Looking Back at the Great Depression

The stock market crash started what is known as the Great Depression during the 1930's.

In our state, Arkansas, many people were already unable to pay taxes along with the drought and declining cotton prices, the crash was a final blow for many.

Schools and roads deteriorated without funding. Some towns were isolated and cut off from the rest of the state.

In November 1930, 70 banks closed due to insufficient funds. With no deposit insurance the banks closed and deposit funds were lost. This affected everyone everywhere including St. Francis County.

Early on cuts began to be made anywhere possible including in our school district. As teacher salaries are a hot topic today, many saying teachers aren't paid enough, on August 6, 1931 the school district cut teacher salaries with reductions ranging from $10.00 to $25.00 per year. The superintendent was cut $500 per year.

Here in 1933, County Judge Charles Fleming lead a project to establish a poor farm. He even went so far as to state if this didn't save the county in his first two terms he would refund the county the difference. His intention was to use prison labor as well as have a place for the county paupers, a county hospital and a children's orphanage.

Times were so hard that Arkansas Governor Futrell cut non-constitutional department salaries 30% for April, May and June and some departments were cut 50%. It was recommend that no county official with less than 30,000 people should draw more than $2,000 a year.

He stated we should take a reduction in order to have money to take care of State indebtedness to the State Tuberculosis Sanatorium, orphans home, blind school and others.

In February 1933, County and Probate Clerk Deputy earned $1,000 a year along with Chancery and Circuit Clerk $2,400, Assessor $1,800, Treasurer $1,800, Sheriff and Collector $2,000.

All this did affect the people living here, many lost their land and were forced to become tenant farmers while others became homeless, yes homeless!

Tent cities and shantytowns also called "Hoovervilles" named after the President Herbert Hoover, began to pop up with our area included.

A camp for the homeless outside Forrest City was established.

There are many stories of the Great Depression, you may even have heard one but this is what I've learned just by looking back.