Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-06-23
ARTHUR MURRAY CHARGES FRAUD Says J. F. Rutherford and Attorneys Intimidated James Jones and Used Duress
INVOLVES co. JUDGE
Sensational Charges Filed by Murray in His Attempt to Secure Injunc- ton Against James Jones, J. F. Rutherford and Trust Company.
Despite the fact that County

Oesp1te 1ne .. aseL Laa1 CQnnty Judge James Gould recently turned down his petition in which he asked that the resignation of James Jones, administrator of the estate of Wiley Jones, be rejected and re- fused and that the Jones estate be sold at public auction, as was orig inally planned, Arthur Murray yes terday filed a petition in the Jeffer- son chancery court in which he seeks to set aside the appointment of the Pine Bluff Trust Company, as administrator in succession, re- strain the former administrator from turning over moneys, records and books of Wiley Jones, deceas- ed, and to prevent John F. Ruther- ford from taking charge of the es- tate, and to prevent the sale of cer- tain diamonds, which were given him by James Jones.
 The petition is most sensational in it's nature. It also asks for a permanent restraining order against James Jones, the Pine Bluff Trust Company and John F. Rutherford, assignee of the heirs of Wiley Jones.
 In his petition the plaintiff re- cites that James Jones, the admin fstratOr, resigned On June 13, the plaintiff says, he filed protest against such procedure in the pro- bate court, asking that the resigna- tfon be rejected and refused. He says there were many reasons for his requests, alleging that Jones' resignation had been procured by duress; that he had been paid $4,- 900 to resign and that his retire ment was a detriment to the cred itors and for his individual gain.
 Murray further states that under the peculiar circumstances in this case, that if agreements of this nature are to be enforced the door would be thrown wide open to fraud and corruption on the part of designing men and intriguing de- scendants."
 It was on June IA, according to the petition, that Judge Gould nam ed the Pine Bluff Trust Company administrator in succession. Duress was previously used, petitioner says. The attorneys for the estate sent Jones word through one of his bondsmen that unless he acceRted the proposition of J. F. Rutherford to resign he would receive but what the law allows him as administra tor.
 The plaintiff goes so far as to charge that John F. Rutherford, by reason of his position as chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, had great influence with the courts of the county and state and that claims of. the admin istrator, who is a negro, would on final hearing be at the mercy of white jurors, thereby intimidating Jones.
 Murray further charges that 1t was argued that the courts would be presided over by politicians who would be more than anxious to fa- vor MT. Rutherford in any litiga- tion; that the attorneys for the ad- ministrator, while declining to rep resent him in his claims against the estate, urged Jones to accept $5.- 900 from Mir. Rutherford in satis- faction of said claims.
 On June z, Murray says, Jones declined the offer. On June 8, he charges, the offer was increased to $10,o00 and accepted on June 10. He declares that Jones assigned his claims to R. l.. Rutherford for $6,- 900 and a receipt for that amount,