H.H. Peden was a deputy postal clerk in Powhatan in 1883. He was charged with "depositing in the United States Mail a letter which contained certain scurrilous epithets." A Mr. James E. Bellington was having mail forwarded from Powhatan to Little Rock. Peden wrote on the envelope "forwarded to Little Rock, you son of a bitch" and was arrested for the obscenity. He was brought to Little Rock and questioned, but eventually discharged. (2)

Sources:

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas) · Fri, Sep 7, 1883 · Page 1 peden obscenity in mail.pdf

2: Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) · Sat, Sep 8, 1883 · Page 5Peden obscenity charge.pdf