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Even if your Kinfolk are not here, this makes for some mighty interesting reading! So many murders, horrific burning accidents, shocking killing of a family during Civil War by Black Union Soldiers.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> Historical Newspaper Articles Relating to Weakley County Early Newspapers from around the country Even if your Kinfolk are not here, this makes for some mighty interesting reading! So many murders, horrific burning accidents, shocking killing of a family during Civil War by Black Union Soldiers.\u00a0***\u00a0 Submitted by Peggy Miller Trevathan***Historical Newspapers-MCDANIEL – ATKINSON – ADKERSON1842-12-12 Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-gutenberg.php","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"full","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"author_meta":{"display_name":"MaryCarol","author_link":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/author\/marycarol\/"},"featured_img":null,"coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Uncategorized<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Uncategorized<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 6 years ago","modified":"Updated 6 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on September 29, 2020","modified":"Updated on September 29, 2020"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on September 29, 2020 2:16 am","modified":"Updated on September 29, 2020 2:45 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2055"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2062,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2055\/revisions\/2062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/weakley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/big>\u00a0 Submitted by Peggy Miller Trevathan<\/em>
***
<\/big>Historical Newspapers-MCDANIEL – ATKINSON – ADKERSON<\/strong>
1842-12-12 DAILEY NATIONAL\u00a0 INTELLIGENCER-
District of Columbia
A brutal affray took place at Dresden, Weakley county (Tenn) on Saturday, the 19th ultimo, between Frank McDaniel and Joseph Atkinson, brothers-in-law, both of Weakley county, in which the latter received three severe stabs from the former with a shank of a pit-saw file, which caused almost instantaneous death. Both parties to the affray were under the excitement of drink at the time of its occurrence.
1842-12-13 PUBLIC\u00a0 LEDGER-Pennsylvania<\/strong> An affray took place at Dresden, Weakley county, Tennessee, on the 19th ult., between Frank McDaniel and Joseph Adkerson, brothers-in-law, in which the latter received three severe stabs from the former, with the shank of a pit saw file, which caused almost instantaneous death.\u00a0 McDaniel was immediately secured in prison.\u00a0 Both were intoxicated.
Historical Newspapers-GALLAWAY\/GALLOWAY<\/strong>
1843-04-13-NORTH\u00a0 AMERICAN-Pennsylvania LUSUS NATUR??-A hen belonging to Benj. Gallaway, Esq., of Weakley county, Tennessee, was some time ago bitten by a rattlesnake but by proper attention, the would was cured.\u00a0 However, strange to tell, we are informed that every egg laid since that time by this hen has a picture of a\u00a0 rattle snake represented upon the shell. Mr. Gallaway, who is afraid to use these eggs in the family, has kept them, and will with pleasure exhibit them to the inspection of the incredulous. -Mills Pt. Herald.
Historical Newspapers-FINCH<\/strong>
1846-08-29-DAILEY NATIONAL\u00a0 INTELLIGENCER-
District of Columbia
Melancholy Casualty.-Mr. John Wesley Finch and his wife met with a melancholy death of the 21st instant, near Abingdon, Virginia. they were travelling, and had encamped for the night about six miles west of Abingdon, and were quietly resposing in their carryall, together with a nephew, when the horse, being tethered to the wheel, took fright, turned the wagon bottom upwards, and the two old people were suffocated before they could be relieved.\u00a0 The young man who was with them states that they were returning from a visit in North Carolina to their residence near Dresden, Weakley county, Tennessee.
1846-08-31-NORTH\u00a0 AMERICAN-Pennsylvania
same article as above
Historical Newspapers-TAYLOR<\/strong>
1849-04-25-NORTH\u00a0 AMERICAN-Pennsylvania Death of an Emigrant-Mr. A. P. Taylor an\u00a0 emigrant to California, from Dresden, Tenn. accidentally fell overboard from the steamer Kate Kirkwood, about twenty miles below Pine Bluff, (Ark.) a short time since. He had around him, in a belt, some\u00a0 $500 in gold and silver, belonging to himself and a friend, and this caused him to sink almost\u00a0 instantly.
Historical Newspapers-LENNOX\/LENOX<\/strong>
1850-12-16-TIMES-PICAYUNE-Louisiana Near Dresden, Tenn.,-Thomas Lennox was killed by his gun going off accidentally.
Historical Newspapers-POTTS – AUSBROOK<\/strong>
1855-06-21-NORTHERN ISLANDER-Michigan
ELOPEMENT.-We understand, from\u00a0 good authority, that a Mrs. Potts, wife of a highly respectable citizen of Henry county, has left the bed and board of her husband for parts unknown, with a Mr. Ausbrook, a reverend gentleman.\u00a0 Ausbrook had been preaching in that vicinity, and boarding at Potts’ house for several months previous to the elopement.-Dresden (Tenn.) Flag.
This is the sixth instance that has come under our notice during the\u00a0 last four weeks of clergymen running off with other persons’ wives.-Free\u00a0 Press
\u00a0Historical Newspapers-HILL<\/strong>
1870-05-26-QUINCY WHIG-Illinois
A Man Shoots His Brother Through the\u00a0 Heart At Jacksonville, Weakley county, Tennessee, on the 16th instant, Dan Hill, aged seventeen years, shot his brother, Brock Hill, to death with a pistol.\u00a0 Brock Hill rode the colt belonging to Dan Hill, who so engrage the latter that he swore he would kill his brother on sight.\u00a0 In a few hours Brock Hill returned to the house, the residence of their father, and was met by Dan, who immediately fired upon hin, shooting him through the heart and killing him instantly.\u00a0 The fratricide was arrested and committed to jail to answer the charege of murder.\u00a0 The parties are of good family and well connected.\u00a0 Great indignatuion and excitement was created in the neighborhood on account of the murder.\u00a0\u00a0 So far from repenting the terrible deed, Dan Hill declares that he does not regret it, and would do so again under like circumstances.\u00a0 The brothers were on good terms up to the time when the sad affair occurred and no reason can be assigned for the rash asct except violent passion and utter recklessness with value of human life, and a total disregard for the natural ties of consanguinity.
Historical Newspapers-MOORE – HILL<\/strong>
1872-03-28-SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN-Illinois
In Weakley county, Tenn.,\u00a0 recently, two horsemen, Albert Moore and a Mr. Hill, entered into a religious discussion, the former being a Methodist and the latter a Baptist, but unbaptized.\u00a0 Arrived at a puddle of water, Moore wanted to baptize his brother sinner, and pulled him off his horse into the water, but hadn’t the muscle to enforce his kindly piety, and had to give it up.\u00a0 “Now, Moore,” said the other, “I’ll baptize you, ” and he swooped up a hat-full of muddy water on to Moore’s head and face.\u00a0 The regeneration thus effected was, however, hardly skin deep, for Moore drew a bowie-knife and began to slash the ecclesiastic.\u00a0 Hill received generous cuts in his legs and arms, and Moore fled the country.
Historical Newspapers-LAMPKIN\/LAMKIN- ROGERS\/RODGERS<\/strong>
1876-02-03-NEW ORLEANS TIMES-Louisiana
The End of an Old\u00a0 Feud Nashville, Feb 2-In an altercation at Dresden, Weakley county, James Lampkin shot Ben Rogers dead.<\/strong>\u00a0 An old feud.
Historical Newspapers-SWAIM – TAYLOR<\/strong>
1884-10-30-NEW YORK HERALD-New York
Death By Poison
[By Telegraph to\u00a0 the Herald]
Nashville, Tenn. Oct. 29, 1884-Andrew Swaim, a prominent citizen of Gleason, Weakley county, was poisoned two days ago and died last night.\u00a0 A man named Taylor has been charged with the crime.\u00a0 Taylor has been imprisoned and there are threats of lynching him.
\u00a0Historical Newspapers-HAYS\/HAYES<\/strong>
1890-09-27-DAILY REGISTER-Illinois
Tennessee Superstition
The\u00a0 greatest excitement is being created in Weakley county by the appearance of a witch in the family of Frank Hays, living near Greenfield.\u00a0 Mr. Hays’ granddaughter, about 14 years of age, is the object upon which the wicked phantom has centered. The young lady is prostrated and hundreds are flocking there to see the effects of the attack, which, strange to say, no one can explain.\u00a0 She is perfectly sane until she hears them coming, when she goes into violent spasms, and declares she can hear roaring as like distant thunder, and she can see animals making their way to her.Now comes the strangest part of the story, and a number of the most reliable men in the county can vouch for this as a fact, there being eyewitnesses to the same.\u00a0 After each attack a small roll or bat of cotton is found clinging to the victim’s neck just above her breast, and the most incredible ones have held their hands very lightly against her neck and found, after the spell is over, beneath their hands the mysterious cotton.\u00a0 When the rumor first went out that this strange case was in the country the people all ridiculed it, but the excitement is now at its height on the account of all being at a loss to account for the whole\u00a0 affair.-Cor. Memphis Avalance.
Historical Newspapers-GALEY<\/strong>
1892-05-09-DALLAS MORNING NEWS-Texas
Tennessee
A young man named\u00a0 Galey, a farmer in the fifteenth district of Weakley county, shot his uncle through the leg.\u00a0 The farms of the two men joined.\u00a0 The uncle was trying to shoot Galey with a shotgun at the time the young man fired.
Historical Newspapers-HAWKS – TURBEVILLE – LAFEN\/LAFON<\/strong>
1892-07-17-DALLAS MORNING NEWS-Texas
Tennessee
The Hawks and\u00a0 Turbeville families in Weakley county have beenat touts for some time.\u00a0 Turbeville trespassed on Hawks’ land and was assaulted by Hawks.\u00a0 Warrants for the Hawks’ arrest were at once sworn out and he was arrested.\u00a0 The trial was held at Dresden and at its conclusion a general fight resulted between the four Turbeville brothers and old man Hawks and his three sons.\u00a0 Jack Hawks fired at Jack Turbeville and was knocked down with a brick. Henry Trubeville was stabbed twice and dangerously wounded.\u00a0 Sheriff Lafen succeeded in separating the parties before further danage was done, but a renewal of the fight is expected.
Historical Newspapers-CLEVELAND –\u00a0 STEVENSON\/STEPHENSON<\/strong>
1892-12-14-KALAMAZOO GAZETTE-Michigan
His name is Cleveland\u00a0 Stevenson.The leading attraction in the town of Martin, Tenn., just now is a 13-year-old boy with a remarkable name.\u00a0 Cleveland Stevenson is the youngest son of W. W. Stevenson of that place.\u00a0 He was born at Mount Pelia, Weakley county, Tenn., in 1879.\u00a0 His father at his birth asked the attending physician to name the child.\u00a0 The doctor had just arrived from Buffalo, N. Y.\u00a0 He was a personal friend of Grover Cleveland, who was then mayor of Buffalo.\u00a0 So he said to mr. Stevenson:\u00a0 “Let’s name him Cleveland Stevenson, after a man who, if he live will be president of the United States.”\u00a0 So they had the child christened Cleveland Stevenson.\u00a0 Now that he has the name of both the president and vice persident-elect the boy is fairly worshipped.\u00a0 The boy’s friends are going to send him to Washington the 4th of March in great style to witness the inauguration of the president.-St. Louis Glove-Democrat.
Historical Newspapers-CAPPS<\/strong>
1894-7-26-BISMARK TRIBUNE-North Dakota
Capps, is serving a term in jail\u00a0 for working on Sunday.\u00a0 Capps was arrested June 8, 1893, he was fined $10 and costs, amounting in all to $51.80.\u00a0 His case was appealed to the supreme court of Tennessee, which affirmed the judgment of the lower court, May 24, 1894, at Jackson, fixing the cost at $58.64, making as a grand total the sum of $110.45, to be served out at the paltry rate of 25 cents a day.\u00a0 This will necessitate the prisoner’s confinement 442 days, or one year and nearly three months. The associate further says that Capps has a wife 24 years of age, and four children, the eldest being only 6 years old, and one of them sick at the time of its father’s imprisonment.\u00a0 His family is left all alone a quarter of a mile from any house.\u00a0 He is a poor man, and unable to support his family during his confinement.\u00a0 He does not deny working on Sunday, but did so because he had rested the day before, according to the Bible; because he recognized his God given right to labor six days in the week, beginning on the first as did his creator; and because, in acceding to the demands of the state to rest on Sunday, he would be denying his Lord.\u00a0 Hence, he refuses to pay the fine and costs, regarding them unjust, since the state is attempting to enforce upon him a dogma of religion, with which it can of right have nothing whoever to do. Therefore he has gone to jail, though a physician stated that he could never live in that unhealthy place the time required by the enormity of the state’s assessment.
Historical Newspapers-CATE – PENIC\/PENICK – HUTCHINSON<\/strong>
1897-10-14-SUN-Maryland
A Suit Without Parallel
Memphis (Tenn.)\u00a0 Lawyers have within the last couple of days brought suit in Weakley county for damages for defamation of character, alleged to be contained in an epitaph cut on a tombstone.\u00a0 Such a cause for action is probably unheard of in the annals of the courts of the country.\u00a0 In December, 1896, L. B.\u00a0 Cate was shot and killed by one Bill Penic. Penic was indicted and tried on the charge of murder.\u00a0 He was defended by the same lawyers who are now acting for him in this civil suit. The accused was acquitted on the pleas of self-defense.\u00a0 The parents of the deceased, L. B. Cate, thought to honor his memory by erecting a suitable tombstone over his grave, and having cut in the marble a legend setting forth some of the circumstances of his taking off.\u00a0 The following was cut on the tombstone:”L. B., son of J. C. and L. J. Cate.\u00a0 Born April 10, 1870.\u00a0 Married Willie Freeman December 21, 1887.\u00a0 Was shot and killed by Bill Penic December 11, 1896:\u00a0 caused by Penic swearing to a lie on Cate’s wife.\u00a0 Aged 26 years 8 months and 1 day.”
It is alleged by Penic that\u00a0 this stone was lettered by J. H. Hutchinson, of Martin, and it is alleged that the stone was exposed to public gaze in the yard of Hutchinson for quite a while before it was erected at the head of the grave containing the remains of the deceased Cate.\u00a0 Since the vindication of Penic by the trial jury in Weakley county he has sought reparation for the wording of this tombstone.\u00a0 The complainant seeks damages from the sculptor and the father of the deceased in the sum of $10,000.
Historical Newspapers-BRUCE<\/strong>
1899-05-17-MORNING SUN-Illinois
A Rockford lady bought a box of\u00a0 strawberries at her grocer’s last week and took them home wrapped up. When they were being prepared for the table she noticed that the box had been written on, and on looking more closely she made out the following, much stained by the juice of the berries:
“Any one wishing an unknown correspondent
address to Gladys Bruce, Sharon, Tenn., Weakley county.”
On the other side of the box was written:
“Gladys\u00a0 Bruce-I am the packer of these
berries.”
Who is Gladys?\u00a0 Is she a winsome maiden with the color of the strawberries she packs on her cheeks and the glint of the sunlight in her hair?\u00a0 Is she a dark-eyed beauty of the Southern state, tall and stately, or is she short and cherubic?The answer to all these surmises can be obtained by addressing the lady herself at the above address.\u00a0 Perhaps this is the commencement of a romance. Who knows?
Historical Newspapers-PITTMAN – HUBBARD<\/strong>
1900-08-26-DALLAS MORNING NEWS- Texas
Arthur Pittman, Greenville,\u00a0 Tex- Mr. Big Hat-\u00a0 I inclose herewith my picture for publication in The News.\u00a0 It is very seldom I allow a newspaper the privildge of using my picture, but since The News has done so much toward strengthening my wonderful knowledge I feel that it should be endowed with the privilege.\u00a0 I was born on March 2, 1880, near Milan, Gibson County, Tennessee.\u00a0 My first ten years were spent on a farm, so you see that when I shall have reached the topmost round on the ladder of fame I can boast of having been born on a farm and in a log cabin.\u00a0 In, 1890 I changed my place of abode to Greenfield, Weakley County, Tennessee, where I resided till 1897, when I decided to cast my fortunes with Texas.\u00a0 My education is limited, owing to the fact that I stopped going to school at the age of 12 to assume work in a factory.\u00a0 Eugene Hubbard, you expressed my sentiments to a “t” on every subject you touched.\u00a0\u00a0 Look out for me on Oct. 6. (Hand drawn picture in\u00a0 article] Correspondence solicited.
Historical Newspapers-PAGE – BRUMMITT –\u00a0 BANDY –\u00a0 BLEDSOE<\/strong>
T1902-11-29-WASHINGTON BEE-District of Columbia
MYSTERY IN FIRES
Fourteen Conflagrations in Forty-Eight\u00a0 Hours Terrify a Family Down in Tennessee.Residents of Weakley county,\u00a0 Tenn., are stirred up over a series of mysterious fires that have been breaking out in the house of Josiah Page, about two miles from the town of Gleason.\u00a0 The first blaze sprung from apparently no cause whatever last Thursday, and was promptly extinguished by Page and his family.\u00a0 Not more than an hour later the house was again discovered on fire, in a different place, and the blaze was again extinguished.\u00a0 By this time the family was excited, and they began to hunt for the cause of the mystery.\u00a0 Then even while they were looking at the house another blaze was seen creeping out near the roof.Persons from Gleason heard of\u00a0 the occurrence, and to satisfy curiosity A. S. Brummitt, president of the bank of Gleason, in company with Dr. Bandy, Dr. Bledsoe and other responsible citizens, went out to be convinced that there was nothing at all in it.The party had not been there more than 15 minutes when, to their surprise a blaze was seen shooting out from the roof of the house, and to make the proposition more unreasonable, after that was put out other fires started in less than 30 minutes.The members of the family are\u00a0 honest people of average intelligence and are terror stricken, having removed everything from the building and taken their household goods to other quarters.\u00a0 Fire had broken out 14 time in 48 hours, and hundreds of people are flocking out to witness the sight.\u00a0 The writer of this drove out to the place and, though incredulous, stood and saw the fire start from the west gable of the house, though no one was within 50 feet of the building.\u00a0 The whole community is wrought up over the matter.
Historical Newspapers-McCLAIN –\u00a0 CANTER<\/strong>
1905-03-13-MACON TELEGRAPH-Georgia
ONE MAN DEAD IN SHOOTING\u00a0 AFFRAY DRESDEN, Tenn.,
March 12-In a shooting affray with pistols at Lynnville, Ky., a line town in the northern portion of Weakley county, Bert McClain, aged 17, was instantly killed by John Canter, who in turn was killed by Walter McClain of Dresden. There are no particulars yet as to what the trouble was about.
Historical Newspapers-CASTLEMAN<\/strong>
1906-08-23-MARIETTA JOURNAL-Georgia
Jospeh Castleman, living in Weakley\u00a0 county, Tenn., called at the home of his divorced wife and killed her with a shot gun and instantly killed himself with the gun.\u00a0 He was 60 years old and she was 50.
Historical Newspapers-ACREE – PIERCE\/PEARCE – NEAL<\/strong>
1908-09-29-TRENTON EVENING TIMES-New Jersey
HOLD WEDDING IN CEMETERYYoung Couple Choose Odd Place to Escape Parents
MEMPHIS, TENN., Sept. 29.-Although he procured his license in the office adjoining that of his father, who is Sheriff of Weakley County, Tenn., the marriage of Lewis Acree to Ollie Pierce, sixteen years old, was not revealed until the records were searched and the secret was discovered.They were married by Justice\u00a0 Neal under a monument in the cemetery at Dresden.\u00a0 The couple and the justice went to the cemetery in order that the ceremony might not be interrupted by the parents of Miss Pierce, who objected to the marriage.
Historical Newspapers-VAUGHAN\/VAUGHN<\/strong>
1908-12-17-GRAND FORKS HERALD-North Dakota
NIGHT RIDERS LEAVE\u00a0 NOTICE Union City, Tenn., Dec. 16.-Night riders have made their appearance in Weakley county, visiting the home of John Vaughan, a prominent farmer, who is not a member of the dark tobacco association.\u00a0 He sold some of his crop at Fulton, Ky., and a night or two ago night riders left at this door a bundle of switches, accompanied with a note to effect that if any more tobacco was sold in a similar way, he would be whipped.\u00a0 Deputies are now guarding his home.
Historical Newspapers- MORRIS – CURLIN – GIBBS – RANKIN – HOGG – LONG – JONES<\/strong>
1909-01-03-AUGUSTA CHRONICLE-Georgia
NIGHT RIDER’S WIFE ‘LIED’ FOR\u00a0 HUSBAND
Conscience-Stricken She Tells the Truth
WAS INTIMIDATED
Mrs.\u00a0 Morris On Being Recalled Said Husband Was Not at Home-Hurried From County Under Guard Union City, Tenn., Jan 2.-The defense rested its case in the night rider trials this afternoon and the state began its rebuttal testimony which will be concluded Monday.\u00a0 The grand jury likewise made its final return, including several indictments, and was discharged. When court adjourned until Monday Mrs. Wade Morris, whose sensational confession of perjury today was the star feature of the trial accompanied by her husband and baby, under the protection of six soldiers left for Dresden, Weakley county, where she will live in the future.\u00a0 She was in such terror of her life that she did not even wait to get her other two children or her personal effects.The state put but one witness on the stand before adjourning.\u00a0 Bob Curlin, driver of the hack which plies between Union City and Walnut Log, on the Lake.\u00a0 Curlin drove some of the defense’s witnesses to Walnut Log the night the fish docks were burned and saw them leave his conveyance to join the night riders.On cross examination he said he took two quarts of whiskey with him on the drive and at the end of it had a little less than a quart left.\u00a0 Asked if this had no made him “feel his oats,” he grew indignant and replied:\u00a0 “What, drunk on a quart in an hour’s drive?\u00a0 Why, I can prove by Uncle Bill Gibbs that I drink a quart before breakfast and never feel it.”Asserting that on the witness stand yesterday she had deliberately perjured herself for the defense and conscience-stricken, desired to tell the truth, Mrs. Morris, wife of one of the eight alleged night riders, asked to be recalled today.
Wad Morris swore he was present the night Captain Rankin was killed and recognized some of the defendants.\u00a0 Mrs. Morris, his wife, on the stand yesterday, swore that her husband was home that night. She left the stand pale and trembling and sent for the attorney general.”I have done a great wrong,” she said.\u00a0 “I have told a lie.\u00a0 My husband was not at home that night.\u00a0 He was with the riders.\u00a0\u00a0 I was forced by my relatives to testify as I did.\u00a0 I want to see my husband.”Her brother-in-law tried to get her to\u00a0 leave the city with him but the attorney general ordered him away and took Mrs. Morris to her husband.\u00a0 The meeting of the young husband and wife, separated since October 30, was silent but pathetic. After alibi witnesses had been called today the attorney general asked that Mrs. Morris be permitted to correct her testimony.\u00a0 She took the stand and said:”I was persuaded to tell a lie yesterday on the stand.\u00a0 I was told by Joe Hogg and Jack Long that unless I swore that my husband was at home that night the soldiers would hang him.\u00a0 They also threatened me and I was afraid, so I told this lie.\u00a0 Now I want to tell the truth.”The witness bore the taunts and innuendoes of the defendant’s attorneys and the glares of the indicted men patiently but she was badly frightened, and often seemed on the point of collapsing.\u00a0 She declared the attorney general refused to listen to her until she summoned some of her relatives to advise her.The defense attempted to show that some of the accused men were Odd Fellows.\u00a0 Judge Jones sharply shut out the testimony with the remark; “Odd Fellows must be tried the same as anyone else in this court.”
Historical Newspapers-EZELL\/EZZELL<\/strong>
1912-11-22-NEW ORLEANS ITEM-Louisiana
66 YEARS A MASON,\u00a0 DIES
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 22.-Mason Ezell, 91, for 66 years a member of the Masonic order, died yesterday at this home in Weakley
county.\u00a0 He was the oldest Mason in the state.
Historical Newspapers-COUCH – GREEN – STARK – ADAMS – BRAGG<\/strong>
1917-05-29-NEW ORLEANS STATES-Louisiana
[Long article about killer\u00a0 tornado.]
The known Tennessee dead are: Carroll county:\u00a0 Milton\u00a0 Couch, Mrs. Couch, Mrs. Caroline Green, Mrs. William A. Green.
Weakley county:\u00a0 John\u00a0 Stark, Ike Adams, Mrs. William Bragg.
[Among others in\u00a0 Tennessee.]
Historical Newspapers- EPSTEIN – SHAFER-\u00a0 ROSENFIELD<\/strong>
1867-11-24-DAILY IOWA STATE REGISTER-Iowa
Burlington Shooting\u00a0 Case—More Developments
We find the following in the Rock Island\u00a0 Union, in regard to the parties concerned in the shooting affair at the Burlingtonhouse Saturday morning: The woman’s name is not Moore, as\u00a0 registered at the hotel, but Shafer.\u00a0 Her husband kept a hotel in Dresden, Tennessee, and Epstein, being in business there, since the war, boarded at the hotel.\u00a0 He left there with the purpose of going to Europe and was as far as Cincinnati on his way, when, it being about the time of the German war, the Consul at that city advised him not to go. He then came to Rock Island.\u00a0 In the meantime, a certain doctor at Dresden, who bore him no good will, informed Shafer that Epstein had been on terms of improper intimacy with his wife.\u00a0 Mrs. Shafer denied the charge; but her husband was enraged, and told her she could no longer live with him, unless she shot Epstein.\u00a0 He bought her a pair of Deringer pistols and about two months ago she arrived in this city with a little son, about eleven years of age.\u00a0 She stopped at the Rock Island house, and left word at Rosenfield & Epstein’s jewelry store, that “Mrs. Moore,” of Tennessee, wanted to see Mr. Epstein, brother of Mr. Rosenfield’s partner, at the hotel.\u00a0 Moore was the name of a lady Mr. Epstein knew at Unionville, Tenn.\u00a0 When he went to the hotel, he met Mrs. Shafer.\u00a0 She told him the mission her husband had sent her on and showed him the pistols, but declared she could not shoot him.\u00a0 With this assurance he felt safe.\u00a0 She stayed about a week and then returned to her home.\u00a0 Not having fulfilled her mission in failing to shoot Epstein, it is presumed her husband still refused to live with her.\u00a0 Yesterday morning, a week ago, she again arrived in Rock Island by the Chicago train, getting off as Epstein was getting on, to go down to Muscatine.\u00a0 She demanded an interview with him.\u00a0 He replied that he was just starting away.\u00a0 She got on the train and followed him hown to Muscatine.\u00a0 On Friday they both left there on the steamer New Boston, for Burlington.The finale after arriving in\u00a0 Burlington is already known to the public.
Mr. Epstein’s brother arrived here a day or two since and it was expected the trial would take place Wednesday, but Mrs. Moore alias Shafer was sick and could not attend.\u00a0 Mr. Epstein and brother left for their homes in Rock Island yesterday, so that\u00a0 it is uncertain when the trial will take place now.\u00a0 The woman is still sick.-Burlington Argus.
Historical Newspapers-CARLTON<\/strong>
1906-05-05-REPUBLIC-Illinois
STUNG BY BEES, DEATH\u00a0 RESULTS
(Scripps-McRae Press.)
Nashville, Tenn., May 5.-Thomas Carlton as\u00a0 farmer of Gleason, Tenn., is dead as the result of an encounter with bees.\u00a0\u00a0 The bees swarmed on a limb which Carlton attempted to cut.\u00a0 They attacked\u00a0 his head and face.\u00a0 Death came in a few\u00a0 hours.
Historical Newspapers- EVANS<\/strong>
1908-05-10-FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM-Texas
BABE SPILLS COFFEE AND TWO MAY\u00a0 DIE
Mother and Child Dangerously Burned When Infant Turns Boiling Pot Over Upon Kitchen Stove
Special to The Telegram.
GLEASON, Tenn., May 9.-Mrs.\u00a0 Luther Evans and baby were scalded by boiling coffee and the chances are against\u00a0 the recovery of either.\u00a0\u00a0 The mother was cooking with the baby in her\u00a0 arms, and the little one pulled the coffee pot from the stove.
Historical Newspapers- JONES<\/strong>
1880-08-20-CINCINNATI COMMERCIAL TRIBUNE-Ohio
Murder at Greenfield,\u00a0 Tenn.
LOUISVILLE, August 19.-A special to the Commercial from Paducah\u00a0 says:\u00a0 At Greenfield, Tenn., a little village on the Chicago, St. Louis and\u00a0 New Orleans road, between Milan and Fulton, last Monday, Mr. Dick Jones, a\u00a0 merchant, had a fuss with a drunken man in his store and struck him with an\u00a0 axe-handle on the head, killing him almost instantly. Jones skipped out and has\u00a0 not been heard of.
Historical Newspapers- LANE<\/strong>
1905-10-04-JONESBORO WEEKLY SUN-Arkansas
Tennessean Injured in St.\u00a0 Louis
St. Louis, Sept 18.-Thomas B. Lane, 71, of Greenfield, Tenn., fell\u00a0 through a hatchway on the steamer Ferd Herold, anchored at the foot of Chesnut\u00a0 street, and sustained injuries that may cause his\u00a0 death.
Historical Newspapers- GROOMS<\/strong>
1915-08-13-GAZETTE-TELEGRAPH
J. Fred Grooms, aged 29 years, of\u00a0 Greenfield, Tenn., died yesterday at a hospital.\u00a0 He is survived by his\u00a0 wife, father and mother.\u00a0 The body was taken to Greenfield last evening by\u00a0 the wife and father.
Historical Newspapers- DAVIS – GOWAN – GARDNER<\/strong>
1889-08-02-THE HICKMAN COURIER-Kentucky
DEATH OR DISHONOR
The\u00a0 Secretary of a Farmers Organization Suicides Because of a ShortageThe\u00a0 Tennessee State Wheel, a farmers’ organization, recently held its annual session\u00a0 at Nashville. A resolution was passed to investigate the books of the secretary\u00a0 and treasurer.\u00a0 Before the investigation the secretary disappeared.\u00a0\u00a0 His name was W. T. Davis, and he was from Weakley county, West Tennessee, and he\u00a0 was known to many of our tobacco men.\u00a0 An investigation revealed a shortage\u00a0 of $2,000 in his accounts, and a note was found reading as follows:
“NASHVILLE, TENN. July 22, 1889.
“Mr. A. G. Gowan:
“Dear\u00a0 Sir-You will find the books of the Wheel at No. 407 North Summer street and my\u00a0 body in the Cumberland river.\u00a0 I am tired of life and had rather die than\u00a0 to fall short in my accounts.\u00a0 Will you please send my valise to my wife\u00a0 with all the papers that are in it.\u00a0 My life has been a failure, and I am\u00a0 sorry that I have to leave my darling wife and children, but commit them to God\u00a0 and may He help them in this life.\u00a0 Oh, my God, how I hate to leave them;\u00a0 but I cannot bear to meet them in disgrace. My acts and my friends have brought\u00a0 me to this rash act.\u00a0 May the God of heaven have mercy on me.\u00a0 I don’t\u00a0 care whether they ever look for me to bury me or not.\u00a0 If they do, I want\u00a0 to be buried at Gleeson.\u00a0 To A. E. Gardner, who has been my best friend, I\u00a0 ask to look after my baby boy especially.\u00a0 To all friends and foes I bed a\u00a0 final farewell.\u00a0 Darling wife, do not grieve after me but look on the\u00a0 bright side of life.\u00a0 Kiss my babies farewell forever.\u00a0 Good-bye to\u00a0 all.
“W. T. DAVIS”
Historical Newspapers-WILLIAMS –\u00a0 MCGLOTHLIN\/MCLAUGHLIN – PARKS – COVINGTON<\/strong>
1890-11-21-THE HICKMAN COURIER-Kentucky
A FORGER IN THE\u00a0 TOILS.
DRESDEN, TENN., November 17.-J. B. Williams, a young farmer of Weakley County, was on yesterday arrested on the charge of forgery.\u00a0 The warrant\u00a0 for his arrest was sworn out by John McGlothlin, cashier of the Weakley County\u00a0 Bank of this place.\u00a0 Williams was born in this country, and had always\u00a0 lived here.\u00a0\u00a0 He has enjoyed, until recently, the confidence of his\u00a0 neighbors.\u00a0 His arrest developed the fact that he has for twelve months\u00a0 been forging the names of a number of his neighbors to notes, which he has\u00a0 discounted in the banks at Dresden. J. W. Parks, a well-to-do farmer, has found\u00a0 that his name has been signed to five or six notes for various sums during the\u00a0 year, and these notes were never seen or heard of by him until this\u00a0 morning.\u00a0 J. A. Covington’s name was forged in a number of cases.\u00a0\u00a0 Most of the notes were renewed by Williams two or three times, and some of them\u00a0 were paid off.\u00a0 Suit was brought by the Weakley County Bank last week, and\u00a0 when the warrant was served on the securities Saturday, Williams was\u00a0 exposed.\u00a0 He was at the time in Ohio, or the note would have doubtless been\u00a0 renewed again.\u00a0 When arrested and brought to town this morning, Williams\u00a0 made a clean breast of it all and acknowledged that he was guilty, not only in\u00a0 this case for which he was arrested, but in a number of other cases.\u00a0 He\u00a0 said he did not know what made him commit these forgeries.\u00a0 He paid some of\u00a0 them off and if he had not been detected, she says, he would have paid the\u00a0 others off.\u00a0 The Weakley County Bank will lose about $350 unless Williams’\u00a0 friends raise the money which they say they will do.
Historical Newspapers- WHITE – FREEMAN<\/strong>
1893-11-10-THE HICKMAN COURIER-Kentucky
The grand jury of Weakley\u00a0 county, Tenn., failed to indict Jim White for killing John Freeman at Martin a\u00a0 few weeks ago.
Historical Newspapers- EDWARDS<\/strong>
1893-12-15-THE HICKMAN COURIER-Kentucky
A Terrible Tragedy.
A\u00a0 terrible tragedy occurred in Weakley county, Tenn., near Martin last week.\u00a0 West Edwards, a well-known young farmer shot and instantly killed his wife and\u00a0 then shot himself twice in the neck, dying in a few hours.\u00a0 The Martin\u00a0 Tribune give the following account of the affair:Young Edwards had\u00a0 been married about a year and every one thought the couple happy.\u00a0 Mr.\u00a0 Edwards was getting along well in the world and had plenty of everything around\u00a0 him, but it appears that he had recently indicated symptoms of insanity and\u00a0 would frequently remark to this wife that she did not love him and that he had\u00a0 rather be dead than alive.\u00a0 But his family thought nothing of these\u00a0 melancholy moods, and on the morning of the killing he was helping his wife and\u00a0 sister-in-law about washing and seemed to be in good spirits.\u00a0 It seems\u00a0 that some bird hunters were shooting over in a field and his wife or\u00a0 sister-in-law said something about it, and Edwards said that he had some\u00a0 shooting to do, and went into the house.\u00a0 His wife thought nothing of\u00a0 it.\u00a0 He came out and fired two shots into his wife’s back with the above\u00a0 result.\u00a0 He then turned the pistol and fired one ball into his neck, and\u00a0 told his sister-in-law that he was going back into the house and reload his pistol and kill her, and he thereupon went into the house and reloaded his pistol and came out in search of his sister-in-law, who had fled to a neighbor’s\u00a0 house, and not finding her, he again shot\u00a0 himself.
Historical Newspapers-WRIGHT<\/strong>
1894-10-12-THE HICKMAN COURIER-Kentucky
R. R. Wright, a barber,\u00a0 hailing from Greenfield, Tenn., was arrested at Fulton last week by the deputy\u00a0 sheriff of Weakley county, Tenn., and charged with having abducted a young lady\u00a0 about 17 years old from the poor house in Dresden and carrying her to the woods where he criminally assaulted her.
Historical Newspapers HIXON<\/strong>
1888-10-23-THE EVENING BULLETIN-Kentucky
Mrs. Jasper M. Hixon, of\u00a0 Como, Henry County, Tenn., died a few days ago and was buried at Mayslick, where she formerly lived.
Historical Newspapers MCGHEE\/MCGEE<\/strong>
1894-02-02-THE IOLA REGISTER-Kansas
Mrs. May McGhee, living at\u00a0 West Paris, Henry county, Tenn. fell in a fire while in a fit and burned to death before anyone came to her rescue.
Historical Newspapers BRADFORD<\/strong>
1896-11-06-SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL-Kentucky
Pres Bradford, who shot and\u00a0 killed an officer in Henry county, Tenn., committed suicide.
Historical Newspapers TROUSDALE<\/strong>
1897-11-13-THE TRUE DEMOCRAT-Louisiana
Deputy Sheriff Puts a Bullet in his Brain.
Deputy Sheriff Felix G. Trousdale shot and killed himself at this home, in the Fourth District of Henry county, Tenn., four miles north of Paris, Friday night.\u00a0 No cause can be assigned for the deed.\u00a0 He was in Paris during the day and seemed in good health and spirits.\u00a0 He returned home and went out on the front gallery, where the family were alarmed by the shot.\u00a0 They discovered him lying on his back dead, with a pistol on his breast.\u00a0 The 44-calibre bullet entered the skull, just behind the right ear, causing instant death.\u00a0 He was about fifty-five years of age.
Historical Newspapers ALEXANDER<\/strong>
1897-08-05-THE PADUCAH DAILY SUN-Kentucky
Carried to Tennessee
A sister of Mr. W. H. Alexander, who was found dead in bed at Rogers’ night before last, arrived last evening, and the remains were this
morning shipped to Como, Tenn., for burial.
Historical Newspapers LYON<\/strong>
1904-12-28-THE HARTFORD HERALD-Kentucky
The body of a man\u00a0 supposed to be W. R. Lyon, of Puryear, Tenn., was found under a straw stack near Mayfield.\u00a0 The man’s throat was cut from ear to ear.
Historical Newspapers MCCONNELL<\/strong>
1899-08-04-CHICAGO EAGLE-Illinois
Couple Killed by Lightning
H. H. McConnell and his wife, an aged couple, were killed by lightning at their home near Cottage Grove, Tenn.\u00a0 Both had their clothing burned off.
Historical Newspapers BLYTH\/BLYTHE – FAXON<\/strong>
1902-04-09-THE PADUCAH SUN-Kentucky
MRS. MARY A BLYTHE, A SISTER OF MRS.\u00a0 LEN FAXON, NO MORE
Mrs. Mary A. Blythe, the widow of the late James B. Blythe of Cottage Grove, Tenn., and sister of Mrs. Len G. Faxon, formerly of Paducah, died in New York City March 31, and was buried in Lindell cemetery, Long Island.
Historical Newspapers TAYLOR – BLACKARD\/BLANCHARD – CAVENDER\/CAVENDAR<\/strong>
1902-04-11-THE ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC-Missouri
TENNESSEE FARMER\u00a0 LYNCHED.
He Had Shot a Deputy Marshal Without Any Cause.
REPUBLIC\u00a0 SPECIAL.
Fulton, Ky., April 10.-Frank Taylor, Deputy Marshal on the Tennessee side of Fulton, was shot down in cold blood and instantly killed last night at 7 o’clock by Tom Blackard, aged 23 years, a farmer, residing near Dukedom, Tenn.At 10:30 o’clock last night Blackard was taken from the lock-up by a mob and hanged from a bridge, where he was afterwards found dead by officers and citizens.Will Cavender, a saloon man, was\u00a0 accidentally shot in the leg by persons who were attempting to capture Blackard.
1902-04-11-SEMI-WEEKLY INTERIOR JOURNAL-
Kentucky
Tom Blanchard was hanged by a mob near Dukedom, Tenn.\u00a0 He killed Marshall Taylor at Fulton, Ky.
Historical Newspapers JOLLEY\/JOLLY – HENDERSON – STONE<\/strong>
1905-07-19-8-THE PADUCAH SUN-Kentucky
Deaths in Fulton
Fulton, Ky.,\u00a0 July 18.-Mrs. Jim Jolley, aged 32 years, died at her home in Martin, Tenn.\u00a0 A husband and four children, the youngest 3 months old, survives her.\u00a0 The remains were taken to Gleason, Tenn., last night, the burial occurring there today.\u00a0 The deceased was a sister of Mrs. Jesse Henderson of Fulton.Mrs. Jim Stone, aged 75\u00a0 years, died at her home in Dukedom, Tenn.\u00a0 She was an invalid for more than thirty years.\u00a0 She leaves a husband and several children, among the latter being Jim Stone, Jr. of this city.
Historical Newspapers GIBSON – DRURY<\/strong>
1877-01-27-NATIONAL REPUBLICAN-District of Columbia
Robert Gibson, deputy United States Marshal, from Carroll County, Tenn., was shot and almost instantly killed last night by Robert Drury, father of Drury, who is under indictment for issuing counterfeit money, and whose trial is set for tomorrow.\u00a0 Gibson is the principal in the case.
Historical Newspapers LANE<\/strong>
1895-01-08-THE EVENING BULLETIN-Kentucky
In Carroll county,\u00a0 Tenn., Polk Lane, while hunting, fell and was fatally shot.
Historical Newspapers WILSON – ALEXANDER<\/strong>
1893-08-24-SHINER GAZETTE-Texas
A double Killing
NASHVILLE, TENN.,\u00a0 Aug. 19.-At Gleason, Carroll county, Tennessee, Thrusday evening Dr. Wilson, a well-known druggist, meeting Polk Alexander, a prominent citizen, on the street, shot him dead and then shot himself because of a dispute about business matters.
Historical Newspapers ZACHERY\/ZACHARY – WATSON – BEDFORD<\/strong>
1834-10-24-NASHVILLE BANNER AND NASHVILLE WHIG
-Tennessee
$300 REWARD.\u00a0 ATTEMPT AT MURDER.
On the 7th of\u00a0 this instant, Lewis Zachery, of Obion county, shot Maj. Wm. W. Watson, of said county, who, it is expected will die from the wound.\u00a0 After perpetrating the diabolical act, Zachery succeeded in making his escape, since which time he has not been heard of.\u00a0 Said Zachery is about 45 years of age; 5 feet 8 or 10 inches high; of sallow complexion; one ear off, or the quarter part of it; somewhat inclined to drink, as his complexion shows.\u00a0 The above reward will be given for the apprehension and delivery of said Zachery, to the proper authorities of Obion county, or lodged in any safe jail in the United States, so that he can be gotten.SETH BEDFORD Obion county, Tenn. Oct.\u00a0 19.
Historical Newspapers MITCHELL – STONE<\/strong>
1841-11-02-DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER-
OUTRAGEOUS AND COLD BLOODED\u00a0 MURDER
Mr. John B. Mitchell, of Obion county, Tenn. was assassinated on Sunday night, the 3rd ultimo, in the following brutal and distressing manner:\u00a0 He was seated at the supper table, surrounded by his family, unconscious that the bloody eye of a midnight assassin was resting on him, when a gunshot was fired into the room from without, and Mr. Mitchell fell from his seat a dead man.\u00a0 Some of the members of the family rushed out, but the night was dark and they could not see any person:\u00a0 They, however, heard the rustling of the leaves as the blood stained villain pushed through a thicket. From previous threats,\u00a0 and other circumstances, the citizens of Obion have good reason to suspect that a certain James N. Stone, of Obion county, is the murderer.\u00a0 They have, with a praiseworthy spirit, subscribed several hundred dollars reward for the apprehension of the murderer.James N. Stone is described to be a\u00a0 heavy built man, near six feet high, complexion common, hair and eyes black, visage rather broad, a large scar across his nose, which is angling down.-Mills Point Herald.
Historical Newspapers KESSE\/KEESE – WALLACE – POTTER<\/strong>
1843-06-21-DAILY ATLAS-Massachusetts
A SHOCKING MURDER.-A\u00a0 revolting murder was recently perpetrated in Obion county, Tenn.\u00a0 It is stated that “Gilbert Kesse, armed with a double barrelled shot gun, and Joshua Wallace, armed with a rifle, went on Friday evening, the 2nd inst. to the house of Mr. Monroe Potter; there arrived, Kesse called out John Potter, (Monroe’s brother,) who had hardly stepped out when Kesse deliberately raised his shot gun and killed him dead upon the spot, lodging eleven buck shot in his body; upon this the ruffian wheeled and fled.\u00a0 Monroe Potter, hearing the report of the gun, rushed out and tried to secure the murderer, but Kesse stopped and fired at him the other barrel load of his gun, planting the principal contents of this gun in his victim’s breast, and leaving him weltering in his blood.\u00a0 The murderers have fled and have as yet not been taken.\u00a0 Monroe Potter, whose life is despaired of, was Kesse’s brother-in-law.”
1843-06-21-NORTH AMERICAN-Pennsylvania
MURDER.-A revolting murder\u00a0 was committed in Obion county, Tennessee, on the 2nd inst., by Gilbert Keese and Joshua Wallace. Keese shot two brothers, by the names of John and Monroe Potter, that latter of whom was his brother-in-law.\u00a0 The murderers fled and have not yet been arrested.
Historical Newspapers BECKHAM – EVERETT – GUYNNE – THOMAS – BROWN – BENISON\/BENNISON<\/strong>
1864-08-20-CINCINNATI DAILY ENQUIRER-Ohio
Late Southern News-What one Woman has Suffered. (Civil War Murders)
(From the Richmond Examiner.)
Last year the world was horrified at the murder of a whole family at Beckham’s Landing, in Obion county, Tennessee, by Yankee negro troops.\u00a0 In Europe it was made a theme of comment by the press of civilized nations.\u00a0 The particulars have never been fully given until within a few days past, when Mrs. Mary Beckham, the widow of A. F. Beckham, one of the victims, published a letter giving the details of the horrible act.\u00a0 As a matter of history, we put it upon the record:
On Tuesday morning, about 9 o’clock, August 4, 1863, twelve armed negro soldiers came to the house, there being no one there except my husband, father-in-law (Benjamin F. Beckham), and four of my children, and some of our family negroes.\u00a0 They rushed on my husband and tied him, took off his watch and pin, and rifled his pockets.\u00a0 They then tied my father-in-law, and dragged them to the river, it being about thirty yards.\u00a0 They killed my husband on the top of the bank by shooting him in the head.\u00a0 They then cut off his shoulder blade and rolled his body into the river; his clothes looked as if there had been a great struggle.They then took the old\u00a0 gentleman, stabbed him three times, once in the heart and cut one of his ears off.\u00a0 After throwing his body into the river, they proceeded back to the house, where two of them had been guarding my dear little children.\u00a0 They spoke to my eldest daughter, Laura, aged fourteen years, telling her to get up and follow her damned old daddy, at the same time presenting a pistol to her temple.\u00a0 The children were driven to the water’s edge, where their father and grandfather had been murdered, and then they were put to death in the most cruel manner.
The youngest, Richard, aged two and half years, was thrown into the water.\u00a0 Laura jumped in and attempted to rescue him, and while in the water waist deep, begging for mercy, she was knocked on the head with the butt end of a gun, entirely separating her forehead, and then stabbed in the side.\u00a0 Kate Ida, eleven years of age, was then disposed of.\u00a0 She was beaten with guns until her head and shoulders were perfectly soft; her body was bruised all over.\u00a0 Caroline, seven years of age, was shot through the head and so disfigured that she did not look like a human.\u00a0 After they had murdered them all and thrown their bodies into the river, they returned to the house, taking everything valuable, and all the clothing they could carry.
Then they started for Island No. 10, thinking or knowing they would be protected if they reached there in safety.\u00a0 While they were killing the children, a man by the name of Everett came up-he asked them what they meant, when they commenced firing on him, and he narrowly escaped with this life; he started immediately to alarm the neighborhood.\u00a0 There happened to be a Federal cavalry force from Columbus, Kentucky, conscripting the negroes in the cavalry, and on their being informed, the immediately started in pursuit and overtook them near the island, and arrested all except those who escaped, but they were afterward captured.\u00a0 Ten of them were taken to Columbus, where they were tried and six sentenced, and it is said even hung; the others, with the exception of one, sentenced to the penitentiary for life.\u00a0 One was left unpunished.The cause the Federals\u00a0 had for showing so much leniency to one was, he acknowledged he threw the youngest child in the river, but said he did not want to kill any of them, but he was threatened by others that if he did not obey Guynnes’ and Captain Thomas’ orders, he would meet with the same fate as these children.\u00a0 I know there is a just God above, and that they will have justice meted out to them in the next world, if not in this.\u00a0 I have three children left, and now living at home.\u00a0 Various threats were made against my life if I came home; but I came, and I could not tell the number of times the Federals have searched my house both night and day.
I reported to the authorities at No. 10, but it did no good.\u00a0 I was told that the Lieutenant who arrested the negroes was wearing my husband’s watch.\u00a0 I have been robbed five times since the murder of my family; and if this war continues much longer, I do not know how I will live.\u00a0 The negroes that murdered my family are strange negroes, trained by Union soldiers to commit such deeds.\u00a0 The New Albany Ledger gave an account of the murder, and said it more than likely a hoax, and if it was so, the rebellion was the cause of it.\u00a0 My father-in-law’s brother was the first man murdered at the time of John Brown’s insurrection at Harper’s Ferry.
\u00a0I wonder what was the cause of that. One of the negroes\u00a0 concerned in the murder of my family was a noted corporal.\u00a0 In November I was at my brother’s, when three white Union soldiers from the Island came to search.\u00a0 They cursed me, and said I was a damned old fool and other words too rough to mention.\u00a0 One drew his gun on me and threatened to shoot me.\u00a0 I went immediately to the Island, and told Captain Benison one of his men threatened my life.\u00a0 He said he would punish him.\u00a0 Two weeks later the same man came back and told me that I told the blackest lie woman ever told. I received a note from head-quarters to pay a woman $49 immediately, or I would be severely punished.\u00a0 The woman had no claim on me whatever.\u00a0 I refused to pay the sum, and the commander then on the island being sent away, prevented me from paying it or receiving the punishment.Under such circumstances I have lived alone, with the exception of three small children.\u00a0 I have resolved to have a monument placed over my husband’s grave if I live, to show how he went; then, if the threats that are made against me are executed, and Iam not spared, I call upon the Masons to see that it is done.\u00a0 Enough is left that an army can’t destroy to have it done.
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