Ark. Code Ann. § 27-87-204: Operation by advertisement

(a) Any person wishing to put into operation any public ferry when the county court is not in session may do so by putting up an advertisement at the ferry, stating that he or she intends to apply at the next county court for a license for the ferry, and he or she may charge and receive the usual rates of ferriage until the county court shall meet.

(b) The county court, in cases where ferries have been put in operation in vacation of the court, by advertisement shall grant to the person a license at the next term of such court on his or her applying for it and complying with the provisions of this chapter as in cases of other ferries, which shall relate back for one (1) year from the time of putting the ferry in operation by advertisement.

(c) Any person putting a ferry across any navigable stream in operation by advertisement who shall fail or neglect at the next term of the county court to apply for a license and in all respects to comply with the orders of the county court in respect thereto shall by notice served on him or her by order of the county court be required to appear at its next term and show cause, if any, why he or she should not be fined. If no sufficient legal reason is shown, he or she shall be fined by the court in any sum not exceeding thirty dollars ($30.00). These proceedings shall be had without the necessity of formal pleadings.