The log cabin Democrat., 1922-01-20

| boy had no commission other than the request of Sheriff w. M. Brady to get one or both of the Johhsons If he could Smith had been in the woods i around there since Sunday and had had only three meals during the time.
 Mir Summers and the posse left searching the woods which contained no quarry went ahead and perfected plans which almost unfailingly would have brought Johnson from conceal ment. All friends and relatives known or suspected of aiding the pursued were to be detained and held until Johnson was in custody. Mr. Sum mers and Mr. King lad picked 25 men to carry on the final offensive, and had passed out the word that there would be no let up until their plan succeeded. Belief that Johnson sur rendered was partially based on a sus- picion that Will Bean was anxions to see the hunt succeed, for the reason that he himself might become involv- ed.
 Smith by experimenting Johnson and landing him in the penitentiary has met the terms of rewards offered for him. His statement to the Log Cabin Democrat is as follows:
 "I ask space in your paper to cor rect a misstatement sent to the Friday morning GoZette, under date of Con way, relative to the capture and ar rest of Tom Johnson on Thursday bv myself. The facts are as follows:
 "Wednesday night I was at the home of J. s. Keathley, four miles north west of Mt Vernon, and there I learn ed that Johnson was ready to give up if he would be protected from anyl mob. It was said that he preferred being taken to Little Rock instead cfI Conway. I also heard that his son, Claude, knew where his father was hiding, and at once hunted up Claude at his home on the Bean farm I told him that if he would take me to his father that would arrest him and take him to Little Rock to protect him from any mob and to be held for trial.
 "The sen told me he did not know where his father was, but would tryl to find him. Fearing he would double cross me, I watched his house until late that night. Then I returned to keathley's and sat up until about ll on Thursday morning, when 1 again went to Claud's house, picking up Will Bean on the way. I soon saw Claude leave the house ard I trailed him for over one mile to the East Cadron, where he crossed a footlog, the only crossing in that neighborhood
 q hid in the brush and Bean was on watch about 100 yards away. hour after crossing the footlog, when l discovered him returning with his father, who was quite a distance be- hind his son. Upon reaching the bank Claude turned west and his father fell 1 into the water just before reaching the bank. Tom Johnson scrambled out and turned east, coming direct to ! the place where I was hiding, not knowing l was in the neighborhood.
 When within about 20 feet from me, stepped out and with my gun on him said, Johnson, throw up your hands, which he did, and I shouted to Bean to come up and search him for a gun, but he found none on him.
 'I gathered brush and made fire to dry Johnson's clothes as it was very cold Then I directed Bean to. go and get the car, which was at Keathley's, and Keathley took the car and drove to Mt. Vernon for gasoline. In the meantime Bean and Claude Johnson l returned to where I was holding Tom Johnson. We then took Johnson to Holman's hause, where the car was to meet us.
 "We drove to Mt. Vernon thence around by Naylor to within a mile of Conway, and then hit the pike and drove to Little Rock, reaching there about 2:30 Thursday afternoon, and turned him over to the Pulaski coun- ty officials for safety.
 "l was entirely alone in making this capture and arrest, although had been working with Deputies Summers and King, but did not know where they were when I got the tip as to Johnson wanting to surrender, and simply to effect his capture and avoid danger in delay I had to act quickly and alone with the result that I found Tom Johnson and he is now in the state penitentiary awaiting trial.
 T also want to correct the state ment that Postmaster c. E. Owen started fund with s5 subscription for my benefit. It was voluntarily done by my friends among the postof- flee employees, and the postal employees told me that they felt I deserved their gift for risking my life and enduring hardships in bad weather to run down Tom Johnson"