Fort Smith (Hanging Judge and Hell on the Border)

His job is better remembered than
his name. Isaac Parker was the U.S.
District Judge for the Western District
of Arkansas, but in Old West legend
(and modern movies, as well), he
was the "Hanging Judge."

During his career, more than 70 men
found guilty in Parker's courtroom
were executed on the gallows at Fort
Smith. Contrary to legend, the
executions were generally carried out
away from public view and there is no
evidence that Parker himself ever
watched any of them.

In fact, the "Hanging Judge" was an
opponent of capital punishment. He
sentenced so many criminals to
death because, under Federal law, he
could impose no other sentence for
the crimes of rape or murder. He
didn't like it, though, and argued that
capital punishment was not a
deterrent to crime.

Parker and his marshals are so
well-known in Western lore because
they had the responsibility of
patrolling not just Western Arkansas,
but the frontier as well. Parker's court
was responsible for the Indian
Territories, where many outlaws
accumulated believing they would not
be subject to U.S. law. Assisted by
Tribal Police, Judge Parker's team of
U.S. Marshals taught them otherwise.

The judge's marshals were mostly
white, but uniquely for the time also
included men who were of African
American and Native American
descent. The suspects they arrested,
likewise, represented a variety of
races.

Among the more infamous were Belle
Starr, "Cherokee" Bill, the "Rufus Buck
Gang," and the "Dalton Gang."

The role of Parker and his marshals have
been told many times in books and movies,
notably (although not necessarily accurately)
in such better known films as Clint
Eastwood's "Hang Em High" and John
Wayne's "True Grit" and "Rooster Cogburn."

In truth, the jobs of the marshals were much
more dangerous than even the movies
reflect. Sixty-five of Parker's deputies died in
the line of duty, a remarkable testimony of
their dedication and courage.

In addition to holding Parker's courtroom, the
old barracks also held the infamous "Hell on
the Border" jail. Located in the basement, the
jail was used to house prisoners while they
either awaited trail or execution. Conditions
were horrible and Judge Parker and a
number of others lobbied for a more decent
facility, which Congress finally authorized in
1886. The new jail, which still stands, was
constructed as a wing on the original
barracks building.

Visitors to Fort Smith can tour both the old
barracks building, where they can see a
reconstruction of Parker's courtroom and the
basement "Hell on the Border" jail, as well as
the 1888 jail facility which now houses the
park visitor center.