Looking Back

(Editor’s Note: This column looking back at St. Francis County’s history is featured each Friday on this Lifestyles page along with the week’s History Photo. The items included in this column were printed in previous editions of the Times-Herald.)

September 1893 Circuit Court Proceedings State vs. Jno. C. Ward, manslaughter, not guilty. ***State vs. A.N. Thomas, assault to kill, guilty of assault with deadly weapon. ***State vs Wm. Edmonds, assault and battery, plea of guilty, fined $10. ***State vs. Marvin Greenacre, grand larceny, plea of guilty, sentenced to one year. ***State vs. Henry Morgan, grand larceny, not guilty. ***State vs. John Taylor, grand larceny, not guilty. ***State vs. J.J. Harper and Lizzie Maxey, illegal cohabitation, not guilty. ***State vs. Jim Jamerson and Jane Johnson, illegal cohabitation, not guilty. ***State vs. Ben Henry and Anna Pullen, illegal cohabitation, guilty, fined $20 each. ***State vs. Ed Lewis, two cases, contempt, discharged. ***State vs. Joe Harris, assault to kill, guilty. one year in pen, motion in arrest of judgement overruled.

Impaled Horse - Frank Stout's horse, in attempting to jump a fence at the Featherston residence, impaled himself upon a picket, tearing a hole in his body large enough to allow his entrails to protrude. It was thought that the animal would have to be killed but Dr. J.H. Lipsey replaced the protruding entrails and sewed the wound up. At last accounts the horse was improving.

Body of Baby Boy - A negro brought into Hinton's drug store a box containing the body of a baby boy, neatly and cleanly shrouded. He said a new made grave was discovered in a garden a short distance south of town and he was ordered to dig in to it, which he did with the above result. Suspicion of foul play being aroused, Squire Nelson empaneled a jury of inquest, who after viewing the remains and interrogating several witnesses decided that it was a mulatto and came to its death from unknown causes. The jury then proceeded to the scene of the burial and by inquiry soon located the mother of the child – a colored girl named Elkins, residing near the bank on the Iron Mountain road. The girl acknowledged she was the mother and that the child lived three days and that it was not neglected. It was buried in the garden on account of poverty. The girl's mother was placed in jail but the grand jury released her for want of evidence. The paternity of the child could not be definitely placed.

Fizer vs Bonner - There is an old saying that "when thieves fall out, just men get their dues." While The Times does not mean to insinuate the existence of dishonesty, yet there is something about the fact that N.B. Fizer has sued E. Bonner for professional services for a sum exceeding $200 which somehow suggests that these two brothers in the political swam of this county do not care to do business in the ordinary way but the one is forced to ask the protection of the law or his interests and the other presents a counter claim in court, which for originality and rarity is too rich to keep. It seems that Fizer had an account against Bonner for abstracting, etc... covering a period of two or three years. When he presented the same for payment we presume that Bonner was astonished. He had been so close a friend to Fizer and had followed him through thick and thin in his political vicissitudes that he probably thought Fizer ought to be ashamed of himself for charging him a little service like making an abstract. So Bonner says "no sir. I won't pay it," and Fizer sues him. The case was up before Squire Boyle, where a judgement was rendered by default in favor of Fizer. Bonner appealed to the circuit court and the case came up before a jury of their peers. The account of Fizer is not denied but Bonner brings in a counter claim which is a draw. Readers of The Times will remember that in 1886 the then Rev. N.B. Fizer got a reputation for letter writing. He literally flooded this congressional district with the never to be forgotten "Yours in Christ" political epistles urging his friends to flock to Govan and beat Dunn. It now turns out that

Fizer was the author and that Ed Bonner Jr. was the publisher of those letters. Fizer says that old man Bonner suggested that Ed had nothing else to do and would copy them...so Fizer let him do it. Now Mr. Bonner asks judgement for $25 for the services of his son in copying those letters. Another item of $40 is looking over some footings one night at Fizer's home. Fizer says he had to carry the work home and while very busy engaged Bonner come to his home to "gas" awhile, nor to be discourteous he asked Bonner to look over the footings which he did, apparently, with pleasure. But he now thinks the service worth $40. Some time ago soon after the death of Mrs. Fizer, Mr. Fizer asked permission of Bonner to store a barrel of fruit jars and a rocking chair in the business house on S. Front Street, which was granted. The goods stored were worth less than $5. Mr. Bonner now thinks he should be entitled to offset his account with Fizer to the tune of $51 for storage. The joke is on Fizer and the letters.

Piscatorial - Thirty-seven fine trout and bass was the result of a few hours trolling at the "narrows" by Messrs Sanders, Walker and Laundvugt. Walker holding to the championship as troller by a big majority. The true inwardness of a man's character comes to the surface on a fishing frolic and the scenes of "away back" are brought forward in all their old time brightness. Notes and drafts, change and exchange was forgotten; the timber interest was laid aside, the silver bill and the happenings of the world were shelved and the capers, singing and yelling made us indeed boys again and even the old Col. forgot his infirmities and pirouetted around like a youngster. While recounting the trials and tribulations, the joys and sorrows of boyhood, our small party were regaled by snatches of beautiful song by Sanders, which were learned in early youth, in a voice well adapted to the music, accompanied by the deep, rich, mellow bass of Walker, "Whiter Than Snow," "Pull Me Back Again," "Down In The Henhouse On My Knees," were rendered in a manner which caused the writer to wish he was a boy again – and born dead. The fish in the "narrows" will take a rest until next November.

A Wife Murderer - Circuit court is now in session and for two days has been trying a murder case. In December, Charles Roberts was married to Mary J. Vickers, living in the county of Green. Eleven days after the marriage Roberts shot his young wife, only 14 years of age and this morning the jury, after being out all night, brought in the verdict of murder in the first degree. Roberts was jealous of his wife. On the night of the 22nd she was visiting a neighbor and he went after her. She refused to go home but subsequently agreed to accompany him. In a few moments she returned. Blood was on her dress and she died in a few minutes. Roberts ran away and a reward was offered by the governor for his delivery to the sheriff. A few weeks ago he was captured in Metropolis, Ill. After the verdict his attorneys informed the court that they saw no reason for a new trial and gave him over to the court, who will sentence him to hang soon.

Where The Money Goes Tom Smith, negro, disappeared from his home in the county. Shortly afterwards a decomposed floater was found in the river and identified by Sol Smith, the father of Tom, by two moles on the chest. The old man swore that the body was that of his son. Upon suspicion of the old man Ben Bonner and Richard Grayer were arrested, charged with murder of Tom Smith. A trial before a magistrate at Marianna resulted in the discharge of the prisoners. When the overflow had receded, another corpse, decomposed beyond recognition was found near the Cut Off in this county and at the inquest old man Smith again claimed to be the father of the body and testified that God had revealed unto him that this was the body of Tom Smith, his son. His further testimony led to the arrest of Bonner and Grayer, a second time, who again were tried before the examining courts of Squire Leary and Vaughn and acquitted. Although these two men were acquitted at two preliminary trials, old man Smith was not satisfied and at his insistence the acting coroner, J. Rawlingson, J.P. of Blackfish Township issued another warrant made returnable to Squire P.D. Boyle of this city. The matter came up for hearing after several delays and another through sifting of all the testimony of 35 witnesses was had and prisoners were discharged. The evidence proved if it proved anything that this was a malicious persecution. It appears that Ben Bonner, one of the defendants, rendered valued services to the sheriff of Lee County, during the riot there a few years ago and it is said that he was instrumental in sending the said Tom Smith to the pen. Consequently, they "had it in for him." The cost of the trial at Forrest City was $201.80 and at Marianna the cost was $300. Now it seems to us, there should be some remedy for this squandering of the county's money.

Died - Jefferson Davis Word, infant son of A.C. and Lucy Word, died of a complication of aliments usual to infants. The bright little baby boy had been sick for many weeks. On Thursday of last week it was thought that he had rallied and was gaining strength but the little darling was marked by death, which has no respect of persons and takes alike the old and young, the gray haired and the infant, and on Saturday, quietly passed away. He has gone to be with Jesus. ***Willie Smith, the bright and promising daughter of Mrs. Lillie Gil, died of congestion of the brain, aged 12 years and was buried at the Forrest City Cemetery. She was a very interesting child and it is sad indeed for the mother to whom she was so devoted. ***Mrs. E.J. Fogg, daughter of Hon. R.W. Peevy and wife of Mr. H.C. Fogg, was born Jan. 8, 1856 and was married to H.C. Fogg March 31, 1877, with whom she lived happily until she was called to heaven. She professed faith in Christ in January 1877 and from that time on until her death she was a faithful, consistent Christian, always adorning the doctrine of the gospel by a beautiful life, in perfect accord with her profession. She leaves to mourn their loss a father, four brothers, three children and her disconsolate late husband. She lived wisely, died well and leaves her surviving kinsmen and friends to savor of a good name.

Book Keeper Steals Marianna - Extravagant taste led E.T. Rigney to embezzle $11,372 from his employers, Johnston & Grove, during the six years in which he was their confidential book keeper. His crime was discovered a few days ago, while he was visiting the World's Fair. He returned and when accused confessed and could give no excuse except that he had squandered it. He was not arrested on his promise to remain and make a complete settlement as possible but Wednesday night he skipped. His departure was not discovered for several days. The stealing was done through a system of raised bills and false additions in sums of $100 at a time.