Stateside with Rosalea Barker: Arkansas

::A is for Algonquin::

No sooner had the 25th state been admitted to the Union in 1836 than controversy erupted over the spelling and pronunciation of its name. One of its US Senators demanded to be introduced as the Gentleman from AR-kan-SAW and the other wanted to be introduced as the Gentleman from Ar-KANSAS.

In 1881, the state’s General Assembly passed a resolution stating that the name would be spelt Arkansas, but pronounced AR-kan-SAW. Either way the name—which had been used since the first French explorers were in the area—was a slap in the face for the Indian tribes who inhabited the area: it’s actually an Algonquin word for “the south wind”, and the Algonquins lived way up north in the Ohio River valley.

::B is for Banking::

The first state constitution included the establishment of two banks—the Arkansas Real Estate Bank, which was to foster agricultural development, and the Arkansas State Bank. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas:

“Banking was one of the most prominent political issues of the early nineteenth century. Waves of banking mania spread across the country as advocates sang the praises of increasing available currency and spurring on economic development. On the western frontier, demands for banks ran high as settlers sought capital with which to make their start. Planters especially called for the erection of banks because their plantations required lots of capital for labor and supplies, not to mention the need to clear vast amounts of land.”

But by 1843, the Arkansas State Bank had ceased operation and the refusal of prominent borrowers to repay the money loaned out to them sealed the fate of the Real Estate Bank as well. It was a hot political issue, led by Whigs in Little Rock and supporters of the presidential ambitions of Kentucky statesman Henry Clay. In 1846, the first amendment to the Arkansas state constitution banned banks from the state altogether. (Whigs are the transitional party between the Democratic-Republicans and the Republicans.)

::C is for Cooking::

One of the most important possessions of early settlers in the United States was a cast-iron cookpot called the Dutch oven (which, as slang, has a rather unsavory—or maybe not—meaning). There are lots of modern recipes that call for food to be cooked in a Dutch oven, but these days the phrase refers to what is called elsewhere in the world a casserole dish. Arkansas is home to a thriving Dutch Oven Society that holds regular Dutch Oven Gatherings (DOGS), historic reenactments, and demonstrations. The National DOG Cookoff will be held in Ponca City, Oklahoma, October 16-18 this year.

For photos of the wonders of Dutch oven cooking, including a Thanksgiving turkey cooked in a trash can, you should go to the Arkansas Dutch Oven Society’s webpage here.

rosalea.barker@gmail.com

--PEACE--

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