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This Day in Arkansas History

August 1, 1835

Elias Boudinot was born in New Echota, Georgia; his father was Cherokee and his mother was white. Boudinot was a lawyer, newspaper editor, and lobbyist. He was active in civic life and Democratic Party politics in Arkansas during the Civil War era, serving in the Confederate Cherokee forces and the Confederate Congress during the conflict. In the following years, he maintained close connections with leading Democratic politicians in Arkansas while engaging in legal, economic, and political activities.

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Al Hibbler

Mississippi native Albert Hibbler moved to the small northeast Arkansas community of Dell (Mississippi County) when he was ten. HIbbler was blind at an early age, and his parents sent him to the Madison Battery School for the Blind in Little Rock (Pulaski County), where he developed a baritone voice with a perfect pitch. By age twenty, he was touring the country with different bands. In 1943, he joined the Duke Ellington Band and rose to fame. After eight years, he left Ellington to pursue a solo career. In 1955 and 1956, he had five songs on the Billboard pop chart. Hibbler was also the first African American to have a radio show broadcast from Little Rock.

 

Mississippi native Albert Hibbler moved to the small northeast Arkansas community of Dell (Mississippi County) when he was ten. HIbbler was blind at an early age, and his parents sent him to the Madison Battery School for the Blind in Little Rock (Pulaski County), where he developed a baritone voice with a perfect pitch. By age twenty, he was touring the country with different bands. In 1943, he joined the Duke Ellington Band and rose to fame. After eight years, he left Ellington to pursue a solo career. In 1955 and 1956, he had five songs on the Billboard pop chart. Hibbler was also the first African American to have a radio show broadcast from Little Rock.

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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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