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Words from Wynne 1918

“Every time a man passes through here with a white collar on or a Derby hat he is pronounced chicken police, game warden, or a cotton picking detective” Wittsburg correspondent of the Wynne Progress, November 1918

Arkansas First Hunting License 1875

Picture of a 1940 Non-resident license Arkansas passed the first statewide non-resident hunting laws in the nation. A direct shot at market hunting. Approved on March 6, 1875, the Non-Residents License Law stated that “a tax of ten ($10.00) dollars is hereby levied upon all non-resident trappers, hunters, seiners, or netters of fish…in this state.” Continue reading “Arkansas First Hunting License 1875”

Arkansas Hunting Dogs

An Act to protect Dog-Raising in this State (1875) Whereas, We hold these truths to be self-evident that man and dogs have the inalienable right irrespective of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, to hunt the festive coon, the solemn possum, the odorous polecat, the squalling pig and the stupid sheep; and Whereas, HuntingContinue reading “Arkansas Hunting Dogs”

William Hines Furbush: African American Advocate for One of Arkansas’s First Game Laws

In 1879, in the halls of the Arkansas legislature, there was an argument about game laws concerning the birds and deer. Lee County Representative William Hines Furbush introduced House Bill #22 to “aid in the preservation of birds, bird’s eggs and deer.” Primarily aimed at the protection of quail and grouse, the bill also outlawedContinue reading “William Hines Furbush: African American Advocate for One of Arkansas’s First Game Laws”

Arkansas Dugouts

The sassafras dugout was the most common boat that Arkansawyers used to traverse the vast swamps and backwater of the rivers and streams. The St. Francis River dugout was a popular boat made from the trunk of a tree and used to hunt waterfowl in the sunk lands of Arkansas. Usually around ten feet longContinue reading “Arkansas Dugouts”

Henry Norwood

North Carolina-born slave Henry Norwood moved to a farm in Sevier County in the late 1850s with the Benjamin Norwood family. Young Norwood hunted the Ouachita Mountains and the prairies of southwestern Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. After the war and gaining his freedom, he moved to south Sebastian County with his brother Bill and becameContinue reading “Henry Norwood”

Bees on the White River 1839

Eureka Springs hunter John Gaskins met a man named Cowan in 1839 on the White River in Marion County who robbed bee trees for the honey. He stored the honey in a deer skin and hung it on the wall of his cabin. When he wanted honey, he simply untied a foreleg and the honeyContinue reading “Bees on the White River 1839”

Arkansas Bison, 1700-1840

I am still working on the research, folks, and I have found some interesting information concerning bison (or buffalo) in Arkansas. In 1541, when Hernando De Soto came through Arkansas, there were no bison. His men noted that they met tribes on the western edge of Arkansas who had buffalo hides and had informed themContinue reading “Arkansas Bison, 1700-1840”

“Calling Out” the Local Historical Societies

Taking a few minutes out of the day to post a bit about progress of research. I am “calling out” to every local county historical society in Arkansas to request materials from all of the good folks who volunteer and/or work at these organizations. It is quite amazing what a scholar can find right downContinue reading ““Calling Out” the Local Historical Societies”

Moonshine Drinking, Waterfowl Sniping, Mississippi River Pirates

My article published in Greenhead Magazine and available to you at this address. https://www.greenhead.net/post/134044/moonshine-drinking-waterfowl-sniping-mississippi-river-pirates