Transcribed by Sarah Midyett Hutcherson in 2000-2002 for the USGenWeb Archives.  No copyright infringement is intended.  Click here to view the original page.

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Source:  Tennessee State Library & Archives Microfilm  — States Graphic — Brownsville, Tennessee — Volume 40 No. 42 — Friday, September 25, 1908

NIGHT RIDERS SECRETS; CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE — The alleged night riders’ conspiracy, with all it’s secrets, signs, signels, passwords, etc., was laid bare here today for the first time when four confessed night riders from Marshall, Caldwell, and Galloway Counties Kentucky were put on the stand by the defense in the Gardner HUNT trial. The jury was not allowed to hear the testimony and the defense only introduced it in order to complete the record. The connection with the case was made with several of the night riders stated that Gen. AMOS, the head of the night rider clan, now said to be in hiding, had received information of the killing the afternoon after it occurred and that he communicated to several lodges the fact that one of the brothers had been killed and several wounded. Plans to raid Clarksville fell through. Sanford HALL gave the night riders oath. I, _____, in the presence of the Almighty God, and these witnesses, take upon myself these solemn pledges and obligations, that I will never reveal any of the secrets, signs or passwords of this order, either by word or writing, to any person or persons who are not entitled to the same, in accordance with the rules and regulations of this order. I furthermore swear and promise that I will never reveal or cause to be revealed, by word or act, to any persons, and of the transactions of this order, in lodge or out of lodge room, etc.

[Note: Click here to read about the Night Riders organization.]

LOCAL NEWS —

JAMES KINNEY, who had been representing Benedict, Warren and Davidson, of Memphis as manager of their sales force, has resigned his position and accepted one as traveling salesman for Belknap Hardware Co. of Louisville. NINA, the little three-year-old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. R. W. COX, was bitten on the ankle by a poisonous snake of the rattlesnake variety. The little girl was quite sick for several days, but has almost recovered.

SAM LEIGH, probably the oldest man, white or black, in Haywood County died at T. H. WHITEHEAD’s place, east of town Saturday afternoon. Sam was 105 years old, and until the past year was active. He was a native of this county and had some Indian blood in him.

THE MANY FRIENDS that were made by Miss Annie SYMONS, of Jackson, who visited Miss Amelia Scott WAGNER in July, will be shocked to learn of her death, which occurred on the 16th of this month, of typhoid fever. She was only 18 years of age.

CARD OF THANKS — We desire to extend our heartfelt thanks to our many friends who have been so kind during our great sorrow, occasioned by the death of our son, Harry.  Mr. & Mrs. W. J. WHITEHEAD.

LOCAL NEWS —

THE COMMUNITY was inexpressibly shocked and grieved Sunday morning to learn of the tragic death of Harry A. WHITEHEAD in Memphis Saturday night. He was on his way to his boardinghouse at about 11 p. m. when he was shot and killed by an unknown assasain. No clue to the murderer or purpose for the commission of the act has been discovered by the police. He was 26 years of age, a son of Mr. & Mrs. W. J. WHITEHEAD. He has for the past six years been a resident of Memphis, and was employed by the Zeliner Shoe Co. His remains were brought to Brownsville, and after funeral services conducted by Rev. H. G. HENDERSON, at the family residence, the remains were interred in Oakwood Cemetery.

ALEXANDER A. JOHNSON, for many years one of the most prominent men in the west end of Haywood County, died at his home near Nut Bush on Friday, aged about 66 years. A native of this county, he enlisted in 1861 in the Haywood Rangers, Co. D, Seventh Tennessee Calvary, and served gallantly to the end of the war. when he had risen to the rank of lieutenant in his company. Returning to his home, he went earnestly to work as a farmer, and by the practice of industry and frugality soon laid the foundation for a substantial living, and reared a first rate family in the way they should go. Interment was at Trinity church on Saturday, under the auspices of Hiram O. BRADFORD Bivouac, of which he was a charter member. The following are the veterans who attended the burial:

• James A. MANN,
• C. F. NEELEY,
• R. F. JOHNSON,
• John READ,
• W. T. BULLIFIN,
• R. V. MANN,
• J. Y. BARBEE,
• W. L. ANTHONY,
• Vander CAMERON,
• W. F. GREAVES,
• J. A. WILDER,
• H. J. LIVINGSTON,
• J. E. CARTER,
• A. M. CARLTON,
• D. A. BURLISON,
• Richard MANN,
• Thos. A. WALKER.,
• J. D. MONTGOMERY,
• A. WEEMS, and
• W. P. HIGGENS.

SOCIAL & PERSONAL —

MRS. BEN F. CLARK is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Robert JONES, in Grenada, Miss.

MRS. H. G. HENDERSON went to Memphis Tuesday to enter her daughter, Miss Russell HENDERSON in the Higbee school.

MRS. W. R. HOLBROOK was in Bardston, Ky., this week, and attended the marriage of her niece, Miss Amanda CISCO to Otis STANLEY there Tuesday.

SUNDAY’S Commercial Appeal contains the following announcement to Brownsvillians — “Mr. & Mrs. Harry COHN announce the engagement of their daughter, Jocelyn, to Dr. W. G. STERNBERGER.”