Olyphant Train Robbery: Contemporary Newspaper Reports

Batesville, November 6,-Sunday in Batesville was a day of excitement. All day long and until late at night the scenes enacted on the streets here were decidedly ala wild and woolly West. Groups of men on the corners discussing the situation; crowds of men in the various livery stables, anxiously, and almost always vainly, endeavoring to secure horses to take them to Jamestown; little knots of men in earnest consultation, devising means of attack on the bandits; people of all kinds, description, age and sex, are impatiently awaiting the arrival of couriers from the seat of war with tidings of the progress made by the brave men composing the attacking forces, were among the many stirring things which went to make Sunday an exciting one. But for the calendar hanging in the dingy office of the rude hotel, and the occasional clang of a church bell, visitors here yesterday, might have forgotten the Holy Sabbath.

The arrest of two of the Oliphant train robbers and murderers near Jamestown last Saturday evening, and the fact that the remaining five were not many miles from the scene of their crime, furnished the sensation of the day. The entire male population of Batesville and the surrounding mountainous country were up, ready and anxious to join in the chase and every fragment of news relating to the posse and bandits was greedily devoured by the public. When The Gazette arrived on the morning train there was a rush made for them and ten minutes after their arrival not a single copy remained, although fabulous prices were willingly offered for the paper.

Nearly a week previous to the robbery, Mr. Oscar M. Pennington, Chief Deputy Sheriff of this county, discovered a party of strange men in camp in the hills about five miles from here. They were rough looking fellows and attracted his attention. Immediately after the robbery he recalled this fact, and in company with Sheriff Patterson, of Woodruff County, and Frank Lippman he started out to search for the party of campers. The officers were armed with revolvers, which they kept concealed in their pockets. About seven miles from this city, on a lonely highway, the officers met two men. The fellows were heavily armed, one carrying a Winchester and the other a big six-shooter. Had the officers been armed with rifles there is no doubt but a pitched battle would have taken place before the men surrendered. As it was Mr. Pennington engaged the men in conversation. The said they were out hunting squirrels. Mr. Pennington approached them, and when within a few feet of the man with the Winchester, he grabbed the weapon by the barrel. His fellow officers at once covered the two men with their revolvers and there was nothing left for those worthies to do but quietly surrender. They were chained together and brought to town and lodged in jail.

The news of the arrest spread rapidly, and in less than an hour a posse headed by Mr. M. C. Long was scouring the country for the campers. About twenty-five men went out from this place, another posse from Newport, and officers from several counties were soon scouring the country around Jamestown.

The first information as to the progress being made by the posse came early Sunday morning in he shape of a telephone message form Dr. Weaver, at Jamestown, stating that at an early hour the posse, headed by Lone, had run upon the bandits in camp and that a running fight had ensued. The bandits were greatly outnumbered and beat a hasty retreat. No one was injured though the thieves wee forced to abandon some of their plunder.

A second telephone message was received from Dr. Weaver at 11 a.m. announcing that the pursuit as growing hotter. Six of the bandits horses had been abandoned, together with one revolver and a quantity of cheap jewelry. As there were supposedly seven bandits in the original band, two of whom are in jail, the finding of six horses led to the impression that of the five robbers yet at large, all but one had taken to their feet. The horses and revolver were found at Green Briar Mountain, two miles from Jamestown, indicating that the bandits were making for the Boston Mountains.

The railroad officials read a telegram at noon, stating that a special messenger had been dispatched from Searcy with a message to the Sheriff of Cleburne County at Heber, and that posses were being formed at all interior points between there and Clinton, Van Buren County, with a view to cutting off escape in that direction.

What may prove a valuable clew to the identification of the men should they be captured alive was unearthed shortly after noon, when a telegram was received from Frank Lipman at Oliphant, stating that an abandoned wagon and harness were found near that place Sunday morning. In the wagon was found a small bottle of oil, on which was a label bearing the card of Joyce's drug store, Newport, Ark.

Quite a ripple of excitement was caused on the streets about 11:30 Sunday by the appearance of two strangers who rode into town on horseback. The public had been worked up to such a state of nervousness that every stranger in town was regarded with a curious suspicion until it was learned who he was. The two men referred to were rough looking countrymen and each had a pair of rusty old saddlebags. It was immediately rumored on the street that two of the Oliphant train robbers had arrived in town. The rumor was quickly run down and found to have no foundation. The two strangers were peddlers.

During Sunday afternoon the posses found several overcoats and another lot of plunder which had been abandoned by the bandits. A Texas hat was found later on, which was shot full of holes. No blood stains were to be seen on the tile, however, and it is not thought that its recent wearer received any of the bullets.

At 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon two of the posse form this place returned, bringing with them a horse which had been abandoned by the fugitive robbers one mile west of Jamestown. The saddle on the horse was pierced with rifle bullets in several places and the horse was badly injured. In the pockets of the saddle was found a quart of whisky, several fine gold watches and various other jewelry. It is probable that the rider of the horse was injured before he abandoned this steed. The men bringing the horse also brought the information that the bandits ere making their way up White River bottoms. The banks of the river are full of caves and it is believed that the pursuing posses have them pretty well corralled. Superintendent Rose had this opinion but says it may take a siege of two or three days to starve them out. Several times yesterday the bloodhounds were close upon the thugs who turned and fired upon them.

About 125 men guarded the place where the men are hiding last night and after receiving fresh recruits and new hounds, continued the work of dislodgment this morning.

Another sensation was sprung Sunday afternoon when it was discovered that there was a traitor in the pursuing party,

John and Clem Wackerly were suspected of knowing more about the train robbery than they were willing to divulge. When they were called upon to join the posse the boys did so and Clem was put in the front ranks. When the skirmish with the robbers occurred, however, he threw down his Winchester and ran. A member of the posse drew his rifle and stopped him. He was then placed in charge of guards and taken to his home in the hills near Jamestown. The guards surrounded the house and held the family prisoners all night, as it was believed they would try to aid the robbers to escape

Another thing which makes matters look dark for the Wackerleys is the fact that one of the abandoned horses captured by the posse have been positively identified as being the property of old man Wackerly. The old man, it is said, was not at home when the guards surrounded his house and has fled to the hills. The Wackerly bear a very unsavory reputation. Clem, who is a young mountain country youth 19 years old and rather handsome, was recently convicted of a minor offense and placed in the county jail. One day while working on the county road he made his escape and has not been seen here since.

Superintendent Rose and party of railroad officials went to Jamestown in a hack this morning. It is learned by The Gazette representative that the railroad men are not satisfied with the work done by the detectives they put on the case. Four men were sent here from St. Louis, but it is said they were novices at the business and not capable of handling the case. They have been discharged and other men put on the case.

All efforts to get a statement from the tow men in jail here have been futile. They are sullen and refuse to talk. Before their arrest they gave their names as Bill Lemons and Mark Arnett. They now deny having given their names at all and say they have forgotten their names if they ever had any.

Lemons, as he is called, is undoubtedly the man who wen down the aisles of the cars and relieved the passengers of their valuables. It was at first reported that he and Jesse Roper, who killed a Sheriff in Baxter County, and for whom there is a reward of $1,800, were one and the same man, but this is not true. Hon. Jerry South, of Baxter County, who knows Roper had an interview with Lemons and says he is not the man. Mr. South says, however, that Roper may have been mixed up in the robbery and would not be surprised to find him among the gang when the others are captured.

Lemons is a tall, ungainly fellow of a very remarkable build. At first glance, one would suppose him to be six feet two inches tall, so slender are his legs and so lank is his body. He is, however, not more than five feet ten inches in height. He wears a pair of highheeled boots, with his pants stuck in the top which ads to his odd appearance. He is of dark complexion, sunburn tan, very prominent, high cheek bones, small mouth, light sandy mustache, keen, blue eyes and very thin nose. On the whole, he has the appearance of the typical "way out West" outlaw. From his conversation it is plainly shown that he is a backwoodsman. He seems to have a moderate education and is good at repartee though his efforts to be humorous are enough to make you weep.

Mark Arnett is a man of small build, not much over five feet in height, and weighs, perhaps, 160 pounds. He has dark hair and light mustache. His eyes are blue and has a high forehead and round face.

The Gazette representative was taken into the jail Sunday afternoon where he asked them a number of questions. Each question elicited an evasive answer. The men would pay no attention to the reporter when addressed as Lemmons and Arnett. The attempt to get anything out of the men was an utter failure. They said they knew nothing of the Oliphant Train robbery until arrested. It is believed by some that Lemons' real name is Bill Williams, and that he is known in Cincinnati. With a view of confirming this belief The Gazette reporter made another visit to the county jail this morning. Lemons was sitting on a cot in his cell when the reporter entered. Arnett, who was walking around inside the bares, sat down beside Lemons on the cot. The usual evasive answers were given to all questions. Neither man paid any attention when addressed as Lemons and Arnett. Finally, after a pause, the reporter said: "Well, Mr. Williams----"

Instantly the keen eyes of Lemons flashed upon him, and he asked; "Who's Williams?"

"Bill Williams," replied the reporter.

"There's no one by that name here," chimed in Arnett, the interview ended.

The Pacific Express people are making a great effort to fasten the crime upon the men under arrest and the others of the gang.

Fourteen packages of new jewelry were taken in the robbery, and the express people are now trying to identify the recovered property.

Special to the Gazette: Batesville, November 6.--At 3 p.m. a telephone message was received from Dr. Weaver at Jamestown stating that tow more of the horses belonging to the bandits had been captured. The posse came up on the place where the bandits had been captured. The posse came up on the place where the bandits had camped the night before and found some express way bills and a lot of watch crystals. Shortly after 3 o'clock part of the posse came in sight of the bandits and fired one solitary shot. It is supposed that this shot was a signal for the others of the posse to round up. Nothing has since been heard from seat of war. The bandits are without overcoats and some without hats. They have no way of getting provisions and are short on ammunition. Two Deputy Marshals came from Mulrow, I. T., tonight, and are preparing to start to capture the men. They have every description of both men in jail here and believe they are members of the Dalton gang. The man supposed to be Arnett told the jailer they might break his neck but it would not move him to make a statement. His pal seems to show signs of weakening, and suggested that they might be mobbed. "Well, let them hang us," said Arnett, "they can't eat us." Superintendent Ross and party returned from Jamestown this evening and left for Little Rock tonight.

Robbers Abandon Horses

Special to the Gazette, Batesville--November 6, 8:10 p.m.

Posse captured the remaining horses of the bandits this afternoon and found where they camped last night. Posse expects to overtake robbers soon, when a battle will undoubtedly ensue.

Marshall Gaines Arrives: He tells How the Posses Pursued the Bandits.

Marshal Abner Gaines arrived on 51 yesterday morning at 1:20 o'clock from Batesville, the base of operations of the posses in the pursuit of the bandits. He says that he and his posse arrived at Oliphant the night of the robbery early in the morning, where they were joined by Lippman's and Sheriff Hobgood's posses. They caught the trail of the robbers and followed it to Oil Trough, about ten miles northwest of Oliphant, where he left them to go to Newark, a small station on the Batesville branch, to telegraph the results to the railway authorities. The party then followed the trail to a point a few miles south of Jamestown, where they learned that a party live on a hill near by, where the robbers had had a rendezvous two or three weeks before the robbery. Here they were joined by the Batesville posses, and the people round about till the pursuing force numbered about 100 men armed and equipped for the pursuit and determined to never cease till the bandits should be captured. Among the recruits was Postmaster C. Long, of Jamestown, who was thoroughly acquainted with the country and its inhabitants.

On Sunday evening about 3 o'clock, a part of the posse, under Sheriff Patterson, came upon two of the robbers in a thicket, the pair who were captured. They refused to give their names or say where they were from. Long said they had called for mail for bill Lemons and Mack Arnett at his postoffice, and this is the only names they are known by.

Marshal Gaines describes Lemons as a tall, lanky, country-looking fellow, with high-heel boots, pants in his boots, dark hair and mustache, about 30 years old, and six feet one or two inches high. He was the leader of the gang, and the money belt described by the passengers was found on him. it contained money and jewelry, such as is described by the railway company as having been taken form the jewelry safe in the express car. The other captive was smaller, rather heavy set, blue eyes, sandy hair and mustache, about 30 years old, and the appearance of a genuine tough. Lemons had two navy sixes and the other a Winchester and a navy six. Both were afoot. On Sunday morning four of the robbers were so closely driven by Long and his companion that they were compelled to leave their horses, saddlebags and overcoats. They had four horses and a mule, all with Texas saddles, showing that they were probably from the Indian Territory. The saddlebags contained all kinds of pocketbooks and cheap jewelry. The robbers escaped, however, with the posse after them, heading for the South.

Marshall Gaines was compelled to return to look after the affairs of his office, as all offices force was with the posse. He will return today if the robbers are not captured and rejoin his posse.

Postmaster Long: He Engages in the Skirmish With the Bandits

Postmaster C. Long, of Jamestown, arrived on the 1:20 train yesterday morning with Marshal Gaines from the scene of operation at Batesville, being summoned as a witness in the United States Court. He was one of the men who got into a skirmish fight with the bandits Sunday morning, and relates the following story of his adventures:

"I live at Jamestown, and I was one of few men who had the skirmish with the robbers near my home at daylight Sunday morning.

The Robbers Discovered: "We had been on the march all night without finding the robbers' trail. We were about to return to Jamestown, when our attention was attracted by a noise in the canebrake about sixty yards away. We laid low, and in a few minutes I caught sight of one of the robbers, who carried a Winchester. He saw me, too, and turned to his followers, saying, "Look out, boys; there they are!"

"We called to them to halt, but they wouldn't halt worth a cent, so we pulled down on them. I had a shotgun, loaded with turkey shot, and I got a clean shot at one of them."

Shot His Hat Off: "I knocked his hat off, but that didn't stop him. The robbers were mounted on horses while, we were on foot. We followed for half a mile and came upon the robbers horses; which had been abandoned. We were unable to track them further, so we returned to Jamestown and sent word to the other posse, which left immediately for the place where we had traced the bandits, and I am confident that they will succeed in making a capture.

Lemons and Arnett: "I have seen Lemons and Arnett and I am certain they were members of the robbers' gang. Two weeks ago these men, who are strangers, came to a house near Jamestown and engaged board. They remained there until last Wednesday night, when they left, going towards Oliphant. On Friday night they were seen near Oliphant with five other men, three of whom live near Jamestown.

A Female Spy: I believe a woman is communicating with the robbers, giving them information regarding the movements of the officers.

" A certain woman lives near Jamestown who has three bad sons who are now absent from home. The mother was seen at Jamestown and Newport on Saturday listening to all that was said about the robbery. She has disappeared, and the supposition is that she has gone to the robbers.

"Before leaving Jamestown last night, I heard that a posse had surrounded the robbers, and their capture was certain.

The Arkansas Gazette, November 8, 1893

One More Taken The Third Train Robber Captured at Conway Last Night.

Five of Them Still at Large in the Canebrakes of Independence County 
A Posse Came Upon Them Unexpectedly, When a Few Shots Are Exchanged 
Two Men Arrested for Knowing Too Much--Two of the Bandits Known to be Wounded.

The latest news from the train robbers was the capture of Clem Wackerly at Conway last night. He showed fight when cornered and pulled his gun, but was disabled by a shot from the posse.

Clem is a country youth about nineteen years of age, and rather handsome, and was recently convicted of a minor offense and placed in the county jail. One day while working on the county road he made his escape and has not been seen since.

Clem and his brother John were suspected of knowing more about the robbery than they were willing to divulge. When they were called upon to join the posse, the boys did so, and Clem was put in the front ranks. When the skirmish occurred with the robbers, however, he threw down his Winchester and ran. A member of the posses drew his rifle and stopped him.

He was then placed in charge of guards and taken to his home in the hills near Jamestown.

the guards surrounded the house and held the family prisoners all night, as it was believed they would try to aid the robbers to escape. Clem escaped, however, and was pursued by a posse till his capture was effected last night.

The train robbery continues to be an absorbing topic of public interest. A telegram to this city yesterday confirmed the report that Jno. R. Slocomb, one of Marshal Gaines' posse, had sustained a slight flesh wound in a skirmish with bandits, but no other casualties are reported as occurring among the pursuing posses. It was rumored that prisoners at Batesville would be taken out of jail last night and cowhided till they confessed the names of their confederates. At last accounts the bandits were hard pressed and hiding in cliffs and their capture likely be effected at any time. The telegraph at Batesville shuts off so early that later news was an impracticability from that place.

The railway and express officials, however, are in constant communication with the posses and if anything of importance had occurred last night it would have been made known here at once. Superintendent Case, of the Pacific Express Company, arrived here yesterday morning from Batesville and was in the city all day. He will leave no stone unturned to aid in the capture of the robbers.

Special to the Gazette: Batesville, November 7--The Jackson County posse goes home tonight. Sheriff Owens, with a fresh posse of men and horses, left here at dark for the mountains beyond Jamestown. The robbers are still here in the cliffs. The dogs failed to get on the trail. Hopes are high that the six will be caught. One of the prisoners had been positively identified as from the Nation. They still refuse to tell anything, and are as stubborn as ever.

The Third One Captured, Special to The Gazette

Conway, November 7.--Clem Wackerly, one of the Oliphant train robbers, was shot and wounded here this evening about 7 p.m. in the sitting room of the depot. He was suspected this evening by his curious movements. Sheriff Wilson was notified and organized posse, consisting of Hamp Martin and M. S. Parker, to help arrest him. The Sheriff questioned him and Wackerly gave his name away in the conversation with the Sheriff before any attempt was made to arrest him. During the conversation he had a 45 Colt's pistol in his hand and when the Sheriff demanded him to surrender he said he would not and while the sheriff was trying to get him to surrender he made a move to shoot when M. S. Parker shot him inflicting a serious but not fatal wound. In thirty minutes after he was captured a posse from near Batesville, Ark., arrived and identified him as Clem Wackerly and said that they had been on his track for days.

The Wackerly's Under Guard: They Are Believed to Know too Much About the Affair

Special to the Gazette: Batesville, November 7--the house where the bandits have been harbored was watched last night. This is the house occupied by Jim Joyce, a son-in-law of Old man Wackerly. At 5 o'clock this morning a man was seen to enter the house, and after remaining a half an hour, on leaving was fired upon by a guard.

Six of the robbers are still at large in what is known as Brock Hollow, six miles form here and they have divided up into two parties of three each. Dr. Watkins, of Newport, and a party of eight or nine spent Sunday and Monday there looking for them, and , while they did not see any of the bandits, heard of them, and met a boy Monday night, who told them that as he was walking out Clinton Road Sunday afternoon he ran up on three of them hiding in the brush about one hundred yards from the road. The road is very lonely and unfrequented, and Dr. Watkins think the bandits intended making their way toward the Boston Mountain. When they saw the boy they immediately disappeared in the brush. The posse scoured the woods looking for them Sunday evening. they found a camp fire and a lot of melted jewelry, which the bandits had tried to destroy. The jewelry was evidently cheap, as well as new. One of the Lippman boys is wearing one of the rings. They also found a lot of watch crystals. Jim Joyce, who is a son-in-law of old man Wackerly, and the Wackerly boys, John and Clem, are under guard at the camp, while the mother and four daughters are being guarded at their homes to keep them from communicating with any of the gang. His family claim that old man Wackerly has not been at home for eighteen months, but has been in the Indian Territory, and the fact that some of the men implicated are from the Territory and also the fact that they camped near Wackerley's and the further fact that Jim Joyce flushed the hounds leads to the impression that the Wackerleys know more about the hold-up than honest people ought to know.

At 10 o'clock, this morning a posse came upon the bandits unexpectedly and a few shots were exchanged, and the hounds took the trail, the posse following. At least two of the bandits are known to be injured. One has been shot in the head, but it is not known how badly. One of the overcoats found had three rifle bullet holes in it and it is believed the owner of the coat is injured.

Will Extort a Confession: A Mysterious Cowhide That May Do Some Good Work.

A mysterious bundle arrived at Batesville Sunday night. It was rumored that this bundle contained a cowhide. It was planned to take the prisoners, Lemon and Arnett, from jail last night and whip them till they should confess who their confederates were. Owing to the early closing of the telegraph office at Batesville last night it was impossible to learn whether the plan was carried into execution. Another rumor is gaining credence at Batesville as to Lemon's identity. It is believed that his name is Williams, and that he is the man who killed Sheriff Hoskins in Mississippi County six years ago.

The Arkansas Gazette, November 9, 1893 [partial article]

FOURTH BANDIT Railroad Officials Report the Fourth Robber Captured in White County.

Clem Wackerly Denies Taking Part in the Robbery, But says Arnett and Lemons Stopped at His House

All kinds of rumors were afloat yesterday as to the capture or killing of robbers. The only authentic story was received from Marshal Gaines, who said that he had received notice that another one of the bandits had been captured by a posse in White County under Sheriff Hardin, and was being taken to the jail at Searcy.

It is now believed that the remaining bandits have separated and are heading for the Indian Territory. Detectives, however, are hot on their trail, and the whole country to the Indian Territory line is aroused to intercept them, should they come that way.

The rumored confession of one of the Batesville prisoners was denied by Editor El. L. Givens in a dispatch to The Gazette last night, which also states that there were no new developments there.

Sheriff Patterson was instructed by the Governor, that in case there was any threats or danger of lynching the prisoners in the Batesville jail, he should convey them to Little Rock for safety, but no such danger is anticipated. Clem Wackerly, the third captive, who was taken at Conway, was taken to Newport last night and lodged in jail, as the hold-up was committed in Jackson County.

Wackerly's Confession, The Conway Captive Bemoans His Fate and Curses His Captors.

Special to the Gazette. Conway, November 8--Clem Wackerly, the wounded train robber now in custody here, admits that he knows Arnett, Lemons and Williams, and that they were at his house for a week prior to the robbery at Oliphant. He also admits that he shot at the dogs of the Sheriff's posse. But stoutly denies that he took part in the robbery. He came in town yesterday on a cotton wagon with a Mr. Chamness and Chamness, seeing he was heavily armed, drew him out and Wackerly told him that he could not be arrested. This coupled with his resistance of the arrest shows him to be a desperate criminal. He devotes his time to bemoaning his fate and cursing his captors.

Did Not Shoot at the Dogs. Sheriff Patterson says that Clem Wackerly never shot at the hounds, but that he is one of the robbers, he has no doubt.

Patterson Story. His Thrilling Adventure in the Capture of Arnett and Lemons.

Sheriff M. H. Patterson, the brave young Sheriff of Woodruff County, who did such courageous service in the capture of two of the Oliphant train robbers, was in the city yesterday, accompanied by his wife, returning to Augusta last evening.

He tells a very thrilling story of the capture of Arnett and Lemons, as well as of the map of their plans found in Arnett's possession.

"The papers have been misled," said the Sheriff, "as to the identity of Arnett and Lemons. Arnett is the big man, and leader of the bandits, while Lemons is the smaller man in the jail at Batesville. There were only four of the robbers on horseback that night. Of this I am positive, as I took the trail from Oliphant the night of the robbery and distinctly traced the tracks of the horses, going as well as coming. It is probable, that the others, and there might have been others, were at Oliphant and boarded the train at Bradford, mingling with the passengers.

"The other two were Clem Wackerly, now under arrest at Conway, and Jack or 'Dad' Williams, an old preacher, who is still at large.

"I was led to believe that the bandits were located about Greenbriar Mountain near Jamestown by the trail of the bandits' horses, as well as the fact that suspicious characters had been known to have camped in that vicinity previous to the robbery.

"As there seem to be all kinds of stories afloat as to how the capture of Arnett and Lemons was effected, I would like to have it correctly stated.

"I see the papers credit the seizure of Lemons' gun to Deputy Sheriff Oscar Pennington, of Independence County. I would not, nor could I, say anything in disparagement of Pennington, for a braver, nor more skillful officer never trod Arkansas soil. When I became satisfied, however, on Saturday that the bandits were hiding about Greenbriar Mountain, I determined to hunt them down. Frank Lippman was with me, and ready to die if necessary in the attempts. We met Pennington and a man named Hall that evening and induced Pennington to join us, Hall having official business to attend to could not accompany us. After consultation I told them that we were taking our lives in our hands and it was a solemn trio who then and there pledged themselves to the capture of the robbers, no matter at what cost. Pennington made his resolve with tears in his eyes. I sent word to Stayton at Newport to take out all the insurance he could on my life, and I learned that he get $16,000."

"We had not proceeded far when we heard firing in the upper table rocks of the mountain, and then an answering signal, and directly heard the bandits moving through the brush. We advanced carefully. I examined my Winchester, and to my surprise found it empty. It was one of the fifteen brought from Little Rock. I quickly borrowed seven shell from Lippman, and we continued to advance. We soon distinguished two of the bandits (I was certain such they would prove to be), and our first impulse was to fire, but I considered that we had better not risk that method and concluded to accost them as hunters. When within speaking distance. I helloed to them, asking if they had seen any dogs, and as to what luck they had in hunting. They replied that they had not seen any dogs. I then asked if we could not stay all night with them. "We don't live in this d---- place," replied one of them. By this time I approached close enough to examine Arnett's gun, which he held ready to use, remarking to my companions than I thought it was the kind we ought to have, and handed mine forward as is customary with hunters, as if to exchange, when I grabbed the barrel of Arnett's weapon, and Lippman covered him with his, and Pennignton covered Lemons, who had stepped behind a pine tree. I then ordered Arnett to drop his gun, which he did, and I set my foot on it. Pennington then made Lemons throw up his hands and we took his navy six and marched them to Batesville. It was ticklish business.

"I found $75 in money, two gentlemen's watches and a ladies' gold watch in their possession. Upon searching Arnett I found a piece of foolscap paper, which contained a rough map of the route intended to be taken for their escape, as well as a map of the country about Huntsville, Ala., and Lookout Mountain, where, no doubt, they intended to make another hold-up."

A Startling Discovery.

A Map Showing the Plans of Escape and Another Hold-Up

A map found in Arnett's possession and now in the hands of Sheriff Patterson, discloses the plan of escape of the bandits and furnishes convincing evidence of the guilt of both Arnett and Lemons. Accompanying it were some pieces of poetry in the same handwriting, evidently that of Arnett, which rhymed first rate, and each verse of which ended in the blasphemous sentiment--'G--d--old H--l.' The map was drawn in lead pencil on a sheet of foolscap, and traced the intended route of escape of the bandits form Oliphant to the Indian Territory. It contained a tracing of the Iron Mountain road, and the only station marked on it was Oliphant. From this point to Younger's Bend, I. T., on the Canadian River, numerous cross roads, rocks, clumps of trees, forks of roads, and towns were designated, showing that everything had been carefully prearranged.

Greenbriar Mountain is marked as the first night's stopping place, and Wiley's cove, Searcy County, the second. At this safe distance the bandits expected to be able to move more at will. Marshall, Searcy County, as well as Jamestown, were also designated. Another map of the mountain region between Huntsville, Ala., and Lookout Mountain on the Memphis and Charleston, showed that this point was fixed upon as the scene of future operations.

Why Patterson Quit

He Says That Jealousy Frustrated His Plans

When asked why he had given up the chase so early Sheriff Patterson said that after the capture of the Texas ponies and mule of the bandits he formed a plan to trace the robbers with certainty. The ponies were thoroughly trained, and if let go would have taken an unerring path to the original home of the bandits. His plan was to mount the ponies and let them go where they would, and as he was sure they would wind up at the original haunts of the bandits in the Indian Territory, their owners could be surely identified. Other officers differed from him, the ponies were taken from him, and he then quit in disgust.

Little Rock Posse Returns

No truth in the Stories of Injury to Its Members

Bob Matthews, Dick Sappington, Ed Wiegel and all other members of the Little Rock posse who went out under Marshal Gaines, except Jno. R. Slocomb, arrived on a special yesterday morning from the scene of operations about Batesville.

Dick Sappington was seen and had little to communicate that was news.

"It was ticklish business," said Dick, "this making a mark of yourself to be shot at. There is no truth in the stories that any of the posses were shot.. John Slocomb remained with Detective McCabe, of the Iron Mountain, who, with other railroad detectives, is still in pursuit of the bandits.

"There was no fun in it, I tell you. Nothing much to eat, no time or place to sleep, tired out, I was glad of a rest, but will go out again if called on. There is no doubt but that they have the right men. The Wackerly's were implicated. I searched the old lady, while her daughter was sick in bed. The daughter cursed me for everything she could think of, while the old lady did not want to be searched. I found nothing on her."

The Arkansas Gazette, November 10, 1893

Suspects Held

A Man Suspected of Being One of the Oliphant Bandits Arrested at Bald Knob. 
Two Others Arrested in This City, Against Whom There is No Confirmatory Evidence 
Clem Wackerly Taken to Newport-Superintendent Ross and Several Sheriffs Go to Newport.

There was very little that was news yesterday growing out to the pursuit or capture of the Oliphant train robbers.

Every suspicious looking character in the State is now an object of careful official watchfulness, and as a result many arrests are being made of parties who turn out to have nothing to do with the crime whatever. The reported capture of one of ht robbers in White County is confirmed by Superintendent Case, of the Pacific Express Company, who was in the city yesterday, leaving for Memphis in the afternoon, and he is confident that all the robbers will be captured. Detectives and posses are at work all over the northern and western portion of the State and it will be remarkable if they are not all run to earth.

Wackerly Transported.

Clem Wackerly was brought through the city yesterday morning from Conway and placed in the jail at Newport, the county seat of the county in which the robbery was committed.

Officials and Sheriffs

Superintendent Rose, accompanied by several Sheriffs, with their deputies, went to Newport yesterday morning at 9:40 for the purpose of guarding Wackerly at Newport, as well as continuing the pursuit of the remainder of the robbers.

Footnote:
So the question is...who WERE all these people, and what happened to them after the other men, presumably the guilty parties, were arrested, convicted, and hanged?