The origins of the Ambrose-Terry-Waggoner Feud that flared up in 1887 on
both sides of the Arkansas/Missouri border are not known. It has been
suggested that it resulted from animosity following the Civil War between
supporters of the Confederacy and those who had supported the Union. But
Henry Clark Ambrose, the father of Frank and William, returned to his
Kentucky home to fight on the side of the Union; whereas their ally,
Randolph Grant Wagoner, was the son of Adam Clarke Wagoner, who fought
for the Confederacy from Virginia. And Alvin Culloden Garrett, the man
Frank Ambrose was accused of killing, was the son of David Haines Garrett,
a Confederate soldier from Tennessee; but his ally, Isaac Terry, fought
for the Union in the 24th Kentucky Infantry. So allegiances in the feud
do not appear to align according to Union vs. Confederate sympathies
It has also been suggested that the feud was part of the Bald Knobber, Anti-Bald Knobber activities. Miles and John Terry did testify for the defense at the Sep 1890 trial of Jim & Billy Miles for the killings of Sheriff Galba Branson and bounty-hunter Ed Funk at the 4th of July Picnic at Kirbyville in 1889. However, it was a vigilance committee formed for the purpose, that drove the Terrys out of Stone County. Referred to as "outlaws" by the NEW YORK TIMES, the Terry brothers (Isaac Jackson, Joseph Joel, Miles Monroe, John Richard, and Napoleon Bonapart "Bone",) were accused of many crimes, including robbery, murder, and horse stealing, the last considered almost on par with murder, since stealing a man's horse deprived him not only of transportation, but his livelihood of farming. The Terry brothers were driven out of Stone County in Dec 1887 after the gunfight resulting in the deaths of Cul Garrett and Grant Wagoner.
Three of the sons of Henry Clark Ambrose (Franklin Barton, William J., and John F.) also spent many nights in jails on both sides of the Arkansas/Missouri border, and they appear to have been frequent participants in the drinking and fighting that was endemic in the border towns of Forsyth and Chadwick. However, nothing has been found that would suggest the Ambrose brothers were part of pro or anti Bald-Knobber activities. Contemporary newspaper accounts refer to the feud separately and it appears to have had a personal basis that we have not yet discovered.
Originally created for Ambrose family researchers in 2007, this timeline has been updated to include records discovered since then, as well as records that were encountered for others who are also part of area history. If you have information to add to the stories of these people and this feud, please contact us. Records for three charges we know were related to the feud are highlighted: the murder of John Meek,
the murder of Cul Garrett,
and the burning of Ike Terry's barn.
TIMELINE | ||||||
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| Date | Where | Who | Event | Description/Comments | ||
| Sep-Nov 1883 | Taney Co MO | Bald Knobbers | Organized | Nat Kinney called together 12 respectable citizens to form a vigilante group that would put an end to the marauding gangs and bushwhackers that had freely roamed the area since the end of the Civil War. Originally organized as the "Anti-Horse Thief Association," and followed by "The Law and Order League," but were soon referred to by the locals as "Bald Knobbers" because of the location of their meetings. | ||
| 10 Apr 1886 | Taney Co MO | Bald Knobbers | Taney Co Chapter Disbanded | The Anti-Bald Knobbers petitioned the Missouri Governor John S. Marmaduke to disband the group. Marmaduke sent his Adjutant General, J. C. Jamison, to Forsyth for a meeting with the Bald Knobbers and Jamison recommended to Kinney that an official dissolution of the Bald Knobbers would be in the best interest of the County. The next day a formal dissolution ceremony was held in the town square. However, by this time, Stone, Douglas, Greene, and Christian counties had adopted the idea of masked night riders and the Bald Knobbers continued unofficially as vigilance committees until about 1890. | ||
| Apr 1886 | Marion Co AR | John W. Terry | Arrested |
STATE NEWS -- Tuesday night the sheriff made a raid and arrested and lodged
in jail John W. Terry, charged with selling whiskey without license. He was armed
and equipped with five bottles of whiskey on his person. --Boone Banner. |
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| 11 Jul 1886 | Carroll Co AR | John Ambrose | Assault | John Ambrose drew a pistol and threatened to shoot Joseph Reynolds. Indictment
not sustained since a fine had already been assessed by the J. P. and paid. |
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| 17 Sep 1886 | Boone Co AR | John Terry | Jail Escape | BOONE BANNER -- Last Friday night John Brannam, of Searcy County, and John Terry, of Boone,
sawed and dug their way out of our old chicken-coop, called a jail, and left for
parts unknown, without bidding good-bye to the watchman who stood without. Nobody
seems to be crying over their departure. Brannam’s wife was confined that night
(no pun meant) in the jail with her husband. There being no charges against her,
she remained to tell how the delivery was accomplished. |
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| 10 May 1887 | Carroll Co AR | William Ambrose | Indicted: Assault | William Ambrose shoots and wounds John Carr
in the leg. Indicted for Assault with intent to Kill 15 Aug 1887. Pleads not
guilty and is granted change of venue to Madison County. H.C. Ambrose posts bond
on the 19th for William's appearance for trial on 8 Sep 1887.
[Note: This case was not tried until 1894 (see below), probably
because William was in jail or out on bond for arson (Carroll Co AR) and murder (Stone Co MO) during 1888, 1889, until August of 1890 when he was sentenced to two years in the Arkansas State Penitentiary on the arson charge.] |
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| 12 May 1887 | Carroll Co AR | John Ambrose | Indicted: Bribery | Offered $50 to any one who would "try Bill Ambros and turn him loose in the
case against him for shooting John Carr." |
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| Nov 1887 | Carroll Co AR | John Meek, Terry | Murder of John Meek | CRIMES IN CARROLL COUNTY -- A man named John Meek, who lived seven miles north
of town near the Polo and King's River township line, was ambushed and murdered
near his house about "dusk," the first of last week. Four balls entered his body
killing him instantly. It is said he was accused of shooting Terry in the same
neighborhood not long since, and the general supposition is that Meek's life was
taken in revenge. |
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| Dateline: 1 Dec 1887 |
Stone Co MO | Cul Garrett, Grant Wagoner, Frank & William Ambrose | Newspaper Article | GALENA ORACLE, The 1st inst. -- about 25 miles from Galena,
near the house of Missouri H. Wilder and about 1/4 mile from the state line, a boy
named Wagner and another young man named Ambrose concealed themselves on the road
and as Cull Garrett was passing them fired upon him from the brush. He
dismounted and fired back. Another Ambrose boy heard the firing and
rode rapidly to the place. Several shots had been exchanged and Garret
had been hit in both arms. Ambrose at once fired on Garrett and gave him
the wound that proved fatal. Garrett in the meantime had hit and killed
Wagner. Garret, after being mortally wounded, fired on and wounded
young Ambrose; both Ambrose boys took flight and left the state. Garrett
rode to Wilder's and called for help. He died near 10 o'clock.
[Note: Grant Wagoner is buried in Blackjack Cemetery near Berryville, Carroll Co, AR. The original tombstone was replaced by a descendant and now reads:
R. Grant Waggoner 22 Sep 1867 - 1 Sep 1887. Contemporary records indicate he died the 30th of November.] |
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| 7 Dec 1887 | Carroll Co AR | Cul Garrett, Grant Wagoner | Newspaper Article | VICTIMS OF AN ARKANSAS FEUD, Little Rock, ARK, 6 Dec 1887 --
Particulars of a singular double tragedy have
just been received from Berryville, Ark. Grant [Cul]
Garrett and Cul [Grant]
Waggoner, living in the Polo Township, met on the roadside and began
firing at each other. Garrett was killed outright, and Waggoner will die from his
wounds. The murder is the result of a feud, which thus far has cost four lives,
and further bloodshed is imminent. Several prominent families are involved. |
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| 24 Dec 1887 | Dateline: Ozark, Christian Co MO | Terry Brothers, Cul Garrett, Grant Waggoner, Frank Ambrose, William Ambrose | Newspaper Article: History of the Feud |
FIGHTING WITH OUTLAWS. A DEADLY WAR BEING WAGED IN MISSOURI -- A deadly warfare is progressing near Galena, Stone County, and an appeal has been made to Gov. Marmaduke to send troops to the scene. Stone County is on the southwestern border and has neither railroad nor telegraph. It is the home of many of the Bald Knobbers who were recently punished by the Government, and the majority of its citizens travel armed. Col. Almus Harrington of Ozark returned from Stone County to-day, and says that the whole section along the White River is terrorized. Very little is known of the history of the feud, but it seems that the Terry brothers, five in number, living near Maybury's [Maybry/Mayberry] Ferry on the White River [Radical, MO; Kimberling City today], have for years defied the law and terrorized the community. They have been charged with various crimes, including horse stealing, and finally a vigilance committee was organized to drive them out of the county. The Terrys, with their friends, overawed the leaders of the regulating movement, and the outlaws held their ground. Two weeks ago one of the Terrys was shot from ambush and killed. Soon after this one Meeks, a member of the anti-Terry faction was shot to pieces by unknown assassins. A few days later Cull Garret, a friend of the Terrys was fired upon by Grant Wagner and William Ambrose, who had secreted themselves behind a tree. Garret carried a Winchester rifle, and when fired upon by the assassins, jumped from his horse and took a position behind a tree about 45 yards from Ambrose and Wagner. The fight which ensued lasted about 15 minutes during which over 20 shots were exchanged. Wagner received two mortal wounds, and his ally fled, leaving Garret master of the field. About this time Frank Ambrose, brother of William, who had heard the shooting came up, armed with a revolver, and opened fire on Garret, killing him on the second shot, and receiving himself a wound from the effects of which he will die. [Trial testimony indicates the shot only grazed Frank's cheek. He died in Jan 1943, 55 years after these events.] The Stone County Oracle says about 10 men have been killed in this neighborhood, and that no one has received any legal punishment. A correspondent of the same paper, writing from the vacinity of the disturbance, says that good men are being ordered to leave the locality, and thinks Gov. Marmaduke ought to send assistance immediately to restore order, as the authorities of the county seem powerless to enforce the law. |
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| 21 Jan 1888 | Dateline: Galena, Stone Co MO | Terry Outlaws | Newspaper Article | BLOODY BATTLE PROBABLE -- Reports from Galena, Stone County, indicate that the war between the Vigilance Committee of the county and the Terry outlaws is liable to culminate in a bloody battle. Six weeks ago, when the outlaws were driven out of Stone County, they crossed the Arkansas line and fortified themselves at Boon. Their depredations soon aroused the people in the neighborhood and they were ordered to leave. They refused and purchased 25 Winchester Rifles and defied the authorities. The outlaws number altogether about 30 and the Vigilance Committee about 100 and both are preparing for battle. The Stone County committee has joined forces with the Arkansas committee. |
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| 6 Feb 1888 | Carroll Co AR | Miles & John Terry, William Waggoner, John Mitchell, Frank & William Ambrose | Newpaper Article: Arrests | DESPERATE OUTLAWS CAGED. Little Rock, Ark., Feb. 6. -- Intelligence of the
arrest of Miles and John Terry was received today from Berryville. They are border
outlaws having killed a number of men, the last being John Meeks. The
scene of their exploits for some time past has been Stone County, Mo.,
and the border Arkansas counties. Lately these men, with numerous
followers, had a desperate fight on the highway in Carroll County,
Ark., with a party of their foes headed by an ex-Federal soldier named
Waggoner. He was killed, two of his men were wounded, and the
remainder were dispersed, of whom William Waggoner, John Mitchell, and
Frank and William Ambrose have been arrested. They are out
under bond. The Terry faction threaten to burn the jail and release
the Terry's. |
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| 16 Feb 1888 | Carroll Co AR | Isaac Terry | Land Purchase | When Isaac and his brothers were driven out of Stone County MO, they retreated to Boone County AR, but they soon became unwelcome there too. Isaac then purchased 80 acres in Carroll County, located across Indian Creek from the farm of Henry Clark Ambrose. The purchase was completed just 8 days before William and Frank
Ambrose were indicted for burning his barn, and his brothers, Miles & John, were indicted for the murder of John Meek. |
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| 24 Feb 1888 | Carroll Co AR | Frank & William Ambrose, Rufus Peters, Cole Wagoner, John Mitchell | Indicted: Arson | Indicted for the burning of Ike Terry's barn, defendants are recognizanced at
$750 each. Henry C. Ambrose is security for Frank. William requests a change of
venue to Madison County stating that it would be impossible to obtain a fair trial
in Carroll County. Change of venue is granted. [Note: Cole Wagoner was the twin brother of Grant Waggoner who was killed 30 Nov 1887.] |
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| 24 Feb 1888 | Carroll Co AR | John Terry, Miles Terry, Will Ketchum | Indicted: Murder of John Meeks | Indictment sustained by Grand Jury. On Feb 29th, Miles Terry
presents Joseph Terry, Thomas Duncan, Samuel Hatten, J.M. Lovett and David
Garrett as securities in his $3000 bond in indictment for murder in the 1st degree
of John Meek. Witnesses recognizanced. F.B. Ambrose is listed as a prosecution witness. |
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| Jul 1888 | Carroll Co AR | Frank & William Ambrose | Bond Forfeiture: Arson |
Frank and William fail to appear July Term. Henry Ambrose and C.S. Davis, securities for Frank and William, are summoned to appear 1 Aug 1888 to show cause
why bond should not be ordered forfeit. Writs issued for Frank and William. |
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| Aug 1888 | Carroll Co AR | Miles Terry, John Terry | Trial: Murder of John Meek | Case continued for the want of testimony of Wesley Hemsley, Georgia Ann Hemsley, Nancy Willhite and Robert Willhite. |
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| Aug 1888 | Carroll Co AR | Frank Ambrose | Trial #1: Arson | Mistrial. Jury cannot agree and is dismissed. |
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| 19 Oct 1888 | Stone Co MO | Miles Terry, Frank & William Ambrose | Affidavit: Murder of Cul Garrett | The Terrys must have been furious when the Carroll County jury failed to convict Frank for burning Isaac's barn. On Sep 25th, while his own trial in Carroll for the murder of John Meek is continued, Miles Terry files an affidavit in Stone Co. charging Frank and William with the murder of Cul Garrett. The Ambroses had been arrested for this murder in February, were out on bond and had apparently not been indicted or arraigned. Based on the Terry complaint, the Court issues warrants for Frank and William, and subpoenas for witnesses, who are ordered to appear on the 24th and 27th of October. |
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| Dateline: 23 Oct 1888 |
MO/Indian Territory | Sam Meek, John & Miles Terry, Wagoner, Garrett | Newspaper Article: Sam Meek killed |
A BLOODY ARKANSAS FEUD, St. Louis, Oct. 23 -- Men from Kings Rivers district, northern Arkansas, report a fresh outbreak of the Terry-Wagoner feud. Last January three Terry brothers and two Wagoners, father and son, were killed. Recently Sam Meeks, a cousin of the Wagoners, went to Indian Territory, and durng his absence, John and Miles Terry brought a charge for horse stealing against him, and secured a special appointment to go after him. They captured and killed Meeks, reporting he had attempted to escape. On Tuesday night last, the Wagoner faction retaliated by killing Miles Terry and fatally wounding John. Garrett of the Wagoner crowd, was killed and Cyrus W. Davis seriously wounded during the fight. |
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| 30 Oct 1888 | Stone Co MO | John Ambrose, W.W. Kimberling | Arraigned: Obtaining money under false pretenses | Defts appear before J.H. Holt, J.P., who orders them to be taken into custody and be returned to Court by the jailer 2 days later on 1 Nov 1888. [Nothing more is known about this charge. It is curious that Kimberling (Postmaster and part owner of the Maybury Ferry) was charged with obtaining money under false pretenses, then a few days later on Nov 5th, signs a security bond in the amount of $500 for William.] |
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| 31 Oct 1888 | Stone Co MO | Frank Ambrose, William Ambrose | Indicted: Murder of Cul Garrett | Indicted this term, Defts arraigned and plead not guilty. Defts in custody and ordered to secure jail in Christian Co. Cause continued for trial on 18 Feb 1889 and Court orders bond of $500 each. William posts bond on Nov 5th and Frank on the 12th. |
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| 18 Feb 1889 | Stone Co MO | Frank & William Ambroe | Indicted: 1st Degree Murder of Cul Garrett |
Previous records indicate William had been indicted for Assault instead of Murder. The prosecution apparently requested a new indictment at this term of the Grand Jury charging both Frank and William with Murder in the 1st Degree. Defts arraigned and plead not guilty. Defts being in custody of the Sheriff, the Court orders they be transferred to Christian County Jail for safe keeping and increases their bonds from $750 to $3000. |
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| 19 Feb 1889 | Carroll Co AR | Miles Terry, John Terry | Trial: Murder of John Meek | 1st degree murder case continued for want of testimony of Wm. Cooper and Martha Meek. |
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| 22 Feb 1889 | Christian Co MO | Wm. M. Ambrose | Jail Record |
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| 22 Feb 1889 | Christian Co MO | Frank B. Ambrose | Jail Record |
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| Dateline: 23 Feb 1889 |
Christian Co MO | Frank & William Ambrose | Newspaper Article: Indictment | Ozark, Mo., Feb 23: -- Two members of the anti-Terry faction of the Stone county feud, Frank and William Ambrose were brought to Ozark for safekeeping, charged with murder on A.C. Garrett on 1 December 1887.
They were indicted for murder in the first degree last week. Both are young men, Frank being only 23 and his brother William 20. | ||
| 22 Mar 1889 | Barry Co, MO | John Ambrose | Sentence: Arson | Sentenced to 5 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary for Arson. He was released 11 Jan 1893 under the 3/4 law. [Note: This was NOT for the burning of Isaac Terry's barn in Carroll Co AR. John was convicted and sentenced in Missouri for an arson in Barry County.] |
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| 8 Apr 1889 | Christian Co MO | Frank & William Ambrose | Bond Posted: Murder of Cul Garrett | Frank and William released from Christian Co jail on recognizance bonds of $3000 each for their appearance at the Court House in Galena on 19 Aug 1889.
Sureties for Frank are himself and Tho. Reynolds, D.J. Reynolds, T.R. Biles, L.C. Brittan, Joseph Standlee, and James Arnold.
Sureties for William are himself, Emily Ambrose, C.C. Allen, [illegible] Morris, M.F. Lutes, D.J. Reynolds, I.F. Holt? C.W. Warren, James Hobbs. |
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| 22 Aug 1889 | Carroll Co AR | Miles Terry | Trial: Murder | Miles Terry found Not Guilty of the murder of John Meek |
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| 3 Sep 1889 | Stone Co MO | Frank & William Ambrose | Case Continued: Murder of Cul Garrett | Frank renews his bond and changes three of his securities. Brittan, Standlee and Arnold are replaced by Wm. Rose, and John B. Morris. The case is continued until 3 Mar 1890. |
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| Feb 1890 | Carroll Co AR | Rufus Peters, Cole Waggoner, John Mitchell | Trial: Arson | Tried and found not guilty. The Court orders they be "discharged fully
acquitted". |
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| 27 Feb 1890 | Carroll Co AR | Frank Ambrose | Trial #2: Arson (Sentence) | STATE OF ARKANSAS vs. FRANK AMBROSE Comes the State by her attorney in their behalf prosecuting and the defendant in his own proper person in custody of the Sheriff and being informed of the nature of the charge plea and the verdict of the jury was asked if he had any legal cause to show why the judgment and sentence of the law should not be pronounced against him and no legal cause or excuse being shown, it is by the Court considered and adjudged that said defendant, Frank Ambrose be taken by the Sheriff of Carroll County to the State Penitentiary of the State of Arkansas and there delivered to the keeper of said Penitentiary and that he be confined at hard labor in said Penitentiary for the period of two (2) years from this date and it is further ordered and considered that the State of Arkansas have and recover of from said defendant all its costs in thus first laid out and expanded and ??? issue thereof. [Note: Frank's prison record has not been found; but William's prison record states his wife lives in Carroll County, his sisters live in Stone and Barry Counties, and that he has "1 brother in this prison."] |
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| 3 Mar 1890 | Stone Co MO | Frank Ambrose | Failure to Appear: Recognizance Bond Ordered Forfeit |
Defendant Frank B. Ambrose being three times solemnly called appears not . . . The Court orders Frank's Bond forfeit and his securities are ordered to appear next term and show cause why the judgment of the Court should not be executed. [Note: Frank could not appear because he had been sentenced to the Arkansas State Penitentiary by the Carroll Co Court four days before.] |
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| 3 Mar 1890 | Stone Co MO | William Ambrose | Trial: Murder of Cul Garrett | William's trial began on March 3rd. William asks for severance and it is granted. The jury was seated and charged on March 5th: Jack Davis, Solomon Hembre, Reece Crabtree, Daniel Carpenter, Jacob Horn, C. A. Standridge, Samuel Edwards, Frank Gunn. J.C. Carr, Wm. May, T.C. Crabree, and George May.
Testimony was heard on Mar 7th and 8th, and on the 8th, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. The Court orders that Wm. Ambrose be discharged immediately and recover his costs. | ||
| 26 Aug 1890 | Carroll Co AR | William Ambrose | Plea Change and Sentence: Arson | STATE of ARKANSAS vs. WILLIAM AMBROSE On this day the order of this court continueing this cause and by consent of the Defendant set aside and comes the Defendant and in open court interposes his plea of guilty as charged of Arson him and the court doth assess his punishment at two years imprisonment . . . [He was released early under the 3/4 law on 27 May 1892.] |
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| 7 Apr 1892 | Carroll Co AR | Bone Terry, Sam Terry | Arrested: Robbery | GREEN FOREST TRIBUNE -- Bone and Sam Terry were arrested at their homes on Indian Creek last Monday evening by Samuel J. Morris and others, accused of the robbery of Rev. R.A. Martin, of Denver, on Monday night of last week. They were brought here Tuesday evening for trial before Justice Ramsey which commenced yesterday. The State is represented by W.C. Russell and J.I. Ramsey and the defendants by Pittman & Fancher of Berryville. |
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| 6 Sep 1892 | Stone Co MO | Frank B. Ambrose | Charge dismissed: Murder of Cul Garrett | STATE OF MISSOURI, Pltf vs. FRANK B. AMBROSE, Deft Indicted for murder in the first degree -- Nolle prosequi Comes now the prosecuting attorney of Stone County on the part of the state and the Defendant in his own proper person and by attorney and the said prosecuting attorney says that he will not further prosecute this action against the defendant but will suffer the same to be dismissed. Wherefore, it is considered, ordered and adjudged by the court that the State of Missouri take nothing by virtue of this with that the defendant be discharged here without delay and that he have and recover of the State of Missouri his costs in his behalf and expenses. [Note: "Nolle Prosequi" means the prosecution has decided not to pursue the prosecution at this time. It is not an acquittal, and it is not a judgment by the Court on the merits of the prosecution. Charges may be reinstated should the prosecution acquire new or additional evidence, usually within a statutory time period.] |
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| Sep 1892* | Stone Co MO | Franklin B. Ambrose | Charge dismissed: Action on Forfeited Recognizance | STATE OF MISSOURI, Pltf vs. FRANKLIN B. AMBROSE Action on Forfited Recognizance Dismissed by the State, by W.P. Weatherman Now at this day comes the Prosecuting Attorney for the State and says he will no further prosecute this action against the Defendant, but will suffer the same to be dismissed. It is therefore considered and adjudged by the court that the plaintiff take nothing by reason of its writ, that Defendant be discharged and hence hereof without day. [Note: This transcription was posted with a date of 8 Apr 1889; however, that was the date Frank bonded out of the Christian County jail. Court Records show Frank's bond was declared forfeit by the Stone County Court on 3 Mar 1890 when he failed to appear as required. Thus, it is likely this dismissal of the forfeit ruling was filed in Sep 1892 at the same time the murder charge was dismissed. The dismissal of the underlying murder charge ordered that the defendant recover his costs and expenses, so the State would have been unable to pursue a bond forfeit on that charge.] |
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| 1894 | Madison Co AR | William Ambrose | Trial: Assault of J.C. Carr | Tried and convicted of "assault with a deadly thing" on a change of venue from Carroll County. Fine $200 and 30 days in the County jail.
[Note: This was the trial and sentence for the assault on J.C. Carr in May 1887.] |
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| 4 Jul 1895 | Carroll Co AR | John Ambrose | Death | GREEN FOREST TRIBUNE, July 11, 1895 -- From Sheriff Maples we learn the particulars of the killing of John Ambrose by F.S. Helt on the afternoon of the 4th, as related to Mr. Maples by Helt when he gave himself into custody. Ambrose was paying his attention to one of Helt's girls. Helt was very much opposed to this and at the picnic at Carr Lane, Missouri on that day, he so informed Ambrose and it seems that trouble was adverted only by Helt taking his girls home early in the day. In the afternoon, Helt took his twenty-two rifle and made a stroll around the farm, hunting, looking after the fence, etc., and upon his return he chanced to come upon Ambrose and two of his daughters out in the woods. Ambrose at once fired two shots from a 45 pistol taking effect only in Helt's clothing, whereupon Helt fired two shots, the second one striking Ambrose just below the collar bone. Ambrose expressed his regret to the girls that he had no doubt shot their father to pieces, also saying that he, himself, was slightly shot. He then mounted his horse and riding about 50 yards, fell off, living but a short time afterward. Helt at once proceeded to Berryville and gave himself up to the officers. Ambrose is known to a great many of our people as he was a conspicuous figure in our circuit courts until he was finally sentenced to the penitentiary where he served a five years' sentence. At his preliminary examination in Berryville Monday, Helt was released on the grounds of self-defense. |
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| 21 Feb 1899 | Carroll Co AR | John Terry | Trial: Murder | John Terry acquitted of murder of John Meek. |
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