Dreadful Orgies Among the Colored People - Superstitions and Ceremonies of the Conjurers

A Negro Conjurer Places a Boy Under the Spell - He Robs a Grave and Mutilates a Female Corpse.
A few days since we published brief particulars of a certain negro hyena, grave-robber and conjurer of Lincoln County. Our special correspondent, "Caduceus," furnishes us the following additional particulars:

The quiet and law-abiding citizens of Lincoln county were somewhat startled at the present term of the circuit court, by the arrest of a Methodist preacher and conjurer. The conjurer was tried on the charge of digging into a grave and cutting off two fingers from the hand of a colored woman. The Reverend Conjurer and his accomplice were interview by our informant. He gave his name as Frederick Gillmer, and is of a very brutal appearance. His complexion is of a dirty black hue, his forehead low and receding, nose broad and hooked, lips thick and sensual, large mouth and teeth, muddy-looking eyes, and altogether presents a most repulsive aspect. His accomplice has a rather brighter skin, keen, black, wolfish eyes, aquiline nose, broad mouth and round head and is reported to be a nephew of the conjurer. As is usual, the conjurer is not much disposed to talk with white men, but a colored man managed to obtain his story about as follows:

Frederick Gillmer was hard up, and thought he had worked all his life for white men, and in return would get something out of them. About the 14th of April a traveling negro conjurer told him if he would go to the graveyard on a certain rainy night and cut two fingers from the remains of a certain colored woman, and add to it the following named articles: three pieces of load-stone, a piece of cow-horn (burnt to a crisp), some silver, money, a piece of a negro's heel, tobacco, red pepper, barnboo, briar root, negro's wool, dauber's nest, one needle, piece of mistletoe, snake root, wild plum root, red flannel, grave clay, the blood of a black cat and the feather of a black chicken; boil the mass together for some time, take some lard, grease the fingers, wrap them in red flannel, and at any time he deemed best, he could, by lighting the fingers, rob stores and residences with impunity. The conjurer said no one except himself could see by the light of the fingers. He believed that whenever he entered a building where there was money he would be apprised of it by some peculiar motion from the fingers. The ashes of the man were to be sprinkled on the floor, stupefying the inmates, who would go into a trance, leaving everything at their disposal. The conjurer attributes this failure to either of two causes; They got the wrong fingers or the boy neglected to carry them in his pocket, as on the day of their arrest he had left one of them under his pillow. The discovery of the fiendish criminal was brought about in this manner: A colored man visited the conjurer's house to purchase garden seed. While he was there, the conjurer's wife, desiring to give a sick child some camphor, found a mysterious substance in the bottom of the bottle and declined giving it. While searching for a rag she found one of the fingers wrapped in a piece of red flannel under the pillow. She sent for a magistrate, and the parties were arrested and humbugs exploded. One finger was found in his pocket. He said he put the stuff in the bottle to make his wife love him, and would have accomplished his object if she had used it. The old man has full control over his accomplice, who is a mere lad. Both sing, talk and pray and worship the devil, or Obi, the serpent. The boy says he cannot help himself, and is bound to do whatever the conjurer tells him. These men were tried, but there being no law to punish this class of criminals, they were discharged. There are at present time very few conjurers, except native Africans, who make their professions pay, even among the most superstitious negroes, and they are rapidly passing away. The negroes are very superstitious, and many at this date carry load-stones in their pockets, drink salt and water once a month, and sprinkle salt and sulphur about their doors at certain times of the moon to keep off conjurers. There are many professional imposters among the negroes and even at the present time in the interior of Arkansas and Louisiana one can witness the orgies at midnight of the Obi, and behold the coronation once a year of a nearly nude colored female, the Voodoo queen: see the black cat, black serpent and black chicken cast into a pot of boiling water, the broth being tasted by each member of the order. Among these ignorant people the juice of the calalue, a narcotic poison, is not a little in use. It causes a profound sleep, or trance, sometimes lasting thirty-six hours, followed by an indescribable frenzy - a feeling that they are being pursued and hunted night and day. Cases of this kind have repeatedly baffled medical men, and been instantly cured by a negro conjurer.

News has just reached this place that Mr. Jim Watson, a well-known citizen of Lincoln county, was dangerously cut a few days ago by a negro. It seems that Watson was whipping a negro woman at which a negro man became offended and took the woman's part. A fight ensued the result of which was a dangerous cut in the abdomen for Watson.

The merchants are busy receiving cotton and returning mortgages which the farmers of this county have given.

An attempt was made by the prisoners in the county jail to escape last Wednesday night, but their steady "thump, thump" on the prison bars was heard by Mr. W.W. Hylton and reported to Deputy Sheriff Russ. On examination it was found that two desperate negroes, who were shackled, had torn a bar from the window and broke their chains. After doing this, work was resumed at the window and had not the dawn of day appeared they would have escaped. A guard is now around the jail while it is being made stronger and the prisoners more secure.

County Court met Monday morning and transacted some important business, a part of which was to appropriate $3300 for bridge building and jail improvements.

The Converse Railroad company has men prospecting a new route from Pine Bluff via Star City to Monroe, La. If the route now under consideration is chosen it will be of greater benefit to the cotton growing district in this county.

Two new bridges will be built. One over Bayou Bartholomew on the Toronto and Star City road, the other over Deep Bayou at some point not yet selected. These bridges have long been needed by the people passing between the bottoms and the hills.

The cotton pickers on Dr. J.G. Simmons' Smith place, had a general head-mauling Sunday. Two of them, Anderson Simmons and Gid Perry have been arrested and placed under bond. The remaining two, Jack Thompson and Ed Carson are at liberty. The parties are all colored and whisky was the cause.

Justice G.M. Ford was kept busy last Saturday morning administering justice to several belligerent gentlemen.

The writer paid a visit to Yorktown, this county, and was told by an extensive cotton planter of that section that the yield will be greater there this year than last. The puff, puff, puff of Dyer's gin speaks the same for the community. The cotton crop in the hilly portion of the county will fall short of what it was last year. Some of the bottom farms will be greater.

The contract for building the bridge across Bayou Bartholomew has been awarded to Col. EcIntyre. The bridge is to be built on the Star City and Toronto road, at the earliest possible date.

A report came to town this evening stating that a negro man was badly injured near Yorktown, by a falling bale of cotton from Dyer's gin-house.

Rev. L. Quinn, Mrs. E.S. Ellis and her charming daughter, Miss Kittie, departed for Morrilton this morning to attend the Arkansas Baptist State convention. They will take in the Exposition before they return.

Star City was visited Sunday by Mr. Craw, the owner of the Pine Bluff and Swan Lake railroad, who was prospecting in the interest of the same with an eye to running his line near this point. If the road is built across from Cummins, or near that point to Monticello, and the Converse road down Bayou Bartholomew from Pine Bluff, a junction will be formed at Star City, making it a point of some commercial importance and as good a cotton market as the state can afford. Some of the citizens are hopeful, but others are not and think neither road will touch this place.

Mr. W.L. Owenton (sic) was attacked last Monday night by some ferocious animal from the forest. He was returning from his daily work and when near his boarding-house, the animal came from ambush, and had not a friendly revolver interposed, harm might have been done. He is not certain whether it was a wildcat or catamount.

Forest fires are doing great damage in this section. The fencing around several plantations has been destroyed and a few houses burned. The large saw-mill belonging to Dr. J.G. Simmons was saved by extraordinary exertion on the part of the mill hands, and the gin and mill belonging to Mr. J.M. Meroney came near falling a prey to the flames also. The smoke has been so dense as to almost ruin one's eyes, and the sun has not shown for a week.

G.W. Williams, alias J.W. Brown, who is remembered by the citizens of this vicinity as the bogus school teacher who forged some school warrants and sold them to Mr. W.Z. Tankersly last spring, was arrested and brought to town last Friday. He denies ever seeing the party whom he defrauded, but the proof is plain. Several school warrants were found in his possession, and a check on the Citizen's bank of Pine Bluff with Col. A.W. Boyd's name signed thereto. He admits that he filled and signed the check himself, by will not give his reason for so doing. He was removed to jail to await examination before Justice of the Peace J.M. Ford.

Monticello, Sept 14 - The annual camp meeting at Mt. Pleasant, or the Old Camp Ground, the latter appellation by which it is generally known, by reason of its being the first place where a camp meeting was held in this portion of the State, that being in the fall of 1847, commenced on the 6th, with an unusually large concourse of people from this and adjoining counties, which by Sunday had swelled into the thousands. Among the visiting strangers we noticed J.L. Mills, of STAR CITY, escorting a bevy of beautiful girls, ten in number. Conspicuous among that number from her beauty and grace, was Miss May Hudson, of Pine Bluff.

Monticello, June 1 - A lamentable tragedy occurred in the northern portion of this county about 8 o'clock this morning, wherein John A. Cameron shot and killed one David Yarborough, who lived in the adjoining county of Lincoln. The difficulty originated in Yarborough's persistent attention to the daughter of Cameron, after being forbidden. About a week ago Cameron severely whipped his daughter for clandestinely meeting Yarborough, after which she left home and no trace of her could be found. A warrant was served on Yarborough yesterday, and he produced the girl and admitted having harbored her since her departure from home. He is a widower, with no one living with him but his two small children. This so incensed Cameron that he went in pursuit of Yarborough, and on meeting him, riddled him with buckshot. The Cameron family are highly respectable, and the affair is universally regretted. (to see the outcome go to the Monticelloian paper on this site)

Star City, May 6 - The mail route from Pine Bluff to Star City has been ordered discontinued on and after July 1, and a new route to be established between Star City and Toronto, a station on the railroad between Pine Bluff and Arkansas City. Such change will give the people of Star City the Little Rock dailies the same day they are mailed, and all mail that comes down the Iron Mountain Road for Star City will be twenty-four hours earlier than now. It is what Star City has long needed, and will save the Post Office Department about $200 per annum.

Star City, May 6 - Dr. W.W. Wilson has been in Drew County this week on a professional trip. I hear that his profession will soon call him to Reedville.

Lincoln Co., May 31 - Mrs. E.V. Hellums received the sad news today that her father, Mr. Hawk, of Pine Bluff, cannot live but a few hours. He is near 70 years. She has gone to be with him in his last moments.

Star City, May 7 - Mr. J.M. Hawk, of Pine Bluff, late of Star City, was buried in Holly Springs Cemetery today.

Charlie, the son of Mr. Pete Spain, was bitten by a wolfish looking dog in Monticello, who showed signs of rabies. Charlie was taken by his father, who made the arrangements, to Tyro, Lincoln county, to try the efficacy of the "Mad Stone."

Pine Bluff, August 27 - In Circuit Court at Varner Saturday the case of State vs. William R. Stephens was ended. Stephens was tried for manslaughter, found guilty and sentenced to the Penitentiary for four years. Last December he murdered a neighbor named Willis Stout, in Lincoln County. Stephens is a cousin of Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia, and a nephew of C. M. Neel, Jr., this county.

Supreme Court News - Case No. 2930. Nathan Stewart vs. R.C. McBryde et al.; appeal from Lincoln Circuit Court; supersedes quashed by consent and thirty days to file new bond.

Pine Bluff, Feb. 18 - Somewhat of a sensation was cause here yesterday when it became known that a supposed illigitimate child had been discovered in the possession of an old colored woman in the suburbs of the city. The particulars, as near as could be gotten, are these: On last Monday morning a well-known citizen of Lincoln County, whose name is withheld, approached the house of an old negro woman named Mary Hampton. He had with him a basket filled with something and covered with a newspaper. He gave it to the old woman, who investigated and found it to contain a twenty-four hour old baby boy. The gentleman gave some money to the woman and left. The woman was to keep the thing quiet, but the whole thing leaked out late Saturday night, when the officers were notified. An investigation proved that the newspaper was a "Little Rock Press," of the 7th inst., and on it was the name of the gentleman, who had charge of the basket, and gave it to the woman. The mother of the child is said to be a young lady of Lincoln County, well known in this city. The matter is being investigated and something startling is expected.

Pine Bluff, April 20 - On next Tuesday, the 23d, William Owen, colored, will "stretch hemp": at Varner. On April 23, 1894, Owens most brutally killed his wife with a hoe, while they were at work on a plantation, near Nobles Lake. It is for this crime that he will hang.

Monticello: Mr. Daniel Chance of Lincoln county, was in this city one day last week. Mr. Chance is about 75 years old and was a resident of Drew county in 1842. He is hale and hearty and stands high among Lincoln's foremost and influential citizens.

Supreme Court News. Case No. 2632 - Joseph Jarrett vs. Susan K. Forrest et al.; appeal from Lincoln circuit court; affirmed orally by Mr. Justice Hughes.

Little Rock - Mr. A.H. Talbert returned last evening from Star City, accompanied by his bride. He was wedded yesterday morning to Miss Emma Atkinson, a charming and accomplished young lady of that place. Mr. Herman Tobey was present at the wedding, acting as the groom's best man. Mr. and Mrs. Talbert will be cordially welcomed to the City of Roses by hosts of friends.

Pine Bluff, - About a week ago Arthur E. Rowell, a son of Dr. Rowell, a practicing physician in Tyro, was married to Miss Nettie Campbell in this city. Since the marriage the couple have boarded at Hotel Thompson, and apparently were happy. At a late hour Saturday night Rowell went to the hotel in a drunken condition. After abusing his wife for some time he drew a pistol and fired three times at her, but fortunately all the shots went wide of their mark. Friends interfered, but they were treated in the same manner. Finally he grabbed his wife and pushed her down a flight of stairs, severely injuring her. At first it was thought she was internally injured and could not recover, but later it was discovered that her injuries were not so severe. Rowell made his escape, but was soon apprehended.

Star City - Circuit Court for this the Star City district has been in session all the week, Hon. Jno. M. Elliott presiding with Prosecuting Attorney Smith C. Martin looking after the state's interest. Quite a number of visiting attorneys were present. A number of important cases were disposed of. Jno. Foreman was sentenced for stealing a mule.

Little Rock- The governor yesterday pardoned Madison, Reams, colored, of Lincoln county, who was in 1888 convicted of murder in the second degree and sent to the penitentiary.

Pine Bluff - Jim Lindsey, a negro, charged with the murder of his wife and a deputy sheriff at Varner, Lincoln county, about two years ago, was captured yesterday at Surrounded Hill by Deputy Sheriff A. F. McNeil of Pine Bluff, who lodged him in the county jail last night for safe keeping. A reward of $200 was offered by the governor at the time of Lindsey's capture. The prisoner will be conveyed to Varner today, where he will be brought to trial. McNeil took two negroes with him to Surrounded Hill to identify Lindsey. He is a burly six-footer, with a nick in his left ear, weighing about 180 pounds. Lindsey denies that he is the right man, but seemed, well acquainted with the facts of the murder.

Pine Bluff - Mr. H. Hunter Atkinson, who formerly lived in this city and Little Rock, died yesterday in Macon, Miss., after a brief illness. The remains will be buried in Star City, the home of Mr. Atkinson. A wife and child survive him.

Garnett, Ark., Sept. 2 - The Lincoln County Teachers' Lyceum met in Star City on last Saturday at 2 o'clock p.m. with a very interesting program, as follows:
Address of Welcome - H.R. Lucas, attorney
"The Normal" - W.M. Jones, principal
Primary Reading - Miss May Fee Knox
"Profession of Teaching" - Miss Ida Hunter
"Hygiene in the School" - Miss Ida Higginson.

At night -
"Patriotism" oration - O.O. Wamble
"A Historic Review," oration - F.K. Lymen
"Beauties of Nature," essay - Miss Ella Lucas, Miss Lulu Adams.
"Discipline in Citizenship" - Ed. L. Lucas, editor
"Wit and Wisdom" - Miss Ella Wilson
Recitation, "Launching the Ship" - Mrs. E.M. Atkinson.

Music by local talent during the night session. The session at night was well attended by the public as well as by the teachers, and it is to be inferred that much interest is being taken in educational affairs. Mr. Henry G. Boyle read an outline for graded country schools and discussed the matter, and urged with much earnestness and zeal that it might be adopted by the country teachers and introduced in the schools. Mr. J.H. Reynolds, of Orin, Ark., also urged the same. The measure brought out a very animated discussion. Mr. Boyle made an eloquent appeal on behalf of humanity and the educational interests of the country He also spoke of the "Peace Mission" and of the Froebel Society and of the Arkansas kindergarten movement. These things are coming to stay, and the public and the profession are beginning to realize the fact it is better to fall into the line of progress than be overwhelmed by the irresistible forces at work. The next meeting will be held at Tyro on the third Saturday in September, and a larger attendance is expected. There are about twenty-five teachers attached to the lyceum. Mr. Boyle's name was offered for membership by Mr. Ed L. Lucas, and, being vouched for, he was elected to membership.

Relfs Bluff, July 16 - The Lincoln county old solders reunion and barbecue will be held two miles north of this place July 22, 1903.

Lincoln Co., July 20 - James J. White, aged 42, one of the best known citizens of Lincoln county, died at his home at Yorktown, Saturday night and was buried there yesterday afternoon. Surviving relatives are a wife, daughter and several sisters. Among the latter are Mrs. Ross of Arkansas City, Mrs. Quindley of Yorktown, Mrs. Bankston of Walnut Lake, Mrs. Dr. Holmes of Linwood and Mrs. McCarty of Texas.

Grady, July 22 - A large and commodious gin plant will be put in at this place in the next few months. The enterprise is being backed by Hellums & Co. The material for the foundation is on the ground and part of the framing timbers. This enterprising firm will put in the Gullett system at perhaps a cost of three or four thousand dollars. It will be complete in all its details, and be quite an addition to this thriving little town.

A most complete sawmill plant has been lately put in at this place, excellently equipped for sawing hard and soft woods. The manager, J. Paul, is a practical sawmill man, and is cutting some fine oak lumber out of the splendid trees which abound in this section. Mr. Paul owns a cypress break one and a half miles from his mill, which he is getting out rapidly, and will have on the ground soon a large run of logs of both oak and cypress.

Pine Bluff - Will Mason, a white man living at Varner, was brought to this city Sunday afternoon by Deputy Constable John Shannon, to whom he had given himself up for the shooting of Clint Smith, another white man of Varner. Mr. Shannon took his prisoner to Prosecuting Attorney W. D. Jones, who talked with Mason, and then told the constable to take his prisoner back to Varner for a preliminary trial before a justice of the peace. Mason will be given a trial this afternoon and probably released on bond to await the action of the grand jury. According to the accounts of the shooting given by Mason, Clint Smith came to his home in the afternoon and picked a quarrel with him. The two men had some trouble before over certain statements made to Mason's wife by Smith, which Mason alleges were false. Not satisfied with trying to cause Mason domestic troubles, it is alleged, Smith went to Mason's house and picked a quarrel. Mason says that Smith whipped him and beat him up considerably. The men fought with their fists. After he had fought until he was tired, Smith walked toward the gate. When he reached the gate, he turned and started back, Mason says, saying at the same time

"I don't believe I have given you enough." Mason says he warned the man not to come back, but that Smith came on up toward the walk. Mason ran into the house and, and seizing a pistol, opened fire. The ball struck Smith in the abdomen and there was no more fight in him. The wounded man was taken to his home and a physician summoned. At last reports he was still alive, but in a critical condition. Mason then walked to Tamo and took the train for Grady, where he gave himself up to Mr. Shannon, who brought him to Pine Bluff. Mason talked freely about the occurrence, saying that he regretted the affair, but could do nothing else. Smith had assaulted him at his own home.

Star City - County and Circuit Clerk H. D. Palmer has informed Capt. R. R. Rice, the governor's appointee, that the office of clerk will not be relinquished by him unless the supreme court declares valid the constitutional amendment empowering the governor to fill vacancies by appointments. Mr. Palmer will follow the advice of Attorney General Murphy, who, holding that the constitutional amendment was not legally adopted, counsels that the governor is not authorized to exercise the appointing power, hence that Palmer is entitled to hold the office as clerk until his successor is elected and qualifies. It will be remembered that B. A. Meroney was elected clerk in September, but died before the time came for taking the oath of office. Mr. Palmer was elected in September, 1902, and his term would have expired October 31 last if his successor had lived. When Capt. Rice, with a commission from the governor, sought to take charge of the office, he was told by Mr. Palmer that the place would not be surrendered unless the appointing power of the governor be confirmed by the supreme court. Capt. Rice will institute quo warrant proceedings against Palmer and the question concerning the validity of the constitutional amendment will then come before the courts.

F.A. Carey, 58, died a few days ago at Start City from heart trouble. His death was sudden and unexpected.

Jordan Irwin of Tyro died at his home a few days ago.

Lincoln County: A man named Ed Linders was found frozen to death near his home in Wells Bayou township, Lincoln County, a few days ago.

Lincoln County: Circuit Clerk H.D. Palmer of Lincoln county was called to Mississippi lately by the death of his mother.

State Deaths, Lincoln County: J.K. White died November 8 at his home near Star City.

Star City - In his charge to the Grand Jury of Lincoln county at the opening of court at Star City last week, Judge A. B. Grace gave his usual clear and concise charge to the Grand Jury, especially calling attention to the pistol "toter," saying that not one time out of a thousand has a man any use for a pistol, and that a great majority of murders are caused by people have a "gun" in their pockets. He said it ought to be a felony to carry a pistol.

Star City - Married at Star City: Verdue Ratterree and Miss Lizzie Allen; Thomas McFalls and Miss Bertie McEntire.

Monticello: Gen. J. F. Wright, commanding the Second brigade, Arkansas division, United Confederate Veterans, has announced the following as his complete official staff, appointing also Miss Myrtle Brown of Monticello as sponsor and Miss Clara Tool of Monticello maid of honor on the occasion of the reunion in New Orleans in April.

Lieut. Col. W. A. Brown, adjutant general and chief of staff, Monticello; assistant adjutant generals, Maj. M. B. Garrison, Warren and Maj. B. W. Johnson, Camden.

Lieut. Col. J. R. Thornton, inspector general, Camden; assistant inspector generals, Major J. G. McMahon, Camden and Maj. W. E. McRae, Camden.

Lieut. Col. I. E. Morgan, chief quartermaster, Monticello; assistant quartermasters, Maj. Robert J. Lowden, Lake Village and Maj. W. D. Jorden, Wilmar.

Lieut. Col. A. L. Morgan, commissary general, Camden; assistant commissary generals, Maj. F. M. Bordeaux, Monticello and Maj. G. W. McVay, Monticello.

Lieut. Col. W. F. Slemmons, judge advocate, Monticello; assistant judge advocate, Maj. W. A. Roby, Hamburg.

Lieut. Col. H. H. Lindsey, chief surgeon, Hamburg; assistant surgeons, Maj. J. B. Shaw, Sheridan, and Maj. S. G. Robertson, Monticello.

Lieut. Col. W. F. McCombs, chief of artillery, Hamburg; assistant chiefs of artillery, Maj. F. W. Ramsey, Hamburg, and Maj. Mark Noble, Hamburg.

Lieut. Col. Sam R. Cobb, chief of ordnance, Sheridan; assistant chiefs of ordnance, Maj. J. H. Pryor, Hamburg, and Maj. W. J. Nixon, Sheridan.

Lieut. Col. John Knox, chief engineer, Relf's Bluff; assistant engineers, Maj. W. D. Roddy, Monticello, and Maj. W. D. Rodgers, Monticello.

Lieut. Col. R. M. Knox, cheif paymaster, Pine Bluff; assistant paymasters, Maj. W. H. Lyle, Garnett, and Maj. W. H. Isom, Selma.

Lieut. Col. N. C. Denson, chief chaplain, Dermott; assistant chaplain, Maj. W. M. Hays, Monticello.

Aides: Capt. James Culp, Bearden, Capt. J. A. Simpson, Hamburg, Capt. E. A. Scott, Hamburg, Capt. Tom Stilwell, Hamburg, Capt. R. A. Pugh, Portland, Capt. Monroe Jones, Monticello, Capt. R. C. Knox, Monticello, Capt. T. A. Goodwin, Locust Bayou, Capt. W. T. Lawson, Monticello, Capt. Wm. M. Robertson, Monticello, Capt. E. Curry, Monticello.

The Lincoln County Singing convention will be held at Star City July 14. A splendid program has been arranged for the occasion. Among those who will participate are: Miss Bertie Stewart, F. E. Grumbles, M. M. West, J. L. Tucker, Miss Ora Newton, S. B. Owen, R. G. Reid and the classes from Newton's chapel, Hickory Grove, Holly Grove and Bethleham.

Dumas: Deputy United States Marshal Guy W. Caron of Little Rock came in last night from Tyro, Lincoln county, bringing with him William Collins, under arrest charged with interfering with a homesteader. Collins is a negro who is "squatting" on 160 acres of government land five miles south of Tyro in the southern part of Lincoln county. He has lived there more than three years, and has a house, outbuildings and fences built, considerable land cleared, but has never filed on the land as is required by law. About a month ago Joe Williams, also a negro, made the proper entry at the United States Land Office, and paid the required fee. When he went to Collins, however, the latter refused to vacate and continued on the place, threatening Williams with suit for trespass, and declaring he would not vacate till forced to do so by the law.

Star City, Aug 10 - The Woodman camp of this place will give a picnic at the Old Soldiers' Reunion grounds, about two miles from Star City, August 17. Considerable interest is manifested in the event. Hon. Joe T. Robinson of Lonoke will be the principal speaker.

Star City, Aug. 13 - The Lincoln County Enterprise, which has been published at this place for the past five years, was bought today by the Lincoln Ledger. Judge H.R. Lucas is the editor and proprietor of the Ledger, and hereafter this will be the only paper published in the county.

Star City, Aug. 13 - Work on the new dormitory for Friendship Normal Academy, located at this place, is progressing. Contractor R.G. Reid has the work in charge and hopes to complete it by the first of October. The building will cost about $4,000, and will accommodate practically all the boarding students.

Grady, Jan. 8 - A mass meeting held here yesterday resulted in the organization of the Cypress Creek Drainage district, and if the legislative aid to be asked is secured all that part of Lincoln county between the Iron Mountain railroad and the Arkansas river will be drained. Judge G.H. Joslyn presided over the meeting and W.R. Kirby of Varner acted as secretary. Judge H.D. Palmer, Judge G.H. Joslyn and W.R. Kirby were appointed a committee to wait on the legislature to ask that a special bill be passed giving the district permission to organize and granting it the right to issue bonds to cover the cost of the proposed work. If the district is formed it is purposed to open Cypress creek by widening and dredging the stream, beginning at the Jefferson county line, and extending through the county to the Desha county line, a distance of 12 miles. It is estimated that 60,000 acres of land would be directly benefited.

Grady, Nov. 8 - J. H. Lowe, aged 22, died at his father's home, one mile south of Grady, at 8 o'clock Sunday night. He leaves a father, mother and three sisters. Funeral services were held at the home at 2:30 this afternoon.

Star City, Jan. 5 - At the regular meeting of the County Court at this place yesterday, nine applications for liquor license were granted by the county judge. During the present year saloons will be permitted at Grady, Varner, Gould, Douglass, South Bend, Silver Lake and Woodville, all in the bottom section of Lincoln county.

Star City, - Deputy Sheriffs Dixon and Meroney yesterday arrested Jack Thompson, who shot and it is reported fatally wounded, Will Young on the Meroney place about seven miles east of this place. Thompson was placed in the county jail. Thompson and Young are negroes and got into the difficulty last Saturday, in which Thompson was severely wounded with a knife before firing the fatal shot.

16, township 9 north, range 7 west was sold in 40 and 80 acre tracts to citizens in and about Star City.

October 10, 1907, Star City - A surprise wedding took place here when Claud Norton and Miss Ivy Ingram drove to the Methodist parsonage and were united in marriage by Rev. Mr. Herron. Mr. Norton is deputy sheriff of this county and his bride is the daughter of Tom Ingram, surveyor of Lincoln county. Mr. and Mrs. Norton left immediately for Hot Springs to attend the State Fair.

Mrs. Mary Collins, aged 80, near Star City.
Miss Neva Hayes, aged 15, near Yorktown
Mrs. W.L. Tucker, near Feenyville

Pine Bluff - With a lighted match between his teeth, M.S. Hastings, a merchant of Tarry, Lincoln county, went into his store to investigate an acetylene gas plant. An explosion occurred, and Hastings is minus hair, eyebrows and moustache. In addition, he received burns that it will require several weeks to recover from. The plant was not working well. It is situated in the cellar of the store Mr. Hastings went down to see about it. Being dark in the cellar, he placed a lighted match between his teeth as he started down. As he reached the bottom, there was a loud report, and Mr. Hastings was blown flat on his back. Others in the store ran to his assistance and found him suffering from many ugly burns.

April 1, 1911
MANY ARKANSAS TOWNS SHAKEN BY EARTHQUAKE DISTINCT SHOCKS ARE EXPERIENCED IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Star City, Mar. 31 - A considerable tremor was felt here at 10:45 o'clock today, continuing only a few seconds. It was noticed by most everyone in town. It was felt considerably at Tarry, Yorktown and other places along the phone line.

Fordyce, Mar. 31 - Fordyce was severely shaken by an earthquake today about 11 o'clock. The disturbance lasted about 10 seconds and was so severe that people rushed from their business houses and homes for safety. So far as can been ascertained, no damage was done. A second shock occurred at 12:10, but was not as severe as the first. A continuous prayer service has been going on among the negroes all the afternoon.

Lake Village, Mar 31 - The earthquake shock was very distinct here about 11 o'clock this morning.

Pine Bluff, Mar. 31 - At 11 o'clock this morning two distinct earthquake shocks were felt here. The shocks were so severe that buildings rumbled and swayed, and hundreds of excited residents crowded the streets in a panic. Many of them feared to return to their houses, and in the downtown district the excitement was intense. Windows were broken in various parts of the city. At the Sixth Avenue school building, the walls of the building were cracked and plastering fell upon the pupils. In the new $100,000 high school building plastering fell from the ceiling of the big auditorium. The Sixth Avenue pupils were dismissed until the afternoon hour. Occupants of the court house thought the building was falling into the Arkansas River and ran out in numbers. Old residents say it was the most the most severe quake they had ever experienced. Some claim to have felt slight quakes at 10 a.m., and another slight quake was felt shortly after the noon hour.

Rison, Mar 31 - What is supposed to have been a severe earthquake shock was felt here this morning at 10:57, throwing the entire town into a panic. Men, women and children hurried out into the streets, thinking the houses were falling. All the clocks in town stopped, bottles were broken, flues toppled over and fell. Several brick buildings in town cracked a number of glass windows were broken. Three distinct shocks were felt.

Wilmar, Mar 31 - A severe earthquake was felt here at 10:55 o'clock this morning. The earth simply shook and the buildings rocked like ships on the sea. People, stricken with fright, rushed from the buildings, but all was over by then and so far no damage is reported.

Warren, Mar 31 - Wild excitement was caused in Warren by two earthquake shocks felt here this morning. The first occurred a few minutes after 11 o'clock, the second a few minutes after 12 o'clock. Both times, the shock caused the ringing of the bell in the courthouse and occupants of the building rushed forth in terror. In the public school building the stove pipes were thrown down by the shock and the children made a mad rush out of the building. Articles were knocked from the shelves of stores. After each shock the streets were filled with excited people.

A party of Confederate veterans met by chance at Star City recently and some of the old fellows began to boast of their state of preservation. Finally the boasting became bantering and a foot race between two of them, Rev. W.M. Newton and J.C. Knox, was arranged. The veterans showed a great burst of speed, which so excited the other present that a race between W.M. Crook and W.T. Drake was arranged. The old men's prowess as runners is the more remarkable because they forgot how to run from 1861 to 1865.

Mr. Neil Reynolds took unto himself a bride much his junior in age and with a pretty girl from Tennessee. He is now snuggly ensconced within his new home which is furnished near the Bowen place. We hope he and his beautiful bride may live a longtime and have peace, love, pleasures and happiness on this mundane sphere and when they come to press the dying pillow they each respectively receive for their reward in hearven a crown of righteousness. We will now leave the subject for a more able writer.--Glendale Correspondent of the Lincoln Ledger. (Gazette Ed. note: Let it alone. The case has been thoroughly covered).

Star City, Jan. 2 - J.M.C. Young died at his home about two miles east of this place. Mr. Young was ill only a few days. He leaves a wife, four sons and three daughters.

State Deaths:
Walter Carnett, near Star City
E.A. White, near Star City.

State Deaths:
Mrs. J.W. McPherson of Star City

Avery, Lincoln Co. - Avery and vicinity witnessed the sight of seeing Bob Edmonds the first of last week. He moved Alfred Spurgeon to Luton mill and lumber camp.

Rest, Lincoln Co. - While spraying his horse Sunday morning, Arvin Moran came near a serious accident, as the horse reared and struck at him hanging one foot in his trousers pocket, tearing it off and causing him to lose his purse and a small amount of money.

R. L. Boren and Miss Evelyn Owens were married at Star City.

Pine Bluff, Jan. 4 - County Judge J. F. Ligon of Lincoln county today granted petitions for the sale of liquor at six towns in Lincoln county, according to news received here tonight. The towns granted license are: Varner, Cades, Gould, Douglass, South Bend and Silver Lake. Anticipating favorable action on the petitions, saloonists at all six places have put in fixtures and stock and are prepared to open in the morning.

State Deaths:
Mrs. A. L. Fullbright, near Relf's Bluff
Robert Ross, near Rest.

Pine Bluff, April 18 - The body of a negro with a rope around his neck was found about two and one half miles from Grady, Lincoln county, Monday afternoon, according to a report which reached here today. The large number of horse tracks around the place the body was found indicated that he had been lynched. Coroner Clyde Hellums of Lincoln county held an inquest and it was decided that the negro, whose name could not be learned, came to his death from strangulation at the hands of unknown persons. It is believed that the negro came from some of the levee camps along the Arkansas River to Lincoln County. The theory was advanced that he may have been lynched by members of his own race because he had been cheating the negroes at gambling.

State Marriages: Charley I. Rains and Miss Mathilda Burris, near Star City.

Pine Bluff - In the role of frustrator of the machinations of Cupid, Sheriff R.F. McGraw of Lincoln county was here yesterday en route to Clarksville, where he went to arrest a would-be bridegroom, Jim Cross, on a charge of perjury, and to escort an almost-bride, Miss Cordie Bowens, back to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Bowens. Both Cross' and Miss Bowens' people live near Mills, a settlement in Lincoln county, near Gould. Sheriff McGraw says that Mr. Bowens had sent his daughter to Cumberland College at Clarksville. When she came home for the holidays her old friend, Jim, pressed his suit so ardently that she was persuaded to go to the county clerk's office in Star City and get a license. Then the couple slipped off to Clarksville to get married. A violation of the law is supposed to have been perpetrated when Cross swore that Miss Bowens was 18 years old, while her parents say she is only 17. Sheriff McGraw's chief mission will be to prevent the marriage, in accordance with the Bowens' wishes. He admitted that there is a slim chance of getting any jury to convict Cross, in fact he wasn't sure that the prospective groom hadn't been told by his sweetheart that she was 18.

State Marriages: A.B. Talton and Miss Alein Hastings, at Grady.

State Deaths, Lincoln County: Alex Price, near Garnett Miss Ella Mulikin, near Feeneyville. J.W. Raley, near Star City.

Star City, Dec. 17 - Mrs. John C. Knox, aged 70, died Friday.

Reydel: - W.P. Baxter, who came here with his family a few weeks ago from Star City, and who was employed on the W.B. Powell plantation near here, became suddenly demented and was taken into custody yesterday. He has been acting strangely for several days, and yesterday created a disturbance and threatened several people with a revolver. He was over-powered and placed in jail.

State Deaths, Lincoln Co. - J.W. Carter, at Star City.
Lincoln Co. - Mrs. M.E. Adams, at Star City.

Lincoln Co.: A new diswasher took up her residence with Mr. and Mrs. Allie Glover on the Lord's day. Dr. Collins extended the glad hand of welcome. (Lincoln Ledger)

Pine Bluff, Jan. 16 - Nellie Hooker, aged 15 of Lincoln county, while trying to balance a half dollar on her nose last week, swallowed the coin, with the result that treatment in a Pine Bluff hospital was necessary to remove the coin. The operation was successful and the girl returned to her home completely recovered, and a great deal wiser.

Star City: The Ledger men were given some fudge candy the other day by Miss Clara Carter. It was nice and sweet, but not more so than the fair doner. (Lincoln Ledger)

Humboldt, Tenn., March 11 - Former State Senator A. J. Johnson of Star City, Ark., was married here this evening to Miss Winnie Cullen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Cullen of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson left soon after the ceremony for Star City. The bride is well known in Star City and Pine Bluff, having taught in the public schools at both places. Mr. Johnson is a young attorney of Star City.

Pine Bluff - Max Joslyn, oldest son of Judge G.H. Joslyn of Gould died today at the family home at Gould.

Little Rock - The body of Max A. Joslyn, aged 52, a planter of Gould, who died at his home Wednesday, will arrive here at 10:30 this morning will be taken to Roselawn cemetery by the Cook-Drummond-Overman Company for burial. This will be the first burial in the new cemetery. Mr. Joslyn is survived by his wife and one daughter.

Mrs. Ardelia Branyan, aged 46, wife of M.E. Branyan, Lincoln county, farmer died at her home at Glendale today. Besides her husband she is survived by two sons, A.A. Branyan and J.V. Branyan, and two daughters, Misses Mamie and Lillie Branyan.

Pine Bluff - R.E. Tarver, aged 50, died last night at his home at Star City. He is a son of H.H. Tarver of that place, and is survived by his wife and several children: one brother, J.W. Tarver of Pine Bluff, and three sisters, Mrs. T.D. Waters of Lincoln county, Mrs. W.M. McGehee and Mrs. Bertie Lucas of Pine Bluff.

Pine Bluff - Mrs. Nancy G. Sanders, aged 77, a former resident of Jefferson county, died Saturday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C.H. Lyman, at Star City. Besides her daughter she is survived by two sons, Gip and Rufe Sanders of California.

Mrs. N.E. Martin, aged 80, died Sunday. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Carrington of Pine Bluff, and Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. Bennett of Star City, and one son, John Martin of Crossett.

Pine Bluff - Mrs. H.H. Tarver, aged 77, died at her home at Star City yesterday. She is survived by her husband, Captain Tarver; one son, J.W. Tarver of Pine Bluff, and three daughters, Mrs. E.D. Waters of Yorktown, Mrs. B. Lucas and Mrs. Will M. McGehee of Pine Bluff.

Pine Bluff - Mrs. Mary W. McGriff, aged 47, wife of R.L. McGriff of Glendale, Lincoln county, died here this afternoon at a local hospital. Besides her husband she is survived by four children and one brother, E.A. Rush of Star City, and one sister, Mrs. Annie Adams of Grapevine.

Pine Bluff - Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jones, aged 48, died today at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joe Loddis of Grady. She is survived by two daughters and two sons of Bauxite.

Star City- Capt. H.H. Tarver, aged 74, died at his home here this morning. He is survived by a son, John Tarver of Pine Bluff; and three daughters, Mrs. T.D. Waters of Yorktown, Mrs. Lillie McGehee and Mrs. Birdie Lucas of Pine Bluff.

Little Rock - F.E. Leatherman, aged 52, a prominent stave manufacturer of Gould, Ark., died at a local hospital at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. He is survived by his wife; one son, D.V. Leatherman of Star City; one daughter, Mrs. Muriel Oldacker of Gould; his father, J.L.B. Leatherman of Harrod, Ohio; two brothers, W.T. Leatherman, Columbus, O., and Frank Leatherman of Lima, O.; three sisters, Mrs. F.H. Graham of Fairmont, W. Va.; Mrs. Arch Malcolm of Smithport, Pa., and Mrs. C.C. Biteman of Harrold, O. The body will be held at the parlors of P.H. Reubel & Co., until tomorrow morning, when it will be sent to Lima, O., for interment.

"All Over Arkansas"
Sunday was just another one of those days in Star City when the weather is just what California and Florida advertise, and have thousands of people from the chilblain zone visiting them to enjoy. It is said the good Lord especially looks after drunken men and children, and we believe also, idiots and newspaper men. Our woodpile is looking serene. This was put in type Tuesday when it was balmy and spring like, the birds twittering in the trees and all nature looked fine and dandy. But last night brought a cold wave down on us and all those pleasant feelings that usually accompany spring were off. All right, for into each heart some rain must fall - some days be dark and dreary. Yours truly is thankful he is living and enjoying good health and so many re-newing their subscription without being solicited. We hate to "dun" good people, and all our subscribers are good and will pay when they can. - Lincoln Ledger to the Gazette

Pine Bluff - As the result of a fire that destroyed a tent at a tie manufacturing colony five and one-half miles west of Grady early Wednesday morning, Jack Sutton, aged 4, is dead, and his sister, Aileen Sutton, aged 2, is so badly burned that physicians believe she cannot live. William (Buck) Sutton, father of the children, and his brother-in-law, J.R. Harris, suffered severe injuries in an effort to save the children. The fire was caused by coals of fire in a wood stove inside of the tent in which Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, the two children who were burned and a 3 month old baby were living. The mother and baby escaped. In the early part of the night, before the family had retired, coals fell from the stove and set fire to a piece of bagging on the floor of the tent. Sutton stamped the fire out and threw the bagging outside the tent. It is believed that during the night a high wind fanned the smouldering bagging into flames and blew it against the tent, setting it afire. The parents and Harris, sleeping on the other side of the tent awakened to find the tent in flames and rolled outside to safety, Mrs. Sutton with her baby in her arms. Sutton and Harris dashed back into the flaming tent and carried out the bed on which the two children were sleeping and were badly burned about the hand and arms. Sutton and Harris live in Little Rock, having come to the scene of the fire to cut railroad ties on a contract.

Pine Bluff - Aileen Sutton, the 2-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William (Buck) Sutton, who was burned in the fire that destroyed the tent in which the family were living near Grady early Wednesday, died late yesterday afternoon. Jack Sutton, aged 4, died Wednesday morning. The tent caught fire shortly after midnight while Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, their three children and J.R. Harris, brother of Mrs. Sutton, were asleep. The men were badly burned about the hands when they attempted to rescue the children.

Grady - G.W. Willey, aged 69, wealthy planter of Lincoln county, was shot and killed about 4 o'clock this afternoon by W.H. Taylor, aged 40, a farm hand. Taylor came here about two hours later and surrendered to Deputy Sheriff R.E. Hawley. He was taken to Star City and placed in jail. The trouble between the two men is said to have grown out of a dispute over a small sum Taylor claimed Willey owes him. Willey was en route to his home, riding in a buggy, and when he passed Taylor's home the latter is said to have stopped him. A quarrel soon followed, it is said, and Taylor ran into his house and procured an automatic shotgun. he fired only one shot, practically the entire charge striking Willey, who died within a few moments. Taylor's family witnessed the tragedy. Willey was one of the best known plantation owners in this section. His holdings consist of approximately 3,000 acres. He had lived on the plantation, known as Heckatoo, about 40 years. Taylor had been employed on Willey's farm about two months. Willey is survived by his wife, three sons, G.W., Jr., of Altheimer, Kimbrough of Memphis, and James, a student in Hendrix College at Conway, and one daughter, Miss Lena willey of Kansas City, Kan. Feb 13, 1922: Grady - W.H. Taylor, farm hand, who yesterday shot and killed G.W. Willey, well-known Lincoln county planter, is being held without bond in the Lincoln county jail at Star City. No date has been set for the preliminary hearing. Taylor was held last night at the home of Deputy Sheriff R.E. Hawley, to whom he had surrendered. It is said that there is a strong sentiment against Taylor in the neighborhood of the Willey plantation and it is believed that Taylor would have been lynched had he attempted to remain in the neighborhood last night. Two sons of Taylor are said to have become alarmed and to have left their home last night. Funeral services for Mr. Willey will be held tomorrow, with burial in Helena.

Star City - The Lincoln County Grand Jury this afternoon returned an indictment of first degree murder against W.H. Taylor, aged 40, farm tenant, who is charged with killing George W. Willey, aged 69, at his Heckatoo plantation Sunday afternoon. His trial has been set for Wednesday February 22. Eleven jurors had been secured at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the case of George Graves, former Pine Bluff officer charged with the murder of Isaac Hartley, planter of Altheimer, at Grady on the night of November 13. Graves is out on $15,000 bond.

Pine Bluff - A jury empaneled by Judge W.B. Sorrels in Lincoln county Circuit Court at Star City today decided that W.H. Taylor, white farm tenant, who shot and killed George W. Willey, a well known planter, on the latter's plantation at Heckatoo Sunday February 12, was sane. Thus Taylor will be forced to stand trial on a charge of first degree murder. The trial has been reset for Mar. 9. Taylor's attorney set up the plea when the case was called this morning that the defendant was insane. Judge Sorrels empaneled a jury of 12 to inquire into Taylor's sanity and following a visit to Taylor in his cell at the county jail they reported that it was their opinion the defendant was sane.

Pine Bluff - W.H. Taylor, farm tenant charged with the murder of his landlord, George W. Willey, several weeks ago, will be sent to the State Hospital for Nervous Diseases under orders issued this morning by Circuit Judge W.B. Sorrels, presiding over Lincoln Circuit Court at Star City. Taylor will be kept at the hospital indefinitely for observation. When deputy sheriffs went to the Star City jail this morning to escort the prisoner to the courthouse for trial, they found him frothing at the mouth. They also found that Taylor had gotten hold of a stick of wood and played havoc with the jail furniture. The officers reported to the court and Judge Sorrels summoned several Star City physicians to examine Taylor. They reported it was their belief that the prisoner is sane. However, the judge decided to postpone his case until the next term and to have Taylor observed. It is said today that Taylor procured two boxes of snuff and when he saw the officers approaching he emptied the contents into his mouth to cause him to froth.

Star City - J.W. Tucker Sr., aged 78, died Saturday. He was a pioneer of Lincoln county, settling here soon after the Civil war, of which he was a veteran. He is survived by four sons and three daughters.

Pine Bluff - Jules H. Hellums, aged 56, merchant and planter of Grady, died at his home there early this morning. He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, Mrs. Joe Lee McKennon of Dumas; a brother, Clyde Hellums of Grady, and four sisters, Mrs. George M. Wells, Mrs. F.C. Cross, Mrs. O.C. Blackwell of Pine Bluff and Mrs. C.P. Howson.

Pine Bluff - Mrs. Sarah Tucker, aged 90, resident of Palmyra, Lincoln county, died at her home this morning. She is survived by nine children, Sam Tucker of Pine Bluff, Mrs. Rogers of Palmyra, Nat Tucker of Oklahoma, Zach Tucker of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Ben and Ed Tucker of Seymour, Texas, Mrs. Womack of Grant county, Virgil Tucker of Palmyra and Mrs. Mattie Leslie of Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Pine Bluff, Sept. 11 - W.M. Broad, aged 72 of Cornersville died today in a local hospital. He is survived by four sons, J.B. and Howard Broad, Cornersville, and W.A. and Curtis Boyd, Little Rock; three daughters, Mrs. Clyde Lockhart of Little Rock, Mrs. Ruby Robinson and Mrs. Alma Robinson of Cornersville; a sister, Mrs. Mattie Meeks of Monticello.

Star City - W.M. Rogers, aged 40, died at the family home three miles east of here Sunday. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Pine Bluff - Thomas I. Steed, aged 67, well known resident of Star City, died at the home of his son, W.E. Steed, 1613 Main street yesterday. He is survived by his wife and five sons, W.E., F.G., I.H., T.J., and F.B. Steed, of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Mrs. D.I. Holloway and Miss Emma Steed; one brother, W.S. Steed, of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Mrs. J.E. Putman of Dallas, Mrs. D.B. Glover of Randall, and Mrs. W.J. Putman of Greenville, Miss.

Star City - Mrs. E.D. Donaldson, aged 70, of Star City, died last night at 7 o'clock. She is survived by her husband and several children.

Star City - Albert S. Rupe, aged 52, died yesterday at his home two miles wouth of Star City. He is survived by his wife, four son and four daughters.

Pine Bluff - Mrs. Mary F. Glover, aged 71, died yesterday at the home of her son, C.A. Tullos, 711 Texas street. She was born at Star City, where she lived for many years before coming to Pine Bluff. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Nora Tullos and Mrs. Nettie Green of Star City, and Mrs. Adam Thomas of Benton; two sons, Fate Wilkerson of Star City and will Wilkerson of Texarkana.

Pine Bluff, Jan. 21 - James Roup, two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Roup of Star City, died at the family home yesterday.

Star City, Feb. 26 - Thomas J. McFalls, aged 85, died here Saturday at the home of his son, J.A. McFalls.

He was a Confederate soldier and is survived by several children.

Star City, Feb. 10 - Mrs. M.E. Collins, aged 65, died at her home at Palmyra Friday. She is survived by three sons, R.A. Collins and E.N. Collins of Palmyra and W.Z. Collins of Fort Worth, Texas, and a daughter, Mrs. J.S. Thomasson.

Star City, March 10 - Mrs. Elizabeth Owen, aged 68, died at the home of her son, John Owen, near Garnett,

Sunday. She is survived by two sons, John of Garnett and (?) of Star City, Ark.

Star City, - Mrs. Mary E. Rupe, aged 51, died at her home here this morning. She is survived by the following children: Ray, Roy, Ellston, H.M., Edith, Mary and Mrs. C.C. Atkinson all of Star City and Mrs. Joe Reeves of England; her mother, Mrs. C.M. Fish; two brothers, R.L. Fish of Star City and S.E. Fish of Rest, and one sister, Mrs. H.A. Dixon. After funeral services at the Hickory Grove church, she will be buried in the Hickory Grove cemetery .

Star City, - J.F. Mullikin, aged 68, died suddenly at his home three miles north of Star City Saturday night as the result of a heart attack. He is survived by five daughters: Mrs. Mattie Bates of Star City, Mrs. Fannie Bates of Furth, Mrs. Jennie Riley of Pine Bluff, Mrs. Hattie Wood of Louann and Miss Ida Mullikin of Star City; and two sons, Willie Mullikin of Tulsa, Okla., and Gus Mullikin of Sherrill.

Star City, - W.T. Copeland, aged 74, died at the home of M. Russ north of town Thursday. He is survived by five children.

Star City - W.T. Drake, aged 80, retired farmer living here, died at his home this morning. Mr. Drake was a Confederate veteran and has lived here more than 30 years. He is survived by his wife.

Star City - Burns suffered when she fell into a dishpan of boiling water caused the death yesterday of the 2 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Donaldson, who live two miles south of here. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon with burial at the Holly Springs cemetery.

Star City - Mrs. Pearl Harrison, aged 42, died here Sunday at the home of her mother. She is survived by two sons and two daughters.

Star City - W.E. Rupe, aged 60, died at his home here Saturday night. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs. W.C. Grumbles, Jewell and Gene Rupe, and one son, Harvey Rupe, all of Pine Bluff.

Star City, Jan 11 - Joshua Freeman, negro, was accidentally shot and killed here Saturday morning by his mother. The youth is said to have been preparing to go hunting and his mother was handling the gun when it discharged. The charge struck the youth in the heart and killed him instantly.

Star City, Jan 24 - R.L. Saint, aged 73, died recently at his home south of here. He is survived by his wife, four sons, Lee, Henry, Major and Jim, all of Star City, and four daughters, Mrs. O.C. Whitten of Garnett, Mrs. J.C. Haddox of Rest, Mrs. E.C. McGregor of Yorktown and Mrs. Will Boyd of Little Rock.

Star City, Feb. 2 - Eli Grumbles, aged 74, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ben F. Owen, near Palmyra Saturday. He leaves six sons, J.R. and E.F. of Pine Bluff; J.F. and F.E. of Star City; L.T. of Texas and S.D. Grumbles of Kentucky, and five daughters, Mrs. W.E. Morrison, Mrs. V.B. Owen, Mrs. C.P. McBryde and Mrs. Ben F. Owen of Palmyra and Mrs. A.E. Nobles of Star City.

Star City, Feb. 12 - Frank Baker, negro, pleaded guilty yesterday in Lincoln Circuit Court to a second degree murder charge and was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. Baker was charge with the killing of Luther McCoy, another negro, January 1.

In Circuit Court today, George Jones, negro, pleaded guilty to a second degree murder charge and was given a sentence of 21 years in the penitentiary. Jones was charged with the killing of Jesephine Foster, negro woman, in May, 1919. He recently was arrested in Texas for the crime.

Star City, Mar. 6 - William H. Reeder, aged 74, died at the home of his son, H.C. Reeder, two miles north of town Thursday morning. He is survived by his wife, three sons, H.C. Reeder of Star City, Homer H. Reeder of Fort Gibson, Okla., and Norman Reeder of Murphysboro, Ill., and four daughters, Mrs. Emma Kirby and Mrs. Maude Chancy of Wauchula, Fla.., Mrs. Pearl Earhart, Memphis and Mrs. B.H. Phillips of Pine Bluff.

Pine Bluff, Mar 12 - Judge Alfred Wiley, the first county clerk of Lincoln county and one of the three surviving original settlers of Star City, the county seat, died at his home there this afternoon, according to word received here tonight. He also served three terms as county judge. He was a charter member and an elder in the Presbyterian church in Star City.

Star City, April 15 - James W. Boyles, aged 54, died at his home south of town Tuesday evening. He is survived by his wife. Mr. Boyles was a former county surveyor.

Star City, April 23 - Dan B. Hamilton, aged 68, died at his home south of Star City, Saturday night. He is survived by his wife and three daughters, Mrs. Lela Saint, Mrs. Lillie Scifres, and Mrs. Effie Carrington, all of Star City. Aug. 8, 1929

Star City, Aug 7 - Miss Grace Wilks, aged 15, died yesterday at the home of her sister, Mrs. Bodiford.

Star City, Aug 7 - Mrs. Clarence McLemore died at her home north of town Monday after a short illness. She was preparing her noonday meal and became ill. She was rushed to the hospital at Pine Bluff and died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Star City, May 11 - Hugh Thomas, aged 67, died at his home here recently. He is survived by his wife and four daughters.

Star City, May 31 - Two children of Willis Johnson, farmer, who lives several miles east of here, died last week, two days apart. One of the children succumbed after a brief illness Wednesday and the other died Friday.

Star City, July 9 - Mrs. E.J. Owen, aged 87, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. Whitten just South of town, yesterday afternoon. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Alice Whitten and Ruth Womack, and three sons, V.B. Owen of Rest; N.J. and H.F. Owen of Pine Bluff.

Star City, July 13 - J.W. Brockman, aged 73, former county judge of Lincoln county, died at his home here this morning. He is survived by his wife, three sons, E.W. of Pine Bluff, E.E. and E.G. of Meroney; one daughter, Miss Donna Brockman, Garnett; two sisters, Mrs. John M. Henley, Florence, and Mrs. T.W. Johnson, Star City; two brothers, H.C. of Penlope, Tex., and Curtis Brockman of Pine Bluff.

Star City, Nov 26 - Richard C. Johnson, aged 70, died at his home here recently. He is survived by his widow, three brothers and four sisters.

Star City, Dec. 20 - Glen Nobles, aged eight, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alma Nobles, died Saturday.

Pine Bluff, Oct. 1 - Rufus M. Adams, 62, died at his home here this morning. Mr. Adams was a resident of Lincoln county for many years, but several years ago, moved to Pine Bluff. He is survived by his wife; three sons, Don and Will, of Pine Bluff, and R.F. Adams.

Star City, Oct. 9 - Mrs. Emily Burr, aged 67, died at the home of her son, J.O. Burr, last night. She is survived by three sons, J.O. and C.E. Burr of Star City, and W.A. Burr of Garnett; three daughters, Mrs. Viola Thorneberry, Dumas; Margaret Shook, Glendale; and Mrs. Mattie Hamilton of Star City.

Grady - J.M. Owen, aged 84, retired sawmill man, died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E.I. Rodgers. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at Arkadelphia. He is survived by three sons, A.L. and R.P. of Monroe, La., and Virgil of California; four daughters, Mrs. Rodgers of Grady, Mrs. Julia Mooney of Monticello, Mrs. L.L. Brockman of Pine Bluff, and Mrs. M.C. Breedlove of Dumas.

Star City - Charles E. Carter, aged 70, died at his home a short distance south of Star City last night. He is survived by his wife and several children.

Star City, Jan. 8 - J.T. Miles, aged 86, died at the home of his son, Vernon Miles, at Waco, Tex., Friday. The body was brought here for burial. Mr. Miles was a Confederate soldier. He is survived by two sons, Proctor Miles of Phoenix, Ari., Vernon of Vaco, Tex., and three daughters, Mrs. Ina McKinney of Palestine, Tex., and Mrs. S.E. Fish of Cornersville and Mrs. Allie Adams of Star City.

Pine Bluff, Jan. 26 - Merle Boyd, aged 13, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Boyd of Cornersville, Lincoln county, died at a local hospital this afternoon after a sudden illness. She had been making her home with her aunt, Mrs. J.M. Ivey, and was stricken yesterday afternoon while attending school. She is survived by her parents, who operate a large plantation at Cornersville; a brother, Julian Boyd, and her aunt, Mrs. Ivey.

Star City - J.A. Owen, aged 76, died at his residence near Palmyra Tuesday. He is survived by his wife, one son, J.R. Owen of Pine Bluff and six daughters, Mrs. J.I. Smith, Mrs. D.O. Shook and Mrs. J.A. Reed of Pine Bluff, Mrs. J.L. Tucker of Sheridan and Mrs. A.S. Tucker and Miss Effie Owen of Palmyra.

Star City - Mrs. Maggie Saint, aged 52, wife of Lee Saint, died at their home here late yesterday. She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Mattie Maye Saint, and one son, Wade Saint, all of Star City.

Star City - Lewis V. Owen, aged 47, died at his home near Palmyra early this morning. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Vada Cherry and Mrs. Mary Barlow of Monticello, and Miss Ruby Owen of Palmyra, and four sons, Virgil Owen of Monticello, D. Owen, Ralph and Voy Owen of Palmyra.

Star City, Feb. 22 - Thomas Raney, aged 76, died in a Little Rock hospital yesterday. The body was brought here for burial.

Star City - Mrs. M.V. Culpepper, aged 84, died at the home of her son, J.F. Culpepper yesterday afternoon. She is survived by two sons, J.M. and J.F. Culpepper of Palmyra, and three daughters, Mrs. Jennie Mead and Mrs. Ruth Wilson of Pine Bluff and Mrs. Edna Orr, Burbank, Calif.

Star City - R.C. Crow, aged 85, died at his home here this morning. He served in the Confederate Army throughout the Civil War. He is survived by six daughters, Mrs. Ellen Johnson, Gould, Mrs. Lizzie Goudy of Pine Bluff, Mrs. Eula Tomlinson of New Jersey, Mellie Taylor and Edna Gossitt of Little Rock, Mrs. Emma Phillips of Texas and five sons, Henry and Walter Crow of Meroney, Roy Crow of Epps, La., and Oscar and Willie of Star City.

Star City- Mrs. Matilda Pharr, aged 73, wife of H.T. Pharr, died at their residence south of Star City yesterday afternoon. Besides her husband she is survived by five sons, W.D. Pharr of Monticello, H.K. of McGehee, L.A. of Pine Bluff and C.E. and A.J. of Star City.

Star City - Lois Mildred, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Will Dickey, died here last night.

Star City - John C. Boyd, aged 73, died suddenly here this morning while visiting his sister, Mrs. Tumbleston. He is survived by his wife, three sons, Leander, Gradon and Marvin Boyd, all of Star City; five daughters, Mrs. Travis Matthews, Mrs. P.D. King of Star City and Mrs. L.R. Rodgers, Mrs. Jim Scifres and Mrs. H.D. McCleskey of Pine Bluff.

Star City - Roosevelt Burford, negro, shot and instantly killed Jordan Hudson, another negro, near Cole's Spur east of Star City Sunday. Hudson shot at Burford first and he returned fire, the bullett from his pistol striking Hudson in the head. Burford was struck in the forearm and was not seriously injured. Burford came to Star City and surrendered to the sheriff about midnight.

Monticello - E.J. Gibbs, aged 68, merchant and well known citizen of Tyro, died Sunday. He is survived by his wife and two sons and two daughters.

Star City - Jake Harrison, aged 50, died at the home of his son, Havis Harrison, yesterday after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Barabra (sic) Harrison; two sons, Modie of Star City, Havis of Rowell and two daughters, Lena of Seminole, Okla., and Coy Harrison of Rowell.

Star City - Chas. E. Brewster, aged 61, died in Mill camp yesterday morning. He was found dead in bed. He is survived by four sons and two daughters.

Star City - M.E. Lee, aged about 60, died at his home here last night. His wife found his lifeless body in bed when she went to call him for breakfast.

Gould - Thomas S. Paschall, aged 73, farmer, died at his home four miles east of Tyro, Lincoln county, Saturday. He is survived by his wife and four sons, Grover, Lum and Carl of Tyro, and Claud of Texas.

Star City - W.A. Echols, aged 53, died at his home here last night. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Emma Echols, two sons, Ray of Little Rock and W.C. of Star City and one daughter, Lillian of Star City.

Star City - A quarrel between two wives last night resulted in the fatal shooting this morning of Robert Russell, aged 20, by his neighbor, Robert Edmonds, aged 38. Edmonds is held on first degree murder charges in the county jail. The shooting took place in Russell's yard early this morning after Edmonds was said to have approached Russell and said, "I have come to settle that argument." Russell replied that he thought that the argument had been settled the previous night, but Edmonds answered that it had not and pulled his 45 calibre pistol, officers said. Russell called to his wife to get his gun, but before she could comply with his request, Edmonds is said to have fired three times, each bullet taking effect. Russell died almost instantly. Russell was an orphan and was reared in the orphanage at Monticello. He is survived by his wife and one child. Edmonds has a wife and six children. Hearing will be held tomorrow.

Star City R.L. Edmonds, who has been in jail here since the fatal shooting of Robert Russell May 24 at his home, six miles south of here, was granted bail by County Judge J.T. Wimberly in habeas corpus proceedings here yesterday afternoon. Russell was a tenant on the Edmonds farm.

Star City - Mrs. J.W. Carter, aged 82, died here yesterday at the home of her son, A.B. Carter. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. R.E. Mann of Pine Bluff, and two sons, A.B. and G.H. Carter of Star City.

Star City - Mis Georgella Floyd, aged 50, died at the home of her father, J.W. Floyd, yesterday morning.

Star City - James O. Ozment, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Ozment, died at his home near Feenyville yesterday.

Pine Bluff - W.T. Lowe, aged 82, for many years one of the best known planters in Southeast Arkansas, who retired several years ago, died last midnight at his home in Grady, 25 miles south of here. Mr. Lowe suffered an attack of paralysis recently. He had been a resident of Grady for 50 years. In addition to his wife, Mrs. Lowe is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J.E. Bittinger, of Grady, and three granddaughters and four nieces.

Pine Bluff - Thomas Logue, aged 36, farmer of Lincoln county, died this morning at his home near Star City after a short illness. He is survived by his wife and one son, his mother, Mrs. C.A. Logue; one brother, Ernest Logue, and a sister, Mrs. Flaudie (sic) harrison, all of Lincoln county.

Carlisle- Manuel E. Whitehead, aged 21, of Star City was electrocuted this morning, one mile north of Carlisle, when a cable on a hoisting machine on which he was working came in contact with a high powered electric line. Jim Wells of Sweetwater, Tex., working on the same machine, was rendered unconscious for several minutes. Whitehead was treated by a local doctor and responded slightly. He was taken to Lonoke, where the lung motors of the Berry Undertaking Company and Healey & Roth of Little Rock were used for 40 minutes. The two men were working on the gas pipe line being laid by the Williams Brothers Construction Company of Tulsa, Okla. Whitehead was carrying one end and Wells the other of a cable used to lift pipe into place for lowering into a ditch. As the hoisting boom was raised into position it came in contact with the power line. Wells would have been electrocuted, it is said, if his end of the cable had not been in contact with the pipe. Whitehead's body is being held at Lonoke pending arrival of relatives.

Pine Bluff - Clyde Workman of Lincoln county will be tried in Star City tomorrow on charges of manslaughter growing out of the death several months ago of former County Judge J.M. Matthews of Lincoln county, Prosecuting Attorney Eric M. Ross announces tonight. Workman is charged with being the driver of an automobile which struck Judge Matthews as he was repairing his automobile on the Star City-Grady pike near the former city. Judge Matthews died several weeks later, and the cause of his death was given as heart disease, at first, although later at a preliminary hearing for Workman an attending physician testified that shock suffered by Mr. Matthews in the accident could have resulted in the fatal attack of heart disease.

Star City - The Lincoln County Fair closed its three-day session yesterday, following the awarding of prizes. Attendance was large. A feature of the afternoon was a 10 round boxing bout between Joe Coffman of Jackson, Tenn., and Stinger Steele of Fort Smith. Coffman won the decision.

Star City - The jury in the case of Clyde Workman, charged with manslaughter, in connection with the fatal injury of Judge J.M. Matthews on November 10, was unable to agree and was discharged by the court late last night. Judge Matthews was alleged to have been hit by an automobile driven by Workman.

Pine Bluff - S.F. Bussey, aged 53, died this morning at the home of his brother, J.C. Bussey, of Grady, after an illness of one week. Mr. Bussey was employed by C.E. Woods of Grady as gin mechanic. He is survived by his wife; four sons, Herbert, Clayton, Marks and Jim Bussey, of Cleveland county; two daughters, Miss Birdie Bussey and Mrs. Lindsey Russell of New Edinburg; two brothers, J.C. Bussey of Grady and T.H. Bussey of Malvern, and his mother, Mrs. J.J. Bussey of Malvern

Pine Bluff Robert Edmonds was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a jury in Circuit Court here tonight for the slaying of Robert Russell last May and sentenced to serve three years in the penitentiary. The jury deliberated an hour and 30 minutes. The two men were neighbors on a farm near Star City. The case was transferred to Jefferson from Lincoln county on change of venue. Judge T.G. Parham placed the case in the hands of the jurors after three hours of heated argument on the testimony in the case which occupied the entire day here. Edmonds is charged with having murdered Russell during an argument which the men took up after their wives started it last May. Edmonds on the stand admitted having killed Russell, but said he acted in self-defense. He said that the night of May 23 he and Russell had an argument at the Russell home and when he left he said Edwards yelled at him, "We'll settle this in the morning with shotguns." The following morning Edmonds testified he heard Russell talking about him to Robert Ratterree, a neighbor, in front of the Russell home, where the two were standing. During the argument which ensued Edmonds said that Russell made a lunge at him with a knife. He drew his pistol, he said, and fired once, but when Russell lunged at him again he fired two more shots. He said he then rushed up to Mrs. Russell, who had come out of the house carrying Russell's gun and took the gun away from her. Edmonds testified that Russell when he lunged after the first shot dropped his knife and that Mrs. Russell picked it up. All defense witnesses testified that they saw or knew of the knife, and Mrs. Russell testified that she did not pick up a knife. The only knife mentioned by witnesses other than Edmonds was a small pen knife taken, unopened, from Russell's pocket after he was killed. Mrs. Russell testified that up to the time of the shooting, her husband and Edmonds had been friends, and that Russell formerly lived in the Edmonds home. She said she and Russell had been married five years, had a four-year old son and had moved on Edmonds' place in March. The shooting occurred early in the morning of May 24.

Pine Bluff - Robert Edmonds, young farmer of near Star City, in Lincoln county, convicted Monday night of voluntary manslaughter for the killing of Robert Russell, his neighbor, this afternoon was sentenced to three years in the penitentiary by Circuit Judge T.G. Parham and then released on $5,000 bond pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. Edmonds pleaded self defense at his trial. It is reported that Edmonds will not appeal his case, but will begin serving his sentence as soon as he can make arrangements to leave his family. Judge Parham granted 60 days to file the appeal.

Star City - William Byron Persons, two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie E. Persons, died at his home here yesterday.

Little Rock - Mrs. Arthur C. Vick, aged 46, of Garnett, Lincoln county, died at a hospital here at 1:10 p.m. yesterday. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. George Rye of Garnett. The body is held at the Healey & Roth parlors.

STRANGLES WIFE, THEN KILLS SELF
Robert W. Morton, 28, Acts in Fit of Temporary Insanity. After choking his 26-year-old wife to death in a fit of temporary insanity, Robert W. Morton, aged 28, 1813 South Martin street (Little Rock, AR) shot himself through the left breast with a shotgun shortly before 10 a.m. yesterday and died a few minutes after he had been taken to the Baptist State hospital in a P. H. Ruebel & Co. ambulance. Before he died, Morton told police that he "just went crazy for a minute," and killed his wife almost without knowing what he was doing. Police said they believed that Morton shot himself when he realized what he had done.

Morton had been under the care of a physician for more than a week for extreme nervousness, caused, it was said, by worry over the impending loss of a home that he owned in Memphis and other financial troubles. Mrs. Morton was a telephone superviosor for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he had worked for several years. Morton formerly was an employee of a Little Rock furniture concern.

Child Discovers Tragedy
Bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Morton were discovered just before 10 a.m. by 11-year-old Jermone Wheeler, stepson of a next door neighbor, police said. The boy was a favorite in the Morton household. The Mortons had no children. About 7:30 a.m. yesterday Mrs. Morton went to the home of another neighbor, and called the telephone company office, and told her superiors that she would be unable to work. She said that her husband apparently was seriously ill.

No other sound was heard by neighbors, and shortly before 10, young Wheeler went to the front door of the Morton home and found it locked. He then went to the rear, found a door unfastened and walked in, to find Mrs. Morton lying near the bathroom and Mr. Morton nearby in a pool of blood, with the shotgun several feet away. The terrified lad called his step-father, Jack Peavy, who notified police and called an ambulance. Physicians said the shot evidently was fired by a short time before the body was found, but no one in the neighborhood could be found who heard the shot. Morton lived about an hour after he reached the hospital.

Lived Here Four Years
Morton was employed by the Bulman Furniture Company at the Memphis branch when it was opened in 1920, and was transferred to Little Rock about four years ago. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Morton of Memphis, and four sisters, Miss Izetta Morton, Mrs. M. A. Crenshaw and Mrs. Inez Jones of Memphis and Mrs. Ruby McCurry of Tavernier, Fla. Miss Izetta Morton and Mrs. Crenshaw arrived here yesterday afternoon.

Mrs. Morton formerly was Miss Jessie Newman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Newman of near Star City, Lincoln County. She would have been 27 this month. She is survived by her father, four sisters, the Misses Oma and Zola Newman and Mrs. Edna Davis, all of Star City, and Mrs. Mattie Floyd of Glendale, and two brothers, Corbett Newman of Asher, Okla. and Charles of Star City. Her father and Miss Zola Newman arrived yesterday and Corbett Newman was expected last night.

Dr. Samuel G. Boyes, coroner, returned a verdict of homicide and suicide, but ordered both bodies held at the chapel of P. H. Ruebel & Co. pending further investigation.

NOTE: Jesse Loraine Newman, b. August 17, 1903 Feenyville, AR d. August 7, 1931 Little Rock, AR. Buried in the Heflin Cemetery, Star City, AR. Daughter of George Arastus Newman and Frances Louise "Wade" (Blasingame) Feagin Newman. Edna Davis and Mattie Floyd were half sisters of Jesse.
Submitted by: Diann McDaniel

Pine Bluff, Feb. 12 - Asbury Crawford Ryall, 84, planter, business man and civic leader of Star City for more than 50 years, died at his home in Star City today. He was born in Georgia. Mr. Ryall had large land holdings in Lincoln and surrounding counties. He was married on January 27, 1884, to Virginia Cole, who survives him. They celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary two years ago. Besides his wife, he is survived by six daughters and three sons. Funeral and burial will be held Saturday afternoon in Star City.

Star City - Married: Ross Edwards of near Star City and Miss Lorraine Sinks of Warren.

Miss Anna Carrol Fults, home economics teacher in the high school, will begin a P.T.A. study courst Tuesday.

C.H. Owens of near Cornerville has bought the W.A. Trussell home in the east part of town. Mr. Trussell bought Mr. Owen's farm property.

Birth Announcement from the Arkansas Gazette: Bobby and Debra Lemons, Star City, son.