VOLUME II. NEWPORT, ARKANSAS, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1903. NUMBER 251
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Henry Owen
PHYSICIAN, SURGEON AN*
OCULIST.
*<VER BAILEY BROS'. DRY GOODS STORE
JACK JONES,
The Crack Barber, keeps a neat
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of Front street. Expert tonso
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“Come on, ye stubby beards.”
MARDI GRAS AT NEW ORLEANS.
One fare plus §2.00 for the round
trip via the Iron Mountain route.
Tickets on sale February 17 to 19.
Good for return February 28. Tickets
can be extended to March 14 for re
turn.
T. H. Reamey, Agent.
STATE’S WITNESSES
ON THE STAND.
Testimony Taken In Rufus Johnson
Murder Case—Statement of At
torneys Made Saturday
Afternoon.
When the twelfth member of the
jury, which is to pass upon the guilt
of Rufus Johnson for the killing of
James Cole, was secured Saturday
afternoon at 2:15 o’clock, the trial,
which has been delayed by several
unavoidable incidents, proceeded in a
more decisive manner.
The indictment for murder in the
first degree was read by the state’s
attorneys to the jury and following
this came a review of the case from
the standpoint of the prosecution and
defense, outlining what each expected
to prove in the evidence about to be
introduced.
Court then adjourned to Monday
morning at 8:30 o’clock, when pro
ceedings in the case were resumed.
J. C. BALL TESTIFIES.
The first witness called was J. C.
Ball, who affirmed that he knew both
Rufus Johnson and James Cole, the
latter of whom was killed by gunshot
wound at the hands of Rufus Johnson
on May 10th at the gate of Ben
Thomas in the Richwoods township.
Witness stated that two shots were
fired about 8 seconds apart and that
Cole died almost instantly. After
Cole fell Johnson came forward from
brush with a 32 winchester and after
inquiring if Cole was dead, told Ball
to turn him over, which Ball refused
to do prior to inquest, but Johnson
then affirmed that he killed Cole and
didn’t deny it.
Witness estimated distance from
Johnson to Cole at time of shooting at
36 yards. Stated that Johnson said he
knew where to find Cole, as his wife
“was at Ben Thomas’ and that he
(Johnson) had seen them going over,
but had no chance to shoot without
endangering life of Constable Ball.
Attorneys for defendant had no
questions for witness and he was ex
cused.
DR. G. A. CAUSEY.
Dr. G. A. Causey, living at Balch at
time of killing of James Cole, stated
that he knew parties to the killing.
Examined Cole on night of May 10th;
found one wound on right side and
another under left arm and a third
upon left arm. In his opinion the ball
had entered the right side and passed
out beneath the left arm. Witness
stated that Cole died of gunshot
wound.
On cross examination, witness
stated that Cole had been dead some
time when examination was made
and also that he was not in a position
to say whether a ball would be de
flected upwards or downwards at the
point where the ball entered Cole.
The state then rested its case and
the defense called for its first witness.
STEPHEN DENNIS.
Stephen Dennis stated he knew
both Cole and Johnson; bad a con
versation with former at Mr.
Crory’s about two years ago in regard
to Johnson. The state’s attorney ob
jected to relation of this conversa
tion, which was overruled by the
court. Cole in this conversation,
said he had it in for Rufus Johnson
and aimed to get shed of him one way
or another.
On cross examination, witness
stated that he first retold this conver
sation to his father about two years
ago, but had never testified in the
preliminary hearing of Johnson.
VANN DALE.
Vann Dale knew both Cole and
Johnson, had worked with the former
and in June or July, 1900, had heard
Cole say he intended to do Johnson as
much harm as he could. On cross
examination, he stated that Stephen
Dennis and Dick Procter were there
at same time. Had not testified in
preliminary hearing.
WILL MANNING.
Well Manning knew both defendant
and deceased. Cole, he said, had dis
liked Johnson and expressed a desire
to get even with him six or seven
years ago. On re-direct examination
said he was a nephew of Esquire L.
Manning and had gone to Rufus
Johnson Sunday night a week before
the killing and told him Cole had!
threatened to kill him before the sun '
went down. Witness denied that he
bad heai’d Cole make threats in re
cent years.
JOHN DALE.
John Dale knew Johnson and Cole
3lightly; had heard Cole in March 1902
3ay to Goodwin that he was going to
kill Johnson. In April, 1902, he saw
bim at side of road beyond Cow Lake
with his gun; wanted to know if he
bad seen Johnson, said he wanted to
3ee him and to kill him. Cole told
Dale that it was none of his business
why he wanted to kill Johnson and
ordered him to go on, the point where
he was standing being between
Johnson’s home and Ben Thomas’
bouse.
CHARLEY DENNIS.
Charley Dennis said he saw Jas.
Dole below Johnson’s gate, sitting in
the fence cornor with a gun, and in an
swer to question said he was waiting to
kill Johnson. Had told this to John
3on’s daughter, which happened on
April 28th. On a cross examination,
be could not give day of week, but
reme. ' ered day of month by a dance
that night.
RILEY WEST.
Riley West stated he lived in Rich
woods six years; was a tenant of Rufus
Johnson and a friend of Jas. Cole.
Met Cole in Newport in May, 1902, lat
ter complained of Johnson failing to
supply him as a tenant, that his chil
dren were starving and he proposed
to kill (Johnson) the s— of a b—.
Had written Johnson the next day
awarning, which letter was produced
in court and identified. On cross ex
mination, he stated that John Osburn
was present when Cole made these
threats.
JOHN COWAN.
John Cowan knew both defendant
and Cole and had a conversation with
latter Tuesday nignt before the killing
in which Cole had said if Johnson
didn’t execute a $2000 bond that he
would not come on Thomas’ farm be
fore crop was gathered, he would kill
him before Sunday night. Cole he
said coined a dirk spring knife with a
ten inch blade.
On cross fire, witness stated he
testified before Judge Fulkerson in
habeas corpus proceedings, but had
said nothing at that time in regard to
the dirk. Denied that he testified he
traded with Johnson in the springf as
shown in the stenographer’s report.
FRANK CARR.
Frank Carr, of Cow Lake, acknowl
edged that he was convicted of petit
larceny at the last term of court and
was excused.
CLAY MILLER.
Clay Miller , of Richwoods, testified
that Cole on the Sunday before the
killing had told him to tell Johnson
he was willing to sign up the contract
and if same was not signed one or the
other would have to die upon sight at
t L n » m rr I /if n n>l1 n
V 4-1 ' 444 UiJU4U W 4 VW M 44 •
Witness stated he testified in pre
liminary and habeas corpus proceed
ings, but did not answer as recorded
jn stenographer’s report. He became
Bomewhat confused and the lawyers
had quite a time with him.
A. NORMAN.
A. Norman, husband of Miss Roxie
Johnson, testified he had seen Cole in
a fence corner on May 6th, armed
with a gun laying for Johnson.
MRS. A. NORMAN.
Mrs. A. Norman, nee Roxie Johnson,
daughter of the defendant, stayed in
the post office and store of her father,
when about a week before the killing
Cole entered the store, drew a gun on
(continued on fourth page.)
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