INTRODUCTION In February, 1983, Cleburne County, Arkansas, celebrated its 100th year. The Centennial delegation presented a copy of the just published county history, Time and the River, and a newly-minted commemorative silver coin to Governor Bill Clinton at the 74th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas. Included in the Centennial observance was an address, Brief Glimpses into Our Past, by Dr. Bert Stark, Jr., Professor, University of Central Arkansas, Conway. The following is an excerpt from his address: “Time passed, and in 1930 the greatest depression in the history of our country occurred. Drouth, no market for crops and livestock created an extreme shortage of money. These were extremely hard times. The Works Progress Administration was conceived. “Again, time passed, and World War II was here. Many of you will recall that this was a period of great social upheaval in this county. Again, hundreds of our sons enlisted or were drafted into the military services —some of them did not return. Hundreds of others left our county and scattered to the four winds to work in war plants, some of them never to return to live here permanently. “Then after the war a new social and economic scene was found. Small farms and row crops were no longer a viable agricultural venture. Many young people left the county to seek work elsewhere, and our citizens began to seek other means of livelihood.” – 1 –
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