Arkansas's Mysteries By Cameron Anderson

                                       Arkansas’s Mysteries

          When most people think about the state of Arkansas they think of farming, Tyson Chicken, and the Razorbacks.  They usually think of Arkansas as a plain and simple state.  Little do they know the many mysteries the state holds. 

          Arkansas has many mysterious places, stories, and sightings.  The Arlington Hotel in downtown Hot Springs is known for many ghostly experiences.  Legendary gangster Al Capone stayed at the Arlington on many occasions.  He would rent out the entire 4^th floor.  It is rumored that the exact room Capone stayed in is permanently locked up.  But no one knows why.  Guests at the Arlington have reported seeing people in old fashioned clothes walking down the hall, or strolling through the lobby, and simply disappearing.  Some believe that they have seen Capone.  At the bar wine bottles would continually jump off the bar as if someone was pushing them off.  With all of the ghost talk about the Arlington brings ghost enthusiasts to stay in the hotel.  Trying to see what all of the talk is about. 

          In south Arkansas near Texarkana is the “Fouke Monster” also known as bigfoot, is a legendary cryptic in Fouke, Arkansas.  During the early 1970’s the “Fouke Monster” was accused of attacking a local family and killing livestock.  The story got so much attention that in 1973, a semi-factual, documentary, horror feature The Legend of Boggy Creek was made.  Although much of the talk of the “Fouke Monster” has died down there was a remake of the first film which is entitled Boggy Creek and was released last summer.  The History Chanel’s show Monster Quest did an investigation on the “Fouke Monster.”  No one knows for sure if the creature is real but many believe it is lurking around the town of Fouke.  But with the publicity it has gotten the small town of Fouke, Arkansas is now known nationally.

          The White River in the town of Newport, Arkansas the White River Monster terrorizes the waters.  It was first reported in 1915 when local farmers began seeing a large unknown creature on the banks on the river.  It is believed to be twelve feet long and four or five feet wide.  The sightings died down for many years until July of 1971.  It was spotted “thrashing” in the water.  There were even tracks examined by cryptozoologist Roy P. Mackal.  After studying the evidence Mackal believes that the “monster” was a large male elephant seal had somehow worked its way into the river.

  But still people insist what they saw was not a seal.  Seal or “monster” it is a very strange mystery to the state of Arkansas.

          There are many mysteries in Arkansas.  These are just to name a few. Next time while walking downtown Hot Springs near the Arlington, or passing through Fouke, or even crossing the bridge over the White River remember to keep your eyes open.  You never know what you might see.