Charles Munn (Execution of)

Charles Munn, an African American farm laborer, was hanged at Helena (Phillips County) on December 2, 1898, after being convicted of murdering and robbing his employer.

On October 8, 1898, Frank Dubarry, “one of the most prominent citizens of Phillips County,” was robbed and murdered at his home in Latour (Phillips County), reportedly by Charles Munn, one of his farm workers, who, “after beating Dubarry’s brains out with a club,” took his money and “saturated his clothing and the room with coal oil and set fire to the same.” Munn was quickly captured and confessed to the crime.

Munn was indicted for first-degree murder and told Sheriff R. C. Burke that he was helped in the crime by two other Black men, a young man named John Davis and Phil Golden, the latter of whom “has the reputation of being a mighty good man.” He said Davis and Golden got $18 and the dead man’s pistol, and Davis indeed had a pistol on him when he was arrested.

Munn also claimed that two other African Americans were involved after the crime, Charles Williams, who tried to steal some meat from Dubarry’s house before the flames forced him back, and Mary Winston, who saw the killers but told no one. Though a newspaper predicted that “true bills will no doubt be brought in” charging the others, circuit court proceedings in late October or early November said the grand jury dismissed charges against Davis, Williams, and “Mary Winston, et al,” which likely included Golden. Davis was found guilty of carrying a pistol and fined $50. Munn, though, was convicted, saying he preferred execution to life in prison, and was sentenced to hang on December 2, 1898.

Gallows were built near the Phillips County Jail in Helena, and on the morning of December 2 “across the street in the courthouse lot were “several hundred people, all anxious to get a glimpse of the criminal.” Munn climbed the steps of the scaffold smoking a cigar and saying, “Good-bye, friends; good-bye.” The condemned man got “quite nervous” when the rope was placed around his neck, but when a preacher “told him to brace up. He said ‘I am all right.’” The trap door was opened at 12:45 p.m., and “he groaned as he fell, but never moved a particle after falling.” The eight-foot drop broke his neck, and he was declared dead ten minutes later.

For additional information:
“Circuit Court.” Helena Weekly World, November 2, 1898, p. 4.

“The Dubarry Murder.” Helena Weekly World, October 26, 1898, p. 4.

“Hanging at Helena.” Forrest City Times, December 9, 1898, p. 1.

“Horrible Murder in Phillips County.” Southern Standard, October 14, 1898, p. 1.

“I’m All Right.” Arkansas Gazette, December 3, 1898, p. 2.

“Preferred Death to Life Imprisonment.” Arkansas Gazette, October 28, 1898, p. 2.

Mark K. Christ
Central Arkansas Library System