Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-03-02
Jefferson Grand Jury Con demns the Practice in
 Final Report.
JOE CORPUREAU IS
 ORDERED RELEASED
inquisItorial Body Frees Negro Held m Connection With Murder of Bob Rutllerford--Charge Against Jim
 Allen Dismissed.

That an honorary board be substi- tuted for the present system of con- trol of the state penal farms and citi- zens be employed to act as guards. in stead of convicts being used, were i among recommendations included in the final report of the Jefferson county grand jury, submitted yesterday to Circuit Judge w. B. Sorrells. Rec 1 concentrations for improving condi- tions at the county penal farm and the poor farm were also made.
 The report shows that the jury, or ganized at the October term, was in ! session 12 days altogether, examined 297 witnesses, returned 100 true bills, had committees inspect all county in- stitutions as we'll as the state farm, and dismissed charges against eleven persons.
 Among the cases dismissed was that of Joe Corpureau, held in con- nection with the cold-blooded murder of R. L. Rutherford last September, and for which crime Aaron Johnson, another negro, is awaiting execution. Corpureau, arrested the day of the murder, placed the blame on his son, Charles, and Johnson, who had dis appeared. Johnson. captured few nights later, declared Joe Corpureau did the killing.
 The jury also dismissed the charge of assault with intent to kill against James A. Allen, as the result of the shooting and wounding of Earl Carter several months ago. The shooting took place on the northwest corner of Second avenue and Main street about 7:3O o'clock in the evening, when numerous people. including many women and children, thronged the thoroughfares. That no one but Car ter was hurt has been remarked upon as surprising by many people.
 Other cases dismissed were those of Ollie Duckett, charged with selling liquor; Joe Cogshell, charged with disposing of mortgaged property; Bob Jones, burglary; Will Maxwell. sell ing liquor; James Brown, accessory to murder; Robert Elligin, petty lar ceny; S. M. Martin, disposing of mort gagged property; John Vinson, assault and battery, and Dave Patterson, lar ceny.
 Twenty-three True Bills.
 With the final report the grand jury returned 23 true bills. Five of these are against Preston Johnson, young farm overseer, who is accused of cir culating checks purporting to the sig nature of George Harvey, manager of the Phillips plantation at Altheimer, where Johnson was last employed. The accused, who is married and the father of small child, is said to attribute his predicament to liquor.
 Tom Gibson, negro. who made a business of chicken stealing, was in dicted six times on charges of grand larceny.
 Jim Townsend and Zack Long were indicted on charges of violating the "bone dry'' law by importing whiskey into the state, and George Thomas, Henry Collins and Anderson Ellis are accused in bills of selling liquor, a penitentiary offense.
 Henry Darlington was indicted on a charge of burglary, and Oscar Blan- ton is accused of carnal abuse.
 All of these are in jail or under bond, the bench warrants being served on them yesterday.
 Composition of Jury.
 The grand jury was composed of J. F. Mcintyre. foreman; Russell Hollis, c. F. Dunnington, w. S. Young, J. H. Shelby, s. J. Dorman, Leroy Culpepper, A. M. Barrow, F. M. Roane, A. B. Craig, Ben Robinson. l.. R.. Stuart, S. w. Blankenship, T. R. Heird, c. T. Miller and Sam Katzenstein.