 |
| Court document of Star Belle, infamous outlaw Arkansas State Archives collection |
The Arkansas State
Archives and Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced March 1 the acquisition of a
historically significant collection of court documents related to "Hanging
Judge Isaac Charles Parker in Fort Smith.
“These important documents now will be preserved and made available for generations to come,” Dr. Richter said. “These papers are a unique find, and we hope they will be of great interest to researchers.”
The acquisition of the U.S. District Court of Western Arkansas collection means the State
Archives now has about 6,000 records connected with famous figures like Parker.
Parker
served as the federal judge with jurisdiction over Western Arkansas and
the Indian Territory between 1875 and 1896. During his tenure as judge, he
sentenced 160 people to death, including four women.
Gov.
Hutchinson said during the Arkansas Territory Bicentennial Celebration that the
new collection will let Arkansans see what life was like in rough-and-tumble
Fort Smith. The collection is special and will add to the historically
significant holdings at Archives.
Several documents include the mark “signature” of Bass Reeves, who
was the first black lawmen west of the Mississippi River. Reeves, an Arkansas native, was famous for his
ability to catch outlaws under trying circumstances.
Other documents in the
collection include jury lists, warrants, bonds, receipts from deputy marshals,
payroll information, and lists for day-to-day items, like office supplies. Outside of court records, the collection also contains a
Jan. 2, 1839, letter from Lucy Ames Butler, of Red Clay, Tennessee, to Drusilla
Burnap, of Lowell, Massachusetts, that describes events surrounding the
Cherokee removal.
Acquiring the collection was a joint effort among Dr. Richter;
Gov. Asa Hutchinson; Stacy Hurst, director of the Department of Arkansas
Heritage; and other staff. The documents previously were held in a private,
family collection.
“The Arkansas State Archives has the largest repository of historical
documents and artifacts in Arkansas,” said Stacy Hurst, director of the
Department of Arkansas Heritage. “This fascinating acquisition is an
outstanding addition to our collections and will help preserve our state’s
heritage and its important place in U.S. history.”
