**Originally Listed At $1500** North America, United States, Arkansas, Fort Smith, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. This is an interesting collection of artefacts from the Fort Smith Arkansas, during a period of Western outlaws and "True Grit" storylines; 3 brass deputy and postal badges, and a framed charcoal drawing of a couple. The deputy constable badge was discovered in Martin Luther King Park which was purportedly the old city dump, along with two US postal service badges. The larger of the two is for the mail delivery for the Hotel Main, established on Garrison Ave. The badge has the name of the establishment, a number, and the postage amount "3 1/2 cents." The other is a USPS 2 horse delivery badge from 1915 to 1916 with "41." Included is a modern printed photograph of the Hotel Main with the badge. The framed portrait is a pencil and charcoal drawing by an unknown artist of presumably a Fort Smith couple from this era. Size (framed portrait): 21.5" L x 17.5" W (54.6 cm x 44.4 cm); (hotel postal badge): 4.8" L x 2.25" W (12.2 cm x 5.7 cm) In its heyday Fort Smith Arkansas was a rough and tumble frontier town bordering Oklahoma - just across the river from "Indian Territory." The town was notable for its brothels, saloons, and outlaws. The town was established as military post in 1817 and a stopping point along the 1830s Trail of Tears forcible relocation of Native Americans and the seat of the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Judge Isaac Parker is a notable figure that brough law and order to the area when he was U.S. District Judge 1875 to 1896, however he gained the nicknamed the "Hanging Judge." He was adept at handing down death sentences that often commenced in a hanging the same day as the sentencing. Over the span of 21 years, he sentenced 160 people to death, 79 were executed by hanging - the other 81 presumably would have gone to the gallows but died while incarcerated, were pardoned, or had their sentences commuted. In total, Judge Parker tried 13,490 cases and in more than 8,500 of these cases, the defendant either pleaded guilty or was convicted at trial. All that to say, he is well known for being tough on crime, despite his grim title of "Hanging Judge," he was committed to rehabilitating offenders, and reformation of the criminal justice system. Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #168723品相报告: Portrait is fair condition with a tear across the center and loss to a corner. Scuffs and creases to the paper and bending to peripheries. Frame has scuffs and abrasions and is missing the backing so the glass is loose, the frame should be replaced to protect the portrait. Badges have bending and surface abrasions and heavy patina, displayed in Riker case. Included is printed photo of the Hotel Main with the badge.