Ozark Living

Most of us have heard of the infamous Bonnie, Clyde and the Burrow Gang from books, songs and movies, such as "e Highwaymen." What only a few know is that the film's setting picks up right aer our very own piece of dark history with the gang. In May 1933, Henry D. Humphrey was sworn in as town marshal to protect the citizens of Alma. Just over a month later, he was gagged and bound outside Commercial Bank as it was robbed, and a safe with over $3,600 was loaded on the back of a truck. ough never confirmed, it was suspected that the Burrow Gang were the thieves at hand. e next day, the Burrow Gang headed south on Highway 71 aer robbing Brown Grocery Store in Fayetteville. While Bonnie and Clyde stayed behind at the Dennis Motel Tourist Camp, near Midland Bridge in Fort Smith, their cronies Buck Burrow and W.D. Jones ran into newly appointed Marshal Humphrey and Crawford County Deputy Sheriff Ansel "Red" Slayers at the corner of Highways 282 and 71, where the stop light now sits at the top of the hill between Highway 282 and Dean Springs Road. Before he could pull his gun, Marshal Humphrey lost his life at the hands of the Burrow Gang. A photograph of Marshal Humphrey still hangs in the Alma Police Department today. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet." – William Shakespeare While Bonnie and Clyde's ride-or-die story has inspired many, Alma's possible namesake piques my interest even more. Local postmaster Samuel W. Daughtry refused to grant Gum Town the certificate needed to establish a post office without being given the right to name the town himself. According to founder Col. Mathius F. Locke, "Alma was almost forced upon us." ough the story of the town being named Alma was referenced in Clara B. Eno's work, she never mentioned why Daughtry chose the name. However, the story has been passed down through generations and is cited in the Arkansas Encyclopedia as either being the name of Daughtery's love interest or a name that was drawn from a hat. As a hopeless romantic, I prefer to believe the former. The Home of "Small Town Spirit – Big Time Entertainment" To understand the Alma community, its groups, organizations and attractions embody its essence more than words ever could. e mission of Alma Community Outreach can be summed up in one verse: "e King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'" (Matthew 25:40). In 2022, Alma Community Outreach served over 24,000 families and provided them with around 2.3 million pounds of food. Each year, Alma Rotary Club awards three area students with a scholarship to attend a technical school, college or university of their choice. e Rotary Club also sponsors various events around Alma, including the manger scene in downtown Alma every Christmas. Alma Rotary Club also paid half the cost of building the Alma Community Center, which is used by several organizations and is a voting location for the community. e Alma Public School System has received a range of accolades on the local, regional, state and national stage from a variety of student groups. Alma Public School is making significant strides towards the future. e school has been awarded a $3 million grant to invest in electric school buses, which will not only reduce its carbon footprint, but also save money on fuel costs. Additionally, the school is expanding with a high school addition that will feature an indoor facility for a variety of extracurricular activities, such as football, band, dance, and more. e school is also partnering with UAFS and Peak Innovation, which will allow students to gain hands-on experience and knowledge in various technical fields, preparing them for future careers. Skokos Performing Arts Center is a valuable addition made to the community 20 years ago. e center provides educational opportunities for students, as well as professional entertainment for the community, such as the recent performance of "Anastasia." If you haven't been paying attention to Alma in the past, now is the time to do so. While it may be a small town, it's about to become a big deal. Why? Because it's located at the crossroads of what is about to become two of the most important interstates in the country. According to Ed ickston, former mayor and state representative, a study done in the 1960s named the intersection of Highways 71 and 64 one of the busiest intersections in the United States. With Interstates 49 and 40 running concurrently with the two major highways, we should see similar data once the interstates are completed. Alma's prime location is poised to become a major hub for transportation and logistics. is is great news for businesses looking to expand their reach and tap into new markets. In addition to its highways, Alma has a strong rail system that sits at the edge of the river and is a close driving distance to several airports. Alma is a great place to live, learn, work and play. e people in the community are close and supportive of each other. ere are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including the walking trails and new disc golf course at Lake Alma, and many cultural opportunities coming. Alma is taking significant steps to revitalize its downtown area, where businesses can thrive, residents can gather and socialize, and visitors can experience the unique character and charm of the community. is moment we live in today will be known for generations to come as the pivotal moment in the history of Alma. Somewhere, Over the River is your all- inclusive guide to the "Forgotten Foothills of the Ozarks," an estuary where Southern, Wild West, and Ozark Folk Culture meet. You can find us in the River Valley Democrat- Gazette and Ozark Living, our website www. somewhereovertheriver.com, and on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. OZaRK LIVING • May 2023 • 31

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