Event
Night Court - Trail of George Wilson
Fee:
Free. Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased at Fort Smith National Historic Site - 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901.Dates & Times
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Description
Here is a summary of the story behind the trial:
In late spring of 1896 near Keokuk Falls in Indian Territory, a local resident finds the body of a man face down in a dry creek bed called Rock Creek. When local authorities are called to the scene, the initial investigation determines that due to the condition of the body and how he was placed there his death was a homicide. Yet, the body is so destroyed that identification of the deceased is impossible. The local residents and authorities rationalize that the only person in the area that has been missing is a man named Zachary Thatch who had just come to the area with his nephew, George Wilson from Arkansas a few weeks prior. George Wilson was still in the area but had not reported his Uncle missing. Suspicion grew that George killed his Uncle and had possession of his Uncle’s property. When George Wilson is arrested for the murder of his Uncle, he claims Mr. Thatch had gone to Shawnee to see a man about buying a claim but had never returned. Is the body in fact that of Zachary Thatch? If not, whose body is it? Without knowing the identity of the body and cause of death, is there enough evidence to convict George Wilson of the death of the Zachary Thatch? His life, literally, rests in your hands! Come be the jury.
Reservation or Registration: Yes
Image Gallery
NPS Photo/ Pat Schmidt