Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-26
ARKANSAS. :
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The Great Campaign in Full Blast.


Reign of Terror In Pope County A
~ MOckery Of Jusiiee.
LITTLE Rock, Jaly 25.-The DardaneIle
Transcript of Tuesday, referring to the
Pope County tr Oubles says: -
"The Circuit Court, Judge May presid-
ng, scommenced Monday. There were
present in attendance for the defendants in
the murder cases, ex-Judge Wiltshire and
Attorney General CAN'T, of Little Rock, be-
sides S. M. Gissen Of this place. There
were present for the prosecution, Col.
Whipple Of Little Rock, Col. ]. E. Cravens
of Ciarksyille, with II. M. Jaeowy of this
place. Thos. A. Hanks, OF. Bluffton, was
appointed Sheriff pro TEN. Twenty-four
Of the posse who are charged with the MUIR
der of the prisoners were in attendance,
with Dodson Sheriff, Stuart the School Sl-
perintendent, Hickok the County Clerk,
and John Williams the Deputy Sheriff
Subpen.s were issued for Witnesses.
ssThe first incident of note was Hanks,
the acting Sheriff remarking that he would
have to consult Dedson, the culprit, as to
whom he should send out to serve the sub
poenas. The second was the selecting of
Deputy Sheriff WIllos, the ringeader ofthe
criminals, as chief of the guard to keep the
prisoners. The next was in appointing
the following persons to compose Williams
guard, to wit: Luther Clonager, a brother
of the greatest desperate Of the culprits;
also Jno. A. Bowden, a relative of one of
the posse; also Solomon Oiled, the father
of one of them, together with g. ID. Kend-.
well, arelative of one of the criminals, with
Green A. Barnes, Joseph Reid, Daniel
Walls, DAVIS Findlay, and Jack Ratclff,
compose the guard. Judge May selected
the guard. All this being done, Judge May
adjourned the court 10 meet to-day at nine
O'Clock A. NJ.
i 1.-The reason why Judge May postponed
holding the court last week, is now evident
TO all, as the prisoners, although disbanded
as militia by the Governor, when up here
ten or twelve days ago, or when he pretend
ed to disband them, have since all been
well armed with the most approved and i'm
proved muskets. saaS @ -
'On last Saturday two cases of arms
were. sent out from Little Rock on the Fort
Smith and Little Rock Railroad, TO Perry's
Station, the terminus of the road. Dodson,
in the open face of day, sent wagon and
took charge of said arms. The arms are
said to have been consigned TO Deputy
Sheriff Williams, though Dodson took
charge OF them. Thus we see how Gov.
Hadley, disbanded this militia, who
killed two harmless prisoners, and after
ward took great deal of valuable property.
From these dreadful wretches, thus armed
by the State authorities, we see Judge May
selecting the friends and relatives of the
present pretended prisoners, for the pur-
pose of guarding. We see Judge May also
appointing, in the first place, A. Brown, of
this place Sheriff pro tem., and giving to
him instructions to arrest AL the posse but
Dodson, Hckox, Stuart and Williams, thus
excepting the ringleaders, and we find these
ringleaders claiming the right to 60 on the
bonds of the prisoners, claiming that they
had private understanding with Judge
May allowing them to run at large and
make Out bonds for their aecompiees in
crime. These men claim to have entered
into contract with Judge May as stated
above. This much of the ridiculous farce
has been acted out to day, and to morrow
the third act in the farce will be played.
What that viii be anybody with half an eye
can see. The farce will end with the ae-
quittal of Williams, Dodson and the posse
they had with them.
SIN making the above statement of facts
we give them as they are told us by those
who have witnessed every thing. They are
believed by cur people. A sense of inse-
curity prevails in every bosom. In cOpse-
quence we are informed that most of the
best citizens of Pope have left the country,
and that the friends of the Halls and Mr..
Tucker viii not appear as witnesses against
the Sheriff and his posse"
The next day yesterday after the above
was published HickOx, Dodson, Williams
and their posse who shot the prisoners
were arraigDed, waived examination and
were released, the first three on $1,000 bail
and the remainder on $500. The Court
issued an order for the arrest of Capt.
Barry, editor of the Dardanelle, Yell County
Transcript, charged with contempt of
Court, for publishing the above article and
ordered to report at RusSellville at the reg
ular term of the court next week. Parties
from Dardanelle say Barry shall not report
as ordered without his free consent. Fears
are being entertained that be will be killed.
Warrants are also issued for the arrest of
party of citizens, charged with an attempt
TO assassinate Deputy Sheriff Williams, and
with treason, against the State. The most
intense excitement prevails and many Of
the best citizens have already left the
country.