Event
Night Court: Grand Jury trial of Rufus Cannon and William Stamphill
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Type of Event
The event starts at 6:00 pm and may last an hour or longer.
Description
On Friday, January 31st and Saturday, February 1st the Fort Smith National Historic Site will present a mock trial based on a Grand Jury trial of Deputy Marshals Rufus Cannon and William Stamphill that took place in 1893. The reenactment will take place in the historic Courtroom. Admission is free but EARLY RESERVATIONS are required.
On October 3, 1893, Deputy Marshals Rufus Cannon and William Stamphill approached the home of Lon Thomas near Weootka, Indian Territory with a seven-man posse. They are looking to arrest four men who are alleged to have assaulted a Creek Indian boy and stole some cattle. When they approach the house, gunshots erupt. When the smoke clears, they find one of the four suspects, Joe Pierce, shot and killed. Oddly, one of the shots was in his back and they are without a writ for his alleged arrest! Upon hearing about the death of Joe Pierce his new widow, Francis Pierce, asks the federal court in Fort Smith to arrest the two marshals for the murder of her husband. Were the marshals justified in trying to arrest them or were their actions outside of the rule of law and thus, was this murder? Become a member of the Grand Jury and decide whether this trial should go before the judge!
The program will be concluded with a discussion about the historical verdict.
Reservation or Registration: Yes
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