When the base closed it became a courthouse and jail. 79 people were hung for crimes of rape or murder, 4 of those were women.
One of the most notorious outlaws to pass through the jail was Cherokee Bill. A photo shows a captured Bill surrounded by 5 Marshals and several other men. As the men posed and the picture was being taken you can actually see Bill reaching for the Marshal's gun. He later tried to break out of jail but was foiled by Henry Starr, the nephew of famous outlaw Belle Starr. (Interesting side note: it is rumored Fort Smith's Judge was sweet on Belle Starr, a rumor based on her receiving a lenient sentence after she stole horses. Then again she was not the prettiest woman, so it's hard to say if there is any truth to the claim).
The prisoners certainly didn't have an easy way of life in Fort Smith, but neither did the Marshals. The Marshals chased down the most dangerous criminals and had to bring them back alive and for only a very small reward. It actually cost them money if they brought fugitives back dead, so if they encountered hostility and had to kill a criminal they would hide the body and not tell anyone. Only half of the 200 Marshals survived the job with their life, making more dead Marshals than dead criminals.
In the evening we watched The Sessions, a very touching movie and should have gotten John Hawkes an Oscar nod.
Cherokee Bill is in the middle reaching
with his right hand for the Marshal's gun
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