08/24/2026
This statue depicts John Sebastian Little. The text reads:
JOHN SEBASTIAN LITTLE
1851 - 1916
THE GREAT COMMONER
THE STATE OF ARKANSAS
John Sebastian Little, only the third native born Arkansan to become Governor of the state, is also still the only native son of Sebastian County to have become governor.
“Bass” Little was the first child born in Sebastian County on March 15, 1851. His grandfather, Eaton Tatum, was a founder of the county.
The trait of treating everyone as an equal earned him the nickname of “The Great Commoner.”
“He never goes beyond the capacity, the circumference of the average juror’s powers of comprehension, and herein, before a judge he is strong and great and powerful.”
As a lawyer, prosecutor, judge, congressman and governor, was not surpassed as a teller of anecdotes in illustration of his arguments, even by President Lincoln, admitted to be the most shining example of that style of oratory.”
From Biographical and Pictorial History of Arkansas, J. Hallum, Albany Press, 1887.
His political career was rare in the annals of the state because it was never tarnished with defeat.
The following were among his accomplishments:
Educator - Lawyer
Prosecuting Attorney
State Legislator
Circuit Judge
Chairman, State Judicial Convention of 1893
U.S. Congressman, Western District of Arkansas
Governor of Arkansas
