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This Day in Arkansas History

May 1, 1928

Dallas County native Scipio Africanus Jones was chosen as a delegate from Arkansas to the Republican National Convention. He also served in this position in 1940. In 1930, Jones was among a group of African-American lawyers who sued (unsuccessfully) the Democratic Party in Arkansas to reverse rules that prevented black citizens from voting in the Democratic state primary elections. As a prominent Little Rock (Pulaski County) attorney and one of the city’s leading black citizens at the end of the nineteenth century and during the first decades of the twentieth century, Jones is most significantly remembered for his role defending twelve men sentenced to death following the Elaine Massacre of 1919.

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Isaac Murphy

In May 1861, future state governor Isaac Murphy stood his Unionist principles and voted against Arkansas seceding from the Union. By a final vote of 69-1, the Arkansas Secession Convention officially removed the state as a member of the United States. Murphy was the lone vote of opposition to the action.

 

In May 1861, future state governor Isaac Murphy stood his Unionist principles and voted against Arkansas seceding from the Union. By a final vote of 69-1, the Arkansas Secession Convention officially removed the state as a member of the United States. Murphy was the lone vote of opposition to the action.

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Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Oil painting older white man long hair in single braid over shoulder wearing bandana on forehead and t shirt looking down playing guitar Willie Nelson Country Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Close up small blooming flower with four buds fuzzy leaves held by grubby fingers Official State Flower Official State Symbols Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview Older African American man and woman at dinner table with younger African American boys and girls Melba Pattillo Beals School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War white man in embroidered black shirt and white woman in turtleneck and white jacket smiling in front of trees "Tony and Susan Alamo Tony Alamo sings Mister DJ" Tony Alamo Criminal Activities, Religious Figures Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures

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three story brick building with people on front steps and porch Baptist Health-Fort Smith Hospitals and Research Facilities "Tragic death of a well connected young man on a Hunting Expedition" newspaper clipping Eagle Murders of 1873 Criminal Activities upward view of the corner of a multistory white brick building symmetrically mounted banners saying "the rep share the experience" Arkansas Repertory Theatre Theaters Red crawfish in white man's hand Food and Foodways Foodways, Topical white man in helmet with gun faces group of African American teens Desegregation of Central High School School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation White man wearing glasses sitting in cockpit of aircraft grinning Richard Lawrence Collins Air, Journalistic Organizations Portrait of balding white man with round glasses mustache wearing suit jacket and tie gazing contemplatively upwards Missionary Baptist Seminary Institutions and Buildings, Undergraduate: Professional and Trade Schools Oil painting older white man long hair in single braid over shoulder wearing bandana on forehead and t shirt looking down playing guitar Willie Nelson Country Man inoculating child with people observing Smallpox Pathology Four white men dressed in university caps and gowns all with an instrument from left to right man in glasses holding upright bass another man with violin two men holding guitars one with tinted glasses and man on end holding end of banjo rested on his foot The Professors Bluegrass, Folk Portrait white man, shoulder length hair, military uniform, backdrop Jayhawkers and Bushwhackers Units and Organizations Farmers drive mule team with plows in dirt field Lake Dick Museums and Historic Sites, Projects Crowded city street with multistory buildings cars and trolley car Fort Smith Sebastian Portrait white man curly hair mustache serious expression military jacket furry collar Place Names Language Santuario Arco Iris Women White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases

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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