William Carrick Braly

BRALY, William Carrick – Funeral services for the late Capt. William Carrick

Braly, formerly of this place, were held yesterday morning at 10 o’clock from the

Presbyterian Church at Lincoln, with interment in the old McClellan Cemetery,

Cane Hill. Masonic services were held at the grave, members of the Lincoln

Masonic Lodge serving as pall bearers. The funeral sermon was preached by Dr.

M.L. Gillespie of this place and services were conducted by Rev. Edwin Harris,

pastor of the Lincoln Presbyterian Church, assisted by Dr. C.E. Hayes of Little

Rock. Captain Braly at the time of his death was stated clerk and treasurer of the

Presbytery of Arkansas, Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and was chairman of the

committee on home missions. For the past twelve years he has given almost his

entire time to the general work of his church, “No clergyman had a larger

influence in the church of the State and no man was more universally beloved.”

More than fifteen ministers attended the funeral services, several of those being

from the Methodist church and the following being from the Presbyterian: Rev.

Edwin Harris, Rev. W.C. Savage from Cincinnati, Rev. C.E. Hayes, Little Rock,

Rev. J.W. Stockburger and Rev. E.M. Frayschlag both of Fayetteville, Rev. D.T.

Waynish of Siloam Springs, Rev. Samuel Marrs of Cane Hill, Rev. Mr. Knox,

Rev. S.B. Reed of Prairie Grove and Dr. M.L. Gillespie of this place. Captain

Braly was the son of Rev. Frank M. and Amanda McClellan Braly. He was born

November 15, 1841 in Franklin County, Missouri, his father one of the early

Cumberland Presbyterian ministers who traveled in Arkansas and Missouri as a

pioneer preacher. The family moved to Cane Hill in 1853 when the father died

leaving William McClellan as chief support for his mother and three younger

children. The boy’s education was received chiefly at Cane Hill College. At the

outbreak of the Civil War he was opposed to secession but stood loyally with the

South against coercion and invasion and he entered the Confederate army in

1862, serving until the end of the war in Co. B, 34th Regulars, Arkansas Infantry.

Following the war he rebuilt his mothers’ home at Cane Hill and engaged in

farming for 30 years. He took an interest in all public affairs and was a consistent

member of the Democratic party, holding a number of minor offices. He

represented Washington County in the State Legislature in 1877 and 1879 and

again in 1883 at which session he was speaker of the house. During President

Cleveland’s first administration he was appointed a special agent for the U.S.

General Land Office for the Northwest and in attending to those duties traveled

extensively over the western half of the country. In 1889 he moved with his family

to Fayetteville for the educational advantages of the University. In April 1893 he

accepted the position of chief of the division of accounts in the General Land

office at Washington D.C., where he remained until 1900 when he returned to

Fayetteville. He was several times a member of the Democratic State Convention

and in 1892 was temporary chairman of that body. After his return to Fayetteville

he served as city councilman and as a member of the State Board of Charities.

He was a member of the board of trustees of Cane Hill College from 1873 until

his death. In 1909 he moved from Fayetteville to Lincoln where his death

occurred Christmas day following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, two

sons, Herbert of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Captain W.C. Braly, Jr., of the 48th

Artillery, USA., Camp Jackson, South Carolina; three daughters, Mrs. T.L.

McCulloch of Lincoln, Mrs. H.N. Smith of Mena, Arkansas and Miss Mary Braly of

Fullerton, California; and three grandchildren, Frances and Carrick McCulloch of

Lincoln and Frannie Braly of Muskogee. He also leaves two brothers, Frank M.

Braly of Clyde, Arkansas and Samuel Braly of Oklahoma. All of his children

except Mrs. Smith, who was detained by her husbands’ health, were at the

funeral at which Captain Braly, Jr., who is an accomplished violinist, played the

funeral music selected by his father just before his death. Dr. M.L. Gillespie, who

has known the deceased intimately for years said today; “Captain Braly is one of

the last of the splendid coterie of men produced by the influence of Cane Hill

College, who have made such an impression for good on the whole State. He

was noted for the great qualities of his mind and soul, the comprehensive grasp

of his intellect, his unfailing moral discrimination, his spiritual vision, his

undaunted courage, combined with an affectionate nature, unfailing generosity

and charity. No minister had a wider influence for good than he and few men

have been more universally beloved.” [Fayetteville Democrat 12/28/1920]

[Springdale News 1/7/1921]

Braly, W.C. of Lincoln, Arkansas enlisted in Company B, 34th Infantry at Cane

Hill, Washington County, Arkansas. (pages with biographical data are missing)

[1911 Arkansas Confederate Census]

(County Canvass held at Kenneth Head’s place in Brush Creek Township) W.C.

Braly, Esq., at the earnest solicitation of many friends, appeared before the

assembled crowd as candidate for a seat in the next general assembly. He held

the same views on the disposition of the so-called indebtedness of the State as

the candidates who preceded him. He favors short sessions believing that we

have too much legislation; he favors reduction of the taxes to the lowest figures,

but warned the people not to expect too great a reduction at once, and that the

present high taxes are a legacy of carpet-bag rule. [Fayetteville Democrat

8/12/1876]

From Mr. Braly –Eds. Democrat: When I began to write for your paper on the

subject of our county affairs and the conduct of officials, it was with a purpose to

give a plain unvarnished statement of such facts as might be in my possession; a

purpose to deal with facts and not with motives, and with a determination not to

permit myself to be goaded into the use of any bitter personalities. To this

determination I have adhered, and shall not depart from it now. The Sheriff in his

desperation, finding himself without argument, sees proper to interpose his denial

to certain statements contained in my last article, and in a card published in your

last issue he uses very bitter language toward me. Not satisfied with this, he

appeared before me in your office on Saturday last, armed as if he expected to

meet a desperado, and with blasphemous imprecations, and maniacal

gestulations proceded to pronounce his judgment upon me. My self-respect, if

nothing else, would not permit me to suffer myself drawn into a drunken brawl,

with even the high sheriff and first peace officer of the county. But Messrs.

Editors, permit me to say just here, that if by this he hoped to deter me from any

course I may see proper to persue or from the utterance or publication of any

matter concerning his official conduct which in my opinion the public ought to

know, he has “reconed without his host.” I shall persue the even tenor of my way,

regardless alike of his threats, his epithets, or his enconiums. The statement of

his settlement and liability published in your issue of the 22nd ult. was taken from

county records. The record I believe to be correct, but seeing his statement that

he had made a settlement at the October term, record or no record, I addressed

the following note to the County Judge: Fayetteville, Nov. 29, 1879. – Hon. Thos.

Mullins, County Judge : Dear Sir, In a card published in today’s Democrat I see

the Sheriff denounces certain statements made in my article in the Democrat a

week ago and says he did make a settlement at the October term of court, and

that he did file a delinquent personal list in July. Will you please state if such is

correct. – W.C. Braly. – To which I received the following reply: Fayetteville,

Nov.29, ’79. W.C. Braly. Dear Sir, In reply to your note I will say that no additional

settlement was made by the Sheriff with me at the October term of the county

court, and that no personal delinquent list was ever filed to my knowledge, and

certainly none was ever presented to me for allowance. The statement you

published is a correct showing from the record of what is still unsettled with the

court; further, I deem it due the Collector to say, at the October term of the court

he filed the treasurers receipt for the following amounts: Poll tax, $160; county

revenue, new scrip, $47.11; outstanding indebtedness, old scrip, $47.11;

University tax, $47.11; onfines, $315.69; all of which credits he is entitled to when

settlement is had. In the above amount on fines there was included an allowance

due the Collector on which the scrip had not been issued. – Respectfully,

Thomas Mullins, County Judge.

Of these payments referred to the $47.11 in new scrip, and the amounts on

fines, is all that pertains to the county revenue. With this statement I am content

that the people should judge between us I believe I have dealt fairly with his

official record, and if he is unable to stand under the weight of it, the

responsibility rests on his own shoulders. I will only add that anything further this

Sheriff may see proper to promulgate will receive no recognition at my hands. –

W.C. Braly – Boonsboro, Dec. 2d, 1879 [Fayetteville Democrat 12/6/1879]

W.C. Braly, of Washington county, is spoken of as speaker of the next house of

representatives. Braly is said to be a good man and thoroughly competent for the

position – Hot Springs Sentinel-Star. There is no question as to Mr. Braly’s high

character, or his thorough qualifications for the office of speaker. –L.R. Democrat

[Fayetteville Democrat 10/12/1882]

Brainy Braly – A Sketch of the Self-Made Man From Washington County – Who

on Yesterday was Elevated to the Chair of the House of Representatives – If

there is a man in the house of representatives of the Twenty-fourth legislature

deserving credit for what he is, that man is W.C. Braly, of Washington county,

who on yesterday, after a gallant fight, was elected to the high and honorable

position of speaker. It was no mild warfare. It was friendly, true enough, but it

was a struggle between veterans fired by an honorable ambition, and armed with

Damascus blades of trenchant argument. It was a victory for which Braly may

well feel proud, and a defeat for Hewitt and Tate which should not and does not

cause them any mortification or chagrin. They went down smiling and with colors

flying, Hewitt as well as Braly voting for Tate, and the latter, after Braly’s election,

introducing him as speaker. The utmost good feeling prevailed.

Mr. Braly is what might be called a country gentleman, a man of good, sound,

common sense, and endowed with the characteristics and traits which make

God’s noblest work –a man. He is 41 years of age, a native of Missouri, born

about thirty miles west of the city of St. Louis. He is well made, weighs about 155

pounds, has brown hair and his face is lit up by a pair of sharp steel grey eyes. In

1853 he moved to Arkansas, located at Cane Hill, Washington county, where he

received his education, in all, three or four years schooling. He is a farmer, not a

lawyer, as so many believe, judging from his knowledge of parliamentary law.

The first office he ever held was that of justice of the peace, in 1872, when he

was elected by the people. But, as it developed, there was no law for the

election, and he was appointed by Gov. Elisha Baxter. He held this office until his

constituents, who had discovered his merit, in 1877 sent him as one of their

representatives to the lower house. He served two terms, then skipped a term,

and at the last election was again sent to the front. In the canvass he was highminded,

and made the race on the general policy of the party, declining to deal in

personalities or side issues of any character. He is not only a moral man, but a

religious man –a conscientious member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

His married life is one of happiness and domestic bliss, a loving wife and four

sweet children serving to brighten his home and enjoy with him the honors his

associates heap upon him. Men like Braly will add luster to the name and fame to

the record of the proud state of Arkansas. – Little Rock Gazette, 9th [Fayetteville

Democrat 1/11/1883]

Braly Out – W.C. Braly has resigned his position as alderman from the second

ward on account of leaving the city. He has moved to his farm near Lincoln. Mr.

Braly was a great stickler for detail and absolute accuracy in all business

transactions of the council and rendered the city valuable service in this capacity.

He was “discussed” rather freely for his attitude on the improvement of North

Block Street, but the work was needed, the street has the best sidewalk in town

and is the most traveled of any in the city. Other permanent and much needed

improvements were made at his instigation. He did his duty as he saw it and it

reflects credit on him. [Fayetteville Democrat 9/9/1909]

Capt. W.C. Braly of Lincoln accompanied Dr. Brough home yesterday and was

his guest today. Dr. Brough reports a most glorious Thanksgiving Day and

service at Farmington. [Fayetteville Democrat 12/7/1911]

William Carrick Braly was born November 15, 1841 in Franklin County,

Missouri, a son of Frank McCullock Braly, born July 19, 1800 in Rowan County,

North Carolina and Amanda Malvina Fitzallen McClellan, born September 4,

1813 in Tennessee. On December 24, 1868, in Cane Hill, Arkansas, he was wed

to Laura Elizabeth Hagood, born November 15, 1845 in Cane Hill, Washington

County, Arkansas. They became the parents of six children; Eugene Herbert,

born November 2, 1869 in Cane Hill and died May 9, 1932 in Muskogee,

Oklahoma; Etta Lewis, born September 18, 1871 in Cane Hill; Amanda Lida,

born October 20, 1873 in Cane Hill; Earle Kerr, born December 15, 1877 in

Washington County, Arkansas and died in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri; Mary

Laura, born March 30, 1886 in Cane Hill and William Carrick Braly, Jr., born

October 1, 1888 in Cane Hill and died March 20, 1967 in Walnut Creek,

California. Mr. Braly died December 25, 1920 in Lincoln County, Arkansas and

was buried in the Cane Hill Cemetery at Cane Hill, Washington County,

Arkansas. [Rootsweb.Ancestry.com]

Mrs. W.C. Braly, widow of W.C. Braly, who died December 25, 1920. filed

Widow Application #27097 with the Confederate Pension Board of Washington

County for a Confederate widow pension and it was received as allowed on

August 19, 1926 by the State, citing her husband’s service in Company B,

34thArkansas Infantry from 1862 thru 1865. [State of Arkansas Confederate

Pension Archives]