The Forrest City times., 1911-10-13

ed by Hon. P. R Andrews of Helena, Hon. Joe T. Robinson of Lonoke and Attorney S. H. Mann of this city.
 When the verdict was brought in there was only small crowd around the court house, but this was soon increased as the news of the verdict spread like wildnre throughout the city, and Front street and Izard street, running north and south on the west side Of the courthouse. were soon filed with an eager eXpectant crowd Of people watching develop ment.
 The Kirby brothers received the verdict on the yeranja of the Hotel Marion. where they were seated with party of friends at the time 1t was rendered and made no demonstration, receiving the news stoically. though
 1t was plain that they were greatly disappointed.
 After the verdict had been receiv- ed by the court McAlister was sent back 10 the jail. Armed deputies were placed around the jail and court house, while preparations for his departure from the city were made.
 Preliminary to starting McAlister clothed himself in black suit of clothes and black derby hat. A few minutes before o'clock he emerged from the jail house door, surrounded by cordon of deputies and friends from Lonoke, all armed with shot, guns, and many who walked on the outer edge of the circle carried grips.
 McAlister walkded in the center, and was also armed with a double barreled shotgun. As he walked around the court house and passed the windows of the building McAlis- ter raised his hat several times and made demonstrations of greetings and farewells to friends who hailed him from the building
 A couple of automobiles were se- cured, McAlister got into one of these and with several deputies in the car with him, and the other car loaded with deputies and friends all heavily armed, he left the city, pro- ceeding in northerly direction. How ever, no demonstration was made, the friends of the prosecution and of the kirkys, and the Kirkys them selves taking the verdict calmly, and seeming satisfied to let the law take it's course.
 A large number of special deputies had been appointed in anticipation of the verdict, and all the streets and alleys in the vicinity of the court house and along part of the route taken by the flying autos until they were clear of the city limits were kept closely guarded. It looked as if some body was scared, and the thought might have risen that it was case of the wicked fleeing when no man pursued, because at the time of the dramatic depart ure, the Kirbys were nowhere in sight, and did not make their appearance until they came out upon the depot platform to board the Rock Island train at 6:10 o'clock for Memphis. In the Kirby party at the depot were noted Carl kirky, Dr. C.. C. Kirby, and R. L. Kirby, of Money, hn Ir rtrh and children, of Grenada, Miss; Mrs. l.. II. Henderson, Mrs. Thos. Cowan and Miss Nell Martin, Of Memphis, Chas. K. Blount and Tom Halter, of Greenwood, Miss,
 The verdict of acquittal for Me Mister has given rise to the opinion made to have the case of Al Sullivan and Bob Williams nolle pressed at the special term of the St. Francis circuit court to be held here the open ing week in December,
 More than year has elapsed since Ben Kirby was killed on the road to Westwood, leading from Marianna to the Soudan Plantation. Just before the verdict was announced. the court house yard was filled with friends
 and partisans of McAlister from Lon oke and Prairie counties and other points, among whom were noted the Eag les, Fletchers, OldhamS, also the Williams boys from Mississippi and the father of both Williamses, num- bering in all thirtv.hye or forty men.
 With McAlister at the jail during his preparations for departure were his three children. MaryLillian. Kie and Emma, and his sister-in-law, Mrs. C. II. Montgomery.
 And now that the trial is over and the crowds that had gathered here, and caused the citizens 10 feel such tense anxiety over the situation, have gone, there is feeling of relaxation and relief, and it is hoped that the rf e, T l.