The Van Buren press., 1873-03-04

court adjourned, and attend TO MS pusi'
ness that he had been more than kindly
and courteously treated.
Mr.. White, coroner Of the county, and
in attendance on the court at the time,
because of complications in the sheriff
Office which were then being tried, was an
eyewitness OF the affray in the court
house. and testified that at the commence.
ment there were few persons present
that one Hale. who had been drinking,
demanded of one lIcrriutt to make apol-
ogy for something he did while captain
of a company of militia Herriott refused
to do SO, and in the scuilc, which took
place near the door of the court house, he
drawing his pistol was slot that Hcrriott
had taken some drinks of liquor that day
that there was no more excitement Oh
that day before the shooting than is
usual on court days that he did not hear
any threats Of shooting on that day that
he did not think the killing of Herriott
was prcmeditated affair; that outspoken
republicans can and do live in safety in
Pope county that there are republican
officers in the county that are not mo
lested; that himself lived there without
fear; that regularly constituted officer
can at any time summons willing posse
of good and substantial citizens to aid
him in the execution of the law; that it
would not be because of political stand
ing wholly that even the lawlcss persons
who may be found in the county would
resist an officer.
Gen. Upham gave some peculiar tcsti-
monv. as MAY be seen by a reference to
it as accompanying the report Of the ma
jority. 1t is merely recital Of his cam
paign, while commanding the militia, in
Pope county last year. and All expression
OF his opinion Of" how these things came
about, which no doubt may he as good
as worthy mans, but is, nevertheless,
theory, and has nothing to do with the
actual condition of the county at this
time.
Thus, by review of the testimony pre-.
scnted before the committee, it is seen
that the whole of it is merely the recital
political ignifcance--such as not only
may happen, but has happened in various
counties at divers times. Deplorable as
it may be. yet it is a well established fact
it can safely be said, that in all the small
Ter towns and county seats during impor-
tant or trading days, during the sessions
OF courts, etc, numbers of men can be
seen armed with one and two pistols
drinking and shooting affrays take place
and never was there political and revolu
tionary significance suspected.
AS to the testimony Of the killing OF
Dodson, it only recites the fact and no.
thing of the condition of affairs in Pope
county, Men holding the position he
did, as sheriff of Pope county, have to
munity; that he should draw upon him
self the lasting hate of some OF these is
most natural The killing of Dodson
cinnot be regarded otherwise than rs all
of malicious vengeance on the part OF
some one person. The man who would
do such deed is not apt to seek counsel
or desire many confederates. Its hap
nning on the next day after the shoot
ing of Herrott is a mere coincidence,
and should not be coupled with it.
1t is, therefore, the opinion Of the mi
nority Of the committee on militia that
the state of affairs in Pope county are not
such as to justify the declaring of mar
lial law, or tho sending OF militia t. that
place that the people of Pope county are
able and willing to obey the law and as
sist any regularly constituted officer in
its thorough execution.
ALlcK CAEALoFF,
Minority of Committee on Militia.