Thomas Carmichael Hindman was one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in Arkansas history dealing with the American Civil War. He had moved to Helena, Arkansas in 1856 and started a law practice. However, politics beckoned him and he spent much of the next four years in a war of words and occasionally violent encounters with the powers that be. While engaged in these political fisticuffs, Hindman became close friends with future Confederate General Patrick Cleburne and married into one of the most prominent families in the area. It was through this marriage that an unlikely person would become a member of his family.
On July 12, 1862 the Federal Army of the Southwest under Major General Frederick Curtis marched into Helena. Because General Hindman was such a well known figure and opponent, Curtis took over the Hindman House, making it his headquarters. He also established a commissary and command camp nearby. Laura Biscoe's home was next door and the family awoke to a yard full of hungry Federal soldiers. Although she and her family began to feed the men, Laura was concerned and asked the Provost Marshall for help. This brought her into contact with Major James H. O'Connor of the 3rd Illinois Cavalry. He agreed to move in to help the lovely widow and her family. Other officers also stopped by for meals and to entertain Mrs. Biscoe, but James and Laura soon became a couple.
The 3rd Illinois Cavalry is eventually ordered away from Helena and Laura loses her home when it is torn down. She decides to leave, but has continued her correspondence with the dashing Major O'Connor. Laura visits Memphis, Tennessee where he is stationed and the couple marry on April 8, 1863 in Germantown. She has lost her daughter by then, but the now Mrs. Laura O'Connor and son follow the 3rd Illinois to Port Hudson. In July 1864, much of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans and Major O'Connor was placed in command. Laura and the family settled into a house near their camp so the couple could be together. Things were going well until the night of August 21, when General N.B. Forrest raided Memphis. Among the captured Federal soldiers was Major O'Connor. After being paroled, he returned to Memphis and was eventually promoted to Lt. Colonel. O'Connor mustered out at the end of the war and moved back to Helena with his family where he began to practice law.
Although doing well now, the same could not be said for James O'Connor in-laws. General Hindman and his family had fled to Mexico at the close of the war and were now destitute. Although the former Confederate had written ugly remarks and threats to his mother-in-law after she married a "Yankee," he now turned to that same "Yankee" for help. On November 28, 1866, James O'Connor sent a letter to President Andrew Johnson along with a note from Mary Hindman asking that Thomas be allowed back into the country. Mary and her children had recently returned to Helena and were living with the O'Connor's. Johnson relented and Hindman was allowed to return home, but true to form, soon became engaged in politics again. On September 28, 1868, Hindman was assassinated at his home, but made a public speech before he died in which he forgave the killer and asked Colonel O'Connor to take care of his family. This he promised to do, and James now took charge of the Hindman family. The couple would eventually purchase the former Hindman House and raise the children after Mary died.