The Mena weekly star., 1921-05-05
TWO OFFICIALS
 LOSE THEIR JOBS
w. c. Benson, J. F., Convicted of Max ing Liquor, and F. z. Davis, Who Pleaded Guilty, Removed by Judge
 Steel--3 Cases to Next Court.

Two Big Fork officials were re- moved from office Friday afternoon by order of Judge J. S. Steel, as result of their conviction in the April term of circuit court The officials re- moved from public service were w. c. Benson, justice of the peace, and F. z. Davis, constable.
 The conviction of Squire Benson came shortly after the noon hour Fri day. The jury which heard the evil dence in his case deliberated from 4:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon until 9:30 at night, without reaching ver- dict. Their deliberations were re- stunned Friday morning and at 1:30 the twelve men returned to court and announced that they had found Squire Benson guilty as charged in the in- dictment and fixed his punishment at one year in the state penitentiary.
 Benson was charged with having made intoxicating liquors, the re- mains of an alleged still having been found near his home. Squire Benson stoutly maintained his innocence, but the chain of curcumstantial evidence Prosecuting Attorney Steel forged against the Big Fork man evidently convinced the men who passed judg- ment.
 Previously during the present term of court, F. z. Davis pleaded guilty to making liquor and vas given q sus- pended sentence. Davis was elected constable in the township last fall. A state law requires the removal of office of any officer convicted of crime, and Judge Steel's order is sued late Friday afternoon, was simply in accordance with this law.
 While the jury was deliberating over the fate of Squire Benson, an- other jury wag hearing the evidence for and against his stepson, R. H. Briscoe, and J. M. Williams, who had also been indicted for making liquor. The contention of the state was that the men had operated at the same still found near the Benson home. Both men were arrested by Federal Prohibition Enforcement Officer John T. Tisdale on the same Jay Benson was arrested There was little evil dence to connect Mfr. Williams with the still or the manufacture of li- quor, but he was known to have been working with both Briscoe and Ben son. A small quantity of moonshine liquor was found in Briscoe's posses sion and jugful at his home. accord ing to the prosecution, but there was no direct evidence he had been at the still destroyed near Benson's home.
 By agreement Briscoe and Williams were tried before the same jury, which was composed of J. s. Pollard, Ike Reed, r. J. Greiner, w. T. Whisen- hunt, c. s Rockwell, H. Gam, J. E. Wilkins, O. B. Heath, J. H. Hamil- ton, J. H. Naler, w. M. TomIinson and " ". A Barton
 Final arguments were made in tn Briscoe and Williams cases Friday afternoon
 Judge Steel is endeavoring to finish up the criminal docket this week and then hold an adjourned session late next month.
 The charge of selling liquor against James Pegram has been carried over to the next term of court. Thru a 1 on the part of the grand jury in making the indictment the original | charge against the former druggist | was squashed. The special grand jury did not re-indict him and the entire l matter has been referred to the next | term of court
 The cases of T. H. Daniels and Dr. | w. C. Vandiver on charges of selling l liquor have also been continued until | the next term of court.