Historical Event in Jackson County Law Enforcement –
Courtesy of Jackson County Sheriff David Lucas
The Olyphant Train Robbery
Triple Hanging in Jackson County Arkansas of three train robbers in 1894. James L. Wyrick
During an era of dangerous train robberies, one of the most dramatic occurred in Jackson County at Olyphant on November 3, 1893.
The Iron Mountain’s southbound passenger train No. 51 pulled to the side at 10:00 P.M. to allow a northbound train to pass. Seven masked riders brutally robbed the passengers. Over 200 gunshots were fired at the doors and windows of the coaches. The conductor, W. P. McNally was killed.
By midnight all surrounding counties had been alerted to be on the lookout for the outlaws. In less than two hours, James Hobgood, Sheriff of Jackson County, and Sheriff Marshell Patterson of Woodruff County were in close pursuit with posse and bloodhounds.
The next day, Deputy Sheriff Oscar Pennington of Independence County captured Tom Brady and George Paggett at Jamestown, a community northeast of Batesville. From their persons a part of the loot was recovered, with a map showing roads leading into the Indian Territory.
After their apprehension, Paggett, an ex-policeman from Little Rock, collaborated freely with authorities, bringing a speedy capture of all other outlaws. On December 6, Jim Wyrick was apprehended near Van Buren in Crawford County. By Christmas, Sam and Pennyweight Powell, Al Freeman, Bob Chesney, and Jim Hill (alias Albert Mansker) were captured in Craighead County.
On January 4, 1894, Tom Brady, Jim Wyrick, and Albert Mansker were brought to trial in Jackson County Circuit Court by Judge James Butler for the murder of W.P. McNally.
After thirty-three days of intensive arguments by the prosecution and the defense, they were found guilty on Feb. 6, 1894, and sentenced to hang. The jury determined from baggageman Billy Chittum that Jim Wyrick fired the shots that killed McNally.
In conjunction with a previous charge, Pennyweight Powell was given time in the state penitentiary, with sentences running consecutively. Sam Powell, Al Freeman, and Bob Chesney were believed to have been freed through some kind of political maneuver. George Paggett was given his freedom after turning state’s evidence.
On April 6, 1894 Tom Brady, Jim Wyrick, and Albert Mansker met their destiny at the gallows in the only triple execution in Jackson County that was held on the jail yard in a fenced-off area. One of the largest crowds ever seen in Newport gathered for this hanging.
