January 2, 1935

Xenaphon Overton (X. O.) Pindall died in Little Rock (Pulaski County) after a fall from a bluff near the Arkansas River. Striking his head on some rocks, he fell into a pool of boiling water coming from the steam exhaust drain of a utility company. Pindall—attorney, Mason, civic leader, Democrat, and legislator—served as acting governor of Arkansas from May 15, 1907, until January 11, 1909. Rising to the position through an improbable series of circumstances, Pindall focused on the administrative detail of the office and used the power of appointment to shape the policies of state government.