Arkansas has had an interesting and oftentimes tumultuous political history. From a knife fight on the floor of the Arkansas Legislature during early statehood to a whirlwind 20th Century political campaign once referred to as a “circus hitched to a tornado,” Arkansas politics has offered up drama and entertainment.
In this online exhibit, the Arkansas State Archives will explore the world of Arkansas politics through correspondence, photographs, and campaign material.
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Letter, A.H. Garland to A.G. Shoppach
This is a letter from A.H. Garland to A.G. Shoppach asking Shoppach to distribute campaign material. The election he is talking about is Garland's election to represent Pulaski County at the state secession convention in 1861, the start of the Civil War.
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Letter, Ben Laney for Governor campaign
This is a typed campaign letter from the Ben Laney for Governor campaign in 1944.
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Letter, Elisha Baxter to Stevadson A. Hail
This is a letter from Elisha Baxter in Little Rock to Stevadson A. Hail in Batesville acknowledging that votes in the last election were thrown out.
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Letter, J.W. Fulbright in Little Rock to John Dale Thweatt in DeValls Bluff
This is a typed letter from J.W. Fulbright to John Dale Thweatt requesting Thweatt attend a conference and offer political advise about Fulbright's campaign.
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Letter, Powell Clayton to Ben J. Rosewater
This is a typed letter from former Arkansas Governor Powell Clayton in Washington, D.C., to Ben J. Rosewater in Eureka Springs. Clayton discusses local and national politics.
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Letters Between Governor Thomas McRae and Paul Grabiel
These are two letters between Governor Thomas C. McRae and Paul Grabiel discussing Pulaski County campaign issues and a politician named Justin Mathews.
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Letter, Sid B. Redding to Republicans of Arkansas
This is a typed letter from Sid B. Redding with the National Republican League to the Republicans of Arkansas.
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Letter, Stevadson Allen Hail to Joseph Cleaveland
This is a letter from Stevadson Allen Hail to Joseph Cleaveland contesting the election of 1872, which Hail lost.
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Letters, W.E. Ashley to Chester Ashley; Governor Thomas Drew to Chester Ashley
Two letters written to Chester Ashley. The first letter is from his son, William Eliot Ashley notifying his father that he'd won his election. The second letter is from Arkansas Governor Thomas S. Drew verifying votes received by each candidate and instructing Ashley that he is to cast a vote on the first Wednesday of December.
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Letter, U.S. Senator Jeff Davis to Capt. W.M. Cooper
This is a typed letter from U.S. Senator Jeff Davis in Washington, D.C., to Capt. W.M. Cooper in Malvern in which Davis shares his concerns about a plot to change how senators are elected. He fears the plot is a scheme against him. The letter is typed on U.S. Senate letterhead.
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Letter, W.E. Ashley to Chester Ashley
Letter from W.E. Ashley in Little Rock to his father, Chester Ashley, in Washington, D.C. The letter details the celebrations occurring in Little Rock after the election.
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Letter, W.H. Dunblazier campaign
This is a typed campaign letter from W.H. Dunblazier, attorney at law, in Fort Smith, and Republican candidate running for Justice of the Peace.
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Members of the Arkansas Supreme Court
This is a black and white photograph of members of the Arkansas Supreme Court seated around a large wooden table. From left to right: Samuel Frauenthal, Carroll D. Wood, E.A. McCullough, J.C. Hart, W.F. Kirby.
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Message of Governor Thomas C. McRae
This is a copy of address by Governor Thomas C. McRae to the Extraordinary Session of the 44th General Assembly of Arkansas.
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Minutes from the Crittenden County Democratic Convention
These are the minutes from the 1892 Crittenden County Democratic party convention.
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Notice of Election, Marked Tree School District
This is a handwritten notice of election for the Marked Tree School District.
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Notice of petition for change of county seat, Montgomery County
This is a notice of petition by the voters of Montgomery County who are requesting to move the county seat from Mount Ida to Womble. This was circulated in Spring 1915.
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Oath of office, Harris Flanagin
This is an oath of office signed by former Arkansas Governor Harris Flanagin during the years of Reconstruction.
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Pamphlet, "A Statement,' Governor Winthrop Rockefeller
This is a political pamphlet from Winthrop Rockefeller announcing he will seek re-election.
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Pamphlet, David Pryor
This is a political pamphlet from Congressman David Pryor, who is giving an update to Arkansas's 4th District about the activity during the first three months of the 90th Congress.
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Petition for special election, Pike County
This is a petition circulated and signed by Pike County voters requesting a special election to move the county seat from Murfreesboro to Pike City.
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Petition to move Prairie County Court
Petition circulated by qualified voters of Prairie County to move the county seat from Des Arc to Hazen or DeValls Bluff.
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Political handbill, Robert J. Lea
Political handbill for R.J. Lea who was announcing his candidacy for the office of prosecuting attorney in the 6th Judicial District.
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Program, Inauguration of Winthrop Rockefeller
This is a program from the gubernatorial inauguration of Winthrop Rockefeller.
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Scipio A. Jones
This is a black and white photograph of Scipio A. Jones sitting as a special chancellor in the Pulaski County Chancery Court.