The story of the killing created more than ordinary interest in Paragould for the reason that Mr. Patterson was known to many of the people of the city.
Harding was brought here on the midnight Iron Mountain train by the sheriff of Cross County and two deputies.  They reported that a mob of 200 or 300 people had formed and that feeling against Harding was so high that a lynching was imminent.  Consequently they spirited the prisoner out of town almost immediately after his arrest and caught the train for Paragould at a small station below Wynne.
A representative of the Soliphone called at the jail this morning to secure a statement from Harding, but he refused to give his side.  He said he had not yet employed counsel and would not give a statement until he had.  By the presisting efforts of the Soliphone reporter Harding did quote that his trouble with Patterson was the result of alleged mistreatment.  He claimed that he couldn't get Patterson to properly handle his case, that he tried for six years to get it into court and that a set of dirty lawyers had it in for him, to use his details of the tragedy, he suddenly stopped.  When he began again he said if the details of the tragedy, he said if we newspapers really wanted to do the people a lasting service we should bring about a reformation in our courts so the poor man would have an equal show against the man who has money.
Harding is 62 years of age and from his talk it can easily be seen that he is above the average intelligence.  He is a large well proportioned man, with face and hair inclined to be red.  When seen this morning he was smoking a cigar and showed signs of nervousness.
When asked if he had any relatives and where they lived he refused to answer. It was learned from other sources that he claims Patterson abused him, calling him vile names, ordered him out of his office, and when he didn't leave immediately that he started toward Harding.  Harding claims, it is alleged, that Patterson was the aggressor though he doesn't assert that he acted in self-defense or that his life was in danger.  He made a statement at jail this morning that he fired only one shot at Patterson because he had only a few shells and that there was one other man he wanted to get.  Just who the other party was he gave no intimation but evidently it was some one who has been connected with the law suit of which he so bitterly complains.
Harding will be kept in jail here until excitement at Wynne subsides and the sheriff thinks it will be safe to take him back for trial.