The Van Buren press., 1870-05-10
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1usdGs vndsr Fern Of Law.

ed the idea that Frick was concerned in
the brutal murder OF an old man named
Moody Ford, some time since The alb
surdlty of such a charge is patent to all
who know Frick, an inofiensive, hard
working man, who would as soon think
of flying TO the moon as secretly taking
the life of fellow being However some
one was found to make the necessary af
fidavit and John r. Meadows, a Justice
of the Peace in Lafayette township, is
sued warrant for the arrest Of Frick.
This was all well enough, but the sequel
contains the outrage The Constable,
another of the boundless family of Mead
ows, instead Of going to Frick as peace
officer should do and quietly arresting
him, must needs call out a posse, and
among the number one HAssEr, who was
an old and known bitter enemy of the
unfortunate Frick All armed to the teeth
this Constable and posse went to the
home Of the doomed man. He suppos-
ing foul play was meant and never dream
ing that any one could be serious in
charging him with murder, refused to go
with that belligerent looking party,
Whereupon this man Hassett, finding an
opportunity, shot Frick dead in his tracks
filling his breast with buckshot. And
then not content with the murder of one
human being on mere pretcXt, the par
ty opened fire on man who was hired
by Frick to aid in making his crop. This
man, whose name we do not now remem-
Der, fortunately made his escape The
valiant peace officer and his posse then
proceeded to arrest another man named
Moss, charged with completely in the
murder Of Ford. This man they failed
to murder and brought him to town, and
his case was examined before an exam
ing court in this city. No proof Of guilt
appearing Moss was discharged as poor
Frick would have been if examined here,
instead Of before the magistrate who is.
sued the warrant. The sum Of all the
proof was, that Frick, Moss and perhaps
another, were out hunting in the neigh
borhood, on the day Ford was supposed
to have been killed. That Ford was shot
with large bored gun, and Frick had
large bored gun. No proof that any OF
the party were in one mile Of the place,
where Ford was found shot
And now we ask 4he law abiding citi-
zens Of our county, fit is not about time
to bring to justice those who thus com
nit the highest crimes under the protec-
ton Of warrants, issued by magistrates
Constables have no right to assemble a
posse, unless there is reasonable ground
to apprehend resistance to his authority.
He has no light TO provoke that resist
ance, by inspiring the party sought to be
arrested with fear of foul play-as by
men known to be hostile to
the party charged. Had this not been
done Frick would to-day be living and
fully acquitted of all knowledge of the
murder of Ford-and Hassett's hand un-
stained by the blood of an innocent man.
We have spoken thus freely about this
affair in order that the people of Franklin
may understand, that this community
does not countenance any such outrage
Gus conduct. Will the authorities in that
county suffer this act to go uninvestiga-
ted We think not
The following was received after the
above was written. Our readers can
Judge OF the facts in the case for them
selves. The author of the letter is q man
in whom we haze the fullest confidence
MULBERRY Mills, ARK, May 6.'70.
DEAR DUNHAM: Yours of yesterday
has been received. l reply, and will give
you the facts as have them from an eye
witness: On yesterday morning an arm
ed party came to MIR Fricks house and
demanded him, when Frck walked out
to the gate with his gun in his hand, and
demanded their authority, when he was
shot by HAssfTT with a double barrel
shot gun, n distance of only "a few yards,
both shots taking effect in his neck and
breast Mr. McReynolds Ca man work
ing on the farm with Frick ran out to
Frick and was shot at by two of the par
ty, neither shots hitting him McReyn-
olds ran behind the house and the mob
went off, going to Jos. Moss house, tax.
ing him off with them The party accus-
ed Frick of killing Ford through mistake,
he was IIassett,. Frick, Moss
and b. Simpson were out hunting on that
day, Frick was informed the day before
his death, that this party was going to
take him, when he said that if they had
the proper authority, he would submit
to them. quietly The names of the par
ty or mob are Bake Meadows, John +,
Meadows, I'd Hassett, Abe Corder, Jack
Rogers. Marion Roads, Raus Roads,
John CASTOR and several others, that
have not got the names Of The people
here are very much enraged.
81 'e .r Hts .r. f"i Yours dc.
LATER--Wrils having been issued for
the arrest of Meadows, Hasset, and 9th
ers of the posse, that killed Frick, they
refuse to be arrested and defy the pow