Batesville in Independence County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Governor Elisha Baxter

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

1. Governor Elisha Baxter Marker, Side One

Inscription. Elisha Baxter (1827-1899), 10th Governor of Arkansas, was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. He came to Batesville in 1852, opened a mercantile business and was elected mayor in 1853. Baxter served two terms as state representative (1854-1856, 1858-1860) and was admitted to the bar in 1856. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Baxter refused to fight; he fled to Missouri but was later captured and tried for treason. He escaped and, in 1863, accepted command of the Unionist 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry. Baxter later served on the bench of the Third Circuit Court from 1868-1873.

In 1872, Baxter ran against Joseph Brooks in a contentious race for Governor. Baxter was declared the winner and sworn into office on January 6, 1873. Brooks and armed supporters physically ousted Baxter from the State House on April 15, 1874, resulting in the Brooks-Baxter War. A month later, Baxter was restored to power and served until November 12, 1874 as the last Republican governor during Arkansas's Reconstruction. Baxter declined to run again and returned to Batesville where he lived on his farm and practiced law. He and his wife, Harriet

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Patton Baxter, had six children. Baxter County, Arkansas is named for him.

Erected by Arkansas Heritage. (Marker Number 19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Heritage series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 6, 1873.

Location. 35° 45.812′ N, 91° 38.166′ W. Marker is in Batesville, Arkansas, in Independence County. It can be reached from Sidney Street south of Virginia Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Oaklawn Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Batesville AR 72501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Arkansas’ Ozark Plateau.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Governor Elisha Baxter Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

2. Governor Elisha Baxter Marker, Side Two

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Col. Morgan Magness (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Engine Donor Ark. Lime Co. (approx. ¼ mile away); Sara Low Memorial Dog Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Navigation of the White River (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Batesville During the Civil War (approx. ¾ mile away); Charles R. Handford House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Agricultural Wheel Political Platform 1887 (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Batesville.

Also see . . .
1. Elisha Baxter (1827–1899). He was teaching school at Patterson, Missouri, when Colonel Robert C. Newton captured him and carried him back to Little Rock, where he was indicted for treason and jailed with Enoch H. Vance. He and Vance escaped when Vance’s wife smuggled in the key. (Michael B. Dougan, Encyclopedia of Arkansas) (Submitted on April 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Brooks-Baxter War. The result of the war, recognition of Baxter as the governor, brought a practical

Governor Elisha Baxter Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

3. Governor Elisha Baxter Marker

end to Republican rule in the state and thus ended the era of Reconstruction. (Carl H. Moneyhon, Encyclopedia of Arkansas) (Submitted on April 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Elisha Baxter (1827-1899) image. Click for full size.

Via Arkansas Secretary of State's Office and the Old State House Museum (Public Domain)

4. Elisha Baxter (1827-1899)

Elisha Baxter's Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

5. Elisha Baxter's Gravestone

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.