Spring Discovery Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2013
Rare western item, an isaac Parker sworn and approved oath of office dated November 13, 1885, for a Wiley A. Cox : in part reads.. I Wiley a Cox do solemnly swear that I faithfully execute all lawful precepts, directed to the Marshal of the United States for the Western District of Arkansas, under the authority of the United States, and true returns make, and in all things well and truly, and without malice or partiality, perform the duties of Deputy Marshal of the Western District of Arkansas during my continuance in said office, and take only my lawful fees, so help me God." Signed "W. A. Cox".
Isaac Charles Parker served as a U. S. District Judge presiding over the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas for twenty-one years. He served in that capacity during the most dangerous time for law enforcement, the western expansion. He is remembered today as the legitimate "Hanging Judge" of the American Old West. In his years on the bench, Parker tried 13,490 cases, of which 344 were capital crimes. Guilty pleas or convictions were handed down in 9,454 cases. Of the 160 (156 men and 4 women) sentenced to death by hanging, 79 were actually hanged. The rest died in jail, appealed, or were pardoned.
Isaac "Hanging Judge" Parker
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