The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-06
Execution Of a ChOctaw Indian for
Murder in Arkansas.
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A Cool, Deliberate and Wan
ton Crime.
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The Arrest, Conviction and
Sentence.
Behavior of the Convict and Scenes
Around the Gallows.

state That Van Buren, Is the Arkansas RIVER in the
heart Of country that averages yield OF one bale
OF cotton to the acre. while its production OF cereals
and fruits unsurpassed In the South and that it Is
but nve miles from the Indian Nation. Van Buren,,
| since the organization Of United States court in
this section been the seat OF justice for the od
eral government and this fact in conjunction with
its proximity to the Indian lines, has given 1t large
and increasing trade with the noble Lo. The popu-
lation here Is about $500, and the town is the
terminus this side Of the river of the Fort Smith
| and Little Rock Railroad, which Is rapidly ap-
preaching completion. and will be the terminus Of
another projected railroad-that running north to
intersect with the southwest branch OF the Pacific
| road III Missouri-there is no question but that
most brilliant future awaits the town-a future the
| success of which is assured by the fertility OF the
tributary territory. There number OF cotton
| ginning establishments here several mills, churches
| of various denominations, public and private
| schools most excelently conducted. wide-awake
newspaper-a press that ably advocates the mate
rial interests OF the peOpe-and altogether there Is
no town in Arkansas that is making the Roadway
which Van Buren, has effected since the war. The
climate is healthy and persons not addicted to ben
zine enjoy average sanitary well-belng l have said
this much in order that the little event to which
propose referring may be the better understood.
IL IS q number OF years since man has been
hanged at this place. Numerous persons have been
convicted, but they were either so fortunate as
to have been pardoned or to have escaped. 1t
was natural, therefore, III the present condition
OF human nature that very considerable excitement
should have been created by the announcement
that on Friday, the Gath, man was to be exc
cuted; and the sensation improved In quality from
the further fact that the condemned man was an
Indian, This culprit was q full-blOOded Choctaw,
named Amos McCurtin, who, previous TO the war,
had been a perpatetic ''pickerup OF unconsidered
trifes' in the shape OF horses and mules. These
little escapades caused some inconvenience to Nc
Curtin who, however, was never punished-and
they also were the forerunners Of the crime which
resulted in his recent muscular dislocatlOn.
THE MURDER
was committed on the 7th of September last James
McClain, a half.breed Choctaw, was driving his
wagon, laden with goods for his domestic use, from
Scullyville to BOggy depot, and accompanied by q
negro named James Blakey, when they were joined
by Amos McCurtln ana James Fry IA full-booded
Choctaw) who, too. were in q wagon. Conversation
ensued Of a trivial character. McCurtin and Fry
passed on, and at dusk event into camp" when
McClain and Blakely came up and camped In the
same place. After supper McCurtn suggested to
Fry that it would be neat thing for them kill the
new arrivals and take their goods Fry agreed that
the possession OF the coee and sugar desirable,
w. "A.
Britton) would be certain to catch them, and in
sideration OF this probability declned the job. The
two then laid down, and Fry was aroused about the
dawn of day by McCurtin's standing him, with
revolver In one hand and in the other axe cOtted
with hair and blood. McCurtin replied to his COM
panions look OF horror by stating that he had just
killed McClain and Bakely by splitting open their
heads with the axe, and then he wanted Fry to help
him get rid Of the bodies, adding as the argument
a dcaptands,n,, tnat refusal would cause him to
use the revolver upon Fry. Thus coerced Fry
arose. and the two took the body Of the negro, and
tying it to the tail Of pony turned the animal loose
The goods, OF O value not exceeding $780, were then
removed to McCurtins wagon, In which also was
placed the dead man Mccain. This done, McCurtin
drove on some four miles and then threw out
McCIain's body into thcket He had proceeded but
short distance when he admonished his companion
to halt, stating that McClain had ION pair of
breeches that were too good TO be lost and going
back this economical william took the pants from the
murdered man and put them on above his own
This delectable party then passed through Doggy
depot, the OF government FOR the ChOcGaws; and
although persons there recognized McClatns pants,
may pe Ws 70 20 nn 4e
that were on McCurtin, although they knew
McClam's shot gun that was In McCurtin's hand and
despite the fact that the wagon bore the impress Of
blood, not the least attempt was made by any one
to arrest McCurtin. 1t is safe 10 assume-in fact,
1
this inactlOI was caused by fear Of McCurtin, who
had the notoriey Of being fearless and desperate
| man.
| Soon after leaving Doggy the twain separated and
| that night Fry was arrested on the road. Imme-
dately he made the confession In substance as de-
| tailed. Two days afterward McCurtin was arrested
In his own house while in bed He attempted resist.
| ance, but was quickly OverpOwered by The United
States Marshal. McCurtin and Fry were then
to S place and ,h gSsa Sea3e
| answer the charge of murder. subsequently the
United States District Attorney, j. H. hIckleberry'
released Fry In order that the latter might testify
| In November last McCurtln was brought before the
United states Court at this place, and after brief
vented vent him from being sentenced until the last
May term, at which time ne was brought into
f Sed hsa to say
should not be passed upon him-whereupon McCur-
tin; who seemed to have taken the question IN 9
literal sense, shook his head very violently and said
things 70 say why he ought not to be hanged :
The sentence was then PASSED That he be hanged
in Van Buren, on Friday, June "a, 1870
VISIT TO THE CONDEMNED.
On Tuesday last, your correspondent, accompanied
by an Interpreter called at the jail and found
the popular two game az whom
! are awaiting their trial tor murder, whilst
the third Is incarcerated for the somewha,
magnificent theft of 100 head OF mules. The game
| McCurtin expressed Willingness 10 "talk heap
In appearance the murderer was most nnprepossess
| ing. A peaked head, retreatlng iorenead, nose
like the snOut Of Berkshire pig, thick sensual lips
| made q combination that showed his powerful limbs
and great physique would most likely be put to bad
uses. McCurtin denied that he had ever committed
a crime and said that on the contrary, he had be.
lOnged to two churches. The Methodist Church had
first received his membership, and afterwards the
Presbyterian; in response to the question which
denomination had his preference he stated thai
1t was immateral to MIN, that lit was all big talk
anyhow" lie said that he mad not murdered the
black man. but that he had made the proposition to
Fry that they should Kill both; that Fry had
| 70
Fry killing BlakeIy the negro adding that cry
thought no more Of killing q Niger than he did
| buzzard." McCurttn then remarked that he die
| feel sorry Chat he had killed Mccain (whO was O
fair complexion and bore no mark OF his aboriginal
| ancestry because, said he, 81 thought when
| killed him that he was white man."
The question was then prOp0unded him-f HI
| would commit the crime had he the part to go owe
again. II he could get away with the goods mnpnn