Photo supplied by John Edwards of Anible & Edwards.
"Fido the barber" stands in front of the Helena Doughboy in this undated photo from the 1930s. It shows the original bayonet, but already bent slightly downward.
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 Photo: Danielle Burch, Phillips County Museum. For 40 years the bayonet was missing, apparently stolen sometime during the 1970s. The whole rifle is now bent downward in this later photo.
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HELENA, ARKANSAS
N 34° 31.751 / W 090° 35.170
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260005.
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260005.
In middle of intersection of Cherry and Perry Streets.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
ERECTED IN HONOR
OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF
PHILLIPS COUNTY
WHO SERVED IN THE
WORLD WAR
1917 – 1918
ERECTED IN HONOR
OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF
PHILLIPS COUNTY
WHO SERVED IN THE
WORLD WAR
1917 – 1918
Dedicated July 10, 1927. Acquisition of the monument was sponsored by Phillips County Memorial Association, the 7-Generals Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the City of Helena.
For 40 years, part of the rifle barrel and the bayonet were missing, and the statue needed cleaning and treatment. In January of 2016 the Helena Doughboy had its bayonet and rifle end restored. The restoration was paid for by the Helena-West Helena Advertising and Promotion Commission under the guidance of Brigadier General (Ret) Riley Porter, Air National Guard. David Nunnley fabricated the replacement bayonet.
Thanks to John Edwards of the Law Offices of Anible & Edwards for the updated information.
The statue is on the National Register of Historic Places.
For 40 years, part of the rifle barrel and the bayonet were missing, and the statue needed cleaning and treatment. In January of 2016 the Helena Doughboy had its bayonet and rifle end restored. The restoration was paid for by the Helena-West Helena Advertising and Promotion Commission under the guidance of Brigadier General (Ret) Riley Porter, Air National Guard. David Nunnley fabricated the replacement bayonet.
Thanks to John Edwards of the Law Offices of Anible & Edwards for the updated information.
The statue is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The restored Helena, Arkansas Doughboy.
Photo supplied by John Edwards of Anible & Edwards.
Photo supplied by John Edwards of Anible & Edwards.
The Helena Doughboy was featured some years ago on a Christmas ornament, possibly as a fundraiser.
Photo: eBay.
