Powhatan in Lawrence County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
The Conviction of Samuel Helms
Photographed By Thomas Smith, March 4, 2024
1. The Conviction of Samuel Helms Marker
Court records from the archives of the Powhatan Courthouse relate the brief story of one prisoner, Samuel Helms.
"We the jury find the defendant guilty as charged in the indictment of murder in the first degree."
James A. Snow, Foreman "of the jury
"Samuel Helms, it is the Judgement and Justice of this court that you be taken hence, to the Jailhouse of Lawrence County and there safely be kept until Friday the 17th day of December 1875, and that upon said last mentioned day you be taken hence, by the Sheriff of the said County of Lawrence and hang by the neck until you area dead! dead! dead!"
Honorable William Byers, Judge of the Court
"I hereby certify that this transcript came to and at 9 o'clock A.M. December 16th, 1875, and that I executed the same at Powhatan on Friday the 17th day of December 1875 between Sunrise and Sunset by Hanging Samuel Helm by the neck until he was Dead! Dead! Dead!"
W.G. Wasson, Sheriff Lawrence County
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1875.
Location. 36° 4.938′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Uses of the Jail House (a few steps from this marker); Powhatan Courthouse State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Powhatan Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Changes made to the Jail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Log Cabin Kitchen (about 300 feet away); Log Cabin (about 300 feet away); Commercial Building (about 500 feet away); The Black River (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Powhatan.
Photographed By Thomas Smith, March 4, 2024
2. The Conviction of Samuel Helms Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2024, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2024, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 2. submitted on March 10, 2024, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
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