Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-04-23
From the Banner of Peace.
The Murder.

The night was dark and gloomy. The star,
were twinkling but family through the sable cur
tain of night. The wintry wiud was whistling its
mournful dirge around the old country mansion Of
the sleeping victim. All was hashed in silent re,
pose. The long wintry evening had been spent
more agreeably even than usual. DR.. r, was
man Of a sweet disposition, pleasant manners,
| and playful mood, afectionate husband, tender
| parent and kind master. In short, he was one of
those men that everybody loved and respected
A practice of many years, together with close ap-
! plication, and hard study, had made him amongst
the most eminent in his profession.
He had just returned from visiting sick patient
and was permitted to spend the evening with his
family. 1t was so seldom that he was permitted to
remain at home that his wife and mere especially
| his children, seemed very much to enjoy his compa-
! ny. To all it was real" winter evening at home
The children played and laughed and dandled on
their fathers knee until the clock struck nine and
then one after another they bid good night" and
were put to bed
There seemed nothing 10 be wanting to the en-
tire happiness Of this family, BAT the Janily al
ter and unfortunately it had never been erected,
for the Doctor was not a religious man; although
he was what the world generally terms moral
man After short conversation with Mrs F.,
they all retired 10 rest ....
The servants seemed more than usually quiet,
and to have retired sooner than common In the
negro quarters a faint light was here and there
stealing through the cracks from the fire that still
remained on the hearth; but there was nothing to
excite snpicion unless il was the unusual stiffness
Even the dogs seemed to rest easy and had for
gotten to bark. ~ -.
At 3 O'Clock in the morning. however, the silence
was suddenly disturbed by aloud, but husky "hallo."
But 50 deep was the repose of the Dr. and family,
! that il seemed unheard Again another haltoyr
and again another, when the DIR. arose and raising
/ his window responded What's the matter?r To
which the messenger replied, Dat roman's lcorse. +"
| The DIR. suppoSing that it was the same patient
that he had visited the evening before belonging to
widow L. ordered his horse to be caught and was
| soon dressed and ready to depart Mrs. F.,
expressed her sorrow that the DR. had to turn out
| such dark night but he said this was the lot of
his profession, and they both had become sccus-
toned TO these night calls but little was said
| The DIR. with his saddle bags upon his arm, left
without even bidding farewell to his beloved wife,
expecting soon to return. After mounting his
horse, he enqured, sis that you Jack" of the SER
want that awaited him. To which he received q
reply in the affirmative. When they had passed
out of the gate, he told Jack that he must pilot
him to the house of his Mistress. Without max
ing any reply the supposed Jack, spurred his horse
up and led the way. Silently they plodded their
way in the dark, until they had reached a very
narrow place in the lane, when Jack stopped his
horse and dismounted. The DR.. being some dis
tance behind with his head down to avoid the cold
wind much as possible, did not observe the ac-
ton of his pilot until his vigilant horse seem
ed to make halt, or rather shun some object i'm
| mediately before him. This calling the Doctors
| attention. he spoke, and enquired, What is the
matter ~ to which his guide replied, Ihaus lost
my glore'" The Or. casting his eye back, to look
| for the glove, the supposed Jack arose from his
STOPPING position, and sezng the horses reins with
his left hand, with hammer in his right hand he
struck the fatal blow which took effect on the left
temple, and the Dr. fell from his horse lifeless; but
the cruel assassin, in order to make his work,
ran around the horse, and struck two other blows
in the head with his hammer, thus leaving no signs
of life The next work was to examine his pockets
He took out his pocket book which contained near
| $500 in paper money, but finding no silver, and
either not knowing the paper money or fearing
detection by it. he east it down. He then examined
he other pockets and found nothing but knife this
he put in his pocket then hitching his faithful horse
to the fence he left him lying in the road and got
on his horse and rode back to the home he had made
desolate, having cruelty murdered his own Master,
who was said to be one of the most kind and indul
gent Masters in Kentucky. r-sa
THE Confession.
J. Isaac had been tried and found guilty Of the
murder of his master. The court then proceeded to
the trial OF john, his fellow servant who by his
own confession was implicated in the same cruel
tragedy. The eireumstantial evidence as well as
Johns own confession, which he made when he was
first arrested after the murder Of his master were
very strong against him. John and Isaac had beer