Hon. Rufus K. Garland

HON. RUFUS K. GARLAND

On Sunday morning the 18th inst, Hon. R.K. Garland, died at his home near this place. He died quite suddenly, having been sick with cerebral meningitis only a few days. At the time of his death, Mr. Garland was about 56 years of age. He came to Arkansas with his father when quite young and has lived here continuously ever since. He has filled many positions of honor and public trust, heaving been a member of the Confederate Congress, a member of the last Constitutional Convention. Up to 1886 he was a staunch Democrat, since that time he has been the leader of the Greenback movement in this part of the state. In early life he married a daughter of J.H. Walker of Hempstead County who survives him. The remains were carried to Washington, Hempstead County for interment.

From the Nevada County Picayune of Dec. 15, 1886.

Note: In an article called EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY of Nevada County written for me in March 1946 by Hon. W.V. Tompkins, he says: “The first agitation as to the organization of the Greenback Party was brought about in 1876, and in 1878 Rufus K. Garland a citizen of Nevada County, and the brother of Augustus H, Garland who was elected Governor in 1874, made a great speech at the State Fair in Little Rock in which he called attention to the general distress of the country and suggested the organization of a new party. The Greenback Party was then organized.”