The record-union., 1897-08-31
BLOODSHED IN ARKANSAS.
ATTACKED FROM AM
BUSH BY MOONSHINERS.
Two Of the Former Killed Outright,
Two Mortal1y Wounded, and
Two Others Missing.

LITTLE ROCK (Ark), Aug. 30.-Six
men were probably massacred in the
wilds of the mountains of Pope County
yesterday afternoon. Two were killed
outright, two were fatally wounded
and left for dead, and two have mys-
teriously disappeared, and are either
dead or are being held captive by the
blood-thirsty bandits who committed
the awful crime.
The killed are: Captain B. f. Taylor
of Searcy County, Deputy United
States Marshal, and Joe Dodson Of
Stone County. a Deputy Marshal.
The fatally wounded are two broth
ers named Renfrow of Searcy County
The names of the missing men are not
known, but they are supposed to be
Deputy Sheriffs from an adjoining
County.
The victims were all officers, Deputy
Marshals and Deputy Sheriffs, and the
men who did the awful work of carnage
are moonshiners of the boldest and
most desperate class. The scene of the
bloody crime was a gulch or ravine in
the mountains of Pope County, an
isolated spot thirty-five miles from
Russellville, the nearest telegraph
office, and ten miles from Will Springs.
A few days ago a, successful raid was
made in the same locality, in which
dozen mountaineers were captured and
brought to Little Rock One of them
told the officers that at least fifty large
distilleries were operating in the same
neighborhood. Taylor, with his posse,
located a large moonshine outfit Sat
urday night, and decided to make the
raid Sunday in daylight. Proceeding
slightly in advance of his men. Taylor
was within thirty feet of the distillery,
when he was suddenly fired upon from
ambush and instantly killed. AS Dod-
son ran up to Taylor he was also shot
dead in his tracks.
Pistols began to crack in all direc-
tions, and terrible volley was poured
into the remaining officers. The Rem
frow brothers fell mortally wounded.
and lay by the roadside until later in
the day a traveller named Pack CHANGED
by. All traces of the bandits had dis
appeared, as well as two of the Deputy
Sheriffs. The latter have not since
been heard from and are believed either
to have been killed or wounded, or
takn away captive by the moonshiners.
The traveller rushed to Russellville
with the news, and the Coroner, with
Sheriff's posse, started for the scene.
No news has been received since they
departed. Pack thinks the Renfrow
brothers will be dead before the party
reaches them. It is not known by
whom the murders were committed,
but the officers believe the gang is
composed of desperadoes, headed by
Horace Bruce and John Church, two
of the most dangerous characters in
that locality.
The United States officers were to-
day asked to offer a reward for the
arrest of the gang, to which the State
will contribute, and a determined eff
fort will be made to capture them 1t
is very probable the effort will lead
to further bloodshed
Captain Taylor was an ex-Captain in
the Federal army. He had served two
terms in the State Legislature, and was
noted for his bravery.
Marshal Corser this afternoon re-
ceived the following telegram from the
Attorney-General:
Washington Aug. Both.
Expense of posse subject to execu-
tive approval not to exceed $1,000 au-
thorized, Five hundred dollars reward
authorized for capture and delivery to
Marshal of all persons implicated in
the murder. McKENNA"