Historical Society Publishes Sesquicentennial Issue

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Facts and Fiddlings journal, Faulkner County Historical Society

By Cindy Beckman, special to the Log Cabin

The Faulkner County Historical Society (FCHS) has published a special Sesquicentennial issue of its journal, “Faulkner Facts and Fiddlings,” to recognize and celebrate the county’s 150th birthday.

Named for Sandford C. Faulkner, planter, storyteller, and fiddler known for his popular mid-19th century folk song, “Arkansas Traveler,” Faulkner County was created April 12, 1873. One of nine counties formed during Reconstruction, the county was carved from Continue reading →

Only a Memory: Toad Suck Ferry

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Editor’s Note: The following article appeared in the Log Cabin Democrat on the occasion of the Toad Suck Ferry being taken to Bull Shoals Lake in 1970.

 

 

 

The Toad Suck Ferry is no more — at least on the Arkansas River, west of Conway. The barge was stripped of its paddlewheels, its pilot’s cabin, and its diesel engine and was packed up last week and sent to Bull Shoals Lake.

Before it will be placed in operation alongside an existing ferry on the Highway 125 crossing at the Missouri-Arkansas line, the barge will be repainted and its power plant reconditioned. Continue reading →

“Memories of Toad Suck Ferry” at Our Annual Meeting

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The Faulkner County Historical Society held its annual meeting on Thursday, April 13 at the Faulkner County Library. The program, “Memories of the Toad Suck Ferry” was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Amanda Moore. Panelists included Barbara Marshall Smith, daughter of Ty Marshall—the last Toad Suck Ferry operator; Jack Bell, retired City of Conway official; and Jim Baker, former Faulkner County Judge. Continue reading →

Toad Suck Ferry Tales

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by Bill Ward

In 1981, Toad Suck Daze was imagined by John Ward while he was managing editor of the Log Cabin Democrat. He conferred with me, as a partner at the time in Ward Advertising Associates with headquarters in the Halter Building, and we put together a team of town folks.

The festival was launched the next spring, 1982, on the Perry County side of the river. Traffic on the bridge was backed up for miles. Continue reading →