Letters between Arkansas Governor Clayton Powell, Arkansas Governor Clayton Powell's Private Secretary Keyes Danforth, D. C. Gordon, Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn's Private Secretary H. F. Hewson; 1871

Documents
Letters between Arkansas Governor Clayton Powell, Arkansas Governor Clayton Powell's Private Secretary Keyes Danforth, D. C. Gordon, Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn's Private Secretary H. F. Hewson; 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Clayton, Powell, 1833-1914 Danforth, Keyes Gordon, D. C.Hewson, H. F.LaPish, Unknown Stampley, Philip

Events

Crime Crime--Murder Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure--Arrest Criminal Procedure--Imprisonment Criminal Procedure--Release

Organizations

Arkansas--Executive Department Jails Mississippi--Executive Department

Occupations

Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Detectives Law Enforcement--Police Law Enforcement--Sheriffs Mayors Secretaries

Places

Arkansas Arkansas--Phillips County. Helena Arkansas--Pulaski County. Little Rock Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Historically Free and Newly Freed Fugitives from Justice Imprisoned people

Page 1

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI,
Jackson, Feb'y. 10. 1871

Sir,

I have the honor to inform your Excellency that it has been reported to this office that a fugitive from justice Phil. Stampley by name accused of murder in this State, having fled to Arkansas is now confined in the jail at Helena.

I am instructed by the Governor to request you, if consistent with your idea of your duty in the premises, to cause Phil. Stampley to be held in custody until a requisition be forwarded Your Excellency for his delivery to the agent appointed to convey him to this State that he may be made to answer the charges preferred against him.

With profound Respect
Your Excellency's very obd sv't

H. F. Hewson
Gov's Priv Sect'y

Page 2

[page torn] Miss
[page torn]bruary 1871

Hewson H. F.
Gov's Secy

Has learned that one Stampley a fugitive from justice is in jail at Helena Ark

Asks that he be retained in custody un=til a requisition can issue—

Recd Easa 21" Febry/71

State of Arkansas

Executive Department
L Rock 21" Feby 1871

Respectfully referred to the Sheriff of Phillips County who will inform this office if the within mentioned fugitive is now in his custody. If so he will retain the prisoner until requisi-tion can issue for his delivery to the Governor of Mississippi

By direction of Govr Powell, Clayton

Keyes Danforth
Act Priv Secy
&c

Executive Office
Arkansas
March 7" 71

Respectfully returned to the Gov^r of Miss & attention respect-fully called to letter of Sheriff of Phillips Co.

By ord Exc
Keyes Danforth
Act Priv Secty

Page 3

Office Helena Feby 25^th 1871.

Gov^r Clayton

D^r Sr.

Your letter of inquiry (which is herewith returned) in reference to Phil Stamply was duly reci^e^ved and carefully read by me.—Stamply, with a number of aliases—is not now in custody—The facts are these, A detective by name L^aPish made affidavit before our mayor against prisoner—had him arrested by the police force and lodged him in jail—he remained in custody from 15 to 17 days. when I informed the mayor that I was unwilling to hold him longer without due process, that he was an ignorant colored man, was a stranger to me, knew nothing of law and the ordinary rights of citizenship, and that L^aP was of very doubtful standing—which last the Mayor was convinced was the case. After which L^aP. persuaded me to hold him 6 days longer—failing to get a word as he said, by telegram. the mayor ordered me to release him—This was three weeks ago—the man as I have since learned has been around Helena

Page 4

was seen yesterday—this does not look like guilt, yet if we can get hold of him, I will have him returned to jail and inform you at once.

With high regard I have the honor to be.

Most Respy.

D. C. Gordon Sff.
Phillips County.

Page 5

PRECIS.
[gap]

No! [gap]

Executive Office
State of Mississippi,
~~County of~~ Arkansas

From Governor. Clayton
Address Little Rock
Dated Mar. 7. 71.
Received—
Answered—

Returns letter of in-quiry in relation to Phil. Stamply with report of the Sheriff of Phillips Co

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.