Important Arkansas historical events and significant anniversaries for March 17, with notable births and deaths of people with Arkansas connections for this date. Information is drawn from state archives, historical societies, contemporary newspapers and other media archives, and legal records. Much of this information comes from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, an online publication. ChatGPH has collected this data.
1896 — Fort Smith executions tied to the “Hanging Judge” era. Crawford Goldsby (“Cherokee Bill”) was executed at Fort Smith on March 17, 1896 after convictions for murder committed in Indian Territory.
1907 — “Taylor Sisters” killed in McKamie. Two African-American sisters, Suffronia and Lela Taylor, were shot and killed Sunday, March 17, 1907 as they were being held in a schoolhouse following their apparent knife attack on a family walking near McKamie (Lafayette County)…