The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-10
SHOT AND HUNTEDW
EXPORTED MURDER OF a METHODIST
MINISTER IN ARKANSAS
fhe Astonishing Recital Of the Presiding Elder
OF the Little Rock DIstfIct-An Assistanrs
Denthbed story-CoIorcd Mems Wrongs.

Denthbcd Ntory-toiorcu mems WFonks.
Tto,n n, s, Lopi, c,rfri Ch,is,on Adroois.
The Rev W. NJ. Todd WINS appointed by
Bishop Andrews to ths Brinkloy Circuit Fob.
"a 1873. Reaching his work soon afterward.
ho wrote. about March IL. desiring mo to come
ut once. hold his quarterly meeting. and assist
him in gnnizu.. for. owing to misrepresenta-
tione and the threats of white men, the colOrcd
out they could seo the Presiding Elder. For the
white people said Brother Todd was not sent
there TO preach. ana that he soon would leave
and that they had way OF getting rid OF men
who came from tho North TO preach to the col
or.d people.
Brnkley We stayed there that night. but left
n.M morning and returned on the following
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, l preached at night. We
took breakfast nj the hpte In tho morning. and
then went 10 the country. but returned the mkt
Jay. March 70. and preached ut night The
Of white aud colorrd. Among the whites were
the Marshal OF the town. u Dir. Kelly. and .
Justice Of the Peace. Mr.. Bannor. We held
W.. we're pnssng along the streets with part
oI the S SonsFrsanticns atnong them 9 Mr.. Pos
mess ard central part Of the town we saw two
mon VINO seemed watching US. Not desiring
10 tome IN contact Wlln men who looked so sus-
across the main street. But they run around
hhe9d. and soon came up IN front Of us and ono
Who IRE you ? What will you have3 Are you
civil officers? We are nobody but Methodist
s nnm rs 16s To S OrSSa gay ssye
"Hold up your hanis2" both of them pointing
their pistols at US. He then said to his deputy
found none.
said, What authority have you for doing
siy, of Msn 90 Ho9 want WIN W ys Are you
go up the street with us" We said "All right 7"
then asked my friend. Mr. Pascal. to 20 along
lie started: but they forbade his going. telling
MN not 70 come but to go AWAY. which he did;
aItprWnrd cd
was the Postmaster he had closed up the Post
OIice. and was waiting for us. He asked the
said. Are these men civil ofilcers2 They have
a couple OF Methodist preachers; will you 90
along and see that we are not hurT He went
Passing by a large empty storehouse. the
Marshal opened gate TO the right and ordered
dark. and led in behind large billiard saloon
" the next building. | objected saying. Cen
hemen, hope you will not take us back there
oers rVs as fr rs The e avn
swered, want to take you back to INV Office"
lsaid. ! don't know that you have any Office
Take us IN at the front door" At this instant
Brother, Todd ran. They shot at him three
inside portion OF his left thigh. He
reeled, but continued TO run. They ran after
him; leaving me in the custody, Of the Post
master. He took me on into the saloon and into
the back part. where there were number OF
men. both white and colored. drinking. Within
afew minutes the Marshal aud his deputy re-
turned. appearing very much excited. and said
that Brother Todd had made his escape. but
swearing high and low that should not. The
Marshal threw on his cont and took out pair
81 handouts, and soon made me doubly secure.
After Handwriting me- he. with two or three
others. marched me through a side door, and
through two rooms into the third, fastened the
doors, and took seat. Again / asked. By
what authority do you do thisp", The Marshal
peld before me paper. across the top OF which
saw, State OF United States Detective. and
said no wanted to examine me which he did
pin. II he would let me send to Little Rock
could satisfy them. both US to who was and
sbap a. he1 searched e1d,rya mixed
Ieturned. The Marshal. however. had said that
was pot the man he was after. but the one who
wrong boys; that neither Of us was guilty OF
anything. When Brother Todd returned hs told
bad become EXCITED ana after REJECTION ' he dee
termined to come back and give up. The Mar
Ihal said to Brother Todd You are not the
Iheless. he examined both OF us for scars on the
chest and legs. After which he released US.
at once ordered a doctor who came and
looked at the wound but although he appre-
hended danger. he would not dress the wound
without without money II advance. l told him that
had few dollars OF missionary money which
was carrying to one OF my preachers. He still
he dressed the wound. We remained there un-
vi morning. there being only plank wall be-
tween us and the billiard hail. where men were
night. Brother Todd suffered very much dur
Ing the night, but talked and encouraged him
as best could while the weary hours Of thai
sad night slowly passed away.
The next day took him out into the country.
about two miles away, being told we could,not
occupy the room any longer nor could he lie on
the little hard and dirty bunk over the next
night He remained here about a week. after
which took him further away. where he was
soon alter visited by his brother a cripple and
very sick besides. Within a few days he went TO
10 Little Rock. They stopped at the hotel The
train was due al about IL O'Clock in the night
but al about 10 O'Clock tthese facts give MS
Brother Todd gave them to me on his dying bed.
Tor had lett him the day before he returned 10
Brinkleyl the hotel Keeper and one Of his
servants came 10 their room. telling them that
was not. but the keeper SAID. Go on, and be
ready anyhow" So they took the sicK brother
his crutch and cane. When he reached the foot
OF the stairs in the back part OF the building he
men at the front door. He. Of course. thought
they were intending to murder him and his
brother. Thinking II he could get away they
might spare his sick and helpless brother he
went out At back door. climbed the back yard
fence. and hohhled off down dark alley, over
fence into a field. As he went he looked back
and saw them with two lanterns looking for him.
They came into the field and passed by him
number Of times. He told me they were mas ed
eight or ten In all, but he could not tell who
they were. They passed very near him at
times, and he did not understand why they did
not discover him. except 1t was because God
would pot permit II Tor said he. ! prayed,
o God. save me- and do not let them find me, ,"
crawling along on his hands and Knees Ms he
could, AZ last. after hours Of searching they
LEFT OF. and he gai med the woods in the direction
OF Little Rock. Early in the forenoon OF the
next day he heard them coming again heard
dogs after him, so he quit tho dry land and
waied through swamps and water for hours
IN the afternoon he no longer heard them on
his track. For seven days he dragged himself
through wnter. brush. thOrns. and briers. with
out seeing any one or eating a monthful Of food.
The seventh day he reached n dag station. nine
miles from Brnkley. kaown as Surrounded
Hi. freight train came along he got aboard
aad came 20 Little Rock. reaching here April H.
where he WIS properly cared for until he died
On tho night OF April %, /. q. POLLARD.
Copies Of the above letter have been received
In New York lately. and the subject has awak-
encd rs much indignation among the Methodist
ministers us the PRONUNCIATION Of tho order in
New Crleans that the cclored churches must be
closed az W o'clock The first ntimntion OF the
assault upon the Rev. DR.. l. G. Pollard and the
Rev. ". N. Todd was received by Bishop Harris
in a letter from the Rev. A. W. Decker OF Little
Rock. soon after 1t was perpetraed; but the
facts were meagre Bishop Harris appointed
the Row. Dr. Pollard Presiding Elder about
four years ago, ana he asked Bishop Andrews
10 appoint him Presiding Elder OF the Colored
Conferente Of the Litt. Rock District when two
Conferences were formed by division.
know he Rev. DR.. Pollard very well.
Bishop Harris said Yesterday. and am CON
ia attltfs inn