On December 9, 1887, James Mills, Tom Robbins, John Windon, and Windon’s young stepson went hunting. For reasons that are lost to history, Mills shot and killed Windon; Robbins also shot Windon. Mills and Robbins then threatened Windon’s stepson to remain silent about the killing.
Windon’s body was found the next day.
Arrested and taken to Fort Smith for trial, Robbins died before he could be tried. Mills was found guilty of murder on November 10, 1888, and sentenced to death on February 2, 1889.
James Mills was hanged at Fort Smith on April 19, 1889.
The Federal Death Penalty Project 