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Another man who built a house in Fort Smith in the territorial days was Mr. Girard. His given name, I believe, was Jules.
He was a Frenchman who, on his arrival in America, settled in New Orleans. He made his advant into this country as a peddler, traveling among
and selling his goods almoste exclusively to the people of the neighboring Indian tribes. He did not bring his family to Fort Smith for several
years after he began the business of itinerant merchant. When Captain Rogers bought the land that lay north of Garrison Avenue he bought a
lot on the river's bank and built the house on it in which for many years he conducted a confectionery store and sold ice cream during the summer
months. It is said that his ice cream was the first ever made in the town. His family occupied part of the building. This house was about half
a block north of Garrison Avenue. It stood for many years, in fact, for a long time after the war between the states. There still are a few of
the old timers ( I am among them) who retain very pleasant recollections of Mr. Girard's confectioneries and ice cream. When this house
was in the process of demolition, I was told by several parties who appeared to know what they were talking about that it had been built before
the fort was erected in 1838 and 1845. Mr. Ed Girard of Fort Smith is the son of the genial old Frenchmen. |
