Portrait of Isaac C. Parker

This early and rarely seen photograph of Isaac C. Parker was taken in 1870, as he was beginning his career as a freshman congressman from Missouri. After two terms in Congress, President Grant appointed him Federal Judge for the Western District of Arkansas. He arrived in Fort Smith on May 4th, 1875, probably looking very much like this image. The judge held court for the first time on May 10th, 1875.

Parker quickly gained a reputation as a “hanging judge,” even though he had serious reservations about the use of the death penalty as a deterrent to crime. His real reputation as a jurist was far more interesting. During his 20 years in office his jurisdiction covered over 60,000 miles of Indian Territory and parts of Arkansas. He held court six days a week and heard an estimated total of 13,490 criminal cases. Out of 160 individuals sentenced to death, only 79 were executed. One particularly difficult case resulted in Parker having to give instructions to a deadlocked jury. This move by Parker is known today as the Allen Charge and it is still used in our court system today.

Parker was a well-respected and involved member of the Fort Smith community. He supported education, women’s right to vote and hold office, and the rights of Native Americans and blacks. Fort Smith is a better community today because of Isaac C. Parker.