The Van Buren press., 1895-07-20

Once more we rise to inquire, What
has become of Mr.. Fishf Fort Smith
Record.
Fish, yes, the man that was to
establish wagon factory in Fort Smith.
upon which SO much gas was expended
by our gullible friends over the river.
That transaction always smelt fishy.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ben Davidson have been
fishing on the lakes and have caught
,575 (ffteen hundred and seventy.
fve) white bass. Mr.. and Mrs. b.
are both exemplary church members. -
Fayetteville Daily.
Is Bro. Davidson the little boy,
grown up, we read about that couldn t
tell lie?
Lawyer f. e. Wiley has re opened
his law Office In Van Buren and, as
heretofore, promises to his old friends
and clients the careful services Of safe
and trusty lawyer. In all lines Of the
law. He still adheres to his time
tried policy Of taking all meritorious
cases Of rich or poor alike-largely on
the insurance plan. Widows, orphans
and persons unfortunately poor will find
him an efficient counselor, regarding
neither race or condition, but true to all
alike. Try him. 1t
Harry Shibley, Van Buren's cham.
pion wheelman, will shortly be matched
to run ten mile bicycle race against
Will Sherlock, Fort Smith champion,
the race to take place about Aug. 10th,
at the Fort Smith Fair Grounds. The
Fort Smith and Van Buren, bicycle clubs
in conjunction with the irrepressible Cy
Cordell are interested in getting up the
race. A fve- mile race and several
minor events are also being arranged
for for the same date. The boys should
meet with encouragement, as part Of the
proceeds is to be used toward building
q track.
About the last act of Judge Evans
before closing his Court Saturday after.
noon, for this term, was to issue .
bench warrant for the arrest Of Charley
Coffman, for the malicious and un-
provoked assault on Engineer Brock,
ward engineer of the Mo. Pacific, who
was q witness in the Sanford case,
within the precincts Of the Court.
After listening to the evidence OF the
witnesses the Judge vigorously admon.
ished all present that witnesses and al
others while in attendance on the Court
should have the fullest protection.
Cofman was fined e25 for contempt Of
court and the court ordered the sheriff
to turn him over to Justice Colgrove to
be tried for the assault on Brock.
The last case before the Circuit Court
Saturday was that Of Ed. Sanford,
indicted for perjury. Three trials were
had before the jury could agree. On
the second trial the jury agreed as to
his guilt but could not agree as to his
term of punishment. The last jury
agreed and assessed his punishment at
one year In the penitentiary. The
penalty, considering the overwhelming
evidence of guilt, was mild, the jury
taking in view the youth Of Sanford.
Sanford attorneys gave notice OF an
appeal to the Supreme Court and were
given thirty days by the Judge to pre-
pare the application. In the meantime
Sanford remains in Jail. Most likely It
will be November before any action Of
the court can be had.
Il is reported that Mr.. Young has
withdrawn from the electric franchise
In Van Buren, because Of some personal
feeling that has shown itself, and
because he does not believe he has any
show for securing the franchise sought.
We don I know anything - to the facts
In the case, but we are Of the opinion
that the proposition made by Mr..
Young is undeniably the best offered
our city, and majority Of our citizens
seem Of the same opinion and are
clamoring for chance to express their
opinion by ballot. Mr.. Young Is
reported as being willing to submit the
two propositions to the people and let
them decide 1t by vote, the man securing
the franchise to defray the expenses OF
the election, and we believe this the
proper mode of procedure under the
circumstances. There is rumor
afloat that the Fort Smith Ice Company
Is figuring extensively In the deal In an
effort to prevent the franchise from
going to Mr.. Young, and have even
offered to combine the old ice plant here
with Mr.. Shelton's proposition to
supply lights. This would be . good
scheme for Fort Smith, for after short
time the ice plant would close down and
the Border City Ice Company would buy
the electric plant here, and then Van
Buren, would be lighted and run by
Fort Smith. Let 8 have an expression
from the people on the question: 1t
will cost the city nothing and relieve
the council OF the burden and
responsibility. Venture.
We agree with the Venture in the
proposition to accept Mr.. Young s offer.
The Fort Smith Ice Company has q
representative ON the Board Of Alder
men. The Fort Smith Ice Company 8