The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1907-10-31
PROBABLY FATALLY INJURED
Cr. M. C. Burkett Mysteriously
Assaulted.
Skull Fractured by Blows While Asleep at
Home-Wife and Stepson
Under Arrest.

Home-Wife and Stepson
Under Arrest
DR.. NJ. c. Burkett, we'll known
farmer and physician who lives
between Cato and Chadwick, was
mysteriouslyss assaulted and proba-
bly, fatally injured at his home
Saturday night by some unknown
person. His skull was fractured
by the blows of his assailant, and
he is now at Little Rock hospital
unconscious and with little chance
of recovery. Suspected OF being
implicated in the crime his wife
and stepson are in Jail in this city.
The assault occurred between 8
and O. clock last Saturday night,
while, it is claimed Dr. Burkett
and the members Of his family
were asleep. DR.. Burkett is
man of rather turbulent character
and is known to have several enc
mics with whom he has previously
had personal encounters. His and
his wife's past marital relations
have, it is said, been rather pecu-
liar. She was formerly the wife of
a man named Phillips, by whom
she has four living children, and
left him, it is alleged, TO live with
a man named Glover, by whom
she has two children living. About
thirteen years ago she left Glover
and went to DR.. Burkett, whose
wife went to Glover. Both cou-
Piles obtained divorces, Burkett
marrying his present wife and
Glover marrying Mrs. Burkett. \
son of the present Mrs. Burkett by
her first marriage, Gordie Phillips,
is under arrest in connection with
the assault.
Mrs Burkett's Story.
To a representative of The Log
Democrat yesterday, Mrs. Burkett
told the circumstances of the as
sault upon DR.. Burkett Saturday
night. She said that She, her hus-
band, daughter and son, Gordie
Phillips, had retired about 6
O'Clock in the evening She and
her daughter occupied one bed,
her son another and her husband a
cot, all in the same room.
About o clock or little af-
fer said Mrs. Rurkett Il was
awakened by hearing my husband
groan and noise as if heavy blows
were being struck. l raised up
and saw through the open door,
which was Shut when we retired, a
dark figure moving away. AS
soon as possible l lit a lamp and
saw DR.. Burkett lying on the floor,
gasping, with blood pouring from
his head. My son, Gordie, was
still sleeping and l aroused him
and we began to call for help. We
went to John Sadler' a short dis
tance away, and got him to come
to our house. Two doctors were
called and each excused himself
from coming, but finally DR.. Pairet
of Cato came to attend my hus-
band.
There never was any trouble
between DR.. Burkett and my son,
Gordie Phillips, Mrs. Burkett re-
piled in answer to question.
There never was a cross word
passed between them. Dr. Bur
kett had made arrangements to go
to work in a store at Little Rock
Tuesday, and had written for
Gordie, who was then IN White
county, to come and stay with me
while he was away. Gordie had
been at our home only since
Thursday" "
Mrs. Burkett was visibly affected
while relating the story of the
crime, and wept and as she told of
discovering her wounded husband
lying on the floor.
The condition of DR.. Burkett
was reported no..better yesterday.
He underwent an operation after
reaching Little Rock, but the ply
sicians in attendance have little
hope of his recovery. He has
never regained consciousness since
receiving the injury.
The examining trial OF Mrs.
Burkett and Gordie Phillips is set
for today, but will probably be
continued pending the result OF
DR.. Burkett' S injuries.