Grandmother of Norma Belle Dillow Clark
Arkansas Territory, Courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Central Arkansas Library System
Norma was born in Nowata, Oklahoma, in 1923, and when she was four, her family settled in Miller Community, which is now part of Bentonville. Norma heard many stories from her grandparents about their journey to the area in the early 1800s. These stories give us a special look at what traveling was like back then.
Map showing Indian cessions, grants to Indians, and change in the western boundary of Arkansas, courtesy of Vintage Bentonville
Before Arkansas statehood in 1836, U.S. treaties recognized this region as belonging to various Indigenous tribes, thus legally restricting white settlement and, consequently, leading to frequent and feared attacks on westward-bound pioneers.
Norma's grandparents were part of the wave of white settlers moving west. Their wagon, packed with their belongings—including a treasured piano—was so heavy it often fell behind the other wagons. They used oxen, strong animals prized by both the settlers and the Native Americans, to pull their heavy wagon.
Tragically, the family was attacked during their journey. Norma's grandfather was killed, but her grandmother managed to escape. For the rest of the trip, she drove the wagon and kept a lookout for more attacks. At night, while her family slept, she played the piano in the darkness. It was believed at the time that the music either frightened away potential attackers or they had great respect for her abilities. Her courage, strength, and creativity protected her family from future attacks.
Once Known Cherokee Women
Apple Orchard in Benton County, Photo courtesy of Vintage Bentonville
In the early 1830s, as white settlers started moving into what's now Benton County and claiming land, a Cherokee woman also came to the area. She settled near Maysville, but her name has been lost to time. Like many Cherokee women of her time, she possessed resourcefulness and independence.
This woman had acquired some wealth and owned enslaved people, and may have used their knowledge of agriculture to plant a large orchard of apple trees. Growing a profitable apple orchard takes considerable time and effort, sometimes as long as twenty years. She did establish a thriving orchard, but the Civil War disrupted her business. After the Union army occupied Arkansas around 1863, the economic turmoil likely affected her ability to maintain the orchard and the system of enslaved labor it relied on. She later sold the land to H.S. Mundell. Within two years, Mundell was shipping apples to Kansas and Texas, making a substantial profit. Thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit, she had a historical influence on the creation of the multi-million dollar apple industry in Northwest Arkansas.
Mary E Berry Peel
The Peel Mansion, Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville
Being the wife of a Congressman and sister of a Governor wasn't a necessary part of an introduction for Mary Emaline Berry Peel. The mother of 3 boys and 6 daughters, her greatest pride was being a provider and teacher for her family. The wife of Colonel Sam W. Peel, Civil War Veteran, Lawyer, and Arkansas' first homegrown Congressman, Mary Peel waited patiently for her husband to build the respectable home he promised, be it 22 years later in the town of Bentonville, 1875. This notable landmark still stands today overlooking the Bentonville Cemetery and quietly whispers the stories of the past to the passing traffic of Walton Boulevard and the hurried shoppers at the Walmart Supercenter.
It once sat on 140 acres, 110 of which were in an apple orchard, which Mary managed with great success. She set aside 15 acres for a garden and livestock, with the intent that no one in her community should go hungry. She and her family had gone hungry many times before the end of the war. In her home, food would always be available to anyone.
The home was always kept clean and in good repair with an understanding that at any time, a visitor might need to be welcomed, be it a political acquaintance or legal client. There were many times the Colonel would conduct business on the front lawn or the veranda. While one side of the house might be canning vegetables, peeling apples, or separating milk, the other would be conducting business of state or country. Colonel Peel was also an Indian Agent for the United States Government, so at any time, Mary might be called upon to host a camp of Native American Tribal Representatives on the family's lawn. Her energy, concern for her community, and acceptance of responsibility were respected by all. Her death in 1902 was a great loss to the community and she now rests in the beautiful family plot once viewed from her upstairs windows.
You can explore history today, click below!
The Peel Museum and Botanical Gardens
The Peel Museum & Botanical Gardens is a beautiful Civil War era home that is available for tours as well as events. This villa tower Italianate mansion was built by Colonel Samuel West Peel, and he and…
Miss Maggie Woods
In 1893, the Henry Starr Gang robbed the People's Bank in Bentonville, taking a huge sum of $12,000, which is worth about $420,000 today. Henry Starr planned the robbery carefully, saying, "I spent a week in that town, planning the robbery, studying the habits of the men in the bank..." Nearby, at the Benton County Sun newspaper office, Editor H.L. Cross was talking with employee Maggie Woods when they saw the armed men headed towards the bank. Cross exclaimed, “My God, they’re going to rob the bank!” They tried to escape out the back, but the gang's planning had left a robber blocking their way, trapping them inside the office.
Henry Starr, photo courtesy of Oklahoma Historical Society Photograph Collection, OHS
This was the biggest bank robbery the gang had ever pulled off. When the robbers were caught, almost none of the stolen money was found. The bank also spent a lot of money on legal fees to chase after the thieves. However, there was one Bentonville citizen whose heroism is remembered to this day—Maggie Woods. The robbery was chaotic, with gunfire erupting on South Main Street. As the robbers fled, they used bank employees as shields and to carry a heavy bag of money. Townspeople shot back with whatever they could find. During the commotion, one bank employee, George P. Jackson, was hit by stray shotgun pellets and struggled with the weight of the silver coins.
The Peoples Bank in the 1890’s courtesy of Vintage Bentonville
As the robbers ran past the Sun newspaper office, Maggie Woods acted quickly. She opened the door, pulled the injured bank employee, Mr. Jackson, inside, and locked the door behind them. Jackson dropped the heavy bag of silver coins. While he went to the back room to tend to his wounds, Maggie struggled to lift the bag, which weighed more than half her own weight and contained nearly $1,000. She managed to carry it upstairs and hide it. This money, saved by Maggie's bravery, allowed the bank to reopen the next day. Although some townspeople were injured, no one was killed. Of all the courageous acts that day, Maggie Woods was considered the greatest hero.
Today, you can eat delicious food inside of the old People's Bank building. Explore Tacos & Tamales below.
Cinco Crawley Dickerson
Photo courtesy of Vintage Bentonville
When Bentonville’s schools integrated in 1954 following the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, there was only one Black student to enroll—young Carl Stewart. For most of his life, he had been taught at home by Mrs. Cinco Dickerson, a licensed teacher and one of the last educators from Bentonville’s Black school. Cinco had dedicated her life to teaching, just like her mother, who had once taught at the first Black school in town.
The Black school was more than a place to learn—it was a hub for the community. Located just blocks from the town square, it doubled as a church and a meeting place for social groups. Cinco and her husband, Arthur "Rabbit" Dickerson, helped keep those traditions alive. Cinco organized fundraisers to support the school, while Rabbit ran a successful shoeshine business downtown. Together, they were well-known and respected in both Black and white circles.
Cinco’s teaching career ended after integration, as white schools did not hire many Black educators. She took a job as a housekeeper at Southwestern Bell, where she worked for 29 years. Even though she wasn’t teaching anymore, Cinco’s influence on Bentonville lived on. She and Rabbit were beloved for their kindness, resilience, and lifelong dedication to their community.
