Vol. 2, No. 22
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Confederate statue looms over Arkadelphia Courthouse lawn
Photo by Pete Tubbs, Interim Editor in Chief
The Confederate monument that sits in Arkadelphia was erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1911. The monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
“When the last trumpet is sounded, may each one answer the roll call of the heavenly army.” This is one of the inscriptions on the confederate statue that rests on the lawn of the Arkadelphia Courthouse. According to the National Register of Historic Places registration form, the statue has been in the town for one hundred and nine years. The Harris Flanagin Chapter of the Unighted Daugters of the Confederacy raised close to $1,500 for their tribute to Confederate Soldiers. In today’s money, that is roughly equal to $40,000. The sculpture was carved in Italy from Italian marbleand measures 72”x18”x18”. The base was made of Georgia marble and
measures 21’x7”x7”. The monument was shown to the world on May 27, 1911. Those in attendance included Confederate Veterans, local residents, and out-oftowners. The Arkadelphia Southern Standard reported that “a mighty shout went up from the throng and the pulsations of old and young alike were quickened.” On the sides of the base of the sculpture itself, inscriptions read “The principles for which they fought live eternally, the Harris Flanagin Chapter, U.D.C., to the memory of the soldiers of the Southern Confederacy, whose invicible courage made a hundred battles famous and whose unselfish devotion to a principle made their cause glorious.”
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued executive orders today that clarify Workers Compensation Law during the public-health emergency, protect health care providers from liability, and exempt businesses from liability related to the spread of COVID-19. “I want to thank the General Assembly for its leadership in securing support for limited immunity legislation and for requesting action by the executive order versus calling a special session during the pandemic.” Governor Hutchinson said. “I also want to thank Steuart Walton and the Economic Recovery Task Force for their work on these important issues.” Executive Order 20-33 regarding employers and businesses orders that:
All businesses and their employees shall be immune from civil liablity as a result of exposure to COVID-19. Immunity does not apply to willful, reckless or intentional misconduct. A presumption that the actions are not willful or reckless if the business owner substantially complies with public health directives. Immunity does not extend to worker compensation benefits. Immunity is effective from today until the emergency is terminated. Executive Order 20-34 regarding immunity for health care providers orders that: Health care workers and providers are authorized to use crisis standards of care to respond to treat COVID-19 patients.
Pete Tubbs Interim Editor in Chief
The monument stood After the pieces for nearly eighty years w e r e c o l l e c t e d , t h e before it was registered on Arkansas chapter of the the National Register of United Daughters of the Historic Places in 1996. Confederacy paid $20,000 According t o to have the statue restored. encyclopediaofarkansas. After five years of absence, net, the infamous tornado the monument was replaced that ripped through the in August of 2002 and streets of Arkadelphia in rededicated in Oct. of that 1997 caused the statue year. to topple over and fall to Following the murder of pieces. The head went George Floyd last month, missing during the storm. there has been renewed After two years and no interest in the removal of head in sight, Clark County Judge Grady Manning offered $500 to whoever returned the head. A former Henderson State University student turned it in and collected the John Balch reward claiming that he Nashville News Leader found it at Greers Ferry No charges have been Lake which is located two- filed and officials are and-a-half hours away from releasing few details about Arkadelphia. the shooting in Delight the night of June 9 that touched off a week of racial tension. Dionne Coulter, 32, of Prescott, who is black, was arrested that night for allegedly shooting Dillon The health care providers VanCamp, 27, of Antoine, who is white, in the lower as emergency workers are leg during an incident in the immune from civil liability. parking lot of the Delight Immunity does not ex- E-Z Mart. VanCamp was tend to willful, reckless, or transported from the scene intentional misconduct. with a non-life threatening Immunity is effective injury. Coulter was arrested from today until the emer- without incident and placed in a patrol car on the scene, gency is terminated. Executive Order 20-35 which quickly grew to a large regarding workers compen- crowd with numerous law agencies converging at the sation coverage orders that: convenience store. Assures workers comProsecuting Attorney pensation coverage for em- Bryan Chesshir said Monday ployees. the incident apparently COVID-19 is considered began earlier that day in an occupational disease Antoine between Coulter and Dillon VanCamp and under the law. COVID-19 shall be an Brian VanCamp, 22, also exception to prohibition on of Antoine. Coulter was compensation for ordinary reportedly visiting a friend in Antoine and had gone to diseases of life. Delight to fuel up when the There must be a causal three men crossed paths connection between em- again. ployment and the disease. During the chaotic scene Extends during the pub- at the store following the shooting, Debbie VanCamp, lic health emergency. 47, and Jeff VanCamp, 51,
Governor Hutchinson Issues Executive Orders
Confederat monuments across the country. As it stands, there are nearly 60 monuments dedicated to Confederate soldiers across the state of Arkansas. No petition has yet been started supporting the removal of the monument. Photo by Pete Tubbs, Interim However, many people Editor in Chief have signed petitions for One of the inscriptions the removal of similar monuments in cities close found on the confederate by like Hot Springs and statue that sits looking over the town of Arkadelphia on Little Rock. the courthouse lawn.
No charges yet filed in Delight E-Z Mart Shooting both of Antoine, allegedly entered the back seat of the patrol unit where Coulter was being held and assaulted him. There is a question of how the VanCamps gained access to Coulter, who was not handcuffed in the back of the car. During a peaceful protest Saturday in Delight organized by Black Leaders United, Pike County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jim Garrett addressed the question: “The crowd was getting rowdy, the deputy stepped away from the vehicle, and the way I understand it, they were trying to control the crowd, and these fanatical people got to [the car], somehow got the door open and that’s when things went badly. Immediately upon seeing someone in the vehicle, [PCSD] deputies went and took them out and ended the situation. The did the best they could do ... no one put them in there to get [Coulter] hurt, and he was then taken across the road for his safety. Nothing was done intentionally, I promise you. That’s all I can say on the matter, I am not an investigator, I am a deputy, just here trying to do my job.” Chesshir said he and Deputy Prosecutor Jana
Bradford and Pike County Investigator Wayne Epperly will be busy this week continuing to review surveillance footage of the incident, take statements and interview witnesses and that more charges are likely. “This is far from over,” Chesshir said, adding that charges could be brought against anyone seen on the footage causing trouble. “We’re not going to stand for this.” Chesshir said charges are also pending against Dillon and Brian VanCamp for their involvement in the incident. Coulter is scheduled to make a first appearance Monday, June 22 in Pike County Circuit Court on the felony charge of seconddegree battery. He was released last Wednesday on $2,500 bond. Debbie and Jeff VanCamp are also scheduled for a first appearance Monday on the felony charges of breaking or entering and terroristic threatening and misdemeanor charges of third-degree battery and obstructing governmental operations. The couple was also released from the county jail sometime last week.