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John Sebastian Little Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC 1517

Scope and Content Note

Papers include extensive correspondence relating to Little’s campaign for governor, handbills, receipts, copies of his speeches and miscellaneous material. Microfilmed materials are the papers of John Sebastian Little (1851-1916) donated to the Arkansas History Commission by Mrs. Tom Vertrees, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1964.

Dates

  • 1904-1906

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

John Sebastian Little, 21st governor of Arkansas, was born on March 15, 1851, near the village of Jenny Lind. The son of pioneer settlers Jesse and Mary Elizabeth Tatum Little, he was the first male child born in newly created Sebastian County. He attended public schools and later Cane Hill College in Washington County. After studying law for three years, he was admitted to the bar in 1873. He began his practice in Greenwood, Arkansas, but soon moved to Paris in Logan County. He was first elected district attorney in 1877 and subsequently was reelected for four successive terms. In 1884, he was elected to the State House of Representatives. He served as circuit judge from 1886 until 1890. He was elected in 1893 to replace U.S. Congressman Clifton R. Breckinridge, who had resigned. Little then was reelected five times, serving in the House of Representatives beginning in 1894. He was elected governor in 1906. Almost immediately following his inauguration as governor of Arkansas in January 1907, he suffered what was described as a “complete mental and physical collapse.” Xenophon Overton Pindall, President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, assumed the duties of governor in May, 1907, serving until 1909. Little never recovered from his breakdown. He died in Little Rock on October 29, 1916, and was interred in City Cemetery, Greenwood, Arkansas.

Extent

.6 Linear Feet (2 boxes, 1 reel of microfilm)

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by topic.

Acquisition Information

The John Sebastian Little Papers were donated to the Special Collections Department, Unviersity of Arkanas LIbraries on August 4, 2003 by Katherine Vertrees of Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

Processing Information

Processed by Jim Kelton; completed in February 2006.

Title
John Sebastian Little Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Jim Kelton
Date
2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444