Fountain Richard Earle

EARLE, Fontaine Richard - Major F.R. Earle returned this morning from a visit to points in Oregon, California and New Mexico. He was a delegate to the general assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Fresno, California. Major Earle took a prominent part in the movement to unite the Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Presbyterian Church of the United States. The movement finally failed in the convention after a long contest. [Fayetteville Daily 5/10/1905]

Major F.R. Earle of Cane Hill received a telegram a few days ago from Ben Franklin, Texas stating that his son-in-law, Dr. Richardson of that place, had been shot and killed. Major Earle and son, F.P. Earle of Fayetteville, left for Texas upon receipt of the sad news. [Prairie Grove Herald 11/2/1905]

Giant Walnut Trees Nuts 34 Years Ago - Two Rows Of Trees At Cane Hill As Sentinels - Planted By Major Earle - One of the finest examples of trees commemorating the memories of educators and distinguished citizens may be found at Cane Hill. In 1896 Major Earle, the educator, distinguished citizen and rural leader, planted two rows of walnuts near Cane Hill College, now close to the sight of the high school building which was erected about thirty-five years ago.

These giant walnuts; the editor of the Arkansas Countryman had the privilege of observing last Friday. Since 1896 from nuts, the largest of these trees are about 18 inches in diameter two feet from the ground and about sixty feet tall. The trees are very attractive, vigorous, well branched, free apparently from disease or mechanical injury. It seems to us that with such remarkable growth and development in such a short time farmers ought to be convinced of the opportunities for planting walnuts for timber and nuts.

We were told that Dr. Earle had two furrows run with a plow. These were run by Sam Sharp and Bill Crozier. The rows were straight and about 40 feet apart, extending north and south or nearly so for 300 feet. The nuts, Dr. Earle dropped in the furrow something like eight or ten feet apart, we would judge. The nuts were covered, germinated in the due course of development, and the trees stand in a straight row with the exception of one which is about two feet out of line.

Truly there is much in sentiment and we believe in utility in favor of planting walnuts and growing walnut trees. The walnut by the Greeks was highly esteemed and dedicated to Diana whose festivals were held beneath its shade. The Greeks and Romans strewed walnuts at their weddings. Horace, Virgil and Catullus refer to this custom. Spenser mentions walnuts as employed in Christmas games. The ancients thought the shade of the walnut unwholesome to men and plants. But this is not true for between this row of giant walnut trees there is fine grass. And most of all,, these trees stand as sentinels to commemorate the work of a distinguished educator and citizen and to remind us in these later years that Cane Hill community had the honor to establish the first educational institution in the county. [The Arkansas Countryman 5/8/1930]

EARLE, F.R. - Maj. F.R. Earle, well known throughout this section of the State, died at his home on Cane Hill last Monday after an illness of long duration. He was a man of rare learning and ability and was the head of Cane Hill College in the days when that was one of the foremost institutions of learning in the State. [Benton County Democrat 9/10/1908]

Fountain R. Earle was born near Greenville, Kentucky, January 9th, 1831 and died at his home at Cane Hill, Arkansas September, 1908. His boyhood was spent on a farm doing farm work in Summer and going to school in Winter. Later he entered Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee and depending on his own efforts he continued his studies there until he had graduated from both the literary and theological departments of that institution. He was ordained to the Ministry by Logan, Kentucky Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His life was devoted to the work of his Church in the Ministry and in Christian education until stricken down by his last illness. In 1859 he came to Cane Hill, Arkansas and assumed the Presidency of Cane Hill College and Pastorate of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at that place and continued in that work until the College was suspended by the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861. In response to the call of Governor of Arkansas for State troops in May, 1861, Prof. P.W. Buchanan of Cane Hill College organized a company largely of college students and President Earle joined that company as a private and with his company was attached to Gratiot’s regiment. He was engaged in the battle of Oak Hills or Wilson’s Creek. His coolness and bravery were the subjects of many favorable comments. On the 20th of June 1862 he organized a company for the Confederate service and was elected its Captain. The company became Co. “B”, 34th Regiment Arkansas Infantry. In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of Major of that regiment. He commanded his company in the battle of Prairie Grove on December 7, 1862 and Helena July 1, 1863. His regiment was engaged in the battle of Jenkin’s Ferry April 30, 1864. The Col. and Lt.Col. of the regiment were wounded in that engagement and Major Earle was left in command. At the close of the war Major Earle brought his regiment and another regiment (King’s) of the same brigade from Marshall, Texas to Fort Smith, Arkansas and on the 9th day of June 1865 surrendered both regiments to General Bussey, Commander of that post. The officers and men were paroled and Major Earle brought his old company back to Cane Hill and his Military service was ended. No truer man fought in the Confederate Service and his bravery as a soldier and his ability as a Commander were recognized by all who knew him. Through the war he never forgot his higher calling as a soldier of the Cross and often preached to Soldiers and in revival meetings held in camp. In 1866 Major Earle was elected to the State Senate, in which body he served one term and was by the legislature elected State Superintendent of Public Institutions and military rule following ended his service as a public officer. In 18--- Cane Hill College which had been destroyed during the war was rebuilt and Major Earle resumed presidency of the institution and in that capacity labored for fifteen years or more. Later he was one of the leaders in the movement that established and built up Arkansas Cumberland College in Clarksville, Arkansas. His life was active to the very end and his influence in the community and in the Church for which he labored will be felt for many years. He was married June 15th, 1865 to Miss Amanda Buchanan, daughter of Rev. John Buchanan of Cane Hill. Throughout his life Major Earle was a true Confederate and in his death this Camp has suffered an irreparable loss. As tribute to the memory of a brave and gallant soldier and an honored member of this Camp, it is hereby ordered that this memorial be spread upon the records of the Camp and a copy furnished to his daughter, Mrs. Ellen Richardson, the only one of his children living in the jurisdiction of this Camp. - Thomas J. Campbell, W.S. Moore, J.T. McClellean, Committee. [Prairie Grove Herald 6/9/1910]

Fontaine Richard Earle (died September 6, 1908) was born January 9, 1831 at Pond River, Hopkins County, Kentucky, the son of Samuel Bayles Earle, born at Pond River, Hopkins County, Kentucky, who lived and died at White Hare, Missouri February 8, 1859. He married Jane Woodson in Hopkins County, Kentucky September 3, 1818. He was the son of Bayles Earle and his wife Mrs. Anna Mosley Hewlet who lived at Spartanburg, South Carolina. Maiden name of subject’s mother was Jane Woodson, daughter of Samuel Woodson and his wife Sarah Miller, who lived at Glasgow, Kentucky. His mother’s family was descended from French Huguenots from a Dupuy who came over with the Huguenots. John and Mary Earle came from England to Virginia in 1649 or 1652. The father of Bayles was also named Bayles and he was the first County Judge of Spartanburg County and was the father of 14 children. He is said to have killed a bear offhand at the age of 94. Bayles Earle, grandfather of subject, disguised as a woman, assisted in liberating Captain Harry Wood from the Tories in South Carolina. Subject attended school until 13 years of age, after which he went no more until 20 years of age when he went to seminary at Greenville, Kentucky. He became an ordained minister, entered Cumberland University in 1856 and received AB and DD degrees in 1858. He was a Democrat and a member of the national convention that nominated Birdwell and Cranfill. He was also affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was a Mason. He was the author of Earle’s Grammar, 178 pages and also wrote for church publications. On June 15, 1865 he wed Nancy Amanda Buchanan, the daughter of John and Ellen Crawford Buchanan at Cane Hill, Arkansas. The bride’s mother was descended from Scotch who came to America in 1702. Mr. Earle was Captain of Company B, 34th Arkansas Infantry, afterwards Major and acting Colonel during the last year of the war. At the close of the war he had his own regiment and King’s regiment. Their children were; Mary Kate (deceased. in infancy), Clara Earle, of Lebanon, Tennessee; Woodson, of Bakersfield, California; Harold (deceased in infancy); Mrs. Willa M. Richardson, Cane Hill, Arkansas; Fontaine Pyeatt, of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Emma, who died in infancy.[1911 Arkansas Confederate Census]

Card from Maj. Earle - Editors Democrat : In the Arkansas Times of the 23 ult. appears an article in which unkind allusion is made to myself. The reason assigned by the editor for the article is, that he received a card from Boonsboro, containing certain language and ordering the Times stopped. I knew nothing of the card until I heard of the article in the Times. On inquiring here I learned that two men did send him the card complaining of, and they signed their names to it, so that he could not misunderstand it. His hasty and indecent attack on me therefore was wholly gratuitous.

I do not propose to be responsible for what my neighbors do. I have almost no acquaintance with the editor of the Times; I have met him and have spoken to him once or twice; but never on any occasion, or for any purpose, have I written him a note of any character. It seems strange to me that the editor without any provocation at all, woul;d seek to do me so much injustice. - F.R. Earle, Boonsboro, Ark., Dec.1, 1882. [Fayetteville Democrat 12/7/1882]

F.R. Earle, having resigned as President of the Cane Hill College, delivered his valedictory last Friday night. There was a large audience present, and we had an interesting discourse, giving the history, work &c., of the institution. The new President, G.P. Russell takes charge of the school this morning and it is to be hoped that the good people of this vicinity will give him their hearty support as they have for years done with his predecessor. [Fayetteville Democrat 4/2/1885]

Death of Major Earle - Maj. F.R. Earle died at his home in Cane Hill early Sunday morning of dropsy. He had been in declining health for more that a year but not until a few weeks ago did his malady assume an acute form. The burial was in the cemetery there today, the funeral exercises being conducted by Revs. R. Thompson and Peter Carnahan. A large concourse of relatives and friends were there to pay their last tribute of respect. Deceased was 79 years of age and had lived at Cane Hill for more than a half century. He was for many years president of Cane Hill College, one of the oldest chartered institutions in the State. He was a distinguished Cumberland divine and was one time Moderator of the General Assembly, the highest office in the church. He was also a gallant Confederate soldier and commanded a battalion at the Prairie Grove battle. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance here and in the adjoining States. Later we will publish a suitable biographical sketch of this distinguished citizen. [Fayetteville Democrat 9/10/1908]