Isaac Parker

Who was Isaac Parker?

Isaac Charles Parker served as a U.S. District Judge, presiding over the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas for 21 years. He served in this capacity during the western expansion of the United States and is remembered today as the "Hanging Judge" of the American Old West. He also served as a Congressman for Missouri's 7th District.

In 21 years on the federal bench, Judge Parker tried 13,490 cases—344 of which were for capital offenses. Suspects pleaded guilty or were convicted in 9,454 cases. Of the 160 sentenced to death by hanging, 79 were hanged. The rest died while incarcerated, appealed, or were pardoned.