DILLARD, John A. (d. 1872)
Murder in Ducktown
One of the most heartless and cold-blooded murders that has ever been recorded was committed in Ducktown a few days ago. John A. DILLARD, the victim of this brutal affair, a collier, living about two miles from the town of Hiwassee, had his house assailed on the night of the 12th inst; was called from his bed and bid to open the door. He did so, when instantly a gun was held within one or two feet of his person and discharged. The contents of the gun, a heavy charge of bird-shot, took effect and was lodged in his addomen. Surgical aid was procured, but from the close proximity of the weapon, the shot was forced through the intestine, and the case presented a hopeless aspect. The sufferor lingered until this monrning (March 14th) in the most excruciating agony, when death came to his relief. On post mortem examination at the Coroner’s inquest, it was found that the shot had passed through the intestines and a large portion of it lodged in the muscles along the spine. The perpetrator of this foul murder is one Samuel GRIFFITH, a young man about twenty-two years of age. It is not known that there existed the least animoosity between the parties to this sad tragedy. The murderer is still at large, he having fled or concealed himself. It is hoped he will be apprehended.
Source: Cleveland Banner, March 22, 1872