Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-06-23
RUFFIANIS.M In ARK.ANSAS.
Governor ChurchiIa's Proclamation
"A Mothers story of Her SONS
Murder.

Murder.
LITTLE ROCK, June @.-Gov. Churchill
to-day issued the following proclamation:
Whereas, 1t has been made known to me
that on or about the 18th day OF June, 1880,
IN the county of Polk. state OF Arkansas, one
Frank Perse was cruelty and barbarously muir
dered by unknown persons, who, up to this
time, have escaped detection and are now at
large;
Now, therefore. be it known that |, Thomas
j. Churchill Governor of Arkansas, by virtue
OF tue authority vested in me by the Consti
tutiou aud laws of said State, do offer re-
ward OF $500 for the arrest aud conviction OF
the murderers or either of them.
LII witness hereof l have hereunto set my
baud and the great seal OF the State to be
affixed at Little Rock, the goth day Of June.
A. u. 1881,
r. j. CHURCHILL, Governor.
BY the Governor, JAcoD FHoLIoH, Secretary
Of the state.
About the LIST OF the present month the
Governor received long letter in the
shape OF an appeal, signed by Rhoda
Perse and written at Ada post office, Con
way county. 1t detailed a series of out
RACES and crimes eliminating i'll the muir
der Of Il boy only IL years of age and the
only sou Of widow. The letter is dated
May 18th, and the writer says she is IS
years of age, and that her husband died
about three years ago She then pro-
ceeds with her story. telling how, being
left with her brave boy, an invalid
daughter, and little granddaught she
thought they could make q better living
in a new country. sue traded her prop.
erty III Sebastian county for Il home in
the rich mountain country of Polk
county. They arrived there in safety,
and began to make crop. She fell ill,
ani their provisions becalne exhausted.
\ crowd of armed men passed her house,
and IN the presence of her daughter
robbed their turkey trap. On the
| following day, as the gang re-
turned, the boy demanded pay for
inc birds, and threatened to expose them
| II they did not acCeds to his demand, lie
| tOld them his mother was dying, and
| they had for days been trying to catch a
turkey for her. The men laughed at the
boy, ouiled and kicked him, and finally
| took him prisoner. lie related the cir
cuinstances tOseveral propie and consider
ahie feeling existed. The baud then be-
| gan systematic persecution OF the
family, arrtsting the boy tor horse steal
ing aud numbering him when they knew
| he was innocent. His sister had been
arrested ON charge of stealing purse
found near her house, and he was sent to
.hs mountain for his mother. On his
way there lie was captured aud killed.
dis mother heard the guns. Next day,
having been told that her boy had been
sent Ia her, she said he had been
murdered.
Ia, I,..r 20 81, al l.
now She found the boys body in the fol
lowing words 81 went on into the noun
taus. lett the road and took into al
old trail, aud followed in the direction
lad heard guns. | saw buzkards flying
,round. hardly knew where was
vas in 80 much trouble, but found my
tIrling son lying in some bushes.
sptans from my horse and took hun by
tiIe hands and tried 10 raise him up.
hen tried to pack him, but my strength
vas gone. | bathed him with my tears
There lay all my hope and comtor, in thu.
wolf. God only knew my feelings rs
stood 10y my son in that lonely place.
HXamiued aud found bruised places ovel
his arms and hands and also On his face
/ took his hat oil and found several Gu
places Oh his head which looked lik,
paNng been done by revolvers. Their,
Na, a purple streak around his neck, til,
shin WAS cut about two inches On tia,
li!ht side OF his neck think it was don,
Niti a rope. He had been shot, glanc
iug >Eot III the face, with shotgun, an,
ahJt with q rifle twice in the breast. Ill
ltll not changed color when found hin
ynly where lie hat been beaten ant
mtnsl-d. lie was killed on Wednesday
evening. and this was Friday abou
ilJul.n
After the murder became known an in
iurst was held and the poor woman say
&C." C9rnner's jury was composed prlnei
paly OF members Of tn. mob. lhcy ais
I'll MED the burial, armed TO the taeth
A!t,t this they drove her ami lie
aiui tren from the county, threatening til
lives of all who offered them aid. Sh,
Hoses iier appeal rs follows Il is
shame AMI Il disgrace the way have beei
wronyed ~ those cruel people. The,
nave not only killed my hoy, hat the.
iAru robbed me Of my living, run me O
from M home, destroyed my property
t.'j mr ii ever told nay troubles an,
annoyed them they would hunt III. dow
and i..ll e,aAd il Frank had any friend
th-y lad better stay away from there o
;ury would share the same fate. kuo,
that W. are Ir.utea, and oar lives ar IL,
B safe "G" mournJ. / AN begging yuu i
''a.i 9 nam" &" listen 10 my prayer. | a,
r 81 olA Nu.N, ga. don't eX9rct To- hv
long, upt dpu Want To- Die unt
uau 4.,e Those. rI~afdlv murderer
plmrh"i. send al Investigating part
down there, Every body knows tu,i