Financially fortified by his gold strike valued at $4,000, Mankins arrived at his home in the Ozarks determined to become richer. He began a prosperous trading in cattle and hogs, driving herds from Colorado to Chicago. During the troubles in Utah known as the Mormon War, in 1857, he sold $34,000 worth of cattle to U.S. agents supplying the army. He also trailed herds from Texas to Westport (Kansas City.) He drove hogs to market overland to Louisiana boat landings, then floated them down the Mississippi to New Orleans. Though often unpleasant, smelly and noisy, these drives were very rewarding. Pete frequently returned home and emptied empty pouches of glittering gold coins onto the family table.

By 1861, however, Pete was engaged in another highly profitable occupation. He would drive the herds north, sell them, buy negroes cheap and bring them south to sell to plantation owners, making both out and back trips extremely rewarding. Thus did our hero become a slave trader. In those days, the occupation was not frowned upon by most southerners. Sadly, it was just another way to make a living. Soon the Civil War would change this way of life.

Hildy Crawford wrote in her story of Elizabeth VanHoose Marion and the Van Hooses of Hazel Valley and Fayetteville, Against the Living Forest, about one such trip Pete made. It has been authenticated.

Pete learned upon returning from one of his northern trips that the Federals (US troops) had occupied Fayetteville, and he decided to move the slaves into Texas. On an early morning, he and Bill Roberts, a kinsman who accompanied him, moved out on horseback, the slaves on foot. They made good time reaching the Arkansas River near the mouth of Frog Bayou.

It was brutally cold and ice floated on the river. While Mankins arranged for a flatboat to carry them across the river, the slaves huddled around a small fire. After loading the supplies and slaves the men swung the boat into the current. Pete noticed a bundle of supplies left lying on the bank. Finally he convinced a reluctant Roberts to turn back, and they made their way toward shore in the heavily laden flatboat. A company of Union troops burst out of the bushes and opened fire.

Grabbing his gun Pete began to fire, shouting at Roberts to shove off. Pete was an accurate shot and soon dropped several of the soldiers, at which time they lit out. With Roberts pleading that they take off while the getting was good, Pete insisted they go back for the supplies. When they did, they were again attacked by soldiers, and Roberts fell to his belly to return fire. With bullets zinging all around, Pete dropped his rifle onto the boat deck, dived into the icy water, put his shoulder under the edge of the heavily laden flatboat and swimming mightily shoved it out into the middle of the river out of harms’ way. When it came to rest on the opposite shore it carried a dead horse, a dreadfully frightened horse, six scared slaves and a dead Roberts.

Mankins wasn’t finished yet. He rose up, soaked in freezing water, tossed his long hair off his face and proceeded to fire at the Yankees, driving them back once again. Then, picking up Roberts dead body, he tossed it over the back of the remaining horse and led it and the slaves to safety in the woods.

From that day on Pete Mankins made the Civil War his own personal battle. He would go on to found the White River Hundred.

Next time: The war years and beyond.