The Russellville Democrat., 1891-07-30
Tha Henson Case '.

lt has been 8 long time since the people of this vicinity have taken as great an interest ID any criminal cause as they have in the case Of Henry K. Henson versus Frank Buck and Jo Finley.
 The particulars of the sale of q horse by Henson 10 Finley for Sl5 and the subsequent recovery of the money and the retention of the horse, in which Buck and Finley figured, vas fully racounted in last weeks DEMOCRAT, and the account given was substantially correct with the exception that the statement that the boys were put in jail before the examining trial was erroneous. Both remained in the custody of of ficers. Alter the examining trial Finley was released on bond to an swer to the next grand jury. Buck being unable 10 secure bonds. men, was incarcerated. The tele gram referred to last week was sent to B. K. Rodgers. Jr., at Ft. Smith. He dispatched Mack Williamson to Henson's former home to see if there were any charges against hlm. Williamson saw and talked with Hancock, the party from whom Hen son bought the horse, and was by him told that Henson could be liber- ated. A letter from MT. Rodgers containing this information was re ceived here Thursday morning and Henson was at once set at liberty. Thursday afternoon telegram was received asking Hanson's detention until an officer with warrant could come for him. This unexpected turn in affairs created considerable excitement. The young man was again imprisoned. Friday morning Deputy U. s. Marshal Yoes of Ft. Smith arrived in company with Han cock (the former owner of the horse) ], with warrant charging Henson with stealing the saddle he was rid ing. Something was said also about gun the young man was charged with stealing, and before the train arrived which was to carry the off cer and his prisoner away, so many conflicting reports were in circula- tion concerning the charges against Henson that they gave rise to the suspicion that job was being put up on him to break the force of his evidence against Buck and Finley, and possibly to get him out of the way altogstherr Public sentiment was largely h favor of Henson and much sympathy was expressed fol him. Prosecuting Attorney Davls
 was absent at the time but returned Saturday and hearing of the affair
 went to Ft. Smith to investigate the nature of the charges against Hen son. Here he learned the only charge was for stealing the saddle A bond for $250 to answer the charge next fall was quickly made, and or Tuesday MT. Davis returned, accom-. panied by the young man, who has gone to work and will stay until af ter the November term of circuit court.
 So far as our information goes at present 1t appears that Henson bought the horse of Hancock agree ing to pay him $60 for it. He paid him $45 and owes him the balance. The saddle belonged possibly to Hancock, Henson having borrowed | it. His offence therefore IS breach of trust, not theft. Just why Han cock dld not tell Williamson about the balance due on the horse and the alleged theft of the saddle has not been explained and very natural ly appears like strange proceeding on his part.
 These are the facts in the case, and while it is not contended that Henson is innocent or blamless, Messrs. Buck and Finley are none the less culpable for the unlawlul and unwarranted part they played in the affair.
 Henson is about 19 years old. His parents live in Alabama. His brother did live in the territory also but returned sometime ago to Ala bama. Henry is inexperienced and unfamiliar with the ways of the world, and is easily imposed upon. It is hoped that the exciting and embarrassing experiences of the past two weeks will profit him and enable him to steer clear of such entangling circumstances in the flu ture.
 Hancock took possession of the horse on his arrival here and rode him home going via Dardanelle and Paris. Nothing was sad to Henson about re-imbursing him for hls inter est in the animal.