township where this community is located is now in Columbia township. In later years the town was called Lindseyville. The name came from the Lindsey family who settled here at an early date. Just why the name was not applied sooner is not known. The Lindsey family is still represented in Randolph County.

The old Fourche de Thomas postoffice was discontinued about 1857. In the latter part of the last century a postoffice was established here and called Foster in honor of the Fosters, who were also among the first settlers. This office has since been discontinued. The first Baptist church in Arkansas was established here about 181 5. One J. M. Peck of Potosi, Missouri, preached here in 18 17. The old church was called Salem although located in this town. This has indeed been a much named place. There are three cemeteries and one rural school on the site of the "Settle- ment of Fourche de Thomas". One of the burying grounds is named the "Old Lindseyville", one the Foster, and one the Jarrett cemeteries. The school is listed on the records of Randolph County as "Jarrett School District No. 9". Tradition and also some records show that the




first churches in the state of the Baptist, Methodist and Church of Christ denominations were located on Fourche. As stated above, old Salem church was the first Baptist church in the state. Eli Lindsey was the first Methodist preacher in Arkansas and since he lived at Fourche de Thomas in 18 15 we suppose that he must have preached some to his neighbors at this frontier town. The Mocks and Shavers were among the very first people to bring the preaching and practices of the Church of Christ into Ark- ansas. Several ministers of this church were from a union of the two families and even unto this day this is true. At old "Mud Creek" near Fourche lived these two families and the church was held.

A short distance southeast of Fourche de Thomas was the community known as Martin Spring. Here lived James Martin. He was County Judge in the years just before the War Between the States and at one time was also Post- master at Pocahontas. In the surrounding country also lived the Sweezys, Carrolls, Holderbys, Biggers, Spikes, Bollingers and others.

On down the stream below Fourche de Thomas is the village of Brockett. This place was once the site of a large mill and was known as Bollinger' s Mill for its owners, the Bollingers. The Bollingers were early settlers of this section, coming into southeast Missouri in 1797. Bollinger County, Missouri, is named for the family and Frederick- town, Madison County, Missouri, is named for Frederick Bollinger, a member of this same family. Along the creeks which empty into Fourche settled many families who have contributed much to the county and state.

One of the streams which flows into the Fourche is called "Tennessee Creek" because so many from that state settled along its shores. Some of these were the Waldrons, Knotts, Johnsons, Spikes and other families which have become prominent in the county's affairs.

The last settlement in this noted stream is the thriving Engleberg community. This is a settlement of Germans who came here about 1885 and have built one of the most




prosperous communities in the county. Another prominent family of the Fourche valley is the Simingtons. Colonel Thomas Simington was a son-in-law of James G. Russell referred to above and was an early sheriff of Randolph County.

The last tributary to Fourche Dumas is Mansker Creek, which empties into the former just above the city of Pocahontas. On this creek settled George Mansker in the first days of the nineteenth century. The Mansker and Drew families were related and this may have been the reason for Thomas Drew locating in Pocahontas. James P. Ingram, the fourth County Judge of Randolph County was a son-in-law of George Mansker. Judge Ingram is the maternal great grandfather of this writer's wife. He was the father of the late Uncle ''Blind Bill" Ingram, a great and good man of the eastern part of the county.

It can be truthfully said that Fourche Dumas is an in- teresting stream. The valley is not wide but very fertile. For years a measure for good land has been the expression "rich as Fourche bottom".

Much material wealth has been produced on Fourche de Maux since the Frenchmen travelled up its valley. Many great and good men have lived and reared families along this stream. Many of its citizens have gone out over the world to contribute to the making of the places they went in the same manner in which their forefathers did along its banks in the years immediately following the close of the period of the American Revolution.



Fourche Dumas Creek and the "Settlement of Fourche De Thomas"

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