Are you -literate? Fall 2008 Volume 2 • Issue 2 1.) Which of the following Indian tribes did not live in Arkansas: Quapaw, Ute, Caddo, Cherokee 2.) Which of the following explored the Arkansas River for France: Bernard de la Harpe, Hernando de Soto, Jacques Cousteau, Francois Michel 3.) If you live in El Dorado and want to visit Conway, which direction would you drive? 4.) The first post office in Arkansas was at: Davidsonville, Little Rock, Arkansas Post, Maumelle 5.) Augustus H. Garland is famous in Arkansas history because: he was a governor, he was a U.S. Senator, he was a U.S. Attorney General, All of the above 6.) Arkansas Power & Light Company was founded by: Newsletter of the University of Arkansas Libraries Special Collections Department C. Hamilton Moses, W.H. “Coin” Harvey, Reeves Ritchie, Harvey Couch 7.) The first Republican congressman from Arkansas after Reconstruction, , was elected in: A Spanish Literature Gem 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986 contents 8.) Which of the following African American radical leaders of the 1960s was born in Arkansas: In the Heart of the Ozarks Huey Newton, Angela Davis, Eldridge Cleaver, All of these Spanish Literature Gem...... 1 9.) The only surviving large Arkansas-founded ice cream company is: By Óscar Perea Rodríguez | University of Colorado at Boulder Blue Bunny, Borden, Blue Bell, Yarnell’s Arch Ford Collection...... 2 10.) The mascot of Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia is the: Mule Riders, Reddies, Timberwolves, Boll Weevils Civil War Books...... 2 EDITOR’S NOTE ANSWERS: 1) Ute 2) Bernard de la Harpe 5) All of 3) North 4) Davidsonville the 10) Mule Riders 9) Yarnell’s 6) Harvey 7) 1966 8) Eldridge Cleaver Couch Above Leadership Report...... 3 Óscar Perea Rodríguez was a visiting Spanish civilization and Spanish medieval literature professor at the University of Arkansas last year. As- Reagan Cole Memorials...... 4 sisted by Research Services Head Andrea Cantrell, he was thrilled to find Arkansauce...... 5 a rare 1533 volume of Amadis de Gaula in Special Collections last summer. The English translation of this work is Amadis of Gaul. It is a landmark Civil Rights Web Site...... 6 work of knight-errantry tales, the origins of which are disputed. In the following essay, Professor Rodríguez explains the volume’s significance. Staff Profiles...... 7

Photo Gallery—Politics...... 8 One of the just one—Amadís de Gaula, because this book, an Welcome Val Robertson...... 10 most aston- ishing scenes outstanding sample of its In Appreciation...... 10 in Cervantes’ genre, had been the most masterpiece marvellous chivalry novel Index Arkansas...... 11 Don Quijote de la of all times. Cervantes believed that Impact of Small Gifts...... 11 Mancha occurs when the priest the book illustrated how Pryor Center News ...... 13 and the barber, immigrants to America in order to since 1492, exchanging the Dickson Street Book...... 14 counteract the Old World for the New World as the land of their Manuscripts Unit News...... 15 mental deterio- ration of their dreams, transported the

Research Services News...... 15 friend Don magical adventures of

Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 Arkansas Fayetteville, Quijote, decide this fabulous knight not

orth McIlroy Avenue McIlroy orth N

365 365 Thanks to Donors...... 15 to burn his only in their minds, but

University of Arkansas Libraries Arkansas of University

Permit No. 1 No. Permit Title page of Amadis de Gaula also in physical copies of

Arkansas Quiz...... back cover books about ollections Department ollections C Special

Fayetteville, AR Fayetteville, chivalry and the beloved chivalry novel.

PAID knighthood, which, in their opinion, Through its magic stories, they were

U.S. Postage U.S. were driving Don Quijote to insanity. able to fill their minds with profound Nonprofit Organization Nonprofit The priest and the barber decide to save (AMADIS continued on page 4) Featured Manuscript Collection News from the Manuscripts Unit The Arch Ford Collection Case Miner was recently pro- uscript collection. In the spring of 2008 One of the most enjoyable things velopment of vocational education and moted to assistant archivist of the John he was awarded a University Libraries about working in Special Collections is special needs education in Arkansas. Paul Hammerschmidt Papers Project. “Rookie of the Year” award. In his new getting the opportunity to open up a The fourth of six children born to Originally from Oklahoma, he attended position, Case will take on supervisory collection, and in doing so, gain Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ford of Faulkner both Oklahoma State University and the responsibilities with the John Paul Ham- a completely new view of our history. County, Arch Ford was born January 25, University of Central Oklahoma, where merschmidt project . He received his The Arch Ford Collection is one such 1906. He graduated from Conway High he received his B.A. in English in 2001. Master’s degree in August 2008, having example. School and later the Arkansas State After working as a juvenile detention successfully defended his thesis, “Tactics The collection came to the Depart- Teachers College (now U.C.A.) in Con- officer and a fire alarm technician in and Strategies of Civil War Rams on the ment as a gift from Ford in April 1982 way. Arch and his wife Ruby Lee were Oklahoma City, he moved to Arkansas Mississippi River,” in May. and was made available to the public in blessed with three children, but their in 2004. Saying he was “seduced by Case is a member of the Washington June of 1982. The collection consists two older children died young. Their the natural beauty and outdoor oppor- County Historical Society, the Arkan- of 73 scrapbooks of mounted news- third son, Joe, became a successful exec- tunities of the Ozarks,” Case lived in sas Historical Association, and the paper articles focusing on issues in utive, as President of Allied Telephone Eureka Springs for two years, helping Fayetteville Natural Heritage Associa- education and state government during (later Alltel) and served with distinction his father maintain Big Clifty Park for tion. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, Case Miner his tenure as State Commissioner of in the Arkansas State Senate. Arch Ford the Corps of Engineers on Beaver Lake. backpacking, canoeing, landscaping, Education from 1953-1978, as well as went on to receive his M.S. degree from Arch Ford and his son, Senator Joe Ford, 1973 During that time he began pursuing a gardening, beer brewing, handyman a volume of Ford’s editorial articles the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. master’s degree in history at the Univer- chores around the house, and spending written for the Education Department In 1962 Ouachita Baptist University tion. He joined the State Department sity of Arkansas. time with his girlfriend, Robyn, and her publication, Newsmagazine, and a volume awarded him an honorary Doctorate of of Education in 1941, succeeding A.B. Case grew weary of the commute daughter, Ally. Currently he is work- dedicated to his retirement. The collec- Laws. He served as an educational advi- Bonds as State Commissioner in 1953. and moved to Fayetteville in January ing on an article about the Arkansas tion represents a fascinating perspective sor for the Civilian Conservation Corps, Ford’s career in Arkansas state 2006. In November 2007 he began Mounted Rifles for theEncyclopedia of of issues that faced the state, including and during his career he worked as a government is significant not only for working in Special Collections, process- Arkansas History and Culture; he is also the desegregation and later consolida- teacher or administrator at every level its timeliness (his tenure coincided ing the John Paul Hammerschmidt man- researching an idea for a novel. tion issues of Arkansas schools, the de- of elementary and secondary educa- (ARCH FORD continued on page 12) News from Research Services

Steven Wohlford recently in German. He has taught at the Uni- Civil War Book Collection Acquired joined Special Collections as a read- versity of Memphis and York College in ing room assistant. His duties include York, Nebraska. A Northwest Arkansas The Jerry Russell book collec- degree in journalism and edited a assisting with research requests and native, Steven lives with his wife Nancy The Special Collections Department tion was purchased from Rus- number of newspapers during his compiling statistics for Research Ser- in his childhood home, a house in John- of the University of Arkansas Libraries collects, preserves, organizes, and provides sell’s son Andrew, a Little Rock long career, including the Heights vices. Steven has three degrees from son which is over one hundred years access to research materials documenting attorney. The nearly 3000-title Land Weekly Visitor (Little Rock). the University of Arkansas: a B.A. in old. In his spare time, Steven enjoys Steven Wohlford the state of Arkansas and its role in the collection is comprised entirely Russell made his name in po- history, an M.A. in history, and an M.A. poultry farming and gardening. regional, national, and international com- of Civil War volumes, including litical consulting and is credited munities. Arkansian is an old name by which our early ancestors called themselves, as well both mainstream titles and limited with bringing jingles to political as the name of an antebellum newspaper in press run works. This book col- advertisements in Arkansas. One A Special Thanks Fayetteville. lection not only enhances the Li- of his first campaigns featured The Arkansian is published twice a year. Anne Meek Garrett, El Dorado James H. Moss, Fayetteville Betty Waggoner, Imboden braries existing collection on the the jingle “Pin a Rose on Me” Donors to Special Collections Thomas G. Goldsby, Jr., West Memphis William F. Myers, Fayetteville Tom Wagy, Texarkana, TX Inquiries should be directed to Diane F. January 2008 – June 2008 Marie Jones Griffin, Chicago, IL National Council for International Visitors, Steve Wallace, Brookline, MA Worrell, editor, University of Arkansas Li- Civil War, but it also complements and is now considered a clas- Estate of Bonnie Halprin, Nashville, TN Washington DC Honorable Kathy Webb, Little Rock braries, 365 N. McIlroy Avenue, Fayetteville, Mona Hardgrave, Clovis, CA Hugh and Frances Nutt, Ozark, MO Adell Whitfield, El Dorado the Jerry Russell Papers, which sic. It was used in the successful Judge Morris S. Arnold, Little Rock Honorable Steele Hays, Conway Timothy G. Nutt, Fayetteville John G. Williams (deceased), Fayetteville AR. 72701-4002, telephone 479/575-5577, contain much information on the 1972 North Little Rock mayoral Betty Bell, Sterling, VA Becky Howard, Fayetteville David Perdue, Pine Bluff Mrs. Roger H. Zanes, New London, NH fax 479/575-3472, or e-mail dfworrel@ Bob Besom, Fayetteville Richard B. Hudson, Fayetteville Louie Perez, Albuquerque, NM war and Russell’s efforts for the election campaign of Robert L. H. Gordon Brooks, Lafayette, LA uark.edu. Robert Ivy, Brooklyn, NY Richard Pool, Farmington Donors to the Pryor Center preservation of military battle- Rosamond. Joy Buffalo, Little Rock Ivan Jines, Naylor, MO Ophelia Read, Fayetteville The Arkansian is available online at: Mary J. Cantrell, Little Rock James J. and Margaret Z. Johnston, Fayetteville Charles F. Robinson, Fayetteville for Oral and Visual History http://libinfo.uark.edu/specialcollec- fields. In 1989, Russell founded The Russell book collection Steve Chism, Fayetteville Michael D. and Ruth A. Jones, Kingwood, TX Linda S. Ross, Little Rock Ellen Compton, Fayetteville January 2008 – June 2008 tions/news/arkansian/ Richard Judy, Bloomfield Hills, MI Andrew J. Russell, Little Rock Heritage PAC, the only political is one of the most extensive Civil Cooperative Emergency Outreach, Fayetteville Jim Langford, Hot Springs Village Carl Selph, Laredo, TX Tyson Limited Partnership, Rogers Information about the Special Collections action committee devoted to War collections in the state and Harvey G. Cragon, Dallas, TX Omer Lemire, Conway Angela Shields, Arkadelphia Department is available online at: Penny Culver, Bella Vista Betty Lighton (deceased), Fayetteville Honorable Lindsley Smith, Fayetteville Civil War battlefield preservation. will be of great value to research- Betty Curtis, Rogers John and Pat Lile, Little Rock Carol S. Spears, SPEARS, Inc., West Fork note: The compilation of this http://libinfo.uark.edu/specialcollec- John Dixon, Fayetteville Edwina Walls Mann, Little Rock Buford J. & Lynda C. Suffridge, list is a new and complicated tions/ Coach Bernis Duke, Tulsa, OK He was a 1958 graduate of the ers for its scope and scale. Jerry Shirley Manning, Oden North Little Rock endeavor. Please let us know if Diane Worrell, editor Gillen and Jane Emde, Bald Knob University of Arkansas with a Russell died in 2003. W.J. Megginson, Jackson, MS Dorothy Davis Vanderbilt, Hope you see errors or omissions. Ashley Piediscalzi, designer John & Maxine Beaty Fortenberry, Little Rock Justin Miller, Prairie Grove Donald E. Voth, Albuquerque, NM

2 15 Special Collections Develops Dickson Street Book Ozark History in Springdale. The Leadership Report book also includes notable images from private owners and more From the Desk of Tom W. Dillard, contemporary photographs taken by Wappel himself to document Head of the Special Collections Department how the character of the street was changing. Another academic year is un- great strides in documenting the people Ethel Simpson, emerita derway, and everyone in the Special of the state in both traditional oral Special Collections librarian, man- Collections Department is scurrying history interviews and high definition aged the transition of Wappel's around providing services to new digital video interviews. Jerry McCon- manuscript to the finished book. students, hiring and training new nell, a retired newspaperman from She wrote grant proposals to raise student employees, and seeking out Greenwood, is wrapping up work on the money, oversaw scanning of Honors College students to appoint the Arkansas Democrat newspaper his- the images and selection of addi- as interns. We have new collections tory project—which will result in more tional illustrations, and worked on to accession, process, and make than 100 interviews transcribed and promotion and advertising with available to researchers. The Pryor posted on the Internet. the publisher. Wappel, a self- Center for Arkansas Oral & Visual Kris Katrosh, director of the Pryor described “armchair historian,” History is moving out in many direc- Center, has about completed work on previously worked in Special Col- tions and at a dizzying speed. The establishing state-of-the-art video pro- Tom Dillard Steve and Joe Bates in front of Bates Brothers Grocery, West Dickson Street, 1898 lections and is now Washington manuscripts unit is always on the duction facilities, and work has turned County Archivist and Records Manager. alert for new collecting opportuni- toward building the Center’s endow- Our smallest unit within Special The Special Collections Department leadership is al- The location of the University of Arkansas at what ties, and I am trying to train a new ment. As we are able to raise the funds Collections is Index Arkansas. An am- ways alert for new ways to fulfill its mission to preserve would eventually become the western end of Dickson departmental secretary from Long to produce the programs, the Pryor bitious plan to index all the major pe- the history of Arkansas and share it with the citizens of stimulated the establishment of shops and services catering Island to speak the local dialect. Center will reach out into the schools riodicals and reference works dealing the state. Recently, the Department published its first to the university community. When passenger train service The Special Collections Depart- and homes of the state with first-rate with Arkansas, Index Arkansas already full length book—and the public reception has been came to Dickson Street in 1881, so did rooming houses and ment has the mission of document- video resources never before seen in offers more than 90,000 citations. very positive. eating places for travelers. The book reproduces advertise- ing the state of Arkansas, especially Arkansas. The project is led by Joan Watkins. Once upon Dickson: An Illustrated History, 1868-2000, ments for hotels, barbershops, dry cleaners and eating places its history—and perhaps just as im- Tim Nutt, head of the manuscripts Committees within our Depart- by Anthony J. Wappel and Ethel C. Simpson, describes that have existed along Dickson, as well as bars and music portantly—sharing that history with and rare books unit, is working hard to ment have been busy on a wide the evolution of Dickson Street, an eclectic, historic venues. Many of these eventually left Dickson and were re- the students, faculty, and the general build our book collections. Work has variety of other tasks over the past thoroughfare near the University of Arkansas and placed by other businesses more oriented to entertainment. public. This is not always so easy. We begun on cataloging the Civil War book several months. We are engaged in downtown Fayetteville. Often compared to Austin’s Wappel’s and Simpson’s book documents and preserves the could use some help in documenting collection purchased recently from the digitizing 50 speeches by former Sixth Street, Dickson Street has developed into the en- energy and diversity that continue to make Dickson Street a this year’s elections in Arkansas. I estate of the late Jerry Russell of Little U.S. Senator J.W. Fulbright for post- tertainment district of Fayetteville. Special Collections focal point of Fayetteville business and culture. appreciate folks like Professor Steve Rock. Jerry, who was a friend of mine, ing on the Libraries’ Web site. We provided research and administrative support, plus Once upon Dickson tells the story of the street from east Smith who has donated a wealth of was amazingly successful in building distribute posters on Arkansas topics partial funding for the book, and is receiving proceeds to west, decade by decade. The book contains more than political campaign materials—yard the international Civil War Roundtables to schools throughout the state. from its sales. Department Head Tom W. Dillard said, 400 pages, with nearly 370 images and a color dust jacket. signs, bumper stickers, flyers, lapel movement. Jerry also became the na- And, we prepare exhibits for venues “We are pleased to help make this important new book Maps and diagrams help to locate the houses and businesses pins—over the years. tion’s primary spokesman for Civil War throughout the library and elsewhere. possible. Once Upon Dickson helps our department fulfill described in the text. An appendix contains a comprehen- Thanks to everyone who made battlefield preservation. We were hon- We can use all the help we can its mission of documenting the history of Arkansas.” sive inventory of businesses and residents at every address a financial gift to the Department ored when Jerry’s widow, Alice Anne get. If you would like to lend a hand, The book is the result of years of work. When along the entire length of the street. An index makes the since the last issue of the Arkansian. Russell, offered the collection to Special get in touch with me. My contact Wappel came to Fayetteville to attend graduate school volume even more useful. The price of the book is $22.50; While state funds pay for departmen- Collections. information follows. in 1986, he did not own a car and spent a lot of time sales have been brisk. It is offered for sale online at http:// tal staffing, most of our operational The Department’s research services walking on Dickson Street. He was curious about the onceupondickson.com. funding comes from gifts made by unit, under the leadership of Andrea Tom W. Dillard history of the street as evidenced in older businesses Phoenix International, a Fayetteville publisher distributed people who believe in our mission. Cantrell, continues to provide outstand- University of Arkansas Libraries and homes, abandoned flower beds and partially demol- by the University of Arkansas Press, brought out the book These gifts from people whose val- ing quality assistance to researchers 365 McIlroy Avenue ished stone walls. Wappel began researching yearbooks, in cooperation with the Special Collections Department. ues we share make it possible for the from across the campus and around the Fayetteville, AR 72701 university publications and other sources from the The Advertising and Promotion Commission of the city Special Collections Department to world. I receive emails regularly praising 479-575-5576 19th and 20th centuries, as well as images in the Special of Fayetteville, the Bank of Fayetteville, the Happy Hollow continue to document our state. the quality of the research assistance [email protected] Collections Department’s manuscript holdings and the Foundation, Frank and Sara Sharp, and an anonymous do- The Pryor Center for Arkansas provided by our staff. photograph collections of the Washington County His- nor provided additional financial support. For more infor- Oral & Visual History is making torical Society, now housed at the Shiloh Museum of mation, visit the Web site or call (479) 521-2204.

14 3 (AMADIS continued from page 1) Amadís impression of 1533 suggests that the first owner of the University thoughts about the necessity of being News from the Pryor Center For of Arkansas’s copy was Italian. The honest, loyal, and valiant. entire book contains marginal notes, in Arkansas Oral and Visual History Amadís de Gaula was clearly on the which the owner translated into Italian minds of Spanish pioneers who settled some difficult words in Spanish that he the Pacific Coast of America. They The Pryor Center experienced Robert Ford, and featuring University headquartered in Harrison, Arkansas. had previously underscored in the text. decided to call it California because that another busy summer of recording of Arkansas drama professor Amy “The Entrepreneurs of Arkansas” This is an indication of the importance was the name of a very similar land interviews with Arkansans from around Herzberg. The Center’s recording of series is part of an overall educational of Peninsular literature in Italy during described in Las Sergas de Esplandián, the the state. Interviewees from February this play at the Nadine Baum Theatre programming plan that highlights suc- the Spanish empire age. chivalry novel by Esplandián, Amadís through August of 2008 included Gov- in Fayetteville is being considered for cess stories of Arkansans who decided The Special Collections Depart- de Gaula’s son. Today we continue to ernor and first lady Ginger public television broadcast next year. to build their homes and businesses ment is fortunate to have one of the trace Amadís’ tracks in America through Beebe (Little Rock), Dr. B. Alan Sugg A special service was held in May in the state. The Pryor Center hopes Óscar Perea Rodríguez thirty issues known to date of this 1533 a significant finding: the Special Collec- and Jean Sugg (Little Rock), Ila Adcox for John Williams, a beloved emeritus these stories will inspire students edition. Most of them are located at tions Department holds a valuable jewel (Amagon), Al Witte (Fayetteville), Earl professor in the University of Arkan- considering their own careers, engage er or editor who added an extra chapter. European libraries; only ten copies are of Spanish literature within its vault: an Hale (Mulberry), and Dan Ferritor sas School of Architecture. The Pryor younger generations in the history of No less than eight editions were printed located in North America—at the li- edition of Amadís de Gaula printed in (Fayetteville). Center recorded the speakers at the Arkansas, and instill in them a sense of between 1508 and 1533, making Amadís braries of colleges and universities such 1533. Kris Katrosh, head of the Pryor memorial, as well as six interviews with pride in our state. de Gaula number one on the hit parade as Harvard, Yale, Toronto, Arizona at During the present year, Hispanism Center, said, “These interviewees all colleagues who discussed Williams’s of Early Renaissance Spanish literature. Tucson, Williams College and Califor- has been celebrating the 500th anniver- have great Arkansas stories. For exam- contributions to the department and to The 1533 edition was printed in nia State at Sacramento; and the public (COLE continued from page 4) sary of the first known printed edition ple, Earl Hale’s work with the Civilian the history of local and regional archi- Venice by Giovanni Antonio de libraries of Boston, New York, and Conservation Corps and his service as tecture. of the adventures of Amadís, his men- and memories. The first took Nicolini de Sabia, and it is proof of Cleveland and the University of Arkan- a World War II soldier provide a lot of At the Center’s Advisory Board tor Gandales, his friend Urganda the place in , and the the extent to which Spanish culture had sas. The state of the copy is excellent, insight into Arkansans’ participation in meeting in April, a launch of a new Witch, his enemies Arcaláus the Wizard second in Little Rock on Sep- penetrated in Italy during those years. thanks to the care taken by the staff of these significant events.” Hale also told series of biographies was announced. and Galaor the Knight, and of course tember 13, 2008. The Little Rock The proofreader and editor of this Special Collections. The University of a number of stories about his child- The first program of a series about his beloved princess Oriana. The first gathering included oral history edition was Francisco Delicado, author Arkansas should be especially proud of hood in Mulberry (Crawford County) entrepreneurs of Arkansas will begin known edition of 1508 was edited by interviews with friends and fam- of La Lozana Andaluza, a paramount having this gem of Spanish literature in in the 1920s and 1930s. this year with the story of Sheridan Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. We know ily conducted by Felicia Thomas, example of a Spanish Renaissance its library. The Pryor Center recorded a Garrison of Harrison. Garrison was that Rodríguez de Montalvo was not the family friend and Special Collec- novel published in Venice five years number of historical events. A meet- involved with a small family trucking original author of Amadís, but a compil- tions archivist. These interviews before. The Venetian origin of the ing of the Political Animals Club at operation in the 1950s. By 1982 he had recorded memories of Reagan’s the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock founded Arkansas Freightways, which, life and of the Rackensack Soci- was recorded in April and featured U.S. through his unique personal manage- Reagan Cole Memorial Donations ety and the Little Rock Folk Club, Congressman Marion Berry (Arkansas ment style and industry innovations, two organizations important in Aid Preservation of Mary Parler Folksongs 1st District) as the main speaker. An- became one of the largest and most the life of Reagan Cole and other other event was the world premiere of successful trucking companies in the na- On June 6, 2008 Arkansas native folk musicians and music lovers format. This is a time-consuming and a play about a Jewish American soldier’s tion. Now FedEx Freight, the company and famously quirky folk musician in Arkansas. Attendees at the costly practice; these funds will enable experiences in World War II, written has around 17,000 employees and is still Kenneth “Reagan” Cole passed away Little Rock memorial raised an the Libraries to make strides toward by award-winning Arkansas playwright during a visit to New York City to see that endeavor. additional $225.00 for the Parler his daughter, Helen Cole. Reagan Cole Cole’s “nonconformist ideals, his collection throughout the course was also a scientist, inventor, husband boundless curiosity and creative intel- (GIFTS continued from page 11) of the evening. and father. His family suggested that, lect” (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 6, Special Collections is grate- in lieu of flowers, memorial donations 2008) are a perfect match for the Mary The Special Collections Department is involved in many activities which would ful to the Cole family for their be sent to the Special Collections De- Parler Collection, as Parler shared many benefit greatly from gifts of any size. For example, we are working hard to enhance amazing act of generosity during partment for the benefit of the Mary of those same qualities. Reagan Cole Index Arkansas—an on-line index to periodicals and books about Arkansas. their time of loss and is excited Parler Folksong Collection. spent most of his life singing and col- Index Arkansas is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who supports our mis- about the preservation of these The funds that friends, family, and lecting folk music and was familiar with sion and would like to invest in a project that offers a in the study of wonderful folksong recordings. admirers of Reagan Cole donated to the work of Mary Celestia Parler as well Arkansas. Until recently, Arkansas was the least studied state in the South. Only a Manuscripts Unit Head Tim Special Collections, currently totaling as that of her husband, folklorist Vance few years ago one could find more references to Ohio than Arkansas in theJournal Nutt said, “These contributions over $2,000, will be used to organize Randolph. of Southern History. for the preservation of the Mary and preserve the folksong portion of The friends and family of If you would like to help take Index Arkansas from its adolescence to full Parler Collection will be a won- the Mary Parler Collection. Many of Reagan Cole celebrated his life with two fledged adulthood, get in touch with me. I’m looking for partners. My contact derful legacy for Mr. Cole.” these folksongs are recorded on reel-to- evenings of folk music, conversation, information can be found on page 3. reel tapes. In order to preserve them, Reagan Cole they need to be converted to digital (COLE continued on page 13)

4 13 (ARCH FORD continued from page 2) with events that changed the shape federal funding to schools), as well and scope of Arkansas govern- as the struggle for integration in ment) but for the change in the the South. In addition, the collec- Arkansauce methods by which the Governor tion reflects the later struggles in staffed state departments. Ford’s education on the state and na- appointment by Governor Cherry tional level with regard to busing. Recipes and Stories from the represented a change in policy with However, the Ford collection also Arkansas Cookbook Collection regard to the selection of the State chronicles a number of successes Education Commissioner. Previ- in Arkansas education. Arch Ford ously the position was a reward of was largely responsible for the patronage by the incoming Gover- creation and development of vo- By Diane Worrell, Arkansian Editor nor, generally not based on ser- cational education in Arkansas, the vice to or knowledge of the State extension of educational oppor- This is the first appearance of what I hope will be a regular Education Department. Ford was tunities to adults and the disabled, Arkansian feature—recipes and stories from selected books the first commissioner with any real the development of kindergartens in our Arkansas cookbook collection. Currently the cook- education experience prior to his (the bill for their creation was book collection contains over 1,000 titles from all over the appointment. Newspapers, such authored by Senator Joe Ford), the Natural State. Credit goes to Manuscripts Librarian Timothy as the Memphis Commercial Appeal, necessary consolidation of rural G. Nutt, our resident punster, for coining the clever name saw the selection of Ford, based school districts and the develop- “Arkansauce.” on merit alone and unencumbered ment of a state-wide educational by political “coat tails,” as a sig- television system. The collection From My Ozark Cupboard: Arch Ford named “Father of the Year” by the Arkansas nal of commitment to minimizing Baptist Newsmagazine, 1971 tracks the rise of Allied Telephone A Basic Ozark Cookbook, 1950 waste and improving the education from its beginnings in 1947 in Sheri- of Arkansas youth. As a testament to dan with 275 hand-cranked phones, I have recently been researching the Cora Pinkley-Call Arch Ford’s merit as an educator, by on the steps of Central High School to one of the top ten independent life of Cora Pinkley-Call (1892-1966), enchanting hills, regardless of what the fourth-rate journal- the time of his 1978 retirement, he had in Little Rock. The Arch Ford Col- telephone companies in the United a popular Ozark writer, naturalist, ists and mediocre novelists have to say about them.” served five Arkansas Governors, both lection reminds the historian that the States. Ford’s son, Senator Joe Ford, herbalist, folklorist and Eureka Springs From My Ozark Cupboard contains recipes for standard Democratic and Republican. debate as to the “how” and “why” of began working for Allied Telephone in historian and booster. Call wrote fare as well as instructions for cooking squirrels, coons, and The collection reflects the reality Arkansas school integration began three 1959 and in 1977, at the age of 39, he poetry, short stories, magazine and groundhogs. Call described a typical hog-killing and provid- that Commissioner Ford, within a few years earlier and did not end in 1957. succeeded co-founder Hugh Wilbourn newspaper articles, and both fiction ed instructions for plucking and cleaning a chicken. Among months of his appointment, faced grave Moreover, the commentary within the as president. and nonfiction books. I have seen the more conventional recipes is this one for dill pickles: challenges. In May of 1954, before he painstakingly collected press clippings The collection includes a celebra- four editions of this cookbook, three had been on the job six months, the shows that while less than fortunate tion of Ford’s career. Colleagues and of which were published in 1950. In racial rhetoric made its appearance, Supreme Court handed down its deci- critics alike praised Ford as a man of 2005 it was reissued by Jenkins Enter- Dill Pickles sion on Brown v. the Board of Education, more times than not, state officials were impeccable character and wisdom. De- prises, in cooperation with the Eureka intended to remove the concept of attempting to find a pragmatic solution spite the nearly impossible challenges Springs Historical Museum, where I recently purchased a copy (Makes about 10 quarts) “separate but equal” in public educa- to a volatile problem. that Ford faced as Commissioner of in the gift shop. tion. The Ford scrapbooks document The integration crisis of Little the State Department of Education, Call was a staunch advocate of traditional family values, re- • Cover the bottom of a 3 or 4 gallon crock with the discussion in the national and state Rock’s Central High, as it played out in his legacy remains his commitment to ligion and patriotism. In the cookbook “Foreword,” she wrote grape leaves and twigs that have been washed. press on how Arkansas would deal with the national and state press, is collected improving the lives of all Arkansans that homemaking is the most important career that a woman • Place a layer of cucumbers fairly uniform in size, the end of segregation and the system in four scrapbooks. As with the collec- and his devotion to faith and family. can have. Encouraging her readers to experiment with recipes, then another layer of leaves and so on, until the crock of dual schools. The most pressing tion as a whole, the ability to read press Just as the lives of all Arkansans have she exclaimed that, “No wonder one marriage out of every is filled. problem to Ford, however, was how coverage of events allows the research- been enriched through the lifelong five ends in divorce courts, when so many wives will rush into • Make a brine of the following mixture: Arkansas would pay for the schools er to gain a more complete perspective work of Arch Ford, so is Special Col- their kitchens at the very last moment and hash up the same ½ pound salt, ½ pint vinegar, 1 gallon water. it already had. This collection docu- of the events as they unfolded and an lections enriched through this collec- old dish day after day!” • Pour mixture over cucumbers and cover with a ments Ford’s brilliant understanding of appreciation of their immediate impact. tion, which will continue to educate Also in the “Foreword,” Call commented on her pet peeves: weight which will keep the cucumbers well under the this moment in history and his and his The Ford Collection offers insight present and future generations about communism and outsiders’ depictions and stereotypes of the brine. staff ’s dogged attempts to capture and on state appropriation battles in the the events of our collective past. Ozark hill folk. She wrote, “The modern ‘isms’ that plague the • Let set about two weeks. Then place in jars (with record it. General Assembly, the effects of the world today are not found among the real Ozark folk, and they a spoonful of dill added) and cover with old brine The result is a unique perspective Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its com- —James Wilhelm will have no part of the red anti-Christ propaganda sweeping which should be brought to a boil, then cooled a bit on desegregation in Arkansas, which panion Elementary and Secondary the world today…. With this [Christian] philosophy and the before filling the jars with it. is commonly perceived as beginning Education Act of 1965 (which provided lush bountifulness of mother nature’s larder, the Ozark folk • Seal and set in a cool place. live well and happily within the 400 mile boundary of the 12 5

Work Continues on Arkansas Arkansas Newspaper Citations Civil Rights History Web Site Added to Index Arkansas

The Special Collections Department one of many historical events involving a unique aspect to our collective civil Researchers seeking newspaper In addition to newspapers, 43 is busy refining the Web site it launched civil rights. rights history,” Dillard said. In more re- articles about historic Arkansas Arkansas periodicals, 30 county last spring, entitled, “Land of (Unequal) Dillard noted that as early as 1868, cent decades, Arkansas was the scene of events and people now have an history journals and 80 books Opportunity: Documenting the Civil Arkansas enacted a civil rights law. a dramatic confrontation in the legisla- easier task. Arkansas newspaper with historical and biographical Rights Struggle in Arkansas.” Available Before the Civil War, a few farsighted ture over adoption of the proposed U.S. indexing has recently been added to content are indexed. Researchers at http://scipio.uark.edu, this on-line Arkansas leaders advocated granting Equal Rights Amendment. The state has Index Arkansas, an on-line database might find citations to news- resource provides historical materials now begun to grapple with recognizing for publications dealing with Arkan- paper articles ranging from an documenting the chang- the rights of homosexual sas topics. Managed by the Special 1838 article about a Washington ing nature of civil rights Arkansans. Dillard pre- Collections Department, the Index County dinner honoring Judge in the state. The Web dicts that in the future the now contains nearly 30,000 cita- Archibald Yell, to articles from site contains over 2000 state is likely to struggle tions from Arkansas and regional the 1930s about drought in pages of documents, with civil rights issues for newspapers plus over 60,000 cita- Arkansas during the dust bowl photographs, broadsides, Spanish-speaking immi- tions from Arkansas periodicals and era and articles concerning the pamphlets, drawings, car- grants. books. Index Arkansas is available Cuban refugee crisis at Fort toons and other images. While the majority of on-line at http://arkindex.uark. Chaffee in the early 1980s. In addition to documents the materials on the Web edu/. Use of the Index is free of In development for many and images, the Web site site are held by the Special charge and available to everyone. Tom W. Dillard with Index Arkansas staff (seated L to R) Elizabeth years, Index Arkansas was initiat- offers a detailed bibliog- Collections Department, Index Arkansas is an important McKee and Andrea Cantrell, (standing L to R) Joan Watkins and Rachel ed by the late Georgia Clark and raphy and timeline, ten other institutions around resource for students and scholars. Skoney expanded by Elizabeth McKee lesson plans for junior the state also contributed The 30,000 newspaper citations join and Andrea Cantrell of the Uni- high school students, and materials, including the other historical and biographical sources in the Index, which versity Libraries. Administration of the Index was transferred five digital posters, all free Butler Center for Arkan- currently contains 90,913 citations. Tom W. Dillard, head of to Special Collections in 2007, and Joan Watkins was named of charge. The Web site sas Studies at the Central Special Collections, says, "The development of Index Arkansas project manager. Watkins has been working to improve and server is named for Scipio Arkansas Library System is a transforming event in the study of our state. For so long publicize the Index, including the addition of newspaper cita- A. Jones, in honor of in Little Rock; the Riley- researchers have labored without a good index to state litera- tions. Use of the Index has increased dramatically. In June Arkansas’s premier black Hickingbotham Library at ture, but now we have one. And, we fully expect to expand it 2008, there were more than 2,000 searches; whereas in June attorney. Ouachita Baptist Univer- substantially in the years to come." 2007 there were about 1,000. Numbers for July 2008 were While the project sity; the Archives at The newly available newspaper citations began as records 1,100 compared to 540 in July 2007. emphasizes the 1957 Ottenheimer Library at kept in an old-fashioned card file of 40 drawers. The records Dillard says, “Index Arkansas is a new bridge to our heri- Little Rock Central High the University of Arkan- were carefully computerized and are now easily searchable by tage. It will help Arkansans discover that, yes, we do have a School integration crisis sas at Little Rock; the author, title, keyword, and subject. Coverage is mostly from heritage—and it is worth studying. I hope researchers will and the rights of African Torreyson Library at the the early 1930s through 1985, with scattered entries from the make great use of it.” After finding citations to newspaper American Arkansans, it University of Central 1830s through the 1920s. Index Arkansas is unique. While articles on their topics, researchers can obtain copies of covers all time periods Arkansas; the Arkansas other states and universities have undertaken similar projects, the articles through their local library or its interlibrary loan and includes civil rights History Commission; and Index Arkansas stands apart from them because of the large service. issues pertaining to wom- the Southwest Arkansas number of publications covered and its availability online. en, homosexuals, and the Regional Archives, Wash- Japanese Americans held ington, Arkansas. in Arkansas relocation The project, which was funded in part by the Ar- camps during World War Civil rights protester at Arkansas A & M College, Pine Bluff, ca. 1962, Orval E. Faubus Col- Big Things Come from Small Gifts —Tom W. Dillard II. Users may browse the lection, University of Arkansas Libraries, Special Collections Department. kansas Humanities Council, digital collection or search is ongoing. Department We are all accustomed to reading about individuals and corporations making large gifts to libraries and other insti- by keywords. property rights to married women. staff will add materials to tutions. Those large dollar gifts, often in the millions of dollars, prove incredibly valuable as an institution struggles “Arkansas has a long and remarkably When a wave of segregation laws was the Web site over time. In addition to to be all it can be. Despite the immediate impact of large contributions, small gifts have an impact that can grow over complex civil rights history,” according enacted around 1900, black leaders Dillard, the project staff also included time and ultimately prove to be the impetus for incredible advancement. to Tom W. Dillard, project director and organized protests. “During World War Timothy G. Nutt, Scot Oldham, Beth Several years ago, before joining the Special Collections Department, I was involved in creating the Encyclopedia of head of Special Collections. While the II 16,000 Japanese Americans, mostly Juhl, Arthur Morgan, Anita Mysore, Arkansas History & Culture. That immensely valuable resource, which is well on its way to reaching the goal of 3,000 1957 Little Rock Central High School American citizens, were incarcerated in Todd Lewis, Cheri Pearce, Andrea Cant- entries, got its start with a gift of $25,000—and it was paid out over two years. Ultimately, that initial gift enabled the rell and Molly Boyd. Encyclopedia to raise well over $1 million and hire a full-time staff. integration crisis is well known, it is just relocation camps in Arkansas—adding (GIFTS continued on page 13)

6 11 (PROFILES continued from page 7) Staff Profiles

Council for work on the topic "Racial Simpson, he served as Interim Head history group, the Society for Cre- James Defibaugh is the Oral Todd E. Lewis is Lead Process- Politics in Arkansas, 1865-1894.” of Archives and Manuscripts from ative Anachronism (SCA), because it History Coordinator for the David and ing Archivist with the Special Collec- Todd’s current studies focus on January to September 2005. He has “combines his interest in history with Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral tions Department. He was born in Christian fundamentalism in America processed many collections, both his skill as an artist.” He plays alto re- and Visual History, a unit of the Special Redfield, South Dakota and spent his and racial politics in Arkansas. large and small, including the David corder in a local SCA music ensemble Collections Department. A native of early childhood in West Texas. Follow- As a graduate student, Todd Pryor papers (with Vera Ekechuk- and hopes to learn the bagpipes and the Gulf coast hamlet of Handsboro, ing moves between Texas, Colorado began work in Special Collections wu). He is currently processing the hurdy gurdy. An avid animal lover, Mississippi, James grew up in Virginia, and Oklahoma, his family settled in in 1991 as a reading room assistant, Billy James Hargis Papers. Todd currently lives in Fayetteville North Carolina, Mississippi and Texas. Conway in 1971. Todd graduated from transferring to manuscripts process- Todd’s interests range from with his dog Arnold. He describes himself as a “World War Conway High School in 1982. He at- ing in 1996. In October 2003 he World War II to dinosaurs to science II baby in a military family.” His family tended Hendrix College, where he was became Lead Processing Archivist. fiction and fantasy. He enjoys his moved frequently, as his father was re- a member of the swim team, lettering Following the retirement of Ethel membership in the medieval living assigned to various military bases after three years. In 1986 he graduated with World War II and during the Cold War. honors, winning the T.S. Staples His- James attended high school in Gulfport, tory Prize for the outstanding senior Mississippi, winning a National Merit history major. Scholarship. He enrolled at the Univer- James Defibaugh Todd began graduate school in the Special Collections Welcomes sity of Mississippi majoring in chem- History Department of the University istry. He was also a civil rights activist of Arkansas in 1987, receiving the Valerie “Val” Robertson during his Ole Miss days. Gordon H. McNeil Award for the best James’s early work history includes graduate research paper in 1988. A Val Robertson recently 2007. For her thesis, Val studied the stints at the Library of Congress, the student of Willard B. Gatewood, Jr., he joined the staff of Special Collec- needs of male cancer patients in North- NASA Mississippi Test Center, and the completed requirements for a Master tions as a Library Academic Techni- west Arkansas, assisting the community Harrison County, Mississippi Com- of Arts degree in 1989. He continued cian. She grew up in Long Island, organization H.O.P.E. (Helping Oncol- munity Action Agency. He has also in the History Department’s Ph.D. New York, where she had a long ogy Patients Excel) in identifying unmet worked as an adjunct history professor program, publishing the article “Mob career as a medical office man- needs and improving service to male at the University of New Mexico, New Justice in the ‘American Congo’: ‘Judge ager. Once her two daughters were cancer patients. Mexico Highlands University, and the Lynch’ in Arkansas During the Decade grown, Val was eager to further her Val enjoys many artistic pursuits and University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. After World War I” in the Arkansas education. She obtained her B.A. loves travel, animals, and meeting new Persuaded by Hurricane Camille to Historical Quarterly in 1993. Todd re- in sociology from S.U.N.Y. at Old people. She plays the mandolin, sketch- seek higher ground, James left Missis- ceived his Ph.D. in History in 1995; his Westbury in 2001. es, paints, and especially enjoys working sippi in 1969 and headed to the Univer- doctoral dissertation was, “Race Rela- After moving to Arkansas in with clay. She and her husband John live sity of New Mexico, where he earned tions in Arkansas, 1910-1929.” In 1996 2003, she found her way to the on 27 acres near Elkins with their four his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Todd E. Lewis he received the Arkansas Historical University of Arkansas, where she dogs. U.S. history and met his future wife, Association’s Violet B. Gingles award obtained an M.A. in Sociology in Michelle Chavez, a native of Boul- for the best paper on Arkansas state Val Robertson baseball, soccer, and track fan. He enjoys der, Colorado. His primary research history for his article “‘Caesars Are Too family history and is currently editing interests are in the American West and Many’: Harmon Liveright Remmel the Civil War letters exchanged by his Native American history. and the Republican Party of Arkansas, great-grandparents. Additionally, James A man of amazingly wide interests, 1913-1927,” published in the Arkansas says he is “deeply committed to making James is a horseman, gardener, amateur Historical Quarterly in 1997. In 1996 the post-secondary education available to blacksmith and farrier, amateur machin- Association awarded him the Walter L. In appreciation returning or nontraditional students.” ist, woodworker, amateur astronomer Brown award for the best paper pub- James lives with his wife, Michelle, on This newsletter and other op- and telescope maker, film and digital lished in an Arkansas county history several acres in the Cane Hill area. Mi- erational funding for the Special photographer, bibliophile, railroad journal in 1995, “From Bull Mooser to chelle, who recently retired from a senior Collections Department are pro- history buff, and sometime actor. He Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan: executive position with the U.S. Depart- vided through the generosity of raises bees, heirloom chickens, herbs James A. Comer of Little Rock” ment of the Interior, now works in the the late Elizabeth Morris Walker and vegetables; collects and refurbishes (Pulaski County Historical Review). In Bumpers College of Agriculture. James and Robert Morris. old hand tools; enjoys competitive 1996 and 1997 he received research has five talented and highly educated rifle and hand gun marksmanship; and grants from the Arkansas Humanities children, who live in Texas, New Mexico, Elizaeth Morris Walker reads and writes about Southern life Robert Morris Canada and Arkansas. (PROFILES continued on page 10) and history. James does judo and is a

10 7 ‘Tis the Season: Politics and Politicians Selected and Annotated by Todd E. Lewis

Will Rogers (left) with Arkansas senators Hattie Caraway, and Joe T. Robinson, ca. early 1930s, MS C127 Willie Oates with Lieutenant Governor “Footsie’ Britt, ca. 1968, MC 1238, Maurice “Footsie” Britt Collec- Gubernatorial candidate Sid McMath leads a parade, ca. 1948, MC 1280, Larry Obsitnik Photo Archives, 209 209 A-F Caldwell, Arthur Bran Caldwell Papers, Box 9, Series 5, Folder 1, #4 tion, Box 11, Folder 1, #373 Box 1, Folder 16, #59a

(L to R) , University of Arkansas President David Mullins, Kay Carson, Mack McLarty, and Political insurgents threaten to haul away the old G.O.P. leaders in a “political hearse,” June 24, 1902, MS Daisy Bates with President Lyndon B. Johnson and unidentified man, April 9, 1964, MC 582, Daisy Bates Barry Goldwater, ca. 1968, Picture Collection, #2044 R28 235 Harmon Liveright Remmel Papers, Arkansas Republican Party State Committee Records, Box 12, Papers, Box 9, #58 #68

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