James Tucker (Execution of)

James Tucker was an African American man hanged at Paris (Logan County) on May 30, 1884, for murdering his partner at their farm on Red Bench Mountain.

James Tucker and Aaron Barker rented property on Red Bench Mountain in Logan County, where they built a cabin and were growing cotton on their small farm. Tucker suspected that Barker had some money, and on the night of December 27, 1883, he “stole upon his victim while asleep and discharged both loads of a double-barreled gun into his person.” After stealing “the trifling sum that he possessed,” Tucker fled deeper into the mountains.

The erstwhile farmer “became an outlaw, terrorizing the community and defying the authorities.” He evaded repeated attempts to catch him by lawmen but, on February 7, 1884, was brought to bay “by a squad of colored men, who surrounded his hiding place.” After “a hard fight,” Tucker surrendered to the posse.

Tucker was tried in April 1884, and “he exhibited more than ordinary skill in making a defense,” but when a jury returned a first-degree murder verdict, he said, “All right, I have done all I could do to save myself, but I am now ready to die.” He was sentenced to hang on May 30, 1884.

Watched by a crowd of 2,000 people, Tucker was taken to the gallows at 12:20 p.m. on May 30, accompanied by a Black preacher. After hymns were sung and a prayer was offered, the Arkansas Gazette reported, Tucker yelled, “Lord remember me….I will march home to heaven. Meet me there.” A Missouri newspaper reported that “he met his fate coolly, saying God had forgiven him, and he was at peace with the world.”

The trap door was sprung at 12:35, “and he fell, making no struggle.” He was declared dead ten minutes later.

For additional information:
“An Arkansas Hanging.” Appleton City [Missouri] Journal, June 5, 1884, p. 2.

“An Arkansas Murderer Hung.” St. Joseph [Missouri] Gazette, May 31, 1884, p. 5.

“Arkansas State News.” Batesville Guard, June 11, 1884, p. 4.

“Fort Smith. The Red Bench Murderer Sentenced to Hang.” Arkansas Democrat, April 5, 1884, p. 1.

“Tucker Translated.” Arkansas Gazette, May 31, 1884, p. 8.

Mark K. Christ
Central Arkansas Library System