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This Day in Arkansas History

February 7, 2001

Dale Evans, who was raised in Osceola (Mississippi County), died. She rose to fame as America’s “Queen of the West” (sometimes called “Queen of the Cowgirls”) alongside her fourth husband, Roy Rogers (“King of the Cowboys”). She starred in movies, television shows, and evangelical Christian programs. Evans wrote twenty-eight inspirational books and composed many songs, including the popular song of faith, “The Bible Tells Me So,” as well as the iconic American standard, “Happy Trails.”

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Brinkley Cyclone Damage

The worst natural disaster in the history of the Delta town of Brinkley (Monroe County) was the tornado that hit the small city on March 8, 1909. The storm devastated the area, killing over fifty citizens and leaving only one church and eight of the town’s approximately 1,500 homes and buildings untouched. Governor George Washington Donaghey quickly declared martial law in the area, and the town’s citizens began the cleanup and the rebuilding of their town and homes.

 

The worst natural disaster in the history of the Delta town of Brinkley (Monroe County) was the tornado that hit the small city on March 8, 1909. The storm devastated the area, killing over fifty citizens and leaving only one church and eight of the town’s approximately 1,500 homes and buildings untouched. Governor George Washington Donaghey quickly declared martial law in the area, and the town’s citizens began the cleanup and the rebuilding of their town and homes.

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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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