North Arkansas Times

Batesville, Arkansas

November 7, 1868

A Card from the Sheriff of Fulton County.

Salem, Fulton Co., Arks.,

Nov. 3d, 1868

Mr. Ed. North Arkansas Times – Sir: A few days since I accidentally happened to get a copy of the Weekly Missouri Republican, of October 16^th, in which I find a communication taken as said from your paper of Oct. 3d.-I can readily see that many of the main features are incorrect, which should not go uncorrected. I observe this sentence, “The Sheriff of the County, named Spears, swore in Monks and his band as Arkansas militia.” Now I state emphatically that entire sentence is a gross falsehood, and will pay one hundred dollars to the man who can establish that assestion. I hope, sir, as you published the original article that you will also permit me to be heard through the same medium, and oblige,

Yours, obediently, &c.

W.E. Spear.

Sheriff of Fulton Co., Arks.

After diligent inquiry I wish to state that the statement of Spear having sworn in Monks and his band as Arks. Militia is entirely unfounded, and further, I will go Spear’s security for the payment of the above sum when any man complies with terms offered.

E.C. Hunter

We give room to the above card from Mr. Spear, denying the charge that he had sworn in Monks and his band as Arkansas militia, at the time of the raid of the latter into Fulton County. Our statement of the whole affair was based upon the reports of citizens who were among the party who went to rescue the prisoners from the hands of Monks, and has since been corroborated in almost every particular, including the charge alluded to by Mr. Spears, by the published statement over the signatures of Col. Tracey and N.L. Baker, Esq., both of whom, we believe, were among the prisoners held by Monks. – We have no desire to do Mr. Spears injustice in the matter, and give him the benefit of his denial.