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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Fort Smith National Historic SiteNewly sworn-in young American citizens and their families raise the huge garrison flag at the park.
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
June 28, 1892 Execution
noose
On June 28, 1892 John Thornton was executed for the murder of his daughter.  In 1891, Thornton was living in the Choctaw Nation and had long been suspected of abusing his daughter, Laura. On November 11, enraged that Laura had recently married (only six days earlier), Thornton shot and killed her. At his trial, the 65 year old Thornton pled not guilty by reason of insanity, saying he was drunk at the time of the murder and did not know what he was doing. This did not sway the jury. Thornton was convicted and sentenced to death for his crime.
Interior of jail cell with box for prisoners to visit with their lawyers  

Did You Know?
The conditions at the federal jail at Fort Smith were so horrible that it received the nickname "Hell on the Border." Up to 50 men were crowded into one large cell with limited ventilation and poor sanitary conditions.

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Last Updated: June 16, 2007 at 21:13 EST