Other days
100 YEARS AGO June 26, 1919
■ Capt. Samuel Kaye, who was flight commander for the 94th Aero Squadron, the “hat in the ring” outfit that won fame in the aerial fights over the Chateau Thierry battle in France, was among the officers discharged at Camp Pike yesterday morning. Throughout his overseas service, Captain Kaye was with the squadron headed by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, who was in Little Rock recently. Capt. Kaye returned early yesterday from a short leave of absence and immediately received his discharge. His presence at camp headquarters caused considerable commotion as he is wearing the Croix de Guerre, Distinguished Service Cross and the Oak Leaf and is officially credited with having downed four German machines.
50 YEARS AGO June 26, 1969
■ The state Highway Commission Wednesday authorized the spending of $6.6 million as the money becomes available to continue work on what eventually will be a four-lane highway between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. Wednesday’s action calls for spending that amount to buy the right of way and build two lanes of 21 miles of U.S. Highway 65 on a new location between the Pulaski County line and Blake Street at Pine Bluff. After that is completed, two more lanes will be added.
25 YEARS AGO June 26, 1994
■ The price on the street has spiraled in recent weeks — not for illegal drugs or stolen goods but for the signatures of registered Arkansas voters. With less than two weeks remaining to get signatures on ballot petitions, supporters of two gambling proposals say there has been a bidding war for experienced canvassers. There are only so many people willing to stand in the heat outside shopping centers and at the entrances to weekend festivals. And there is only so much time until the July 8 deadline to qualify for the Nov. 8 general election ballot. “When it went to $1 (per signature) on the streets, we had to match it,” says Craig Douglass, executive director of the Arkansas First Committee. Douglass’ group is pushing a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a state lottery, legalize charitable bingo and allow casino gambling at Oaklawn Park at Hot Springs and Southland Greyhound Park at West Memphis. Another organization also is paying canvassers for signatures. Prominent east Arkansas planter Mike Wilson of Wilson and his partners in what is known as the Arkansas Development Group want a constitutional amendment that would allow them to establish a casino on the banks of the Mississippi River at West Memphis. Wilson says his group has paid more than $1 per signature, including bonuses, but he won’t divulge the highest price it has paid.
10 YEARS AGO June 26, 2009
■ Laura Rhea didn’t know what to expect when she got a call from the Today show in New York. The Arkansas Rice Depot president and chief executive officer was told the charity had been picked to receive a donation. “They said ‘Send us a wish list and make it big and make it long, and we’ll see if we can get it for you,’” Rhea said. So she made a list — “a big list.” “And then I was a bit embarrassed, and I thought, ‘Oh my, I’ve asked for too much,’” she said. “But what they’ve given is so much more than I asked for.” The Rice Depot, which provides food for 300,000 across the state through backpack programs for children, emergency assistance and delivery to the elderly, was the fourth charity honored this week as part of the show’s annual “Lend a Hand” tour. Today show weather forecaster Al Roker presented the donations on air to Rhea and Rice Depot volunteers Thursday morning.