James Arcene facts for kids

James Arcene was a young man who lived a long time ago. He is known for a sad reason: he was the youngest person ever executed in the United States. Arcene was a Cherokee man. He was executed by the U.S. federal government in Fort Smith, Arkansas. This happened because of a crime he was said to have been involved in when he was only about 10 years old.

The Crime

What Happened in 1872?

In 1872, James Arcene and another Cherokee man, William Parchmeal, saw a man named William Feigel. Mr. Feigel was a visitor from Sweden. They saw him buying things in a store. When Mr. Feigel left the store, heading towards Fort Gibson, Arcene and Parchmeal followed him. They caught up with him about two miles outside of the fort.

A Small Robbery

Sadly, a crime happened. Mr. Feigel was killed. His boots and a very small amount of money were taken. The money was only 25 cents. This amount would be worth about $6.11 today.

Arrest and Trial

Capture and Escape

James Arcene was arrested for the crime. He was put on trial for the robbery and murder of Mr. Feigel. However, Arcene managed to escape. He stayed hidden for many years. He was not caught again until he was 23 years old.

The Long Search

Arcene and Parchmeal were finally caught by a law officer named Deputy Marshal Andrews. This happened more than ten years after the crime. The case had been unsolved for a very long time.

The Judge and Execution

The executions were held in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A famous judge named Isaac Parker was in charge of the trials. He was sometimes called the "Hanging Judge." James Arcene was executed when he was 23 years old.

Arcene's Age

Why Was His Age Important?

It is hard to know James Arcene's exact birth date. There are not many records from that time for the area where he lived. This area was called Indian Territory. However, important documents show that James Arcene said he was a child in 1872. This was when the crime happened.

What He Claimed

He never changed his story about being a child. He kept saying he was young, even when it was clear it would not help him. This shows he truly believed he was a child at the time of the crime.

Historical Discussions

The Death Penalty for Children

James Arcene's case is often talked about today. It comes up in discussions about the death penalty. Specifically, people talk about whether it is right to execute children. His case is a very important example in these talks.

Native Americans and Justice

His case also sometimes comes up when people discuss how Native Americans were treated. Some people believe they did not always receive fair treatment from the United States government.

See also

In Spanish: James Arcene para niños