Pine Bluff Daily Graphic

THREE NEGROES ADMIT PART IN VANCE MURDER

Each of Trio Accused of Crime Denies Firing Charge.

Jarrett Hampton, Harrison Noah and Ike Sadler, negroes, are in jail at Star City accused of the murder of Reedy Vance, noted ex-convict, who was assassinated in the doorway of his little store, near the Cummins convict farm, Monday night, May 13. Tom Walker and Sam Walker, brothers, and Albert Clark, three other negroes, are held as material witnesses.

Prosecuting Attorney T. G. Parham has obtained from the three accused negroes the admission that they were present at the time that Vance was killed, but each denied that he fired the shot that killed the ex-convict store-keeper. Hampton, who was formerly employed by Vance, but who had been discharged two weeks before the murder, told the prosecuting attorney that Noah did the shooting, while Noah and Sadler say that Hampton fired the shot that killed Vance. The negroes admit that hope of obtaining money was the motive for the murder.

Hampton and Sadler assert that Noah got an automatic pistol stolen from Vance, but all deny knowledge of a Colt's which also was stolen from the former convict.

The arrest of the six negroes followed an investigation prosecuted by Dr. S. W. Colquitt, physician at the Cummins farm; Porter Pouncey, deputy sheriff of Lincoln, and Mr. Parham. Since the murder of Vance, Dr. Colquitt has found $206 in the dead man's effects.

Vance was shot to death late Monday night, May 13. A charge fired from behind him, tore off the top of his head. As he was known to be cautious, and would not emerge from his house after dark, except upon the summons of some one he knew and trusted, the authorities hunted for the murderer among those in whom Vance was known to have confidence.

The arrest of the six negroes was the result.

Lincoln officials are considering asking that a special term of court be held to try the accused negroes, but have not definitely determined whether they will do so. There is no talk of mob violence, but it is thought possible that further disclosures may be made at a grand jury investigation or at the trial.