Arkansas

was first settled by the French in 1685. It formed a part of the Louisiana ce ion and was included in the territory called Louis jan a until 1812 and then Mi ouri Territory until.819, when it was organized as a separate territory, including the present Indian Territory. Arkansas became a State June 15, 1836, with its present boundaries. The State was steadily Democratic until the close of the Civil War. At first the opposition to sece ion in 1861 was very strong, but upon the call of President Lincoin for troops an ordinance of sece ion was pa ed May 6, 1861. The Federal troops captured Little Rock in 1863, and a loyal State government was organized. The State was re-admitted June 22, 1868. The Republicans controlled the State from this time until: 1874. Two rival factions of that party caused an armed collision. Federal troops restored order and President Grant recognized Baxter, the Republican candidate, as Governor. A new Constitution was adopted in 1874, since which time the Democrats have controlled the State. The present Constitution dates from 1874. Arkansas had a population of 52,240 in 1836 and 1,311,564 in 1900.