Draft:Christopher Columbus Danley

Christopher Columbus Danley (June 5, 1818 – October 3, 1865) was an American soldier, political activist, and publisher who served as Arkansas State Auditor from 1849 to 1855. He also was also known as a formidable opponent of the local political dynasty known as The Family, a powerful group of Democrats who dominated Arkansas politics in the decades between establishment as a State and the American Civil War.

Early Life
Christopher Columbus Danley also commonly referred to as C. C. Danley, was born on June 5, 1818, in Missouri to James Danley, a pioneer of both Missouri and Arkansas. While he is known to have had at least two brothers and one sister, there is no documentation regarding his mother.

Military
There are records indicating Danley was accepted to West Point; however, he chose not to attend. He served in the Mexican-American war, entering service in June of 1846 at the rank of Captain. He was under the leadership of Archibald Yell in Arkansas regiment Company B. Danley was captured by Mexicans at Encarnacion, but was able to escape. A wound sustained during the war left him disabled for the remainder of his life. The American Civil War caused a rift within the Danley family. William, Danley's brother, enlisted in the Union army and passed away towards the war's conclusion. Meanwhile, Danley himself was appointed as one of three members of the Arkansas Military Board, tasked with overseeing the state's Confederate military affairs.

Politics
After leaving military service, Danley transitioned into the realm of state politics. In 1848, he secured the position of State Auditor, narrowly unseating Elias Conway, a prominent figure within the established "Family" that wielded substantial influence over Arkansas politics since the territorial era and into early statehood. Danley managed to retain his office in a closely contested rematch. However, in an unexpected move, Danley resigned from his auditorship in 1854, allowing Governor Elias Conway to appoint his successor. During his tenure as auditor, Danley's political allegiance underwent a notable shift as he emerged as one of the foremost advocates in Arkansas for the nascent Know-Nothing Party, marking a significant departure from his prior Democratic affiliations.

Publishing
In 1853, while serving as State Auditor and seeking to extend his influence in Arkansas, Danley purchased the Arkansas State Gazette and Democrat newspaper from William E. Woodruff. He retained ownership of the paper until his death in 1865. Reflecting his evolving political affiliations, in 1859 Danley removed "Democrat" from the newspaper's name, renaming it the Arkansas State Gazette. The paper is known today as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

During Danley's ownership, the Arkansas State Gazette, under the editorial leadership of former Democrat and U.S. Senator Solon Borland, actively promoted the Know-Nothing Party's agenda. The paper engaged in a spirited rivalry with "The Family's" True Democrat, which staunchly supported the Democratic Party and criticized the Know-Nothings as covert Whigs. In anticipation of the 1856 election, when prominent Know-Nothings sought statewide office, Danley targeted his former electoral rival Governor Elias Conway, derisively referring to him as "Miss Nancy."

He continued to manage the newspaper until September 1863, when publication ceased due to Union forces securing Little Rock. Nevertheless, in April 1865, after swearing allegiance, Danley restarted publication, scaling operations and transforming the former weekly publication into a daily newspaper.

Death
Danley, who never married, died on October 3, 1865. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Van Buren, Arkansas.