Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Samuel Dickinson

Mr. Samuel Dorris Dickinson, 95, of Prescott, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007.

He studied American Archaeology for several years, he was engaged in that profession. He taught in two colleges. He was in charge of the University of Arkansas - WPA archaeology laboratory. He then turned to journalism. For a total of 28 years he held the position of associate editor to the Little Rock Arkansas Gazette, the Little Rock Arkansas Democrat and the Shreveport Journal. In retirement he continued to contribute to archaeological, historical, folklore, and literary journals, as well as to newspapers and popular magazines. He translated colonial French and Spanish accounts of Louisiana and Arkansas. Six books of him were published. His analysis of Gombo, the African-French dialect spoken by Louisiana slaves, was one of the very few ever published on that subject. Both the Arkansas Preservation Alliance and the Arkansas Historical Association gave him lifetime achievement awards. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He has been called the Father of Arkansas archaeology, because of his archaeological research was the first done in a scientific manner in this state.

He is survived by his care giver and friend Ronnie Vandiver of Prescott.

Memorials may be made to the Cammie Henry Room, Eugene Watson Library, Northwestern State University of Louisians, Natchitoches; Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia; the First Methodist Church of Prescott; and the Old Washington Foundation, Washington, AR.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home in Prescott. An online guest book is at www.brazzelfuneralhomes.net.