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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Fort Smith National Historic Sitenewly sworn-in young US citizens and their families raise the garrison flag
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
January 15, 1875 Execution
drawing of rope tied as noose
On January 15, 1875 McClish Impson was executed at Fort Smith. In murder charges filed on July 22, 1873, Impson was accused of shooting the victim, a man whose identity was never known, in the back. Found guilty in a jury trial in November 1874, Impson received a death sentence. On the scaffold he confessed to the crime and said his father's teachings had brought him to the gallows. Impson was one of seven men executed by the federal court in Fort Smith before Judge Isaac C. Parker arrived.  This execution was the last to occur under the tenure of Judge William Story.
foundation remains of first fort overlooking Arkansas River  

Did You Know?
The U.S. Army selected a spot overlooking the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers for the site of a fort. Soldiers from the Rifle Regiment arrived in 1817 and named the site Fort Smith after their commanding officer, Thomas A. Smith.

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Last Updated: June 16, 2007 at 10:57 EST