Near Dixon in Webster County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Frontier Justice

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 13, 2018

1. Frontier Justice Marker

Inscription. Big Harp's head displayed here as warning to outlaws, about 1800. Mother and child murdered in cabin west of Dixon by Big (Micajah) and Little (Wiley) Harp, who were then pursued to Muhlenberg County where Big Harp was shot. His head was brought here, at that time a crossroad. Harps and wives roamed Kentucky in 1798-99 on crime spree. Little Harp was executed in Miss. later.

Erected 1967 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1004.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 37° 34.858′ N, 87° 41.131′ W. Marker is near Dixon, Kentucky, in Webster County. It is on Alternate U.S. 41 one mile south of State Route 56, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4679 US-41A, Dixon KY 42409, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region

and in the Western Coal Field.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Webster County Courthouse (approx. 4.4 miles away); County Named, 1860 (approx. 4.4 miles away); Kentucky Authors (approx. 4.6 miles away); Richards Home Site (approx. 7.8 miles

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away); McMullin-Warren House (approx. 8½ miles away); Encounter at Burnt Mill (approx. 8½ miles away); Sebree Colored School (approx. 8.8 miles away); 1917 Coal Mine Explosion (approx. 10.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dixon.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Harpe brothers. (Submitted on September 20, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The view north on US-41A. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 13, 2018

2. The view north on US-41A.

Looking south on US-41A towards Dixon. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 13, 2018

3. Looking south on US-41A towards Dixon.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,971 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.