Arkansas Politics by George

George Fisher, renown political cartoonist, addressed the White County Historical Society meeting on Monday, August 28, at Harding Place in Searcy.

The meeting began with a welcome from president Eddie Best and a discussion of projects the Historical Society is involved in currently. Two projects were discussed in particular – the research and documentation of the Armstrong Springs community and the documentation of the cemeteries in White County. Best called on anyone in the county who had information or artifacts pertaining to the Armstrong Springs community to contact the society to further their work on that project.

The highlight of the meeting was when White County’s own, George Fisher, stepped to the microphone and addressed the packed room.

Fisher was introduced by his brother Jim, who extolled on his brother’s life in White County as a youth. George Fisher was born in Searcy in a house which stood near the southeast corner of what is now Pioneer and Booth Road near the Searcy airport. The house was destroyed by a tornado in 1952.

Fisher’s brother commented that he felt that George’s life growing up was as normal as anyone’s in White County at that time. After leaving the Searcy area and up until World War II Fisher resided in Beebe. As many youngsters of that time, George participated in a variety of activities, including basketball and baseball.

Fisher recalled with fondness playing basketball and baseball in and around Beebe as a boy. A trip to Searcy at that time was a trip to the city for their family and Fisher recalled he always looked forward to seeing the Yarnell Ice Cream factory and swimming in a handmade swimming pool that was located on Race Street.

Technically, George Fisher says he was born in Higginson, delivered by a Dr. Tapscott. He says he cannot remember whether that is true or not since he was quite young at the time.

Stepping to his easel, Fisher began to draw the cartoon faces he is so famous for and quizzed his audience as to the identities of each specimen. The first face to appear on the drawing pad was that of Arkansas’ illustrious former governor, Orval Faubus. Fisher continued drawing famous faces from Arkansas’ political archives ending with Bill Clinton on the famous tricycle.

The audience had several questions for Fisher. One question in particular was had he ever drawn a carcicature of First Lady Hillary Clinton. Fisher said he had – ONCE. He drew a picture of Mrs. Clinton before the U.S. Senate on a visit to Washington. Fisher admitted he did not draw women often as he said he felt as though he didn’t draw them well. The drawing of Mrs. Clinton involved some practice.

Fisher attended Beebe College where he said he was told to keep working at his craft because they felt that his talent had merit. WWII took him away from Beebe College but on his return from the war he resumed his education at the University of Arkansas where he was told he’d never make a living as an artist.

Fisher’s career has documented the stormy waters of Arkansas politics. The late Orval Faubus told Fisher once that his drawing looked more like him than he did.

In closing, Fisher thanked those in the audience and presented each one with a copy of his book "The Old Guard Rest Home."