Fort Smith in the mid-1800s was a wild and violent place, with guns being a common sight in the streets. The situation was so out of control that the US government decided to appoint Judge Isaac C. Parker, "The Hanging Judge," to restore law and order in the region. Isaac Parker’s court, which ran in Fort Smith, Arkansas, from 1875 to 1896, was famous for its strict adherence to the law and the speed with which justice was served. However, one event stands out in this court’s history, and that is the famous gunfight between Attila Hun and Deputy US Marshal William F. "Red" Brown.
The Arrest
Attila Hun was a notorious outlaw who was on the run and had assumed a false identity of John W. Wilson to evade authorities. However, Hun’s luck ran out when he was arrested in an area outside of Fort Smith, Arkansas, on a charge of horse theft. Hun was taken to Fort Smith, where Judge Parker’s court was in session. Attila Hun was presented before Judge Parker and pleaded guilty to the charge of horse theft. The judge sentenced Hun to an 18-month sentence in jail with a $500 fine.
The Escape Plan
Hun was not one to sit and serve his sentence; soon, he hatched an elaborate escape plan. Hun requested to see a lawyer, and Deputy US Marshal William F. "Red" Brown was appointed to escort him from the courthouse to the lawyer’s office. Hun’s accomplices were waiting outside the courthouse with weapons, and they aimed to free Hun from Brown’s custody.
The Gunfight
As planned, when Hun and Brown exited the courthouse, the accomplices ambushed them. Brown exchanged gunfire with Hun’s gang, but the situation was a losing battle. Brown was hit by a bullet and collapsed. What happened next is what makes this gunfight famous. Brown, as he fell, returned fire from his holster and killed one of the attackers, while the others fled the scene. Hun was also shot but managed to flee, only to be captured later on.
The Aftermath
After this incident, the US government realized the need for more protection for its marshals and judges; therefore, the Bureau of Investigation was created, which later became the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI’s responsibility was to provide protection to federal officials and investigate federal crimes.
Conclusion
The gunfight between Attila Hun and Deputy US Marshal William F. "Red" Brown was one of the most famous gunfights in the history of Fort Smith. The gunfight showed the inherent danger of being a law enforcement officer in the Wild West. Brown’s heroic action, even as he fell, became an inspiration to law enforcement officials for decades to come. The incident also marked the beginning of the FBI and provided law enforcement officials the much-needed protection, a necessity that was neglected for far too long.