Fort Smith, Arkansas

May 3-4, 2011.  We are at Fort  Smith, at the Springhill campground of the L.C. Hall Lock & Dam site.  We got to see how the dam and lock work together. Fort Smith was an important fort in the opening of the west.  First, it was the first outpost west of the Mississippi and was the distribution point for soldiers, their families and supplies to all of the other forts in the mid west.  Secondly, the government posted the U.S. Marshall's in Fort Smith as well as the "Hanging Judge" Isaac C. Parker.  177 ruthless settlers, bandits and Indians were sentenced to hang by Judge Parker. Fearless Marshall's and tough justice came to those at Fort Smith and the western territory.  There is also a national cemetery at Fort Smith.