The Van Buren press., 1874-04-07
1.-THE LATE JUDGE FOX.
Version Of the Tragic Affair." Ending in
His Death, by those who were on
the spot.

His Death, by those VINO were on
the spot.
From the Forrest City Times.l
On Saturday morning, 2lst inst, just
after breakfast and about 8 o'clock a. in.
as Judge Fox was on his way up town
from the Forres, House, where he and his
wife were boarding, he was intercepted
by j. X. p. AldriAgeswh walked ont of
The drug store Of r. G. Dye, with shot
gun few PAGES in front of him, and said
to him, 4" Now, Juege Fox, we will settle
our difficulty" and bringing his gun in
range. fred in quick succession both bar
rels of the gun. Judge Fox, who had a
pistol. and bowie knife buckled around
him, made. some reply that was not dis
tincily heard, anala movement as some
think to draw his pistol, but fell, struck
by eight or nine buck shot, two in the re
gion of his liver, one in the lower part OF
the abdomen, two in the right groin and
the others in his legs. He was taken to
the hotel, and had every attention that
medical skill, and devoted wife could
render, but died in about five hours, after
great suffering He said but little after
he was shot, and that mostly in reference
to his wounds. Mr.. Aldridge walked to
his office and surrendered to the officers
Of the law, remck,ng to friend that he
had discharged duty which he owed to
his wife and children, as much or more
than to himself, and that duty he would
have performed if he died for it the next
ten minutes.
Our whole community was shocked by
this unexpected deed of violence and the
causes which led to it became theme oi
general inquiry and conjecture AS neal
as we can ascertain them, they are sub
stancially as follows: Mr.. Aldridge, be
ing engaged in large legal practice in
the courts Of this district, appears to have
incurred the strong personal dislike OF
Judge Fox, who took advantage of his
official position to resent his dislike upon
Aidridge in the conrt room upon the
most trivial grounds, as well as upon
points essential to his success in the most
important cases. Mr.. Aldridge, being q
poor man and bis family dependent upon
his snccess in the courts, wrote note to
Judge Fox at the Wittsburg court. re
ouesting him not to resent his personal
dislike upon him in the court room. This
appears not to have had any effect upon
Judge Fox, who, at the Crttenden court
Immediately after, imprisoned Aldridge,
contrary to law and afterwards forbade
him to appear in the court room. Mr..
Aldridge returned to Forrest City. feel
ing that he and his family were disgraced
and deprived of their means of support
That such was the view he took of Judge
Fox course no impartial mind can doubt
The bar of this distIict, who were more
cognizant ef the facts than any one else,
agree that Judge Fox was unjustiliably
harsh and unfair of his treatment with
Aldrldge. Mr.. Aldridge is a man of
strong impulses and sensitive Of his feel
ings, but has always been uprigh, honor
able and courteous in his department
here as lawyer and citizen. Nor does
any one here credit the statement in the
Little Rock Republican that he belonged
to kuklux in Woodruff county, nor has
he plaid the role Of dcspcrado, as is here
tofOre alleged, nor did he stand socially
and morally SO low,ras represented in the
Republican, its special reporter. While
we are no apologistbar Mr. Aldredge, we
beg leaye to differ ffOn the opooi"l 20
porter of the Republican as to the gener
al good character and standing OF Mr..
Aldridge There is not an nnprpjudccd
man in this community, who upon oath
could say that Mr. Aldridge had not con-
Quoted himself in any other way exccp,
as an upwright and peaceable gentleman.
Judge Fox was almost a stranger here,
but was quite unobtrusive in his manners
and had made quite favorable impress
sion upon those best acquainted with
him. That he abused his authority, and
acted outside of the law in throwing AL
bridge in Jail with a gang OF negro felons
no attorney here can deny. That he was
well apprised of his danger, and that he
was advised MOTTO leave the hotel; that
he wauld not heed the warning, but arm
ed himself in anticipation Of it, is well
known here Those in the confidence OF
the two men might and should have pre-
vented this unhappy and tragic affair.
We sincerely sympathise with Mrs Fox
in her unexpected bereavement. She is a
most accomplished lady, and made many
warm friends during her brefstay among
us. Not less do we feel for the family
Of Mr.. Aldridge. who were dependent
upon him for support, but are now
plunged into trouble and distress by the
Il al lnI