The Van Buren press., 1903-10-10


went wild and entered the window cas-
ing.
As soon as the shooting was over Toll
son was surrounded by the members OF
his company. Asked if he was hurt'
he said at first no, but feeling around
he felt the blood from the wound and
acknowledged being shot. Tolson then
made the remark: II never did that
man harm in my life. | only gave his
daughter good advice. " He was as
sisted to the waiting room and made
comfortable, while DR.. Dibbrell was
summoned, who gave such temporary
relief as he could and accompanied the
wounded man to Fort Smith, where he
was at once taken to the hospital. His
condition was such at first as to give
some slight hopes for his recovery, but
that afternoon he got worse and died at
2 80 a. IN. Monday. Frequently, while
lying on his deathbed he reiterated his
innocence Of any wrong-doing and the
absence of any cause for the deed. His
wife was constantly by his side and bore
up bravely until the end came.
After firing the fatal shots Parchman
re-entered the waiting room and passed
out on the Main STREET side, at once 60
ing to his home. From there he tele.
phoned Sheriff Pitcock summoning him
to his residence at once. He told this
officer, when he arrived, what he had
done and placed himself in his keeping
He was taken before Justice Ferguson
where charge Of assault with intent to
kill was entered against him and he was
placed under bond of $1,000, which he
made and was released. Parchman
then returned to his home. Monday
morning he drove to his office, and later
when news Of Tolson death had been
communicated to the officers Constable
Smith swore out warrant charging
him with murder and PLACID him under
arrest. He was not lodged in Jail, but
was kept under surveillance by that
officer.
DR.. Parchman retained Chew & Fitz-
hugh and w. II. Neal and Berkeley
Neal to represent him and refused to
make any statement for the information
Of the public.
Shortly after his arrest Psrchman $
attorneys appeared before Justice
Ferguson and waived preliminary ex-
animation, They then applied for release
under bond under habeas corpus to
Judge Gross and hearing was held In
circuit court room Monday evening
There they set up the plea of self
defense, citing Abe Tibbets rs witness
to prove that Tolson had put his hand to
his hip pocket when Parchman spoke to
him; to further their case the defense
introduced the above note and also the
statement that Parchman had been
warned that Tolson intended TO take his
daughter with him by drummre stop
ping at the East Hotel. After the at
torney's had harangued the court fol
awhile-the state not being represented
the Judge rendered the astoundinl
decision that Parchman WAS guilty oI
murder in the second degree and tina
he would hold him under bond OF
IS 900, This action Of the judge has
been the cause OF much unfavOrablt
comment among our citizens. How h,
could specify the prisoner guilt In a
proceeding OF this nature is more than
the layman can fathom.
The plea Of self-defense is entirely tc
himsy TO stand, and the evidence of
Tibbets Is not born out by the operator
at the depot, who says Toson was reach
ing out his hand for the tickets when
the first shot WAS fired,
Parchman s bond WAS signed by X, l..
Fitxhugh, J,B, Brown, Berkeley Neal
A. j, Blsckstock j. Neal and s. q
Merrill and was accepted as ample by
Sheriff Pitcock
There is an unmistakable sentiment
among our people to see that this matter
is sifted to the bottom and that justice
be done impsrtially, To this end W,
believe II Is the dnty Of our officers L
Apprehend the drummer above spoker
OF, who, II would appear, Willingly, OF
unwittingly, has been the cause Of this
tragedy, ~ the Investigation brought
out the fact that up TO the evening
preceding the shooting Parchmsn and
Tolson were fast friends, even TO the
extend OF going TO asaloon together after
the close Of the performance and when
they separated no word OF trouble had
passed between them There has de
veioped plenty OF evidence to show tina
Tolson was worried a great deal by Mis-
Parchmans persistence In wishing t
become u member OF his company ant
that both publicly and privately he tolt
her TO Danish such an idea from her
head ana heed the advise of her father
Since the above WAS put IN type W,
understand that the attorneys for Dr.
Parchman claim that the note mentioned
above was signed, and that the name OF
Chas, Tolson WAS attached 10 IL, Tn,
report that II WAS not signed WAS at tn,
time based on the statement OF one oI
the attorneys Of the defendant TO tina,
effect. II is further reported the not,
| t,a "a "A uye,ttu, h.,t H..