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Fort Smith National Historic Site Poteau River seen through trees
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
April 17, 1885 Execution
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On April 17, 1885 William Phillips was executed at Fort Smith.  He had been found guilty by a jury of murdering his father-in-law, William Hill, in the summer of 1884. The victim was asleep at the time. The two men had a history of conflict. An earlier argument had also resulted in gunfire, with Phillips wounding Hill in the ankle. 

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Trail of Tears Routes

Did You Know?
The Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, (Muscogee) Creek and Seminole Indian tribes were forcibly moved to Indian Territory on what became known as the Trail of Tears. The Arkansas River served as a water route to Fort Smith where they received supplies before crossing the river into Indian Territory.
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Last Updated: June 16, 2007 at 12:52 MST