In 1820, “OSCAR” wrote to the Arkansas Gazette at Arkansas Post, blaming the general sickness of inhabitants on something other than mosquitoes or “bad air. The fever and ague, which has heretofore been prevalent among the people, was, doubtless, rather owing to their mode of living than to any baneful properties of the atmosphere.” HeContinue reading “Early Arkansas Environment: Sickly 1820 or Healthy?”
Tag Archives: #mississippiriver
Arkansawyers Have Distrusted Oosers for Some Time: 1870 Traveler
In the 1870s, sportsman Farran Wyde compared Arkansas and Mississippi’s general population and appearances. He claimed he had hunted on both sides of the Mississippi for several years, but he preferred the east side because of uncouth people who resided on the Arkansas side. “Many a weary mile have I ridden in search of aContinue reading “Arkansawyers Have Distrusted Oosers for Some Time: 1870 Traveler”
Early Arkansas Environment: The Deadly Mosquito 1819
At night, there were only partially effective remedies did exist to ward off mosquitoes. Flint slept under what he called a “very close musquitoe [sic] curtain. When I drew it up and attempted to inhale a little of the damp and sultry atmosphere, the musquitoes [sic] would instantly settle on my face,” evidently having difficultyContinue reading “Early Arkansas Environment: The Deadly Mosquito 1819”
The Early Arkansas Environment: Mississippi River Valley
The overflow land of the Mississippi, Flint explained, contained “immense swamps of cypress,” and the water of these swamps was “covered with a thick coat of green matter,” filled with the “moccason [sic] snake with his huge scaly body lying in the folds upon the side of a cypress knee.” The enormous cypress, hundreds ofContinue reading “The Early Arkansas Environment: Mississippi River Valley”
Arkansas Wildlife History 