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This Day in Arkansas History

March 9, 1914

Physician and leader in the nineteenth-century movement to modernize medicine in Arkansas, William Blackwell Welch died in Fayetteville (Washington County). Welch began practicing medicine in Alabama after graduating from Tennessee’s University of Nashville medical department in 1849. Moving to Cane Hill (Washington County) in 1855, Welch went on to serve as an army surgeon to Confederate Company B, Thirty-fourth Arkansas Infantry. Later, when Arkansas regular physicians began engaging in professional organizing and advocacy, Welch emerged as a leader in the movement, co-founding and serving as the first vice president of the Washington County Medical Society.

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Jimmy Wakely

Howard County native Jimmy Wakely, an American country-and-western singer and actor from the 1930s through the 1950s, made several recordings and appeared in B-western movies as a “singing cowboy.” He also appeared on radio and television and even had his own series of comic books. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 1991; he also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Howard County native Jimmy Wakely, an American country-and-western singer and actor from the 1930s through the 1950s, made several recordings and appeared in B-western movies as a “singing cowboy.” He also appeared on radio and television and even had his own series of comic books. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 1991; he also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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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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Our overview page covers everything you would want to know about our beautiful state, including state symbols, demographics and more!

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