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Fort Smith National Historic Site Park staff and volunteers dressed as first fort soldiers prepare to fire cannon
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
April 23, 1886 Execution
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Joseph Jackson and James Wasson were executed on April 23, 1886.  Both of these men were found guilty of murder in jury trials held before Judge Isaac C. Parker. Jackson shot and killed his wife, Mary, on March 9, 1885 at Oak Lodge in the Choctaw Nation. Although Wasson was wanted for an 1872 murder of a man named Henry Martin, he eluded capture until 1884. At that time, a large reward was offered for his arrest in connection with the murder of Almarine Watkins. He was convicted for this crime.
 

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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 13:51 MST