Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1911-10-29
v. s. RHFA GUILTY OF
FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE

other hand it was argued that the
jury, which was composed Of the
highest class of citizenship of this
county, would do it's duty-whether
/ it be conviction Or an acquittal. The
jury retired at exactly $40 O'Clock
and at a knock on the door of the
jury room informed the sheriff that
decision had been reached. Some
little delay was experienced in get
ting together the various court Of
ficials and attorneys, some Of whom
had gone to their evening meal, in
order to reorganize the court for the
proper reception of the verdict.
During the intermission specula-
ton was rife as to the probable YER
dict because it was so quickly re-
turned. Many at first believed that
the verdict would be not guilty as
they had never seen a verdict of
guilty returned so quickly in such an
important case.
The entire day was taken up in
argument, hundreds of spectators
again being unable to gain admission
not only to the court room, but in
the halls leading to it. All day long
deputy sheriffs were busily engaged
in keeping the court room free of
congestion. The number of ladies in
attendance at the trial increased,
anxiously seeking an opportunity to
hear the three able attorneys make
their arguments. Col. Taylor, Col.
Murphy and Mr.. Nixon were at their
best. The former spoke for one hour
and ten minutes, Col. Murphy fol-
lowed with a speech of nearly four
hours. and Mr.. Nixon concluded with
speech of two hours duration.
After the verdict was received by
the court Judge Grace announced
that the defendant would be given
ten days in which to file motion for
new trial, and adjourned court un-
til November s. Col. Taylor will, in
all probability, file such motion and
pray an appeal to the Supreme Court,
If it is overruled.
This is the second conviction of it's
kind secured by District Attorney
Nixon Within the past two weeks and
the first Of their kind in this county
within the past twenty-five years.
Rhea's conviction was based upon
an allegation in an indictment re-
turned by the Desha circuit court at
its August term, being tried here on
a change Of venue, charging that the
thirteenth night of May, Rhea led a
mob of negroes that assaulted and
killed Vital Archard, a Saline coun-
ty officer, who had on that day ar
rested negro, Grant Sanders, on the
Lennox place, managed by Rhea, as
he was making his way back to
Dumas with his prisoner. Under in
dictment in Desha county are five
negroes, charged with being men,
bers of the mob led by Rhea, that took
the life of the officer. They will be
tried at Arkansas City at the next
term Of the Desha circuit court.
The Arguments.
Colonel S. M. Taylor, of counsel for
defense, began argument when court
convened at 9 o'clock Saturday morn
ing. Col. Taylor's voice was clear
and he displayed brilliancy and ora
tory throughout his argument. Col.
Taylor said that he arose to speak
in behalf of the young orphan boy
who had always borne an exceeding
ly good reputation wherever he had
lived, as attested by some of the best
citizens of Saline and Pulaski coun-
ties, who testified in his behalf He
said that the unfortunate occur
renee happened in Desha county
where the young man had lived but
"a few months; and that he was the
only white man on big plantation
and was surrounded by more than a
hundred negroes, who had banded
themselves together and committed
one of the most hideous crimes in his
knowledge, and then got together
and were undertaking with their per-
jured Testimony to lay the blame upon
the shoulders of this honest white
boy, hoping thereby to escape merit
CONTINUED on Page Four.)