This exhibit is intended to highlight Arkansas State Archives materials related to the United States Western District Court of Arkansas records, 1839-1908.
Materials include maps featuring Indian Territory and the state of Arkansas with portions of surrounding states, postcards with images of the fort at Fort Smith before and after Judge Isaac Parker's court and Garrison Avenue over the years, and a letter of recommendation for a new U.S. marshal written to President Abraham Lincoln.
Find more information on related materials on the United States Western District Court resource guide.
-
Postcard of Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1870
This is a color reproduction postcard with image of Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1870. Printed in Germany. This postcard was never sent.
-
Postcard of Historical Federal Court of Judge Isaac Charles Parker, Fort Smith, Arkansas
This is a Curteichcolor 3-D Natural Color Reproduction postcard with image of the restored court room of Federal Judge Isaac Charles Parker. Caption on back states "The Historical Federal Court of Judge Isaac Charles Parker, one of the greatest of all American trial Judges, and known as the "Hanging Judge" held court here from 1875-1896. The Old Courtroom, restored and operated by the Public Historical Restorations, Inc., Fort Smith, Ark." This postcard was never sent.
-
Postcard of Old Commissary Building, Fort Smith, Arkansas, erected 1840
This is a Albertype Co. black and white postcard with image of the old commissary building in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Label on back states "This side is for the address only." which ended nationally in 1907. This postcard was never sent.
-
Postcard of Old U.S. Jail, Fort Smith, Arkansas
This is a color reproduction postcard with image of old U.S. jail at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Printed in Germany. This postcard was never sent.
-
Postcard of reproduction Gallows of the Federal Court, Fort Smith, Arkansas
This is a Curteichcolor 3-D Natural Color Reproduction postcard with image of the reproduction of old 1886 Gallows of the Federal Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Caption on back states "This gibbet was built to hang as many as twelve men at one time. Judge Isaac Charles Parker, the "Hanging Judge" ruled over the Indian Territory, comprising some 74,000 square-miles, with an iron hand. During his term of 21 years, 1875-1896, the court disposed of a total of 13,500 cases - of which 12,000 were criminal. 88 men were hanged." This postcard was never sent.
-
Postcard of U.S. Jail, Fort Smith, Arkansas
This is a C.E. Wheelock & Co. color reproduction postcard with image of U.S. jail at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Made in Germany. This postcard was never sent.
-
Postcard of Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1897
This is a color reproduction postcard with image of Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1897. Printed in Germany. Postmarked July 11, 1908.
-
Postcard of Old Commissary Building, Fort Smith, Arkansas, erected 1840
This is a black and white postcard with image of old commissary building in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Includes handwritten note on front. Postmarked February 24, 1906.
-
Map of Fort Smith, 1898
Black and white map of Fort Smith, Arkansas made by order of the city council in March 1898.
-
Map of Arkansas and portion of Indian Territory, 1872-1873
Color map of Arkansas, a portion of Indian Territory, and other neighboring states from 1873.
-
Map of post routes in Arkansas and Indian Territory, 1879
Black and white map of post routes in Arkansas and Indian Territory. Includes parts of surrounding states.
-
Map of Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, 1871
Hand drawn map of Fort Smith from survey done on September 1871. Survey for map done by Boundary Commission.
-
Map of Arkansas and portion of Indian Territory including names of river ports, 1870
Color map of Arkansas, a portion of Indian Territory, and other neighboring states from 1870. Includes names of river ports.
-
Charles Milor letter, 1861 February 25
Handwritten letter from Charles Milor, of Milor, Arkansas, to President Abraham Lincoln in support of H.L. Holleman's application for U.S. marshal of the Western District of Arkansas.
