The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1912-05-16
WILLARD VAUCHT
HAS STRONG AL|BI
Polk County People Saw Young
Man In and Around Mena at Time
He Was Accused of Killing
Bud Terry Near Heayener.

poleau, Ok. May il.--Concentrat-
ing their efforts to prove an alibi
for Willard vaught Of Mena, one Of
the three men charged with the
murder Of Bud Terry in August,
1907, the defense today made a sue
cessful assault on one of the strong
features Of the case made by the
prosecution II an alibi can be es-
tablished for Naught, it is argued,
the cas- against his co-defendants,
w. L. Bates of Heavener, and Will
Styles of Caulksyille, Ark. will
have TO fall of their own weight.
This view is justified because OF
the fact that the state introduced
witnesses who testified that Vaught
dealt the blow that killed Terry.
The state today introduced as
evidence the skull of a skeleton
found on mountain side near
Heavener. The skeleton is said to
be that Of Terry. 1t showed frac-
lures on the left side. According to
the testimony of Sam Swider and
Louis MeKibben, who were on the
stand yesterday. Terry was struck
on the left side Of the head by
Naught.
Testify for Vaught.
In making its case the state
showed that Bates got off the Kan
sas City Southerns "Arkansaw
at Heavener between 5
and o'clock on the afternoon Of
the murder, and at once started for
the lumber camp. The defense put
the agent Of the road at Poteau on
the stand TO disprove their conten-
ton. His records showed that on
August 81. 1907, the date of the
killing, the "Arkansaw Traveller
did not arrive at Poteau until 8
o'clock p. m, and that this would
make its arrival at Heavener about
3 40 p. M, or about hours after
Bud Terry is alleged to have re-
ceived his death blow, according to
the testimony brought out by the
state.
Mrs. Amy Anderson, whose home
is near Mena, testified that she saw
Willard Vaught at the Mena fair on
August 81, and that on Wednesday, |
the 22nd, Naught was at her home |
in the evening. She testified fur |
Their that on the following day |
vaught and Bony Sales left there |
on hunting trip.
Mrs. B. Il. Parker, who at
lime of the commission of the |
crime, was Miss Maud Owens, and |
xas teaching school near the home |
IF Willard Vaughts father, corrob-
orated the testimony OF Mrs. An
1erson as to seeing young Vaught
at the Mena fair. She also stated
hat she saw him ride to the home
If his father in a wagon late in the
afternoon of the day of the killing |
hat she saw him on the following
lay, and that on the third day he
visited her school.
Defense Carried the Day.
A strong intimation that Bud
Ferry was not killed was contained
n the testimony of w. f. league,
who told the jury that he knew
Bud Terry and saw him at the
Mena fair, on which occasion Ter
y told him that he expected to
cave that evening for some point
n the southwest on account Of
ubercular trouble. According to
he witness, Terry's destination
would be New Mexico. |
rhis was only a few hours before
Terry was killed, according to the
state.
Numerous citizens from the COM
nunity in which Vaught lived tes-
-iiied as to his good character.
1t is conceded that the defense
mas made a good showing so far. |
The strongest point was the rail-
road record.
Under the law the jury must |
either return a verdict of murder
n the first degree or acquit the de-
The statute of limita-
ion has run against conviction for
49, a.. g A..