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This Day in Arkansas History

November 20, 1864

The Skirmish at Buckskull occurred. After attempting to clear communication lines in Missouri, Lieutenant Colonel George C. Thilenius of the Fifty-sixth Regiment of Enrolled Missouri Militia led a raid into Arkansas to catch Confederate colonel Timothy Reeves at Cherokee Bay (Randolph County). Near Buckskull, on the Arkansas-Missouri border, Thilenius’s command killed two guerrillas believed to be members of Reeves’s command before charging the undefended town of Buckskull to find no opposing force.

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Freeman Owens

Freeman Owens of Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) invented the Phonofilm, the first synchronized sound and film camera. He filed a patent application in June 1923. His employer, Dr. Lee De Forest, with Owens in this photo, also filed for the patent. Owens lost the rights in a legal decision stating that the company owned all rights to inventions made by the inventor.

 

Freeman Owens of Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) invented the Phonofilm, the first synchronized sound and film camera. He filed a patent application in June 1923. His employer, Dr. Lee De Forest, with Owens in this photo, also filed for the patent. Owens lost the rights in a legal decision stating that the company owned all rights to inventions made by the inventor.

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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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