Hear ye, here ye!

FORT SMITH — Did Babe Beard commit murder — or a lesser charge of manslaughter — against his nephew, Will Jones, in 1894?

You can decide for yourself during a re-enactment of the case pitting the United States against Babe Beard March 23 and 24 at the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Historic site staff and volunteers at the National will present the mock trial based on the case originally heard by Fort Smith’s famous “hanging judge,” Issac C. Parker in 1894. Beard struck Will in the head with a Winchester rifle because he thought Will and his two brothers were trying to steal Beard’s cow. Will died the next day.

The Fort Smith National Historic Site is located in downtown Fort Smith along the Arkansas River.

The trial will start at 7 p.m. Friday (March 23) and at 6 p.m. Saturday (March 24). Adults must pay $5; advance reservations are suggested. More information can be found at the National Park Service’s website.