The Russellville Democrat., 1878-06-27
SCOTT COUNTY.
History of tho Late Troubles.

BeioW we repfodnce sth idtlsie from the 1t. Smith Independent in regard to the manner in which affairs have been going in Scott county. If the representations of the Independ- ent are correct, and VIC take it that they are, it is . disgrace to civiliza- ton and q foul blot upon Arkansas for a governor of our state to permit such conduct as Adjt. Genl Pomc- roy has displayed in this matter. We reproduce the following article without further comment; we think this matter should be ventilated be-
 fore the people:
 "As the prisoners have all been discharged, and no bills found against any one of them, after so great a flourish of trnmpets and drums" by ouI valiant Adjutant General Pome- roy, it will not be out of place to re fer to facts and everything connect ed with the persecution and impris- onment of eleven of the staunehest men of Waldron. It will be recol- lected by the readers of the Indc
 pendent that i'll March last young Davenport was assassinated near Waldron. Shortly afterwards Seb. Bates, Wm. Blythe, Buck Blythe. Charles Reeves and w B. Malone were arrested and taken before Esq. Blevins, on an affidavit of one W. J.. Fulton, in Tomllnson Township, fourteen or fifteen miles from Wal drou Great excitement prevailed among the people of the county, and fears were entertained that a collis- lon might take place, and parties went to Little. Rock and asked the governor to order a squad of militia to keep the peace. The governor made the order. and along with 1t came Adjutant-Gen Pomeroy. The examination continued days, in fact three or four weeks. The Jus tice's court while the examination was pending was removed to Wal dron. General Pomeroy was all the time vibrating between Ft. Smith and Waldron. By some means while this examination was pending the General became acqnaintdd with George w. Jones, who was then q refugee, under two indictments be- fore the grand jury of Scott county. While General Pomeroy was hold Ing meetings with Jones in the Choc- taw Nation, on the banks of the Pc teau, opposite Fort Smith, Esq. Blew ins, on the testimony of Fulton or- dered ali the above named gentle men to jail, refusing bail. Accord ingly, the Sheriff of Scott started with them to the jail at Van Buren. Circuit court was then in session here, and the prisoners were all brought before Judge Rogers, who, looking over the testimony, released Seb. Bates and permitted the others to give bail. About this time Jones came forth. out of the Nation, upon the assurance of General Pomeroy, representing Governor Miller, that if he testified against these men, that nolle pros. should be entered, or if he was tried and convicted, he should be pardoned. Here was a direct bargain, by Pomeroy, acting for the State, to release fugitive from justice, if he testify against eleven of the best men Tn Scott coun- ty. According to this bargain, all of those who had been released, ex- cept Chas. Reeves, were immediately arrested and taken back to Waldron. In addition to those arrested in Fort Smith, Thomas Bates, Dr. Caruthers, Thomas Haley, Judge Pendry, an ex Probate and County Judge, a man nearly, seventy two years of age, Jas. c. Gllbreath, clerk of the coun- ty, Dr. Hooper and w. A. Denton were arrested at Waldron and placed in close confinement, with a guard over them day and night. The case was brought before Esq. Hall. Du- val and Cravens and Col. r. II. Rice appeared for the prisoners. The prosecution was conducted by Col
 Hugh F. Thomson and Dr. E. T. Walker for the Sta.e. Jones was put on the witness stand, and fol eleven days he unravelled a long tale which created considerable ex- citement among the listeners. Gen eral Pomeroy was around issuing his military orders, and requiring i'm plicit obedience thereto. He refused for while, to let the prisoners visit their families, though most of them resided in town. He had the win dows of the house in winch the pris
 oners were confined barricaded with scantling 2x4 inches thick. Sc close, austerc and despotic were his orders, that ne took the knives ano 1 forks from the prisoners, compelling them to eat their meat and bread with their fingers. This was very hard on old Judge Pendry, as his teeth were not good. This state o
 affairs continued from the 9th ol April until the latter part of May The examination continued all the 1 while and the prisoners confined ir what became the name of prison | pnup,.o Rastilp We have mol