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This Day in Arkansas History

July 29, 1839

Three men who were accused of perpetrating the Cane Hill Murders on June 15, 1839—in which William Carter Wright of Cane Hill (Washington County) and four of his children were murdered in their home—were hanged in a settlement called Hillsboro at Cane Hill. Later literature has suggested that the illegal nature of the men’s impromptu hearings (which were led by a vigilante group) and executions amounts to a lynching rather than an exercise of justice. The brutality of the Cane Hill Murders and the nature of the hearings and executions reflect the pervasive lawlessness in the border region in the early history of the state.

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Henry Dumas

Sweet Home (Pulaski County) native poet and author Henry Dumas was killed on May 23, 1968, by a New York Transit policeman. This photo was taken only a few days earlier. Details surrounding his death remain controversial; some evidence suggests that it was a case of mistaken identity, while other evidence suggests that Dumas’s behavior led the officer to believe that Dumas was reaching for a weapon. Regardless of the exact circumstances, Dumas’s tragic, early death serves as a reminder of the capricious state of Black men in American society during the 1960s and beyond. Dumas’s poems and short stories were not widely published until after his death.

 

Sweet Home (Pulaski County) native poet and author Henry Dumas was killed on May 23, 1968, by a New York Transit policeman. This photo was taken only a few days earlier. Details surrounding his death remain controversial; some evidence suggests that it was a case of mistaken identity, while other evidence suggests that Dumas’s behavior led the officer to believe that Dumas was reaching for a weapon. Regardless of the exact circumstances, Dumas’s tragic, early death serves as a reminder of the capricious state of Black men in American society during the 1960s and beyond. Dumas’s poems and short stories were not widely published until after his death.

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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, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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