The weekly soliphone., 1915-04-30
BLOODY TRAGEDY
 NEAR M0RRILTON
l Jam Bell, Estranged from Wife, Takes Revenge Upon Four
 Members of Family.

Little Rock, April 28.-Sam Bell, 2s, cattle buyer and prominent in the country about Morrilton, is in a dark cell on the second floor of the Pulaski county jail, being held there for safekeeping, as result of the murder of four members of his wife's family, nine miles north of Morrilton, at 8 o'clock Monday night. He was brought here on the first train from Morrilton by Depu- ty Sheriff Earls.
 In rapid succession Bell shot down and killed the four persons-three men and one woman. The victims Of his gun were Dick Fryer, his father in-law; Amos Fryer, his brother-in- law; Mrs. Eard Bearden, his sister in-law, and Mrs. Bearden's husband. The shooting was an outgrowth of marital troubles, which caused divorce between Bell and his wife about a year ago.
 The shooting began when Bell ap- peared at window of the Bearden home and, firing through the win dow, killed Bearden. Mrs. Bearden, screaming, ran from the room and out a front door Here she was in- tercepted by Bell, who shot her down. She was conscious for sev- eral minutes, during which time her screams attracted the attenion of the senior MT. Fryer, who lived short distance away.
 SHOOTS FATHER AND SON
 Grasping a shotgun, Fryer left his house and ran toward the Bearden home. He was followed by his son, Amos. The two were met by Bell, who killed them in rapid succession. shots and screams had attracted other neighbors, who began to ar rive. Previous to going to the Bear den house Bell had taken off his shoes, leaving them beside his horse. The animal was tied about two hundred yards from the house.
 Bell, unfrightened by the appear ance of neighbors. searched for Mrs. Fryer and her other children. but they, with Bells wife. had left the house and hidden in field. He then started for his horse, but neighbors had found the animal and were guarding it. Bell started the opposite direction. taking to the woods. Before he had gone 100 yards he met neighbor carrying a shotgun. Bell forced his neighbor to drop the gun and then continued.
 Bell is about 26 years old. and is a member of one of the oldest fami- lies of Conway county. Mir. Fryer was s4 years old. and his son IT.
 Bell has a nervous temperament, and was considered dangerous man, although he had never been in serious trouble before. 1t is said. Persons at Morrilton who saw him after he gave up Monday night. said he appeared to have been drinking
 
 should the people of the vicinity in which the shooting took place learn that Bell was at Morrilton, led the Morrilton officers to hurry him to Little Rock.
 Bell walked barefoot through the woods from the Bearden home in solgohachia. north of Morrilton. to the sheriffs office. where he put in appearance at 1 o'clock yesterday morning.
 He was provided with shoes and some clothes that he had lost on , the trip. and started immediately for Little Rock.
 Deputy Sheriff Earle expected to have him placed in the state peni- tentiary for safekeeping. but he was locked in the county jail here in- stead soon after o'clock yesterday morning.
 CAME IN UNsHACKLED.
 Despite the fact that the youth. big bone. square shouldered fell  low. who does not appear more than 26 years old. was said by some to be a bad man." Earle did not even handcuff him for the trip to Little Rock, and the two walked into the county jail very much as would yis- Sitors.
 He gave himself up and l had enough confidence in him to believe that shackles were not needed" was all Earle said.
 Bell. when placed in his cell. yaced the floor a short time and then laid down on a cot. He was restless, but at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, had fallen asleep.
 He was startled when aroused a snort time later. He declined at <;~e& ta1lr at atI vino CT ha va