Butterfield Dispatch: Honoring Our Past While Keeping You Connected

The Butterfield Dispatch has always strived to bring you stories that matter to our community. From local happenings to cultural highlights, we’ve shared the pulse of life across the River Valley.

As we continue to grow, we see an opportunity to sharpen our focus and give this publication a unique identity. Starting this month, the Butterfield Dispatch will shift toward exploring the rich history of our area—stories of the people, places, and events that shaped Fort Smith, Van Buren, and the surrounding River Valley.

This region holds a legacy worth telling—from frontier days and the Butterfield Overland Mail Trail to the industries, traditions, and families that built our towns. Each edition of the Dispatch will take you deeper into that history, uncovering connections between past and present that make our community truly special.

What About Local News and Events?

Don’t worry—you’ll still have a reliable source for the latest updates and happenings! We’ve spun off two sister newsletters, each laser-focused on keeping you in the loop about what’s happening right now in your community:

• Van Buren Buzz – Covering local news, events, and stories from in and around Van Buren.
  👉 Sign up for Van Buren Buzz here

• Fort Smith Buzz – Bringing you timely updates, event guides, and news from the Fort Smith area.
  👉 Sign up for Fort Smith Buzz here

Together, these newsletters ensure you never miss a beat, while the Butterfield Dispatch brings you the depth and perspective of history that ties it all together.

Looking Ahead

We’re excited about this new chapter for the Butterfield Dispatch. By celebrating the stories of the past while pointing you toward resources for the present, we aim to give you the best of both worlds—heritage and hometown connection.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. The Dispatch remains your trusted companion, now with a sharper lens on the legacy of the River Valley.

Fort Smith Fall Festival (Downtown Fort Smith)

Date/Time: Sat, Oct 4, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Summary: Free museum admissions, trolley rides, historic reenactments, kids’ crafts, food trucks, vendors, and live music—across downtown.

Event Details

The Fort Smith Museum of History, located in the historic 1906 Atkinson-Williams Warehouse, offers a unique look at the city’s colorful past.

Unlike the National Historic Site, the museum delves into personal stories, spotlighting legendary lawmen, notorious outlaws, and everyday citizens who shaped Fort Smith.

During the annual Fall Festival, visitors can experience history firsthand through interactive events.

The engaging US v. Belle and Sam Starr Reenactment lets guests serve as jurors as the infamous “Bandit Queen” stands trial, revealing the drama of Judge Parker’s court.

"History Alive!" brings historic figures like Judge Parker, Belle Starr, and even criminals such as Bonnie & Clyde to life through authentic portrayal.

This year, the museum spotlights outlaw Henry Starr with a book signing and special program, giving guests a rare window into the dual world of an infamous local figure.

Arkansas Folklore for the Halloween Season

Mist-shrouded ridges in the Ozarks are home to chilling tales of a mysterious creature stalking the night.

Locals know it as the Ozark Howler—a phantom beast said to have black fur, glowing red eyes, a bear’s heft, a snarling hound’s face, and horns that shimmer in the moonlight.

Witnesses describe its cry as eerily unique, combining the haunting howl of a wolf, the shriek of a woman, and the bugle of an elk.

Such a sound can send even seasoned outdoorsmen fleeing for safety.

Legends trace back through generations, with some linking the Howler to early settlers’ fears of a supernatural hellhound, while others dismiss it as a misidentified wildcat or a local prank.

Yet in places like the Boston Mountains and Crawford County, many locals insist something mysterious still howls in the darkness.

Whether fact or folklore, the Ozark Howler remains Arkansas’s most enduring legend—an untamed mystery echoing through the hills.