The Mena weekly star., 1913-06-26
GIVES HIS LIFE
 TO MAKE BOAST
Barricaded in Cabin, St. Francis County Man Battles Posse Until Riddled-0ne of the Be-
 SiegerS Slain.


 the officers until the last of a score of bullets pierced his body, sending him crashing to the floor dead, Bob Elrod yesterday made good his boast that he would never be taken alive. He paid for the boast with his life, but it also cost the life of Robert Bales, a young farmer and one of the posse that surround ed the cabin in the dense woods where ElrOd had barricaded him. self The battle was fought near the Cross and St. Francis county line.
 Elrod was wanted in Cross coun- ty, and two deputy sheritfs, one named Tackett. learned that ElrOd was hiding in the swamps about IS miles northeast of Forrest City. The officers overlook Elrod and arrest ed him, but Elrod in some manner ''got the drop" on the deputies, dis armed them and told them to beat it." declaring that he was a desper- ate man and would never be taken alive
 Barricaded in Cabin.
 Negroes who lived in the section where Elrod disarmed the officers sent word to Forrest City that they had heard Elrod and J. NJ. Fore, a white man. discussing the event, and that ElrOd had told his com panion he was sure that a posse would be sent after him. and that they would never get him." Dep uty Sheriffs John Tankersley and Charles Walker left Forrest City with instructions to bring Elrod back dead or alive. When the of ficers arrived within a short dis tance of the cabin they were told of his boast. They were also in formed he had barricaded himself in the cabin and was well armed and supplied with ammunition A posse of about eight men was form ed and the advance upon the cabin begun.
 AuhaIlce on NaDlIl.
 Deputy Walker led the advance, but no sooner had he appeared in the open than a shot from the cabin warned the officers that a battle must result. When the shot rang out Deputy Walker dropped to the ground as though he had been hit. KIr,l1-l,. .,.r,,-l.,l F,r,t-ayl fayx- feet and cautiously raised his head Elrod raised his gun 10 take a sec ond shot at the deputy The officer fired first. the charge of buckshot striking Elrod in the arm. face and head With hardly a tremOr Elrod turned from Walker. and, espying Bales approaching from another direction. killed him with one shot. Deputy Sheriff John Pickens, talk ing advantage of the fact that El- rods attention was called in an- other direction. shot ElrOd through the body. and Elrod crumpled to the floor. But there was still fight in him.
 Fights to Last Gap.
 Deputy Walker had continued to advance and Elrod. though dying, dragged himself 10 his hands and knees. attempting 10 again shoot at Walker Weakened by his many wounds, Elrod was too slow, and the officer riddled the outlaws head and body with a load of buckshot. Elrod was dead, but never was more courage and desperate coolness dis played by man fighting 10 the last gasp. in the opinion of the officers who fought in this battle.
 Fore and Charles Donham were arrested and placed in jail here, charged with being accessories.
 Alberts Headache Checkers give instant relief and permanently cure all headaches, neuralgia and periodical pains. Five doses 10 cents: 9 doses 9 cents. Mail or ders filled by the Bloodine Corpora ton, Boston, Mass