Convicted of murder (including the 1894 killing of store clerk Ernest Melton during a robbery and the killing of a jail guard during an escape attempt). Multiple additional killings attributed. Sentenced to death and hanged March 17, 1896 at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Background
Crawford "Cherokee Bill" Goldsby was a notorious Wild West outlaw of mixed Cherokee, African American, and other heritage. He began a life of crime young, joined the Cook Gang, formed his own gang, and was responsible for numerous murders across Indian Territory (Oklahoma). He was captured, tried before the famous "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker at Fort Smith, convicted of murder, and executed by hanging at age 20. His execution was widely covered.
Contemporary Fort Smith and national news coverage of trial and execution (1895-1896)
Judge Isaac Parker court records
All information on this site is drawn from publicly available records. We strongly recommend verifying directly with the cemetery and primary sources before making any decisions.
No other flagged graves found within 5 miles of this location in our current database.