The Van Buren press., 1899-03-25
Chief of Police, Sergeant and City
Detective Among the
Victims.
RESULT OF AsTREE1 DUELAT HOT SPRINGS
F.ct,onaI Politics Cause of the Bloody
Affray-One Hundred and FIFTY speciai
Officers Sworn in to Preserve Peace.
Son of Sheriff Williams Among the
Dead.

ing in the death of five men and the
woundinq of another. The dead are:
T.C. TOLER, chief of police.
TOM GOSLEE, sergeant of police
]. E. HART, city detective.
LOUIS HINKLE, business man.
10. WILLIAMS, son Of sheriff.
Wounded:
ED SPEARS, deputy sheriff.
The terrible tragedy was the out.
come of difficulty earlier in the day
between Sheriff Williams and Tom Cos
lee, when both men used their pistols
without damage to either.
The trouble grew out of politics. A
spirited municipal campaign is on and
much bitterness exists between the
supporters of the two candidates for
mayor. Tolar was supporting the in
dependent candidate for mayor, with
the understanding that he would be re-
appointed chief of police, while the
Williams faction was supporting the
regular democratic nominee. In case
of the latter's election, it is supposed
Sheriff Williams brother would have
succeeded Tolar.
1t is not known who fred the first
shot. Chief Toler, accompanied by
Goslee and Hinkle, met J. o. Williams
and Ed Spears opposite Lemp's depot,
when the battle began. Between fifteen
and twenty shots were fred, and as the
streets were crowded the greatest ex-
,itement prevailed.
When the firing ceased it was found
that Chief Toler, Sergeant Goslee and
Ed Hinkle had been killed outright,
The two former shot through the head
and body. Williams received a mortal
wound in the head, dying few hours
later, and Spears was shot or cut in the
neck.
About twenty minutes after the hrst
battle another one took place, in which
Detective Hart was killed, the top of
his head being shot off. The latter
killing occurred only a short distance
from where the other dead bodies lay.
Sheriff Williams was not present
when the first battle took place, but
arrived in few minutes, accompanied
by his brother and two nephews, all
heavily armed.
Learning his sons fate, the sheriff
became frantic with grief and rage, and
could hardly be restrained. The killing
Of Hart took place after the arrival of
Sheriff Williams.
For several hours after the killing,
great excitement prevailed, and all
business houses, saloons and gambling
rooms were closed for the night
The dead bodies on the sidewalk pre-.
Iented CHASTITY sight. Soon news OF
the terrible affair was conveyed to the
homes of the victims, and the shrieks
Of wives, mothers and children wa,
most heartrending, and had they beer
heard, would have softened the hear,
and subdued the anger Of any man.
Judge Beldin was sworn in as chiet
Of police and Immediately appointed 1bC
special policemen to patrol the city ant
prevent further trouble.
At the request of leading citizen,
Gov Jones and the entire Garland coun
ty delegation in the legislature wen
to Hot Springs, to lend their aid ant
influence in maintaining order.
The friends of both factions are In a,
ugly mood, and further trouble ma,
occur at any time.
Sketches Of the Dead.
Chief T. @. Toler had been a residen
of Hot Springs about 2b years, and wa
regarded as an absolutely fearless man
He served as chief of police of Ho
Springs a number of years, and a
other times was interested in saloon
and gambling houses. About fifteel
years ago he killed a gambler name,
Ed Howell in self-defense. He was ar
pointed chief in 1897, but. as befor
stated, served in that capacity a nun
ber of terms before.
Thos. +. Goslee was a printer b
trade, and had lived in Hot Spring
about 80 y ars. He was a man q
nerve and good officer.
Hinkle was born and raised in tn
vapor City He was formerly in tn
saloon business, but at the time of hi
death was employed by the Lemp brew
cry agent.
John Williams was 81 years old, an
while utterly fearless, was never cor
sidered quarrelsome. He conducted
feed store.
]. e. Hart had been connected wit
the Hot Springs police department o.
and on for many years. He was chic
from 1887 to 1889, during the prohib
tion era, and while he had many diff
culties with keepers of "blind tigers,
In the discharge of his duties, non
were of serious nature. He leaves
wife and several children.