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Submitted: 12/20/08 • Approved: 1/9/14 • Last Updated: 1/12/14 • R125681-G0-S3
Husband of Velma Caststeel Heiskill
Son of John M. "Bud" & Ella M. "Babe" Beavers Heiskill
1912--1934
The Baxter Bulletin
April 13, 1934
Ben Heiskill, aged 22, a young farmer living near Cartney, AR, was shot by and unknown person at the Don Haney home at Cartney, Saturday night about 11:30 while a dance was in progress. He died a few minutes after the bullet struck him. Don Haney, Ernest Casteel and Dan Tilley were lodged in jail here in connection with the killing.
The killing was clouded in mystery at the start. In an interview with Don Haney, he stated that a few neighbors came in for a dance Saturday night and they danced a few round dances. About 11:30 an angry spat of a 22 rifle sounded from the outside and Ben Heiskill keeled over. In a few minutes he was dead. The bullet entered Heiskill's head under the left ear. Heiskill's wife was present when the killing occurred.
Haney admits that the gun used to kill Heiskill with was his. He stated that it is a single shot 22, and that someone took it from its place over the door without his knowledge. After Heiskill's death the gun and an empty shell were found on the front porch at the residence.
Haney further stated that there had been no quarreling or fighting before the killing took place and that as far as he knows Heiskill had no enemies. Officers, however, have some evidence that there was trouble before the killing took place.
Dan Tilley, said by his father to be 15 years of age next August, made a statement Tuesday in which he admitted that he fired the shot that killed Heiskill. It is said that he said he fired at a post near by and not at Heiskill. Tilley has waved preliminary hearing and will be bound over to await the action of the grand jury. Haney and Casteel are still being held at the jail pending a hearing Friday of this week. Mrs. Haney, who was brought here with her husband and kept in a local hotel, has been released and returned home.
Funeral services for Heiskill were held Monday afternoon at the Heiskill Cemetery, conducted by Rev. Downs of this place.
AND
The Cotter Record
April 13, 1934
Ben Heiskill, age 22, of near Cartney and former operator of the White River Service Station here, was fatally shot Saturday about midnight. The assailant has not been identified, however, Dan Tilley, Don Haney and wife, and Ernest Casteel are being held in the county jail in connection with the killing.
the killing occurred while a dance was in progress at the Don Haney home, it is reported. Heiskill was in the house and was shot form the outside while his back was turned as the bullet entered his head under the left ear. His wife was present when this took place. The mystery of it all is that Heiskill, as far as it is known, had no enemies.
Late reports are that young Tilley admitted that he fired the gun which killed Heiskill, but it was accidental. Further hearing will be held Friday.
(From the files of Max Parnell.)
Contributed on 12/20/08 by maxparnell
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Record #: 125681