Mark Bean of Washington County

Mark Bean was born in Bean's Station, TN, and came to Arkansas in 1820. He married Hettie Stuart in Batesville, AR and came to Franklin County. He served several terms in the Arkansas territorial legislature. He came to Washington County (Rhea's Mills) in 1834 and shortly thereafter moved to Cane Hill. His wife having died while they were living in Franklin County, he married Nancy J. Parks, the daughter of Robert W. Parks. Mark Bean died February 1862 and is buried at Parks' Corner, where the Cane Hill road turns off from US Highway 62.

Mark Bean's son, Richard H. Bean, was born 1837, served in the Arkansas State troops and in 1863 joined a Missouri regiment in Shelby's Brigade, CSA. After the war he built a steam saw and grist mill at Cane Hill, which he operated until 1879. Richard H. Bean married Mary L. Lacy, daughter of T.H. Lacy, in May 1866.

Legend credits Mark Bean with the construction of an early mill at the Bean's Spring between Cane Hill and Lincoln. This is strictly legend. Bean had been operating salt works in the Indian Territory at an early date (probably before 1826). When the Cherokee Treaty of 1828 compelled him to give up the salt business-- for which the Federal government reimbursed him handsomely -- he moved to Cane Hill -- actually three miles north of present-day Cane Hill.
 

Below are letters written by Mark Bean and his son, "Dick",  to Mr. D. C. Williams, a prominent Van Buren merchant, in regards to the turbulent times on the horizon.
 

Before the meeting of the Secession Convention in March of 1861, the sentiment in Washington County was pro-Union. Washington county was the most populated county in the State, and therefore sent four delegates to the Convention; T.M. Gunter, David Walker, John P.A. Parks and J. H. Stirman. At the first session of the Convention the delegates voted against secession, hoping to refer the momentous decision to a vote of the people. But events happened too rapidly and the election was never held. When the Convention reconvened in May of that same year, the Secession ordinance was passed by a vote of 65 to 5. When an effort was made to make the vote unanimous, the Washington County delegates changed their vote, Walker and Gunter being the last to change over.  Both later attained the rank of Colonel in the Confederate army. Only Isaac Murphy, former school teacher in Fayetteville and Mt. Comfort, refused to change his vote.

Letter #1 From Mark Bean to D. C. Williams

Dear Friend                                                                        Cane Hill  Ark  Jan 30th 1861 

I have rec'd your letter, also one from our good friend Judge Walker and also your letter to him embracing the same subjects, and which I as fully endorse as any man in Ark. Walker spent the night with me last week. He was extremely anxious for me to run for the Convention. I told him that nothing would give me more pleasure than to stand by him when the South , with Billy Cummins at the head, contend that the basis of representation should not be upon the free white male inhabitants only, but two thirds of their negroes should be represented. I told him that it was impossible for me to run, owing to my feeble state of health. Last Saturday we nominated J. B. Russell for the Convention and recommended Walker unanimously, and Doctor Dean. Also Stirman. All eyes are turned to Judge Walker here. There is a mass meeting in Fayetteville next Saturday to nominate conventioneers. We passed a resolution or platform for our candidates, that our candidates must be strong Union men. Walker will have nothing to do with the convention in Fayetteville. The wire workers I think or Secessionists will be defeated. I hope so at least. I have and still will urge the importance as you suggest (of referring) the decision back to the people and have every candidate pledge to this effect. I hope that Gen. Thomason will run for one man in Crawford. What have we to gain in a division of our glorious Union? I see no compromising spirit by any of our members in Congress. Are they reflecting the will of Arkansas or are they sympathizing with poor South Carolina, which I cannot do. I would be glad to hear from you at any time.

                                                                      Truly your friend,   MARK BEAN

Letter #2 from Richard (Dick) Bean to D. C. Williams

Mr. D. C. Williams                               Boonsboro Washington Co. Ark  FEB 21st, 1861

Dear Friend,

Mr. Saml Mitchell has a box of chattels at your house perhaps, which he wishes you to send up by the first opportunity. They were shipped from Little Rock some two or three weeks since. I will pay you for the charges on the box when I come down.

I have had your sugar tree dug some two or three days. I have failed to get any conveyance yet. Most of the wagons are hauling apples and are unwilling to take them on act. of the injury to the apples. I have the roots of them buried so there is no danger of them being injured.

The vote of the county was more than three to one. Stirman rec'd nineteen hundred votes, Walker seventeen hundred and seventy seven. Gunter seventeen hundred and eighty. Deane, Neal and Billingsley only rec'd some three hundred.

I will probably be in Van Buren Saturday night week. I think Miss Mary wants to see Mr. Brown. She will come in Mr. Wilson's carriage. 

All well. My regards to your family.

Very truly, DICK BEAN

*Taken from Vol. XI, No. 2  May, 1961 publication of FLASHBACK