The Van Buren press., 1893-04-01
ARKANSAS STATE NEWS.
The Alleged Clayton Murderer.

Several days ago the police of Little
Rock received Il telegram from Butte,
Mont, from man named Werner,
stating that he had positive pooof as to
the identity of the man who assassi-
mated Col. John MClayton at Plummer.
vile, this state, on the night of Janu-
airy ~, 1889. Since the receipt of that
dispatch a quiet investigation has been
going on. Sheriff White of Conway
county, the scene of the assassination,
was in Little Rock the other day, and
held long consultation with Attor-
ney-General Clarke and Gov. Fishback.
Later in the day Sheriff White received
a telegram from Werner, asking for
funds to bring witnesses to Little
Rock. The telegram was turned over
to the attorney general. and that Of
fetal Immediately telegraphed the
states attorney at Butte for corrobora-
tive particulars. Attorney General
Clarke received reply substantially
corroborating Werner's statement, and
also stated that man named Frank
Hickey was the party charged with
the crime, end that he had just been
lodged in jail. These facts, in addition
to other particulars received. justified
Gov. Fishback in wiring the sheriff OF
Butte that he would Immediately issue
requisition papers for Hickey, and send
Sheriff White to Butte for the prisoner.
Sheriff White Of Conway county says
Hickey was resident of Plummerville
when Clayton was killed, and that he
was always regarded as a trifiing and
worthless short Of fellow. 1t will be
remembered that Clayton was assas-
sinated while at work collecting evil
dence in his congressional contest case
against Clifton r. breckenridge. The
reward for the assassin has never been
withdrawn. Further developments are
awaited with great interest.
To Settle the "Aid Bond" Question.
A case involving $4,000. 900 will soon
come up for trial before Chancellor d.
w. Carroll of the Pulaski chancery
court
The title of the case is w. B. Worthen VS.. the
Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad Co. Judge
John F. Dillon. of New York. and Col. John W.
Moore of Little Rock, represent the defend
ants. and cx-Attorney-GeneralA A. II. Garland
and Judge John Mcclure the plaintiff. The OBJ
iect of the suit Is to have the court declare that
the railroad company is liable to the bond
holders those bonds issued by the state in
aid OF the building of the railroad commonly
known as the railroad aid bonds.' If the case
is decided against the railroad company which
is now part of the Missouri Pacific system,
1t will settle the liability of all the railroads
In this state which received and negotiated
these bonds amounting in all to about ST. 000,-
O00
Southern Land Company.
The Southern Land and Lumber Co.,
of Dry Run, Dallas county. one of the
largest saw-mill plants in Arkansas,
has been put in the hands of receiver
by Judge Williams, of the United States
circuit court, on application of N. c.
Foster, president OF the company, Chi
cago. George X. Smith. secretary and
was appointed receiver. The
company's assets are 100000.
1t is believed they will pay dollar for dollar
The application was forced by the fear Of FORE
closure by bondholders, the interest on i05, 900
Of the company bonds having been defauted
The court instructed the receiver to pay all la
large ones.
Making COunterfeits In the Penitentiary.
Deputy United States Marshal Elem
ing has unearthed gang of counter
feiters in the state penitentiary.
Two of the gang were arrested, j. W. Loften
q guard, sent up for one year for murder. his
term expiring the day of his arrest, and Tim
Johns, who was sent up for horse stealing, his
term expiring April I. -Four pairs OF plaster
of-paris molds were found. two in Lotions
guardhouse and two in Johns cell besides
several counterfeit coins. dollars, halves and
quarters. They were detected through some
boys who de livered the coins. Lotion passing
them TO the boys on the outside by means OF
strings and the boys returning the coins the
same way.
Policeman Price win Not BE Hanged.
The governor has committed the death
sentence of Ed Price, the Pine Bluff po-
liceman, who was sentenced to hang
March 81 at Warner. Ark.
He was tried in the last August term of the
Lincoln circuit court, convicted and sentenced,
his case appealed TO the supreme court, and the
decision of the lower court affirmed. The sen.
tence was committed to twenty-one years in
prison
40 NcVlSe the STATE Laws.
The governor, upon the recommends
ton of the supreme court, and under
the recent act of the general assembly,
has appointed Lee Sandels, of Fort
Smith, to digest and revise the statutes
of the state, and Judge Sam w. Will
Jams, of Little Rock, was appointed to
inspect the work when completed
Arkansas Democrats.
The democratic state central commit
tee has selected June 22 as the date for
holding the state convention to nomi.
nate a candidate to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Justice
Hemingway, of the Arkansas supreme
court
Sentence Committed.
The sentence of Walter Darlington,
colorcd, who was to be hanged on March
go for the murder of ]. J. Ault, on Red
river, Lawrence county, has been COM
muted to life Imprisonment by Gov
Fish back.
Escaped from Jail.
Hildebrand and Adams, professional
safe-blowers, escaped from the RUSSELL
vile Jail at an early hour the other
morning, where they were held await
ing trial.
Weavers Strike.
Twenty-Five weavers employed at the
cotton mills at Mammoth Springs,
struck the other day on account OF
cut in wages. The matter was adjusted
and they returned to work the follow
ipr day