(The following interesting and authentic sketch of an important period in the early history of Pop county, was read by Judge J. T. Bullock before the teachers in attendance at the Normal School for Rural Teachers in the Agricultural school last week. The facts as related are either personally known to Judge Bullock or have been related to him by men who were his senior by a few years and personally participated in the events related. The men whose names are mentioned in connection with murder from ambush or in pitched battle were not lawless assassins, but men of the highest stamina and courage who rose in their manhood to put down an intolerable condition such as existed in many communities during the “carpet bag” era, and their purpose accomplished, they became the bulwark of our citizenship, pioneers in the reconstruction period, law-abiding, many of them office holders and enforcers of the law, and no stain ever attached to their good names because of their participation in these events which were essential to the future welfare of the community. “The Pope County Militia War” was published in pamphlet form by Thos. J. Reynolds in 1908. Many of our people have copies of this history, but during the thirteen years since its publication many persons have answered the call fo the Grim Reaper and names used more freely by Judge Bullock than Mr. Reynolds saw fit to publish the article. )

The Carpet-Bag Era

In 1865 the young manhood of Pope county had returned from the field of war to rebuild the waste places. The spirit of hatred between the returned Confederate soldiers and the returned Federal soldiers ran high. Captain Dodson Napier, who commanded a company of Federal soldiers during the war period, was appointed first Sheriff. On October 25, 1865, he and a deputy under him by the name of Parks, were riding along the public road east of Dover then called the Springfield road, when both were shot and killed. Morris Williams, who lived near where Hector now is, was made Sheriff to succeed Napier. He was also shot and killed while plowing in his field. William Stout, first Clerk after the war, was shot and killed in his dwelling house at Dover in 1866. E.W. Dodson became Sheriff and J.H. Williams, a brother of former Sheriff Morris Williams, became his chief deputy. Wallace H. Hickox became clerk to succeed William Stout. On August 31, 1872, he was killed by W.H. Poynter in the town of Dover. The cause of this killing grew out of the killing of William Hale and Joe Tucker on July 10, 1872, near Shiloh Church, about three miles north of Russellville. Sheriff Dodson, J.H. Williams, his chief deputy, W.H. Hickox, W.A. Stewart, District Superintendent of Public instruction, together with some twenty-five or thirty others, armed themselves, evidently having in mind the avenging of the death of Sheriff Morris Williams. Matt Hale had been suspicioned of being implicated in the killing of Morris Williams, and this possee or company went to arrest him, and he having received information of his danger, had skipped out of the way. Then they arrested his father, Uncle Jack Hale, and a brother, William Hale. Coming to Scottsville with these two prisoners Liberty West, a blacksmith, began begging for the release of the old man Hale and William Hale. West volunteered to go with them to Dover, hoping to beg them out of taking the prisoners any further. They said they intended taking them to Dardanelle. At. Dover they had hoped to arrest Reece B. Hogins, W.H. Poynter, John F. Hale, W.B. Young and others whom they regarded as political enemies. These parties had heard of the danger and had skipped out of the way. At Dover they arrested a man by the name of Joe Tucker, and also arrested West because of his meddlesome begging for the other prisoners. They left Dover traveling south and arrived at Shiloh church late in the afternoon, apparently stopping there to camp for the night. When dark came they said they could not get any horse feed and ordered all to saddle up and travel, as they said, on to Dardanelle.

Prisoners Shot By Officers.

After crossing Shiloh Creek, perhaps two hundred yards from it, one man said, “It is dark.” Another responded, “It is dark as Egypt.” Another response, “Egypt has no eyes.”

At once the shooting commenced. Uncle Jack Hale, the oldest man of all, threw himself rather on the side of his animal, pressed his spurs in her flank and ran out of it without being struck by a single bullet. His mare, however, was hit several times, but in no way disabled. His son, William Hale, was shot through the body near the backbone and just below the shoulders. His horse carried him out, but about the south end of where the lane now runs, eh became so sick from his wound that he was compelled to alight. His horse got loose from him and ran and overtook Uncle Jack Hale. William Hale crawled to a house just east from where the road now runs, was taken in and remained there until the next day, when he was taken to the house of Uncle John Ervin, some five miles north of Dover, where he died a few days afterwards. Joe Tucker was killed at the first firing. Liberty West’s mule threw him and he took hiding behind a long near the roadside. He lay there perfectly still and listened at the men complain and curse because they had let all of them get away but Tucker. Poor Tucker, he was groaning, lying on the ground. A man walked to him and shot him again.

They all left, and West made his way back towards Dover.

Uncle Jack Hale did not stop running until he arrived at Dover, his son’s horse following, with no rider, and a bloody saddle.

The news of the awful crime spread like fire in a dry stubble. Before sunrise the following morning, a large company was organized, armed and on the way to the scene, led by such men as Reece B. Hogins, W.H. Poynter, John F. Hale, W.B. Young, John R. Young, Major George W. Newton, Same H. Rye, I.J. Brown, Anderson Morgan, E.L. McCracken, Perry West, Riley Ogden, Webb Hollinger, Joe Petty, Lon neal, T.M. Neal, B. F. Bayliss, Warren James, Z. T. Trantham, Andrew W. Bullock and H. W. Cobb. Others from the families of Jamisons, Wests, Bewleys, McCoys, Browns, Bonds, Tomlinson, Franklins, Hobbs, Eubanks, Costers, Rushings, far too many to remember them all now, but they were patriotic noble, brave men, determined to rid out county of this lawless and murderous band.

Companies were organized at Scottsville, Russellville, Big Piney, Galla Rock and all over the county, armed, officered and ready to fight to the last ditch, and they continued the warfare until all of the leaders of this heartless band were killed, save and except one, W.A. Stewart, Superintendent of Public Instruction for this District, who escaped and went to Iowa.

Beginning of Militia War.

The Militia War was now on. The Sheriff and his chief deputy, the clerk, the superintendent of public instruction and many others, influential men, were leaders in th3e awful tragedy which occurred near Shiloh creek. This was more than seven years after peace had been declared. Our suffering has been awful severe through the war period. The returned Confederate soldiers who were largely in the majority, and the returned Federal soldiers who were so greatly in the minority, could not put aside the spirit of hatred.

As a leader on his side, Captain Dodson Napier had from the beginning of the war been a Federal. He was brave and dauntless, and was charged with being exceedingly cruel, and many unnecessary murders and killings were charged to him and his company which he commanded during the war. Every Confederate soldier hated him supremely. On the other hand Major George W. Newton commanded a brave band of Confederate soldiers, and he lost but few opportunities of hanging or shooting the enemy when he came to them. It was a bullet from his gun that killed Sheriff Napier. It was a bullet from his gun that killed William Stout, the first clerk after the war. He was a born leader of men well educated and afterwards became a Baptist preacher. He died at the home of his son, Dr. Newton, near Temple Texas, in the year 1907. He as leader of Confederate soldiers was as brave as the bravest. He had the courage of a lion. He always believed that he discharged his duty while he was a soldier, did what he thought was right at the time he acted. It was impossible for us to have any peace until the leaders of one side or the other were disabled. The returned Federal soldiers under their leaders claimed the right to hold all the offices. They were in a hopeless minority. They undertook to hold on to political power anyhow.

The second clerk who succeeded William Stout was Wallace H. Hickox, a carpet-bagger, sent here from the North for the sole purpose of holding office he was shrewd, well educated brave and desperately wicked, had no regard for morals, was overbearing, and yet had an influence that was wonderful. Beyond all question he was the moving spirit that planned the murder at Shiloh Creek. On August 31, 1872, he, with Sheriff Dodson and J. H. Williams, Chief Deputy Sheriff, came into Dover and went directly to the court house, where they remained, boxing up and preparing for removing the records from Dover to Russellville. It was on Saturday and a great many people were in town. About the middle of the afternoon they had completed boxing up the records, came out, mounted their horses and started out of town I the direction of Russellville. Reece R. Hogins, W. H. Poynter, and John F. Hale had agreed to kill the three men as they started out, but they made their start a little earlier than was expected, and Poynter was the only one in his proper place to discharge his duty when the three men started. He was there; and when the three men saw him they began to draw pistols, and at the crack of Pyonter’s gun, Hickox bounced from his saddle like a squirrel shot from a tree. The other two men fired at Poynter, but missed, and ran out of town, shot at by a large number of people. It may sound cruel, but good women in the town of Dover looked at that dead man lying in the streets, and rejoiced, feeling that the greatest enemy of their peace had been killed.

Not long after this Williams was killed by Robert F. Jones, who now lives about three miles northeast of Dover. Jones with three companions, all armed for battle with the dreaded militia, were riding horseback through a long land in the neighborhood between Scottsville and Appleton. Williams, with some twenty-seven or twenty-eight men, were meeting them from an opposite direction, but had not entered the lane. They could not see Robert F. Jones, Sam Muloney, W.O. Cox and Perry West as they were riding in this long lane. The militia halted, and took ambush near the end of the lane and waited for their four enemies to approach. When they were within thirty or forty yards of them the militia fired and missed. Jones fired with a shot gun and mortally wounded Williams. His companions also fired, and several of the enemy were wounded; but, as they were firing they were turning their horses for flight. Sam Maloney received a flesh wound through the thigh, and this was the only injury suffered by Jones and his companions. Williams died in the vicinity where Hector is now; sent for Jones to come to see him before he died, talking matters over with him in a friendly way, assured Jones that he held nothing against him.

Dover the Center of the Strife.

During the time that this awful carnage and bloodshed was going on, Dover, the county seat, was many times deserted by the citizens, and, the militia had full control. Sometimes the town was occupied by State or Federal troops. Sometimes large companies of negro soldiers were there. Again things would become quiet and the people would return. During the latter part of the year 1872 Capt. Harriet, who had been there with a company of negroes, came into town with five other companions. They went directly to the court house, going into the clerk’s office. Capt. Harriett, however, was pretty well acquainted there. He was a daring, bold oppressor. It was agreed that he should be killed and Reece B. Hogins agreed to do the killing in a grocery store where he was employed. John F. Hale and others agreed that they would get Capt. Harriet in to take a drink and Hogins was then to do the killing and come out of it the best he could. Capt. Harriet declined to go into the grocery, and went into the Clerk’s office at the court house. John F. Hale, in his shirt sleeves, unarmed, walked to the clerk’s office door, began a quarrel with Capt. Harriet, jerked him out into the hall-way, and George Rye, just as Capt. Harriet was drawing his pistol to shoot Hale, shot and killed Capt. Harriet. A coroner’s inquest was held, Reece B. Hogins being foreman of the coroner’s jury.

All then felt sure that Sheriff Dodson would make for Little Rock to get State or Federal troops, and decided that they did not want that done. When night came, John F. Hale, Reece B. Hogins and George Rye left Dover on horseback and went to the end of the Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad, to a place where Ferguson’s Spur now is, then known as Perry Station. The train to Little Rock left about 4 o’clock in the morning. These men hitched their horses a short distance back from the station and slipped up nearer. John F. Hale hid under the steps of the coach, and sure enough, Sheriff Dodson came to take passage to Little Rock. Just as he was entering the steps, Hale shot him, mortally wounding him, and he died at his home about three miles east of Russellville three days after he was shot.

Court Adjournment Made Permanent.

Thus we had war with all its horrors. Anarchy, disorder, derangement, decay and crime on every hand.

On one occasion warrants were issued for the arrest of ten citizens, who were charged with crime. These defendants were some of the best citizens of our county. However, they could not be arrested. The militia side finally agreed that if these ten men would come to Russellville and stand a trial before the circuit court, Judge W. N. May of Dardenelle being Circuit Judge at that time, ten guards of their own selection for each prisoner should be allowed for their safety and protection while the trial was pending. This proposition was accepted, and a day for trial set at Russellville, because the officials claimed that it was impossible to hold court at Dover. The appointed day came. Judge May opened court. A man by the name of Yonley, Attorney General for the state, form Little Rock was the prosecutor. Judge Lewis W. Davis was attorney for the defendants. The ten prisoners came riding into Russellville, each with two six shooters dangling from his belt, each with ten guards, all fully armed, dismounted, hitched their horses and marched into the court room and announced ready for trial. They numbered one hundred and ten men, making quite a fine show. The trial was commenced and proceeded with until the noon hour, at which time John F. hale proposed to his fellow prisoners and guards that they should go back to the court room and kill out the entire court and officials, leaving no one to tell how it occurred but their friends. This proposition was agreed to but they postponed the act until the following morning, in order, as was said, that they might be completely organized in all the details, and not make a mistake in killing somebody that ought not be killed. However, from some sort of conduct or for some reason, the court and officials became suspicious. Court adjourned that afternoon to reconvene the following morning. The prisoners and their guards again returned, but the court never did reconvene, and stand adjourned to this good day.

Business was paralyzed, the country was bankrupt, there was no security for life or property, educational interests destroyed, civil society was dead, and despair written everywhere.

Col. Fowler a Peacemaker.

Many incidents of interest, many of deeds of daring and heroism, and the names of many heroic and noble men and women are omitted. Time forbids the details of all. However, immediately after the killing of Sheriff Dodson a proposition was made to compromise matters. Col. A.S. Fowler of Little Rock, a staunch Republican, personally known by some of our people, agreed to accept the office of Sheriff if our people would consent to it, and agreed that he would undertake to restore law and order. This proposition was accepted and our Confederate soldiers made his bond for him. He came to Dover and James Potts became his deputy to assist in collection of taxes. He found friends in the person of such men as Reece B. Hogins, W. H. Poynter, John F. Hale, W. B. Young and the balance of our citizens who had been leaders against the militia. Col. A.S. Fowler still lives and resides in Little Rock. He is a noble gentleman, and he and Mr. Hogins became fast friends, although one was a strong Democrat and the other a strong Republican.

The Brooks-Baxter Election.

Light began to dawn. Citizens returned to their homes. The darkest cloud, the greatest calamity, the darkest spot on our county’s history began to pass. The good old town of Dover had been the storm center, but she was well supported by the good people of Russellville, Galla Rock, and the entire county. The election is September 1872, found our returned Confederate soldiers supporting Joe Brooks for governor. He was beyond all question elected. However, Elisha Baxter was counted to and elected. The legislature investigated the matter and declared Baxter the duly elected Governor. In a short time after his inauguration as governor, it developed that Baxter was a better man than his supporters thought he was. He let it be understood that he would not be the tool of any clan or clique; that he was interested alone in the welfare of the people. The same dirty bunch that had counted him in now began an effort to put him out. A writ was issued against him by Chief Justice (Poker Jack) McClure ousting him from office and declaring Brooks governor. Again the battle cry was heard, Pope county heroes rallied to Baxter’s flag, as did the great majority of the state. The Brooks-Baxter war was on, but was concluded early in 1874, a Constitutional Convention called, and the present Constitution was made.

Time Heals All Wounds

Most all the active parties in the dark days of 1865 to 1874 are now departed to the other shore. Of the ten men who were indicted for killing W.H. Hickox, only two now remain. W.H. Poynter of Dover, and Anderson Morgan of Johnson county. They are both law abiding good citizens. Anderson Morgan had been a Federal soldier, now on the pension roll as an ex-Union soldier, but his sense of right and bravery made him fall in line with the people of Dover. W.H. Poynter has since the close of the militia trouble been one of Pop county’s honored and highly respected citizens and now enjoys the love, respect, and confidence of all good people who know him. Robert F. Jones, the only other one of the leading actors remaining with us, has at all times and is now one of our best, upright, law abiding citizens, and enjoys life with his children and grandchildren in the country a few miles northeast of Dover.

These awful times have passed and with their passing has gone the malice and hatred of half a century ago.