For many people in Indian Territory and Muskogee, the death of Judge Isaac Parker in November 1896 was a sad day. Though he had gained a reputation as a hard, unyielding dispenser of justice, for the people of Indian Territory, he had been a friend.

Parker had been appointed to the Western District of Arkansas in 1875 just three years after Muskogee was born. This court, at Fort Smith, was given jurisdiction over Indian Territory. The territory had gone from a relatively peaceful place before the Civil War, to one of vicious lawlessness when many outlaw gangs had moved into the territory to escape the jurisdiction of the surrounding states.

Parker had set out to tame this troubled frontier. He hired a virtual army of deputy marshals to scour Indian Territory of the criminal element. And he prosecuted these criminals to the fullest extent of the law, sentencing more than 170 men to the death penalty. Eighty-eight convicted men were hanged during Parker’s 21 years on the bench. It earned him the nickname of the “Hanging Judge.”

Family members later related to his biographers that Parker disliked the appellation. He had not hanged these men, he said, “It is the law that has done it.” Those who knew Parker personally said he was a gentle and kind man, but one with a strong sense of justice.

He had his share of critics, but most were people who did not live in Indian Territory and had not experienced the terror of uncontrolled crime. Most people around Muskogee approved of Parker’s firm hand in dealing with the outlaws.

Parker’s grandson, also named Isaac Parker, related an experience he had some years after the judge’s death. Young Parker had paid a business call on a blacksmith in Muskogee. After he introduced himself, the man asked if he was related to the famous “hanging judge.”

Parker confirmed that he was his grandson, fearing that the man might have had an experience in the judge’s court. As it turned out, the man’s brother had been convicted of peddling whiskey.

“It was the best thing that ever happened to my brother,” the blacksmith said. “He came out of prison a changed man.”

When news of Judge Parker’s death was announced, those prisoners awaiting trial in his court were greatly relieved, believing they would receive a lighter sentence from someone else. But for the citizens of Fort Smith, Muskogee and other territory towns, it was a sad day. Many gathered in tribute to the man who had almost single-handedly turned the tide of lawlessness in Indian Territory.

Reach Jonita Mullins at jonita@netscape.com.