Grisly bit of US history. As we head home, stopped to see “Ft. Smith” in Arkansas. Once the “Outpost” of the United States and Seat of Justice for the Western territories (many taken from Mexico and Native Americans) not yet admitted as states.
Was walking around checking out the cannons when a white “stage” over in the corner of the grounds caught my eye. First thought was “Did they have bands play back then?”
Upon closer inspection the “stage” was actually large gallows with a “trap door” capable of hanging up to six condemned criminals at a time.
Judge Parker, portrayed in Western novels and films as a "Hanging Judge," also had his courthouse at Ft. Smith. Parker had to govern a territory the size of several “states” and was known for his contributions in rehabilitating offenders, reforming the criminal justice system, and advocating the rights of the Indian nations.
While fictitious, the Clint Eastwood movie “Hang ‘em High” depicts a Federal judge in a similar situation with Clint as his Deputy. Of course the “hanging scene” in the movie is much more prolonged and dramatic. The testing of the gallows with sandbags…
Tomorrow we will have to decide if we want to head up through Tennessee and look for where the Paramore video for “Ain’t It Fun” was shot and see where they all gathered in the middle of the road for a group picture. I think I can find both places now. Looking forward to it. Hayley…
If we don’t do that then we will head on to Myrtle Beach and drive up the East coast. My wife has never been to NYC so that is something to think about. Also see the old neighborhood where we used to live.
