The Green Forest tribune., 1894-09-27
JOHN POYNTER HANGED.
He COMPLETELY GAVE WAY AT THE LAST
MOMENT CLAIMED HE TOOK POISON.
History Of His Fearful Crime-a Double N urder-
Which led Him to the GaIiows.

Poynter, u handsome young white
man, Of Eureka Springs. was hang
ed in the jail yard of the Federal
Court today for the murder of
Samuel Vanderve and William
Bolding. He was 81 years old.
He was taken to the gallows about
4 o'clock.
About three-qnarters Of an hour
before the execution he broke
down completely. Up to that time
he bad displayed wonderful nerve.
He made his own selection of the
hour Of execution. setting it at 3
O'Clock, but as the time approach
ed, ne became nervous, and asked
for thirty minutes more time.
Fifteen minutes more We're granted
and this he occupied by lying on
his bed. Marshal Crnmp read the
death warrant to him as he lay on
his pallet. When he was taken
to the gallows he was supported
by Deputies G. P. Lawson and
jerks Baxter. His nerve failed
him. On the way he said cose
Of poison had been given him by
a "trusty," but physicians who
examined him said that he show
ed no signs OF poison.
He made rambling statement
when Q arrived at the gallows,
saying that he did not kill Vande-
we're, and that he would meet
Vandervere in a short time, where
he would not be crippledas he was
at the time of his death.
AS he stepped upon the trap,
jerks Baxter asked him if he had
anything to say. He replied:
"Give my love to father and the
girls"
Shortly after this the trap was
sprung. He made no struggle after
the drop. His neck was broken,
and death resulted in thirteen
minutes.
HIS CRIME.
POINTER was convicted on the
26th day OF March, 1892, of a most
cruel double murder, his victims
being Samuel Vandever and Will
liam D. Bolding. All three of the
young men resided at or near
Eureka Springs, and when the
murder occurred they were on
their way home from Texas.
Poynter learned that they were
going to Eureka Springs, and
being broke prevailed on them to
take him along, which they did,
they paying all expenses. On
Christmas night, 1891 they camped
on creek near Wilburton, Choc-
taw Nation. The next morning
the dead bodies of Vandever and
Bolding were found In the creek
near the camp, while Poynter, with
the the wagon and team were miss.
ing. Several parties had seen
the three young men passing along
the road Christmas day, and it was
at once inferred that a toul murder
had been committed. The trail Of
.Poynter was taken, and on the Il
of December he was arrested at
Meal lister W here he was trying to
dispose OF the wagon and team.
When arrested he gave his name
as Langly. He WAS taken to Fort
Smith and placed in Jail on the %
of December, 1881, where he was
identified a'tcw days later by the
father OF young Bolding. From
the evidence brought ont in the
trial it was apparent that the
double murder was committed in
the early morning. Every thing
about the camp went to show that
Vandever, who was a cripple and
used crutches, must have been
sitting by the fire, mixing up
biscuit orpan cakes for break 'ast,
when he was killed with an axe,
his head being split, A'ahd blood
and dough were mixed up on the
ground and on the body. Boldlng
had several wounds made with the
axe, ana had apparently tried to-
defend himself, After committing
the murder, Poynter burned up
Vandcv er, = cru ches, tho pocket
books, of his,viclims and 81 me
uto, ii lied on ,o,,rtii Nas, >