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This Day in Arkansas History

May 6, 1993

The bodies of eight-year-old Michael Moore, Christopher Byers, and Steve Branch were discovered submerged in a drainage ditch a few blocks from their homes. Their hands and feet had been bound, their skulls had been bludgeoned, and they had been sexually mutilated. Police arrested Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley for what have become known as the Robin Hood Hills Murders; however, continuing controversies over the case against the “West Memphis Three,” as the defendants have become known, have kept the murders and the men imprisoned for them (and later released) in the national spotlight.

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Lee Wilson

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Mississippi County experienced a lumber boom. One of the first to recognize the potential was Robert E. Lee Wilson. He purchased a controlling interest in the local railroad, gaining almost exclusive control of the shipment of timber. By the time of his death in 1933, he had amassed 65,000 acres of land, which he developed into a massive agricultural enterprise, making him one of the richest land owners in the state.

 

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Mississippi County experienced a lumber boom. One of the first to recognize the potential was Robert E. Lee Wilson. He purchased a controlling interest in the local railroad, gaining almost exclusive control of the shipment of timber. By the time of his death in 1933, he had amassed 65,000 acres of land, which he developed into a massive agricultural enterprise, making him one of the richest land owners in the state.

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Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War 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 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 "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Canopy in park with benches under it and paved walking paths Westside School Shooting Criminal Activities White man with handlebar mustache and beard in suit and blue bow tie Ten Percent Plan 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 white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock "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 aerial view of downtown Hot Springs featuring the large somewhat triangular shaped Arlington hotel and various other tall buildings and boulevard with cars amid tree-covered hills Hot Springs Garland Old white man in suit and tie standing in store Sam Walton Business Leaders

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Firehouse Museum of Arkansas Attractions (Historic and Current), Museums and Historic Sites Mark Middleton National Figures Side profile white man wearing striped baseball uniform and hat standing at home base in front of catcher on field holding up bat other players on field and audience members sitting in stands in background Earl “Oil” Smith Baseball black woman smiling gesturing in shoulder button blouse with short hair necklace earrings purse Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Philanthropy white man stands at work desk with various drawing tools Newark Independence White man in suit and glasses sitting with notepads Robert Laidlaw Brown Judges Judith M. Rogers National Figures White man in suit and striped tie writing at his desk Arkansas Prison Blood Scandal Law Issues and Controversies White man in uniform number 21 sliding onto base Major League Baseball Players Baseball Arkansas Council of Military Officers Association of America Chapters Units and Organizations aerial view of downtown Hot Springs featuring the large somewhat triangular shaped Arlington hotel and various other tall buildings and boulevard with cars amid tree-covered hills Hot Springs Garland airplane hangar labeled "Drake Field Fayetteville" with military airplane and helicopter Museums Educational Organizations and Programs, Museums and Historic Sites busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski White man and white woman examining baby in incubator Maternal and Infant Mortality upward view of the corner of a multistory white brick building symmetrically mounted banners saying "the rep share the experience" Arkansas Repertory Theatre Theaters African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Pulitzer Prize

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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Our overview page covers everything you would want to know about our beautiful state, including state symbols, demographics and more!

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