If you’ve ever visited Fort Smith or are planning a trip, there’s one historical figure whose presence looms large in the area, Judge Isaac Parker.
Judge Parker was known across the country as the “Hanging Judge” and his legacy is a fascinating part of Arkansas history.
Who Was Judge Isaac Parker?
Isaac Parker served as the federal judge for the Western District of Arkansas from 1875 to 1896. His courtroom was located in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
At the time, his jurisdiction included Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), which was considered one of the most lawless regions in the country.
With few local law enforcement officers and a flood of crimes Parker was tasked with the nearly impossible job of bringing order to the Wild West.
Why Was He Called the “Hanging Judge”?
During his 21-year tenure, Parker sentenced 160 people to death and 79 of them were actually hanged.
While those numbers earned him his nickname, it is said that Parker himself wasn’t bloodthirsty. In fact, we know from his own words that he actually had personal doubts about the death penalty and was a strong advocate for due process.
However, in those days there were mandatory death penalty laws during that left him with no choice.
According to federal law at the time, if the jury returned a verdict of guilty for rape or murder, the judge was required to hand down a death sentence.
He once said, “I never hanged a man. It is the law.”
Life on the Frontier Bench
Judge Isaac Parker held court six days a week and often tried more than a dozen cases in a single day.
If you’ve ever watched old western movies the chances are the stories were inspired by the kinds of cases Parker handled. He might have sentenced stagecoach robbers, whiskey runners, horse thieves, and murderers.
Fort Smith’s courtroom became the last stop for many outlaws. These were men and women brought in by U.S. Marshals after long, dangerous manhunts through Indian Territory.
One of the most famous of these Marshals was Bass Reeves who also plays a large part in Arkansas frontier history.
Judge Isaac Parker had a Nuanced Legacy
While the nickname “Hanging Judge” sticks in the public imagination, Parker’s legacy is more nuanced. Surprisingly, he was a progressive thinker for his time.
He supported the rights of Native Americans, spoke out against racial injustice, and believed in rehabilitation over punishment when possible.
His courtroom was also one of the few places where Black and Native American witnesses and jurors were allowed and respected in the 1800s.
Visiting the Courtroom of the Hanging Judge
If you’re ever in Fort Smith, the Fort Smith National Historic Site is a must-visit.
Here you can walk through Judge Parker’s restored courtroom, see the infamous gallows, and explore exhibits that bring frontier justice to life.
It is a fascinating glimpse into the history of Fort Smith and the Arkansas frontier.
You will want to take a moment to step into that old courtroom and imagine what it must’ve been like to serve justice on the edge of civilization.
I would also highly suggest a visit to the US Marshalls Museum as well as Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum to round out your picture of life in this once frontier town.
