The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-30
THE ARKANSAS TRAGEDY
From Me Arkans4s Gazette.


From Me arkansas Gazette
On the 4th Of December last, Maj JosEpn J. AsrHo
nv, member Of the Legislature Of Arkansas, muir
dered while performing his duty as member Of the
House Of Representatives, by JoHs WILSON, Speaker
Of that House.
Tho facts were these bill came from the Senate
commonly called the Wolf biH--Amendmcnt were Of
fered by several gentlemen, declared by all, with
view Of ndiculng the bill out ofthe House Among the
amendments proposed was one by Maj. Anthony, that
the signature OF the President Of the Real Estate Bank
should be attached 10 the certificate Of the wolf scalp
Col Wilson, the Speaker asked Maj Anthony whether
he intended the remark personal. Maj Anthony
promptly said "No 4 ~ moi" And at that instant Of
time, message delivered from the Senate, which
suspended tho proceedings of the House for few mi
nntes Immediately after the messenger from the Senate
had retired Maj Anthony from his seat and said
he wished explain that he did not intend insult the
Speaker, the House when Wilson, inierruptng, pc
remptory ordered him to take his seat Maj Anthony
said, as member. he had right to the foor to explain
himself Wilson said, in an angry tone, Sit down, or
you had better and thrust his hand into his BOSOM and
drew out large Bowie knife, l0or II inches in length,
and descended from the Speakers chair to the floor,
with the knife drawn in menacng manner. Maj An
thony, seeing the danger he placed in by Wilson's
advance him with drawn knife rose from his chair
set it out Of his way, stepped back pace two, and
drew his knife. Wilson caught up chair and struck
Anthony with It. Anthony, recovering from the blow,
caught the chair in his left hand and fight ensued over
the chair Wilson received two wounds, one on each
arm, and Anthony lost his knife either by throwing at
Wilson, or it escaped by accident After Anthony had
lost his knife Wilson advanced on Anthony who was
then retreating, looking his shoulder Seeing
Wilson pursuing him, he threw chair Wilson still
pursued, and Anthony raised another chair high
his breast with view, il is supposed Of keeping Will
son off Wilson then caught hold Of the chair with his
left hand raised up and with his right hand deliberate
y thrust the knife up to the h into the heart Of An
thony, and, deliberately, drew it out and wipng off
the blood with his thumb and finger retired to the
Speakers chair.
As the knife Withdrawn from Anthony's heart,
he fell feless corpse the foor without utering
word, or scarcely making struggle true did the
knife, deliberately directed, pierce his heart Thus
fell Of the gallant defenders Of Sandusky, while in
the discharge Of his duty member, by the ruthless
hand Of assassin done too, in the Legislative hail. in
open day, while the House was in session. and in the
presence Of large multitude.
Three days elapsed before the constituted authori-
ties took any notice Of this horrible, this murderous
deed and not then, until relation OF the murdered An
thony had demanded warrant for the apprehension Of
Wilson Several days then elapsed before he was
brought before an examining court He them in car
rage and four to the place appointed for his trial
-Four or five days employed in the examination Of
Witnesses and clearer Of murder prov.
ed than on that occasion Notwithstanding, the court
Justice Brown, dssentng,) admitted Wilson to bail
and positively refused that the prosecuting attorney fol
the State should introduce the law to show that
not balablc case, to hear argument from
HIM and the counsel associated with him prosecute
Wilson for the murder
Al the time appointed for the session Of the Circuit
Court Wilson appeared agreeable to his recognizance
motion made by Wilson's counsel for chang.
ofpennc founded the aidavits of Wilson, and two
other One stated in his affidavit that ninetenhs
Of the people Of Pulaski had made up and expressed
their opinions, and that, therefore, it would be unsafe
for Wilson be tried in Pulaski" the other, that
from the repeated of similar acts within thu
last four FIVE years, in this county the people were
disposed Y act rgidy, and that i would be unsafe TO
= % Saline County, and ordered the She
INTO take Wilson into custody, and deliver him
the Sheriff Of Saline county.
The Sheriff of Pulaski never confined Wilson on,
minute, but permitted him to 60 where he pleased
without guard, any restraint imposed on him what
On his way Saline, he entertained him freely
at his house, and the next day delivered him owe
to the Sheriff of that county who conducted the prison
to the debtors in the jail and gave him the key
so that he and every body else had FREQ egress and
gress at all times Wilson invited every body to cal
on him, he wished to see his friends and his room
was crowded with visitors who called to drink grog
and laugh and talk with him. But his theatre no
sufficiently large for his purpose He afterwards viscd
the dram shops, where he freely treated all that woult
partake with him, and went fishing and hunting with
also ate at the table with the Judge, while his
trial.
When the court met at Saline, Wilson was put or
his trial Several days occupied in examining the
witnesses in the After the examination clos
ed while Col. Taylor engaged in very able, lucid
and agumentatve speech the part Of the prosecution
some collected parcel Of the rabble, and came
within few yards of the courthouse door, and bawled
in loud voice, part thcm--part them ~ Every body
supposed there ARRAY, and to the doors and
Il -
than the man. and the rabble he had collected around
him, for the purpose Of annoying Col Taylor, while
speaking few minutes afterwards, this person
brought horse the courthouse door, and COM
menced crying the horse, though no for sale
and continued, fol ten fifteen minutes to ride before
the ourt-house door, crying the horse, in loud and
bosterous tone Of voice. The Judge sat as silent
listener the ndgnity thus offered the court and
sci, by this man without interposing his authority
To show the depravity Of the times and the people,
after the verdict had been delivered by the jury and the
court informed Wilson that he discharged, there
was rush toward him some seized him by the hand,
some BY the arm and there great and loud rejoicing
and exultaton, directly in the presence Of the court
and Wilson told the Sheriff to take the jury groce-
ry that he might treat them and invited every body that
chose to go. The house filed to overlooking,
and it is much to be regretted that some men who have
held good standing in society followed the crowd to
the grocery, and partook OF Wilson's treat. The
jocing was kept up till near supper time; but to cap
the climax after supper was over majority oil the
jury together with many Others went to the room that
had been occupied for several days by the friend and
laton Of the murdered Anthony and commenced
Of the most ridiculous dancing Gas is beieved IN tn
umph for Wilson, and as triumph over tho feelings Of
the relation Of the departed Anthony The scene did
not close here The party retired TO dram shop and
continued their rejoicing until about half after ten o'clock
They then collected parcel Of horns, trumpets, &c.
and marched through the streets blowing them till near
4 M. HE kar. tftA tbA