From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Multiple Correspondence 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, discussing Phil Stampley, an African American fugitive from justice in Mississippi, having been accused of murder, has fled to Arkansas, where he is being held in jail at Helena, and requesting that Stampley be transferred back to Mississippi. Sheriff D. C. Gordon notes that he released the prisoner and didn't think he was guilty.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from Mississippi Secession Commissioner George R. Fall to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus briefing Pettus on what he witnessed.