Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-08-16
From C. X. Polk.

Ed. Register: Il see in your pa.
per-copied from the Reynolds
County Reformer-that I, Chas.
Polk, the aged father of the dead
sheriff, am satisfied with the YER
dict given by the jury in Arthur
Spaugh's case. When a Jury
passes on a case we have to be
satisfied, because there is no
remedy.
From the evidence given, a more
horrible, cowardly murder was
never committed, and from the
evidence, as l viewed it, hanging
was too good for the defendant.
Arthur admitted to the killing;
which was the only truth that he
told. He said that he, Arthur,
shot first; and Bill said that John
shot first. Bill and Arthur both
said that the former went out the
back door, and that Arthur brought
both guns out, met Bill in the back
yard and gave him the Winchester.
Three witnesses, Rasche, Brown
and Arnett, all testified that the
brothers came out the same door;
Arthur in front and Bill just be-
mind him, both loading their guns.
Arthur claims that he was in the
house and not on the porch. Brown
says that Bill called him up by
phone, and that he went to the
Spaugh residence, Arthur follow
ing him from Rasche's and went
on the porch, where Arthur, Brown,
Bill and Mrs. Spaugh we're when
he (Brown) asked Bill what he
wanted with him. Bill said he
had had trouble with Willie Edgar
and expected an officer would be
there to arrest him, but he did not
know whether he would go or not.
Bill and Arthur said they were
tired of going to that old Jail, and
they did not think they would 60.
Mrs. Spaugh said, "No, don't 90;
II you get in there, you will never
get out. Kill whoever comes"
Bill and Arthur said, "we will"
Then Bill said, "John Polk is
coming now, and I don't think I
will CO." Arthur went into the
house and said, "Come on, Bill"
Now, they had been talking about
being arrested, and, of course, ex-
pected the officer to have a war;
rant. When Arthur shot John
Polk he knew the latter was sheriff,
and he did not know whether the
sheriff had a warrant or not. AS
previously said, Arthur did not
swear to the truth. Brown said
that when he went around the
house, he heard some one say,
STOP and some one say, "kili
Brown undoubtedly heard
his, for Arthur testified that he,
himself, said "stop," and i'm
nediately fired. This, with the
of killing the sheriff, is
the truth Arthur told.
Arthur told e. L. Farmhouse that
hey arthur and Billy killed Polk;
hat he (Arthur) shot at him and
missed him, but the next time he
cot him. Bill said that he cross
ired with the Winchester. Arthur
Ind Bill both claim they never
made any statements, to any one.
n regard to the killing. If not,
low could Mr.. Farmhouse have
lsed the same words that Arthur
lid, if he had not heard them?
1t was considered by nearly
one that it was as strong a
'ase of premeditated murder as
could be made.
And yet the Spaughs have SYM
,athizers who worked to clear
hem. We learned of a drummer
Who was footing his horn over
Reynolds county in their behalf;
merchant of Iron county, who
advocates their cause; and a lady
Who planned to entertain them on
heir way to the pen. So you see
hese would-be good citizens are
lefying the law in the interest of
hieves and cut-throats, when it
hould be to the interest of all
aw-abiding citizens to uphold the
aw, and sustain the officers in the
ischarge of their duties, without
egard to political or personal feel
ngs. When q man has a horse
he wants the sheriff to pur-
ue the thief to the bitter end; and
a warrant, of course. Ia |
@ not as liable to be shot by a
.orse thief, as by a man who at
acks another and mutilates his
ace? Or is a horse worth more
nan a face, or an eye? use no
ames, and if any one takes
at what l have said, it is {
ne truth, and the fox is the finder.
..~ CHAs. K. POLK. !