Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1921-12-07
(From Mondays Daily

A sensational shooting affray took
place at the court house this morn
ing at II O'Clock when Wiley George,
of West Hunt street, fired three
shots from .38 caliber Colts re-
volver at Toney Mcdonald. The
episode took place on the stairway
leading from the corridor of the
building to the court room and was
staged during the preliminary or
ganization of the December term of
court which convened this morning.
No one was injured. Mr.. George
was locked UP in the county Jail to
await investigation by the grand
jury which is now in session. Mr.
George is fireman in the employee
of the Missouri Pacific railway.
The shooting was the outgrowth
Of justice Of the peace court pro-
ceeding on July 2Sth when Mr.. Nc
Donald was arraigned before Esq
A. B. Hays for a preliminary hear
ing upon charge of seduction. In
formation against the accused was
filed by Deputy Prosecuting At
torney John Batten based upon
statements filed with him by Mr.
George and wife in which were re-
cited alleged charges involving their
fourteen year old daughter, Rebecca
as leading witness. Statements made
by the girl resulted in the issuance
of warrant against Mr.. Mcdonald
and in the examining trial before Esq.
Hays he was held in $2,500.00 bond
to await the action of the grand
jury at the December term of court
Mr.. Mcdonald protests his inno-
cence of the charge preferred against
him, stoutly contending that he has
no connection with the incident
as charged in the warrant issued
through the justice of the peace
court. 1t is said he feels confident
of his ability to prove his innocence
of his connection with the affair.
Mr.. George, on the other hand
is said to be firm in his conviction
that the charge has been justly di-
developing with him. this morning
opened fire upon the accused.
A large number of persons were
near the scene when the shooting
began and it appears miraculous
out on the left side. Both died in
stantly.
Monroe and Ancy Burch are the
sons of the late John Burch, who
came to Drew county from Mississippi
pi over 35 years ago. Two other
sons also are living, Calvin, who re-
sides at Valley Junction, and Lee,
who lives in Louisiana. Mrs. Cor
nelia Burch, widow of John Burch,
is said to be living at Calvin's home.
Monroe and Ancy Burch were born
and reared in Drew county. The
former is said to have been the
more prosperous of any of his broth
ers. He owns a farm of over 400
acres, and is said to have consider
able money in Monticello bank.
The double murder has stirred up
the residents of the Valley Junction
community.
A request was made of citizens of
Monticello who attended the funeral
to have w f. Norrell, assistant pros
ecuting attorney, request Circuit
Judge Turner Butler of Warren TO
come to Monticello this week, sum-
mon a special grand jury, and in
sist on a speedy trial for Ancy
Burch.
Ancy Burch has given out no
statement since the killing. After
he shot his brother and nephew he
returned to his home, it is said, and
informed his brother, Calvin, of
what he had done. Then he took
his wife to neighbours home and
asked that she be looked after, as
she is expecting soon to become a
mother. Ancy Burch then came
into Valley Junction, stopped in a
barber shop, got a haircut and
shave. and was on his way to Month
cello to give himself up when Sher-
if Burns met him on the road and
placed him under arrest He has
requested Sheriff Burns not to let
anyone see him until he consults
an attorney. Up to last night he
had not requested the services of
any member of the local bar.