William Henry Harrison Clayton (October 13, 1840 – December 14, 1920) was an American lawyer and judge in post-Civil War Arkansas and Indian Territory, Oklahoma.

[3] The 124th Regiment served a nine-month enlistment, commencing in August 1862, and ending in May 1863, during a critical period in the American Civil War.

The 124th Regiment was in reserve during the Battle of Second Bull Run and, on September 9, 1862, became part of the Twelfth Corps of the Army of the Potomac under the command of General Joseph K.

[6] In that capacity, the 124th maneuvered on the field but did not participate in the Battle of South Mountain, as General Robert E. Lee began his advance into Maryland.

[7] The Twelfth Corps marched further into Maryland and, on September 17, 1862—less than six weeks after being commissioned—Clayton and the 124th Regiment were involved in the most violent one day conflict in American history—the Battle of Antietam.

[15] Just over one month after the discharge of the 124th, General Lee again attempted to invade the Union States, this time making it to Pennsylvania.

After his service, he took a position as a teacher of military tactics and other subjects at the Village Green Seminary in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

The "Clayton House" has been restored by the Fort Smith Heritage Foundation and is a historical home that is open to the public.

[24] At the request of Powell Clayton and other prominent Arkansas Republicans, President Grant appointed Isaac Charles Parker, a Republican office holder from Missouri with an impeccable reputation, to the Court in order to clean up the prior stain of corruption and to bring law and order to the Western District.

[28] Clayton served as the United States Attorney in Judge Parker's court from 1874 until 1893, with the exception of the four years comprising the first non-consecutive term of Democratic President Grover Cleveland.

"[31] During Judge Parker's eventful first year with the Court, Clayton obtained capital convictions in 15 out of 18 murder cases.

Clayton also enjoyed a very successful legal career in Fort Smith during the years that he was not serving as United States Attorney.

Congress had created this court in an effort to relieve the overworked Western District of Arkansas of some of its huge caseload, although Judge Parker was upset with this stripping of his authority.

During his 10 years as a federal judge, Clayton had issued important decisions defining Indian rights, which had long-term effects on the future history of Oklahoma.

[38] The charges were made by Democrats in 1889, after President Benjamin Harrison had nominated Clayton for re-appointment to his United States Attorney position, following the Grover Cleveland interregnum period.

No formal action was ever taken on the charges, and the United States Senate confirmed President Harrison's nomination of Clayton.

Carole Mathews played as Belle Starr recently released from federal prison, who unsuccessfully plots the revenge assassination of Clayton during a Wild West show in Fort Smith.