Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-04-07
the HAROLD MURDER.
Forest q. small Killed by J. II Bell
The Body Found and Lynching
Threatened.

Threatened.
THE FIRST PARTICULARS.
Mitchell Republican: Special Agent
James came in from Huron last evening
and brought very startling piece Of in
formation in regard to ]. II. Bell, Q
land attorney Of Harold, but formerly
OF Marion Junction and Chamberlain.
Last September complaint was made by
Forest G. Small, another Harold attor-
ney, that Bell had made fraudulent
tree claim entry in the name of his fa.
ther, J. VIM. Bell. This matter was
brought before the grand jury, ct the
last November term Of court at Yanktun,
by Mr.. James, but was postponed, ow-
ing to the absence of certain
witnesses, until this spring. On
the fourth of last December Small
disappeared and the fact that Bell
had shown great resentment
toward Small led to the suspicion Of foul
play. During all these months Mr..
James has been busily engaged ferretin9
out the case and tracing an accompiice Of
Bell, named Bennett, who was supposed
to have ridden Small's horse on long,
circuitous route through Dakota and q
part of Minnesota. A few weeks ago, on
complaint OF Small's brother that Bell
was about to leave the territory, Mr..
James brought Bell before the United
States commissioner at Huron, and he
was held to bail for bis appearance be-
fore the grand Jury. He remained in
Jail few days and then gave bord.
Immediately upon the arrest OF Bell, F.
G. Bennett; who was supposed to be an
accomplice of Bell, took alarm and left
for parts unknown, as he supposed, but
a detective went with and followed him
to Bismarck, where he succeeded in ex-
tractiIg from him full confession of
completely in the murder of Small.
LATER DEVELOPMENTS.
Pierre telegram, 4th: Early this
forenoon Sheriff Harris, accompanied
by Deputy Barck, County Attorney Earn
est and Ferdinand Bennett, who was
arrested near Bismarck as an accomplice
with Bell IN the murder of F. G. Small,
left here to unearth the body of Small,
nine miles northeast of Blunt. The
body was found as Bennett represented
to the officers, which was not known to
Others. Small had sued Bell for bal
ance due as attorneys fees. The trial
was set for December 4th. Bell left
Harold for Blunt, where the trial was to
come of, and overlook Bennett on the
road, who was on his way to his claim,
and asked him to ride. he said he was
going to Blunt to settle with Small
Bennett told him if he would ride he
would take him to the claim. He
turned back saying: II want to
see Small and settle with him"
Small came up, when Bell asked him
what he would take to settle. Small
said: "The amount due is sixteen dol
lars" Bell would pay fifteen if Snal
would give him receipt in full. Small
alighted from his pony, when Bell ant
Bennett got out of the buggy and Bel
turned up the cushion so that Small
could write the receipt. While Smal
was writing Bell drew hatchet from hi.
overcoet pocket and struck him on th,
head staggering HIM, and kept up tn.
blows till Small fell dead. Then Bel
told Bennett that he was into it as dec
as he. and if he would do as be said b.
would clear them both. They thel
placed the body in the buggy aud ptarte6
across the prairie and buried the body
The body was covered by quilt ant
Bells overcost, which was recognized b,
having letter in the pocket written b!
Bell. The body is at Blunt, where it vii
be inferred. The evidence seems con
elusive. Great Indignation is felt here
and If the citizens OF Harold would at
tempt rush on the Jail very little resil
tsnce would be made. Small was YER
estimable young man, whiIe Bell bore
bad character. The examination take
place Monday.