Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

October 11, 1850

Letters by Alden M. Woodruff, son of publisher William E. Woodruff, were published in the Arkansas State Gazette & Democrat, giving details of his experiences searching for gold in the fields of California. These letters and excerpts of articles by F. J. Thibault detailing their experiences helped to provide a record of the history of the many Arkansans who joined the westward movement. The Arkansas Gazette of May 14, 1852, noted that “it is calculated that out of every 100 persons who have gone to California, fifty have been ruined, forty no better than they would have been had they stayed at home, five a little better, and four still better, and one has made a fortune.”

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Ku Klux Klan Attack

Arkansas’s most well-known white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), did not appear in the state until April 1868, a few months after African Americans voted in their first elections. Klan fliers appeared on the street corners of Little Rock (Pulaski County) that month, and KKK activity quickly spread throughout the state. This 1872 Harper’s Weekly engraving shows an African-American family being threatened by a Klan member.

 

Arkansas’s most well-known white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), did not appear in the state until April 1868, a few months after African Americans voted in their first elections. Klan fliers appeared on the street corners of Little Rock (Pulaski County) that month, and KKK activity quickly spread throughout the state. This 1872 Harper’s Weekly engraving shows an African-American family being threatened by a Klan member.

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Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Wooden sign held up by posts near road text "The Village @ Pickles Gap Shop Eat Relax" above smaller sign illustration of shaggy dog text "Doc's Coffee and Creamery" Pickles Gap Faulkner A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology White man with glasses in white football uniform with red number 77 focusing on game in progress Brandon Burlsworth Football Icon of cannon next to text "The Camden Expedition Route" above old photo group of men with rifles on horseback next to large map marking various events along trail during military conflict Camden Expedition Timeline Civil War White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression White man wearing a suit of armor with a sword European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802 Time Period Black and white photo of white boy in tinted goggles lying on examination table below lights and medical device Early Twentieth Century, 1901 through 1940 Time Period "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 Soldiers posing in line wearing hats with buildings cabins tents on hillside in background Civil War through Reconstruction, 1861 through 1874 Time Period Printed United States map showing states and territories with "Explanation" caption in corner Louisiana Purchase through Early Statehood, 1803 through 1860 Time Period Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures White men in suits one woman pose in horse drawn carriages by arched brick building Post-Reconstruction through the Gilded Age, 1875 through 1900 Time Period Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish at Buffalo Mountains Civil War

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White man in glasses and tie presenting book to white woman Osro Cobb State Figures Coast Guard Auxiliary Water "Scott County" map with borders roads cities lake national forest Coaldale Scott Book cover featuring dark-haired woman in black dress raised up in the back Coal to Diamonds Nonfiction "The Coal Hill Convicts" newspaper clipping Coal Hill Convict Lease Investigation Labor, Poverty Two-story hotel building with covered porch and balconies Coal Hill Johnson White wooden building with red roof and covered entrance Coal Gap School Defunct: Schools and Academies, Museums and Historic Sites "To a Hanging" newspaper clipping Charles Clyburn Law Enforcement Multistory building with covered porch and white siding on grass Clover Bend Historic District Museums and Historic Sites "William Closson was indicted" newspaper clipping William Closson Criminal Activities painting two white girls in field matching white outfits red hair ribbons eating large watermelon slices Carroll James Cloar Painting Young white woman smiling Chelsea Victoria Clinton Philanthropy Book cover "My Life Bill Clinton" with portrait white man with graying hair smiling wool jacket collar upturned Bill Clinton Executive Branch, Governors White man in suit and striped tie writing at his desk Clinton v. Jones Judicial Branch, Laws and Court Cases white woman gazes into crowd while white man speaks at lectern Clinton House Museum Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Multistory house with covered porch inside white picket fence Clinton Birthplace Attractions (Historic and Current), Museums and Historic Sites

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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