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Fort Smith National Historic Site detail of postcard showing people in front of courthouse building
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
August 6, 1886 Execution
noose
On August 6, 1886 Kit Ross was executed for the crime of murder.  On December 20, 1885 he shot and killed Johnathan Davis. Though wounded, Davis chased Ross for seventy-five yards and wounded him twice before Davis began to weaken from the loss of blood. Davis died that night. Citizens gathered a reward of $150 for Ross' capture and six weeks later he was apprehended.

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reproduction of keelboat on Arkansas River with first fort soldier reenactors

Did You Know?
Fort Smith was established on Christmas Day, 1817. Approximately 70 Rifle Regiment soldiers arrived by keelboat after a long journey on the Arkansas River.
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Last Updated: June 16, 2007 at 15:54 MST