The Forrest City times., 1895-09-13
4 BAD NEGRO KILLED.
neputy Sheriff C. N. .Laughlnghouse Narrowly Escaped Death at the Hands of a Desperate Pris-
 Oner

Deputy Sheriff c. N. Laughinghouse
 had an experience Saturday night which few men would relish under any circumstances. but tue duties of the sbripYalty often lead brave men into the jaws of death, and this was no ex- ! cpptiou. 1t seems almost miracle ! that more ot them are not killed. It has ever been his motto, however, that where duty calls there you will find Newman Laughinghouse, and when d warrant foc the arrest of Ben Rucker. notOriouslv bad negro. charged with assault with intent to kill. was placed p hls hands. Newman proceeded to the living place of the negro and arrested him. Under the guise of submitting peaceably to arreet, the negro sought but an opportunity to lead the deputy a chase through the country on foot, and AS the latter prepared te handcuff his prisoner. the former made dash for liberty. But for bovine. which lay across his path. peacefully chewing her cud and enjoyinga wink of slumber, Ben Fucker might now be fugitive from justice, h,ding out in the dismal swamps keeoing company with the hoot owls and mosquitoes. But
 
 the COW. and was recaptured. He then determined to fight 1t out and escape at any cost. In point of weight the depu ,y was no match for his antagonist. but Newman is quick as a cat," and held his own, which was his pistol, aud which the negro vainly struggled tG possess. In the scramble the negro turned the weapon on his captor and pulled the trigger. But 1t missed fire because the hammer caught Newman's hand between the thumb and forefinger The struggle continued, and finally the officer succeeded in using his weapon to advantage. Two shots were fired. and the negro fell mortally wounded, though he lived about 24 hours. Newman had, repeatedly warned the negro to desist, but he needed not.
 Mir. Laughinghouse came to the city at once, sent the coroner to the scene, and gave himself into the hands of Sheriff Williams, Later when he
 learned that the negro was still living, he sent him medical aid and did what he could to relieve him.
 Ihe negro died Sunday night, and tue coroner was again notified, and proceeded at once to the place, arriv- ing there after noon the following day. In the meantime the negroes of the neighborhood insisted upon Esq. J. J. peevey holding an inquest. and al- though he told them that Rolfe was the proper person, and that he could not hold d legitimate inquest, they said the remains must be buried at once because of the of fensiye smell. and he held an inquest. His jury returned verdict 0t death from gun shot wound in the hands of G. N. Laughinghouse, Being illegal. the coroner upon his arrival proceeded to summon jury composed of whites and blacks, and held the in- quest according to law. The jury was composed of Virgil Owen,C. X Walker, A. c. Word, k. l.. Horton. Ed Mallory, J. A. Giles. E. l.. Braswell. l.. E. Dav- enpOrt, J. l.. Adare, John Belk, T. A. Lattimer and $. F. Sn0wden. After a thorough examination, they rendered d verdict as follows: Ben Kucker came to his death by pistol shot in the hands os G. N. LaughinghOuse, deputy Sher- iii, Tn discharging his duty as deputy sheriff, and We further vindicate him from any criminal intent. and consider the transaction justifyable homicide.
 The Grand Jury, now sitting. has concurred in the verdict.
 Fucker bore the reputation of being bad man, and is the 4th member of the family to have been killed. His own brother shot him through the arm several months ago in quarrel.
 After the inquest, there were at least 100 negroes in the yard, and when called upon to bury the body they ab- solutely refused to do 80. unless paid. and the job was given to the lowest bidder for B, the man with whom Rucker was stopping being the lowest bidder.
 From what we can learn of the affair Newman was perfectly justifyable un der the law in taking the negro's life, and while he regrets the affair more than anyone else can, he has no re- morse of conscience whatever.
 To take a human life under any cir cumstances is an awful calamity. but self preservation is the first law of na- ture, and few, if any, men could have done otherwise under the circum stances.
 G. N Laughinghouse is high-ton ed christian gentleman, and although reputed to be high tempered. has never before had serious trouble with anyone, has never been in the courts in any case as a principal, and is altogether man not likely to use a gun unless forced 10 do so iif the defense of his person or tamily.
 A STATEMENT.
 Nr. Laughinghouse was seen We'd nesday and asked for statement, which he eheerfully gave, though re- grettlag that the matter should get into the public prints. His account of the exciting conflict is substantially as