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Fort Smith National Historic Site detail of postcard showing prison wagon by jail
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
April 30, 1896 Execution
noose
On April 30, 1896 three men were executed on the Fort Smith gallows.  Webber Isaacs, a Cherokee Indian, robbed Mike Cushing, a 60 year old peddler, and then beat him to death. Isaacs tried to burn the body of his victim to destroy evidence of the crime but letters found near the scene confirmed Cushing's identity. In November 1894, George and John Pierce, brothers, murdered William Vandever, their traveling companion, as they rode through the Cherokee Nation. The Pierces robbed Vandever of his horses, mules and a wagon.

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Lady Bird Johnson speaking at Fort Smith NHS dedication

Did You Know?
Lady Bird Johnson came to Fort Smith National Historic Site to dedicate the park on October 27, 1964.
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Last Updated: June 19, 2007 at 15:11 MST