Timeline
1841 Population Growth
The 1840 census gave Arkansawyers a chance to look back on the progress they had made in shaping a state out of the wilderness. In 20 years, the white population of Arkansas had grown from 12,582 to 77,174 people; free blacks now numbered 465, while, in 1820 only 59 had lived in Arkansas; and the number of slaves had grown from 1,617 to 19,935. Arkansas Territory in 1820 had contained nine counties-Lawrence, Independence, Phillips, Arkansas, Pulaski, Crawford, Clark, Hempstead and Miller. In 1840, Bradley and Perry became the fortieth and 41st counties.
Two physical signs of progress in Little Rock included the completion of the Anthony House Hotel and the Tower Building of the United States Arsenal. The Anthony House, which sat where Nicholas Peay had first built a hotel in 1828, would become the most famous Little Rock hotel of the day.
By the death of President Harrison, only one month after taking office, John Tyler became the first vice-president to succeed to the presidency.
When the army outpost at Fort Smith was moved further up the Arkansas River to Fort Gibson, General Matthew Arbuckle had remained in command. Now, after almost 20 years of serving Arkansas and Indian territory, Arbuckle was relieved by Brigadier-General Zachary Taylor.
The combined effect of the new lenient federal bankruptcy law, passed on August 19 and the general decline in the state's economy, retarded the attempts of the state's two banks to regain solvency. Bank officials endeavored to foreclose on mortgages, but were often met with notices of bankruptcy. Congress repealed the law in 1843.
December found William Woodruff back in the newspaper and printing business. George Burnett, who had replaced Edward Cole as editor and proprietor of the Gazette, died at the age of 27 with his debt to Woodruff unpaid. Woodruff had to resume control until he could find a suitable buyer.
