Night Court Reenactment Trial

United States v. Cherokee Bill
Friday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 22 at 6:00 p.m.

In July of 1895, Cherokee Bill, eighteen years old, sets in his jail cell. He is already convicted of one murder and is waiting to hear back from the Supreme Court on the decision of his appeal. Determined to have his freedom he is smuggled in a .38 caliber Colt revolver. As the jailer locks up the prisoners in their cells for the evening Bill decides to attempt an escape. As the guard, Larry Keating, is standing right next to his cell, Bill advances towards him with the pistol, telling him to ‘Throw his hands up.’ He places the gun point through the bars, point blank into Keating’s face. He pulls the trigger.

The following exchange of gunfire would result in the death of one guard and the second murder trial of Cherokee Bill. On the nights of August 21st and 22nd park staff and Volunteers will recreate an abridged version of this trial using original testimony. The decision is up to the audience as they will make up the jury.

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 479-226-3723