NOTABLE ARKANSANS

He was born in Kentucky, around 1803, but when he was 25, the family moved to near Point Comfort, in what is now Chicot County. The family established two large plantations, and it is said to have owned, for a time, more slaves than anyone west of the Mississippi.

He served in the Arkansas militia, as an aide-decamp for a commanding general, leading to his being known, in later years, by the title of colonel. During the Civil War, he was commander of the Little Rock Arsenal for the Confederates.

He established a reputation as a prolific storyteller and competent fiddler. He was active in territorial and, later, state politics, running for office several times without success. He became president of a county branch of the Real Estate Bank of Arkansas, which failed, resulting in the loss of his plantation and his slaves.

His most memorable accomplishment was the creation of an Arkansas legacy. He would frequently tell the story of how, while politically canvassing the Boston Mountain area of the state in the early 1840s, he lost his way and happened upon the humble shack of a settler, identified by some as Waller Wright. The settler, when asked for directions, initially ignored the traveler, and just sat in front of his cabin, fiddling the first part of a tune over and over, apparently not knowing the rest of it. The traveler asked for the fiddle and played the turn of the tune and its ending. The settler was so happy to learn the complete tune that he immediately changed his demeanor and invited the traveler in for a meal. Lyrics depicting the tale were later added and “The Arkansas Traveler” became a standard part of roadshows and Vaudeville acts well into the 20th century.

Who was this Arkansas traveler, who had a county named for him?

Who was this Arkansas traveler, who had a county named for him?

Col. Sanford “Sandy” Faulkner