The Election for the First Congressional District of Arkansas in 1870 had become a heated one when the incumbent Republican Logan Holt Roots visited Forrest City on October 10. This was the first normally run election for the First District since before the American Civil War. Logan Roots (Republican) was running against James M. Hanks (Democrat) of Helena. Roots had been appointed to finish the vacated term of Confederate General Thomas Hindman in 1868 after moving to Arkansas around 1866. Roots had enlisted in the 81st Illinois Infantry, was commissioned a first lieutenant, and ended up on the staff of General William T. Sherman. Because of his service, he was designated a brevet lieutenant colonel. When the war ended, Roots purchased a large farm near DeValls Bluff in Prairie County, Arkansas and actively became involved in Republican politics. It was that trip to Forrest City in 1870 that we will focus on to have a greater understanding of politics at that time.
The Forrest City Free Press wrote the following article about the event:
"Just before the time arrived for speaking, all the business houses in town were closed, and the crowd was soon assembled at the appointed place. Colonel Roots, on taking the stand, said that it was not his wish nor desire to make a canvass all alone; that he had repeatedly invited Judge Hanks to meet him at his appointments, and that Hanks had so far refused to meet him and divide time. That it was not his intention to make assertions which he could not prove to be true, and as evidence of this, he was willing to divide time with any gentleman that the Democracy might put forth."
After that opening, he then went after the Democratic party in the following manner:
"Instead of carrying out measures for the purpose of cementing and binding together more closely the bonds of union between the States, the Democratic party, as soon it saw the balance of power slipping from its grasp, systematically went to work to destroy it. He said that he did not wish to abuse Democrats, but would simply pass over their record, which was enough to condemn the organization in the mind of everyone who was not so deeply prejudiced as to be totally blind to truth. There had not been a national issue in the past fifteen years, wherein the Democratic leaders have been sustained by the people, and they had persistently opposed every effort of the Republican party to restore peace and prosperity to the country."
While Roots canvassed the district making speeches, his Democrat opponent James Millander Hanks relied on old alliances and history in his campaign for office. James M. Hanks had been born at Helena in Phillips County, Arkansas to a wealthy and influential family. He had studied law and became a practicing attorney. Although his family had southern leanings, Hanks stayed out of the Civil War and became judge for the first judicial district of Arkansas from 1864 to 1868.
On September 8, 1870, The Helena Clarion made this announcement:
"For congress, we feel no hesitation in saying that Honorable James M. Hanks, is and always has been, our first choice, and we will support him with all our ability, if he is nominated and will accept. The Honorable Logan H.. Roots, has incurred our displeasure, from a report we learn that he used his influence to induce Monroe county to vote against our railroad, and a private crow or two we have to pick with him."
In October 1870, the Helena Monitor made this statement about the election:
"The Osceola Times, a radical paper, published in Mississippi County, Ark., in its last issue, hoisted the name of James M. Hanks, the people's candidate for congress. This makes three papers in the district, all heretofore endorsing the republican policy, who give an unqualified support to our candidate. Roots impudence is so brazen that his own faction is becoming disgusted with him. Hanks and his friends are gaining prestige every hour, and will sweep the field with an overwhelming majority."
Nerves were tense as the two candidates and their followers drew near election day on November 8. Who would win? Would it be the newcomer who spoke well and visited the various cities of the district, or would it be the native son who relied on newspapers and the close-knit society of the Arkansas Delta?
Returns came out as expected in the hometowns of each candidate. DeValls Bluff gave Roots 103 votes to 92 for Hanks. However, he failed to win Prairie County, which gave Hanks the win. Helena and Phillips County awarded Hanks with 665 votes and 201 for Roots. In the district as a whole, Roots won a majority of votes in Monroe, Crittenden and Woodruff counties. Hanks won White, Phillips, Prairie, Cross, Jackson, Mississippi, Independence, St. Francis and Conway counties. It was indeed a blow-out win for the Democrat candidate with a majority of 3,000 votes. James Millander Hanks then became a member of the Forty-second Congress representing the First District of Arkansas. After serving out his term, Hanks returned home and did not run for reelection. He focused on farming. Roots would eventually move to Little Rock and become an influential businessman. Although this congressional election was a brief moment in history, it did provide a glimpse at how campaigns were changing. It also provided a glimpse at how Arkansas and the country were changing. #arkansashistory #elisharoots #jamesmhanks
Sources:
Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 25 Oct 1870. Tue- Page 4
Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 8 Sep 1870. Thu - Page 3
Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 12 Nov 1870. Sat Page 4
Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 16 Nov 1870, Wed - Page 1
Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 9 Nov 1870. Wed - Page 1
Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress; Hanks, James Millander
Forrest City Free Press (Forrest City, Arkansas) 22 Oct 1870, Sat. Page 2
Ross, Frances Mitchell. University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Encyclopedia of Arkansas Online. Last updated: 02/19/2021. Obtained November 4, 2021. https://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/.../logan-holt.../