The Springdale news., 1889-04-05

News reached here Saturday night of another tragedy enacted near PIummervllle late Saturday evening.
 The first reports were very meag- CT and indefinite, and no safe con clusion could be formed as to the motive for the terrible deed. It was learned through Henry NJ. Cooper that negro named Joseph Smith had been shot and instantly killed, but no further particulars could be had until yesterday Smith was the most important wit ness m the Clayton assassination, and had been employed by the men who have been working up the case l for several weeks. He was on in- innate terms with all the negroes in the vicinity of Plummeryille, and had secured valuable informa- ton, besides what he knew eff his own personal knowledge. He has been in this city several times re- gently 10 communicate with a Pink erton detective who is located here, and on Saturday afternoon mailed q letter at PIummerville, which was received by the Pinkerton man here yesterday, stating that he had discovered additional evidence. fastening the terrible crime on the guilty parties, and even gave the names of tho parties, and also wit ness>s. He is said to have been a shrewd negro and generally held his peace, but while in Plummer- vile tis thought that he unthought- edly let fall some stray remark whieL may have led to the killing, though the circumstances are not fully known. During the attornt on he discussed the Clayton affair with another negro, who was one of the Judges sf Howard township when the ballot box was stolen last fall, and men toned the discovery which had recently been made. He eft for bis home, which was four miles from town, about 6 o'clock and was killed about one mile out, east, on the Springfield road. A negro who arrived here, from Hummer. vile, last evening, gave the follow ing particulars so lar 3s he knew: "omith was on his way home and had stopped to get drink of water out of spring near the foot of a mountain. While there a young man, named Dave Richardson, rode up and an altsrcation followed but what was said is not known. Rich ardson was heard to say, "D-n you, don't give mo any of your slack jaw. and pistol shots follow ed. The first shot struck Smith in the rlght breast over the fourth rib, and the second entered .en
 his head aS he fell forward. killing him instantly. Richardson then turned and rode back down the road. Two men who had been out on the road, one of them constable named Gray, came upon the scene just as Richardson rode away, and seeing the prostrate form lying on tue roadside took in the horrible situation. They rode after Rich ardson and overlook him just as he had dlsmounted to get into wag- on, which was evidently waiting for him, about half a mile below the mountain. H. submitted to arrest, and was rushed hurriedly to MorrIlton where he was placed in jail. The coroner summoned a jury of inquest and examined the remains. The verdict was in accor. dance with thIs three witnesses tsstifying before the jury. Richardson is young man and came from Texas here about two years ago. He lived about three mlles Tn the counry and 1t is not known that he ever had any diff eulty with Smith. The negroes are greatly worked up in the neig bor- nooG and the excitement runs high. smith was popular negro and was one of the election officers in How ard township last year, and while detec,lyes have not relied on him for any information, 1t IS now known that he had been valuable tool in their hands Lcs.des being a valuable witness.
 A few days ago ths Democrat an