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This Day in Arkansas History

February 10, 1989

Ronald Gene Simmons, Arkansas mass murderer, was found guilty in the Johnson County Circuit Court of fourteen counts of capital murder in the deaths of his family members. Simmons’s killing spree is said to be the worst mass murder in Arkansas history and the worst crime involving one family in the history of the country. His six-day rampage left fourteen members of his immediate family and two former coworkers dead. He was later sentenced to death by lethal injection.

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William Fulton

Maryland native William Savin Fulton was the last territorial governor of Arkansas. Fulton, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the first Seminole War, was appointed territorial secretary in 1829 by his friend, President Andrew Jackson. Jackson then appointed him territorial governor in 1835. When Arkansas achieved statehood in 1836, he was elected one of the state’s first two U.S. senators. Reelected in 1840, he served in the office until his death in 1844.

 

Maryland native William Savin Fulton was the last territorial governor of Arkansas. Fulton, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the first Seminole War, was appointed territorial secretary in 1829 by his friend, President Andrew Jackson. Jackson then appointed him territorial governor in 1835. When Arkansas achieved statehood in 1836, he was elected one of the state’s first two U.S. senators. Reelected in 1840, he served in the office until his death in 1844.

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Black man midair in "bucks 4" jersey shooting a basketball over white man in "bulls 40" jersey University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor Large crowd on a steamboat with two smoke stacks at boat dock Sultana Ships and Vessels, Water Text "The Watermelon Kid a Novel by Bill Terry" over cartoon sketch man in dancing singing next to woman standing looking back as two men watch one smoking cigar and holding dollar in background behind singer one man playing harmonica another man with guitar and third man playing piano Bill Terry Jr. Fiction, Journalists Four men stand by large stone marker in ankle high water swamp near bald cypress Louisiana Purchase Political Geography, Projects Stone monument "Ouachita County Poison Springs Battlefield" with trees in the background Engagement at Poison Spring Civil War Native American men and women standing in clearing surrounded by mound buildings and trees Quapaw Ethnic Groups White man sitting in green-backed chair holding a piece of paper Joseph Taylor Robinson Governors, Legislative Branch -- Senators "Cleveland County Battle of Mark's Mill" sign Action at Marks' Mills Civil War White man in suit standing on lawn in front of Arkansas Capitol building resting hands on end of guitar standing upright on ground text "Your Most Treasured Souvenir" Arkansas Waltz Official State Symbols Two story brick building sign engraved in stone text "Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital" Levi Hospital Hospitals and Research Facilities, Institutions and Buildings Abandoned barn with stone walls and rusted roof in overgrown field Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Multistory building with modern wing and newly planted trees in front yard Old Springdale High School Defunct: Schools and Academies, Museums and Historic Sites "False Faces" book cover featuring images of women and masks Anita Blackmon Fiction people standing on walking plank outside floating photo studio boat on river Hugo and Gayne Preller Photography Older white man smiling in red gray and black jacket Curt Huckaby Multistory house with fence on street corner Edmondson Crittenden

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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