The Arkansas Delta of 1862 was a place of much excitement and danger. Loyalties were divided and confusion reigned, as outnumbered confederates attempted to build defenses against the oncoming Federal army. Thousands of slaves from local plantations were forced into service to build forts and entrenchments at sites like Vicksburg and Arkansas Post. On September 29, 1862, confederates appeared at the plantation of Matthew F. Ward near Laconia to acquire workers. Ward was a well known planter from Kentucky, who had attempted to stay neutral in the conflict. However, the war had now come to his doorstep. Wearing a blue coat, Matthew Ward attempted to stop the southerners. Thinking he was a Union soldier, they fired, mortally wounding the farmer. A transport carried Ward to Helena the next day, where he died. His body was then returned to Louisville, Kentucky and buried at Cave Hill Cemetery.  Although this type of event took place in many places during those years of conflict, the murder of Matthew Ward was noted in newspapers around the country. One paper stated, " Ward had met an avenging Nemesis at last." What made his murder so newsworthy? In order to understand, a person has to go back in Ward's past.

        Matthew Flournoy Ward was the son of a wealthy Louisville, Kentucky merchant and came from an influential family. Matthew had three other brothers and his father was named Robert J. Ward, Sr. He was well liked by many people, until November 2, 1853. On that day, Matthew killed a teacher for reprimanding a brother. His youngest brother, William, was accused of eating chestnuts in class and causing a disturbance by Professor William Butler. Butler proceeded to paddle the boy with a strap. That then caused William to leave school early, saying he was going to tell his brother what Butler had done. At 10 a.m., Matthew and William Ward entered the school and confronted Butler. After an argument and a brief fight, Matthew shot the teacher. While this was going on, William held the other students at length with a knife. Butler lay dying as the Wards fled. Matthew was put on trial in 1854 for murder, but was found not guilty. This caused the community to gather and demand justice for Butler. Many felt that wealth had played a role in Ward being found innocent. Resolutions were passed that suggested the Wards leave town and threats were made. A book was even written about the trial. It was this negative publicity that caused Matthew F. Ward to leave Kentucky. In fact, most of the family chose to leave for a new life further south and to get away from the controversy.

       Although the trial ended in a positive way for the Wards, their future was not to be bright. Victor Ward passed away in Helena from a painful illness in 1859. Next came Robert Ward, Jr., who died of a congestive chill in 1860. Then came Robert Ward, Sr., the father, who died at Helena in January 1862. After Matthew's murder, only the youngest son remained. William Ward died from consumption in August 1865. With his death, the sad saga of the the murdered teacher and the wealthy family ended, or did it?