The log cabin Democrat., 1921-08-17
(Arkansas Gazette.)

! eye laid open, Simon L. Blackwell aged 30, 1404 College street, plumber employed at the aviation warehouse, east of the city, was brought to the City hospital shortly before midnight last night. He was not expected to live through the night. His brother. in-law, Earl Slade aged 20, 925 East Ninth street, employed at the Little Rock broom factory, is held at DO. lice Headquarters pending the out. come of Blackwells wounds. Slade wielded a hatchet on his brother-in. law
 Jade told a reporter last night that Blackwell, who married Slades sis. ter, continuously abused her, and con- tinued to do so after she obtained Slade said, Blackwell appeared at his home and again abused his sister He then attacked Blackwell, he said Slade told a reporter last night that married Blackwell 13 years ago After they were married three weeks Slade said, he saw Blackwell slap his sister because she lost small spoon Only six months ago, he said, Black. well began beating his wife with his fists.
 Mrs. Blackwell then started divorce proceedings and two months ago a decree was granted. No alimony was asked. Mrs. Blackwell was awarded their two children a girl, aged nine and boy aged two. Slade said that while the divorce case was pending Blackwell appeared at his home and beat his wife several times.
 Slade rented the house at 925 East Ninth street and was supporting his sister and her children. He said Blackwell promised his sister $1O a week providing she did not ask for alimony. Slade said Blackwell occa- sionally paid the grocery bill, but did nothing else for the family. Slade said he had even helped to buy Black wells clothing.
 Slade said that on several occa- sions he returned home and found his sister in tears and bruised and bleed ing from beatings she said Blackwell administered. The youth said he warned Blackwell to stop attacking his sister and that Blackwell threat ened to kill the entire family. The youth said he returned home about 10 o'clock last night and found hic Sictar h1aadipr fro,, bor ,,,o,,+b which was bruised and swollen. She said that Blackwell had been there and again beaten her. Slade said he walked to the front porch and from there saw Blackwell leaving a drug store near by. He said Black, well walked up to the house and standing on the sidewalk, abused and cursed his divorced wife. Slade said he warned Blackwell to stop and or. dered him to leave. He said Black well thrust his hand inside his shirt and said
 "l'l blow you in two if you step from the porch"
 '1 thought he had pistol" the boy said, "so l walked back to the bathroom, where I saw the hatchet lying in a corner. 1 put it in my pocket and started around the house
 My sister was sitting in the porch swing when l reached the front yard and Blackwell was in the yard. He looked at me a long time," Slade said. My sister arose and started to enter the house. Blackwell leap. ed on the porch and as she passed him he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back. With his other and he caught hold of the two-year. old son, and demanded that she re. lease him, This my sister refused to do.
 Blackwell again started to curse her and when he grabbed her throat jumped to the porch and struck him on the head with the hatchet, He turned and started as if he was about to jump on me. l then struck him three or four more times as fast as l could, and he fell
 The youth then entered the house and called the police, asking them tc come for him. Then he returned to the porch where Blackwell was try ing to arise.
 "He was on his elbows, and 1 re- membered his threat to kill me-" said
 Slade. 'I also remembered his hold
 ing his hand to his bosom, and think
 ing he had a pistol l struck hin
 again He collapsed a second time
 Slade re-entered the house and ask
 ed the police to send an ambulance
 A Healy & Roth ambulance hurried to the scene and removed Blackwell to the City Hospital. Physicians early this Wednesday, morning were operating on Blackwell. Black well was still alive at 1;30. Before