Benton County

The first general election in Benton County was held in August, 1838, being for the election of governor, members of the Legislature and county officers. The whole number of votes cast in the county on that occasion was 272. Politically the county has always been strongly Democratic. and that party has always elected its officers with the exception of the period following the war, when Democrats who had participated in the Rebellion were disfranchised. During that period Republican officers were elected, and since that time up to the present year the Republicans of Benton County have not had a ticket … Read more

The first case before the Circuit Court was that of the State against Samuel Vaughan, George W. Vaughan, Abram Hamilton, Price McMurty, John Meeks and Reese Butler for committing a “riot.” The indictment not having been preserved, the full particulars of the matter cannot be given. Some of the defendants did not live in Benton County, neither was the riot committed in this county. On being arraigned for trial the defendants moved to quash the indictment, and after hearing the arguments of counsel on the motion, the court ruled that the indictment was not sufficient in law to maintain the … Read more

While it is not positively known, it is believed that Adam Batie, who settled on the prairie that now bears his name, near the present site of Maysville, was the first settler in Benton County. The date of his settlement has not been ascertained, but it is presumed to have been prior to the year 1830. Batie Prairie and the creek that flows from it are both named in honor to this early and first settler. In 1830 John McPhail and his father settled on that prairie. Soon thereafter Martin Mays settled on the present town site of Maysville, and … Read more

There are two noted highways passing through Benton County, known as the “Line Road” and the “State Road.” The former passes on or near the boundary line of Benton County and the Indian Territory, hence the name “Line Road.” It is also known as the “Old Military Road,” having been cut out and established by the general government from Fort Scott, in Kansas, to Fort Smith, in Arkansas, for the purpose of opening and establishing communications between those important points. In some places this road runs on the boundary line, especially at and for a few miles south of Maysville, … Read more

For many years after the formation of the State of Arkansas her educational facilities were of the most meager kind, and although many improvements have been made in the past, it may truthfully be said that in this respect she is still far behind many of her sister States, though perhaps fully on a par with those having had the same opportunities. But few of the children of the early settlers of Benton County enjoyed the benefit of schools, even of the poorest class, while the great majority of them were, on account of the very few schools and the … Read more

Add main content here…The following are lists of public officers serving in, or representing Benton County, from the date of its organization to the present time, together with dates of service: Circuit Court Judges Joseph M. Hoge, 1837-39; Lewis B. Tully, 1839-40; Joseph M. Hoge, 1840-44; Sebron G. Sneed, 1844-48; William W. Floyd, 1848-50; Alfred B. Greenwood, 1850-53; Felix I. Batson, 1853-58; John M. Wilson, 1858-61; Joseph J. Green, 1861 (vacant during war period); Elias Harrell, 1865-67; William Story, 1867-68; E. D. Ham, 1868-73; J. H. Huckleberry, 1873-75; J. M. Pittman, 1875-79; James H. Berry, 1879-83; J. M. Pittman, present … Read more

The origin of the county court of Benton County, and the time and place of holding its first term, has been given under the head of “Organization.” For many years–up to 1873–the court was composed of a county judge and two associate justices. The judge was elected by the people, and the associate justices by the several justices of the peace, who met at the county seat in January each year for that purpose. In 1873, under a change in the law, the court was made to consist of a board of supervisors consisting of three persons, Dysert Woods. John … Read more

The first court-house was a small hewed log building, which stood on the north side of the public square, in Bentonville. It was built in 1837. Being only a temporary “makeshift,” to be used only until a better building could be constructed, it stood only two or three years, or until the second court-house, a more permanent building, was completed. This was a two-story brick structure about fifty feet square, and stood upon the center of the public square, where the well is now located. The court room was in the first story, and the county offices and jury rooms … Read more

From the date of the battle of Pea Ridge to the close of the war Benton County was alternately possessed, overrun and devastated by the opposing armies. Provisions, crops and other property was appropriated for the use of the troops; houses were pillaged and burned, and the fences on many farms, especially in the vicinity of the soldiers’ camps, were entirely consumed for fuel. Good, dry rails burned so much easier than green wood, made better fires, and saved the labor of chopping. However, the soldiers only took the “top rails,” but it was understood that after these were taken … Read more

Following the above proceeding, a petition was filed for a new municipal township, to be called Decatur Township, whereupon the court, after due consideration of the matter, ordered that “the said new township, which is called Decatur, should be composed of and bounded as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of Section 34, in Township 20 north, Range 32 west, and running due south along the west boundary of Section 34, and on west side of Sections 3, 10. 15 and 22, Township 19 north, Range 32 west, to the southwest corner of Section 22, thence on south boundary of … Read more