The Washington times., 1907-02-22
GAAEST ARKANSAN
HOLDS STATE JOB
He's @. E. Tucker, Victor
in Gun Battles.
Shot Six Times, He Con-
tinued in Feud Fight
ing.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, Feb. 22.-Amonc
the new State officials OF Arkansas
chosen at the last election is one whose
only claim to fame previous TO his cleo
ton was that he was the central figure
in one OF the most bloody family feuds
even known in Arkansas or in the
South This official IS Guy 3. Tucker,
State commissioner of mines and agri-
culture
He has not only killed his man. but
he has been directly or indirectly re-
sponsible for the death Of at least five
men who have fallen as victims of the
Tucker-Parnell feud during the last
five years. Tucker has twice been very
near death as the result OF the desper-
ate encounters in which he has taken
part. In one battle he was shot six
times, and a shot fired at him from
ambush less than a year ago carried
away his left arm.
The nOtoTiety which attached to
these exploits OF Tucker made his name
known throughout the State Tucker.
as he readily admits. owes his election
to this nOtOriety, although the fact that
he was JEFF Davis man-an important
question In Arkansas-alded him matte
rally in his canvass.
Guy Tucker is known as the "gamest
and steadiest man in Arkansas in the
face of personal danger, and he has
been the hero Of dozen incidents which
have made his name a household word
throughout the State
Inc history of the Tucker ParneIl
feud dates back 10 December 81. 1900
when Robert W. Mullins shot and killed
J0hn BusSel Mullins subsequently was
arrested by City Marshal Tucker and
Constable II. l. bearing.
Leads to Battle.
Later Mullins met bearing ON the
street In Eldorado and slapped the
constable in the face. bearing pulled
his revolver and shot Mullins dead. The
members of the Parnell family. of whom
there were a dozen men, were warm
friends OF Mullins and they denounced
his slayer as murderer. bearing also
mad strong friends. among whom were
Marshal Tucker and Frank Newton. a
merchant. Both factions went armed.
and the feeling between the men became
more bitter each day.
The dispute eliminated October g. 1902
in bloody street battle. In which three
OF the participants lost their lives The
Immediate cause OF the battle was on
order given by Tucker. a city marshal
In regard TO the building which the Par
nelis were erecting. Tucker met Tom
and Walter Parnen as he was leaving
the courthouse and an alteration
arose over the order given by Tucker
a minute later the bloody battle had
hsgun. bearing and Newton We're near
at hand and they went to the assistance
Of Tucker. At least forty shots were
fred, the men standing so close to each
other that their clothing was burned
by the powder.
The first bullet that struck Tucker
sent MN TO the ground and the next
shattered his arm. Lying on the ground.
he rested his revolver upon his shattered
arm and fired the remaining shots in his
pistol with as steady an aim as IL he
had been at target practice.
Held Mob at Bay.
When the smoke OF battle had cleared
away Walter Parnell and Constable
bearing We're found lying across each
other. their bodies literally shot TO
pieces. a few feet from them was the
dead body OF Tom ParneH. Tucker was
lying unconscious WITH six bullet wounds
in his body Newton was the only man
who escaped uninjured. VIII and Matt
PaTnell arrived on the scene during the
ARRAY and one of them was slightly
wounded.
But short time ago fuckers bravery
vas given another test and he emerged
from the experience with his reputation
as the 'gameSt' man in Arkansas still
further enhanced. Single-handed he
held at bay an armed mob of 100 men
which was eDdeavOring TO seize Houston
Hooker. s negro. who had shot and
killed a conductor on an Iron Mountain
train