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Hamilton, Prairif. Co., Ark.August 9, 1860.Editor Citizen—Dear Sir:—As erroneous impressions are abroad with regard to the bloodv transaction at the Muster ground, in tliis township, on the 28th ult., in which my sun-in-law. J*hn T. Bland and Samuel Shoemaker were killed; justice to the living as well as the memory of the dead, demand a true statement of the case, which is herewith submitted. I wi-h to do no one injustice but let the truth be spoken if the heavens fall. Samuel Shoemaker and John Percifull were fighting. Enoch Jarvis. (Constable,) called to the b^standePs to separate them. Bland obeyed the summons and sprang between the parties.'and •*aved Shoemakers life by warding off a blow aimed a’ him by Percifull with a knife. Somo time after Shoemaker and Percifull were engaged again, Bland caught Shoemaker and pulled him off from Percifull. begging him at the same time to make friends with Percifull. but no sooner was Shoemaker released than he turned upon Bland and struck him in the face. Bland parried the blow's at first, but found it necessary to fight to defend himself, which he did; they were soon separated and Bland walked off and left Shoemaker.Shortly after, Win. S. Deadman went to Bland and told him he ought to go and make friends with Shoemaker, Bland replied that he thought he had best not go about him, as Shoemaker wbs drunk, that he hdd nothing against the man, but that as Shoemaker was drinking and had hurt him severely, he thought proper to avoid him, and he did so.Deadman left Bland and went to Shoemaker, “had a long talk with him,” and while they were talking. Shoemaker discovered Bland at some distance preparing to leave the ground, he instantly sprang to his feet and “made at inland,” and was in such a rage that he fought Turiously all who tried to stop him. Bland seeing no alternative left but to fight or run, faced his foe and warned him not to advance oi he would shoot him. Shoemaker heeded not the warning, but rushed on—Bland “backed some distance,” still warning'Shoemaker—but all to no purpose, when Shoemaker was almost within reach. Bland shot him with his rifle gun ; in a moment after, Deadman seized a shot gun and -hot Bland in the back. Bland fell without seeing or knowing who was his murderer. Some of the parties in this affair were intoxicated, but Bland was not; it is further stated that Bland refrained from shooting as long as he could avoid it. He came to his death by trying to make peace, “blessed are the peace makers.” “An honest man is the nobest work of God,” such in its broadest sense was John T. Bland ; he was a native of Tennessee—twenty four years of age—had been married about two months; was a kind affectionate husband, and was universally esteemed by all who knew him, he leaves a disconsolate widow and a host of friends to mourn his fate.W. P. PRESTON.Prairie.Democrat please copy.
Newspaper Details
Des Arc Citizen
Des Arc, Arkansas, US
Wed, Aug 15, 1860
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA 02 Jan 2025
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