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This Day in Arkansas History

October 24, 1872

The New York World referred to the Black Hawk War, a Reconstruction-era political and racial conflict, with the classic rhetoric of the times, as “a foray of infuriated blacks armed to the teeth, and led on by a scoundrel carpet-bagger upon a town, with avowed intent to slay the men and violate the women thereof.” Mississippi County was a hotbed of violent, racist activity at the time, and many African Americans wanted to protect their newfound freedoms. Charles B. Fitzpatrick’s flight after shooting Sheriff J. B. Murray in August 1872 (and subsequently arming himself with a guard of African Americans) and the unwillingness of the state government to intervene seem to have left local black citizens open to reprisals.

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Footsie Britt

In 1941, Lonoke County native Maurice “Footsie” Britt was drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned to the Third Infantry Division. He was engaged in extensive combat in the African, Sicilian, and Italian campaigns. For his heroic gallantry at Mignano, Italy, in 1943, he was awarded the nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. Britt was presented the medal, shown in this photo, at the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville (Washington County) commencement ceremony in 1944. In later life, Britt became a prominent businessman and was elected lieutenant governor in 1966 and reelected in 1968.

 

In 1941, Lonoke County native Maurice “Footsie” Britt was drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned to the Third Infantry Division. He was engaged in extensive combat in the African, Sicilian, and Italian campaigns. For his heroic gallantry at Mignano, Italy, in 1943, he was awarded the nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. Britt was presented the medal, shown in this photo, at the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville (Washington County) commencement ceremony in 1944. In later life, Britt became a prominent businessman and was elected lieutenant governor in 1966 and reelected in 1968.

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Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression Wooden sign held up by posts near road text "The Village @ Pickles Gap Shop Eat Relax" above smaller sign illustration of shaggy dog text "Doc's Coffee and Creamery" Pickles Gap Faulkner Book cover labeled "Little Rock Senior High School" with school entrance and stone carving illustration Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Buildings, Schools and Academies A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War Icon of cannon next to text "The Camden Expedition Route" above old photo group of men with rifles on horseback next to large map marking various events along trail during military conflict Camden Expedition Timeline Civil War busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War White man wearing a suit of armor with a sword European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802 Time Period Crowd of people gathered at boat dock and aboard a ship with horse-drawn cart in the foreground Back-to-Africa Movement Civil War to Gilded Age, Political Movements Old white man in suit and tie standing in store Sam Walton Business Leaders

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Charcoal portrait drawing of Native American man wearing necklaces and a wide antique hat decorated with stars. Lost Prairie Raid of 1820 Pre-Civil War Service station with cars, water tower "Esso. Grand opening today" Lockesburg Sevier Terrazzo plaque engravings of Arkansas shape symbol engraved and text "Dr. Edith Irby Jones Medical Pioneer First African American admitted to white medical school in the south first woman president of National Medical Association" Arkansas Walk of Fame Attractions (Historic and Current) Large crowd on a steamboat with two smoke stacks at boat dock Sultana Ships and Vessels, Water Lithium Mining Businesses, Mining Redlining "Pellagra expert called to State to investigate" newspaper clipping Pellagra Pathology, Poverty Lawn with sidewalks and bushes and large trees multistory brick buildings are in the background one with columns Harding University Four-Year: Colleges and Universities White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases From chest up white woman dark hair in up do wearing cat eye glasses round earrings and tweed blouse Ruby Lowery Stapleton Criminal Activities Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish at Grand Prairie Civil War Book cover labeled "Little Rock Senior High School" with school entrance and stone carving illustration Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Buildings, Schools and Academies Close-up of steel truss bridge over river with concrete columns Maumelle and Little Maumelle Rivers Physical Geography Multistory building with porches balconies and central clock tower between two smaller neighboring buildings with an iron fence Arkansas School for the Blind Disability, Schools and Academies White women and men with damaged buildings behind them, photograph labeled "Brinkley Cyclone" Tornadoes Climatology, Natural Disasters Single story brick building beside railroad tracks County Seats Bypassed by Railroads Land

About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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