The Forrest City times., 1905-07-07
6bs furrest Gitp Clmes.
 .aNDvOICT vADAKIN. G14eJi.s A4Ao ol1shers.
 Circuit Court.

The special term of St. Francis County Circuit Court was convened Monday pursuant to adjournment Judge Hutton presiding. and Atter. neys Andrews and Williams represen ting the state. The case against Benton was called first.
 Immediately after opening, the at. torneys for the defense attacked the validity of the manner in which the juries had been selected, contending that there should have been a jury commission for that purpose, the same as for the regular terms as provided by law. This objection to the proceed ings was overruled, when the defense moved continuance, giving as reasonable grounds that they desired to take dispositions in Mississippi and Tennessee.
 After the attorneys were given time to prepare it written motion was presented, the time was granted them to take these depositions, and the court took a recess until Thursday, July 6, 1905.
 It is stated on the streets that this special court has already cost the county $500. and the trials have not yet begun.
 The court met at o'clock yesterday afternoon, present and presiding, the same as on Monday.
 When court had been regularly opened, the attorneys for the defense moved the court for change of venue Affidavits were made by MT. James l.. Scott, MT. F. F.. P Ussery and MT T. l.. Taylor, that they did not believe the defendant Benton could receive fair trial in this county, and the prose cutting attorneys not controyerting the affidayits, Judge Hutton granted the prayer of defendant, and sent the case to White county, to be tried at the regular term of the White county Circuit Court, which will be convened on Monday, July 24. 1905.
 The other men who are charged with eomplicity in this horrible crime will be tried here at the regular Sep tember term, and as precaution against escape or other interference with the ends of jnstice according to law, Judge Hutton sent Benton to White county, and the others to Pu- laski county for safe keeping while they are awaiting trial.
 Sheriff W F. Williams and Deputy Sheriff $. B. swan left last night with the prisoners for destinations named.
 There is said to have been some lit tie talk of preventing the officers talk ing Benton and the negro out of the county, last night, but such talk had no source that we could learn, and was mere idle talk of sensationalists, as there were no developments along that line. And all good citizens, who deplore this awful tragedy as much as it should be, are glad that the law will be given full opportunity punish these men if they are proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The law is ample.
 It would be even worse crime, and a worse blot upon the fair name of this county, if these men should ever become the victims of mercileSS mob. They may be innocent. If not, the law will reach them and punish them by demanding of them their miserable lives.
 Let no such talk be encouraged. . Let's have peace, and preserve the fair name and dignity of our county.
 If Benton is found guilty at Searcy, of murder in the first degree, he will be executed here, the late legislature having enacted a law to that effect. So there k absolutely no excuse for such wild and woolly' talk as that any of these men should be lynched, and they will not he.
 Witnesses and others who are re Quired To attend this trial at Searcy should take the Choctaw local west bound leaving Forrest City at 1925 a. m., and go to DeNalls Bluff, Sunday, thence direct to Searcy via branch of C. k. |. X F.. arriving there about 3:30 the same afternoon.
 Strayed.