Clarendon AR: Where We've Been: Orr Murder

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The news of Mrs. Orr's arrest quickly spread throughout the town. People began gathering at the front steps of the courthouse and soon a raucous throng had formed, intent on putting a rope around her neck. Some of Mrs. Orr's remaining friends circulated through the crowd, pleading for her life. Sheriff Jackson stood at the top of the courthouse steps and appealed to their sense of law and order, stating that the chain of evidence was incomplete and could not be completed if the woman was dead. The crowd reluctantly agreed, and the accused murderers were spared the noose that evening.

The next day, Mrs. Orr remained at the courthouse and the emotions of the town folk grew more intense. Many believed that she would be spirited out of town and at dusk a crowd much larger than the one the night before gathered in front of the courthouse. Judge J.S. Thomas was in the crowd and when he saw that they were about to attempt to enter the building, he stood on a chair and raised his hands. The crowd stopped.

The judge made an impassioned speech, appealing to their civic pride and their pity for the Orr child. The crowd wavered, and some shouted "We'll let the law take its course!" Judge Thomas knew he had won them over. "Appoint ten of your number to escort the woman to the jail," he said.

The crowd leaders huddled and selected J. Wheelock, J.R. Young, J.W. Walker, John Nagele, E.A. Faifer, George H. Wells, Steve Boardman, W.L. Jeffries, Scott McCleary, and L. James. Boardman and Wallace Graham went to the upstairs room where they found Mrs. Orr lying down. They told her they had come to take her to jail. Neva clung to her mother's neck, crying "I don't want my mamma to go to jail!" Mrs. Orr handed her to Boardman and took Graham's arm. Deputy Milwee led them out of the courthouse and through the crowd, and the entourage made its way to the jail.

When the town folk were satisfied that the prisoner was indeed locked away, the crowd dispersed, and the day ended without further incident. Monday afternoon the coroner's jury questioned Mrs. Orr again, at the jail. During her testimony, she admitted to having a part in her husband's murder. After hearing Mrs. Orr's partial confession, the jury returned to the courthouse, where Rachel Morris was interviewed again.

Orr Interviewed

Back at the jail, a correspondent with the Arkansas Democrat was given permission to interview Mrs. Orr . He described her appearance as "well bred, ... her education was of a high class and her mien that of a cultured woman. A frail woman, somewhat of a handsome yet weak face, brunette in type .... Crouched upon a cot, attended only by the Negro cook charged with being a partner in guilt and sin ..."

When the reporter asked her if she was her husband's killer, Mrs. Orr repeated the confession she had given the jury.

"My husband abused me," she said.

"In what way?" she was asked. "Did he strike you?"

"The abuses were mostly in curses, though he did strike me once," she said. " If I had only known that this would have happened it would have been prevented, but I did not think either one of the boys would do it. Yes, I talked to them about it but it was when I was angry ... (H)e was very cruel to me in his words, and he never bought me anything. I have had to borrow underclothes from my cook here ... I have said many things about getting rid of my husband that were in jest. And never did I intend that they be taken seriously. If I had known that the man would do what was done I would never have said what I did ..."

When she was asked if she fully realized her position, she said she did, adding: "but God will be my judge, when He knows that I am innocent. Oh, if you could only read what is in my utmost heart you would know so too, and what I ask is that the Lord deal justly with those who are now so anxious to prosecute me. I hope the same vengeance will fall to their lot that has fallen to mine. I appreciate what is staring me in the face, but if I die I will insist that I am innocent to the last." She then turned to Rilla and said, "Did you think Mause had the nerve to do it?" Rilla answered no.

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