Hell on the Border: He Hanged Eighty-Eight Men

by S.W. Harman, Larry D. Ball (Introduction)

Judge Isaac C. Parker was the scourge of evil-doers during the twenty-one years he presided over the federal court for the Western District of Arkansas, which included Indian Territory. From 1875 to 1896 he handed death sentences to 172 lawbreakers; 88 of them were actually hanged. The fact that 65 of his deputy marshals were slain in the line of duty indicates the unhealthiness of that border country. Judge Parker, often criticized for rigidity, sympathized with victims and their families but not with the criminals who went to the Fort Smith gallows, which could accommodate six at a time. Hell on the Border , written by S. W. Harman, who was a defense attorney in Judge Parker's court, is one of the seminal books on outlaws and lawmen. These pages were among the first to recount the daring misdeeds of Frank Dalton, a former deputy marshal under the judge's jurisdiction, and his dangerous brothers. Belle Starr, indicted as a horse thief, appears, one in a parade of defendants, notorious and A reprint of the original and unabridged edition published in 1898, this Bison Book is introduced by Larry D. Ball, who discusses the formation of the famous court.

Genres: History

728 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1992

Reviews

[Theshiney · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have the 1953 edition. it is awesome. the publisher, one Frank Van Eaton, writes his forward mostly about himself. only a tiny section in it one can find the authors name, for it isnt found on the cover, in the authors own introduction, or anywhere else. this is an idiosyncratic book to say the least. most of this is due to the fact the publisher, thankfully, keeps the original spelling and grammar errors, that is, stays as faithful as possible to original printing- unless it 'destroyed sense and meaning.' the colorful language and odd grammar is most of the fun. the random chapter breaks have almost no rhyme or reason. it was an adventure. i bet a recent edition wouldnt be as interesting. i was caught in another time when story exceeded formality. if the episodes related are exaggerated, biased, or true at all is not really the point of reading this book. its an experience rather than an historical document.

[Mary Ann Plahitko]

I thought this book was the second and the best Reeves trilogy. It has the same name, but it is a history of the laws, trial outcomes, and so forth of the hanging judge. Because it was not what I was looking for, I quit reading it about a third of the way through.

[Douglas Reedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of good stories.

I was pleased to see so many interesting and true stories of the outlaws and their victims. Plus the punishment that was handed down.

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good info on the frontier at Fort Smith, Judge Parker

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of inaccuracies and exaggerated stories in this book, but a great read. It was originally published just a few years after the federal court at Fort Smith lost jurisdiction over Indian Territory and the death of "Hangin" Judge Isaac C Parker.