Join Mattie Ross as she tells the tale of Florence Hammersley, a stenographer, Deputy Circuit Clerk, poet, and much more, who paved the way for women as professionals in the federal court system. Florence, along with her father, Jacob, a court crier in Parker's court and U.S. Deputy Marshal, and her mother and siblings lived at one point in the oldest building still standing in Fort Smith today. Listen as Mattie details the unique family who served the Western District so well for so many years. Mattie Ross is portrayed by Maggie Jones and J.A. Hammersley is read by Kevin Jones. A Spinnin' 'Round Production.

Join host Kevin Jones, sitting in for Mattie Ross (Maggie Jones) on this episode, as we cross into Oklahoma with Special Guests Tom Wing ("Mr. History") and Dr. Eddie Glenn.

Glenn, an Oklahoman and a frequent contributor to Tales, is a UAFS Assistant Professor of Media Communication. Listen to this panel discuss local myth, history, and cultural significance as we "unearth" the Heavener Runestone and more.

Tom Wing, award-winning Director of the Drennen-Scott and Wilhauf Historic Sites, author, and former National Park Service Ranger, is a "Fort Smither," "an Arkansawyer," and an Assistant Professor of History at UAFS, who also knows much about Oklahoma, archeology, anthropology, and historical site interpretation. Join us on the Trail. Check out our past and future episodes at truegrittrail.com and other platforms.

U.S. Deputy Marshal Isaac "Ike" Rogers lived quite a life before being killed April 21, 1897 in Fort Gibson. This former slave joined the 1st KS Colored Infantry, worked for Cherokee Freedman rights, and was central in the apprehension of "Cherokee Bill" and many other dangerous outlaws along the True Grit Trail and elsewhere. Hear Maggie Jones (the voice of Mattie Ross) and Kevin Jones (UAFS Professor) discuss the unsung hero Ike Rogers and much more with special guest Fort Smith National Historic Site Park Ranger Cody Faber in this edition of Tales of the True Grit Trail recorded at the UAFS Sound Collection Lab.