The log cabin Democrat., 1915-03-15
BLOUNT BEGINS TO
 SERVE LONG TERM CASE AN EXPENSIVE ONE
PRISONER, BY GOOD BEHAVIOR, MAY REDUCE SENTENCE
 ABOUT SIX YEARS.

At S:30 o'clock Saturday night, Lee Blount, convicted murderer of Deputy Sheriff Oscar l.. Honea, entered the walls of the Arkansas penitentiary at Little Rock and began the service of his long sentence of IS years, i'm posed upon him by the court as a pen alty for his crime. It is supposed that the penitentiary officials will at once remove him from the walls at Little Rock to the state farm at Cummins Although little danger of mob vio- lence was anticipated, Sheriff w. w.. Bishop took the precaution to spirit Blount away to the penitentiary with out the public's knowledge. Late Saturday afternoon the prisoner was taken from the jail and driven to a point about one mile north of Conway, where he was put on the accomoda- ton train going west. At Menifee, where the east-bound passenger train was met, the officers changed trains with Blount and brought him back through Conway to Little Rock.
 It is stated that Blount was not at all downcast by the long sentence i'm posed upon him, apparently feeling grateful that the jury did not return verdict calling for the death pen atty. Under the state law Blount, by exemplary conduct as prisoner, can reduce his term of service in the pen ltentlary by more than six years. The good behavior" statute regulat- ing Imprisonment provides for con- mutation of one month from the first year, two months from the second year, three months from the third and each succeeding year up to 10 years and six months from each year after 10 years. Under this provision it is possible for Blount to be released af- ter serving II years and nine months of his sentence.
 The cost of Blount's trial was one of the greatest of any case ever tried in this county and will aggregate, it is believed, over $1,500. Securing jury was the most expensive item Including the regular panel of 24 men, a total of 113 was summoned for service on the case, all of whom ex- cept those on the courthouse premi- ses when summoned, will receive $3 per day and mileage. Some of the jurors who sat on the case are en- titled to four days service, while many claimed two days attendance The witnesses were all discharged at the close of the third day of the trial, giving them each $450 for their ser vices, with mileage to those summon ed from outside the county. This item will aggregate about $500. In addition these items are the fees of the sheriff and his deputies for sum- moning witnesses and jurors, attend ing court, the maintenance and travel ing expenses with the prisoner, the circuit clerks fees and a fee of $35 to the prosecuting attorney for ob- taining a conviction in a homicide case.
 After the disposition of the Blount case and before the final adjournment of the January term, the court Sat urday afternoon passed upon other cases of minor importance, those dis posed of being as follows:
 Herb Spradlin, aggravated assault, plea of guilty, fined $10; Simon Cox and Mel Cox, contempt of court, plea of guilty, fined $1 each Zines later remitted on proviso); Earl Lyons, running horse on public highway, plea of guilty, fined $5; H. L. McAl- lister, assault and battery, plea of guilty, fined $5.