When Mattie Ross traveled the True Grit Trail from Dardanelle (Yell County) to Fort Smith (Sebastian County) she traveled through Loan and Franklin counties.

Colonel Wittich, the Harris gang, and reconstruction politics were all part of the daily life of the 1870s in Logan and Franklin counties. In this episode, Mattie Ross (portrayed by Maggie Jones) talks politics and mob justice with Col. L. L. Wittich (portrayed by Dr. Eddie Glenn, musician, journalist, and University of Arkansas Fort Smith Assistant Professor of Media Communication).

Mob Justice in Roseville was written, directed, and produced by Dr. Kevin Jones, a professor of English Rhetoric and Writing and Media Communication at the University of Arkansas—Fort Smith.

While the book, True Grit by Charles Portis, is fictional history, the trail and the exciting stories of people and events are real. Listen as Mattie Ross tells the story of western Arkansas and southeastern Arkansas in the 1800s. The story Mattie tells is a history lesson that inspired Charles Portis' story and many Western movies, books, and television shows.

Visit the True Grit Trail, some 261 miles in length from Dardanelle, Arkansas to Talihina, Oklahoma to experience history as it happened. . Our cast for Origins of the Trail includes Maggie Jones as Mattie Ross; Judge Jim Spears as host; and, Tony Jones as Judge William Foote Pope. Dr. Kevin Jones wrote our play, and the music was by Tony Jones.

Tony Jones, a native of Missouri, serves as the Team Leader for Volunteers with the Salvation Army in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Join Mary and Judge Isaac Parker as they talk about preparations for a reception to be held in their home on New Year's Day. Guests for the event include Mattie Ross and attorney William Henry Harrison Clayton. Enjoy hearing the Parkers talk about the journey that brought them to Fort Smith.

Mattie Ross tells the back story of how the Parkers met. For those familiar with the Fort Smith landscape, the Parkers lived at 318 North 13th Street while the Claytons lived at 514 North 6th Street.

"Happy New Year from the Parker Home" was written by Sue Robison. Our cast includes retired Sebastian County Judge Jim Spears; Maggie Jones as Mattie Ross; Sue Robison as Mary Parker; Floyd Robison as Judge Isaac C. Parker, and Susie Brooks as Lena. Produced by Spinnin' 'Round Productions.