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This Day in Arkansas History

February 20, 1914

The town of Perry (Perry County) was incorporated. Few settlers came to the northwestern side of Perry Mountain before the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad was built in 1898. The depot built at this location was known first as North Perryville, but by the time the post office was established in 1899, the name had been shortened to Perry.

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Hugh Dinsmore's Tombstone

In 1905, Hugh Dinsmore, a native of Benton County and a six-term U.S. congressman, became involved in an altercation with Governor Jeff Davis, who was running for the U.S. Senate. Approaching Dinsmore in the lobby of a Fayetteville (Washington County) hotel, Davis struck him with a cane. The ex-congressman subsequently pistol-whipped Davis. While the incident gathered statewide coverage, neither man was arrested. Shown here is a monument erected to Dinsmore by the Washington County Historical Society in 1955.

 

In 1905, Hugh Dinsmore, a native of Benton County and a six-term U.S. congressman, became involved in an altercation with Governor Jeff Davis, who was running for the U.S. Senate. Approaching Dinsmore in the lobby of a Fayetteville (Washington County) hotel, Davis struck him with a cane. The ex-congressman subsequently pistol-whipped Davis. While the incident gathered statewide coverage, neither man was arrested. Shown here is a monument erected to Dinsmore by the Washington County Historical Society in 1955.

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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, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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