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From: "Vera Reeves" <>
Subject: [ARIZARD] Cantrell & Napier #3 article
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:03:58 -0600

Calico Rock Progress

Apr 6, 1956 – No Trace of Missing Boys – Two Public Meetings Held This Week

It will be three weeks Sunday since Shorty Cantrell and Sam Napier disappeared from their homes here. The possibility of their having been lost in a cave or drowned in White River has not been ruled out entirely but is seems unlikely in view of other facts. One of the boys instructed a school-mate to tell his teacher he wouldn’t be back to school, which indicates that there were thoughts to perhaps leave home. Then on the last day they were seen (Sunday, Mar 18) by a lady, who has a grocery store at the edge of Mtn Home was reasonable certain that they were the two young boys who purchased candy and bananas about 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. that day and paid for the articles with a dollar bill. This places them from the immediate area. Several search parties which would assure one that they were still about this community.

Many persons, however, have felt they should re-check the caves and the river so they called a meeting for Tuesday night, April 3, at the City Hall. At this time they discussed the various angles of the case and it was finally agreed to hold another meeting the following night April 4, and to request the presence of the Sheriff, a representative of the State Police and of any other law enforcement office which might have some connection with the case. It was believed it would be wiser to plan farther searching parties after hearing a complete story of everything done by various police offices. Too, these men could more expertly organize the towns people in groups to explore the cave or the banks of White River once more.

A large crowd was on hand for the second meeting held at 7:30 p.m. in the school lunch room. Mr Thurman Mason presided over the meeting and he briefly explained the purpose of the gathering and called upon Sheriff Fudge to introduce the law enforcers.

This group in addition to Sheriff Fudge and Austin Reeves, included Lieutenant Walker, Chief of this district with the State Police and stationed at Newport; Sergeant Wyatt Patrick, a member of the Criminal investigation division of the Arkansas State Police and stationed at Jonesboro; Otto Griffith a member of the criminal division and stationed at Harrison and Richard Wait, highway patrolman stationed at Salem.

Sheriff Fudge reviewed his activities in exploring caves, the river, country side and the following upon leads which people of the community provided.

He was followed by Lt. Walker, who thoroughly filled in the picture to explaining the state police’s part in this matter.

It was shown that the highway police at Newport first were notified at 10:00 p.m. on March 19. Since it was established that the sheriff of his county had not been called they requested both families to do so immediately. The following day they had two dispatches sent out concerning the “missing boys.” Patrolman Wait was sent to this area to assist Sheriff Fudge. The check on March 22 with a relative at Paragould but they had not shown up there.

On March 26th they investigated the report of at Mtn Home. They notified Arizona State Police when one family expressed the belief they might have headed for relatives there. But a check showed they had not arrived there as yet.

Lt. Walker asked for questions or suggestions and one person wanted to know if it would be possible to have a helicopter fly the river and search the inaccessible points along the bank. Lt. Walker stated he would call headquarters to see if one could be sent the next day. He also volunteered to call and recheck with any relatives or friends that live out of state. And he offered his services in joining any search party which the people present might want to organize but this course of action was apparently not deemed necessary, in view of all facts and other plans made, as general discussion just rather let the subject drop.

A brief description of the boys follows but bear in mind that they could obtain different clothing under any number of circumstance.

Phillip “Shorty” is 12 years old, small for his age, brown hair, 2” scar above right ear and was wearing blue jeans, a new green jacket and low cut shoes.

Sam is 14 years old, of medium build, brown hair and was wearing blue jeans, a red plaid jacket and white tennis shows.

The out of town readers are especially wanted to notify police officials should they have any information what so ever. These boys might have heard someone remark about a section of the country which they liked and they are going to see for themselves.

Since many copies of the Calico Rock Progress go all over the Unite States it is easier to contact these people by making an appeal through the newspaper that is reaching each family personally. That would be almost impossible task. Either get in touch with your local Authorities or call Elmer Fudge, phone number 5 at Melbourne, Arkansas.

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• [ARIZARD] Cantrell & Napier #3 article by "Vera Reeves" <>