Tag: History

Nikki Haley Slammed For Not Mentioning ‘Slavery’ As Cause Of The Civil War In ‘Word Salad’ Answer During Town Hall

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New York Post:

Democrats and supporters of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Wednesday after she refused to name slavery as the primary cause of the Civil War. 

Haley, 51, made the apparent gaffe during a town hall event in Berlin, NH, after a voter asked the former United Nations ambassador to identify the cause of the deadliest war in American history. 

The White House hopeful appeared caught off guard by the question and failed to mention the antebellum South’s “peculiar institution” in her response. 

Although her answer was ridiculous and she is a despicable human being, “slavery” did not cause the Civil War.

Slavery did not cause a civil war throughout the entirety of United States history leading up to 1860. When the voters elected Abraham Lincoln in November of 1860, it was not because he promised to abolish slavery. Abolition was never on his agenda.

When South Carolina seceded from the United States in December of 1861, there was no war. It is certainly true that South Carolina, and the other Deep South states which seceded in January of 1861, had concerns for the future of slavery. But there was no war. If we are talking about the political concern for the future of slavery and the secession of the Deep South states in December of 1860 and January of 1861, then we are not talking about a war. We are especially not talking about the Civil War. There was no war.

There was no war when the Deep South states created and joined the Confederate States government in February of 1861. There was no war when Lincoln was inaugurated in March of 1861.

However, in his inaugural address, Lincoln did promise to start a war. You see, President Abraham Lincoln merely refused to acknowledge the cold hard facts of reality: the Deep South states peacefully and democratically seceded from the USA, and then they peacefully and democratically formed the CSA.

For months, there existed two American republics. For months, they co-existed in peace. Oh, there were instances of violence exchanged between the agents and the people of both republics, to be sure. But there was no state of war. There was no Civil War.

If we do not know the history, and if we totally goober up the timeline, perhaps for current ideological reasons, then the statement that “slavery” caused the Civil War might seem like a sensible comment to make. As if everyone was just hanging out, having a good time in 1861, and then — BOOM! — all of a sudden, “slavery” happened, and that started the war. It’s nonsense.

The Civil War was about the thing that started the war. And it was not “slavery” that started the war. The thing that started the war between the USA and the CSA was Abraham Lincoln’s refusal to accept the departure of the Deep South. That is why on April 4, 1861, he ordered an invasion of CSA territorial waters. Much lip service is given to Lincoln today for maneuvering the CSA into “firing the first shot” at the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 12, but that is also nonsense for a couple of reasons. First of all, the Confederates only fired on US forces because the US invaded the Confederacy. The “first shot” was not the first act of aggression in that scenario.

Secondly, it was not even the Battle of Fort Sumter that started the Civil War. According to the post-war, Lincoln appointee-packed US Supreme Court, the Civil War was initiated when Abraham Lincoln declared a state of war against the Confederacy by announcing the blockade of Confederate ports, on April 19, 1861. Until then, there was no state of war. But Lincoln wanted a war, he promised to start a war, he deliberately started a war, and that is why the Civil War happened.

New Tech To Capture Images Of Fort Smith Monastery Before The Demolition

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KNWA:

Images of the 1924 St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith had geographical data and information taken with new high-tech technology. This provided a high-quality digital record of the nearly century-old structure that will be demolished June 1.

Lidar, the high-tech technology used by Halff Associates, creates a record to facilitate true-to-original repairs or restoration, according to Russell Luna, the senior communications specialist. Arkansas politicians congratulate Canoo on NASA deal

“We just knew that the building was going to be demolished soon,” said Aaron St. Amant project manager with Halff Associates. “We wanted the opportunity to scan the building before it was gone for good. And we offered our services gratis.”

From The Boston Store To Corregidor: Fort Smith Man Did A Yeoman’s Job In World War II

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Military History Online:

In one form or another, the idiom “a yeoman’s job” pervades the anglophone world as a phrase to describe “very good, hard, and valuable work that someone does especially to support a cause, to help a team, etc.”[2] The dictionary defines a yeoman in various ways, from “a person who owns and cultivates a small farm” to “a naval petty officer who performs clerical duties.”[3] The United States (US) Naval Institute describes the enlisted yeoman rating as one of the most “enduring” to serve on our country’s Navy combat team.[4] Because nearly all types of Navy units require a yeoman, Sailors of that particular rating can be found serving in virtually any wartime scenario. Throughout World War II, one petty officer of the US Navy, Chief Yeoman Theodore Richard Brownell (1905-1990) of Fort Smith, Arkansas, served his country in ways that epitomize a yeoman’s job ― as well as another phrase associated with his home town: true grit.

This is an academic research paper, written by a local veteran and historian, about a hero of Word War II that everyone in the River Valley should know.

Iconic St. Scholastica Building In Fort Smith To Be Demolished

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Talk Business & Politics:

For almost a century the castle on Albert Pike has been a constant in Fort Smith. Many have wondered what it is. Many know. In June, the former home of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery will tumble down, leaving only memories of the iconic building near Trinity Junior High.

Demolition of Saint Scholastica’s former monastery building, located at 1301 S. Albert Pike Ave. in Fort Smith, is scheduled to begin June 1, noted a news release from the monastery.

“The decision to demolish the Former Monastery Building is not one that the Benedictine Sisters made lightly or without years of research and discernment. Since 2010, Saint Scholastica has engaged in communications with consultants, realtors, and friends of the community about feasible uses for the nearly 100-year-old building,” the news release said.

To repurpose the building into anything else would require significant investment with a great cost needed to bring it up to code and to adjust the layout for practical uses, the release said. A quote obtained several years ago estimated renovation to be more than $15 million, including all electrical and plumbing updates.

“After years of looking, no feasible uses for the Former Monastery Building panned out,” the news release said.

‘Justice For Greenwood’ Juice Hopes To Raise Awareness, Inspire Tulsa Community

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KRMG:

Tulsa’s Inheritance Juicery has created a new beverage to benefit the Justice for Greenwood Foundation.

“Justice for Greenwood” is a blend of cucumber, pineapple, spinach, mint, and lime. Lukas Vodicka is the General Manager of Inheritance Juicery, and he was inspired to create the juice to benefit our community.

“Once we learned about what Justice for Greenwood Foundation stands for, and the centennial was over, we were very passionate about trying to find a way to keep the message going, so it doesn’t just die without all the attention that Tulsa received during that time,” said Vodicka.

50 percent of the juice’s sales from May 1 to Jun. 1 will benefit the Justice for Greenwood Foundation.

“We have about 50 to 60 people every single day in our store say I’d like Justice for Greenwood, which I think is important and very relevant to what we’re trying to achieve and what so many people are trying to achieve in Tulsa.”

Vodicka says Justice for Greenwood has been a top seller, and they plan to keep offering the juice until justice has been served for Greenwood.

Tulsa Mayor Proposes Major Increase In Funding For 1921 Graves Investigation

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News On 6:

Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum plans to set aside $1 million of the city’s budget for the 1921 Race Massacre Graves Investigation. The City Council would still have to approve that funding.

The 1921 Race Massacre Graves Investigation has big plans going forward. Public Oversight Committee Chair Kavin Ross said he is excited to say, pending city council approval, they will have money to pay for those plans. “This is assuredness from the city; and it’s been a long time coming,” Ross said.

Archeologists plan to go back to Oaklawn Cemetery to do more excavation work, but there is no timeline yet on when that will happen. They also want to excavate at Newblock Park and the Canes area, which is a homeless encampment just west of downtown along the Arkansas River.

Then, there is the cost of DNA analysis for remains already found. The mayor announced the million dollar decision at last week’s city council meeting.

“The City of Tulsa is contributing to this important work in a way it never has before. It is important that we not just plan, but act,” Bynum said in his speech.

Hearing Set For Tulsa Race Massacre Reparations Case

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KRMG:

After nearly eight months of waiting, a court date is now set for a hearing in the case for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and descendants. The lawsuit seeks reparations against the City of Tulsa.

Cleo Harris is the owner of Black Wall Street Tees and Souvenirs on Greenwood. Besides selling shirts and other trinkets of Greenwood, he offers his customers a history lesson – for free. He’s a descendant of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and only recently became comfortable to tell his family’s story. He said he feels his family’s pain from more than 100 years ago.

Harris said his family is why he’s an advocate for reparations not just in Tulsa, but across the country.

He has followed the Justice for Greenwood lawsuit for descendants and survivors since it was just chatter a year ago. When he heard there was a hearing set for it, he called it a start.

“I think that’s a step in the right direction. Is it the end all be all? No, we have a long ways to go,” Harris said.

He shares what reparations mean to him and how it could help build generational wealth.

“Give us the keys back, give us the land back. That’s reparations because you can’t put money on massacre, torture and rape,” Harris said.

“Reparations” actually should take the form of monetary compensation for anyone with an actual connection to the event, rather than an ethnic cleansing of downtown Tulsa.

Oklahoma Prepares For Route 66 Fest In 66 Days

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KOCO:

In 66 days, people from across the world will celebrate the one and only Route 66.

Excited Oklahoma state leaders held an event at the Capitol on Wednesday, highlighting the one-of-a-kind road and the one-of-a-kind event.

“It is Americana. It is the best American road trip that you can do inside America,” Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell.

Route 66 runs from Chicago to California, with more than 400 miles stretching right through Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma has more miles than any other state,” Pinnell said.

To celebrate, AAA is hosting the National Route 66 Road Fest in June.

“No other state is going to beat Oklahoma when it comes to promoting Route 66,” Pinnell said.

Fort Drum Deployment Facility Named For Famed World War II Officer

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WWTI:

The history of the Fort Drum rapid deployment facility has a history tied to World War II.

According to Fort Drum Public Affairs, the facility was named after William O. Darby, the officer who led the first Army Rangers during World War II and was the 10th Mountain Division’s assistant commander during the campaign in Italy.

Darby was born in 1911 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up having a goal to attend the U.S. Military Academy after grading from Fort Smith High School in 1929.

Monument To Mark Site Of Former Tulsa County Stadium

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KJRH:

A monument is set to mark the site of the former home of professional baseball in Tulsa on Thursday.

A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds where home plate once sat at Tulsa County Stadium.

“The baseball park was a Tulsa landmark for six decades,” said Tulsa County Commissioner Stan Sallee. “Baseball has a long history here, and Tulsa County is happy to be a part of this dedication.”

Tulsa County Stadium opened on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds near 15th and Sandusky on July 11, 1934 where it served as a home for the Tulsa Oilers and was the longest-serving stadium in the history of professional baseball in Tulsa.

Its name was changed in 1935 to Texas League Park and then to Oiler Park in 1961. The Oilers moved to New Orleans in 1977.

The name changed to Driller Park when the Drillers came to town and served as their home until 1980 with the opening of Sutton Stadium.

The Drillers now play downtown at ONEOK Field.

First National Donates $500,000 To Boys And Girls Club As Part Of Bank’s 150th Anniversary

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KATV:

First National Bank of Fort Smith celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary Thursday with an announcement that it is donating $500,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Smith for expansion and renovation of the Jeffery Club at 4905 N. O St.

The club will expand with a 4,100-square-feet addition and complete renovation of its 11,226 club, said Travis Beshears with Beshears Construction, a member of the FSBGC Board of Directors. The renovation and expansion, which will add an administration wing and make room for a new music and dance area for the members as well as an art studio and innovation lab, will cost about $3 million. Sam Sicard, president and CEO of FNB and president of the FSBGC Board of Directors, said about $1.4 million has been raised so far.

Gov. Hutchinson Notes History At First National Bank Of Fort Smith 150th AAnniversary

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Southwest Times Record:

Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined Fort Smith Mayor George McGill and First National Bank of Fort Smith officials for a reception Thursday to recognize their 150th anniversary and an upcoming exhibit about their history.

The reception in the lobby of the bank highlighted the upcoming exhibit at the Fort Smith Museum of History. The exhibit that will open in mid-July and feature parts of the bank history, said Caroline Speir, museum executive director.

Hutchinson said the bank has deep meaning to his family.

Researchers Seek New Search For Tulsa Massacre Victims

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New Canaan Advertiser:

The discovery of human remains that could possibly be victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma shows that the search for mass graves should continue, researchers said.

Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield said Wednesday that DNA could provide circumstantial evidence linking the remains to the massacre. But she said that it likely can never be confirmed with certainty that any remains were massacre victims.

The report recommends additional excavation of Oaklawn Cemetery and additional scanning for possible mass graves in a park and adjacent homeless camp, where oral histories have indicated massacre victims were buried.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said the city will work to implement the recommendations.

Flag Display Issue Has Cost The City Of Fort Smith More Than $18,000

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Talk Business & Politics:

The city of Fort Smith has spent roughly $18,000 defending the choice to remove a flag display from the city’s Riverfront Park. The city removed seven flags that made up the Flags over Fort Smith display in April 2020 because of age and condition, according to court documents.

Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen filed suit June 3 in Sebastian County Circuit Court seeking a declaratory judgment that the city violated the Arkansas State Capitol and Historical Monument Protection Act when it removed the historical flag display, which was erected in October 2001.

Since June 2021, Fort Smith has paid $18,283 to Daily & Woods, the Fort Smith law firm that represents the city in legal matters, for legal fees regarding the defense of that lawsuit, according to invoices from the law firm to the city. It has paid $2.40 in miscellaneous fees associated with the lawsuit.

The Arkansas State Capitol and Historical Monument Protection Act prohibits the removal, relocation, alteration or renaming of a memorial that is located on public property. In May, McCutchen requested the city oblige the Arkansas State Capitol and Historical Monument Protection Act and replace the flags that flew at Riverfront Park from October 2001 to April 2020. Sebastian County Circuit Judge Gunner Delay ruled that the city of Fort Smith must get a waiver from the Arkansas Historic Commission about the removal of the Flags over Fort Smith display at the Riverfront Park twice. The latest ruling was issued Jan. 28. Delay ruled Oct. 4 that the city was in violation of Act 1003 of 2021.

City officials could have put that money to much better use, had they not instead chosen to embark upon a campaign to erase our history for the sake of Political Correctness.

Boozman Wants National Designation For 3,000-Mile Stagecoach Route That Went Through Arkansas

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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:

U.S. Sen. John Boozman has introduced legislation to designate the 3,000-mile Butterfield Overland Trail as a national historic trail.

Boozman filed S. 3519 this month. It is cosponsored by Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Martin Heinrich D-N.M.; John Cornyn, R-Texas; and Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

Boozman said the national historic trail designation is important for the states — including Arkansas — through which the trail runs.

“A national historic trail designation recognizes the Butterfield Overland Trail’s important role in the growth and development of our country,” he said. “I will be working with my colleagues to ensure this path carved out and traversed by America’s pioneers is appropriately preserved for future generations to visit and learn about.”

The trail exited Fort Smith at E Street, going west across the Poteau River. A wagon bridge was later built on the site, but it no longer exists. Not much out there at all, any more.

Court Upholds Ruling Against City Of Fort Smith On Flag Removal

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Talk Business & Politics:

Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen filed suit June 3 in Sebastian County Circuit Court seeking a declaratory judgment that the city violated the Arkansas State Capitol and Historical Monument Protection Act when it removed the historical flag display, which was erected in October 2001. The display represented the flags flown over Fort Smith since 1699, including The French Fleur-De-Lis flag; the Spanish Cross of Lorraine flag; the French tricolor flag; the U.S. flag with 15 stars; the U.S. flag with 20 stars; the U.S. flag with 24 stars; and the Confederate States of America flag depicting a circle of seven stars with red and white stripes.

Brass markers identifying each flag were on the base of the flag poles. In April 2020, the city removed the flags due to age and condition, a letter from Colby Roe of Daily and Woods law firm stated, who represented the city in the matter.

“At some point after the flags’ removal, the brass markers were removed.

The city did not remove the flags “due to age and condition.” The city removed the flags because Political Correctness. And yet the fight against those ideologues who would erase our history continues.

Tulsa Historical Society Receives 1921 Letter Found In NY Home Describing Race Massacre

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News On 6:

The Tulsa Historical Society was recently given a letter from 1921 that describes the Tulsa Race Massacre from one man’s point of view. 

The letter was first found 20 years ago inside a wall of a New York home that was being renovated. The Tulsa Historical Society said the donation of this letter is rare, both because of the content and because it is in great condition. The four-page letter from a man living in Enid, written to his parents in Olean, New York, doesn’t mention the Tulsa Race Massacre until page three. 

“It is gut-wrenching. It is absolutely horrifying,” Tulsa Historical Society & Museum Executive Director Michelle Place said. 

The letter is dated June 28th, 1921. 

Thomas Sharp writes about his family life and his career, then goes on to write about the aftermath of the massacre, after he made a visit to Tulsa. 

“I would caution anyone who is interested in reading this: you need to be prepared,” Place said. 

The Tulsa Historical Society has the full, untouched letter online for anyone to read.