People's National Bank Historical Marker and Henry Starr's Last Stand

This historical marker commemorates People's National Bank which was constructed here in 1900. It also shares the bank's connection to outlaw Henry Starr, also known as The Cherokee Bad Boy, who was shot while attempting to rob the bank on February 18, 1921. Starr became a legendary outlaw prior to that fateful day, roaming Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Missouri. In his short 32 years, The Cherokee Bad Boy robbed more than 21 banks, acquiring more than $60,000 between 1893-1921. Not only did Henry Starr rob more banks than the Doolin-Dalton Gang and the James-Younger Gang combined, he robbed more banks than the famous Jessie James.

When one visits the historic Harrison Square in Harrison, Arkansas, it would be easy to overlook the small plaque displayed on the side of an old building where one of America's most legendary outlaws met his fate outside of the Coffman Center next to the Boone Country courthouse. The Coffman Center, which used to be The People's National Bank, was the final bank that the famous Henry Starr robbed. Not only was this the first bank robbery that used an automobile, it was the end of "The Last Real Badmen." 

Henry Starr was born into an infamous outlaw family in 1873. His father, George "Hop" Starr, his grandfather, Tom Starr, his uncle, Sam Starr, and his aunt, the "Outlaw Queen", Belle Starr. It was no surprise when Henry Starr followed in his family's family business at only 16 years old. In 1891, Starr was accused of stealing a horse. Although he denied the charge, he was still arrested and locked up in jail in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After his cousin bailed him out, Starr made the choice to commit to a life of crime. After skipping bail, a warrant was put out for his arrest and the responsibility of catching Starr was given to Deputy Marshals Floyd Wilson and Henry Dickey. 

Starr then joined up with Jesse Jackson and Ed Newcome, making up the Starr Gang. When Deputy Wilson caught up with Starr, The Cherokee Bad Boy shot and killed him and escaped with Wilson's horse. Now, the bounty for Starr multiplied. In all of Henry Starr's notorious career, Deputy Marshall Wilson is the only man Starr is known to have shot. Within the next three months, the Starr Gang robbed two banks, a railroad depot, and a train. They were finally caught and arrested in Colorado Spings and brought back to Fort Smith to stand trial under the famous "hanging judge," Isaac Parker. The federal judge sentenced Starr to hang and Starr responded by yelling,

"Don't you try to stare me down, old Nero. I've looked many a better man than you in the eye. Cut out the rot and save your wind for your next victim. If I am a monster, you are a fiend, for I have put only one man to death, while you have slaughtered many with your jawbone!"

Starr's lawyers were able to get the case appealed not once, but two more times until Starr was sentenced to 15 years at his third trial. Due to being a model prisoner and assisting the prison guards with disarming Cherokee Bill, Henry Starr earned the attention of President Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt was impressed with Starr's help to disarm and assist recapturing an escaping Cherokee Bill, that Starr was pardoned and released from jail in 1903. 

Many years later, and after robbing more banks and trains, Starr found himself in Harrison, Arkansas. Henry and his three gang members drove into Harrison and walked in the People's State Bank on February 18, 1921, and stole $6,000. As they were leaving and running back to their car, JW Myers, the former bank president, grabbed his gun out of the safe and shot Starr in the back. His partners left him for dead and drove away. The bullet was removed after Starr was carried to the hospital. He died four days later from his wounds. Some of his last words were,

"I've robbed more banks than any man in America." 

He died the next morning as his wife and 17 year old son, Theodor Roosevelt Starr, were next to him in the hospital. 

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May, Jon D.. Starr, Henry (1873-1921), Oklahoma Historical Society. Accessed November 29th 2020. https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=ST060 .

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The People's National Bank, The Historical Marker Database. Accessed November 29th 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=141629 .

Starr, H. (1982). Thrilling Events: Life of Henry Starr. United States: Creative Publishing Company.