United States v. James Casherago

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) 49 views 

United States v. James Casherago Friday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m.  Saturday, February 21 at 6:00 p.m. 

In 1895 Zachariah Thatch was travelling through Indian Territory with a man named James Casherago. Near a spot where the two were camping, a body was found in a shallow creek. The locals believed it was none other than the body of Thatch and went to question Casherago. Sure enough, Thatch was nowhere to be found and Casherago was found with all of Thatch’s belongings, including weapons, horses, and a wagon and mattress found with blood stains. Later he was brought to Fort Smith to face federal charges since the alleged murder took place inside of Indian Territory. It would be one of Judge Isaac Parker’s last capital cases before his death in 1896. On Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, Fort Smith National Historic Site will reenact an abridged version of this trial. 

The living history event will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and will take place in the historic Courtroom. Admission is $5 per adult and early reservations are required. For reservations, please contact Cody Faber at 479-226-3727.