South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-08-15
THE MURRELL PUBLICATION.

publication ofthe confession Of Gotten
the miserable being who was hung in
Mississippi, allusion was made to publi<
cation of one Murrell, which seemed 10
be- an important link in the connected
chain of events, unknown to those ont Of
the immediate vicinity ofthe transactions.
The Lynchburg yirginian contains the
annexed account of the publication Of
Murrell. which we transfer to our COLI
umns as necessary TO full understands
ing ofthe whole affair:
"This MurreIl was tried ia Jackson,
Madison county, Tennessee, in June,
1884, was found guilty Of negro steal.
ing, or, more properly speaking, de-
coying negroes from their masters, fox
the purpose of selling them for bis own
profit, and sentenced to ten years im-
prisonment in the penitentiary of Tens
nessee, where he is a. this time. We
have now before US pamphlets cons
tanning detailed account Of this dar-
ing freebooter, by Virgil A. Stewart,
early 10 the year 1884, ia the truth Of
which, however, so startling was it's
character, we placed but little conf.
dence until that romantic narrative
had been partially confirmsd by recent
events. We did not believe that such
an incarnate fiend lived on the face Of
the earth. But we can no longer doubt
its truth, or withhold from Mr.. Stew
art, his captor, the credit due alike to
his ingenuity aud inirepidity.
HMr. Stewart, in order TO ascertain
whether Murrell had stolen the me-
groes Of friend Of his, Parsoo John
Henning, of Madison county, Tennes-
see,) determined to pursue him to e
point where it was supposed that ne
had concealed them. Falling in with
Murrell, ON the very day that he started
in pursuit, Stewart feigned entire igno-
rance Of the name and character OF his
companion, and, BY the most ingenl%
completely into the confidence Of the
villain, that he obtained from him 9
succinct history of the exploits Of big
past life, which had been one continu-
ed series ofrobbery and murder, per>
petrated under various circumstancess
and concealed by the most artful ma
nmuvres. While, however, Murrell
was daily loading his soul with crimes
of this character, he was meditating
scheme OF vilainy, on the most extern
sive scale, and which, had it been only
partially successful, must have results
ed in the most appalling consequences.
This diaboical scheme was nothing
less than servie instruction, 10 be
consummated on the 25lh December,
1885, in all the slave holding States q
Territories, from Maryland to Louisi-
ana. For the purpose Of preparing
for this great stroke, he had travelled
first to New Orleans, thence via Cin-
cinnali, to Lexington, KY, thence 10
Richmond, Va, thence to Charles.
ton, Milledgeville, Savannah, and An-l
gusta, from which place he returned
to Williamson county, Tennessee, bis
native place, OF as he calls it, his 'oldI
stamping grounds He says, In all
the route only robbed 10 men, but !
preached some fine Sermons, and seats
tered some counterfeit United States
paper among my brethren z The
Fieud Covered with crime, and
yet daring 10 ascend the pulpit, as the
messenger Of the Most High Did he
not fear that he might be blasted bY
the lightnings of Heaven
"Hs goes on to say, that he regard
ed this plan sas the sure road to an in,
exhaustibIe fortune to all who would
engage in the expedilion;' and he adds
MY heart began 10 beat high with the
hope of being able one day to visit thd
pomp Of the southern and western peo
pie in my vengeance, & ofseeing thei
cities and towas one common scene q
devastation, smoked walls, and frag
ments. fortunately, however, his caree
of iniquity was about 10 be terminated
at least for season. Mr.. Stewart, afte
obtaining from him full confession
the villaioies which had signalized hi
career, and development OF his fl
ture plans, succeeded in bringing him
if moi to full justice, at least 10 tempo
rary punishment. And il 10 to be hq
ped, should he survive his present eoI
fnement, and be permitted again 10 &
abroad in the world, tina, his iootste
will be dogged, and his manoeayrs
vigilantly watched, by every commu
nifty which may be carsed with h
presence.