The Springdale news., 1914-02-27
Trofrl tbe Reople
Old Times In Arkansas.

ical views, were at daggers point
 The Union and Secession sentiments
 were at fever heat. In the same
 en to separation Brothers and sis
 ters were uncompromisingly at outs l Occasionally some one was shot down
 in his door, at a gate or barn-yard,
 by some assassin, never to be known
 who did 1t. At this juncture there
 was a gentleman living on Richland
 by the name of Leonard Trammel, a
 strict member of the church. One
 day he came to Fayetteville and dur 1 ing the day, on the public square, he noticed d gentleman by the name of
 Jeremiah Phelan pouring forth all
 sorts of vile denunciations of the Sc
 cessionists This gentleman was also
 a Methodist by faith and strictly so. i Evening came on and Phelan started l for home and Trammell overlook him
 as he was going down the hill by the
 White Mill Trammel says Going
 home? Phelan replied yes" Well, said Trammei, we will ride together l if no objections Phelan readily consented As they passed on their
 way several miles Trammel said, "I
 perceive you are a very rabid Union man. ," Phelan replied 'yes, sir" Trammel said, T live in Missouri and am down here looking after the Union cause and how would you like to hang one of these secessionists. If | 1t will suit you to do so, know where there is one of these fellows
 on Riehland that will be easy game
 Phelan replied, that will just suit
 ma. :. Trammel said you get some
 1ne to help us and We will string him
 too quick Phelan answered, 'I
 know two good young men who will
 willingly assist us in the work.
 Leonard said, have the two young
 men at your house about dark the |d4y after tomorrow with guns and
 will bring the rope and after supper
 We will start Phelan said, T will
 De ready with my men when you
 one Al right, says TrammeI,
 but this Is case of life and death
 an you must keep strictly mum.
 They separated These two young
 nen. John Riley and Francis Mills,
 #4ere both married and model young
 aaa. know not if they were relig-
 ions, but moral, however. Religion
 had to take back seat for patriot
 35n, really it was dangerous, almost
 to express ones views Trammel
 lme as promised They set out for .leir prey shortly after night-fall. The man on Richland was neighbor O. Trammels, a Christani gentleman,
 member of the then "Campbellite'
 Church, now more commonly called zae Christian Church In the mean me Trammel had gone and made
 arrangements with this man. Andy Smith was his name That he must succumb to all demands as resistance
 T aant certain death They arrived at
 smith $ house and called him out and pretended to be hunting Seces-
 slonists. Can you show us one, smith2o Certainly I will and will i5e only too glad to aid you ill this
 god cause" When about quarter of a mile from home they gave him
 To understand that it was his neck Etaey were after; that they would show him how to tear up the best Government the world ever saw. So they roped him and made for previously selected tree. Trammel told me that they arrived at the scene of execution, and Trammel got one boy up the tree and the other to help about fixing the rope securely to the tree. Previous to 5his action the boys had deposited their guns upon the ground con siderable distance from the tree Frammel got Smith and himself be- tween Phelan and the guns and he cut the thongs from Smiths hands and gave him pistol and gun They soon had the three securely tied and
 on their steeds. marching to Hind mans Army then at Van Buren. Court martial was called and they
 were to be shot in few days. Trammel and Smith were witnesses.
 At that time J. H. Vanhoose, a Isehool-mate and neighbor of the Mills boys. busted himself and secured large petition for the release of the Mills boys. Hindman granted pardon, but they were executed few minutes before Vanhoose arrived. The command to which l belonged vas passing through Hindman's Army when they were shot. 1 heard the guns fired that did the killing. These l hree good citizens lost their lives in few short days from excessive patriotism. Smith and Trammel join