Edward L. Underwood - Forgotten Tales of Arkansas

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2012 by Edward and Karen Underwood

All rights reserved

First published 2012

e-book edition 2012

Manufactured in the United States

ISBN 978.1.61423.728.0

Library of Congress CIP data applied for.

print ISBN 978.1.60949.638.8

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

To all those who understand Arkansas

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

I am proud to say that I am a native Arkansan, born and raised in the states Delta region. Arkansas is a special place, and many people dont get that. Edward and Karen Underwood are not those people.

Though not a native of the Natural State (we wont discuss his Yankee raising), Eds love of Arkansas is apparent in his writing. Karen is expected to show her allegiance to Arkansas, since she was raised here. Yet Karen has allowed her love of the state to blossom and grow into devotion, respect and appreciation for Arkansas, its history and its people. Ed simply realized he loved the state and set out to learn everything he could about it. His knowledge of Arkansas exceeds that of most natives. Together, they paint a picture of the true Arkansasthe odd, the amazing, the beautiful and the historic.

I learned a few things about my home state while reading Forgotten Tales of Arkansas. As one who has been fascinated by the British monarchy since I was a kid, I was shocked to read that a pearl from Arkansass famed White River is set in the Royal Crown of England. I had no idea that baby physician extraordinaire Dr. Benjamin Spock once called Rogers, Arkansas, home.

As a travel writer for Arkansas Parks and Tourism, the best part of my job is traveling this beautiful state and learning more about the history and culture of the place I happily call home. If youve never visited the Natural State, I suggest you correct that situation immediately.

Kim Williams

Arkansas Travel Writer

www.visitmyarkansas.com

PREFACE

I grew up in a Yankee family. There, I said it. Prior to the year of our lord 1976, my only experience with Americas Natural State was an incident that occurred when I was very young. My family was on a road trip during vacation and, while passing through Arkansas, had to pull over and take a picture in front of a sign identifying a city we were about to enter. So taken were we northerners with the name of this place that we put the vintage Polaroid camera to work in order to prove its existence to our friends back home. The name of this town called forth nearly endless peals of laughter and mirth. There, on the official state-approved road sign, were the bright letters spelling out Bald Knob.

Little did we realize that Bald Knob is a rather reasonable name for an Arkansas town. Over the next few years, the karma fairies were hard at work engineering a diabolical scheme in which we would return to this land of euphonious appellations. In 1976, we become Arkansans. We then learned many startling facts and figures about our new home state, including names of towns that make Bald Knob sound majestic and stately.

Arkansas is a place of colorful extremes. The scenery goes from nature to neon and from universities to roadside shopping attractions like this. Photo by Heather Stanley.

Here are just a few of our favorite names of actual Arkansas cities: Goobertown, Weiner, Fannie, Bloomer, Hooker, Blue Ball, Toad Suck, Nob Hill, Beaver, Mount Ida, Mount Holly, Yellville, Ola, Biggers, Smackover, Turkey Scratch, Possum Grape, Oil Trough, Hope, Fifty, Magazine, Rector, Hog Wallow, Hog Jaw, Ash Flat, Greasy Corner, Gassville, Flippin, Salem, Natural Steps, Stinking Bay, Pickles Gap, Birds Town, Pottsville, Egypt, Sulphur Springs and Hicksville.

So I wish to thank my family for making me part of the Arkansas experience. It has made me wiser, stronger and far more likely to believe that any ridiculous thing might, in fact, be true.

Edward L. Underwood

Even though I was born in the sunny state of California, both sides of my family are generational Arkansans. My fathers family is from the tiny little community of Manson, near Walnut Ridge. My mothers family came from the town of Bay. Both areas are part of the Delta region of our state. The Delta is characterized by its low-lying flood zones, challenging roads and nearly endless rice, soybean and cotton fields.

It is also characterized by the people. In addition to my family and my husband, I have met some of the most wonderful, caring, talented, faithful and determined people here. And a few cantankerous fools, too. The Delta also infuses a mentality into its people. The dependence on the land has made them well acquainted with sorrow and disappointment.

Human beings have no choice when it comes to the hardship and suffering we experience in life. But where we do have a choice is our response. We can become bitter or better. Like the rose or like the thorn, we can blossom or we can become harsh and wound others when they touch us. I have observed both responses during my time in Arkansas.

In an effort to be simple and straightforward, there is no time for the frills in life. Necessity and the importance of religion seem to choke out the very things that actually give life its beauty and meaning.

But I see glimmers of hope everywhere. Arkansas is a strange alchemy of the truly beautiful and the truly bizarre. The future depends on each individual and the decisions made moment to moment. Each day is a new opportunity to decide.

Karen Underwood

We want to say thank you to the librarians, curators and educators who assisted our search for ever more obscure information. Special thanks to Marti Allen at the Arkansas State University Museum and Brandi Hodges at the Craighead County Public Library for help and access above and beyond all rational justification! A big thank you goes to our good friend Kim Williams for contributing the foreword to this book. No one works harder to promote the state of Arkansas than she.

We must acknowledge the support and encouragement of our creative friends and partners, including Kenton Knepper, Paul Prater, Ralph Forbis, Jackie Scott and Wylie Marvin. The same goes for our friends at Arkansas State University: Mark Smith, Marti Allen, Richard Carvell and Libby James. And much thanks and love to our son, Kevin, who keeps the band together, and daughter, Heather, and her husband, Jonathan Stanley, for encouragement and terrific pictures and artwork. And finally, thanks to The History Press for reminding America about Arkansas through this quirky tome of forgotten tales.

Now who wouldnt stop for a free map and stock up on fireworks and ammo from a store with a grizzly bear? Its all part of the Bizarrkansas experience.