Joseph H. Battenfield Explained

Joseph H. Battenfield (June 1848 — June 29, 1909) was an American newspaper publisher and merchant based in Russellville, Arkansas, in the years after the American Civil War. His weekly newspaper regularly took local officials to task over what he saw as the plundering of county wealth and published details of unwarranted attempts by county officials to get martial law declared in Pope County. On September 8, 1872, during a period that came to be known as the Pope County Militia War, his newspaper office and press were burned, supposedly by the militia of Sheriff Elisha Dodson.

Civil War

Battenfield's family had moved from Ohio to Northwest Arkansas in 1853 when Joseph was just four or five years old.[1] At some point after 1860, they relocated from Arkansas[2] to Youngstown, Ohio as did Joseph's older sister, Martha and her husband, Jacob L. Shinn.[3] While in Ohio, Joseph enlisted in Company G of the 6th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry, on March 13, 1865, giving his age as 18.[4] He mustered out with the company on August 7, 1865.[5]

Merchant and newspaper publisher

In 1870, at age 22, Battenfield was a hardware merchant in Russellville, with $2,500 in real estate and his personal estate valued at $4,000,[6] possibly, in part, through the influence and guidance of his brother-in-law, Jacob L. Shinn, a wealthy local merchant—"the chief merchant of the county" according to George Alfred Townsend of the Chicago Tribune in an October 15, 1872, article.[7]

Battenfield established The Tribune, a weekly newspaper, in Russellville in March 1870. The name was changed to the National Tribune in July 1871. At about the same time, Battenfield withdrew from editorial control and was succeeded by B. F. Jobe.[8]

Pope County militia troubles

A fire on February 6, 1872, destroyed a store belonging to Joseph Battenfield. Losses included a large stock of general hardware, wood and willowware, and tinner's tools and stock. The loss was estimated at $7,800, with $5,000 covered by insurance.[9] Battenfield ascribed the fire as reprisal for his publishing facts about the plundering of the county by county officials, Sheriff Elisha W. Dodson, Deputy Sheriff John H. Williams, School Superintendent W. A. Stuart, and County Clerk Wallace H. Hickox.[10]

In July 1872, Battenfield's National Tribune published accounts of a botched conspiracy—where two men were murdered and two others escaped—by county officials in an attempt to show that circumstances were dangerous in Pope County and get martial law declared by Governor O. A. Hadley.

Depositions implicating Sheriff Dodson and his posse with murder were published by the National Tribune and, subsequently, republished in other papers. Hickox, Williams, and Stuart were also implicated in the depositions—made before the mayor of Dover— by William Hale,[11] who was mortally wounded in a July 8, 1872, incident at Shiloh Creek and Isham L. West,[12] who escaped without injury. One other man, N. J. Hale, William Hale's father, also escaped without injury and a fourth man, Joe Tucker died on the scene.

The National Tribune office and printing machinery were destroyed by fire on September 8, 1872, during what became known as the Pope County Militia War.

In a late September 1872, interview in Little Rock, Townsend asked, "Mr. Battenfeld (sic), have you any reasonable doubt that the Minstrel militia burned your office?"

Battenfield replied, "No citizen of Russellville entertains the least doubt of it. Their proposition was to have me hasten to my office when the flames burst out, and then shoot me down, so as to prevent effectually any revival of the paper. I kept in the house, and did not venture out." After relating another attempt on him while he was playing billiards the next day, he said, Before he could make another attempt, I got out through the back door, and took no further chances... I went over to Dardanelle for refuge, and am now at Little Rock."[13]

The paper is conservative, and through its columns its editor dared to express his sentiments in a manner not complementary to Sheriff Dodson, or the State officials who appointed Dodson and are sustaining him in his lawless acts. The Tribune office was threatened with destruction, and the threat has been executed.[14]

The newspaper was revived and was published under several different managements until July 1874.[15]

Tinner, railroad venture, and land office register

A notice was given in 1875 that the firm of Battenfield & Fowler was dissolved.[16] In 1880, Joseph is recorded working as a "tinner."[17] He opened a new "stove and tinshop" that summer.[18]

In 1880, Battenfield was one of the five investors and directors in a railroad venture that would have run between Russellville and North Dardanelle. On June 22, 1880, articles of association and incorporation were filed for a railroad from Russellville to Dardanelle with a capital stock of $35,000.[19] However, the venture was never pursued and others invested in what became the short line Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad (D&RR).[20] To this day, D&RR operates a 4.8-mile (7.7 km) line from Russellville, where it interchanges with Union Pacific, to North Dardanelle, across the Arkansas River from Dardanelle, Arkansas.

Battenfield was Adjutant of the E. M. Stanton Post No. 68, G.A.R. in 1889.[21]

In the 1890s, Battenfield was appointed Register for the Dardanelle DistrictUnited States General Land Office. District land offices were the basic operating units that conducted the business of transferring title from the public domain to other parties, such as homesteaders. The "register" was the top official for a district land office. Registers were nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. The Dardanelle District included the following counties: Conway, Crawford, Franklin, Garland, Johnson, Logan, Montgomery, Perry, Polk, Pope, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, and Yell.[22] Battenfield served as register from 1897 until the Dardanelle Land Office was consolidated with the Little Rock office on January 30, 1909.[23] [24] [25]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Speer . William S. . Brown . Hon. John Henry . The Encyclopedia of the New West . 1881 . The United States Biographical Publishing Company . Marshall, Texas . 155–156 . 16 March 2023.
  2. In 1860, Joseph lived in the household of his parents, Jacob, a shoemaker, and Margery. He is recorded as 11 years old and born in Virginia. The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: M653_52; Page: 611; Family History Library Film: 803052.
  3. Book: Speer . William S. . Brown . Hon. John Henry . The Encyclopedia of the New West . 1881 . The United States Biographical Publishing Company . Marshall, Texas . 155–156 . 16 March 2023. Note: The Shinn's youngest son, Charles W., was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in June 1864.
  4. Based on his birth month (June) and year (1848) as recorded in the 1890 census, he would actually have been about 16 years, 9 months old when he enlisted. and just over 17 when his company mustered out.
  5. Book: Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866 . 1891 . State of Ohio . Akron, Ohio . 341 . 18 March 2023.
  6. 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Note: Joseph is listed as head of household with a 19-year-old wife, Sarah Jane, and a 2-month-old daughter. Also listed are two older people, probably his parents, Jacob, 71 and Margery, 60, and a younger man, likely his brother, John, age 19, with his occupation listed as postmaster.
  7. News: Interview with J. H. Battenfeld . Townsend . George Alfred . 19 March 2023 . The Chicago Daily Tribune . 58 Vol 26 . The Tribune Company . October 15, 1872 . Chicago, Illinois . 2 . He had lived, at one time, in Arkansas, and his sister was married to Shinn, the chief merchant of the county, and the chief man of Russellville..
  8. News: In and About the Capital . 18 March 2023 . Daily Arkansas Gazette . Woodruff, Blocher & Adams . 210, 53rd year . August 1, 1872 . Little Rock, Arkansas . 4.
  9. News: State News . 19 March 2023 . Daily Arkansas Gazette . 65, 53rd year . The Gazette Publishing Company . February 14, 1872 . Little Rock, Arkansas . 1.
  10. News: Interview with J. H. Battenfeld . Townsend . George Alfred . 19 March 2023 . The Chicago Daily Tribune . 58 Vol 26 . The Tribune Company . October 15, 1872 . Chicago, Illinois . 2 . ... the county officers used to invade my office with revolvers and clubs, and with Hickox I had four or five personal quarrels... One time, the store where I kept hardware burnt up, and when I came down to Little Rock to get my insurance, I found that someone had slipped in before me and made affidavit that I did not have anything there worth more than two or hundred dollars. The president of the Insurance Company... had been in the store but a little while before, and he read me some of this affidavit. I recognized the language of School-Superintenent Stuart in it. That sneaking old hypocrit had been active enough to have my insurance stopped, hoping it might stop my paper to lose the money; but I got every cent of it, and that left them no alternative but to burn me out..
  11. News: Deposition of W. T. Hale . 17 January 2023 . Memphis Sunday Appeal . 226 Vol. 32 . July 28, 1872 . Memphis, Tennessee . 1 . Mr. Hale deposes that on the eighth of July he was arrested by Sheriff Dodson and a posse, who refused to inform him of the cause of his arrest, saying he was then informed that he must submit to be carried before Judge May, the cause of arrest being still refused to Mr. Hale. The party traveled on to Williamson camp-ground, about seven miles from Dover, where Dodson called a halt, stating they would remain there all night if they could procure forage. Some of the posse went out in search of provender, but soon returned, and stated that they could procure none, and the prisoners were again ordered to mount and proceed to Russellville. They had marched but a short distance, when Dodson passed from front to rear, and back again. As he returned to the front, some one of his party remarked that it was "dark as Egypt," when Dodson replied, "Yes! but Egypt has no eyes." Mr. Hale says: "The firing began; immediately a gun was discharged on my right, and I looked around, and about that time I received a shot in my right shoulder, after which I got off my mare, and got out of sight of the road and sat down by a tree. About that time I heard a man cry out 'Oh, Lord!' three times; then I heard a voice, which I think was Dodson's saying, God d——n you, I have you now." Then I heard one more groan, and the hallowing ceased. In a few minutes they all left, and I heard no more of them.". Notes: William Hale succumbed to his wound several days later. This account is a synopsis of what was provided to Dover Mayor J. C. Warren.
  12. News: Deposition of I. L. West . 17 January 2023 . Memphis Sunday Appeal . 226 Vol. 32 . July 28, 1872 . Memphis, Tennessee . 1 . Isham L. West, a respectable blacksmith at Scottsville, after stating that while at work in his shop, on the eight of July, Dodson and his party came along, having W. T. Hale and his father, N. J. Hale in custody. The prisoners said they had been arrested, but did not know for what offense. The party went off toward Dover, and at the request of Mrs. Hale... he followed them to Dover, as he had been informed that the Hales were to be shot down by the Sheriff and his posse, by order of the Governor... The parties wanted to get their trial at Dover, but Dodson swore he would carry them on to Dardanelle, and then arrested West, who had urged the request, for being so d——d smart. They also arrested Mr. Joe Tucker, and all were again ordered to mount the horses. West begged Dodson to release him, as his wife was sick and he had harmed no one, but he received the brutal reply: 'By God, I have been played-off on by your sort too much.' Mr. West replied that he was a law-abiding man, and in favor of the enforcement of the civil law, and added that he did not believe that the Hales had anything to do with the shooting at John Williams sometime before. Dodson told him that it was not for the shooting of John Williams, but for Killing Morris Williams three years ago; that now they had found out who did it, and he would be God d——d if he did not put an end to them and stop it at once. The party journeyed on toward Russellville, the prisoners being strictly guarded. After crossing a creek, one of the posse remarked—'It is as dark as Egypt,' to which another replied 'Egypt has no eyes,' and immediately firing commenced from the woods on to the road. Mr. West distinctly saw the blazes from the guns and pistols, and being thrown from his horse as he was dismounting, he crawled into the woods and remained perfectly quiet. While lying hid, he heard persons laughing and talking, and Dodson called out, 'Where are the prisoners?' and then rode off in the direction of Russellville. About that time a shot was fired, and he heard a cry of distress, 'Oh! oh! oh!' Dodson called out, 'Now G—d d——n you, I have got you.' Another report followed and then another cry of distress. West lay still till the Sheriff and his men rod off to Russellville, and then made his escape home.. Note: This account is a synopsis of what was provided to Dover Mayor J. C. Warren.
  13. News: Interview with J. H. Battenfeld . Townsend . George Alfred . 19 March 2023 . The Chicago Daily Tribune . 58 Vol 26 . The Tribune Company . October 15, 1872 . Chicago, Illinois . 2 .
  14. News: A Newspaper Squelched . 19 March 2023 . The Daily Phoenix . 168, Vol VII . J. A. Selbyu . October 3, 1872 . Columbia, South Carolina . 2 . (from) a correspondent of the Missouri Republican, under date of Little Rock, September 19.
  15. News: Frederick W. Allsopp . Frederick W. Allsopp . Russellville (The Press of Arkansas for More than 100 Years) . 18 March 2023 . 201 Vol 103 . Arkansas Gazette . June 9, 1922 . Little Rock, Arkansas . 11.
  16. News: Dissolution Notice . 18 March 2023 . The Russellville Democrat . 13 Vol 1 . Russellville Printing Company . April 22, 1875 . Russellville, Arkansas . 3 . Mr. J. T. Fowler will continue the business at the old stand, while I retire. Thanking my many friends for their liberal patronage while engaged in the mercantile business, and hoping they will continue the same to my successor..
  17. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  18. News: Local News . 19 March 2023 . The Russellville Democrat . 27 Vol. VI . The Russellville Printing Association . July 29, 1880 . Russellville, Arkansas . 3.
  19. News: Another Railroad for Russellville . 18 March 2023 . The Russellville Democrat . 18, Vol VI . The Russellville Printing Company . May 27, 1880 . Russellville, Arkansas . 2 . J. L. Shinn, J. H. Battenfield, James H. Shinn, J. E. Battenfield and J. H. Haney are Directors and Commissioners to open stockbooks..
  20. News: The Ferry Muddle . 20 March 2023 . The Russellville Democrat . 24, 12th year . July 2, 1885 . Russellville, Arkansas . 3 . Why did you and your associates not go on and build the road on your charter? Shinn: The distance being so short we thought it doubtful whether it would pay, so we were just resting on it..
  21. News: Secret Societies . 18 March 2023 . The Russellville Democrat . 5, 15th year . February 21, 1889 . Russellville, Arkansas . 3.
  22. News: Plenty of Good Land - Homesteads in Arkansas for Many Settlers . 19 March 2023 . The Fort Smith Times . 5 Vol XXI . The Times Company . August 21, 1902 . Fort Smith, Arkansas . 2.
  23. In 1900, Joseph is recorded in year 3 of a 4-year appointment as Land Office Register and born in June 1848; Year: 1900; Census Place: Dardanelle, Yell, Arkansas; Roll: 80; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0155; FHL microfilm: 1240080
  24. Listed in 1899, 1901, 1903, 1907 in U.S. Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959 Original data: Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census. Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of the Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service. Digitized books (77 volumes).
  25. News: Land Office Discontinued - Dardanelle after Forty Years Existence will Combine with Little Rock . 19 March 2023 . The Daily Guard . 68 Vol III . George Harris Trevathan . December 14, 1908 . Batesville, Arkansas . 2 . The order was issued by President Roosevelt November 21st....

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