The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1903-07-24
A WELL KNOWN
GAMBLER SLAIN
]. 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 A Well
Known Gambler.

). IL. Conant, well known gambler,
was shot and killed by Joe Sarlo in
the latter's saloon at Little Rock on
the night of the 18th.
The killing of Conant followed the
shooting of Jack Clifford by Joe Kill
patrick, also a Rambler, on the side
walk in front of Sarlo's 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 Clifford's
divorced wife. Several months ago
Clifford broke into room where
Fitzpatrick slept and as he entered
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.
los saloon, and as they stepped out
on the sidewalk the shooting com.
menced. Fitzpatrick claims that Cliff
ford drew knife on him, and that
he shot in self-defense
Jack Clifford served a term in the
penitentiary for train robbery About
eighteen years ago, Clifford with
three other boys. held up 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 Sarlo's bar. Only one bull
let struck Conant, passing through his
body and striking the wall Death
was instantaneous.
The only party in the saloon at the
time Of the shooting besides Conant
and Sarlo was colored porter.
Sarlo claims that he shot In self.
defense; that Conant came into the
place for the purpose of killing him
and that he struck him with a pair of
brass knucks and made a motion to
draw a pistol.
Jim Conant was one OF the best
Known gamblers in the county, and
was known from Mexico to the lakes
he was man OF striking appearance
and In his younger days was 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 a 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
sidered dangerous man when an
gered. and his first trouble is said 20
| have occurred in Ell Paso in 1880,
when he killed a man in a hand-to-
hand struggle. 1t 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 few weeks
ago operated a gambling house next
door SarlC's saloon, and 1t is strange
coincidence that the only man who
would go his bond for the killing Of
Townsend was the man who killed
| him.
When Conant's body was searched
where II 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 $4,000.
Conant had been married three
times. By his first wife he had a
daughter, now of Pittsburg. Pa. He
separated fom his scond wife
about ten years ago, and a few years
later was married at Little Rock to
Miss Hanger. who survives him.