Cartersville in Bartow County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Charles H. Smith - "Bill Arp"

1826-1903

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, January 15, 2022

1. Charles H. Smith - "Bill Arp" Marker

Inscription. Lawyer, journalist, humorist. Born Lawrenceville, Georgia, June 15, 1826; died Cartersville, Georgia, [August] 24, 1903.

Major in Confederate Army, former Mayor of Rome, Georgia. Writing career started in 1861 under pen name “Bill Arp". A humorist in the Will Rogers vein, he wrote several books, and wrote articles for The Atlanta Journal that were syndicated in hundreds of newspapers nationally. "Bill Arp” became a household word. At his funeral, Evangelist Sam P. Jones preached: "No man of all my knowledge had more friends than he, and none had fewer enemies."

Erected by Etowah Valley Historical Society • Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1826.

Location. 34° 9.931′ N, 84° 47.741′ W. Marker is in Cartersville, Georgia, in Bartow County. Marker can be reached from West Main Street (Georgia Route 113) west of South Public Square, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on fence along railroad tracks south of the old depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Friendship Plaza, Cartersville GA 30120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lottie Moon (here, next to this marker); William H. Stiles (here, next

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to this marker); General William T. Wofford, CSA (here, next to this marker); Rudy York (here, next to this marker); Major General Pierce Manning Butler Young, CSA (here, next to this marker); Horatio A. Luro (here, next to this marker); Sam P. Jones (here, next to this marker); Asa Griggs Candler (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cartersville.

Regarding Charles H. Smith - "Bill Arp". While most of his writings focused on humor and rural Southern life, Smith also used his pen to openly oppose equality for African Americans (a view held by many white Southerners of the period). In some columns, Smith endorsed lynching and disenfranchisement of Blacks to enforce white supremacy.

Also see . . . Bill Arp. Wikipedia entry on the humorist and author. (Submitted on January 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, January 15, 2022

2. Charles H. Smith - "Bill Arp" Marker

Featured marker is sixth from right (under arrow).

Charles Henry Smith AKA Bill Arp (1826-1903) image. Click for full size.

Unknown, From the Uncivil War to Date by Bill Arp, Memorial Edition (public domain), 1903

3. Charles Henry Smith AKA Bill Arp (1826-1903)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on January 19, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.