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In the late 1800s, Belle Starr was a notorious female outlaw in America's Old West. Her close friends included the legendary American outlaws Cole Younger and Frank and Jesse James. Her reputation, the novelty of being a female outlaw, and her violent, mysterious death led to her being called "The Bandit Queen."
Weekly brief of historical moments in Fort Smith.
" " Bass Reeves was a Black deputy marshal in the 1800s, a frontier hero and the possible inspiration for "The Lone Ranger." Wikipedia/HowStuffWorks He stood 6 feet, 2 inches (1.88 meters), weighed 180 pounds (82 kilograms) and could reportedly whoop two men at a time with his bare hands. He was as quick on the draw as he was deadly accurate with his Winchester rifle, capable of taking down a running target at a quarter-mile (402 meters). He wore a thick handlebar mustache and spit-shined boots unless he was in one of his clever disguises. In the storied American West of the late 19th-...
Fort Smith History: Feb. 21-27 Fort Smith Times Record Feb. 22, 1882 — Deputy U.S. Marshal J.T. Ayers dies a week after his weapon accidentally discharged and shot his leg. “He was a gentleman and died a brave man,” the Fort Smith Elevator proclaims. Feb. 22, 1900 — George Sengel sells his homestead on Fifth Street, which he built 18 years ago. Ed Haglin bought the property for $6,500. Feb. 22, 1906 — Ground is broken for the Second Baptist Church, at the junction of North 11th and Fifth streets. Feb. 22, 1909 — Eads Brothers Furniture Co. begins construction of a $20,000,...