Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-01-30
ARRESTED FOR AN
ARKANSAS MURDER
Requisition Honored for the
Return of Man Arrested
Near Gooding.

For nine years q fugitive from JUS
tice for a murder committed back in
jefferson county, Arkansas, Mel Archer,
colored, was finally run down by the
iron hand of the law, located on a
ranch near Gooding, arrested and held
for extradition. He does not deny
the shooting and so extradition papers
We're honored yesterday by Governor
Alexander for his return to Arkansas.
He is under indictment in that state
and r. H. Williams, designated Off
Ger of Jefferson county, after securing
the necessary papers in Boise left for
Gooding last night to take his man
back to face trial Archer declares
that he only shot in self defense. The
papers presented to the governor and
on file with the secretary of state
show the name of his alleged victim
to be NolSey Hellums, also colored. The
shooting took place Feb. %, 1907.
How Tragedy Happened.
1t seems from the facts taken from
the papers presented, Archer was
prominent resident of jefferson county,
at least among members of his own
race, He admits that he liked white
folks for they were better to him
|
helped him more. 1t seems this caused
some jealousy At party given by
him one night. all the male negroes
were requested to leave their shoot
ing irons" in a side room of Archer's
house and they complied with the re-
quest, for trouble was feared, Hell
lums, the negro shot, picked a quar-
rel later, went into the room and Sc
| h fe TOD FAp
Archer The latter declares he be-
lieved he was to be attacked and,
drawing his gun, shot the advancing
negro. Although he remained in the
vicinity some time afterwards he was
not arrested. He was warned to leave
| later for fear of trouble and did SO.
After residing in several states he
finally settled in Idaho on a farm near
Gooding.
Regarding his arrest. the Leader,
Gooding, says:
Mel Archie, alias James Moore, ia
military known to the people of Good
ing and vicinity for the past seven
years as "Nigger George" was arrested
by Sheriff Sanders early last Monday
morning on a charge of murder, the
alleged crime having been committed
near Pine Bluff, jefferson county, Ar
kansas, in 1907. He admits the killing
4 but alleges that it was an act of self
defense. He is now confined in the
county Jail a. Shoshone, awaiting the
arrival of an officer from Arkansas
with whom he will return without 8
requsition.
, Some time ago the Arkansas sheriff
heard that George, whose true name i.
Mel Archie. was in this vicinity ant
wrote Sheriff Sanders, asking him t.
investigate The sheriff satisfied him.
, , self that George was the man wanted
but asked the Arkansas officers for
more complete description. This wa
; received by wire Sunday night AM
early the next morning Sheriff San
ders went out to the farm southwest o
town, where George has been living a
, a tenant, and brought him in.
George told the sheriff that he ha,
! been expecting him, because his wife
/ few nights before had dreamed that h
was going TO be arrested. Il saw yol
! coming and could have got you, but
, didn't want to do that" he said. IL
9 then offered the sheriff 5000 to let hin
, escape. but the sheriff informed hir
- that he was not in that kind of bust
|, ness.
A George has been farming rented Ian
ever since he came to Gooding in 100!
q going by the name of James Moor,
n He is Of more than ordinary inteli
n gence, very Industrious and stood hig
in the respect of all who knew him.