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This Day in Arkansas History

May 20, 1980

Twenty-one refugees who had escaped Cuba seeking political asylum and were among the more than 19,000 who had been sent to Fort Chaffee near Barling and Fort Smith (Sebastian County) had left the camp by this date. Although they were not prisoners, those housed there were not supposed to leave the fort. Persistent rumors that the Cuban government had forced thousands of criminals and insane people to join those fleeing the regime were disturbing to the citizens of Barling (Sebastian County). The impact of the handling of the situation is believed to have influenced Governor Bill Clinton’s defeat in his campaign for reelection against Frank White.

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Alfred Burton Greenwood's Tombstone

This weathered headstone located in the City Cemetery in Bentonville (Benton County) marks the burial site of prominent politician Alfred Greenwood. After moving to Arkansas in 1838, Greenwood enjoyed an active career in local and state politics. During his career, he served as a state representative, prosecuting attorney, circuit judge, U.S. congressman, and state tax collector for the Confederacy. The city of Greenwood, one of the dual seats of Sebastian County, is named in his honor.

 

This weathered headstone located in the City Cemetery in Bentonville (Benton County) marks the burial site of prominent politician Alfred Greenwood. After moving to Arkansas in 1838, Greenwood enjoyed an active career in local and state politics. During his career, he served as a state representative, prosecuting attorney, circuit judge, U.S. congressman, and state tax collector for the Confederacy. The city of Greenwood, one of the dual seats of Sebastian County, is named in his honor.

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Crowded town square with tents and food stands in front of multistory buildings Conway Faulkner Two young white men in suits with knives in hand James Black Folk Art, Metalwork Brick sign in flower bed icon of water drop over skyscrapers text "Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority One Water One Future Clearwater Complex Administration Building Maintenance Facility" in front of iron fence trees and single story brick building in background Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority People and Organizations Engraved stone monument in field with planters and trees MacArthur Park Attractions (Historic and Current) Female mussel shell Molluscs Zoology Concrete dam with water rushing over it and lake Ouachita River Physical Geography Single-story building with arched entrances and parking lot University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Two-Year: Colleges and Universities Narrow stone building with water wheel and foot bridges with wooden railings and waterfall in the foreground Old Mill Attractions (Historic and Current), Sculpture Sidney Banks Williams Jr. Football, Lawyers "A Famous Old Pioneer" newspaper clipping John Lafferty Independence Leaders grayscale drawing of white buildings one prominently placed with a bell tower and men on horseback and a horse-drawn carriage on the road in front Jonas March Tebbetts Lawyers, Washington Leaders white wooden building with Christmas wreaths on each window Headquarters House Museum Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites African American man and woman standing with cars and buildings behind them Earle Race Riot of 1970 Modern Era Potrait of white man in suit with raised collar Roswell Beebe Business Leaders, Land Old white man in suit with white shirt Abraham Block Business Leaders "Tom Thumb Wedding" newspaper clipping depicting boys and girls in formal attire Concordia Club Recreational Organizations

About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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