The Van Buren press., 1873-12-02
A PINK OF a SHERIFF
How they Guard Murdcrers at
ClarksNillc

1t seems that about sundown on Tuesday
evening the prisoners confined in the Jail at
that place by some means ovepowered the
gNard, took possession Of their arms and cap.
tured the building. There were confined in
the Jail at the time sid, Matt and Tom Wal
lace, Charley Bray. Charley Clark, man CALI
ed Alabama" and one or two others, on
various charges. In \ short space Of time
the desperate situation Of affairs became
known to the citizens, who crowded around
in great numbers and armed with all kinds OF
weapons, determined on supporting law and
order atany cost The prisoners thus fortih-
ed and armed, had full sweep of the street
from the upper windows OF the building and
dcfcd those outside to approach, with boots
and curses. at the peril of their lives.
Poor johnson County appears 10 be cursed
with criminals, aud cursed with her officials.
The way the Sheriff guards a murderer can
be judged from the following from the Clarks-
willie Standard.
On Thursday evening the citizens OF this
place were startled by the report of fire arms
In the guard house; in few moments large
crowd had assembled on the spot. An effort
was first made to take the building by going
up on the inside. The deputy Sheriff follow
cd by some of the best men of the town went
up the first and second pair of steps but find
ing four of the prisoners armed with double
barrel shot guhs and guarding the entrance
to the guard room and being only armed with
pistols themselves, they were ordered TO fall
back. In a few moments Sid Wallace came
to the front windows and punched them out
with the muzxlc of his gun. lie then com
mcnced firing at the crowd on the street one
shot striking T. II. Paine and another Dave
Windcrs, beth OF whom are badly wounded
The house was surrounded by u strong posse
and at 10 O'clock l25 lbs Of powder was placed
In the lower story, fuse was attached, and
the prisoners given thirty minutes in which
to surrender, with the positive assurance that
II at the end of that time they failed to yield
the match would be applied this had the de-
sired clcCt. Tie guns were thrown out of
the window and sin men went up and took
possession. Intense excitement prevailed for
awhile. when thanks TO some OF the old eiti-
zens. order and discipline was restored and
everything worked right. The people gen
orally deserve commentator tor promptness
In turning ont and assisting the officers in
preventing any one from escaping. The
whole thing is chargablc TO the carelcssness OF
the guards In the prison who all went out Of
the room bat one and he failed to keep his
eyes on the prisoners and they took possession
of the guns and when he found them thus
armed took to his heel, Some of them gave
the alarm by firing of their pistols and warn
Ing the people How often i'll 1t be necessa-
~ to warn oar officers In regard to the seec-
,ion of proper persons as guards. All this
trouble the shoolng of the two men. and
many ether things yet to follow from IT, came
just by having men there who would not, or
did not attend 10 their business.
Sid Wallace has since, been sen to Little
Rock for safe keeping until the day Of hang
ing.