Ed Gregor News Today

Harrison, 1923: The coffin seen in the left corner may be that of Ed Gregor, awaiting motor transport to another station.

On Jan. 15, 1923, after a bitter 2-year strike on the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad, an angry mob assembled in Harrison, the railways headquarters. The vigilantes hanged one striker, publicly stripped and whipped others and ran the remaining strikers out of Arkansas. One of the longest railroad strikes in American history, it was the only one ended by a mob action.

The Northwest Arkansas town was known for its friendly people and natural scenic beauty. The local churches were full every Sunday. The Rotary Club met every Tuesday promptly at noon and had recently passed a resolution on "assisting boys in building character and experiences that could open them up to a brighter future." But trouble was in the air, about to divide this small town and pit neighbor against neighbor.

The Northwest Arkansas town was known for its friendly people and natural scenic beauty. The local churches were full every Sunday. The Rotary Club met every Tuesday promptly at noon and had recently passed a resolution on "assisting boys in building character and experiences that could open them up to a brighter future." But trouble was in the air, about to divide this small town and pit neighbor against neighbor.