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This Day in Arkansas History

September 19, 1939

William Overton, who served as U.S. district judge from 1979 to 1987, was born in Hot Spring County. Overton was known for the clarity of his writings and his ability to get to the heart of a question. He became known especially for rulings in the McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education case, which declared the teaching of creationism in public schools to be unconstitutional. Also notable was the case of Donovan v. Tony and Susan Alamo Foundation, in which it was ruled that the foundation must pay minimum wages, rather than compensation of only room and board, to young workers who were followers of a quasi-religious group.

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Telegraph Wire Tree

Today, what is known as the Old Wire Road was once a major connection to the world outside Arkansas. The road, which connected St. Louis, Missouri, with Fort Smith (Sebastian County), followed an old trail that was improved in the 1830s. Telegraph lines reached St. Louis in 1847 and were extended along the road into Arkansas by 1860. Typically, the wires were connected to poles provided by local residents or simply attached to trees, such as this post oak in Pope County. This is believed to be one of the last surviving Arkansas trees to be used for this purpose.

 

Today, what is known as the Old Wire Road was once a major connection to the world outside Arkansas. The road, which connected St. Louis, Missouri, with Fort Smith (Sebastian County), followed an old trail that was improved in the 1830s. Telegraph lines reached St. Louis in 1847 and were extended along the road into Arkansas by 1860. Typically, the wires were connected to poles provided by local residents or simply attached to trees, such as this post oak in Pope County. This is believed to be one of the last surviving Arkansas trees to be used for this purpose.

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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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