Hidden History of Fort Smith, Arkansas

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During the days of American westward expansion, Fort Smith was the gritty frontier town whose lawless reputation became known both east and west of the Mississippi. Dubbed “Hell on the Border,” the last developed township just before unsettled native territory, Fort Smith laid low more than its fair share of settlers, pioneers and outlaws. Yet after years of disorder, reformers and lawmen helped tame the city’s wild ways, beginning Fort Smith’s transformation into the prosperous city it is today. Buried beneath Fort Smith’s infamous past are forgotten stories, untold tales and little-known facts. After years spent researching the city’s history for his historical column in the Times Record, journalist Ben Boulden uncovers Fort Smith’s hidden history.