The Springdale news., 1912-08-09
A Crisis at the Courthouse.

Just at daybreak Yancy was reused by the pressure of hand on his shoulder and opening his eyes saw that the judge was bending over him.
 Dress" he said briefly. There's every prospect of troable-get your rife and come with ne,
 Yaney noted that this prospect of trouble seemed to afford the judge pleasurable sensation; indeed, he had quite lost his former air of somber and suppressed melancholy.
 "I let you sleep. thinking you need- ed the rest" the judge went on But ever since midnight we've been on the verge of riot and possible bloodshed. They've arrested John Murrell-tt's claimed he's planned seryile rebel lion. 4 man named Hues, who had wormed his way into his confidence. made the arrest. He carried Murref into Memphis, but the local magis- trate. intimidated, most likely, de ellned to have anything to do with holding him. In spite Of this, Hues managed to get his prisoner lodged in jail, but along about nightfall the sit. aation began to look serious. Folks were swarming into town armed to the teeth. and Hnes fetched Murrell across country 10 Raleigh"
 Yes said Yaney.
 Well. the sheriff has refused to take Murrell into custody. Hues has him down at the courthouse but whether or not he is going to be able to hold him is another matter"
 Yaney and Hannibal had dressed by this time, and the judge led the way from the house The Scratch Hitler looked about him =Aeross the street q group of men. the greater number Of whom were armed, stood in front ot Pegtees tavern Glsncing in the dt reetion Of the courthouse, he ob. served that the square before t held other groups But what impressed him more was the ominous silence that was everywhere. At his elbow, the judge was breathing deep.
 We are face to lace with a very deporable condition, Mir Yancy. Court was to sit here today, but Judge Morrow and the public prosecutor have left town, and as you see, Mur rellis friends have gathered for res. cue. There's sprinkling of the bet ter element-but only a sprinkling. saw Judge Morrow this morning at four oclock-I told him l would ob- ligate myself to present for his con- sideration evidence of striking and sensational character, evidence which would show conelusiyely that Murrell should be held to await the action of the next grand jury-this was after conference with Hues-I guaranteed his safety. Sir, the man refused to listen to me, He showed himself ut terly devoid Of any feeling of public duty" The bitter sense of failure and futility was leaving the judge. The situation made its demands on that basic faith in his own powers which remained imbedded in his char acter
 They had entered the courthouse square. On the steps Of the building Betts was arguing loudly with Hues. who stood in the doorway, rifle in hand.
 Maybe you don't know this is coun. ty property" the sheriff was saying "And that you have taken unlawful possession of it for an unlawful purs pose? I am going to open them doors "a passel of strangers cant keep folks out of building their own money has bought and paid for!'- While he was speaking. the judge had pushed his way through the crowd to the foot of the steps.
 That was very nicely said, Mr. Betts.' observed the judge He smiled widely and sweetly The sher- if gave him a hostile glare Do you know that Morrow has left town" the judge went on.
 T aint got nothin' to do with Judge Morrow. It's my duty to see that this building is ready for him when he's mind to open court in it.
 You are willing to assume the re- sponsibility of throwing open these doors2" inquired the judge afably.
 T shorely am, said Betts Why, some of these folks are our leading people."
 The judge turned to the crowd, and spoke in tone of excessive ciyility. Just word, gentlemen'-the sher- if is right; 'as your courthouse and you should no. be kept out of it. No doubt there are some of you whose presence in this building will sooner or later be urgently desired We are going to let all who wish to enter, buf beg vou to remember that there will