The following crimes were tried in Powhatan during its time as county seat. Current records are indexed from 1869 to about 1930. This is not an exhaustive or complete list. 

Assault/Assault  and Battery

  • 10 cases of assault
  • 183 cases of Assault and battery
  • 80 cases of assault with intent to kill
  • 13 cases of assault with intent to rape
  • Notable Cases
    • John Jones and John Warner were tried for "whipping a negress" in 1898. Jones was fined 5 dollars. 1

Burglary, Robbery, Theft and Fraud

  • 22 cases of forgery
  • 22 cases of robbery
  • 42 cases of burglary
  • 25 cases of burglary and larceny
  • Notable Cases
    • in 1917 two bank robbers were indicted for robbing the Ravenden bank.2

Larceny

  • 73 cases of grand larceny
  • 88 cases of larceny
  • 12 cases of petit larceny

Moral and Sex Crimes

  • 34 cases of bastardy
  • 8 cases of bigamy
  • 8 cases of carnal abuse
  • 20 illegal cohabitation
  • 8 cases of rape
  • 120 cases sabbath breaking
  • 11 cases of seduction

Murder

33 murders were tried in the Western District of Lawrence County (Powhatan) between 1869 and 1932. Complete list here.

Public Disturbance

  • 128 cases of breach of peace
  • 88 cases disturbing the peace
  • 109 cases of drunkeness
  • 9 cases of obscenity
  • 89 cases of disturbing a religious congregation

Weapons

  • 79 cases of carrying a pistol
  • 30 cases of carrying a pistol as a weapon
  • 1 case of carrying a razor
  • 8 cases of carrying a weapon
  • 8 cases of carrying brass knuckles

Vice

  • 167 cases of gaming
  • 23 cases of selling liquor
  • 35 cases of selling liquor to a minor
  • 55 cases of selling liquor within 3 miles of a school or church
  • 75 cases of selling liquor without a license

Misc.

  • In 1915, Sam Davis was tried for kidnapping his own child.3

 

Sources

1. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas) · 14 Dec 1898, Wed · Page 6 1898 crime whippping.pdf

2. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas) · 19 Jan 1917, Fri · Page 2 bank robbers sentenced.pdf

3. Batesville Daily Guard (Batesville, Arkansas) · Mon, Nov 1, 1915 · Page 1 Sam Davis flees after argument.pdf

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