tHE butlEr bannEr newsletter Of the butler center fOr studies Volume 11, Number 3 Summer 2009 Butler Center Events Serial Set Access for CALS hrough a cooperative arrangement put context and insight to the decisions of politicians— Legacies & Lunch together by CALS documents librarian by examining the journals and scientific reports that September 2, 2009 Butler Center Books author TSarah Ziegenbein and UALR docu- provided information for those decisions. In a letter George Lankford discusses ments librarian Karen Russ, CALS recently to UALR documents librarian Karen Russ, CALS his novel Surprised by Death: acquired access to the digital version of the director Dr. Bobby Roberts described the Serial Set A Novel of Arkansas in the U.S. Serial Set produced by Lexis Nexis. This as covering every aspect of American history be- 1840s October 7, 2009 three-way arrangement makes this superb re- ginning with the early nineteenth century, includ- Butler Center Books author search tool available at the Arkansas Studies ing the era when Arkansas became a territory and Billy Higgins discusses his Institute, UALR’s Ottenheimer Library, and then a state. The acquisition of the U.S. Serial Set book The Barling Darling: Hal the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law database puts many of the primary documents of Smith in American Baseball Library. In addition, CALS has agreed to fund American history at the fingertips of CALS and Art News the new maps package, which includes all the UALR patrons. Aug. 14 - Sept. 27, 2009 maps in the Serial Set—many in color. CALS Lexis Nexis has completed the digitization of UALR Faculty Art Preview—ASI hopes to have that portion available by Sep- the entire Serial Set to 1969, going back to 1789 to Atrium Gallery September 11, 2009 tember. include the American State Papers. The Serial Set 2nd Friday Art Night—ASI Most people have never heard of the U.S. offers such departmental publications as the Labor galleries Serial Set, but it is one of the most important Statistics Bureau Bulletins, the Geological Survey Sept. 11 - Oct. 24, 2009 sources available for the study of American Bulletins, the Water Supply Papers, the Minerals Arkansas Woodworkers from the Museum School at the history, politics, and society. It provides pri- Yearbook, the Agriculture Yearbook, the Statistical Arkansas Arts Center—ASI mary source material for the scholars, gene- Abstract of the United States, American Ethnol- West Gallery alogists, and students who use our libraries. ogy Bureau Bulletins, Foreign Relations Papers, Oct. 9 - Nov. 13, 2009 Using the Serial Set lets people analyze the and annual reports of many government agencies. Main Street in Black and White—ASI Concordia Hall thinking behind historical events—adding Cont. on page 4 Gallery October 9, 2009 2nd Friday Art Night—ASI galleries Oct. 9 - Dec. 12, 2009 Butler Center Arkansas Sculptors—ASI Atrium Gallery Nov. 13, 2009 - Feb. 13, 2010 Volunteers The Art of Ray Khoo—ASI West he Butler Center relies on student Gallery help every year in the form of volun- Butler Center Books Events Tteers and interns. This summer, we September 19, 2009 had more help than ever with a total of nine Authors Ray & Steven Hanley student workers. discuss their book Main Street Megan Massanelli, a junior art history ma- Arkansas—River Market Books & Gifts, 3:00 p.m. jor at the , spent her September 22, 2009 summer with us working on expanding the Intern Megan Massanelli Terrence Roberts, one of the art collection database for the CALS perma- , discusses nent collection and assisting with the exhi- ties for the , as well as his new memoir Lessons from Little Rock—Darragh Center, bition and retail galleries. working on Books for Arkansas Students’ Edu- Main Library, 6:30 p.m. Caty Henderson, an English major at the cation (BASE). University of (UCA), and Nicole Topich, a sophomore at Swarthmore Bernard Reed, a writing and linguistics ma- College near Philadelphia, is studying anthropol- jor at UCA, along with Davis Roher, a stu- ogy and history. She assisted with the processing dent at the University of Arkansas at Little of new books and other processing projects, in- Visit www.butlercenter.org for Rock, spent their summer researching and cluding videos, pamphlets, and Arkansas cook- more information. writing entries and performing other du- books. Cont. on page 2 Cont. from Butler Center Volunteers, p.1 prominent citizens and openings of lo- Hope Dixon, Isaiah , and cal businesses, and they also assisted the Butler Center Staff Cane West worked closely with Rhonda staff at the research room desk. in the Community Stewart over the summer. Dixon and Emma Smith, a mass communications Awards and Recognitions Washington are both part of the New major at Ouachita Baptist University, worked with Kathryn Brian Robertson, manuscripts Heller on many pro- coordinator for the Butler Cen- gramming and pub- ter, served as a co-curator—along lic relations duties with Dr. Bobby Roberts, director of throughout the sum- CALS—for the Badges, Bandits & mer, including compil- Bars: Arkansas Law & Justice ex- ing several brochures hibit currently on view at the Old for the Butler Center State House Museum. and the ASI. Rhonda Stewart, genealogy and Our volunteers and local history specialist for the Butler interns provided much- Center, is now serving on the board needed help for the of directors for the Daisy & L. C. many projects of the Bates Museum. The Bates home is a Butler Center. The But- designated National Historic Land- ler Center has an on- mark. Guy Lancaster, editor of the En- Intern Nicole Topich going commitment to preserving and illumi- cyclopedia of Arkansas and a PhD Futures for Little Rock Youth program, nating Arkansas history and culture, and candidate in the Heritage Studies and West is a history major at the Uni- student-oriented programs are an impor- Program at Arkansas State Univer- versity of the South. They spent much of tant aspect of that commitment. Anyone sity, is now serving as creative ma- their time searching through back issues interested in volunteering or becoming terials editor for the new Arkansas of local newspapers for relevant histori- an intern at the Butler Center is invited to Review: A Journal of Delta Studies. cal information, including obituaries of contact us at 501-320-5700. n Lancaster, also a book reviewer, has recently published reviews in Arkan- sas Review, Material Culture, Labor Studies Journal, Western Folklore, and two UK publications, Heythrop Journal and Political Studies Re- view. n

The Butler Banner is the quarterly newsletter of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies Arkansas Studies Institute Central Arkansas Library System 100 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR 72201 501.320.5700 - [email protected] www.butlercenter.org

Printed and distributed with private funds. Intern Isaiah Washington Intern Hope Dixon Kathryn Heller: Editor Mike Keckhaver: Design/Layout Arkansas Studies Institute’s Hours Are Changing For Fall semester 2009, the ASI will have extended research room hours:

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday–Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday Volume 11, Number 3

Page 2 The Butler Banner sionals from the United States, including A Word from the Center Andy Zawacki of the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock. I concentrated David Stricklin, Head of the Butler Center mainly on overview and philosophical topics having to do with open access to information, public outreach, and work- eaders of All of this—and more—is on top of what ing with educational institutions. Many this col- we usually do, which is a lot. of my presentations featured photo- R umn have I’ve been thinking about what we do and graphs of the ASI. seen the expression what it means, especially because of a trip I Constantly, I was reminded of how “things are popping got to take this summer. As part of a group fortunate we are to be able to share our at the Butler Cen- organized by UALR, I had the great for- remarkable historical resources with ter” quite often. tune to be able to visit Sichuan Province in our researchers, including the students With a few months the southwestern part of China. Our group and faculty members who are coming of operation in the worked in several cities, including places into the ASI now that school has start- new Arkansas Studies Institute (ASI) be- ed. China is an ancient country with a hind us, I can report without fear of contra- stunning sweep of historical experi- diction that things are popping even more ence and achievement. But its people than they were before. We just dispatched have essentially remade the country the last of our nine summer interns. We had the great fortune since 1949, and historical organiza- just welcomed the first meetings of seven tions there are racing to find ways to classes the University of Arkansas at Little to be able to visit tell the remarkable story of the coun- Rock (UALR) is holding here this fall, five ISichuan Province in the try’s history at a time when the country from the university’s excellent master’s is investing so heavily in its economic degree program in public history and two development, building social services from the nonprofit management certifica- southwestern part of China. for its staggeringly large population, tion program. New art exhibitions are up. and rebuilding earthquake-ravaged ar- We’re about to announce a deal with a eas. This grand facility we are privi- local family to manage a retail business where the horrible earthquake of 2008 leged to share with the public, the in the lease space we’ve reserved in the killed more than 90,000 people. We were ASI, is such a gift, such a reflection of front of the 1914 Geyer & Adams build- helping historical organizations based at a commitment to the preservation and ing—the middle structure of the three that Sichuan University, a national park in the interpretation of the past. I appreciated make up the ASI. We’re helping to host a northern part of the province, as well as it before I left for this trip. I came back national conference of genealogists. And museums in the western and southern areas with an even more profound sense of we just welcomed the business and man- of the province, improve their preservation awe because of what we have to offer. agement staff of the fabulous publication and interpretation practices. A great deal of Come see us. Come share in this great The Oxford American into our office space. that work was done by two museum profes- gift. n

2009 Releases Butler Center Books Update • The Barling Darling: Hal Smith in n the previous edition of the Butler Campus. This photo-filled book is a visual American Baseball by Billy D. Higgins, Banner, we were honored to announce history tracing the development and evolu- with Hal Smith I our upcoming releases, including Les- tion of Arkansas’s business centers. • Main Street Arkansas: The Hearts sons from Little Rock by Terrence Roberts Terrence Roberts will discuss his mem- of Arkansas Cities and Towns—As Por- and Main Street Arkansas: The Hearts of oir, Lessons from Little Rock, Tuesday, trayed in Postcards and Photographs by Arkansas Cities and Towns—As Portrayed September 22, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ray and Steven Hanley in Postcards and Photographs by Ray Main Library, Darragh Center. This inti- • Proudly We Speak Your Name: Forty- and Steven Hanley. In this edition, we’re mate, powerful, personal account of the four Years at Little Rock Catholic High pleased to invite you to events featuring the integration of Little Rock Central High School by Michael J. Moran authors of these two books. School relates the inner struggles of one • Surprised by Death: A Novel of Ar- in the 1840s by George Lankford Authors Ray and Steven Hanley dis- of the nine students who subjected them- • Lessons from Little Rock by Terrence cuss their book Main Street Arkansas: The selves to the wrath of a mob in their quest Roberts, member of the Little Rock Nine Hearts of Arkansas Cities and Towns—As for an equal education. • Homefront Arkansas: Arkansans Portrayed in Postcards and Photographs Books will be available for purchase at Face Wartime Past and Present by Vel- Saturday, September 19, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. both events, and the authors will be signing ma B. Branscum Woody at the Cox Creative Center, Main Library copies after the discussions. n

The Butler Banner Page 3 Cont. from Serial Set, p.1 the language spoken by the Yattassee tribe, June 26, 2009. In it, he quoted Arkansas While many of these titles are available in or the details on a patent held by President author Dee Brown (for whom one of the the CALS collection of U.S. documents, as Abraham Lincoln. The reports of the Lewis CALS libraries is named) saying that the well as in other local depository libraries, & Clark Expedition and their Corps of Dis- Serial Set “contains almost everything because CALS did not become a federal covery can be found in the Serial Set, as about the American experience…our wars, depository until 1953, much more material well as John C. Fremont’s report of his ex- our peacetime works, our explorations and is available in this digital version of the Se- ploration of the American West, which pro- inventions…If we lost everything in print, rial Set. UALR’s collection includes one of vided scientific and economic information except our documents, we would still have the early bound sets, but the volumes are about the West for pioneer settlement. The a splendid record and a memory of our past dusty and cumbersome to use; the digital complementary maps database will allow experience” (Congressional Record, June Serial Set is a vast improvement for re- researchers to see the maps that accompa- 26, 2009, p. H7441). n searchers. nied Fremont’s report, the boundaries of a –Article by Sarah Ziegenbein What kinds of questions can you answer Native American tribe, or perhaps just the with the Serial Set? By searching for key- drainage area of a creek in Pulaski County. Contact the Butler Center words appearing in the text, document title Saunders, who had worked at the ASI! Visit www.butlercenter.org and click on or author, personal names, or subject terms, on the compilation of the Serial Set since Contact Us for a list of Butler Center staff you can find, for example, the names of all 1969, died recently. Representative Robert members’ new phone numbers. Call (501) the warships that took part in the James- Brady of delivered a tribute 320-5700 to reach the Arkansas Studies town Ter-Centennial Exposition in 1907, or to her in the House of Representatives on Institute Research Desk.

... Butler Center Events in the Spotlight

The French Ambassador to the United States, Pierre Vimont, visited the Main Library campus on flash Monday, August 3, on his way to speak at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. Vimont is pictured here with CALS director Bobby Roberts and assistant head of the Butler Center Nathania Sawyer.

CALS director Bobby Roberts signed Former Arkansas first the Memorandum of Understanding lady Gay White donated with UALR Chancellor Dr. Joel a collection of videotapes Anderson at the Arkansas Studies that include footage Institute on June 16, 2009. of political events and political campaign ads. White is pictured here with Rhonda Stewart, genealogist and local history specialist for the Butler Center.

Page 4 The Butler Banner 2009 FGS Butler Center Conference Genealogy he Butler Center and Butler Center Books will have booths in the ex- Workshop hibit hall at the upcoming Federa- he Butler Center presented T the eighth annual Geneal- tion of Genealogical Societies conference, September 2–5, 2009, at the Little Rock T ogy Workshop on Saturday, Statehouse Convention Center. This is a Center, will lead an oral history workshop; July 18, 2009, to more than 100 great opportunity to showcase the city of Kay Bland, educator for the Butler Center, guests. The featured speaker, Beau Little Rock as well our many history and will present the class Oral History in the Sharbrough, focused on using In- research institutions to the guests of this Classroom; and Alex Baird, genealogy as- ternet databases for research. The national conference. sistant for the Butler Center, will lead Clues new genealogy website Footnote. Not only will the Butler Center have a Found by Plotting Your Ancestors’ Land in com was touted as one of best tools presence in the exhibit hall, but many of the Federal Domain. to have emerged lately. Sharbrough the staff are involved as speakers and vol- For more information on the conference also demonstrated the usefulness of unteers. David Stricklin, head of the Butler schedule, visit www.fgs.org. n spreadsheets for organizing genea- logical material. As always, Arkansas school teach- ers were able to receive credit hours for attending. The Arkansas Genea- logical Society provided volunteers who assisted with the event, and the Butler Center is looking forward to returning the favor by participating in the national Federation of Ge- nealogical Societies conference this September. n Attendees’ Comments:

“I have really enjoyed today’s program. Mr. Sharbrough is a Oxford American at ASI really great teacher with a funny he Oxford American, an award- rific resource for Arkansas, the South, and charming personality. He is winning national magazine dedi- and the nation. We’re very pleased to be cated to Southern writing and working with them and looking forward really knowledgeable. Thanks T to all of you, very much.” documenting the American South, has to building on our relationship.” moved its business staff to offices in the The Oxford American has been based at ASI this month. the University of Central Arkansas since “Mr. Sharbrough covered Its publisher, Warwick Sabin, and four 2004, and its editorial staff will continue more than technology, more other members of The Oxford American to work from the magazine’s offices on than genealogy. He’s an excel- management team will be housed on the the UCA campus in Conway. The busi- third floor of the ASI with staff members ness staff previously had a satellite office lent speaker with a powerful of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. in Little Rock from 2004 to 2008. use of humor. I have enjoyed As part of the agreement with The Ox- “The business staff of The Oxford his lectures in the past and hope ford American, CALS will be credited American is very excited about joining to hear him again in the future. as an institutional sponsor on the maga- the dynamic atmosphere that exists at The workshop was nicely orga- zine’s masthead, receive free advertising the new Arkansas Studies Institute,” said nized as usual.” space in each issue, and serve as a co- Sabin. “We look forward to contributing producer of future projects the magazine to the academic and literary environment engages in, such as a planned radio pro- there, as well as working with the Butler “It gave me a starting point gram. Center and the Central Arkansas Library on how to organize data. Good “This will be a great partnership for System on projects that explore and en- job!” us,” said Butler Center head David hance the culture of Arkansas and the Stricklin. “The Oxford American is a ter- American South.” n

The Butler Banner Page 5 the encyclopedia of Arkansas history & culture

WANTED: Authors and Media We need authors, photographs, documents, videos, maps, and audio clips to help make the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture the most complete resource on Arkansas history. Entries Needing Media (photographs, etc.): Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Acme Brick Company Panel of American Women Amish Flu Epidemic of 1918 Jack Appleby Jean Baptiste Bénard de La Harpe Joseph Bachman Command-Aire Band Museum Win “Skinny” Whipple Frank Bonner Hiram Abiff Whittington Pickens W. Black Sr. Geleve Grice Arkansas Negro Democratic Association Eleanor de la Vergne Doss Risley Little Italy (Pulaski and Perry Counties) C. D. Wright Camp Magnolia Jim McDougal Nimrod P. Menifee If you have pictures or other media, please Crop Circles contact Mike Keckhaver at mkeckhaver@ Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton encyclopediaofarkansas.net Arkansas State Guard Assemblies of God Entries Needing Authors: Island 37 Danville (Yell County) Nelson Hackett Prescott ( County) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Star City (Lincoln County) Harmonial Vegetarian Society Muslims Douglas Clyde Jones Citizens Co-Operative Laundry of Little Rock Edsel Ford If you would like to write one of these entries, Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge please contact Anna Lancaster at Camp Aldersgate [email protected]

Guy Explorations of Arkansas History Lancaster

he story of the Kruse Gold Mine deposits of gold to be found on his father’s came to an end in 1912, though Kruse re- was recently brought to life in the farm in Rogers. These visions told him of a mained preoccupied with his grand vision TEncyclopedia of Arkansas by John coming world war, after which this Arkan- until his death in 1925. Spurgeon, one of our many volunteer au- sas gold could be used for reconstructing Kruse himself never offered public in- thors. So now you’re wondering when gold society and providing plenty for all man- vestment in his scheme—in fact, he worked was ever mined in Arkansas—it wasn’t, kind. Supported by his family, he conduct- to remain as true to his visions as possible, though a man named Will Kruse did be- ed excavations on his father’s farm for sev- his only motive being the relief of a world lieve there was gold in the hills of Benton eral years, eventually establishing fourteen destined for destitution. While his visions County. Around the turn of the twentieth mines, and though he found traces of gold, about the location of gold in Benton Coun- century, while living in Minneapolis, Min- there was never the rich vein promised by ty may have been wrong, his heart was cer- nesota, Kruse began having visions of large his visions. Work on the mines essentially tainly in the right place. n Page 6 The Butler Banner New Overhead Scanner Available to the Public he Butler Center has purchased an overhead scanner that will al- Tlow the public and staff to scan fragile and large documents. Many docu- ments that were difficult or impossible to copy—including fragile and over-sized books, ledgers, three-dimensional items, and other archival materials—can now be scanned and saved as high-resolution digitized files. The scanner is located in the ASI Research Room, where patrons will have easy access to this versatile piece of equipment. n

Right: The Arkansas Studies Institute’s new overhead scanner.

Pulaski County begin? What is the Panhellenic Association, and Planning for CALS Birthday what does it have to do with the history of he Central Arkansas Library Sys- Which CALS branch has a replica of the CALS? tem will turn 100 in 2010 and is Statue of Liberty as part of its landscaping? You are also invited you to share memo- T planning a full year of special What two well-known Little Rock sib- ries of your experiences with the Central events for our patrons. A written history of lings each have a branch library named for Arkansas Library System by complet- CALS and its impact on Central Arkansas them? ing a questionnaire. You may download a is one of the many projects slated to com- Why did the Pulaski County Library rent copy of the survey that can be printed and memorate CALS’s birthday. Here are a few space from the Little Rock Public Library? mailed, or complete it online. A link to the intriguing questions the book will answer: When did bookmobile service to rural survey is provided at www.cals.org. n BuTLER CENTER dONORS

Butler Center Item Donations Bill Jones Thomas Herrin Jr. Morris Arnold Michael Klossner Carol and Grimsley Graham Jim Barnett Guy Lancaster David Stricklin; In memory of Tom Steves Stephanie Bayless Richard Lewis Sarah Terry Annette Bethune, Orange, CA Cherry Malus, Washington Parker Westbrook Gloria Billingsley Lynn Malbrough The following people donated in memory of John Blazer, Georgia Michael Miller Peyton Rice: Warren Brainard Ruth Nevels, Mrs. Guy Amsler, Arkansas Urology Phyllis Brandon Frances “Freddie” Nixon Mrs. Joseph D. Calhoun Anderson W. Busbea Mike Polston Pat Callahan Clyde Chaney John Ragsdale Breck Campbell Sybil Crawford, Skip Rutherford Phil and Diane Carroll Jack Currie Richard Smith, Texas Mary East Clifford Davis, Texas Rhonda Stewart Jo Clair Hays Erma Davis David Stricklin Betty Helvenston Gilbert M. Depner Thelma Wair Mr. and Mrs. Jay F. Hill Ralph Desmarais Sedric Wirt Mike and G.G. Hoffman William Donald Charles Witsell Caroline Hussmann Thomas Duncan Mike Wallace Margaret Kemp Thessia M. Dunn Alice Zeman, Karl Kullander Marion Fowler-Armstrong Mary Jane and Jim Madigan Steven Hanley EOA Donation Jane K. Moses Verna Hinegardner Betty Sorensen Adams Jim Pfeifer and Robynn Zinser Mary Hodges Mrs. Ben Rand Lois Johnson Butler Center Monetary Donations Caroline and Dick Smith Robert Johnson, W. Christopher Barrier; In memory of Martha N. Sowell

The Butler Banner Page 7 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK, AR PERMIT #183

Central Arkansas Library System 100 S. Rock Street

Little Rock, AR 72201

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