Dated "St. Louis, May 15th, 1878," this letter of appreciation is written on Dodd, Brown & Co. letterhead and was written to famed Wild West era Judge Isaac Parker (1875-1896). The letter reads in part, "Your favor Apl. 23rd came duly to hand stating that upon our recommendation you would appoint A.J. Reynolds of Wichita Agency, Indian Territory, U.S. Commissioner." The letter is signed "Dodd Brown & Co." At this time A.J. Reynolds remains unidentified. Dodd, Brown & Co. was a St. Louis based wholesale dry goods business started in January 1866 by Samuel Dodd and James Brown. Judge Parker served for two terms as a U.S. Congressman for Missouri's 7th congressional district (1871-1875) and served on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas from Fort Smith for 21 years. He went by the moniker the "Hanging Judge." During his 21 years on the bench, Judge Parker tried 13,490 cases of which 344 were capital crimes. He sentenced 160 men to death by hanging (79 actually hanged for their crimes; the remaining died in jail, appealed or were pardoned).

Very good. The lower section of the letter has been expertly reattached. The letter comes in an off the shelf frame for its protection. The handwriting is clear. A unique addition to a Wild West archive that pertains to the famous Hanging Judge.