Other days

100 YEARS AGO July 27, 1913

Because Charity Singleton, a young negress, forcibly sat down in his lap after he had refused to permit her to do so, while they were driving, three in a buggy, Friday afternoon, Dave McFarlin, a negro preacher of Sweet Home, threw the woman into the road and ran her over with the vehicle. In a trial before Justice of the Peace A. A. Brown yesterday afternoon on a charge of assault and battery, the negro preacher declared the woman wore red shoes, pink hose, and a pink petticoat. He said that he could not afford to encourage a woman in any manner, who would wear such insignia of sin. He further declared he would not permit any woman to sit in his lap, as such an action was against his religion. Justice Brown fined McFarlin $5 and costs. After the trial the preacher attempted to have Singleton arrested for disturbing the peace.

50 YEARS AGO July 27, 1963 PINE BLUFF - A group of Negroes gained service at a Pine Bluff restaurant yesterday. The group, members of the Pine Bluff Movement, were refused service Wednesday when a shoving incident marred a sit-in demonstration at the Keese Restaurant. There were no incidents Thursday. The Pine Bluff Movement, an anti-segregation organization, resumed demonstrations Wednesday after a three-month lull.

25 YEARS AGO July 27, 1988

In the aftermath of the Little Rock School Board’s decision Monday to trim expenses by $10.8 million, district officials spent Tuesday double-checking numbers and gauging the impact of the cuts. They also prepared letters that were mailed late Tuesday to more than 3,000 employees, giving them general information about the budget cuts. The letters should be delivered Thursday. Included in the budget cuts were 101 employee layoffs. In addition to the layoffs, 136 vacancies will not be filled.10 YEARS AGO July 27, 2003

Apathy toward Gov. Mike Huckabee’s school plan from constituents in larger school districts has made it easier for vocal opponents from smaller districts to drive the education reform debate. Huckabee has tried to stir urban sentiments by predicting higher tax increases without school district consolidation. But he’s so far failed to excite the passions of Arkansans whose school districts wouldn’t be consolidated. Most legislators are feeling some pressure from constituents in smaller school districts.