Originally published in 1928.

Western Methodist Assembly. In 1920, a number of the leaders in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, residing west of the Mississippi River decided that it would be an advantage to the church to have established a summer assembly site to carry on summer activities of the church, such as recreation, advanced courses in teacher-training and leadership, somewhere in the five states of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Thirty trustees were appointed by the annual conferences of these states for the purpose of establishing and promoting such an enterprise. After considering proposed sites in these several states, it was unanimously decided to locate on Mt. Sequoyah at Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The City of Fayetteville gave to the church 400 acres of land, including Mt. Sequoyah and $35,000.00 in cash, a total value of $115,000.00.

This institution is known as the Western Methodist Assembly. They have expended for improvements inside the grounds on Mt. Sequoyah the sum of $75,000.00. The several departments of the church, such as the league, the Women's Missionary Society and the publishing house, have expended $47,500 00; private individuals have spent inside the grounds $3,000.00; individuals who have bought building sites and built residences and other improvements on Mt. Sequoyah have expended $95,000.00. The Assembly proper has spent in operating expenses during the first five years a total of $70,000.00, making a grand total of $290,500.00 expended to date. Other contemplated expenditures within the very near future will amount to $25,000.00.

Many thousands of people have journeyed to this summer assembly since its establishment here which has been of untold value to Fayetteville and the surrounding country from an advertising standpoint. Within the territory of these five states there is a membership of 800,000 Methodists and this being the logical summer gathering place would indicate that it is destined to become very popular. All denominations in the city contributed to this enterprise. The Baptist pastor sat at headquarters for a week receiving subscriptions. Other pastors urged their people to subscribe. The entire list of $115,000 in subscriptions without a solicitor ever appearing on the streets, was made up in a little more than a fortnight. When the grounds were dedicated, June, 1922, Josephus Daniels of North Carolina, secretary of the Navy in Wilson's War Cabinet, made the principal address. Prof. J.L. Bond, ex-superintendent of public instruction in Arkansas, was the first Superintendent of Assembly. He and Mrs. Bond and daughter lived on the grounds for five years. Rev. S.M. Yancey is present superintendent and expects a record attendance this year. All the candidates for Governor of this state are to be present at opening this season.

Seen from these grounds to the west of town is Camp Markham for boys. It is on West Mountain, and is one of the popular camps of the youth. Prof. and Mrs. D.H. Markham of this place and Phoenix, Arizona, own and run it.