Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

August 28, 1939

Prominent African-American Helena (Phillips County) physician, drugstore owner, and investor Napoleon Bonaparte (N. B.) Houser died. In 1920, soon after the October 1919 Elaine Massacre, Houser had left Helena and resumed his medical practice in North Carolina, the state of his birth. Upon his death, the Charlotte Observer described his medical practice as “one of the largest practices of any negro doctor in the Carolinas.” He is buried in Charlotte’s Pinewood Cemetery.

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William Fuller

After observing the cultivation of rice in Louisiana, William H. Fuller was convinced that similar soil conditions in Arkansas would make the crop successful in the state. After four years of study, he convinced Lonoke County farmers to give him $1,000 if he could successfully produce thirty-five bushels per acre off a seventy-acre farm. His success in 1904 is considered by many to be the advent of commercial rice production in Arkansas, resulting in some calling Fuller the “Father of Arkansas Rice.”

 

After observing the cultivation of rice in Louisiana, William H. Fuller was convinced that similar soil conditions in Arkansas would make the crop successful in the state. After four years of study, he convinced Lonoke County farmers to give him $1,000 if he could successfully produce thirty-five bushels per acre off a seventy-acre farm. His success in 1904 is considered by many to be the advent of commercial rice production in Arkansas, resulting in some calling Fuller the “Father of Arkansas Rice.”

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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, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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