BIOGRAPHICAL and PICTORIAL HISTORY
of
ARKANSAS
by John Hallum.
Vol. I.
Publ. Albany: Weed, Parsons & Company, Printers
1887

GOVERNOR SIMON P. HUGHES, LITTLE ROCK.      Governor Hughes was born in Smith county, Tennessee, Aug. 14, 1830, the son of Simon P. Hughes, a native of Prince Edward county, Virginia, and Mary P. Hubbard, sister of Peter Hubbard, a scholar, and the greatest teacher of his day.  The father was a man of strongly-marked individuality, great popularity and force of character; was sheriff of his county and a member of the legislature.  A prosperous farmer, his sons were educated in all the branches and mysteries of agriculture, going to the primitive schools of the period during the fall and winter, when they could best be spared from the farm.  In 1844 young Simon accompanied some relatives to Pulaski county, Arkansas, and worked with them on a farm two years for wages.  In 1846-7 he attended school at Sylvan Academy in Sumner county, Tennessee, taught by Peter Hubbard, his maternal uncle.  In 1848-9 he was a student at Clinton College in his native county.  In the fall of 1849 he moved to Monroe county, Arkansas, and there labored on a farm several years for wages.  His friend and patron was sheriff of the county, and became strongly attached to the young man, because of the many good traits of character developed in his business and social relations.  In 1854 he retired from office, and suggested to his young friend the idea of becoming his successor.  This wholly unexpected manifestation of high trust and confidence astonished the young man, and he said: "I am comparatively a stranger in the county, am only known to a few as a hard-working farmer, am poor, and it would be impossible for me to give the large bond required, if I could secure the election.  I would not ask any gentleman to assume such onerous responsibilities for me.  I thank you for the kind feeling manifested in the suggestion, but the prize is altogether beyond my reach."  His kind friend, in response, said: "Never mind, young man, about the bond. That difficulty claimed my attention before I spoke to you. I will make the bond. You and I can pull through the election. The people will soon see you have nerve and energy. I will assure them you have capacity and integrity, and they will not doubt that." This was the estimate of the man who knew him better than any other man in the county. These assurances overcame the boy's hesitation and misgivings, and he became the opponent of a bully for the office of sheriff. The campaign was an exciting one; public speaking and barbecues were the order of the day; the people assembled in large masses, and many thought the youth would soon be driven from the field by his overbearing opponent, and but few knew his courage would be equal to the strain brought to ear on it. At the may appointment his MORE TO COME LATER.      - Page 374