Rare Funeral Notice For John Rogers Founder of Fort Smith, Arkansas

Rare Funeral Notice For John Rogers Founder of Fort Smith, Arkansas! The year was 1822 James Monroe was President when an experienced soldier by the name of John Rogers reached the frontier fort on the Arkansas River near the present site of the city of Fort Smith. J. Frank Weaver' writing in the Southwest American says, Very little is known about the early career of that strong and vigorous character upon whom rests the distinction of being the "Founder of Fort Smith."
October 7, 1860-Death of Captain John Rogers, Father of Fort Smith.
Thirty-fifth Parallel
Volume 2  Issue 1
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Friday October 19, 1860
Death of Captain John Rogers
The Pioneer and Father of Fort Smith
“This venerable and highly respected citizen breathed his last, after lingering several weeks, on Sunday evening, the 7th of October about 7 o’clock at the residence of his nephew, Capt. J. R. Kannady.  Captain Rogers was born in the State of Pennsylvania, near Beaver, about the year 1780.  He was a military store-keeper during the War of 1812, and for some years thereafter, he occupied that position at New Orleans.  In 1822, he came to Fort Smith with the 7th regiment U. S. Infantry, as sutler and, in connection with the late General Nix did an extensive mercantile business on this frontier for a number of years, with the Indian tribes then inhabiting what is now the State of Arkansas, but at that time a wilderness.  When the lands of this country came into market, he purchased the tract on which the Military Post and the City of Fort Smith are built.  In 1836, he sold to the United States three hundred acres of land, upon which the present military post is situated.  In 1838, the city of Fort Smith was laid off by him, into town lots.  The town at first was called ‘Belle Point’ but the name Fort Smith had so long been applied to it, that it has become the permanent name of the place.  Shortly after he laid off the town, he erected the building generally known for several years after, as Rogers Hotel, but more recently as the City Hotel, under Mr. McKenzie.  While Captain Rogers “kept his house” (not very legible) open, it was the home and resting place of many a poor stranger, who had not the means to pay for a meal’s victuals or a night’s lodging.  He was generous to a fault, and no one who asked a favor of him was ever turned away empty.  The laboring men of this town will bear testimony of his generosity and liberality.  With the history of Fort Smith, the name of Captain John Rogers is so closely interwoven, that while the city stands, his name will be venerated, loved and remembered.  He has passed away, and now quietly sleeps in the cemetery laid off by him, but his memory will live for generations.  He lived to see the wilderness which he entered in 1822, and inhabited only by the Osage, and other wandering tribes of Indians, and traversed by the buffalo, become thickly settled by the white man and by civilization, subdued-farms opened, and the country dotted with towns and villages; yes-he lived to see the place laid out by his own hands, become one of the largest and most flourishing cities in the state of Arkansas.
Captain John Rogers was a gentleman of the “old school” as his polite, affable and gentlemanly deportment indicated.  He enjoyed excellent health all his life, having a robust constitution and a heavy frame.  There was not much change in his appearance until about two years ago when he was perceived to bend over a little by age, and in July last, he sustained a paralytic stroke, which deprived him of the use of the right side for a few weeks, from which he partially recovered.  For six or eight weeks he had been confined to his room, the greater part of the time, to his bed.   (Unreadable)…On the 2oth (___Unreadable) when the fire, which broke out on (the ?) Garrison block, and which (____Unreadable) (Rogers) City Hotel, Captain Rogers had to be carried on his bed to the house of his nephew, Captain Kannady, where he remained until his death.  After the fire, he seemed to rally, and some of his friends entertained the hope that he would once more get up, but, as soon as the excitement was over, he relapsed, and soon ended his earthly pilgrimage.  It is a singular coincidence, that the entire house he built, and lived in for seventy years, was consumed seventeen days before his death.
 The funeral of Captain John Rogers took place on Tuesday morning, the 9th of October, at 10 o’clock.  It was the largest and most imposing public procession ever witnessed in this city. The business of the place was entirely suspended; every business house being closed.  Numbers of the citizens of Van Buren and the surrounding country, came to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed.  The Masonic Lodge, of this place, of which he was a member, joined by the lodge from Van Buren, took charge of the body.  The Fort Smith Brass Band, the Rifles, Guards, and Independent Artillery, with a detachment of U.S. Artillery, formed a procession.   The religious services were performed by the Rev. W. A. Sample, at the house, before moving the body.  His remarks were very appropriate and impressive.  After they were concluded, the procession formed and marched to the cemetery.  The Masons proceeded in front, then came the Band, the Rifles, the Guards, U.S. Artillery, the Independent Artillery, and the citizens in carriages and on horseback.  At the grave, the Masonic ceremonies were performed, and the body committed to its last resting place, by the brethren.  It appeared that everybody, rich and poor, bond and face, turned out to pay the last tribute of respect to the “oldest inhabitant” and Father of Fort Smith.  Everything passed off in perfect order, and well benefitting the occasion."