Meeting Sheriff N.J. McBride, of Searcy County, on the street yesterday, the reporter asked him who he had brought with him to view the beauties of the capital city. 'I had one companion,' he replied. 'Who was He?' asked the reporter. 'John Branch. But his views of the beauties of the city will be somewhat limited. His time will confined chiefly to admiring the architectural symetry of the inner sides of the penitentiary walls.'

'What was his crime?' 'Murder. In 1880 about October 30th, he killed John Nichols.'

'But where has he been all this time?' asked the reporter. 'In the woods.' was the reply. 'He got away and got well secreted some where up among the Pope county forests, I believe.'

'How was he finally captured?' "He was delivered up by J. P. Yates, and Yates came down here the other day to get the reward of $200 which had been offered. It is the general opinion that everything about the capture is not as straight as it might be - in fact, it is believed that Branch gave himself up to Yates with the understanding that he should get part of the reward. Branch evidently thought the witnesses aginst him could not be produced, and expected to get some of the money and enjoy it. That he did expect some of the money is shown by the fact that one of his intimate friends, during the trial, inquired after Yates, who was then in Little Rock after the reward; and hoped he would get back soon, as they needed part of the money, which had been promised Branch by Yates, with which to fee their lawyer.'

'What were the circumstances of the crime with which Branch is charged?' inquired the reporter. 'Nichols was engaged in a quarrel with a man named Clay. Branch came up behind him and shot him down. No words had been passed between Nichols and Branch, and the quarrel had no reference to him. He fled the spot; Nichols, after lingering for a week, died. The Branches bear a hard reputation, and are looked upon as bad citizens. William Branch, a brother of Jack, is now in jail in Harrison for resisting a civil process, and it is generally believed he will join his brother in the pen.'