The Van Buren press., 1872-08-06
THE POPE COUNTY TRAGEDY.
Judge Mays Court is Dissolved by Rea.
son of His Non Attendance.
Parties Charged wish Attempting TO As
sassnate Deputy Sheri9 Wiitiams
HUnorabig AcguinC d'-Etc.

]
Sheriff Dodson; Clerk llickoX and Circuit
School Superintendent Stuart. the three latter
the ring-leaders in the late tragedy, arrived
in the city by last evenings train. From
Col. Whipple and MessrS. Shinn and Keeton
we learn that after kickuX. Do0son ~ Co
waived an examination and were released on
bail (Which they have not yet given, although
still at large, warrants were issued for the
arrest of ten young men living in and near
Dover, who had been charged with the at
tempt to assassinute Deputy sheriff Williams.
These parties, Ii seems, being fearful OF the
militia tand well they might be, with the
shiloh tragedy staring them in the face were
permitted by Judge May to select their own
guards to whom to surrender and guard them
to Russelvillc, This they did and presented
themselves to the court on Thursday morn
ing accompanied by Il guard of eighty five
men. They demanded an immediate trial
There was waiving examination. lns.ead OF
taking up these cases the Judge. who IL APP
pears did not open his court until the after
noon. called the case OF Capt. Barry, of the
Dardanelle Transcript. who had been arrest
ed on charge Of contempt for publishing an
article rejecting on the court. The counsel
Of Capt Barry demurred to the jurisdiction
of the court, the publication having been
made in an adjoining county. This question
was argued during the whole of the after
noon, and the judge adjourned court over to
UtNl ulN. anu tOoh lilt IlulJtT ulutl dtlNl>ei'
mcnt. He told the young men who had T.. :
waiting for trial to return home and co,it6
back again next day. On Friday the prison.
ers returned accompanied by guard of over
one hundred persons, all of whom were peace
able and quiet In every respect. They waited
patiently all day for the judge to appear and
open court. hut his honor failed to put in an
appearance. Desiring to know the cause of
this, Mr.. Shinn and Mr., Howell. merchants
A RnsspllNillp went lDIrilupIlp. a
distance of six miles, to see the Judge. The
latter stated he was sick and unable to attend
court that day that, in fact, there was not a
particle Of evidence against the young men.
and he would send word to them to return
home. as they were " "hCnorably acquitted y"
Under the law. the failure of the judge to
proceed with an examining court works Il
dissolution OF the court and the eases fall to
the gronnd-so Capt Barry and the prisoners
are all free. Demanding trial and being
refused, by operation OF law. they We're set 1t
liberty. 1t had been reported that Judge
May was intimidated by the number of guards
who accompanied the young men to Russell
vile. and was afraid to proceed with his
court On being questioned by Mr.. Shinn.he
denied that this WAS the case. and stated he
had no fears whatever; that he knew there
was not single witness to testify against the
parties. and that they were perfectly innocent.
Mr.. Shin and Mr.. Howard then left the Judge
and returned to Russellvlle; the prisoners
were set at liberty and returned TO their
homes
From these gentlemen and others we are
told what we have previously stated that
more deliberate willful, premeditated. cold
blooded murder was never perpetrated than
the shooting of Tucker and Young Hale by
Dodson and his party. The evidence is SO
strong that there can he no doubt on the sub
jecl in the mind ofany fair man.
Dooson. IlickoX & Co. have not yet furnish
ed their bond although they are at large and
the three principal actors now in the city.
Judge NAV remarked to Mr.. Shinn on Friday
evening that if they did not give bond at once
he would put them in iail-though they are
here now, it is presumed. tn consult with the
GOVERNOR and it is thought, endeavOr to get
martial law declared
Messr.. Shinn and Kecton are also here to
Law the simple facts before his cxcellency
The people of Pope county are peaceabe and
law-abidng. and desire nothing more than
What the executive promised-the enforce
ment of the laws 1t remains to be seen
whether the governor -wiriTGoe only protect
the Shiloh murderers. but put 1t in their
power to still further depredate upon the
people We trust he will resort to no such
foolish measure as the declaration of martial
law 1t would only add fuel to the name.-
l.. II. Gazette.
The following Il letter Of Gen. +. W.
CAN'T. Withdrawing from the defence of the
Pope county murderers. 1t is lame excuse
to get out ofa very dIsrepptable. bad case to
say the least. Gen Gannt, did not however.
see the force of armed intimidation when the
murderers and their friends were all armed
to the teeth, paraded about.thc Court House
day after day Itwas only when matters had
assumed that shape that the people of Pope
county were aroused to the danger that was
overhanging some of their best citizens and
were determined there should be no more
one-sided killing of innocent men. We do
rot wonder that the numbering, theving VIII
lains quaked and trembled. and that the pill
ant tools of Gov. Hadley wanted to get to
more congenial quarters:
In the matter of the investigation OF the charges dgdins
Young and others, before Hon. W. ". Nay "a The
County Of Pope.
As one of the attorneys engaged in the defense Of
Dodson and others, on a charge of murder and az
one of the attorneys representing the State in the
case against Young and others, desire TO hle this
paper among the papers in said cases signiiying my
desire to withdraw from the prosecution thereof and
giving in brief my reasons therefor:
/ The prisoner Young cannot be found. Dodson
and nickox and none of their friends, as am IN.
peril to find out testimony and procure the attend
anee OF witnesses The prisoners and witnesses So
called entered this place armed, apparently TO the
number of seventy or eighty, having ammunition,
double -barreled shot guns and about two rovoiyers
each, They departed in military style; armed anu
mounted Add to this there seemed to be called OUT
police force in the town of Russellyille, armed III
like manner. The sympathes OF the latter, from
what could learn, are entirely with the prisoners
The former are said to come from an encampment
near Dover.
/ have a pride in my profession, and in conse-
quence the highest regard for an independent judi
ciary | consider that these armed men that hold,
Jurisdiction to examine into their eases, and that
seems apparent they would not submit 70 orders OF
your honor unless such orders should be entirely
agreeable to them,
treason offered to be preferred against said ke'
and other citizens had better not now be 10
into but left to be passed upon by n grand
the regular term of the Circuit Court OF this Coi ,.l
and because it further appears that the press 10
nhaming the passions of the people. andthrowing
obstacles in the way ofa fair and impartial examina-
ton, and has even counseled witnesses to remain
away, and the arming Of citizens. court surround
ed by armed men who deny its JURISDICTION can
hope to do little for the settling OF the differences OF
taa people. - n,
have, with my associate counsel, advised my eli
ents to waive an examination and enter into bond,
in the interest of peace. of law and order can see
no public good that could result from further in.
ysstigation which settles nothing, especially in the
midst of armed band and under the hre OF an IN
discreet and infnmmatory press. which denounces
the court and does not even accord to an attorney
the privilege Of practicing his profession without
com ng in for a share of its denunciauon.
| can only add that | appeared here as aprivate
citizen retained rs lawyer. with my duties clearly
defined, and that worked in the interest Of peace:
But for the reasons given, and many similar ones,
entertain the desire. and must express the hope,
hat when the court meets In term time, no obstacle