The Monticellonian., 1903-07-23
]. D. Conant Passes in His Checks
 After An Eventful Career.
TRAGEDY OUTCOME OF ANOTHER SHOOTING
In Which Joe Fitzpatrick Wounded Jack Clifford, A Telephone Line- man - Fitzpatrick Also 4 We'll Known Gambler.

J. D Conant, well known gambler, was shot and killed by Joe Sarlo in the latter's saloon at Little Rock on the night of the 17th.
 The killing of Conant followed the shooting Of Jack Clifford by Joe Xii patrick, also Rambler, on the side walk in front of Sarlos saloon. both affairs occurring within a few hours of each other
 The shooting of Clifford occurred about II o'clock, and the shooting is said to have been about CIifords divorced wife. Several months ago Clifford broke into a room where Fitzpatrick slept and as he enteral was shot in the shoulder. Clifford claimed that his wife, who was run ming the rooming house, was in the room with Fitzpatrick. Ever since trouble was looked for between the men, and it is claimed Clifford had repeatedly threatened to kill Kirk patrick.
 The men had scme words in Sar- los saloon, and as they stepped out on the sidewalk the shooting com menced. fitzpatrick claims that Cliff ford drew a knife on him, and that he shot in self-defense.
 Jack Clifford served a term in the penitGntiary fer train robbery. About eighteen years ago, Clifford with three other boys, held up a Valley Route passenger train in the suburbs of Little Rock. All the parties were captured with the exception Of one Cline, and served terms in the peni- tentiary.
 Just three hours after the Clifford Fitzpatrick affair j. D. Conant was shot and instantly killed by Joe Sarlo in front of Sarlos bar. Only one bull let struck Conant, passing through his body and striking the wal. Death was instantaneous.
 The only party in the saloon at the time of the shooting besides Conant and Saflo was colored porter.
 Sarlo claims that ne shot In self defense; that Conant came into the place for the purpose Of killing him. and that he struck him with d pair of brass knucks and made a motion to draw a pistol.
 Jim CCnant was one of the best known gamblers in the county, and was known from Mexico to the lakes. lie was man of striking appearance and in his younger days was a very handsome man.
 He was man of fine education and possessed business talent of a high class, which if he had utilized in le- gitimate channels would have made him useful and respected citizen in any community.
 When quite young man Conant left the old home in the east and drift ed to the far west.
 Fascinated with the free and easy life of the gambler, Conant adopted that as his calling. He dealt faro from old Mexico to the metropolis of Chicago, and in many places conduct ed resorts of his own. ..e was cen sidered dangerous man when an gered, and his first trouble is said 70 have occurred in El Paso in 1880, when he killed a man in a hand.to- hand struggle. It is also reported that another forfeited his life to Co nants unerring aim in Mexico. and only few years ago he shot and killed Joe Townsend, young sport. ing man with whom he had been in business, on Main street in Little Rock
 The dead man up to a few weeks ago operated gambling house next door Sarlo's saloon, and it is a strange coincidence that the only man who would go his bond for the killing of Townsend was the man who killed him
 When Ccnant's body was searched where it lay on the floor of the saloon no weapon was found. A, his prelimi- nary trial Sarlo was admitted to bail in the sum of S2000.
 Conant had been married three times. By his first wife he had daughter. now of Pittsburg. Pa. He separated fem his scond wife about ten years ago, and few years later was married at Little Rock to Miss Hanger, who survives him.