fossis
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- Jan 5, 2007
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As promised, more on 'Old Ft. Smith'.
After the first fort was abandoned, & as more settlers & Indians moved into the area, the local people were concerned for their safety, & petioned the Government for a 'new fort'.
In 1838 the Army began building a new Ft. Smith near the old one, but as getting congressional appropriations were not regular, they halted construction in 1845.
As the indian threat diminished, the ft. was changed to a supply depot, & the Army moved out, & the Federal court moved in.
This Federal court was responsible for the 'Indian territory' as well as Western AR, but most cases were from the territory.
The Indians were subject to their own tribal courts but had no authority over non-indians, & as many of the 'border ruffians' sought refuge in the Indian lands, the Federal court was the only thing keeping the peace.
The Judge appointed to this area was Judge Isaac C. Parker, & with many Lawmen, & the local citizenry, he began to restore order in the area.
He was over this court from 1875 until 1896, in which time 65 Deputy Marshalls were killed doing their duty, & as late as 1896 the number was over 100.
The judge heard more than 13,000 cases, of which 12,000 were criminal cases, 344 were 'capitol offenses' of rape & murder, & these the law demanded 'death' upon conviction.
160 were sentenced to hang, but only 79 were actually carried out.
The 'Gallows' were built to hang as many as six at a time.(pic is a repoduction of the gallows, the original was torn down & burned).
He once said"people have said that I am a cruel, heartless, & bloodthirsty man, but I have ever had the single aim of justice in view".
He died in 1896, as new courts in the Indian Territory began to take over his duties, he is buried in the 'National Cemetary' in the city of Ft. Smith.
Pics are the Judge, windows of the (basement jail), Gallows, tried to get pic's of the Courtroom, but too dark inside, & Federal bldg,
Marshalls, Old Fort.
Fossis...............
After the first fort was abandoned, & as more settlers & Indians moved into the area, the local people were concerned for their safety, & petioned the Government for a 'new fort'.
In 1838 the Army began building a new Ft. Smith near the old one, but as getting congressional appropriations were not regular, they halted construction in 1845.
As the indian threat diminished, the ft. was changed to a supply depot, & the Army moved out, & the Federal court moved in.
This Federal court was responsible for the 'Indian territory' as well as Western AR, but most cases were from the territory.
The Indians were subject to their own tribal courts but had no authority over non-indians, & as many of the 'border ruffians' sought refuge in the Indian lands, the Federal court was the only thing keeping the peace.
The Judge appointed to this area was Judge Isaac C. Parker, & with many Lawmen, & the local citizenry, he began to restore order in the area.
He was over this court from 1875 until 1896, in which time 65 Deputy Marshalls were killed doing their duty, & as late as 1896 the number was over 100.
The judge heard more than 13,000 cases, of which 12,000 were criminal cases, 344 were 'capitol offenses' of rape & murder, & these the law demanded 'death' upon conviction.
160 were sentenced to hang, but only 79 were actually carried out.
The 'Gallows' were built to hang as many as six at a time.(pic is a repoduction of the gallows, the original was torn down & burned).
He once said"people have said that I am a cruel, heartless, & bloodthirsty man, but I have ever had the single aim of justice in view".
He died in 1896, as new courts in the Indian Territory began to take over his duties, he is buried in the 'National Cemetary' in the city of Ft. Smith.
Pics are the Judge, windows of the (basement jail), Gallows, tried to get pic's of the Courtroom, but too dark inside, & Federal bldg,
Marshalls, Old Fort.
Fossis...............
, he was a 'fine old Gentleman'.
