The “Hanging Tree” at Old Jackson was a landmark in the community of Jackson Arkansas, former County Seat for Lawrence County Arkansas (currently Randolph County).
The only known legal hanging that occurred at Jackson was connected to the Polly Hillhouse murder. Polly Hillhouse was said to be from Smithville and was living on a farm near the Strawberry River.
According to newspaper accounts and accounts by Mrs. S K Baker ,her grand-daughter, Hillhouse was shot and killed by a slave referred to as “Jarrett” in 1831.
The story handed down goes, Jarrett “slipped” a gun from the house and hid it in the yard. He then called Mrs. Hillhouse to the back door where he allegedly shot her. Family speculated his motive was to gain freedom.
The family’s version of the story states that Jarrett killed Mrs. Polly Hillhouse, took a boat and made his escape via the river but was caught a few days later in Newport (other accounts say he fled to Missouri).
Jarrett was returned to Jackson and was tried in a court, convicted and sentenced to hang.
Jarrett was hung at Jackson on December 23rd 1831. This is said to be the only legal hanging performed at Jackson.
The “Hanging Tree” of Old Jackson outlived the town, the local landmark died in the early 1990’s according to reports.
According to the Encyclopedia Of Arkansas “The infamous hanging tree was a large white oak on the south side of Union Road, approximately 200 yards northeast of the center of town. The tree was a town landmark.”
This photo of the Hanging Tree at Old Jackson was taken in 1979 by Kathy Cude Lester and used with her permission.