1894 FORT SMITH U. S. MARSHAL VOUCHER- WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS.

Description

Plain Jane 1
1894 FORT SMITH U. S. MARSHAL VOUCHER- WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS.
DESCRIPTION
4 1/4" x 8",  1894, Western District of Arkansas, Fort Smith. Voucher for three days guard over (prisoner) Sam Samuels under the charge of B.F. Gryson(?) Deputy Marshal.
The Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas was created in 1851 and, until 1896, held jurisdiction over 13 Arkansas counties and all or parts of the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). This vast area was home to the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks and Seminoles, removed from their homelands in the Southeast by the U.S. government during the 1830s.
Responsibility for policing this area fell to the federal court in Fort Smith. The Western District of Arkansas derived its uniqueness from the authority to handle cases between Indians and those who were not tribal members. In 1875, Judge Parker arrived from Missouri, and at that time the court’s reputation for justice was poor. In his 21 years at Fort Smith, Parker would restore the court to respectability. He gave much of the credit for his success to his deputies, once commenting that "without these officers, what is the use of this court?"
The deputy marshals who served the Fort Smith court came from a variety of backgrounds.While the majority of deputies were white, the law enforcement force working in Indian Territory was probably the most integrated on the frontier at that time, having its share of both Indian and African American members. The use of these officers was an efficient and effective way of carrying out the work of the federal court because of the multicultural population in the jurisdiction.
Deputies could arrest for any crime committed in the 74,000 square miles of the federal court’s jurisdiction. A set of instructions issued by the U.S. Marshal’s office in Fort Smith give an idea of the crimes and problems involved.These arrests may be made with or without warrant first issued and in the hand of the Deputy or the Chief Marshal."
Over 65 deputy marshals were killed in the line of duty during Judge Parker’s tenure.The financial reward for putting life in danger was not substantial, and most deputies did not earn more than 0 per year. This was due to the fee system that would not be reformed until 1898. A deputy received for making an arrest and could receive 6 cents per mile for going to the place of arrest and 10 cents per mile for himself and a prisoner returning to court.If a deputy failed to make an arrest, he received no payment. If he killed a suspect while attempting an arrest, the deputy had to bury the dead man at his own expense unless he was fortunate enough to find relatives to claim the body. In that case, the deputy could collect for the time and money he would be out in making that arrest.
Exhibits some use and wear, puncture hole top center, overall VG- Fine condition.
(see scan). Domestic post will be .00
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