The Van Buren press., 1904-07-30
FOULLY MURDER
Brakeman Chas. Straiey Murdered
In the Iron Mountain Yards
Monday Night-a Negro
tna CuInrIt

IN the iron MOUNTAIN farob
Monday Nlght--a Negro
the Cuiprit.
Again has murder been done in Van
Buren. Chss StrHley, u brakeman on
the Iron Mountain whose home WAS at
Moberly. Mo. lies cold in death as the
result OF an assassin 8 bullet.
Straley was the head-brakeman on
Conductor W r. Willis crew. On what
is known rs the "coal drag. This
train arrived from Jenny Lind n few
minutes after 10 O. clock Monday even
ing. Straley was the last to leave the
caboose and with lanterniin one hand
and valise In the other he was consider
able distance behine the other members
on their way 10 their lodging house,
when tall negro, whom the others had
passed, without word of warning
stepped up TO him from behind and
placing q pistol so close to his back as
to burn the clothing, fired one shot and
then disappeared.
Phil Doer and d. II Ball. car repair
ers. and Ralph Harris and J NJ Isgrigg,
two plasterers on the road. were close
by and hurried to the side Of the wound
ed man, who was staggering In the direc-
tion of the caboose, with blood gushing
from his mouth. They asked him If the
negro had shot him, but he was unable
to speak and only nodded In the affirm
ative and then sank down dead. The
bullet had penetrated his heart.
These four at once gave the alarm and
| nd IN n1n nlnnQH
the bloOd-hounds from Fort Smith, but
when he arrived 80 many people had
walked about the spot that the dog
could not get the scent
The body was taken to Hunts s under
taking establishment and there EN-.
balmed for shipment to the former home
Of the murdered man. Wednesday the
remains, accompanied by Brakeman I.
Hunt, who came to Van Buren, with the
deceased, were taken to MOberly where
a grief-stricken mother was awaiting
their arrival.
The testimony at the coroners inquest
held by Esq. Ferguson, developed no
cause for the murder and left the identi-
ty Of the murderer in doubt, the only
thing apparently certain being that he
was tall negro. weighing about lSO
pounds who was supposed to have come
In on the train on which the deceased
was breaking. From all appearances the
negro either had grudge against
Straley or mistook him for someone
else. As the other members OF the crew
were leaving he approached each and
closely scanned them.
|
went to the new yards to attempt catch
ing u train for Little Rock, After pass
ing the other members Of the crew they
ran across the negro, standing about
three car-engths west of the caboose
and they stopped and talked with him,
asking If he had come in on that train,
which he answered In the affirmative
they saying they were going TO ride 1t 70
Little Rock. The negro borrowed a
match from them and they left him
rolling cigarette, Straley, rs they
passed the caboose, was just locking
the door to leave and they nodded to him
and Doer and Ball, who were standing
near. Only A minute or two afterward
they heard the shot and with the two
car repairers ran tot the wounded
man side. Evidently the negro had
laid In wait for Straley ut the point
where seen by Harris ar d lsgrig and ap'
preached him from behind.
The murder occurred at the side Of
track No. just east Of the compress
building
Since the murder was committed oul
officers have let no grass grow under
their feet. 1t WAS known that a peg
legged negro was on the train and was
supposed he was n pardner Of the mur.
derer. He was located at Fort Smith
and brought here the following day.
Will Garrett, assisted by Officer
Hsmmett and Andy Carr Of the Fort
Smith police department, made another
arrest on First Street In Fort Smith
Wednesday In the person Of n negro
giving the name Of Chas. Crotter. he
was brought here, but later WAS able to
establish an alibi and was released, The
officers, however, were not satisfied
with the arrests made and kept theil
drag-net out. Wednesday evening
Constable viii Smith brought In on the
csnnonbsll negro named Thomas
who claimed he was from Stigler, | I,
who suited the description given by tht
crew and the two plasterers.
| The railrood men are giving the Off
GERS all the assistance In their power
and IN addition have raised subscrip
tion Of $500 to be offered as rewarC
for the arrest and conviction Of the
murderer,
There had been no new development,
In the case up TO yesterday morning
The authorities were holding both the
peg legged negro, John Harter, and thu
last arrested, Thomas. The peg-leggeC
negro Is not thought to have had any
thing TO do with the killing