The New York herald., 1872-10-28
ARKANSAS EMEUTE.
Fitzpatr;ck's Bloody Reign
in OsceoIa.
Origin and Development Of tho Civil War
Investigation and Contemplated Arrests by
United States 1arshals-No Registra-
ton for the Presidential Election.


appointed to Investigate the facts connected with
The late troubles at this place, stopped short at
Memphis, and there obtained the written state
ments Of Judge Moore OF the Probate Court OF
this (MissssppD county; r. ID. Lanier, now OF
Memphis, but formerly of this place; Mr.. Edring-
ton OF Memphis, brother OF the Assessor OF this
county, and perhaps ono or two others. Hodges
then returned perhaps to Little Rock, and on the
morning OF the 10Th Dorsey went to Marion, the
county seat OF Crittenden county, on the Little
Rock Railroad, to which place were transferred
two boxes OF arms which had been for
wardcd from Little Rock to Hope1cld, opposite
Memphis TWO Deputy United States Marshals-
Richards from Little Rock, and Hart OF this place,
were with the commissioners at Memphis. The
commissioners had been furnished with United
States warrants for the arrest OF such persons as
-on examination OF the facts they should think tit
to have arrested, the names being left blank In the
warrants. The commissioners turned over these
warrants to she deputy marshals, with instruc-
tions to here and further investigate the mat
ter and to I'LL In the names and make arrests. Rich
ards came up the 10th and Hart on the Goth, and
arrived here last night at eleven, by the steamer
Grand Tower. Judge Moore, Captain d. Matthews,
q merchant and planter OF this place, with
several other temporary refugees, returned on the
same boat. Hart and Richards are busy investi-
eating matters in informal manner, OF the facts
and results of which will give you information in
due time. have ascertained the substance OF the
STATEMENTS MADE BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS
In Memphis, andehave sifted the reports and ru-
mors that are and have been current and will give
you the results condensed, from the most reliable
sources OF Information.
By the last registration of this county, made two
wears ago it appears that there was majority OF
white voters over cOlored OF about one hundred
aud fifty, and the democratic majority was nearly
the same. Those best informed assure me thai on
In f0pn ha
voting population OF the county would number
about one thousand, OF which the colored ana Wmte
radicals would constitute nearly or quite one-haii
native of Kentucky and ex-captain of the Seventh
Kentucky federal cavalry, who mad been PUT tnrce
wears resident In Arkansas and during that time
had held the offices of Prosecuting Attorney ana
Circuit Judge came to tis pase oee ear
as he admits, set to work to revolutioniae TINS
country, as to secure republican majority lie
became a candidate for State Senator for this dis
trict was appointed President OF the Board of Reg
istration and in this capacity is said to have acted
very unfairly, taking but one day to register town,
In one instance at least falling to be visible 10 the
white I On tine bear the a
Of its colored voters In. August, Fitzpatrlck
charged Bennington, the Assessor Of the County,
and Best, the County Clerk, with frauds in con-
necton with the county assessments, from which
charges they promptly excupated themselves
HIS CHARGES AGAINST SHERIFF MURRAY,
who was highly esteemed in the county, were more
serious. He not only charged that Murray had
paid It ont in deprecated State scrip, for which
there was little or no foundation In TACT, but IN
general terms accused him OF stealing $1,000 OF
school money, when the fact was the whole amount
of school funds In Murray's hands was only about
fifteen hundred dollars, and the only preence was
that he had pocketed a percentage OF this. In an
alteration which ensued in consequence or these
accusations Fitzpatrick shot Murray dead at the
second fire, a negro having Knocked up
his pistol at the first shot, by which
the negro lost one finger. Murray was
unarmed and Fitzpatrick was informed of this fact
before he fred Fitzpatrick claims that Murray
struck him before he fired the first shot, which is
denied. These are simply the main facts OF the
origin OF the Osceola disturbances
or TIE DISTURBANCES THEMSELVES
you have had abundance of reports. The negroes
here assert that three OF their number were
killed and two or three severely r wounded;
an actual corpse. It Is reported that one white
man was killed and several more wounded. The
owners OF strayed and stolen mules and horses
are searching for their property. Fugitives are
struggling back, merchants are returning with
parcels Of their former stocks OF goods Cotton
picking is renewed in a few fields but in the main
for miles around the cotton Is hanging from the
bOlls spelling for the want OF hands to harvest it,
with no prospect OF obtaining pickers until after
the election, BY which time the crop will have lost
perhaps one third Of Its value.
CRITTENDEN COUNTY
lies directly south OF this and Is the direction from
which the people here have feared violence. Marion
is evidently the base Of militia operations, should
pie that they shall not be molested II
they keep the peace, which they seem well
disposed to do. Judge Fitzgerald is at large on
straw bail and not likely to return in hurry. The
marshas have examined the only registration
books they could find, being the State duplicates,
and find them blank, and now the people want to
which the marshas reply that the vote is about
equally divided, and it is no matter whether 1t Is
cast at all, except for county officers, for which a
special election can be ordered. The anti-radical