The Monticellonian., 1895-08-23
ARKANSAS STATE NEWS.
Arkansas Railway Assessment.

went, at its recent session in Little Rock, the increase in the assessments for the current year aggregates s1, oo5,- 900 in round numbers The heaviest increase is Tn the Iron Mountain as- sessment, which is sss9O 900. Next comes the Cotton Belt, which must pay taxes on an assessment S209, 900 higher than that of last year. The other roads whose assessments are increased are the Little Rock & Memphis. $500 per mile additional, and the Searcy & West Point the same. The Eureka Springs road was reduced from Ss, GOO per mile to S7, 800. The assessment of the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas railroad was reduced S3, 000
 The increase in railroad mileage in the state the past year was very slight, being confined mainly to side tracks. Therefore the mileage is not materially changed from last year, when it was &, 343 91 in the state. The total valuation of the railroad proper ty assessed for taxation in Arkansas in 1894 was Sl9, ,O3l $40, constituting about one-eleventh of the taxable property in the state As will be seen from the figures previously given the increase this year will be over Sl,000,- o00 The Memphis bridge, half of which is within the jurisdiction of Ar kansas, was assessed at S521, 936 in 1894.
 The Iron Mountain people are mak- ing strenuous efforts to have the board reconsider it's action in increas- ing the assessments on that line.
 Middle Arkansas Baptists.
 The Middle Arkansas Missionary Baptist association met at Whitechapel Baptist church, Conway, with R. II. Harrison as moderator and !. E. Majors as secretary. Elder H. Miller preached the introductory sermon. R. H. Harrison and E. H. IIaines were elected moderator and assistant. Geo. II, Moore and j. k. Jameson were elected secretary and assistant P. W Adkins was elected treas urer. The committee on temper ance made strong report, urg- ing temperance in all things, and rec ommending that all churches refuse the services of all ministers who use strong drink, and the report was adopted The committee on printing recommended the printing of 475 copies of the minutes, which was adopted. Tine committee on grievances reported that Antioch church had received a member who had been expelled from St. Matthew church, and ordered the matter be reetified, which was adopt ed. The committee on obituary re- ported no deaths.
 The people were enjoined to give all support possible to American Home Missions and American Baptist Publi- cation societies. A resolution was passed requiring candidates for ordina- tion to pass an examination before committee on reading, writing, gram mar, arithmetic and history. An ex- ecutive board was elected, to convene at Menifee in September. After finish ing it's la bors the association adjourned to meet at Spring Valley church next August.
 Arkansas Firemen's Association.
 The State Firemeu's association met at Little Rock the other day, with President c. J Kramer in the chair, about twenty members being present, representing Little Rock, Hot Springs, Dardanelle, Newport, Pine Bluff, Fort smith, Texarkana, Camden and Ben tonville. The principal occurrence of the meeting was the making of pre- liminarv arrangements for a fremens tournament in Little Rock, in August, ls96. and the passing of resolution asking all ffremen throughout the state to see the prospective members of the legislature and urge them to pass bill providing for fund for disabled fire men. The old officers were reelected for another year. President Kramer entertained the visiting fire. fighters at a banquet.
 James W. Clopton.
 James ". Cfopton, of Phillips county, for twenty five years one of the most prominent merchants in eastern Ar kansas, and planter of experience and success, died at Denver, Col, where he went in search of health. He leaves a widow. four daughters and one son. His remains will be brought home from Colorado for burial His brothers are Col. Colgate Clopton and Mr. Jesse P. Clopton, of Phillips county, and Will liam C. Clopton, of New York city.
 Requested to Resign.
 Clem McColloch, deputy state audi tor. has resigned by request of Auditor Mills His resignation takes effect September l. and it is also stated that the auditor will make his daughter his deputy, at a salary of Sl50 month. Mir. McColloeh has been in the auditors office for eight years.
 Jail Delivery.
 Four prisoners escaped from the jail at Monticello, one of the prisoners, through the aid of a trusty, securing the iailor's pistol, and then the trusty unlocked the door. Two were soon re- captured, one of whom is charged with murder. James Bennett, in the pursuit, was shot in the face
 Assassinated.
 John W. Ellis, prosperous farmer f