38 The early residents of this village were an interesting group, some well educated and deeply interested in establishing new homes in the undeveloped territory; some had a real flare for adventure; and some were just rovers. Among them were such men as William Young who came west in 1830 as escort to 900 Indians, who were sent from Alabama to the Indian Territory. He went as far as the Red River, where he delivered his charges to the Federal authorities and turned back to establish a home in Union County, Arkansas. He became active in county affairs and in 1838 was elected one of the commissioners chosen to select a site for a new county seat to replace Ecore Fabre when that town should be cut off from Union County by the formation of Ouachita County, which project was then in contemplation. Another pioneer resident was Albert Rust, who as, a mere boy of 19, came from Virginia in 1837 to cast his lot with the settlers of the newly admitted state. His first business was to obtain land and build a store-house under the bluff on the river bank. He presented his bond as county surveyor and in 1838 began the task of dividing the county into sections. As assistants in the work he chose Shelton Watson, son of a pioneer family, William Young and one or two other young men. Albert Rust became an outstanding man in Union County, bringing distinction to the county and to himself in the United States Congress and as a general in the Confederate Army. Among the earliest merchants who came to the pioneer village were A. G. Hill from Massachusetts and C. F. Sargent from Maine. They formed a partnership and established the first mercantile business within the town. Early court records show that on July 9, 1838, "a warrant was issued to Hill and Sargent in payment of a bill for stationery amounting to $13.00." Another warrant was issued to the firm the same year for $4.54. Other amounts were recorded from time to time showing that Hill and Sargent furnished the court with supplies over a period of time.           Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites Next