VOL. III.
McCRORY, ARKANSAS, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1903.
NO. 1.
House Defeats Amendment to Ex
empt Insurance Companies from
King Anti-Trust Bill.
MO Nil AY, MARCH 30.
The Leatherman Impeachment trial
was continued in the senate.
In the house the Keith bill increas
ing the penalty for violating the Sab
bath by keeping open saloons was
tabled. The Stockard bill increasing
the levy for Confederate pensions from
three-fourths of a mill to one mill and
a half was defeated. The house passed
the Chestnut bill regulating the prac
tice of osteopathy, and a motion to re
consider the vote by which the Pinnix
county school superintendent bill failed
to pass was tabled.
The Senate.
Senator Cotham’s bill to provide a
lien on cattle for feeding of the same
was called up and passed.
8. B. 179 (Flenniken), requiring phar
macists to register in the state phar
macists' association and pay a fee
every two years, was read third time
and passed.
The body was reconvened as an im
peachment court and proceedod with
the trial of Chancellor Leatherman.
Sheriff R. L. Williams of Garland
county was called as a witness by the
state. The witness testified that ho
had a conversation with the defendant
in regard to the checks received by the
latter from the Garland Novelty Com
pany; that the defendant said he had
borrowed the money. Witness said he
had seen the defendant under the in
fluence of liquor; that he had seen him
frequently in poolrooms, and had seen
him betting on the races. Witness tes
tified that he had started the proceed
ings against the defendant and that he
had been at some expense; that he had
paid his attorney $200 and had loaned
some money to witnesses who had tes
tified. but expected to get that back.
Sheriff Williams said the defendant
asked him to take the slot machines
away from the man who was running
them and give them to a friend of his;
that the defendant asked him to go to
the gamblers and borrow $1,500 for him.
Judge O. H. Sumpter testified that he
had seen defendant drunk; had some
litigation in Judge Leatherman's court
and had loaned him several small sums,
which had not been paid back, nor had
he asked for It.
Several other witnesses were intro
duced and gave testimony tending to
prove that the defendant was a hard
drinker. It is expected the prosecu
tion will close Tuesday (the 31st).
The Kouse.
H. B. 3S3, fixing the fine for opening
of stores on Sunday and increasing the
line for opening saloons to not less
than 3100 nor more than $500 for the
first offense, was tabled.
Mr. Weaver Introduced a bill provid
ing for a state board of road commis
sioners, and prescribing the duties of
the same.
H. B. 497. giving jurors 10c per mile
mileage, was taken up. On motion the
bill was placed back on second reading
and an amendment adopted making the
mileage 5 cents; also an amendment
providing that the bill shall not apply
to justice courts was adopted.
H. B. 54 (Stockard). levying a three
fourths mill tax for the purpose of pro
viding a pension fund for Confederate
soldiers, was placed on third reading.
Messrs. Stockard and McGuigan urged
the passage of the bill. Mr. Ganna
way thought the tax too high and
moved to place the bill back on second
reading for the purpose of amending
it. The motion was lost.
Mr. Toney spoke at length against
the bill and advocated a levy of one
mill. Tlie bill failed to pass. Ayes 36,
Woes 27. Necessary, 42.
H. B. 374 (Rodman), to compel rail
roads to furnish adequate accommodo
tlons for the transportation of all pas
sengers and property as shall be offered,
was read third time and passed.
By consent, the bill to establish two
separate judicial districts in Lonoke
county was withdrawn.
H. B. 371. to regulate the practice
of osteopathy and to provide for a
state board of osteopathic examiners,
was taken up.
Mr. Du Laney moved to strike out
the words “obstetrics and minor sur
gery.” Adopted, and the bill as amended
passed.
Mr. Perry introduced a bill to pre
vent the spread of disease among cattle
by prohibiting the driving thereof from
one county to another during the spring
and summer months.
TUESDAY, MARCH 31.
In the senate the prosecution in the
Leatherman trail closed and the de
fense introduced a number of witnesses.
The house considered the King anti
trust bill, and an amendment declaring
that the bill do not apply to labor or
ganizations was adopted. After con
siderable discussion an amendment by
Mr. Campbell of Pulaski to exempt in
surance companies* from the provisions
of the bill was defeated by a vote of
46 to 26.
The Senate.
Tho trial of Chancellor Leatherman
was continued.
J.' M. Kelley, cashier of a pool room,
testified that he had cashed a note for
$200 in favor of the defendant by di
rection of his employer; that the note
had not been paiu but that it had not
been presented.
C. S. Moore, a deputy sheriff sta
tioned at a club room, testified that he
had seen defendant under the influence
of liquor.
Reb Houpt testified that he was
sheriff of Garland county for six years
and during >.„at time had never seen
the defendant drunk while on the bench.
The prosecution rested at this point.
G. G. Latta, a lawyer of Hot Springs,
the first witness for tho defense, tes
tified that he had practiced in the de
fendant’s court nearly every day and
that his demeanor upon the bench had
always been good; that his opinions
had always been written and the very
best; that ho had never seen the de
fendant intoxicated. Witness said he
had loaned the defendant $200 which
had been repaid, and that he had also
loaned him money at other times.
Col. Alfred Whittington, real estate
dealer of Hot Springs, stated that be
had known the defendant twelve or
fourteen years and had uever seen him
intoxicated.
C. M. Rix, president of the Arkansas
National Bank, Hot Springs, testified
that he had never seen the defendant
intoxicated; that his demeanor on the
bench he regarded as good. Witness
said defendant was now indebted to his
bank.
Col. E. W. Rector, lawyer, of Hot
Springs, testified that he had never seen
the defendant intoxicated; that the bar
regarded him an excellent chancellor,
and that the supreme court had invar
iably sustained his decisions.
Dr. Keller of Hot Springs testified
that he had known the defendant for
years and had never seen him under
the influence of liquor; his reputation
among members of the bar was good.
Dr. Sanders was the family physi
cian of defendant and had known him
for eighteen years; had seen him take
a social drink but had never seen him
drunk; had heard members of the bar
speak complimentary of him.
Mr. Bryan, a grocer, testified that
he had never seen Judge Leatherman
drunk; had never loaned him money,
but had cashed checks for him, which
had always been paid.
J. A. Smith, a real estate dealer, had
known defendant a number of years;
had never seen him intoxicated; his
standing as a Judge he regarded as
good.
Judge Teague testified that he had
practiced in defendant’s court and re
garded him as an able chancellor.
A. J. Murphy, an attorney, was the
next witness, nad never seen the Judge
drunk. Witness was the attorney in
tlie case against the Garland Novelty
Company; defendant had nothing to do
with bringing the suits, which were
brought at the solicitation of citizens
of Hot Springs.
The defense announced that several
witnesses had been unable to reach Lit
tle Rock, and an adjournment was taken
till Wednesday.
xn* souse.
H. B. 448, prohibiting non-residents
from trading horses without paying a
$100 license in each county in which
they do business, was passed.
Mr. Gantt introduced a resolution
raising the fees of each janitor 50
cents per day for extra services. The
resolution passed—33 to 30.
Mr. Winn introduced a resolution
proposing an amendment to the con
stitution requiring all railroads to
furnish passes to officers and members
of the general assembly.
Mr. Campbell of Pulaski called up S.
B. No. 1, the King anti-trust bill. An
amendment offered by Mr. Holland ex
empting labor unions from the provis
ions of the bill was recommended by
the judiciary committee.
Messrs. Poole and McGuigan opposed
the amendment. Mr. Campbell of Ran
dolph opposed ali amendments, as he
thought they were offered to kill the
bill. Messrs. Mernman and Toney
urged the adoption of the amendment.
The amendment was adopted—ayes
44, noes 32.
An amendment by Mr, Burk that no
provision of the bill be construed to
prohibit the existence of horticultural
societies was rejected.
The next amendment taken up was
the one offered by Mr. Campbell of
Pulaski, exempting insurance compan
ies from the clause prohibiting rating
bureaus. The author of the amend
ment argued that as the bill stood tne
old line insurance companies would be
forced to withdraw from the state, as
they could not afford to quit business
in other states where rating bureaus
exist.
Mr. Chambers spoke against the pro
posed amendment. An insurance trust
was us bad as any other trust.
Mr. Cate stated that he had been
commended by his constituents for his
efforts to prevent the shutting out of
insurance companies. He made a strong
argument for the amendment.
Mr. Toney stated that the first effect
of shutting out the old line companies
would be to deprive the state of over
$26,000 annual revenue; he was op
posed to disturbing present conditions.
Mr. I>u Laney argued that the in
surance companies admit they are in
a trust when they threaten to leave tne
state if this bill becomes a law.
On call of the roll the amendment
was defeated by a vote of 46 to 26.
Mr. Campbell of Randolph moved to
reconsider the vote by which the
amendment was rejected and to lay
that motion on the table. Carried.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
In the senate the Leatherman trial
ivas again on, and the defendant testi
fied in his own behalf. The trial was
not concluded.
In the house Mr. Gannaway's reso
lution to submit a constitutional amend
ment, exempting capital invested in cot
ton and woolen mills from taxation for
a certain period, was discussed, but was
placed back on second reading for
.amendment.
The Senate.
After defeating the Forrin bill seek
ing to reduce expenses in criminal cases
by regulating the summoning of wit
nesses, the senate proceeded with the
Leatherman trial
A. W. McDonald testified that he had
brought the injunction proceedings
against the Garland Novelty Company,
but not at instigation of defendant
that he had nt ver seen defendant in
toxicated.
Col. M. M. Duffle of Malvern stated
that court was held twice a year at
Malvern and that he had never seen
the judge drunk.
J. C. Ross of Malvern had received
appointments as commissioner in chan
cery, and had never given or loaned
the accused any money.
F. M. Henry of Malvern testified that
he had gone hunting and fishing with
the judge and had never seen him in
toxicated.
Several other witnesses for the de
fense testified that they had never seen
the defendant under the influence of
liquor and that his demeanor while on
the bench was good.
Judge Leatherman took the stand.
He denied the charge of drunkenness.
He stated that he had appointed \V. H.
Martin receiver in the Sumpter case;
had allowed him a fee of $6,000; had
borrowed $1,500 from Martin. Stated he
had deeded Martin a granite quarry
thought then to be very valuable. Wit
ness said his financial affairs had not
been good; that he had spent a great
deal of money helping his friends; had
borrowed some money from clerks of
his court as a business transaction. He
declared that the charge that he had
offered the election commissioners $75
to allow him to name election officials
was absolutely false. In the matter of
borrowed $200 from S. A. Summon, pro
prietor of a poolroom, the witness said
he had a note to meet and asked Sam
mons to loan him $200. which he did.
The witness said he had appointed C.
| S. Bell receiver of the City Savings
Rank and had authorized Bell to loan
out the money; that Mr. Place had bor
rowed $400 of this money and had
loaned him $150 on Ills due bill; that
Place had turned in the due bill which
he had paid later. The testimony of
Judge Leatherman was not completed
when the senate adjourned for the day.
The House.
After routine business. Mr. Ganna
way moved to reconsider the vote by
which the amendment to the insane
asylum bill, prohibiting members of
the board from giving employment to
relatives, was adopted. The motion to
reconsider prevailed and the amend
ment was stricken from the bill.
The Confederate home appropriation
bill was considered in committee of
the whole. An amendment by Mr. Cate
making the salary of chaplain $100, who
is also to be chaplain of the peniten
tiary, was adopted.
An amendment striking out the anti
nepotism section was adopted.
House joint resolution No. 5 (Gan
naway), was read. The resolution pro
poses an amendment to the constitution
providing that all capital invested in
tills state in cotton and woolen factor
ies during the next twenty-five years
shall be exempt from taxation for a per
iod of seven years after such capital
is invested.
The resolution was discussed by a
number of members and . on motion,
was placed back on second reading for
amendment.
On motion the house accepted an in
vitation to visit the city of Hot Springs,
the expenses of the trip to be borne
by the citizens of the Vapor City.
TEUBSDAY, APRIL 3.
Chancellor Leland Leatherman was
acquitted by the senate of the charges
preferred against him by the house of
represntatives in the articles of im
peachment.
A message from the governor was re
ceived in the house vetoing the bill pro
viding for the rcdigesting of the stat
utes of the state of Arkansas and em
powering the supreme court to appoint
a digester.
A bill making the sale of cigarettes
and cigarette papers unlawful was
passed by the house.
Mr. Merrimnn's bill providing for a
state normal school was defeated in the
house.
The Senate.
The trial of Chancellor Leatherman
was concluded and he was acquitted.
Judge Duffle, circuit judge of the
Seventh judicial circuit, testied that he
saw the defendant frequently and had
never seen him intoxicated; that he re
garded him as an able judge and effi
cient lawyer.
Judge Leatherman resumed the stand
and said tiiat Judge Sumpter's state
ment that he had loaned him money
in order to get time extended on fore
closure of his property, was false. He
stated that the checks given him by
Mr. Waters were private transactions
and should not have been charged to the
Garland Novelty Company; that Mr.
Waters proposed that he take an in
terest in tlie company but he refused.
The witness said that he often looked
into poelrooms but never lounged in
them; that lie had bet small sums >on
the races as he was a lover of horse
racing.
Both prosecution and defense an
nounced that they had no further wit
nesses. Each side was given three
quarters of an hour for argument. Rep
resentative Patterson, opening for the
state, took up each charge against the
defendant and reviewed the evidence
which had been presented.
Attorney Loughborough for the de
fense charged that the trial of Judge
Leatherman was the result of spite on
the part of Sheriff Williams. He re
ferred to the high standing and char
acter of the witnesses for the defense.
Attorney Mehaftey for the defense re
viewed the testimony on each charge
Representative Parks closed the argu
ment for the prosecution. After deliber
ating in secret session for an hour, the
defendant was called forward and Chief
Justice Bunn announced the verdict of
the court as follows:
"Judge Leatherman, this senate sit
ting as a court of impeachment, has
carefully considered the twelve articles
filed against you here by the house of
representatives, and I am glad to say
they adjudge you on each and all the
charges not guilty.”
Court then adjourned until Friday
morning.
Tb« House.
The insurance committee Introduced
H. B. 516 as a substitute for H. B. 381.
The substitute regulates the organiza
tion of mutual fire insurance compan
ies; provides that all officers of such
companies shall have lived in the state
for three years, and requires that a
bond of $20,000 shall be filed with the
secretary of state. An amendment of
fered by Mr. Du Laney was adopted
providing that the section of the bill
requiring that mutual companies shall
keep on hand 50 per cent of their un
earned premiums shall not apply to
companies until they have been in busi
ness one year.
The joint committee appointed to visit
tlie University of Arkansas presented a
report. recommending among other
things the building of a boys' gymnas
ium and the heating of the entire plant
by steam.
H. B. 472 (Keel), exempting Newport
from the local option law. was read
third time. Mr. Keel urged the passage
of the measure. He declared that it
was needed to rid the city of the blind
tiger evil. The bill passed—42 to 23.
SENATE
Private Secretary Jacobson appeared
and read a message from the governor
vetoing H. B. 4 (Campbell of Pulaski),
providing for the redigesting of the
statutes of Arkansas and empowering
the supreme court to appoint a digester.
Tlie Confederate Home appropriation
bill passed without opposition.
H. B. 318 (Merriman), providing for
the establishment, equipment and main
tenance of a state normal school, was
taken up. Messrs. Merriman and Funk
urged the passage of the measure. Mr.
Chesnutt opposed the bill on the
ground thta it was class legislation.
The bill failed to pass.
H. B. 252 (Newberry), making it un
lawful to sell or give away cigarettes or
cigarette papers, and imposing a line of
not less than $5 nor more than $50 for
each violation, passed—47 to 16.
H. B. 65 (Chesnut). constituting the
commissioner of mines, manufactures
and agriculture ex-officio state oil in
spector and providing for the inspection
of oil, was taken up as special order.
Messrs. Campbell of Pulaski and Moore
of Newton declared the measure would
raise the price of oil and work a hard
ship on the poor people. The bill failed
to pass.
FRIDAY, AFBIIi 3.
The senate passed the Fuller Joint res
olution proposing an amendment to the
constitution, providing for the Issuance
of bonds by first and second class cities,
over the governor's veto.
Senator Wood's bill requiring the pub
lication of applications for pardons was
passed by the house.
The house defeated the bill providing
for the division of the liquor license
between county and school funds.
The house refused to suspend the
rules and take up the King anti-trust
bill.
The Senate.
The closing session of the senate as
an impeachment court in the case of
Chancellor Loatherman was held. Sen
ator ICillgore raised the question as to
who was responsible for the expenses
attached to the impeachment trial.
Senator Hardy moved that the ques
tion of costs be referred to the attor
ney general. Senator Norwood moved
as a substitute that the record be ap
proved as read without consideration
of cost. A resolution offered by Senator
Collins providing that the costs be
taxed against R. L,. Williams, the prose
cuting witness, was declared out of or
der. Senator Norwood’s substitute mo
tion prevailed. Chief Justice Bunn
stated that in his opinion the only rem
edy for the payment of costs was by a
bill appropriating such sum as may
be necessary.
The senate was then convened. A
motion to take up Senator Price's bill
making an appropriation for the world's
fair was defeated.
Senator Norwood called up the Fuller
bill, appropriating $6,500 for the state
militia. Senators Butt and Wilson op
posed the measure. The bill passed—
15 to 13.
Judge Holman's Confederate pension
bill failed to pass—13 to 14.
Senator Butt called up house joint
resolution 12 (Fuller), an amendment to
the constitution to allow cities of the
first and second classes to Issue bonds,
which had been vetoed by the governor.
The resolution was then passed over the
veto of the governor—21 to 6. The res
olution had already been passed over tho
veto by the house.
Senator McFerrin called up the anti
"sweat-box" bill, which passed.
The House.
Judge Kelso called up H. B. 106, pro
viding that twenty property holders of
any township In any county may peti
tion and order an election for a stock
law, which shall be effective when a
majority favors such law. The bill
passed.
Mr. Campbell of Randolph introduced
a bill seeking to annul the contract by
which convicts are now furnished to
the Arkansas Brick Manufacturing Co.
S. B. 113 (Gray), providing that the
liquor license tax be divided between
the county and common school funds,
was defeated.
S. B. 200 (Wood), extending the char
ter of the Memphis, Arkansas and Texas
railroad, passed without opposition.
Mr. Fuller called up S. B. 136 (Butt),
which prescribes the methods by which
the vendor of personal property shall
retain title when the possession passes
to the vendee, but title is reserved for
tile vendor until the property be paid
for or when transfer of title is depen
dent upon any condition. The bill failed
to pass.
Mr. Harris called up S. B. 141 (Bogan),
providing for the use of road tax col
lected In cities of the second class and
incorporated towns. An amendment
was adopted stfiking out that section
of the bill which required that 50 per
cent of the road tax should be retained
by the city or town.
S. B. 57 (Simpson), giving black
smiths an absolute lien on the product
of their labor passed by unanimous vote.
S. B. 146 (Price), compelling express
companies in cities and towns with
more than 1,000 Inhabitants to main
tain an office In the business portion of
such town 'and to keep an agent there,
was defeated.
A motion by Mr. Campbell of Randolph
to suspend the rules and take up S. B. 1,
the anti-trust bill, was lost.
Mr. Burk moved to reconsider the
vote by which the house failed to past
S. B. 177, Increasing the salary of the
state mine Inspector from $1,500 U
$2,000. The motion was lost.
S. B. 23 (Wood), regulating the grant,
lng of pardons. was read third time.
The bill prohibits the governor froic
granting a pardon until there is filed
in his office a certificate of the county
clerk or affidavits of two responsible
persons showing that the application for
pardon, together with the grounds for
the same and list of petitioners uniting
in the request for pardon, has been pub
lished. The bill passed—37 to 29.
SATURDAY, A7BC, 4.
The house passed the bill providing
for the protection by lien of mechanics,
laborers and contractors and other per
sons furnishing either labor or material
for Improvements oppurtenant and con
tiguous to any property.
Tlie bill providing for separate com
partments in street cars for white and
colored passengers, was signed by the
governor. Fifteen new bills were In
troduced in the house, making the total
number 534. The senate was not In ses
sion.
The House.
A large number of new bills, chiefly
of local importance were Introduced.
H. B. 500, providing for a board of
trustees for the University of Arkansas
was called up. Mr. Du Laney offered an
ajnendment, striking out the section au
thorizing the board to elect one of Its
members president and providing instead
that the governor shall be president of
the board, but shall have no vote except
In case of tie. The amendment was
adopted, as was another one providing
that the board shall elect members of the
faculty at least 90 days before the expi
ration of the college year.
Mr. Brooks called up H. B. 21S. provid
ing for the better protection of mechan
ics, laborers and contrhctors. furnishing
either labor or material for improve
ments, appurtenent and contiguous to
any property. Mr. Brooks explained
that the bill did not repeal any part of
the lier. law in force, but would affect
work done on the improvement of prop
erty. The bill passed—41 to 25.
A message was received from the
governor announcing that he had signed
H. B. 314, requiring street car companies
to provide separate accommodations for
white and colored passengers, and house
concurrent resolution 36, providing for a
joint committee to prepare a general
road bill.
Mr. Toney presented a petition from
Lafayette county in favor of amending
the insurance clause in the King anti
trust bill. Mr. Bell presented a petition
from business men of White county
j against the passage of the King and
[ Keel anti-trust bills.
Arkansas State News
Abandoned Wife and Suicided.
YV. S. lloskinson, a former rail
road man, committed suicide at a
hotel in Van Buren. He was found
in a dying condition by the woman
who was registered as his wife upon
her return from the theater. A
package labeled strychnine was
found in the room and at the coro
ner’s inquest it was found that the
man had purchased the poison at
Pine Bluff. The inquest also re
vealed the fact that lloskinson had
deserted a wife and child at Eureka
Springs and left that city with the
girl whom he represented as Ids
wife. The girl said she was mar
ried to lloskinson. She said she
could not read, hut the marriage
license was read to her and her
name was in the license.
One Officer Takes Seven Prisoners.
Seven men were arrested by one
deputy in White county and taken
to Little Rock, where they were
arraigned on charges of illicit dis
tilling and retailing liquor with
out a license. The officer was Dep
uty United States Marshal Fred E.
Johnson and his seven prisoners
were James Lauderdale, Frank
King, Jasper Dunn, Dick Williams,
J. B. Wright, 11. II. McGrow and
John Magness, all of whom are
farmers. In securing his prison
ers, the officer was obliged to drive
through the flooded district of the
White river and at some places the
water was so deep that his horses
were compelled to swim for a con
siderable distance.
Camden Man Commits Suicide.
The body of John H. Couch, a
prominent citizen of Camden, was
found a short distance from that
^ y with a bullet through the heart
? 1 a discharged Winchester rifle
f his side. After an investigation,
f.e coroner’s jury returned a ver
dict of suicide. Financial reverses
are thought to have been the cause
of the act. Mr. Couch was 47
years old and leaves a wife and sev
eral children. The body was found
on the bank of the Ouachita river
about eight miles from Camden by
a negro who was in the employ of
the dead man.
Life Sentence for Wife Uurder.
Lee Weigel was convicted of the
murder of his wife at Texarkana
and sentenced to life imprisonment
in the penitentiary. The crime
for which Weigel was convicted was
committed at the Cosmopolitan ho
tel at Texarkana while the couple
were on their honeymoon. The wo
man was dead when the crime was
discovered and Weigel lay by her
side, suffering from wounds sup
posed to have been inflicted by him
self. Attorneys for the defendant
entered a pica of insanity.
Free Baths at Hot Springs.
The interior department has
formulated plans for the improve
ment of the free bathing facilities
at Hot Springs. The pools which
have been provided on the govern
ment reservation for the use of in
digent persons are to be displaced
by individual tubs. An appropria
tion of $25,000 was secured at the
last session of congress for this
purpose. Bids for the contract of
supplying sixty-five of these tubs
will be received by the department
within a short time.
Bell Wins Mayoralty Contest.
With less than a month of his
term remaining to be served, May
or 1). C. Bell of Bine Bluff won
the decision in the case in which
Gen. H. King White contested the
election of Mayor Bell at the city
election in April, 1901. The case
has been fought in the courts for
two years and will now be appealed
to the supreme court, it is said, by
Gen. White. The latter will suc
ceed Mayor Bell within a few
weeks, having been elected this
your.
Five Years for Murder.
James F. McLemore, of Little
Rock, charged with the murder of
Miss Florence Shillcutt, was con
victed of murder in the second de
gree in the Pulaski county court
and sentenced to live years in the
penitentiary. McLemore was un
der indictment for murder in the
first degree. The murder for which
McLemore was convicted was com
mitted October .20, 1003. The first
news of the crime was received from
McLemore and a man named Wil
liam Sullivan, who reported that
they had found the body of Miss
Shillcutt in a field a short distance
north of Little Rock. Later the
two men were arrested and indict
ments charging them with the mur
der were returned by the grand
jury. The case against Sullivan,
who was charged with being an ac
cessory to the crime, has never been
tried.
Safe-Blowera Raid Cotton Plant.
A gang of safe-blowers raided the
town of Cotton Plant, burglarizing
the depot, express otTice, postoffice
and the office of Dr. R. R. Janies.
Only a small amount of money was
secured in the entire raid. The rob
bers gained entrance to the build
ings by the use of section tools,
which they obtained from the rail
road yards. The safe in Dr. James’
office was completely demolished,
but it contained only about $0.
One package was taken from the
express office. The burglars cut
the telegraph wires running north
and south and escaped on a hand
car to Brinkley, where the car was
abandoned.
Madman Holds Up Traffic.
John Lanahan, an employe of the
Iron Mountain shops at Little
Rock, suffering from a sudden men
tal aberration, took possession of
the toll-gate on a turnpike leading
out of that city, and armed with a
pistol and shotgun, held up all traf
fic on the road. Officers who were
called by telephone overpowered
the man and opened the way for
dozens of wagons and buggies which
were lined up on both sides of the
gate, the occupants of which had
been cowed by the sight of the gUD
in the hands of the madman.
Murderer Meets Speedy Death.
Robert Stroud, a negro, killed
Amanda O’Brien, a mulatto near
Lake Village and was himself kill
ed while resisting arrest. Stroud
shot and killed the woman and boat
her head until it was unrecogniza
ble. Arming himself with a Win
chester rifle, he told a passerby of
the crime which he had committed.
A posse of fifteen men proceeded to
his cabin and when he tried to es
cape, he was shot down. He was
placed in jail, where he died with
in a few hours.
Fanner Is a Suicide.
II. C. Weldv, a farmer, residing
at Tollsville, a few miles northeast
of DeValls Bluff, committed sui
cide, shooting himself with a shot
gun. It is supposed that the dead
man placed the muzzle of the gun
in his mouth and pulled the trig
ger, as his head was blown almost
entirely off. Weldy is thought to
have been mentally unbalanced.
Ilis daughter was married a few
days before his death to George
Tolls, son of the man after whom
the town was named.
Woman Beaten By Burglar.
Mrs. Belle McKenzie, of Helena,
was attacked and seriously injured
by a negro burglar. Mrs. McKen
zie was'awakened bv the scratching
of a match. The negro demanded
money and beat the woman with a
heavy instrument. Her cries arous
ed the neighbors and the negro fled
without securing any booty. Mrs.
McKenzie's body was badly bruised
and her skull was fractured in two
pla *?s.