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Fort Smith National Historic SitePark staff and volunteers dressed as first fort soldiers prepare to fire cannon
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
September 9, 1881 Execution
rope tied as a noose
Five men were executed on the Fort Smith gallows on September 9, 1881. The motives for their crimes ranged from mistaken identity to senseless violence. In August of 1880, William Brown, trying to defend himself against a man who threatened his life, fired at a shadowy figure moving toward him. Instead, Brown killed his friend, Robert Tate. Self defense was also the claim of Patrick McGowen and George Padgett, but juries found both men guilty of murder. Brothers Abler and Amos Manley shot and killed Ellis McVay, a farmer who offered them shelter for the night of December 3, 1880. Their motive was unknown.
Entrance to Visitor Center on south end of building  

Did You Know?
Fort Smith National Historic Site completed a major renovation of their Visitor Center in the summer of 2000.

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Last Updated: June 16, 2007 at 11:51 EST