Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-09-12
NEGRO MURDERER TAKEN; DIPPED THE OFFICERS

this city was notified and immediate ly left for the scene of the tragedy. He was accompanied by Deputy Constable Ed Francis, of this city, and Constable J. s. Barraque, of Altheimer, who was here last night. They were given a handcar at the Cotton Belt shops and at Rob Roy they were joined by J. E. Short and L. A. Wilson at Ray Station. Others joined the party before they reached Cornerstone. It was so late when the posse reached that place that it was decided to wait until morning be- fore they started out The night was spent in Investigating clues. One of them proved valuable. It was learned that Franklin had gone to his home at Sweden, three miles Southeast of Cornerstone Headed by Sheriff Philpot the posse rode to t'ranklin's home. As they neared the house they spied his wife and child ren hurrying away. Sheriff Philpot overlook them on his horse and made them accompany him back to the house. When they reached there Sheriff Philpot made the woman ad- init that her husband, Franklin, was in the house with a loaded shot gun. He told the woman to go into the house and get his gun from him. She consented, but Franklin would not open the door for her He also yelled out to the sheriff that < she nor any one of his crowd could not come in.
 What do you want with me-" asked Franklin.
 T want to talk to you' replied the sheriff, "come to the door
 What do you wan?" was the defiant reply.
 Where was you last night?" asked his pursuer.
 II was at home' replied Frank lis.
 After arguing with Franklin for nearly fifteen. minutes, telling him that it would be best for him to come from the house and surrender, Sheriff Philpot got him in the mo- tion of doing so peacably. ''I don't want to hurt you Franklin, but We will certainly come in there and get you if you don't and it wont be good for you either With that state ment Sheriff Philpot motioned to several of his men to surround the house. While they were preparing to enter, Franklin opened the door and surrendered to the sheriff. He was hurriedly brought to this city on the next train, arriving here shortly before the noon hour today. Franklin is now in the county jail here awaiting a preliminary exami- nation.
 He at first denied knowledge of the shooting, declaring that he was at home last night. He finally ad mitted shooting Butler, saying that he had to kill Butler to get away. They had me penned in that store after Alexander ran in there," said the negro, "and I had to shoot But Ter to get him out of my way. He declares that he was after AleXan- der. however.
 The tragedy of last Sunday. in which w. c. Alexander shot and killed Nose Blackwell, an old ne- gro, in his saloon. when, it is al leged Blackwell attempted to kill him, is what led up to the killing last night. The coroner's jury Monday night exonerated Alexan- der. the verdict being that the kill ing was justifiable. Blackwell was found in the saloon, after he was fatally shot with a revolver in his hand. He was lying dead on the floor. Alexander immediately sur rendered to Butler. the man who was killed last night
 Three negroes, who are employ ed on Cornerstone plantations, serv- ed on the coroner's jury that ac- quilted Alexander It is rumored here that the negroes there have or ganized for the purpose of making way with these three negroes and with main object of riding them selves of Alexander. The killing last night is reported to be their