John Stansberry was executed on July 9, 1890, having been found guilty of murdering his wife. Although he and his wife had a new baby, Stansberry had fallen in love with someone else. To sever the ties that prevented his marriage to another woman, Stanberry killed his child on September 20, 1889. About a month later, he murdered his wife with repeated blows from an axe. Stansberry was arrested while still at his wife's grave after the funeral and was convicted shortly thereafter.
Did You Know?
The garrison flag flown on the old military parade ground of Fort Smith National Historic Site bears 37 stars and is 20 x 30'. On special occasions visitors assist in raising the huge flag.