EVENING SHADE, Ark. (AP) - Tornadoes that tore through Arkansas last week picked up homes, cars and everything in between - including a check from 1971.

Gene Floyd of Sulphur Rock went to check on his camper Sunday at his hunting camp near Evening Shade and said everything looked normal, until he saw something lying on the ground. It was a check, fold in half, showing only a few stains to give away its age.

Floyd said he was surprised when he saw the check drawn on Sept. 1, 1971 from a bank account in Heber Springs - about 50 miles away. The check, for $1.50, was made payable to A.E. Williamson by Mrs. Bruce Murphree.

The check bears the note ''Gazette for August'' and shows it was later cashed.