More on the First Telegraph Lines in Arkansas

Picture taken in 1970's of the commissary at Fort Smith.


The first telegraph wire to span between Little Rock and Memphis was completed in 1860.

The first telegraph sent from Little Rock was sent on January 31, 1861, and was sent by an attorney, John M. Harrel.

"The United States Troops at the outposts of the western frontier of the state and in the Indian nation have all been recalled from winter quarters to reinforce the garrison at Ft. Smith. The garrison at Ft. Smith had been previously transferred to the United States Arsenal in this city(Little Rock). The arsenal is one of the richest depositories of military store in the United States and is supposed to be the ultimate destination of the tropps (sic) ordered from the frontier."