The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1849-11-16
Correspondence of the Picayune
Tragedy in Arkansas.
Norenber 2nd 1919.

Dreadful Tragedy in Arkansas.
Norentber End lS49.
/ left Memphis on the evening OF the 3lst of
October, and so far down have had very de-
Iightful trip. have Just had related to me
ne BRET particulars OF TWO ofthe most awful
ragedies, which lately occurred in Arkansas
hat ever remember to have heard Of The
irst occurred on the 18th Of October last, al
he town of Rough and Ready in Drew
5ounty and is rather a complicated affair. 1t
appears that a young man by the name OF
griffith married the daughter ola Mr. Grier,
md that DR.. Hedgesp1th, the family physl-
ian, had attempted TO take improper liberties
With Griffith's wife. 1t is said that Griffith'S
oumger brother, Thomas, one day promised
,1r. Grier, while the latter was intoxicated.
o shoot DIR. Hedgespeth. On the day Of the
tragedy, Thomas Griffith, ii lad of only nine
Gen. came to town with Il friend Of his Mr..
l. J. Brown who lived near Shreveport La.
md while standing in grocerya man by the
ame OF McPeters. an accomphce of DR.. H.,
anne in. assaulted Brown, aud struck him
several blows with ii stick Griffith had TWO
pistols. and stepped out OF the door, followed
ny Brown, when McPeters struck Brown
severe blow across the temple, which caused
lis death in Il few hours. As soon us young
Griffith stepped out OF the door, DR.. Hedges
peth and his sou Leigh, lad of only seven
ieenapproached him, both having double-bar-
relied shot guns. when DR.. II. said you are
The id rascal that threatened my lile."-
Griffith replied, mo, | never did-dOn't
shoot, doctor" But the doctor fired, and
shot bin in the right side, making a fearful
wound, and nearly tearing off his right arm.
Griffith wheeled aud staggered, when Dr. H.
shot him again through the left side and
when in the act of falling, Hedgespeth's son.
leigh, ran up within five feet. and shot Grit
fifth behind the ear, blowing the whole top of
his skull off. Leigh HedgeSpeth and McPe-
teIs have made their escape. DR.. II. was ar
rested and examined before magistrate and
most extraordinary to say. was acquitted on
the testimony of William Wells the county
Judge, who stated, that meeting Grier and
Griffith on the road, he withdrew to the BUSH
es and overheard tie conversation between
them, ami heard Griffith promise Griers that
he would kill DR.. H. his eavesdropping
testimony is suspicious ut least as young
Griffith had always denied it previous 10 his
death.
The second tragedy took place at Columbia,
Ark, OH the 9th uIt between RomulnS
rayne and Archibald Goodlow. which grew
out of IA suit in law Payne having been the
latter having made over his property to his
brother-in-law, IL suit was instituted to try the
right of property. Previously to this il APP
peared that Payne had met GoodIow, aud
abused him in the strongest language. The
latter was not then armed, but told Payne the
next time he met hi IL he would be ready Tor
him.
On the morning the court met, Payne was
walking towards the courthouse when he
met Goodlow wi h double barrelled gun,
who approached him and said = Y on have
been annoying me long enough; now, d-n
you defend YOURSELF" GoodIow then adj
vanced to W thin ten PAGES and fred, wound
ing Payne in the head.arm aud side. PAYNE
staggered around. when GoOdlOw attempted
to shoot again. but his gun snapped. He then
drew ii revolver. and shot two or three times
all OF which took effect in Payne's body and
legs. Pave reeed and made towards Cool
low, fired. but his shot took effect in the
ground. He then drew another pistol still
staggering and approached Goodow within
five steps, and shot him through the heart
GoodloW at this moment was still firing /;
and after he was shot, and his eyes CLASSY
with the hand OF death. seized his shot gun.
and attempted to strike Payne with the
butt end oft. while Payne had drawn bow
ie knife and was Keeling towards him. when
Goodlow fell il corpse Payne was still alive
at the last accounts and it was thought he
would recover.