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This Day in Arkansas History

November 25, 1873

Sid Wallace managed to take control of the Clarksville (Johnson County) jail and shoot at citizens from the jail window, killing Thomas Paine, who had testified against him in a murder trial. Wallace, a “noted desperado” attempted to assassinate a Mr. Dickey, a St. Louis drummer (or a railroad foreman, depending upon the source), in the spring of 1872, was suspected of murdering Judge Elisha Mears in 1873, and was convicted of murdering Constable R. W. Ward of Clarksville. Wallace had witnessed his father’s murder by Union soldiers (or by local bushwhackers disguised as Union soldiers) when he was twelve years old and, after his twenty-first birthday, traveled widely to eliminate the men responsible.

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Clyde Ellis

Two-term U.S. Congressman Clyde T. Ellis of Garfield (Benton County) was a pioneer in the national rural electrification movement, a New Deal program designed to bring electricity to rural America. In 1943, he was appointed the general manager of the National Rural Electrification Association (NREA), a post he held for over twenty years, with only a brief absence while serving in World War II. He played a key role in the development of electric cooperatives and, for his efforts, was referred to as “Mr. Rural Electrification.” After suffering a stroke and a heart attack in 1967, he resigned as general manager of the NREA.

 

Two-term U.S. Congressman Clyde T. Ellis of Garfield (Benton County) was a pioneer in the national rural electrification movement, a New Deal program designed to bring electricity to rural America. In 1943, he was appointed the general manager of the National Rural Electrification Association (NREA), a post he held for over twenty years, with only a brief absence while serving in World War II. He played a key role in the development of electric cooperatives and, for his efforts, was referred to as “Mr. Rural Electrification.” After suffering a stroke and a heart attack in 1967, he resigned as general manager of the NREA.

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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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