|
|
With the forthcoming United States Marshals
Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas, there have been many questions as to
what might be included as exhibits. In determining this, below is a
composite of photographs from our previous exhibit, which highlight some
of the artifacts and case work. The place and time of each photograph
varies, but all were taken between late 1988, when the tour began,
through early 2003. After a 14-city
tour, “America’s Star,” designed by the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit
Branch (SITES), ended the agency’s Bicentennial activities at
Tallahassee, Florida in July 1991. The artifacts were a mix of
agency-owned and loaned items. A new home was sought after the tour, and
from 1991 through 2003, “America’s Star” resided in the Wyoming
Territorial Park in Laramie, Wyoming. |
|
Depicts from back:
Belle Starr’s Saddle, U.S.
Marshals Office ledger book and desk and jail cell. |
Click on a photographs for a larger version
|
|
This photograph, on the
right, focuses on the setup of several exhibit areas. Featured in the
center is one of the most important paintings that depict our agency’s
role in desegregating schools in the American South, Norman Rockwell’s
“The Problem We All Live With.” In the famous scene, Rockwell painted a
young Ruby Bridges being escorted by four deputies to her first classes
at the William Frantz School, New Orleans (1960). |
|
|
The second and third
photographs denote early duties of the U.S. Marshals and their deputies.
They had broad authority to enforce orders of the federal courts.
At Top Left is a copper
whisky still, coupled with a picture of Coxey’s March. Historically, one
of the most dangerous jobs of a deputy during the late 19th Century was
accompanying revenue officers during raids of illicit stills. The 1894
march to Washington named for leader Jacob Coxey comprised a large
number of unemployed people demanding new programs. However, when a
group of his followers began stealing trains, many under federal
receivership, the U.S. Marshals were sent to restore order. |
|
|
At Bottom Left, several
artifacts highlighting the role of the deputy in the American West. In
the center is a statue of Deputy U.S. Marshal John Swain of the Indian
Territory, while to the right shows the relationship with Native
Americans, some of whom served in our ranks. |
|
|
Registration of alien
nationals, and in wartime, enemy aliens, was a duty performed by the
U.S. Marshals for many years. At right features one of the registration
books kept on Chinese alien laborers.
|
|
|
The famous San Diego
Chicken costume used during the Washington D.C. sting in December 1985.
A deputy occupied this suit, while others donned costumes of
cheerleaders, officials or mascots, in a special gathering to trap
fugitives who were invited to receive free football game tickets. The
elaborate operation worked to perfection–one arrested fugitive even
asking if he still would receive his tickets! |
|
|
Two famous outlaws that
proved crime did not pay in the Indian Territory. It was handcuffs–and a
hanging rope–for outlaw Crawford Goldsby, known as “Cherokee Bill.” At
right is a facsimile of a group photograph comprising the posse that
ended the career of Ned Christie, who went down in a hail of bullets.
Because of the necessity of proof to collect a stated reward, these type
of pictures, which featured the dead outlaw, were typical. |
|
|
Belle Starr’s saddle,
mounted on special cylinder, inside exhibit. |
|
|
U.S. Marshals Office, ca.
1900, complete with roll top desk, wardrobe, and docket stand.
|
|
|
Typical tools in law
enforcement during early periods in U.S. Marshals history. At left is an
early 18th Century ledger book and colonial-era black powder pistol,
while its descendent, a Civil War era revolver and restraints–both short
and long–appear at right. Behind these are a picture of President
Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Marshal Ward Lamon, and a group of generals at the
Antietam Battlefield in Maryland. |
|
|
Helmet, gas gun and
canisters, vest, night stick, and armband from the Integration of the
University of Mississippi, Sept 30-October 1, 1962. These components
were all utilized during the riots that ensued, primarily around the
administration building, known as the Lyceum. The deputies held their
ground until reinforcements arrived. |
|
|
Former Director Stanley
Morris speaks at the opening of the “America’s Star” traveling exhibit,
United States Supreme Court, 1988. Just to his left is late Chief
Justice Warren Burger. |
|
|
The United States Marshals Service looks
forward to showcasing our collections, as well as related loaned items,
in the future museum! |
|