Timeline
1852 The Promise of Railroads
As gold fever decreased, what might be called "railroad fever" struck Arkansas. A large railroad convention met in Little Rock and decided the Memphis to Fulton (at the Texas border) route through Little Rock should be the first line to receive financial aid. In the flurry of activity, three railroad companies were incorporated, but, to be successful, each company needed a land grant from the federal government. Bills by Senator Borland and Representative Johnson were pending in Congress, but no action was taken.
The hope for railroads played a role in the governor's race between Elias Conway, nominated by the "dynasty" Democrats and Bryan Smithson, an independent Democrat endorsed by the Whigs. Smithson campaigned on internal improvements, focusing on the proposed Central Railroad. The practical Conway suggested the state first ought to have a system of good dirt roads. Woodruff, still opposing the "Family," gave the support of the Gazette and Democrat to Smithson, labeling Conway the "dirt roads" candidate. While Smithson won in Pulaski County and Little Rock, the voters in the state elected Conway.
Senator Borland continued to live up to his combative reputation when he broke the nose of J.C.G. Kennedy, superintendent of the census bureau. Kennedy insulted Borland in an effort to change his mind over a proposed census publication. The subsequent punch in the face brought Arkansas more adverse national publicity.
Beginning a long and prosperous involvement with river commerce in Arkansas, Major John D. Adams acquired a line of steamboats which engaged in the transporting of United States mail from Napolean to Little Rock. River boat travel sometimes proved to be a risky business with dangers from snags, collisions and especially explosions and fires. In March, the steamboat POCAHONTAS blew a boiler scalding 18 persons, eight of whom died; in April, it burned and sank, killing 13 passengers.
Nationally, the Whig Party nominated a presidential candidate for the last time, General Winfield Scott, who lost to Democratic nominee Franklin Pierce in the November 2 election.
Harriet Beecher Stowe's book Uncle Tom's Cabin, a sentimental antislavery novel, became a best seller in the North after its publication in March. The fugitive slave act of 1850 inspired the book, which was particularly effective at crystallizing emotions against the brutality and injustice of slavery.
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