Contributed by Paul Lemasters

“Assassinated.”  Deputy Marshal Killed Near Jamestown.” 

To The Chronicle. Jamestown, Tenn., Oct. 11.–

To-day about 11 o’clock as U.S. Deputy Marshals Miller HURST and Sherrif PILE were coming in with a prisoner, when about seven miles north of Jamestown, they were fired on from the roadside and HURST was killed, his body being riddled with bullets.  Deputy Collector MOORE and I were within two hundred yards of HURST at the time of the shooting and heard it distinctly. [Source:  The Knoxville Daily Chronicle,
Knoxville, Knox Co., Tn, Wed. 14 Oct. 1884, Vol. XVI, No. (blank).] 

“Jamestown Letter.” 

The sad intelligence of the death of Miller HURST, Deputy United States Marshall, on Sunday morning reached here the same evening.  HURST, and Sherwood PILE, the Deputy U.S. Marshall, who was shot in this county about a month ago, had been to Byrdstown, Pickett Co. to get a prisoner; James WILSON, and were bringing him to Jamestown, on the way to Nashville. 

When on “Double Top,” on the Dry Creek Road, about seven miles from Jamestown, HURST being some ten paces ahead of PILE and the prisoner, PILE noticed the fresh tracks of a number of men in the road, and remarked to HURST, “We had better look out, there is too much sign here to suit me; you watch the left side and I will the right side of the road.”  Hardly had he finished speaking, when a loud report was heard and HURST fell from his horse. PILE immediately turned his horse around and rode for his life, leaving the prisoner standing in the middle of the road. 

HURST was found dead in the road, having evidently been shot from both sides.  Four or five buckshot had entered his right temple, and about the same number the left side, one, if not two, penetrating to the heart.  An inspection of the ground shows conclusively that the men were ambushed on both sides of the road about three and ten feet respectively from the bank. It is stated that PILE recognized four of the men, but will not, at present, divulge their names. 

By this dastardly act Fentress Co. has lost one of its best and bravest citizens, for a braver man than Miller HURST has never made a track on the mountain, and the United States Government one of its most efficient officers. 

How long are the people of Fentress going to stand up and let such things take place in their midst?  When will they assist the strong arm of the law in putting down such crimes? 

Whiskey, as usual, is responsible for the death of Miller HURST, and after this can any citizen conscientiously give a friendly hand to moonshiners and their nefarious trade.  Rather let everyone put his shoulder to the wheel and help to roll the infernal stuff, with all its necessary pall-bearers out of the United States. \s\ Totally Vermillion.

(We agree with our correspondent about driving “moonshine” out of the U.S., but what can the people do as long as the strong arm of the law encourages crimes by releasing on bail men charged with a capital offense–Ed.  [Source:  The Rugby Gazette, Rugby, Morgan Co., Tn, Sat., 17 Oct. 1885, Vol. 5, No. 42, p2.] 

“Killing in Fentress.” 

Moonshiners on the War Path. Col. Hue MOORE, deputy marshal, arrived from Athens yesterday.  He was in Fentress county last Sunday, and a short distance from Messrs. PILE and HURST, when the latter received fatal wounds from moonshiners, who were concealed in the bushes.  These men were conveying a prisoner to Nashville to be tried in the Federal court for a violation of the revenue laws, when they
were fired upon by the friends of the prisoner.  Deputy PILE made a hasty retreat, while the prisoner joined his friends, who made good their escape. Mr. HURST was shot in the arm and head, the latter would being fatal.  His remains were conveyed to Jamestown and interred last Monday.  A well-posted official informed a Chronicle reporter last night that the moonshiners were well armed in Fentress county, and intended to make it warm for revenue men.  It was rumored that the revenue officials of that county intended to resign.  Thus far no steps have been taken to arrest the murderers of HURST. 
[Source:  The Knoxville Daily Chronicle, Knoxville, Knox Co., Tn, Sun., 18 Oct. 1885, Vol. XVI, No. (blank).] 

“Murder In Fentress.” 

A Deputy Marshal Assassinated While Conveying a Prisoner.  Deputy United States Marshal Miller HURST was assassinated in Fentress county last Sunday, while conveying a prisoner named James WILSON, charged with moonshining from Pickett county to the jail at Jamestown in Fentress county.  HURST was accompanied by another Deputy Marshal named S.W. PILE.  PILE was riding with the prisoner, HURST being ahead.  While passing through the woods several shots rang out from the copse and HURST fell mortality wounded, literally lacerated with bullets.  PILE succeeded in escaping, leaving the prisoner with the assassins, who were doubtless his confederates.  [Source:  The Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., Tn, Wed., 14 Oct 1885.] 

“Southern News Gleanings.” 

Millard (sic) HURST, Ex-U.S. Marshal of Fentress County, Tenn., was assassinated the other day by unknown parties.  [Source:  The Rugby Gazette, Rugby, Morgan Co., Tn, Sat., 24 Oct. 1885, Vol. V, No. 43, p4.]