Martineau was the first Governor of Arkansas to broadcast his inaugural address on radio . The Martineau administration established a Confederate pensions board and authorized state aid to cities for highway construction through the Martineau Road Plan . Martineau was forced to deal with a major crisis when the Mississippi River broke free of its banks and covered 13 percent of the state during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 . Martineau was named President of the Tri-State Flood Commission . In May 1927 , Martineau called out the National Guard in response to the lynching of an African-American prisoner by a mob of 2,000 to 5,000 people in Little Rock . Martineau earned the reputation of fairness , integrity , and as a progressive politician . His role in state politics and effective management of crisis situations further secured his reputation as one of Arkansas better governors and brought him national attention
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
John Ellis Martineau