The Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas employed over a thousand men, and a few women, between the years 1872-1896. While the majority of the men were sworn in as Deputy U.S. Marshals, others served as jailers, court clerks, bailiffs, guards, posse, jail physicians, US Commissioners, and U.S. Marshals.
Interactive Panoramic Photo of Deputy Marshals Examine in detail a panoramic photograph of deputy marhals through an interactive program more...
Outlaws Tried at Fort Smith Stories of some of the outlaws tried in the court at Fort Smith. more...
Law Enforcement at Fort Smith Unpublished manuscript by former NPS Historian Edwin C. Bearss on federal court period. more...
Judge Parker's Biography link to story of Parker's life more...
Did You Know?
All five of the southeastern tribes forcibly removed on the Trail of Tears had routes that went through Fort Smith, Arkansas. Those that were removed by water went on the Arkansas River and from Fort Smith they crossed the river and entered Indian Territory.