The Van Buren press., 1903-07-11
VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY, JULY 1908
ASSASSINATION OF W. H. LEE.
Said to Have Been Due to a Feud That
Has Existed for Many Years.

w. II. Lee, a prominent citizen Of
Union county was assasslnated at his
home twelve miles west OF El Dorado.
| 1t is believed his assassination was
due TO a feud which has existed in
Union county for several years, and
which has resulted in the death of
many good citizens. The feud dates
back from the early sos, and was
first started by an effort on the part
Of white citizens to rid the community
| OF a lawless class of blacks, who, it
is claimed, were encouraged by a few
whites. Arrayed with those said to
have been on the side of the blacks,
was a family named Parnell, father
and several sons. The Parnells figur-
ed in the many conflicts III the Sos,
but after number of the objectiona-
Bile colored element fled to Louisiana
peaceful conditions prevailed. The
Parnells settled down after a long
series of trials in the courts, which
began to retrieve their fortunes. They
engaged in farming, stockraising and
mercantile pursuits at and near Ell
Dorado, and being good managers
and business men they made money
rapidly. In 1890, however the feud
was re-opened by the killing at juno
ton City by r. w. Mullins of John
Bussel, a leading young business man,
as he was leaving the home of a young
lady to whom it is said he was en-.
gagged. The trial of Mullins was a
long and bitter one. but he was finally
acquitted. The Parnells were his
friends, furnished his bond, and sup
piled the funds for his defense. Mul
Inns, after his acquittal engaged in
the photograph business at Eel Dorado.
In his studio he employed a young
lady, with whom he became enamored,
and proposed marriage, but she re-
jscted him. as she was soon TO wed
a young business man of TeXarkana.
When the young ladys intended hus.
band arrived in El Dorado to claim
her as his wife. Mullins threatened
him with death, However the couple
were married by magistrate. When
they went to board a train Mullins
was on hand, and but for the interfer
ence of Officers Dearing and Tucker
would have caused trouble. Mullins
leaving the depot, procured a rig and
started for the first station at which
the train was due to stop, To pro-
tect the newly welded couple the Off.
GERS accompanied them, and when the
station was reached Mullins was
there armed with a shotgun. He was
Immediately arrested and taken back
to FL Dorado A short time afterward
Mullins met Officer Dearing, who had
assisted in his arrest, and In person
al encounter Mullins was killed The
last two tragedies tended TO widen
and renew the breach between OH.
GERS Tuck and Dearing and their
friends on one side, and the Parnalls
VINO were DOSOU lIltlIuS vi 1uillHS'
A few months later one Of the fiercest
and bloodiest street duels In the
states history took place at El Dora.
DO between the Parnells, Marshal Guy
Tucker, Constable bearing and Frank
Newton. In the battle bearing and
Walter and Tom Parnell were killed,
Tucker was shot six times and Mat
Parnell was badly cut, while Jim Par
nell and Frank Newton escaped In.
fury. After the excitement abatod,
prominent friends Of both factions
reached an agreement that If the Par
nells would leave the state they
should not be prosecuted, In com
pliance with this agreement, all tho
parnells who took part In and surviy.
cd the lei Dorado duel lett the state,
However, several members OF the
parnoll family remained, and Mat re-
Gently returned to look after his bus
mess affairs. Lee is related to the
successor OF Constable bearing and a
friend OF Marshal Tucker, and some
lay his assassination to this fact.
although there Is so far no positive
evidence against any member Of tho
pnrnoll family